13-year-old Kansan wins National Spelling Bee

WASHINGTON - Cool and collected, Kavya Shivashankar wrote out every word on her palm and always ended with a smile. The 13-year-old Kansas girl saved the biggest smile for last, when she rattled off the letters to "Laodicean" to become the nation's spelling champion.

The budding neurosurgeon from Olathe, Kan., outlasted 11 finalists Thursday night to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes and, of course, the huge champion's trophy.

After spelling the winning word, which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics, Kavya got huge hugs from her father, mother and little sister.

French Producer Wants To Cast The Bachchans

As Abhishek Bachchan is at Cannes accompanying wife Aishwarya Rai, seems like have impressed the filmmakers out there and receiving film offers. Manuel de la Roche, the Paris based producer wants to cast father-son Bollywood duo Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan for his next film.

French director Jan Kounen will direct the film, which is named as The Secret History of the Dalai Lamas. The director will soon approach the Bachchans with the acting offers for the film in lead roles.

Roche said, “The film will trace the history of the Dalai Lamas all the way from 14th century. It will blend dramatized re-enactments involving the earlier incarnations with excerpts from an interviews with the current Dalai Lama.”

Other than these Bollywood actors, the film will also cast Hollywood biggies Sharon Stone and Richard Gere.

“We are very keen to cast the father and son duo in key roles in the film. Sharon Stone (who is a practicing Tibetan Buddhist) will step in as the narrator, while Hollywood star Richard Gere will also be involved with the project,” added the producer.

Shooting for the film start later this year and will be shot mainly in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and some other parts of Indian subcontinent. It will be ready to hit theaters in the second half of 2010.

The father son duo had earlier worked together for films Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Sarkar Raj. However will soon appear together in R. Balakrishnan’s Pa

Not Same To Same

Anushka Sharma

Just a one film old, actress Anushka Sharma is making a buzz in Bollywood. This time she is in news for his comparison with Sonam Kapoor. Both of them are constantly being compared with each other. However, Anushka says, “I know they have been talking about it, but nobody has asked me this question directly. May be they are scared to ask!”

She later adds, “I don’t think I look like Sonam. She has very different features.”

But do you remember how Sonam looks like. Because it’s always surprising as Sonam changes her look with each photoshoot.

Anushka Sharma Is Not Like Other Actresses

Anushka Sharma

The new girl of SRK is finally out in public and is sharing her views and opinions openly. Ask her about her contemporaries and she will say, “Asin is so beautiful, Sonam Kapoor is enthralling, and Deepika Padukone is very talented. My all-time favorite is Rani Mukherji. She’s a class apart.”

Anushka also revealed that Rani had helped and encouraged her a lot when she was shooting for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Well who else will know better than Rani the Yash Raj style of filming?

Aamir Khan apologizes Shah Rukh for Blog post

Aamir Khan on Tuesday ‘offered sincere apology’ for posting on his blog that he had named his pet dog after the actor Shah Rukh Khan. The apology for this comes nearly after 10 days of his blog entry.

“Shah Rukh is a dear friend of mine and I have highest respect and regard for him. That blog was in good humour and a lot of people found it funny. However, some did not. Many felt I shouldn’t have said that. So my sincere apologies to people who were uncomfortable with that part,” Aamir wrote

Shah Rukh is a dear friend of mine and I have highest respect and regard for him. That blog was in good humour and a lot of people found it funny. However, some did not. Many felt I shouldn’t have said that. So my sincere apologies to people who were uncomfortable with that part,” Aamir wrote.

aamirkhan.com till date has an entry of 13th May saying ‘Shahrukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then’. The entry has neither been removed nor is there any apology on the site till date.

Anushka Sharma Bound to Yash Raj Films for Two More Films

Anushka Sharma

After Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Anushka Sharma is bound to Yash Raj Films for two more films. However YRF is in no hurry to start the next films.

Before the release of the film, she was kept under wraps, while some think that even after the release of the film she is still under wraps as she has a contract to do two more films with Yash Raj.

Anushka said, “Yes, I’m under contract to do two more films with Yash Raj.”

“I was kept away from the media’s glare for a reason. I wanted to focus completely on my film. And it served the purpose,” says Anushka.

When asked to her why she didn’t presented with the finesse and sophistication that is associated with the banner, she replied, “You are right. Even when girls are supposed to be simple, in a Yash Raj film she’s always glamorous. But you see, I can always get into chiffon saris in my next Yash Raj film.”

