Technology Slice Blog

VGA (Video Game Awards) 2010 - The last major gaming event of the year takes place this weekend, with Spike TV's 2010 Video Game Awards celebrating the best games of 2010. Of course, as many will know, the VGAs isn't really an awards ceremony, but more a Home Shopping Network show produced by Michael Bay's long last brother. Thankfully, between the millions of product endorsements and frequent "wtf" moments with some of the celebrities and awards, publishers slip in some footage of upcoming games, and this year Spike TV has announced that there will be no less than 13 world premieres for gamers to look forward to. VGA (Video Game Awards) 2010

Game Of Death On Blu Ray - Wesley Snipes will be playing a deadly direct-to-video game this February. In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has just revealed 'Game of Death' co-starring Robert Davi and Zoe Bell for Blu-ray on February 15. Snipes stars as a contract killer for the CIA, forced to take on a group of rogue agents gone bad. Game Of Death On Blu Ray Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $30.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Game of Death' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 15. See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions. Game Of Death On Blu Ray

Video Game Awards 2010 - Tomorrow begins what could be considered the biggest gaming event of the year, the Spike TV Video Game Awards 2010. Thirteen separate reveals for some of the biggest titles of 2011 and beyond. There is an award show in there too, but Spike, publishers and gamers alike know that everyone is tuning in especially for those announcements. Video Game Awards 2010 In preparation of the event, here are all of the confirmed, all-but-confirmed and rumored reveals for the event. Altogether, there are nine titles that are certain to make an appearance, leaving four empty spots left to be filled. Considering what’s already been announced, just what could the VGAs be holding up their sleeves? Video Game Awards 2010

Army Navy Football Game - Shortly before the Army-Navy football game will be played for the 111th time this afternoon at Philadelphia’s jam-packed Lincoln Financial Field, the two Navy captains, Wyatt Middleton and Ricky Dobbs, will escort Mr. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. to the middle of the field where he will perform the coin toss just before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Mr. Hudner, as part of the game’s gloried tradition, will be celebrated as the official “starter,” for lack of a better word, as many other Americans heroes have done throughout the years. He is now 86 and is thrilled at the honor. But there is more. Mr. Hudner, who was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in the spring of 1946, is white. Both Wyatt and Ricky are black. Army Navy Football Game One’s race means nothing in sports today, nor does it at the academies, but once it did, and today’s march with Mr. Hudner to the mid-stripe will probably mean more to the two Navy seniors than most of us will ever be able to compr...

Alfie Meadows Struck During Protests - The mum of a student left with brain injuries after being hit by a truncheon has criticised the heavy-handed response of police. Alfie Meadows, a ­philosophy student at Middlesex University, was struck as he tried to leave an area outside ­Westminster Abbey that was being kettled by police. Mum Susan, 55, said: “Alfie said it was the hugest blow he’d ever felt. Before this happened he said: ‘Somebody’s going to get killed’. Of course the police must defend ­themselves but I don’t think hitting people very hard on the head is defence.” Alfie Meadows Struck During Protests 20-year-old Alfie is ­recovering after a three-hour brain operation. Well-wishers outside Charing Cross Hospital yesterday waved ­placards reading: “Kettling kills”. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the ­incident. Alfie Meadows Struck During Protests

Mass Effect 3 - The cat, she has been let out of the bag, and she's carrying detailed information about BioWare's highly anticipated third installment in the Mass Effect series. Not to be filed under rumor, the unintentionally released information about Mass Effect 3 comes straight from Electronic Arts. Appearing briefly on the EA online store this afternoon before being pulled, Mass Effect 3 was listed as a pre-order item, complete with significant plot details BioWare was no doubt hoping to make a splash with at the Spike TV Video Game Awards tomorrow night. (Yes, we can now confidently say that mystery BioWare game that's been teased is in fact Mass Effect 3.) Mass Effect 3 "Earth is burning," a synopsis of the game read. "Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galax...

