After making a highly successful directorial debut with 'Taare Zameen Par', actor Aamir Khan is contemplating another stint behind the camera.

His 2007 film 'Taare Zameen Par' received accolades from both critics and viewers. The 47-year-old actor had also worked as an assistant director for his filmmaker-uncle Nasir Hussain's movies like 'Manzil Manzil' (1984) and 'Zabardast' (1985).

“He has a story and  chosen,hope to direct. But right now he has responsibility as an actor, plus (TV show) 'Satyamev Jayate' season 2,”

“The script is written by someone else.Amir  told the writer it (direction) will take time. He don't know when he  would direct next. As he  have 'Peekay', 'Dhoom 3' and 'Satyameva Jayaate 2' in hand.

Aamir is fascinated with 'Mahabharat' and will love to be a part of the epic's presentation on big screen one day.

“It is a desire. The project is huge. It is a dream project for him. But if  decide today  making it, I will have to give 20 years to it. This is why I am scared, if I say yes and decide to make it, five years will go only in research and then to execute it....The material is very exciting for me,” he said.
Aamir also cleared the air on reports of creative differences between him and director of his upcoming movie 'Talaash' Reema Kagti.
“As far as Reema is concerned, these rumours are not true. Lots of times they are untrue. Like 'Lagaan', this time around also there was something about me not being happy with the film. If I go around explaining every rumour I will have to stop working. I have to let go and decide that ultimately the film will speak for itself,” he sa

“It's been wonderful working with Reema. She is in control of the material and confident about what she wants. She is very clear about how she will get it. She doesn't compromise,” Aamir said.
“I felt comfortable and safe in her hands. At a number of places, she was able to point out layers in my character and scenes which I had not thought about. I was quite amazed by her perceptiveness and understanding of the moment.”
Besides Aamir, 'Talaash', which releases on November 30, stars Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukherjee in the lead.
“I don't think I have ever done a film where I haven't given my opinion. Sometimes it is taken and sometimes it is not. But I trust my directors. When a director is working, everyone gives opinions,” said Aamir.
“When I was working on 'Taare Zameen Par', everyone gave me suggestions. That didn't make me less of a director. It's up to me to accept them or not,” he said.

Ang Lee’s much-awaited film version of Yann Martel’s bestselling adventure saga, Life of Pi, is a shimmering visual spectacle. Coming close to James Camerons’ Avatar, this film too has made optimum use of 3D technology along with heavy CGI effects, which eventually makes for a unique watching experience. This story about a young man trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger, has an artificial premise but if you’re sold to the contrivances, the movie turns into a spiritual, life-altering saga.

Life of Pi is narrated in flashback by the older Pi (Irrfan Khan) to a reporter (Rafe Spall), who is in search for an interesting story – “A story that will make me believe in God,” he says. Pi recounts the incredible experiences he went through during his 200-day ordeal on sea with a tiger. They have  narrated how different religions influenced him as an impressionable child and how his faith had been questioned when he was stranded in the middle of the ocean.


Life of Pi is a film difficult to make. Most of the story takes place on a lifeboat, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The shipwrecked hero (Suraj Sharma) doesn’t have a human soul to talk to for several days, except Richard Parker, a full-grown 450 pound Bengal tiger. This is one glaring problem faced by any aspiring filmmaker – How can they create a mighty tiger and make it look real?  Well, it's amazing what they can do with special effects these days. Richard Parker is such a fabulous and fully realized creation, perhaps nothing seems impossible to film now.

Claudio Miranda's luminous, glossy, color-saturated cinematography gives the movie a picture book quality which impresses to say the least. Especially the night portions at sea, when the water reflects the deep glimmering stars. Or the cameo made by the fluorescent painted whale that makes the scene look so magical. You almost start to believe that Pi, even while he’s stranded in the middle of the ocean, is living a better life than yours.

Ang Lee’s film is stronger as a visual experience than an emotional one. Right from the opening credits to the last scene, each and every frame is like a painting. There are scenes which do not help the story move forward but they determine Pi’s existence and his journey towards finding the actual meaning of life. However, the ones who’ve read Martel’s book will understand the visual metaphors of the film, much better than those who haven’t. Simply because this film is like a spiritual experience, you’d understand only if you connect.







