Surface-to-air Akash missile test fired

Two days after its successful trial, India today again test-fired the indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile from the test range at Chandipur near Balsoer.

"The user specific trial, which formed part of the country's routine air defence exercises, was conducted from the ITR," said a Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) official associated with the ‘Akash’ missile project.

To re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the anti-aircraft missile, Defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR.

Buddhist encyclopaedia published in Russia

The first encyclopaedia of Buddhist philosophy has been brought out in Russia where Buddhism has seen a revival after the collapse of Communism.

The encyclopaedia analyses the philosophical aspects of Buddhism in the context of different civilisations, cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

Releasing the book at a function held at the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences India’s Ambassador Ajai Malhotra said that the philosophy of Lord Buddha was a relevant today as ever and would continue to inspire future generations across the world.

Indian-origin student cracks 350 years' old math puzzles

A 16-year-old Indian-origin 'genius' from Germany has managed to crack puzzles that had baffled the world of maths for more than 350 years.

Shouryya Ray, from Dresden, has solved two fundamental particle dynamics theories which physicists have previously been able to calculate only by using powerful computers.

Shouryya has been hailed a genius after working out the problems set by Sir Isaac Newton.

His solutions mean that scientists can now calculate the flight path of a thrown ball and then predict how it will hit and bounce off a wall, the Daily Mail reported.

BoB overtakes PNB as second most profitable public sector bank

State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) has pipped PNB to become the country's second largest public sector lender in terms of annual profit.

Mumbai-based BoB's net profit crossed Rs 5,000 crore during 2011-12, a rise of 18 per cent from the previous year.

Punjab National Bank's (PNB) net profit rose by 10.2 per cent to Rs 4,884 crore for the fiscal ended March, 2012.

The country's largest bank State Bank of India in the first nine months of 2011-12 has posted a net profit of Rs 8,243.64 crore. Its profit in 2010-11 stood Rs 8,264.5 crore .

Delhi, Mumbai airports bag global awards

The international airports here and at New Delhi have secured global rankings at the Airport Council International's (ACI's) airport service quality awards.

While the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has listed second, the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport stands at fourth position among 180 airports surveyed by the ACI for their performance in 2011, statements issued by managements of both the airports said.

Both the airports fall under the 25-40 million passengers per annum category.

Dawes named as India's new bowling coach

The BCCI has announced that Australian Joe Dawes will take over from Eric Simons as India's bowling coach after the tour of Australia.

Dawes is a former Queensland fast bowler who played 76 first class matches from 1997 to 2005. He was the bowling coach of Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

Simons has been associated with the Indian team since 2010 when he was roped in by then coach Gary Kirsten. Simons' contract expires at the end of the current tour Down Under.

All is not lost for Simons, however. The South African still has a job as coach of the Delhi Daredevils for the forthcoming edition of the IPL

East Zone create history to win maiden Duleep Trophy title

 East Zone kept their date with history as they crushed Central Zone by an innings and 20 runs to win their maiden Duleep Trophy title in an emphatic manner on Tuesday.

Enjoying a commanding first-innings lead of 237, East Zone pace duo of Ashok Dinda (3/94) and Mohammed Shami Ahmed (4/50) shared the bulk of spoils as Central's innings terminated at 217 for nine. Vineet Saxena, who was nursing a finger injury, didn't come out to bat.

While Shami had the best match figures of 8/123, Dinda will remember this first-class season in which he finished with 59 scalps from nine games leaving the second highest wicket-taker Taduri Sudhindra (44 wickets) way behind.

The Central batsmen didn't show the gumption required to save the match. To make a match of it, patience was the key but Central batsmen weren't prepared to stay at the wicket.

Amartya Sen receives Humanities Medal from Obama

Amatya Sen, Indian economist and 1998 Nobel Prize winner in economics, has been felicitated with the National Medals of Arts and Humanities award by the US President BAarak Obama at a glittering White House function.

"We even have an economist, which we don't always get on stage," Obama said referring to 78-year-old Sen, before he presented the 2011 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities.

"Sen is being awarded the 2011 National Huma Bnities Medal for his insights into the causes of poverty, famine, and injustice. By applying philosophical thinking to questions of policy, he has changed how standards of living are measured and increased our understanding of how to fight hunger," said the citation, read by a military aid of the US President.

Few minutes later, Sen was on the stage to receive the medal from Obama, the two Nobel Laureate were seen chatting on some issues. Nothing was audible though.

Sen also attended the White House reception hosted by President Obama on this occasion. The First Lady, Michelle also attended the awards ceremony.

The 2011 National Medal of Arts were also awarded to Will Barnet, Rita Dove, Al Pacino, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Martin Puryear, Mel Tillis, United Service Organization and Andre Watts.

And the 2011 National Humanities Medal were given to Kwame Anthony Appiah, John Ashbery, Robert Darnton, Andrew Delbanco, National History Day, Charles Rosen sand Teofilo Ruiz besides Sen.

Noted Urdu Poet Akhlaq Khan 'Shahryar' Dead

Noted urdu poet and Jnanpith awardee Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, who shot to fame for penning ghazals in Bollywood classics like 'Umrao Jaan', passed away here today after a protracted illness. He was 76.

The poet, better known by his pseudonym Shahryar, is survived by his two sons and a daughter.

