Kim Bauer, daughter of Jack Bauer in the real time action-thriller television series 24, was played by Elisha Cuthbert (Elisha Ann Cuthbert). The Canadian actress who was born in Calgary, Alberta, started her TV Career on Popular Mechanics For Kids at the age of 15. She caught the eye of First Lady Hillary Clinton and was invited to Washington for a meeting with her in 1997.

She had her first lead role in the 2003 feature film, Old School followed by The Girl Next Door. She has also had starring roles in the 2005 House of Wax film, the 2007 horror film Captivity and My Sassy Girl in 2008. Alongside her movie appearances in recent years Elisha has made appearances in the brilliant TV series 24 that is now in its 7th series.

Cuthbert regularly secures a place in FHM and Maxim’s annual “hottest women” lists. Her highest ranking was #4 in the 2008 UK Edition of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She was ranked #14 in 2003, #10 in 2004, #5 in 2005, #22 in 2006, and #10 in 2007. The U.S. Edition ranked her #53 in 2003, #63 in 2004, and #54 in 2006. She was not listed in the U.S. 2005 list. Cuthbert was ranked #10 by AskMen.com readers in the list “Top 99 Women of 2007.” Maxim named her #92 in its 2006 Hot 100 list and #6 in 2008, and the magazine features her in its Girls of Maxim Gallery.

Day 8, of the American serial television series 24 will premiere on January 17th, 2010.

Gaming just gets bigger and bigger. In 2007 it seemed like the industry was at bursting point, with so many awesome games hitting store shelves few could find the time to play them all – even those of us lucky enough to do it for a profession. Then 2008 rocked up and managed to squeeze even more gaming goodness into twelve short months, raising the bar once again for the exponentially growing scene. So what does 2009 hold for us all? Can we expect even bigger and better things?

The new year is going to be an exciting one for gamers with some ground-breaking games planned to be released throughout the year. Here is a sneak preview into what I believe are the Most Anticipating Multiplatform Games in 2009 for the PC, XBOX and PS3 consoles.

By “promising” I mean games with big chances of scoring at least AA, while extremely small chances of scoring below 7/10. I’ve tried choosing only games made by experienced developers(who made good games in the past) or for other reasons promising.

Tom Clancy’s HAWX

Arcade flight game from Ubisoft – A new air combat game set in the near future when a private military force attacks the U.S. using technologically advanced jet fighters.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Eidos’ comic book-inspired action title follows the caped crusader as he takes on the Joker and other supervillains in the titular madhouse. This presumably third-person action game takes Batman inside the iconic, ultra-creepy Arkham Asylum, which series fans will know as the place where all of Batman’s defeated foes are imprisoned.

Street Fighter IV

Perhaps the best sign that this game knows what it will take to succeed is its reverence to Street Fighter II—all of the characters from that game will return, and the gameplay mirrors the measured pace of that early entry. Considering versions of SFII still sell in strong numbers, it’s easy to see how this strategy could succeed on the market.

Prototype

An open-world game set in New York starring a shapeshifting man who can copy the appearance, skills, and powers of anyone he comes across. In Prototype, players take control of Alex Mercer – a dark, genetically mutated shape-shifter with no memory of his past, hell-bent on solving the mystery of his existence.

Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

If you’re willing to put in the time, there’s plenty of content here to enjoy, including getting a handle on how all the various car models control and boost. For gamers looking for a different kind of high-speed racer or anyone’s who has yet to experience the thrill Criterion’s Burnout series provides, this is a solid choice. Burnout Paradise made a surprise appearance at Leipzig 2008, with EA showing off both the PC version and the new bikes pack.

Lord of the Rings: Conquest

In this action title that plays out through the film versions of Tolkien classic fantasy series, you can play as those boy scouts in the Fellowship or, for the first time, Sauron and the forces of evil. Maybe now you can finish off those Halflings and the wanna-be King before they become a problem.

