England dominate draw at Gabba

Shell-shocked Australia must find a way to regroup ahead of Friday's second Ashes Test in Adelaide after their bowlers were embarrassed in the drawn first Test.

The merciless England had declared after lunch on Monday at 1-517 from 152 overs at the Gabba, their highest second-innings total in a Test match in Australia.

Set 297 to win from 41 overs, Australia eased their way to 1-107 from 26 overs before both captains agreed to end the match 15 overs early on a flat batting wicket.

 

Ricky Ponting was unbeaten on 51 with Shane Watson on 41 after Simon Katich was out for four.
England opener Alastair Cook had finished unbeaten on 235, his highest Test score, and Jonathan Trott hit 135 not out.

The Cook-Trott stand of 329 is the best partnership for England for any wicket in Australia, beating the 323 by Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes at the MCG in 1911-12.

Australia left-armer Mitchell Johnson's Test spot will come under review after his figures of 0-170, with Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris contenders to take the strike bowler's place.

It was Johnson's first wicket-less Test in the 39-match career of the 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year.
In his past five Tests, Johnson has taken 11 wickets at the inflated average of 58.90.
As both teams head to Adelaide on Tuesday, Australia are under pressure to find a winning formula and achieve victory in the five-match series to regain the urn.

Cook becomes only the fourth England batsman to score a double hundred in a Test in Australia.
Vice-captain Cook hit 27 fours and batted for 10-and-a-half hours, proving a point after coming to Australia with a Test average under 30 in 10 previous Ashes contests.

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Strauss and Cook reignite contest

England 260 and 1 for 309 (Cook 132*, Strauss 110, Trott 54*) lead Australia 481 by 88 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

If Australia needed any convincing about England's resilience they were given a day-long example as Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook hit magnificent centuries to give the visitors a golden chance to save the opening Test in Brisbane. The openers added 188 and when Strauss departed for 110, the challenge was taken up by Jonathan Trott, who helped Cook put on a further 121 for the second wicket. Cook ended unbeaten on 132 and England held a lead of 88 when bad light closed in. 

While few expected England to fold in a heap - they rarely do these days - even fewer would have expected a stumps score of 1 for 309. However, inspired by their captain the tourists set about showing they'd learnt the lessons from their poor first innings and gave Australia a day of toil in the field to match what England had suffered on Saturday. There is still time for the home side to force something on the final day, but nothing in their bowling in this innings has suggested they have the firepower to succeed.

Strauss's 19th Test hundred, and fourth against Australia, arrived from 184 balls when he late cut Xavier Doherty and his aggression against spin was a key part of the innings. He knew England couldn't block their way to safety, and often used his feet to advance and loft down the ground. Strauss's century celebration was unusually emotional; it hadn't been the easiest start to the series after his first-morning failure and this was another example of England's spirit. The stage was set for him to make it a massive hundred, following Hussey's lead, but he was beaten in flight by Marcus North and couldn't regain his ground, stumped by Brad Haddin.

  

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Virat Kohli inspires India to victory over New Zealand

Virat Kohli struck his third limited overs century as India secured a 40-run victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international in Guhawati.

Kohli scored 105 in 104 balls, ably assisted by Yuvraj Singh (42), as India were dismissed for 276, with Andy McKay taking 4-62 for the tourists.
New Zealand's innings began slowly but Ross Taylor injected impetus with 66.
But his team-mates could not provide sufficient support as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
India's victory margin would have been wider had Nathan McCullum (35) and Kyle Mills (32) not staged an ninth-wicket rally.
Mills joined McCullum at the wicket with the score at 169-8 as the pair mounted an entertaining 71-run ninth-wicket stand before both men were dismissed in successive deliveries in the 46th over as India wrapped up victory.
The hosts, led by stand-in skipper Gautam Gambhir, gave wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, in for the rested Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his one-day debut, as they were put into bat by New Zealand, temporarily captained by Taylor.
Gambhir (38) and Murali Vijay (29) wasted good starts but Kohli, batting at three, took control of the middle orders to notch his second successive one-day century following on from his 118 against Australia at Visakhapatnam last month.
"It feels good. I had a kind of a lean patch in Sri Lanka recently, the team-mates and coach backed me. I would like to thank them," said the 22-year-old.
"I try to probably stop myself if I feel like playing a big shot and enjoy the singles."

