It's famously cheap but Asda's boss says his food isn't good enough - is he right?
Nothing epitomises Asda’s cheap and cheerful image better than the self-effacing little yellow label it puts on reduced foods.
The labels read: ‘Oops’ — a jokey way to shift food that has to be quickly sold or removed from shelves.
However, having to knock £1 off a chicken reaching its sell-by date is nothing compared to the gaffe new Asda boss Andy Clarke made last week.
Mr Clarke stunned business analysts by admitting the supermarket’s food isn’t up to scratch. The fruit, vegetables, fish and meat for sale in the company’s 377 stores is not good enough, he said.
‘Food quality is something Asda hadn’t been as focused on in the past as it should have been,’ admitted Mr Clarke.
Yet for decades, Asda has boasted of championing consumers by forcing down food prices. Loyal customers swear by the allure of good-quality at rock bottom prices — a message that has been rammed down our throats by the ‘Asda price’ adverts launched in 1977, in which customers tap their pockets twice, producing a chinking sound, as the coins they’ve saved knock together.
But it’s not just cost today’s discerning food shoppers care about. Ingredients, additives and knowing exactly where their food has come from is now just as important. Many customers are also prepared to pay more for quality, hence the popularity of supermarket premium lines.
So what’s the truth about Asda food — can it really as bad as Mr Clarke claims?
The labels read: ‘Oops’ — a jokey way to shift food that has to be quickly sold or removed from shelves.
However, having to knock £1 off a chicken reaching its sell-by date is nothing compared to the gaffe new Asda boss Andy Clarke made last week.
Mr Clarke stunned business analysts by admitting the supermarket’s food isn’t up to scratch. The fruit, vegetables, fish and meat for sale in the company’s 377 stores is not good enough, he said.
‘Food quality is something Asda hadn’t been as focused on in the past as it should have been,’ admitted Mr Clarke.
Yet for decades, Asda has boasted of championing consumers by forcing down food prices. Loyal customers swear by the allure of good-quality at rock bottom prices — a message that has been rammed down our throats by the ‘Asda price’ adverts launched in 1977, in which customers tap their pockets twice, producing a chinking sound, as the coins they’ve saved knock together.
But it’s not just cost today’s discerning food shoppers care about. Ingredients, additives and knowing exactly where their food has come from is now just as important. Many customers are also prepared to pay more for quality, hence the popularity of supermarket premium lines.
So what’s the truth about Asda food — can it really as bad as Mr Clarke claims?
Cake Boss star Remy Gonzalez arrested over allegations he sexually assaulted a minor
Cake Boss co-star Remy Gonzalez has been arrested over claims he sexually assaulted a minor in New Jersey, according to the website TMZ.
The website claims that Gonzalez, who is a key player on the TLC reality show and brother-in-law to cake 'boss' Buddy Valastro, is still being held in Morris County Jail where he's been since August 18 when he was arrested.
Officers tell TMZ that Gonzalez was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. There are no details at this stage of the exact nature of the charges.
He is being held on $300,000 bail. The TLC show features a family-heavy team working under renowned cake artist Valastro at Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ.
Valastro supervises a team that includes his mother, four sisters and three brothers-in-law including Gonzalez who is married to Valastro's youngest sister Lisa.
In a statement, a spokesperson from TLC said: 'We support Buddy and the Valastro family during this very difficult and challenging time. The network respects the family's wish for as much privacy as possible, and as this doesn't involve us, we will not be commenting any further.'
Cake Boss chronicles Buddy's over-arching desire, in the words of the TLC website, 'to achieve his late father's dream of making Carlo's Bake Shop a household name with or without the help of his family.'
The website claims that Gonzalez, who is a key player on the TLC reality show and brother-in-law to cake 'boss' Buddy Valastro, is still being held in Morris County Jail where he's been since August 18 when he was arrested.
Officers tell TMZ that Gonzalez was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. There are no details at this stage of the exact nature of the charges.
Remy Gonzalez, who is brother-in-law to Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro and who appears regularly on the show, has been arrested and held in New Jersey
Valastro supervises a team that includes his mother, four sisters and three brothers-in-law including Gonzalez who is married to Valastro's youngest sister Lisa.
In a statement, a spokesperson from TLC said: 'We support Buddy and the Valastro family during this very difficult and challenging time. The network respects the family's wish for as much privacy as possible, and as this doesn't involve us, we will not be commenting any further.'
