Watch the Ball Drop Online

The Ball Drop 2010, one of the most popular annual traditions for New Year’s Eve, is amazing!  You can watch the Ball Drop 2011 online below. Scroll down for a re-broacast of the live streaming video of the Ball Drop 2010. Watch online video of New Year’s Eve 2010 from Times Square in New York City, thanks to the official stream from Times Square. The live streaming video started just minutes before midnight Eastern Time. But if you missed it, you can watch the ball drop below! ushering in the new year.

Last year’s webcast was seen by hundreds of thousands of viewers from 196 countries. The 2011 event included performances by Taio Cruz and many other celebrity guests. This webcast also includes first-ever wedding broadcast live from Times Square. According to Huffington Post, the first New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square began in 1904. “In 1904, after the New York Times had relocated to a new building in what had been known as Longacre Square. Publisher Adolph Ochs had successfully pushed for a renaming of the district, and the triangular area where the new building sat at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Streets has since then been known as Times Square.”

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How old is dick clark?

It's New Year's Eve, so if you're not out partying, why not make a party for yourself? To get into the countdown-to-midnight mood, you can tune to NBC at 10 for "NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly." Or, you can check out "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2011" which airs at 10 on ABC, and can be seen on WEWS­TV Channel 5. After a break at 11 for the news, both shows return at 11:30 to ring in the new year. Also back for another New Year's Eve special are Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin, who will ring in the new year on CNN (cable Channel 30).

Avril Lavigne is getting ready to debut her 'What the Hell' single on 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest' -- a performance that will also mark the beginning of a highly visible year for the Canadian rocker, who recently celebrated Christmas with boyfriend Brody Jenner and the Kardashian clan. 'What the Hell' is "a really fun, upbeat party song, so it worked out really well to play it for the first time on 'New Year's Rockin' Eve," she tells PopEater. Plus, Avril continues to work with the charitable foundation she launched this year to help young people who are dealing with serious illnesses and disabilities. She's open to more film work even amid her hectic schedule. And of course, there's the man in her life, Brody -- whose name she had tattooed on her torso this past summer -- to keep happy.

How can she manage all that at once? "It's all about keeping a balance," insists Avril. "I work hard, and I also play hard."

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Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh Cricket Team captain

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh allrounder, has been retained as captain of the national team for 2011. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has been named his deputy, and both will face their first major assignment in the new year in the World Cup.

The Bangladesh captaincy has shuffled between Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib since the tour of West Indies in 2009 but Mortaza's knee injury has affected his prospects for the next year. Tamim, who returned to the line-up after a hand injury in Bangladesh's last ODI series against Zimbabwe, takes over from wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim as vice-captain.

The year 2010 was a mixed one for Bangladesh as they lost each of their seven Tests, but bounced back from a poor start in the ODIs to beat New Zealand 4-0 at home in October. They then followed that up with a 3-1 series win over Zimbabwe to end the year on a satisfactory note.

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Jackson Autopsy Show Postponed

Discovery Channel International has indefinitely postponed the broadcast of a show purporting to re-enact Michael Jackson’s autopsy, the company announced Friday. The company cited the start of hearings next week in the criminal case against Jackson’s doctor and a request by the late superstar’s estate as reasons for the postponement.

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Jackson’s estate, accused Discovery of insensitivity toward the singer’s family in a letter Wednesday demanding that the company cancel plans for the program. They said they were especially outraged by an Internet ad for the show, “Michael Jackson’s Autopsy,” which they described as depicting a corpse on a steel gurney covered by a sheet with a hand sticking out wearing Jackson’s signature sequined glove.

Branca and McClain said Friday in a statement that Discovery seemed to be reacting to outrage from Jackson fans, in addition to their own criticisms. “Discovery Channel made the correct decision in choosing to cancel this exploitative program. We are hopeful that this show will never run in any market in the future,” they said.

The company’s decision was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Tuesday for Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, after which a judge will decide if there is sufficient evidence to hold Murray for trial.

The singer died on June 25, 2009, of what was later found to be acute Propofol intoxication, with other sedatives found to have been a contributing factor.