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Biggest Asian Games ever close with a bang in Guangzhou

The skies lit up with dazzling fireworks as an emotional China brought the curtains down on the biggest Asian Games in a riot of colour, foot-tapping music and a cultural extravaganza at the Haixinsha Island on the Pearl River here on Saturday.

If the opening ceremony held at the same riverside venue on November 12th was high on technical wizardry, the closing was a heart-touching display of warmth by the people of this South China city whose infrastructure has improved tremendously as a result of hosting the Games which saw India record their best-ever medal haul till date.

India finished sixth on the medal rostrum with a record 14 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze for an overall tally of 64, eclipsing their earlier record of 57 medals in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi.

The closing ceremony was also used by the Games hosts to present cultural segments representing the different regions of the continent, including South Asia in which Indian singers Ravi Tripathi and Tanya Gupta enthralled the capacity crowd.

Hosts China were unstoppable in their relentless march to titles and at the end of the Games had an incredible harvest of 199 gold in an overall haul of over 400 medals, proving once again that they are in the top-most echelons of world sports.


Korea finished way behind in second place while Japan were third that underlined the fact that the Asian Games, the second largest sports event after the Olympic Games, are still being overwhelmingly dominated by the far eastern nations of the continent.

The prelude to the official part of the ceremony was punctuated by dance of Qiling (a legendary animal symbolizing good luck) to celebrate the success of the Games that was followed by an exhibition of acrobatics and dance.

Performers staged "Dragon drunk on the Pearl River", "Painting of Toy figuring in Emotion" and "Wind of the Yao

Ethnic Group" dances while flashbacks of the Asian Games actions were shown on sail-shaped screens before the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Olympic Council of Asia Chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah entered the arena to the strains of the Chinese Military Band.

With nine plumes of red smoke rising up from the Guangzhou Tower, an athlete jumped out of the screen while the eight sail-shaped screens showed some memorable moments of the Games competitions.


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Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/new/Ndtv-Show-Special-Story-Sports.aspx?ID=581&StoryID=SPOEN20100161433&pfrom=Sports&cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/new/Ndtv-Show-Special-Story-Sports.aspx?ID=581&StoryID=SPOEN20100161433&pfrom=Sports&cp

India record its best-ever medal haul in Asian Games

Guangzhou:  India created history by recording their best-ever performance in Asian Games with 64 medals, including a record 14 gold, with star boxer Vijender Singh providing the icing on the cake by bringing the last yellow metal on the penultimate day on Friday.

The men's and women's kabaddi teams expectedly maintained their supremacy by clinching the gold before the women's 4x400m quartet and Vijender (75kg) bagged a yellow metal each on the most productive day for India in the mega-event.

With the addition of 11 more medals today, India's tally climbed to a record 14 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze (total 64), the biggest ever haul in the Asian Games so far, to jump to the sixth place.

India's best medal haul till date was recorded in the 1982 Games in Delhi when they had won 13 gold, 19 silver and 25 bronze for an overall tally of 57. India had finished 10 in the last edition of the Games in Doha with a tally of 10-17-26.

India have now completed their engagements in the Games and their final standing will depend after the completion of the six events -- men's and women's marathon, men's and women's doubles sepaktakraw finals and women's volleyball final -- tomorrow.

China leads the medal table with 197 gold, 117 silver and 98 bronze (total 412), followed by South Korea (74-63-91) and Japan (47-73-94) at second and third respectively.

While the kabaddi teams did not sweat much to keep their reputation intact in rather lopsided finals, Vijender made amends for his bronze-finish in Commonwealth Games with a gold here while compatriots Santosh Kumar (64) and Manpreet Singh (91kg) settled for a silver each.

The women's 4x400m relay team also lived up to the expectations as they defended the gold they won in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

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Asian Games: India beat Thailand to win women's kabaddi gold

NEW DELHI: The Indian women fashioned a comprehensive 28-14 victory over Thailand in the finals to win the 11th gold for India on the 14th day of the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The Indian women dominated the match from the very beginning, leading by 17-7 at half-time.

