National Bravery Awards 2010

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh honoured 23 children with bravery awards at Indian Council of Children Welfare, National Bravery Awards 2010 function

'Geeta Chopra Award' was bagged by 14-year-old Kum.Jismi.P.M of Kerala who displayed outstanding courage by saving two children from drowning

'Sanjay Chopra Award' was bagged by 11-year-old Master Priyanshu Joshi of Uttarakhand who saved his sister from a leopard

Current Affairs January - 3 (for bank po exams, civil service exams)

Award

Which Indian- American has been presented with the 'Excellence in Global Friendship Award', in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting Indian culture in the US and strengthening India-US relationship?
Ashok Mago


Business

Which company did VMware acquire to enhance the next generation of IT era of cloud computing?
NeoAccel

Which subsidiary of HCL Infosystems is to be sold to internet service provider Tikona Digital Networks?
HCL Infinet

Which technology product has Mediaone Global Entertainment and Avon Global Solutions have planned to invest at about Rs.110 crore?
'SecureDuct' which would help in reducing the cost of acquiring a film print and also curb piracy


People

Who will take over from Eric Schmidt as Google CEO on April 4th 2011?
Co-founder, 'Larry Page'

Who has been appointed as Managing Director and co-chairman for India's operations by Accenture?
Avinash Vashistha

Who has been appointed as CEO of Wipro for its global IT business?
T.K.Kurien

Who has been promoted as executive vice-chairman(starting April 1st 2011) of Commercial vehical maker Ashok Leyland?
R.Seshasayee


Sports

Which insurance company is to provide Rs.600 crore terror and weather insurance cover for the Cricket World Cup to international sports broadcaster ESPN?
General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re)


Technology

What is the name of a free Web development tool that allows to create, customize and publish websites to the Internet launched by Microsoft?
WebMatrix

What version of Mozilla Firefox is to arrive while Internet Explorer 9 is scheduled to launch later January 2011?
Mozilla Firefox 4 Beta 9

Which company launched Opera Mini enabled handsets in India?
Sharp Corporation

Which company did Facebook tie-up to introduce low-tech mobile site?
Snaptu

What is the new feature launched by IMImobile on its Ring Tone(RBT) platform?
Make My Tunes
Make My Tunes: The service enable users to listen to a full sing and choose any part of the song as their RBT


SNIPPETS

ICT policy 2011 to give importance to tier II and III cities of Karnataka

Coal India to start operation of a underground mine having reserve of 20 million tonnes at Muraidih near Dhanbad in Jharkand which is likely to begin production within 3 years

Dell launches Latitude 2120 netbook at CES in Las Vegas, priced at $474

Fujitsu showcased world's first glasses free 3D desktop computer
Configuration: 23 inch FullHD monitor is powered by Intel's Sandy Bridge processor(i7-2630QM), Intel motherboard, 2TB HDD and 4GB DDR3 RAM, Gigabit ethernet, USB 3.0 and 3D Blu-ray support with a Blu-ray drive

European Union to launch 'Blue Card' on the pattern of American's Green Card to allow professionals from one country to another within the EU

Siêu mẫu Hà Anh và bộ ảnh Shut up and Drive

Hà Anh bên cạnh chiếc Porsche Cayman

Siêu mẫu Hà Anh bắt đầu hoạt động người mẫu chuyên nghiệp ở Anh từ năm 2004. Năm 2006, Hà Anh giành giải nhất cuộc thi "Người mẫu triển vọng tại London", hiện tại là một trong số ít những người mẫu Việt Nam thường xuyên bước trên những sàn catwalk lớn của thế giới.

[Video] BMW M3 Convertible chrome

Nissan GT-R | Porsche 911 GT3 | BMW M3 [Autocar] - Part 1

Nissan GT-R | Porsche 911 GT3 | BMW M3 [Autocar] - Part 2

BMW 5-Series

Best spy shots yet of BMW's new executive including undisguised interior pictures

Here's proof that the BMW 5-Series is shaping up very nicely indeed. These latest images show the handsome executive saloon wearing minimal disguise – and it's clear to see that it's going to be one of the best looking cars in its class.

Inspiration comes from the latest 5-Series Gran Turismo with a more upright front grille, less pronounced flame surfacing and a rakish roofline. Inside, you can see that the cabin has been carefully evolved from the current car's with a larger eye-level screen for the simplified iDrive control system.

