S.Korea KT to offer Google’s Nexus One smartphone

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

May 31 (Reuters) – KT (030200.KS), South Korea’s top fixed-line operator and No. 2 mobile carrier, said on Monday it would offer Google’s (GOOG.O) Nexus One smartphone from late June, building on its success with Apple’s (AAPL.O) iPhone.

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KT Corp also said it planned to set up a company to sell and lease mobile WiMAX telecom equipment in cooperation with Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and an unidentified U.S. company.

Mobile operators are pinning hopes on smartphones to boost wireless data usage and grow revenue. KT has benefited from iPhone’s popularity and its own broad WiFi network but is facing increasing competition from rival SK Telecom (017670.KS). (Reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)

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Cricket in UK schools ‘less elitist and more ethnically diverse than in past’: Survey

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 20(ANI): A new survey has revealed that cricket in the UK has become less elitist and more ethnically diverse than in the past, with it growing in popularity among kids in state schools.

The survey was conducted by the ‘Chance to Shine’ foundation, which has brought cricket to a million schoolchildren across the UK. The results were based on an online YouGov survey of 993 parents of children aged 8 to 17.

When asked whether ‘cricket has become less elitist’ than when they were at school, three times as many parents of children at state schools polled strongly agreed (42 percent), compared to those that strongly disagreed with the statement (13 percent).

Twenty-four mums polled said that cricket is now offered as a team sport to girls at their child’s school, twice the number that say the “gentleman’s game” was an option for them when they were at school (11 percent).

It also showed that a whopping 72 percent of parents believed playing cricket could improve their child’s grades.

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff explained why he has been backing the foundation.

“Cricket in state schools was in real danger of dying out before Chance to shine launched in 2005,” The Sun quoted Flintoff, as saying.

“I believe every child has the right to play competitive cricket at school and to learn skills that they can use throughout their lives,” he added. (ANI)

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Hawke denies calling for Rudd’s removal

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has denied he told a Labor MP that Kevin Rudd should be dumped as leader.

A Liberal Party staffer says he overheard Mr Hawke tell Daryl Melham that he was heartbroken by Mr Rudd’s performance and wanted him replaced with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Mr Hawke has confirmed he had a conversation with Mr Melham but denies he criticised Mr Rudd.

Mr Hawke has released a statement saying he told Mr Melham he was disappointed with Labor’s performance in the latest opinion polls.

But he says he affirmed his support for Mr Rudd and it is sad that someone has “twisted” his words.

“As you normally do in Canberra, Daryl and I chatted about the latest media speculation in the press gallery,” he said.

“I expressed my disappointment about the polls and my support for Kevin and for the Government.

“It’s pretty sad that someone, who would hardly be an objective observer, twisted my words and misrepresented them.”

Mr Hawke says he “can’t wait” to campaign for Mr Rudd at the next election.

Mr Melham blamed a Liberal Party staffer for the reports.

“Bob and myself were doing nothing more than discussing the usual Canberra press gallery rumour mill,” he said in a statement.

“The fact that some Liberal staffer has deliberately eavesdropped on this conversation and misrepresented it to the media just shows how desperate the Liberal Party has become.”

Leadership speculation has been reignited after a series of poor polls for Mr Rudd and the continued popularity of his deputy.

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Isabella, Jacob most popular baby names for 2009

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 8(ANI): More than 22,000 baby girls were named ‘Isabella’ in 2009.

And ‘Jacob’ won the top spot for the 11th year straight for boys.

The Social Security Administration said that the names, popular from Twilight, the vampire flick, were the top-notch choices for baby girls and boys last year, reports the New York Daily News.

Another Twilight name that gained huge popularity was ‘Cullen’, after the vampire Edward Cullen. The name had the highest jump – from No. 782 to No. 485.

‘Jayden’ at No. 8 and ‘Noah’ at No. 9 joined ‘Jacob’ at the top, while ‘Emma’ slid down to No. 2 behind ‘Isabella’.

The biggest jumps for girl names were Malia – from 296 to 192, and Sasha – which moved up 101 spots to No. 261. (ANI)

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Tendulkar gives his fans a tweet

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

India’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, revered by millions of fans in his home country and across the world, has joined the ranks of the “Twitterati” on microblogging site Twitter.

The 37-year-old opened his account sachin_rt on Tuesday with the post: “Finally the original SRT is on twitter n the first thing I’d like to do is wish my colleagues the best in the windies.”

Tendulkar, nicknamed the “Master Blaster”, is recovering from injury and not part of India’s squad taking part in the World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean, which began last week.

But the record-breaking cricketer, considered one of the sport’s greatest ever players, said he was struggling with the new technology, although he managed to post a photograph of himself.

“My kids r happy that I m finally on twitter.They hv been tryin 2 get me 2 join twitter or facebook for ages.I m still gettin the hang of it,” he added.