Dark Void

Ancient gods known as ‘The Watchers,’ once banished from our world by superhuman Adepts, have returned with a vengeance. Dark Void from Capcom delivers a ground breaking combination of fast paced vertical combat mixed with mid-air and on-foot action.

Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising

Meticulously detailed realism applied to modern warfare, with a ‘multitude of military disciplines.’ This sequel to Codemasters’ popular Cold War-themed shooter will take place in a modern setting in which tensions are high between China and Russia.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 5: Conviction

Sneaky people, slip on your three-pronged goggles and slink like a slithery snake in this splintery sequel. Sam Fisher’s work is never done, and this installment will find him engaged in daylight operations aimed at uncovering a mole and protecting those he cares about.

Borderlands

A sci-fi / action Post apocalyptic RPG from acclaimed developer Gearbox (makers of Brothers in Arms series), Borderlands combines the best in first-person action with player customization and vehicular combat for incredible layers of gameplay depth.

Resident Evil 5

This next-gen follow-up to the survival horror series breaks further away from the old confining standards, with a theme of escape as its core. The seminal zombie-fest just got meaner, with enemies who run like track stars and do not fear the sunlight.

Mafia II

Mafia 2 immerses players in the mob underworld of a fictitious late 1940’s / early 1950’s scenario. The sequel to the best-selling game Mafia again takes place in a time when gangsters were cool, liquor was something you could smuggle and everybody wore cool hats.

Mirror’s Edge

Mirror’s Edge offers occasional thrills, provided that you can look past some awkward stumbles. It’s ambitious in a multitude of ways, both in making a platformer from a first-person perspective and in its implementation of free running. It’s really, really good and you should play it, but damn, it could have been superb. While its elegant controls, visuals and audio weave a dreamlike tapestry that its animated cut-scenes do their best to eat away at, the whole is an experience you’d be remiss to let fly by if you missed it on consoles.

Aliens: Colonial Marines

This action game is wisely based on James Cameron’s envisioning of the franchise instead of on the cracked-out Alien vs Predator license. Let’s hope it’s not “Game over, man” for the series. The game has been hidden away in development at Gearbox, the dev with a solid track record in first-person shooters, and is most famous for its Brothers in Arms squad-based series.

Wheelman

Vin Diesel started his own game company and this high-speed actioner will be its first release. Combining spectacular Hollywood-style stunts with a gripping storyline, Wheelman provides an adrenaline-fueled, cinematic thrill ride guaranteed to leave you breathless.

FEAR 2: Project Origin

Sequel to Monolith’s scary FPS continues the original game’s story of an escalating paranormal crisis that threatens to destroy a major American city.

DC Universe Online

The first project out of Sony Online’s Austin studio, this action-based MMO explores the various worlds of DC Comics’ superheroes and villains. DC Universe Online is an MMO based on DC comic book universe and lets you fight along side or against DC superheroes.

Stormrise

The team behind the “Total War” series for the PC has built a new RTS specifically for the consoles. Stormrise is a postapocalyptic real-time strategy game from the makers of Total War, with the ability to control units in the air, on the surface, and underground. Hoping for a more immersive experience, instead of controling your troops from a detached view, you’ll control them from the front line instead.

Infamous

Infamous is an open-world action adventure game by SCEA. Players will experience what happens when a real person suddenly starts developing super powers. Will they exact revenge, protect the innocent or do little of both?

Bionic Commando

The ancient action-platformer gets a welcome treatment of gaming Botox, courtesy of Capcom. Bionic Commando features a hero with a grappling hook arm used to navigate levels, to take out enemies, rappel down sheer surfaces, and more.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate

Wanted is a video game based on the movie of the same name and features assassin time and curving bullets gameplay. It promises to deliver the same fantastic visual style, in-your-face attitude and edge-of-your-seat action as the blockbuster motion picture.

