Biggest lottery jackpot in history delivers a bonanza to smalltown America

The buyer of one of the winning tickets in the biggest prize in lottery history – $656 million – bought his lucky numbers in the tiny town of Red Bud, Illinois. Philip Sherwell reports on the excitement gripping its 4,000 residents.

In the small Illinois farm town of Red Bud, the locals would normally have been out fishing, hunting and foraging for the wild mushrooms that are in peak season this weekend.

The more adventurous were planning to head to nearby Prairie du Rocher for the annual Colonial Trade Faire and Musket Frolic.

Instead, many converged today on the Moto Mart, a petrol station, convenience store and local hub for news and gossip, to discuss the biggest drama in the town's history.

For one of three winning tickets in the largest lottery jackpot in history – $656 million – was sold at the store that serves Red Bud's population of less than 4,000.

Two other winning tickets were bought in Maryland and Kansas. If no others emerge as state officials scrutinise sales records, the jackpot will be split three ways, with a pre-tax payout of $219 million each.

Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church sit on throne for one last time

A memorial service for Egypt's late Pope Shenouda III plunged into chaos when mourners trying to catch a glimpse of his embalmed corpse were crushed to death. Tens of thousands visited Cairo's main Abbasiya cathedral as the body of the 88-year-old leader of the nation's Orthodox Church sat on an ornate throne.
But the desire to see the spiritual leader of the Coptic Christians soon turned to tragedy - as three devotees suffocated to death and dozens were injured in the crowded church.

'He has been our protector since the day I was born,' said a tearful Antonios Lateef as he waited in line to take one last look at the pope, who spent 40 years at the helm of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The crowds outside the cathedral in central Cairo carried crosses and portraits of Shenouda. 'Ya Allah!' or 'Oh God!', they chanted in unison. Shenouda, seated on the throne of St. Mark, or Mar Morkos, was clad in the elaborate regalia he traditionally wore to oversee services. His head slightly tilting to the right and he held a scepter.

Sachin Tendulkar 100th TON... Great Achievement...

A Long wait for his 100th ton is archived today. Congrats Sachin.... 

March 16, 2012 will be remembered for the day the Little Master finally reached the milestone with a score of 114 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup one-day match at Dhaka.

But Tendulkar is well known for his patience. He got his first hundred after a wait of 17 months but after getting his first hundred he became an icon in the game of cricket.


The year 1998 was peak of his career when he scored 12 tons in a year.


With completion of his century he has created a history and it will be very difficult to equal this record for cricketers to come.


Your contribution to the Indian Cricket is counting more. Congrats once again for your 100th ton. Keep going like this... we wish to see more such records....

Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon brings bands

The arrival of the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon and Half Marathon will mean a slew of road closures across the District throughout the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, especially on streets encircling Capitol Hill and allowing access to U Street and Adams Morgan.


This is D.C.’s first Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon -- it takes over for the National Marathon, held in the spring for six years -- and the course is a lively one. Bands perform on stages situated roughly every mile; highlights include the Grandsons performing roots rock on the Dupont Circle overpass, the N’awlins brass band Yamomanem playing at 21st and C streets NE, the soulful Black Alley band at Minnesota Avenue and Randall Circle SE, and indie rockers Oh So Peligroso at South Capitol Street and Anacostia Drive. (Check out a full schedule with artists and locations.) Switchfoot headlines a concert at the RFK Stadium finish line.


The course winds through a number of D.C.’s most popular neighborhoods, including the H Street corridor, Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights and Dupont Circle, making it easy for people to head outside and cheer for friends as they run past.

10 Google Search Tricks You Might Not Know

1. Boolean Search Parameters: To really master the art of Google search, you can follow certain terms and tricks. For instance, rather than simply asking Google a question in the search box, include specific items such as type of file or title name.


2. Public Data: Google has an entire directory of public data, which you can also access to look up trends. Type keywords such as "population" or "unemployment," followed by a state or county.


3. Easter Eggs: Google's developers have a sense of humor -- just type in "do a barrel roll" or "let it snow" to see for yourself. There are a number of other hidden easter eggs as well.


4. Tracking a Package: If you have the tracking number for a FedEx, UPS or USPS package, type it into the search box and Google will provide you with quick updates on your package's status.


5. Calculator: Need a quick answer to a math problem? Enter the calculation into the search box.


6. Unit Conversions: Wondering how many milliliters are in one cup? Google has a built-in converter for different units of measurement, like height, weight and volume.


You can also do the same for currency conversions.


7. Sports Tracking: If you're on the go, but need a quick check on your favorite sports team, enter the team or league name into the search box.


8. Medication: Find brief summaries and descriptions for most generic and brand name prescription drugs in the U.S. by typing their names into the search box.


9. Flight Schedule: Whether you need to check the status on a U.S. flight or book a trip, there are a couple terms that can help you plan accordingly.


Enter the name of the airline and the flight number to check its status. To see schedules to or from specific locations, type in "flights from" or "flights to" along with the city or airport.


