Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi resigns

New delhi: Navy Chief Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi resigned hours after the submarine accident off the shore of Mumbai this morning. The Defence Ministry has accepted his resignation. Vice Admiral R K Dhawan has been appointed as the new Navy chief. Wednesday morning, seven sailors were injured and two officers were missing after the accident on board Indian Navy submarine INS Sindhuratna. The submarine is heading back to shore after it was forced to surface when smoke was detected on board.

The injured sailors, who fell unconscious from suffocation, were airlifted to a Navy hospital in Mumbai. Reports suggest that a fire may have broken out on the vessel.The INS Sindhuratna was being sea tested after a refit, about 40 to 50 km off the Mumbai coast when the smoke was detected. The senior-most submarine officer of the Western Naval Command was on board.In August last year, Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak sank in the Mumbai harbour after an explosion on board, killing 18 sailors.

Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi resigns

New delhi: Navy Chief Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi resigned hours after the submarine accident off the shore of Mumbai this morning. The Defence Ministry has accepted his resignation. Vice Admiral R K Dhawan has been appointed as the new Navy chief. Wednesday morning, seven sailors were injured and two officers were missing after the accident on board Indian Navy submarine INS Sindhuratna. The submarine is heading back to shore after it was forced to surface when smoke was detected on board.

The injured sailors, who fell unconscious from suffocation, were airlifted to a Navy hospital in Mumbai. Reports suggest that a fire may have broken out on the vessel.The INS Sindhuratna was being sea tested after a refit, about 40 to 50 km off the Mumbai coast when the smoke was detected. The senior-most submarine officer of the Western Naval Command was on board.In August last year, Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak sank in the Mumbai harbour after an explosion on board, killing 18 sailors.

Submarine mishap: Seven Indian sailors hurt, two missing

Mumbai/New Delhi: Seven Indian Navy personnel were injured and at least two went missing Wednesday after smoke filled a compartment in the INS Sindhuratna submarine that was underwater, official sources said here. There were 94 sailors on board the submarine when smoke was reported in the sailors' accommodation early Wednesday, about 50 nautical miles (80 km) in the Arabian Sea.

Seven sailors were airlifted by helicopter and shifted in an unconscious state to the naval hospital, INS Asvini, in south Mumbai early Wednesday. Two more sailors who were on board the submarine, remain "unaccounted for" or are missing and a search for them has been launched.

The remaining sailors, including Commodore Commanding Submarine (West) S.R. Kapur, are engaged in the rescue operations. Kapur is in-charge of all the submarines under the Western Naval Command here. Officials suspect that the two "unaccounted for" officials may have been trapped in one of the sealed compartments of the vessel.

A Western Naval Command release said the submarine was "at sea off Mumbai for routine training and workup (inspection)". "While at sea in the early hours of Feb 26, 2014, smoke was reported in the sailors' accommodation, in compartment number three, by the submarine. Smoke was brought under control by the submarine's crew," it said. 

The release said that in the process of controlling the smoke, seven crew members inhaled smoke "and felt uneasy". A helicopter with medical team was sent and the seven crew members were transferred to naval hospital INS Asvini.  "All specialist medical officers attended and reported that the crew is safe. Naval ships were dispatched by HQWNC (Headquarters, Western Naval Command) and are in the area to provide assistance to the submarine. Two personnel have not yet been located and all efforts are in progress to locate them," the release said. 

It said all other crew of the submarine "are on board and safe".  The release said that submarine was also safe and did not have any weapons on board. It will return to harbour shortly. Preliminary reports suggest that the toxic smoke may have been caused either due to a fire or a leakage in one of the hydrogen batteries on the vessel. Refitted and renovated in Mumbai last December, the INS Sindhuratna was on a training exercise to familiarize the crew with operations of the Russian built vessel.

