Friendship Day celebrations take place on the first Sunday of August every year. The tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends began in US in 1935. Gradually the festival gained popularity and today Friendship Day is celebrated in large number of countries including India. On this day people spend time with their friends and express love for them. Exchange of Friendship Day Gifts like flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition of this occasion.

" Two may talk together under the same roof for many years, yet never really meet; and two others at first speech are old friends. "
- Mary Catherwood

" Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival. "
- C. S. Lewis

" Anybody can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend's success. "
- Oscar Wilde

Friendship Day Activities
Friendship Day is an occasion that calls for celebrating the presence of friends in our life. Given here are some Friendship Day celebration ideas to help you make the occasion a memorable one. The idea behind the Friendship Day activities listed here is have fun on the occasion and to make your friends feel how special they are in your life! In case you too know of a good friendship party idea please send it to us and help us enhance this biggest web site on Friendship Day.

Shoot straight from the heart messages for dearest friends here.

Ever written or read a special quote on Friends share it with the world.

Show your creativity and love for friends by sending sweet Friendship Songs.
Friendship Activities and Ideas of Celebration
A simple idea would be to write a nice card for your friend telling them how much you appreciate their friendship. Please be open in your expression and spill out your heart to them!
To touch your friend's heart buy or make them a small present such as flowers, chocolates, friendship bands, a cake, or anything that your friend will appreciate! And how about leaving the gift anonymously for added intrigue!
Give a warm hug to your friend and let them that have a special place in your heart!
Make it a point to call or SMS every one of your friends, old and new, on Friendship Day to let them know you care.
Write your friend a web page to express your friendship online
Ring up a radio station and dedicate a song to Friendship Day and your friends!
A wonderful idea would be to make some new friends on the occasion by becoming a doer of RAOK - Random Acts of Kindness
Buy your friend a ticket to the theatre so you can enjoy a great show together. If you can't afford this, downscale to the movies!
Give your friend a Friendship Bracelet (made or bought) to symbolize your friendship.
Grab a camera or visit a photo studio and take some photos of you and your friends enjoying yourselves! This is beautiful way to preserve memory.
More Thoughtful Friendship Activities

Prepare a CD or a cassette that features all the songs that define your friendship or ones that you just happen to mutually like!
Submit a Friendship Tribute to your friend to be posted on the web.
Do call all those old friends you haven't spoken to in ages. Remember the girl scout motto - "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold"!
Send your dear friends an online Friendship greeting and add a special message.
Make a special friendship book for your best friend. You may include photos, quotes and poetry telling your friends how special they are.
Invite your closest buddies over for a sleepover! Rent some movies, plan out games and arrange for chips, chocolate, cold-drinks and other goodies! If possible bring some blankets outside and watch the stars.
You may also plan a special day with your best friend or friendship group. A picnic is always a fun idea, and great for all ages. If your group loves adventure you may plan activities such as bowling, golf, boating, river-rafting, cricket or going to the beach.
If you are all busy during the day, plan to go out to dinner with your friends. Dress up in your finest and have a fun night that's different and rocking.
If possible host a Friendship Dinner Party at your home!

Source: http://www.friendshipday.org/friendship-day-activities.html

GALLE, Sri Lanka - Opener Virender Sehwag's 15th test century steered India to 214 for four at the close of the first day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The visitors made a flying start as they reached lunch on 151 for nought but Sri Lanka fought back well late in the day after rain had washed out the afternoon session.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis and seamer Chaminda Vaas claimed two wickets apiece as India lost four for 11 at one stage. Sehwag finished unbeaten on 128 with VVS Laxman 13 not out.

Sehwag's explosive innings, spanning 122 deliveries and including 19 fours and two sixes, was ably supported by 56 from Gautam Gambhir.

The pair put on 167 for the first wicket after India won the toss.

The new-ball bowlers, particularly Nuwan Kulasekara, frequently beat the bat but were unable to capitalise fully on the early moisture in the pitch.

WIDE BALL

Sri Lanka dropped Gambhir on 13 when he slashed at a wide ball and the dive of wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene distracted Kumar Sangakkara at first slip.

Even when the home side turned to spin pair Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan, who shared 19 wickets in the first test, Sehwag continued to attack.

He did however survive a fright before lunch when an edge flew past Mahela Jayawardene at first slip.

The rain came at the right time for Sri Lanka, stalling India's progress for three and a half hours.

When play resumed India were left with a tricky one hour session and Sri Lanka took advantage.

Mendis pinned Gambhir lbw and had Rahul Dravid brilliantly caught for two at bat-pad by Malinda Warnapura.

