Review: Avatar

It has taken more than 15 years for James Cameron to come out with eco-minded epic Avatar costing in excess of $300 million. Coming from the stable of Cameron who has directed Terminator, Aliens, True Lies and and Titanic, Avatar has been one of the most anticipated movies of the decade and Cameron who had doubled up as the writer hasn't disappointed the audience. Cameron had made sure that Avatar is nothing like what the audience has seen before.

Avatar is full of inspiration and has references to Westerners and borrows from movies like The Vanishing America. It also draws inspiration from America's defeat in the Vietnam war. Avatar is intriguing for echoing other Cameron films’ mistrust of corporate greed like in Terminator and Aliens. But at the core, it is still a touching love

story. The love between Jake and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) is heart-wrenching. This romantic tale shows that there is still hope in the universe.

It is 2154 AD and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a former U.S. Marine, who is wounded and paralyzed from the waist down in combat on Earth. Jake is selected to participate in the Avatar program, which will enable him to walk. Jake travels

to Pandora which is a lush and sentient-inhabited jungle-covered satellite of Polyphemus, one of three gas giants that orbit Alpha Centauri 4.3 light years from Earth. This world is also home to the Na’vi, a sentient humanoid race, who are considered primitive, yet are more physically capable than humans.

Standing 10 feet tall, with tails and sparkling blue skin, the Na’vi live in harmony with their unspoiled world. As humans encroach deeper into Pandora's forests in search of valuable minerals, the Na’vi unleash their formidable warrior abilities to defend their threatened existence. Jake has unwittingly been recruited to become part of this encroachment. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrids known as Avatars.

On Pandora, through his Avatar body, Jake will be able to walk again. Sent deep into Pandora's jungles as a scout for the soldiers that will follow, Jake encounters many of Pandora's beauties and dangers. There he meets a young Na’vi female, Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). Over time, Jake integrates himself into the Na'vi clan, and begins to fall in love with Neytiri. As a result, Jake finds himself caught between the military-industrial forces of Earth and the Na’vi, forcing him to choose sides in an epic battle that will decide the fate of Pandora.

Cameron once again proves that he is master of science-fiction along Spielberg. Although many criticised the huge hype around Avatar, the film’s heart is firmly in the right place and the performances are committed. Avatar's visuals like any Cameron movie are breath-taking. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña have lived up to the role of such anticipated movie. Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Stephen Lang provide good supporting performance. The movie definitely takes imagination to an unimaginable limit.

The first half of the movie is a happy scenario which is shown with vibrant colours. But something goes wrong in the second half when the narrative become heavy, and the story line does not move ahead so well. The script at times isn't able to hold with direction that Cameron has provided. But in the end, it surpasses all categories and morphs into something truly spectacular. Avatar is a brilliant movie and if you see it your 160-odd minutes won't be wasted. It is a great experience, not to be missed under any conditions. It is highly advisable to watch it only in 3-D

Review:2012

Apocalyptic doom and cataclysmic disaster has been a favourite genre with Hollywood and the latest in the line is 2012. The movie Roland Emmerich directed movie is inspired by the idea of a global doomsday event coinciding with the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar's

current cycle on or around December 21, 2012. The sub-plot of the movie is that amidst this environmental catastrophes all over the world, wiping out major cities and killing large portions of the population a broken family reunites.

Roland Emmerich is no stranger to imagination and sci-fi after having made Independence Day, Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow. He seems to enjoy nothing more than seeing the most famous monuments toppled. Emmerich is a professional when it comes to showing massive destruction but he seems to have gone overboard with the destruction theory and destroyed his movie 2012. The initial devastation seems impressive but two hours of monotonous scenes seems unbearable.

Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is a divorced father while his ex-wife Kate Curtis (Amanda Peet) and children live together with her new boyfriend, Gordon (Thomas McCarthy). At the Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, the victims of a mass suicide seem to adhere to the Mayan calendar, which predicts the end of the world will coincide with a Galactic Alignment, which is to occur on December 21 of 2012, the date of the northern hemisphere's winter solstice.

The IHC (Institute for Human Continuity), a secret organization, has realized the situation and begins constructing vast arks beneath the Himalayan mountains designed to withstand most natural disasters in order to save both humanity, significant species, and the greatest treasures of mankind for when doomsday finally happens. There are arguments however about how and when the governments of the world will alert their fellow citizens and even discussions about how the remaining survivors will be selected to survive Armageddon.

The special effects have always been highlight of Emmerich's movies and 2012 isn't any exception. But the movie lacks a good screenplay and that is what separates it from blockbusters like Independence day and The Day After Tomorrow. Acting seems ordinary as the poor script takes away everything from the stars. John Cusack seems to be the only star who shines in the movie by delivering a brilliant performance.

The movie runtime of 158 minutes seems to be a shade longer for a movie which just is a montage of special effects. In the end 2012 is seems less interested in talking about the Mayan truth and more about its Box Office success. The hype that the movie has created around itself with the Mayan doomsday prediction is sure give it a huge opening. Roland Emmerich should have waited till 2012 and made a better movie or else should have waited till 2012 and spared the world from a headache.

dazz in : My tattoos

Top 007 Cars

By Patrick Olsen, Cars.com

With Daniel Craig returning to theaters as James Bond, who once again takes advantage of the power of an Aston Martin in the latest Bond installment, now is a good time to look back on the best cars in 007's long history.

