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JET-PACK-2

2009-05-14T23:46:00.002+03:00

JET-PACK

2009-05-14T23:20:00.003+03:00

WINGOVER

2009-05-14T01:07:00.005+03:00

PARAGLIDING TRAINING

2009-05-12T22:46:00.003+03:00

2009-05-11T14:46:00.001+03:00

Freestyle with the Free from Maxime Chiron on Vimeo.

PARAGLIDING ACRO

2009-05-11T14:42:00.003+03:00

1st rhythmics from Simon Winkler on Vimeo.

2009-05-11T14:41:00.002+03:00

Dream Time from jbintheair on Vimeo.

Jet-pack stuntman makes speed bid

2009-05-11T14:37:00.000+03:00

Eric Scott makes a training run at Knockhill racing circuit

An American stuntman claims to have completed the fastest ever jet-pack flight, at Knockhill racing circuit.

Eric Scott, 46, from Denver, managed about 43mph on Friday and has now been clocked by adjudicators from Fife police doing 54mph, in strong winds.

Mr Scott hopes his latest flight will be recognised as a record but officials at Guinness World Records are still considering his application.

He will make a third attempt at the Scottish motor show on Sunday.

Eric Scott flew across the Royal Gorge in southern Colorado

On his last visit to Scotland in July 2008, Scott completed a jet-pack flight, fuelled by hydrogen peroxide, from the roof of Glasgow's City Chambers to the other side of George Square.

In November 2008 he became the first man to fly across the Royal Gorge canyon in Colorado, USA, powered by a jet-pack.

He told BBC Scotland he must have been close to 80mph during that flight but it was not officially measured.

Mr Scott has made an application to the Guinness Book of World Records to officially include his latest speed attempt as a record.

No decision has yet been made.

The MotorFair Scottish motor show takes place against a backdrop of gloom in the British motor industry.

Last month the 2010 British International motor show was cancelled when car makers said they could not commit to the biennial event due to the impact of the recession on their businesses.

APHRODISIAS

2009-05-08T23:13:00.000+03:00

History

The first settlers arrived in Aphrodisias first during the Neolithic times, 8000 years ago. These settlements lasted throughout the chalk-bronze-copper and iron times.
In actuality, the hill on which the antique theater rests is a collection of those times. The Pekmez Hill, just West of here, was situated in the city where one of the later civilizations has started, and also presented one of the prehistoric settlements.

According the Byzantine historian Stephanus, Aphrodisias was first called Lelgonopolis, then Mega polis, and then named after the Asyrian King Ninos, when it finally tock the name Ninoi. It was during these times when the Goddess of Love came to Aphrodisias. After the Mederian and Babylonians had destroyed the Asyrians' cities, they brought the cult of the Mesopotamian Goddess of Love Isthar to this region.Although this theory used to be a saga, it has become a proven thesis since the findings of the remains of Aphrodisians.

Within a large basilica, dear iIIustrations of the popular wife of King Ninos were found.
The first documents found about Aphrodisias can be found in the book of Aphrodisian Apollonius, in which he wrote about Karien 300 BC. 200 AD Aphrodisias forrned an agreement with a neighboring city Plarasa (Bingee KÃ¶yÃ¼), in which they printed coins together.
Although the founding shows, that there had been settlements before those times, we can say that Aphrodisias as a city first appeared 100 BC. Then, 82 BC, the roman General Sulla sent a golden crown as well as an axe to the Aphrodite temple as a present This fa demonstrates that during the Roman Empire, Anatolia had gained a very important role.
Further findings of writings out of these times teli us about two Aphrodisians, who had been rewarded by so many other cities, because they went to Rome to protest against the oppressing of Asians (in the old times, Anatolia was also called Asia) by the Roman tax officials. 39-35 BC, Marcus Antonius accepted Aphrodisias and Plarasa to be free of tax for the Roman Empire. 30 BC, Aphrodisias becan.J a rich and famous city with the beginning of the Roman Empire.
During the Byzantine Empire, Christianity was not able to completely rule this dty. Paganism, the belief on more than one Gad, was still being practices in several areas. Then, after Christianity was able to lake over completely, all the beautiful sculptures were destroyed and the city was renamed "Stavropolis", which literally means Cross City.

HOLIDAY IN TURKEY

2009-05-08T23:10:00.000+03:00

WHY GO TO TURKEY ?

Turkey is friendly, beautiful, culturally rich and good value for money. Turkey is modern and comfortable but at the same time traditional . Turkey has a very rich historical culture of 25,000 years and has been home to biggest civilizations throughout history. Turkey means "Sun and Sea" and has so many alternative activites to offer foreign visitors. Turkey gets about 20 million visitors annually and aims to be among the top 10 travel destinations within the next couple of years. It is safe to travel and spend a holiday in Turkey.

CLIMATE / WHEN TO GO :
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have very hot and dry summers, and wet, mild winters when the coastal towns more or less shut down between October and April. Winter in Istanbul and Cappadocia can be very cold with a dusting of snow. The peak tourist season is during high summer, roughly between July and September. From June the mosquitoes can be a problem. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, as the climate is still hot, but not unbearable. Eastern Turkey should be visited during summer as roads and mountain passes may close due to winter ice and snow.

CULTURAL / SOCIAL / EVENTS
Istanbul International Film Festival
International Children's Festival
Kırkpınar Oiled Wrestling Festival
International Istanbul Music Festival
International Istanbul Jazz Festival
Istanbul Rock Open Air Festival
International Izmir Festival
Aspendos Opera & Ballet Festival
International Istanbul FashionFestival
International Troy Festival
Formula One - Turkish Grand Prix
Rock'n Coke Festival
International Bodrum Cup
International Istanbul Biennial Festival
St Nicholas Festival
Whirling Dervishes Festival
International Istanbul Fashion Festival

WHAT TO SEE / ATTRACTIONS
ISTANBUL: SULTANAHMET, HAGIA SOPHIA Sultanahmet Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)

OTHER PLACES IN TURKEY: Troy, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Cappadocia, Mevlevi Convent and Museum, Pamukkale, Safranbolu,
Mt. Nemrut, Sanli Urfa (Halil Rahman Mosque)

WHAT TO BUY / WHERE & WHAT TO EAT
In Turkey, one can buy "Carpets & Kilims, Ottoman Books & Rare Prints, Turkish Delight, Pottery & Ceramics, Turkish Textiles, Copper, Gold & Silver, Foodstuffs, Meerschaum Pipes" to take back back home

Turkey deserves the reputation earned for its cuisine, which is rich and savory, with abundant use of vegetables, and reasonably hot. Turkish kitchen is based on lamb and mutton and it includes beef and chicken.Roasting and grilling is very common to produce Turkish kebaps, including world wide famous döner kebap and köfte (Turkish meatballs)

THE BEST OF TURKEY

Beaches : Alaçati Bay, Pirlanta Beach, Altinkum Beach, Ayayorgi Beach, Ölüdeniz Beach, Butterfly Valley, Marti Resort Deluxe Hotel, Iztuzu Beach, Kaputas Beach, Patara Beach, Konyaalti

The Best Ruins:
Pergamum, St. John's Basilica, Ephesus, Ancient Theatre, Temple of Apollo, Lycian Tombs, Yazilikaya

The Best Small Towns and Villages:

Bergama, Alaçati, Sirince, Gümüslük, Kayakoy, Kalkan, Kaleköy, Güzelyurt, Ayvalı

PARAGLIDING AND BABADAG

2009-05-08T23:07:00.000+03:00

Paragliding air sports Paragliding air sports Paragliding

Paragliding

Paragliding sport is to take off by means of running from a high hill instead of plane with a parachute similar to free style jumping parachute on the first look. Parachute, which is lied on a inclined and high hill, is filled with air with the running of pilot and take off with pilot. Periods of the flights can continue for kilometers / hours in connection with the experience of pilot and performance of the materials used. Although it can be for single person, there is two persons ( tandem ) wings.

