Avater News World Box Office Record

LOS ANGELES: Science-fiction epic “Avatar” set a new world box office record, earning 1.85 billion dollars and sinking “Titanic” to become the highest grossing film of all time, figures showed Tuesday.

“On Monday, January 25, ‘Avatar’ officially passed ‘Titanic’ to become the highest grossing film in history at the worldwide box office,” 20th Century Fox studios said in a statement.

It added that Oscar-winning director James Cameron’s groundbreaking 3-D spectacular had by Monday taken 16 million dollars more than “Titanic,” which was also directed by Cameron.

“Avatar” had taken 1.859 billion dollars, compared with the box-office total for the 1997 Oscar-winning “Titanic” which took 1.843 billion dollars, the statement said.

Pandemic Flu Has the World on Alert

PARIS news updates: The first flu pandemic of the 21st century, swine flu, has been less deadly than feared since it emerged this year but has taken an unusually high toll among the world’s young, leaving thousands dead.

The A(H1N1) virus was identified for the first time at the end of March in Mexico and quickly spread, with the World Health Organisation declaring a global pandemic on June 11.

The WHO estimated that by early December the global death toll had passed 9,500 but experts warned that it was too early to give an accurate estimate.

The world was mobilised into action with vaccination and awareness campaigns.

China, for example, had vaccinated more than 31 million people against the virus by early December with the aim of reaching up to 65 million by the end of the year.

“It is the first time that we have dealt with such a problem at a global level,” said Sylvie Briand, a doctor who heads the WHO’s Global Influenza Programme.

“This mobilisation has mainly allowed use to put vaccines in place in record time,” she said.

The WHO has also recommended the use of the drug Tamiflu in high-risk swine flu patients to reduce and prevent complications and even death.

Two-thirds of Canada’s roughly 200 fatal cases this winter had an underlying chronic illness such as asthma, cardiac disease, immunosuppression and diabetes, the world body has said.

A feature of swine flu has been the heavy toll it has exacted on younger populations.

The United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the country’s death toll at nearly 10,000 by mid-November, higher than the WHO estimate, with 1,100 of the dead children and 7,500 young adults.

There had been around 50 million cases most of them in younger adults and children, it said.

“It is not a slaughter but this pandemic has caused unusual mortality in the young, including those who have been in good health,” said a French expert, Professor Antoine Flahaut.

Added Briand: “Unlike in seasonal viruses, the pandemic virus penetrates deep inside the lungs and causes symptoms of respiratory distress more acute in young subjects.”

Pregnant women and the obese have been found to be particularly vulnerable to the new virus. People older than 65 appear to have less chance of catching it but if they do, they run more risk of dying.

“Clearly we do not have a case of a virus as deadly as the bird flu one,” WHO doctor Isabelle Nuttall told AFP, though the overall death toll is greater.

The ratio of deaths to infections for the present A(H1N1) has been below that of the 2003 outbreak of H5N1 bird flu — which struck mainly in Asia and killed almost 60 percent of those it infected, the toll reaching more than 260 people, according to WHO figures.

The world was also hit by an outbreak of another deadly virus, SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, in 2002 to 2003 that killed 774 people, WHO figures show.

In Britain, the number of people infected with the current swine flu who died has been “considerably” less than had been feared at the start of the outbreak, at 0.026 percent, according to a study directed government health adviser Liam Donaldson.

It was also much lower than in previous flu outbreaks in 1918 (two to three percent) or in 1957-58 and 1967-68 (about 0.2 percent), according to the study released early December.

This could be explained by the use of antiviral and antibiotic treatments, vaccines, medical progress and resuscitation.

But flu viruses are unpredictable, said Nuttall. “We must remain vigilant and not lower our guard,” she said.