Entry-level models will get the 2.5-litre petrol straight-six, while a new twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V10 will power the range-topping M5. Diesel fans will also have the choice of both 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre straight-six twin turocharged oil-burners.

Expect to see the showroom-ready version later this year with sales starting in early 2010.

Cadillac BLS

• On the road price: £22,500 - £23,550
• For : Distinctive style, economical engine, grip, practical boot, equipment
• Against : Interior design, light controls, finger-trapping handbrake, body roll
• Driving
  The Cadillac is all about comfort and ease of use. The suspension is notably soft, and lean around corners is rather pronounced. As a result, it's not so involving, but there's plenty of grip. Our biggest gripe concerns the steering, which is too light, suffers from kickback and lacks the precision we have come to expect from an executive model. Yet the BLS is a capable cruiser, and refined on the move. Most models are expected to feature the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, also seen in the Vauxhall Vectra. It's a flexible, refined unit, but a bit of extra weight to the clutch, brake and accelerator would give the Caddy's drivetrain a smoother, more synchronised feel. There is also some vibration through the controls too; 2.0-litre turbo and 2.8-litre V6 turbo petrol-powered units are better in this respect, as is the twin-turbo diesel, which has a decent turn of pace, too.
  
  Marketplace
  This is Cadillac's best chance to establish itself as a contender in the UK. Based on Saab's 9-3, the BLS adds distinctive styling to a proven mechanical package. The pricing is keen, for a range that includes three turbo petrol engines and, in a first for a modern Cadillac, a 1.9-litre turbodiesel. This oil burner comes in standard and high-performance twin-turbo form. Given that the basic proportions haven't changed, Cadillac has been remarkably successful in differentiating the compact executive saloon from the car it's based on. It is offered in saloon and estate guise – the latter is Cadillac's first-ever estate – and there is a single very well-equipped Elegance trim, which includes sat nav and leather. Enough to tempt people from their Audi A4s, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class?
  
  Owning
  Annoyingly, Cadillac has retained the same finger-trapping handbrake as on the Saab 9-3. It's a perfect example of form over function. Still, the centre console is unique, and looks and feels suitably upmarket, offsetting a steering wheel, indicator stalks and window controls shared with the 9-3. Adding to the interior's charms, the ergonomics are sound, while the seats offer a decent range of manual adjustments. Tall drivers may find themselves wishing for a little more reach on the steering wheel, however, and there's not enough side bolstering to prevent you from sliding around a little during cornering. But the generous rear headroom makes the BLS a practical proposition for adults in the back, as does a deep 425-litre boot. The estate is as well-planned as the Saab it's based upon, too. Servicing is less practical though, with rather short 10,000-mile intervals and a glaring lack of Cadillac dealers throughout the UK. Residuals are also no better than creditable, though diesel models are the most economical cars Cadillac has ever made, with 46mpg claimed on the combined cycle.
  

Cadillac CTS

Cadillac's characterful CTS is ready to take on the BMW 5-Series and Jaguar XF.

In the past, American cars have struggled to make an impact on this side of the Atlantic. However, Cadillac's characterful CTS is ready to take on the BMW 5-Series and Jaguar XF.

Styling/Image

There's no denying the Cadillac's head-turning looks. With its sharp creases, gaping grille and flared wheel arches the American has real presence. It certainly stands out from the crowd, meaning buyers will have to get used to stares from other road users. At present the CTS is only available as four-door saloon and in Sport Luxury trim.

Interior/Practicality

Climb aboard the Caddy and you'll find the spacious cabin is as eye-catching as the exterior. In front of the driver are three sporty looking dials, while the sweeping centre console features logically laid out heating and audio controls. Fit and finish is surprisingly good, as is the quality of the materials – a particular highlight being the stitched leather dash covering. There's plenty of kit too, with sat-nav, TV, xenon headlamps and 40GB BOSE surround stereo all standard. Open the tailgate and there's a class competitive 562-litres of carrying capacity.

Engine/Performance

Take a look at a Cadillac brochure and you'll notice a glaring omission – there's no diesel-engine option! Company bosses claim an oil-burner will arrive in 2009, but until then there's only 2.8 and 3.6-litre V6 petrol powerplants to choose from. The larger unit isn't lacking in performance and will scorch from standstill to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds, although it'll only manage 25.4mpg at the pumps. The only gearbox option is a slightly slow-witted six-speed automatic unit.

