World News & Events

The World's Tallest Dog, Great Dane, Stories and Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:32:00 +0000

Great Dane, owned by Diana Taylor of San Diago, is the tallest dog in the present world, as per Guinness World record. Owner Diana Taylor says Titan is blind, deaf, epileptic and undergoes acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments every three weeks. Taylor says Titan stands 42.25 inches from floor to shoulder, weighs 190 pounds. See the exciting picture of Great Dane below: [ Click on the picture to enlarge!]

Diana Taylor walks with her Great Dane, Titan, along Ocean Beach in San Diego.The Guinness Book of World Records officially proclaimed that 4-year-old Titan from San Diego is the world's tallest dog.

World's Shortest and Tallest Men Photos and Measurements

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:24:00 +0000

Welcome Back!! Here are the photos and other details of world's shortest man He Pingping of China and tallest man Sultan Kosen of Turkey. They set new Guinness World Record on their own birth based ability!

Click on the picture to enlarge.

He Pingping of China smiles as Sultan Kosen of Turkey rests his hands on He's shoulders during a promotional event. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), have been listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively.

He Pingping, 73 cm tall (2 feet 5 inch), of China looks up at Sultan Kosen, 246.5 cm tall (8 feet 1 inch), of Turkey.

Via: Boston Big picture

Oslo bomb blast. Spot pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:20:00 +0000

The Norvegian capital Oslo rocked by twin explotion, and many feared dead. Here are some of the live pictures form the incident, being spread through social media.

Blast near Norwegian Prime Minister's office in Oslo. Oslo blast: Most windows blown out of building housing PM's office.

Cricket World Cup 2011 India's Winning Celebrations..

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:29:00 +0000

MS Dhoni hit an unbeaten 91 as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in a scintillating first all-Asian final to deliver World Cup glory in Mumbai for the first time since 1983. Here are some of the never fading pictures to keep in your fond memories.

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE

India's Yousuf Patan, Youvaraj Singh, Piyoosh Chawla and MS Dhoni Celebrates the Winning Run

India's Co players Run to the ground to embrace batsmen who got the winning run

India's legendary player, Sachin Tendulkar pose a photo with the world cup in Mumbai

Indian Captain Mahendra Sing Dhoni with the trophy

India's Yousuf Patan carries Sachin Tendulkar in shoulders to celebrate the winning moment

India's Zaheer Khan rejoice with the world cup

India's Virat Kohli and Shrishant with the World cup

Indian Team recieves the world cup

Madrasa Students in Indian city of Ahmedabad wishing Indian team success with tri color flag

India's Goutham Gambir save himself from a run out in the final against Srilanka


Indian skipper, MS Dhoni hits the ball to six which is the winning hit for India, as Yuvraj starts his celebration.

Courtesy: All the pictures are copyrighted with their respective owners.

Tags:

Indian Team winning celebration pictures

India cricket worldcup final celebration

Indian team celebration

cricket world cup final pictures

Photos of Worldcup cricket India win

What is Operation Tomodachi ?

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:46:00 +0000

Operation Tomodachi is the name of rescue team sent by US to the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami devastated areas. It includes huge marine ships and helicopters which is currently heading to Japanese cost. The word Operation Tomodachi is trending in Twitter since most of the US people are search for details on this, as it is resembling the World War II events, including Perl Harbour and Hiroshima bombing.

But, hopefully this is not for any war, instead for rescue operation.

Moreover, the world Tomodachi in Japanese language means 'friendship'.

The initial movement will be from U.S. Marine stations in Okinawa to the impacted regions of Japan. Personnel dispatched will include initially the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Equipment being confirmed to news will include KC-130J cargo aircraft and CH-46E transport helicopters.

Tags:

Operation Tomodachi

Oparation Tamadachi

Tommodachi

tamadachi

What is operation tamadachi?

USA operation Japan

USA rescue Jappan

What is the exact death toll of Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami?

