iPhone X first impressions unlocked!

We got barely a few minutes with the iPhone X at the official launch event and it’s been a long time coming, but we finally have the device. By the way, it’s still called the iPhone Ten - we’ve lost count of the number of people calling it the X (eks).
Like all other markets, it will be launched in two variants (64 and 256GB) and in two colours (space grey and silver). Prices are Rs 89,000 for the 64GB and Rs 1,02,000 for the 256GB.

The New Design

Some aspects are similar to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus: the glass back for instance (required for wireless charging). Since the screen has been pushed out to all four corners, the home button is gone and as a result, so has the fingerprint scanner (Touch ID). The device has a 5.8-inch screen in a form factor that is slightly larger than the iPhone 8. In comparison, the iPhone 8 Plus is a much large device and only has a 5.5-inch screen. This is a size that will appeal to many.

A New Way to Interact 

Because there’s no home button, there are a few new ways to interact with the interface. No matter what app you’re in, you can just swipe up from the bottom to go back to the home screen. The app will still remain open in the background. To switch between apps, you need to swipe up and hold – this will bring up the multi-tasking cards – you can switch between them as you normally do or individually close apps. You can also switch between open apps by swiping left to right on the bottom of the display. On older iPhones, you have to swipe up from the bottom for control center but that gesture has been taken here. For control center on iPhone X, you have to swipe down from the top right. Swiping down from the center shows you notifications. It’s a little counter-intuitive if you’re used to the home button from several generations of iPhone. But you’ll quickly acquire the swiping habit.

Face ID

 Setting up Face ID literally takes less than a minute. After you setup your Apple ID and add a passcode, you can register a face. You have to look straight into the camera and twist your head around in the direction indicated. Only one face can be registered per device and the biometric information never leaves the device – it’s encrypted and stored locally. Just to reiterate, Face ID uses a far more complex system than the usual face recognition or face unlock that many phones have. Face unlock just uses the front camera to recognise your face and is not considered very secure because your phone can be unlocked if someone holds up a photo of you. Face ID on the iPhone X works using the front camera, infrared camera, flood illuminator and dot projector. Long story short, it’s vastly more accurate than face unlock, far more accurate than fingerprint scanning, can’t be fooled with a photo (or even a mask) and works in complete darkness

A gorgeous new screen

This is the first time that Apple’s using an OLED screen on an iPhone and it shows. The colours really pop and the contrast is way higher too. Irrespective of the colour of the device, the screen bezels remain black. This is departure from the usual norm where lighter colour phones had white bezels. The screen is curved on all four sides – the curve perfectly matches the curve of the chassis which is oddly pleasing. The notch, which seems obvious in  photos, is not very apparent in person. You’ll only see the notch when you’re looking at something full screen, like a photo or video. We’re told some apps will handle the notch differently.

An all-new camera, front and back 

There’s a new vertically stacked dual camera system at the back. Basis a few quick photos, low light photo quality seems to be greatly improved – primarily because both lenses now have optical image stabilization. There’s also the usual portrait mode (shallow depth), portrait lighting (also seen on iPhone 8 Plus), 240fps slow motion video at 1080p and 60fps video at 4K resolution. Thanks to the various sensors in the notch, you get a Tru Depth front facing camera too. This can do shallow depth of field (portrait) effects without using a dual camera system.

DIY tips on deep conditioning of hair!

Healthy hair is often looked at as something you either have or you don’t. Issues like dryness, frizz, and damage are considered as a disadvantage of having a certain type of hair. While it is true that some hair types are more prone to drying out and frizzing up, there isn’t much that the right kind of hair care won’t tackle. Deep conditioning for hair at home is one of the best ways by which you could treat your hair with natural ingredients.

There are many deep conditioning treatments you can try at home that are bound to improve the health of your hair. Regardless of your hair type, the leading cause of bad hair, more often than not, is the lack of moisture. Following is a list of 10 DIY deep conditioning treatments that are totally affordable and contain ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen.

hookupwithfacts.blogspot.in1. Deep Conditioning With Shea Butter

Method

Apply shea butter from the roots to the tips of your hair. If you have an oily scalp and dry hair, you can apply it from the mid-lengths to the tips.

Once all of your hair is coated with the shea butter, cover it with a hot towel. You can heat the towel by using a blow dryer on the hot setting.

Keep the towel wrapped around your hair for an hour.

Wash and condition your hair.

How Often

If you have dry hair, you can treat your hair with shea butter up to three times a week. If you have oily hair, use shea butter as a deep conditioner once a week.

Benefits Of Using This Recipe

Shea butter is rich in saturated fats and fatty acids that nourish and condition hair. It is known for its emollient properties that lock the moisture in your hair shafts (1). It also provides protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This butter has long been used as a hair care ingredient by African women to manage their natural curls.

Precautions

Ensure that you wash the shea butter out of your hair well.

Do not apply the butter to your roots if you have oily or combination hair.

2. Deep Conditioning With Tea Tree Oil

Method

Take 3-5 drops of tea tree oil and add it to 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil.

Stir with a spoon to mix the two oils.

Section your hair and start applying the oil mixture on the roots, along the length of your hair, and the tips.

Massage the oil into your scalp for 10 minutes and then braid your hair or put it up in a bun.

Sleep with the oil in your hair. The next morning, wash it out with shampoo and condition.

How Often

You can apply this mixture to your hair 2-3 times a week if you have dry hair. For oily hair, once a week will be sufficient.

Benefits Of Using This Recipe

Tea tree oil is renowned for the soothing effect it has on the scalp. This is due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties (2). It is the perfect solution for dandruff, especially for people with oily hair. It unclogs the hair follicles and improves blood circulation, which aids healthy hair growth. Combining tea tree oil with the moisturizing properties of coconut oil will give you the perfect deep conditioning treatment that also helps maintain the health of your scalp.

Precautions

While buying your ingredients, ensure that you get organic cold-pressed coconut oil as it contains more nutrients than oils that have been extracted with heat.

3. Deep Conditioning With Yogurt

 Method

Wash your hair with shampoo; skip conditioning.

Once your hair is almost dry, start applying yogurt along the length of your hair, from the roots to the tips.

Let the yogurt sit in your hair for 30 minutes to an hour.