Paragliding , whose first trial had been made in 1940s, and numerously modified till today. There were lots of structural improvements which has increased the flight period and security of perform. First paragliding was similar to free style diving parachute. It had turned into an aerophyl structure which has high raising power instead of its pressure enduring characteristic with changing in time. Paragliding parachute wing structure had reached to its appropriate shape for easy to take off, slowly descending ratio and good flying performance, beginning from 1980s.

Paragliding Sport in our country had been recognized with the discover by foreign pilots of Mount Baba in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) region at the beginning of 1990s, and actively started in university clubs initially. Being the most economical aerial vessel and being inside the natural sports, maintained it to be performed by a massive number of people today. Paragliding Parachute Sport, which does not require a special skill or much effort basically, is very easy and enjoying to do after a standard training. Paragliding training are organized by THK, university clubs and private clubs.

Some of the Flight Zones

ÖLÜDENİZ - BABADAĞ

Location: Mount Baba, which is in the province territory of Fethiye of Muğla city, is 7 km inside from the coastal line. It rises just after the Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) beach and faces just towards to south. You can reach to take off runway via a 45 minutes from Ölüdeniz stabilize but nearly smooth road.

Flight Season: Secure flights can be performed between April and October.

Regional Characteristics: Ölüdeniz, which is the first place where paragliding is performed in Turkey, has a world - wide fame. Its unique nature, sun and sea is enchanting thousands of national and foreign tourists every year, and has a structure appropriate for all kinds of outdoor activity. There is no transportation, accommodation and nutrition problems within the developed touristic center, region. Yacht tours are also drawing attention in the area. Mount Baba is preferred as trekking and camping area during summer and winter.

Take Off Runways: There are total of three runways in Mount Baba. 1700 meters high in south runway is appropriate to take off. 1800 meters high north runway is a little bit small and upright. Take off area of the 1900 meters high north peek runway is very comfortable. As 1700 meters high runway is taking the south wind just from the opposite side during the most part of the day, generally take off is made from here. Approximately 20 wings can be lied on very wide runway at the same time.

Landing Runway: Belcekız beach at the coast of Ölüdeniz, is a long and very comfortable and secure landing runway with its width.

Meteorological Characteristics: During summer season, the weather is stable. Sometimes during morning hours a north wind comes and take off is made from north runways into the valley. The South runway faces a south wind, between 5 - 20 km. during most of the day hours.

Things that should be considered: Especially during the beginning and end of the season, climate change months weather can change rapidly and cloud can cover the take off area. On south runway, during the period till to the midday west wind coming from the west end of the mount, can create a false south wind and mislead.

DENIZLI - PAMUKKALE

Location: Pamukkale is at the feet of Mount Çökelen which is 21 km away from Denizli. As it is a touristik region all kinds of transportation is available to the region.

Flight Season: Flight can be made during all seasons with its warm climate.

Regional advantages: An ancient settlement region, Pamukkale is one of the most important tourism centers of our country where thousands of tourists are coming every year with its ancient ruins and travertine formed with the settlement of lime water.

There are two hills to take off:

Training Hill

Meteorological Characteristics: After the sun rise, the wind which can be sensed at south - west direction blows mild till to the noon hours. The wind which increases its speed during noon hours slides to the west and nearly fully stops during sun set.

Take Off Runway: As 70 m high hill is low it is preferred for amateur flights. Due to the warm impacts of the underground waters in all of the region wind changes sensed within the region is not sensed here. By means of regular winds secure flights can be made during the year.

Landing Runway: Flights from the slope is ended at the plains of the region. Landing points are very secure due to not holding a handicap.

Things that should be considered: Though turbulence formed with the speeding up wind during the noon hours of the months when summer hot is lived most densely should be considered.

Dynamite Warehouse

Meteorological Characteristics: The hill, which is reign by western winds is especially appropriate for flight during morning hours. Strong thermal formations which begin around noon are maintaining long flights for experienced pilots.

Take Off Runway: Flight runway, which took its name from a former dynamite warehouse at the peek of 300 meters high. Slope which has a wide area to take off of two parachutes together easily, is at a point from where you can see all beauties of Pamukkale.

Landing Runway: Although you can land to the area at the end of flight track, you can also land securely to the helicopter runway at the entrance of travertine.

Things that should be considered: Turbulence formed during noon hours of summer months require maximum control and consideration during flights. You can face with turbulence at the end of take off runway during hard winds. Cross blowing wind causes asymmetrical close at parachute just after take off. Also ending of hill with high slope requires a very quick run for a successful take off.

ANKARA - GÖLBAŞI

Location: Transportation to Gölbaşı region, which is 27 km. away from Ankara city center can be easily maintained from city center.

Regional Characteristics: Due to closeness to Ankara it is possible to benefit from all activities and possibilities within the city. It is the region where aerial clubs of universities in Ankara are training Paragliding . Gölbaşı, is also a promenade place which draw attention of Ankara residents who want get away from city life goes for weekends.

Take Off Runway: Training hill which faces to a wide plain is very appropriate for hillside parachute training due its appropriate altitude and facing wind from all aspects.

BOLU - ABANT

Location: Abant Mountains, is 34 km. in south of the Bolu city center. Asphalt 25 km. long Abant Lake road can be used for reaching. Road transport to Bolu, which is on the Ankara - Istanbul highway passing is very easy. For reaching Abant Lake minibuses departing from city center can be used.

Regional Characteristics: Dense rain forests surrounded Bolu city is appropriate for all kinds of tourism activity. Abant Lake, whose environment has a rich plant cover, is drawing attention as a picnic and resort place during summers and an appropriate place for winter sports during winter. Abant Lake surrounding accommodation and nutrition possibilities can be benefited.

Take Off Runway: Abant Mountains have more than one take off runways appropriate for hillside parachute. Generally it is performed on the hills surrounding Örencik Plateau, near to Abant Lake, wide, plain and fully covered with grass.

EGIRDIR

Location: There are roads and railway transportation in Eğirdir, which is 60 km. away from Isparta. Local bus firms of Isparta are passing from Egirdir.

Regional Characteristics: Egirdir which is appropriate for various tourism activities with Eğirdir lake and island, has very appropriate hills for paragliding parachute. Süleyman Demirel University Aerial Club is performing training flights on these hills.

KAYSERI

Location: Ali Mountain on the territories of city in Kayseri, is 15 min. Away from city center. It can be driven up carefully. Or when you get off the bus at Ali Mountain plate with getting on to a bus, you can reach to the hill within 45 minutes by foot.

Regional Characteristics: World wide famous Cappadocia present, Kayseri is welcoming to thousands of tourists each year. Kayseri is serving possibilities to the other sportive tourism types such as skiing and cycling besides paragliding with its appropriate geography. Civil Aviation VIHE, is organizing training flights to Mount Ali.

Take Off Runway: It has an altitude difference of 600 to 750, and there are two take off runways of which one is appropriate to south winds and other one is north. Steep and smooth inclination of the hill is appropriate for hours of paragliding, but you should be careful in weathers with turbulence.

Landing Runways: There are easily landing areas in front of the hill.