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Shammi Kapoor and Shashi hospitalised

The Kapoor legends so to say, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, brothers aged 79 and 72 respectively, are suffering from age related ailments. They both have been hospitalised for the past few days.

While Shammiji is suffering from kidney ailments and is recuperating at Breach Candy hospital, Shashiji is admitted at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri. Amitabh Bachchan who visited both at their respective hospitals tweeted and blogged about the visit, "went to visit Shashi Kapoor in hospital and pained to see him in such condition...prayers for him please." He also mentioned about the visit to Shammi Kapoor on his blog as he wrote, "I have been to visit Shammi Kapoor in hospital. He is unwell, in a different hospital. He was his most charming self as always and joked and laughed over his condition."

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Man Charged in Reading Wife's Email

An Internet law designed to protect the stealing of trade secrets and identities is being used to levy a felony charge against a Michigan man after he logged onto his then-wife's Gmail account and found out she was cheating.  Leon Walker, 33, of Rochester Hills, Mich., is being charged with felony computer misuse, and faces up to five years in prison after logging into the email account of now ex-wife Clara Walker on a shared laptop using her password, the Detroit Free Pressreports. 

He is facing a Feb. 7 trial. Leon and Clara Walker's divorce was finalized earlier this month, the Free Press reports. Clara, who was married twice previously, was having an affair with her second husband, as Walker found in her email, according to the Free Press. The second husband had been arrested earlier for beating her in front of her young son from her first husband. 

Walker was worried about more domestic violence from husband No. 2, so he handed the e-mails over to the child's father, the Free Press reports. He promptly filed an emergency motion to obtain custody.  Leon Walker, a computer technician with Oakland County, was arrested in February 2009, after Clara Walker learned he had provided the emails to her first husband. 

"I was doing what I had to do," Leon Walker told the Free Press in a recent interview. He has been out on bond since shortly after his arrest. "We're talking about putting a child in danger."  Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper defended her decision to charge Walker, calling him a skilled "hacker" who downloaded the material in "a contentious way." 

Electronic Privacy expert Frederick Lane told the Free Press that the case hinges in a legal grey area, and the fact that the laptop was shared may help Walker's cause.  About 45 percent of divorce cases involve some snooping -- and gathering -- of email, Facebook and other online material, Lane said. But he added that those are generally used by the warring parties for civil reasons -- not for criminal prosecution, the Free Press reports. 

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Manhattanites Move to Luxury Rentals

Adam Neumann and his wife set out in 2008 to buy an apartment in lower Manhattan, hoping to get a bargain on a 2,500-square-foot (232-square-meter) luxury unit.

Failing to find a deal, they chose an increasingly practical option for the city’s wealthiest residents: renting. They’re paying $300,000 upfront on a five-year lease for an empty TriBeCa loft with almost twice the space that the landlord will outfit to their design. The median monthly rent for all luxury units in Manhattan, defined as the top 10 percent of the market by price, declined 18 percent to $6,950 in the third quarter from a year earlier, according to New York-based Miller Samuel. The median luxury sale price rose 13 percent to $4.39 million, after bottoming out at $3.78 million in the final three months of 2009. The divergent moves left the gap between the cost of buying a luxury apartment and the annual cost of renting at its widest since the first quarter of 2009, when the median purchase price peaked at $6.6 million. Buying cost 53 times renting in the third quarter, compared with 38 times a year earlier and 58 times in March 2009. “People are much more hesitant to put down their money into such a large investment when there is such a strong possibility that the market could go down further,” Song said. 

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Chris Brown Apologizes

Chris Brown has apologized after making headlines for a Twitter war on Wednesday, which saw the singer and Raz-B, a former B2K vocalist, exchanging insults after the latter man lashed out at Brown on the social networking site over what happened with Rihanna. “Yesterday was an unfortunate lack in judgment sparked by public Twitter attacks from Raz B, who was bent on getting attention. Words cannot begin to express how sorry and frustrated I am over what transpired publicly on Twitter,” Brown said in a statement released by his rep to Access Hollywoodon Thursday.