Cake Boss chronicles Buddy's over-arching desire, in the words of the TLC website, 'to achieve his late father's dream of making Carlo's Bake Shop a household name with or without the help of his family.'
Valastro's famed bake shop employs three brother-in-laws, including Gonzalez (far right), and four sisters.
Red Sox claim Johnny Damon on waivers
Johnny Damon was told Monday by the Detroit Tigers that he had been claimed on waivers by the Boston Red Sox, but the outfielder said he was mulling over the move.
Damon, 36, has until Wednesday afternoon to decide whether he will go to the Red Sox, for whom he played from 2002 to 2005. Damon has a partial no-trade clause in his contract and Boston, where there were hard feelings by fans after he bolted for the New York Yankees, is one of the clubs he can veto.
Strasburg to the DL
Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg is headed to the 15-day disabled list because of a strained tendon in his throwing forearm. The move will be made Thursday.
Strasburg will have an anthrogram test on the arm because a team doctor did not like the results of an MRI exam done Sunday.
Marlins finances divulged
The Florida Marlins made big profits with baseball's smallest player payroll in 2008-09, and team President David Samson says the income was needed to ensure being able to borrow money for a new ballpark.
Team financial statements acquired by Deadspin.com show the Marlins netted $49 million during the two seasons, with operating income of $37.8 million in 2008 and $11.1 million 2009. Samson didn't dispute the figures during a conference call.
The Marlins had the lowest player payroll in the majors both seasons — $22 million in 2008 and $37 million in 2009.
Florida's new home is expected to open in 2012. Total cost of the project is estimated at $609 million, with the Marlins paying more than $120 million.
Former umpire Davidson dies
Satch Davidson, the plate umpire when Hank Aaron hit home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, to surpass Babe Ruth as the all-time leader at the time, has died. He was 75.
Davidson's family said he died Saturday at his home in Houston. The family did not give a cause of death.
Davidson spent only three years in the minors before getting hired as a National League umpire in 1969. A bad back forced him to retire after the 1984 season.
Dodgers extend agreement
The Dodgers announced a two-year extension of their relationship with the Albuquerque Isotopes of the triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Earlier this month, the Dodgers signed four-year extensions with Ogden, Utah, of the rookie-level Pioneer League, Great Lakes (Midland, Mich.) of the Class-A Midwest League and Chattanooga, Tenn., of the double-A Carolina League.
The team is still in negotiations over a new deal with Inland Empire of the Class-A California League.
—Kevin Baxter
Damon, 36, has until Wednesday afternoon to decide whether he will go to the Red Sox, for whom he played from 2002 to 2005. Damon has a partial no-trade clause in his contract and Boston, where there were hard feelings by fans after he bolted for the New York Yankees, is one of the clubs he can veto.
Strasburg to the DL
Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg is headed to the 15-day disabled list because of a strained tendon in his throwing forearm. The move will be made Thursday.
Strasburg will have an anthrogram test on the arm because a team doctor did not like the results of an MRI exam done Sunday.
Marlins finances divulged
The Florida Marlins made big profits with baseball's smallest player payroll in 2008-09, and team President David Samson says the income was needed to ensure being able to borrow money for a new ballpark.
Team financial statements acquired by Deadspin.com show the Marlins netted $49 million during the two seasons, with operating income of $37.8 million in 2008 and $11.1 million 2009. Samson didn't dispute the figures during a conference call.
The Marlins had the lowest player payroll in the majors both seasons — $22 million in 2008 and $37 million in 2009.
Florida's new home is expected to open in 2012. Total cost of the project is estimated at $609 million, with the Marlins paying more than $120 million.
Former umpire Davidson dies
Satch Davidson, the plate umpire when Hank Aaron hit home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, to surpass Babe Ruth as the all-time leader at the time, has died. He was 75.
Davidson's family said he died Saturday at his home in Houston. The family did not give a cause of death.
Davidson spent only three years in the minors before getting hired as a National League umpire in 1969. A bad back forced him to retire after the 1984 season.
Dodgers extend agreement
The Dodgers announced a two-year extension of their relationship with the Albuquerque Isotopes of the triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Earlier this month, the Dodgers signed four-year extensions with Ogden, Utah, of the rookie-level Pioneer League, Great Lakes (Midland, Mich.) of the Class-A Midwest League and Chattanooga, Tenn., of the double-A Carolina League.
The team is still in negotiations over a new deal with Inland Empire of the Class-A California League.