The second half had also the same result with the Indian women pinning the Thailand players on the ground. 

 

In the semifinals, Indian women overcame Iran by a close margin of 23-22. The match got into an interesting mode when it was tied 22-22 in the closing time there by drifting it to extra-time.

Indian men team, on the other hand, had convincingly won over Japan on Thursday in the semi-finals to enter finals. India did not let Japan score much in the game with the final score as 52-17.

If the men team wins gold against Iran in the finals scheduled later in the day, it will be their sixth one, a record in its own.

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The Ashes 2010: Peter Siddle hat-trick rips out England's middle order

Peter Siddle claimed the ninth hat-trick in Ashes history as England were dismissed for 260 at The Gabba today.

Siddle, who was playing his first Test since January after recovering from a stress fracture in his back, changed the complexion of the opening day of the first Test as he ripped out Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad in successive balls shortly before the drinks break in the final session.

Six wickets for 54 runs, his best return in Test cricket, was quite a statement by a bustling fast bowler who was a controversial selection for The Gabba. He was chosen ahead of Doug Bollinger, who is in the top 10 in the Test rankings, but whose ambitions to play in his first Ashes Test went unanswered because of lack of match fitness.

Australia's selectors, under fire for the past year, will briefly have an air of wisdom about them after Siddle took the first Ashes hat-trick since Darren Gough achieved the feat for England in Sydney 11 years ago. No Australian had managed it since Shane Warne in 1994.

And Siddle, who was celebrating his 26th birthday, was delighted at Australia's strong start. "It's obviously good to wake up to your birthday in the morning and obviously to have that happen has been amazing, and hopefully the start of a good Ashes for us," he said. "The plan was pretty similar all day, to pitch it up, make them play, be patient and consistent with those lines.

"I got Cook and Prior with two balls like that and I think the third was a bit of adrenaline from the crowd, I bowled it fast. It didn't really come off as the ball I wanted but I got him so there's nothing more I could ask for."

Siddle was a touch concerned his hat-trick could have been spoiled when Broad referred his hat-trick wicket upstairs. "A little bit," he admitted. "I knew it was most likely in line so I was happy with it."
Siddle will never host his own chat show like Warne, or win Celebrity Come Dancing like Gough, but at least they will now be singing the praises far beyond his native Victoria of the man that the Australian tabloids like to call "Sid Vicious."

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India well on course for sixth Asiad kabaddi gold

GUANGZHOU: Five-time gold medallists and title favourites India stormed into the final of men's kabaddi competitions in the Asian Games with a comfortable victory over Japan on Thursday.

India, who have clinched the gold in every edition of the quadrennial event since the game's introduction in 1990, thrashed Japan 52-17 in a lop-sided semifinal at the Nansha Gymnasium.

 

India proved too strong for the hapless Japanese as they dominated the proceedings from the start and raced to a 26-5 lead in the first half.

Even though Japan raised their level of play after the change of ends by pocketing 12 points, it was not enough to down the Indians who comprehensively sealed the match by scoring 26 more points.

India will now take on Iran in the gold medal clash on Friday.

Iran had earlier defeated Pakistan 17-16 in a pulsating first semifinal in the men's event.

Later in the day, India will take on Iran in the semifinals of the women's event.

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India win bronze in men's hockey

Guangzhou: Tushar Khandker fired in a field goal as India defeated holders South Korea by a solitary goal to win the bronze medal in the men's hockey competition of the Asian Games, here on Thursday.

Tushar scored the winner, the only goal of the match, in the 39th minute, after the first half ended in a stalemate.

By virtue of this bronze, India ended their eight year-long medal drought in the quadrennial event after having finished on the podium (silver) in the 2002 Busan Games.

India's win also ended double defending champions South Korea's honeymoon in Asian Games hockey. This is the first instance since the 1986 Seoul Games that they finished without a medal.

Stung by the shocking 3-4 defeat against Malaysia in the semifinals on Tuesday, the Indians came out all charged up and dominated their fancied rivals for a major part of the match.

Even though India made numerous inroads into the Korean circle, goals eluded them as both the team went into the breather without any success.

