Internet addiction damages brain 'just like drugs'

Internet addiction disorder may be associated with abnormal white matter structure in the brain and may be as fatal as craving for drugs, researchers say. Previous studies of Internet addiction disorder (IAD), which is characterized by an individual's inability to control his or her Internet use, have mostly focused on psychological questionnaires. The current study, on the other hand, uses an MRI technique to investigate specific features of the brain in 18 adolescents suffering from IAD. The researchers, led by Hao Lei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, found that IAD is characterized by impairment of white matter fibres connecting brain regions involved in emotional generation and processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control. They also suggested that IAD may share psychological and neural mechanisms with other types of impulse control disorders and substance addiction. The study has been published in the online journal PLoS ONE.

10% of relationships end with a text message

Modern day romance is always on the fast lane. There is not even time to properly end a relationship. A survey says one in 10 people are dumped through a mobile phone text message. Around 25% of people interviewed confessed to having flirted with someone they should not have in a text message, said the survey of 2,000 people by mobile phone site Recombu.com. In 2008, Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston was reportedly sent a message from boyfriend John Mayer that read: "That's it - the end." In April last year, actor Charlie Sheen said adult film star Rachel Olson sent him a text message saying she wanted to end their two-month relationship. Around 11% of the people interviewed have been asked out on a date by a text message. The report said professional relationships were not immune, as Tiger Woods' coach Hank Haney also resigned via a text message after six years together. Hannah Bouckley, editor of site Recombu.com, which carried out the research, said: "It is easier to write a few words and then sent it through a text and avoid confrontation."

Google listed best company to work for

Fortune Magazine has named Internet search giants Google as the best company to work for. According to the publication, perks like bocce courts and a bowling alley - not to mention the free food at its 25 cafes - make Google's employees some of the happiest in the workforce. The web giants retook the top spot in the magazine's annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For after three years in the No. 4 slot. "My job as a leader is to make sure everybody in the company has great opportunities, and that they feel they're having a meaningful impact and are contributing to the good of society," the New York daily News quoted Google CEO Larry Page as telling Fortune. The company, which has about 2,200 employees in New York, also ranked among the top five companies for new hires, with job growth up 33 percent. It also offers one of the more unusual worker perks - discounted in-house eyebrow shaping. Boston Consulting Group, whose consultants earn an average 139,000 dollars a year, kept the No. 2 spot. Software company SAS, which was cheered by workers for its on-site health care and subsidized childcare, slipped from the top spot to No. 3. Ten of the companies on the list are headquartered in New York state and include American Express, Teach For America and Goldman Sachs.

Indian restaurant owner buys jet to deliver food

The owner of a popular Indian eatery joint in Kent has bought an unusual vehicle to ferry his curries around the world - an Iraqi fighter jet. Rob Abdul, who owns Cafe Taj in Gravesend, Kent has started taking flying lessons. Abdul came up with the idea with a pilot friend, has earmarked about 35,000 pounds for buying and restoring the plane, which Abdul says is needed because his food is requested from all around the world by top celebrities. Abdul, 40, told The Reporter, a local daily: "It's a novel idea. I'm learning to fly and my pilot friend is a partner. We are really excited. "When it is ready we will seek permission to fly it. One thing you cannot do as a businessman is disappoint your customers and I still regularly get requests from around the world, many are celebrities and you can't turn business away". In 2006, Abdul sent a rare takeaway to Germany during the World Cup at the request of dance band 'Opposite Worlds'. He is currently the only chef in England capable of cooking vowl, a 3ft fresh water fish only found in East Bengal, which the band requested from their luxury hotel room. The same year he was taken to the Dartford Festival by helicopter when Lee Ryan, formerly of record breaking boy-band Blue, requested a meal for 40. He also teamed up with an Indian restaurant in Bath called Bombay Nights and sent over a meal to the England cricket team during the Ashes. He said: "We sent over a meal to Australia for them because they couldn't get a decent curry anywhere over there. I prepared the meal, the now famous World Cup Boal". It was packed in special containers and seen by health inspectors before it was sent on the 8,998 mile journey. When not in the air he says the plane, which is currently stored at Manston Airport, will be used at events such as air shows to promote Cafe Taj and give children the chance to sit inside.

China launches Asia's largest helicopter

China's largest-ever civil helicopter Thursday got certification from the civil aviation administration, the country's civil aviation authority, People's Daily reported.

The move marks the official approval for the 13-tonne AC313, Asia's largest helicopter, to enter the market, said the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), which developed and manufactured the helicopter.

The aircraft focuses on designs of maintainability, life reliability, indemnification and life cycle efficiency, and meets international safety standards, underlining China's abilities in the research and development (R&D) of large helicopters.

AC313 is also world's first civil helicopter to receive an A-category airworthiness certificate at an altitude of 4,500 meters, the AVIC said.

