Amazing Image World

Best Pics Of The Day

2009-11-11T10:30:00.001-08:00

Mayon volcano

Mayon volcano spews grayish ash for the second time in a day Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Legazpi, Albay province, about 340 kilometers (212 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. Chief state volcanologist Renato Solidum said the cone-shaped Mayon volcano in the central Philippines has shot an ash plume into the air and advised nearby residents to be ready to move to safety in case of eruption. The country's most active volcano last erupted in 2006 and typhoon-triggered mudslides later that year buried entire villages, killing more than 1,000 people. (AP)

Mount Rainier

A tugboat pulls a barge out of the Hylebos Waterway in front of a cloud-covered Mount Rainier in Tacoma, Wash., on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. (AP)

Majesty of the Seas

In this Julu 27, 2009 file photo, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas lies docked at the Port of Miami in Miami. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, it has agreed to a partnership with Shanghai International Port Co. to help develop and support the Chinese cruise industry. (AP)

Raising a giant wing sail

Crew members of the BMW Oracle America's Cup Racing team raise a giant wing sail for the first time on the BMW Oracle trimaran at a mooring near the group's dock compound Tuesday Nov. 10, 2009 in San Diego. The sail is 190 feet long and weighs 7, 700 pounds. (AP)

Paute Dam

View of the Paute Dam, in Penas Coloradas, Ecuador, on November 10, 2009. The severe drought affecting south Ecuador has almost dried the Paute Dam, which produces almost 40% of the national power demand, causing blackouts and electricity rationing all over the country. (AFP)

Albania flood

An Albanian boy walks through water in the village of Barbulloj on November 10, 2009. Flooding in north and southern Albania has blocked roads, toppled a bridge and forced dozens of villagers to evacuate their homes. (AFP)

Obama at memorial service

US President Barack Obama walks off stage after speaking during a memorial service for the thirteen victims of the shooting rampage by US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan on November 10, 2009 in Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan, an army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and wounded 30 in a shooting at the military base on November 5, 2009. (AFP)

Saudi troops

Saudi troops ride in army vehicles in the southwestern province of Jizan near the border with Yemen on November 10, 2009. Saudi Arabia will keep up its air strikes against Yemeni rebels until they pull back from the two countries' border, Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan said. (AFP)

Celebrating independence call

A young woman dressed in a traditional outfit takes part in celebrating the anniversary of the first call of independence from Spain in 1821 in Panama City November 10, 2009. (Reuters)

Fantastic Mr Fox

A diorama depicting a scene from the film 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' sits in the windows of the Bergdorf Goodman store in New York November 10, 2009. (Reuters)

People's Choice Awards

Actresses Sofia Vergara (L) and Cat Deeley (R) arrive on the red carpet for the People's Choice Awards 2010 Nomination Announcement Press Conference, held at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles on November 10, 2009. Fan voting for their favorite TV stars begins today with the award ceremony held in Los Angeles on January 6. (AFP)

Candy Rock

New British girl band 'Candy Rock' arrives in London's Leicester Square for the European Premiere of Sir Michael Caine's latest film, 'Harry Brown' directed by Daniel Barber on November 10, 2009. Described as a 'modern urban western,' the titular Harry Brown (Caine) is an elderly widower and former Royal Marine who has lived to see his South London neighbourhood overrun by violent gangs, drugs and crime. (AFP)

Spanish singer Luz Casal

Spanish singer Luz Casal performs at the Chatelet theater on November 10, 2009 in Paris. Casal is in Paris to present her show 'La Pasion' on November 10 and 11 at the Chatelet Theater. (AFP)

20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall

2009-11-11T09:40:00.001-08:00

People watch the fireworks display in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 9, 2009 during the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (AFP)

Dominos stand at Brandenburg Gate along the former route of the wall in Berlin on November 9, 2009, as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some 1,000 giant dominos, many of them decorated by schoolchildren, will be toppled during the official ceremony in Berlin on November 9, 2009, the day of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall. (AFP)

Dominos placed along the former border in front of the Brandenburg Gate fall in a symbolic act in Berlin, Germany, Monday, November 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. (AP)

Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin at the end of the official ceremony to mark the anniversary of the reunificiation of Germany, on November 9, 2009. Germany is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 2009 with many world leaders coming to Berlin to mark the event. (AFP)

Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Monday, November 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. (AP)

Smoke of fireworks is seen at the top of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Monday, November 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. (AP)

Former polish President Lech Walesa gives the thumbs-up before pushing the first of the painted dominos along the former route of the wall in Berlin on November 9, 2009, as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some 1,000 giant dominos, many of them decorated by schoolchildren, will be toppled during the official ceremony. (AFP)

Heads of state walk through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 9, 2009, during celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (AP)

Spectators shield themselves against the rain near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Monday, November 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. (AP)

People wait for giant domino pieces, that have been placed along a stretch of the Berlin Wall's original path, to fall near Brandenburg Gate in Berlin November 9, 2009, during celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (Reuters)

Best Pics Of The Day

2009-11-09T20:13:00.001-08:00

Canadian geese

Canadian geese fly over a pond at Water Works Park, Monday, November 9, 2009, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP)

Victoria Regia

Picture of a 'Victoria Regia' taken at the Botanical Garden of Bogota, in the Colombian capital, on November 9, 2009. Natural of the Amazon Jungle, the Victoria Amazonica (scientific name) at the Botanical Garden has bloomed these days after doing it for the last time 14 years ago. (AFP)

Flooded oil separation plant

A crude oil separation plant of Mexico's state oil company Pemex is seen flooded in Choapas in the state of Veracruz. (Reuters)

MV Agusta F4 motorcycle

MV Agusta CEO Claudio Castiglioni poses for photographers during a presentation of the new MV Agusta F4 motorcycle in Milan. (Reuters)

Street naming celebration

Sesame Street character Elmo stares at a Sesame Street sign during a 40th anniversary street naming celebration in New York. (Reuters)

Celebrating fall of the Berlin Wall

People brave heavy rain as they stand around giant dominos next to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (Reuters)

Brandenburg Gate

A general view shows the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (Reuters)

Painting on Berlin Wall

A visitor looks over a painting on a piece of the former Berlin Wall during an exhibition in Moscow on November 9, 2009. Germany is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 2009 with many world leaders coming to Berlin to mark the event. (AFP)

Eurogroup meeting

Eurogroup ministers of finance work in the conference room on November 9, 2009 before a Eurogroup meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels. (AFP)

Tropical Storm Ida

A resident walks through strong rain and wind as Tropical Storm Ida approaches, in Gulfport, Mississippi. (Reuters)

The Olympic Flame

The Olympic Flame is lit on a bus due to high winds and freezing temperatures in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada, on Monday, November 9, 2009. The 106-day relay will visit more than a thousand communities in its trip across Canada's provinces and territories by the time it reaches the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Games on February 12, 2010. (AP)

Burning Saudi Army vehicle

Video grab of a Saudi Army vehicle burning during clashes with Houthi rebels in the border area between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. (Reuters)

Apple's first French store at Louvre

2009-11-09T07:16:00.001-08:00

Tourists walk in front of the new Apple Store on the eve of its opening in the Louvre museum shopping center, in Paris on November 6, 2009. (AP)

People line up inside the Louvre museum for the opening of France's first Apple store, in Paris November 7, 2009. Computer giant Apple Inc opened its first French store beneath the Louvre museum on Saturday just two weeks after Microsoft opened a theme cafe to promote its Windows 7 software. (REUTERS)

General view of the Louvre Museum with its glass Pyramid entrance designed by Chinese-born US Architect IM Pei, in Paris. (REUTERS)

Costumers queue on November 7, 2009 on the opening day of France's first US technology Apple Store inside the legendary Louvre museum shopping centre in the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. (AFP)

People walk outside France's first Apple store inside the legendary Louvre museum shopping centre in Paris. US technology giant Apple will open its store in the Carrousel du Louvre centre on November 7, 2009. (AFP)

People walk past an advertising (displayed near the entrance) announcing the opening of the first store in France of US technology giant Apple next to the legendary Louvre museum in a shopping centre in Paris on November 4, 2009. The shop, which covers an area of 700 square metres (7.335 square feet), will open on November 7, 2009. (AFP)

Costumers queue outside the shopping centre on November 7, 2009 on the opening day of France's first US technology Apple Store inside the legendary Louvre museum shopping centre in the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The shop covers an area of 700 square metres (7,535 square feet). (AFP)

A reflection of the Apple logo is seen in the new Apple Store on the eve of its opening in the Louvre museum shopping center, in Paris. (AP)

France's first Apple store inside the legendary Louvre museum shopping centre in Paris on November 5, 2009. US technology giant Apple will open its store in the Carrousel du Louvre centre on November 7, 2009. (AFP)

Computers in France's first Apple store inside the legendary Louvre museum shopping centre in Paris on November 5, 2009. (AFP)

Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009

2009-11-09T06:40:00.001-08:00

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Kotatsu Kanda during the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 fashion show in Tokyo, Japan. (AP)

A model displays a hair ornament made of sweets by Japanese patissier Seiji Yamamoto during the Tokyo Sweets Collection in Tokyo on November 8, 2009. (AFP)

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Hideki Kawamura during the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP)

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Koichi Izumi during the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP)

A model displays a creation by pastry chef Masato Motohashi during the Tokyo Sweets Collection 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP)

A model displays a mask and accessories made of sweets by Japanese patissier Hideki Kawamura during the Tokyo Sweets Collection in Tokyo. (AFP)

Best Pics Collected For The Day

2009-11-08T20:12:00.001-08:00

Ferry leaves Circular Quay station

A ferry leaves the Circular Quay station sailing past the Australian insurer AXA Asia Pacific Holdings building (blue) in central Sydney November 9, 2009. Australian insurer AXA Asia Pacific Holdings rejected on Monday a $10.3 billion break-up plan that would have left its Australian assets with rival AMP Ltd and its Asian assets with French parent AXA. REUTERS

Texas Motor Speedway

A general view of Texas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 on November 8, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. AFP

Texas Motor Speedway

A general view of the parking lot of Texas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 on November 8, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. AFP

Participants attempt to break Guinness World Record

Participants pose during an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for World's Largest Bikini Parade to raise awareness for breast cancer, in Johannesburg, November 7, 2009. Picture taken November 7, 2009. REUTERS

Participants attempt to break Guinness World Record

Participants attempt to break the Guinness World Record for World's Largest Bikini Parade to raise awareness for breast cancer, in Johannesburg, November 7, 2009. Picture taken November 7, 2009. REUTERS

Tourists visit Berlin Wall

Tourists visit the remains of the Berlin Wall at the eve of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. AP

Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrive for a church service accompanied by the Right Reverend James Cowan (L), Bishop of British Columbia, in Victoria November 8, 2009. REUTERS

Bengal Tiger smashes pumpkins

Bengal Tiger Kingda Ka smashes pumpkins during Fall at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, November 8, 2009. According to Six Flags', Ka loves to swim as he dives down under the water line, across or to the bottom of the pool for the things he wants. REUTERS

Day of Skulls in La Paz

This combination of photos shows skulls that believers take to the church to be blessed during the Day of Skulls at the General Cemetery in La Paz November 8, 2009. Bolivians who keep close relatives' skulls at home as a macabre talisman flock to the cemetery chapel once a year to have the craniums blessed and to bring themselves good luck in the future. REUTERS

People walk in a street damaged by heavy rains

People walk in a street damaged by heavy rains in Verapaz, about 71 km (44 miles) east to San Salvador November 8, 2009. Hurricane Ida roared into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, where important oil fields are located, after killing 91 people and leaving at least another 60 missing in floods and mudslides in El Salvador. Ida swept past the Mexican resort of Cancun, doing little damage to the city, and is expected to weaken gradually on Monday as it heads toward some of the oil and gas production facilities in the central Gulf, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. REUTERS

JB Mauney

JB Mauney rides Smack Down during the seventh round of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Las Vegas. Mauney won the world finals aggregate title. AP

US shooting crime military

Family members of base personel volunteer as part of the CARE Group and prepare donated food for delivery November 8, 2009 for the famililes of victims involved in the Fort Hood shootings. US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a psychiatrist and specialist in combat stress, allegedly killed 13 people in a shooting rampage here is said to have acted alone by investigators and no motive has been established. AFP

Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi

2009-11-08T08:41:00.001-08:00

A Pakistani model has her make-up done backstage during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi on November 5, 2009. Fashion week runs until November 7, taking place three weeks late because of security jitters and as a mark of respect for more than 300 people who perished in a string of attacks blamed on Islamist militants last month. Fashion week showcases 32 local designers over the four-day event, with security fears keeping foreign models and designers away. AFP

A model presents a creation by Pakistani designer Aiesha Varsey during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. Pakistan's fashion week began on November 4 with an opulent opening ceremony, against a backdrop of militant violence and security fears that delayed the event and kept away foreign glitterati. AFP

A model presents a creation by Pakistani designer Samar Mehdi during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. Pakistan's fashion week began on November 4 with an opulent opening ceremony, against a backdrop of militant violence and security fears that delayed the event and kept away foreign glitterati. AFP

Models displaying creations by Pakistani designer Sonya Batla chat in the backstage prior to their presentation at the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009. The fashion week is delayed due to ongoing militant violence and security fears which kept foreign guests away. AP

A model wearing a creation by Pakistani designer Aeisha Varsey is photographed backstage before taking the catwalk during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said. REUTERS

Models sporting creations by Pakistani designer Ayesha await their turn to take the catwalk during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said. REUTERS

Model presenting a creation by Pakistani designer Imbias during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi. Bare shoulders, backless gowns and pouting models are wowing Pakistan's glitterati as Karachi fashion week shows the world a different side of the Taliban-troubled nation. While women in much of Muslim, conservative Pakistan opt for headscarves over baggy shalwar khamis or even burkas, on the catwalks of financial capital Karachi, designers are exposing midriffs and flashing cleavage. AFP

Ice Skating In Japan

2009-11-08T07:18:00.001-08:00

Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Britain

Sinead Kerr (R) and John Kerr of Britain perform during the Ice Dance Original Dance competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Nagano, central Japan. (REUTERS)

Meryl Davis, Charlie White lead the competition

Meryl Davis (L) and Charlie White of US perform in the Original Dance, 'Folk/Country Dance' during the Ice Dance competition in the NHK Trophy figure skating Grand Prix in Nagano on November 7, 2009. Davis and White scored 101.18 points to lead the competition. (AFP)

Vanessa Crone, Paul Poirier clinched third place

Vanessa Crone (L) and Paul Poirier of Canada perform in the Original Dance, 'Folk/Country Dance' during the Ice Dance competition in the NHK Trophy figure skating Grand Prix in Nagano on November 7, 2009. Crone and Poirier scored 81.38 points to clinch the third place. (AFP)

Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Britain

Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Britain perform during the original dance of the NHK Trophy figure skating competition in Nagano, central Japan. (AP)

Sinead Kerr, John Kerr clinched second place

Sinead Kerr and John Kerr (R) of Great Britain perform in the Original Dance, 'Folk/Country Dance' during the Ice Dance competition in the NHK Trophy figure skating Grand Prix in Nagano on November 7, 2009. The Kerrs scored 91.57 points to clinch the second place. (AFP)

Narumi Takahashi, Mervin Tran of Japan

Narumi Takahashi (R) and Mervin Tran of Japan perform during the Pairs Free Program competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Nagano, central Japan. (REUTERS)

Cathy Reed (L) and Chris Reed of Japan

Cathy Reed (L) and Chris Reed of Japan perform during the Ice Dance Original Dance competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Nagano, central Japan. (REUTERS)

Meryl Davis, Charlie White of US

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United State perform during the original dance of the NHK Trophy figure skating competition in Nagano, central Japan on November 7, 2009. (AP)

Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China

Pang Qing (top) and Tong Jian of China perform during the Pairs Free Program competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Nagano, central Japan. (REUTERS)

Photo technique: Landscapes

2009-11-08T05:25:00.001-08:00

A four wheel drive vehicle crosses the sand dunes in the late afternoon sun near Egypt's western desert oasis of Siwa on February 3, 2002. (Reuters)

Members of a group of Maltese mountaineers, training for a charity climb up Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, reach the summit of Sicily's Mount Etna, the largest and most active volcano in Europe, as toxic sulphur fumes spew all around them October 16, 2005. (Reuters)

Tourists rest above a hill in Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) located inside the nature reserve of Los Flamencos in the Atacama Desert, near San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile, April 27, 2005. (Reuters)

A youngster walks along the banks of the Merced River, in view of El Capitan (L), and Bridalveil Fall (R) in Yosemite National Park, California May 17, 2009. (Reuters)

A boat sails at sunset through an area on the Yangzte River in the Hubei Province near the town of Badong in central China November 5, 2007. (Reuters)

Tourists ride camels in front of Giza pyramids on April 23, 2006. (Reuters)

Sunlight reflects on the rails of the 5 California Zephyr Amtrak train in Nevada June 14, 2008. (Reuters)

A flooded road is seen near the Nueva Imperial town in southern Chile September 3, 2008. (Reuters)

The downtown core of Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge rise above a morning fog in this view from Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia November 17, 2008. (Reuters)

Skaters play one of Canada's oldest winter pastimes, pond hockey, on the frozen surface of Lake Louise just outside the small village of Lake Louise, Alberta November 27, 2007. (Reuters)

A lone fisherman stands atop a rock outcrop below Sydney's North head at dawn February 6, 2007. (Reuters)

People swim in the Celeste river waterfall at Tenorio Volcano National Park in Upala March 18, 2008. (Reuters)

A Zambian man somersaults into a pool at the edge of the 110 metre high main falls of the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River which forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe October 10, 2004. (Reuters)

A view of sulphur and mineral salt formations created by the upwelling springs of Dallol volcano in this picture taken November 29, 2004. (Reuters)

The wind blows desert sand with Dubai's iconic landmark and world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab, in the background February 8, 2007. The Burj Al Arab sits on its own man-made island, stands 321 meters (1053 feet) high, and resembles a billowing sail. (Reuters)

The world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, is seen from Incahuasi island in the south of Bolivia at 3676 meters above mean sea level, August 21, 2008. (Reuters)

Tucked in the valleys and forests of Swaziland's remote Lebombo mountains are hundreds of hidden marijuana plantations, shown in this May 22, 2005 picture. (Reuters)

A horse eats grass at Ruo'ergai grassland in Ruo'ergai County, China's southwestern Sichuan province, August 15,2006. (Reuters)

A man stands on a hill during sunset in Vina del Mar city ,about 75 miles (120 km) northwest of Santiago, August 11, 2007. (Reuters)

Mounds of salt formed by miners sit on the Salar de Uyuni, the world's biggest salt desert, where until recently mining salt was the only way to survive in this cold, arid corner of southwestern Bolivia, July 14, 2007. (Reuters)

People walk on a cliff overlooking Ram Plateau in the Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories in this undated handout photo released June 9, 2009. (Reuters)

Concrete pylons stick out of the water at the Three Gorges Dam located northwest of Yichang city in Hubei Province, central China November 6, 2007. (Reuters)

A palm tree grows in the Errachidia reservoir near the Ziz oasis March 7, 2009. (Reuters)

A tourist makes a path in the snow on a ridge, some 3,200 metres (10,499 feet) above sea level, in the mountains outside Almaty February 1, 2009. (Reuters)

Top 10 mustachioed nations for "Movember"

2009-11-08T04:12:00.001-08:00

In a growing campaign to refer to November as "Movember," men around the world are being encouraged to grow a mustache for 30 days to raise awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer.
Men's website AskMen.com has come up with its list of the 10 most mustache-dense countries to mark the fund-raising campaign that is believed to have started in Australia in 1999.
For even though the United States was the clear winner at the World Beard and Mustache Championships held in Anchorage, Alaska, in May this year, capturing 12 world titles out of 18 categories, it is not the most mustache-dense nation.
The United States dethroned Germany which had dominated the competition since it started in the 1990s.
The list was compiled by the website's editors (here) and is not endorsed by Reuters:

India

Some estimates suggest as many as 80 per cent of men in southern India wear moustaches, which immediately places that one region above most countries in terms of mustache-wearing men. Moustaches have long held an important place in Indian culture, seen as a symbol of virility. An Indian also holds the title of the world's longest mustache, measured in 2004 at 12.5 feet.

Mexico

Mexico has long had a very masculine culture, and icons such as Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa may have had an influential role to play when it comes to growing moustaches. Going further back, many indigenous peoples did not grow facial hair, so when the European settlers arrived, it may have been a way of demonstrating their different social status.

Pakistan

Pakistan has the second-largest Muslim population in the world, with around 173 million Muslims, and religion plays a role in the prominence of facial hair. Many famous Pakistanis have had moustaches, such as the national poet Mohammed Iqbal, the cricketer Javed Miandad, the former President Pervez Musharraf and the current incumbent Asif Ali Zardari.

Germany

Germany's population of 83 million has a long and proud history of wearing moustaches, from the statesman Bismarck, to the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to Albert Einstein. Germany has more clubs affiliated with the World Beard and Mustache Championships than any other nation.

