this video shows brotherhood in eastern culture,where one tyrannic brother had to do submission...and later in life they all lived happy life.
Dil Ka Rishta [Full Song] _ Yuvvraaj by pappuchilka
Confident NY Fashion Week kicks off
NEW YORK: New York's Autumn-Winter Fashion Week kicked off Thursday in New York with designer clothing houses and the luxury sector feeling well heeled in a resurgent economy.Putting the threadbare days of the global recession behind them, global fashionistas began gathering at Manhattan catwalks as earnings reports pointed to renewed good times.Italy's Prada announced turnover of 2.04 billion euros in 2010, up 31 percent on the previous year. He .... Full Story
PIA suffers loss of Rs810m in three days
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suffered an estimated loss of Rs810 million in three days due to strike of the workers, Geo News reported on Friday.It may be mentioned here that PIA has shown a loss of Rs11.69 billion from January to December 2010.
Davis not acted in self-defence: police
LAHORE: The police investigations into the Lahore incident have been completed and it has now been confirmed that Raymond Davis did not acted in self-defence, Geo News reported.
CCPO Lahore Aslam Tarin told media that Davis shot at the fleeing boy and the motorcyclists did not point guns at him adding that the gun recovered from the deceased was not loaded.
He rejected the self-defence claim made by Davis who shot dead two men last month, saying it was a clear case of murder.
"The police investigation and forensic report show it was not self-defence," he told a news conference.
"His plea has been rejected by police investigators," he said. "He gave no chance to them to survive. That is why we consider it was not self-defence. We have proof it was not self-defence. It was clear murder."
CCPO Lahore Aslam Tarin told media that Davis shot at the fleeing boy and the motorcyclists did not point guns at him adding that the gun recovered from the deceased was not loaded.
He rejected the self-defence claim made by Davis who shot dead two men last month, saying it was a clear case of murder.
"The police investigation and forensic report show it was not self-defence," he told a news conference.
"His plea has been rejected by police investigators," he said. "He gave no chance to them to survive. That is why we consider it was not self-defence. We have proof it was not self-defence. It was clear murder."
Davis case; US threatens to snap diplomatic ties with Pakistan
| WASHINGTON: President Obama's national security advisor summoned Pakistan's ambassador to the White House Monday evening to deliver a threat from the president: Release Raymond Davis, an American being held in Lahore for killing two Pakistanis, or face the consequences, US media quoted Pakistani officials as saying. According to the reported published in ABC News, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon told Ambassador Husain Haqqani th ... Full Story | ||
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Scientists grow blood vessels for human surgery
WASHINGTON: Scientists can grow blood vessels in a lab for use in coronary bypass or dialysis, a promising alternative to harvesting from the patient, said a study published on Wednesday.
The process involves taking smooth muscle cells from a human cadaver and grafting them onto tubes made of the material used in making dissolvable stitches, called polyglycolic acid.
Within eight to 10 weeks, the tubes degrade and a "fully formed vascular graft" remains, said the research by scientists from Duke University, East Carolina University and Yale University.
The veins have been tested in baboons and dogs. They were not rejected by the animals' bodies and functioned well for six months, said the study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The bio-engineered vessels could also be stored in saline solution for up to a year, suggesting that one day surgeons could pluck a vein "off the shelf" for use in a sick patient, the study said.
"These can be made ahead of time and then are ready to go whenever they are needed," the paper said.
Clinical trials in humans are expected to begin soon, according to a spokeswoman from Humacyte, a regenerative medicine company based in North Carolina that also contributed to the study and funded the research.
"Currently, grafting using the patient's own veins remains the gold standard," said co-author Alan Kypson of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
"But, harvesting a vein from the patient's leg can lead to complications, and for patients who don't have suitable veins, the bio-engineered veins could serve as an important new way to provide a coronary bypass."
The engineered vessels also have "decreased potential for infection, obstruction or clotting," the study noted.
Shannon Dahl, senior director of Scientific Operations at Humacyte, said veins can be made in a variety of sizes for use in different operations.
"We can make the bio-engineered veins in large and small diameter which means they can be used for procedures ranging from hemodialysis for patients with kidney failure and for coronary by-pass," she said.
The National Kidney Foundation says that 320,000 patients require dialysis, and "more than half of dialysis patients lack the healthy veins necessary and must undergo an arteriovenous graft (AV graft) placement" for the procedure.