ESKIŞEHIR / İnönü

There are facilities of Turkish Aviation Organization within İnönü Province which is 15 km west of Eskişehir. North facing slopes of the province, are establishing very appropriate flight conditions with especially north winds during summer months. Courses organized by Turkish Aviation Organization are performed here.

ANTALYA / Aksu

Hill in Aksu province of Antalya is used as training hill by Akdeniz University, Avaiation Club. When you turn Perge ruins from Aksu turn of Antalya - Alanya road, and go for a 10 - 15 km. without entering Perge 40 - 50 m. high training hill is reached. Irrigation channel should be considered during flight.

Physical Conditions for Paragliding

For paragliding lower age limit is 16 and upper limit is 55. You can be flexible for upper age limit according to health condition. Kilo limit is minimum 40 kg, and maximum 130. Epilepsy, asthma, heart, waist and knee disordered people can not participate to hillside parachute training. For participation to hillside parachute a form declaring that health conditions are appropriate is filled.

Parachute Types

Parachutes (wings) have various sizes and types according to weight of the pilot and flight type. Parachute used by light weighted pilot, is smaller in size than heavy pilot uses. There are 5 types of parachutes showing different performances according to the training taken and experience.

Wing Structure

Paragliding can be investigated at 4 parts composed of Canopy (Dome), hook and break ropes, supporting columns and Harness (equipment).

Canopy It is made up of texture with no air transparency which will maintain parachute to remain in the air with supplying air pressure in the parachute. Canopies, is composed of approximately 40 - 60 cells according to the weight of the pilot and flight type, and these cells are connected to each other with valves for maintaining air pressure.

Hook and break ropes Ropes made up of a very resistant and light material are moderately to the canopy in order to support the pilot. Ropes in front of the canopy are collected on front columns and rear ones are collected on rear columns. Break ropes are different colored and they pass through a ring (they won’t hurl even if pilot leaves them free) and place into the final column.

Supporting Columns Supporting columns, are connecting dome ropes to equipment. They maintain suitable holding places to pilot during take off. They give possibility to use different harness usage beyond easing take off. While there are accelerators known as speed system on less developed hillside parachutes, it is fixed to harness columns on some of them.

Harness (Equipment) It is part where pilot will sit. It is basically composed of hooks passing through feet and arms for equipment of pilot. Its structure can vary according to the used material and additional equipment. There are cross columns on some harnesses. These have a structure of directly transiting body movement of pilot to upper part for more securing the dome. There are speed system connections, back protector, air bag, spare parachute division like advantages of developed harnesses. All harnesses can be modified according to the body structure of the pilot.

Meteorological Information

For performing air sports securely appropriate weather conditions are very important. Basic meteorological information is required especially paragliding Movement of the wind and shapes of the clouds are the factors initially signing for flight. Other two factors are turbulence and thermal.

Turbulence They are vertical aerial movements. Turbulences; are faced during 5 km/h exceeding impact movements, specific geographic regions, with a wind backward coming to a steep hill, in thermal entrances and exits and front regions.

Thermal It is formed with the rise of warm air mass. This air mass composes flight hindering clouds with cooling, and this is also causes hard turbulence. Thermal is more formed especially in rocky regions, asphalt areas, forest region, water region (river, lake, sea …) and agricultural areas.

Istanbul Holiday Apartments

2009-05-08T23:02:00.000+03:00

On your next Istanbul vacation or business trip, let Istanbul Holiday Apartments help you enjoy the luxurious space, privacy, and comfort of one of 35 superlative serviced apartments, all within easy reach of all of Istanbul's major attractions. A full-time staff of 14 people ensure professional service and personal attention.

In the Sultanahmet-Cemberlitas area in the center of the Old City, Aslan Apartments offer hip, contemporary studio and one-bedroom apartments and a three-bedroom garden duplex on a quiet residential street, an easy 10 minute walk to all the major sites and bazaars. All units have balconies and the upper units enjoy a magnificent view of the Marmara Sea.

By Galata Tower, in the heart of historic Beyoglu,
Glorya Apartments feature a charming garden studio, a
two-bedroom and a large one-bedroom with views of
Galata Tower and a penthouse with marvelous views of
the city's historic peninsula and the Golden Horn.
Charming two-bedroom Bereket Apartments have
partial views and are perfect for families or groups of
friends. Brot Galata View, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath
apartment with partial views is ideal for one or two
couples. All apartments have either a balcony or garden
access.

Close to Taksim Square, one block from Istiklal Caddesi
in the heart of the action, historic Aysel Apartments
offer five attractive flats-- a one-bedroom penthouse
with a wrap-around terrace and four two-bedroom
apartments.

In the Kabatas/Gumussuyu area of Beyoglu,
1-bedroom Didem Seaview Garden and Seaview
Balcony apartments offer an enchanting sea of the
Bosphorus, private garden terrace or a balcony, and an
ideal location on a quiet residential street with easy
access to public transportation.

In Cihangir, an trendy residential district of Beyoglu,
Belkis Apartments offer five stylish 1-bedroom
apartments that are ideal for 1-2 people. Kadir
Apartments in the Firuzaga section of Cihangir has
three stylishly decorated 1-bedroom executive suites and
two 1-bedroom duplex apartments, one with a private
garden patio and one with a roof terrace that are perfect
for business & leisure guests.

In the fashionable Serencebey district of Besikas, Diva
Bosphorus offers two lovely flats --a 3- bedroom and a
1-bedroom -- both with marvelous sea views and large
terraces.

In centrally located Sisli, Istanbul Holiday Apartment
has two spacious, luxurious 2-bedroom apartments that
are convenient and pleasant for both business & leisure
visitors.

Each apartment is graciously furnished and tastefully

decorated. All flats have been recently renovated and

are equipped with air conditioning and natural gas

heating. Only Sisli City Apartments has an elevator.

Not on vacation? Istanbul Holiday Apartments choice
are perfect for travelling executives seeking an
alternative to cookie-cutter hotel rooms and provide full
amenities, including high-speed DSL Internet, cable TV,
weekly housekeeping, individual laundry facilities and
convenient access to the tramway, metro and ferries..

Raul Rodrigues

2009-05-08T22:12:00.000+03:00

SPIRALDIVE

2009-05-08T22:04:00.000+03:00

mike küng

2009-05-08T21:05:00.000+03:00

PARAGLIDING ACRO

2009-05-08T15:48:00.000+03:00

Penélope Cruz

2009-05-08T00:03:00.000+03:00

"Everything is being downsized because of the recession; next year I'm starring in a movie called New Zealand," said Oscars host and Australia leading man Hugh Jackman before his opening number at the 81st annual Academy Awards. But Jackman, performing with David Rockwell's intimate-yet-swanky new stage set as a backdrop, brought a big dose of good old-fashioned showmanship to the task. And the recession didn't do much to tone down the fashions or the jewels on the red carpet, either. Best Supporting Actress winner Penélope Cruz donned a Balmain couture gown circa 1950 that was worthy of a fairy-tale princess. "Has anyone ever fainted up here?" she asked from the podium. "I might be the first." (The strapless Dior Couture Sarah Jessica Parker wore actually was tight enough to make the SATC star swoon.) Kate Winslet, who won Best Actress for The Reader, channeled the fifties as well, choosing a one-shoulder gray and black Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati number and doing up her blond locks Grace Kelly style.

Like Winslet, Marisa Tomei in pearl gray Versace, Heidi Klum in carmine red RM by Roland Mouret, and budding fashion darling Freida Pinto in blue John Galliano took cues from the recent runway shows, where asymmetric necklines were an important trend. But strapless was the big silhouette of the night, with Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, and Amy Adams wearing bustier gowns by Rodarte, Dior Couture, and Carolina Herrera respectively. The big color? White, be it Mickey Rourke's Jean Paul Gaultier tuxedo, Jessica Biel's strapless Prada, Anne Hathaway's glowing paillette-covered Armani Privé, or Taraji P. Henson's Roberto Cavalli.