Although, Anushka seems excited about her next film, the feeling doesn’t seem

Karan To Rename His Film Jehaad

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor

The film which is based on the global terrorism topic was till now supposed to be titled as Jehaad as the actors of the film Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were calling in their interviews. But it was never the official title. The producer Karan Johar and director Rensil D’Silva has become cautious about calling it as Jehaad, so planning to change it as Qurbaan.

As the global market is looking at the film with curiosity and suspicion, Karan doesn’t want to give any wrong signal by naming it as Jehaad. Jehaad is an Islamic term for Holy War, so the makers of the film don’t want to sound it in the favour of Islamic terrorism and put off the interest of global audience.

One source revealed, “As soon as the title Qurbaan is made official, Karan and Rensil plan to call a press conference to correct the media perception that the film is called Jehaad. Since Kareena and Saif used Jehaad in all their interviews, it will take some time for Jehaad to get out of the public’s mind. They have made a gripping thriller on terrorism. The narration is taut and uninterrupted by Bollywood formulae like songs, dances and melodrama. Kareena and Saif have even done one of the boldest love sequences ever.”

When asked to Rensil, he confirmed it and said, “We did consider it but it is unlikely that we will call the film Jehaad. Karan and I need to sit down and talk about it, but he has gone off to Cannes.”

Karan refused to comment on it and went off to Cannes. Karan represents an alcohol brand at Cannes. He will be walking the red carpet all alone. “That’s the status of my life- single. And that is how it shall be at Cannes, or anywhere else,” said Karan.

Aamir, Shah Rukh Came Together For A Cause

Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan

Last time when we saw Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan meeting in very high profile way at some hotel in Mumbai for the reason of solving the producers-distributors strike, one might had thought that it was just to show people that they are still friends and no rivalry between them. But we have something new to say about the tale.

These two Bollywood biggies met once again few days ago at some studio to check out what’s the status of the strike. However, this time they kept away the media who they thought might divert the attention from the real issue.

“The last time, the papers, the news channels and internet sites focused only on the Aamir-SRK grand union, they completely ignored the cause.

The stars themselves realised this and made it a point to keep their second meeting a completely low-key affair. The multiplex strike still continues despite efforts from every big name in Bollywood to put an end to it. And, Aamir and SRK are very concerned,” said one producer.

Adah Sharma

Adah Sharma

Adah Sharma, who gets the critical acclaim for her debut role in 1920, has decided to go straight. Nothing else but she has decided to iron straight her curly hair. A new Adah not only had a hair makeover but also sporting short dresses. This might be interesting for her fans because the actress was wearing clothes from head to toe in her debut film. She did all this for a photoshoot and not for any film.

Most interesting part about Adah’s makeover is that she has ironed out those curls first time in five years. Talking about the new look, Adah said, “As an actor, I’m imageless and willing to experiment and undergo physical and mental changes. It’s fun being someone you don’t identify with!”

Li Na of China

Li Na of China returns the ball to Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris May 27, 2009.

Castroneves earns record prize with Indy win

INDIANAPOLIS - Once again, Helio Castroneves couldn't hold back the tears

Injured driver Meira released from Indy hospital

INDIANAPOLIS - Vitor Meira is out of the hospital three days after breaking two bones in his back in a crash during the Indianapolis 500

Japan's Naito retains WBC flyweight title

TOKYO - Japanese champion Daisuke Naito has defended his WBC flyweight title with a unanimous decision over China's Xiong Zhaozhong.

RALEIGH, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are headed back to the Stanley Cup finals. Max Talbot had a goal and an assist to help the Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Tuesday night and finish off a sweep in the Eastern Conference finals. Pittsburgh lost to Detroit last year in a six-game final series

ROME (AFP) - Barcelona were

ROME (AFP) - Barcelona were boosted by the news that both Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry were passed fit to play against Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday

Sharapova joins Safina, Ivanovic in 3rd round

Sharapova joins Safina, Ivanovic in 3rd round

PARIS – Maria Sharapova struggled again in her Grand Slam tournament comeback at the French Open, needing three sets and a few extra games to reach the third round with a 6-2, 1-6, 8-6 victory over Nadia Petrova on Wednesday.

Roman Conquest

Barcelona and Man U will settle things on the field. While they're in Rome, we're here for you. Follow the Champions final every kick of the way.

ICC clears Pakistan spinner Ajmal's bowling action

Updated at: 1102 PST, Monday, May 25, 2009

NEW DELHI: Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has received a timely boost after an International Cricket Council (ICC) expert cleared his bowling action, which had been reported by umpires last month.