The Twitter war erupted early Wednesday morning when De’Mario Monte Thornton, known as Raz-B, Tweeted, “Im just sittin here Thinking how can n***** like @ebenet [Eric Benet] and @chrisbrown disrespect women as Intelligent as Halle Berry, Rihanna.” About two hours later, Brown responded to the singer, claiming Raz-B just wanted attention, before adding a profanity-laced Tweet, which suggested Raz-B is gay.

For several hours, both men Tweeted back and forth, accusing each other of being gay. Brown also took aim at Raz-B’s claims he was molested by people he worked with, suggesting the singer spoke about molestation when his career started to slide. “I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur own career by beating women!” Raz-B responded.

“when I need tips on how to demolish my career I’ll call ya!!!!!” Brown later Tweeted back. The Twitter battle continued throughout Wednesday afternoon, with Raz-B, who posted the most Tweets, laying into Brown’s emotional 2010 BET Awards Michael Jackson tribute performance.

“Oh yea, your Michael Jackson tribute was cool, until you made it about yourself!!!!! What a Disgrace!!!! God bless you too!” he Tweeted. The two eventually cooled off and Brown defended himself before moving on to other Tweet material.

“LOVE ALL MY SUPPORTERS and people who know my heart.HOMOPHOBE?c’mon,find a better tactic.thats pure ignorance and stupidity. i love everyone,” he wrote. Brown apologized for touching on the molestation subject in a statement toAccess Hollywood on Thursday.

“Molestation and victims of such acts are not to be taken lightly; and for my comments I apologize — from the bottom of my heart. I love all of my fans, gay and straight. I have friends from all walks of life and I am committed, with God’s help, to continue becoming a better person,” his statement concluded.

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Crystal and Hefner got Engaged

"I gave Crystal a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve. When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas in memory." Santa Claus presented Hugh Hefner with a busty blonde over the weekend, as the Playboy founder announced via Twitter that he's engaged to 24-year old Crystal Harris.

Hugh Heffner is engaged to be married. He is 84 years old and counting, and made the announcement official yesterday. He tweeted it, so at least we know he has some technological skills at his age. His girlfriend-turned-fiancé is 24 years old. Crystal Harris is 60 years younger than Heff. Sixty years is a lifetime for many people.

Hugh Heffner has only married twice, hard to believe, but true. Why get married when he had so many women ready, willing and able to share his home without the benefit of marriage. His reputation will live longer far longer than he will. There probably isn’t a man in the world who didn’t take comfort in the beauty of his girls, the Playmates, especially the centerfolds. Why now, why did Hugh Heffner get engaged at 84 years of age? Perhaps he sees the snow on the roof and fears time is running out? Maybe it is true love; then again, it is his life and his choice. If they are happy, go for it.

Hugh Heffner started ‘Playboy’ in 1953. His first cover-girl was Marilyn Monroe. Not a bad way to begin! Heffner married for the first time in 1949 and he has two children, ages 58 and 55, from that marriage. They divorced in 1959. It was a strange marriage in that the first Mrs. Heffner, Mildred Williams confessed her infidelity to Heff and gave him the freedom to sleep with anyone he wanted during their marriage. That was her way of getting over the guilt from her own affair. Hugh Heffner's second marriage was to a playmate in 1989. Kimberly Conrad gave Heff two sons, now 21 and 19 years old. That marriage lasted for 11 years.

If Hugh Heffner and his new finance are happy, that is all well and good. They have been dating since January of 2009. It just so happens that he was dating a pair of twins at the same time. The twins were pushed to the curb about a year ago and he shares his time only with Crystal now, as reported in the Daily Mail. If marriage is on the table are more kids far behind for Hugh Heffner?

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Mona Nelson Arrested for Murder of 12-Year-Old

Relatives of the fifth grade boy who was found dead and burned beyond recognition say that they have no idea who the woman is that police have charged with the child's murder. Mona Nelson is "an acquaintance" of the family of Texas fifth grader Jonathan Foster, whose body was found Monday in a Houston ditch, police said. Nelson, 44, has been charged with capital murder and is being held without bond. According to ABC News' Houston affiliate KTRK, Nelson did not appear at a court hearing this morning because of an "unspecified medical issue."