Wolfenstein

id software is executive producing a next gen Wolfenstein game. Delivers players deep behind the enemy lines of Germany, where Nazi experiments with technology and the occult threaten to turn the tide of WWII.

Dead Rising 2

Dead Rising 2 takes the franchise to a new level of zombie-killing fun with tens of thousands of zombies, the all new gambling paradise of Fortune City, plus a host of new in-game objects that can be used as deadly weapons to stave off the zombie assault.

Final Fantasy XIII

Final Fantasy XIII is the first installment in the best-selling series of role-playing games from Square Enix to appear on the PlayStation 3 and xBox 360 ( I just hopt it could be soon on PC as well).

Service staff dressed as flight attendants pose for a photograph inside the A380 In-flight Kitchen, a restaurant named after the giant Airbus airliner.

Imagine a flight without security checks, turbulence or even ticketing. More importantly, there’s more than just fish or chicken for dinner.

An entrepreneur in Taipei has run exactly this service since November, the A380 In-flight Kitchen (A380空中廚房) , packing in the passengers, as a restaurant that looks and almost functions like an airliner but sells a full menu’s worth of high-end Western food, sometimes in plastic trays.

Official Website [A380空中廚房]

In fashion, one day you’re in and the next you’re out. One could say the same about the list of World’s Top-Earning SuperModels. Some beauties moved up, some down, some off, a few on.

Then there’s Gisele Bundchen, still entrenched firmly in the No. 1 spot with an estimated $35 million in earnings, more than double the $14 million banked by Heidi Klum, who came in second. The 15 models in the list were ranked primarily by estimated earnings over the past 12 months. Where necessary, prestige and relevancy of campaigns, editorials, fashion magazine covers and the opinion of those in the industry were taken into account.

But keep an eye out. Those who do make it–like Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum with their model-moguldoms, and Bundchen and Kate Moss with their lucrative licensing deals–make it bigger than ever. Young models–the smart, ambitious ones, that is–are no doubt watching, and learning.

1. Gisele Bundchen – $35 million

According to Forbes, she is the highest-paid model in the world and also the sixteenth richest woman in the entertainment world, having earned $33 million in 2007 and $35 million in 2008 alone, adding to her estimated $150 million fortune. She is also listed on Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s richest supermodel. Bundchen has been the face of more than 20 brands internationally and has appeared on more magazine covers than any other supermodel.

The 27-year-old continues to bag new contracts, noticeably with Pantene and a cosmetics giant yet to be named. Her face graces ads for Disney, Nivea, Vogue eyewear and Aquascutum, the U.K.-based luxury line. Her line of Grendene sandals, Ipanema by Gisele, banks her about $6 million a year. And her romance with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady keeps her in the tabloids–she even escaped being blamed for the Patriots’ loss to the Giants.

2. Heidi Klum – $14 Million

The second highest-paid model in the world is more of a media and retail mogul, with hit shows in two countries and lines of jewelry, jeans and skincare.

The 34-year-old model and mother of three (hubby is singer Seal) has renewed her Victoria’s Secret contract, heads up the hit Bravo (soon to be Lifetime) reality fashion show Project Runway and Germany’s version of America’s Next Top Model. She designs three lines of Mouawad jewelry and a line of Jordache jeans. Then there’s new deals with Diet Coke, McDonald’s, Volkswagen and Fontanis water. She’s also coming out with a skincare line, In An Instant, to be marketed by powerhouse Guthy-Renker.

3. Kate Moss – $7.5 Million

The überwaif lost some important contracts last year, but her fashion line is an international hit.

The 34-year-old ended campaigns with Burberry, Stella McCartney, Dior and Versace. But her retail line with British retailer Topshop, carried in 29 countries, keeps her bank account from starving. Other clients include Donna Karan, Longchamp, Agent Provocateur, Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli and Rimmel.

4. Adriana Lima – $7 Million

The Brazilian beauty remains hugely popular on the Web and in her Victoria’s Secret commercials.