Some came over low-key, like Angelina Jolie in black Elie Saab—well, low-key, except for those drop-dead Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings and ring. Tilda Swinton, going off script as usual, skipped a gown in favor of a sand-colored blouse that matched her blond hair from her Oscar go-to guy, Lanvin's Alber Elbaz. But there was nothing downplayed about the moment when five previous Best Actress winners—Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Shirley MacLaine, and Sophia Loren—took the stage together to announce this year's nominees. That lineup was a game argument for the continued relevance of glamour in "times like these." And, as Kate Winslet implied in her acceptance speech, we can all dream, can't we? "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't made a version of this speech when I was 8 years old staring into the bathroom mirror," the British actress said. "It was a shampoo bottle then. Well, it's not a shampoo bottle now."
www.freely.blogcu.com

PARAGLIDING-ACRO

2009-04-27T23:05:00.003+03:00

One More Thing... The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster

2009-03-28T00:32:00.000+02:00

If you find eco-friendly cars (like the Tesla Model S) just a little too modern, Mercedes has just the thing for you: the F-Cell Roadster, an emissions-free vehicle whose body is patterned after the brand's 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car. It was created as a "training project," meaning the company essentially used junior-level employees to create the concept. Nice to see that while some automakers are sweating things out, at least one has plenty of time to goof off with style

Be your own boss

2009-03-28T00:31:00.000+02:00

The just-announced Vulca S might be perfect for the man who uses his Maybach for last-minute grocery runs. The 630-horse, V10-powered machine (a V12 is optional, in case you find a mere 10 cylinders limiting) comes with a diamond-tufted leather interior and is custom-constructed from scratch by Italian coach-builders Faralli & Mazzanti. Not only that, it's custom-constructed while you oversee every step of the process from your temporary home in the company's villa. In Tuscany. For 11 months. The Vulca's run is limited to 10, so book your vacation—err, reserve your car—now. (Oh, and the price? It's not listed, but suffice to say that if you can't take 11 months off from work just to oversee assembly, you probably can't afford one.)

Space shuttle crew prepares ship for landing

2009-03-28T00:28:00.000+02:00

The shuttle Discovery's astronauts packed their gear and tested the spaceship's landing systems on Friday, aiming for a Saturday touchdown in Florida at the end of a scheduled 13-day flight.

The shuttle delivered the last set of solar panel wings to the International Space Station, boosting the station's power for science experiments and equipment to sustain six full-time residents -- twice the current crew size -- as early as May.

Discovery's touchdown was scheduled for 1:39 p.m. ET at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meteorologists predicted good weather for the landing.

"We'll keep our fingers crossed," shuttle commander Lee Archambault radioed to Mission Control after hearing the forecast.

NASA's next space shuttle flight, a final servicing call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is scheduled for launch on May 12 with the shuttle Atlantis.

In preparation for landing, Archambault, pilot Tony Antonelli and flight engineer Steven Swanson test-fired Discovery's 44 steering jets and checked out the ship's movable surfaces used for aerodynamic control.

The crew left behind one astronaut, Japan's Koichi Wakata, for a four-month stay as one of the space station's flight engineers, and returns home with another, American Sandra Magnus, who has been in orbit since November.

She spent part of her last scheduled day in space exercising in an attempt to mitigate some of the disquieting aspects of returning to Earth's gravity. To help maintain her bones and strength in weightlessness, Magnus, like all long-duration crewmembers, exercised about two hours a day.

"Tomorrow I'll find out how good of a job I did," she told a group of school children in Hawaii during an in-flight chat by video call on Friday afternoon.

Wakata will be getting two new crewmates on Saturday, as well as a visit from Hungarian-born U.S. billionaire space tourist Charles Simonyi.

A Russian Soyuz capsule with the new crew is scheduled to arrive at the station a few hours before Discovery's landing. Simonyi will return home with station commander Mike Fincke and flight engineer Yury Lonchakov on April 7 on a Soyuz capsule.

Arctic Climate Change

2009-03-28T00:21:00.001+02:00

Polar bears—like this one leaping between ice floes in Svalbard, Norway's Hinlopen Strait—live on the Arctic ice, hunting seals and other fatty marine mammals. But as the ice vanishes, some experts predict this predator will also disappear from the Arctic by 2050.
The Arctic Ocean's sea ice is in a "death spiral" due to rising temperatures, scientists said in 2008. Many marine species, such as these narwhals swimming through a bay in Nunavut, Canada, depend on the ice throughout their life cycles. Experts predict that summer Arctic ice may completely disappear within a few decades.

Prestige European Makeup for Less!

2009-03-28T00:17:00.000+02:00

Craving cult makeup brands and hard-to-get finds like the UK's Fruity Blush by Aura Cosmetics, shown at left? Enter Pir Cosmetics, Canada's one-stop shop for niche goodies, founded by celebrity makeup artist Franchie Pir, the "Picasso of Brows." In addition to his flagship store in Toronto, Pir is aiming to open a second location in New York's SoHo neighborhood this summer. However, no worries if you don't live in the area—or can't wait that long! Pir Cosmetics also has an online beauty emporium, chockfull of European imports and homeland favorites. Even better: For the entire month of March, ELLE.com users can get an exclusive 20 percent off Sundari Skincare, Hourglass Make Up, Aura Cosmetics, Tocca, Stem Skincare, and La Cove Botanical Haircare products.

www.freely.blogcu.com

Sweet Land Of Liberty

2009-03-28T00:00:00.002+02:00

British model Liberty Ross lived in the eye of the London storm, literally and figuratively. Storm is the modeling agency known for trendsetting “girls” who have brains, style, and unexpected beauty (e.g., Kate Moss). Ross signed with it after photographers fell for the aristo-ethereal élan that she came by naturally, having grown up in the bohemian arm of an upper-class family. Mario Testino then sexed up her image and she writhed, sweat-drenched and nearly naked in the Dior Addict campaign, into popular consciousness. But four years ago, at age 26, pregnant with her daughter, Skyla, she, along with her director-husband, Rupert Sanders, 32, longed for what she calls “a change of scene.”

They found it, after six months, in a perfect escapist Hollywood Hills perch nestled near the wilderness of Runyan Canyon. The hitch? The faux French (“but very wrong” says Ross) house. Four years, a new building, many transatlantic flights, and a two-year-old son, Tennyson, later, they are home.

The couple had already redone a townhouse, a loft, and a cottage in the UK, but this was the first time they’d invented their own architectural vernacular: L.A. modern meets English countryside.

With their Brit-reno passion, they knew exactly when to spend and when to save—an Ikea kitchen that looks B&B Italia, a pool that resembles a pond (“the opposite of Vegas blue,” Ross says), made from the old house’s slate. They built around a huge 50-year-old Japanese cherry the contractor wanted to chop down; the tree’s Ent-like gnarled limbs now stretch through the upper deck. They custom-cut windows in unusual shapes. “It’s all about framing,” says Ross. “In Skyla’s bedroom, a long strip captures this amazing downtown view, leaving out the mangy rooftops.” The window in the guest bathroom juts out, so you feel like you’re floating over the landscape.

Inside, bucolic Blighty reminders have contemporary twists: Silver birch trees decorate dining room wallpaper; English artist Tom Gallant’s climbing rose cut hangs in the foyer. A freestanding tub (“As we’re British, the bath is very important”) in the master bedroom faces glass doors.