Ajmal, due to play in the World Twenty20 starting in England on June 5, was cleared after a biomechanics expert in Australia ruled his elbow extension, while bowling was within the permitted 15 degrees, an ICC statement said.

The 31-year-old off-spinner, who has played 10 one-day internationals, was reported for a suspect bowling action by umpires after the second one-dayer against Australia in Dubai.

Iftikhar replaces Akhtar in Twenty20 squad

ISLAMABAD: Rao Iftikhar was confirmed as replacement for fellow pace-man Shoaib Akhtar in the Pakistan squad Monday for next month's Twenty20 World Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board dropped Akhtar from its squad last week due to a skin infection, prompting it to seek approval to replace him from the Twenty20 World Cup organizers.

``The ICC has confirmed the event technical committee of the World Twenty20 has approved Iftikhar as a replacement player for Shoaib Akhtar,'' the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

Akhtar is ruled out of the entire Twenty20 World Cup after the ICC also said that once a player is replaced he is ineligible to return to the squad for the tournament.

Pakistan is drawn in Group B along with the Netherlands and host England for the Twenty20 tournament, which begins from June 5. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super Eight stage.

Iftikhar, 28, has played one test, 58 limited-overs internationals and a Twenty20 match for Pakistan, including during last month's series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates. He was also a member of the Pakistan side, which lost to India in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup final at South Africa in 2007.

Mentally tough' Pakistan ready for World Twenty20

Monday, May 25, 2009
By Khalid Hussain

KARACHI: Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam is hoping that a series of one-to-one sessions with a sports psychologist will help his charges attain the sort of mental toughness that is needed to win major events like next month's World Twenty20 Championship in England.

Pakistan reached the final of the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 but fell to India in the title clash.

This time, Intikhab is hopeful that a series of preparatory measures taken by Pakistan will help them go all the way in the June 5-21 spectacle to staged in London and Nottingham.

One of the new steps taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was to rope in a seasoned psychologist to help the England-bound players cope up with pressure and give their best in the Twenty20 tournament.

The PCB hired Maqbool Bari, a well-known psychologist, for a series of sessions with the players on the sidelines of three practice games in Lahore last week.

"One of our primary tasks is to make the players mentally tough," Intikhab told 'The News' in an interview. "Mental toughness is one of the key elements needed to win a major title and we believe that the players can improve in that area with help from steps like having a psychologist around for a while," he added.

Babri spent two hours with each of the cricketers. He carried out one-to-one sessions with the players separately.

Intikhab is confident that when the Pakistani squad will leave for England on May 30, it will be fully ready for the tough challenge.

"Our aim is to win the title and England and thankfully our preparations are on the right track," he stressed.

Pakistan warmed up for the World Twenty20 by comprehensively beating Australia in a one-off Twenty20 International in Dubai on May. Later, the national cricketers attended a conditioning camp in Bhurban and then played a series of practice games in Lahore. The players will now compete in the RBS National Twenty20 Cup getting underway in Lahore from Monday (today). The Pakistan team players will only compete in matches on the first three days of the five-day contest.

"We have decided to give the boys a two-day rest because its also equally important to rest and rejuvenate," said Intikhab, a former Pakistan captain.

"We are preparing for a major event and want our boys to be in peak physical and mental condition for the England assignment," he concluded.

Pakistan will play a couple of practice games in their buildup for the World Twenty20. They will meet South Africa at Trent Bridge (Nottingham) on June 1 and will then feature in an eagerly-awaited clash with old rivals India at The Oval on June 3. Bracketed with England and minnows Netherlands in Group B of the event, Pakistan will open their title campaign with a match against the hosts on July 7 at The Oval.