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:07:00 +0000

Many think that the death rate of Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami is comparatively very less because of the advanced lifestyle and preventive measures take by Japanese authority. Reason behind this notion is that, the earthquake occurred in the other parts of the world especially in Haiti, killed millions of people, but that earthquake was less in magnitude comparing to what occurred in Japan on 11th March.

But in fact, the death toll of the Japanese earthquake is terribly beyond the claims of Japanese authority. As per the official statements, the death toll is currently 1600, since they count only the dead bodies found!

According to the independent agencies, the estimated death toll will be around 70000, considering many villages and townships which are completely vanished in the Tsunami.

The lesser population and density in the regions where the Tsunami hit was one of the reason for less casualties. and it is not less to praise the preventive measures, especially the building construciton methodology adopted by Japan. The videos below shows a huge building shaking for several minutes, but it is not collapsing. If this building where elsewhere in the world especially third world countries, it would have collapsed in the first moment itself.

Tags:

Japan earthquake death toll

how many died in Jappan Tsunami?

Death toll in Jappanese /Japan / Jeppan Tsunami

Number of dead in Jappan Tsunami and Earthquake

What is the death toll of Japan Sunami?

Will SuperMoon on March 19 create more disaster on Earth?

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:07:00 +0000

We are few days away of the SuperMoon of this year, during SuperMoon the Moon will come very close to the earth. Adding the shocking earthquake and Tsunami happened in Japan increases fear among people on the influences of Supermoon on this incident.

There were SuperMoons in 1955, 1974, 1992 and 2005. These years had their share of extreme weather and other natural events.2004 Tsunami occurred two weeks earlier of 2005 supermoon. The moon will be in the nearest distance with the earth, The moon's high gravity can cause unpredictable behavior on earth.but there is no any strong scientific base for this claim, yet be cautious.. !

Tags:

Soopermoon calamity

Will supermoon create earthquake?

Supermoon and Earthquake

The moon near to earth disaster

Japan disaster and supermoon

Expect more Devastating Natural Calamities on March 19. Be cautious..! - supermoon

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:03:00 +0000

This 19^th March, floods or similar natural calamity is a probability according to many astrologers all around the world. Incidentally, on that day, the moon will be swinging around planet earth closely; in fact the distance will be the least in the last 18 years. The phenomenon has been given supermoon name and to be exact, the distance will be 356577 kilometers or 221567 miles.

However, scientists don’t agree with astrologers on the effect of supermoon. They agreed that such close presence of moon can have an effect on the earth’s gravitational force, but also said that chances are less of any kind of storms, volcanic reaction, earthquake or flood happening. Certain flows in the continents known as “Solid Earth tides” or “Land tides”, which are general results of moon’s gravity may only get a bit stronger.

Astrologers and scientists have different versions of their own on supermoon and its effects, something that’s pretty expected. Whatever, the effects will be, it can only be prayed that it causes no detrimental effect on the lives of common human beings.

What is Super Moon?

The super moon 2011 will mean that it will be brighter and larger in the sky than other full moons, but some believe that the super moon is connected to natural disasters.

For many experts, that is a false association, and they say that any kind of cycle connected to natural disasters is just a coincidence, and the moon has no effect on any flood or earthquake going on on the earth.

Past super moons have been connected to the Indonesian earthquake in 2005, and a massive flood in Australia in 1954.

Tags:

Soopermoon

Supper Moon

Supermoon earthquake

Supermoon March 19 Earthquake

Supermoon March 19 calamities

Breaking News: Jappan /Jepan/Japan Tsunami, 55 countries under threat

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:10:00 +0000

The massive earthquake and Tsunami originated in Japan is going to be more devastating in other countries also. A map released by Al-Jaseera says it is going to reach western coasts of USA and Canada after 15 hours.

As of now 55 nations are given tsunami alret, amonth them 15 countries are high in alert:

Japan

Papua new Gunea

Philipines

Indonasia

USA

are among countries with high alert.

its also reported that this Tsunami is going to wipe out many islands in pacific ocean.

