ONE NEWS

Thursday, January 28, 2010 LOS ANGELES: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is teaming up with key networks for a week-long, cross-network marketing drive in the US for its highly anticipated new film release, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ The move will see customised 60-second adverts being released on the for three TV networkds from January 31, in a bid to drive buzz and excitement for the new motion picture. Each will feature exclusive, ‘never-before-seen footage’ from visionary director Tim Burton’s 3D theatrical motion-picture event. The executions will culminate with a Super Bowl spot on February 7, 2010. Entitled ‘Tick-Tock’, Disney promises the ‘action-packed’ spot will feature “intense imagery and a few surprises” from Burton’s Wonderland. The film giant is hoping that 3D will prove a global draw for the film after James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ – also in 3D - was officially named the highest grossing film of all time, surpassing the $1.843 billion made by ‘Titanic’. Marketing f...

Thursday, January 28, 2010 WASHINGTON: Iceland leads the world in addressing pollution control and natural resource management challenges, according to the index produced by a team of environmental experts at Yale University and Columbia University. Iceland's top-notch performance derives from its high scores on environmental public health, controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and reforestation, according to a media release from Yale University. Other high performers include Switzerland, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Norway, all of which have made substantial investments in environmental infrastructure, pollution control, and policies designed to move toward long-term sustainability. However, among the other newly industrialised nations Brazil and Russia rank 62nd and 69th, suggesting that the level of development is just one of many factors affecting pollution control. Presented Thursday at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010, the EPI ranks 163 countries on their per...

Thursday, January 28, 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haiti President Rene Preval said Wednesday "nearly 170,000" bodies had already been counted since the January 12 earthquake, substantially higher than previous toll estimates of 150,000. "In 15 days many efforts have been made. The National Equipment Company (NEC) has made great efforts in removing nearly 170,000 dead from the streets and clearing the roadways to facilitate traffic," Preval told a press conference. On Monday, Health Minister Alex Larsen said he expected a final death toll of about 150,000 from the earthquake, the worst disaster ever recorded in the Americas.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE: A French rescue team on Wednesday pulled a 16-year-old Haitian girl alive from under the rubble in Port-au-Prince 15 days after the devastating January 12 earthquake, they said. "She just said 'thank you,' she's very weak, which suggests that she's been there for 15 days," Commander Samuel Bernes of the rescue team told media. "She was in a pocket surrounded by concrete."

Thursday, January 28, 2010 DHAKA: Bangladesh executed five convicted killers of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Wednesday, officials at a Dhaka prison said. Mujib and most of his family were killed in 1975 in a revolt by young army officers. One of his two surviving daughters, Sheikh Hasina, is now the country’s prime minister. The executed ex-officers were identified as Major Bazlul Huda, Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, Lieutenant Colonel Syed Faruk Rahman, Lieutenant Colonel Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan and army lancer AKM Mohiuddin. Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected appeals by the five convicted men against their death sentences, removing the last legal barrier to their execution. Within hours, legal and government officials told reporters outside Dhaka central prison the executions had been carried out. “The executions have finally pulled the curtain down on one of history’s most gruesome killings,” chief state attorney Mahbube Alam said. Si...

Thursday, January 28, 2010 MELBOURNE: Top seed and defending champion Serena Williams reached the final of the Australian Open when she beat China's Li Na 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1) in a thrilling semi-final on Thursday. The American will now play either Belgian Justine Henin or China's Zheng Jie in Saturday's decider after seeing off a tenacious Li in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena. The 16th seeded Li played superbly and saved four match points before a delighted Williams clinched the semi-final with a booming ace. The world number one, who came back from the brink of defeat in a gruelling quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka, will be aiming to win her 12th Grand Slam title and her fifth Australian Open. She is also hoping to become the first player to successfully defend her title since Jennifer Capriati in 2002 In the second semi-final, Justin Henin of Belgium defeated unseeded Zheng Jie of China 6-1, 6-0 to qualify for the final.