Iran

Iran's population of 70 million has a very large Shi'ite Muslim majority. A lot of famous figures in Iran sport facial hair. The ayatollah and president both wear full beards, while icons such as the soccer star Ali Daei is famous for his mustache.

Egypt

As with many Muslim nations, facial hair is popular. Major Egyptian political figures have also been prominent mustache fans -- President Nasser and President Anwar El Sadat may have helped to popularize the mustache as a facial accompaniment.

Turkey

In recent years, as Turkey has sought to become more closely integrated into the European economy, more and more men have shed their moustaches in a bid to appear modern and professional. But the mustache still plays an important role among in Turkish society and there is almost certainly a religious element as well.

United States

It is estimated by mustache historians that around 10 million men in America currently sport a mustache. At the last World Beard and Mustache Championships, held in Anchorage, Alaska, in May 2009, the United States topped the medal table, winning in every one of the mustache competitions.

Hungary

You know a country has a reputation for moustaches when it gets its own category of facial hair in the World Championships. The Hungarian mustache, known to some as the Wild West mustache, reflects the popularity of the mustache in the country over the course of history.

Bulgaria

Bulgarians' love of the mustache is bettered only by their loves of music, soccer and volleyball. Having spent many years under the influence of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria has transformed itself in recent times. Whether the mustache is set to go the same way as the Communist government of the pre-1990s remains to be seen.

Pakistan opens up; Malaysia goes conservative

2009-11-08T03:48:00.001-08:00

Khadi Collection Fashion Show

2009-11-08T03:28:00.001-08:00

Actor Priyanka Chopra at the Khadi Collection Fashion Show at Leela Kempinski, Mumbai. BCCL

Models walk the ramp to promote 'Khadi' during a fashion show in Kochi on Sunday. PTI

Actor Priyanka Chopra at the Khadi Collection Fashion Show at Leela Kempinski, Mumbai. BCCL

Khadi Collection Fashion Show at Leela Kempinski, Mumbai. BCCL

Singer Shaan performs at the Khadi Collection Fashion Show at Leela Kempinski, Mumbai. BCCL

Indian Coastguard conduct mock security drill

2009-11-08T03:15:00.001-08:00

Indian Coastguard conduct mock security drill

Indian Coastguard demonstrated a Pollution Response Exercise and conducted a mock security drill of searching suspected vessels in Arabian sea, almost a year after 26/11 attack in Mumbai. MUMBAI MIRROR

Lakshmi Mittal's daughter-in-law buys Germany's Escada

2009-11-07T20:40:00.001-08:00

The distressed German clothing group Escada has been sold to Megha Mittal, daughter-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Escada said without providing financial details.
An insolvency administrator signed late on Thursday a contract with Mittal Family Trusts, which represents Megha Mittal interests, a statement said.

"All key assets of Escada AG's operative business as well as shares in Escada AG's subsidiaries will be transferred to the Trust," it added.
The deal, which includes global brand rights, production facilities and sales outlets, must still be approved by competition authorities, but the German company's main creditors have given it a green light.

"I am relieved. Uncertainty for our staff, clients and suppliers is ended," board president Bruno Saelzer said.
"With the Mittal family we have found an excellent partner. Now we can focus on the future," he added.

Escada, which employs around 2,300 people worldwide, was forced to file for insolvency in mid August.
German press reports have estimated the sale price at around 30 million euros, to which might be added another 100 million in necessary investments over the next two years.

MTV Europe Awards

2009-11-07T20:33:00.001-08:00

Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Jay-Z

Jay-Z performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Shakira

Shakira performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Katy Perry

Katy Perry hosts the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Beyonce

Beyonce performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Tokio Hotel

Bill Kaulitz of German rock band Tokio Hotel performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Bono, Jay-Z

Bono of U2 and rapper Jay-Z perform during a free concert in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

U2

Irish rock band U2 perform a free concert in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

Life After The White House

2009-11-07T10:43:00.001-08:00

Former President George H W Bush (bottom) celebrates his 85th birthday by jumping with the Army's Golden Knight parachute team in Kennebunkport, June 12, 2009. REUTERS

Life after the White House

President George W Bush walks the South Lawn of the White House moments before departing the White House for the final time, January 20, 2009. REUTERS

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at the unveiling ceremony of hi presidential portrait in the East Room of the White House, June 14, 2004. REUTERS

Then President Bill Clinton poses with former Presidents George Bush, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter and first ladies, Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter in the State Dining Room of the White House, November 9, 2000. Clinton and the former presidents celebrated the 200th anniversary of the White House. REUTERS

Then President George W Bush meets with former President George H W Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House, January 7, 2009. REUTERS

Then President Bill Clinton steps from Air Force One with former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George Bush on their way to attend the funeral of Jordan's King Hussein, February 8, 1999. REUTERS

Former President George H W Bush leans out of a military helicopter as he departs the USS Fort McHenry for a tour of the tsunami affected areas in Aceh Province, Indonesia, February 20, 2005. REUTERS

Former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea share a moment during the dedication ceremony for the William J Clinton Presidential Center, in Little Rock, Arkansas, November 18, 2004. REUTERS

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shakes hands with former President Ronald Reagan as she participates in a birthday salute celebrating Reagan's 83rd birthday in Washington, February 3, 2000. REUTERS

Former President Jimmy Carter and Cuba's then President Fidel Castro listen to the Cuban national anthem prior to a baseball game in Havana, May 14, 2002. REUTERS

Former presidents and their wives at the funeral for former President Richard Nixon at his presidential library in Yorba Linda, California, April 27, 1994. From L to R are Bill and Hillary Clinton, George and Barbara Bush, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and Gerald and Betty Ford. REUTERS

Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford point in different directions while calling on reporters wanting to ask questions at a press conference in Panama City, May 5, 1989. Ford and Carter were in Panama as co-chairmen of a international delegation to observe Panamanian presidential elections. REUTERS

President Barack Obama speaks with former President Bill Clinton as they leave the stage at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, September 22, 2009. REUTERS

President Bill Clinton talks with former Presidents George Bush and Gerald Ford before the start of a round of golf in Indian Wells, February 15, 1995. REUTERS

Former President Gerald Ford, President Clinton and golfer Jack Nicklaus (L) study the Nicklaus-designed Country Club of the Rockies golf course near Vail, Colorado, August 14, 1993. REUTERS

President Richard M Nixon flashes the V-for-victory sign as he boards his Marine One helicopter for the last time on the South Lawn of the White House, August 9, 1974. REUTERS

Former Soviet leader Michail Gorbachev and his wife Raisa with former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy, at the Reagan ranch in the Santa Ynez mountains near Santa Barbara, May 3, 1992. REUTERS

Former President Ronald Reagan (second from left) is joined by President George Bush (L) and former Presidents (L-R) Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon at the opening ceremony of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, November 4, 1991. REUTERS

Former US President Gerald Ford arrives for a private visit with former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in Hamburg, August 29, 1985. REUTERS

Former President Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy pose for photographers with actress Eva Gabor and Merv Griffin at the fourth annual Nancy Reagan Tennis Tournament, October 10, 1992. REUTERS

President Richard Nixon gives his farewell speech to members of his cabinet and staff in the East Room of the White House following his resignation, August 9, 1974. REUTERS

Former President Jimmy Carter stands in front of the controversial Israeli barrier during a visit to the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah, August 27, 2009. REUTERS

Top-earning celebrities

2009-11-07T09:44:00.001-08:00

No 1: Talk show host Oprah Winfrey was the highest-earning celebrity this year with an estimated income of $275 million according to Forbes. REUTERS

George Lucas

2: George Lucas came second with estimated earnings of $170 million. REUTERS

Steven Spielberg

3:Steven Spielberg is third with $150 million. REUTERS

Madonna

4: Madonna took home $110 million this year. REUTERS

Tiger Woods

4: As did Tiger Woods. REUTERS

Jerry Bruckheimer

6: Jerry Bruckheimer is sixth with $100 million. REUTERS

Beyonce

7: Beyonce is seventh with $87 million. REUTERS

Jerry Seinfeld

8: Jerry Seinfeld is eighth with $85 million. REUTERS

Dr Phil McGraw

9: Dr Phil McGraw is ninth with $80 million. REUTERS

Simon Cowell

10: Simon Cowell is tenth with $75 million. REUTERS

Tyler Perry

10: Along with Filmmaker Tyler Perry. REUTERS

Bruce Springsteen

12: Bruce Springsteen is twelfth with $70 million. REUTERS

Coldplay

12: Along with Coldplay. REUTERS

Howard Stern

12: And radio host Howard Stern. REUTERS

Harrison Ford

15: And actor Harrison Ford rounds out the top fifteen with an estimated $65 million in earnings this year. REUTERS

20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall

2009-11-06T20:28:00.001-08:00

Photo taken Oct 31, 2009 at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin shows a photo of US President Ronald Reagan acknowledging the crowd after his speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, where he said 'Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!', on June 12, 1987. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

People look at a billboard featuring portraits of people and their recollections of the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, at Berlin's KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) department store, rebaptised KaDeBe (Kaufhaus der Berliner, meaning Department store of Berliners instead of the usual Department store of the West) for the occasion, on November 5, 2009. Berlin has caught wall fever ahead of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall on November 9. Sign in window reads: 'Where were you on the 9th of November 1989?' AFP

Photo taken Oct 26, 2009 near the Reichstag in Berlin shows a photo of Berlin children playing on the remains of the Berlin Wall near West Berlin's Reichstag building, February 20, 1990, where East German border troops began tearing down the wall. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

Photo taken Nov 1, 2009 at former border crossing at Heinrich-Heine-Strasse in Berlin shows a photo of US President Richard Nixon looking across the communist wall into East Germany, from West Berlin, on Feb 27, 1969, during his stay in the divided city. Then German Chancellor Kurt Kiesinger is seen behind Nixon. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

Photo taken Oct 31, 2009 at the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin shows a photo of then Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter pointing toward East Berlin and the wall during a visit on May 20, 1973 in West Berlin. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

A replica in chocolate of the painting representing East German leader Erich Honecker and his Soviet counterpart Leonid Brezhnev made by a graffiti artist on the Berlin Wall in 1990, is displayed in the shop of French chocolate maker Patrick Roger in Paris, Thursday, Nov 5, 2009. Patrick Roger who was named in 2000, 'Best French Chocolatier' created several parts of the Berlin Wall to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall. AP

A worker walks through the reconstructed so called 'Death Strip' at the Wall Remembrance Memorial Bernauer Strasse in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov 5, 2009, during preparations for the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall on Nov 9, 2009. AP