Tags:

Tsunami hit map

Tsunami reach map

when Tsunami reach USA map

Tsunami Philipines Map

Tsunami reach Papua map

Japanese tsunami map.

Shocking video collections of Japanese (Jappan / Jeppan) massive earthquake and Tsunami

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:40:00 +0000

Japan and surrouding countries hit by massive earthquake and tsunami this afternoon, and here are the live videos of the massive and disturbing view of the calamity.

Tags:

Jappan Tsunami Videos

Jappan Sunami videos

Japan Eathquake tsunami videos

shocking videos of Japan eathquake

Shocking pictures of Japanese Earthquake Tsunami 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:34:00 +0000

A high magnitude earthquake hit Japanese coast, and it effect 15 other nearby nations with devastating Tsunami, feared to be deadlier than 2004 tsunami.

We are keep on posting live pictures around the world to show the depth of the calamity.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Please share this page so that the world community will be aware of the devastation of the calamity, and may take proper precautions to avoid destruction.

Tags:

Deadliest Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Shcoking pictures of Japan Tsunami

Shocking Sunami Pictures

Japan Tsunami Pictures

Tsunami Russia Pictures

Tsunami Australia pictures

Tsunami Philipnies pictures

Tsunami Jappan Pictures

Sunami alert to 20 nations after devastating earthquake in Japanese coast

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:17:00 +0000

A massive earthquake and aftershocks hit Japan caused devastating Tsunami in the Japanese coast, and hight alert is sent to 20 nearby nations.

Powerful Tsunamis expected in Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and the United States.

This is the worst earthquake and Tsunami hit the world since 3000 years, so feared to be most devastating than 2004 Tsunami.

25 death is now confirmed in Japan, and feared more casualties.

Japan's all nuclear plants and ports have been shut down.

Tags:

Japan Earthquake Tsunami

Sunami Japan Earthquake

Sunami Russia

Sunami Philipines

Latest sunami news

Latest Tsunami News Japan

Six dead in shooting that wounds Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 05:12:00 +0000

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and 18 others were shot in suburban Pima County, Ariz., on Saturday when a gunman opened fire outside a supermarket where Giffords was conducting a public event.

A 22-year-old suspect was in custody, law-enforcement officials said. But investigators at a Saturday night news conference said they were looking for a possible accomplice.

Six of the victims were killed, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said. Among them were John Roll, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and a 9-year-old girl.

Giffords, 40, who authorities said was the target of the gunman, was described as being in very critical condition late Saturday at University Medical Center in Tucson, where she underwent surgery. Dr. Peter Rhee, medical director of the hospital's trauma and critical-care unit, said she had been shot once in the head, "through and through," with the bullet going through her brain.

"I can tell you at this time, I am very optimistic about her recovery," he said at a news conference.

President Obama said FBI Director Robert Mueller had been asked to travel to Arizona to oversee the investigation.

Young man in custody

Investigators identified the gunman as Jared Lee Loughner.

Authorities were seen entering the house of someone by that name about 5 miles from the shootings. Potential political motives were raised, although officials did not speculate about what may have provoked the attack.

Mark Kimble, an aide to Giffords, said the shooting occurred about 10 a.m. in a small area between an American flag and an Arizona flag. He said he went into the store for coffee, and as he came out the gunman was walking up and started firing.

"Everyone hit the ground," Kimble said. "It was so shocking. I still can't believe this happened."

The Washington Post, citing federal law-enforcement sources, reported that the gunman used a Glock 19, a semiautomatic pistol, found with a fully loaded magazine that held about 30 bullets. He had another magazine that held about 30 bullets and two others with about 15 bullets. He also was carrying a knife.

Unseen photos of music mastreo A R Rahman.

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:45:00 +0000

A R Rahman is an Indian Musician who won double Academy award last year. This is a old ( date unknown) photograph of A R Rahman!