Willow Smith Falls Behind - HollywoodNews.com: Willow Smith knew from the time she was three years old that she wanted to be in show business, but the business has its consequences. The budding star admits that, although she is living out her dream, she is falling behind in school. At the ripe age of ten years old, could it be too early to give up on education? “I never really get to go to school because I am always on tour or with my father. There is a tutor most of the time, but usually I am working so I never get to do the lessons. The worst thing about maths is all the kids are ahead of me because they go to school.” The young pop star admits. Don’t feel too bad. Smith has signed on to do the UK leg of Justin Bieber’s My World Tour in March 2011 and she gets to tour the world with her famous father reports The Stir, but at what cost? Is Willow too young to be living the life yet? Let us know what you think. Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information. ...

Cancun Climate Change Meeting Reaches Agreement - A comprehensive global deal is now back on track after the agreement, which was reached despite protests by Bolivia during a dramatic finale to the United Nations meeting in Mexico. The crunch talks went late into the night as more than 190 countries attempted to agree on the best way to cut carbon emissions. The last attempt to reach a global deal in Copenhagen at the end of last year ended in chaos and there were fears that the UN process could collapse completely if talks failed again. However, after two weeks of negotiating, rich and poor countries agreed a compromise that will see all countries committed to cutting emissions for the first time. The "Cancun package" also sets up a "green fund" to help poor countries cope with climate change and a new scheme to halt deforestation. Cancun Climate Change Meeting Reaches Agreement Bolivia claimed the agreement was "tantamount to genocide" becau...

Bernie Sanders Filibuster - Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, spoke for roughly 8 hours on the Senate floor on Friday, stalling debate about President Obama's tax-cut compromise. "You can call what i am doing today whatever you want, you it call it a filibuster, you can call it a very long speech..." tweeted Sanders just prior to starting his speech on the Senate floor at around 11:00 am ET. He ended the speech at roughly 7:00 pm ET, according to published reports. Bernie Sanders Filibuster Sanders is against passing the legislation, which extends Bush-era tax cuts set to expire on Dec. 31 for another two years for all Americans, including the provisions for wealthy Americans that Obama had pledged during his campaign to end. "If we pass this agreement as written, it says we are going to continue the Bush policy of trickle down economics for at least two more years, and in my mind, that is absurd," Sanders was quoted by The Associated Pr...

Alissa Czisny Takes Early Lead - Americans dominated the opening day of the Grand Prix final, with Alissa Czisny taking the lead Friday in the women's short program and Meryl Davis and Charlie White waltzing their way to the top of the pack in ice dancing. Czisny, the 23-year-old Bowling Green student who won this year's Skate Canada and the 2009 U.S. title, took the lead with a performance that featured graceful combination spins. She finished with 63.76 points despite an off-balance triple flip. "After last season, I took a hard look at my skating and made a lot of changes," Czisny said. "I'm very happy with my performance today ... my main focus for tomorrow is to skate well and not to worry about the outcome." Despite an ongoing left knee injury, Carolina Kostner of Italy was second with 62.13 points. Kanako Murakami of Japan was third with 61.47 in her first senior Grand Prix final since moving up from juniors. Alissa Czisny Takes Early Lea...

OPEC Holds Oil Demand Forecast Steady - OPEC on Friday increased fractionally its oil demand forecast for 2011 and said high inventories and spare capacity should be enough to shield against any eventualities. "Given the existing level of excess inventories, ample crude oil spare production capacity and idle refinery capacity, the market is expected to have a robust cushion against any sudden surge in demand or disruption in supply," it said in its latest monthly report. OPEC holds oil demand forecast near steady for 2011 Adding to expectations the producer group will leave output unchanged when it meets in Quito on Saturday, it said world oil demand in 2011 would rise by 1.18 million bpd, 10,000 bpd more than it expected a month ago. Non-OPEC supply next year was forecast at 52.62 million bpd, 100,000 bpd more than the previous forecast. The demand for OPEC's crude next year was estimated at 29.24 million bpd, up from 28.93 million bpd in 2010 and slightly mor...