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நண்பன் சொன்ன ஒரு வார்த்தை

 அம்மா சொன்ன ஒரு வார்த்தை: ஊருசுத்தி

அப்பா சொன்ன  ஒரு  வார்த்தை: தண்டசோறு

டீச்சர் சொன்ன  ஒரு  வார்த்தை: மக்கு

சொசைடி சொன்ன  ஒரு  வார்த்தை: உருபுடாதவன்


நண்பன் சொன்ன ஒரு வார்த்தை : நண்பேண்ட நண்பேண்ட.....!!!!!!

Somdev enters history books with first singles gold at Asiad

Somdev Devvarman today created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the men's singles tennis event of the Asian Games after outplaying top seed and world number 44 Denis Istomin 6-1 6-2 in the lop-sided summit clash here. With this win, Somdev won his second gold from the
tennis competition, and seventh for India, having already captured yellow metal in the men's doubles with Sanam Singh.

No Indian player had played in the gold-medal match in the men's singles before Somdev, world number 106, and the country had three bronze medals to show so far at the Games.
Leander Paes (Hiroshima in 1994), Mahesh Bhupathi (Bangkok in 1998) and Prahlad Srinath (Bangkok in 1998) had won those three bronze medal in men's singles. In total, Somdev won three medals at this edition of the Games as he had earlier won a bronze in team event as well.

India rounded off its tennis campaign with five medals, two more than what the country had got at the Doha Asian Games in 2006. At Doha, Leander Paes had won two gold medals -- in men's doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi and in mixed doubles with Sania Mirza.

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India crush New Zealand to win Test series

India finally underlined their status as the world's top ranked Test nation when they crushed New Zealand by a huge margin of an innings and 198 runs to win the three-match series, on day four of the third and final Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur on Tuesday.

New Zealand were bowled out for 175 in 51.2 overs in their second innings to lose with nearly five sessions left in the match.

This is India's third largest victory margin in terms of an innings victory, after the innings and 239 runs victory against Bangladesh in May 2007 and the innings and 219 runs win over Australia in March 1998.

Ishant Sharma claimed two wickets in a row to finish off things in style when he bowled Tim Southee (31) and Chris Martin to wrap up a comprehensive victory for the hosts. The Indian spinners also made most of the conditions with Harbhajan Singh taking three for 56 in 19 overs, Pragyan Ojha claiming two for 67 and Suresh Raina taking two quick wickets (2 for 1).

India had declared their first innings on a mammoth 566 for eight after New Zealand were bundled out for 193, to take a huge first innings lead of 373 runs.

Harbhajan SinghRahul Dravid played a patient knock of 191 to set up India's huge score, while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (98) fell agonizingly short of his hundred put Indian in complete control of the series decider.

Dravid's marathon knock stretched 573 minutes as he hit 21 boundaries in 396 balls, before he holed out at long-on off part-time spinner Kane Williamson. Dhoni and Dravid played a huge role in stretching India's lead as the duo added 193 runs in 54.3 overs for the sixth wicket. Dhoni, who was struggling with cramps, was caught and bowled by Daniel Vettori for 98, laced with 12 fours and a six in his 156-ball knock.

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Neela Vaanam - manmadhan Ambu Song

Kamal Kavidhai - manmadhan Ambu Song

Oyyale - manmadhan Ambu Song

Manmadhan Ambu Dhagudu Dhattham

Haasan, Maddy, Trisha to perform live!

A three-day extravaganza in Singapore is on the cards for the audio launch of 'Manmadhan Ambu'.

Just a few days back we reported that a grand celebration is being planned by the 'Manmadhan Ambu' team at the music launch of their film in Singapore on November 20th. And now we hear that plan has got grander with Kamal Haasan along with music composer Devi Sri Prasad and co-stars Madhavan, Trisha and Sangeetha performing live on stage before a 7000 people strong audience.

Though the audio launch is scheduled for November 20, the celebration will start from November 18th. Trisha, who is super excited about the music launch says, "So much madness and excitement preparing for the Singapore show." The actress also reveals that the entire 'Manmadhan Ambu' crew is leaving the country tomorrow night.