Rinse it out with lukewarm water.

How Often

You can apply this deep conditioning yogurt mask to your hair twice a week. It is perfect for people with oily hair.

Benefits Of Using Yogurt For Deep Conditioning

Yogurt has a rich content of lactic acid which helps exfoliate the scalp gently. It also smooths down the hair shafts, giving you frizz-free hair. This is the perfect deep conditioner for people with oily hair as yogurt exfoliates your scalp, tightens the hair follicles, and controls sebum production. It is commonly used in India to add shine and luster to dull hair and treating dandruff (3). It also makes hair more manageable. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of normal yogurt to give your hair a protein boost. Greek yogurt contains twice the amount of protein that regular yogurt contains.

Precautions

Always clean your hair before applying the yogurt hair pack to ensure that there is no buildup of dirt that is keeping the nutrients from being absorbed.

4. Deep Conditioning With Aloe Vera

Method

Cut an aloe vera leaf and extract about 1/2 a cup or more gel (depending on the length of your hair) with a spoon.

Blend the gel until it gets to a smooth consistency.

Wash your hair with shampoo. Skip conditioning.

While your hair is still damp, start applying the aloe vera gel to your hair from the roots to the tips.

Let the gel sit in your hair for about 30 minutes.

Rinse your hair out with lukewarm water.

How Often

Apply aloe vera to your hair once a week for best results.

Benefits Of Using Aloe Vera For Deep Conditioning

Aloe vera is 95% water and is an emollient that locks moisture in your hair shafts (4). Rubbing the gel into your scalp is also said to prevent hair loss and promote healthy hair growth. Regular use of aloe vera is bound to give you hair that is thick and lustrous. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also good for maintaining the health of your scalp and controlling issues such as dandruff.

Precautions

Do not use water that is too warm to rinse your hair as this will strip it of moisture.

5. Mayonnaise And Egg Deep Conditioner

Method

Mix half a cup of mayonnaise with 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl. You may double the ingredients if your hair is very long.

Shampoo your hair and skip conditioning.

Once your hair is almost dry, section it and start applying the mixture from the roots to the tips.

Put your hair up in a bun and cover it with a shower cap or a moist hot towel.

Keep the pack on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it off with shampoo and lukewarm water. Skip conditioning if you have oily hair.

How Often

Treat your hair with this deep conditioning hair pack once a week for best results.

Benefits Of Using This Recipe

Eggs are loaded with proteins, which make for the best kind of food for your hair since it’s what your hair is made up of. It also contains Vitamin B and biotin, which are essential nutrients that prevent hair loss (5). Mayonnaise contains the goodness of eggs, fatty oils that nourish your hair and give it sheen, and vinegar which helps clean buildup from your hair. These, in combination with the conditioning properties of olive oil, make for the ultimate hair conditioning treatment.

Precautions

This pack can weigh oily hair down and make the grease problem worse. If you have oily hair, substitute the mayonnaise and olive oil with yogurt and the juice of half a lemon.

Aadhaar biometrics are an easy target for hackers!

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Indian government to each Indian citizen. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI), which functions under the Planning Commission of India, is responsible for managing Aadhaar numbers and Aadhaar identification cards.

The purpose of Aadhaar cards is to have a single, unique identification document or number that links a consumer’s entire details including demographic and biometric information.

The Aadhaar card/UID does not replace the other identification documents but can be used as the sole identification proof when applying services that require identification. It also serves as the basis for Know Your Customer (KYC) norms used by banks, financial institutions and other businesses that maintain customer profiles.

Risk of Aadhaar biometrics

Biometric data, unlike passwords, can never be changed, so if hackers successfully impersonate a fingerprint then they can cause serious havoc, and there is not much the victim will be able to do about it.

With the recent government policies making biometrics the central identity verifier via Aadhaar information, a billion consumers could be walking a thin line between security and convenience. Though it becomes extremely convenient to make transactions via a single touch on your smartphone, it also means that all a malicious hacker needs to get is your fingerprint. Once he gets that, there’s no stopping. Identity theft and fraudulent transactions may just be the beginning. 

A simple fact: You cannot just change your fingerprint like you change your password in case of a hack. Even closing your account won’t solve your problems. Your fingerprint, wherever valid, can be used to steal your accounts.

Government's claims about Aadhaar security

According to the guidelines issued by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, sensitive personal data such as passwords, financial information (bank account, credit card, debit card and other payment instrument details), medical records and history, sexual orientation, physical and mental health and biometric information cannot be stored by agencies without encryption.

Basically, the host computer can no longer store user’s biometrics which will eliminate the risk of using the computer can no longer store user’s biometrics which will eliminate the risk of using the stored biometrics without individual’s consent for authentication.

How easy is it steal fingerprints?

Hackers can easily clone your fingerprints to gain access to your life. What's scarier is that it's neither too costly nor too difficult.

Fingerprints can be picked up from daily objects easily or mass attacks are possible if the servers of UIDAI are hacked. Hackers can also skim fingerprints via malicious biometric devices just as with infected credit card machines. The problem here though is that you can block your credit card but not your fingerprint.

Using the stolen print

This can be done via digitally replaying the print to authenticate applications and transactions. Another possibility is to use 3D-model printers to simply make a physical copy of the print. It is even possible to make physical fingerprint  replicas using simple dental moulds and some playing dough. According to a research at theDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University in the US, fingerprints can be replicated in less than $500 with conductive ink fed through a normal inkjet printer, in a procedure that takes less than 15 minutes. According to researchers at CITER, the disturbing thing about fingerprints is they can be hacked just by using everyday items like some dental mould to take a cast, some playing dough to fill it. All they need is an impression of a person's fingerprint. Using the cloned fingerprint, the hacker can enter every mobile application or devices that use the fingerprint as a security measure.

What about retina, voice and facial recognition?

Besides fingerprint, some applications also use facial and voice recognition techniques. The general methodology on which all the facial recognition app works is, the person stares into the camera on their smartphone and the app captures images of the face. According to a research lab in Germany which specialises in cyber security, the hacker can use several pictures of the victim which can be easily found via social networking websites and use those pictures to bypass the security.