PM Asks World to Pressure Pakistan Attackers 26/11

Washington: news update, Warning of “phenomenal consequences” if the advance of terrorists in Pakistan was not controlled, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the world community to pressurise Islamabad to do much more to bring to book those responsible for the “horrible” 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“We don’t want Pakistan to fail and emergence of democracy in Pakistan is something we welcome,” he said at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading US think tank Monday. “But at the same time we have to recognise that there are forces at work in Pakistan that are with terrorists.”

“At least until now they were active only in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Now I think they hold direct on grip in several parts of mainland Pakistan.

“If that process is not controlled, it has I think phenomenal consequences for the security and stability of Pakistan as well as our own security,” he added.

Asked if he regretted not taking the military option in retaliation against the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the prime minister said he resisted enormous pressure at that time “and I think the decision that I took was balanced and right decision”.

“As regards future, I hate to speculate and sincerely hope that that sort of eventuality does not arise,” Manmohan Singh said. “And that’s why I believe world community has an obligation to impress upon Pakistan that it must use all its influence to curb the power of terrorist groups.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had done something to control the activities of Taliban terrorist groups in FATA, but “it has not acted as it should have acted in bringing the terrorists elements who are using their territory to target our country”.

Nor has Pakistan used all its machinery to bring to book all those murderers and those who perpetrated the horrible crime in Mumbai, he said, urging the world community to pressurise Pakistan to bring to book all those who are responsible for it.

There was now impeccable evidence that the conspiracy was planned in Pakistan with the active connivance of people still roaming about freely in Pakistan, he said. “Therefore I respectfully respect the world community to use all its influence on powers that be in Pakistan to desist from this sort of behaviour.”

Aamir Atlas Crisis Gregory Gaultier in the Qatar Open

DOHA: The world No 14, nephew of squash great Jansher Khan, beat the Frenchman 11-6, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9 in 53 minutes to reach the quarter-finals in Doha. In doing so, the Pakistani avenged his semi-final defeat at the Macau Open 12 months ago, a tournament which also saw him score a significant victory over England No 1 Nick Matthew.

Defeat for Gaultier means that Amr Shabana, who added a fourth world title in Kuwait two weeks ago, is set to return to the top of the world rankings next month – a bitter blow for the 26-year-old who had spent two years breathing down the Egyptians’ necks.

Peshawar-born Khan told Squash Site: “This is my biggest moment of my career. I really didn’t expect it, because Greg has been playing so well recently, he is such a great champion.

“I am living my dream to beat the world No 1, but I really played point by point. I tried and played my best.”

England’s James Willstrop produced his second 3-0 scalp in as many days when he beat the dangerous Egyptian Tarek Momen in 26 minutes. The Yorkshireman’s win set up a tasty last eight encounter against World Open runner-up Ramy Ashour.

Meanwhile Matthew took 18 minutes longer to see off LJ Anjema 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 and will play Australia’s David Palmer.

Khan was this week nominated for the PSA’s ‘Young Player of the Year’, to be held next weekend in London, along with Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy, and Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland.

He said: “I am proud to be nominated for the award and I am hopeful that I would receive the award. I have been working hard to toil in the rankings and I would now make more efforts to bring more glory to the country.”

Shaniya Davis Oprah, Shaniya Davis Cause Of Death

Shaniya Davis Oprah, Shaniya Davis Cause Of Death: Shaniya Davis Oprah,Shaniya Davis Funeral:Why is Oprah quitting the Oprah Winfrey Show and Shaniya Davis father Bradley Lockhart on Oprah. The queen of show in the US Oprah Winfrey’s contract expires in 2011. Fans accustomed with her show will miss the excitement of the popular show.

Oprah Winfrey is an American media personality, actress, television producer, literary critic and magazine publisher, best known for her self-titled, multi-award winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history.

Shaniya Davis OprahShe has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the most philanthropic African American of all time, and was once the world’s only black billionaire. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world.It is not only the fans who will be the losers, but CBS too. The company will miss the hundreds of millions that “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was bringing in license fees and advertising revenue over the years.

Others who are not happy with the development include ABC.

The spectacular show was carried by many of its big city stations, attracting a sizeable audience to their local news.

