Pink diamond sells for record $31.6 m

New Delhi: A supremely rare pear-shaped 15.38 carat pink diamond, called the Unique Pink, sold for $31.6 million at Sotheby's in Geneva, making it the most expensive fancy vivid pink diamond ever to sell at an auction. The record for the most expensive pink diamond ever to sell at auction remains the 24.78 carat Graff Pink, which sold for $46.2 million at Sotheby's in 2010. pti

2-hr Sydney-London flight nears reality       

Sydney: A two-hour flight from Sydney to London (a distance of 17,000 km) is a step closer to reality after the successful test of hypersonic technology in the Australian desert. Hypersonic flight involves travelling at more than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5). The experimental rocket reached an altitude of 278 km and a target speed of Mach 7.5. The next test, scheduled for 2017, would involve the scramjet engine separating from the rocket booster. AFP

App Q+ to help hearing impaired     

Mumbai: A Pune-based startup has launched an app that uses mobile technology to enable the hearing impaired to customise their listening experience by using results of a simple, interactive hearing test. The app 'Q+' developed by Quadio Devices Pvt Ltd offers different modes which optimise hearing in different situations. It also has a mode which makes it easier to watch TV. The app is available for free on Google Play, and iTunes. PTI

New post of Secy for Defence Finance     

New Delhi: A new Secretary-level post has been created in the Defence Ministry to help in the better management of its accounts and its huge budget of over Rs 2 lakh crore. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shobhana Joshi, an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer of the 1979 batch, as Secretary (Defence Finance) with effect from June 1.  SS Mohanty, who retires on May 31, was working as Financial Adviser (Defence Services). PTI

‘Lady Singham’ is Lucknow SSP     

Lucknow: Manjul Saini, who is popularly known as ‘Lady Singham’ in her work circles, on Wednesday took charge as Lucknow's first woman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The UP Government had on Monday appointed Saini as the new SSP of the state capital. The 2005 batch officer has replaced Rajesh Pandey, who has been attached to the DGP office. Saini is the first woman officer of the state to take charge of Lucknow. ani

Woman checks husband’s phone, fined

Dubai: A woman was fined and ordered to be deported from the United Arab Emirates for breaching her husband's privacy by checking his cell phone to see if he was cheating on her, Gulf News reported on Wednesday. The unnamed Arab expatriate was fined 150,000 dirhams ($40,843- $1 = 3.6726 dirham) by the criminal court in the emirate of Ajman. Her lawyer told the paper she had accused her husband of having an affair. She admitted she had accessed his phone without his permission and transferred photos to her device. Reuters