For instance the film is about the desire to survive and will to live. Pi believes in three different religions and always performs their rituals. But when he’s on the life boat in the open sea, he’s unable to perform those rituals. He can’t pray towards Mecca and he eats fish in order to survive, even though he’s vegetarian. In a truly terrific scene between him and Richard Parker, Pi exclaims how the need for survival powers over any conviction.

The problem isn’t in the execution. Scenes with the tiger may be examples of movie magic but it doesn’t give enough meat for the audience to understand and accept what’s been thrown at them. The problem many would face is, ‘It’s all beautiful but what does it all mean?’

As for the cast, Young Suraj Sharma anchors Life of Pi with a confident performance. Irrfan Khan as the older Pi brings a lot of meat into the character. Watch out for the scene when he remembers Richard Parker while narrating his story to the reporter. Tabu and Adil Hussain as Pi’s parents are cast well.



The more you say about Ang Lee, the less it feels. He’s showed us the magic that can be created on-screen with 3D and CGI.  He’s made us believe that one just needs to have a vivid imagination and courage to back it with conviction.

Life of Pi is a fitting adaptation of Martel’s book. There have been umpteen arguments for how movie adaptations of novels ought to work. But ultimately, the movie has to stand on its own. If you haven’t read the book, the visuals of this film will entice you like never before. Perhaps the central message of Life of Pi works better on the printed page rather than moving images. But if you have read the book, then this film is an alternate reality; magnificent and one of its kind, waiting to be explored.

Wal-Mart’s Indian joint venture has suspended several senior executives and delayed the opening of some stores in the country as part of an internal bribery investigation.

It is the latest in a series of setbacks for the retail giant’s international operations and comes at a particularly sensitive time here because Indian policy makers recently allowed foreign retailers like Wal-Mart to open stores in the country. The investigation seems to have emboldened opposition lawmakers in New Delhi who are trying to overturn the government’s decision on foreign retailers.

In a statement, Bharti Walmart, a 50-50 joint venture between the Indian conglomerate Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart,“a few associates” to ensure “a complete and thorough investigation.” The Economic Times, an English-language daily, reported that the suspended employees included its chief financial officer and its legal team, but the company would not confirm that.

This month, Wal-Mart disclosed that it had expanded a bribery investigation that was initially focused on Mexico to India, China and Brazil. In April, The New York Times reported that executives at the company’s Arkansas headquarters had suppressed an internal investigation that found credible evidence that its Mexican subsidiary had paid bribes in an effort to open more stores in that country.

Bharti Walmart operates 18 wholesale stores in India that are allowed to sell goods to other businesses like retailers, hotels and restaurants. Most of its stores are in northern India, but it had planned to expand in the coming months in the south and west. Those plans have now been delayed, but the company said in a statement that “we remain excited about the opportunity to grow our business in one of the world’s most vibrant economies.”

Wal-Mart’s Indian joint venture also supplies about 200 supermarkets that are wholly owned by its partner’s Bharti Retail, and which operate under the brand Easyday.

In a separate inquiry, Indian authorities are looking into whether Wal-Mart violated foreign investment rules by giving Bharti Retail an interest-free loan of $100 million that would later convert into a controlling stake in that company. Both companies have maintained that they did not violate Indian investment regulations.

In September, Indian policy makers said foreign companies like Wal-Mart could directly enter the retail business with a local partner as long as they did not own more than 51 percent of the business.

The long-delayed move came with significant political opposition — one important regional political party withdrew its support from the governing coalition in New Delhi, which is led by the Indian National Congress Party, as a result. Days after that change, Wal-Mart officials said they would open retail stores in the country in as little as 18 months.

On Thursday and Friday, opposition lawmakers disrupted the first days of the winter session of Parliament, demanding that the government allow a debate and vote on the change in its retail policy. The demand was turned down.

The latest developments in Wal-Mart’s internal investigation could strengthen the opposition’s hand because Indian policy makers are already struggling to recover from accusations of corruption involving industries like telecommunications, energy and mining.

“It showcases that these are Wal-Mart’s practices worldwide,” Prakash Javadekar, a lawmaker for the country’s largest opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, said in a telephone interview. “This will sharpen the debate.”

