March 15, 2009

Manuel Uribe uses modified truck to go outside

Manuel Uribe reacts after spending his first night on his new modified truck outside his mother's house in the suburb of San Nicolas de los Garza, Monterrey March 20, 2009. Uribe, who once weighed 1,235 pounds (560 kg), will use a modified truck with the help of a driver who will help him to go out anytime he wants to. Uribe, who is unable to walk due to his swollen legs, has been confined to his home for years. Friday was the first time in six bedridden years Uribe was able to go to work. He currently weighs 705 pounds (320 kg).

A paramedic checks the blood pressure of Manuel Uribe before a TV interview in his new modified truck in the suburb of San Nicolas de los Garza, in Monterrey March 20, 2009. Uribe, who once weighed 1,235 pounds (560 kg), will use a modified truck with the help of a driver who will help him to go out anytime he wants to. Uribe, who is unable to walk due to his swollen legs, has been confined to his home for years. Friday was the first time in six bedridden years Uribe was able to go to work. He currently weighs 705 pounds (320 kg).

Manuel Uribe greets children wearing Spring costumes at a esplanade in the suburb of San Nicolas de los Garza, in Monterrey March 20, 2009. Uribe, who once weighed 1,235 pounds (560 kg), will use a modified truck with the help of a driver who will help him to go out anytime he wants to. Uribe, who is unable to walk due to his swollen legs, has been confined to his home for years. Friday was the first time in six bedridden years Uribe was able to go to work. He currently weighs 705 pounds (320 kg).

Manuel Uribe (C) waits for an interview next to his wife Claudia Solis (L) and a TV host at an esplanade in the suburb of San Nicolas de los Garza, in Monterrey March 20, 2009. Uribe, who once weighed 1,235 pounds (560 kg), will use a modified truck with the help of a driver who will help him to go out anytime he wants to. Uribe, who is unable to walk due to his swollen legs, has been confined to his home for years. Friday was the first time in six bedridden years Uribe was able to go to work. He currently weighs 705 pounds (320 kg).

A man is seen behind the window at the office of the American International Group (AIG) in lower Manhattan area in New York's financial district, in this file photo taken on March 9, 2009. Documents turned over to the state of Connecticut attorney general show that American International Group Inc. paid out over $218 million in bonuses, more than the previously disclosed $165 million, published reports said on March 21

The hot air balloon of A. J. Troost named "Peacock" from the Netherlands floats over Malaysia's landmarks Seri Wawasan Bridge (L), Putra Mosque (2nd L), Prime Minister's Office Putra Perdana (2nd R) and Millennium Monument Putrajaya, during International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009 in Putrajaya outside Kuala Lumpur March 21, 2009. The four-day show ends on Sunday with participants from Belgium, New Zealand, Netherlands, France, United States, Philippines, Switzerland, Japan and Malaysia.

Chan Yeeching, a singer from southeast China's Taiwan province, sings with the guitar during her concert held at the Shanghai Grand Stage in Shanghai, east China, March 20, 2009. Chan held an extra concert to thank her fans in Shanghai on Friday.

Chan Yeeching, a singer from southeast China's Taiwan province, sings during her concert held at the Shanghai Grand Stage in Shanghai, east China, March 20, 2009. Chan held an extra concert to thank her fans in Shanghai on Friday.

First lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by students from Washington's Bancroft Elementary School, takes part in groundbreaking of the White House "kitchen gardenon," Friday, March 20, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.

World Bank President Robert Zoellick shakes hands with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) after signing a framework agreement on trust funds at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels March 20, 2009.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso talks to World Bank President Robert Zoellick (L) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels March 20, 2009.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso poses with World Bank President Robert Zoellick (R) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels March 20, 2009

Actress Michelle Rodriguez arrives for the British premiere of "Fast & Furious" in Leicester Square in London March 19, 2009

Actor Paul Walker arrives for the British premiere of "Fast & Furious" in Leicester Square in London March 19, 2009.

Actress Jordana Brewster arrives for the British premiere of "Fast & Furious" in Leicester Square in London March 19, 2009.

Actor Vin Diesel arrives for the British premiere of "Fast & Furious" in Leicester Square in London March 19, 2009.

Actress Michelle Rodriguez arrives for the British premiere of "Fast & Furious" in Leicester Square in London March 19, 2009.