Around 400,000 coronary bypass procedures are performed annually in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.
The process involves taking smooth muscle cells from a human cadaver and grafting them onto tubes made of the material used in making dissolvable stitches, called polyglycolic acid.
Within eight to 10 weeks, the tubes degrade and a "fully formed vascular graft" remains, said the research by scientists from Duke University, East Carolina University and Yale University.
The veins have been tested in baboons and dogs. They were not rejected by the animals' bodies and functioned well for six months, said the study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The bio-engineered vessels could also be stored in saline solution for up to a year, suggesting that one day surgeons could pluck a vein "off the shelf" for use in a sick patient, the study said.
"These can be made ahead of time and then are ready to go whenever they are needed," the paper said.
Clinical trials in humans are expected to begin soon, according to a spokeswoman from Humacyte, a regenerative medicine company based in North Carolina that also contributed to the study and funded the research.
"Currently, grafting using the patient's own veins remains the gold standard," said co-author Alan Kypson of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
"But, harvesting a vein from the patient's leg can lead to complications, and for patients who don't have suitable veins, the bio-engineered veins could serve as an important new way to provide a coronary bypass."
The engineered vessels also have "decreased potential for infection, obstruction or clotting," the study noted.
Shannon Dahl, senior director of Scientific Operations at Humacyte, said veins can be made in a variety of sizes for use in different operations.
"We can make the bio-engineered veins in large and small diameter which means they can be used for procedures ranging from hemodialysis for patients with kidney failure and for coronary by-pass," she said.
The National Kidney Foundation says that 320,000 patients require dialysis, and "more than half of dialysis patients lack the healthy veins necessary and must undergo an arteriovenous graft (AV graft) placement" for the procedure.
Around 400,000 coronary bypass procedures are performed annually in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.
Pakistan beat NZ, win first series in two years
AUCKLAND: Pakistan won their first one-day series since November 2008 when they beat New Zealand by 41 runs in the fifth game of their six-match series at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday.
The victory, courtesy of Ahmed Shehzad's 115 and a polished bowling performance gave Pakistan an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, with only the final match to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Pakistan made a below-par 268 for nine, but New Zealand wasted a golden opportunity to level the series with only Martin Guptill (65) and stand-in captain Ross Taylor (69) posting any scores of substance in their 227 all out in 46.5 overs.
The hosts had looked well set to push for victory when Taylor was batting with James Franklin in the 42nd over, but when Taylor, who had survived a confident leg before appeal by Shahid Afridi, was given out in the same over their run chase disappeared.
New Zealand have now lost 14 of their last 15 completed one-day internationals.
Pakistan's innings had been anchored by Shehzad's first one-day international century, which he brought up with a push to square leg after he wandered across his stumps to well outside off to give himself some room.
His century came off 101 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, and the 19-year-old looked to increase the scoring rate even further once he reached the milestone but was caught in the deep by Franklin off Scott Styris in the 38th over.
The visitors had looked well set to push on to 300-plus on a good pitch with short boundaries and while several batsmen got starts, New Zealand's bowlers varied their pace and length to restrict the scoring in the final few overs.
Completed scoreboard in the fifth one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton Thursday.