But Ross’s favorite spot is the austerely chic concrete sandpit Sanders designed. Its lower half holds sand and the upper half has a cushioned parent bench. “While the kids play, we take tea and enjoy the Hollywood panorama,” Ross says. But lest the carnival seem a bit too far away, good friends Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Scott, and Testino are all within walking distance.

Beauty Trend: Violet Eyes

2009-03-27T23:55:00.000+02:00

Similar to Fetherston’s collection, the beauty look had a whimsical, fantastical feel. “The focus is on the eyes—we’re using violet, eggplant, and lilac eye shadows with a touch of gold glitter in the corners,” says makeup artist Kim Soane, manager of artistry for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. “For spring, going into shades of purple instead of black or brown gives a fresh, floral feel.” In creating the defined lavender eye, lids were lined with Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Violet Ink, lashes were enhanced with “loads of mascara,” and brows were defined and groomed.

Spring's Prairie Trend

2009-03-27T23:49:00.001+02:00

How exactly does one wear spring’s prairie trend without overdoing it?

Marc Jacobs , spring 2009

The Look: Marc Jacobs’s Ragtime-fabulous mash-up of Glamour Girl and Oh! Pioneer. Sweet, simple-charming silhouettes—frilled camisoles, ruffled bib-front dresses, swishy, bustled skirts—done up in both retro floral prints and obviously modern, haute-glittery textures. Why you are intrigued: This era reflected a time when even the homespun types—instead of blobbing around in sweats—still cinched their waists, bustled their skirts, and wore hats. It doesn’t feel picked-over a thousand times (see: the ‘80s, ‘60’s, ‘40s, ‘20’s…).Why it can be tricky: You go full-on Prairie-chic, it looks disturbingly delusional (“Pa! Hide the flock! Sheriff’s coming down the hill!”). Why it looks modern: Jacobs tempered the instantly recognizable silhouettes by throwing in plenty of the exotic: Asian-inspired patterns and fabric and heavy painted wood bangles; Tribal-looking bib necklaces laden with raw stones felt defiantly stylish and daring against all the charming, innocent frills. Styling tips: You don’t necessarily have to do it exactly Jacobs’ way (if only we all had the budget to do so), but take inspiration from his magpie-cool combinations: Mix authentically rough-hewn vintage camisoles and prairie skirts with a modern, sparkly Lurex scarf and neon t-shirt. For night, up the glam factor through accessories: a glitzy bag, sexy heels, a great little jacket, and you’re good to go.

U.S. health insurance mandate gains support

2009-03-27T23:44:00.000+02:00

Support grew on Friday for insurance industry demands that all Americans be required to obtain coverage as part of a planned healthcare system overhaul, with a senior Senate Democrat and a coalition of business and consumer groups promoting the idea.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Democrat who is helping write healthcare legislation, said an insurance requirement, or mandate, would help the market function better and reduce premium costs for everyone.

Baucus argued that the cost of medical care for people with no insurance is being shifted to those with insurance, forcing costs higher.

"An individual obligation to get health coverage is essential," Baucus said in a speech to the Center for American Progress think tank.

Meanwhile, an influential coalition of hospital, nurses, doctors, business, consumer and insurance groups said on Friday its members had agreed on a set of reform ideas including a mandate that all Americans obtain health insurance.

The coalition, called the Health Reform Dialogue, also backed the idea of federal subsidies to help people pay for medical coverage.

The coalition includes groups such at the AARP, which represents older Americans, the American Hospital Association, America's Health Insurance Plans industry group, the healthcare advocacy group Families USA, the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

MANY AMERICANS GO UNINSURED

There currently is no requirement that Americans have health insurance, and many do not. The government says about 46 million people went without any public or private coverage in 2007, the last year for which figures were available.

President Barack Obama has called a healthcare system overhaul one of his leading priorities for this year.

The support of this coalition and Baucus make it more likely that any healthcare legislation will embrace an insurance mandate despite concern in both parties about imposing it on people who may be unable to afford it.

Baucus did not spell out how his idea for a mandate would work, but it could be imposed on individuals, or employers could be required to provide coverage to workers, or a combination of both.

Insurance industry representatives told a Senate hearing this week that they needed a mandate to keep premiums affordable if they were going to end the current practice of charging higher premiums for the sick and excluding pre-existing medical conditions from coverage.

Obama also may be softening his stance against a mandate, telling a White House question-and-answer session on Thursday that the issue will be "part of the debate."

During his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last year, Obama argued against a mandate, while his rival for the nomination, Hillary Clinton, who is now his secretary of state, backed it.
Obama said on Thursday he was still "skeptical" about a mandate because people who lack health insurance do so because they cannot afford it, not because they do not want it.
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Spa & Wellness Hotel Holidays in Turkey

2009-03-27T23:41:00.000+02:00

Spa’s - hotels which offer a range of spa facilities for relaxation, fitness and beauty. Your stay can be as active or restful as you please. Enjoy tranquillity & serenity at a top class hotel with an integrated spa & beauty centre……..
Slip into a world of relaxation and seduce all your senses at one of our spa & wellness properties and treat yourself to some quality “me” time.
Think of Sun, Sea, Sand and a Spa. Whether it’s an invigorating Turkish bath, a classic massage, beauty therapy or the prospect of being truly pampered, we’ve got the break for you..

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How Much Is A Year of Life Worth?

2009-03-27T23:23:00.001+02:00

Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

On the wall of Sir Michael Rawlins' office in London is a cartoon of a group of men in suits cowering below a giant circular pill inscribed with the word pharma. Amid the supplicants strides an impervious figure from Britain's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) with a puzzled look on his face. Like the man in the cartoon, NICE head Rawlins doesn't see why drug companies should deserve any deference. His organization uses hard-nosed cost-effectiveness reviews to decide which treatments Britain's National Health Service (NHS) should pay for. A new drug doesn't just have to work to impress NICE, it has to offer value for money — and if it doesn't, no matter how life-saving it is, Rawlins' group won't approve it. With skyrocketing prescription prices bloating America's health-care system, many experts are now taking a hard look at whether America should embrace NICE's controversial methods. Rawlins talked to TIME about how NICE calculates a drug's worth, what its system might mean for the U.S. market and why drug companies are running scared:
Why is NICE needed? Shouldn't you get the drugs you need when you are sick, regardless of cost?
All health-care systems are facing the problem of finite resources and almost infinite demand. And all health-care systems have implicitly if not explicitly adopted some form of cost control. In the U.S. you do it by not providing health care to some people. We are best known [for looking] at a new drug, device or diagnostic technique to see whether the increment in the cost of that treatment is worth the increment in the health gain.

How is that measured?
It's based on the cost of a measure called the "quality-adjusted life year" [QALY]. A QALY scores your health on a scale from zero to one: zero if you're dead and one if you're in perfect health. You find out as a result of a treatment where a patient would move up the scale. If you do a hip replacement, the patient might start at .5 and go up to .7, improving by .2. You can assume patients live for an average of 15 years following hip replacements. And .2 times 15 equals three quality-adjusted life years. If the hip replacement costs 10,000 GBP [about $15,000] to do, it's 10,000 divided by three, which equals 3,333 GBP [about $5,000]. That figure is the cost per QALY.