In a sign of his popularity, Tendulkar had more than 41,000 followers by mid-afternoon Wednesday, including leading Bollywood stars, just 16 hours after his first “tweet”.

Last week the sporting icon had a new variety of mango named after him.

A number of people said they had specifically joined Twitter to follow Tendulkar’s posts.

One, using the name shine82h, commented: “GOD IS ON TWITTER,cant ask for more ! BIG FAN ! Wish you all the best ! You sir are truly THE GREATEST!”

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Jaipur city”s dolls museum looks for more visitors

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jaipur, May 4 (ANI): Despite the thirty-five years old dolls museum in Rajasthan”s Jaipur city possessing around three hundred dolls from across the world, it witnesses only a few visitors.

Ironically, the museum receives only a few visitors.

Those who do visit, admire the beauty of the dolls.

“We got to see many dolls from different countries, cultures and states, in this museum. We got to know about their traditional wedding attires. This is a nice place and everybody should come here once,” said Vikas, a visitor
The museum has dolls from India in one section and from different parts of the world in the other. These include United States, Canada, Latin American countries, Africa, Europe, and China.

“Basically, this dolls museum is divided in two parts. In the first part, we have dolls from different states of the country and in the second part; we have dolls from different countries of the world. We got these dolls from different embassies. The founder of this school made this museum in the fond memory of his sister,” said Avdhani, the owner of the museum.

Avdhani added that lack of interest among the travel guides and operators is a major reason for its low popularity.

The dolls represent the culture of these countries. (ANI)

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Meet Yoga ”nazi”: the meanest yoga teacher in Big Apple

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 3 (ANI): If you thought learning yoga was all about connecting with your inner calm, meet New York’s meanest yoga teacher Otto Cedeno, also popular as the yoga Nazi.

Owner of Bikram Yoga Union Square, Cedeno, 46, runs his class like a hard-nosed commander.

“My friends call me the yoga Nazi. I laugh,” the New York Post quoted Cedeno as saying.

Those, who happen to break one of his many rules, find themselves in yoga detention.

And his many pet peeves include—No water for about the first third of the 90-minute class; wash off all makeup (it leaves streaks on rented towels); no loose-hanging clothes; and hair must be pulled back.

Cedeno often singles out people in incorrect positions, to the extent that he bullies students lying on their backs in the purposefully restful Corpse Pose.

“As a beginner, I was scared that he would single me out for not trying,” said Park Slope resident Kim, 26.

The worst part for Erick Romero, 25, is Cedeño”s kickboxer mentality.

“He goes around and kicks people”s feet into alignment. He doesn”t say anything and just shoves his foot into your heel,” said Romero.

But Cedeno, who was a Broadway dancer before capitalizing on the popularity of yoga, says he”s not trying to be mean.

His practice appeals to “A-type personalities” who respond to a little abuse.

And towards people who raise a finger on whether he”s even teaching yoga at all, Cedeno is unrepentant.

“I”m not in the business of being nice,” he said. (ANI)

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Indian films banned again in Bangladesh

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Apr 27 (ANI): The Bangladesh government has decided once gain not to allow Indian movies to be released in cinema halls across Bangladesh .

Bangladeshi actors don’t want the ban to be lifted, as they claim that at least 25,000 jobs could be lost as a result.

Though there has been no official word from the government yet, the ban is unlikely to be lifted, the BBC quoted top Bangladeshi actor Razzak, as saying.

Cinema owners, however say the trend in Bangladesh is in favour of Bollywood fare. People watch pirated versions of Indian releases on DVDs and the popularity of domestic movies pales in comparison.

The ban was first introduced in 1972 in order to protect the local film industry. The decision to renege it was announced by the Commerce minister. It was taken to help cinema owners and boost occupancy. (ANI)

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‘Avatar’ becomes fastest-selling Blu-ray disc of all time

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 26 (ANI): Canadian film director James Cameron’s sci-fi epic ‘Avatar’ has maintained its popularity with sales of 6.7 million DVDs and Blu-ray discs in the first four days.

Twentieth Century Fox announced that the epic has sold 2.7 million Blu-rays and four million DVDs since April 22, and that the combined US sales brought in 130 million US dollars.

The studio said Avatar became the fastest-selling Blu-ray of all time, reports the Mirror.

No announcement was made regarding a 3-D DVD release, but a Fox spokesman said one can be expected in the future. (ANI)

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Wheel to stop turning

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Perth Observation Wheel will stop turning early next month after its operators and the City of Perth failed to reach a decision on its future.

The operators wanted to install concrete pilings to make the wheel a more permanent construction – with a five year minimum contract.

The City of Perth says it cannot commit to a longer contract because the Perth waterfront project will start development within months.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi denies the wheel is being closed because its popularity has been low.