Though it is unclear exactly what Wal-Mart’s investigators are examining, Indian analysts say it is common to encounter corruption in industries like retailing that are governed by numerous overlapping federal, state and local rules.

In some Indian states, retail chains have to secure 50 to 60 regulatory approvals before they can open a store, a process that can take months and provides numerous opportunities for bribery, said Arvind Singhal, chairman of Technopak Advisors, a consulting firm that specializes in the retail business. Often the regulatory requirements are holdovers from a distant era. Stores that want to sell thermometers, for instance, usually have to obtain approval from a department in charge of weights and measures.

“To me, much beyond the Wal-Mart example, I sincerely hope that there is a serious debate about why is it so difficult to do business in India,” he said. “All of these conditions have only made India a poorer country.”

ONE OF THE globe’s worst killing fields is once again aflame. The eastern region of Congo was the epicenter of two wars in the past 15 years that laid waste to an estimated 5 million lives — many lost to hunger and disease that followed in the footsteps of armed conflict.

A rebel group, M23, seized the provincial capital of Goma as Congolese army forces and U.N. peacekeepers fell back. The fighting has intensified an already dire humanitarian crisis. Since the beginning of this year, more than 650,000 people have been uprooted in the regions of North and South Kivu. A series of fragile peace agreements reached in recent years are in tatters.

 The M23 was formed out of a mutiny from the Congolese army in April by several hundred soldiers from a former rebel army that had signed a peace deal with the government on March 23, 2009. They are led by Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, a former high-ranking army officer who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on seven counts of crimes against humanity. The rebels have used and recruited child soldiers by the hundreds, according to the United Nations. By taking Goma, the rebels have raised the prospect of a destabilizing return to a regional war.






In the broadest sense, what’s unfolding is a result of the vacuum created by Congo’s weakness as a state. As the author and Congo analyst Jason Stearns has pointed out, the government in Kinshasa under President Joseph Kabila can’t impose rule of law or its military writ in the region, leading armed groups to fill the space. The International Crisis Group described the latest rebellion as, in part, the result of failure to implement earlier accords, failure to reform the army and failure to start a serious political dialogue. The presence of a 19,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force has done little to halt the conflict.

Rwanda, which borders Congo to the east, sees this mineral-rich swath of Congo as a sphere of influence. Rwanda’s role in supplying arms and support to the M23 rebels cannot be underestimated, despite denials. A U.N. report just published concludes that Rwanda has provided “direct military support” to the rebels, including “arms, ammunition, intelligence and political advice.” Uganda is also believed to be aiding the rebels.

Rwanda and Uganda should stop their meddling, and the United States and Britain must turn up the pressure on Rwanda to halt support for the rebels. That will take more than quiet diplomacy. A U.N. Security Council resolution approved Tuesday called for sanctions against the rebel leaders but stopped short of naming Rwanda. All sides need to recognize they are sliding once again toward the killing fields and to come to their senses before the bloody wars of the past are repeated.

 

The decree, which says his decisions cannot be overturned by the courts, also sparked attacks on offices of the president's party in several cities.

A defiant Mr Mursi defended the move, saying he was leading Egypt on a path to "freedom and democracy".
The Obama administration has voiced concern about developments.Tear gas in Tahrir
 
Overnight, some 20 white tents were pitched in the middle of Cairo's totemic Tahrir Square, where Egyptians celebrated the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak last year.

Protest organisers said more than 20 different groups had joined the week-long sit-in against Mr Mursi's reforms. Numbers of protesters have ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand.Organisers have called for a huge protest on Tuesday.


The protesters have two demands: to reverse the president's constitutional declaration, and to dissolve the constituent assembly that is currently drafting Egypt's new constitution.

Separately  another set of anti-Mursi protesters clashed with police near the interior ministry off Tahrir Square. Police fired tear gas and demonstrators threw petrol bombs. Chants of "Mursi is Mubarak... revolution everywhere" rang out.

Almost 100 people were injured in violence as offices of the president's Muslim Brotherhood party were reportedly attacked in the cities, Suez and Ismailia, while clashes between rival demonstrations took place in Alexandria.
Defending his decision at a rally at Cairo's, Mr Mursi  was the guardian of political, economic and social stability, but that he wanted to see a "genuine opposition, a strong opposition".

