Nelson Mandela breathing on his own, says spokesperson


The 94-year-old former South African president and anti-apartheid hero was admitted to hospital early on Saturday after battling the infection for a few days.

Nelson Mandela is able to breathe by himself after being admitted to hospital for a recurrent respiratory infection and that is a positive sign, a spokesman for South Africa’s presidency said on Saturday.

The 94-year-old former South African president and anti-apartheid hero was admitted to hospital early on Saturday after battling the infection for a few days.

“What I am told by doctors is that he is breathing on his own and I think that is a positive sign,” presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

“Madiba is a fighter and at his age, as long as he is fighting, he will be fine,” Maharaj said, referring to Mandela by his clan name.

Duncan Fletcher gets one year extension as India coach


Duncan Fletcher‘s contract as India‘s cricket coach was today extended by one more year despite a below-par track record, setting to rest the intense speculation on his future.

The decision to renew the 64-year-old Fletcher’s two-year contract, which was due to end at the end of this month, was taken by the BCCI’s Working Committee which met in Mumbai on Tuesday

“The Board has decided to extend his contract. But we have to discuss the terms. I can’t tell you the deliberations of the Board. All I can tell you is what is the decision. We have decided to extend it,” BCCI president N Srinivasan told reporters after the meeting.

Speculation was rife about Fletcher’s future after India lost 10 Test matches including a home series against England recently apart from ‘whitewashes’ in England and Australia.

A senior BCCI official told PTI that continuing with Fletcher made sense, keeping in mind the Test series in South Africa.

“Since he has been with the team for two years, we don’t want to take a knee-jerk reaction considering the next big Test series is in South Africa. It will be risky and unfair on a new coach to give him charge in South Africa and expect good results from him,” the official said.

Under Fletcher, India had lost 10 out of the 22 Test matches before the ongoing match in Mohali having won only eight. The only away Test win was against West Indies nearly two years back just when Fletcher had taken charge.

In the 44 ODI matches played by India post their World Cup triumph, the ‘Men in Blue‘ have won 25 matches losing 16. Two were tied and one match did not yield any result.

In T20s, India won nine of the 17 matches losing the other eight. India did not qualify for the Asia Cup final and also couldn’t make it to the last four in the ICC World T20.

Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar questioned Fletcher’s extension but said he should get the backing since he has now been re-appointed.

“I wonder whether an Indian coach would have survived after 10 Test defeats,” Gavaskar quipped.

Incidentally, Fletcher was roped in on recommendations of highly successful former India coach Gary Kirsten. The Indian players have had high regards for him as a person with a great technical acumen but as far as strategy is concerned, he has been more of a backroom character.

Tribute: Ricky Ponting’s illustrious career


A rundown of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting‘s international career after he said on Thursday he will retire from test cricket after this week’s third match against South Africa.

* Born: Dec 19, 1974 at Launceton, Tasmania In tests:

* Matches: 167 (won 48 out of 77 tests as captain)

* Debut: Against Sri Lanka at Perth on Dec. 8, 1995

* Total runs: 13366 – Second highest scorer in the world behind India‘s Sachin Tendulkar (15562)

* Centuries: 41- Third highest number of centuries behind Tendulkar (51) and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (44).

* Double centuries: 6

* Batting average: 52.21

* Highest score: 257

* Wickets: 5

* Catches: 196

In ODIs:

* Matches: 375 (won 165 of 230 as captain)

* Debut: Against South Africa at Wellington on Feb. 15, 1995

* Total runs in ODIs: 13,704 * Second highest scorer behind India’s Tendulkar (18426)

* Centuries: 30 – Second highest number of centuries behind Tendulkar (49)

* Batting average: 42.03

* Highest score: 164

As Australian legend Ricky Ponting announced his retirement from international game, the cricketing world congratulated the former captain for his brilliant 17-year-old career.

Ponting, who turns 38 on December 19, scored 13,366 runs at an average of 52.21 in 167 Tests. His highest score was 257. He also scored 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. He played 375 One-Day Internationals, scoring 13,704 runs at an average of 42.03, including 30 centuries and a highest score of 164.

Glenn McGrath
Well done Punter on an incredible career. It would be great to see you finish with a ton. It was an honour to play alongside of you. legend

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Matthew Hayden
Punter, congratulations on a fantastic career. Your departure will be a massive hole in the Australian Cricket team.

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Shane Warne
Congrats to Ricky Ponting on an amazing career, well done Punter… Enjoy your last match in Perth buddy, was a pleasure playing with you!!!

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Kevin Pietersen
Ricky Ponting RETIRES…. ONE OF THE GREATS! I always got excited playing AUS, so I could watch him bat up close. Well done Punter!

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Courtney Walsh
Well played Ricky Ponting on a great career. Hope you end it on a very high mate. Good luck, as there is plenty life after cricket

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Herschelle Gibbs
What a player, entertainer of note and an all-time great Ricky Ponting! Always loved his approach to batting.

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Michael Vaughan
The best batsman I had the privilege to play against … Australia cricket will not be the same without him. Ricky was a very underestimated bowler as well… Quicker than he looks!