Vaas trapped Sachin Tendulkar lbw for five with an inswinger before Saurav Ganguly went for a duck when he edged Vaas low to Prasanna Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka are 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Source: Yahoo News

Second hand smoke has been linked to disease
Being married to a smoker will significantly raise your risk of stroke, even if you don't smoke yourself, say researchers.

The Harvard University team looked at records of more than 16,000 people.

The American Journal of Preventative Medicine study found the risk rose by up to 72% for some non-smokers.

The stroke dangers to smokers are well known, but there are fewer studies which have explored the risk from passive smoking.

Since the introduction of smoking bans in public places across the UK, the home is now the most likely place for non-smokers to breathe second-hand smoke.

The Harvard study looked at people aged over 50, and their spouses, over a period of, on average, just over nine years.

After the results were adjusted for other factors which could influence stroke risk, non-smokers living in the same house as a smoker were found to be at far greater risk of stroke.

The health benefits of quitting smoking likely extend beyond individual smokers to affect their spouses

Dr Maria Glymour
Harvard University

If the person had never-smoked, living with a smoker raised stroke risk by 42%. If he or she had smoked at some point in their lives, but given up, the increase in risk was even higher, at 72%.

Being married to a former smoker did not increase risk, suggesting that this extra risk would fall away if the partner stopped smoking.

Partner plea

Dr Maria Glymour, who carried out the research, said: "These findings indicate that spousal smoking increases stroke risk among non-smokers and former smoker.

"The health benefits of quitting smoking likely extend beyond individual smokers to affect their spouses - potentially multiplying the benefits of quitting smoking."

This advice was echoed by the Stroke Association, which said that passive smokers were nearly twice as likely to have a stroke compared with those not living in a smoky environment.

Joe Korner, from the association, said: "Smoking is a significant risk factor for stroke with a quarter of all strokes being linked to smoking and it can also contribute to high blood pressure which is the single biggest risk factor for stroke.

"We urge people to consider the effects that smoking has on their health and others around them and do all they can to reduce their risk of stroke."

Source:BBC

There have been significant gains in preventing new HIV infections in a number of heavily-affected countries, a United Nations programme report says.

However, UNAids warns the Aids epidemic is not over in any part of the world.

The report says prevention programmes have seen changes in sexual behaviour, and a drop in infection rates in countries such as Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Condom use is also increasing among young people with multiple partners in many countries.

Short-term gains should serve as a platform for reinvigorating combination HIV prevention and treatment efforts and not spur complacency

Dr Peter Piot
UNAids
Another encouraging sign is that young people are waiting longer to have sexual intercourse, the report says.

This has been seen in seven of the most affected countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.

In Cameroon the percentage of young people having sex before the age of 15 has decreased from 35% to 14%.

UNAids reports that since 2005 there has been a tripling of HIV prevention efforts, with a focus on sex workers, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users.

Mothers and children

The report also reveals that the percentage of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving antiretroviral drugs to prevent transmission of the virus to their child rose from 14% in 2005 to 33% in 2007.

In the same period the numbers of new infections among children fell from 410,000 to 370,000.

RISING RATES OF HIV
China
Indonesia
Kenya
Mozambique
Papua New Guinea
Russian Federation
Ukraine
Vietnam
Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS executive director, welcomed the progress.

But he said: "Gains in saving lives by preventing new infections and providing treatment to people living with HIV must be sustained over the long term.

"Short-term gains should serve as a platform for reinvigorating combination HIV prevention and treatment efforts and not spur complacency."

Globally, the number of new HIV infections has declined from 3 million in 2001 to 2.7 million in 2007. However, rates of infection are rising in many countries.

There are now an estimated 33 million people living with HIV worldwide, with two million estimated to have died from Aids last year.

Aids continues to be the leading cause of death in Africa, which accounts for 67% of the total number of people living with HIV.

Six out of ten of those living with HIV in Africa are women.

The UNAids report stresses that the fight against HIV requires sustained long-term financing.

It warns that as more people go on treatment and live longer, budgets for HIV will have to increase over the next few decades.

Source:BBC

Seventeen bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and 9 blasts in Bangalore shaking peoples

Source:http://images.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp19/20080725blore12.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mangalorean.com/news.php%3Fnewstype%3Dlocal%26newsid%3D86122&h=347&w=549&sz=54&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=585bcSbck8IIsM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBomb%2Bblasts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in the wake of serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekar, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, Director Intelligence Bureau P C Haldar, Delhi Police Chief Y S Dadwal and senior officers of the Home Ministry and security agencies.

The review meeting is a second of its kind since last week when the Home Ministry had gone into the security scenario in the country and issued advisories to various states asking them to be on high alert.

Terror struck Ahmedabad yesterday when 16 coordinated serial blasts ripped through the city killing 38 people and injuring 162 sending a wave of panic, a day after multiple explosions rocked Bangalore.