Key opposition figures have accused the president of "monopolising all three branches of government" and overseeing "the total execution of the independence of the judiciary".

US state department, the decree had "raised concerns" in the international community.

Egypt's revolution had aimed "to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution".The US wanted democratic dialogue within Egypt to solve constitutional issues.

The rapid turn of events may have caught Washington by surprise.

 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Mr Mursi in Cairo and praised him for his efforts in brokering the ceasefire in Gaza.

Constitution rewrite,  The new decree bans challenges to Mr Mursi's laws and decisions, and says no court can dissolve the constituent assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution.

It also opens the way for a retrial of people convicted of killings during Egypt's 2011 uprising which toppled Mubarak.

The declaration also gives the 100-member constituent assembly two additional months to draft a new constitution, to replace the one suspended after Mubarak was overthrown.

The rewrite of the constitution, which was meant to be finished by December, has been plagued by legal complaints questioning the make-up of the constituent assembly. Once completed, the document is due to be put to a referendum. If it is approved, legislative elections will be held two months later.

 If you sleep only for five to six hours, it is bound to affect your work negatively. Experts recommend eight hours of sleep for ideal health and productivity.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have found that regardless of how tired you think you are, lack of sleep can influence the way you do certain tasks.

“Our team decided to look at how sleep might affect complex visual search tasks because they are common in safety-sensitive activities such as air-traffic control, baggage screening and monitoring power plants,”

“These types of jobs involve processes that require repeated, quick memory encoding and retrieval of visual information, in combination with decision making about the information,” .

Researchers collected and analyzed data from visual search tasks from a group of participants over one month’s study. In the first week, all participants were scheduled to sleep 10-12 hours per night to make sure they were well rested.

For the following three weeks, the participants were scheduled to sleep the equivalent of 5.6 hours per night and also had their sleep times scheduled on a 28-hour cycle, mirroring chronic jet lag.

The research team gave the participants computer tests that involved visual search tasks and recorded how quickly the participants could find important information, and also how accurate they were.

The longer the participants were awake, the more slowly they identified the important information in the test, the team observed.

Additionally, during the biological night time, 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., participants (who were unaware of the time throughout the study) performed the tasks more slowly than they did during the daytime.

Physicist Albert Einstein's brain had an "extraordinary" prefrontal cortex - unlike those of most people - which may have contributed to his remarkable genius, a new study has claimed.

According to the study led by Florida State University evolutionary anthropologist Dean Falk, portions of Einstein's brain have been found to be unlike those of most people and could be related to his extraordinary cognitive abilities.

Falk and his colleagues describe for the first time the entire cerebral cortex of Einstein's brain from an examination of 14 recently discovered photographs.

The researchers compared Einstein's brain to 85 "normal" human brains and, in light of current functional imaging studies, interpreted its unusual features.

"Although the overall size and asymmetrical shape of Einstein's brain were normal, the prefrontal, somatosensory, primary motor, parietal, temporal and occipital cortices were extraordinary.

"These may have provided the neurological underpinnings for some of his visuospatial and mathematical abilities, for instance," said Falk. The study was published in the journal Brain. On Einstein's death in 1955, his brain was removed and photographed from multiple angles with the permission of his family. Furthermore, it was sectioned into 240 blocks from which histological slides were prepared.

A great majority of the photographs, blocks and slides were lost from public sight for more than 55 years. The 14 photographs used by the researchers now are held by the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

The study also published the "roadmap" to Einstein's brain prepared in 1955 by Dr Thomas Harvey to illustrate the locations within his previously whole brain of 240 dissected blocks of tissue, which provides a key to locating the origins within the brain of the newly emerged histological slides.

After 'Don' and 'Agneepath', Priyanka Chopra is working in 'Zanjeer' but Farhan Akhtar has warned the actress about getting typecast by doing too many remakes.

Farhan directed Priyanka in the remake of 1978 film 'Don' and then the 30-year-old actress went on to star in the new version of 1990 film 'Agneepath' opposite Hrithik Roshan.

Farhan took to Twitter to remind the actress about her fondness for the remakes of Amitabh Bachchan starrers.

“Priyanka Chopra, do you realise that this is the third official remake of Amitabh Bachchan you are in? Be careful you don't get typecast,”.

