MOTO G launched in India at Rs 12,999 for the 8GB model and Rs 14,999 for the 16GB model

After months of making people wait, Motorola has finally launched the Moto G in India. The much anticipated Android smartphone has been priced at . The device will be exclusively available on Flipkart, . To recap on the specifications, the Moto G sports a 4.5-inch 720p display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz and paired with 1GB of RAM. Other features include 8/16GB internal memory, 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.2-megapixel front facing camera and a 2,070mAh battery that Motorola claims to provide all day long battery backup. Connectivity options include dual-SIM card slots, 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and on the software front, it runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with Motorola promising Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade soon. The device is also said to have internal and external nano coating for water splash resistance. Flipkart is also offering a range of freebies and discounts on the Moto G to further sweeten the deal. When you buy the device on the launch day, you are entitled to a 70 percent discount on customizable Moto G covers, Rs 500 off on select eBooks, Rs 1,000 off on clothing and accessories and some lucky winners would also be entitled for a 100 percent cashback.

2015 World Cup Fixtures, India's match fixture

The ICC launched the 2015 World Cup on Tuesday with venues and pools being announced. Here are the highlights from the simultaneous events in Melbourne and Wellington.

 Complete list of India fixtures

* India vs Pakistan at Adelaide (February 15)

* India vs South Africa at Melbourne (February 22)

* India vs Qualifier 4 at Perth (February 28)

* India vs West Indies at Perth (March 6)

* India vs Ireland at Hamilton (March 10)

* India vs Zimbabwe at Auckland (March 14)

Note: All league matches mentioned above are day/night encounters.

 Opening day matches
* Feb 14 - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
                 England vs Australia (D/N)

Pool A
England, Australia (co-host), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand (co-host), Qualifier 2 (TBD), Qualifier 3 (TBD)

Pool B
South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Qualifier 1 (Ireland), Qualifier 4 (TBD)

The format in 2015 is the same as that of 2011. 14 teams shall participate. 2 groups of 7 teams each shall play mong themselves and the top four from each group will enter the quarter-finals. The topper of one group shall play the fourth ranked team of the other and vice-versa.

Now you see me

	Now You See Me (2013)  Thriller An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money. Director:  Louis Leterrier Stars:  Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Caine

 The Chemical Brothers scoring a Louis Leterrier movie about magicians who redistribute the wealth from their heists? The French director is certainly finding ways to trafficking in the fun, borderline absurd type of entertainment he learned while making movies with Luc Besson. There are many bigger names on screen and behind the scenes here, and one imagines the budget will be on the higher end of the scale as the worldwide marketing kicks in. Like it or not, the key here is going to be in the marketing; get people excited by the potential awesomeness of Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and others matching wits and the winter box office returns could be mighty.

After Earth

	After Earth (2013)  100 min   -   Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi A crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, 1,000 years after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help. Director:  M. Night Shyamalan Stars:  Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Sophie Okonedo

THE BUZZ: In this era of Tumblr production blogs and actors tweeting during breaks, the quieter a set is, the more we're intrigued by the movie. Even if it's an M. Night Shyamalan project - his first time directing someone else's screenplay. Toss around your wildest ideas in terms of alien races and environmental themes and hopefully the Will Smith/Sony thinktank will surpass your imagination and expectations.

Before Midnight

	Before Midnight (2013)  108 min   -   Drama We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. Director:  Richard Linklater Stars:  Julie Delpy, Ariane Labed, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Ethan Hawke

 The most unexpected trilogy (said with love) was shot in secret last year and announced a few months before its debut at Sundance 2013. Given the 9-year gaps between each film, it might just become the fictional equivalent of Seven Up! documentary series; we'd happily follow Jesse and Celine until death does them part.

Epic 3D

Epic (2013)  102 min   -   Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world -- and ours. Director:  Chris Wedge Stars:  Amanda Seyfried, Beyoncé Knowles, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell

 Chris Wedge has been immersed in the Ice Age universe since its inception, alongside his co-director, Carlos Saldanha. Like Saldanha, who ventured out on his own withRio, Wedge is going solo for Epic, which was first announced as an adaptation of the children's book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce, though the plot seems to have morphed into something slightly more akin to the work of Hayao Miyazaki.