French Patrick Roger who was named in 2000, 'Best French Chocolatier', works on his new creation, a replica of the Berlin Wall, in Sceaux, south of Paris, Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009. French chocolate maker Patrick Roger will break the 12 meters high and 100 Kilograms chocolate wall on Monday, November 9, to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

Photo taken Oct 26, 2009 at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin shows a photo of Checkpoint Charlie as he it is visited by US President John F Kennedy on June 26, 1963. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

Russian artist Dmitry Vrubel poses in front of his artwork showing East German leader Erich Honecker kissing his Soviet counterpart, Leonid Brezhnev, left, at Madame Tussauds in Berlin, Thursday, November 5, 2009. Madame Tussauds presented the painting to the public as part of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. AP

Part of Berlin Wall displayed in Seoul

People walk past a section of the Berlin Wall displayed at Berlin Plaza in central Seoul on November 5, 2009. REUTERS

20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall

German and European Union flags flutter in central Brussels near the European Council headquarters, a day before a EU leaders meeting, in this March 7, 2007 file photo. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Helmut Kohl's dream of a united Germany leading to a politically united Europe remains unfinished business. REUTERS

'Fall of the wall' edition Teddy bear

A special 'fall of the wall' edition Teddy bear, holding a piece of the orignal Berlin wall is for sale at Berlin's KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) department store, rebaptised KaDeBe (Kaufhaus der Berliner, meaning Department store of Berliners instead of the usual Department store of the West) for the occasion, on November 5, 2009. Berlin has caught wall fever ahead of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall on November 9. AFP

Toyota Motor launches new Mark X sedan car

2009-11-06T18:19:00.001-08:00

A Toyota Mark X sedan car is dispayed in a showroom in Tokyo on November 5, 2009. The compact luxury sedan, which features a gasoline-electric hybrid system with a 2.4-liter engine, will go on sale in Japan on December 7. AFP

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda arrives at a press conference to unveil Toyota's redesigned Mark X sedan in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. The conventional gasoline-powered Mark X with better fuel efficiency will be sold in the domestic market with a starting price of 2.38 million yen (US$26,240. AP

Toyota Motors President Akio Toyoda (R) walks beside the company's new Mark X sedan during a press preview in Tokyo on October 19, 2009. Toyota launched the new domestic model Mark X equiped with 2.5 or 3.5-litre V6 engine onto Japanese market from October 19. AFP

Toyota President Akio Toyoda with VP Takeshi Uchiyamada

Toyota Motors President Akio Toyoda (R) answers a question beside vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada (R) beside the company's new Mark X sedan during a press preview in Tokyo on October 19, 2009. Toyota launched the new domestic model Mark X equiped with 2.5 or 3.5-litre V6 engine onto Japanese market from October 19. AFP

Toyota President in front of new Mark X sedan

Toyota Motors President Akio Toyoda (R) walks in front of the company's new Mark X sedan during a press preview in Tokyo on October 19, 2009. Toyota launched the new domestic model Mark X equiped with 2.5 or 3.5-litre V6 engine onto Japanese market from October 19. AFP

China’s Fashion Week

2009-11-05T20:05:00.001-08:00

A model wears makeup by Mao Geping cosmetics during the Mao Geping Image Design Art School release at China's Fashion week in Beijing, China. (AP)

A model presents a creation by Chinese designer at China Fashion Week in Beijing November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

A model presents a creation by Chinese designer Mao Geping at China Fashion Week Show in Beijing. (REUTERS)

Models present creations by Chinese designer at China Fashion Week Show in Beijing on November 5, 2009. (REUTERS)

A model presents a creation by Chinese designer Mao Geping at China Fashion Week in Beijing. (REUTERS)

A model gestures while getting her fake fingernails retouched as she prepares to go on the catwalk ahead of the Mao Geping Image Design Art School release at China's Fashion week in Beijing, China. (AP)

A model presents a creation by Chinese designer Mao Geping at China Fashion Week in Beijing. (REUTERS)

Best Pics Of The Day

2009-11-05T10:53:00.001-08:00

Tendulkar completes 17,000 runs in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar runs between the wickets as he completes his 17,000 runs during their fifth one-day international (ODI) cricket match against Australia in Hyderabad on November 5, 2009. Tendulkar extended his record one-day aggregate to 17,000 runs on Thursday in his 20th season in international cricket. REUTERS

S Africa cancels deal to buy Airbus planes

The Airbus A400M military aircraft rolls on the tarmac during the official presentation in Seville, Southern Spain. South Africa has cancelled a deal to buy eight Airbus A400M military transport planes due to hefty cost overruns and delivery delays, a govt spokesman said on November 5, 2009. AFP File Photo

Picasso and the Japanese erotic prints

A man looks at the drawing 'El Virgo' by Pablo Picasso, part of the exhibition 'Secret Imagenes - Picasso and the Japanese erotic prints' at the Museo Picasso in Barcelona on November 5, 2009. AFP

Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi

A model presents a creation by Pakistani designers during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009. The fashion week is delayed due to ongoing militant violence and security fears which kept foreign guests away. AP

GM's shock refusal to sell Opel sparks protest

A 'stop' sign is seen to an Opel logo at the plant of carmaker Opel in Kaiserslautern, western Germany, on November 5, 2009, during a protest one day after General Motors' shock refusal to sell its European unit Opel and plan to cut some 10,000 jobs. GM wants to slash costs by 30 per cent at Opel, which would mean the elimination of about 10,000 jobs from a workforce of around 50,000, GM vice president John Smith told a telephone news conference on November 5. AFP

Renault CEO, French Minister sign agreement

Renault SA Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn (C) and French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi (L) sign an agreement during a visit to the Renault car factory in Flins, near Paris on November 5, 2009. Ghosn said Renault-Nissan will create a joint venture with the FSI investment fund and atomic energy agency CEA to produce Electric Vehicle car batteries and to invest 600 million euros in research and development in Flins. REUTERS

Women's Snowboard Half-Pipe FIS World Cup 2009

Torah Jane Bright of Australia competes during the final of the women's Snowboard Half-Pipe FIS World Cup 2009 event on the Allalin glacier in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, Thursday, Nov 5, 2009. AP

Garden of Remembrance

Faces on crosses are placed in the Garden of Remembrance to honour Britain's fallen servicemen and women at Westminster Abbey in London, on November 5, 2009. Prince Philip,The Duke of Edinburgh honoured Britain's fallen servicemen and women on Thursday as he opened the Royal British Legion's Field of Remembrance. He paid tribute to the war dead by placing a cross at the site in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in London. AFP

'Fall of the wall' edition Teddy bear

Heavy rains in Chennai

A rider wades through a flooded road on his horse cart after heavy rains in Chennai on November 5, 2009. REUTERS

UK soldiers prepare for Afghan

Members of the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) practice low-visibility 'dust landing' in an ancient sea bed that is now a dry desert in Imperial County during Merlin Helicopter training out of Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro in Exercise MERLIN VORTEX on November 4, 2009 near El Centro, California.(AFP)

TATA motor launched

TATA motor launched a new car Manza at Ahmedabad on Tuesday. October 27, 2009.(BCCL)

Bosnia Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Pakistani fashion designer Saim Ali, during the Sarajevo Fashion Week in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, on Nov. 4, 2009. (AP)

Bosnia Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Pakistani fashion designer Saim Ali, during the Sarajevo Fashion Week in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, on Nov. 4, 2009. (AP)

Champions League

Arsenal's Abou Diaby, center, scores past AZ Alkmaar's Niklas Moisander, left, and goalkeeper Sergio Romero during the Champions League Group H soccer match between Arsenal and AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium in London, on Nov. 4, 2009. (AP)

100 Days to Vancouver Celebration

Ice dancers Melissa Gregory-Petukov and Denis Petukov perform during the 100 Days to Vancouver Celebration on November 4, 2009 at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. (AFP)

2010 Winter Olympics

Torchbearer Erika Tizya-Tramm carries the Olympic flame in Old Crow, Yukon, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics torch relay. The 106-day relay will visit more than a thousand communities in its trip across Canada's provinces and territories by the time it reaches the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Games on Feb. 12, 2010. (AP)

2009 Soul Train Awards

Rocko and Recording Artist Monica attends the 2009 Soul Train Awards at the Georgia World Congress Center on November 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (AFP)

Roger Federer

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a ball to Italy's Andreas Seppi during their round of sixteen match at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, on Nov. 4, 2009. (AP)

Breeder's Cup 2009

Diamondrella during a morning workout in preparation for the Breeder's Cup 2009 at the Santa Anita Race Track on November 4, 2009 in Arcadia, California. (AFP)

Top 10 Women Of The Year

2009-11-05T10:16:00.001-08:00

Serena Williams

US tennis player Serena Williams smiles during a book signing at Harrods department store in London, on November 2, 2009. (AFP)
Serena Williams was also chosen as a Woman of the Year. 2009 saw Serena releasing an autobiography, opening a secondary school in Kenya, and winning more prize money than any female athlete in the history of sports. (REUTERS)

Susan Rice

US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice participates in a briefing on Sudan with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department on October 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. (AFP)
US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, the first-ever African American female in her position, is leading a crusade at the United Nations to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence. (REUTERS)

Maria Shriver

First Lady of California Maria Shriver continues to helm the California Women's Conference, a growing mecca for female empowerment. And lately she's pioneering a massive study designed to shed light on policies that will help women manage their muti-role lives. (REUTERS)

Amy Poehler

Actress Amy Poehler's role in reviving Saturday Night Live cemented her reputation as one of the most important female comedians at work today. Poehler views her work as a stealth mission to help empower young women. (REUTERS)

Marissa Mayer

R J Pittman, Director of Product Management at Google speaks, as Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Product and User Experience at Google watches, during the 'Discover Music!' event at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California October 28, 2009. (REUTERS)
Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Product and User Experience at Google, has played a pivotal role in developing all the company's offerings, from Gmail to Google Earth. Among her biggest goals is bringing more women into the technology workforce. (REUTERS)

Laura Ling & Euna Lee

American journalists Laura Ling (top) and Euna Lee travelled to Asia to investigate the plight of North Korean women crossing the border into China only to become victims of human trafficking. But after stepping into North Korean territory, the two were arrested and jailed for 140 days. They were freed in August 2009. (REUTERS)

Maya Angelou

US poet Maya Angelou continues to write and teach at the age of 81. The former confidante of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X has written widely on her personal dealings with childhood rape, teenage motherhood and racism. (REUTERS)

Stella McCartney

British designer Stella McCartney reacts at the end of her Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 5, 2009. (REUTERS) British designer Stella McCartney, who came to prominence as the chief designer for Chloe at the startling age of 25 - before launching her own company, is pushing ahead with new lines for Adidas and GapKids. (REUTERS)