'Zanjeer' remake is being produced by Amit Mehra, who is the son of the original director Prakash Mehra. The 1973 film starred Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya in the lead roles.

Apoorva Lakhia is helming the new film, which also stars southern star Ram Charan Teja.
Priyanka is currently in Hyderabad for the shooting of the film.

“In Hydrabad for 'Zanjeer'. Starting a new film always makes Priyanka Chopra nervous,”.

Russian conglomerate Sistema's(SSAq.L) Indian mobile phone unit, set to lose all but one of its 22 zonal operating permits, is open to acquisitions in India,

 Vsevolod Rozanov, CEO at Sistema Shyam TeleServices  does not expect any deals until the Supreme Court decides on the company's appeal on the order to revoke the permits.

"Nothing serious to report on this," when asked if it was was currently engaged in talks with any company in India.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd will lose its permits in January after a court order to revoke permits awarded in a scandal-tainted 2008 sale.

Media reports, Sistema is in talks to acquire Indian carrier Aircel, which is the country's seventh-biggest mobile phone operator by customers.

Try the following easy tips at home and see how effective they are in reducing hair loss!

1. Hot oil treatments: Take any natural oil - olive, coconut, canola - and heat it up so that it is warm, but not too hot. Massage it gently into your scalp. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for an hour, then shampoo your hair.

2. Natural juices: You can rub your scalp with either garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice. Leave it on overnight and wash it thoroughly in the morning.

3. Get a head massage: Massaging your scalp for a few minutes daily will help stimulate circulation. Good circulation in the scalp keeps hair follicles active. Circulation may be improved through massage by using a few drops of lavender or bay essential oil in an almond or sesame oil base.

4. Antioxidants: Apply warm green tea (two bags brewed in one cup of water) on your scalp and leave this mixture on for an hour and then rinse. Green tea contains antioxidants which prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.

5. Practice meditation: Believe it or not, most of the times, the root cause for hair loss is stress and tension. Meditation can help in reducing that and restore hormonal balance.

Every food has its own nutritional and theraputic value.Here are list of foods,which are effective in controlling various diseaes.

Acidity: Grapefruit, Coconut, Groundnut, honey

Arthritis: Apple, Banana, Mango, Cucumber, Garlic

Asthma: Garlic

Cancer: Carrot, Garlic, Lime, Lemon

Cholera: Bitter Gourd (Karela), Coconut water, Cucumber, Onions

Cold and cough: Garlic, Ginger, Lime and Lemon

Constipation: Almonds, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, lime, lettuce, banana, beetroot, corn, cucumber, dates, figs, raisins, soyabeans, spinach, whole wheat (bread, pudding)

Diabetes: Bengal gram, Bitter gourd (Karela), fenugreek (methi seeds), grapefruit, amla, groundnuts, jambufruit (jamun), rajmah, lime, lettuce, mango leaves, soyabeans

Dysentry: Banana, carrot, garlic, groundnuts, amla, rose apple, jamun, mango seeds, anar

Heart Disease: cabbage, carrot, honey, apple, asparagus, garlic, onions, oranges, grapes, grapefruit, amla, lime, lemon, raisins

High Blood Pressure: apple, banana, garlic, lemon, lime, oats, raisins, soya beans, sunflower seeds

High Cholesterol: apple, curry patta, garlic, grapefruit, lime, lemons, oats, raisins, soyabeans, sunflower seeds,

High Blood sugar: Bitter melon (karela), fenugreek (methi seeds)
Impotency: almonds, black gram (Urad dal)

Intestinal worms: carrot, freshly ground coconut papaya, tomatoes, anar

Jaundice: radish, sugarcane

Kidney stones: apple, tomatoes

Peptic Ulcers: Lime

Piles: Beetroot, bitter gourd, figs, rose apple, jamun, onions, radish, lime, pigeon pea,

Pimples: cucumber juice (apply on face), lime, lemon

Teeth & Gum problems: Lime, fresh groundnut, apple, onions, anar, spinach

Whooping cough: garlic, onion

Here is a list of best superfoods for guaranteed weight loss that will set your weight straight. Take an inspiration and go on to achieve that ‘dream figure’.