—Kevin Baxter
Shanna Moakler Makes $100K By Throwing Tantrums
Shanna Moakler, The stories about dangerous, young adults have been afraid to threaten a staple of B-movies and bad TV for decades. But recently, adolescents tend to be portrayed in a more pleasant light (“High School Musical,” “joy,” the phenomenon of Justin Bieber). So I was happy to see the frightening issue-teen return with a vengeance in “Bond of Silence” (9 pm, Lifetime), starring Kim Raver (“24″).
Like many tragedies of television, “Bond” begins in yuppie heaven. Beautiful wife Katy McIntosh (Raver) is the preparation of soup when her handsome husband and running triathlete attorney Bob (David Cubitt, “Medium”) out of the shower and gives her a hug. What could go wrong?
Against the background of this scene of domestic bliss, a year-end party gathers across the street, full of underage drinkers and young people without supervision. What could go wrong?
When the game outside the field of play awakens his daughter, Bob brings a team of responsible parents to approach and talk some sense into the children confused.
Only Bob never returns. Taken to hospital after being found unconscious in the chaos drunkard, was supposed to die of a heart attack. Again, studies, seems to have been beaten or kicked to death and that one (or many) of children killed by a loving husband and father.
This is where the real mystery and where “Bond of Silence” begins to spin out. The film never decides whether it is the search for justice for Katy (the natural course of a Lifetime movie) or a test of conformity to the school students’ near-pathological aversion to tipping. This last topic was covered much better in the dark 1986 independent film “River’s Edge.” In trying to tell both sides of this sad story, real life, “Bond opts for a rather bland average.
- Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the director Spike Lee returns to New Orleans in the document of the film in two parts: “If God wants and not Rise Da Creek” (9 pm, HBO, concludes Tuesday).
- The documentary “Witness: Katrina” (9 pm, National Geographic) sacrifices more than work a dozen filmmakers’ by news crews and government agencies for amateur videographers to capture the chaos, confusion and anger in display during the great storm of 2005.
Highlights tonight
- Tales of the sger lifestyle is a dark gloomy diagnosis on “House” (8 pm, Fox, r, TV-14, V).
- Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales host Miss Universe 2010 (9 pm, NBC).
- Groom Dave Foster (Max Martini, “The Unit”) is kidnapped in “Lie to Me” (9 pm, Fox, TV-14 D, L, V).
- Articles related to Jackie Robinson and J. Edgar Hoover gets the detective once-over “History” (9 pm, PBS, check local listings).
- Weekend brings parents’ anxiety in the first of a season finale in two parts of “Big” (9 pm, Family, TV-14).
- An investigation requires a bachelor recreation in “CSI: Miami” (10 pm, CBS, TV-14, V).
- Tony returns to Beirut on “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (10 pm, Travel, TV-PG).
CULT CHOICE
The lobby of the airport becomes a “Grand Hotel” of rich jet set in the 1963 period piece “The VIP” (1:30 am Eastern, TCM), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton a peak of his celebrity tabloid.
SERIES NOTES
Ted is mixed with a straight set on “How I Met Your Mother” (8 pm, CBS, r, TV-PG) … Rachel Smith and Shanna Moakler will appear in “Minute to win it” (8 pm, NBC, TV-PG) … reality alums meet in “Bachelor Pad” (8 pm, ABC, TV-14) … Ryan O’Neal and Diego Boneta guest star in “90210″ (8 pm, CW, r, TV-14) … Ted Audrey gives an ultimatum of “Rules of Engagement” (8:30 pm, CBS, r, TV-14) … friend of Chelsea on the need for “Two and a Half Men” (9 pm, CBS, r, TV-14 D) … Billy Baldwin guest stars of “Gossip Girl” (9 pm, CW, TV-14) … Penny shares her feelings for Leonard, but not with him in “The Big Bang Theory” (9:30 pm, CBS, TV-PG, D) … A Chippendale dancer feels out of sight on “Music in Darkness” (10 pm, ABC).
LATE NIGHT
Justin Long, Michael Strahan and Los Lobos appear on “Tonight Lopez” (11 pm, TBS) … Leslie Kean talks on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 pm Comedy Central) … Brian Williams and Big Boi are set in “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 pm, CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes Cameron Diaz, Dan and Riskin DeWyze Lee on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 pm, NBC) … Christina Applegate, Hugh Hefner and Shane Mauss appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 am, ABC) … Eddie Izzard, Angie Harmon and Big Boi appear on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (12:35 am, NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Ellie Kemper Willie Nelson and on “The Late Late Show” (12:37 am, CBS).