Pakistan
Mohammad Hafeez c N. McCullum b Mills 14
Ahmed Shehzad c Franklin b Styris 115
Kamran Akmal run out (Mills) 17
Younis Khan c Styris b N. McCullum 21
Misbah-ul-Haq c Oram b Styris 25
Umar Akmal run out (B.McCullum) 32
Shahid Afridi c Guptill b Oram 24
Abdul Razzaq c How b Mills 3
Wahab Riaz not out 2
Umar Gul c Ryder b Oram 1
Extras (b 7, 1b 2, w 4, nb 1) 14
Total (9 wkts; 50 overs) 268
Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Mohammad Hafeez), 2-73 (Kamran Akmal), 3-120 (Younis Khan), 4-197 (Ahmed Shehzad), 5-205 (Misbah-ul-Haq), 6-248 (Shahid Afridi), 7-252 (Abdul Razzaq), 8-265 (Umar Akmal), 9-268 (Umar Gul)
Did not bat: Shoaib Akhtar
Bowling: Mills 10-2-42-2, Bennett 8-0-56-0, Oram 10-0-49-2 (1w), N. McCullum 10-0-40-1, Styris 9-0-51-2 (2w), Franklin 3-0-21-0 (1nb, 1w)
New Zealand
M. Guptill c Umar Akmal b Shoaib Akhtar 65
J. Ryder run out (Misbah-ul-Haq) 0
J. How c Mohammad Hafeez b Wahab Riaz 12
R. Taylor lbw b Shahid Afridi 69
B. McCullum c sub (Rehman) b Shahid Afridi 9
S. Styris run out (Younis Khan) 9
J. Franklin b Wahab Riaz 16
N. McCullum b Umar Gul 14
J. Oram c Umar Akmal b Umar Gul 10
K. Mills not out 4
H. Bennett b Wahab Riaz 3
Extras (lb 8, w 7, nb 1) 16
Total (all out; 46.5 overs) 227
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ryder), 2-53 (How), 3-112 (Guptill), 4-131 (B. McCullum), 5-150 (Styris), 6-192 (Taylor), 7-194 (Franklin), 8-207 (Oram), 9-222 (N. McCullum), 10-227 (Bennett)
Bowling: Abdul Razzaq 4-1-19-0, Shoaib Akhtar 8-0-32-1 (1w), Wahab Riaz 8.5-0-51-3 (1nb, 5w), Umar Gul 7-0-28-2, Shahid Afridi 10-0-55-2, Mohammad Hafeez 9-0-34-0 (1w)
Toss: New Zealand
Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs
Man-of-the-match: Ahmed Shehzad
Series: Pakistan 3-1
Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL), Steve Davis (AUS)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)
The victory, courtesy of Ahmed Shehzad's 115 and a polished bowling performance gave Pakistan an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, with only the final match to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Pakistan made a below-par 268 for nine, but New Zealand wasted a golden opportunity to level the series with only Martin Guptill (65) and stand-in captain Ross Taylor (69) posting any scores of substance in their 227 all out in 46.5 overs.
The hosts had looked well set to push for victory when Taylor was batting with James Franklin in the 42nd over, but when Taylor, who had survived a confident leg before appeal by Shahid Afridi, was given out in the same over their run chase disappeared.
New Zealand have now lost 14 of their last 15 completed one-day internationals.
Pakistan's innings had been anchored by Shehzad's first one-day international century, which he brought up with a push to square leg after he wandered across his stumps to well outside off to give himself some room.
His century came off 101 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, and the 19-year-old looked to increase the scoring rate even further once he reached the milestone but was caught in the deep by Franklin off Scott Styris in the 38th over.
The visitors had looked well set to push on to 300-plus on a good pitch with short boundaries and while several batsmen got starts, New Zealand's bowlers varied their pace and length to restrict the scoring in the final few overs.
Completed scoreboard in the fifth one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton Thursday.
Pakistan
Mohammad Hafeez c N. McCullum b Mills 14
Ahmed Shehzad c Franklin b Styris 115
Kamran Akmal run out (Mills) 17
Younis Khan c Styris b N. McCullum 21
Misbah-ul-Haq c Oram b Styris 25
Umar Akmal run out (B.McCullum) 32
Shahid Afridi c Guptill b Oram 24
Abdul Razzaq c How b Mills 3
Wahab Riaz not out 2
Umar Gul c Ryder b Oram 1
Extras (b 7, 1b 2, w 4, nb 1) 14
Total (9 wkts; 50 overs) 268
Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Mohammad Hafeez), 2-73 (Kamran Akmal), 3-120 (Younis Khan), 4-197 (Ahmed Shehzad), 5-205 (Misbah-ul-Haq), 6-248 (Shahid Afridi), 7-252 (Abdul Razzaq), 8-265 (Umar Akmal), 9-268 (Umar Gul)
Did not bat: Shoaib Akhtar
Bowling: Mills 10-2-42-2, Bennett 8-0-56-0, Oram 10-0-49-2 (1w), N. McCullum 10-0-40-1, Styris 9-0-51-2 (2w), Franklin 3-0-21-0 (1nb, 1w)
New Zealand
M. Guptill c Umar Akmal b Shoaib Akhtar 65
J. Ryder run out (Misbah-ul-Haq) 0
J. How c Mohammad Hafeez b Wahab Riaz 12
R. Taylor lbw b Shahid Afridi 69
B. McCullum c sub (Rehman) b Shahid Afridi 9
S. Styris run out (Younis Khan) 9
J. Franklin b Wahab Riaz 16
N. McCullum b Umar Gul 14
J. Oram c Umar Akmal b Umar Gul 10
K. Mills not out 4
H. Bennett b Wahab Riaz 3
Extras (lb 8, w 7, nb 1) 16
Total (all out; 46.5 overs) 227
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ryder), 2-53 (How), 3-112 (Guptill), 4-131 (B. McCullum), 5-150 (Styris), 6-192 (Taylor), 7-194 (Franklin), 8-207 (Oram), 9-222 (N. McCullum), 10-227 (Bennett)
Bowling: Abdul Razzaq 4-1-19-0, Shoaib Akhtar 8-0-32-1 (1w), Wahab Riaz 8.5-0-51-3 (1nb, 5w), Umar Gul 7-0-28-2, Shahid Afridi 10-0-55-2, Mohammad Hafeez 9-0-34-0 (1w)
Toss: New Zealand
Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs
Man-of-the-match: Ahmed Shehzad
Series: Pakistan 3-1
Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL), Steve Davis (AUS)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)
Egypt's PM apologises for violence
CAIRO: Egypt's new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq apologised Thursday for violence in central Cairo that protesters demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak say was instigated by the government.