So by the cost per quality-adjusted life year, you are basically deciding how much a year of life is worth?
Yes. The most controversial area is where you place the dividing line between what is cost-effective and what is cost-ineffective. That is the "How much is life worth?" question. And there is no real empirical research to guide you. We have looked at what other government departments do. Our Department of Transport, for instance, has a cost-per-life-saved threshold for new road schemes of about 1.5 million GBP per life, or around 30,000 GBP per life year gained. The judgment of our health economists is that somewhere in the region of 20,000-30,000 GBP per quality-adjusted life year is the [threshold], but it's not a strict limit.

That's a tough decision to make for bureaucrats, is it not?
For many difficult questions, we capture public preferences by our citizens council, a representative sample drawn from the general public. For example, we asked if should we give greater priority to children than the elderly. The group decided that a year of life was worth just as much when you are a grandparent as when you are a child. That is very culturally specific and might not apply to other countries in the world.

Why doesn't NICE take into account other factors in its cost-effectiveness review, such as lost productivity to the workforce?
The quick answer is that our statutory instruments specify that we [should not]. But if you give advantage to people who are economically active, it means you disadvantage the economically inactive — the elderly. That's something that British society would find difficult to accept.

It seems like NICE is forcing pharmaceuticals to play ball by offering special discounts to Britain. How do you manage that?
Our list price is used as a reference price in other countries, so drug companies believe that a no from NICE is damaging globally. So they set up what we call "patient-access schemes." Drug companies may either give away certain portions of treatment [such as the last few doses of a course] or reimburse the NHS for those patients who don't respond, which has the effect of reducing the price of the drug and lowering the cost per QALY — even though the reference price stays the same.

If the U.S., with its massive health-care market, did the same, could it have a transformative effect on drug costs?
I think it could. The companies won't like it in America. But yes, it could.

And you don't buy the drug companies' arguments that doing so will destroy their research-and-development budgets?
Drug development has become so expensive it's going to become unaffordable no matter what happens. A lot of the expense is a consequence of the drug-regulatory authorities, who pile on regulation after regulation, which makes getting a drug to market hugely expensive. But the expectations of investors have to be tempered as well. The 15-20% [growth] of some companies is not going to be possible in the future. A third of staff of some big pharmacy companies work in marketing, and many companies spend twice as much on marketing as R&D. That has got to go. I mean for Christ's sake, it's hopeless.

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Strong Suits

2009-03-27T23:12:00.002+02:00

There was a comical moment in the front row at a recent runway show in Paris when two magazine editors in sharply tailored jackets had to pivot awkwardly in their seats to make room for their linebacker shoulder pads. Not since Tess McGill suited up to outwit her boss in Working Girl in 1988 have big shoulders played such a prominent role in fashion. For fall, designers like Michael Kors, Donna Karan and Stefano Pilati of Yves Saint Laurent showed structured jackets, enlisting the signature '80s power tool to try to give shaky consumers some self-assurance--and, they hope, a reason to shop.

"We could all use a little confidence right now," says Kors, "and jackets are the best way to get the armor, strength and power." After seasons of disposable dresses worn with soft little cardigans (thank you, Michelle Obama), the jacket just might provide a boost to slipping apparel sales. "It's the women who work who are shopping," Kors adds. "They're the ones who still have to get dressed. And they need confidence. Look what suits and jackets did for men."

Given the current unemployment rate, traditionally tailored clothing takes on a whole new allure. "Many people are out of work. They're looking for jobs, going on interviews," notes Colleen Sherin, fashion market director of Saks Fifth Avenue. "A jacket and the idea of protection and security that it brings can really give a woman confidence."

Retailers, too, could use a little lift. They see the structured jacket, albeit not quite as broad-shouldered as in the Dynasty era, as an investment piece. "You can wear a jacket in many different ways," with a skirt or with pants, for instance, says Sherin. "Any item that has multiuse will be successful in this market."

Some designers don't mind the Krystle Carrington references, while others claim the new look isn't a throwback. "I hate to call it '80s," says Karl Lagerfeld, who showed sculpted shoulders for Chanel. "It's more about a flawless look. It's about cut, quality and the silhouette." Whatever it is, just don't make Tess McGill's mistake and pair the new power suit with sneakers.

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Hamilton off the pace in Melbourne opener

2009-03-27T23:10:00.001+02:00

World champion Lewis Hamilton says he will be struggling to even score a point in the opening grand prix of the season in Australia as the established order of Formula One looks set to be turned on its head this weekend.

Hamilton struggled in the opening practice sessions of the Formula One season in Melbourne.
McLaren's Hamilton was way off the pace in Friday's opening practice sessions in Melbourne, finishing 16th and 18th.

It was scarcely better for Ferrari, with Felipe Massa, Hamilton's title rival last season 10th in the afternoon session and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in 11th position.

Topping the time sheets were last season's also-rans Williams and Toyota along with Formula One newcomers Brawn GP, formerly the Honda team.

The three teams are all using controversial rear diffusers to aid their aerodynamic performance.

Rival teams, including Ferrari, have lodged an official protest against the decision to allow the bodywork, which will be heard after the second race of the season in Malaysia.

Hamilton told the Press Association that the outlook for the opening race of the season was bleak. "Optimistically we can get a point, but I don't think so somehow," he admitted. "In terms of true pace at the moment I don't think we are quick enough."

Nico Rosberg, driving a Williams, posted the fastest times in both the morning and afternoon session on Friday, with a best of one minute 26.053 seconds in the second.

"Being at the back is tough for anyone," added Hamilton, who ended the day 1.8 seconds down on Rosberg. "We're clearly not in the place where we would love to be, but we're working extremely hard, as hard as we can.

"We've a steep, very tough challenge ahead of us, but if anyone can do it, I believe my team can."

Brawn's Rubens Barrichello was second fastest in the second session with Toyota's Jarno Trulli in third.

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Giving compliments in the age of Botox

2009-03-27T23:07:00.001+02:00

Annabel Newell has grown used to people complimenting her breasts.

Cosmetic procedures complicate the rules of giving a compliment.

"Complete strangers will say, 'Great boobs!'," explains Newell, 37, who got implants in 1991 because she wasn't happy being an A cup -- especially in her hometown of Los Angeles. "I'll have women pull me aside in a bathroom and ask if they can touch them."

While most people's comments about her C-cup breasts are "very complimentary," some are backhanded at best:

"You can be at a club and a guy you've never met before will come up to you, stare at your chest and blatantly ask, 'When did you get them?' No 'Hi, nice to meet you,'" says Newell, who is vice president of business development for a Web startup.

In this age of nips, tucks, implants and wrinkle smoothers, once-benign niceties like "You look fabulous!" or "Did you change your hair?" can be fraught with hidden meaning.

Which raises the question: Is there a gracious way to compliment the doctored appearances of friends, acquaintances and colleagues? Is it ever OK to be overly nosy about those suddenly plump lips or suspiciously perky breasts? And if you don't like a compliment someone lobs your way, what's the best way to respond?

Don't ask, don't tell?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, up 7 percent from 2006 and 59 percent from 2000. What's more, 2007 saw nearly 10 million "minimally invasive cosmetic procedures," including Botox injections and dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, a 9 percent jump from 2006.

With some cosmetic procedures now as routine as a trip to the dentist, you'd think we'd have the etiquette part of the equation down pat. But that's hardly the case.

"There's definitely a disconnect between what people want to hear after they've had a cosmetic treatment and what they're afraid they'll hear," says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist and general cosmetic surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska, who sees about 1,200 Botox and 500 dermal filler patients a year.

Most patients hope their friends and acquaintances will notice them looking "better" or "well rested," says Schlessinger, the immediate past president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.

In other words, "What did you have done?" is a not a question his patients hope for.