Like many tragedies of television, “Bond” begins in yuppie heaven. Beautiful wife Katy McIntosh (Raver) is the preparation of soup when her handsome husband and running triathlete attorney Bob (David Cubitt, “Medium”) out of the shower and gives her a hug. What could go wrong?
Against the background of this scene of domestic bliss, a year-end party gathers across the street, full of underage drinkers and young people without supervision. What could go wrong?
When the game outside the field of play awakens his daughter, Bob brings a team of responsible parents to approach and talk some sense into the children confused.
Only Bob never returns. Taken to hospital after being found unconscious in the chaos drunkard, was supposed to die of a heart attack. Again, studies, seems to have been beaten or kicked to death and that one (or many) of children killed by a loving husband and father.
This is where the real mystery and where “Bond of Silence” begins to spin out. The film never decides whether it is the search for justice for Katy (the natural course of a Lifetime movie) or a test of conformity to the school students’ near-pathological aversion to tipping. This last topic was covered much better in the dark 1986 independent film “River’s Edge.” In trying to tell both sides of this sad story, real life, “Bond opts for a rather bland average.
- Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the director Spike Lee returns to New Orleans in the document of the film in two parts: “If God wants and not Rise Da Creek” (9 pm, HBO, concludes Tuesday).
- The documentary “Witness: Katrina” (9 pm, National Geographic) sacrifices more than work a dozen filmmakers’ by news crews and government agencies for amateur videographers to capture the chaos, confusion and anger in display during the great storm of 2005.
Highlights tonight
- Tales of the sger lifestyle is a dark gloomy diagnosis on “House” (8 pm, Fox, r, TV-14, V).
- Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales host Miss Universe 2010 (9 pm, NBC).
- Groom Dave Foster (Max Martini, “The Unit”) is kidnapped in “Lie to Me” (9 pm, Fox, TV-14 D, L, V).
- Articles related to Jackie Robinson and J. Edgar Hoover gets the detective once-over “History” (9 pm, PBS, check local listings).
- Weekend brings parents’ anxiety in the first of a season finale in two parts of “Big” (9 pm, Family, TV-14).
- An investigation requires a bachelor recreation in “CSI: Miami” (10 pm, CBS, TV-14, V).
- Tony returns to Beirut on “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (10 pm, Travel, TV-PG).
CULT CHOICE
The lobby of the airport becomes a “Grand Hotel” of rich jet set in the 1963 period piece “The VIP” (1:30 am Eastern, TCM), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton a peak of his celebrity tabloid.
SERIES NOTES
Ted is mixed with a straight set on “How I Met Your Mother” (8 pm, CBS, r, TV-PG) … Rachel Smith and Shanna Moakler will appear in “Minute to win it” (8 pm, NBC, TV-PG) … reality alums meet in “Bachelor Pad” (8 pm, ABC, TV-14) … Ryan O’Neal and Diego Boneta guest star in “90210″ (8 pm, CW, r, TV-14) … Ted Audrey gives an ultimatum of “Rules of Engagement” (8:30 pm, CBS, r, TV-14) … friend of Chelsea on the need for “Two and a Half Men” (9 pm, CBS, r, TV-14 D) … Billy Baldwin guest stars of “Gossip Girl” (9 pm, CW, TV-14) … Penny shares her feelings for Leonard, but not with him in “The Big Bang Theory” (9:30 pm, CBS, TV-PG, D) … A Chippendale dancer feels out of sight on “Music in Darkness” (10 pm, ABC).
LATE NIGHT
Justin Long, Michael Strahan and Los Lobos appear on “Tonight Lopez” (11 pm, TBS) … Leslie Kean talks on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 pm Comedy Central) … Brian Williams and Big Boi are set in “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 pm, CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes Cameron Diaz, Dan and Riskin DeWyze Lee on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 pm, NBC) … Christina Applegate, Hugh Hefner and Shane Mauss appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 am, ABC) … Eddie Izzard, Angie Harmon and Big Boi appear on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (12:35 am, NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Ellie Kemper Willie Nelson and on “The Late Late Show” (12:37 am, CBS).
Miss Universe 2010 Is Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete
Meet Miss Universe 2010: Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010 during the Miss Universe pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Monday night.
The stunning brunette from Guadalajara inherited the title from Venezuela’s Stefania Fernandez and beat out 83 beauty queens from all over the globe — including Miss USA Rima Fakih — on stage in Sin City. In fact, the 22-year-old nature enthusiast defeated favorites from Ireland, the Philippines and Venezuela to become the 59th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world. In a major shock, this year’s Miss Venezuela failed to make it past the first cut, when the 83 contestants were whittled down to 15. Miss USA, another favorite, was also eliminated early on.