Late Wednesday, the severely burned body was finally identified as that of Jonathan Foster, the 12-year-old boy who vanished on Christmas Eve. The cause of death has not yet been determined. "Nelson has given what investigators say is a self-serving statement that places her with Jonathan, but she has not admitted to killing him," said Houston Police Department spokesman Kese Smith. Smith said that Nelson is the only suspect in the case.

Police also said their search for Jonathan was delayed by several days because the boy's mother, Angela Davis, and stepfather, David Davis, originally gave cops conflicting information. Nelson is believed to be the woman who the mother claims answered the phone at her home on Christmas Eve, a chilling call that had authorities concerned for Foster's safety.

Mary Gifford, the boy's grandmother, said that when her daughter called her son back on Friday, a woman she did not know picked up the phone. "My daughter asked to speak with her son, and then the woman asked [Jonathan] if Angela was his mother," said Gifford. "He said, 'Yes ma'am, Angela is my mother,' and then the phone went dead."

Gifford, who had been holding out hope that her grandson would be found alive, told ABCNews.com today that she's devastated. "I'm trying to hang in there, but what would be going through your mind if this happened to your child?" she said. "I keep thinking 'Why did she do it? Did she torture him? Why didn't she just let him come home?"

Gifford said she didn't know Nelson and that she wasn't sure if her daughter knew her either.

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England win because Pietersen quit captaincy

Kevin Pietersen is adamant that England's Ashes success in Australia stems back to his ultimatum with Peter Moores, the former coach, at the beginning of 2009 which led to both men losing their jobs. Pietersen's captaincy stint ended after just three Tests when the relationship with Moores fell apart following the tour of India as England were plunged into crisis. From the wreckage of those days, however, the team have hit new heights including success in the 2009 Ashes, winning the World Twenty20 and now the retention of the urn with an innings-and-157-run thrashing of Australia in Melbourne. Pietersen has now insisted those moments of glory wouldn't have been possible without the stand he took.

"They are very good at keeping us level headed and grounded and solid," he said. "Sure we will celebrate this win for a day or so and then we will talk about Sydney and trying to win this series 3-1. It's the best feeling in my career, nothing beats this. As an Englishman, winning in England in 2005 was amazing after it had not been done for a certain amount of years, but people always talked about the fact that when you go to Australia it is a different kettle of fish and last time we came here we got hammered. "This time we have come here knowing the preparation has been right, knowing what to expect from the crowds, from the public in the street, people in hotels and taxi drivers to players out in the middle. We were told to beware of this and we knew what to expect. We always thought we would do a lot better than last time, I was confident of that and that has proved right."

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Akshay is planning a international Karate tournament

Last year when Akshay Kumar introduced his National Karate Tournament, it met with an overwhelming response, and this year too the entries have been pouring in from all over. The overload has been so unexpected that the organisers are apparently flooded with contestants. Thanks to such unprecedented response and taking into consideration the fact that last year's tournament winners went on to win a silver and three bronze medals at the Japan Karate tournament, Akshay has now decided on expanding.

Akshay, who is well pleased with the response, has since decided to take the tournament to the next level by inviting participants from across the seven seas thus providing a bigger field of techniques. For this aspect, logistically the organizers are planning on getting international talent from the US and other European countries as well as from most South Asian countries to participate in the tournament. Whatever be the case, with Akshay's international project Breakaway already on the anvil, this tournament just adds another feather in his already impressive hat.

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Port Management is overtake by Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is taking over management of the city's port from neighboring Dubai's port firm DP World, which manages similar facilities around the world. DP World and Abu Dhabi Terminals said Thursday that ADT will assume management control of Mina Zayed in the new year, when an existing management services agreement expires. The move won't have a material effect on DP World's earnings, according to a regulatory filing.

Plans for management of a larger deep-water facility known as Khalifa Port that is expected to open in 2012 have not been decided, the companies said. The companies didn't provide a reason for the change but say they will continue to work closely together.

Abu Dhabi controls the United Arab Emirates federation's presidency and most of the OPEC member's oil wealth. Like Dubai, it's working to diversify its economy with help from state-sponsored companies and is eager to build its own industrial expertise. "We are committed to improving the capabilities of ADT to better serve our customers and to enhance the capabilities of the company in anticipation of the move to the new Khalifa Port," ADT Chairman Tawfeeq al-Mubarak said.