A string of nine synchronised low intensity bomb blasts rocked Bangalore Friday, leaving two killed and injuring 12 others.

Source:PTI

Following is a chronology of twelve major blasts that took place in India in last five years:

March 13, 2003: A bomb attack on a commuter train in Mumbai kills 11 people.

August 25, 2003: Two almost simultaneous car bombs kill about 60 in Mumbai.

August 15, 2004: Bomb explodes in Assam, killing 16 people, mostly schoolchildren, and wounding dozens.

October 29, 2005: Sixty-six people are killed when three blasts rip through markets in New Delhi.

March 7, 2006: At least 15 people are killed and 60 wounded in three explosions in Varanasi.

July 11, 2006: More than 180 people were killed in seven bomb explosions at railway stations and on trains in Mumbai, blamed on Islamist militants.

September 8, 2006: At least 32 people are killed in a series of explosions, including one near a mosque, in Malegaon town, 260 km northeast of Mumbai.

February 19, 2007: Two bombs explode aboard a train bound from India to Pakistan, burning to death at least 66 passengers, most of them Pakistanis.

May 18, 2007: A bomb explodes during Friday prayers at a historic mosque in Hyderabad, killing 11 worshippers. Police later shoot dead five people in clashes with hundreds of enraged Muslims who protest against the attack.

August 25, 2007: Three explosions within minutes at an amusement park and a street-side food stall in Hyderabad kill at least 40 people.

May 13, 2008: Seven bombs rip through the crowded streets Jaipur, killing at least 63 people in markets and outside Hindu temples.

July 25, 2008: Seven blasts strike the IT city of Bangalore killing at least one person and injuring at least 15.

Source:IBNLive

AHMADABAD, India — Police say that 39 people have been killed in the serial blasts that hit the western Indian city of Ahmadabad.

According to the latest details available at Ahmadabad city's police control room Sunday, 110 more people have been wounded in the 16 blasts that went off in several neighborhoods of the busy city on Saturday evening.

Saturday's blasts came a day after seven small-intensity explosions hit the southern technology hub of Bangalore, killing two people.

Several Indian cities have been hit by serial blasts in recent months. The attacks have been blamed on Islamic militants.

Source:http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5909496.html

Welcome to BlogWorld & New Media Expo
The 2008 BlogWorld & New Media Expo will take place September 20-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the exclusive "Executive & Entrepreneur" conference beginning September 19th. The first and only industry-wide tradeshow, conference, and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of blogging and new media. In addition to the only industry-wide exhibition, BlogWorld features the largest blogging conference in the world including more than 50 seminars, panel discussions and keynotes from iconic personalities on the leading-edge of online technology and internet-savvy business. If you are currently blogging, vlogging, podcasting, producing other forms of new media content, entering the new media industry, or just want to know what the blogosphere is all about, then you need to be at the most comprehensive blogging convention--BlogWorld & New Media Expo. Located in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at: 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109 The show floor will feature an abundance of products and services designed to help bloggers and new media entrepreneurs improve the look and functionality of their blogs, increase their readership, and monetize their blog.

Bloggers will find suppliers like Broadband ISP's, Web hosting companies, blog publishing software, podcasting services, RSS syndication services, new media advertising networks, news readers, aggregators, computer hardware and software, widgets, badges and plug-ins, Wi-Fi services, affiliate program partners, and much much more!

The conference will be broken down into tracks designed to address specific needs and feature scores of well renowned blogging and new media experts. Topics will include blogging basics, monetizing your blog, podcasting, corporate opportunities in the blogosphere, building readership, RSS, Search Engine Optimization, blogging in the political arena, and other topics vital to serious bloggers who want to solidify their own space, and build their brand in the blogosphere. BlogWorld will also host an opening industry reception where bloggers from all over the world can network with their peers, industry gurus, and suppliers. On the evening of November 8th we will celebrate the industry leaders by hosting the 2007 Weblog Awards, and Industry Innovation Awards, bringing out the brightest stars in new media, and the industry's bleeding edge technology.

Join us September 20th and 21st, 2008 in Las Vegas for the most impactful event in the world of New Media. And don't miss BlogWorld's exclusive Executive & Entrepreneur Conference beginning September 19th.

Any Blogger, Vlogger, Podcaster, Internet TV or Radio Broadcaster, Social Media expert or producer of any other form of new media content. If you blog about business, technology, politics, sports, lifestyle & culture, general news items, or celebrity gossip...if you are a Milblogger, or Godblogger, or advocate a social position you need to be here. If you are serious about your blogging, If you want to increase your readership, improve the look or functionality of your blog, if you want to influence decision makers, sell a product or service, if you want to promote yourself as an industry expert, or build your brand using new media then you cannot afford to miss BlogWorld & New Media Expo.