"As officials and a state which must protect its sons, I thought it was necessary for me to apologise and to say that this matter will not be repeated," the prime minister told reporters, describing the violence as "a disaster."
He promised an investigation to find out "whether this was planned, was it spontaneous, did someone direct it, (or) did a certain party encourage it?"
He warned of the economic damage caused by the protests, now entering their 10th day. "I call on the protesters in these demonstrations to feel that with every passing hour there is destruction. Our work is frozen.
"There is very, very great destruction and we will suffer from it a great deal."
"As officials and a state which must protect its sons, I thought it was necessary for me to apologise and to say that this matter will not be repeated," the prime minister told reporters, describing the violence as "a disaster."
He promised an investigation to find out "whether this was planned, was it spontaneous, did someone direct it, (or) did a certain party encourage it?"
He warned of the economic damage caused by the protests, now entering their 10th day. "I call on the protesters in these demonstrations to feel that with every passing hour there is destruction. Our work is frozen.
"There is very, very great destruction and we will suffer from it a great deal."
Preparations for 68th Golden Globe Award in full swing
LOS ANGELES: The countdown to Sunday's 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards is on, and the British comedian Rickey Gervais is set to front the ceremony -- which takes place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on Sunday -- for the second time and jokingly claimed he doesn't want to mock anyone during the show who will want retribution.
He said: "I only go for the weak and the feeble. I'm not going to have a go at Russell Crowe or Mickey Rourke. Mickey Rooney maybe. Betty White, I'm not scared of her. You've gotta to choose your targets wisely."
Ricky, 49, also admitted he plans to poke fun at Charlie Sheen -- who has recently hit the headlines for wild partying with porn stars -- and Mel Gibson, whose angry rants were exposed in a series of leaked voicemail messages to former lover Oksana Grigorieva last year.
The 68th annual Golden Globe Awards is set for Sunday in Beverly Hills.
He said: "I only go for the weak and the feeble. I'm not going to have a go at Russell Crowe or Mickey Rourke. Mickey Rooney maybe. Betty White, I'm not scared of her. You've gotta to choose your targets wisely."
Ricky, 49, also admitted he plans to poke fun at Charlie Sheen -- who has recently hit the headlines for wild partying with porn stars -- and Mel Gibson, whose angry rants were exposed in a series of leaked voicemail messages to former lover Oksana Grigorieva last year.
The 68th annual Golden Globe Awards is set for Sunday in Beverly Hills.
Shah Rukh, Katrina in KJo’s next
MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan has scores of reasons to rejoice for. The actor, who bagged the prestigious Zee Cine Award in the Best Popular Actor category, will soon be seen romancing the dazzling Katrina Kaif onscreen. With the duo not having a single movie together to their credit, many top movie directors are now gearing up to bring the dishy pair together for a film.
And even though the infamous fight between SRK and Salman at Katrina’s birthday party had made her averse to sharing screen space with SRK, the fact that all leading ladies have romanced SRK is now persuading Kat to follow suit.
And that’s not all. As per reports, even Shah Rukh is keen to work with Katrina. Sources have revealed, "At Hrithik Roshan’s birthday bash, Katrina was seen enjoying SRK’s company.
The two talked for a long time and there was hardly any sign of animosity between the two. Not only that, Shah Rukh even escorted Kat back to her car. She left the party with Karan Johar.”