Navarrete is Mexico’s second Miss Universe; Lupita Jones of Mexico won the title in 1991. Navarrete’s title comes with a package of prizes — including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign is complete, plus jewelry, and shoes and a new wardrobe.
Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was crowned second runner-up. Miss Australia Jesenti Campbell is second runner-up. The Miss Congeniality Universe award went to Campbell, while Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe and a second award for having the Best National Costume.
Miss Universe joins Miss World as the most publicized beauty contest in the world. California clothing company Pacific Mills founded the contest 1952 and it was acquired by Donald Trump in 1996.
The Miss Universe Pageant
Miss Mexico won the Miss Universe title Monday night, but that wasn’t the pageant’s biggest surprise.
Heck, we could think of seven of them:
1. Donald Trump, announcer. The Donald provided intros between segments. What? Don Pardo was busy?
2. Chi is apparently some big hair product. At least that’s what the ads said.
3. NBC must be on hard times. Other than the Chi ads, the show was filled with commercials for upcoming NBC shows.
4. Breast implants are out of fashion.
5. Criss Angel, judge?
6. Bret Michaels, host?
7. “Apprentice” contestants are lurking. Could the judges be likely finalists for the reality show’s next lineup?
Bonus: The “Viva Elvis” people don’t miss a chance to push their show. How many times will we see the plastic Elvis wigs before the end of the year?
Heck, we could think of seven of them:
1. Donald Trump, announcer. The Donald provided intros between segments. What? Don Pardo was busy?
2. Chi is apparently some big hair product. At least that’s what the ads said.
3. NBC must be on hard times. Other than the Chi ads, the show was filled with commercials for upcoming NBC shows.
4. Breast implants are out of fashion.
5. Criss Angel, judge?
6. Bret Michaels, host?
7. “Apprentice” contestants are lurking. Could the judges be likely finalists for the reality show’s next lineup?
Bonus: The “Viva Elvis” people don’t miss a chance to push their show. How many times will we see the plastic Elvis wigs before the end of the year?
Amazing Bird Flies 11,000 km Nonstop, Without food or Rest
How is it possible to fly 11,000 km without a single break? The bar-tailed godwit does it by consuming only 0.41 percent of its body weight each hour during its eight-day-long flight.
Every autumn, the bar-tailed godwit undertakes the eight-day journey from Alaska to New Zealand.
The bird flies non-stop, without once breaking the journey to rest or eat. Then when spring comes, the bird makes the 11,000 km journey back to Alaska.
Professor of Ecology Anders Hedenstrom from the Lund University, Sweden has pondered over how this species of bird can fly so far without stopping. The distance is twice as far as previously known non-stop distances for migratory birds.
Hedenstrom emphasises that the bar-tailed godwit is far superior to all aircraft constructed by humans when it comes to the art of flying for a long time without a break, according to a statement of the Lund University.
The long-distance flight record for aircraft is held by the QinetiQ Zephyr, an unmanned solar-powered craft. It can remain airborne for 82 hours, around three-and-half days, compared with the bar-tailed godwit's eight-day flight.
But what is it that makes the bar-tailed godwit able to fly 11,000 km without pausing to stop? How can these birds manage without sleep or food for eight whole days?
One explanation is that they consume unusually little energy compared with other species of birds. Anders Hedenstrom has calculated that the bar-tailed godwit consumes 0.41 percent of its body weight each hour during its long flight.
'This figure is extremely low compared with other migratory birds,' he says. However, other factors also play a role. It is important to have the right ratio of body weight to size to be able to carry sufficient energy for the entire flight.
The energy mainly comprises body fat, and to some extent also protein. It is also important to have an aerodynamic body shape so that air resistance is minimised. A further success factor is flight speed.
The bar-tailed godwit is a quick flyer, which means that it can cover long distances in a reasonable time.
A comparison can be made with a completely different group of long-distance travellers from the animal kingdom - eels.
To complete the bar-tailed godwit's 11,000 km journey would take the eel 345 days, according to Hedenstrom.
Every autumn, the bar-tailed godwit undertakes the eight-day journey from Alaska to New Zealand.
The bird flies non-stop, without once breaking the journey to rest or eat. Then when spring comes, the bird makes the 11,000 km journey back to Alaska.