Bill Clinton Backs Obama On Tax Deal - U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday called on a battle-scarred dealmaker, former President Bill Clinton, to help convince reluctant Democrats to back a compromise tax plan before rates rise for most Americans in January. As Democrats in the House of Representatives sought to toughen provisions targeted at the wealthiest, Clinton urged them to pass the plan in its current form before they hand over control of the chamber to Republicans next month. "This is a much, much better agreement than would be reached were we to wait until January," Clinton said at a White House news conference with Obama by his side. Bill Clinton Backs Obama On Tax Deal Democrats have closely studied Clinton's 1990s tenure in the White House as they seek to recover from a devastating defeat in November's congressional elections. The voluble former president, legendary for his political skills, remained at the podium even after Obama left for a Ch...

Linus Omark Recalled - General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have recalled centre Ryan O’Marra and left-winger Linus Omark from Oklahoma City of the American Hockey League. O’Marra, 23, has 14 points (1G,13A) in 22 games this season with the Barons. The 6’2”, 200-pound centre has appeared in three NHL games recording one assist. The Oilers acquired O’Marra from the New York Islanders along with a 1st round pick and Robert Nilsson in exchange for Ryan Smyth in 2007. The Tokyo, Japan native was originally drafted by the Islanders in the 1 st round, 15th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Omark, 23, leads the Barons in scoring with 26 points (13G,13A) in 26 games. The 5’10”, 175-pound Sweden native is currently 10th in the AHL in scoring. Linus Omark Recalled

Patrick Chan Wins Gold - American Alissa Czisny skated to gold on Saturday after the women's free skate program at the Grand Prix final. Czisny, who won this year's Skate Canada, performed a graceful triple lutz, double toeloop opener followed by a powerful triple flip, double toeloop to George Winston's "Winter and Spring". She finished third in the free skate with 116.99 points, giving her a total of 180.75. Czisny had taken the lead Friday with 63.76 points in the short program despite an off-balance trip flip. "I was very happy to be able to stay on my feet today and very happy with my performance," Czisny said. "Last year, being in this spot was only something I could dream of, but I'm glad I got here and my dream came true." Despite a left knee injury, Carolina Kostner of Italy was second with a season's best 116.47 in her free skate, giving her a total of 178.60. Kanako Murakami of Japan was a close third with 178.59 i...

Vatican Bank Money Laundering Scandal - This is no ordinary bank: The ATMs are in Latin. Priests use a private entrance. A life-size portrait of Pope Benedict XVI hangs on the wall. Nevertheless, the Institute for Religious Works is a bank, and it's under harsh new scrutiny in a case involving money-laundering allegations that led police to seize euro23 million ($30 million) in Vatican assets in September. Critics say the case shows that the "Vatican Bank" has never shed its penchant for secrecy and scandal. The Vatican calls the seizure of assets a "misunderstanding" and expresses optimism it will be quickly cleared up. But court documents show that prosecutors say the Vatican Bank deliberately flouted anti-laundering laws "with the aim of hiding the ownership, destination and origin of the capital." The documents also reveal investigators' suspicions that clergy may have acted as fronts for corrupt businessmen and Mafia. Vatican Bank Money...

Crystal Bowersox Debut Album - Crystal Bowersox captured our hearts on American Idol, and her career is definitely taking off thanks to the show. Still fresh in our memory how Crystal Bowersox auditioned for American Idol in Chicago, Illinois for the first time. At that time, she sang “Piece of My Heart” and guest judge Shania Twain commented that she had a “raw, natural talent. Her talent had been only raw since she started her music career since the age of 10. Only when she managed to become the runner-up of the American Idol show then her career starts to rise. With her debut album, Farmers Daughter, finally being released, Crystal Bowersox is an all-American success story that everyone should feel inspired by. Crystal Bowersox Debut Album After taking quite al long time on her album preparation, the artist is now ready to launch her debut album which goes by the name “Farmer’s Daughter” on December 14th. The album, produced by David Bendeth (Paramore, Papa Roach), features...