Torsten Frings (R) of Werder Bremen challenges Geoffrey Dernis of St Etienne during their UEFA Cup soccer match at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne March 18, 2009.

BERLIN, March 21 -- German international Torsten Frings will miss two Germany's World Cup qualifiers due to an ankle injury, it was revealed on Friday.

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said that he thinks Frings will miss the two international matches on March 28 and April 1,

"This is not a matter of two or three days, it will probably affect the national team as well," he added.

Frings was injured during a UEFA cup on Wednesday and he will definitely miss Werder Bremen's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on the weekend

Schaaf will also be without suspended defender Naldo, as well as captain Frank Baumann. Striker Markus Rosenberg has also had to withdraw from the squad against Dortmund.

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf (R) and player Torsten Frings speak to the media during a news conference at GSP Stadium in Nicosia November 25, 2008. Werder Bremen will face Anorthosis Famagusta on Wednesday for a Champions League soccer match.

Werder Bremen's (from L) Torsten Frings, Hugo Almeida, Alexandros Tziolis and Diego celebrate a goal against Borussia Dortmund during their German soccer cup "DFB-Pokal" round of 16 match in Dortmund, January 28, 2009.
(Xinhua)

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against Spain's Fernando Verdasco during the Indian Wells ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 19, 2009.

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Triple champion Roger Federer strided into the semifinals of the Indian Wells tennis event here on Thursday, beating 10th-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6.

The Swiss world number two broke left-hander Verdasco in the fifth and ninth games to sweep through the opening set in 29 minutes before led 4-1 in the second.

He then was met with a late surge from his opponent who came from behind to lead 6-5.

Spain's Fernando Verdasco reacts during his match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Indian Wells ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 19, 2009.

But Federer managed to break Verdasco in the 12th game and scraped through the tiebreak 7-5.

British world number four Andy Murray spoiled Croat Ivan Ljubicic's 30th birthday with a hard-fought 7-5 7-6 victory.

Murray next meets second seed Federer.

Murray again broke Ljubicic in the 11th game before winning the first set in 52 minutes.

The Scot held the initiative in the second set and served for the match at 5-4 after 74th-ranked Ljubicic was again broken after a mistimed backhand sailed wide.

Murray failed to hold and had to battle in the tiebreak before winning 8-6.

Roger Federer of Switzerland changes his shirt during his match against Spain's Fernando Verdasco at the Indian Wells ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, March 19, 2009.
(Xinhua)

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria celebrates on the podium after winning the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Schlierenzauer won ahead of second placed Adam Malysz of Poland and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia.

BELGRADE, March 21 -- Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria won a ski jumping World Cup event at Planica in northwestern Slovenia on Friday, consolidating his status as the best ski jumper of the season.

The 19-year-old reigning ski jumping world champion won the event, which was reduced to one jump due to strong winds, with a feat of 203 meters (196.1 points), the Slovenian news agency STA reported.

"Winning in Planica is something special, because this is the biggest hill in the world. I hope the weather will be better in the coming two days," Schlierenzauer said after his win.

Winner Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria (C) holds his trophy as he celebrates on the podium with second placed Adam Malysz of Poland (L) and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.

Schlierenzauer posted his 13th win of the season, breaking the record of Finland's Janne Ahonen who made it to 12 in the 2004/05 season. He has also secured victory in the special ski-flying World Cup rankings.

Poland's Adam Malysz made it to 202.5 meters (195.5 points) to grab the second place and Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia was third in 200.5 meters (193.6).

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.

The organizers and jumpers were struggling with harsh conditions on Friday. Strong wind blew away the trial round and led to repeated breaks in the final round, which also had to be cut short because of darkness.

A team event is scheduled in Planica on Saturday and another individual meet on Sunday for the finals of the ski jumping World Cup.

The Planica hill has traditionally been home to the longest ski jumping in history. The world record of 239 meters was set there in 2005 by Norway's Bjoern Einar Romoeren.

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009

Adam Malysz of Poland celebrates on the podium after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Malysz came in second after Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria who won and Dimitriy Vassiliev of Russia.

Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia celebrates on the podium after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Vassiliev placed third after Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria who won and Adam Malysz of Poland.
(Xinhua)

Conjoined twins wait for a thorough examination in the intensive care unit at the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province in Changsha, capital of central-south China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2009. The twins born on March 16 in Xinhua County of the province weigh 4.8 kilograms and are connected by abdomen. Doctors of the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province would give them a thorough examination and find a way to do the separation surgery.

The doctor looks at the conjoined twins waiting for a thorough examination in the intensive care unit at the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province in Changsha, capital of central-south China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2009. The twins born on March 16 in Xinhua County of the province weigh 4.8 kilograms and are connected by abdomen. Doctors of the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province would give them a thorough examination and find a way to do the separation surgery.

A man shows a ball of thread, material of the dress hung on the wall which was made from newspapers, during the China International Energy Saving, Emission Reduction and New Energy Science and Technology Expo at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2009. More than 200 companies and organizations took part in the expo, opened on March 19.

A car model assembled with plastic vehicle parts to reduce the total weight is displayed during the China International Energy Saving, Emission Reduction and New Energy Science and Technology Expo at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2009. More than 200 companies and organizations took part in the expo, opened on March 19.

Visitors view energy saving and emission reduction models of oil factories during the China International Energy Saving, Emission Reduction and New Energy Science and Technology Expo at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2009. More than 200 companies and organizations took part in the expo, opened on March 19.

Astronaut Steve Swanson is seen in this view from the helmet camera of fellow spacewalker Richard Arnold as the pair work to install the International Space Station's new truss assembly and solar array in this image from NASA TV March 19, 2009.

Astronaut Steve Swanson works to install the International Space Station's new truss assembly and solar array in this March 19, 2009 NASA TV video grab.

Astronaut Steve Swanson is seen in this helmet camera view from fellow spacewalker Richard Arnold as the pair work to install the International Space Station's new truss assembly and solar array in this image from NASA TV March 19, 2009.

Astronaut Steve Swanson is seen in the helmet camera view of fellow spacewalker Richard Arnold as the pair work to install the International Space Station's new truss assembly and solar array in this image from NASA TV March 19, 2009.

A Flip video camcorder made by Pure Digital Technologies is seen in this picture taken in New York March 19, 2009. Cisco Systems Inc is buying digital camcorder-maker Pure Digital Technologies as it seeks to push further into the consumer market. The world's largest maker of computer networking equipment said on Thursday it would pay $590 million in stock to purchase all of privately held Pure Digital's shares.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19 -- In a move to further push into consumer products market, Cisco Systems Inc. on Thursday announced its intent to buy Pure Digital Technologies Inc., the maker of popular Flip video camera.

The world's largest network equipment maker said it will pay about 590 million U.S. dollars in stock in exchange for all shares of privately held Pure Digital as well as 15 million dollars to retain Pure Digital's employees.

The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2009.

San Francisco-based Pure Digital has sold more than 2 million Flip video cameras, which cost from 130 dollars to 230 dollars each and can record up to 60 minutes of high-definition videos.

A Flip video camcorder made by Pure Digital Technologies is seen in this picture taken in New York March 19, 2009.

The colorful Flip camera has built-in software that allows users to easily organize and edit videos and then share them instantly on YouTube and other popular sharing websites.

"The acquisition of Pure Digital is key to Cisco's strategy to expand our momentum in the media-enabled home and to capture the consumer market transition to visual networking," Ned Hooper, senior vice president of Cisco's Corporate Development and Consumer Groups, said in a statement.

"This acquisition will take Cisco's consumer business to the next level as the company develops new video capabilities and drives the next generation of entertainment and communication experiences," he added.
(Xinhua)

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (3rd L) poses with cast members (L-R)Jose Luis Gomez, Blanca Portillo, Penelope Cruz, Luis Homar, Asier Etxandia and Ruben Ochandiano before the premiere of the new movie "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) in downtown Madrid, March 18, 2009.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz poses before the premiere of her new movie "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) in downtown Madrid March 18, 2009.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (C) poses with actresses Penelope Cruz (R) and Blanca Portillo before the premiere of his new movie "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) in downtown Madrid March 18, 2009.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar poses with actress Penelope Cruz before the premiere of his new movie "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) in downtown Madrid March 18, 2009

Spanish actress Monica Cruz, sister of actress Penelope Cruz, pose before the premiere of the new movie "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) in downtown Madrid March 18, 2009.