The vessel was underwater at the time of the incident and it was not fitted with weapons of any kind as it was on a training and familiarization mission. The Indian Navy has ordered an inquiry into the incident - the tenth in recent times - which has hit its elite fleet of submarines. The biggest accident involved the fire on the INS Sindhurakshak and the subsequent sinking of the submarine in the Mumbai harbour Aug 14 last year, killing all 18 personnel aboard.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier this month expressed concern over the accidents suffered by the navy over the past few months. Antony said that even one accident was "serious" for him and there was need to strictly follow standard operating procedures and draw proper lessons. He also said he cannot give the navy "100 percent satisfaction certificate". There have been a string of navy accidents.

INS Talwar, a frigate, collided with a fishing vessel last year. A fire broke out on INS Konkan at the dry dock in Visakhapatnam in December 2013 when it was in the dry dock for maintenance.  And INS Betwa, also a frigate, suffered damage in January. INS Vindhyagiri, a Nilgiri class frigate, sank after it caught fire when it collided with a merchant vessel near the Mumbai harbour in 2011.

Submarine mishap: Seven Indian sailors hurt, two missing

Mumbai/New Delhi: Seven Indian Navy personnel were injured and at least two went missing Wednesday after smoke filled a compartment in the INS Sindhuratna submarine that was underwater, official sources said here. There were 94 sailors on board the submarine when smoke was reported in the sailors' accommodation early Wednesday, about 50 nautical miles (80 km) in the Arabian Sea.

Seven sailors were airlifted by helicopter and shifted in an unconscious state to the naval hospital, INS Asvini, in south Mumbai early Wednesday. Two more sailors who were on board the submarine, remain "unaccounted for" or are missing and a search for them has been launched.

The remaining sailors, including Commodore Commanding Submarine (West) S.R. Kapur, are engaged in the rescue operations. Kapur is in-charge of all the submarines under the Western Naval Command here. Officials suspect that the two "unaccounted for" officials may have been trapped in one of the sealed compartments of the vessel.

A Western Naval Command release said the submarine was "at sea off Mumbai for routine training and workup (inspection)". "While at sea in the early hours of Feb 26, 2014, smoke was reported in the sailors' accommodation, in compartment number three, by the submarine. Smoke was brought under control by the submarine's crew," it said. 

The release said that in the process of controlling the smoke, seven crew members inhaled smoke "and felt uneasy". A helicopter with medical team was sent and the seven crew members were transferred to naval hospital INS Asvini.  "All specialist medical officers attended and reported that the crew is safe. Naval ships were dispatched by HQWNC (Headquarters, Western Naval Command) and are in the area to provide assistance to the submarine. Two personnel have not yet been located and all efforts are in progress to locate them," the release said. 

It said all other crew of the submarine "are on board and safe".  The release said that submarine was also safe and did not have any weapons on board. It will return to harbour shortly. Preliminary reports suggest that the toxic smoke may have been caused either due to a fire or a leakage in one of the hydrogen batteries on the vessel. Refitted and renovated in Mumbai last December, the INS Sindhuratna was on a training exercise to familiarize the crew with operations of the Russian built vessel.

The vessel was underwater at the time of the incident and it was not fitted with weapons of any kind as it was on a training and familiarization mission. The Indian Navy has ordered an inquiry into the incident - the tenth in recent times - which has hit its elite fleet of submarines. The biggest accident involved the fire on the INS Sindhurakshak and the subsequent sinking of the submarine in the Mumbai harbour Aug 14 last year, killing all 18 personnel aboard.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier this month expressed concern over the accidents suffered by the navy over the past few months. Antony said that even one accident was "serious" for him and there was need to strictly follow standard operating procedures and draw proper lessons. He also said he cannot give the navy "100 percent satisfaction certificate". There have been a string of navy accidents.

INS Talwar, a frigate, collided with a fishing vessel last year. A fire broke out on INS Konkan at the dry dock in Visakhapatnam in December 2013 when it was in the dry dock for maintenance.  And INS Betwa, also a frigate, suffered damage in January. INS Vindhyagiri, a Nilgiri class frigate, sank after it caught fire when it collided with a merchant vessel near the Mumbai harbour in 2011.

