this is the life enjoy it

this is the life enjoy it

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DRAM Supply Shortage Will Last Until 2014, The End Of Cheap RAM?

According to Inotera Memories we will see a DRAM shortage that will last the full duration of 2013. As demand for tablet and smartphone DRAM soars exponentially, desktop RAM could see a shortage due to sluggish demand and lack of profitability. Inotera Memories chairman, Charles Kau, said that the DRAM shortage in the “high tech sector” will last the entire year and possibly into 2014.
The average DRAM price for the first half of April went up 8%, this was then followed by a further 13% rise in the second half of April. According to DRAMeXchange the average price of DDR3 4GB DRAM has jumped 70% in the past five months. Initially we had a prolonged price crash due to huge oversupply lasting most of 2011 and 2012. As DRAM manufacturers protected themselves by stopping or slowing production, this oversupply was slowly digested by the market without any new supply being added. Most DRAM companies suffered huge losses through this period and we even saw Elpida bought out by Micron to save it from a complete shutdown. Now we are at a point where demand has recovered but supply hasn’t fully kicked in again and so we will be left with dramatically rising DRAM prices over the next 12 month period until DRAM companies return to profit and increase production.
We are seeing this trend in DRAM company profit margins. For example in Q4 last year Nanya technology turned a loss of NT$8.8 billion but in Q1 of this year it turned a profit of NT$0.6 billion and is projecting an even bigger profit for Q2. Inotera posted a NT$3.7 billion loss in Q4 of 2012 and posted a reduced NT$0.6 billion loss in Q1 of 2013, it is projecting a return to profit at some stage this year.
So the message is, get your RAM soon as prices are constantly rising. If you can wait, then you’ll need to wait until mid 2014 for prices to drop back down again. Though it is unlikely prices will ever reach as low as they did in 2012 because that wasn’t economically sustainable for any DRAM company.
What are your thoughts on this rather gloomy projection courtesy of Inotera?
Source

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Nokia sales tumble overshadows Lumia pick-up

 

A sharp fall in sales of Nokia's basic phones overshadowed a stronger performance from its Lumia smartphones in the first quarter, sending its shares tumbling.

The results renewed pressure on Chief Executive Stephen Elop, who was hired in 2010 to turn the Finnish mobile phone maker around after falling behind rivals Samsung and Apple in the smartphone race.

He made the controversial decision to switch to Microsoft's untried Windows Phone software in early 2011 and had said the transition would take two years, a period that's now over. Analysts said he was running out of time.

"Basically, he has only the second quarter," said Mikko Ervasti at Finnish investment banking and wealth management group Evli.

Nokia said it sold 5.6 million units of Lumia handsets in the first quarter, up from 4.4 million in the previous quarter and in line with expectations.

But shipments of mobile phones slumped 21 percent to 55.8 units, a far steeper decline than the 8 percent fall that markets expected, with unit sales down in every region.

As a result, overall net sales fell 20 percent to 5.9 billion euros from a year earlier, far short of the 6.5 billion euros forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll.

Sales at its equipment venture NSN fell 5 percent to 2.8 billion euros, weaker than expected, although its underlying profit was higher than expected due to restructuring.

STAYING RELEVANT

Nokia's future is seen as depending on higher-margin smartphones as a growing number of global consumers want access to apps such as Twitter from their handsets, but it also needs to protect its position in the basic phone market so buyers of its lower-end handsets don't defect to other brands when they eventually upgrade to smartphones.

In markets such as China, Nokia faces strong competition not only from rivals such as Samsung but also from emerging, cut-price competitors.

"The fall in numbers for the low-end devices is quite alarming," said Nordea analyst Sami Sarkamies. "Even with Lumia doing better, we still care about those. Nokia is still a second-tier player in smartphones, and it's only because of its position in mobile phones that it's still relevant."

Elop told reporters that the main reason for the fall in mobile phone sales was tougher competition and the company would aim to fight back with more innovative, low-priced products.

Nokia recently launched a 15 euro phone in an effort to boost its share in emerging markets, and has been expanding its mid-tier offering, too, with its range of Asha feature phones to keep customers loyal.

Though Nokia said it expected Lumia sales to grow more strongly in the coming quarter, Samsung and Apple, which between them will have shipped nearly 100 million smartphones in the first quarter, show little sign of ceding market share. Samsung's Galaxy S4 is set to go on sale later this month and is expected to outsell its predecessors with monthly sales of around 10 million.

PROTECTING CASH

Some analysts said they were worried about Nokia's forecast for margins in its devices and services business to be "approximately negative 2 percent", give or take 4 percentage points in the second quarter, down from a positive 0.1 percent in the first.

Cost cuts helped its net cash position improve to 4.5 billion euros from 4.4 billion in the previous quarter, rather than fall as markets expected.

The company's first-quarter underlying loss, which excludes special items, decreased to 0.02 euros from 0.08 euros a year earlier. Markets had expected a 0.04 loss, according to a Reuters poll.

Despite such bright spots, weak sales in the bread-and-butter mobile phones briefly sent Nokia's shares down 12.7 percent to a year-low of 2.30 euros.

By 1155 GMT the shares traded at 2.47 euros, higher than their lifetime low of 1.33 recorded last year but still a far cry from their 65-euro peak in 2000.

Nordea's Sarkamies said the weak results in mobile phones might force analysts to reconsider what they see as the sum value of the company's parts, which include its handset business, Navteq mapping unit and stake in NSN. Many analysts had estimated that to be around 4-5 euros.

"Worries about the mobile phone business are now greater," he said.

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Will you buy HTC One?

The question is long overdue, particularly since I asked about Samsung Galaxy S4, the other major 1080p smartphone freshly released. After some delays, the One can now be purchased -- well, if you can find the thing -- and HTC is advertising rather aggressively. I've seen commercials in prime time, sometimes two in a row, throughout the week.
This afternoon, I hauled off to one of the two San Diego T-Mobile stores selling HTC One. Both are stocked out, but there was a live phone I could play around with. I toyed with ordering the smartphone from T-Mobile online late last night. Opportunity lost. The One is "out of stock" today. AT&T and Sprint also sell the One. Supplies are limited.