UFC 124 Results - MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) is on scene and reporting live from tonight's UFC 124 event. The show takes place at the the Bell Centre in Montreal. In the evening's headliner, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre defends his belt against top contender and fellow "The Ultimate Fighter 12" coach Josh Koscheck. Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7:20 p.m. ET (4:20 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card. UFC 124 Results In addition to the night's pay-per-view main card – which also features Sean McCorkle vs. Stefan Struve, Jim Miller vs. Charles Oliveira, Mac Danzig vs. Joe Stevenson and Thiago Alves vs. John Howard – tonight's show features a two-fight preliminary card special on UFC.com that begins at 9 p.m. ET. To discuss tonight's show, be sure to check out our UFC 124 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage a...

Verizon iPhone 4 - Outside of Verizon, Apple, and the companies that manufacture it, nearly every other player in the U.S. mobile industry will be hurt by the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4. Other carriers will lose current and potential subscribers. Other manufacturers will lose hardware sales. And other smartphone operating system controllers will lose potential app and/or advertising revenue. But don’t expect any of them to cry “uncle” even as the Verizon iPhone 4 begins to inflict pain marketwide. None of these companies are going out of business over the Verizon iPhone, although you might want to be careful about owning any shares of stock of at least some of them for awhile: Verizon iPhone 4 AT&T: The carrier is growing, and that growth is due to the iPhone. The launch of the Verizon iPhone 4 will do more to slow the trail of new customers to AT&T’s doorstep than it will to cause existing customers to leave, at least in the first two years where contracts will be in ...

Alistair Overeem Rallies In Round 3 - Alistair Overeem vs. Tyrone Spong is one of the more anticipated fights in the K-1 World Grand Prix Final 8, with Overeem being one of the early favorites for the tournament but Spong as a strong darkhorse. Spong has trained extensively for Alistair and putting on weight to be able to hang against him. The first round saw Overeem struggle with the clinch rules, being warned twice for using a thai plumb knee. Spong showed that he is not only game, but that he is easily one of the best in the world, as he caught Overeem with a giant right hand and swarmed on The Reem. It was a giant confidence builder for Spong, making his first World Grand Prix appearance and enough to get him a round. Against Overeem, an easy favorite, that is huge. Alistair Overeem Rallies In Round 3 The second round saw Overeem land a lot more and Spong having difficulty getting in close. Two judges decided it was a draw round, while one saw it fit to give the nod to The R...

Rhema Marvanne 8 Year Old Singer - Rhema Marvanne is making headlines again after ABC's 20/20 aired an interview and documentary on the very young (but very talented) songstress. Rhema's father posted a video of his daughter singing her favorite gospel song on YouTube about a year ago, and the video ended up reaching over 18 million views. According to ABC News, Rhema's favorite style of music is gospel because of her faith. "God called me to do gospel and I believe gospel can touch people's hearts," the surprisingly poised prodigy said. Rhema Marvanne 8 Year Old Singer It's hard to imagine that so much emotion could come from such a tiny person, but Rhema has been through quite a bit in her short life. When Rhema was just three years old, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she passed away in 2008. Now the whole country has learned about this talented little girl, but she has a special place in the hearts of Cowboys fans as sh...

Johnny Cash Jumpsuit - Johnny Cash’s jumpsuit was auctioned off for $50,000 at Julien’s Auctions. This was the same jumpsuit Johnny Cash wore during a rehearsal for his infamous San Quentin prison The Essential Johnny Cashperformance. Amazingly, the original auction price was expected to only be $5,000! Yeah, the jumpsuit actually sold for ten times the expected bid! Totally amazing! Nothing more needs to be said but let’s continue. Overall, Johnny Cash’s items brought in more that $700,000 during the Julien’s Auctions auction. Some of the other items being bidded on were photographs, some of his guitars and a lyric sheet which was handwritten. Johnny Cash Jumpsuit It’s safe to say in the end, some serious Johnny Cash fan walked away with a denim jumpsuit that will be treasured always or at least until said fan dies. Auctions really represent more than the items being bidded on. Auctions seem to represent one’s desire to obtain a certain item. It’s kind of like, “How much are y...