“It’s a private business so we don’t have any evidence to show other than the fact we’ve had many emails from businesses in the location suggesting that because of the patronage to the wheel that their businesses have benefited greatly,” she said.

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Kashmiri girls take up taekwondo for self-defence

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Mar 30 (ANI): Women in the Kashmir region are learning martial arts for self-defence and also to stay physically fit.

At a training centre conducted by Syed Shujat in Srinagar, nearly 100 girls from different schools are actively learning taekwondo.

The taekwondo trainees feel that the martial art would help them build their stamina and enhance their abilities to defend themselves.

“It”s important because it helps us in our protection. It builds our stamina and in many other aspects. If we see, it has a bright future. Doing MBBS, engineering is not enough, sports also plays a vital role in our day-to-day life. Yes, I would say in Kashmir it”s very important. We just think what is the use of these games… but no! It is very important,” said Saima Qayoom, a taekwondo trainee.

Initially, most conservative Kashmiri families were reluctant to let their girls participate in a sporting activity on account of it appearing manly.

However, on realising the assets of this martial art, they relented and permitted their daughters to train in the art.

Syed Shujat, who imparts training in taekwondo, feels that the sport would gain more popularity if more girls would take to it.

“Girls of our state should learn taekwondo as it will help them in their future. Some girls come to us to get their taekwondo certificates, which will help them during admission in universities. But I want them to come without any such reasons and learn it so that the sport gains popularity,” said Shujat. (ANI)

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‘Doh!’ immortalises Homer among linguists

March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Doh! – the grunt of frustration used by Homer Simpson – has had more of an impact on the English language than any other expression from the TV animation, an international survey of translators says.

Other expressions made famous by the American animated comedy series since its launch two decades ago include “craptacular”, “eat my shorts” and the dismissive “meh”.

A description of the French as “cheese-eating surrender monkeys”, which gained popularity with US critics during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, is also among the phrases which have entered the global lexicon via the small screen.

The survey on words from The Simpsons which have impacted the English language is based on answers from 320 linguists working around the world for a London-based translation agency.

- AFP

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Brit teen offering tips to win computer games becomes internet sensation!

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 26 (ANI): A British teenager has turned into an Internet sensation after he uploaded videos of himself on YouTube, showing how to win computer games.

Russell Sollis, 18, has had more than a million hits on his films, which teach other gamers how to complete difficult computer games.

And he is such an expert at the games that people all over the world are now logging on to get his tips on gameplay.

His popularity has reached sky-high and last month his videos were the 35th most viewed on YouTube.

Sollis, a student, first fell in love with computer games when his dad bought him a Sega Saturn computer system for his seventh birthday.

But now, he receives thousands of fan emails asking for his advice after starting to post video ”walkthroughs” explaining complicated games onto YouTube.

“I”ve now achieved a million hits on all my videos. It”s taken me by storm how well it”s done because a lot of people do this stuff, I”ve just budged in,” the Telegraph quoted Sollis, who posts under the name Mr Bigruss.

“I only started off my YouTube account last September to upload college work. Then because I”ve always been into gaming, I spent 200 pounds on high-definition recording gear to record some game footage.

“I completed the 18-rated Dante”s Inferno game and made a walkthrough, which I uploaded on YouTube.

“A lot of people had got stuck because it”s quite a difficult game so they started watching it and that kicked off my channel.

“It has really taken off in the last two months,” he added. (ANI)

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T20 could sound death knell for Test cricket: MCC boss

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar.25 (ANI): The increasing popularity of the slam bang T20 cricket could ‘sound the death knell for Test cricket’, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) chief Keith Bradshaw has warned.

In his article for the April edition of the Wisden Cricket magazine, Bradshaw said the danger of Test cricket being rendered redundant looms large as many players have bid adieu to the longer version of the game to prolong their career in the latest and more lucrative edition.

“I consider myself optimistic, but it isn’t difficult to look ahead and see the pessimists’ apocalyptic version of the future of the game — where Tests are virtually redundant, Twenty20 saturates and players are globe-trotting mercenaries,” Bradshaw said.

“We know several players have already forgone playing Tests to prolong more lucrative Twenty20 careers,” he added.

Bradshaw said the Twenty20 cricket would leave future generations of cricketers ill-equipped to handle the pressure and demands of longer formats such as first-class and Test match cricket.

“I believe the more covert long-term problem will be that young players will be schooled purely in the Twenty20 game and be unable to adapt to the demands of cricket played over three, four and five days,” he said.

Bradshaw, however, expressed the hope that despite it threatening the conventional form of game, T20 cricket could prove beneficial for the expansion of cricket in countries which have until now been left untouched.

“Twenty20 could sound the death knell for Test cricket but it could also prove to be the perfect vehicle for the expansion of the game into other countries. The shorter the game, the greater the leveller, and Twenty20 is an excellent pathway into the elite fold,” he said. (ANI)

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Greens name Gilmore candidate

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Greens party has named Kiama’s deputy Mayor Ben Van der Wijngaart as its candidate for the seat of Gilmore in the upcoming federal election.