Oats
Yes, oats work wonder as they contain high quantity of fiber. Consuming a bowl of oats in breakfast keeps you full throughout the day and help boost metabolism thereby burning fat.

Avocadoes

If you are trying to lose weight, this nutritional fruit can actually help you a lot. It contains ample amount of fiber that gives a feeling of fullness, so that one can stay satisfied with food for longer and proper digestion can also take place.

Eggs

For those who want to lose weight, eggs are the best way to start your day. Studies suggest that eggs contain an ingredient that can help to cut down calories consumed during each meal.

Dark chocolates

Gone are the days when you used to think that chocolates were major reasons in weight gain. Good news is that dark chocolates can actually aid in weight loss as they contain high quality cocoa powder which is rich in antioxidants and thereby helps in slimming.

Salmon
Salmon is an effective diet when it comes to weight loss as despite having fairly high fat content, it contains healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids that serve as a good weight-loss tool. It is a better option than read meat any day.

Broccoli
Though it is mostly known for its cancer fighting ability, but since it contains a high quantity of fiber, it also prevents weight gain. It also helps in lowering of cholesterol thereby boosting your heart’s health.

Brown rice
If losing weight is your motto for this year, try brown rice. It is a superfood that is low in calorie but has high fiber content; it keeps you full throughout the day thereby serving the purpose of weight loss.

Wine

Yes, now drink wine for not just good health but also to stay thin. Researchers suggest that light-to-moderate intake of wine protects against weight gain.

Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent food for weight loss as it contains an ingredient called polyphenols that helps in dissolution of triglycerides which are deposited in our body. Not just this, it also boosts endurance level of a person which means one can exercise for long thereby aiding in weight loss.

Oranges

And last but certainly not the least is the mighty food namely orange that too helps in aiding weight loss as it contains large amount of fiber and Vitamin C that boosts metabolism and helps in weight reduction.

Being the first sitting American president to visit Myanmar, Barack Obama on Monday set out on a historic trip to the once-pariah nation, also called Burma.

Obama is due to meet Thein Sein, as well as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before flying to Cambodia later Monday.

On way to Burma from Thailand on Monday morning, President Barack Obama said he was visiting the nation to "extend the hand of friendship" to a nation moving from persecution to peace.

The President said, "Instead of being repressed, the right of people to assemble together must now be fully respected.. Instead of being stifled, the veil of media censorship must continue to be lifted. As you take these steps, you can draw on your progress."

Justifying his visit to the once-shunned nation, Obama said , "This is not an endorsement of the Burmese government. This is an acknowledgement that there is a process underway inside that country that even a year and a half, two years ago, nobody foresaw."

Obama also said his decision had been guided by talks with Myanmar democracy advocate Aung Sung Suu Kyi, who visited him at the White House in September.

"I'm not somebody who thinks the US should stand on the sidelines and not get its hands dirty when there's an opportunity for us to encourage the better impulses inside a country," Obama said.

Obama’s visit marks a significant shift in the relations between Myanmar and the US.

The president's Asia tour also marks his formal return to the world stage after months mired in a bruising re-election campaign.

Myanmar's rapid adoption of democratic reforms has been rewarded by the US lifting of some economic sanctions.

Obama has appointed a permanent ambassador to the country, and pledged greater investment if Myanmar continues to progress following a half-century of military rule.

Some human rights groups say Myanmar's government, which continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners and is struggling to contain ethnic violence, hasn't done enough to earn a personal visit from Obama.

. The White House says Obama will express his concern for the ongoing ethnic tensions in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, where more than 110,000 people — the vast majority of them Muslims known as Rohingya — have been displaced.

The UN has called the Rohingya — who are widely reviled by the Buddhist majority in Myanmar — among the world's most persecuted people.

The White House says Obama will press the matter Monday with Thein Sein, along with demands to free remaining political prisoners as the nation transitions to democracy.

The president will cap his trip to Myanmar with a speech at Rangoon University, the center of the country's struggle for independence against Britain and the launching point for many pro-democracy protests.