BlogWorld & New Media Expo isn't just for bloggers. If you are a business owner, marketing, PR, or media professional who is interested in learning how to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that blogging and new media represent to you and your clients, then you need to put BlogWorld on your calendar now.

If your company provides a product or service that new media entrepreneurs and content creators need, or for small-to-large enterprises integrating new media communications, you cannot afford to miss the exhibiting opportunities at BlogWorld & New Media Expo. Connect face-to-face with thousands of potential customers in the only industry-wide trade show for the blogging and new media world.

BlogWorld & New Media Expo is where online influencers, leaders and innovators will be looking for resources including: Blog Publishing Software, Designers and Communities, Podcasting, Internet TV & Radio Services, Equipment and Networks, Social Media Technology and Communities, Badges, Widgets and Plug-ins, Computer Hardware, Software and Peripherals, RSS Services, Advertising Networks, Affiliate Programs, Mobile Blogging and Vlogging Technology and Devices, Broadband, Wi-Fi and ISP's and much more...

BlogWorld & New Media Expo's 2007 event attracted a wide variety of companies. From providers of products and services to new media content creators like Unique Blog Designs and Lijit to blogging, podcasting and internet broadcasting networks like Podango, Blog Talk Radio and b5 media, to social media services designed to help business navigate and understand the blogosphere like Visible Technologies, KithBridge and One By One Media, to the worlds leading content oriented technology companies like Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL .
Other 2007 exhibitors and sponsors included Wordpress, Technorati, Pajamas Media, Sports Blogs Nation, Townhall.com, Liberated Syndicate, Gimp.TV, Shure Microphones, Southwest Airlines, Lingo Spot, Mochila, iBlogBusiness, Know More Media, Blogger & Podcaster Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, Revenue Magazine, Military.com, Newstex, CrispAds, MindTouch, ShareAsale and

Important Blogging Statistics
Over 12 million American adults currently maintain a blog.
More than 147 million Americans use the Internet.
Over 57 million Americns read blogs.
1.7 million American adults list making money as one of the reasons they blog.
89% of companies surveyed say they think blogs will be more important in the next five years.
9% of internet users say they have created blogs .
6% of the entire US adult population has created a blog .
Technorati is currently tracking over 70 million blogs .
over 120 thousand blogs are created every day .

There are over 1.4 million new blog posts every day .

22 of the 100 most popular websites in the world are blogs .

120,000 new blogs are created every day .
37% of blog readers began reading blogs in 2005 or 2006 .

51% of blog readers shop online .

Blog readers average 23 hours online each week .

Latest from the BlogWorld Blog
2008 BlogWorld Conference Schedule Day One Announced
The long Awaited, much anticipated BlogWorld 2008 schedule is finally here. Below you will see the schedule for Friday September 19th. Stay tuned all week long for more announcements on speakers and sessions. One thing we have been working...
2008 BlogWorld Citizen Journalism Workshop Announced
I won't muck this up with an attempt to be funny. We are very proud to offer this program at BlogWorld this year. Professor Perlmutter has put a lot of effort into developing this program and recruiting the instructors. From Dr....
Dr. Trades in Medical Practice for Blog
Doctor Arnold Kim better know as the publisher of super blog Mac Rumors has just quit the medical gig to become a full time blogger. From the New York Times: Dr. Kim?s Web site now attracts more than 4.4 million people and...

REGISTER FOR THE SHOW!
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PARTNER PROGRAMS (Co-located events hosting programs during BlogWorld)

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GODBLOGCON + FULL ACCESS
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GODBLOGCON + E&E CONFERENCE
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REAL ESTATE BLOGWORLD + FULL ACCESS
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PACKAGE PRICING & DESCRIPTIONS
BY
AUG 22
AFTER
AUG 22

EXHIBITS ONLY
$75
$100

EXHIBITS ONLY + OPENING PARTY
$150
$200

FULL ACCESS
$300
$400

E&E CONFERENCE
$750
$950

PARTNER PROGRAMS (Co-located events hosting programs during BlogWorld)

CITIZEN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP
$300
$350

CITIZEN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP + EXHIBITS
$375
$450

CITIZEN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP + FULL ACCESS
$650
$700

GODBLOGCON + EXHIBITS ONLY
$125
$150

GODBLOGCON + FULL ACCESS
$350
$450

GODBLOGCON + E&E CONFERENCE
$800
$1000

REAL ESTATE BLOGWORLD + FULL ACCESS
$350
$450

Source: http://www.blogworldexpo.com/General-Information/Registration-Links-2.html

They’ve come a long way, baby. A handful of them, anyway.