Up close, I'm less impressed by HTC One than expected, because of software. Sense UI is still too obtrusive for my taste, and T-Mobile loads up lots of crapware, including the Lookout security app, which at first blush can be disabled but not removed. Yet there are some aspects of Sense, such as news and social feeds up close and personal on the homescreen, that conceptually appeal. I'd like to use them though to see if they're worth the trouble, something not easily done in the store.
Build quality and design really distinguish the One from every other phone I've handled, including iPhone 5, which is a beaut. The aluminum body begs to be touched, caressed and seen. If eye-pleasing is a priority, HTC's baby won't disappoint.
Regarding the display, I can only say wow. After spending just a few minutes with the One, I have to say Apple CEO Tim Cook's excuse for 3.5- or 4-inch iPhones is even more lame-ass than my first impression. During this week's earnings conference call, in response to an analyst question about smartphones with 5-inch displays (think Galaxy S4), Cook answers: "iPhone 5 has the absolute best display in the industry", which audacious claim. "Our competitors had made some significant trade-offs in many of these areas in order to ship a larger display, we would not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade-offs exist".
Well, hell, I sure am impressed by HTC's trade-offs. Apple should make some. The 4.7-inch One display is scary crisp. Oh, yeah, my Nexus 4, which has same-size screen, seems sooo much less now. But, hey.
The Right One
For anyone considering the phone, the major competitor is Galaxy S4, based on features and screen resolution, for starters. But you should consider all the major contenders. Spec-fest for your consideration:
HTC One: 4.7-inch Super LCD3 display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 468 ppi; 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor; 2GB RAM; 32GB or 64GB storage; 4MP front-facing and 2.1MP rear-facing cameras; 1080p video recording; 4G: LTE (Asia 1800/2600 Mhz), EU (800/1800/2600 MHz), AT&T (700/850/AWS/1900 MHz), Sprint (1900 Mhz), T-mobile USA (1900 Mhz); HSPA/WCDMA (850/900/1900/2100 MHz); GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); WiFi N; GPS + GLONASS; Bluetooth 4; NFC (carrier chooses); DLNA; ambient-light and proximity sensors; accelerometer; digital compass; gyroscope; 2300 mAh battery; Android 4.1.2 with HTC Sense. Measures 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm and weighs 143 grams. In the United States, AT&T and Sprint: $199.99 for the 32GB model, with 2-year contract. AT&T sells the 64GB One for $299.99. T-Mobile: $99.99 upfront and 24 $20 monthly payments for 32 gigger.
Samsung Galaxy S4: 5-inch Super AMOLED with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 441 pixels per inch; 1.9GHz quad-core or 1.6GHz dual quad-core processor; 2GB of RAM; 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage (expandable up to 64GB with microSD card); 13-megapixel auto-focus rear-facing and 2MP front-facing cameras; 1080p video recording; 4G: LTE (Cat 3 100/50Mbps), HSPA＋ 42Mbps (850/900/1900/2100 MHz); 2.5G GSM/ GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz);WiFi N/AC; GPS + GLONASS; NFC; Bluetooth 4; IR LED; MHL 2; accelerometer; barometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic, gesture, proximity, RGB light and temperature & humidity sensors; 2600 mAh removable battery; and Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz UI. Measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and weighs 130 grams. Prices and configurations vary by carrier. In the United States, AT&T: $199.99 and $249.99 for 16GB and 32GB, respectively -- locked with 2-year commitment. T-Mobile: $99.99 upfront and $20/month for 24 months.
Apple iPhone 5: 4-inch display with 1136 x 640 resolution, 326 ppi; Apple A6 dual-core processor; 1GB RAM; 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage (depending on model); 8MP rear-facing and 1.2MP front-facing cameras; UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), LTE (bands vary by carrier model and region); accelerometer; ambient-light sensor; gyroscope; GPS; proximity sensor; digital compass; Bluetooth; WiFi N; 1440 mAh fixed battery; carrier locked; iOS 6. Measures 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and weighs 112 grams. With 2-year contract sells for: $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), $399 (64GB). Carrier locked, but in United States not Verizon model. T-Mobile: $99.99 upfront and $24 $20 monthly payments.
Nokia Lumia 920: 4.5-inch display with 1280 by 768 resolution with 332 pixels per inch; 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 dual-core processor; HSPA+ and LTE (no T-Mobile USA HSPA support); 1GB RAM; 32GB storage (and 7GB SkyDrive free); 8.7MP rear-facing camera (F/2 aperture, 26mm focal length and Carl Zeiss Tessar lens) with LED flash; front-facing camera; 1080p video at 30fps (back camera), 720p (front); NFC; Bluetooth 3.1; Assisted-GPS; WiFi N; WiFi Direct; WiFi Channel bonding; DLNA compatible; magnetometer; ambient-light, proximity and orientation sensors; 2,000 mAh fixed battery; and Windows Phone 8. Dimensions: 130.3 mm high by 70.8 mm wide by 10.7 mm thick; weighs 185 grams. Sells locked for $99.99 with 2-year contract from AT&T.

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So what’s next for Microsoft's Bing?

I’ve been using Bing as my primary search engine for nearly two months now, and I like it. While I personally think it still lags behind Google in some areas, it’s definitely improving. It delivers decent results, offers some great features and does an excellent job of integrating social sources like Facebook and Twitter.
I chatted with Bill Hankes, a director at Bing, to find out more about the service and the division's future plans, and also asked him about that divisive Scroogled campaign...

BN: How does Microsoft see Bing as different from Google? What do you think you do better?
BH: Bing was designed to help people go from searching and finding to searching and doing. This focus on "getting things done" means that we’re investing heavily in three key areas: relevance of traditional search results, e.g., ten blue links; adding information beyond ten blue links to help people understand the world around them; and then bringing search results to life across different interaction modalities appropriate for different devices and platforms, like phones and tablets.

• More relevant and organized web results: The bedrock of modern search remains core algorithmic relevance, and beautiful, relevant "algo" results should be the first thing people see. We’ve tuned Bing to make the entire page easier to scan, removing unnecessary distractions, and making the overall experience more predictable and useful. This refreshed design helps people do more with search. We’ve also made significant strides in relevance; in fact, our research shows Bing results are as good or better than the competition.
• Understand the world around you: Bing helps you understand the people, places and things around you, all of which have unique attributes and relationships to each other. In Bing’s center "snapshot" column, we present a view of these entities so that people gain the understanding they are looking for at a glance, rather than having to jump in and out of blue links to assemble the requisite knowledge.
• Cross-device. How you execute searches can and should vary across different kinds of devices that aren’t traditional PCs. It’s just not practical, or safe in some cases, to type or use a keyboard when you’re sitting in the living room, or driving or walking down the street. That’s why Bing has been working to advance the state of the art in understanding voice, gestures, touch and images -- essentially the inputs that represent intent to help with query understanding. Things we traditionally might otherwise try and type into a search box. One of the best demonstrations of this new interface thinking is the voice technology used with Xbox and Kinect. Voice commands are used as the equivalent of search box queries to access data: information about music, movies and more. Today, using Bing’s technology, Xbox users can ask for a list of action movies, or Woody Allen movies, or music by artist or genre. This same voice technology, by the way, is available on Windows Phones to help people not only access search information, but also access information on their phones like contact information or applications, e.g., "start Netflix". Just as important is contextual understanding -- understanding what people likely want based on location and their friends' interests. Windows Phone’s “Local Scout” and "For You" features allow people to find food and drink, shopping, and things to do based on where a person is on the map and what their friends like. Similarly, Bing is the underlying service for a set of pre-installed apps on Windows 8 that let users gain access to rich data on travel, weather, news, finance and other common interest areas. In the touch and tablet world, typing isn’t always as easy, so the means by which people ask for information and then interact with it has been built in to provide a graphically rich and touch optimized experience.