Afro Samurai - It’s become fairly well-known that Samuel L. Jackson is a huge fan of comics. Between Afro Samurai and Unbreakable to pretty much becoming Nick Fury, it’s obvious the guy has a serious love for the medium—so really, coming out with his own series was just a matter of time. Cold Space is published by BOOM! Studios and co-created by Afro Samurai partner Eric Calderon. It’s a sort of space western starring Mulberry, a familiar-looking loner out to make a quick buck. Samuel L. Jackson provides a great introduction about his love for comics and the impetus behind the creation of Cold Space. His persona really jumps off the page, and he does a great job of getting the reader pumped to read the series—which, I guess, is the idea behind that sort of thing. Afro Samurai Cold Space begins (predictably) in space, with Samuel L. Jackson Mulberry being pursued by space cops. Soon, they all crash onto a dumpy sort of moon, where the rest of the story plays out. The moon they ...

Sarah The She Wolf - William A. Jacobson over at the Legal Insurrection blog speculated earlier this week about “The Obsession With Liberals’ Obsession With Sarah Palin”: Charles Krauthammer has lambasted the mainstream (i.e. liberal) media for its obsession with Sarah Palin. That goes double for liberal entertainers and academics, and triple for the left-blogosphere, which is nuts-in-the-head (that’s a precise medical term in Austrian) when it comes to Palin. But this obsession is not a one-way street. Admit it, many of us in the right-blogosphere are obsessed with liberals’ obsession with Palin. … It didn’t start out this way. But it has developed not because of who Palin is, but who the Palin haters are. And yes, it is liberals, much more than even conservatives, who can’t stop thinking about her; consider the numerous polls over the last year which show Palin unable to muster a majority even among Republican voters, much less the general electo...

Salvia Divinorum Herb Scandal - Miley Cyrus may or may not be the girl in nude photos leaked on the web last week but she is indeed the one doing a bong hit in a video obtained by TMZ.com. The 2-minute and 36-second long clip shows the singer inhaling from a bong as a friend captures it all on tape and others sit nearby. According to the gossip site's sources, the drug was Salvia, a plant known for its hallucinogenic effects. Cyrus was reportedly hosting a party at her home in Los Angeles, where Salvia is legal, just five days after she turned 18 on Nov 23. Salvia Divinorum Herb Scandal The video begins with someone lighting the bowl as Cyrus inhales and then passes the bong to a friend. She coughs and let's out a laugh before saying, "Okay, I'm about to lose it now." The friend holding the camera cannot be seen, but a woman's voice says, "I'm just gonna document the s--t out of this right now." Cyrus, who notes that she's ...

Ring Of Fire Mountain Playhouse - The Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown will open its 72nd season with the Johnny Cash musical "Ring of Fire." The first of a planned five-production season, "Ring of Fire" will run July 19 to Aug. 7. Lawrence Tobias, who recently starred in a successful run of the show at another theater, will direct the Mountain Playhouse production. Mountain Playhouse producer Teresa Stoughton Marafin still is working on the four additional productions for the 2011 season, which will run through mid-October. The complete season will be announced early in 2011. Ring Of Fire Mountain Playhouse Six-admission flex passes ($159.60 to $192) and gift certificates ($78 for two tickets) are on sale for "Ring of Fire" and the 2011 season. Three-admission youth flex passes for students age 20 or younger are $30. Subscription and single-ticket information will be available by mid-February when the full season is announced. Ring Of Fire...