ADT is a division of the state-owned Abu Dhabi Port Co., which was set up in 2006 to manage sea trade in the emirate. DP World is considered one of Dubai's industrial crown jewels. It is the world's fourth largest port operator, with business at 50 cargo terminals on six continents, including the Mideast's largest in Dubai. It is part of struggling state conglomerate Dubai World, but is not included in its parent's $24.9 billion debt restructuring.

Last week, DP World sold the bulk of its Australian businesses to a Citi investment fund and an unnamed investor for $1.5 billion in a bid to trim its debt. The deal left it with a 25 percent stake in the operations and ongoing management oversight of the ports in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle. DP World is hoping to offer a secondary listing for its shares on the London Stock Exchange in the new year, prompting speculation Dubai might sell off a bigger stake in the firm. About a fifth of DP World's shares are currently available to investors through a listing on the Nasdaq Dubai.

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Miss. parole share freedom

For 16 years, sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott have shared a life behind bars for their part in an $11 armed robbery. To share freedom, they must also share a kidney.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour suspended the sisters' life sentences on Wednesday, but 36-year-old Gladys Scott's release is contingent on her giving a kidney to Jamie, her 38-year-old sister, who requires daily dialysis.

The sisters were convicted in 1994 of leading two men into an ambush in central Mississippi the year before. Three teenagers hit each man in the head with a shotgun and took their wallets – making off with only $11, court records said.

Jamie and Gladys Scott were each convicted of two counts of armed robbery and sentenced to two life sentences.

"I think it's a victory," said the sisters' attorney, Chokwe Lumumba. "I talked to Gladys and she's elated about the news. I'm sure Jamie is, too."

Civil rights advocates have for years called for their release, saying the sentences were excessive. Those demands gained traction when Barbour asked the Mississippi Parole Board to take another look at the case.

The Scott sisters are eligible for parole in 2014, but Barbour said prison officials no longer think they are a threat to society and Jamie's medical condition is costing the state a lot of money.

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"Avatar", 3D drive foreign box office

According to preliminary estimates, receipts for the six major Hollywood studios from all countries outside the United States and Canada will total $12.7 billion, breaking the $10.7 billion record set in 2009. This was accomplished despite the fact that "admissions (the number of tickets sold) have been more or less flat internationally versus 2009," one studio executive noted.

What made the difference was a more than doubling of the number of 3D titles released abroad at steeper ticket prices, thus yielding a roughly 35% 3D ticket surcharge. (In the United States and Canada, 2010 is on track to match last year's take of $10.6 billion, despite a notable five percent drop in admissions.)

"2010 was certainly the year when 3D had a major impact on box office, with eight of the top 15 international titles (presented) in 3D," said Andrew Cripps, president of Paramount Pictures International. Leading the way was "Avatar," which grossed almost $1.5 billion of its $2 billion foreign haul during 2010.

Other major 3D titles included "Alice in Wonderland" ($690.2 million), "Toy Story 3" ($649.2 million), which topped the list of 2010 releases. Among other 3D notables were "Shrek Forever After" ($505 million), "Clash of the Titans" ($330 million), "Despicable Me" ($291 million) and "How to Train Your Dragon" ($277.5 million). Among 2D titles, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" ($610 million) and "Inception" ($531 million), ranked at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, ahead of the "Shrek" sequel.

The top-five films on average earned about two-thirds of their worldwide sales from outside North America. Not all was smooth sailing in 2010. The enormous success of "Avatar" -- plus the robust performance of "Alice in Wonderland" -- wildly skewed results of the first quarter. The second quarter went largely in the other direction thanks to the football World Cup, crippling releases such as "The A-Team," whose foreign total stalled at $101 million. The third quarter was better, but 2010 ended on a down note because of tough year-ago comparisons with "Avatar"-fueled business.

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Kiran and Aamir's holiday plans cancelled

On 28th of December this year, Kiran and Aamir will celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. Funnily, Kiran and Aamir have never been to a proper honeymoon till date. So Kiran was planning one in a big way for this year. Kiran was planning to go the scenic South of France, and book a chalet over there, where Kiran and Aamir would get to spend quality alone time together. Kiran even threw in a dash of the typical European back packing trip. 