BN: What features are you most proud or excited about?
BH: The two areas I’m most excited about are Social Search and Mobile Search. We all know how family and friends help us make decisions on everything from restaurant recommendations to camera purchases. Bing has started to infuse that same knowledge from your Facebook friends, and other social networks like Foursquare and Quora, directly into the search results page. This is a relatively new area in search, but given the sheer volume of data being created on social networks today, we feel compelled to help people tap into this information for the benefit of their Bing searches. On the mobile front, or rather the non-PC front, we are entering an era of search that more closely resembles Star Trek than our traditional means of engaging a search box. We can now ask our phones and Xboxes for directions and information. We can use our tablets and phones to scan book titles and barcodes. We can engage in serendipitous search experiences with apps that are focused on rich travel and maps experiences, for example. The pace of innovation in this area of search is amazing.
BN: Bing does a great job of integrating social sites. What services do you include, and any future plans you can reveal?
BH: As I’ve said before, Bing is partnering with industry leaders such as Facebook, Twitter, Quora, Klout, Foursquare, and LinkedIn to help personalize results and make search more of a two-way conversation through the sidebar. We really think Social is increasingly important because for every search query there is someone who can be helpful. Naturally, we’ll keep you posted on any future updates.
BN: Bing recently updated the Windows 8 app, adding lots of welcome improvements. Was the feeds addition in response to Google Reader's imminent closure (and will we see a Bing Reader?)
BH: No, the Bing News app RSS feeds were well into development by the time Google made its announcement. The addition of feeds were a natural extension of what we set out to do with the News app, which was to deliver a visually immersive, information rich app that makes it easy for people to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the world.
BN: Will Bing introduce a similar feature to Google's Authorship program which recognizes writers for stories in search?
BH: We already have. Bing’s Author pages offer consumers additional information on news experts and include rich content from their Twitter feed, and news articles from that author in the search results. To find an author, you can go to Bing News and then enter "Author:" in the search bar, followed by the name of the author you’re searching. Additionally, News Experts show up in the Sidebar so when you search for a topic which they are considered an expert about, you can tap in to their knowledge by easily seeing their social activity and with one click go to their Author page on Bing News.
BN: What's the biggest obstacle in getting users of other search engines to switch to Bing?
BH: It takes more than just better search results to compel a change in consumers’ habits; it requires a truly different approach. From the outset, our goal with Bing has been to create a product that reflects the needs of today’s searchers. We feel our unique approach will be attractive to consumers because it provides social context to search without compromising the organic results -- ultimately helping people do more. We have seen some success already, but we have a lot more work to do.
BN: Bing generally delivers far fewer results than Google. For example, a search for Game of Thrones on Google brings up about 858,000,000 results. In Bing there's "just" 23,200,000. Does this impact on your ability to present users with the best results?
BH: This doesn’t impact our ability to provide the best results. We’ve made significant strides in relevance and have conducted research studies, which show we are every bit as good, if not better, than our competition. Bing views search as more than ten or even a million blue links, which is why we’ve introduced things like snapshot to give people a quick, at a glance view so they can actually take action instead of wading through more results. And frankly, if you don’t find what you’re looking for in the first 23 million results, there is something wrong.
BN: Why are certain features -- like the ability to sort results by time period -- only available in the US (and will that particular feature be coming to the UK)?
BH: We hope to expand our offerings globally and will announce more details when available.
BN: What do you think of the recent report that Bing searches throw up more malware sites than Google?
BH: As we made clear in our blog post on the matter, AV-TEST’s study doesn’t represent the true Bing experience. The conclusions many have drawn from the study are wrong because AV-TEST didn’t actually do any searching on bing.com. They used a Bing API to execute a number of queries and downloaded the result to their system for further analysis. By using the API instead of the user interface, AV-TEST bypassed our warning system designed to keep customers from being harmed by malware. Bing does prevent customers from clicking on malware infected sites by disabling the link on the results page and showing a message to stop people from going to the site.
BN: When will there be Bing Now and meaningful voice search?
BH: We have a meaningful voice search experience already. Voice recognition is an important space we’re focusing on, both within the Bing team and across Microsoft, as exemplified by Bing Voice search on Windows Phone and Bing on Xbox. But, voice is just one interesting area. We’re also investing in areas like gesture and touch, but we don’t have any additional new details to share at this time.

BN: Who came up with Scroogled and how successful is it?
BH: The Scroogled campaigns are a team effort. The goal of Scroogled is to spark a conversation and raise awareness of Google’s practices with regard to consumer privacy, what they do with the information they get from people, and to ensure consumers know what’s happening to their privacy when using Google’s services. Consumers and advocacy groups have made it clear they have concerns, and millions of people have visited the Scroogled website. We’ve been pleased with the response so far.
BN: What’s next for Bing?
BH: The world is changing and people expect search to keep up. People aren’t simply sitting at their desks, typing queries into a search box -- they’re on their phones, in applications and on the go. They are constantly looking for data and information to help them get things done. Today we’re at the tip of the iceberg of what will be possible with search, and we believe Microsoft is the company best equipped to deliver a long term solution.

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Antonio Adán

Antonio Adán Garrido born 13 May 1987.Is a Spanish footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid.Adan comes in Real Madrid form Real Madrid B.Fans don't like this goalkeeper.He is 1.90m tall and have number 13.

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Roger Federer

Federer has appeared in 24 men's Grand Slam finals, with ten in a row, both records, and appeared in 18 of 19 finals from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships through to the 2010 Australian Open. He is the only man to reach at least the semifinals of 23 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, from the 2004 Wimbledon Championships through the 2010 Australian Open.[19] At the 2013 Australian Open, he reached a record 35th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final and a record 33rd Grand Slam semi-final. He has also won the most matches, 252, in men's Grand Slam tournaments. He also won the Olympic gold medal in doubles with his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and the Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He spent eight years (2003–2010) continuously in the top 2 in the year-end men's rankings and ten (2003–2012) in the top 3. His rivalries with Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray making for a "Big Four", are considered some of the greatest of all time, in what is increasingly described as a "golden era" of men's tennis.[20] Federer has won the ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favorite Award a record ten times straight (2003–2012) and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (voted for by the players) a record eight times (2004–2009, 2011–2012),[21] both being awards indicative of respect and popularity. He also won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2006. In 2011, in a South African poll, he was voted the second most trusted and respected person in the world, next to Nelson Mandela.[22][23] He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record four consecutive years (2005–2008).[24] Federer is at times referred to as the Federer Express,[25] shortened to Fed Express or FedEx, and the Swiss Maestro,[25] or just Maestro.
Roger Federer (German pronunciation: [ˈfeːdərər]; born 8 August 1981) is a Swiss professional tennis player who, as of April 2013, is ranked World No. 2 by the ATP. Many sports analysts, tennis critics and former and current players consider Federer the greatest tennis player of all time.[a] He owns several men's world records of the Open Era: holding the World No. 1 position for 302 weeks overall;[16][17] a 237-consecutive-week stretch at the top from 2004 to 2008;[18] winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles; reaching the finals of each Grand Slam tournament at least five times (an all-time record); and reaching the Wimbledon final eight times. He is one of seven men, and one of four in the Open Era, to capture the career Grand Slam, and one of three (with Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal) to do so separately on clay, grass, and hard courts. Federer also shares the Open Era record for most Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open with Agassi and Novak Djokovic (4 titles), at Wimbledon with Pete Sampras (7 titles) and at the US Open with Jimmy Connors and Sampras (5 titles). Federer's ATP tournament records include winning six ATP World Tour Finals, playing in the finals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (a record shared with Djokovic), and being one of three players (alongside Agassi and Djokovic) to win seven.