However many applications using facial recognition claim to have 'liveness' technology which can distinguish a photograph from a real person. A hacker might bypass this by simply making a movement in front of the camera which might be interpreted by the app as a facial movement of the person if the app is not using some 3D face scanning.

Voice recognition technology can analyse accents, pronunciation and the sounds of someone's mouth and tongue. Some apps use voice recognition by asking a person to repeat a certain phrase each time. If the app is more advanced, it can randomly generate new phrase each time a person logs in.

To bypass this, hackers can record the voice of a person saying the exact phrase that is required by the application or they can take advantage of software apps that allow a person to record someone's  voice and get that voice to say phrases which the person may have never said before.

Even IRIS scanner fails to secure the user's privacy. According to a security researcher at Chaos Computer Club (CCC), Europe's largest association of hackers, a similar technique that bypasses facial recognition is used to bypass IRIS scan as well, i.e. a standard photo camera.

How big is the threat?

The government has made Aadhaar mandatory for Indian citizens to avail of many government services. Aadhaar is being used almost everywhere now. If the data gets leaked, unlike changing your passwords or creating a new account, people won’t be able to change their fingerprints or their facial structure. The digital infrastructure that the government is trying to push all across the country can come crumbling down if proper security measures are not  at place.

The glorious dream of Digital India could simply be a disaster if a billion countrymen finally get digitalised and a single hack gives malicious hackers a lifetime access to their digital assets and identity.

What are the security measures?

UIDAI provides a simple mechanism for Indian citizens to lock their biometric information and prevent them from being misused.

Once the Aadhaar holder has locked his/her biometrics data, no one including the Aadhaar cardholder will be able to use the biometrics data for authentication purpose. Once locked, the biometric will get locked only for 10 minutes. The process of locking and unlocking biometrics is very simple. All a person is required to do is, visit the URL: https://resident.uidai.gov.in/biometric-lock. Provide Aadhaar card number. Enter a security code. Receive the OTP (which will be sent to the registered mobile number) and lock Aadhaar card.

How can Aadhaar be made more secure?

Biometrics is an acceptable form of security but depending solely on that can be risky. The best way to make apps or devices secure is using biometrics security along with another unique customizable token such as a password. This might be more of a hassle but at least it adds an extra layer of security to your information. The bottom line is: you cannot use a biometric as a primary authenticator; it can only act as an extra layer of security for your applications or devices just like an OTP.

Organisations, instead of making a fingerprint as the sole identification for a consumer, can use it as a second or even third factor to further strengthen their application infrastructure.

The government should consider the option of hosting a crowd-sourced bug-bounty program on Aadhaar and its deployment as it may help them ensure that each and every entry point is covered before going live with such a massive project. Aadhaar deployment is huge and its security cannot be tested with a few in-house analysts or even a big outsourced team. Crowd-sourcing is the solution. Utilising the brains of tens of thousands of professional security analysts aiming to find loopholes will definitely help in scraping out even the tiniest of bugs that might bite us later. Bug-bounty programmes are the most efficient way to hire 10,000+ ethical hackers for your project. Even the US government has accepted this mode by hosting 'Hack the Pentagon', 'Hack the Army' and 'Hack the Airforce' programmes, and that too with great success.

How to spot the market that has stocks which will burn money!

A healthy balance sheet is often the key to spotting good stocks. If return ratios are strong and cash flow robust, that’s icing on the cake.

Balance sheet is a financial statement that captures a company’s assets, liabilities and shareholder equity at a specific point in time.

Successful investors have their own comfort zone in choosing the parameters to judge a stock.
While reading a balance sheet, look at the leverage.

The second important thing to look at on the balance sheet is working capital, which is the cash a business uses for day-to-day operations and is calculated as current assets minus the current liabilities.

Working capital works like a treadmill: you keep running, running, running and you do not go anywhere. Some investors do not like companies that require a lot of it.

A balance sheet is more like an engine of a car; the profit and loss statement is the dashboard.

For that car, cash flow is the fuel.

The speed of a car depends on the power of the engine, which means power of the balance sheet can drive growth of a business over the long term. It is very difficult to grow for companies whose balance sheet and cash flow do not support them.

Out of all the parameters, management is the most important feature of any business.

Any sign of actions where promoter/management has attempted to benefit at the cost of minority shareholders should be the first ‘no go’ sign for investors, irrespective of how good the financial and valuation parameters may look like.

Once satisfied with the financial and management criteria, use a margin of safety framework comprising a customised ratio called the self-sustainable growth rate (SSGR) and free cash flow (FCF) to determine strength in the business and the buying range for the stock.

FCF is the surplus amount a business generates after it paying of its operating expenses and capital expenditure. It shows how efficient a business is in generating cash and if it can pay investors some return after funding its operations and expansions.

“If a company meets all my parameters and is available within my buying range, then start investing in it.
 A lot of businesses look good in terms of growth in the present market condition. I advise investors to stay away from companies which are not achieving good return on capital, as they are like a dead business.

“Those are the businesses that will burn your money.

Flipkart is experimenting with (AI) techniques to help users find reviews!

User review is a key element influencing online shoppers' buying decision in some categories such as mobile phones, televisions and air conditioners, and ecommerce giant Flipkart is experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to help users find reviews that are relevant to them.

"Different users have different needs. "Popular categories like mobiles and electronics tend to attract thousands of reviews, making it impossible for users to consume all the information.

Now, Flipkart gives people browsing through such products on the site a macro-level 'pie-chart' like view where they can see user ratings against key product aspects in the review section. It serves as a quick reference for the user to evaluate or compare multiple products.

Every opinion has a polarity associated with it. "Say, awesome vs okay... Obviously, awesome is a higher positive sentiment."

On tapping on an aspect, the user is redirected to the reviews page where directed to the reviews page where he gets a more detailed view of the review snippets which contributed to the specific aspect rating

This feature also has a set of challenges to deal with.

"What makes it difficult in the Indian context is there are a lot of grammatical errors. 'The camera is awsm', or, 'Camera accha nahi hai'. How do you interpret all these reviews?".

Flipkart hopes to use all these insights to help its own customer experience team and also the brands, by giving them insights on what exactly matters to the customer. Rival Amazon has also been working on various experiments to make user reviews more understandable.