Sony is also upset as it was trying to get the distribution rights to Winfrey’s daytime show away from CBS when her deal expired.

Winfrey herself may suffer in the short-term. Showbiz experts say that financially she may lose some bucks by quitting daytime talk. But the decision is going to help her in long term because she would be building an asset.
Source: thenewspk.com

Under19 World Cup 2010 to Be Launched in Dunedin

KARACHI,Pakistan: The ICC Under19 Cricket World Cup 2010 will be launched in Dunedin (New Zealand) on November 23, 2009, ICC said in statement issued on Thursday.
The function will take place at University Oval, Dunedin The event is being held in advance of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan, which begins on November 24.

The ceremony will be attended by ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, New Zealand Cricket President Denis Currie, and Under19 CWC tournament director Tim Murdoch. Black Cap batsman Ross Taylor, himself a former Kiwis Under19 Captain has been invited to attend the launching ceremony.

This 16-team tournament, which is seen as an important breeding ground for the next generation of senior international cricketers, will take place in New Zealand from January 15 to 30 January next.

Defending Champion India will open its campaign against qualifier Afghanistan at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, near Christchurch on the opening day of the competition with Pakistan facing the West Indies in Palmerston North and 2008 beaten finalist South Africa taking on Ireland in Queenstown.

The teams are split into four groups with Groups A and C being based in and around Christchurch, Group B teams playing their matches in Queenstown and Group D games taking place in Napier and Palmerston North.

In addition to the 10 Full Members, there are six Associate and Affiliate teams taking part, having won through their respective regional qualifying tournaments as well as the global qualifier, which was held in Canada in September.

Bocuse D Or Top Chef

latest news about, Bocuse D Or Top Chef: Bocuse d’Or? Top Chef’s challenge tonight is based upon … Beaucop D’or, or Bocuse Dor, or Beaucopus D’or? The correct word is Bocuse d’Or!
Bocuse d’Or is the Olympics of culinary arts and tonight the final five get a challenge based upon the famed competition.

The Bocuse d’Or competition is described as follows:

“Chef Paul Bocuse created the Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest in 1987, in order to broaden the public’s understanding of the extraordinary dedication, hard work, practice and precision required to execute the very finest cuisine.

“The Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest is the most rigorous international culinary competition, held every two years in Lyon, France.  Twenty-four countries are selected to compete, and each country’s team is comprised of one chef and one commis assistant.

“Each team is provided five and a half hours to create two elaborate platter presentations, one centered around seafood and one on meat, each accompanied by three original garnishes.   The platters are presented before twenty four judges, each of whom is among the most esteemed chefs in his/her owncountry.  The judges evaluate the overall harmony of flavors in the dish,  the presentation of the platter, the techniques employed and the efficiency in which the teams work.

“The intensity of the spectator’s enthusiasm is unique.   Thousands of fans attend the event and are seated in sections in front of their competitors’ booth, waving flags, singing national chants, and providing general encouragement.  The noise level of the arena elevates as the candidates race to complete their presentations to the judges. Hundreds of international photo and film journalists canvas the location, broadcasting thecompetition live around the world.

“The day following the competition, Chef Bocuse hosts a breakfast at his Michelin 3-star restaurant  in Collonges which includes a ceremony to honor the top three teams by installing a plaque engraved with their names and countries on the front walkway into the restaurant.

In the USA, the selection process is as follows:

“During the course of one day, sixteen, two member teams will present one protein dish to a panel of chef judges for evaluation of overall promise as a Bocuse d’Or team.  The team will have approximately 2 hours for completion ofthe dish. The strongest eight teams will advance to a Finalist competition during the following two days.  Based on competition performance, the top candidate and his or her commis will be selected to go on to Lyon in 2011 as the US representatives.