As for the director that is working hard to bring the two together onscreen, it’s none other than Karan Johar. Well, here’s looking forward to this jinxed pair coming together.
Miss Nebraska wins 2011 Miss America pageant
Miss Nebraska wins 2011 Miss America pageant Miss Nebraska crowned Miss America LAS VEGAS: Nebraska's 17-year-old Teresa Scanlan was named Miss America Saturday becoming the youngest winner ever in the pageant's history after a night of being judged for poise, talent, fitness and knowledge. Scanlan wowed the judges wearing a stunning white evening gown and tickling the ivories on piano with rousing rendition of "White Water Chopped Sticks" in the talent competition. In the final question, she was asked about the leaking of confidential government information by website WikiLeaks and whether US security or the people's right to know sensitive information was more important. Scanlan saw the leaks as a matter of espionage and said: "When it comes to the security of our nation, we have to focus on security first and then people's right to know ... We can't let things like that happen, and they must be handled properly, and I think that was the case." The first runner-up, who will take Miss America's place in the case Scanlan can't perform her new role, was Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady. Among other noteworthy contestants was Miss Delaware, Kayla Martell, who made it into the semifinals. Martell suffers from a disease, alopecia areata, that caused her to lose all her hair at age 10, and she competed in a wig. This year marked the 90th pageant in the history of Miss America. The organization runs achievement programs and is a major provider of scholarship assistance for young women. In 2010, the group and its state and local affiliates helped give out more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. FROM 53 TO 1 Fifty-three women were chosen from states and territories across the country in local contests before they headed to Las Vegas and the final pageant Saturday. As Miss America, Scanlan will take the next year to travel the United States and raise awareness about eating disorders. Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron from Virginia, 22, was a goodwill ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, and she spent the year helping raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. In the week ahead of Saturday's competition, contestants were judged in preliminary events for evening wear, fitness and swimsuits and answer questions in an interview. From those events, 11 semifinalists were chosen to compete Saturday night. Joining them were four other contestants -- two picked by online voting and two others by the remaining young women in the pageant. The 15 semifinalists were narrowed Saturday in contests that again include evening wear, fitness and swimsuits, talent and a final on-stage question for the top five women. Then, the top five were ranked to get to the new Miss America. This year, seven panelists judged contestants in the final round as they answered their question in 20 seconds. The judges -- including TV talk show co-host Joy Behar, "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Tony Dovolani, and "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, among others -- watched for confidence, knowledge and quick thinking in formulating an answer. Joining Miss Nebraska and Arkansas among the five finalists were women from Hawaii, Washington and Oklahoma. The show included a rousing opening musical number by all 53 contestants, and it was hosted by TV personalities Brooke Burke and Chris Harrison. | ||
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Bold, elegant gowns top fashion on red carpet
BEVERLY HILLS: Hollywood's A-list stars made bold, elegant fashion statements on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards Sunday with gowns that featured sequins, beading, and asymmetrical structures.
"I think at one point, actors may have thought it (a bold choice) was too much pageantry, but this year was definitely about making a statement," fashion designer and red carpet expert Nick Verreos said.
He singled out "Glee" star Lea Michele's Oscar de la Renta gown that looked like it was "built into her body" and movie actress Olivia Wilde's Marchesa ball gown as examples of stars saying, "I'm not going to blend in!"
For her part, Wilde said her sequined gown was "dramatic and elegant ... I liked that it was on chocolate brown and I knew it would reflect the sun."
Melissa Leo, best supporting actress nominee for "The Fighter," also went with sequins, choosing a black Mark Bouwer dress that had a train.
"It had a weight to it and I like that in a dress," Leo said. "And if you have enough room, and people aren't trotting on it, wearing a train is one of the most delightful things a girl can wear.
The Golden Globes annually are one of Hollywood's most-watched awards shows and come only weeks ahead of the Oscars. As a result, many A-list stars show up for the program, and fashion designers around the world seek to have the actresses where their gowns on the red carpet.
Style expert and TV personality Sam Saboura called the Golden Globes: "the night of the black swans and the swan queens" alluding to best drama movie nominee "Black Swan" and the number of polar opposite colors on the red carpet.
There were many black gowns -- Halle Berry, Piper Perabo, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles and Eva Longoria -- and plenty light creams, taupes, peaches and pinks as seen on Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Scarlet Johanssen, Megan Fox, Emma Stone and the pregnant Natalie Portman.