Khan, who also won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987, was one of the most celebrated writers of ghazals and nazm in Urdu language

Born in Aonla town in Bareilly district on June 19, 1936, Khan pursued his higher education at Aligarh Muslim University, before obtaining a PhD and joining the university's faculty in 1966.

He retired as Chairman of the university's Urdu department in 1996.

Khan drew national fame as a lyricist for the words he penned in films like Gaman, Umrao Jaan and Anjuman.

According to a spokesperson of AMU, the poet will be laid to rest at the University's graveyard tomorrow afternoon.

"The Artist” Wins 7 British Academy Awards

There’s no such thing as a “done deal” but “The Artist” looks like it’s headed to a big Oscar night on February 26th. Over the weekend the Michel Hazanavicius directed silent film picked up 7 BAFTA awards from the British Film Academy. The film won Best Picture, Actor, and Director, plus Original Screenplay and Score. There was nothing, however, for Uggie, and nothing for Berenice Bejo, who’s having the unfortunate experience of watching everyone else from “The Artist” win awards while she loses to Octavia Spencer from “The Help” for Best Supporting Actress. Not to take away from Spencer, but Bejo is a marvel as Peppy Miller, the plucky Hollywood ingenue who becomes a superstar.
Best Actress went to Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady.” This was a pretty controversial choice in England considering Streep played Margaret Thatcher in a way that surprised the Brits. But I do think that Streep is on target now for the Oscar over Viola Davis in “The Help.” Anything could change, but Streep’s body of work and her superlative performance in this film especially should lead to a win. Davis has a lot of of Oscars, Tonys, and Emmys in her future, of that there is no doubt.
As for “The Artist,” the real shock is that Jean DuJardin has picked up this momentum for Best Actor. He’s winning contests against Brad Pitt and George Clooney. I can’t imagine what those two guys must be thinking. They’ve each done their best work ever in “Moneyball” and “The Descendants.” “The Artist” came out of left field, a total shock. But Du Jardin is so appealing and charming in “The Artist,” and he’s obviously appealing to voters looking for someone new to choose from.

Adele Wins 6 Grammys

 
British R&B singer Adele was rolling in awards at the 54th Grammy Awards Sunday in Los Angeles, winning all six categories in which she was nominated.
Her album 21 won the top prize of album of the year, as well as best pop vocal album.  Her song Rolling in the Deep won record of the year, song of the year and best short-form music video.  Adele also won best pop solo performance for Someone Like You.

The Cockney singer's highly anticipated performance at the Grammys was her first live performance since having surgery in October on her vocal chords.

The Grammy Awards show began on a somber note as host LL Cool J offered a prayer for Whitney Houston, the iconic singer who was found dead Saturday. The 48-year-old singer and actress was a six-time Grammy award winner. Police say they are still investigating the cause of her death, but said there was no evidence of criminal involvement.

Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson sang a soulful rendition of Houston's hit I Will Always Love You as a tribute.

Singer Whitney's death

The 48-year-old singer, who had battled years of addiction, was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles hours before she was due to attend a star-studded party downstairs.
Two bodyguards, a hairdresser and stylist were believed to have been in her room at the time and discovered her body, with her head under water, after becoming concerned that she had been in the bathroom for more than an hour.
Prescription drugs, but no illegal drugs, were found in the suite. Houston was known to take Xanax, a drug to ease anxiety that can cause drowsiness. Anti-anxiety drugs Valium and lorazepam were also believed to have been found.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate her for 20 minutes but she was pronounced dead at 3.55pm local time on Saturday. Police said there were no "obvious signs" of criminal activity.
The death of the winner of six Grammys cast a shadow over the 54th edition of the awards last night. Houston was to have attended the ceremony.
Soul legend Aretha Franklin, who was Houston's godmother, said: "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."
"She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the Earth," singer Mariah Carey posted on Twitter, while Dolly Parton said: "Mine is only one of millions of hearts broken."
Last Thursday, witnesses said Houston had displayed erratic behaviour, including doing handstands by the Beverly Hilton Hotel pool. Later that night she was seen looking dishevelled at a nightclub. A video showed her performing briefly in a faltering voice. On Friday night she was also seen "partying hard" in the hotel bar with friends.
She had also attended rehearsals for the Grammys, and her behaviour there was described as erratic. She was said to have been sweating and alcohol was smelled on her breath.
She spoke to her mother, Cissy Houston, by telephone half an hour before she died and was said to have been looking forward to the party. Her daughter Bobbi Kristina, 19, was also at the hotel.
As news of Houston's death spread, tributes poured in from fans across the world. The Grammy Awards were transformed to include tributes, including one to be sung by Jennifer Hudson.
From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, the gospel-trained Houston was one of the world's best-selling recording artists. She mesmerised audiences with her powerful vocals, released seven studio albums and sold 170 million CDs, singles and videos.
Songs like I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love became global hits and Houston starred in films, including The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner.
But her career began to unravel as she battled drug addiction, spent spells in rehab and embarked on a tumultuous 15-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown. In a 2002 interview, Houston said: "The biggest devil is me."
Her marriage to Brown ended in 2007 and two years later she made a comeback, but many fans were unimpressed.
SkyNews reported late last night that Bobbi Kristina had been taken to hospital due to stress.