Samsung Galaxy S5 with fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor launched

Samsung on Monday unveiled a new smartphone with a built-in heart rate monitor to complement three upcoming fitness devices, as the Korean companies tries to turn its technological wizardry into lifestyle products that matter.

The new Galaxy S5 phone has a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, at 5.1-inches (12.95 cm) diagonally instead of 5-inches in the S4. But the size increases have slowed down compared with previous jumps. Rather, Samsung is focusing on other parts of the phone. The screen itself adapts to changing external conditions and gives you an option to dim it when you don't want to disturb others near you.

The phone has a 16-megapixel camera, sharper than the 13-megapixels in its predecessor. It promises faster auto focus. The device itself is also water resistant. 'Our consumers do not want eye-popping technology or the most complex technology,' said J.K. Shin, Samsung's head of information technology and the mobile communications division. 'They want durable design and performance.'

Samsung Electronics Co. is also unveiling a fitness band, Gear Fit, to complement two new computerized watches announced Sunday. Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, made the latest announcement during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Samsung's Galaxy S series has emerged as one of the strongest challengers to Apple's iPhones and has helped the Korean company surpass Apple as the world's largest smartphone maker. According to Gartner, Samsung's smartphones had a worldwide market share of 31 percent last year, compared with 16 percent for Apple's iPhones.

One of the main appeals is the phone's screen size. It has steadily increased since the 4 inches on the original S from 2010. The iPhone's screen has stayed at 4 inches since 2012. Colors on Samsung screens also appear richer because it uses organic light-emitting diodes, rather than a standard LCD found elsewhere.One of the main appeals is the phone's screen size. It has steadily increased since the 4 inches on the original S from 2010. The iPhone's screen has stayed at 4 inches since 2012. Colors on Samsung screens also appear richer because it uses organic light-emitting diodes, rather than a standard LCD found elsewhere.

Samsung Galaxy S5 with fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor launched

Samsung on Monday unveiled a new smartphone with a built-in heart rate monitor to complement three upcoming fitness devices, as the Korean companies tries to turn its technological wizardry into lifestyle products that matter.

The new Galaxy S5 phone has a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, at 5.1-inches (12.95 cm) diagonally instead of 5-inches in the S4. But the size increases have slowed down compared with previous jumps. Rather, Samsung is focusing on other parts of the phone. The screen itself adapts to changing external conditions and gives you an option to dim it when you don't want to disturb others near you.

The phone has a 16-megapixel camera, sharper than the 13-megapixels in its predecessor. It promises faster auto focus. The device itself is also water resistant. 'Our consumers do not want eye-popping technology or the most complex technology,' said J.K. Shin, Samsung's head of information technology and the mobile communications division. 'They want durable design and performance.'

Samsung Electronics Co. is also unveiling a fitness band, Gear Fit, to complement two new computerized watches announced Sunday. Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, made the latest announcement during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Samsung's Galaxy S series has emerged as one of the strongest challengers to Apple's iPhones and has helped the Korean company surpass Apple as the world's largest smartphone maker. According to Gartner, Samsung's smartphones had a worldwide market share of 31 percent last year, compared with 16 percent for Apple's iPhones.

One of the main appeals is the phone's screen size. It has steadily increased since the 4 inches on the original S from 2010. The iPhone's screen has stayed at 4 inches since 2012. Colors on Samsung screens also appear richer because it uses organic light-emitting diodes, rather than a standard LCD found elsewhere.One of the main appeals is the phone's screen size. It has steadily increased since the 4 inches on the original S from 2010. The iPhone's screen has stayed at 4 inches since 2012. Colors on Samsung screens also appear richer because it uses organic light-emitting diodes, rather than a standard LCD found elsewhere.