After posting this photo we received good response from people and they also shared few more pictures. These photos will also be good for your collection.

A R Rahman at the age of 7

Another picture of A R Rahman at 7 years old

A R Rahman receiving an Award from then Indian president in 1999

A R Rahman with his mother

A R Rahman with his mother and sister

A R Rahman with his mother

Receiving an award

Keywords:

A R Rahman old photos

A R Rahman childhood photos

A R Rahman photo album

A R Rehman

AR Rahmaan

A R Rahman Music Photos

An Essay about environmental pollution

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:26:00 +0000

My opinion about environment is including living and non living things such as human, animal, forest, river, ocean, air even a bacteria. Environment includes all elements, factors and conditions that have some impact on growth and development of certain organism. Environment includes both biotic and abiotic factors that have influence on observed organism. Abiotic factors such as light, temperature, water and atmospheric gases combine with biotic factors. Environment often changes after some time and therefore many organisms have ability to adapt to these changes. Other definition towards environment is complete ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention.

Environmentalism is very important political and social movement with goal to protect nature environment by emphasizing importance of nature role in protection of the environment in combination with various actions and policies oriented to nature preservation. Environmentalism is movement connected with environmental scientists and many of their goals. For me, nowadays there are lot of pollution occurred by human’s hand such as pollution of air which released by vehicle and factory, our air contain many poisoning gases such as carbon monoxide. Water pollution occurred when human’s discarded or dispose their disposal waste or rubbish into river or ocean. Due of that, aquatic living things has trouble to continue their life. As a human being, all of us have responsibility to protect our earth from disaster and save our future generation from be suffered.

Barack Obama, then and now!

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Barack Obama, arguably, as the president of the USA, is the most powerful person in the current world. But his life and the way he traveled to the heights is an inspirational story for many. Here we present two different pictures of Obama, which depicts the journey of an impoverished young guy to the most powerful person of the current world.


Barack Obama with his relative infront of their house in Kenya, Africa. A 1987 picture.

Barack Obama, now as the president of the United States.

Bugatti Veyron Pictures, most expensive car now in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Here is the story of worlds current most expensive car! A Bugatti veyron cost five million pound is owned by a Dubai shaikh, which is exhibited for public in a Dubai mall.

Here is the Spec:

Bugatti Veyron in dubai...
This is an awesome machine...
V16 engine... 1000bhp... with 9 radiators...
Top speed 405km/hr...
No one can beat this car in a drag race...
Probably.... the most expensive car with the most expensive number plate!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

WikiLeaks domain Dot Org Unavailable, and Now available on Dot Ch

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:46:00 +0000

Washington: WikiLeaks' American domain name system provider withdrew service to the wikileaks.org name after the secret-spilling website once again became the target of hacker attacks.

EveryDNS said in a statement that it dropped the website late Thursday because the attacks threatened the rest of its network. WikiLeaks responded by moving to a Swiss domain name, wikileaks.ch.

EveryDNS said in a statement that "Wikileaks.org has become the target of multiple distributed denial of service attacks. These attacks have, and future attacks would, threaten the stability of the EveryDNS.net infrastructure." EveryDNS provides access to some 500,000 websites.

In a tweet on Friday, the owner of EveryDNS, Dynamic Network Services Inc., wrote that "trust is paramount: Our users and customers are our most important asset." It did not specify whether it was referring to WikiLeaks, however.

WikiLeaks confirmed the drop in a separate tweet, saying "WikiLeaks.org domain killed by US everydns.net after claimed mass attacks." It was not clear where the alleged attacks were coming from.

Earlier this week, WikiLeaks' Swedish server host, Bahnhof, confirmed that the website had been hit by a cyber attack just before it leaked thousands of classified U.S. diplomatic cables.

In addition to the latest batch of sensitive documents, WikiLeaks has angered the U.S. and other governments by publishing almost half a million secret documents about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is not clear how WikiLeaks obtained the diplomatic documents, but the U.S. government's prime suspect is an Army private, Bradley Manning, who is in custody on charges of leaking other classified documents to WikiLeaks.