4.2.1 Jailbreak iPhone 4 - Just one day after Apple's release of the iOS 4.2 firmware update, iPhone Dev-Team has made public the first updated jailbreaking tool for Mac OS X and Windows. Redsn0w version 0.9.6b4 can be used immediately for those who are not concerned about using the ultrasn0w unlock. iPhone 3G and older iPhone 3GS users will be happy to know that the jailbreak is untethered. For newer iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users, this version currently requires a computer to boot into the jailbroken state. The iPhone Dev-Team is working with @comex on a fix that would untether the iPhone 4 jailbreak once and for all. Unlockers can expect a new version of ultrasn0w for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS as early as next week. 4.2.1 Jailbreak iPhone 4 First and foremost, never update using an official firmware file via iTunes if you're interested in unlocking. Secondly, make sure to save your SHSH blobs to preserve future jailbreak and unlock options. Dev-Team would not say ho...

X Factor 2010 - Matt Cardle is one of the most backed X Factor finalists in one of the closest-fought finals in the show's history, MailOnline can reveal. The former painter and decorator is the odds on favourite to win with some of the shortest odds ever seen, with bookies not budging much between 4/5 and 5/6 - despite fears his voice might not hold out in tonight's show. Any chance of Cher landing the top prize seems to be slipping further from her grasp however with her odds lengthening to 33/1 at most outlets - having started at 7/2 after her first audition - though William Hill and Paddy Power have her at 20/1. Behind her in third favourite position - but not by much either - are One Direction, who are mostly listed at 3/1. However, the shortest odds on offer are just 5/2. In fact, there's so little to choose between the finalists that Simon Cowell is set to give them all a record deal, as reported by MailOnline yesterday. X Factor 2010 However, despite th...

Sonja Kohn Sued - A wig-wearing Austrian banker was outed yesterday as Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff's "criminal soul mate." Vienna-based Sonja Kohn was slapped with a $19.6 billion suit by Irving Picard - the New York lawyer trying to recover the billions Madoff stole from investors. "For more than 20 years, Kohn masterminded a vast illegal scheme to exploit her privileged relationship with Madoff to feed over $9.1 billion of other people's money into his Ponzi scheme," says the suit, which names the Medici Bank founder and two dozen accomplices. Sonja Kohn Sued An Orthodox Jew who wears a trademark red wig, Kohn enriched herself and her family "on the backs of Madoff's victims," the suit says. Kohn, 62, met Madoff in 1985, when she and her husband lived in Monsey in Rockland County. Under federal racketeering law, damages triple to $58.8 billion if Picard wins the suit, filed in Manhattan federal bankruptcy court. It is the biggest...

Act Practice Test Strategies - ACT testing is a stressful time during high school. ACT test scores can help launch your child’s future or spring a leak in it’s hull. We found a great little resource created by a teacher and mother with over 30 years of experience who claims that she can increase your ACT score by 3 points or you get your money back. That’s a pretty bold claim. Act Practice Test Strategies I remember studying for my ACT test thinking that I would do better on it than the SAT, but I was wrong. I wish I would have had access to the internet (when I was in high school, the internet was literally just getting off the ground in 1994-1997. If I could have used Google the way that you probably landed on this news article, I could have had more options in the college arena. But I digress. It’s worth checking out in any case, and since it’s that time of year for the ACT, I figured I’d help you all out. Act Practice Test Strategies

Billy Ray Cyrus Twitter - While the Miley Cyrus bong video may have much of the world laughing right along with the former Hannah Montana star, Miley's dad apparently doesn't find anything funny about it. Billy Ray Cyrus is "sad" and feels his daughter's extracurricular activities are a bit "beyond [his] control" right now. We aren't by any means suggesting a bong rip equals a drug problem, however, we like to inform our readers of a variety of local resources. If you are a parent in Tucson who is worried about your teen's drug abuse problem, you can contact Cottonwood Tucson for information. Cottonwood Tucson is a behavioral health center with programs designed especially for teens and young adults; they offer a full range of womens, girls and adult programs, as well. (No endorsement implied. Always seek professional guidance in choosing medical treatment.) After the Miley Cyrus bong video spread worldwide Friday, Miley's dad Billy Ray ...