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Michael Jordan

 
NAME: Michael Jordan
OCCUPATION: Basketball Player
BIRTH DATE: February 17, 1963 (Age: 50)
EDUCATION: Emsley A. Laney High School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PLACE OF BIRTH: Brooklyn, New York
FULL NAME: Michael Jeffrey Jordan
AKA: Michael Jordan
NICKNAME: "Air Jordan"
NICKNAME: "Black Cat"
NICKNAME: "MJ"
NICKNAME: "His Airness"
ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

American basketball star Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he helped the team make it to the playoffs. For his efforts there, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. With five regular-season MVPs and three All-Star MVPs, Jordan became the most decorated player in the NBA.


Early Life

Professional basketball player, Olympic athlete, businessperson, actor. Born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Considered one of the best basketball players ever, Michael Jordan dominated the sport from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. He led the Chicago Bulls to six national championships, and earned the National Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player Award five times.

Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan developed a competitive edge at an early age. He wanted to win every game he played. As his father James later noted, "What he does have is a competition problem. He was born with that ... the person he tries to outdo most of the time is himself."

Jordan enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981 and soon became an important member of the school's basketball team. His team won the NCAA Division I championships in 1982 with Jordan scoring the final basket needed to defeat Georgetown University. He was also singled out as the NCAA College Player of the Year in 1983 and in 1984.

During the summer of 1984, Jordan made his first appearance at the Olympic Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team. The team won the gold at the games that year, which were held in Los Angeles. Jordan later helped the American team bring home the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games, held in Barcelona, Spain.

NBA Superstar

Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he soon proved himself on the court. He helped the team make it to the playoffs and scored an average of 28.2 points per game that season. For his efforts, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was selected for the All-Star Game.

In 1985, he finished his bachelor's degree in geography and continued to play basketball professionally. While his second season was marred by injury, Jordan was breaking new ground on the court during the 1986-1987 season. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlin to score more than 3,000 points in a single season. The following season, Jordan received his first Most Valuable Player Award from NBA—an honor he would earn four more times in 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998.

By the late 1980s, the Chicago Bulls was quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, and Jordan was an instrumental part of the team's success. The Bulls made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1990 and won their first NBA championship the following year by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. A rising NBA superstar, Jordan became known for his power and agility on the court as well as for his leadership abilities.


He eventually landed several endorsement deals with such companies as Nike, which further pushed him into the spotlight.

In 1992, the Chicago Bulls beat the Portland Trail Blazers to win their second NBA championship title. The team took their third championship the following year, dominating in the basketball world. Jordan, however, had other things on his mind. He lost his father, James,to an act of violence after the end of the 1992-93 season.

Two teenagers shot James Jordan during an apparent robbery and were later convicted of the crime. In a move that shocked many, Michael Jordan decided to retire from basketball to pursue baseball. He played for a minor league team, the Birmingham Barons, as an outfielder for a year.


Back on the Court

In March 1995, however, Jordan returned to the basketball court. He rejoined the Chicago Bulls and eventually helped them win the championship against the Seattle Sonics in the 1995-96 season. That same year, Jordan made a big splash in another arena—film—as the star of Space Jam (1996). The film mixed live action and animation and paired Jordan with cartoon legends Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck on screen.

Thefollowing  season Jordan came back even stronger, averaging 30.4 points per game. Starting all 82 games that season, he helped the team finish the regular season with 72 wins and clinch a win in the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. The two teams faced each other again for the championships in 1998, and Jordan helped the Bulls beat them for the second year in a row.

Retiring after the 1997-98 season, Jordan did not stray from the sport for too long. He joined the Washington Wizards as a part owner and as president of basketball operations. In the fall of 2001, Jordan relinquished these roles to return the court once more. He played for the Wizards for two seasons before hanging up his jersey for good in 2003.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 2006, Jordan bought a share of the Charlotte Bobcats and joined the team's executive ranks as its managing member of basketball operations. He experienced some personal changes that same year, ending his 17-year marriage to wife Juanita Vanoy. The couple divorced in December 2006. They had three children together during the course of their marriage: Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine.

The following year, Michael Jordan made news—this time as the father of an up-and-coming college basketball player. His eldest son, Jeffrey Jordan, made the team at the University of Illinois. Both Michael Jordan and his ex-wife Juanita have supported their son and tried to help him deal with playing in the shadow of a NBA legend. "He wants to be a basketball player, but he wants to do it on his own terms ...The thing that we have tried to tell Jeff is that you set your own expectations. By no means in this world can you ever live up someone else's expectations of who you are," Michael Jordan said during an appearance on the Today show.

In April 2009, Jordan received one of basketball's greatest honors: He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.



Attending the induction ceremony was a bittersweet affair for Jordan because being at the event meant "your basketball career is completely over," he explained.

While he may not be playing on the court,


Jordan remains active in his sport. He became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010 and serves as the team's chairman. And improving the team's less-than-stellar record seems to be Jordan's number one priority these days. He told ESPN in November 2012 that "I don't anticipate getting out of this business. My competitive nature is I want to succeed. It's always been said that when I can't find a way to do anything, I will find a way to do it."

Outside of his work with the Charlotte Bobcats, Jordan is involved in a number of business ventures, including several restaurants. He also does a lot for charity, including hosting the annual golf event known as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational.

Jordan married 35-year-old Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto on April 27, 2013, in Palm Beach, Florida. Tiger Woods, Spike Lee and Patrick Ewing, among other celebrities, reportedly attended the wedding ceremony.

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Lionel Messi

Full name: Luis Lionel Andrés Messi 
Birth day: June 24, 1987 
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina 
Nationality: Argentinian 
Other nationality: Spanish 
EU passport: Yes 
Height: 169 cm 
Weight: 67 kg 
Club: FC Barcelona 
Position: Forward 
Debut: 17 November 2003 


Lionel Andrés Messi (born June 24, 1987 in Rosario) is an Argentine football (soccer) player.

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.


In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).

With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old.