10. Sunrise and Sunset: Wondering when to catch a sunrise or sunset? If you type "sunrise" or "sunset" followed by the name of the city, Google's built-in feature counts down to the next occurrence.

Himalayan Queen to Simla

Himalayan Queen Mountain Railway

The Himalayan Queen to Simla is just one of many great Asian train journeys. 

THE Himalayan Queen, one of India’s five ‘toy’ trains, chugs at a sedate 18 miles per hour from Kalka to Simla – the former summer capital of the British Period.

It is only 60 miles but you can feel the three per cent gradient of the narrow gauge track and impressive multi-arched viaducts make it clear what a feat of engineering this Mountain Railway was to build.

The train is crowded with Indian holidaymakers, travelling to enjoy the cool air of the mountain retreat. I snatch views of the Himalayan foothills as we round some of the 900-plus curves.

We wind through no less than 103 tunnels and every time the passengers shout, hoot, scream, whistle and do goat impersonations in the brief darkness.

At a lower station two young water buffalo graze beside the platform, while the purple flowers of the feathery jacaranda trees colour the landscape.

Stone walls are covered with flowering creepers but in many places you can see the jungle is trying to reassert its control.

The children on the train are delighted with their excursion and hang out the windows; huge grins on their faces.

Former Viceregal Lodge, Simla

Soon the scent of pine trees fills the air and then Simla hoves into view – a picturesque tumble of buildings on the mountainside surrounded by forests of deodar, oak and rhododendron.

At a cool 2,076 metres (6,811 feet) Simla was a popular British base from the 1830s onwards and became the summer capital in 1864.

The ex-Viceregal lodge could have stepped straight out of a Walter Scott novel and its flower beds sparkle in the sunshine after a typical Simla rainshower.

Now the gothic structure is known as Rashtrapati Niwas and is used by the Indian Ministry of Education as well as being a tourist attraction.

Strolling along the Mall, Punjabi matrons pull their cardigans closer over their saris. I am sure they are indulging in Simla’s traditional pastime – gossip.

Christ Church, Simla

Christchurch is golden in the late evening sun but I plunge into the dim rabbit warren of a bazaar, which clings vertiginously to the hillside, in search of Rudyard Kipling’s unforgettable boy traveller: Kim.

Good Illusions

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Valentine’s Day Cards for Your Special Tech People

How To Block Annoying People On Facebook

There are many annoying people out their,


“He comments on all my photos unnecessarily. He takes 100′s of Facebook quizzes a day. I don’t like the guy commenting on my Facebook status he is really irritating me a lot. I wish to unfriend him to get rid off this irritating guy out of my sight in Facebook.”


Its really hard to handle those people, they would understand your feelings and will be keep on buzzing and annoying you. Don’t let people hurt you, just block that guy.


A. Steps to Block Annoying People on Facebook
1. Log In to your Facebook Account
2. Go to the person’s profile that is annoying you.
3. Find a link that says “Report/Block this person” and click it.
4. Click on “Block this person” checkbox and submit it is done.
This will disable him to post any link on your profile or anything, in fact he won’t be able to find you as well in any case. He won’t be able to see it through his friends or from the Facebook search.


B. Steps to Block or Unblock People on Facebook
Their is a second method to block a person. Well by this method you can even unblock blocked persons also.
1. Open your Facebook Profile and in the upper right section click on Account –> Privacy Settings.
2. Once your privacy setting are open, click on “Blocked People and Apps”.
3. From the open page you can also add people to block list and remove people from list which are already been blocked.


Stay protected on Social networks that’s highly important

It's International Women's Day. The event, born of the socialist movement in the United States the early 1900s, has spread across the world in the century since.


But the day looks very different across the globe, much like the differences in the lives of women worldwide. Here's how the event is being celebrated across in different parts of the world:


Pakistan: Female family members of missing Pakistanis are using the day to reiterate demands to know where their loved ones are. "For years, human rights activists have claimed that Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, and other security agencies in Pakistan routinely abduct men without legal justification," The Times recently reported.


Venezuela: Backers of President Hugo Chavez marched for the women's event. Chavez, in power for 13 years, faces a challenge from candidate Henrique Capriles this fall, as frustration rises over surging homicide rates and the stagnant economy.


Turkey: Women splattered with artificial blood protested domestic violence, while the Turkish parliament passed laws that will try to protect women and children from abuse. "The discriminative implementations against women and domestic violence should be stopped," President Abdullah Gul said, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.


Sudan: The day meant freedom for about 4,000 prisoners in Sudan who are being released to mark the day, the Associated Press reported. The prisoners included hundreds of women and children.


Peru: Feminist groups are reportedly calling on President Ollanta Humala to follow through on his campaign promises to ensure that the rights of Peruvian women are respected.


Egypt: Hundreds of women marched to demand the right to help draft the new constitution. "Women have yet to gain any significant influence in the new Egypt, revealing the complexities of defining gender rights in a nation colored by Islam, inundated by Western media permissiveness and ruled by military men operating in a cloistered realm of gold stars and salutes," The Times recently reported.