Thor Movie Trailer - Ladies and gentlemen, the "Thor" trailer has finally hit the web, and it's epic. If there's this much awesomeness in two and a half minutes, we're going to need a seatbelt when we go see the real thing. We're blown away by the special effects, the romance, the villains, and the Asgard cityscape. Mostly, we're impressed - already - by Chris Hemsworth, the lucky Australian actor chosen to play the title role. Best known to American audiences as George Kirk in the "Star Trek" remake, Hemsworth looks decidedly different as Thor... and we already love him. Thor is the God of Thunder, banished to Earth to live amongst humans after his reckless actions endanger Earth and his home of Asgard. There, he'll meet Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) - but romance will take a backseat to the epic battle he has to lead to save... well, everything. Thor Movie Trailer

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Absolute Power - Ever since Ben 10 aired in 2005, it's become a rather successful franchise for the Cartoon Network and like all great licences, it has also been turned into numerous video games. Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction is actually the fifth Ben 10 video game, but it's the first for the Ben 10 Ultimate Alien series, which only started airing earlier this year. It gave the developers a chance to play around with Ben's new toy, the Ultimatrix, which of course, replaced the destroyed Omnimatrix. However, even that won't be enough to tackle his latest challenge. After hearing of small disturbances around the world, Ben goes off to check them out, but ignores the warnings of impending doom from his biggest fan, Jimmy. Things escalate quite quickly though as a cloud of Cosmic Destruction, engineered by To'kustar, is gradually making its way through the solar system, even destroying planets like Pluto. Eventually Ben realises what...

Microfinance May Close - Microfinance Institutions tabled in the Andhra Pradesh assembly on Friday has upset the Microfinance institutions (MFI) network, who say their concerns have not been addressed and that may force them to shut operations in the state. "Repayment has fallen drastically and so we are not in a position to continue operations in Andhra Pradesh unless the situation is remedied," said Vijay Mahajan, President, Micro Finance Institutions Network. Microfinance May Close The MFIs say the new norms for registration, loan disbursal and collections make it very difficult for them to operate. They point out that in the last six weeks since the Ordinance was promulgated, they have not been able to disburse 12 lakh loans, worth Rs. 1200 crore. And collections have fallen to 20 per cent, so repayment of up to 7400 crore rupees to banks who funded microfinance operations in Andhra Pradesh could be potentially jeopardised. The political mood in Andhra Pradesh ...

Jillian Michaels Leaving The Biggest Loser - Jillian Michaels, the tyrant trainer with a heart, is leaving "The Biggest Loser," the NBC series in which overweight contestants compete to shed pounds. The 11th season, which starts in January, will be her last, she said. Michaels said via Twitter that she plans to take a year off, do more charity work and "focus on becoming a mommy." NBC executives declined to comment Friday on the departure. But Michaels said — also via Twitter — that a new trainer was on the way. Jillian Michaels Leaving The Biggest Loser

Brandon Spikes Suspended By NFL - The rookie said he made a rookie mistake. Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended for the remainder of the regular season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, the league announced Friday. Spikes, 23, did not appeal the decision and would be eligible for the playoffs. "The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking," Spikes said in a statement. "It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league's ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake." Brandon Spikes Suspended By NFL NFL spokesman Greg Aiello would not name the drug Spikes tested positive for, as per league policy. A first-year pro, Spikes played his college ball at Florida. In the Patriots' rout of the Jets Monday night, Spikes recorded his first career intercept...