He was offered the chance to play for the Spain national football team, but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20 friendly match against Paraguay.
Lionel Messi wearing FC Barcelona's colorsIn June 2005 he starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship played in The Netherlands.

Messi picked up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel has already drawn comparisons with Diego Maradona, arguably the best football player of all time.

On September 25, 2005 Messi obtained a Spanish citizenship and was finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled up all of their quota of non-EU players.

Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on Sept 28 against Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. On December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, over Wayne Rooney and Lukas Podolski

In September 2005, Messi was given an improved and extended contract until 2014.

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Barack Obama

NAME: Barack Obama
OCCUPATION: Lawyer, U.S. President, U.S. Representative
BIRTH DATE: August 04, 1961 (Age: 51)
EDUCATION: Punahou Academy, Occidental College, Columbia University, Harvard Law School
PLACE OF BIRTH: Honolulu, Hawaii
FULL NAME: Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.
AKA: Barack Obama
ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

(mini biography)

Born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barack Obama is the 44th and current president of the United States. He was a civil-rights lawyer and teacher before pursuing a political career. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, serving from 1997 to 2004. He was elected to the U.S. presidency in 2008,


Early Life

Barack Hussein Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where her father worked on oil rigs during the Great Depression. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dunham's father, Stanley, enlisted in the service and marched across Europe in Patton's army. Dunham's mother, Madelyn, went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, the couple studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Program and, after several moves, landed in Hawaii.

Barack Obama's father, Barack Obama Sr., was born of Luo ethnicity in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Obama Sr. grew up herding goats in Africa, eventually earning a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams of college in Hawaii. While studying at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, Obama Sr. met fellow student Ann Dunham, and they married on February 2, 1961. Barack was born six months later.

Obama did not have a relationship with his father as a child. When his son was still an infant, Obama Sr. relocated to Massachusetts to attend Harvard University, pursuing a Ph.D. Barack's parents officially separated several months later and ultimately divorced in March 1964, when their son was 2. In 1965, Obama Sr. returned to Kenya.

In 1965, Dunham married Lolo Soetoro, an East–West Center student from Indonesia. A year later, the family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where Barack's half-sister, Maya Soetoro Ng, was born. Several incidents in Indonesia left Dunham afraid for her son's safety and education so, at the age of 10, Barack was sent back to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents. His mother and sister later joined them.

Excelling in School

While living with his grandparents, Obama enrolled in the esteemed Punahou Academy, excelling in basketball and graduating with academic honors in 1979. As one of only three black students at the school, Obama became conscious of racism and what it meant to be African-American. He later described how he struggled to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage with his own sense of self: "I began to notice there was nobody like me in the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog ... and that Santa was a white man," he said. "I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror with all my senses and limbs seemingly intact, looking the way I had always looked, and wondered if something was wrong with me."


2012 Re-Election

As he did in 2008, during his campaign for a second presidential term, Obama focused on grassroots initiatives. Celebrities such as Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker aided the president's campaign by hosting fund-raising events.

"I guarantee you, we will move this country forward," Obama stated in June 2012, at a campaign event in Maryland. "We will finish what we started. And we'll remind the world just why it is the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth."

In the 2012 election, Obama faced Republican opponent Mitt Romney and Romney's vice-presidential running mate, U.S. Representative Paul Ryan. On the evening of November 6, 2012, Obama was announced the winner of the election, gaining a second four-year term as president. Early election results indicated a close race. By midnight on Election Day, however, Obama had received more than 270 electoral votes—the number of votes required to win a U.S. presidential election; later results showed that the president had won nearly 60 percent of the electoral vote, as well as the popular vote by more than 1 million ballots.

Nearly one month after President Obama's re-election, the nation endured one of its most tragic school shootings to date: On December 14, 2012, 20 children and six adult workers were shot to death at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Two days after the attack, Obama delivered a speech at an interfaith vigil for the victims in Newtown, discussing a need for change in order to make schools safer, and alluding to implementing stricter gun control.

"These tragedied must end," Obama stated. "We can't accept events like these as routine. In the coming weeks, I'll use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens, from law enforcement, to mental-health professionals, to parents and educators, in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this, because what choice do we have? . . . Are we really prepared to say that we're powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard?


Obama achieved a major legislative victory on January 1, 2013, when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bipartisan agreement on tax increases and spending cuts, in an effort to avoid the looming fiscal cliff crisis (the Senate voted in favor of the bill earlier that day). The agreement marked a productive first step toward the president's re-election promise of reducing the federal defecit by raising taxes on the extremely wealthy—individuals earning more than $400,000 per year and couples earning more than $450,000, according to the bill. Prior to the the bill's passage, in late 2012, tense negotiations between Republicans and Democrats over spending cuts and tax increases became a bitter political battle. Vice President Joe Biden managed to hammer out a deal with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Obama pledged to sign the bill into law.

Barack Obama officially began his second term on January 21, 2013. The inauguration was held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of Medgar Evers, gave the invocation. James Taylor, Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Clarkson sang at the ceremony and poet Richard Blanco read his poem "One Today." U.S. Supreme Court Chief John Roberts conducted Obama's presidential oath of office. After completing his oath, Obama was congratulated by his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha.

In his inaugural address, Obama called the nation to action on such issues as climate change, health care and marriage equality. "We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today's victories will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall," Obama told the crowd gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

Celebrations continued that day. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended two official inauguration balls, including one held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. There the first couple danced the Al Green classic "Let's Stay Together," sung by Jennifer Hudson. Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx also performed.

Since the inauguration, Obama has led the nation through many challenges. None more difficult perhaps, the bombing of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Three people were killed and more than 200 people were injured in this terror attack. Obama traveled to Boston to speak at a memorial service three days after the bombings. To the wounded, he said "Your country is with you. We will all be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt. You will run again." And he applaused the city's citizens response to this tragedy. "You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion."

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Kim Kardashian

NAME: Kim Kardashian
OCCUPATION: Reality Television Star
BIRTH DATE: October 21, 1980 (Age: 32)
EDUCATION: Marymount High School
PLACE OF BIRTH: Beverly Hills, California
FULL NAME: Kim Noel Kardashian
AKA: Kim Kardashian
ZODIAC SIGN: Libra


Growing Up in Beverly Hills

Born on October 21, 1980, in Beverly Hills, California, Kim Noel Kardashian is a model, reality television star, entrepreneur and socialite. She is the second of four children born to the late Robert Kardashian and his first wife, Kris. In recent years, the petite, dark haired beauty has garnered a Paris Hilton-like celebrity status thanks to her curvaceous style, a hit reality TV show, a string of workout DVDs, and last, but not least, a scandalous video showcasing her sexual exploits with former boyfriend, rapper Ray J.