"If you notice that something is different with a friend or someone you know, stick with the compliment 'You look amazing' and leave it up to them whether they want to share what they did," says Tom Seery, president and founder of RealSelf.com, an online community for beauty and cosmetic treatment enthusiasts.

Why so nosy?

Newell, who's been asked "Are they real?" more times than she can count, seconds Seery's advice.

"We've sensationalized the whole plastic surgery industry with shows like 'Extreme Makeover' and 'Nip/Tuck,' so now people feel they can discuss it, even with complete strangers," she says. "But it's none of your business, and it's extremely offensive to pry. What if I was a cancer survivor?"

Mary Mitchell, author of seven etiquette books, including "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette," agrees. "You have to really examine why you're asking," she says.

"If you're asking because you've got some morbid curiosity, because you have some prejudgment, that's pretty rude," says Mitchell, who is 58 and has had a face-lift and Botox injections herself.

"If you're asking because it's something you're considering and you have the kind of relationship where it wouldn't be terribly uncomfortable, that's fair enough."

The snappy comeback

When complimenting someone on their new and improved looks, those who've had work done say you can never be too discreet.

Bryce Gruber, a 24-year-old publicist, learned this the hard way.

"I live and work in Manhattan in the beauty and fashion industries, where it seems just about everyone but myself is Botoxed, Restylaned or Juvedermed at the very least," she says.

"I made the mistake of saying to one socialite, 'Wow, I can't believe you're 55. You look fantastic!' only to hear back, 'That's because I have injections in every corner of my face, sweetheart.' Makes for an awkward moment."

Newell's also no stranger to dishing out the occasional tongue-lashing to careless flatterers who get a bit too personal.

"In many instances, I let them know it's an inappropriate thing to say," she says.

Among her favorite comebacks:

"Of course they're real. It's my breast tissue. What, do you want me to talk about my implant size and how they were inserted?"

Injected and proud

But not everyone who's gone under the knife, laser or needle is so hush-hush about it.

"I'm not uncomfortable when people tell me I look good," says Paulette Cooper, 66, an author from Palm Beach, Florida, who's "very open" about the fact that she's been getting injections of Restylane and Radiesse for the past 18 months.

"I often find that when I tell another woman I've done it, they're interested but didn't know who to ask," says Cooper. "I tell them where I think it would improve their face and what the treatment entails."

Apparently such evangelism works: "Two close friends -- one an on-camera TV personality -- have e-mailed me recently to thank me that they look so good after the treatment I convinced them to have."
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Madonna applies to adopt girl in Malawi

2009-03-27T23:05:00.002+02:00

Madonna's bid to adopt a second Malawian child, a girl called Mercy James, will be examined by a court in the southern African country next week, officials said Friday.

The 4-year-old would be a sister for Madonna's three children including David, whose adoption by the U.S. pop star aroused controversy, and comes from the same orphanage.

"Her name is Mercy James from Mchinji Home of Hope orphanage. She has no father and mother, they both died... We finished the assessment yesterday in readiness for the courts next week," an official at the ministry of Gender and Child Development told Reuters.

Court clerks confirmed the name of the child and said that Madonna or her associates were expected to appear in court next Monday for the adoption proceedings. She is expected to arrive in Malawi over the weekend, officials said.

Some Malawians opposed David's adoption, accusing the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children in Malawi, which has been badly hit by an AIDS epidemic.

Mavuto Bamusi, national coordinator for the 60-member Human Rights Consultative Committee, told Reuters that this adoption would also violate the country's laws.

"As far as we are concerned, nothing has changed in terms of adoption laws in the country," he said.

The local Nation newspaper this month quoted Madonna, 50, as saying that Malawian friends had told her David needed a brother or sister and that she would consider adopting another child, but only with the support of the Malawian people.

David's life with the global pop star is worlds away from his village of Lipunga, where his relatives eat maize meal as a staple food and meals are cooked on open fires. His father, Yohane Banda, told Reuters that he may see his son next week.

Madonna, who was divorced last year from British film director Guy Ritchie, is one of the most successful singers of all time, with album sales of more than 200 million.

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Travel Picks: Top 9 restaurant openings of 2009

2009-03-27T23:00:00.003+02:00

Despite the world's economic woes, a menu of top-class chefs are pushing ahead with plans to open new restaurants this year.

Men's website AskMen.com has come up with a list of nine of the hottest new restaurant openings this year. Reuters has not endorsed this list:

1. The Savoy Grill, Gordon Ramsay, London

When the Savoy Hotel reopens after a 100 million pound ($144 million) restoration, it will feature a new Savoy Grill run under the watchful eye of Gordon Ramsay.

2. Bouchon, Thomas Keller, Los Angeles

The American chef with three Michelin stars will open a new house -- Bouchon -- in the Beverly Hills Garden Building in late 2009.This will be a casual-dining house that features the best of Keller's creations.

3. BLT Steak, Laurent Tourondel, Charlotte

The Ritz-Carlton chose Bistro Laurent Tourondel -- known as BLT Steak to its friends -- to fit the bill in the new Bank of America Center. Tourondel is known across the world for his approach to fine dining: it's more casual than most, but he never compromises on the best ingredients.

4. Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Nicola and Fabrizio Carro, New York

When the new Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium New York opens this spring, it will be anchored -- in culinary terms, at least -- by the chic Miami Beach Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, which is run by identical twins and chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro.

5. 25 Degrees, Tim and Liza Goodell, Phoenix

If you're after the best burger in the southwest, then look no farther than 25 Degrees. Think of the best local organic ingredients such as grass-fed beef, artisanal cheese and a wide selection of traditional and atypical condiments. Pair those with one of more than 50 wines and you've got the concept.

6. Jamie's Italian, Jamie Oliver, UK

Jamie Oliver has plans to open at least three new Jamie's Italian restaurants by the end of 2009. He chose sites in Brighton, Canary Wharf and Cardiff as the new homes for his affordably priced Italian restaurants.

7. rn74, Michael Mina, San Francisco

San Francisco's restaurant opening, rn74, will showcase the best wines available and pair them with regional French cuisine prepared by Chef Michael Mina. The house itself, which is named after Route National 74 that passes through France's Burgundy region, will focus on good food, drink and education.

8. Unnamed project, Rick Bayless, Chicago

Chicago restaurateur and Chef Rick Bayless plans to expand his holdings this summer with a low-key little Mexican sandwich shop not far away from his other properties: Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. The restaurant building will be ultra energy efficient, with solar panels and furniture made from recycled materials.

9. Unnamed project, Galvin Brothers, London

Brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin may be two of the best chefs you've never heard of. Their two London restaurants -- Galvin Bistrot de Luxe and Galvin at Windows -- are packed regularly and the pair is rumored to be opening a new house in the East London area of Spitalfields.

Hotel costing too much? Try an all-inclusive stay

2009-03-27T22:56:00.001+02:00

For business travelers tired of paying extra for food and services at hotels, a new Singapore property has come up with a recession-friendly solution: the all-inclusive stay.

Boutique hotel Quincy charges a flat daily rate of about 245 Singapore dollars ($162) for a stay with benefits, including meals, drinks, the mini-bar, laundry and local calls, all normally billed separately.

The hotel said its concept would be attractive during the global economic recession. Quincy has deliberately pegged its rates lower than other larger hotels in Singapore's prime Orchard area where it's located.

"Quincy is a solution to the global economic downturn," hotel manager Frank Hardy told Reuters.

"From booking to paying, everybody here is a friend and a VIP. Everybody is the same. Our concept is based on what travelers have been telling us they want -- a hotel that makes their life easier," he said.