Two Bond experts — Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of "The Essential James Bond" and editor-in-chief of Cinema Retro magazine, and Ray Dempsey, contributor to the book "James Bond in the 21st Century" — offer their thoughts on the best of Bond's wheels.

Our experts were bound by a few rules: The cars had to be outfitted with some kind of MI6 gadget, Bond had to be behind the wheel at some point, and the car needed to make more than a passing appearance in the film. Here are their picks, including a couple that slip past the rules.

No. 1: 1964 Aston Martin DB5
"Goldfinger," 1965

1964 Aston Martin DB5

Both agreed that nothing tops this Aston Martin. "The DB5 launched the era of space-aged gadgets that would become a hallmark of the series," Pfeiffer says, "much to the chagrin of Sean Connery, who felt the character of Bond was now overshadowed by the hardware." Dempsey concurs: "Cars have loomed large in films and TV for years, but none have had the panache of the car introduced by M in 'Goldfinger.' It had the audacious passenger ejection seat, oil slick dispenser, machine guns, a bulletproof rear barrier, tire slashing hubcaps and revolving license plates. I think it appealed to every male, from teenager to retiree."

No. 2: 1975 Lotus Esprit
"The Spy Who Loved Me," 1977

1975 Lotus Esprit

Another jointly praised effort. Dempsey calls it "a clever product from Q's laboratory. Not only a car that looked fast standing still, it converted to a submarine capable of laying underwater mines and firing lethal antiaircraft missiles." Kind of beats electronic stability control, eh? Pfeiffer notes that producers needed quite a few Esprits to make the movie. "Six cars were used to achieve these effects, as well as miniature models — though none were actually amphibious. One of the remaining vehicles is now owned by the Ian Fleming Foundation."

No. 3: 1997 BMW 750iL
"Tomorrow Never Dies," 1997

1997 BMW 750iL

After a BMW Z3 (the first Bond car not built in England) made a fleeting appearance in 1996's "GoldenEye," Pierce Brosnan got an upgrade for his second shot at 007. "The 750iL is the centerpiece for a spectacular car chase through a multilevel parking garage," Pfeiffer says. "Bond controls the speeding car from the backseat by using Q Branch's special Ericsson cell phone that allows him to also engage a weapons system that includes magnetic flash grenades, tear gas, metal spike dispenser, rockets and a chain cutter. And you thought your monthly cell phone fees were sky-high!"

No. 4: 1985 Aston Martin Volante
"The Living Daylights," 1987

1985 Aston Martin Volante

Our first view of Timothy Dalton as 007 brought with it this sleek, ingenious car. Want options? Pfeiffer has 'em: "Laser beam devices concealed in the hubcaps, bullet-proof windows, a dashboard weapons control system, concealed rockets and a jet propulsion device." Not to mention that nifty self-destruct button.

No. 5: 1930s Bentley Mark IV Convertible
"From Russia With Love," 1963

1930s Bentley Mark IV Convertible

Not exactly the kind of car that Bond would become famous for down the road. "Although the car featured no weaponry, it did have one 'high-tech' gadget for 1963: a telephone," Pfeiffer says. "The vehicle symbolizes the old-world elegance that made Bond an icon of style and sophistication — and he doesn't need help from Q Branch to lure a willing lady into the backseat of the Bentley for 'lunch.'" Who needs lasers when your car will do that for you?

No. 6: 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish
"Die Another Day," 2002

2002 Aston Martin Vanquish

Both writers have this one on their lists, but damn it with faint praise. Pfeiffer notes that the Vanquish comes "equipped with the usual arsenal of weaponry: retractable shotguns, spiked tires, missiles, machine guns and, in the ultimate sign originality was waning by this point, the reintroduction of an ejector seat." Dempsey likes it for its ability to become invisible, "pun intended," while Pfeiffer thinks that trick "brought the absurdity to levels that made 'Moonraker' look like 'Citizen Kane.'" Ouch.

No. 7: 1999 BMW Z8
"The World is Not Enough," 1999

1999 BMW Z8

This Beemer (or Bimmer, if you want to get technical — but we're not going to get into that debate) can move, which can be "quite useful in 007's profession," Pfeiffer notes. With its V-8 that hits 60 mph in 5 seconds, the Z8 has other goodies as well. "Everyday drivers may find it exciting to discover their new car's cupholder can accommodate a 44-ounce Big Gulp cup from 7-11," Pfeiffer says, "but Q Branch indulges Bond's vehicle with two ground-to-air missiles almost as an afterthought." That'll clear out a lane for you.

Honorable Mention: 1961 Sunbeam Alpine
"Dr. No," 1962

1961 Sunbeam Alpine

No, it's not tricked out by Q, but as Dempsey says, Bond "uses his driving skill to save his life when pursued by Dr. No's henchmen. What makes this car particularly appealing is, unlike the Aston Martin or Lotus, the average guy could afford one." Hear, hear.