Somalia: Women held a parade, the first one of its kind since the Shabab, an Islamic militant group, was ejected from the capital, Mogadishu, the Associated Press reported.


United States: It didn't happen today, but last week the United Nations fund for gender equality announced in New York City that it would give out $10.5 million in grants to groups working to empower women in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.

Holi Festival

  Holi is also known as festival of Colours. 

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence.

In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). After doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India.

Hiranyakashipu, on the lap, being killed by Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu

India's oldest and most respected beauty pageant is back!

It's grooming time at PFMI 2012



In its 49th year, Miss India returns with a fresh new look, and never-before experiences for the 20 finalists. This year, the finalists are in for a treat as the residential grooming session travels to picturesque locales.


First stop, the breathtaking Carnoustie Beach Resort & Ayurvedic Spa at Alleppey, Kerala, next, to the ever-gorgeous beaches of Goa. The girls will be staying at The Sol, engaging in exciting activities at Primobom, and partying at Goa's most happening nightclub, Tito's. After much sun and sand, the girls will be whisked away to the lovely hill city of Lavasa.
To wrap up their travels, the pageant returns to Mumbai to the Courtyard by Marriott, where the girls will receive their final grooming and training before the grand finale on March 30. In addition to the travels, Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 has a stellar panel of experts to help bring out the best in the 20 gorgeous finalists. At the helm is Marc Robinson, creative director, Femina Miss India. "It is indeed with a lot of pride and pleasure that we would like to introduce you to the esteemed panel of experts who will be an integral part of the training process which the contestants will undergo for a period of 30 days," says Marc, adding, "Each one of these experts is a stalwart in their respective fields in the fashion and glamour industry, and they bring to the table a professional approach which is second to none. I am extremely confident that their fresh approach will be a true inspiration for the 20 PFMI 2012 finalists."


To speak like a monarch is a trait every beauty queen must possess. Diction expert Sabira Merchant helps the girls achieve just that. "Good diction is one of the many finishing touches to polish these lovely girls and prepare them not just for the international pageants, but for every aspect of the rest of their lives. The right pronunciation and enunciation can make all the difference in public speaking, and in helping them really make an impact," she says.


Image consultant Chhaya Momaya believes that the world truly recognises the potential that India possesses. "As their image consultant, I'll be coaching the girls to help perfect their etiquette; the most minute details like the perfect greeting and table manners can make all the difference between a beautiful girl, and a 'beauty queen'," says she.


The finalists of Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 will also be photographed by celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani, a name synonymous with excellence and creativity. With a style all his own, Dabboo shall capture the girls' portfolios and highlight their individuality and distinct looks. He says, "I'm excited to be a part of the PFMI 2012 pageant. This year's finalists are all lovely, each with their own unique persona. I imagine it will be a wonderful experience photographing them, and creating myriad looks." Amanender Singhpoora & Kapila Khapra are the official Hair & Make Up artists for the grooming period. The duo will work their magic on the 20 finalists during the 30-day residential training program. With such renowned experts to guide them on, the 20 finalists of Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 are sure to have a wonderful journey ahead of them.


Other feathers in the cap of PFMI 2012 include renowned experts such as:


Dr Jamuna Pai: Skincare Expert, who will work with the girls to even out their complexions and make them looking flawless and radiant.


Alesia Raut: Ramp Walk trainer, who will train the girls to perfect their posture and gait.


Dr Manoj Khanna: Aesthetic Grooming and Cosmetology Expert, who firmly believes in helping the finalists 'Look Good to Feel Good".


Shivan & Narresh: Swimwear Designer, whose edgy and unique swimwear designs the girls shall don.


Samir Purohit: Fitness Expert, who through a tailor-made regimen of pilates and various core-building exercises, will help the finalists perfect their bodies.


Dr Sandesh Mayekar: Smile Designer, who will use the latest in non-invasive cosmetic dentistry and facial exercises to help the girls flash their most dazzling smiles.


Clint Fernandes: Official Hair & Make Up artist for the Grand Finale. The make up guru himself shall wield his brushes and wands, and engineer a fabulous look for the finalists.


Amit Hansraj: Official Stylist, who will help create distinct looks for each finalist, and ensure she looks her absolute best.


Raakesh Agarvwal: Evening Gown Designer, who has designed an exclusive collection of sensuous evening gowns for the girls for the Grand Finale.


International Pageants:


Ritu Kumar, Designer: Long associated with the pageant, Ritu Kumar will provide several ensembles for the three title winners to wear to their international pageants, including their national costumes.


Purnima Mhatre, wellness expert: Purnima Mhatre will guide the three title winners towards complete holistic wellness, including advice on skin and hair care.

Geneva Motor Show 2012

Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland for 2012. The 82nd Geneva International Motor Show will showcase the latest cars from the auto industry’s leading manufacturers at the Palexpo exhibition centre.