On Wednesday, Amazon.com Inc. - who had provided WikiLeaks with use of its servers to distribute embarrassing State Department communications and other documents - evicted it. The site remains on the servers of its Swedish provider.

The ouster from Amazon came after congressional staff questioned the company about its relationship with WikiLeaks. Sen. Joe Lieberman praised Amazon's action and said it should "set the standard" for companies WikiLeaks is using to distribute "illegally seized material"

The founder of WikiLeaks, 39-year old Australian Julian Assange, has been out of public sight for nearly a month.

Sweden has issued an Europe-wide arrest warrant for him over allegations of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. The exact nature of the allegations are still unclear. Assange's Swedish and British lawyers claim their client has attempted to assist in the questioning but that his offers have so far been turned down. According to his lawyers, he has also yet to receive formal notice of the allegations.

Source: GulfNews

Breaking News: 2018 FIFA Worldcup is in Russia, Qatar to host 2022 event

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Russia won the bid for the host nation for 2018 FIFA football world cup. Russia defeated England, Belgium-Netherlands, Spain-Portugal in the bid which is hosted in Zurich.

There were rumors that England is out of the bid, before Sep Blatter announced the result.

Crushing disappointment for the England bid team. Football is not coming home, just yet anyway. In Zurich, the Russian delegates are on the stage at the Messe Zurich, quite appropriately clutching the World Cup trophy.

Sepblatter later announced that Qatar won the bid for 2022 FIFA Worldcup.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in Russia. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar The bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, the 21st and 22nd editions of the World Cup, concluded on December 2, 2011. The bidding procedure to host both World Cups began in January 2009, and national associations had until 2 February 2009 to register their interest. The twenty-two member FIFA Executive Committee will vote to select the two hosts on 2 December 2010. Candidates have applied for either or both of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, but the 2022 hosts will not be chosen from the same continent as the 2018 hosts.

Whereabouts of WikiLeaks founder Julian Asange.

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:10:00 +0000

The WikiLeaks website and its founder Julien Asenge has become a nightmare for USA and its allies. But still there is no clue about his current location. And moreover, the validity of the arrest warrant for Julian Assange is under dispute.

There was confusion surrounding the legal status of Julian Assange last night after a dispute between his lawyer and Swedish authorities over the validity of an arrest warrant.

The WikiLeaks founder was accused of rape during a trip to Sweden but he has vehemently denied allegations made by two women. Mark Stephens, his London-based lawyer, has called the allegations "false and without basis", and has said they amounted to a smear campaign following recent high-profile political leaks by Assange's organisation. Assange is currently believed to be in the UK.

While the Serious Organised Crime Agency, which is handling the case, said on Tuesday that it had flagged up an Interpol 'red notice' to all UK police forces about the whereabouts of Assange and would arrest him if they discovered his precise location, other reports have suggested that police and security services know where Assange is based as he supplied contact details on arrival in Britain in October and have not arrested him or initiated extradition proceedings because Swedish authorities issued an incorrect European arrest warrant.

"The arrest warrant has been issued in circumstances where Assange has an outstanding appeal in Sweden," Stephens said in the Times, while a police source was quoted as saying Assange's warrant was "not a properly certified warrant so we can't act on it."

Stephens argued that although Assange was originally wanted on a charge of rape, this had been thrown out after a partially successful appeal and which meant that Swedish law did not allow for another arrest warrant for current allegations.

He said British police had probably not taken any action against Assange because the warrant was issued incorrectly rather than because they didn't know where he was.

"The sole ground for the warrant is the prosecutor's blatantly false allegation that he is on the run from justice: he left Sweden lawfully and has offered himself for questioning. An appeal against this decision was filed on Monday and is pending," Stephens said.

There was earlier confusion in August when Swedish authorities withdrew an arrest warrant for Assange stating that the accusation of rape against him was unfounded, before reopening the case.