Kardashian, it seems, is almost wired for fame. A preschool classmate of Paris Hilton, she grew up under the glare and privilege of Beverly Hills, getting an up-close view of Hollywood's pleasures and pitfalls. Her father, the founder of Movie Tunes, Inc., a music and marketing company, was a prominent attorney. A close friend for many years of O.J. Simpson, Robert was one of the football star's defense lawyers during his murder trial. In fact, it was the attorney's home that Simpson left during the famous Ford Bronco police chase shortly before his arrest. Robert Kardashian died from cancer of the esophagus in October 2003.


Kardashian's mother, Kris, a children's boutique shop owner and TV personality, travels in celebrity circles herself. In 1991, two years after divorcing Robert, she married 1976 Olympic star, Bruce Jenner. The couple has two children together.

According to Kardashian, her childhood was hardly the stuff of stardom. Sunday church was regular part of family life. So was the expectation among the Kardashian children that, once they each reached the age of 18, living off the family dime was no longer an option. While attending an exclusive Catholic girls' high school, Kim Kardashian worked for her father's company. When he died, the corporation was left to her and her siblings. They've since sold it. "We grew up with privilege so we knew our standards were high ... [and] if we wanted to keep it, we had to work hard," she once said.

For Kim Kardashian, that has translated into a number of different things, from wardrobe stylist to actress. She's even stepped into the business world herself, forming Kimsaprincess Productions, LLC., which has seen the release of three successful workout videos starring—you guessed it—Kim Kardashian.

In 2006, Kardashian went back into business with her family when she and her two sisters opened the boutique shop D-A-S-H (derived from the family's last name) in Calabasas, California.


Infamous Video

But it was with hip-hop artist Ray J., whom she dated for three years, which sparked the most attention. In early 2007, a video of Kardashian and the rapper in bed made it into the hands of Vivid Entertainment, a large adult film company. Vivid, which paid $1 million for rights to the 30-minute tape, widely promoted the release of the video, which it called Kim Kardashian Superstar. Kardashian quickly countered with legal action, suing for invasion of privacy. But in May 2007, three months after the video's debut, she agreed to a $5 million settlement.

"It definitely puts you in a category that I would wish upon no one," Kim Kardashian later said on The Tyra Banks Show. "Your reputation is all that you have, and if people prejudge you over something that you did, than that kind of sticks with you a long time."


Reality TV Star: 'Keeping up with the Kardashians'

Around the time of the video's release, Kardashian started making her way onto the television screen for something completely different, when the E! Network debuted a new reality TV series called Keeping up with the Kardashians.

Produced by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, the show follows the lives of Kim; her sisters, Kourtney and Khloé; brother Robert Jr.; mother Kris Jenner; stepfather Bruce Jenner; and the two young daughters of Kris and Bruce, Kendall and Kylie. In one memorable episode from the first season, Kim discusses with her family an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine. Kardashian eventually agreed to do it, and bared it all for the publication in the December 2007 issue.

Which, in a way, represents just how far Kardashian has come in terms of confidence about her own body. A big part of the Kardashian brand is her curves, something she wasn't always so enamored with, she admits. "I used to say my prayers before bed, and pray I would stop developing," she told Playboy. That's apparently changed. "You always see the typical skinny models and I'm not that and I'm proud not to be that," she stated following the shoot.

Since then, Kim Kardashian's celebrity status has only grown. The woman who became the most Googled celebrity in 2008, ending Britney Spears's four-year-run, signed on to become the face of Bongo Jeans in 2008. In March 2009, Kardashian launched a shoe shopping service that taps into the expertise of Hollywood's most revered stylists. In addition, there are plans for the debut of her own perfume line.

Romantic Life

As a reality television star, Kardashian's love life has been the subject of intense media interest. She was only 20 years old when she wed music producer Damon Thomas in 2000. The marriage ended after four years. Following her divorce, Kardashian had a string of high profile boyfriends, including singer Nick Lachey and New Orleans Saints running back, Reggie Bush.

In 2010, Kardashian had a whirlwind courtship with pro basketball player Kris Humphries. The pair married in a lavish, televised ceremony the following August in front of more than 400 guests. But wedded bliss would be short-lived for Kardashian and Humphries. Kardashian filed for divorce after only 72 days of marriage. Humphries sought an annulment instead and claimed that the marriage was a fraud. In April 2013, it was announced that Kardashian and Humphries had settled their divorce,avoiding a long-awaited trial that had been scheduled to take place in May 2013.

While her divorce proceedings were dragging on, however, in early 2012, Kardashian became involved with famed rapper Kanye West. In December 2012, the couple revealed that they were expecting their first child together. Kardashian posted on her blog, "It's true!! Kanye and I are expecting a baby. We feel so blessed and lucky."

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Michael Jackson

NAME: Michael Jackson
OCCUPATION: Dancer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer
BIRTH DATE: August 29, 1958
DEATH DATE: June 25, 2009
PLACE OF BIRTH: Gary, Indiana
PLACE OF DEATH: Los Angeles, California

Dubbed the "King of Pop," singer-songwriter Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958. As a child, he performed as the lead singer of the Jackson family's popular Motown group,the Jackson 5. Jackson went on to become one of the most internationally famous award-winning solo pop sensations to date. Jackson's 2009 death stirred controversy and was ultimately ruled a homicide. Dr. Conrad Murray, who had been caring for the pop star at the time of his death, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on November 7, 2011, later receiving a four-year prison sentence.

Early Life

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to an African-American working-class family. His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but had put aside his musical aspirations to provide for his family as a crane operator. Believing his sons had talent, he molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s. At first, the Jackson Family performers consisted of Michael's older brothers, Tito, Jermaine and Jackie. Michael joined his siblings when he was 5 years old, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist. He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions. Older brother Marlon also became a member of the group, which evolved into the Jackson 5.

Behind the scenes, Joseph Jackson pushed his sons to succeed. He was also reportedly known to become violent with them. Michael and his brothers spent endless hours rehearsing and polishing up their act. At first, the Jackson 5 played local gigs and built a strong following. They recorded one single on their own, "Big Boy" with the b-side "You've Changed," but it failed to generate much interest.

The Jackson 5 moved on to working an opening act for such R&B artists as Gladys Knight and the Pips, James Brown, and Sam and Dave. Many of these performers were signed to the legendary Motown record label, and it has been reported that Gladys Knight may have been the one to tell Motown founder Berry Gordy about the Jackson 5. Impressed by the group, Gordy signed them to his label in 1968.

Relocating to Los Angeles, Michael and his brothers started work on their music and dancing with their father as their manager. They lived with Gordy and also with Supremes singer Diana Ross when they first arrived there. In August 1969, the Jackson 5 was introduced to the music industry at a special event, and later served as the opening act for the Supremes. Their first album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, hit the charts in December of that year. It's first single, "I Want You Back," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970. More chart-topping singles quickly followed, such as "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There."

Solo Career

At the age of 13, Jackson launched a solo career in addition to his work with the Jackson 5. He made the charts in 1971 with "Got to Be There" from the album of the same name.