Professor of Ecology Anders Hedenstrom from the Lund University, Sweden has pondered over how this species of bird can fly so far without stopping. The distance is twice as far as previously known non-stop distances for migratory birds.
Hedenstrom emphasises that the bar-tailed godwit is far superior to all aircraft constructed by humans when it comes to the art of flying for a long time without a break, according to a statement of the Lund University.
The long-distance flight record for aircraft is held by the QinetiQ Zephyr, an unmanned solar-powered craft. It can remain airborne for 82 hours, around three-and-half days, compared with the bar-tailed godwit's eight-day flight.
But what is it that makes the bar-tailed godwit able to fly 11,000 km without pausing to stop? How can these birds manage without sleep or food for eight whole days?
One explanation is that they consume unusually little energy compared with other species of birds. Anders Hedenstrom has calculated that the bar-tailed godwit consumes 0.41 percent of its body weight each hour during its long flight.
'This figure is extremely low compared with other migratory birds,' he says. However, other factors also play a role. It is important to have the right ratio of body weight to size to be able to carry sufficient energy for the entire flight.
The energy mainly comprises body fat, and to some extent also protein. It is also important to have an aerodynamic body shape so that air resistance is minimised. A further success factor is flight speed.
The bar-tailed godwit is a quick flyer, which means that it can cover long distances in a reasonable time.
A comparison can be made with a completely different group of long-distance travellers from the animal kingdom - eels.
To complete the bar-tailed godwit's 11,000 km journey would take the eel 345 days, according to Hedenstrom.
TRIBES:WONDERFUL Tribes of Africa Wallpapers
The Daasanach or Dassanech tribe is one of the ancient tribes of Africa. These pastoralists live in three different East African countries, Kenya, the Sudan, and Ethiopia. They number some thirty-thousand and the center of their population is near Lake Turkana in the Debub Omo Zone of the Lower Omo Valley of Ethiopia. The neighboring Turkana tribe calls the Daasanach people the “Merille” tribe. Recently, many Daasanach have been converted to agriculturalists as have many tribes of Africa. This is primarily a result of their losing access to their traditional territories in Kenya and the Sudan Unfortunately, their new way of life as agriculturalists has forced them to live near permanent water sources on the Omo River where diseases such as sleeping sickness transmitted by the tsetse fly has been taking its toll on this and other native tribes of Africa. The Daasanach tribe speaks a Cushitic language in the Afro-Asiatic linguistic family unlike many of their neighbors such as the Surma (Suri), Mursi and Nyangatom tribes which speak languages in the Nilo-Saharan family. “Shangilla” is a derogatory term that some of the neighboring African tribes use for the Daasanach tribe. Similar to many tribes of Africa, the Daasanach have various clans which are inherited by patrilineal descent. In addition, their society recognizes various age sets which determines ones position in many of the traditional tribes of Africa.
From Trendsone.com
Sonakshi's Cover Up Secret!
Sonakshi Sinha has stepped up curiosity among cinegoers, courtesy the crackling promos of 'Dabangg.'The Shotgun family, however, ensured that her private life remains unblemished. And free of tattle for gossip periodicals.
Word has it that as a cover up operation the family cannily put out the word that Sonakshi had broken up with her reported love interest of many years.
And whadya know guys, a little sparrow in cinebiz trilled to us that the duo are very much together… and what's better, were spotted walking hand in hand around the bylanes of suburban Mumbai. So much for 'Operation Cover Up'.
Secret of Mona Lisa Smile Revealed
The famous smile of Mona Lisa, the magnum opus of Leonardo da Vinci, is no more a secret as scientists have decoded the technique how the Renaisance-era painter created a special effect to show the enigmatic expression.
According to the experts, the artist managed to achieve his trademark smoky effect, known as sfumato, on the painting by applying up to 40 layers of extremely thin glaze thought to have been smeared on with his fingers.
The glaze, mixed with subtly different pigments, creates the slight blurring and shadows around the mouth that give Mona Lisa her barely noticeable smile that seems to disappear when looked at directly.
With the help of X-rays, the researchers were able to see how the layers of glaze and paint had been built up to varying levels on the face, The Telegraph reported.
With the drying times for the glaze taking months, such effects would have taken years to achieve.
The findings also suggest that he used his fingers to apply the glaze as there are no brush marks or contours visible on the paintings.
The new discoveries have been made by scientists at Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musees de France and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
Writing in the scientific journal Angewandle Chemie, Philippe Walter, who led the study, said: 'The perfection of Leonardo da Vinci's painting technique has always been fascinating.