Driving experience

Head out on the road and it's immediately clear the Cadillac has been developed with Europe in mind. There's little of the softness and imprecision that normally marks out American cars. Grip is strong, body control is good and the steering is direct, although it lacks feel. Unfortunately, the downside of the CTS's poise in corners is a hard ride that fails to filter out even small bumps and detracts from the car's otherwise quiet and comfortable long distance cruising ability.

Costs

When it comes to value for money, there's little touch the Caddy. For the price of an entry-level BMW 523i, the CTS 3.6-litre Sport Luxury serves up bags more performance and a tally of standard equipment that would have you ticking most of the boxes on the German firm's expensive options list. You'll need to make the savings for the high fuel and tax bills though. The 2.9-litre model can only manage 25.7mpg and emits 263g/km of CO2 – a measly saving of 0.3mpg and 1g/km over the much faster 3.6-litre.

Safety/Environment

With poor fuel consumption and high CO2 emissions the CTS is unlikely appeal to eco-friendly motorists. In fact, until the cleaner running, more efficient diesel arrives next year, the Cadillac is likely to remain a rare sight on UK roads. At least it does a better job of protecting its occupants than it does the environment. Six airbags and ESP are standard, as are adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, parking sensors and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Our Choice: CTS Sport Luxury 3.6

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560/4

A round of tweaks to the Lamborghini Gallardo has produced the even faster, sharper and more eye-catching LP560-4

Image/Styling
With its sharp angles and short overhangs the LP560-4 screams performance and turns heads everywhere it goes. The front end takes its inspiration from the Reventon supercar, while the Y shaped LED running lights and large quad exhausts complete the jaw-dropping look. Buyers wanting high-speed wind-in-the-hair thrills can pick the Spyder model. It comes with a standard power-folding fabric roof, and an extra dose of look-at-me road presence.

Interior/Practicality
Not so long the cabin of a Lamborghini was dominated by its flimsy build and confusing dashboard layout. However, parent company Audi has worked hard to rectify these faults and the LP560's interior is a pleasing blend of quality German switchgear and Italian style. There's plenty of room for two, despite the low-slung seating position – although some drivers might find the footwell a little cramped. Luggage capacity is minimal at 110-litres, so you'll need to travel light!

Engine/Performance
Unsurprisingly, the Lamborghini is as fast as it looks. Peer beneath the car's glass engine cover and you'll spot the mighty 552bhp 5.2-litre V10 powerplant. Mated to a permanent four-wheel drive system it serves-up scintillating performance, with the Coupe model able to scorch from standstill to 60mph in just 3.7secs, and on to a top speed of 202mph. Such incredible performance needs a suitably spine-tingling sound track – and the Lambo doesn't disappoint, with a guttural low-rev bark that turns into an addictive howl as speeds rises.

Driving Experience
There's no denying that a stint behind the wheel of the LP560-4 is a special experience. The huge reserves of power and sharp throttle response mean acceleration is blistering at any speed. Turn into a corner you'll discover well-weighted and direct steering, while the four-wheel drive system manages to combine secure handling with plenty of driver involvement. Buyers can opt for the £7,000 e.gear semi-automatic transmission, which delivers savagely fast gear changes and gorgeous throttle blips on down shifts. Purists will want to save the cash and opt for the manual option with its traditional exposed metal gate that gives a charismatic 'click-clack' every time you swap ratios.

Ownership Costs
It goes without saying that buying a Lamborghini is the preserve of the very wealthy. Even in basic trim you'll be spending more than a first-time buyer forks out on a house! Then there's the costly options list that includes £9,700 ceramic brakes and the e.gear transmission that'll add £7,000 to the bill. Maintenance costs are huge too, while fuel returns of around 15mpg means plenty of time spent on filling station forecourts.

Safety/Environment
Four airbags are fitted as standard, along with electronic stability control and huge ABS-backed brakes. Buyers with an eye on the environment should steer clear. Lamborghini claims the incredible 5.2-litre engine produces 18 per cent less CO2 than the smaller unit in the outgoing Gallardo, which sounds impressive. However, in reality the Lambo still pushes out an extremely unhealthy 327g/km.