His 1972 album, Ben, featured the eponymous ballad about a rat. The song became Jackson's first solo No. 1 single.

For several years, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 maintained a busy tour and recording schedule,

under the supervision of Berry Gordy and his Motown staff. Gordy wrote many of the songs recorded by the group and by Michael Jackson as a solo artist. The group became so popular that they even had their own self-titled cartoon show, which ran from 1971 to 1973.

Despite Jackson's individual achievements and the group's great success, there was trouble between the Jacksons and their record company. Tensions mounted between Gordy and Joseph Jackson over the management of his children's careers, and their level of participation in making their music. The Jacksons wanted more control over their recordings, which led to most of the Jacksons breaking ties with Motown in 1975. Jermaine Jackson remained with the label and continued to pursue a solo career, having previously released several albums—none of which had matched the success of his younger brother Michael.

Now calling themselves the Jacksons, the group signed a new recording deal with Epic Records. With 1978's Destiny, Michael Jackson and his brothers (which by now included younger brother Randy) emerged as talented songwriters, penning all of the record's tracks. Working with producer Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson wowed the music world with his next solo album, 1979's Off the Wall. It featured an infectious blend of pop and funk with such hit tracks as the Grammy Award-winning "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough," "Rock with You," and the title track. He also found success with the ballad "She's Out of My Life."

The overwhelmingly positive response to Michael's latest solo album also helped buoy the Jacksons' career as well. Triumph (1980) sold more than 1 million copies, and the brothers went on an extensive tour to support the recording. Jackson, however, began to branch out on his own more. Teaming up with rock legend Paul McCartney, Jackson sang on their 1982 duet, "The Girl Is Mine," which nearly reached the top of the pop charts.

The song also appeared on his next solo album, Thriller (1982), which generated seven Top 10 hits and became the best-selling album in history. On a television special honoring Motown, Jackson performed "Billie Jean"—eventually a No. 1 hit—and debuted his soon-to-be-famous dance move called "The Moonwalk." Jackson, a veteran performer by this time, created this step himself and choreographed the dance sequences for the video of his other No. 1 hit, "Beat It."

Jackson's most elaborate music video, however, was for the album's title track. John Landis directed the horror-tinged video, which featured complex dance scenes, special effects and a voice-over by actor Vincent Price. The "Thriller" video was an immense success, boosting sales for the already successful album. The single stayed on the charts for 80 weeks, holding the No. 1 spot for 37 weeks. In addition to its unparalleled commercial achievements, "Thriller" garnered 12 Grammy Award nominations, winning eight.


Tragic Death

Sadly, Michael Jackson would never get to experience the anticipated success of his comeback tour. On June 25, 2009, Jackson suffered cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles home. He was rushed to the hospital after his heart stopped and CPR attempts failed, and died later that morning. He was 50 years old.

News of Jackson's death resulted in an outpouring of public grief and sympathy. Memorials to Jackson were erected around the world, including one at the arena where he was set to perform and another at his childhood home in Gary, Indiana. On July 12, 2009, a televised memorial was held for fans of the "King of Pop" at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. While 17,500 free tickets were issued to fans via lottery, an estimated 1 billion viewers watched the memorial on TV or online.

The Jackson family held a private funeral on September 3, 2009, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, for Michael Jackson's immediate family members and 200 guests. Celebrity mourners included former child star Macaulay Culkin; Jackson's ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley; and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

As dictated in his will, Jackson's children were placed in the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. In respect to their father's wishes, Paris, Michael Joseph Jr. and Prince Michael II have been kept largely out of the limelight, appearing publicly only a few times in the last year. They stepped up to the mic in 2009 to speak to fans at their father's funeral, and again in January 2010 to accept a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for their father at the Grammys. In June of that year, it was announced that the children would be heading to private school in the fall.

A film documenting Jackson's preparations for his final performance, entitled This Is It, was released in October 2009. The film, featuring a compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson, made $23 million in its opening weekend and sky-rocketed to No. 1 at the box office. This Is It would go on to make more than $260 million worldwide. With the success of this final tribute, the Jackson family hoped to finally have closure on the death of their beloved Michael.



According to the report, the singer had died from acute propofol intoxication. The overdose had reportedly worked in combination with a lethal prescription drug cocktail—which included the pain killer Demerol, as well as lorazepam, midazolam, benzodiazepine, diazepine and ephedrine—to shut down the star's weakened heart. Aided by his personal physician,

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Jessica Alba

NAME: Jessica Alba
OCCUPATION: Film Actress, Television Actress
BIRTH DATE: April 28, 1981 (Age: 32)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Pomona, California
ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus


Jessica Alba (born April 28, 1981) appeared on the big screen for the first time in the 1994 comedy Camp Nowhere. Then she sprang into the spotlight with her role as Max Guevera in James Cameron's short-lived TV series Dark Angel. She then to


Born on April 28, 1981, in Pomona, California, film actress Jessica Alba comes from a diverse background. Her father is Mexican-American and her mother has Danish and French roots. As the daughter of a member of the U.S. Air Force, she moved around a lot while growing up, living in California, Mississippi, and Texas before settling back in California.

Alba began studying acting in her early teens and had an agent by the age of 12. Netting her first film role, she appeared in the 1994 comedy Camp Nowhere. She also found work as a model and did some commercials. Around this time, Alba landed a recurring role on The Secret World of Alex Mack, a popular tween comedy about a girl who develops special powers. She took to the water with a short-lived remake of the classic aquatic adventure series, Flipper, which was filmed in Australia.


After a string of guest appearances, Alba was given the leading role in the science fiction series Dark Angel. The show was created by director James Cameron and premiered in the fall of 2000. She played Max Guevera, a genetically modified young woman who worked as a bike messenger. She had escaped from a genetics research project that used children as test subjects.

Set in 2019 in a post-apocalyptic Seattle, the series featured storylines about her search for others from the project as well as the efforts of the government to recapture her. Her character worked with a journalist named Logan Cale played by Michael Weatherly. Off-screen, Alba and Weatherly developed a personal relationship and were engaged for a time.

While the series earned some critical acclaim, Dark Angel only lasted for two seasons. Alba soon appeared on the big screen with Honey (2003), playing a hip-hop dancer and choreographer. Not a critical success, it was popular with teen audiences. She played a different type of dancer in the animated Sin City (2005) - a stripper with book smarts.


Around this time, Alba brought a comic book heroine to life in Fantastic Four (2005). She played Sue Storm, one of four astronauts who gained unusual powers after being exposed to cosmic rays. Alba's character was able to make herself invisible as well as to create invisible protective force fields. Reprising her role, she also appeared in the 2007 sequel, 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Taking on another adventurous part, Alba appeared in Into the Blue (2005) with Paul Walker and Scott Caan.


She played a diver who gets into trouble after discovering a sunken plane. With Good Luck Chuck (2007), Alba tried her hand at romantic comedy, starring opposite Dane Cook. Neither effort fared well with critics nor attracted much of an audience.