Nikumaroro Island - In Nikumaroro, an island in the western Pacific Ocean, a piece of bone has been found that might belong to missing pilot Amelia Earhart. If the bone fragment is hers, it will solve a 73-year-old mystery, reports MSNBC. Earhart vanished in 1937, when attempting to fly around the world. The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) has made at least 10 expeditions to the uninhabited tropical island, in bid to solve the puzzle. Nikumaroro Island One hypothesis is that Earhart and Fred Noonan landed on Nikumaroro, after failing to find Howland Island. Forensic anthropologist, Karen Ramey Burns, was unable to determine if was from a turtle or a human, MSNBC reports. The bone will be sent to the Molecular Science Laboratories at Oklahoma University to see if it is human. Nikumaroro Island

Bernie Sanders Takes A Stand - The left’s been looking for a new hero. Tonight they latched onto one: Sen. Bernie Sanders. The Vermont independent took progressive fury over President Obama’s tax-cut deal with Republicans to the floor of the Senate Friday, bringing the chamber to a standstill for eight hours with a filibuster-style speech that set the liberal Twitterverse ablaze. “Let me conclude,” said Sanders. “It has been a long day. Let me simply say that I believe a proposal that was developed by the president and the Republicans are nowhere as good as we can achieve.” Bernie Sanders Takes A Stand After an exhausted Sanders left the podium, he walked over and sank into the Senate president’s chair. “I’m tired,” said Sanders in his first words to reporters after he exited the Senate floor. But his move energized progressives, irate with Obama for bartering a signature policy of the Bush administration for a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits. Obama met with Pr...

Secret Society Of Women - Is anything more ridiculous than the idea that there is a safe, private place for which women are encouraged to talk anonymously about their feelings? Yes—the fact that this place is to be found on the internet, the most public place ever. Founded by Lisa Ling of “The View,” the newly launched “Secret Society for Women” apparently runs on this platform. The forums on the site range from the standard dating and body image headings to such hyper-feminine topics as “health,” “resentment” and “regrets.” The fact that the society is neither secret nor a society, in the truest sense, doesn’t seem to detract from its appeal—viewers of “The View” will probably be all about it. What’s strange about its reception is that people are acting like it’s a new idea and not just more of the same. Secret Society Of Women Somehow the overwhelming presence of Oprah, “The View,” “Eat, Pray, Love” and every book on the New York Times bestseller list of the past five years ...

Power Of Ideas - The Power of Ideas was launched in India in 2009 as a way to breed business ideas through mentoring and investing, and encouraging entrepreneurship. The Power of Ideas came about during rough economic times in 2009 as a way to boost business and the entrepreneurial spirit. More than 12,500 ideas for business were conjured up and 1,000 participants who submitted ideas were offered training and mentorship sessions. Then 254 of these people went through one-on-one mentoring before presenting their ideas. Nearly 20 ideas have been funded. Power Of Ideas

China Inflation Sky Rockets - The inflation rate, measured by the consumer price index, rose 5.1% year-on-year in November, an increase that was above market expectations. On Friday, China had reported much stronger than expected export growth in November, adding to inflation fears. Inflation has in the past caused unrest in China, where poor families spend up to half their incomes on food. The government has said it will take strong action against anyone found to be manipulating food prices. It has taken a number of measures to try to tighten its monetary policy and boost the supply of key goods. Beyond expectations China Inflation Sky Rockets In October, the central bank announced the first interest rate rise in nearly three years and analysts say another may be needed. Shen Jianguang, an economist with Mizuho Securities, told Reuters news agency: "At least one interest rate rise is needed for this year... if you see inflation but no rate hike, people will doubt ...

Miley Cyrus Salvia Scandal - Miley Cyrus was caught smoking the salvia herb “Salvia Divinorum”. But Miley’s smoking of salvia divinorum was both legal in California, and not harmful short-term, says experts. While Miley today brought national news attention to “salvia divinorum”, the salvia herb has been used for decades. It was utilized by religious leaders for healing rituals and was especially prevalent among Indians tribes in Mexico, reports the LA Times. The smoking of salvia divinorum is legal in California and many other states. But DEA and experts have battled over the herb’s use for some time. While it remains unclear where Cyrus got possession of the salvia divinorum, the herb is readily sold in tobacco and smoke shops around Los Angeles County. Miley Cyrus Salvia Scandal But what exactly is salvia divinorum? The herb is part of the mint family, the species salvia, and is often known as sage, confirms news Friday. The chemical at issue in the salvia is salvinorin...