She was really kicked about the honeymoon, as since the past 3 years Aamir has had releases (TZP, Ghajini, 3 Idiots) at this time of the year; therefore they have been unable to celebrate their anniversary in a special way. Kiran has planned the holiday to the last detail this year, and had even put in extensive research, behind the holiday. Both of them were very excited to finally have their long due honeymoon.  Everything was in place and Kiran and Aamir were scheduled to leave on the night of 24th of December and return on the 2nd of January. 

Unfortunately, fate had other plans, as the mixing of Dhobi Ghat's sound was not yet over. The producer in Aamir sprung up, and he decided to cancel the holiday. After all, Dhobi Ghat is their baby, and they should dedicate all their time to Dhobi Ghat. It marks the coming together of director Kiran Rao and Aamir the actor. And therefore, after much contemplation, and to Kiran's dismay, they decided to cancel their trip.  Well, everyone knows how dedicated Aamir is, and Dhobi Ghat being Kiran's first film, it is extremely close to her heart as well. So they decided to forego their holiday, and instead work on what is the love of their lives - Dhobi Ghat.

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Ricky Ponting out of Sydney Test

Ricky Ponting may never play another Test after being withdrawn from next week's Ashes contest in Sydney due to his broken left finger. Ponting's absence creates a raft of issues, including the appointment of Michael Clarke as Australia's 43rd Test captain later this afternoon, and whether he will add to his 152 appearances in a baggy green.

Australia delayed naming their squad for Sydney - Usman Khawaja will be included - after learning Ponting's fracture had deteriorated during the fourth Test at the MCG. That result ensured England retained the Ashes and meant Ponting has failed to win them for a record third time.

"I'm devastated to tell you the truth, it was the news I was dreading," Ponting said after landing in Sydney. "During the game I didn't think I'd done too much more to it."

When asked if he was considering retirement he said: "I'm not thinking about it at all." Ponting, who scored only 113 runs in the first four games, could face surgery on his finger, but is expected to be fit to guide Australia in their push to win a fourth consecutive World Cup. He had an x-ray on the final day of the Melbourne defeat and it showed the fracture had moved during the match.

"He needs to commence treatment immediately to achieve a satisfactory outcome," Alex Kountouris, the team's physiotherapist, said. "The treatment options include surgery or aggressive splinting and immobilisation of the injured finger."

He will see a specialist again over the next day to decide on the best option. "His return to cricket will be based on how quickly the fracture heals and he will hopefully commence training in the later part of the Australian summer," Kountouris said. "He is expected to be fully fit for the World Cup."

Ponting's Test future is less clear as Australia's next five-day engagement is currently scheduled for Sri Lanka in August, although there is a talk of a series against Bangladesh after the World Cup. He is already 36 and Australia have realised during their poor Ashes performance that they have to start rebuilding through young players.

The deputy Clarke will replace Ponting, who took over the captaincy in 2004. However, Clarke has had a poor campaign with the bat as well and there are lingering questions over his suitability to control the team at such a crucial period.

Khawaja was on standby for Ponting in Melbourne and was also called late into the squad for the opening game in Brisbane when Clarke had a bad back. He started the season well for New South Wales, scoring a double-century, and leads the Sheffield Shield run list with 598 at 74.75.

Despite his strong overall record, he hasn't posted a first-class hundred since his 214, although he has produced some useful half-centuries. The past four Tests have shown that Australia need big scores from their top six to survive against England and it is a tough ask for a debutant to provide such leadership to an ailing outfit.

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Suge Knight Killed Tupac

Suge Knight Arrested – Has Suge Knight Killed Tupac? That’s the big question on millions of peoples minds right now, if they are falling for the hoax videos and silly rumors that are spreading across the net today. Whether Suge Knight did kill Tupac or not, we don’t know the answer to that, but we do know why he was arrested. Although Suge Knight was actually arrested today. According to CNN, it was as a result of not appearing at court on a traffic violation. According to reports, The 45-year-old consented to go with the police and was booked and issued a citation to appear in court again on the traffic violation. The whole process took about an hour. 
It would seem that now some people have managed to turn that arrest into something much more than it actually was. Quite a difference between a traffic violation and being charged for murder. I guess this latest rumor makes a change from all the death rumors that have been round the net over the last few days. We have had the death of Aretha Franklin, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy and a few other stars over the last few days. Needless to say, each and everyone of them are actually still alive.