Michelle Obama

And US first lady Michelle Obama was picked by Glamour for special recognition. A devoted mother, and the great-great-granddaughter of a slave, the first lady has earned the respect of the world by staying disarmingly normal despite the challenges of her new role. (REUTERS)

Indigenous Nations’ Games

2009-11-05T10:02:00.001-08:00

Members of Brazil's Kaiapo nation

Members of Brazil's Kaiapo nation compete in a tug of war during the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil November 3, 2009. Some 600 Brazilian Indians from 29 ethnic groups will compete in sporting events for the tenth edition of the games. (Reuters)

A warrior of Brazil's Pataxo nation

A warrior of Brazil's Pataxo nation watches the first day of competition in the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

Members of Brazil's Enawene Nawe nation

Members of Brazil's Enawene Nawe nation compete in a tug of war during the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

Members of Brazil's Assurini nation

Members of Brazil's Assurini nation compete in a tug of war during the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

A member of Brazil's Xikrin nation

A member of Brazil's Xikrin nation looks on before the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil November 2, 2009. (Reuters)

Native Brazilians

Native Brazilians participate on the first day of competition in the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

Members of Brazil's Bororo Boi nation

Members of Brazil's Bororo Boi nation watch the first day of competition in the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

A member of Brazil's Manoki Irantxe nation

A member of Brazil's Manoki Irantxe nation watches the first day of competition in the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

A warrior of Brazil's Pataxo nation

A warrior of Brazil's Pataxo nation watches on the first day of competition in the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

Members of Brazil's Terena nation

Members of Brazil's Terena nation play music and dance during the opening day of the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, northern Brazil November 3, 2009. (Reuters)

A member of Brazil's Xikrin nation

A member of Brazil's Xikrin nation looks on before the Indigenous Nations' Games in Pagagominas, north Brazil November 2, 2009. (Reuters)

SEMA Show In Las Vegas, Nevada

2009-11-05T09:39:00.001-08:00

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

A custom 2010 Chevrolet Camaro with a wide-body kit and Asanti rims is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

TRAX STI

The TRAX STI, a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which comes with a custom sleigh, is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

Ford Cobra Jet

The Ford Cobra Jet, based on the 2010 Mustang, is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The Cobra Jet is a factory-built race car intended for stock car racing. Ford plans to build only 50 of them. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

2010 Ford Transit Connect

A man looks into a 2010 Ford Transit Connect customize 'Travel Inn' with a pull out grill and mini-kitchen, entertainment system and upper level bed for two, at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

2010 Hyundai Genisis Coupe

A 2010 Hyundai Genisis Coupe is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

2010 Ford Mustang Boy Racer

A 2010 Ford Mustang Boy Racer customized by 3dCarbon is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

2010 Honda Element

A 2010 Honda Element, customized to be dog friendly, is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

2009 Jeep

A custom 2009 Jeep is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

1957 Chevrolet CamAir

A man looks at a customize 1957 Chevrolet CamAir pickup truck at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

GMC truck

A GMC truck with a custom paint job is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. General Motors said on November 3 that total sales rose to 177,603 units in October from 170,585 a year ago, marking the first year-on-year gain since January 2008, according to MarketWatch. (AFP)

E-Rod crate motor

General Motors new E-Rod crate motor, which passes the most stringent smog tests in the US, makes its debut in a 1955 Chevy on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

Ford truck

A customized Ford truck is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. The trade show runs from Nov 3-6. (AFP)

Ford 2007 F-250 truck

A custom Ford 2007 F-250 truck with patriotic paint finish is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

2010 Dodge Challenger

A custom convertible 2010 Dodge Challenger is on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

Interior detail of a customize 1957 Chevrolet CamAir

The interior detail of a customize 1957 Chevrolet CamAir pickup truck at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2009. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is a trade show which focuses on the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry. (AFP)

China’s PLA Air Force Rehearses For 60th Anniversary

2009-11-05T09:12:00.001-08:00

A female soldier makes a parachute jump

A female soldier wearing traditional costumes makes a parachute jump during a rehearsal for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the founding of China Air Force near an airport on the outskirts of Beijing, November 3, 2009.
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) airforce will put its most advanced warplanes on display in the suburbs of Beijing in November, to mark the 60th founding anniversary of the PLA airforce, an airforce officer said. REUTERS

J-7GB fighter jet aerobatic team performs

J-7GB fighter jet aerobatic team of China Air Force performs a manoeuvre during a rehearsal for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the founding of China Air Force near an airport on the outskirts of Beijing, November 3, 2009.
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) airforce will put its most advanced warplanes on display in the suburbs of Beijing in November, to mark the 60th founding anniversary of the PLA airforce, an airforce officer said. REUTERS

Aerobatic team performs a manoeuvre

PLA parachutists perform during a rehearsal

Chinese People's Liberation Army parachutists are seen during a rehearsal for the PLA Air Force's 60th anniversary celebrations in Beijing, China. The Chinese PLA Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2009. AP

PLA fighter jets perform a manoeuvre

Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force fighter jets are seen during a rehearsal for the PLA Air Force's 60th anniversary celebrations in Beijing, China. The Chinese PLA Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2009. AP

Fighter jets perform during a rehearsal

Fighter jets perform a manoeuvre

Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force fighter jets are seen during a rehearsal for the PLA Air Force's 60th anniversary celebrations in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The Chinese PLA Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2009. AP

PLA parachutists perform during a rehearsal

Chinese People's Liberation Army parachutists are seen during a rehearsal for the PLA Air Force's 60th anniversary celebrations in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The Chinese PLA Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Nov. 11, 2009. AP

Rare Taliban Photos

2009-11-05T08:28:00.001-08:00

Taliban militants with weapons

Taliban militants are seen with their weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on January 16, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban fighters detaining a man

Taliban fighters pose with weapons while detaining a man for campaigning for presidential candidate Mullah Abdul Salam Rocketi in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on August 19, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban fighter looks through binoculars

A Taliban fighter looks through binoculars in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on July 14, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban fighter poses for picture

Taliban fighters pose for pictures in an undisclosed location in the south of Afghanistan on May 13, 2008.REUTERS

Taliban militants greet each other

Taliban fighters greet each other at an undisclosed location in the Laghman province in southern Afghanistan on November 23, 2006.REUTERS

Taliban militants at undisclosed location

Taliban militants are seen with their weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on January 16, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban fighters on motorbikes

Taliban fighters ride on motorbikes in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on July 14, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban militants

Taliban militants are seen with their weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on January 30, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban fighters

Taliban fighters pose with weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan on October 30, 2009.REUTERS

Taliban vehicles

An undated video grab shows Taliban vehicles in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan.REUTERS

Taliban fighters at an undisclosed location

Taliban fighters gather at an undisclosed location in the Laghman province in southern Afghanistan on November 23, 2006.REUTERS

Pics Of The Week

2009-11-05T08:03:00.001-08:00

Pedestrians take picture at Lehman Brothers building

Pedestrians stop to take a photo at the Lehman Brothers building in New York. REUTERS

A city worker laughs at an spontaneous art installation

A city worker laughs at an spontaneous art installation of wilting flowers and messages topped with a plaque reading 'in loving memory of the boom economy' in the City of London. REUTERS

'Credit Crunch' chocolates

"Credit Crunch" chocolates are seen for sale in Selfridges department store in London. REUTERS

A boy dressed in a Depression-era period costume

Jeremy Conway, 13, sells apples while dressed in a Depression-era period costume outside the New York Stock Exchange. REUTERS

Jobless university graduate

Jobless university graduate David Rowe wears a sandwich board advertising his search for employment as he walks along Fleet Street in central London. REUTERS

1930s Depression-era themed party

Guests mingle at a 1930s Depression-era themed party in the Belvedere palace in Potsdam. REUTERS

A sign in a shop window

A sign in a shop window in central London, December 18, 2008. REUTERS

A sign in a shop window

A sign in a shop window in central London, December 18, 2008. REUTERS

A graduate carries a sign

Alexander Hendren, a 2007 graduate of Amherst College, carries a sign while looking for work in Palo Alto, California. REUTERS

Performers acting out

Performers act out a performance in Singapore's financial district. REUTERS

Evolution of manned spaceflight

2009-11-05T07:38:00.001-08:00

Visitors to Spaceport USA at the Kennedy Space Center walk between launch vehicles used during Project Mercury October 27, 1998. At left is an Atlas-Mercury rocket similar to the one flown by John Glenn on his Friendship 7 mission on February 20, 1962. At right is a Mercury-Redstone rocket similar to the one flown by Alan Shepard. REUTERS

Astronaut Walter M. Schirra is seated in the Gemini 6 spacecraft in this December 8, 1965 file photo. REUTERS

The first American spacewalk, conducted in 1965 by Gemini 4 astronaut Ed White, is seen during a screening of a selection from over 100 hours of high definition archival footage of space travel that Discovery Communications is returning to NASA, on Capitol Hill in Washington May 6, 2008. REUTERS

This NASA remote camera file image shows the July 16, 1969 launching of Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the Moon, from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex in Florida. REUTERS

This NASA file image shows the July 16, 1969 launching of Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the moon, at the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex in Florida. REUTERS

This NASA file image shows U.S. astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, one of three Apollo 11 astronauts, during the lunar landing mission on July 20, 1969. REUTERS

The Apollo 11 lunar module "Eagle" bearing astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, returns to the command module "Columbia" July 21 1969 following its historic landing on the moon's surface. REUTERS

Soyuz TM20 spacecraft is transported to the launching pad at Baikonur cosmodrome October 3, 1994 before carrying an international crew to the orbital station Mir. REUTERS

Russian cosmonauts Alexander Serebrov (top) and Vasily Tsebliyev (bottom) wave to the crowd with French colleague Jean-Pierre Haignere before boarding the Soyuz TM-17 spacecraft and lifting off on a mission to the Mir space station July 1st, 1993. REUTERS

The Soyuz rocket is fixed on a position on the launch pad at dawn January 27, 1998. REUTERS

Soyuz spacecraft with three cosmonauts, Sergei Avdeev, Yuri Gudzenko, and Thomas Reiter, takes off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan September 3, 1995. REUTERS

The astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis take one final picture of the Russian Mir space station and the Soyuz capsule after seperating from them July 4, 1995. The Atlantis was joined with the Russian space station for five days. REUTERS

The space shuttle Atlantis is rolled to launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida August 2, 2006. REUTERS

A NASA television camera operator prepares for a press conference as the sun rises at launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida February 22, 2007. REUTERS

The space shuttle Atlantis leaves the vehicle assembly building on its way to launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida September 4, 2008. REUTERS

