Internet blackout Monday

Internet users across the world have been warned that if they have the "Alureon/ DNS Changer bot" virus on their computers, they will lose their Internet connections July 9.

The virus "spoofs" popular websites in an attempt to steal personal information.

The software found its way into thousands of computers worldwide last year. It redirect users away from trusted websites, towards spoof websites in a bid to steal financial and personal information.

When the attack was noticed, the FBI routed infected machines through its server to stop the attacks. But the servers will be taken down July 9. When this happens, computers still infected are likely to lose their internet connection without warning.

Multiple websites have been setup to check if your computer is infected. One of them is DNS Changer Check-Up (for list of other websites click here). Simply visit the website and if you see green colour, your computer is clean.

Gangs Of Wasseypur - Part II' to release Aug 8

Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) The mystery surrounding the release of the second part of gritty thriller "Gangs Of Wasseypur" has been revealed -- the movie will hit screens Aug 8, which happens to be a Wednesday.

"For all those asking and also those not asking but are eager to know #GOW2 will release on 8th August," tweeted Kashyap.

"Sunn toh liya hai aapne ab apni aankhon se dekh bhi lo (You've heard it, now see it too)," he added with a mini-poster that reads "'Gangs Of Wasseypur' releasing 8th August, 2012".

The movie is an extension of "Gangs of Wasseypur", which released June 22 to much critical acclaim and also turned out to be a box office bonanza.

Earlier, the release date of the second part wasn't announced.

Both the parts were screened at 65th Cannes International Film Festival, and were applauded by international film aficianados.

The first part narrates the story of Sardar Khan and Ramadir Singh, based on the real life story of Shafi Khan and Surya Dev Singh, both of whom were rivals and are no longer alive.

Part two of the movie is essentially the story of Sardar Khan's son Faisal Khan, who is Faheem Khan in real life. Faheem Khan is alive and in the Dhanbad jail currently.

According to insiders, the makers of the film wanted to sort out all possible issues which could act as a roadblock, before announcing the release date.

Acacia Banyan buys 24.48 lakh shares of Dena Bank

On July 05, 2012 Acacia Banyan Partners bought 2,448,700 shares of Dena Bank at Rs 98.45 on the BSE.

However, Acacia Partners L.P sold 2,448,700 shares at Rs 98.45.

Dena Bank touched a 52-week high of Rs 104. At 09:34 hrs the share was quoting at Rs 102.85, up Rs 1.10, or 1.08%. 
 
It was trading with volumes of 222,617 shares. In the previous trading session, the share closed up 3.14% or Rs 3.10 at Rs 101.75.

Sales of beauty products get boost from recession

Tough economic times are boosting sales of beauty products and designer jeans as women put more emphasis on looking good and attracting a partner, according to a university study.

Researchers in Texas found that a downturn in the economy has a positive impact on the beauty industry, in what has been dubbed the "lipstick effect" and that price is not an issue.

"Although both men and women downsize consumer spending in response to recession cues there is an exception to this and this is beauty products," said Sarah E. Hill, an assistant professor of social psychology at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

"Women have an increased desire to purchase these products in response to recession cues," she added. "Even though they are closing their purse string for other things, they are wanting to splurge on things that can make them attractive."

A downturn in the economy has been linked to an upswing in beauty sales since the Great Depression, according to Hill, whose research is published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Figures from market research company NPD Group Inc support the phenomenon. Their numbers show that skin care, makeup and fragrance sales increased 11% in the United States in 2011 compared with the previous years.

China, Mexico and Argentina also had double digit rises in beauty product sales last year, while sales increased 9% in Britain and 3% in France.

Hill and her team examined how and why economic recessions influence women's consumer behavior in a series of experiments. They used real world spending data and asked consumers whether they would buy a series of products after giving them recession cues.

They found that men did not want to buy anything. Women also showed no interest in products that did not enhance their attractiveness.

"But we did find that there is this robust lipstick effect," she said.

Hill believes it is the first time the lipstick effect has been demonstrated in experiments and that it is driven by a desire attract a partner.

"Women consciously want to do something that makes them feel good about themselves, but ultimately we found that it is these things that make them feel good about themselves that make them more attractive to mates," she added.

BoI cuts FD rates by 0.25% on select maturities

Bank of India (BoI) today slashed interest rate on fixed deposits by 0.25% on select maturities.

Interest rate on fixed deposit for maturity between 2-3 years has been reduced by 0.25% to 9%, while 1,111-days term deposit will attract 9.10% as against 9.30%, state-run BoI informed the BSE.

With the revision, BoI's interest rate on 3-10 years fixed deposit would come down to 9% from 9.25%.

The Mumbai-based bank had last revised the interest rate on fixed deposits on March 22 this year.

The new rates are effective from July 2, it said. However, interest rates on other maturities remain unchanged.

State Bank of India on the contrary had raised interest rate on select fixed deposits by 0.25% last week. SBI's term deposits of three years but less than five years earns an interest rate of 9%, up from 8.75%. A hike in interest rate by SBI is surprising also because it followed a cut of 0.20% in base rate by private lender HDFC Bank .

Meanwhile, another public sector lender Union Bank of India also slashed interest rate on various categories of farm loans by up to 1.75%. Union Bank will offer crop loans, investment credit and loans for allied activities up to Rs 50,000 at base rate only.

The interest rate for lending to self help groups (SHGs) has also been reduced by 1.75%, Union Bank of India said in a statement today.

The revised interest rates are effective from July 1. At present, the base rate of Union Bank of India is 10.50%.