Mersal plays with facts, but the BJP’s response is venomous

It is a measure of the ‘post-truth’ world we live in that Mersal, a Tamil commercial film that purports to convey a social message, plays fast and loose with easily verifiable facts about the Goods and Services Tax in respect of the healthcare industry. The claptrap dialogues mouthed by protagonist Vijay may not withstand the scrutiny of fact-checkers, but they have played well with gullible audiences for whom nuance in narratives is an expendable luxury. And particularly since the complexities of the GST framework have bamboozled even domain experts, the space has been opened up for ill-informed commentary with pseudo-intellectual pretensions to masquerade as pop-sociological critique. Mersal fills that space with a slick storyline.

Even so, the response of the State unit of the BJP — in calling for the politically sensitive dialogues in Mersal to be censored — is ham-handed and represents a disdain for freedom of artistic expression. The doctrine of free speech dictates that Mersal has a right to be wrong. Even more venomous is the BJP leaders’ attempt to give the controversy a communal hue by pointedly alluding to the lead actor as ‘Joseph Vijay’, insinuating that the BJP is the target of a Christian ‘hate campaign’. These prickly leaders will be better served by reflecting on the reasons for the GST’s unpopularity and why even half-baked on-screen criticism resonates thunderously with audiences.

If your boyfriend/husband does these things, you can rest assure that he loves you!

1) All His Future Plans Will Include You
Heard him talking about this place in Asia he plans to visit with you or how he will treat you with a surprise on his 28th birthday or how you will be the one to design his apartment when he owns one. Well, all these are the signs that he plans you to be a part of his future. Lucky You !

2) He Texts You Almost Every Morning
Does your phone beeps every morning with a call from him or his text? Isn’t it a good feeling to know you are in his day’s first thought.


3) He Cannot Hide You From His Closed Ones
We cannot but hide our affection for someone, specially with those who matter to us. He might be willingly or unwillingly spilling love beans all around himself. He might be wanting to show you around to everyone. If he’s into something like this be confident he is here to stay.

4) He Will Listen To You. Every Detail
Yes, he will. He will exhibit interest in knowing about your day, what’s going around in your life, your plans and he will pay attention to every detail you say.

5) He Will Voluntarily Care For You, Look After You
You will notice little things he does just to make you smile. He will make it a point to look after you, look after your needs and take care of you. He will always be present when you need him emotionally. He’ll do his best to comfort you and make you happy.

Knows your personality From the first letter of your name!

‘A’- You are not romantic but practical. You always achieve your goals when set. You are not patient and you do not react fast to others even when they were sweet and polite. You are attractive, polite, open mined and have a serious personality. You always need your partner’s support and full courage to be able to stay with them. You find it important to feel a mutual romantic attitude within your relationship. You do not create problems but you are selfish. You always need your partner’s support to be able to stay with them. They have to show you love and appreciation. You know how to select your lover.

‘B’- You have a romantic personality. You like to exchange gifts with your lover, as it is a proof of true love. You know how to love, act and talk. You are very patient and you reach your goals. You control your emotions and your feelings well and you love to go on adventures.

‘C’- You are very sociable. You fall in love with a close friend or colleague. You are very sensitive. You need your lover not only to love you but to adore you. You are patient and you could get what you want by controlling your feelings very well.

‘D’- You react fast. You care for others and solve their problems. You are kind and sincere and very sensitive with your romantic life. Sometimes your love turns to jealousy and overprotectiveness. You have a temper and are hard yet can be smart and pleasant. If you put your mind into loving someone, you do not give up easily.


‘E’- You need your partner to be a good listener. Your lover is a friend or colleague. You keep negotiating serious conversations from time to time to maintain excitement within your love life. Actions and challenges are important to you. You are very loyal to your loved one. You enjoy to read before going to bed.

‘F’- You are sensitive, generous and romantic. You know how to select your future partner and are sincere when you promise true love. You are courageous, attractive and generous. You are good hearted but if you get hurt you look for revenge.

‘G’- You are difficult to please. You are always looking for idealism inside you and your lover. Your lover has to be at the same maturity level as you. You are sensitive and you know how to reach the highest excitement in your feelings because through your nature you are accurate and picky. Very active and you never feel tired. Priorities in your life go to your duties and responsibilities and for this reason it is hard to be close and give enough love to those who are around you.

‘H’- You need a companion who can add happiness, joy and anything you look for within your life. You are generous with your lover. You are very careful in your behavior and relationships. You are a sensitive and patient lover. You remain patient until you reach what you plan for. You are strong in your beliefs. You work hard until you reach your goal. You are hard to please and you are not effected from those around you. Since you have your own knowledge, others rely on you.

‘I’- You need to love and be loved. You need appreciation from your lover. You are very emotional. You like researching and knowledge. You look for a lover who knows how to please you emotionally, financially and morally. You get board fast and look for change. Your close relationships are short lived because you do not commit yourself. You can be very materialistic.

‘J’- You are gifted with a financial power. Nobody can stop you from being kind to others. You always go after financial challenges with friends without thinking. On the other hand, you are full of romance. You are a wonderful person but you are missing the belief of love. You need to drink and eat to grow up within your relationships. You keep creating foreign relationships and communications.

‘K’- You are very hard to talk to. You are very lonely and shy but also very attractive. You are caring to only those that are close to your heart. You are full of courage and knowledge. You have a commercial mind. You know the most delicate commercial tricks and you can play any game very professionally. You take your love life very seriously. You do not play games with those around you. You have the patience to wait for the right partner for marriage. You are nice, pleasant and can be a best friend and a wonderful partner.

‘L’- You are romantic and attracted to the magic of love. Your life partner is the most important person to you. You have your own love dictionary. You like adventures and you accept risks. Your lover needs to be intellectual. You need love and are dying to know if you partner appreciates you.

‘M’- You are romantic, shy and down to earth. You are an artist and well experienced. You reach the maximum levels of love easily. You criticize your lover to reach your idea of perfect within the relationship. It is not easy to find the exact requirement you are looking for in your partner. You have difficulties expressing yourself and approaching your loved ones. You are selfish and consider your opinion is right. Sometimes you forget your friends and family and live for the moment.