Well, I suppose the latest rumor is a bit more imaginative, than the death rumors. wonder who is going to come up with the next one and what it will be.

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Whitewash lessons to England

For nigh on two decades, ever since Australia broke away from the pack to become the undisputed masters of world cricket, the Australian way has been the only way forward for teams in search of success. After a defeat of staggering magnitude in the fourth Test at Melbourne, that may not be the case for much longer, but nevertheless, the seeds of England's triumph can still be traced back to the lessons they themselves were handed out on this same campaign four years ago.

The whitewash series of 2006-07 is not a topic that England have been keen to address publicly on this trip, and with some justification, given the range of humiliations they suffered in each of their five Test defeats. Privately, however, the memories of those matches and the methods that the Aussies used to stifle England's ambitions have been taken on board and turned back on their tormentors, with a considerable degree of success. That is because England's planning for this campaign has been exemplary. David Saker, their Victorian bowling coach, not only knew the five Test venues with the intimacy that only a Sheffield Shield veteran could bring to the equation, he also instilled in his pace-bowling charges a discipline and determination to be ready for action at all times, and a trust in their own abilities that no bowling coach in England's history - not even the feted Troy Cooley - would have been able to match.

"The way David Saker has worked with them and made sure they are ready from ball one is exceptional," said Strauss. "Often when bowlers are not playing they lose rhythm, and the fact they are suddenly thrust into a Test match can affect them pretty badly, so credit to him and way they have worked as well. But there's no rocket science involved. We always look for secret formulas, but generally there is isn't one. It involves graft."

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Srikrishna report on 31st

Every Telugu, residing not just in Andhra Pradesh but in any other part of the globe, is waiting with bated breath for the dusk of December 31. Not to bid adieu to 2010 or welcome 2011, but to know whether their state will remain as united Andhra Pradesh or possibly get bifurcated into Telangana and Andra December 31 is the 'D-day' when the five-member Justice Srikrishna Committee, appointed by the Government of India on February 3 this year, for consultations on the situation in Andhra Pradesh, submits its report after an extensive field work in the wake of the demand for and against the bifurcation of the state.

Though the recommendations of the Committee are unlikely to be publicised the same day, every citizen of this state has come to see it as a landmark day that defines their future.

The Committee was appointed in the backdrop of the agitation for and against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, when the demand for creation of a separate Telangana state reached a feverish pitch in late 2009.

The Justice Srikrishna Committee was asked to examine, among other things, the situation in Andhra Pradesh with reference to the demand for a separate state of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of a united Andhra Pradesh.

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Cong blames Sanjay

The Congress has severely criticised Sanjay Gandhi's coercive family planning experiment during the Emergency - calling it arbitrary and authoritarian.

The party has made it's view official by putting it down in a book to mark it's 125th anniversary.

For decades, Congress has preferred caution while discussing its Sanjay Gandhi years even though the Gandhi scion was roundly criticised for several of his policies.

It was his family planning policy of getting men forcibly sterilized that earned him the title of an autocrat.

For the first time ever, the congress has decided to break its silence on the issue. The book called 'The Congress and the making of the Indian nation' has Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as its chief editor.

Released on the occasion of its 125 years celebration, it says," Over enthusiasm led to compulsion in enforcement of programmes like compulsory sterilisation and clearance of slums."

"Sanjay promoted slum clearance, anti dowry measures and promotion of literacy...but in an arbitrary and authoritarian manner. This led to much to the annoyance of the popular opinion."

While Congress never misses a chance to speak of Rajiv Gandhi's legacy, it has so far consistently steered clear of discussing or mentioning Sanjay Gandhi. His son Varun's decision to join the BJP made that silence more intense.