Owned by Far East Organization Pte Ltd, the largest private property developer in Singapore, Quincy has seen occupancy rates of almost 80 percent since it opened last month.

The steel-and-glass modern property has 108 rooms with luxurious touches such as a choice of pillows and designer amenities as well as necessities for business travelers including high speed Internet and laptop-friendly connections.

There is also a pool, a gym and sauna.

Daryl Lee, deputy director of Far East Organization's hospitality operations and mastermind of the all-inclusive concept, said he expects that the global recession would mean more guests for Quincy.

"There are resorts that offer all-inclusive stays, but we believe we're an industry-first in terms of city hotels," Lee said.

The hospitality sector globally has been hit hard by the economic slowdown, with many businesses cutting back on the amount of travel employees do as well as their budgets.

Tough task: Designing a game about your 'first time'

2009-03-27T22:52:00.000+02:00

In an industry dominated by men, leave it to women to come up with the winning idea in a contest to create a concept for a video game about losing one's virginity.

Two women won a contest this week to create a concept for a video game about losing one's virginity.
On Wednesday, at the Game Developers Conference here, the two-woman team of Heather Kelley and Erin Robinson won the Game Design Challenge with just 36 hours of preparation, while their competitors had weeks to come up with concepts for a game about "your first time."

This was the sixth straight year of the design challenge, hosted annually by New York-based game developer Eric Zimmerman. The contestants are generally top-tier game designers like two-time winner and Spore and The Sims creator Will Wright, Deus Ex lead designer Harvey Smith, or 2008 winner and Leather Goddesses of Phobos creator Steve Meretzsky.

The contestants are generally given several weeks to come up with a concept for a game based on some sort of unusual challenge posed by Zimmerman. Past themes have included a game about love, a game based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and a game that could win the Nobel Peace Prize.

"We are in a medium that is just incredibly plastic," Zimmerman said. "We can put anything up on the screen...Still, we find every year that most of the money being put into games is put into a relatively narrow (set of) genres" that tends to include monsters, dragons, and the like.

Zimmerman added that the purpose of the challenge is "to think about how we can create games that really break away" from what's been done so many times before.

Sex and autobiography have been constant themes in literature, film, and theater, Zimmerman argued, pointing to "Lolita," the work of Henry Miller, Chaim Potok's novel, "My name is Asher Lev," and the films of Fellini and Woody Allen.

But while Zimmerman touted the widespread historical acceptance of the theme of autobiographical sex, he noted with some dismay that veteran game designer Kim Swift, who works for Valve and who created the award-winning Portal, had originally been slated to be among the contestants but had eventually been pressured by Valve to withdraw due to the theme.

"I'm saying this as a fan of Valve," Zimmerman said, "but I do find it frustrating and disturbing that Kim would be pulled from the panel."

Still, he said, after word got around about Swift's withdrawal, Lapis designer Kelley and independent developer Robinson volunteered to step up and compete.

The two ended up facing off against Meretzsky, on hand to defend his crown, and Habbo Hotel lead designer Sulka Haro.

And in the end, while all three submissions were well-received, the duo of Kelley and Robinson were judged by the audience to have very closely beaten out Meretzsky.

The two women came up with a concept for "Our first times," and presented it as a two-level game, one level for Kelley's experience and the other for Robinson's. They imagined a series of mini games that could be played on Nintendo's Wii, or possibly on Apple's iPhone.

Kelley began by explaining that her game would commence with the player having to pick an outfit for a date that was intended to conclude with their deflowering. It would have to be the least complicated outfit possible, she said, nothing with zippers that get stuck, or too many buttons or ties.

Then, there would be a mini game in which players would have to shave their legs, making especially sure not to miss the all-important spot "by the knees." Next up, dinner, and making sure to remove all the garlic from the meals, something the main character--clearly a female, since the game was presented from a woman's perspective--would have to do because of the general cluelessness of the boyfriend in question.

The next mini game would revolve around choosing the proper mood music from a selection of LPs--yes, records, since the game would be set in the timeframe of Kelley's first time. And clearly, she said, Miles Davis would have to be the choice.

The penultimate mini game would task the player with "not falling off the top bunk" in a college dorm room," while the final task would involve flicking off the smirking roommate.

The Robinson level also involved a series of mini games that commenced with "driving home from ultimate-Frisbee practice" and setting the radio station in a car--perhaps using the Wiimote dial, she said--to anything except country music. Next would be a stop at a drug store to buy a brand of condoms that doesn't terrify you, and then going "back to his place," and grappling with adjusting the tracking on his "antiquated" VCR.

Being a game concept presented from the woman's perspective, the next mini game would revolve around "making the first move. Poor guy."

And then, afterward, calling the best friend to tell the tale.

"But you have to be careful," Robinson said, "because she's next to mom and grandma on the speed dial."

Perhaps given their short notice, the mini-game concepts created by Kelley and Robinson weren't very fleshed out, something that was a shame since they seemed to be onto something. But the crowd appreciated how much effort they had put into the storyboards they'd created, and forgave the rudimentary fleshing out of the details.

Meretzsky's concept--which came in a very close second--ended up revolving around the idea of moving beyond the awkwardness of fumbling high school attempts at romance. But before explaining his final design, he talked at length about the challenges of coming up with a game idea when every possible title was too overtly sexual. He said he tried out "Where's dildo," but discarded it because "it had nothing to do with my autobiography."

And then, he thought "about the almost too obvious genre of first-person shooters."

He also threw away "Call of Booty"--because it would have "problems that would keep it off the shelf at Wal-Mart"--and then almost settled on a beat-matching idea called "Hump Hump Revolution."

And, playing off the title of Swift's hit game, as well as a popular 2008 film, he said he nearly ended up with "Zack & Miri make a Portal," but "my business people tell me paying licenses for two different (intellectual properties) is a non-starter."

In the end, he said, he came up with a three-act structure for a game based in the virtual world, Second Life, where act one involves the awkward era of high school, the second act is the more promising college years and finally, act three, happiness in the form of a series of vignettes including dates, a wedding, and then, home life.

The game, he said, would be called, "Wait, time passes."

"No matter how picked on you are," Meretzsky said, "this too shall pass. Your time will come, and you will find happiness and your place in the world."

Of the six Game Design Challenges, this year's felt the most wanting for detail and working game mechanics. That may have been because the contestants' task of building something autobiographical didn't meld well with game design. Still, the crowd, which was heavy with game designers, appreciated the efforts and shouted out their support for all three contestants.

After all, in the end, the point was to take a particularly challenging game design topic and create something that could plausibly be a working title. And who would know better the difficulties of doing so than a room full of game designers?

Rapper T.I. sentenced to year and a day in prison, fined

2009-03-27T22:32:00.000+02:00

Rap star T.I. was sentenced in Atlanta federal court Friday to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay a $100,300 fine on weapons charges related to purchasing machine guns and silencers.

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, has mentored at-risk students as part of his community service.

The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, reached the terms of the sentence in a plea agreement with prosecutors last year.

"I would like to say thank you to some, and apologize to others," Harris said at his sentencing.

"In my life, I have been placed in the worst-case scenario and had to make the best of it," he said. "Most often, things I have learned have been from trial and error. I knew no way to protect myself than to arm myself."

He was dressed in a gray suit and black shirt and tie.

Harris, 28, also was sentenced to some property forfeiture, supervised release for three years after his prison sentence, 365 days of home confinement and 1,500 hours of community service. He has already served 305 days of home confinement and 1,030 hours of service.

He also must undergo DNA testing and drug counseling, cannot own firearms and must submit to reasonable searches and a financial audit.