‘N’- You are romantic, sensitive and imaginative. You are hardly involved in your romantic life. No borders or obstacles can stand in your way. You are looking for a soul mate that in romantic and sensitive. You could build a very strong romantic relationship. You believe in complete freedom. You have lots of energy, which allows you to take risks and try new things. You know how to treat your partner with the tenderness of a mothers care and you wish to be treated the same. You tend to rush through your life without slowing down to enjoy what is around you.

‘O’- You like to be involved in different activities. You are shy and do not say or show your wishes. You have the power to forward your energy to build up your wealth and fame. You can resist being single for long periods, for your love is a serious project and needs power. You are ready to try new things and to meet new people.

‘P’- You are mature and you feel the principles of your culture. You cannot dare to misbehave and jeopardize your name and image. You like to be smart, good looking and elegant. At times you might consider your partner is your enemy. Due to a big fight, your relationship could end. You are ready to go through experiences and adventures and be professional in taking certain actions. You are a sociable person. Sensitive and romantic, which is beneficial to get your wishes and self-satisfaction.

‘Q’- You have strong moving energy, and nobody can follow you. You are enthusiastic in your love and are attracted to those around you based on their principals and behavior. To continue your life you need love negotiations, flowers and romantic hearts.

‘R’- You are ready to correct and change your behavior to better yourself. You are looking for a partner who is equal to you intellectually. You always try to prove that you deserve your partner. You are an open-minded person and very romantic.

‘S’- You believe in pleasure before work. You are deal and strong in your sensitive feelings. You do not lose control of your romantic feelings and when you promise your partner sincerity, you respect your promise. You feel jealous and possessive at times and become selfish. On the other hand you are sensitive, emotional, silent and sometimes very nervous. You are serious in your romantic life and can wait until you find the right match. You are generous, peaceful and loveable. These characteristics make you attractive to others and also a good friend.

‘T’- You are full of emotions, feelings and sometimes nervous. Very romantic and enjoy candles, lights and music. You are an imaginative dreamer. You get in and out of love and recover from it fast. You know how to attract your partner. You have your own way of life and you do not like to change it. You are very stubborn. You do not take advise from anyone but indeed their advise could save your life, don’t underestimate it.

‘U’- You are very enthusiastic. You feel maximum pleasure when you are in love. You are always looking for a person you can love and adore. In your opinion love is a challenge. You are always looking for new challenges, which gives you the feeling of maximum freedom. You are very elegant. You like to give gifts to friends, parents and lovers because you enjoy their reactions.

‘V’- You need freedom and enthusiasm in your life. You wait until you know your partner before making any promises or commitments. You need to discover your partner’s weaknesses and figure out how you can get him or her on your side. You are attracted to those who have strange characters. Your charisma is very attractive when it is needed. Fear, nervous, danger and confusions.

‘W’- You feel very proud of yourself and wise in your decisions. You do not accept “NO!” for an answer. When it is related to love, you are very romantic and caring. Your love is very strong and you are very attracted to your partner. You are full of generosity and you consider nothing is more precious then your loved one. You are an expert in love games and surprises.

‘X’- You cannot live without excitement in your life. You like to have more than one relationship at a time. You cannot stop thinking that you are gifted. You are very good at multi-tasking.

‘Y’- You are very sensitive and have an independent personality. If someone does not do things your way you forget about that subject completely. Your romantic life is not successful because you are over controlling. You are too controlled by your sensitivity and feelings that you need to prove yourself and always need to know others reactions towards your efforts.

‘Z’- You are very romantic and you do not show your feelings easily. You try very hard to please your lover. You are very sociable. You try to help everyone with everything especially those who feel that they need you.

Are you in white collared job? Then here is the checklist to shoo away your stress!

For many white-collared professionals, a work day is filled with never-ending meetings, emails, phone calls and other interruptions that don't end even outside the office.
Heart disease, diabetes and depression are among the ailments facing full-time workers, half of whom typically work more than 40 hours a week, and four in 10 work at least 50 hours a week.

Aiding the always-at-work mentality is technology that allows us to work anytime and from anyplace.
Because your work defines so much of your world, the thought of losing it is a major source of stress. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help yourself cope with work-related stress.

Here's the thing, finding the source of your stress is the first step to fighting it, but that's easier said than done. Adding these life skills could definitely be of help to you:

Take care of today
Focus only on that. Forget about all those tomorrows. And  about all your yesterdays. Go small, narrow your focus greatly and just take care of today. This helps when you are overwhelmed.

Find the "Off" button
Turn off your phones and gadgets after 6 or 8 pm each day. This will allow your body to fully "unplug" from the day's stressors too.

Get moving
Any form of exercise will work. Including yoga and walking in your routine, can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain release feel-good chemicals and giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress.


Stay away from conflict
Because interpersonal conflict takes a toll on your physical and emotional health, and because conflict among co-workers is so difficult to escape, it's a good idea to avoid conflict at work as much as possible.

Get more sleep
Rather than relying on medication, your aim should be to maximise your relaxation before going to sleep. Ensure, your bedroom is a tranquil oasis with no reminders of the things that cause you stress.

Just say No
Trying to do everything is a one-way ticket to serious stress. Be clear about your limits.

Follow this lunar diet for good health

Moon, which is known to affect water bodies because of its gravitational pull, also affects human body that is 75% water. A diet based on its different cycles helps to cleanse the body and lose weight, if followed with due diligence. City-based wellness coach Shiva Kumar Bharathi has been organising what he calls as lunar games for the past 21 months, with two cycles -one during full moon and the other during new moon. "I have developed a six-day cycle called game period, where the focus is to a alkalise the blood streams for short periods," Bharathi says. According to him, when someone's diet is 80% alkaline, the body is able to take care of its metabolism. Diets are typically plant-based foods, lightly cooked or raw vegetables and nondiary.

In some cases, weight loss is not the only outcome. Venkatraman Rangiah, an organic farmer who is on his second cycle, has never had any issues with managing his weight. However, taking up a water and fruit fasting diet com bined with traditionally cooked meals has helped him tackle a nagging back pain.

While lunar diets may have acquired a name now, the system of fasting based on the moon's patterns has always been there in Hindu mythology. However, following something just because it's new is never advisable.

Facebook users are facing major issues tonight after the social media site went down over an hour ago.

Thousands of outages continue to be reported with both web and app users seemingly affected.