OUR CHOICE: LP560-4 Coupe e.gear

First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 M - Bimmer builds a highrider GT-R

M aficionados take note: The 2010 X6 M (and yet-to-be-tested X5 M) represents the most dramatic shift in BMW's Motorsport division since its inception – and it's not because they're the first crossovers branded with the tri-tone "M" badge. This high-riding duo are the first M machines ever to be equipped with all-wheel drive. The first fitted exclusively with an automatic transmission. And the first (and surely not the last) to pack a pair of turbochargers. M has evolved, but BMW hasn't lost the plot – it's completely rewritten the screenplay, added Michael Bay firepower and harnessed the electronic might of a supercomputer farm to tie it all together.

Purists have decried that "X" and "M" sharing a bootlid is the death of the brand, but these newest additions are just the latest in a long string of M-badged expansions. The brand's original intent – producing homologation specials tailored to die-hard enthusiasts – underwent its first conniption-inducing phase when BMW introduced the E30 M3 Convertible. Devotees cried foul, but amazingly, the brand not only survived, it thrived. Similar (if less vocal) protests were heard when the six-equipped E36 model debuted, followed by the E46 and the latest V8-powered model.
While that broken record is wearing thin, there's no doubt that the M brand is completely unrecognizable two decades later. It's moved beyond motorsport to bring power, agility and engagement to the masses through BMW's bread-and-butter models. And in the case of its fire-breathing SUVs (errr... SAVs), it's a story we've seen played out by another German automaker and its controversial introduction of a high-performance 'ute. We know how well that turned out, and now we know this: the X6 M has the goods to dominate its aging competition from Stuttgart – even if BMW doesn't want us to draw comparisons.

Packing a reworked version of the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 initially fitted to the X6 xDrive50i and later on the 2009 7 Series, the S63B44 has been tuned to deliver 555 hp at 6,000 rpm (five horsepower more than the Cayenne Turbo S – oops, we did it again) and 501 lb-ft of twist from an oh-so-low 1,500 rpm all the way through to 5,650 rpm. The party ends at 7,000 RPM, but outputs only tell a fraction of the tale.



An ingenious (and patented) exhaust manifold lies between the engine's two cylinder banks, shuttling spent hydrocarbons through four individual exhaust runners, then two tuned tubes feeding a duo of twin-scroll turbos. With a compression ratio of 9.3:1, peak boost of 7.3 psi and precise pulses of exhaust gas keeping the turbos perpetually on boil, the X6 M nearly eliminates any hint of turbo lag and sets a new bar for force-fed throttle response.

This V8 is the quickest, most linear turbocharged engine we've ever tested.

BMW claims a 0 to 60 mph run of 4.5 seconds (without launch control) and we have little doubt it's more than capable of shaving a tenth or two from that figure depending on the testing method. But straight-line performance aside, this V8 is among the quickest, most linear turbocharged engines we've ever tested and the transmission delivers shifts nearly on par with the world's best dual-clutch gearboxes.

The six-speed auto 'box is a mildly reworked variant of the ZF unit found on the standard X6, and in either automatic or manual modes, the tweaked six-speed has found a soul-mate with the twin-turbo'd V8. The amount of programming that's gone into delivering seamless shifts boggles the mind, specifically the ECU's ability – in Sport mode – to cut ignition to one cylinder while locking the torque converter to deliver a completely imperceptible suspension of torque.



Although the shifts aren't nearly as impressive when the awkward but adaptable transmission stalk is set to Auto, the steering wheel-mounted paddles are laid out as God intended – upshift on the right and downshift on the left – and they are easily snatched for passing power on demand. To lay into the throttle in Auto mode is to take a beat and feel your kidneys wrap around your spine as all four wheels grapple the tarmac and a muted, aggressive howl erupts from the quad-tipped exhaust.

You've been waiting patiently for it: 5,324 pounds.

While the transmission is excellent and the engine is beyond reproach, the all-wheel drive system and its assorted acronyms prove BMW has signed a pact with the Devil – one that cuts both ways and doesn't include a trip to Jenny Craig.

Originally fitted to the X6, the AWD system features BMW's torque-vectoring Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) which shuffles power between the rear wheels to maintain a constant cornering attitude no matter the conditions. It's unobtrusive and highly adaptable, accelerating the inside rear wheel when it detects oversteer, delivering more grunt to the outside rear wheel to keep understeer at bay, or sending the majority of the power to the rear wheels when nailing the long pedal in a straight line. Navigate to the vehicle settings page in the (much improved) iDrive system and passengers can see exactly which wheels are getting precisely measured delivery of torque. But it's best to avoid the desire to stare at the display, as the next corner presents itself a quickness... and you've got an unwieldy amount of mass to manhandle into submission.