© Cars.com 11/14/08

Most Popular Colors for Cars

Each year, DuPont Automotive releases its Color Popularity Report, a study analyzing and predicting color trends by model type and world region. In 2007, white was the most popular color in North America, making up 19 percent of all vehicles. Silver, black, red and gray rounded out the top five. Here are the most popular colors for SUVs and trucks:

2008 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report
No. 1 — White/White Pearl

Rank	Color	% of Segment
1.	White/White Pearl	26%
2.	Black	16%
3.	Silver	14%
4.	Red	13%
5.	Gray	12%
6.	Blue	11%
7.	Beige/Brown	4%
8.	Green	2%
9.	Yellow/Gold	1%
10.	Other	1%

Updated on 12/6/07

Top 10 Worst Car Names: Yahoo

10. The Entire Lincoln Lineup

2010 Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln is a brand with a considerable history, and we know they know how to give cars strong iconic names such as Continental or Navigator. Somewhere around 2007, many of those easy-to-remember names went out the window, leaving consumers with a hodgepodge of names starting with "MK." That's a shame because Lincoln has a strong lineup right now. What's the difference between the MKZ, MKX and MKS? Gimme a second to look it up because I honestly can't remember which is which.

9. Hyundai Equus

2011 Hyundai Equus

The inclusion of the Equus might be premature considering it's not even on sale yet, but this could be the push Hyundai needs to give the car a proper name before it's released. Companies occasionally give Latin names to products to make them sound sophisticated or fancy, but Equus just makes us think of the Broadway play of the same name — most recently starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.

8. Toyota Yaris

2010 Toyota Yaris

There was a girl in my dorm freshman year who organized her shoes alphabetically by mood. She majored in dead languages and responded to every single question with "no worries." She once set the dorm microwave on fire by overcooking a ham-and-cheese Hot Pocket. Yes, that story is ridiculous and nonsensical ... sort of like naming a car Yaris.

7. Kia Forte Koup

2010 Kia Forte Koup

As writers, we're particularly offended when companies take liberties with the English language in an effort to be cutesy — and this is no exception. We actually like this car! But Kia is asking us to overlook years of schooling and experience to accept their quirky spelling of coupe. It might require a few sessions with a therapist before we can get to that happy place.

6. Subaru B9 Tribeca

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Here we've got a family crossover named after a fashionable neighborhood in lower Manhattan and ... a World War II bomber? Consumers didn't understand the B9 moniker either; that part of the name got the ax when Subaru redesigned the SUV for the 2008 model year.

5. Volkswagen Touareg

2007 Volkswagen Touareg

A few Volkswagens could've made this list, but the Touareg was easily the name that tripped up our American mouths the most. Early Touareg commercials in the U.S. even depicted people struggling to say the name. When an automaker has to spend precious time and ad dollars helping consumers learn to pronounce the car's name — something is wrong.

4. Ford Probe

1993 Ford Probe

There are many borderline inappropriate jokes you could make about a 1990s sport compact named Probe, but we're far too classy for that. Even if you don't take into account the tasteless jokes, this is just a bad car name. There is nothing cool about a probe (the word, not the car). What thesaurus was Ford using where probe was synonymous with sleek and sporty?

3. Subaru Brat

1982 Subaru Brat

Although Brat is technically an acronym — it stands for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter — it's a particularly unfortunate one. "Brat" is almost never used to describe something positively. A brat is not a calm, confident driver who knows what he wants and how to get it. A brat is busy throwing a hissy fit in the corner because his mom won't let him borrow the car to go buy the new Styx album.

2. Isuzu VehiCROSS

2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS

Isuzu deserves a little credit for creating an attention-grabbing crossover before it was even a recognized vehicle segment, but the name practically beats consumers over the head with the idea (think SUV plus a cross-training sneaker). Add to that the unnecessary capitalization and the fact that VehiCROSS is a mouthful, and you have one bad name.

1. Ford Aspire

1997 Ford Aspire

It's pretty safe to say that many drivers' dream cars fall under the category of sports car or luxury auto; few children hope to one day spend their commuting hours behind the wheel of a 63-horsepower subcompact hatchback. When Ford slapped the Aspire name on the back of this car, they were basically saying: "Yeah, even our car knows you wish you were driving something cooler."

alien activity over Norway

ondon, Dec 10 (ANI): The appearance of a huge spiral of light over Norway yesterday morning has left experts stunned and bewildered as to its origins.

Thousands of awe-struck Norwegians bombarded the Meteorological Institute with questions about the incredible light, which could be seen in the pre-dawn sky for hundreds of miles.

Experts believe the space spectacle, which has been dubbed 'Star-Gate', is an entirely new astral phenomenon, though the world's top scientists and the military have admitted they are baffled.

Theories about the light being a misfired Russian missile, meteor fireball, never-before-seen type of northern light, 'black hole' and even alien activity were all proposed.

Witnesses across Norway, who first glimpsed the space show at 8.45am, all described seeing a spinning 'Catherine wheel-style' spiral of white light, centred around a bright moon-like star.

A blue "streaming tail" appeared to anchor the spiral to earth, before the light "exploded" into a rotating ring of white fire.

The spiral spectacle, which lasted for two minutes, was seen by vast swathes of the Scandinavian country's almost five million population, with sightings as far north as Finnmark to Trondelag in the south.