"It was one of the only ones I tried on," said Portman of her light Viktor and Rolf gown that had a red flower emblazoned on it. "It was so beautiful, we realized nothing else would compare."
Many stars didn't shy away from color. There were vibrant reds, vivid pinks, and one color that is sure to be a spring trend -- green.
"There were more emerald green and forest greens than ever before," said David Gomez Pearlberg, fashion executive for Junko Yoshioka New York, citing Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mila Kunis.
Regardless of style or color, "it was sparkle and shine done in a new way, with plenty of three-dimensional embellishment," Saboura said.
The bold statements made by the actresses were a stark contrast to last year's subdued red carpet that came on the heels of a devastating earthquake in Haiti.
"It was a more elegant Hollywood than we've ever seen before. There were so many more hits than misses," Pearlberg said.
Twilight' star talks privacy, money in Vogue
NEW YORK: Kristen Stewart is living an atypical life for a 20-year-old.
Ever since she took on the role of Bella Swan in the "Twilight" films, she's crossed over into youth-idol status where emotions run high and she has zero privacy.
The actress says in the February issue of Vogue magazine that she can't go to a shopping mall and that it bothers her she can't be outside often.
Stewart is working on the final two films in the saga and says her wish is for the fans to be happy with the outcome.
Now that "Twilight" has made her a star, Stewart tells the magazine, she's trying to figure out what to do with the money she's made from her work. Stewart says it would be "amazing" to help fund halfway houses for people who need their kind of support.
King's Speech leads field with 14 BAFTA nominations
LONDON: "The King's Speech," in which Colin Firth plays the stammering King George VI, won 14 BAFTA nominations on Tuesday, ahead of ballet drama "Black Swan" which garnered 12.
"Inception," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was the next most popular movie at Britain's top film honours with nine nominations, ahead of climbing story "127 Hours" and Western remake "True Grit" with eight apiece.
"The Social Network," one of the films most widely tipped for Oscars glory this year, won six nominations.
The BAFTAs are followed closely as the awards season gets into full swing, although they have only a patchy record in identifying future Oscar winners.
Firth, who recently won a Golden Globe, was shortlisted for a BAFTA best actor prize. His co-stars in The King's Speech -- Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush -- were nominated for best supporting actress and actor, respectively.
The Orange British Academy Film Awards winners are announced on February 13.
Kidman, Urban welcome new baby girl
LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her country star husband, Keith Urban, have added a second daughter to their family, born via a surrogate mother in the United States.
The Australian couple today announced the arrival of Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, born on December 28 at a Nashville, Tennessee, hospital.
Faith was born at the Centennial Medical Centre under a veil of secrecy, involving the celebrity couple booking out the entire top floor of the hospital and secretly entering the facility via a staff-only service elevator.
Kidman and Urban are Faith's biological parents. Initial reports had said the baby girl was born last week. Kidman and Urban released a statement thanking everyone for their support.
"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the couple said.
"No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."
Kidman and Urban, both 43, were married in 2006 and have another daughter together, Sunday Rose, 2.
Kidman credited Sunday's unexpected appearance to swimming in the waters of a small Australian outback town during the filming of the film Australia.
She and six other women became pregnant after swimming in Kununurra.
Kidman and Urban probably deserve this year's best actress and actor Academy Awards for keeping Faith a secret.
Kidman has been on the hustings in the US, Australia and Europe undertaking numerous interviews to promote her latest project Rabbit Hole, a harrowing drama she produced and stars in as a mother dealing with the sudden death of a young son.
Urban has also sat through plenty of interviews.
And the pair made no mention of Faith yesterday when they attended the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.
Kidman missed out on the Golden Globe best dramatic actress award for Rabbit Hole, with expectant mother Natalie Portman taking the gold statue for her performance in Black Swan.
Kidman has two adopted children with former husband Tom Cruise, 18-year-old daughter Isabella and 15-year-old son Connor, who live with Cruise in Los Angeles, but the teenagers are rarely seen in public with Kidman.
Kidman has hinted about her desire to have children and said in the latest issue of the US edition of Harper's Bazaar magazine that Isabella and Connor do not regularly visit her in Nashville.
"No, they don't," Kidman said.
"They're not crazy about Nashville. They're so grown up now. I mean, they're adults."