The blue-eyed beauty, 27, lost her Italian phone company Telecom Italia contract, but holds on to bread-and-butter clients Victoria’s Secret and Maybelline, for which she just renegotiated a multiyear deal. She also modeled for Mexico City-based department store giant Liverpool and graced the April cover of GQ magazine, her second for the men’s mag, and drew a record number of hits to its Web site. Her sexy Valentine’s Day Victoria’s Secret Superbowl ad was a sensation.

5. Doutzen Kroes – $6 Million

This honey from Holland, 23, makes the longest leap up the list this year thanks to her contracts with Calvin Klein, L’Oréal and Victoria’s Secret.

The Dutch model catwalks into the top five, thanks to being a triple contract threat: She reps fragrance and fashion with Calvin Klein’s Eternity and White Label, cosmetics with L’Oréal and lingerie as the newest Victoria’s Secret model. And let’s not forget diamonds with De Beers.

6. Karolina Kurkova – $5 Million

The Victoria’s Secret babe remains one of the lingerie giant’s most important–and highest paid–models.

If it seems like this Czech beauty has been around the industry much longer than would it would seem for someone only 23 years old–that is because she hit success young, appearing on Vogue at 16 and bagging her Victoria’s Secret contract at 21. This year, she renegotiated her contract with the lingerie giant, as well as campaigned for Dell and Mexico City-based department store giant Liverpool.

7. Natalia Vodianova – $4.8 Million

This ravishing Russian and mother of three, 26, has been a Calvin Klein muse for longer than any other model, including Kate Moss.

Vodianova is the exclusive face of Calvin Klein’s Euphoria fragrance. She also picked up deals with Paris-based beauty giant Guerlain, Chanel, Versace and Diane Von Furstenberg, and continues to model for David Yurman jewelry.

8. Carolyn Murphy – $4.5 Million

The face of Estée Lauder has no trouble bagging other clients.

If you’ve been in a department store any time within the past few years, you’ve seen this ubiquitous 32-year-old. The porcelain-skinned beauty is not only the main face of cosmetics powerhouse Estée Lauder, but she adorns ads for Anne Klein, Tiffany & Co., Lord & Taylor and Jantzen swimwear.

9. Daria Werbowy – $3.8 Million

This Canadian may not be a household name, but she’s a household face.

This striking brunette, 24, is the main visage for beauty behemoth Lancome, but that is far from all. She rotates ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Valentino, H&M, Missoni and David Yurman jewelry.

10. Miranda Kerr – $3.5 Million

The bewitching babe from Down Under is Victoria’s Secret’s latest star.

Kerr is getting a bit of a late start, breaking through in her delectable Victoria’s Secret campaigns at the ripe age of 23. However, expect her to remain in angel wings for awhile–the lingerie giant just renegotiated her contract for multiple years. She’s also the face of Australian department store David Jones and the face most likely to be seen around town with actor Orlando Bloom. Not bad for an Aussie who only moved Stateside two years ago.

Technorati Tags: Supermodel, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, Karolina Kurkova, Natalia Vodianova, Carolyn Murphy, Daria Werbowy, Miranda Kerr

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After the most volatile financial year in decades, people paused for a deep breath and a sip of … perhaps something cheaper than champagne.

Sydney, Australia, was the world’s first major city to ring in 2009, showering its shimmering harbor with a kaleidoscope of light that drew cheers from more than a million people.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a pyrotechnics show to celebrate the New Year

We sincerely hope that 2009 will be a year of peace and progress.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year January 1, 2009. Known for its choreographed and themed fireworks displays, this year’s show, nicknamed “The Creation Storm”, draws hundreds of thousands of people to the harbour foreshore to watch the spectacle.