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Manmadhan Ambu HD trailer

Manmadhan Ambu HD trailer.Kamal,Madhavan,Trisha and Sangeetha

Harbhajan Singh slams his second successive Test century

HYDERABAD: Feisty off-spinner Harbhajan Singh became the first number eight batsman in Test cricket to slam back-to-back centuries in a match as India took a sizeable lead against New Zealand on the fourth morning of the second Test on Monday.

Scorecard

Harbhajan slammed an unbeaten 111 off 116 balls and his record 105-run partnership for the 10th wicket with S Sreesanth helped the hosts take a first innings lead of 122 before Daniel Vettori castled the number 11 bat to put the brakes on India's innings at 472.

Vettori, who bowled nearly 50 overs, finished with impressive figures of five for 135, while Tim Southee took three for 119.

At lunch, the visitors were trailing by 85 runs. In their second essay,
New Zealand were 37 for no loss, with Tim McIntosh and Brendon McCullum batting on 18 and 15, respectively.

Resuming at an overnight 434 for nine, the duo of Harbhajan, who was unbeaten on 85 at stumps on the third day, and Sreesanth racked up 36 runs in quick time that saw the off-spinner getting to the coveted landmark.

The landmark was touched when Harbhajan tucked off his hips a Tim Southee delivery, in the seventh over of the day.

His teammates in the dressing room spontaneously stood up and the crowd clapped and whistled for the man Rahul Dravid described as the "new Gary Sobers".

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Kapil Sibal given charge of Telecom Ministry

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has been given additional charge of the Telecom Ministry on Monday, after the resignation of A. Raja on Sunday. 

The arrangement is seen to be temporary in view of the ongoing Parliament session when issues related to the Ministry are to be handled at the senior level, particularly when allegations of corruption in 2G spectrum allocation have erupted. 

Normally, a reshuffle of the Council of Ministers is not undertaken during a Parliament session. 

Mr. Sibal, a lawyer-turned-politician, was last week given additional charge of Ministries of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, which fell vacant after incumbent Prithviraj Chavan was made Chief Minister of Maharashtra. 

Commenting on the additional charge given to him, Mr. Sibal said any Ministry when given is a challenge and decisions should be taken after proper thinking. 

Reacting to the move, DMK Parliamentary Party leader T.R. Baalu said party chief M. Karunanidhi has not yet decided on a successor to Mr. Raja.

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Asian Games kick off with spectacular, unique opening ceremony

Two years after the spectacular success of Beijing Olympics, China dazzled the world once again by unveiling the 16th Asian Games with a spell-binding opening ceremony in which water was the overwhelming theme and athletes were ushered in a unique boat parade on Pearl River.

The theme was water and the main part of the ceremony was held at Hai Xinsha, an island located on China's third longest river, which is the life-giver to the southern part of the world's most populous nation.

The four-and-a-half-hour ceremony started with trademark fireworks and the 37,000 capacity crowd was up on its feet when 1320 artists from the city's oldest kung fu school descended with giant LED screens in the backdrop.

The mesmerisingly choreographed act had the artists performing breathtaking acrobatics while being several feet above the ground.

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Australia welcomes Obama's support for India's quest for UNSC

NEW DELHI: Australia, a long-time supporter of India's permanent membership of the expanded UN Security Council, on Friday welcomed US President Barack Obama's backing for New Delhi, saying it was "delighted" at the development.

"Australia has supported India for a permanent seat in the Security Council for many years now. So, we're delighted that other countries are also beginning to do that," Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese said.

Varghese, while speaking on the sidelines of a function here, was responding when asked to comment on Obama's promise of support to India's quest for permanent seat of the Security Council.

Australia has been for long supporting India's candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC, saying it has credentials for the same.

At the function, the high commissioner donated Rs two lakh on behalf of the Australian contingent that participated in the Commonwealth Games to an NGO 'Asha' which helps in the education of slum children.

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Tendulkar named ambassador for World Cup 2011

Iconic Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is set to become only the second player in the history of cricket to play six ODI World Cups, was on Thursday named the official ambassador of the event to be held in the sub-continent next year. 

Tendulkar will be called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament, which is the third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2 next year, the ICC said in a statement. 