1.Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains, Australia
Just a scenic three-hour drive from Sydney, all-inclusive Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in the Blue Mountains offers an iconic Australian country experience. Set in 4,000 acres of jaw-dropping, pristine wilderness, taking in vast valleys and elevated escarpments, it delivers dramatic nature in spades. Guided horse-riding and mountain-biking tours beckon, alongside wildlife safaris to spy kangaroos, wallaroos and platypuses. There's no need to sacrifice creature comforts though, with 40 pampering pool suites, fine-dining, a huge pool, tennis court and indulgent spa. Charles Darwin fell for Wolgan Valley in the 19th century, and it's easy to see why.

2. Private-island chilling
Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, Tuamotus, French Polynesia

3. Natural highs
Vigilius Mountain Resort, South Tyrol, Italy
If you prefer to head for the hills, ideally enveloped in an icing-thick layer of snow, then Vigilius Mountain Resort in north-east Italy's spectacular Dolomites is for you. Modern, minimalist swathes of wood and glass dominate the eco-sleek lodge, with 35 rooms and six suites, all mercifully free of Alpine kitsch. Spend your days skiing, snowboarding or Nordic walking, then hit the toasty spa. In summer, hiking, horse-riding, archery and mountain-biking are the big draws. Worked up an appetite? Guests can enjoy modern European fare at Restaurant 1500 or hearty stews and strudels at Parlour Ida.


4. Desert chic
Amangiri, Lake Powell, United States
When only a desertscape will do, escape to Amangiri boutique hotel near Lake Powell in the heart of Navajo country in southern Utah. An exclusive pocket of modernist luxury surrounded by wild and wind-carved land, this is rockstar chic at its best. The 34 soothing suites embrace the outdoors with stellar views, as does the sandstone-set outdoor heated pool. The incredible spa sports five treatment rooms, a watsu pool and Water Pavilion, and rates include yoga classes and a daily guided hike. Delicious food and drink takes inspiration from the region (think bison burgers, tortilla chips and salsa, and prickly-pear margaritas).



5. Spa serenity
MesaStila, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
If you fancy a jungle spa stay away from the tourist hordes, MesaStila hotel on Indonesia's main island Java could be just the ticket. Ringed by verdant forest and eight easy-on-the-eye volcanoes, this serene garden-set retreat was once a Dutch colonial coffee plantation. Now its 22 elegant villas promise to calm you down rather than rev you up, thanks to the award-winning spa, which uses estate-grown products in its treatments, a hammam, yoga classes and view-blessed pool. The culture-rich town of Yogyakarta is nearby for a hit of dance, art or music, and famous Buddhist temple Borobudur is also within easy reach.


6. Vineyard-hopping
Chateau de Bagnols, Beaujolais, France
For a rural retreat that knows a thing or two about wine, hightail it to luxurious Château de Bagnols, a five-star aristocrat near Lyon in cultivated Beaujolais. Boasting its own moat, drawbridge and towers in honey-hued stone, the hotel's 21 spacious rooms are elegant feasts of vintage style. Gourmet delights are also on offer at La Salle des Gardes restaurant, occupying a former guards' room beside a sunny terrace, which dishes up modern French cuisine as well as trad spit-roasted meats and game. There's an impressive wine list, and wine-tasting and cooking classes on tap. Horse-drawn carriage jaunts, picnics and hot-air balloon rides up the romance factor.


7. Modern-rustic luxe
Blackberry Farm, Smoky Mountains, United States
Gorgeous views, a patchwork of picket-fenced fields, sylvanian countryside, and a model home-on-the-farm feel - all the ingredients are there for a textbook rural retreat, but 59-room Blackberry Farm, in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, ratchets the luxury up a notch with smart contemporary decor, can't-do-enough staff and its own Lexus fleet (or commandeer a golf buggy). Our fave rooms are the Singing Brook Cottages, which are superbly spacious, pleasantly secluded, and offer a gorgeous contemporary take on chic rusticity. The hotel flaunts outdoor pursuits aplenty, including hiking, climbing, rafting, riding and stargazing. The Aveda Spa offers an indulgent alternative for working off those all-inclusive meals.


8. Animal magic
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in wine region Hawke's Bay, on New Zealand's North Island, combines a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm with jaw-dropping Pacific Ocean views, an 18-hole golf course and soothing spa. Touting 22 suites (and the larger Owner's Cottage for group getaways), this boutique retreat offers serious luxe, fine dining and a romantic circular snug for James Bond-glam drinks. To get your fresh-air fix, opt for a farm tour by foot or four-wheel drive, go on a Kiwi Discovery Walk to spot the rare national bird or take a safari to the local gannet colony.