Continuing to branch out, Alba starred in The Eye (2008),

In May 2008, Alba married longtime boyfriend Cash Warren, whom she met on the set of the The Fantastic Four. Alba gave birth to a baby girl, Honor Marie Warren, on June 7, 2008 in Los Angeles

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Fábio Coentrão

Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão born 11 March 1988 is a Portugese professional footballer who plays in Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid,and for Portugese national team.On 5 July 2011, after extensive negotiations, Benfica and Real Madrid  reached an agreement in principle over the transfer of Coentrão, who signed a six-year contract the same day, for €30m.He is 1.79m tall.He plays as a Wingback / Midfielde.He have number 5.

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Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas Fernández  born 20 May 1981 is a Spanish football goalkeeper  who plays for and captains both La Liga club Real Madrid,and the Spanish national team.He his carrier started in Real Madrid.Casillas is chosen the best goalkeeper in the world for 6 years successively.Is 1.85m tall.

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Di Maria

 
Ángel Fabián di María Hernández born 14 February 1988 is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid und Argentinese national team.He is 1.80m tall.Hi`s position who he plays is Winger.He have number 22.In Real Madrid he comes in 2010/2011 season from Benfica.

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Xabi Alonso

Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano born 25 November 1981 is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Madrid as central midfielder. He is well known for his passing ability, and is regarded as one of the best passers of the ball in the world.He is 1.83m tall,and have number 14.He also plays for his national club Spain.He in Real Madrid comes in 2009/2010 season.

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JOSE MOURINHO SAYS HE'S HAPPY AT REAL MADRID

 

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he is not unhappy at Real Madrid amid ongoing rumors that he is set to leave the club at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

The Portuguese coach admitted that his relationship with Madrid is not perfect, but remains determined to finish the season on a high before making a decision about his future.

"I'm not unhappy at Real Madrid. We need to make the decision that´s best for everyone. I may like some things and dislike others but this happens everywhere. There's no such thing as the perfect club or the perfect manager," Mourinho said at a press conference.

"We need to focus on finishing the season as well as possible, on achieving goals that are still very far away. We are two matches away from the Champions League, not long ago we were 13. When we take all this pressure off the time will be right to sit down and get to conclusions."

The former Inter boss then went on to discuss Canillas president Manuel Alvarez's claims that Mourinho has told him he will leave Madrid this summer.

"If I talk about Canillas I talk about a second home for me and my son," Mourinho said. "It´s a great club, but there's one problem. The president really likes press and attention. He is a terrific person and he treats me and my son really well, but he's got this little issue.

"He really likes press, but that's not my concern. I can confirm that I told him I will not be able to give the coaching conference. Next year I can't say I will be giving the conference. I really don't think I will.

Mourinho has a contract with Los Blancos until 2016 after extending his original four-year deal to six last summer.

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Google private site play with their buyers send personal detail.

Google is again under attack for its apparent misuse of the information to its own users. 'Dan Nolan' an Australian software developer revealed that the search giant is sending him full names, email and postal codes of all those who purchased it in Google Play app.

In a blog post, Nolan said the information was so detailed that it will be able to use it to 'track down and harass users who left negative reviews or refunded app purchase'. Nolan revealed that he has received a fair share customer info after cutting himself in his trading account Play Google to update its records of payment.

The main problem is that Google is not requested by the buyer explicit permission to share this information with developers, but by privacy groups and careful inspection policy, Google does not clearly mention that it is to share personal information nor does it app developers to create a good deal of effort in informing consumers buy.

Sign-up process for Google Wallet shows potential users that they will have to share some basic information with merchants to conduct their transactions. But from a practical standpoint, many people seemed blindsided by the news that their information was being shared. There was a mention that developers can take any type of personal information and still sell it to another party.

Last year, Google is accused of violating the consent order placing tracking cookie on the computers of Safari users, despite saying these same users will be automatically opting-out of such tracking. Google agreed to pay a record $ 22.5 million to the FTC.

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Google: The FBI is monitoring network

USA - Internet search giant, Google announced that the FBI is monitoring the network for potential terrorist activities, reports AFP.

As part of Google's Transparency Report, the internet giant this week released data on the so-called National Security Letters - Official requests for information under the Patriot Act, passed after the attacks of 11 September 2001.

But, Google announced that it has been allowed to publish only a wide number of digits in the years 2009-2012, for example, has between zero to 999 requests.

Requests have affected between 1000 and 1999 accounts, except in 2010 when touching two thousand to 2 thousand 999 account.

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Cristiano Ronaldo ► Memories | Top 10 free kick (Videoᴴᴰ)

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Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Alberto Silveira de Carvalho born 18 May 1978 is a Protugese footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid.He plays as a centre back.He is the oldest player in Real Madrid.Carvalho is 1.83m tall and have number 11.

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Cristiano Ronaldo

 

Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and the late José Dinis Aveiro. He has one older brother, Hugo, and two elder sisters, Elma and Liliana. Liliana is a singer by the stage name “Ronalda” in Portugal. Cristiano’s second given name ”Ronaldo” is very uncommon in Portugal. His parents named him after former Hollywood actor and U.S. President Ronald Reagan due to his late father’s respect for the man.

Ronaldo is a two-footed player, this allowing him to play anywhere up front: right, left or through the middle. This has enabled Ronaldo and left winger Ryan Giggs to switch wings occasionally, allowing Manchester United to further confuse their opponents. Ronaldo has superb technical ability. Besides his multiple step-over moves, he also developed a wide array of skills, making him a tricky and unpredictable winger to come up against. Ronaldo’s pace and blistering runs, either down the wings or cutting into the middle, has further established him as an important player to Manchester United. He can also strike powerful shots from outside the box. His unique playing style is a far cry from traditional wingers of the past and he can best be described as a winger and a striker rolled into one. Ronaldo is extremely good in the air and has scored a fair number of headed goals as well. In addition, his ‘pin ball free-kicks’ are also noted for their swerve and dip. He is also adept at taking spot kicks and was Manchester United’s first choice penalty-taker.

In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo completed a record breaking €94 million transfer to Real Madrid. During his first season at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 26 goals. The season was not very successful however as Barcelona won La Liga and Real Madrid fell out of Champions League at the hands of Lyon.

Cristiano Ronaldo played in his second FIFA World Cup in 2010. The Portuguese traveled to South Africa with high expectations after beating Bosnia to qualify for the World Cup. Portugal advanced to the knockout stages despite a poor showing during the group games. Portugal was knocked out of the World Cup in the round of 16 by a far superior Spanish team.

Real Madrid announced that Jose Mourinho would take over as manager for the 2010-11 season. Together with Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo’s expectations for the upcoming season are at an all-time high..

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José María Callejón

José María Callejón Bueno born 11 February 1987 is a Spanish footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid.He plays as a winger or forward.He in Real Madrid comes from Espanyol.He is 1.79m tall and have number 21.

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