"There are just 100 days to go and I am really looking forward to playing in another Cricket World Cup," said Tendulkar, who will join Pakistan's Javed Miandad as the only other player to take part in six World Cups. 
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தலைவன் இருக்கின்றான்

தனது அடுத்த படம் தலைவன் இருக்கிறான் என்று அதிகாரப்பூர்வமாக அறிவித்துள்ளார் கமல்ஹாஸன்.

கமல் இப்போது மன்மதன் அம்பு படத்தில் நடித்துள்ளார். இந்தப் படம் அடுத்த மாதம் திரைக்கு வருகிறது.
இந்த நிலையில் தனது அடுத்த படம் 'தலைவன் இருக்கின்றான்' என அறிவித்துள்ளார் கமல்ஹாஸன். இந்தப் படத்தை தானே இயக்கலாம் அல்லது தனக்கு நெருக்கமான இயக்குநர் இயக்கவும் வாய்ப்புள்ளது என அவர் அறிவித்துள்ளார்.

இது தொடர்பாக பிரபல மலையாள நாளிதழுக்கு கமல் அளித்துள்ள பேட்டியில், "இப்போது எனது அடுத்த படத்தின் ஸ்கிரிப்ட் வேலைகள் இறுதிக் கட்டத்தை அடைந்துள்ளன. இந்தப் படத்துக்கு தலைவன் இருக்கின்றான் என்று பெயர் சூட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது.

முதலில் தலைவன் இருக்கிறான் என்றுதான் வைத்தேன். இலக்கணப்படி தலைவன் இருக்கின்றான் என்பதுதான் சரியானது.

இது ஒரு பெரிய பட்ஜெட் படம். சர்வதேச சமூகத்தைப் பற்றியதான இந்தப் படம்தான் இப்போது என் மனதை ஆக்கிரமித்துள்ளது.

ராஜ்கமல் நிறுவனம் தயாரிக்கிறது. ஹாலிவுட் ஸ்டுடியோ ஒன்றும் இணைந்து தயாரிக்கிறது," என்று கூறியுள்ளார்.

அநேகமாக வால்ட் டிஸ்னி நிறுவனம் இந்தப் படத்தைத் தயாரிக்க உதவும் எனத் தெரிகிறது.

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The end nears for 'Harry Potter' on film

With the impending release of 'Deathly Hallows — Part 1,' the makers of the blockbuster series look back on what a rival calls 'the best-managed franchise that we've ever seen, top to bottom.'

On a sticky June night just outside London, the magic finally came to an end for the cast and crew of the "Harry Potter" movies. After a decade together, the small army that has been the busiest in British filmmaking wrapped the final shoot of the last "Potter" production.

The green-screen scene featuring the now world-famous main characters — a trio of young fugitive wizards named Harry, Ron and Hermione — required actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson to hurl themselves onto some off-camera mats to escape danger at the Ministry of Magic. It was an oddly slapstick finish for such a monumental franchise — but that didn't sap the emotion of the moment.

"I admit it, I did cry like a little girl," Radcliffe said, recalling the day. "There was a feeling that I had, that we all had, that it was the end of something very special."

It's doubtful that pop culture will ever see a phenomenon quite like this sprawling tale that for a decade cast a spell on the page, the screen and beyond. The fantasy epic begins its Hollywood fade-out Nov. 19 with the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1" and finishes next summer with the eighth film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2."

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U.S. President Barack Obama’s Parliament address

Mr. Vice President, Madame Speaker, Mr. Prime Minister, Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and most of all, the people of India.

I thank you for the great honor of addressing the representatives of more than one billion Indians and the world’s largest democracy. I bring the greetings and friendship of the world’s oldest democracy—the U.S.A, including nearly three million proud and patriotic Indian Americans.

Over the past three days, my wife Michelle and I have experienced the beauty and dynamism of India and its people. From the majesty of Humayun’s Tomb to the advanced technologies that are empowering farmers and women who are the backbone of Indian society. From a Diwali celebration with schoolchildren to the innovators who are fueling India’s economic rise. From the university students who will chart India’s future, to you—leaders who helped to bring India to this moment of promise.

At every stop, we have been welcomed with the hospitality for which Indians have always been known. So to you and the people of India, on behalf of me, Michelle and the American people, please accept our deepest thanks. Bahoot dhanyavad.