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Where is Julien Asange?, Julean Asange, Wiki Leaks founder Assange, WikiLeaks founder arrest

Best Pictures of Hajj and Eidul Ad'ha 2010 from Mecca, Saudi Arabia

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:36:00 +0000

Millions of Muslim men and women gathered in Mecca and surrounding locations as part of Annual Hajj Pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, that an able man or women should do during his life time. Here are some of the awe inspiring pictures we collected from the internet, representing the devotional occasions at the holiest sites of world Muslims. Boston Globe. Special courtesy to

Click on the images to enlarge

Hundreds of tents awaiting the pilgrims at Mina

Pilgrims are moving towards to the Arafa ground for annual gathering

Pilgrims are performing their collective prayer at the Arafath ground

Pilgrims at prayer around the mosque of Namira

Muslim men and women with their children on top of Arafa hills during their pilgrimage

A Muslim pilgrim tries to climb atop of a mountain in Arafa ground

A view of clock tower adjacent to the Grand mosque at Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Thousands of devotees gathered at the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims perform their prayer at the Arafa ground

Pilgrims circling the Ka'ba, believed to be the first worshiping place for Muslims build by Prophet Abraham, at Mecca, Saudi Arabia

tags: Mecca 2010, Makkah 2010, Makka 2010, Mekkah 2010, Haj, Hajj 2010, Eidul Adha, Eidul Azha, idul zuha, Arafa ground, Mina, Jeddah, Ka'ba, Kahba, Kayabah, Masjidul Haram

My Name Is Khan is getting ready to release in China.

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:39:00 +0000

The King Khan Shah Rukh and Kajol starred super hit Bollywood movie, My Name Is Khan, aka MNIK, is set to release China, to delight the Chinese fans of Bollywood films. The premier of MNIK in China is on November 30th.

Probably this may be the first Indian film to release in China. The Chinese government allows to release only 20 foreign films in a year.

Gemballa GT 550, a car that you are admired at!

noreply@blogger.com (Anas) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:41:00 +0000

This is Gemballa GT 550, the finest and most eye catchy luxury car in the present world. See these admiring pictures, will tell you the story of this elegant king of the road!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE!

Key words : Luxury cars, Gamballa GT 550 pictures, Gambella GT 550, Ferrary car pictures, Porche car pictures, Gemballa, Gembella

Oscar 2009, Hurt Locker Sweeps Oscar Awards

noreply@blogger.com (RahMod) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:50:00 +0000

The Iraq War drama The Hurt Locker has bagged the Best Picture and five other prizes at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, its haul including best director for Kathryn Bigelow.
Bigelow is the first woman in the 82-year history of the Oscars to earn Hollywood's top prize for filmmakers.

Iraq war movie "The Hurt Locker," took the Oscars by storm on Sunday winning six of the major film honours, including best movie and director for Kathryn Bigelow who became the first woman to win that honour.

The drama about a squad of bomb defusing specialists and the emotional toll war takes on them also secured writer Mark Boal the Academy Award for best original screenplay, and claimed honours for film editing, sound editing and mixing.

"Hurt Locker" and Bigelow won Oscars over stiff competition from her ex-husband James Cameron, whose sci-fi adventure "Avatar" is the top-grossing movie ever with USD 2.5 billion at box offices and was seen as a favourite for best movie.

"This really is, there's no other way to describe it, it's the moment of a lifetime," Bigelow said.

"Avatar" earned 3 Oscars, but in technical categories -- visual effects, cinematography and art direction.

Veteran Jeff Bridges claimed best actor playing a drunken country singer in drama "Crazy Heart." The son of Hollywood star Lloyd Bridges, held his trophy high over his head, looking to the heavens and thanking his deceased parents.

"Mom and Dad, yeah," he shouted. "Thank you Mom and Dad for turning me on to such a groovy profession."