9. Country pursuits
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Cotswolds, United Kingdom
Just a two-hour drive from London, the Wheatsheaf Inn brings the trad English coaching inn bang up to date, with stylish design, tasty regional food and beer, and a small spa. Once weary wayfarers called into this 17th-century bolthole to recuperate. Now you can do the same, provided Cotswolds-loving supermodel Kate Moss and her posse haven't booked it out first. The 14 cosy suites include a former piggery and stableblock, but tasteful mod cons rule now. The dining room and bar are equally welcoming, teaming tempting dishes with bold modern art. Should you fancy yourself as an English country squire, try out clay-pigeon shooting, with Hunter wellies provided.


10. Jungle thrills
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Costa Rica
Eco suites on stilts meet the cloud-forest canopy at El Silencio Lodge & Spa in central Costa Rica, set in a 500-acre tropical forest with a winding river and three waterfalls cascading down the mountainside. Take in picture-perfect panoramas from an outdoor hot tub, greet the sunrise from the yoga deck, and feast on natural, organic food (restaurant Los Ventanas uses produce from the garden and local fishermen pitch in with fresh trout). Each of the 15 mountainside Suites is assigned an Eco Concierge, who leads your courtesy hike, coordinates activities, arranges tree-plantings and can point out flora and fauna (expect beautiful birdlife in this private nature reserve).

Bizarre glasses developed by three Danish engineers, are offering hope to depressed people facing a long dark, winter.

The glasses use 6 light emitting diodes that produce a powerful light field that is reflected into the eyes by a curved reflector, and are powered by two AAA batteries.

Described as “a calorie-free, substance-free way” to lighten mood the 54-pound-glasses are designed to be worn by people while they go about their morning routine, as they do not obscure the field of vision, the paper added.

The makers of the odd glasses claim that wearing the glasses for up to half hour a day will mean “you’ll have much more energy during those long, dark winter months.”

Though the year is coming to a close, but when it comes to Bollywood, there's still a lot to offer. From action to suspense drama, here's a sneak peak on the films coming your way.

Now that Yash Chopra's love saga featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif is out, it is time to train your eyes on what Bollywood has to offer before the end of the year.


Talaash: The first to enter theatres on November 30 will be 'Talaash', Aamir Khan's first big release after almost three years. Directed by Reema Kagti, the film also features Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukherji. Produced by the Akhtars - the trailers of 'Talaash' have a good buzz going for it.

Khiladi 786: After the dud 'Joker', Akshay Kumar hopes to repeat the success of 'Rowdy Rathore' with 'Khiladi 786'. Co-produced by Himesh Reshammiya and Akshay himself, Khiladi 786 is clearly aimed at the masses and hoping to cash in on the Khiladi franchise. Directed by debutant Ashish Mohan, Khiladi 786 features Asin as the leading lady and releases on December 7, no doubt this Akshay starrer will face tough competition from 'Talaash'.

Dabangg 2: And last but not the least, this year's Christmas release will see Chulbul Pandey return in the sequel to Dabangg. While Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha do a repeat performance in Dabangg 2, Prakash Raj steps into play the baddie in this one. Directed and produced by brother Arbaaz Khan, expectations are obviously running high from this sequel. Don't forget to look out for Kareena Kapoor who has done a special item song a la 'Munni Badnaam' this time round.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has a very close relationship with her mother Kris Jenner, who is also her manager, and says she's her inspiration because she works so hard and knows how to make a success of things.

 Her  mom is the key for  her success! They think exactly alike and are always on the same page. She's a better negotiator than.

"Every six months, my mom and I set goals and visions for what we want to achieve. Then we write a goal that is outlandish and outside what we think is our goal range and try and reach it."

Kim and her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney, have had huge success with their business ventures and they would encourage their fans to take the risk and do the same.

Kim told more! magazine, "She would definitely encourage people to go into business. But they have to make sure it is a business that makes sense. You really have to believe in it, fine-tune it, have the right people, stay committed and go for it."