Fireworks explode behind the Big Ben clock on the Houses of Parliament and London Eye ferris wheel (Millenium Wheel) in London during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year

New Year fireworks explode near the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia entered 2009.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a New Year’s Eve vespers service, at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is calling for “sobriety and solidarity” in 2009 as the world struggles with economic and social woes. His appeal was made amid the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica during a New Year’s Eve vespers service on Wednesday. Benedict described these times as being “marked by uncertainty and worry for the future.”

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton dance at midnight in Times Square after pushing the button to lower the crystal ball during New Year festivities in New York.

Fireworks are seen over the Red Square as people gathered and celebrated New Year’s Day on an ice drink in Red Square in Moscow

Fireworks explode over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor celebrating the 2009 New Year in Hong Kong.

Fireworks are seen during New Year’s Eve festivities in downtown Tokyo. Peoples set balloons free in the air to celebrate the New Year at Zojoji Buddhist temple in Japan.

Fireworks explode over Marina Bay and the Esplanade theaters during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Singapore January 1, 2009.

Fireworks light up the night sky during the New Year celebration at the Naksan swimming beach in Yangyang, about 270 km (168 miles) east of Seoul.

South Koreans watch firework during New Year’s Eve in downtown Seoul. Hundreds of thousands people celebrate the New Year.

Fireworks explode during the opening of the national programme Vilnius, “European Capital of Culture 2009″ and “Millennium of Lithuania” in New Year celebrations in Vilnius. The show was created especially for Lithuania by Gert Hof, the world�s most famous artist of lights.

Fireworks explore over Vienna’s “New Year’s eve path” with it’s ferris wheel turning on Wednesday. Hundreds of locals tourists gathered in downtown of Vienna, Austria to welcome the New Year.

Police constable Lee Dingsdale receives a kiss from Aiden Cooper as revellers take to Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. Around 100,000 people are expected to brave freezing temperatures to see in the bells in the Scottish capital.

Fireworks explode in Jakarta to celebrate New Year, on the night of December

Fireworks explode from the world’s tallest completed skyscraper Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taiwan.

Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro January 1, 2009. More than two million people gathered along Rio’s most famous beach to witness the 20-minute display and celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Fireworks explode during New Year’s day celebrations in Quebec City. The fireworks also marked the end of the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of foundation of Quebec City.

Vietnamese gathered in the city center to celebrate new year’s eve as the streaks of motorcycle lights and flying candlelit balloons are seen in the central Hanoi. Although the Vietnamese new year ‘Tet’ is celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year, tens of thousands of people came out to the street to celebrate the Western new year.

Fireworks explode in front of National Congress during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Brasilia.

Revellers celebrate the New Year by watching the Eiffel tower in Paris, France.

Fireworks explode over the Acropolis Hill in Athens during the New Year’s celebrations in Athens, Greece

Spectators watch a fireworks display during a New Year’s Eve countdown along Manila bay, Philippine

Fireworks explode behind the Christmas tree during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Skopje

People watch the fireworks during a New Year celebration in Havana January 1, 2009. 50th anniversary of the revolution at La Cabana castle in Havana, after Fidel Castro led a band of rebels to victory over U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, his revolution goes on, Cuba firmly in its grip, in what some view as a triumph and others a tragedy.

Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin shortly after midnight, greeting the New Year, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009. Hundred thousands of people celebrated the beginning of the New Year 2009 in Germany’s capital.

People celebrate New Year as fireworks illuminate the sky at Universal City in California. Revellers rang in the New Year in the US, hard on the heels of celebrations in Europe and Asia, as global economic jitters, conflict in the Middle East and tragedy in Thailand cast a long shadow on the dawn of 2009.

The annual New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks display is seen from below the Sky Tower as New Year is welcomed on December 31, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Fireworks are seen during New Year’s Eve festivities in downtown Budapest.

Burning candles form the likeness of a 2009 at the Southwest University campus to see in the New Year in Chongqing, China. Chinese welcome 2009, bidding farewell to the eventful year 2008.