Totto Eriksen, from Tromso, in northern Norway, was one of the thousands who bombarded Norwegian newspapers with sightings, after nearly crashing his car on spotting the spiral overhead.

"I was driving my daughter to school when this light spun and exploded in the sky," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"We saw it from the Inner Harbour in Tromso. It looked like a rocket that spun around and around - and then went diagonally across the heavens.

"It looked like the moon was coming over the mountain - but then turned into something totally different.

"People just stopped and stared on the pier - it was like something from a Hollywood movie," he said.

Norway's most celebrated astronomer, Knut Jorgen Roed Odegaard, said he had never seen anything like the spiral before.

"This was seen over an exceptionally large area of the country - in all of north Norway and the Trondelag," he said.

"My first thought was that it was a fireball meteor - but it lasted far too long.

"It may have been a missile from Russia - but I can't guarantee that is the answer.

"I rang the Air Traffic Control tower in Tromse. They said it was over in two minutes. To me, that is far too long for this to be an astronomical phenomenon.

"This spiral shape is unique. It is definitely not a variation of the aurora borealis - northern lights," he stated.

Chief Scientist Erik Tandberg, at the Norwegian Space Centre, said that he too was "totally amazed" by the spiral.

He agreed with many other experts that a missile from Russia could have caused the spiral pattern, something the Russian military have strongly denied.

"I agree with everyone in the science community that this light was the weirdest thing. I have never seen anything like this ever," Dr Tandberg said.

"It may have been anything from an exploding missile whose launch went wrong - to a comet or other celestial object that for some reason has been behaving strangely.

"If it was a missile - most likely from the launch base in Pletsevsk in Russia or one of the Russian submarines or even from the European Space Agency base in Kiruna - then we are talking about a rocket launch that has gone wrong.

"The spiral suggests the object came off course and balance and entered the spiral movement. Leaking rocket fuel could account for the blue light.

"But I know that the military have denied this explanation. So we could be looking at an entirely new natural phenomenon," he added.

Meanwhile, Nick Pope, former UFO analyst for the Ministry of Defence, added that the Norwegian sighting was a "real mystery".

"My first thought was this was a meteor, a fireball, or debris from an old satellite burning up in the earth's atmosphere," he said.

"But the spiral motion makes this unlikely. This is truly bizarre. It's a real mystery.

"A meteor or a fireball would simply travel in a straight line but for something to spiral in this way appears to go against the laws of physics.

"Some may think it is the Northern Lights but they illuminate the sky with a green glow.

"This is completely different from any image of the Northern Lights that I have ever seen.

"It's ironic that something like this should happen the very week after the MoD terminated its UFO project. It just goes to show how wrong that decision was," he added. (ANI)

MTS: Sistema Shyam approves $750 mln share issue

Sistema Shyam Teleservices, the Indian mobile unit of Russian oil-to-telecoms group Sistema, has approved a new share issue that could raise nearly 35 billion rupees ($750 million), Sistema said on Thursday.

The company plans to sell 662.7 million shares to Russia's state property management agency as part of India's debt settlement scheme, and 228.5 million to its existing Indian shareholders.

The price for Indian shareholders was set at face value, or 10 rupees per share, while the Russian government will pay 49.31 rupees, Sistema said in a statement.

Woods to quit golf, or marriage?

In a fresh twist to the Tiger Woods saga, media reports emerging from Los Angeles suggest that numero uno golfer Tiger Woods is reportedly planning to quit golf in a desperate bid to save his shattered image. The reports come in the backdrop of reports if Wood’s wife Elin having purchased a mansion in Sweden where she could be planning to shift along with her children, minus husband.

Reports suggest that though the game made Woods a legend he wants to save his marriage now, following allegations of having relationships with a number of women. It is believed that Woods' wife Elin has given the ‘Tiger’ the ultimatum to either chose golf or their marriage.

Sources say that Tiger will have to work long and hard to ever get her to trust him again. Quitting golf shows he is willing to sacrifice something he loves so much to protect his family.

In more drama in Tiger's tale Woods' wife Elin Nordegren has reportedly purchased a USD 2 million house on an island near Stockholm in Sweden, fueling rumors of her moving there with her children.

After a fortnight long drama at Tiger's den in Florida that started with a car crash the spotlight has now shifted base to the sprawling, $2.29 million house on Faglaro island near Stockholm which is said to be bought by Tiger and Elin Woods. While the house was purchased before allegations of Wood's infidelities appeared in the media, locals on the island say they did not know if it would be used by both or only Elin Woods.

"I like it and I think that she knows how it is and I'm pretty convinced that she will like it here as well. She and the children. And Tiger if he comes,” said local resident Elinor Svensson to a news agency.

The 24,000 square meters mansion is located on a cape on the island and has four houses, a beach, marina and sauna. But if Tiger does move in with Elin here, the buzz will still be over his extra-marital relationships.

Another Vaxholm resident Sandra Andersson says, "He's a cheater and I don't think it matters that he's a celebrity. And he's gonna have to stand out (cope) with all the writings and everything in the media."

Meanwhile the plot in Tiger's tale keeps thickening even for his alleged mistresses. Rumour now has it that cocktail waitress Jamie Grubbs was two-timing Woods with actor George Clooney.

Clearly, the twists in this Tiger Woods saga continue!

