Holidays Vampire Sequel ‘New Moon’ at Box Office

LOS ANGELES, News update: The ‘Twilight’ vampire romance sequel ‘New Moon’ took a record-breaking bite out of the North American box office this weekend, final figures showed on Monday.

The second big-screen installment adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s phenomenally successful books raked in an astounding 142.8 million dollars in three days, the third biggest opening of all time, Exhibitor Relations said.

Only Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” with 158.4 million dollars and “Spider-Man 3″ with 151.1 million dollars have scored bigger openings.

However, the “New Moon” earnings are considered remarkable because the film was released in November, outside of the traditional summer blockbuster season.

Although the movie was unable to dethrone “The Dark Knight” or “Spider-Man 3″ for highest opening weekend, it did set records for biggest midnight opening and opening day, figures showed.

The “Twilight” franchise follows the fortunes of high school teenager Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, and her vampire lover Edward Cullen, played by British heart-throb Robert Pattinson.

The success of “New Moon” left American football drama “The Blind Side” in second place.

The feel-good film, adapted from Michael Lewis’s 2006 book, is based on the real-life journey from rags to riches of Baltimore Ravens star Michael Oher.

Starring Sandra Bullock as the woman who helps Oher realize his dream, it earned a healthy 34.1 million dollars in its opening weekend.

In third place, end-of-the-world film “2012″ brought in 26.4 million dollars, more than double its next-runner-up, “Planet 51,” with 12.3 million.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” earned 12.2 million, trailed by acclaimed abuse saga “Precious” with 10.9 million dollars.

In seventh place was satire “The Men Who Stare At Goats,” starring George Clooney and Jeff Bridges as members of a military unit schooled in psychological warfare. The film took 2.8 million dollars.

Eighth spot was taken by comedy “Couples Retreat,” which earned 1.9 million dollars while extra-terrestrial drama “The Fourth Kind” was ninth with 1.7 million.

Michael Jackson concert movie “This Is It” completed the top 10 with 1.6 million dollars.

Cabinet to Grant Two Weekly Holidays Tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: A proposal regarding two weekly holidays in the government offices and the industrial sector has been hammered out in the meeting of a Committee to recommend austerity measures.

The federal cabinet will grant final approval for these measures in tomorrow’s session. Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin presided over the meeting of the Austerity Committee.

NWFP province and Punjab also gave their consent to the proposal of two weekly holidays in the wake of Sindh and Balochistan during the meeting.

The drafted proposals said that travel expenditures for the members of the Parliament should be curtailed by 70 percent.

The 50 percent cut has been suggested in the limit of fuel and vehicles used for convoys of ministers and chief ministers.

Bank Holidays 2009 India

Bank Holidays 2009 India: India Bank Holidays 2009 calendar from Indian Bank Association. There are some of the special festivals like national, religious and community events in India during which the banks do not operate. On these days, usually the banks remain closed and no transactions are made. Some of the bank holidays in India that incorporate both optional and gazetted holidays are listed below for your perusal.

Muharram (Islamic New Year)
On the celebration of this holy Islamic event, banks do not operate. It falls under mandatory public holidays in India.

Republic Day (26th January)
This is one of the important bank holidays in India. On this national holiday, none of the banks and their branches functions. On the day of this event, India Gate in Delhi holds a gala celebration of parades and dances.

Milad un Nabi
India bank holidays also include Milad un Nabi in the list. The day marks the birth celebration of Prophet Mohammed. On this day too the banks do not operate.

Independence Day (15th August)
The day of 15th August is celebrated as Independence Day in India. On this most important day, all the private and public sectors including banks do not operate.

Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October)
This is a national holiday and on this day the birthday of our national hero Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated. On this day, we commemorate the services and the dedication of Bapu towards our nation. This is again one of the mandatory bank holidays in India.

Id ul fitr
This is an important Muslim festival celebrated throughout the world. On this day, the devotees break their month-long fasting and offer special prayers. The day witnesses a lot of excitement as everybody wears new clothes and offers a warm welcome to each one.

Dussehra
This is the most celebrated and vibrant Hindu festival. According to legends, on this day lord Rama had killed the ferocious demon Ravana. Today, in many parts of India this event is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. The huge effigies of Ravana along with other two demons are burnt.

Diwali
This is a festival of light. The Hindus celebrate this event with much fervor and enthusiasm lighting diyas and candles. Sweets are distributed. This festival is also counted among the important bank holidays in India.

Guru Nanak Jayanti
The day marks the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was the founder of Sikhism.
For Complete List Of Bank HOlidays Click
http://www.iba.org.in/Holidays%202009.pdf
Source: a2zindianews.com