Palestinian youths celebrate the new year during a candle light vigil in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on December 31, 2008 to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza, as Israel’s massive bombing campaign was set to enter its sixth day. Hamas vowed to fight “until the last breath” if Israel makes good on threats to send ground troops into Gaza after rejecting calls for a truce and pressing on with its air assault that so far killed at least 393 Palestinians.

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Technorati Tags: New Year, Celebration, Count Down, Sydney, Creation Storm, Big Ben, Twin Towers, Hillary Clinton, Vilnius

We featured [Top New Cars for 2008] during this period of last year, it’s time to look forward to the next 12 months and see what car buyers have in mind. We’ve picked the 10 most promising new models due in 2009.

For a great many of us, a dream car planted the seeds for a lifelong addiction to all things automotive, and these 10 cars are bound to incite a few automotive addictions of their own. They are the leggy supermodels of the auto industry, cars that make their first impression with exceeding beauty.

2009 Lotus Elise

The 2009 Lotus Elise carries on the English company’s tradition of pint-sized sports cars with exotic-car performance. This mid-engine, targa-top 2-seater is fitted with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine built by Toyota and tuned by Lotus. It makes 189 hp in the base Elise, and 218 in the supercharged Elise SC. A 6-speed manual is the only transmission offered. ABS is standard, but an antiskid system is not available; nor are front side airbags or curtain side airbags. Other standard features include air conditioning, power windows, and remote power door locks. Options include leather upholstery, limited-slip differential, and traction control. We have not yet tested a 2009 Lotus Elise, but see our comments on the similar Lotus Exige.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa is back, and it’s making a splash in the US, this time going for the big money. After its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003, the 8C nearly ceased to exist, but the company finally decided to bring it to the US to build image before introducing less expensive and more mainstream vehicles than the two-seat coupe.

The engine is from another Italian thoroughbred, Maserati’s Quattroporte, although it’s been enlarged to 4.7 liters of displacement. It makes 444 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, and 347 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm, with a 7,500 rpm redline. That engine will be placed behind the front axle for a low center of gravity and ideal weight distribution.

what’s underhood is nearly as splendid as the wrapper: a sonorous 4.7-liter V-8 that is closely related to the engine found in another car on this list, the Maserati GranTurismo, as well as several Ferraris.

Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin revealed an all-new flagship model for the 2008 model year called the DBS. A concept version of the coupe was revealed in 2006, followed by an appearance in the James Bond film Casino Royale.

The DB9’s 6.0 liter V12 finds a new home in the DBS, albeit with more power. Output is rated at 510 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm. The power goes to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted transaxle with six-speed swapped with the use of a clutch pedal. A limited-slip differential is included.

Dodge Viper Convertible SRT10

Along with Chevy’s Corvette, the Dodge Viper is one of the most eye-catching and most recognizable high-performance sports cars in the North American marketplace. It was largely responsible for reinvigorating the Dodge brand in the early ’90s.

The Viper SRT10 coupe shares the convertible’s mechanicals, which means the same fire-breathing 600-horsepower V10 engine under the big hood. It displaces 8.4 liters and also generates 560 pound-feet of torque.

Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

This is the base model of Porsche’s legendary, many would say iconic, 911. The rear-engine rear-drive sports car is powered by a 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine, generating 325 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 274 pound-feet of torque starting at 4,250 rpm. Zero-to-60-mph flies by in 4.8 seconds.

You’ll be impressed at how the engineers pack in such a highly tuned performance motor into a compact spot, especially with all the ancillary mechanicals and the exhaust system. This is a prime example of how Porsche has perfected the 911 design.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz reinvented the idea of a stylish, four-door, premium coupe when the German automaker released the CLS in 2004. Last year, the AMG-tuned CLS got a significant upgrade when the AMG-designed and developed 6.3-liter V8 engine was shoehorned under the hood.