'The gradation of tones or colours from light to dark is barely perceptible. Above all, the way the flesh is rendered gives rise to many comments because of its crucial role in the fascination exerted by Leonardo's portraits.
'Even today, Leonardo's realisation of such thin layers still remains an amazing feat,' Walter said.
The team also studied skin tones in six other of Leonardo's most famous paintings, including 'Virgin of the Rocks', 'Madonna of the Carnation', 'Saint John the Baptist' and the 'Virgin and the Child'.
Walter and his team believe that Leonardo experimented by creating different types of glaze and with different pigments to perfect the sfumato effect.
According to the experts, the artist managed to achieve his trademark smoky effect, known as sfumato, on the painting by applying up to 40 layers of extremely thin glaze thought to have been smeared on with his fingers.
The glaze, mixed with subtly different pigments, creates the slight blurring and shadows around the mouth that give Mona Lisa her barely noticeable smile that seems to disappear when looked at directly.
With the help of X-rays, the researchers were able to see how the layers of glaze and paint had been built up to varying levels on the face, The Telegraph reported.
With the drying times for the glaze taking months, such effects would have taken years to achieve.
The findings also suggest that he used his fingers to apply the glaze as there are no brush marks or contours visible on the paintings.
The new discoveries have been made by scientists at Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musees de France and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
Writing in the scientific journal Angewandle Chemie, Philippe Walter, who led the study, said: 'The perfection of Leonardo da Vinci's painting technique has always been fascinating.
'The gradation of tones or colours from light to dark is barely perceptible. Above all, the way the flesh is rendered gives rise to many comments because of its crucial role in the fascination exerted by Leonardo's portraits.
'Even today, Leonardo's realisation of such thin layers still remains an amazing feat,' Walter said.
The team also studied skin tones in six other of Leonardo's most famous paintings, including 'Virgin of the Rocks', 'Madonna of the Carnation', 'Saint John the Baptist' and the 'Virgin and the Child'.
Walter and his team believe that Leonardo experimented by creating different types of glaze and with different pigments to perfect the sfumato effect.
Perera fires Sri Lanka into tri-series final
Dambulla: Thisara Perera bagged a maiden five-wicket haul to help Sri Lanka storm into the triangular One-day series final with a crushing eight-wicket win over India on Sunday.
The 21-year-old seamer, playing his first match of the tournament, finished with 5-28 off 7.4 tight overs as India were shot out for 103 in 33.4 overs - their third-lowest total against Sri Lanka in One-Day Internationals.
The total was not enough to put pressure on Sri Lanka, who completed the win in just 15.1 overs in the day-night match in Dambulla. The hosts finished their league engagements with 11 points from four matches, while New Zealand have seven points and India five after three games.
The winners of the last league match between India and New Zealand on Wednesday will qualify for the final. "He (Perera) had a fantastic game today and really won us the match," said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.
"We would also have batted first had we won the toss. But our bowlers bowled a great line and length right from the start. We have got a varied attack."
Sri Lanka put in a solid all-round performance in the must-win match as their batsmen backed their fast bowlers, with Tillakaratne Dilshan (35) and Mahela Jayawardene (33) adding 79 for the opening wicket in 9.2 overs.
Sangakkara (13 not out) finished the match when he drove paceman Ishant Sharma through the covers for a four. Upul Tharanga remained unbeaten with 12.
"We didn't get the kind of start we needed. Their bowlers bowled in the right channels and pushed us into making mistakes," said India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "Our next game (v New Zealand on Wednesday) is like a semi-final now."
Yuvraj Singh earlier top-scored with a fighting 38 in a disappointing Indian batting performance after the tourists elected to bat. Opener Virender Sehwag (12), Rohit Sharma (11) and Dhoni (10) were the others to reach double figures.
Yuvraj was unlucky to be given out leg-before off paceman Lasith Malinga (2-21) as TV replays suggested the ball would have missed the stumps. He was the ninth man out after hitting one six and five fours in his 64-ball knock.
Sri Lanka jolted India when paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (2-31) trapped Sehwag leg-before and had Dinesh Karthik (nine) caught behind in a lively opening spell.
Man-of-the-match Perera, who played his last One-dayer in Zimbabwe in June, then wrecked the middle order when he claimed four wickets in five overs to dash India's hopes of posting a challenging total. He was once on a hat-trick when he had Ravindra Jadeja caught by Chamara Silva at gully and Praveen Kumar caught by Tharanga at mid-off with his next delivery.