Facebook is currently down with thousands of users across the UK, Europe and Asia currently unable to access the service.

Down Detector, which monitors outages, is currently showing thousands of reports with a spike seeing over 3,000 people mentioning the issues.

One user has posted a message on Down Detectors forums saying they are simply seeing a white screen when trying to load Facebook.

Whilst another has confirmed: "Nothing loading for me either. Blank page."

Users have also flocked to Facebook's big rival Twitter to report issues with the service this afternoon.

One user tweeted: "FACEBOOK IS DOWN"

While another said: "OMG! Facebook is DOWN! What do we do? It's a crisis."

And one fan even suggested it was the end of the world saying: "What happened to Facebook!? It's actually DOWN. The apocalypse must be here!! #facebookdown."

You don't need an agent to apply for schengen visa! just keep these points in mind .

Today, Europe stands as a premier dream destination for Indians to visit, hence in the recent years, the demand for Schengen visa for Indian passport holders has risen at a rapid scale. As per the statistics from the Internal Migration and Affairs of the European Commission, more than 700,000 applications for Schengen visas were submitted by Indians in 2015.

For the uninitiated, a schengen visa is the document issued to any individual looking to visit any region within the Schengen states. The Schengen area is comprised of 26 countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within this area as a single country. Of the 26 countries bound by the Schengen agreement, 22 are part of the European Union (EU) and the other 4 are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

The countries in the Schengen area include Spain, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein

A Schengen visa is an authorisation issued for:

-Transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen states for a duration of no more than 90 days in 180 days period (short stay visa).

- Transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen states (Airport transit visa)

TYPES:

There are three types of Schengen visas available to the travellers across the globe

- Uniform Schengen Visa (USV)

- National Visas

- Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV)

Schengen travel visa is issued to those who want to travel for leisure, work, business, education, or to visit a relative or friend residing in the Schengen region. This kind of travel visa is usually issued with a validity of 3 months (90 days only).

There are 19 countries that are not a part of the EU, nor of the Schengen Area, but they allow foreign citizens of other non-Schengen countries to enter and stay in their territories, only by showing a valid Schengen Visa. Such visiting foreigners do not need a national visa issued from these countries to enter transit and stay in their territory temporarily.

There are a few points that travellers must keep in mind while applying for a Schengen visa.

Book an appointment at least 15 working days prior to your departure since that is the approximate time an Embassy/Consulate needs to complete the visa issuing procedure. You can even apply up to 12 weeks before the date of travel.

Always fill up the travel visa application form cautiously because the visa interviewer has distinguished nature of questions for the interviewee. Making an appointment online and collection of imperative documents is the most important pre-requisite after filling the form.

List of documents that are crucial for the process:

- A photo reflecting full face and neck, and should be clicked in a light background.

- Photocopies of the visas previously used for travelling. A valid passport that has been issued no longer than ten years ago and has a period of six months until its expiration date.

- A medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000.

- Flight tickets and hotel reservation.

- Original bank statement statement of the applicant for last three months, with the original stamp and signature of authorized signatory of the bank.

- Proof of accommodation for stay in the Schengen countries

- Personal covering letter explaining the purpose of the visit (leisure, work, business, education or to visit a relative/friend) .

Additional pre-requisite for business travel:

- The invitation letter from the partner company in the Schengen zone.

Additional prerequisites for educational travel:

- The letter of acceptance in a Schengen country University/college/school.

- Proof that one can reside and financially maintain him/herself during their stay in the Schengen zone.

- Fees receipt from the institution.

Additional Prerequisite + for work (employment) travel

- The employment contract between the applicant and the future employer residing in the Additional prerequisites for educational travel:

- The letter of acceptance in a Schengen country University/college/school.

- Proof that one can reside and financially maintain him/herself during their stay in the Schengen zone.

- Fees receipt from the institution.

Additional Prerequisite + for work (employment) travel

- The employment contract between the applicant and the future employer residing in the Schengen territory.

If you are looking to permanently reside in a Schengen country due to a spouse living in that region, you should submit the original certified copy of the marital certificate along with a copy of the spouse's passport.

For a minor, there are a few additional documents which are:

- Birth certificate.

- An application form signed by both the parents.

- The notarised parental authorisation signed by both parents or guardians is attached if the minor is travelling alone.

Additional documents for first time travellers:

- Income tax returns for the last three years.

- Appointment letter.

- Proof of legal entity of the company.

The next step involves preparing for the visa interview. The interview could be brief or could be elaborate based on your application. You should keep the original documents handy during this time. Confidence and proper dress-code are essential for the interview.

During the interview, the candidate does not get questioned solely about the information provided in the visa application form and its supporting documents. There are other questions, sometimes personal, that the diplomatic official may pose to get a sense of answer-ability, frankness and accuracy of the candidate.

As long as you have your paperwork and ence in place, you can get packing! Happy travelling!

Amazing Benefits of Cabbage for Sore Breasts

Benefits of Cabbage for Sore BreastsCabbage are an extraordinary thing. Not only can you make delicious recipes from its leaves, but they can give you amazing health benefits. Cabbage has been used for years to treat a number of things including constipation, stomach ulcers, eczema, arthritis, and scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency disease that many professionals recommend cabbage for because it contains more Vitamin C than oranges. Including cabbage into your everyday diet is one of the best things you can do for your body. It has been known to increase recovery from wounds and damaged tissues, regulate your nervous and digestive systems, and can even help you sustain a healthy weight. Cabbage is also an excellent remedy for women during their maternity to help with discomfort.

While you breastfeed you may experience a time where you will feel uncomfortable, or in pain, from your swollen, engorged breasts. This is a common factor in women who are breastfeeding. It can happen any time during your maternity, but it’s most common during the first few days or weeks and during the following days or weeks after you stop breastfeeding. Engorged breasts can be very painful. Once you have given birth your body begins to produce breast milk to feed your baby. For the first few days trailing your delivery, you will more than likely have difficulty breastfeeding, especially if it’s your first baby. Your baby may have trouble latching and you could go a few days without being able to feed with your breasts. Until you begin a normal breastfeeding schedule you may feel discomfort in your breasts as they fill with unused milk. This discomfort will only last as short while, usually one to two days. Breast pumping can help too.