I am not the first American president to visit India. Nor will I be the last. But I am proud to visit India so early in my presidency. It is no coincidence that India is my first stop on a visit to Asia, or that this has been my longest visit to another country since becoming President.

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Harbhajan's maiden ton helps India extend lead

Harbhajan Singh registered a maiden Test ton even as Daniel Vettori struck twice in successive balls to give New Zealand some much-needed breakthrough on the fifth and final day of the opening Test at Motera on Monday.

However, by then VVS Laxman (91) and Harbhajan had helped India save the match. The duo put on a record 163 runs for the seventh wicket before Daniel Vettori struck, giving the visitors their first breakthrough of what had otherwise been a lacklustre day from the bowling point of view. 

After 97 overs (at tea), the home team had made 255 for eight, for an overall lead of 283.Harbhajan was unbeaten on 110 and giving him company was Pragyan Ojha on seven.It was a spectacular recovery, considering India was 15 for five at one stage in their second essay. The home team didn't lose a wicket in the morning session.

However, with no declaration coming it was palpable that India was playing for a draw rather than forcing a result.

On the other hand, the lack of an extra bowler - Bennett was out injured - was definitely hurting the visitors. And the fact that most of the outside edges didn't carry added to their woes.

Morning session: (82 runs, 30 overs, no wickets)

Post-lunch session: (27 overs, 91 runs, 2 wickets) 

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U.S. President celebrates Diwali, dances to Koli song

MUMBAI: The students of Holy Name High School in Colaba remained star struck well after the Obamas had left. U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle were unlike any political heads they had ever seen or imagined. They danced to a folk song in Marathi and shook hands and spoke to most of the students present on a Sunday morning and paid minute attention to the science exhibition they had taken a week to put up.

While students of the fourth to seventh standard danced the traditional Koli fisherfolk community's dance “Mee Hai Koli,” Michelle joined in readily and showed she could move gracefully and in tune with her younger performers. Mr. Obama made a fuss that he was not asked to dance and the older boys from the 10th standard dragged him on to the floor. He asked if he would have to remove his shoes. Clad in a white shirt with rolled up sleeves and tie, he too plunged in with gusto.

The President and his wife arrived at the school around 9.30 a.m. After going through the science exhibition, Mr. Obama said he was happy that youngsters were now more aware about the environment than his generation. His own children too were like that, he said. The students had put up an exhibition on green energy and set up models of windmills, rainwater harvesting and green villages.

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நைட் ஷியாமளனின் அடுத்த மிரட்டல் 'டெவில்'-தீபாவளியன்று ரிலீஸ்

ஹாலிவுட்டின் பிரபல தமிழ் வம்சவாளியைச் சேர்ந்த இயக்குநர் மனோஜ் நைட் ஷியாமளனின் கதையில் உருவாகியுள்ள 'டெவில்' திரைப்படம் தீபாவளியன்று இந்தியாவில் திரைக்கு வருகிறது.

இப்படத்திற்கு தி நைட் குரோனிக்கிள்ஸ்-டெவில் என்பது முழுப் பெயராகும். ஒரு அலுவலக லிப்ட்டுக்குள் ஐந்து பேர் சிக்கிக் கொள்கின்றனர். அதில் யாரோ ஒருவர் பேய். இதுதான் இப்படத்தின் கதை.

மனோஜ் நைட் ஷியாமளனும், மீடியா ரைட்ஸ் கேபிடல் நிறுவனமும் இணைந்து மூன்று சூப்பர் நேச்சுரல் ஹாரர் படங்களை உருவாக்கவுள்ளன. அந்த வகையில் உருவான முதல் படம் த சிக்ஸ்த் சென்ஸ். டெவில் அந்த வரிசையில் இரண்டாவது படமாகும். இப்படத்தை ஷியாமளன் இயக்கவில்லை. இணை தயாரிப்பு மற்றும் கதை மட்டுமே அவருடையது.

ஹாலிவுட்டில் இப்படம் செப்டம்பரில் வெளியானது.