The Hangover Part III - May 24,2013

	The Hangover Part III (2013)  100 min   -   Comedy This time, there's no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off. Director:  Todd Phillips Stars:  Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha

 The Hangover Part II was essentially a carbon copy of The Hangover, but it made enough money (almost $600 million worldwide) that Warner Bros. broke out the check book to get the principal cast and director Todd Phillips back on board to conclude the "trilogy" with one last outing. Rumor has it that the boys will be spending time in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Tijuana, which seems much more entertaining than their dreary Bangkok outing in Part II. Still, it's concerning that they are once again working on a tight schedule - putting only two years between sequels is rarely a good idea - and it's hard to imagine they will ever be able to successfully reproduce the unique alchemy of dark comedy and mystery that worked so well the first time.

Fast & Furious 6 - May 24,2013

Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

 130 min   -   Action | Crime | Thriller

Agent Luke Hobbs enlists Dominic Toretto and his team to bring down former 

Special Ops soldier Owen Shaw, leader of a unit specializing in vehicular warfare.

Director:

 Justin Lin

Stars:

 Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez

Dwayne Johnson didn't have to save or reignite this franchise (which is becoming his specialty); he was brought in to make the enduring and morally ambiguous adventures of Dominic Torreto and Brian O'Conner even more appealing to worldwide audiences. And that certainly worked, as Fast Five's all-world box-office tally can attest. Elsewhere, we are anticipating the soap opera-like narrative device that will bring Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) back into the story. And we're wondering if we'll get to see a sequel to Seth Rogen and Andy Sandberg's hysterical parody of the series.

Akshay Tritiya - Weak gold may boost sales by up to 40%

MUMBAI: The continued weakness in gold prices is likely to boost jewellery sales by up to 40 per cent this Akshay Tritiya, according to retailers.

"Due to the sudden dip in prices, we expect a very positive response from consumers as now is the time they indulge in gold. The festive season along with the low rates make it a perfect spending opportunity. The increase expected can be anywhere around 30-40 per cent compared to last year,"Manubhai Jewellers Director Samir Sagartold PTI here.

Echoing him, Shree GaneshJewellery House Head-Retail, GAJA, Rahul Singh said, "We expect around 40 per cent rise in Akshay Tritiya sales compared to last year."

The day is considered auspicious to buy gold. But non-Hindu buyers also take advantage of the offers and discounts offered by jewellers, he added.

All India Gems and Jewellery Federation (GJF) Chairman Haresh Soni said overall sales in jewellery and bullion is expected to rise by about 25 per cent considering current reduction in gold prices this Akshay Tritiya.

From the regional perspective, southern India is expected to consume high percentage of sales, he added.

Gitanjali Group Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi said drop in gold prices normally boosts demand for jewellery and coins.

When the gold peaked late last year at above Rs 32,000 per 10 grams, demand slowed in terms of value, while during the recent drop to almost Rs 27,000 there has been a surge of consumers in jewellery stores across India.

"If gold prices remain relatively weaker than last year's peak, which is what the market now expects, then demand will be good, if they fall further, demand on Akshay Tritiya will soar by 30 per cent," he added.

Kotak Mahindra BankBSE 0.65 % Executive Vice President Puneet Kapoor said this season Kotak Mahindra Bank is expecting to sell around 175 kg of gold coins and bars, which will be 30 per cent higher compared 135 kg during last Akshay Tritiya.

After witnessing steep fall in prices -- up to almost 20 per cent -- the price of gold became stagnant at the new level, and has again started inching upwards in anticipation of higher demand.

In the last 10 days, gold has already gained almost 8 per cent and if the trend continues, it will bring investor community back to the fore, he pointed out.

UPSC results - IAS candidate from Bangalore commits suicide after 'goof' in UPSC results

BANGALORE: A 24-year-old IAS aspirant allegedly committed suicide, with the police stating that he was upset over a 'goof-up' in theUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC) results published here.

Manjunath VY, a resident of Shrirampuram in the city, committed suicide by hanging himself in an under construction building on May 10 after he had left for his friend's house in Kodagu area, they said.

According to the police, Manjunath was upset over finding a different name under his roll number in the list of selected candidates in this year's civil services examination.

The victim had secured 264th rank in the examination, but in the final results after the interview, a different name was mentioned under his roll number on the list, they said.

A shocked Manjunath then contacted UPSC officials and also wrote to them seeking clarification over the 'mix-up' in the result. Since there was allegedly no response, he took the extreme step, police added.  Courtesy:TOI..