Sandra Bullock was named best actress for "The Blind Side" in a first for the actress once dubbed "America's Sweetheart" because she won so many early fans in her romantic comedies.

But for "The Blind Side," she took the part of a real-life, strong-willed mother who helps take a homeless youth off the street and makes him into a football success.

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?" she joked on Oscar's stage.

Dark drama "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" earned two Oscars including supporting actress for Mo'Nique and adapted screenplay for writer Geoffrey Fletcher, who became the first African American to claim that honour.

Christoph Waltzwon best supporting actor for his turn as a menacing Nazi officer in revenge fantasy "Inglourious Basterds," which follows a band of American Jews killing their enemies behind lines during World War Two.

"Up" was named best animated movie, and Argentina's "The Secret in Their Eyes" won best foreign language film.

Tags: Hart Locker, Hurt loker, Awatar, Avatar, Avathar, Hurt Lock

Turkey Earth Quake; Death Toll growing; Eastern Thurkey hit by earth quake

noreply@blogger.com (RahMod) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:45:00 +0000

ANKARA, Turkey — A strong earthquake that hit eastern Turkey and death toll is growing, officially it is reached 57.

A mayor says 57 people have died in the quake that struck six villages in Elazig province.

The quake struck Elazig at 4:32 a.m. (0232 GMT) and was centered near the village of Basyurt. It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.5.

The quake was felt in the neighboring provinces of Tunceli, Bingol and Diyarbakir, where residents fled to the streets in panic and spent the night outdoors.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A strong earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6, hit eastern Turkey on Monday, killing at least 41 people and knocking down houses in at least six small villages, the government said.

The quake affected villages near the town of Kovancilar, toppling stone or mud-brick homes and minarets of mosques, officials and media reports said. The worst-hit area was the village of Okcular where some 17 people were reported killed and homes crumbled into piles of dirt.

The government's crisis center said around 100 people were also injured in the quake, which occurred at 4:32 a.m. (0232 GMT, 9 p.m. EST Sunday) in Elazig province, about 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of Ankara, the capital.

It caught many people in their sleep. It was centered near the village of Basyurt, and was followed by more than 30 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.5, the Kandilli seismology center said.

Emergency workers were trying to rescue four people from debris, Gov. Muammer Erol said. CNN-Turk television said the dead included four young sisters trapped in the rubble.

"Everything has been knocked down, there is not a stone in place," said Yadin Apaydin, administrator for the village of Yukari Kanatli, where he said at least three villagers died.

Authorities blocked access to Okcular village, to facilitate the entry and exit of ambulances and rescue teams on the village's narrow roads. Relatives rushed to the village for news of their loved ones.

"The village is totally flattened," Okcular's administrator Hasan Demirdag told private NTV television.

The quake was felt in the neighboring provinces of Tunceli, Bingol and Diyarbakir where residents fled to the streets in panic and spent the night outdoors.

Some of the injuries occurred during the panic, when people jumped from windows or balconies. Dogan news agency footage showed people bringing in the injured to hospitals by cars and taxis.

Kandilli Observatory's director, Mustafa Erdik, urged residents not to enter damaged homes, warning that they could topple from the aftershocks, which could last for days.

Television footage showed rescue workers and soldiers at Okcular lifting debris as villagers looked on. Rescuers could be seen digging into dirt and then removing an elderly man. The man had died and his body was quickly covered with a sheet.

Two women sat on mattresses wrapped in blankets. Turkey's Red Crescent organization began setting up tents in the region.

Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey, much of which lies on top of the North Anatolian fault. In 1999, two powerful earthquakes struck northwestern Turkey, killing about 18,000 people.

In 2007, an earthquake measuring 5.7 damaged buildings in Elazig, briefly trapping a woman under debris. In 2003, an earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude collapsed a school dormitory in the neighboring province of Bingol province, killing 83 children. The collapse was blamed on poor construction.

Tag: Thurky, Thurkey, Turky, Turkey, Angara, Earth Quake