The aircraft can be deployed for emergency rescue operations, forest fire prevention, transport, offshore operations, medical aid, sightseeing and business trips, the AVIC said.

UK pub introduces beer for canines‎

A Newcastle club has come up with a pet friendly menu for dogs including specially designed beer and a Sunday roast covered in cat-flavoured gravy.

The non-alcoholic beverage is made with beer ingredients of malt and hops, but also includes meat extract.

Although the dogs seem to have a thirst for the drink as 'The Brandling Villa' in South Gosforth had to reorder fresh stock after the first 48 bottles ran out in a fortnight, but ironically, manager Dave Carr's own dog, beagle Franco, did not like it.

"It tastes of beef," the Daily Mail quoted Carr as saying.

"I don't want to give it to my dog without trying it first. It's pretty revolting and my dog doesn't like it but I've got enough people who drink my stock so it's nice if my dog doesn't join in.

"Everyone else's dogs love it. We have some regulars: she'll have a Sauvignon Blanc, he has a pint of Budvar, and Charlie the dog has a dog beer. That's his regular drink."

Carr revealed that the pub keeps the 'dog beer' along with other beers in the fridge.

"People seem to think it's a bit mental - we keep it in the fridge along with other beers and they ask what it is. People think it's just a normal beer with a ridiculous name."

"I scoped the internet looking for ridiculous stuff, and we became dog-friendly. There aren't many pubs you can go to with your dog.

"The dogs were drinking water and eating biscuits, so we also created a dog menu, designed for dogs but based on traditional English dishes," Carr added.

Gold plated dosa in Bangalore a huge hit

A restaurant in Bangalore is witnessing large footfalls, since the debut of their latest delicacy, a gold-plated dosa, which is priced at a whooping Rs. 1,011.

One of the restaurateurs chanced upon the idea of creating these unusual delicacies, when he was surfing on the Internet for strategies to make his eatery stand out among other city's food outlets.

"I wanted to do something in restaurant business, so I thought why can't we do something different, so when I once saw in a television channel that they are using gold foils for pizzas and ice creams, which cost 1000 dollars, thought why can't we get this to Bangalore and use it on something else?" said Chandan Lokesh, owner of the restaurant.

Priced at an exorbitant rate, the dish is roasted crisp with a hint of olive oil and has a filling of mashed potatoes, in addition to the gold foil for the finishing touch.

The restaurant also serves a dosa covered with a silver foil, at an affordable price of Rs. 151.

According to media reports, the marketing strategy by owners has made the gold dosa a huge success.

"I got to know about this through my friends that they sell gold dosa over here and I wanted to try it. After I tried it, I liked it so much that I am eating it for the fourth time and I want others also to come and try here and this is ISO certified dosa, it's really good for the health," said Nagashree, a resident.

The owners have planned to patent the gold dosa in the future.

Kim Kardashian on Hot Seat Over Cheating Claims

Kim Kardashianmay be too much of a maneater to stay married for long.Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend Amber Rosecharges Kim cheated with the rapper while dating someone else and destroyed her relationship with him.

Kim has always claimed that she and West were never more than good friends, but Amber, 28, says Kim’s affair with him was one of the main reasons they broke up.

The model also says Kardashian was still dating Reggie Bush at the time of her affair. Kardashian infamously ended her marriage to NBA star Kris Humphries after only 72 days.

Kim Kardashian Earns Dubious Honor

The latest revelations, which came in Star magazine, suggest that Kim is a serial celebrity chaser who can’t stay true in a relationship.

“She’s a homewrecker! They were both cheating,” the model says. “They were both cheating on me and Reggie with each other.”

Amber adds that Kim started the affair by sending sexy pictures of herself to West as well as calling and texting him.

“She was sending pictures, and I was like, ‘Kim, just stop. Don’t be that person,” Amber, who only goes by one name, said.

Kim Kardashian Still Loved, Exec Says

Amber said she asked Kim in an email for an explanation but never heard back. “I thought at least she’d be woman enough to respond to me. She never responded,” she said.

“It’s very important that us women stick together and we don’t f**k each other over like that,” she added.

West was one of the first men spotted hanging all over Kim at a New York party, after she filed for divorce.

“Kanye was eating Kim up like she was a piece of cake. He was all over her,caressing her head, touching her waist,” a source told The New York Daily News.

“I think he was dying to kiss her, but there were too many people in the room.”

Depressed with being obese, techie commits suicide

 A 35-year-old software engineer of Intelligroup who was reportedly depressed for being overweight committed suicide by setting himself ablaze at his house in Miyapur on Tuesday night.

The engineer, K Chandrasekhar of Vijayawada, was working at Intelligroup's Madhapur branch, Miyapur police said. He got married three years ago and the couple was residing at Hemdurga Plaza in Miyapur.