The space shuttle Discovery is reflected in a nearby lagoon on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, March 11, 2009. REUTERS

Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off on a mission to the International Space Station from it's launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 15, 2009. REUTERS

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 23, 2007. REUTERS

A resident on a kayak watches as the space shuttle Discovery leaves the launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 23, 2007. REUTERS

Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earth's horizon, the International Space Station moves away from the Space Shuttle Atlantis in this digital photograph taken by an Atlantis crew member June 19, 2007. REUTERS

Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 19/20 flight engineer, takes pictures out the forward Kibo or JEM window of the International Space Station as the Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches for docking July 17, 2009. REUTERS

Endeavour astronauts (L-R) Tracy Caldwell, Barbara Morgan and Commander Scott Kelly perform a group somersault at the request of a TV interviewer during a news conference from inside the International Space Station's Destiny module in this view from NASA TV August 14, 2007. REUTERS

The Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship, the Long-March II-F rocket and the escape tower are transferred to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province September 20, 2008. REUTERS

Chinese watch the launch of China's first manned space flight at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the northwestern province of Gansu October 15, 2003. The Long March CZ-2F rocket carrying China's first astronaut Yang Liwei lifted off from the Gobi Desert and entered its predetermined orbit in the launch the official Xinhua news agency declared a success. REUTERS

Migrant workers watch a TV showing the Long-March II-F rocket carrying the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Hefei, Anhui province September 25, 2008. REUTERS

Astronaut Zhai Zhigang of China waves as he exits the Shenzhou VII space craft in this September 27, 2008 video grab. Zhai became the first Chinese man to walk in space on Saturday, clambering out of the space craft in a technological feat that Beijing wants the world to marvel about. REUTERS

Soldiers watch the Long March CZ-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou VI blast off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, October 12, 2005. REUTERS

The Launch plane WhiteKnight, with SpaceShipOne attached, is rolled out from it's hangar to begin the historic flight of the world's first privately funded rocket plane beyond Earth's atmosphere at the Mojave Airport in California, June 21, 2004. SpaceShipOne, designed by legendary aerospace designer Burt Rutan and is funded by billionaire Paul Allen. REUTERS

A mock-up of the cabin of the Virgin Galactic Spaceship Two is seen on display at the Science Museum in London February 14, 2007. The spaceship is the first vehicle for space tourism, which could take tourists to space. REUTERS

SpaceShipOne pilot Michael Melvill waves from an open window as the launch plane WhiteKnight heads down the runway with SpaceShipOne attached as it begins the historic flight of the world's first privately funded rocket plane beyond Earth's atmosphere at the Mojave Airport in California June 21, 2004. SpaceShipOne, designed by legendary aerospace designer Burt Rutan and funded by billionaire Paul Allen, will fly to a height of 62 miles officially making test pilot Michael Melvill an astronaut. REUTERS

The Launch plane WhiteKnight heads takes off with SpaceShipOne attached as it begins the historic flight of the world's first privately funded rocket plane beyond Earth's atmosphere at the Mojave Airport in California June 21, 2004. REUTERS

The launch plane WhiteKnight with SpaceShipOne attached (top) is followed by a chase plane as it climbs during its historic flight, in one of the world's first privately funded rocket planes to soar beyond Earth's atmosphere, at the Mojave Airport in California, June 21, 2004. REUTERS

SpaceShipOne fires its rocket after separating from WhiteKnight during the historic flight beyond Earth's atmosphere, over the Mojave Airport in California, June 21, 2004. REUTERS

Pilot Brian Binnie stands atop SpaceShipOne after winning the $10 million Ansari X Prize in Mojave, California October 4, 2004. Paul Allen (R), principle investor in the project, Sir Richard Branson(L) of Virgin Galactic Airlines and designer Burt Rutan watch as the spacecraft makes its way down the runway at Mojave Airport. The prize was awarded after SpaceShipOne became the first commercial spaceship to reach suborbit in two successful attempts. REUTERS

The towering 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket moves towards launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 20, 2009. The rocket is considered to be the next step in replacing the aging space shuttle fleet. REUTERS

The Ares I-X test rocket (rear) sits on launch pad 39B during sunset at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, October 26, 2009. REUTERS

The Ares 1-X test rocket lifts off on a six-minute suborbital flight from launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida October 28, 2009. REUTERS

NASA has terminated its experimental X-33 space plane project that had been envisioned as a lower-cost successor to the aging space shuttle fleet for missions into orbit, space agency officials announced March 1, 2001. NASA said it spent $912 million on the project, hoping to create an effective new-generation reusable spacecraft to transport people and cargo into space. The X-33 is seen in a 1999 artist rendering. REUTERS

A computer-generated image of a EADS Atrium aircraft which will enable space tourists to experience weightlessness that will carry passengers briefly outside the earth's atmosphere from 2012. The aircraft, about the size of an executive jet will be able to carry four passengers around 100 kilometres from the earth, where they will be able to experience about three minutes of weightlessness and see the curve of the earth at a price of between 150,000-200,000 euros ($199,500-$265,900), it was announced in Paris on Wednesday June 13, 2007. REUTERS

A new lunar lander, which has a similar design to the Apollo lander but can carry and support twice as many astronauts for twice as long as the Apollo model could, is pictured in this handout image released September 19, 2005. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration unveiled the results of a study to create a blueprint for their next generation of spacecraft to go to the moon, Mars and beyond. REUTERS

A gibbous moon is visible above Earth's atmosphere, photographed by an STS-128 crew member on the Space Shuttle Discovery, during flight day three activities in this NASA handout photo taken August 30, 2009. REUTERS

View of tanker

2009-11-02T07:58:00.001-08:00

A ruptured fuel line on a Panamanian-registered tanker released oil into San Francisco Bay before dawn on Friday.AFP

View of ruptured oil line

The US Coast Guard said the source of Friday's spill, from the tanker Dubai Star, was contained within hours and that a cleanup was under way. AFP

Anchored oil tanker

The oil tanker Dubai Star sits anchored in the San Francisco Bay October 30, 2009 in San Francisco, California.AFP

Oil boom extends from the tanker

An oil boom extends from the rear of the oil tanker Dubai Star as it sits anchored in the San Francisco Bay October 30, 2009 in San Francisco.AFP

Spill occurred across the San Francisco bay

The spill occurred near the Oakland Airport, across the bay from San Francisco.AFP

Amount of spill unknown

It is unknown how much oil was spilled into the bay and crews are beginning to start clean up operations.AFP

Aerial view of the tanker

The Dubai Star oil tanker is seen in an aerial view off the coast of San Francisco.AP

Top 10 US bankruptcies

2009-11-02T07:17:00.001-08:00

CIT Group's filing for bankruptcy protection is the fifth-largest in US history.
Here are the top 10 US bankruptcy filings, based on the companies' most recent annual report before filing for bankruptcy protection, according to BankruptcyData.com.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc

Company: Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc
Bankruptcy Date: September 15, 2008
Assets: $691.06 billion

Washington Mutual Inc

Company: Washington Mutual Inc
Bankruptcy Date: September 26, 2008
Assets: $327.91 billion

WorldCom Inc

Company: WorldCom Inc
Bankruptcy Date: July 21, 2002
Assets: $103.91 billion

General Motors Corporation

Company: General Motors Corporation
Bankruptcy Date: June 1, 2009
Assets: $91.05 billion-x
x denotes, GM listed $91.05 billion in assets in its annual report as of Dec. 31, 2008, but listed $82.29 billion in assets as of March 31, 2009, in its bankruptcy petition.

CIT

Company: CIT Group Inc
Bankruptcy Date: November 1, 2009
Assets: $71 billion

Enron Corporation

Company: Enron Corporation
Bankruptcy Date: December 2, 2001
Assets: $65.50 billion

Conseco Inc

Company: Conseco Inc
Bankruptcy Date: December 17, 2002
Assets: $61.39 billion

Chrysler LLC

Company: Chrysler LLC
Bankruptcy Date: April 30, 2009
Assets: $39.30 billion

Thornburg Mortgage Inc

Company: Thornburg Mortgage Inc
Bankruptcy Date: May 1, 2009
Assets: $36.52 billion

Pacific Gas and Electric Co

Company: Pacific Gas and Electric Co
Bankruptcy Date: April 6, 2001
Assets: $36.15 billion

Best Pictures Of The Day

2009-11-01T21:14:00.001-08:00

People watch an acrobat in Senegal

People watch as an acrobat practices flips at Yoff beach in Senegal's capital Dakar. REUTERS

West Atlas oil rig is seen burning

In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, image provided by PTTEP Australasia the West Atlas oil rig is seen burning about 150 miles (250 kilometers) off Australia's northwest coast. The fire started while workers made another attempt to plug the hole that has been leaking an estimated 400 barrels of oil a day since Aug. 21. AP

All Saints' Day

A man walks around the general cemetery of Managua, on All Saints' Day on November 1, 2009 -- a holiday when Christians remember their deceased loved ones. AFP

Surfer Bruhwiler carries the Olympic Torch

Surfer Bruhwiler carries the Olympic Torch while coming ashore along Pacific Rim National Park just outside Tofino Surfer Raph Bruhwiler carries the Olympic Torch while coming ashore along Pacific Rim National Park just outside Tofino, British Columbia November 1, 2009. The torch was carried out to far west coast of Canada on the third day of its 106-day journey leading to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. REUTERS

Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys

A general view of play between the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. AFP

Obama at gubernatorial campaign rally

US President Barack Obama speaks during a gubernatorial campaign rally for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine (R) November 1, 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. AFP

Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AP

LIFE IN COLOUR GREEN

2009-11-01T20:55:00.001-08:00

Wild Life

2009-11-01T20:34:00.001-08:00

Pics Of 31.10.2009

2009-11-01T07:07:00.001-08:00

BT Tower in London

Fireworks explode over the illuminated BT Tower in London October 31, 2009. The event was part of a three day celebration to mark the 1000 day countdown to the London 2012 Olympic games. REUTERS

President Obama and his wife

US President Barack Obama (C) and his wife Michelle Obama (R) give out treats at a reception for children of military and White House staff families during Halloween at the White House in Washington October 31, 2009.REUTERS

Snow covered plane

Airport workers drive a luggage cart past a plane covered in snow at Beijing's international airport November 1, 2009. The first snowfall for the winter season fell on the Chinese capital early this morning.REUTERS

Italian innovations during recession

Italy-design/recession A worker is seen in the Alessi factory in the northern industrial town of Omegna September 17, 2009.REUTERS

A ceramic statue of Saint Don Bosco

A ceramic statue of Saint Don Bosco, founder of the Salesian religious order, is viewed by Roman Catholics as it arrives at the metropolitan cathedral of Asuncion October 31, 2009.REUTERS

Worker in Italian factory

A woman works in the Alessi factory in the northern industrial town of Omegna September 17, 2009.REUTERS

Beauty pageant in Thailand

A transvestite performs at the Miss International Queen 2009 transvestite beauty pageant Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Pattaya, Thailand.AP

Madonna's shoes

A pair of Madonna's Christian Dior shoes with autographed skyscraper gold heels donated by the pop star to a charity are seen at the late Romanian communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's palace, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday night, Oct. 31, 2009.AP

Cowichan Band member runs the Olympic Torch

Cowichan Band member Amber Tommy (R) runs the Olympic Torch around the reservation during a stop in Duncan, British Columbia October 31, 2009.REUTERS

Mountain Dew 250

Kyle Busch, driver of the #51 Miccosukee Resort Toyota, celebrates by doing a burnout on track after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Mountain Dew 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 31, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama.AFP

Halloween celebrations throughout the world

2009-11-01T06:44:00.001-08:00

A reveler, subscribing to Fantasy Fest's 'Villains, Vixens and Vampires' theme walks in the Masquerade March in Key West, Fla. Fantasy Fest is Key West's annual 10-day masking and costuming festival that concludes, Nov 1, but is to be highlighted by a decadent Halloween night grand parade down Duval Street, the island's main drag. (AP)

A child in fancy attends a charity Halloween parade in Hong Kong. Halloween -- a named taken from 'All Hallows' Even' falls on the day before All Saints' Day on November 1 -- a holiday when Christians remember their deceased loved ones.