From left to right, Yao Ming, Zhang Ziyi, Yi Jianlian, Guo Jingjing and Liu Xiang.

BEIJING, March 19 -- Forbes China unveiled its 2009 list of the Chinese celebrity rankings on Tuesday night, with NBA star Yao Ming on top for the sixth straight year.

Yao holds a safe lead with the most frequent media exposure and a pre-tax income of 357 million yuan (about 51 million U.S. dollars), the highest among the 100 celebrities.

Actress Zhang Ziyi leads the female front-runners and takes the second spot on the list. Coming up next are NBA player Yi Jianlian and Olympic champion diver Guo Jingjing.

The injury-plagued athlete Liu Xiang, who was placed second in 2007 and 2008, fell to the fifth place.

Since its inception in 2004, the Forbes' Top 100 Chinese celebrity List has ranked actors, filmmakers, musicians, writers and athletes born on the Chinese mainland according to their press coverage, web hits and commercial value in the previous year. The list is updated in March every year.

Top Ten Chinese Celebrities on this year's Forbes list are as below:

1 Yao Ming, athlete

2 Zhang Ziyi, actress

3 Yi Jianlian, athlete

4 Guo Jingjing, athlete

5 Liu Xiang, athlete

6 Jet Li , actor

7 Zhao Wei, actress

8 Fan Bingbing, actress

9 Zhou Xun, actress

10 Li Bingbing, actress

(Source: CRIEnglish.com)

U.S. singer Madonna performs on stage during her "Sticky and Sweet" tour at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Dec. 5, 2008.

BEIJING, March 19 -- Madonna plans to head back into the studio to record new music for an upcoming greatest hits album, tentatively due in September.

Details on the project -- which will be her last album for Warner Bros. Records -- are not yet final, according to Liz Rosenberg, Madonna's longtime publicist. But she said that "all different options are being explored regarding packaging and content."

One of those options might involve input from Madonna's fans on which tunes should be included on the album. Guy Oseary, the singer's manager, has posted missives to his Twitter account, soliciting suggestions from Madonna's devotees about which tracks "must be on" the album.

Madonna has released two previous best-ofs: 1990's "The Immaculate Collection" and 2001's "GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2." She also issued the ballads collection, "Something To Remember," in 1995. "Immaculate" is tied with Patsy Cline's "Greatest Hits" as the top-selling hits albums ever by a solo female in the U.S. -- both are certified at 10 million sold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

In 2007, Madonna signed a long-term, all-encompassing deal with Live Nation. Her last album owed to Warner Bros. is the forthcoming hits package.

Madonna signed to the Warner Bros. Records label Sire in 1982 and released her first single, "Everybody," that year. Her self-titled debut album bowed in 1983.

Her most recent set, 2008's "Hard Candy," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 280,000. It has sold 714,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Source: chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies

A kid attends a welcome ceremony for Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika during an election campaign rally in Batna, Algiers, March 19, 2009. Six candidates, including incumbent head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika, will take part in the presidential elections on April 9.

Algerians in support of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika attend an election campaign rally in Batna, Algiers, March 19, 2009. Six candidates, including incumbent head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika, will take part in the presidential elections on April 9.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika attends an election campaign rally in Batna, Algiers, March 19, 2009. Six candidates, including incumbent head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika, will take part in the presidential elections on April 9.

olympic spirit

Manuel Uribe uses modified truck to go outside

AIG bonus payments even bigger

4-day show of Int'l Hot Air Balloon Fiesta comes to end

Chan Yeeching holds extra concert in Shanghai

Michelle Obama breaks ground for White House "kitchen garden"

European Commission, World Bank sing framework agreement on trust fund

Cast members arrive for premiere of "Fast & Furious"

German midfielder Frings to miss two World Cup qualifiers

Federer books semifinal berth at Indian Wells

Austrian ski jumper wins World Cup in Slovenia

China's conjoined twins wait for thorough examination

Dress made from newspapers

Astronauts go on spacewalk to install solar wings

Cisco to buy video camera maker Pure Digital

Cast members attend premiere of "Los Abrazos Rotos"

Yao tops forbes list again, but Ziyi catches up

Madonna to record new tracks for hits collection

Presidential elections campaign in Algeria

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