Mr Van der Wijngaart has gained preselection for the seat twice before, but this time it is expected to be a tight contest with the result possibly determined by Green preferences.

He says the Rudd Government is losing its popularity with the electorate and Green issues will feature strongly in the campaign.

“I think that many people who were very disappointed by the high expectation that they had of the Rudd Government, particularly on climate change issues … sea level rise is now becoming … a really crucial issue for a large number of people in coastal areas and they are starting to see it as a serious danger to their property,” he said.

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Thousands using CLEM7 tunnel every hour

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says despite some ‘teething’ problems with the newly opened CLEM7 tunnel, motorists have embraced it.

The tunnel, linking Brisbane’s south with the north, opened late Monday night.

Councillor Newman told council about 3,500 motorists are travelling through the tunnel every hour.

He says its popularity caused a minor blockage for authorities.

“There was a traffic jam right down right underneath the middle of the river,” he said.

“When they looked at that, it was basically to do with people being dazzled by all these signs and things and as they go down people hitting the flat spot under the river.

“It’s only our observation, it’s only anecdotal, people saying ‘gee whiz’.”

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Kate Moss does not like being famous

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 13 (ANI): Supermodel Kate Moss has said she does not like being famous.

The beauty complains popularity intrudes her privacy.

“I don’t like being famous. It encroaches on your life. A lot,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

She added: “In fact, I’ve no idea why people are so interested in me. It makes me a bit uncomfortable talking about it actually.”

Moss also admitted she becomes a different person during photoshoot.

She said: “I’m not myself any more. I act out the desires of the stylist and the photographer. It’s not a trance-like state, it’s more of a feeling.” (ANI)

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Belgians get 3D newspaper

March 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A Belgian media group has published Europe’s first 3D newspaper, complete with flip-out cardboard viewing glasses.

The text in the special edition newspaper remains the same, but all the photos and the advertisements in La Derniere Heure are given a three-dimensional effect.

Editor Hubert Leclercq said it took two months to prepare the copy, which had a higher than normal print run of 115,000.

Writing in the newspaper, he said the idea was to capitalise on the popularity of 3D cinema, television and video games, but he had no intention of further similar editions due to the high costs involved.

A French reviewer commenting on the paper said the effects were best enjoyed while holding the newspaper at a distance of 50 centimetres from the eye.

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Sean Penn wants his critics “to die of rectal cancer”

March 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, March 5 (ANI): Sean Penn has expressed his ire on critics, who have slammed his Haiti relief effort as a move to distract the world’s attention from his divorce, by saying he wants them to die of rectal cancer.

Earlier, the actor’s divorce with Robin Wright Penn had hit the headlines and critics had dubbed his Haiti effort as a mere gimmick to gain popularity.

In an interview to air on CBS” “Sunday Morning” this weekend, Penn told journalist Lara Logan that he has been so busy in Haiti he hasn”t had much time for his critics.

“Do I hope that those people die screaming of rectal cancer? Yeah,” the New York Daily News quoted Penn, as saying at an interview on CBS” “Sunday Morning”.

He added: “But I”m not going to spend a lot of energy on it.” (ANI)

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Miss Fresh Face of North East contest a major draw for youth

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Guwahati, Sep.18 (ANI): With the growing number of fashion conscious youngsters present in the northeast region of the country, the fashion and beauty industry is gaining popularity here.

This was recently noticed when Miss Fresh Face of North East 2009 contest was held in Guwahati and it received an enthusiastic response from people of the region.

Dabur Gulabari organized the Miss Fresh Face of North East 2009 for which a model hunt was conducted across colleges and institutes in the region to discover fresh new faces from the northeast.

The organisers of the contest received an overwhelming response with over 700 entries of which 150 girls were short-listed for the auditions.

After extensive screening and audition, 18 participants were selected for the Grand Finale.

It was a unique way of spreading awareness among the beauty conscious women of the North East and provides them a platform to enter the world of mainstream modelling.

“Northeast is full of talent. We don’t get into big celebrities. We take fresh faces from the common public and make them a celebrity. We want to associate with fresh talents and bring them to the national platform so that they can grow,” said Dyas Anand, the organizer.

“It is gradually increasing and I believe that it will go on increasing and the reputation will also keep on going up as good upcoming models are also there. I feel it is very good,” said Bidisha Baruah, the winner.

Bidisha Baruah, a resident of Guwahati, was awarded one-year modelling contract with Dabur Gulabari and a cash prize of rupees 50,000.

The first and second runner-up, Wanda Mary of Shillong and Nabanita Sarma of Guwahati also received cash prize of rupees 30,000 and rupees 20,000 respectively. By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)

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