A month ago his wife Prabhavati, who is pregnant, went to her parent's house and Chandrasekhar was living alone at the house. According to Miyapur SI G Sreekanth, Chandrasekhar, who was suffering from obesity, had been undergoing Ayurvedic treatment. However, the treatment did not help him in weight reduction.

At about 8.30 pm on Tuesday, Chandrasekhar returned home with a bottle of petrol and locked the main door from inside. "He doused himself with petrol and set himself ablaze. Neighbours who noticed the smoke billowing out of the house, broke the window glass and found Chandrasekhar engulfed in flames," the SI said.

While some of them poured water through the window, others gained entry into the house by opening the door latch. But by the time the neighbours reached inside the house, Chandrasekhar was unconscious and the 108 staff, who arrived at the spot after 15 minutes, declared him dead, the SI added.

Police did not find any suicide note. However, they found a few notes in his bedroom that pointed to the fact that he was depressed. "Chandrasekhar did not leave any suicide note, but we found a few papers containing his random views about religion and women. We also came to know that as the Ayurvedic treatment did not work, Chandrasekhar went into depression. We suspect that he might have committed suicide due to depression," the SI said.

After the post-mortem, his body was handed over to the family on Wednesday and a suspicious death case was booked under Section 174 of the CrPC

Little things that count in a relationship

Ask any man who has been in a relationship and he is sure to tell you that more than the expensive dates and costly gifts, the small gestures and little things made all the difference. To sustain any relationship you don’t need a pocket full of money. What you need is a heart full of love and a brain filled with ideas to woo and be good to her. Keeping this notion in mind, here is the low-down of all the little things that count in a relationship.

1. 1. A good-morning / good-night text

You can make your girl’s day by sending her a lovie-dovie ‘good morning’ text. Nothing makes a girl happier than waking up to a lovely message that wishes her a great day ahead. In case you missed the opportunity to text her in the morning, don’t worry. Send her a good night text and make sure to tuck her in and kiss her good night. She will sleep with the biggest smile on her face and will surely dream of you all night.

2. Drop her home safely

When I make the above point I don't expect you to become her personal chauffeur. What you are expected to be is gentleman who drops his girl home after a date or at least offers to do so. This in no way suggests she cannot go alone, or that you alone can protect her. Simply put, it is a kind and chivalrous thing to do and so you must do it.

3. Be her confidante

One of the most precious facets of a relationship is the ability to share and talk random stuff. Listen and accept your partner’s secrets (be it the heavy and serious ones or the outright dumb and funny ones) and become her confidante. In turn, do make it a point to share yours. By doing so, you will open up the channel of communication and facilitate free-talk and the fostering of trust

4. Remember dates

Women have a huge problem with a man’s inability to remember dates. You must avoid pissing her off by making an attempt to remember the dates that matter. Store them in your phone calendar or stick post-its on your office desk if you must, but do not forget important dates!

5. Share your ambitions

Opening up to your girl and letting her in on your ambitions and career plans makes her feel needed and important. So don’t shy away from discussing work with her. Ask her for suggestions and inputs and she might just surprise you with her ability to solve your work related problems.

Facebook blamed for one-third divorces across globe

Social networking website Facebook has been blamed for one-third of divorces across the world, according to a law firm.

The social network is increasingly being used as a source of evidence in divorce cases, the Daily Mail reported citing law firm Divorce-Online.

The firm said it has seen a 50 percent jump in the number of "behaviour-based" divorce petitions that contained the word "Facebook" over the past two years.

At least 33 percent of the 5,000 petitions filed with the firm in the past year mentioned the website.

"Facebook has become the primary method for communicating with friends for many people. People contact ex-partners and the messages start as innocent, but lead to trouble. If someone wants to have an affair or flirt with the opposite sex then it's the easiest place to do it," said Mark Keenan, managing director of Divorce-Online.

The most common reasons for Facebook causing problems were a spouse finding flirty messages, photos of partners at a party they did not know about or with someone they should not have been with.

Anne-Marie Hutchinson, at Dawson Cornwell Solicitors, said: "If you are keeping things from your partner, Facebook makes it so much easier for them to find out."

Keenan said he has warned his clients to keep off Facebook while going through divorce proceedings.

"People need to be careful what they put on Facebook as the courts are now seeing a lot more evidence being introduced from people's walls and posts in disputes over finances and children," he said. 

Warne pads up to give Hurley cricket lessons

Actress Elizabeth Hurley's cricketer boyfriend Shane Warne has decided to teach her about cricket because she asks so many questions about the sport.

Warne has decided to give the 46-year-old few training sessions including some sledging tips, which in a sporting term means to insult an opponent in order to unsettle them, reports contactmusic.com.

"Elizabeth Hurley asking so many cricket questions. Think I will have to dress up in my old cricket whites and sledge her, so she understands," the 42-year posted on Twitter.