Golden Globe audience up, Gervais' hosting panned
LOS ANGELES: Host Ricky Gervais may have turned off the audience members and critics at Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards, but viewers seemed turned on, watching the show in larger numbers than one year ago.
The Golden Globes, an annual film and TV awards show in Hollywood, drew just under 17 million total viewers to network NBC, which was up slightly from 2010 when British comedian Gervais, who is known for his acerbic sense of humor, hosted for the first time, according to audience figures released on Monday.
Last year's ceremony was up 14 percent from 2009's roughly 15 million viewers, and the upward trend shows the telecast is recovering somewhat from the 2008 Hollywood writers strike which reduced the Globes to a news conference.
Still, this year's viewership of 16.99 million show is down from 2007, when some 20 million viewers tuned in to watch Hollywood's A-list stars parade up the red carpet in their finest gowns and tuxedos and, for the lucky few, accept awards for movies, TV shows, performances and music.
Gervais' hosting duties on Sunday night brought some often harsh criticism from reviewers. During the show, the comedian took shots at Charlie Sheen's drinking and partying, Robert Downey, Jr.'s years-ago issues with drugs and alcohol, the critically panned movie "The Tourist" that was nominated for best comedy, and even the organizers of the show.
His sense of humor on the ceremony's center stage was so caustic that Downey, Jr., remarked on stage that Sunday's ceremony was "unusually mean-spirited."
Many critics seemed to agree. Los Angeles Times TV critic Mary McNamara wrote on Monday that "it quickly became clear that his material wasn't just falling flat, it was making many audience members and presenters uncomfortable and even angry."
Washington Post reviewer Hank Stuever wrote, "Somehow Ge
Journalists ask police to register case against Rani
PATIALA: Journalists in Patiala have asked the police to register a case against Rani Mukherjee, other actors and the filmmaker for using vulgar language in 'No One killed Jessica'.
The complaint was filed by the Patiala Press Club through its president Parveen Komal and was submitted to Inspector General of Police (Patiala zone) P.S. Gill, district police chief Gurpreet Singh Gill and Deputy Commissioner D.S. Garewal.
"Press is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy and using such kind of vulgar words in the movie is a direct insult of the media. This action is also an insult to women," Komal told reporters.
He said that the producers of the film had resorted to use of vulgar language to earn money. The complaint sought a case be registered for vulgarity. Those mentioned in the complaint include Rani Mukerji, actress Vidya Balan, other actors, the producers, the director and the script writer among others.
The complaint was filed by the Patiala Press Club through its president Parveen Komal and was submitted to Inspector General of Police (Patiala zone) P.S. Gill, district police chief Gurpreet Singh Gill and Deputy Commissioner D.S. Garewal.
"Press is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy and using such kind of vulgar words in the movie is a direct insult of the media. This action is also an insult to women," Komal told reporters.
He said that the producers of the film had resorted to use of vulgar language to earn money. The complaint sought a case be registered for vulgarity. Those mentioned in the complaint include Rani Mukerji, actress Vidya Balan, other actors, the producers, the director and the script writer among others.
Donald appointed New Zealand bowling coach
WELLINGTON: Former South African paceman Allan Donald has been appointed as New Zealand's bowling coach on a short-term contract until the end of the World Cup, officials said Tuesday.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Donald's experience would be a positive for the Black Caps, whose support staff have been revamped since John Wright was appointed head coach in December.
"I know he is really looking forward to the challenge of returning to international cricket and working with the Black Caps," Vaughan said.
The 44-year-old recently finished a stint as head coach of Zimbabwe domestic side the Mountaineers and has previously worked with English county side Warwickshire and the England national side as bowling coach.
Vaughan said Donald, who took 330 Test wickets for South Africa, would join the squad in Wellington this week ahead of Saturday's first one-day international against Pakistan.
He will remain with the Black Caps through the six-match series and the World Cup, to be played in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Donald's experience would be a positive for the Black Caps, whose support staff have been revamped since John Wright was appointed head coach in December.
"I know he is really looking forward to the challenge of returning to international cricket and working with the Black Caps," Vaughan said.
The 44-year-old recently finished a stint as head coach of Zimbabwe domestic side the Mountaineers and has previously worked with English county side Warwickshire and the England national side as bowling coach.
Vaughan said Donald, who took 330 Test wickets for South Africa, would join the squad in Wellington this week ahead of Saturday's first one-day international against Pakistan.