When it comes to making money in sports, women are narrowing the gap with men, at least at the top of the pyramid. For women, the highest-paid athletes come almost exclusively from tennis and golf, where prize money and endorsement dollars flow overwhelmingly to the brightest stars.

In contrast, women’s basketball and soccer are still a long way from producing the next LeBron James or David Beckham.

Golfers Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie and Lorena Ochoa have broken into eight-figure earnings territory, a testament to the LPGA’s efforts to globalize. The women’s tour not only has top golfers from numerous countries (Sorenstam is from Sweden, Ochoa from Mexico, while Wie is Korean-American, born in Hawaii), but has made a point to broaden its international appeal by holding more events for players in their home markets.

“The tour has a much more international flavor to it,” says David Carter of the Sports Business Group, an industry consultant.

Women’s tennis has been on the upswing a lot longer, dating back to Billie Jean King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in a 1973 match appropriately named “The Battle of the Sexes.”

The publicity from that match led to the Women’s Tennis Association’s first major national television contract, just in time for Chris Evert to blossom as the first TV star of the women’s game.

A little bit later, when attendance and television ratings held firm for the prime years of Martina Navratilova, Hana Mandlikova and Pam Shriver, it was clear that the public was ready for strong, hard-hitting women, and an international players roster helped ensure a wide audience.

Today, the four highest-paid female athletes in the world are from the tennis circuit: Maria Sharapova (Russia), Serena and Venus Williams (U.S.) and the newly retired Justine Henin (Belgium).

No question, the compelling rivalries of the past decade, particularly between the Williams sisters, have done a lot to overcome occasional obstacles like the 1993 stabbing of Monica Seles, the downfall (and brief return) of Jennifer Capriati and the degeneration of over-marketed Anna Kournikova into a caricature of herself.

Will women’s team-sport athletes ever catch up to men? Probably not any time soon, given the lack of depth that’s tied to a shorter history of organization and development.

It could happen one day, though, Carter thinks, given the consistent, incremental growth of women’s sports and the national trend that has more women in charge of family budgets and entertainment spending.

“The chance does exist, especially as women’s sports get more coverage in the Olympics,” he says.

Olympians and WNBA stars like Diana Taurasi and Lisa Leslie don’t get the same money from Nike that LeBron does, but they’re in the stable. How effectively their personalities are marketed may determine whether the basketball stars of the next generation make their millions or leave the big money to tennis and golf.

1. Maria Sharapova:
2. Serena Williams:
3. Venus Williams:
4. Justine Henin:
5. Michelle Wie:

Source: yahoo news

All the fucking assholes who are against Telangana should understand that it will happen soon and they will see the complete wipe out of Congress and TDP from Telangana region. If they think the bye-elections are against the TRS, then the Congress and TDP should have won all the 16 seats, but it did not happen. We all want only one thing. "TELANGANA" "One word One dream Jai Telangana
TELANGANA A BURNING TOPIC IN AP, INDIA
Telangana is the backward people's region. The people struggling for seperate state from Andhra Pradesh since 1960 till today it's a burning problem in India. Many Movements by eminent personalitie going on ...?
See all comments in http://www.youtube.com/vmhteam

These videos made while studying PG Journalism at Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan had promised his fans that he will stop smoking after the release of his home production 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na'. The movie has been released and is declared a hit, but he is not able to keep himself away from smoking.

Aamir made a honest confession on his blog that he has begun smoking again and wrote: 'Bear with me folks, I'll give up once 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' releases.'

Aamir posted this on his blog site www.aamirkhan.com June 18.

'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na', debut vehicle of Amair's nephew Imran Khan, hit the marquee on July 4 and got overwhelming response at the ticket window. But the star has failed to keep his promise.

The actor was allegedly seen smoking while he was in the capital for a live-dial on Hindi news channel. The actor went out to an adjacent office complex to smoke since smoking was not allowed within the premises.

'Aamir was here to talk about his film 'Jaane Tu...' and went outside to smoke since it was not allowed within the office area,' a well-placed source told IANS.

Source: Yahoo news

Women feel bad about having one-night stands – and will consider romping with a man only if they think there is a chance it will lead to a long-term relationship, according to a new research.

According to Professor Anne Campbell from Durham University in the UK, the negative feelings reported by women after one-night stands suggest that they are not well adapted to fleeting sexual encounters.

Men are more likely to reproduce and therefore to benefit from numerous short-term partners.

For women, however, quality seems to be more important than quantity. Also for women, finding partners of high genetic quality is a stronger motivator than sheer number, and it is commonly believed that women are more willing to have casual sex when there is a chance of forming a long-term relationship.

In the research, Campbell looked at whether women have adapted to casual sex by examining their feelings following a one-night stand. If women have adapted, then although they may take part in casual sex less often than men because of their stricter criteria when selecting partners, they should rate the experience positively.