The first AMG-designed engine, the 6.3-liter V8, is carried over from 2009, good for 507 horsepower along with 465 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood of this shapely sedan. Its V8 burble is made louder than last year’s car thanks to a less restrictive exhaust installed for 2009.

Pontiac Solstice GXP

The Solstice GXP is high-performance variant of the popular rear-wheel drive, two-seat roadster from Pontiac. It was added to the company’s lineup for the 2007 model year and onward.

The Solstice GXP comes with a turbocharged, Ecotec 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 260 horsepower that can be mated to either a close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. Riding on a standard performance suspension using Bilstein adjustable-valve, monotube shock absorbers, the GXP features 18′ polished aluminum wheels with 18′ chromed wheels as an option.

2009 Audi S5

Alongside the new A5 coupe, Audi launched the S5 for the 2008 model year. It features Audi’s direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 engine, basically a detuned version of the one found in the RS4 and R8, which produces 354hp and 325lb-ft of torque instead of the 420 hp /317 lb-ft. Like the A5, the new S5 features an engine placement behind the front wheels, resulting in better weight distribution between the axles.

One of the most passionate designs ever to come out of Germany, the S5 wears a perfect balance of masculine and feminine elements, mixing a strong, assertive gaze with elegantly flowing fenders and a thick fuselage offset with delicate brightwork. Sporty accents to the S5 include a squared-off chin, subtle sill extensions, a slightly longer decklid, and four wonderfully vocal tailpipes—all without detracting from the coupe’s innate beauty. Best of all, it sets the tone for the styling of Audi’s lineup henceforth.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe

Affectionately described as the “baby Aston,” the V8 Vantage coupe is Aston Martin’s cheapest, smallest and highest volume model currently on the market.

It is positioned in price against the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi R8, Mercedes SL550, and BMW M6, but in reality is different from all those vehicles. It’s lighter and more nimble than the M6 or SL, but more of a grand tourer than the hardcore R8 or 911.

The Vantage comes with a 4.3 liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 380 horsepower at 7,000 rpm along with 302 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. The high-revving V8 is mated to one of two transaxles, both of which are equipped with a limited-slip differential.

2009 Maserati GranTurismo

The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, made its worldwide debut as a 2008 model. The new coupe is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine and delivers a nimble weight distribution of 49 percent at the front and 51 percent at the rear.

The engine delivers 405 horsepower at 7100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters for the manual control mode.

Pricing starts at $114,750, making the GranTurismo a rival to the BMW M6, Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes CL-Class, and even more expensive models like the Bentley Continental.

Technorati Tags: Car, Lotus Elise, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Dodge Viper, Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz, Pontiac Solstice, Audi S5, Maserati, GranTurismo

Jellyfish Lake in Pacific island of Palau, Micronesia is a very famous Snorkeling site. Jellyfish Lake, known to Palau’s natives as Ongeim’l Tketau, contains over ten million jellyfish that have descended and evolved from a common ancestor, the spotted jellyfish. They are non stinging, having lost their natural defense system because of the lack of major predators in the lake. So you may actually enjoy swimming with them much closer than would be possible anywhere else.

Millions of years ago, jellyfish were trapped in this lake after a submerged reef rose from the sea, creating a landlocked saltwater lake. In this lake, the jellyfish have adapted to the new conditions by losing their sting. They have eight primitive eyes and algae that live within their cells. These algae are what the jellyfish live on. Twice each day, the jellyfish in the lake swim from one side to the other. The jellyfish do this to get sunlight to their internal algae so that the algae can grow.

At night the jellyfish swim to a lower depth where the water is rich in nitrogen. The nitrogen also sustains the algae population. The jellyfish has only one main predator in this lake — the sea anemone. Jellyfish can be stung, trapped, and killed by these creatures.

Scuba diving is forbidden in Ongeim’l Tketau both because it damages the jellyfish and because the hydrogen sulfide in the bottom layer of the lake poses a serious risk to human life.