Perera ended the innings in the 34th over when he bowled Ishant Sharma. The Sri Lankan pacemen were well supported by wicket-keeper Sangakkara, who took four catches.
The 21-year-old seamer, playing his first match of the tournament, finished with 5-28 off 7.4 tight overs as India were shot out for 103 in 33.4 overs - their third-lowest total against Sri Lanka in One-Day Internationals.
The total was not enough to put pressure on Sri Lanka, who completed the win in just 15.1 overs in the day-night match in Dambulla. The hosts finished their league engagements with 11 points from four matches, while New Zealand have seven points and India five after three games.
The winners of the last league match between India and New Zealand on Wednesday will qualify for the final. "He (Perera) had a fantastic game today and really won us the match," said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.
"We would also have batted first had we won the toss. But our bowlers bowled a great line and length right from the start. We have got a varied attack."
Sri Lanka put in a solid all-round performance in the must-win match as their batsmen backed their fast bowlers, with Tillakaratne Dilshan (35) and Mahela Jayawardene (33) adding 79 for the opening wicket in 9.2 overs.
Sangakkara (13 not out) finished the match when he drove paceman Ishant Sharma through the covers for a four. Upul Tharanga remained unbeaten with 12.
"We didn't get the kind of start we needed. Their bowlers bowled in the right channels and pushed us into making mistakes," said India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "Our next game (v New Zealand on Wednesday) is like a semi-final now."
Yuvraj Singh earlier top-scored with a fighting 38 in a disappointing Indian batting performance after the tourists elected to bat. Opener Virender Sehwag (12), Rohit Sharma (11) and Dhoni (10) were the others to reach double figures.
Yuvraj was unlucky to be given out leg-before off paceman Lasith Malinga (2-21) as TV replays suggested the ball would have missed the stumps. He was the ninth man out after hitting one six and five fours in his 64-ball knock.
Sri Lanka jolted India when paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (2-31) trapped Sehwag leg-before and had Dinesh Karthik (nine) caught behind in a lively opening spell.
Man-of-the-match Perera, who played his last One-dayer in Zimbabwe in June, then wrecked the middle order when he claimed four wickets in five overs to dash India's hopes of posting a challenging total. He was once on a hat-trick when he had Ravindra Jadeja caught by Chamara Silva at gully and Praveen Kumar caught by Tharanga at mid-off with his next delivery.
Perera ended the innings in the 34th over when he bowled Ishant Sharma. The Sri Lankan pacemen were well supported by wicket-keeper Sangakkara, who took four catches.
Shashi Tharoor – Sunanda Pushkar Marriage, Photos of Wedding
Former junior external affairs minister Shashi Tharoor’s wedding with Sunanda Pushkar promises to be a total traditional affair – a 200-year-old ancestral home as the venue, hand-woven attires for the bride and groom and the guests treated to a stay in an ayurveda palace. .....[Check Photos of Tharoor Marriage]
As August 22 draws closer, Elavanchery, in Palakkad, in Kerela gears up to host Tharoor’s wedding in a grand style.
As August 22 draws closer, Elavanchery, in Palakkad, in Kerela gears up to host Tharoor’s wedding in a grand style.
PALAKKAD: A sleepy Kerala village will come alive on Sunday as the much-hyped wedding of Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar will be held in traditional Nair style at his maternal village Elvanchery, 30km from Palakkad in Kerala.
The 200-year-old ancestral home will be the marriage venue where a colourful shamiana has been put up.
The wedding would be solemnized on Sunday morning with the couple dressed up in traditional Kerala clothes. Tharoor, who reached the nearby town of Kollengode in the evening, visted his 92-year-old grandmother Jayasankari and sought her blessings.
The former Union minister and Pushkar offered prayers at the famous Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi and at the Shani Shingnapur shrine in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district on Sunday
Heidi & Karissa: Girl-on-Girl Sex Tape
We're told not too long ago Spencer was at the Malibu house he once shared with Heidi ... moving out some of his stuff. Sources tell us Spencer came upon a camera with XXX video of Heidi and Karissa -- and the light bulb went off.
Sources say it was then that Spencer decided he could make a fortune selling his "library" to Vivid Entertainment -- much of it featuring naked, fornicating Speidi.
We could not reach Heidi and her reps were mum.
As for Karissa Shannon -- she tells us such a tape does indeed exist, but she's not convinced Spencer really has it. Karissa says if the tape ever sees the light of day, she'll sue the pants off him.
Then again, he might enjoy that.