To test the theory, a total of 1743 men and women who had experienced a one-night stand were asked to rate both their positive and negative feelings the following morning, in an internet survey.

Overall women’s feelings were more negative than men’s. Eighty per cent of men had overall positive feelings about the experience compared to 54 per cent of women.

The study found that men were more likely than women to secretly want their friends to hear about it and to feel successful because the partner was desirable to others.

The predominant negative feeling reported by women was regret at having been “used”. Women were also more likely to feel that they had let themselves down and were worried about the potential damage to their reputation if other people found out.

Women found the experience less sexually satisfying and, contrary to popular belief, they did not seem to view taking part in casual sex as a prelude to long-term relationships.

The study is published in the June issue of Springer’s journal, Human Nature.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=dfeda213-a5a7-4c4b-b498-0fe5fb0db998&&Headline=Women+can%e2%80%99t+stand+one-night+stands

NEW DELHI: With increasing number of women climbing the competitive corporate ladder, companies seem to be leaving no stone unturned to lure them and are even offering existing employees an additional bonus as much as 25 per cent for referring a female employee.

The latest trend for India Inc is that it seems to be taking in larger women workforce as they bring their own perspective for things and have emerged as better professionals in any situations, experts say.

"Women bring in their own perspectives and also a diverse set of views to flow onto the table. We are giving a lot of preference to women and give them equal opportunities in all programmes," Oil exploration and production firm Cairn India director (HR and administration) P Senthil Kumar said.

Companies have also introduced certain women-centric incentives in order to attract more females to join the companies.

There is a lot of importance for cultural values in our country and that is one of the main reasons, we are providing more flexibility for women at work. Due to our initiatives, the population of female employees in the company has gone up to about 21 per cent last year as compared to just 13 per cent in 2004, information technology provider CSCs Associate Director (Human Resources) Anuj Kumar said.

Apart from flexible working hours, CSC has also an exclusive website for its women employees called Planet W. The site acts as a discussion forum to exchange ideas and get useful tips on diverse issues.

According to Kumar, the CSC's website was launched somewhere in August 2006 and has gone down well with the firms employees. Moreover, different courses on dieting and personal grooming are also offered for the fairer sex, he added.

Further, the company also provides regular health check-ups including those for screening breast cancer.

Majority of the firms in the country empathise with female employees and are also given different kinds of incentives. In many cases, female employees are considered to be better professionals, said Anand Varadarajan, a partner at Mumbai-based management consultancy firm ESP Consultant India Pvt Ltd.

Further, women are also recruited for operations side than just technical work, Senthil Kumar added.

Recently, internet major Yahoo! had launched an exclusive website for women. The site offers nine categories ranging from food, parenting to fashion and beauty. It also provides a blog platform for the users to share their thoughts.

You can count on us to bring attitude and personality and find humour in almost every topic we cover, Yahoo! Editor-in-Chief Shine Brandon Holley had said in a statement.

http://www.utvi.com/reports.php?article_id=112

Britain will honour Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and Formula one racing driver Lewis Hamilton for their contribution to the 'diversity agenda'.

Shetty will be presented with the Global Diversity Award-2008 at a glittering gala at the Riverbank Park Plaza hotel hosted by the Next Steps Foundation, tonight.

Shetty rose to fame last year after she was subjected to racist remarks and subsequent humiliation by some participants in the popular television reality show 'Big Brother'. She was praised universally for showing restraint and handling the issue with poise and dignity.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Any Burnham will be prominent among the 500 attending the event.

The event will highlight the European Year of Intercultural dialogue, an EU Commission initiative that invites EU nations to celebrate diversity in Europe.

MP Keith Vaz, Patron of the Next Steps Foundation and UK Ambassador for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue said, "I am very pleased that we are able to honour two such important contributors to the diversity and equality agenda in the UK and across the world. Both have faced adversity in their careers but have dealt with it with grace and dignity."

"I am delighted that we will be joined by two Cabinet Ministers. This signifies the importance with which they regard the issue of diversity."

"European champions will also be appointed during the evening. These are people who will be able to spread the message of what this year means for Europe. I hope that this evening helps to raise awareness," He added.

Source:http://www.utvi.com/reports.php?article_id=5317

Octogenarian Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Jyoti Basu attends celebrations to mark his 95th birthday in Calcutta.

Comminists withdraw their support to UPA Govt.

Source:HT

The Congress is counting on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and a bunch of small parties to pull the government through during the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha. But there are already indications that such support will not come easy, cheap or early.