Twenty 20 World Cup 2009 Schedule

ICC World Twenty20, 2009
Fixtures/Schedule of all Matches of all Teams
The 20-20 world cup tournament is to start in June this year, and it would be held in United Kingdom (England). Here we the schedule for you - see the fixtures:
JUNE 2009
Fri 517:30 local, 16:30 GMT
1st Match, Group B - England v NetherlandsLord’s, London
Sat 610:00 local, 09:00 GMT
2nd Match, Group D - New Zealand v ScotlandKennington Oval, London
Sat 613:30 local, 12:30 GMT
3rd Match, Group C - Australia v West IndiesKennington Oval, London
Sat 617:30 local, 16:30 GMT
4th Match, Group A - Bangladesh v IndiaTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Sun 713:30 local, 12:30 GMT
5th Match, Group D - Scotland v South AfricaKennington Oval, London
Sun 717:30 local, 16:30 GMT
6th Match, Group B - England v PakistanKennington Oval, London
Mon 813:30 local, 12:30 GMT
7th Match, Group A - Bangladesh v IrelandTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Mon 817:30 local, 16:30 GMT
8th Match, Group C - Australia v Sri LankaTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Tue 913:30 local, 12:30 GMT
9th Match, Group B - Netherlands v PakistanLord’s, London
Tue 917:30 local, 16:30 GMT
10th Match, Group D - New Zealand v South AfricaLord’s, London
Wed 1013:30 local, 12:30 GMT
11th Match, Group C - Sri Lanka v West IndiesTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Wed 1017:30 local, 16:30 GMT
12th Match, Group A - India v IrelandTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Thu 1113:30 local, 12:30 GMT
13th Match, Group F - TBC v TBCTrent Bridge, NottinghamD1 v A2
Thu 1117:30 local, 16:30 GMT
14th Match, Group E - TBC v TBCTrent Bridge, NottinghamB2 v D2
Fri 1213:30 local, 12:30 GMT
15th Match, Group F - TBC v TBCLord’s, LondonB1 v C2
Fri 1217:30 local, 16:30 GMT
16th Match, Group E - TBC v TBCLord’s, LondonA1 v C1
Sat 1313:30 local, 12:30 GMT
17th Match, Group E - TBC v TBCKennington Oval, LondonC1 v D2
Sat 1317:30 local, 16:30 GMT
18th Match, Group F - TBC v TBCKennington Oval, LondonD1 v B1
Sun 1413:30 local, 12:30 GMT
19th Match, Group F - TBC v TBCLord’s, LondonA2 v C2
Sun 1417:30 local, 16:30 GMT
20th Match, Group E - TBC v TBCLord’s, LondonA1 v B2
Mon 1513:30 local, 12:30 GMT
21st Match, Group E - TBC v TBCKennington Oval, LondonB2 v C1
Mon 1517:30 local, 16:30 GMT
22nd Match, Group F - TBC v TBCKennington Oval, LondonB1 v A2
Tue 1613:30 local, 12:30 GMT
23rd Match, Group F - TBC v TBCTrent Bridge, NottinghamD1 v C2
Tue 1617:30 local, 16:30 GMT
24th Match, Group E - TBC v TBCTrent Bridge, NottinghamD2 v A1
Thu 1817:30 local, 16:30 GMT
1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBCTrent Bridge, Nottingham
Fri 1917:30 local, 16:30 GMT
2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBCKennington Oval, London
Sun 2115:00 local, 14:00 GMT
Final - TBC v TBCLord’s, London

CRISTIANO RONALDO EXCLUSIVE

Today, Cristiano Ronaldo nails once and for all the idea that he will conquer Barcelona on Wednesday - and then head off to the Bernabeu.
Sure, we've heard it before. But never this definitive, never this passionate, never this convincing. If he leaves Old Trafford after this proclamation of loyalty, Ronaldo will go down as one of the most insincere, double-dealing football superstars. A man whose word means nothing.

Premier League round-up

Premier League round-up

Newcastle and Middlesbrough were relegated

the Premier League as Hull City and Sunderland

beat the drop on 'Survival Sunday'.

Spirited Response

Spirited Response
LeBron's shot might have saved Cleveland, but it didn't kill Orlando's mojo. Dwight Howard led the Magic to a 99-89 victory over the Cavs in Game 3 of the East finals

Deccan Chargers win IPL

JOHANNESBURG: Former India captain Anil Kumble produced a magnificent bowling performance for the Royal Challengers Bangalore but could not prevent the Deccan Chargers from winning the Indian Premier League final by six runs at the Wanderers on Sunday. Leg-spinner Kumble opened the bowling, dismissed danger man Adam Gilchrist with his third ball, and took four for 18 as Deccan were restricted to 143 for six. Herschelle Gibbs hit an unbeaten 53 for the Chargers. It seemed an eminently achievable target but Bangalore were unable to put any big partnerships together as the tension mounted in front of a capacity crowd.

Deccan Chargers top charts after heart-stopping clash

Cricket-Deccan beat Bangalore by six runs - IPL final result

OHANNESBURG, May 24 (Reuters) - Deccan Chargers beat

Bangalore Royal Challengers by six runs in the final of the
Indian Premier League at the Wanderers on Sunday.

Scores:

Deccan Chargers 143 for six in 20 overs (H. Gibbs 53 not out; A. Kumble 4-16) v Bangalore Royal Challengers 137 for nine in 20 overs