He will remain with the Black Caps through the six-match series and the World Cup, to be played in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.
Unfit Ponting, Hussey in Australia’s World Cup squad
| SYDNEY: Defending champions Australia Tuesday unveiled their squad for next month's World Cup, banking on the fitness of a pair of injury-prone pacemen and elder statesmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey. Veteran Brett Lee and enigmatic short-form specialist Shaun Tait were both included in the 15-man squad for the tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which they are trying to win for the fourth successive time. Ponting was named as skipper, but is still recovering from a broken finger, while Hussey made the squad but is a major doubt after a severe hamstring tear in the six-wicket win over England at the MCG on Sunday. Hussey is expected to be sidelined for at last six weeks, with Australia's first game on February 21, and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch conceded he was a doubt for the showpiece event. By selecting Lee and Tait, as well as erratic duo Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger, Australia will rely heavily on their pace bowlers to be at their best. Lee performed well in Australia's win over England on Sunday, but the 34-year-old and Tait are both on the comeback trail after serious elbow injuries. Sunday's game was Lee's first one-day international for Australia since October 2009 and he missed the 2007 World Cup triumph due to injury. Tait, who played in the 2007 final but mainly plays Twenty20 cricket these days, was ruled out of Sunday's game with a back problem. The 27-year-old has only played three ODIs since February 2009, but taken eight wickets in those three matches. The shock selection was Victorian all-rounder John Hastings, who has played just two one-day internationals, while David Hussey, Mike's younger brother, also made the squad. Tasmanian wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, touted by many as a future Australian captain, is part of the 15. Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who played on Sunday, was overlooked in favour of the returning Nathan Hauritz, who was ignored for the entire Ashes series but has been in top form in domestic first-class cricket this season. Victorian paceman Peter Siddle was not included, despite being one of the better Ashes performers for Australia with ball and bat. Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White. | ||
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New Zealand name squad for World Cup
WELLINGTON: New Zealand cricket chiefs backed their struggling one-day team to reverse a dramatic form slump, avoiding wholesale changes in the World Cup squad named on Wednesday.
Chief selector Mark Greatbatch said the Black Caps had a point to prove after losing their past 11 one-day internationals, including series whitewashes against Bangladesh and India.
"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable," he said.
"(They) owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."
Cricket's showpiece event in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka runs from February 19 to April 2.
Greatbatch said the squad, captained by Daniel Vettori, had an experienced core, with six players who helped New Zealand reach the semi-finals for the fifth time at the last World Cup in 2007.
All-rounder Luke Woodcock, 28, is the only uncapped ODI player in the squad, securing his berth with his strong domestic form for Wellington.
"He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent," Greatbatch said.
Injury-prone all-rounder Jacob Oram was also named, with Greatbatch saying his domestic performances after returning from a stint on the sidelines made the fitness gamble worthwhile.
Greatbatch singled out Jamie How as a batsman who needed to improve after failing against India but said his ability to provide wicketkeeping back-up to Brendon McCullum had helped sway selectors.
"Some might think he's a bit lucky after the last few innings in India but over the last 15 months he's actually performed in the limited forms of the game at various levels," he said.
Bowler Daryl Tuffey was the highest-profile omission from the squad.
New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
Chief selector Mark Greatbatch said the Black Caps had a point to prove after losing their past 11 one-day internationals, including series whitewashes against Bangladesh and India.
"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable," he said.
"(They) owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."
Cricket's showpiece event in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka runs from February 19 to April 2.
Greatbatch said the squad, captained by Daniel Vettori, had an experienced core, with six players who helped New Zealand reach the semi-finals for the fifth time at the last World Cup in 2007.
All-rounder Luke Woodcock, 28, is the only uncapped ODI player in the squad, securing his berth with his strong domestic form for Wellington.
"He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent," Greatbatch said.
Injury-prone all-rounder Jacob Oram was also named, with Greatbatch saying his domestic performances after returning from a stint on the sidelines made the fitness gamble worthwhile.
Greatbatch singled out Jamie How as a batsman who needed to improve after failing against India but said his ability to provide wicketkeeping back-up to Brendon McCullum had helped sway selectors.
"Some might think he's a bit lucky after the last few innings in India but over the last 15 months he's actually performed in the limited forms of the game at various levels," he said.
Bowler Daryl Tuffey was the highest-profile omission from the squad.
New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
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