Clad in Halloween costumes, people walk through a mall during the 13th Halloween Parade in Kawasaki, suburban Tokyo. Some 100,000 weekend shoppers attended the annual parade in which 3,000 people took part.

Participants march in the 13th annual Halloween parade in Kawasaki near Tokyo.

Papier-mch arms are on display atop a float as they proceed in a street at the 13th annual Halloween parade in Kawasaki, near Tokyo.

An Indonesian girl dresses up as a Japanese Manga character as she participates in a Halloween costume competition to celebrate Halloween day in Jakarta. Halloween -- a named taken from 'All Hallows' Even' falls on the day before All Saints' Day on November 1 -- a holiday when Christians remember their deceased loved ones. Although the fete is largely devoid of religious meaning today, its antecedents are in fact pagan, with origins in ancient Celtic observances marking the end of summer and, some say, paying homage to the netherworld. (AFP)

Two girls perform during a Halloween costume competition to celebrate Halloween in Jakarta. Halloween -- a named taken from 'All Hallows' Even' falls on the day before All Saints' Day on November 1 -- a holiday when Christians remember their deceased loved ones. Although the fete is largely devoid of religious meaning today, its antecedents are in fact pagan, with origins in ancient Celtic observances marking the end of summer and, some say, paying homage to the netherworld. (AFP)

A woman dressed as a zombie Geisha attends a charity Halloween parade in Hong Kong. Halloween -- a named taken from 'All Hallows' Even' falls on the day before All Saints' Day on November 1 -- a holiday when Christians remember their deceased loved ones. (AFP)

People, dress up as zombies, attend a march to celebrate Halloween in Paris. Halloween, which falls annually on October 31, is an ancient Celtic pagan rite, originally held to celebrate the dead and the end of the harvest season. (AFP)

Take a look at Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing

2009-11-01T06:18:00.001-08:00

Italy's Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali

Federica Faiella (down) and Massimo Scali of Italy perform in the Ice Dance during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing. Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto of the US won the gold medal. (AFP )

US' Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto

Tanith Belbin (bottom) and Benjamin Agosto of the US perform in the Ice Dance during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing. (AFP)

China's Zhang Dan and Hao Zhang

Zhang Dan (R) and Hao Zhang of China perform in the Pairs Free Skating during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing. (AFP)

Russia's Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski

Russia's Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski skate their ice dance free dance program during the Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

US Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto

US Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto skate their ice dance free dance program during the Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

Ukraine's Anna Zadorozhniuk and Sergei Verbillo

Anna Zadorozhniuk (L) and Sergei Verbillo of Ukraine perform in the Pairs Free Skating during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing on October 31, 2009. (AFP)

China's Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo

China's Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo skate their pairs free skating program during the Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China, Saturday. (AP)

Joannie Rochette of Canada

Joannie Rochette of Canada performs during her ladies Free Skating Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition in Beijing. (AFP)

Jana Khokhlova (R) and Sergei Novitski

Jana Khokhlova (R) and Sergei Novitski of Russia perform during the Ice Dancing Compulsory Dance competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating for the Cup of China in Beijing. (REUTERS)

Ukraine's Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov

Ukraine's Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov skate their pairs short program during Figure Skating Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

US Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig

US Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig skate their pairs short program during Figure Skating Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

Rachael Flatt of US

Rachael Flatt of the US performs during the Ladies Short Program competition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating for the Cup of China in Beijing. (REUTERS)

Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali

Italy's pair Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali skate their Ice compulsory dance during Figure Skating Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

Canada's Joannie Rochette

Canada's Joannie Rochette skates her ladies short program during Figure Skating Cup of China 2009 competition in Beijing, China. (AP)

Tanith Belbin (R) and Benjamin Agosto

Tanith Belbin (R) and Benjamin Agosto of the US perform in the ice dance competition during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing. (AFP)

Jana Khokhlova (L) and Sergei Novitski

Jana Khokhlova (L) and Sergei Novitski of Russia perform in the ice dance competition during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2009/2010 in Beijing on October 30, 2009. (AFP)

Sony Ericsson smartphone

2009-10-31T21:57:00.001-07:00

A model poses with newly launched Sony Ericsson mobile handset in New Delhi on October 28, 2009.Sony Ericsson launched three handsets, Saito with 12.1 megapixels camera, Aino with 8 megapixels camera and Yari with 5 megapixels will be available in market at price of Rs-35,950/-,Rs-28950/- and Rs. 16,950/- respectively. (AFP)

The coveted list of top taxpayers

2009-10-31T21:44:00.001-07:00

The coveted list of top taxpayers compiled on the basis of advance tax receipts has thrown many surprises this time. While cricketers may be topping popularity charts, the champion cricket league promoter Lalit Modi has topped the tax charts.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati is out and former Andhra Pradesh CM YSR Reddy’s son Jagan Mohan Reddy is in.
Here are the coveted list of top taxpayers compiled on the basis of advance tax receipts:

Content source: TNN

Lalit Modi

One surprise name among the list of top taxpayers is cricket administrator Lalit Modi who has left behind many flamboyant cricketers, having already paid Rs 8 crore in the first half of this fiscal, four times that of Dhoni and more than five times that of Tendulkar. Surprisingly, Modi had paid only Rs 32 lakh tax in all of 2008-09.

J M Reddy

Jagan, who had paid a paltry Rs 2.92 lakh income tax for the entire financial year 2008-09, has already paid Rs 6.6 crore advance tax in the first six months of this year, projecting a tax outgo of at least Rs 22 crore with his personal income expected to be more than Rs 70 crore in 2009-10.

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar is a close second with Rs 33 crore last year but may beat SRK this year, having paid Rs 4.5 crore in the first six months.

Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood stars lead the pack among celebrities with Shah Rukh Khan reigning at the top, having paid Rs 34.45 crore last year, and 3.5 crore this year as an advance tax.

Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan, who paid 11.3 crore last year, has paid 3.5 crore this year as advance tax.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan, having paid Rs 14 crore last year, has paid 3 crore this year as an advance tax.

Salman Khan

Salman Khan, who paid a little over Rs 14 crore last year, has paid 2.5 crore as advance tax this year.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is second, having paid Rs 4.6 crore last year and Rs 2 crore till September this year and is likely to be the top taxpayer among the cricketers.

Sachin Tendulkar

Among cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar still remains at the top, having paid Rs 8 crore last year and Rs 1.5 crore in the first six months of this financial year.

Pics Of The Day

2009-10-31T11:39:00.001-07:00

Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, center, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi, left, and lawmaker Rahul Gandhi attend a ceremony marking the 25th death anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct 31, 2009. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards on this day in 1984. (AP)

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition

Geng Bingwa of China performs during her Ladies Free Skating Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition in Beijing on October 31, 2009. (AFP)

Annual gay parade in Taipei

People march on the streets during the annual gay parade in Taipei on October 31, 2009. Thousands of people from Taiwan's gay and lesbian community marched in the streets of Taipei to demand recognition of same-sex marriage and equal rights, organisers said. (AFP)

Pratibha Patil, Dimitris Christofias

India President Pratibha Patil, right, and Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias review a military guard of honor at Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. Patil is in Cyprus for three-day official visit. (AP)

Berlin Wall

Cars pass in front of restored sections of East Side Gallery, the largest remaining part of the former Berlin Wall, in Berlin October 30, 2009.REUTERS

'Hollywood Walk of Fame'

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president Leron Gubler (L) looks on as Actor Peter Graves (C) celebrates with his wife Joan Endress after he was honoured with a star on the 'Hollywood Walk Of Fame' in Hollywood on October 30, 2009.AFP

AMP Energy 500 practice

Nationwide series Justin Allgaier, driver of the #12 Verizon Wireless Dodge, Dodge executives Brian Viger, Mario D-Ovidio, and Dave Bailey Senior Manager of Motorsports Engineering at Dodge, pose in the garage area after practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy 500.AFP

Men carry the Olympic Torch

Members of the Canadian men's eights rowing team carry the Olympic Torch in Saanich, British Columbia October 30, 2009.REUTERS

World cup Dressage competiton

Netherlands' current Olympic dressage champion Anky Van Grunsven competes during the second stage of the World Cup Dressage competition on October 30, 2009. AFP

Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier

View of Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier near the city of El Calafate, in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz. REUTERS

Kazakhstan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Saltanat Baymukhamedova during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 30, 2009.REUTERS

Air France's first A380 superjumbo

2009-10-31T10:48:00.001-07:00

Air France became the first European airline to take delivery of the new Airbus A380 superjumbo passenger jet, which it says will make it great savings in tough economic times.

Air France A380

The French flag carrier received the huge craft at the Airbus plant in the northern German city of Hamburg in a ceremony and then flew it to Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport.

Air France A380's first commercial flight is scheduled for November 20, from Paris to New York.

Economy class

The aircraft will be configured with 449 economy seats, 80 business class seats and nine first class seats.

Air France has ordered 12 of the A380 model, but like other airlines has postponed the purchase of some of them due to the economic slowdown.

A380 to save $18 to $22 mn a year

Air France said each A380 will enable the company to save $18 to $22 million a year, which ... provides the company with the means to withstand the crisis.