Within hours of the Left announcing the pullout, one of these potential kingmakers, the two-MP JD(S), announced it would take a final decision on supporting the government only on the day before the trust vote. Another, the three-MP TRS, wanted the Centre to start the process for carving out a separate Telangana state. And the SP said it had kept its side of the agreement by pledging support to the government; it now expected the government to do its bit.

Congress floor managers on Tuesday spoke about having 236 members on the coalition’s side, and getting another 39 from the SP, taking its support past the magic figure of 272. But it was clear that the Congress could not take anyone for granted. The challenge will be to muster the numbers and keep its flock together in a situation where smaller parties increasingly figure they could be the only ones standing between the government staying or going.

The first sign of the difficulty of the task came from former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Even as Congress managers counted the JD(S) as a firm ally, Deve Gowda declared his two MPs would make a decision only on the eve of the trust vote.

TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who had earlier walked out of the UPA over the Centre’s reluctance to create Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh, laid down the condition for his backing: “We are ready to support,” Rao said. “(But) we want an announcement by the PMO in addition to a public statement by the Prime Minister (on the creation of Telangana) before lending our support”.

SP leader Amar Singh, who could deliver up to 39 MPs, made it a point to emphasise that his party would extend only issue-based, outside support to the government.

“We have responded to the request of the prime minister and now we hope that the PM will respond to our economic grievances,” Amar Singh said. The SP has made no secret of its desire to have a consultation mechanism to keep the party in the loop before the government takes a view on important policy issues.

Thupstan Chhewang, MP from Ladakh, is also expected to throw his weight behind the government. Apart from him, the Congress is counting on two other Independents, and some smaller parties.

In an indication of this uncertainty, the government is keeping the door open to seek support from parties that have not been on its side for many years. That these parties may not be averse to playing ball was apparent in the statement of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. “I am not committing support to them nor ruling out,” Omar said, adding that his party did not yet know enough about the implications of the deal to take a position.

Source: HT

Against the backdrop of the political turmoil in India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday discussed progress on the Indo-US nuclear deal with President George W Bush who said the deal is important for both the countries.

Meeting in Hotel Windsor on Mount Poromoi hours before the Left parties would be withdrawing support on the nuclear deal, both Singh and Bush expressed mutual admiration for each other and spoke of the need for closer relationship between the two countries.

After their 50-minute meeting, the two leaders appeared before press in a relaxed mood and displayed lot of personal warmth.

The turbulent political developments back home did not appear to have any impact on the Prime Minister, who has staked a great deal on the nuclear agreement, when Singh said he was satisfied about the state of bilateral relationship which has truly acquired the characteristics of a genuine strategic partnership.

The leaders made the remarks after a meeting but took no questions.

Bush, who first spoke, said "We talked about the nuclear deal, how important it is for our respective countries."

Singh in his remarks did not refer to the deal but said the two countries have made progress in all areas including nuclear, defence, space co-operation and education exchanges.

The Prime Minister said the two leaders reviewed the state of Indo-American relations. "I'm very happy to convey to the President that our relationship has moved forward since our first meeting in July 2005 (when they okayed the nuclear deal). We have made progress in all areas. We have made progress in nuclear co-operation, defence co-operation and space co-operation and in educational exchanges.

Singh said India and US are working together in multilateral institutions for the success of Doha round.

"I'm satisfied about our state of relationship which has truly acquired the characteristics of a genuine strategic partnership.

"I thank the president for his personal and magnificent role in the evolution of our relationship. All I can say is our relationship has never been in such good shape as it is today.

"It is the intention of my government as I believe it is also the will of the Indian people, particularly the thinking sessions of the people that in this increasingly inter-dependent world that we live in whether it is the question of climate change and global economy, India and US must stand tall and work together shoulder to shoulder..That is what is going to be."

Bush described the meeting with Singh as a conversation among friends. "We talked about opportunities and problems and demonstrated our mutual respect. I respect the prime minister a lot. I also respect India a lot," he said, adding he and Singh discussed how important it was for the two countries to work together.

"The US is keen to work as friends with India in solving problems. The two countries should continue to work as friends," Bush said.

He said the two leaders talked about environment, free trade and the Doha round of negotiations.
"We discussed how important it is for the India and US to work together to find a common ground to make sure protectionist sentiments don't grow as a wall."

Bush reminded the prime minister that Indo-American population is proud of this relationship and his leadership.
"I'm proud of leadership of the prime minister. All in all, it was a good conversation between friends. I congratulate the prime minister," the US president said.