Interestingly in its 125th year, the party has made another departure by even including a chapter on Narasimha Rao in the book - a PM who has usually been the party's favourite fall guy.

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Ashes series : Key moments

Key moments in the 2010/11 Ashes series between Australia and England after the tourists won the fourth Test at the MCG to take a 2-1 lead and retain the famous urn on Wednesday. 

FIRST TEST, BRISBANE, November 25-29 

Day 1: England captain Andrew Strauss wins the toss and bats first, losing his wicket after just three balls and setting the tone for an Australia dominated day in which Peter Siddle takes a hat-trick and the tourists are bowled out for 260. The hosts finish 25/0. 

Day 2: Australia slump to 143/5 before being rescued by Mike Hussey (81 not out) and Brad Haddin (22 not out) to close on 220/5. 

Day 3: Hussey and Haddin complete centuries and pile on 307 runs for the sixth wicket. The hosts are dismissed for 481 with Hussey falling just five runs short of his first Test double century. England close on 19/0. 

Day 4: England's openers Strauss and Alastair Cook put on 188 runs and then Cook combines with Jonathan Trott to lead England to 309/1 at the close. 

Day 5: England amass 517 runs, Cook and Trott's unbeaten partnership of 329 runs the highest by English batsmen in a Test in Australia, before declaring and bowling 26 overs at the hosts who finish 107/1. 

Result: Match drawn. 

SECOND TEST, ADELAIDE, December 3-7 

Day 1: Australia captain Ricky Ponting wins the toss and opts to bat, his team starting in disastrous fashion by losing their first three wickets for two runs, which they never recover from on their way to 245 all out. Hussey top scores with 93. England close on 1/0. 

Day 2: Strauss is bowled on the third ball of the day but Cook (136 not out) steers England to 317/2 at the close after sharing in a 173-run partnership with Trott (78). 

Day 3: Cook goes early on for 148 but Kevin Pietersen finishes 213 not out to have the tourists 551/4 at stumps. 

Day 4: England declare on 620/5 before lunch, a first innings lead of 375, and by the close have reduced Australia to 238/4. 

Day 5: With heavy rain forecast in the afternoon, spinner Graeme Swann claims five wickets as Australia are bowled out before lunch for 304 to put England one up. 

Result: England won by an innings and 71 runs. 

THIRD TEST, PERTH, December 16-20 

Day 1: England start brightly having won the toss and electing to bowl, Australia's top order blown away to leave them 65/4 at lunch. Bowler Mitchell Johnson top scores with 62 late on as the hosts are dismissed for 268. England close on 29/0. 

Day 2: Johnson rediscovers his bowling rhythm taking 6/38 to blow away England for just 187. Australia finish the day well on top, 119/3. 

Day 3: Hussey (116) and opener Shane Watson (95) guide Australia to 309 all out, leaving England 391 runs to win the match and retain the Ashes. The tourists close on 81/5, Johnson and Ryan Harris with two wickets apiece. 

Day 4: Australia waste no time in cleaning up England for 123 in just 37 overs, Harris claiming 6/47 to level the series. 

Result: Australia won by 267 runs. 

FOURTH TEST, MELBOURNE, December 26-30 

Day 1: In front of nearly 90,000 fans, Australia subside to 98 all out after Strauss puts the hosts into bat, opening bowlers James Anderson and Chris Tremlett with four wickets each. England finish on 157/0. 

Day 2: Trott comes to the crease early but bats the entire day to finish 141 not out and lead England, with the help of Matt Prior (75 not out), to 444/5 at stumps. 

Day 3: England are dismissed quickly for 513 and have to bide their time for a breakthrough but after opener Philip Hughes is run out for 23 with the score at 53, the wickets begin to come and Australia are 169/6 at the close. 

Day 4: Mitchell Johnson (6) falls early to Tremlett but Haddin (55 not out) and Siddle (40) extended the rearguard action. Swann dismissed Siddle and Bresnan got Hilfenhaus caught behind. Harris, who had a stress fracture of his left ankle, did not bat so Australia were out for 258 and England retained the Ashes. 

Result: England won by an innings and 157 runs. 

The fifth Test of the series is to be played in Sydney from January 3-7, 2011.

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