Transcend Launches New USB Flash Drive

Transcend has introduced the JetFlash 600, the newest member in its USB flash drive family. Transcend claims that the flash drive has read speeds of up to 32MB/sec and write speeds of up to 18 MB/sec. The drive's USB interface requires no other external power source or driver. One can just plug it in and it is ready to use.

The streamlined case of this dual channel USB flash drive has a smooth gloss-black finish, along with a translucent colour-band that lights up when the drive is accessed.

The JetFlash 600 is fully compatible with Windows 7 and also supports Windows Vista/XP/2000/Me, Mac and Linux, allowing seamless data exchange between different operating systems. The JetFlash 600 comes with a lifetime warranty and is currently available in four capacities: 4GB (Rs. 1,200), 8GB (Rs. 2,000), 16GB (Rs. 4,000) and 32GB (Rs. 8.000).

EU nations to commit $3 billion to climate fund

BRUSSELS — EU nations will commit more than euro2 billion ($3 billion) a year to help poorer countries combat global warming, the leaders of Britain and France said Friday as they sought to bolster climate talks in Copenhagen.

Britain's Gordon Brown and France's Nicolas Sarkozy said their two countries would contribute most of that sum and were trying to get smaller members of the 27-state European Union to pitch in more at an EU summit in Brussels ending Friday.

EU leaders failed Thursday to come up with a firm figure for the fund, an embarrassing setback for a bloc that was long at the forefront of the fight against global warming. Smaller eastern EU states are reluctant to donate as they struggle with government debt and rising unemployment in the wake of the financial crisis.

The climate money is meant to go toward a global $10 billion annual fund for short-term help to poor countries, particularly in Africa, adapt to the effects of global warming before a new climate treaty being negotiated in Copenhagen comes into force in 2012.

"There are few moments in history when nations are summoned to common decisions that will reshape the lives of men and women potentially for generations to come," Brown said.

He said the Copenhagen talks should pave the way to an ambitious and legally binding global treaty within six months.

The money would help poorer countries build coastal protection, modify or shift crops threatened by drought, build water supplies and irrigation systems, preserve forests, improve health care to deal with diseases spread by warming, and move from fossil fuel to low-carbon energy systems, such as solar and wind power.

Brown said Britain had increased earlier pledges to 1.2 billion pounds ($1.95 billion) over the next three years, but left the possibility open of increasing that to 1.5 billion pounds ($2.44 billion) if need be at the climate change talks next week. France will contribute euro1.26 billion ($1.85 billion) over the next three years but it was unclear whether it could go higher at Copenhagen.

Germany, the most powerful economy in the EU, has not given any specific figure but is expected to pay about 20 percent of the EU total.

The $10 billion-a-year in short-term funds pales in comparison to the huge stimulus packages and bank bailouts paid by many governments in the wake of the global financial meltdown. But those economic woes are a big reason why many in Europe are reluctant to pay in even to a small global climate fund.

Brown said Europe will also pay its "fair share" of the much heavier long-term costs, estimated up to $100 billion a year after 2020.

Brown and Sarkozy also said they were hoping to get all EU members to agree to reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.

Two years ago, the EU was ahead of the pack when it pledged to cut 20 percent of emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 and to increase that to 30 percent if other big polluters made similar promises. Japan and Russia have now outpaced Europe with 25 percent cuts. The U.S. is promising a 3 percent reduction from 1990 levels.

At Thursday's talks, 17 of the EU's 27 members came up with offers of money for the short-term fund but came up short of the targets leaders were seeking. Activists accused EU leaders of ceding their leadership role.

On Friday, the leaders will also discuss the West's nuclear standoff with Iran and Tehran's violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, and pledge support for President Barack Obama's plans to send more troops to Afghanistan.

India beat Sri Lanka 2-0 to become top Test team

India crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs in the third and final cricket Test to claim the series 2-0 at the historic Brabourne Stadium here Sunday and became the top Test team in the International Cricket Council's rankings.

India bowled out Sri Lanka for 309 in their second innings half-an-hour after the start of play on the fifth and final morning.

The visiting team were packed off for 393 in the first innings and India piled up 726 with Virender Sehwag scoring a sensational 293 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni making an unbeaten century.

India, thus, displaced South Africa as the top Test team in the world.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara was the lone man standing in between India and victory. Sangakkara (137) stood valiantly to score a century even as wickets fell around him and Sri Lanka ended the fourth day's play at 274 for six, still trailing by 59 runs.

Sangakkara was dismissed in the very first over Sunday by Zaheer Khan (5-72) and the Sri Lankan resistance ended in the next six overs.

Henin Returns to Tennis

Former world No. 1 Justine Henin had a successful return to tennis after an 18-month absence by beating Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-4 to win an exhibition event today in Charleroi, Belgium, Agence France-Presse reported.

The 27-year-old beat Belgian compatriot Kirsten Flipkens in the semifinal of the Women Tennis Trophy yesterday before today’s meeting with the Italian ranked 12th by the WTA Tour.

Henin announced her retirement in May last year after winning seven Grand Slam titles.

She’s due to make her official return to the WTA circuit in a Brisbane tournament starting Jan. 3, 15 days before the Australian Open in Melbourne, AFP added.