ஒரு நகரில் உள்ள அலுவலக கட்டடத்தில் உள்ள லிப்ட்டில் சிலர் ஏறுகின்றனர். லிப்ட் பாதியில் நின்று போய் விடுகிறது. அதில் மொத்தம் ஐந்து பேர் சிக்கிக் கொள்கின்றனர். அந்த ஐந்து பேரில் ஒருவர் பிசாசு. அது யார் என்பதுதான் சஸ்பென்ஸ்.

படம் முடியும் வரை 'அது' யார் என்ற யூகத்தில் படம் பார்ப்பவர்களை அச்சத்தில் ஆழ்த்தும் ஷ்யாமளன், இறுதியில் அது யார் என்பதை காட்டி மேலும் திகில் ஊட்டுகிறார்.

மிரட்டலுக்குப் பேர் போன ஷியாமளனின் இந்தப் படம் தீபாவளியன்று இந்தியாவில் ரிலீஸாகிறது.

பாடல் மூலம் அம்பு விடும் 'மன்மதன் கமல்'!

மன்மதன் அம்பு படத்தில் கமல்ஹாஸனே அனைத்துப் பாடல்களையும் எழுதியுள்ளார்.

சினிமா உருவாக்கம் என்று வந்தால் கமல்ஹாஸன் ஒரு நிஜமான சகலகலா வல்லவன். இயக்கம், பாடுவது, நடனம், நடிப்பு என அவர் அனைத்து துறையிலுமே வல்லவர்தான்.

ஏற்கெனவே தன்னை ஒரு திறமையான பாடலாசிரியராக, ஹே ராம் படத்தில் நிரூபித்தார். இளையராஜா இசையில் எப்போது கேட்டாலும் இதயத்தை வருடும், 'நீ பார்த்த பார்வைக்கொரு நன்றி...' பாட்டு கமல் எழுதியதுதான்.

அடுத்து மன்மதன் அம்பு படத்துக்காக தேவி ஸ்ரீ பிரசாத் இசையில் 4 பாடல்களை எழுதியுள்ளார் கமல்.

இதுகுறித்து இயக்குநர் கே எஸ் ரவிக்குமார் கூறுகையில், "மன்மதன் அம்பு படத்தில் கமல்தான் ஹைலைட். நடிப்பு என்றில்லாமல், பல துறைகளிலும் கமலின் பங்களிப்பு இந்தப் படத்தில் அதிகம். அதற்கு ஒரு உதாரணம், இந்தப் படத்தின் 5 பாடல்களில் நான்கை கமல் சாரே எழுதியிருப்பதுதான்..." என்றார்.

பாடல் வெளியீட்டு விழா நவம்பர் 20-ம் தேதி சிங்கப்பூரில் நடக்கிறது. படம் டிசம்பர் 10-ம் தேதி

Aishwaryaji, Happy Birthday!

Gorgeous Aishwarya Rai, fondly known as Ash, turned 37 today. Despite getting closer to forties Ash is still one of the most stunning beauties on silver screen today. She is not only the most beautiful lady but also the most paid female actor in Indian cinema.

Her craze never went down in spite of acting in many flop films. She is still hot among the current circuit even after she got married and lost the most precious status (for a heroine) of being single.

Recently, Ash delivered a blockbuster in the form of Robo which marked her biggest ever hit in South Cinema. Ash has been reluctant to be associated with South cinema all these days as her previous films didn’t do well at the box office. Robo brought a complete change in her and she has stated that she is game for South cinema.

We at SuperGoodMovies wish the beautiful lady a very happy birthday and hope for more and more blockbusters from her.



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Tendulkar, Sushil, Mary Kom honoured at Sahara Award function in Mumbai

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, wrestler Sushil Kumar and weightlifter M C Mary Kom were presented the 'Cricketer of the Year', 'Sportsman of the Year' and 'Sportswoman of the Year' awards, respectively here at the Sahara Indian Sports Awards 2010 function.
Various sportspersons were honoured at the function that was organized here on Saturday and lasted till late night.

Tendulkar received the trophy from former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid here on Saturday.
Having also been presented the 'Icon of the Millennium' award, Tendulkar said that it always felt great to do well for his country.

"I am feeling great. We always aim to do well whenever we are playing. But when we give in our best and India emerges victorious then one feels great," said Tendulkar.
The former captain of national women cricket team, Mithali Raj, received the award of Best Women cricketer of the year.

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