Airbus logo

Three other airlines outside Europe have already taken delivery of the 330-million-dollar A380 -- Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Australian carrier Qantas.

Exit sign board

View of the exit sign aboard the first Air France A380.

Technical leaflet

A passenger reads the technical leaflet of the first Air France A380 during its flight from the Airbus plant in Hamburg to Paris' Roissy airport on October 30, 2009.

Exit door

A crew member shows one of the exit door of the first Air France A380 during its flight from the Airbus plant in Hamburg to Paris' Roissy airport on October 30, 2009.

Engines

View taken through the glass window showing the engines of the first Air France A380.

Screen

Picture shows a screen taken in the cabin of the first Air France A380.

Cabin of the Air France A380

Air France crew members work in the cabin of the first Air France A380 during its flight from the Airbus plant in Hamburg to Paris' Roissy airport on October 30, 2009.

Ground staff take photo

Air France ground staff take a photo of their company's first Airbus A380 double-deck passenger jet after a christening ceremony at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris on October 30, 2009.

Air France Airbus A380

The first Air France Airbus A380 double-deck passenger jet arrives at the gate after a ceremony at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport.

First class cabin

An Air France KLM flight attendant poses at the first class cabin of new Airbus A380 aircraft during a hand-over ceremony at the manufacturer's site in Finkenwerder near Hamburg October 30, 2009.

Crew members walk down the red carpet

Air France crew members walk down the red carpet after the A380 was handed over by Airbus in Hamburg on October 30, 2009.

Espace Gallery

View of the 'Espace Gallery', for first and business class with screens showing exhibitions from World Museums aboard the Airbus A380.

Video player system

An Air France Crew member explains the video player system in the business class onboard the new Airbus A380.

First class

An Air France Crew member poses in the first class onboard the new Airbus A380.

Participant at moustache competition

2009-10-31T04:05:00.001-07:00

A man fixes tricoloured flags on his moustache during a moustache competition at the international Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan on Friday. PTI

Flowers on the moustache

A contestant wears flowers as he shows his moustache to the crowd during the annual 'longest moustache' competition at the Pushkar Mela in Puskhar.AP

A contestant

A man showing his moustache during the 'longest moustache competition' in the International Pushkar Fair at Pushkar on Friday. PTI

The winner!

Contestant J.S. Chounan shows his moustache to the crowd during the annual 'longest moustache' competition at the Pushkar Mela in Puskhar.AP

The winner showing his moustache

Contestant J.S. Chounan shows his moustache to the crowd after winning the annual 'longest moustache' competition at the Pushkar Mela in Puskhar, Rajasthan, India, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.

Winner of the 'longest moustache competition' flanked by two foreigners, shows his 11 feet long moustache during the International Pushkar Fair at Pushkar on Friday. PTI

25th year since the assassination of Indira Gandhi

2009-10-31T03:43:00.001-07:00

Today, it is exactly 25 years since the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Its memory is still fresh in the minds of Delhi-ites. There is so much to recall and to sort out that it is hard to make sense of what she was all about.

In the end, though, after another 25 years have gone by, the usual question that history asks will remain: was she a good ruler or bad? And, as Sir Jadunath Sarkar has demonstrated in the case of Aurangzeb, the answer will depend on which period one is looking at. Aurangzeb was fine, said Dr Sarkar, from 1669 to 1682; it was only after that he slowly became what his eventual reputation would be based on.

In a similar way, Indira Gandhi was pretty much all right until mid-1973, that is, the first seven years. This was the phase when she turned the Congress into a radical force by splitting it (1969), nationalised the banks because politics demanded it (1969), entered into the treaty with the USSR because the international situation required it (1971), split Pakistan because it had to be split (1971) and restored the fortunes of the Congress in the States (1972) after the electoral debacle of 1967.

But major triumphs are always short-lived. The period between 1973 and 1975 was a terrible one for rulers the world over. There was the first oil price shock and the drought/inflation (1973). The political agitation against high prices turned into one against her. However, one can quite plausibly argue that these are normal in politics and that too much should not be made of such things.

But what made these years different for Indira Gandhi was Sanjay Gandhi. During these two years he emerged as the boy to whom mummy could not and would not say no. So for the next six or seven years, until his death in the plane crash of 1980, Indira Gandhi ceased to be the person the country had known between 1966-73.

In an imperceptible and insidious way, the centre of power shifted from her to Sanjay. There is enough documentation of this in the memoirs of civil servants of the period, as also in the files.

What everyone informally knew in Delhi was formalised on June 26, 1975 when Indira Gandhi ended democracy in India by declaring a state of internal Emergency because a High Court had held her guilty of electoral malpractice. It was Sanjay who instigated her, aided and abetted by a few others in the party. During the next two years, she began an attack on democratic institutions whose effects are still being felt.

She was defeated in the general election of 1977 but thanks to the internal divisions in the Janata Party which had replaced the Congress, she managed to persuade enough voters to vote her back into power in 1980.

Thus began the third and last phase of rule, from 1980 to 1984. The twin shocks of the defeat in 1977 and the death of Sanjay brought forth a third version of Indira Gandhi. She became indecisive, distracted and opposed to change. She stopped even the minor economic and social reforms that had begun in 1977 under the Janata Party.

Three personas

In my view, this last manifestation of her is a major cause for the confusion about her contributions to India. Her post-1980 persona simply doesn’t jell with the pre-1977 one. People tend to mix up the phases and take one view or the other about her. Ideally, however, she should be judged as three very different people.

The fulcrums around which Indian politics revolves have varied more-or-less with each decade. Indira Gandhi was involved in it for 27 years — from 1957 when she had the elected Communist government of Kerala dismissed until her death in 1984.

By the end of the 1950s, nationalism had worn thin. By the end of the 1960s, economic growth was passé and attention had shifted to equity and distribution. By the end of the 1970s, after nearly 15 years of growing unemployment, attention began to shift back to growth. This was perhaps best captured by the late L. K. Jha in his 1981 book An Economic Strategy for the 1980s. Indira Gandhi rejected its basic premise that the time had come for the state to withdraw from the economic stage. Nor, as it happens, did she expand the state’s role very much. She simply persisted with the status quo, which she seemed to find very comforting, but which froze India in time.

Autocratic

However, even if the country did not change, its main agent of change, the Congress Party, changed — for the worse. It has always been an undemocratic outfit, with Gandhiji always insisting on imposing his will on it. But in the 1980s, in a continuation of the process that began in June 1975, the Congress went from being merely undemocratic to becoming completely autocratic. That was the only change that Indira Gandhi wrought in her third persona. That legacy still lives on.

So how do we judge her? When asked this question, most people say “by the damage she inflicted on our democratic institutions.” But as we have seen, all of them have gradually repaired themselves, The only institution that has not been able to do so, in spite of brief attempt in the 1990s, is the Congress Party. Her legacy of the Congress as a private limited company has proved very enduring. This, perhaps, is her real legacy, the one that Sonia Gandhi is at pains to preserve.

Nevertheless, election results notwithstanding, the moral is clear: the damage you do to other things will eventually be repaired by others. But to repair the damage you do to your own, there is no one.

Pics Of The Day

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A typical sugar 'Calaverita'

A typical sugar 'Calaverita' (Little Skull) is seen in an Altar of the Dead at the Soumaya museum in Mexico City on October 30, 2009. Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. AFP

Berlin Wall

Cars pass in front of restored sections of East Side Gallery, the largest remaining part of the former Berlin Wall, in Berlin October 30, 2009.REUTERS

'Hollywood Walk of Fame'

AMP Energy 500 practice

Men carry the Olympic Torch

Members of the Canadian men's eights rowing team carry the Olympic Torch in Saanich, British Columbia October 30, 2009.REUTERS

World cup Dressage competiton

Netherlands' current Olympic dressage champion Anky Van Grunsven competes during the second stage of the World Cup Dressage competition on October 30, 2009. AFP

Carving a lantern underwater!

A diver carves a jack-o'-lantern on Friday, October 30, 2009 underwater in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo, Florida during the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest.AFP

San Francisco bridge remains closed

San Francisco Bay Bridge was abruptly closed Tuesday evening when two steel tie rods and a crossbeam from a steel saddle broke and fell onto the upper deck of the bridge. AFP

Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier

View of Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier near the city of El Calafate, in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz. REUTERS

Kazakhstan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Saltanat Baymukhamedova during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 30, 2009.REUTERS

Athens fashion week

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A model presents an outfit bu Greek designer Nikos Takis during the Athens fashion week on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Katy Perry's 25th birthday party

Katy Perry's 25th birthday party hosted by 42 Below Vodka at a private space in Hollywood, California.(AP)

Sushmita Sen during Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week

Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen presents a creation from designer Sanjana Jon's Spring/Summer 2010 collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi October 25, 2009. (REUTERS)

Family Pet Festival in Cali

A dog dressed as Batman participates in the Family Pet Festival in Cali on October 25, 2009. (REUTERS)

WTA tennis tournament in Luxembourg

Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky kisses her trophy after defeating Germany's Sabine Lisicki in their final match at the WTA tennis tournament in Luxembourg. (REUTERS)

Cheerleader during football game, London

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform during the NFL football game against New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium, London. (AP)

Istanbul Fashion Week

British designer Vivienne Westwood (C) poses with models after a fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul. (REUTERS)

A model presents an outfit bu Greek designer Nikos Takis during the Athens fashion week. (AFP)

WTA Championships in Doha

(L-R) Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, Serena Williams of US, Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva of Russia and Venus William of US line up during the draw for the WTA Championships at the Museum of Islamic Art in the Qatari capital Doha. The 1.55-million-dollar championship willl take place in Doha betwee October 27 and November 1. The eight players are split into two groups of four with the top two in each making the semi-finals. (AFP)

Fire at Indian Oil Corporation's depot

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Flames and black smoke are seen coming out of an IOC depot, in Jaipur, on Oct. 30, 2009. At least five people have been killed and another 25 feared trapped as a fire engulfed an oil depot on Thursday, a local official said. (AP)

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard as huge flames is seen coming out of an IOC depot, in Jaipur, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. At least five people have been killed and another 25 feared trapped as a fire engulfed an oil depot on Thursday, a local official said. (AP)

Indian Oil Corporation's fuel depot is surrounded by flames in Sitapura industrial area on the outskirts of Jaipur October 29, 2009. A fire broke out at the fuel depot on Thursday. Ten people are feared dead and several injured, local media reported. (REUTERS)

Huge flames are seen coming out of an IOC depot, in Jaipur, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. At least five people have been killed and another 25 feared trapped as a fire engulfed an oil depot in western India Thursday, a local official said. (AP)