Source: HT

All-Time Worldwide Box office
Rank Title Worldwide Box Office
1. Titanic (1997) $1,835,300,000
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,129,219,252
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,060,332,628
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) $968,657,891
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) $958,404,152
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) $937,000,866
7. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $922,379,000
8. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $921,600,000
9. Jurassic Park (1993) $919,700,000
10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $892,194,397
11. Spider-Man 3 (2007) $885,430,303
12. Shrek 2 (2004) $880,871,036
13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $866,300,000
14. Finding Nemo (2003) $865,000,000
15. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $860,700,000
16. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,462,555
17. Independence Day (1996) $811,200,000
18. Spider-Man (2002) $806,700,000
19. Star Wars (1977) $797,900,000
20. Shrek the Third (2007) $791,106,665
21. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $789,458,727
22. Spider-Man 2 (2004) $783,577,893
23. The Lion King (1994) $783,400,000
24. The Da Vinci Code (2006) $757,236,138
25. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $756,700,000
26. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $738,809,845
27. The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $735,600,000
28. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) $735,428,521
29. Transformers (2007) $700,759,914
30. Forrest Gump (1994) $679,400,000
31. The Sixth Sense (1999) $661,500,000
32. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $653,200,000
33. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) $648,200,000
34. The Incredibles (2004) $624,037,578
35. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) $623,829,763
36. Ratatouille (2007) $615,935,493
37. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $614,300,000
38. The Passion of the Christ (2004) $604,370,943
39. War of the Worlds (2005) $591,377,056
40. Casino Royale (2006) $587,607,184
41. Men in Black (1997) $587,200,000
42. I Am Legend (2007) $583,986,216
43. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $572,700,000
44. Night at the Museum (2006) $571,063,268
45. Iron Man (2008) $562,508,133
46. Armageddon (1998/I) $554,600,000
47. King Kong (2005) $547,051,260
48. Mission: Impossible II (2000) $545,300,000
49. Home Alone (1990) $533,800,000
50. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $533,800,000
51. Monsters, Inc. (2001) $528,900,000
52. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) $527,939,919
53. The Simpsons Movie (2007) $525,532,370
54. Ghost (1990) $517,600,000
55. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $516,800,000
56. Aladdin (1992) $501,900,000
57. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) $494,800,000
58. Twister (1996) $494,700,000
59. Toy Story 2 (1999) $485,700,000
60. Troy (2004) $481,228,348
61. Saving Private Ryan (1998) $479,300,000
62. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) $471,856,431
63. Jaws (1975) $470,600,000
64. Pretty Woman (1990) $463,400,000
65. Bruce Almighty (2003) $458,900,000
66. 300 (2006) $456,592,590
67. The Matrix (1999) $456,300,000
68. Gladiator (2000) $456,200,000
69. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) $455,260,014
70. Shrek (2001) $455,100,000
71. Cars (2006) $454,752,771
72. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) $453,961,501
73. Mission: Impossible (1996) $452,500,000
74. Pearl Harbor (2001) $450,400,000
75. Ocean's Eleven (2001) $444,200,000
76. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) $440,725,045
77. The Last Samurai (2003) $435,400,000
78. Tarzan (1999) $435,200,000
79. Meet the Fockers (2004) $432,667,575
80. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) $427,936,103
81. Men in Black II (2002) $425,600,000
82. Die Another Day (2002) $424,700,000
83. Dances with Wolves (1990) $424,200,000
84. The Matrix Revolutions (2003) $424,000,000
85. Cast Away (2000) $424,000,000
86. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) $423,200,000
87. The Mummy Returns (2001) $418,700,000
88. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) $418,200,000
89. The Mummy (1999) $413,300,000
90. Batman (1989) $413,200,000
91. Rain Man (1988) $412,800,000
92. The Bodyguard (1992) $410,900,000
93. Signs (2002) $407,900,000
94. Madagascar (2005) $406,800,000
95. X2 (2003) $406,400,000
96. Mission: Impossible III (2006) $395,382,309
97. Gone with the Wind (1939) $390,500,000
98. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) $390,500,000
99. Superman Returns (2006) $389,569,408
100. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) $383,900,000
101. Grease (1978) $379,800,000
102. Happy Feet (2006) $378,992,827
103. Beauty and the Beast (1991) $378,300,000
104. Ice Age (2002) $378,300,000
105. Live Free or Die Hard (2007) $377,520,804
106. Godzilla (1998) $375,800,000
107. Click (2006/I) $373,040,146
108. What Women Want (2000) $370,800,000
109. The Fugitive (1993) $368,700,000
110. Hitch (2005/I) $367,600,000
111. True Lies (1994) $365,200,000
112. Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) $365,000,000
113. The Golden Compass (2007) $364,083,519
114. Notting Hill (1999) $363,000,000
115. Jurassic Park III (2001) $362,900,000
116. There's Something About Mary (1998) $360,000,000
117. Planet of the Apes (2001) $358,900,000
118. The Flintstones (1994) $358,500,000
119. Toy Story (1995) $358,100,000
120. Minority Report (2002) $358,000,000