Cabbage is a great solution for your sore breasts. The leaves have been used for hundreds of years to soothe and cool sore or sprained muscles. Many people use it for sprained ankles or as a substitute for prescribed drugs when they get their wisdom teeth taken out. Many specialists and herbalists believe cabbage is rich in antibiotics and has anti-irritant possessions. Cabbage, just like broccoli and brussel sprouts, contains sinigrin, a glucosinolate which is a natural component in many pungent plants such as mustard and horseradish. When a plant’s leaves or tissues are broken it releases the antioxidants including sinigrin and in return they can heal the problem area naturally and quicker.

For the best use to heal your sore breasts from engorgement purchase a head of green cabbage from your grocery store. Once you get home gently tear off the leaves, wash them, and place in your refrigerator so that they can cool. You don’t necessarily need to put them in the fridge, but cool objects do help with swelling. After they are cool enough you will want to take a rolling pin or some kind of device where you can crush the veins on the leaves. Once you’re done doing this to several leaves place them evenly around each breast so they are covered completely. For the best results leave your breasts covered for twenty to thirty minutes and repeat every four to six hours or until your breasts feel less engorged.

Although cabbage leaves have worked for most women to release their pain from their engorged breasts, it’s always important you speak to your lactation consultant or doctor before using anything you’re unsure about because it may be harmful to you if you are allergic. Cabbage, along with many other foods, always needs to be washed and cleaned before they can be eaten or put on your body to prevent attaining Listeria.

5 reasons why you should not invest in bitcoins, cryptocurrencies

After the big crash, cryptocurrency prices are slowly starting to stabilize. Should investors use this crash as an opportunity to buy into the market? Experts don’t think so. Here’s why.

1. Extreme volatility

Investing in cryptocurrencies involves very high risk, as prices have been extremely volatile. Many experts are sceptical about bitcoin as an investment primarily because there is nothing for them to analyse. Since these cryptocurrency prices are not regulated, as more people enter the market lured by the high prices, the prices climb ever higher. This might lead to formation of a bubble that will eventually burst and cause widespread losses.

2. Neither commodity, nor currency

The lack of clarity about its origin is another big issue related to bitcoin. In olden days, highly priced metals like gold, silver, etc. were used as currencies. Then came currencies printed by governments (or central banks) and these are called ‘fiat currencies’. Though its proponents claim that cryptocurrency is ‘mined’ using complex mathematical formulae, they are reluctant to call it a commodity. They also claim that it is not it is ‘democratic’. Therefore, cryptocurrencies don’t fall into the ‘currency’ category either. “It can be very risky for businesses, industry and people to trade or invest in bitcoins as it is just a formula, not backed by any tangible asset, but by sheer demand,

3. Don’t invest if you don’t understand

Some global bankers and experts have warned investors against investing in cryptocurrencies, because they are of the opinion that it is nothing but a bubble that is just about ready to burst.

4. An unregulated space

Unlike other investment avenues, cryptocurrencies are not regulated by government entities or banks. But if we get ripped off in a bitcoin transaction, it is impossible to  get the money back.

5. The issue of legality

One major hurdle in the path of Indian investors who are interested in investing in cryptocurrency, is the confusion about its legal status. While they haven’t been declared illegal, cryptocurrencies are not recognised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or any other authority in India, as a ‘currency’. In December 2013, the RBI issued a press release cautioning users, holders and traders of virtual currencies, including bitcoins, about the potential  financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks. In its latest press release dated 1 February, 2017, the regulator has further stated that it has not issued licences to companies for trading in any virtual or digital currencies. RBI also added, that the user, holder, investor, trader, etc. dealing with virtual or digital currencies will be doing so at their own risk.

Incidents like this make it abundantly clear that it’s much more difficult to track illegal activities in the cryptocurrency space. “Since there is a lack of information about the trading parties, such a non-regulated system may expose the investors to unforeseen risks including breaches of anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism laws. This risk also lowers the chances of cryptocurrencies becoming mainstream in India, leaving the future of the market mired in uncertainty.

Personal Finance Checklist For You, If you Are turning 40!

When anxious young couples ask whether they are doing enough to secure their finances, my answer is standard: By the time you are 40, you will be surprised how well you are doing. There is something about turning 40. Something like a midpoint, where there are enough patterns of habit to acknowledge, and still enough room for the new, untried and unknown. So here goes a personal finance checklist for those who are hitting their 40s.

The disease begins at teenage when peer group comparisons matter a lot. It then spills into comparing job offers, cars, homes, holidays and despicably enough can cover the spouse and children, their looks, marks and capabilities. The 40s is the best time to knock it off. You have enough achievements to call your own, have grown old enough to have your world view, have enough experience to say what works and what really matters. A life of constant competition with others leaves you too little wealth and happiness.

Second , stop obsessing about mastering the stock markets. If you have not learned the skill of equity investing by the time you are 40, it is time you hand your money over to the professionals. Make the sensible decision to use index funds, mutual funds and professional services to ensure that your money has the opportunity to make the returns that the equity market offers. If the stock trading games that spilt over from your graduate school days did not make you a pot of moneey, 40s is the right time to acknowledge that you do not have the time or skill to make money on the side by staring at the flickering screen. Or, if you have been on the edge and refusing to invest in equity until you really know what it is, your time is running out.

Third , make sure you have an investment philosophy. Write it down, discuss with friends and family. Make a plan to implement whatever you have arrived at. Ad hoc buying of IPOs, insurance, tax saving schemes, and funds will not take you too far. You must know how much you will invest, where, why and how. If you do not have an investment philosophy by the time you are 40, you still do not have a guiding strategy that will help your finances and enable discipline in saving and iinvesting. You still have 20 years to finance the strategy and you will be fine if you begin now.

Fourth , do not brood over past mistakes and errors. Focus on making corrections. Sell off that second or third property you bought in the suburbs and are struggling to pay EMI for. Close that insurance policy that is making no returns. If you are 40 and still wonder why you have not been able to save consistently, and you worry about where all the income seems to be going, you should see the flashing red light of penury in old age. If you are not already saving at least 30-40% of your income, you are either earning too less or you are spending too much. Fix that problem before it is late.