Angelina Jolie is Hollywood''s highest paid actress

London, Dec 8 (PTI) Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie has emerged as the highest paid actress in the year 2009 on a new power list. The Oscar-winning actress has secured the position in Hollywood Reporter''s annual Women in Entertainment Power 100 list, which ranks the top female celebrity money makers, Contactmusic reported.

Commanding more than USD 15 million per movie, Jolie was ranks 24th in the list but is the highest money maker among actresses racing ahead of Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon. "She''s the one actress still commanding top dollar," said an insider.

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has attained the number one position on the list, while teen star Miley Cyrus rounded it off with the hundredth rank.

Dravid cross 11 kilos in test matches

I am delighted to read the news of Rahul Dravid scoring an unbeaten century in the 1st day of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka today, while crossing the landmark of 11000 runs in test cricket and joining the elite club - as 5th member - consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Alan border and Ricky Ponting.

Known as 'the wall' during prime phase of his career due to his ability to bat for long period Dravid holds several world records, including the honor of being the only batsman in the history of Test Cricket with a century against all test 10 test playing nations.

"Dravid's golden phase began, arguably, in Kolkata 2001, with a supporting act, when he made 180 to supplement VVS Laxman's classic effort of 281 against Australia. But from then on, Dravid became India's most valuable player, saving them Tests at Port Elizabeth, Georgetown and Trent Bridge, winning them Tests at Headlingley, Adelaide, Kandy and Rawalpindi. At one point during this run, he carved up four centuries in successive innings, and hit four double-centuries in the space of 15 Tests, including in historic away-wins at Adelaide and Rawalpindi." Reports Cricinfo.

Uncle:Peter Thomas dead

• on november 16 my uncle that means my mom elder sister's husband was ded on 2am
• he dead for thought saliva cold stop his resperation,
  
• on that time my dad call to me on hostel at 5am to vimal cell
• then i reached to home at 11 am
• then i reached to my uncle house at 12 pm because to bring breakfast to all people
• but some people is came there
  
• this matter did'd know to her last daughter SANTHA because she is b'lore for just delivary of her girl baby .her strich is not closed
• Uncle brother RAYAPPAN not atten to ceremony in home
  
• later Uncle's last son came from thorunalvellai at 3pm
• then we finish his tribunal in k'giri graveyard at 6pm
  

Sachin cross 17000 runs

Having smashed a number of records in his awe-inspiring career, Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday became the first player in the history of the game to cross the 17,000 run mark.

Tendulkar was chasing the milestone from the onset of the series against Australia and achieved the feat when he, requiring seven runs coming into today's match, played an on-drive to fetch three runs off pacer Ben Hilfenhaus.

The 35,000 strong packed crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium erupted to joy when Tendulkar reached the magic figure in company of opening partner Virender Sehwag.

Tendulkar reached his new ODI milestone in his 435th match and 66th tie against the World Cup holders. Veteran Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya is second on the list with 13, 377 runs while Australian captain Ricky Ponting has a lot of catching to do with 12,241 runs under his belt.

The diminutive Mumbaikar, who made his ODI debut Pakistan in 1989, is already way ahead of his contemporaries when it comes to accumulating runs.

Rated as the world's best batsman after Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman, Tendulkar has an awe-inspiring Test record.

In the whopping 159 matches that he has played, Tendulkar has scored 12,773 runs at an average of 54.58.

shahrukh khan turn 44

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan today turned 44. King Khan is celebrating his birthday in the tinsel city with close friend Karan Johar wife Gauri and two kids Aryan and Suhana.

Shah Rukh Khan's birthday, who born on November 2, 1965, will be a private affair, a close aide of actor said.

Shah Ryukh Khan who started his acting career from small screen, has established himself as a successful actor in the film industry.

Shah Rukh started his acting career as TV actor in serial 'Fauji'. He made his Bollywood debut from a blockbuster Deewana.

After Deewana, the Badshah of Bollywood never looked behind. He has a several success films and awards in his kitty.

Dar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na, Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota hai, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Ghum, Main Hoon Na, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer Zara, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Om Shanti Om are few names which tells his success story in the Hindi Cinema.

'My Name is Khan' is his next much awaited movie based on trauma after 9/11 attack in the United States.

Entire Samaylive time Wish Shahrukh Happy birthday. Join us to Wish SRK. Post your comments here below.

USS Reaches NewYork

NEW YORK: The new Navy assault ship USS New York, part of it built with World Trade Center (WTC) steel, arrived in its namesake city on Monday with a 21-gun salute near the site of the 2001 terrorist attack.

First responders, families of September 11 victims, and the public gathered at a waterfront viewing area, where they could see the crew standing at attention along the deck of the battleship grey vessel.

The big ship paused. Then the shots were fired, with a cracking sound, in three bursts.

The bow of the $1 billion ship, built in Louisiana, contains about 7.5 tons of steel from the fallen towers.

“I’m proud”

“It’s a transformation ... from something really twisted and ugly,” said Rosaleen Tallon, who lost her firefighter brother, Sean, on 9/11. “I’m proud that our military is using that steel.”

Tallon said her brother, who was also was a Marine, would have felt proud too.