SC refers euthanasia plea to constitution bench

New Delhi: The Supreme court Tuesday referred to the constitiution bench a plea for voluntary passive euthanasia in the case of a person who is terminally ill and in medical opinion there is little hope of revival and recovery. Referring the matter to the constitution bench, the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam said an earlier judgement of the court on voluntary passive euthanasia in Aruna Shanbaug's case did lay down a certain procedure but it was not clear. Chief Justice Sathasivam pronouncing the judgement said that they are not making any references and leaving it for the constitution bench to examine the whole issue exhaustively in all its dimensions.

SC refers euthanasia plea to constitution bench

New Delhi: The Supreme court Tuesday referred to the constitiution bench a plea for voluntary passive euthanasia in the case of a person who is terminally ill and in medical opinion there is little hope of revival and recovery. Referring the matter to the constitution bench, the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam said an earlier judgement of the court on voluntary passive euthanasia in Aruna Shanbaug's case did lay down a certain procedure but it was not clear. Chief Justice Sathasivam pronouncing the judgement said that they are not making any references and leaving it for the constitution bench to examine the whole issue exhaustively in all its dimensions.

$300 toothbrush tells your friends that your teeth are shining

Barcelona: The world's first smart toothbrush was unveiled on Monday, allowing you to improve your dental hygiene while sharing the results online with your dentist or to impress your friends. Dental cleaning sessions last two minutes, divided into four 30-second segments, one for each corner of your mouth.

Shown off on the opening day of the four-day World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the brush is connected by Bluetooth wireless technology to your smartphone, and thus to the network. 'It is a world first,' said Michael Cohen-Dumani, head of Procter & Gamble's Oral-B brand, which plans to sell the product in Europe, the United States and Asia from June.

Sold for 219 euros ($300), the brush relays your toothbrushing activity to an application on the smartphone, recording whether you respect the two-minute rule and whether you brush hard, but not too hard. If the results are satisfactory, a message appears on your smartphone: 'Congratulations: your teeth are shining.'

It also lets you share the information on social networks or directly with your dentist. 'Today we can see the smartphone's potential to change people's habits,' Cohen-Dumani told AFP.'It is really that trend towards the 'quantified self'', the desire to record everything, to follow your sports activities, the calories you consume or what you spend, thanks to new technologies.

The world's largest mobile fair is a showcase for that trend, with smartphone markers unveiling an array of smart watches and bracelets that can count your steps or track your heart rate, and even wifi-connected scales to keep an eye on your weight. Larger objects, too, are getting hooked up to the network, from cars and fridges to a shop dressing room that lets you ask for new sizes and colours to try on without leaving the cabin. AFP

$300 toothbrush tells your friends that your teeth are shining

Barcelona: The world's first smart toothbrush was unveiled on Monday, allowing you to improve your dental hygiene while sharing the results online with your dentist or to impress your friends. Dental cleaning sessions last two minutes, divided into four 30-second segments, one for each corner of your mouth.

Shown off on the opening day of the four-day World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the brush is connected by Bluetooth wireless technology to your smartphone, and thus to the network. 'It is a world first,' said Michael Cohen-Dumani, head of Procter & Gamble's Oral-B brand, which plans to sell the product in Europe, the United States and Asia from June.

Sold for 219 euros ($300), the brush relays your toothbrushing activity to an application on the smartphone, recording whether you respect the two-minute rule and whether you brush hard, but not too hard. If the results are satisfactory, a message appears on your smartphone: 'Congratulations: your teeth are shining.'

It also lets you share the information on social networks or directly with your dentist. 'Today we can see the smartphone's potential to change people's habits,' Cohen-Dumani told AFP.'It is really that trend towards the 'quantified self'', the desire to record everything, to follow your sports activities, the calories you consume or what you spend, thanks to new technologies.

The world's largest mobile fair is a showcase for that trend, with smartphone markers unveiling an array of smart watches and bracelets that can count your steps or track your heart rate, and even wifi-connected scales to keep an eye on your weight. Larger objects, too, are getting hooked up to the network, from cars and fridges to a shop dressing room that lets you ask for new sizes and colours to try on without leaving the cabin. AFP