Fifth , get some control on expenses. The 40s is the time when incomes soar as you reach your potential and enjoy the confidence of being successful in your chosen career. The risk you run is lifestyle creep. As your income increases, you find it easier to spend, and are comfortable flashing your success in your lifestyle habits. If your expenses on lifestyle items runs along with, or ahead of your income, you will suffer the failed filmstar syndrome, where all the income was was lost to flashy clothes, parties and cars, with nothing left for the proverbial rainy day. Whenever you get a raise, ensure that at least half of it is saved, and only half is available to splurge.

Many celebrate reaching 50 as a landmark age. From a personal financial standpoint, the age of 40 is a better benchmark because you have the power to make decisions for your future, when your outlook for your career and life is still optimistic, positive and full of possibilities. Do not miss that opportunity.

Deadlines that you need to meet related to your Aadhaar in order to avoid pain in the coming year, 2018!.

Here's the list of various deadlines set by the government regarding Aadhaar.

1. Aadhaar and PAN linking deadline is now December 31, 2017
The government had earlier notified that income tax returns (ITR) filed after July 1, 2017 would be accepted only after a tax assessee linked his/her PAN with Aadhaar. However, many people faced difficulty in doing so even by the extended deadline for filing returns of Aug 5, 2017.

One of the often cited reasons for inability to link was mismatch of PAN and Aadhaar details due to spelling and other errors. Therefore, the government has given a relaxation to individuals who have filed their ITRs on or before August 5, 2017 but have not linked their PAN with Aadhaar. The new deadline set by the government is now December 31, 2017. Individuals must link their PAN with Aadhaar by this date in order for their returns to be processed.

Government has made it mandatory to link Aadhaar and PAN for every PAN holder (except certain categories exempted via notification dated May 11, 2017) by amending the income tax laws in the last Union budget.

However, the above deadline is only for those filing income tax returns this year. If you are not required to file your ITR as per tax laws, i.e., your gross total income in a financial year is less than the exemption limit of Rs 2.5 lakh (for the FY 2017-18), then the last date to link your PAN with your Aadhaar is yet to be notified by the government.

2. Deadline for providing Aadhaar to financial institutions is December 31, 2017
Government has asked banks, financial institutions, and intermediaries to ensure that all their customers are know-your-customer (KYC) compliant which, as per new rules, requires verification of their Aadhaar. An amendment has been made in the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules (Maintenance and Records), 2005 to this effect.

As per the new rules, one has to mandatorily submit his/her Aadhaar and PAN details to be KYC-compliant. If this is not done before December 31, 2017, his/her account will become inoperable till the time the required details are submitted.

This means that you are required to submit your Aadhaar and PAN details to financial institutions such as banks or where you have made investments like mutual funds, stocks, National Pension System (NPS) etc. You will also need to submit these details if you have taken a loan from any bank, housing finance company or non-banking finance company.

While submitting these details, you are also required to undergo an authentication process to verify that the Aadhaar submitted by you is actually yours, as per the notified rules.

3. Aadhaar based e-KYC verification for all mobile phone subscribers must be done by February 6, 2018
The department of telecommunications (DoT), after the Supreme Court judgment on February 6, 2017, has asked telecom operators to re-verify all the existing mobile subscribers (pre-paid and post-paid) via Aadhaar-based e-KYC. It has also become mandatory to provide Aadhaar details while buying new mobile SIM connections.

As per the Supreme Court order, the process of re-verification of all existing mobile subscribers must be completed by February 6, 2018.

However, as per the directive issued by DoT in its circular dated March 23, 2017, it is not clear what will happen if Aadhaar details are not linked to a customer's mobile number by February 6, 2018. At the same time, the telecom companies, on their websites, are cautioning users that their mobile connection services might get restricted or their numbers might become inactive in case Aadhaar-based compliance is not done. There have been news reports that all unlinked mobile numbers will be deactivated after the deadline.

4. Aadhaar details must be submitted by December 31, 2017 to enjoy benefits of social security schemes
Recently, government in the Supreme Court said that it has extended the deadline for mandatorily providing Aadhaar details in order to avail benefits of social schemes. The new extended deadline is now December 31, 2017. Earlier deadline for the same was September 30, 2017.

Aadhaar details are required for various benefits such as availing subsidy on LPG cylinders, the Human Resource Development ministry's scholarship schemes, availing pensions and subsided ration under Public Distribution System scheme.

Situations where you should not accept currency offered as payment

Despite the increase in digital transactions over the past few months, cash transactions are very much a part of our lives. And this is why it is important to know when an otherwise real currency ceases to become legal tender. Here are a few relatively less known situations where you should not accept currency offered as payment. Further, you may even have to pay for exchanging soiled currency at a bank in certain situations. Here are ten things you should know about soiled currency:

 1. The master circular has clarified that one should not accept currency notes with slogans and messages of political nature written on them. This is because they are not legal tender and a bank will not pay any claim on these notes.

 2. The master circular has also expanded the definition of defective notes. It has explained that a note can be soiled, mutilated

3. A soiled note is one which has become dirty due to normal wear and tear. It also includes one where two pieces of the same note is pasted together to form an entire note with no essential feature missing.

 4. If you have soiled notes as defined above, you can give them at banks to make payments for any government dues or deposit them into your accounts

5.However, you should not accept these notes from bank officials as once deposited at a bank, they are not meant to be re-issued to the public.

6. At times it can happen that the note is torn into more than two pieces or a part of it is missing due to wear and tear. These are called mutilated notes. Unlike soiled notes which can be exchanged at any bank branch, mutilated notes can be exchanged at only specified branches.

7. The refund of mutilated notes in full, half or none is done in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009. The rules governing the refund of mutilated notes are different depending on the denomination of notes.

 8. Notes that are extremely brittle or badly burnt or inseparably stuck together and cannot withstand day to day dealings will not be accepted by bank branches for exchange. These notes must be exchanged at the issue office of the RBI.

9. You do not have to pay to exchange soiled or mutilated notes. The facility is free of charge subject to certain terms and conditions.

10. RBI's master circular states that the exchange facility is free of charge for up to 20 notes with a maximum value of Rs 5,000 a day. If the number of notes exceeds 20 or its value exceeds Rs 5,000 per day, then banks may levy service charge for providing the exchange facility.