JoAnn Atlas, who lost her husband, fire Lt. Gregg Atlas, draped a flag-themed banner along the fence. The names of emergency workers who died were written on the red stripes.

“We have to remember. It’s a way to honour them,” she said.

Members of the public included Nancy DiGiacomo, who came with her husband, 9-year-old son, mother and sister.

“I just thought it was important to see” the transformation of the tragedy’s wreckage, said Ms. DiGiacomo. “From that, something else can come of it.”

“Awe inspiring”

Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Colette Murphy said she was excited for those serving on board to see the city’s “awe-inspiring” welcome.

Of the 361 sailors serving aboard the ship, around 13 percent are from New York state, which is higher than would normally be the case, Murphy said.

There were many requests from Navy personnel to serve on the ship, which will carry some 250 Marines.

After the Ground Zero stop, the ship — escorted by about two dozen tugboats and other vessels — headed up the Hudson river toward the George Washington Bridge.

After a U-turn there, it was to head south to Pier 88. An official commissioning ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.

The New York will remain in the city through Veteran’s Day and then head to Norfolk, Virginia, for about a year of crew training and exercises, Lt. Cmdr. Murphy said.

The ship is 684 feet (208 metres) long and can carry as many as 800 Marines. Its flight deck that can handle helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

It was scheduled to be built before the terrorist attacks.

About a year later, the announcement came that the ship would bear the name New York to honour the city, state, and those who died.

It’s the latest in a line of Navy ships to bear that name. The others included a Spanish-American War-era cruiser, a battleship that served in World Wars I and II and a nuclear submarine retired from the fleet in 1997.

The ship is technically known as a San Antonio-class amphibious dock vessel. Four vessels in that class are in service, the USS San Antonio, USS New Orleans, USS Mesa Verde and USS Green Bay.

Four others are being built. Of those, two also have been named in connection with the September 11 attacks.

The USS Arlington was named to honour the attack on the Pentagon.

The USS Somerset was named after the county in Pennsylvania where United Airlines flight 93 crashed.

Sebastian Vettel won formula one's season ending abu dhabi grand Prix

A little over halfway through the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the sun had entirely gone down in Formula One’s first twilight race, which started in daylight and ended under the moon and spotlights of the Yas Marina Circuit.

It was the sundown of the Formula One season as well, as it was the final race in the year. And when the man who started the race from pole position, Lewis Hamilton, last year’s world champion, pulled out with brake problems after only 20 laps and handed the definitive lead in the race to Sebastian Vettel, it marked the symbolic sundown of a difficult season for Hamilton and his McLaren Mercedes team.

But it was very much a sunrise for Vettel, who drove his Red Bull to his fourth victory of the season and the sixth for the team. That is just two victories short of the number won by this year’s world champion, Jenson Button, who finished the race in third position.

“Fantastica,” Vettel shouted into his car radio to his team engineers after crossing the finish line. “It was a pleasure, a pleasure tonight. Thank you.”

It was the fifth victory of Vettel’s career, after the German driver won at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last fall, and it firmed his position in second place in the drivers’ series this year, just ahead of Button’s teammate at Brawn GP, Rubens Barrichello, who finished the race in fourth position.

“The number one target for myself here was to score second in the drivers’ championship and we did it, and to do it with a victory is the best possible result,” Vettel said. “It’s a perfect day, to finish the season on a high.”

But the new world champion did not let down the spectators as the British driver fought a spectacular battle in the final laps with Mark Webber in the other Red Bull for second place. Button, who had been criticized for a lackluster second half of the season as he tried to preserve his lead in the championship without taking risks, had said before the race that he would give it all he had now that he won the title at the Brazilian Grand Prix two weeks earlier.

And the final laps were a demonstration of that as Button chased down Webber and made several daring passing attempts into the final corners. But Webber held on and gave Red Bull its fourth one-two of the season.

“Jenson has been very good in passing this year, so I knew I had to perform in the braking points,” said Webber. “A few more gray hairs for everyone.”

Red Bull finished the season in second in the constructors’ series, behind Brawn.

And if Hamilton dropped out of the race in his McLaren and the other McLaren driver, Heikki Kovalainen, failed to score points, the British team nevertheless held onto third place in the series by one point over Ferrari, as both drivers failed to score any points.

The race also began with exciting battles on the new circuit up and down the pack. Hamilton held onto his pole position, taking off to a comfortable start, while Vettel held off Webber heading into the first corner.

But as Webber settled back behind his teammate he had to fend off an attack from Rubens Barrichello in the other Brawn. Webber squeezed Barrichello into the first corner and the Brazilian lopped off part of his front wing on the rear of the Red Bull.

This did not much affect Barrichello’s speed, but in the meantime, his teammate, Button, passed him to move into fourth position.

Behind, Robert Kubica in a BMW Sauber attacked Jarno Trulli in a Toyota as the two drivers raced side-by-side through several corners before the Polish driver finally passed Trulli for sixth.

Hamilton set fastest lap after fastest lap, but Vettel kept up with him, although he in turn was under pressure from Webber. Finally, it ended after his first pit stop and 20 laps, for Hamilton when his team informed him there was a problem with the brakes.

“I was locking and locking and locking - it was harder than ever to drive the car,” Hamilton said. “It’s a shame as the car felt so good this last couple of days, but we haven’t had many brake problems this year.”