The marine lakes remain connected to the sea and, on a daily basis, the influence of sea level on the lakes can be witnessed as the tides rise and fall within the lakes in response to tidal changes in the surrounding lagoon.

Reference [Wikipedia.Org], [NationalWildlife], [Fish'nfins], [VisitPalau]

Technorati Tags: Jellyfish Lake, Palau, Ongeim’l Tketau, Scuba diving, Adventure, Travel, Wildlife

Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes it brings good cheer.

Christians celebrate Christmas to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, which is an event and not a tradition. But many other activities related to celebrating the Christmas season evolved from certain traditions, many of which are from other countries, particularly from peoples in Europe.

Among common items used in Christmas decorations are the holly and the mistletoe. Both are used primarily in wreaths and garlands. The Druids started the tradition of using the mistletoe as decorative items up to two hundred years before Christ. To celebrate the winter season, the Druids would gather the plants and use them to decorate their homes. The Druids believed the
mistletoe would bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the mistletoe had a healing quality and could be used for everything from healing wounds to increase fertility.

Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

“SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN”

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Technorati Tags: Holly, Christmas, Xmas, Christian, Jesus Christ, Miss Santa

The winter season in Samnaun, Switzerland kicks off at the beginning of December with the annual Clau Wau Santa Claus World Championships.

Competing to Be Top Claus, the eighth Clau Wau Santa Claus World Championship took place in the Swiss mountain village of Samnaun on Dec. 6, 2008.

15 teams from 9 different countries (Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Macedonia, New Zealand, Japan and Iceland) and more than 100 Santas competed in the event, which begins with all the participating santas parading through the village centre at 12:45 p.m.

Saturday was competition day. The 8th Santa Clause world championship started with the Santa Parade where each team had to present themselves. The seconds match called Santa Travel. The teams had to define sight and their location on the basis of pictures. After decorating a “Lebkunchen” and Donkey-Trekking each team had to build a snow picture. Creativity, staying power and team spirit was demanded by the teams.

12 teams were qualified for the final. The final started at 7:30 pm with the Santa Biathlon. Speed and accuracy were important for this discipline. Balance was required for the discipline Santa Flying. The Santa Clauses had to catch gifts while jumping on a trampoline.

Also the Santa Show was new designed. The teams had to choose a song from Sing Star. These Song had to be performed by all team members. The audience were swept off their feet and the Santa Show went to a raving success.

Winner of the 8th Santa Clause world championship is the team „Balsthaler Turnerkläuse“ from Swizerland. In second place is the team “TV Bassersdor” also from Switzerland. The third place is splt up by the team “Uh la la” and the “Chlausisten”.

See you next year

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References [Samnaun Tourism], [ClauWau Event]

Technorati Tags: Clau Wau, Samnaun, Switzerland, Santa Claus, „Balsthaler Turnerkläuse“ , Christmas, Xmas, Downhilll Skii

While the rest of the world is tightening its belt, Dubai is throwing a US$20 million party Thursday Nov. 20, 2008, complete with Hollywood celebrities and a fireworks show that organizers said would be visible from outer space. The party, which will be headlined by Australian pop star Kylie Minogue in her Middle East debut, is to celebrate a new US$1.5 billion marine-themed resort built off the Gulf coast on an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree.

More than 2,000 world celebrities were invited to the event, which began Thursday night and continued into Friday.

Among those who showed up for what the local press described as the “party of the decade” were Hollywood stars Robert de Niro, Charlize Theron, Mischa Barton and Wesley Snipes.

Other notables who walked the red carpet at the 1.5-billion-dollar “Atlantis, The Palm” hotel included singers Kylie Minogue, who performed before the fireworks display, and Shirley Bassey, Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and catwalk model Yasmin Le Bon.

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Technorati Tags: Atlantis hotel, Dubai, Kylie Minogue, Middle East, Charlize Theron, Priyanka Chopra, Yasmin Le Bon