“The Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation will select 16 chef/commis teams from amongst all the applicants to enter the domestic Semi-final and Final competitions at the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park on February 4-6, 2010. Notification will be provided on December 7th, 2009. The Bocuse d’Or USA competitions will be hosted in a live public setting at the CIA before an audience of hundreds of spectators & press. “
Source: news.lalate.com

World Student Day today

KARACHI, Pakistan: The International Students’ Day is being celebrated today as several functions have been organized to mark the day.

The date commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague after demonstrations against the killing of Jan Opletal and the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the execution of nine student leaders, over 1200 students sent to concentration camps, and the closing of all Czech universities and colleges.

During late 1939 the Nazi occupants of the Czechoslovakia (at that time it was called the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia), in Prague, suppressed a demonstration held by students of the Medical Faculty of the Charles University. The demonstration was held on the 28th of October to commemorate the anniversary of the independence of the Czechoslovak Republic.

The 17th of November was first marked as the International Students’ Day in 1941 in London by the International Students’ Council (which had many refugee members) in accord with the Allies, and the tradition has been kept up by the successor International Union of Students, which has been pressing with National Unions of Students in Europe and other groups to make the day an official United Nations observance.

UN Summit Criticized for Falling Short Hunger

ROME : A UN summit on world hunger drew fire on Monday, even from the head of the UN food agency, for failing to pledge new funds or set a timetable to beat the scourge affecting more than one billion people.

While a final declaration rolled out on the first day of the three-day summit vowed “urgent action” to boost food security, FAO Director General Jacques Diouf lamented the absence of concrete targets.

“I am not satisfied with the fact that there is no commitment regarding the calendar, amounts and conditions” in the declaration, Diouf said.

In particular, the head of the Food and Agriculture Organisation said he regretted the “absence of a deadline for the total eradication of hunger in the world,” referring to the UN Millennium Development Goal deadline of 2025.

“A deadline had already been approved” but negotiations ahead of the summit here failed to reach a consensus on the issue, he said, adding “I regret it.”

Matt Grainger of Oxfam was among activists who slammed the declaration, calling it “completely uncosted, unfunded and unaccountable.”

“They really had a chance here to come up with something really concrete,” Grainger told AFP, calling the summit a “massive wasted opportunity.”

Some 60 heads of state and government were attending the World Summit on Food Security, but leaders of the world’s wealthiest countries were conspicuous by their absence.

Monday’s declaration outlined five “principles” including “direct action” to help the most vulnerable.

But no new financial commitments were contained in the document, which calls on wealthy nations to honour pledges of 20 billion dollars (13.3 billion euros) in aid over the next three years made at a Group of Eight summit in July.

Summit delegates vowed a “twin-track approach” to food security comprising direct action for the most vulnerable and sustainable “medium and long-term programmes to eliminate the root causes of hunger and poverty.”

Leonid Meteor Shower November 2009

Leonid Meteor Shower November 2009: Like every time a meteor shower is due or projected astrophotographers spectators and everyone will roll their cameras and ready to capture a moment of this deployment phenomenal artist of nature.

The predictions are coming in from meteor experts and researchers from around the world regarding the level of activity that may occur in different parts of the world. A common consensus for this year is that the Asian continent will witness the most brilliant abundance of shooting stars this time. The astronomers David Asher of Ireland, Mikhail Maslov of Russia and France Jeremie Vaubaillon have identified Indonesia and India as places to wider audience. Even NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Bureau knowledgeable Danielle Moser and Bill Cooke, agree with the trio of astronomers.

Making visible both in the morning of day 18 or 17 November (depending on which part of the world you are), the Leonid meteor shower is expected to flood the sky with about 20 to 30 shooting stars per hour. Not exactly impressive quantity of the 1830s or early 1990s, where thousands of shooting stars was observed in 2009 are expected to do better than the previous year.

Mother Earth will be a flight path through the fragments of meteoric dust originating from the constellation Leo. Since the smaller fragments known to be pushed away by the larger, one can expect to witness a shooting star with a track more than the average that could explode in a ball of fire (called meteors).
Source: khurak.net

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