With the 1.2 kilometer straight being the longest straight section of track at any circuit and culminating in a runoff area underneath the grandstand, the Abu Dhabi track held out promise for something better and mostly delivered.

The long straight would be the scene of one of the finest moments in the race. After Button made his first pit stop after 17 laps he rejoined just ahead of the Japanese rookie, Kamui Kobayashi, in a Toyota.

Kobayashi, who had replaced Timo Glock in the Toyota for the two previous races, made two spectacular attempts to pass the new world champion before he succeeded after racing him down the straight and slipping past after Button made a small error in a corner.

The Japanese driver, who had also passed Kimi Raikkonen, another world champion, in a Ferrari at the start, finished the race in sixth position, one spot ahead of his experienced teammate, Jarno Trulli.

“My target was to finish in the points today but I am a bit surprised to be in the top six,” said Kobayashi. “This is a fantastic result and I am extremely happy.”

The race also answered other important questions about the new venue. It is the only circuit on the Formula One calendar where the pit lane exit descends into a tunnel under the track. The tunnel is not subjected to a speed limit, and several drivers said before the race that it was dangerous.

In the end, there were no accidents in the pit lane exit, but it did add a level of suspense for the spectators as they watched the cars slip off line occasionally while negotiating the tricky portion of the track.

Finally, the twilight aspect of the race was a success as spectators saw a constantly changing show from day to night as the sun set over the track, and the roof of the Yas Marina Hotel lit up in its multicolored glass panel top.

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non-latin words are in domain name

In the name of cultural and linguistic diversity, our loyal comrades over at the ICANN are about to approve availability of domain names in non-Latin alphabets. That's right, Chinese and Japanese folks will finally be able to address their websites in their native tongue, as will fans of Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek or Hindi scripts. Basically, linguists of every type are finally invited to the interwebs party, a move described by ICANN chairman Peter Thrush as "the biggest change technically to the internet since it was invented." This follows an extensive two-year testing period for a translation engine that can convert your lazy Latin scribblings into the refined hieroglyphics of modern Cantonese. Pending approval this Friday, the first new domain names will start coming out in 2010, when we can expect a whole new wave of internet land grabbing.

Route map for Olympic torch relay in London unveiled

The route that the Olympic torch will take through London, carried by stars of sport and screen, was published today. The symbolic flame will travel on foot, by bus, cycle and even the Docklands Light Railway.

It will pass through the capital on April 6 as part of an international relay that will take it to Beijing for the start of the 2008 Games in August.

Konnie Huq, the Blue Peter presenter, Vanessa Mae, the classical violinist, and Kevin Pietersen, the England cricketer, will be among those carrying the torch from its start at Wembley, North London, and on to the arena in north Greenwich where the London 2012 Games will be based.

Other runners include Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Trevor McDonald, actress Amara Karan and Tessa Sanderson, the British Olympic javelin thrower.

In total, there are 80 people bearing the torch in London as part of its 85,000-mile journey around the world in the run-up to Beijing's opening ceremony on August 8.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, said the torch-bearing was a "great opportunity for London to experience the excitement and opportunities that the Games will bring us in 2012".

People wanting to attend the event can win 2,000 pairs of free tickets from the website www.london.gov.uk. Others, who do not have tickets, can turn up and view the final stages of the relay along the path towards Peninsula Square.

Schedule for the relay

Wembley 10.30 International dancers on stage at Arena Square, outside Wembley Stadium

Ladbroke Grove 11.00 Mini-carnival with entertainers in carnival masquerade costumes performing to Soca music

Notting Hill Gate 11.20 Carnival del Pueblo Latino carnival band

Oxford Street 12.00 Open-top bus carrying celebrity torchbearer

British Museum 12.20 A fanfare with Greek trumpets in the Great Court

Chinatown 12.30 Costumed dragons and lions perform under Chinese decorations and lanterns on Gerrard Street

Piccadilly Circus 12.40 Convoy passes

Trafalgar Square 12.50 Dance spectacular in front of Nelson’s column, to the accompaniment of a brass fanfare

Southbank Centre 13.30 Spectacular welcome for the torch along the front terraces of the Royal Festival Hall with a choir of 600, Kathak, poetry, circus, hip-hop and beatboxing

Somerset House 14.15 Aletta Collins-choreographed dance accompanied by music from the Bollywood Brass Band

St Paul's Cathedral 14.30 Band of the Scots Guards will welcome the flame with fanfares and music from the cathedral steps

Potter's Fields/More London 15.00 Rhythms of the City and live drumming sessions

Whitechapel Road 15.30 Kinetika perform storytelling, costumes and dance

Stratford 16.00 World-themed carnival with 300 school children, 50 spectacular carnival costumes and nine music floats. An aerial performance will take place at Theatre Square

Canary Wharf 17.00 Carnival themed entertainment including acrobats, jugglers, stilt-walkers, street theatre, music shows, dance performances, face painters, children’s workshops and treasure hunts

North Greenwich 18.00 Grand finale — a free, ticketed event will be a fusion of East meets West, the contemporary and traditional, in a display of Chinese ribbon dancers, an electro-acoustic music act, gymnasts, pyro displays and a performance from the Sugababes.