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Virat Kohli
Ricky ponting what an absolute legend. I am glad I had the honour of playing against him. Take a bow…

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Ajinkya Rahane
A legend announced retirement. The cricket world will miss Ricky Ponting on the field.

Sanjay Manjrekar
A a great driver and a great puller! That’s one thing that really stood out for me. Enriched the game by his feats. From this moment on, there will be only nice things said about Ponting :) Ponting came out of that very typical Australian mould of batsmen. He was the quintessential Aussie batsman in style and approach

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Murali Kartik
A very sad day for world cricket, Ricky-1 of the Greatest modern day bats, a former teammate and the consummate professional. Go well mate. Cherish the greats till they are playing, watching international cricket will never be the same without these champions.

Reuters

England bowler Stuart Broad via twitter: “Huge respect for how Ponting played the game. Tough competitor Aussies will miss him. 100 at Perth to finish?”

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West Indies batting great Brian Lara via twitter: “Ricky u will go down as one of the greats! “I batted with Ricky once at the MCG, what a great experience that was, 4 such a great cause Tsunami victims.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith: “I’ve played a lot against Ricky and he’s certainly the most competitive man I’ve played against. “I think the way he played the game and intensity with which he played the game is a credit to him. I think he’s always represented Australia with a lot of dignity and a lot of skill.”

AMAZING TREE IN SOUTH AFRICA


Looks normal from a distance…..but take a closer look…

The mystery is nobody knows who the artist was!

Here’s some close-up pics….

It amazing how someone can actually carve and sculpture like this and not kill the tree!

Top 10 Gold Producing Countries


Gold is a dense,soft,shiny,metal and the most malleable and ductile metal known.Gold is the least chemically reacted element in world.The world consumption of the gold produced is 50 % in jewelery,40 % in investments and 10 % in industry , beside this it has variety of uses in different things such as monitory ,exchange ,investment ,jewellery ,medicine ,food and drink ,industry and electronic chemistry.Now we will discuss about the top ten countries producing gold.

Following list contains top 10 Gold producing countries

gold Top 10 Gold Producing Countries

10).Ghana

Ghana’s gold production greater 1 million fine ounces in 1987 up to 327,000.In early 1990 Ghana largest gold produce.It’s overall share of the domestic gold market was decline from 80% to 60% as other operators industry.The gold production in Ghana is 66,205.

9). Uzbekistan

It is producing 84,000 gold .Uzbekistan is the ninth largest gold producer.Gold primary metal produced in Uzbekistan.Most of its reserved are located in Central Kyzyl-Kum .The mine produces enough gold to make it world’s seventh largest gold produced.

8).Mali

The output for 2010 is increased on the 49.5 tomes.Mali will have to produced by the end of 2009 .According to Waly Diawara the head of the mines and geology department in Mali’s ministry of mines.Althrough Mali’s produced 85,411 golds.

7).Canada

In Canada low price of gold and the reduction of reserves is responsible for the closed of nine mining operations.Overall the past two years in the end of 2002 there were 30 mines left in Canada.Canada produced 104,198.

6).Russia

IT was having difficult time in expanding in production of gold.It was because reserves at existing enterprise were being reduce and gold mining companies were suffering greater difficulties in obtaining licenses to mine new deposits.Russia produced159,340 golds.

5).Peru

Rio Huaypetue mine is largest gold mine in Peru.The Cusco region and near to the border with Madre de Dios and Puno.It is been estimated at point of production in 1998.Some of te world annual gold production have come from Huaypetue.It produced 203,268.

4).United states

It has taken place continuously since gold was discover in Reed Farm in 1799.The first time gold was introduced in Virginia in 1782.The gold production was increased in United States in the year of 1980.Because of high gold prices.Its produced 242,000 golds.

3).Australia

It’s gold production begun in 1890 in Western Australia.It’s first point in 1903 which produced 50 tonnes of gold anually.In 1920 Western Australia was only state in Australia to produced gols.it produced 247,000.

2).China

China produced 247,200.It’s one of the earliest cultures begin making of jewellery in Asia.They were the chinese around 500 years ago.Their designs were very religion-oriented and contained.The traditions of the country is still continues till now.

1).South Africa

South Africa is the top gold producing country .It produced 272,128 golds.It is been the source for large world’s gold supply.50% of all gold ever produced have come from South Africa.It’s production in 1970 counted for 79% of the world supply.


If you are among those forest hunter enthusiasts who love to see and catch wild animals or just doing everything for fun, you could check on this list of the best hunting forest preserves, which are located in different areas of the world. It does not mean that you would go back in the old ways of hunting food to feed yourself. Modern changes are happening everywhere, specifically with major developments being done where you have to sacrifice even the most preserved forest and mountains for the purpose of building residences and business sectors. Nonetheless, we can still witness the best hunting forest preserves where we can still find the most exotic and wild animals in the world. You can find them by reading this list.

1. The Game Reserves in Tanzania

1. The Game Reserves in Tanzania e1320144996165 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

This is the favorite place for all African hunters because of its paradisiacal description and characteristics, which is best for tourist destination. This is the largest hunting ground in the world where you could see the rarest exotic species like lesser kunduk, gerenuk, and sitatunga.

2. The Best Hunting Experience in Mozambique

2. The Best Hunting Experience in Mozambique e1320144929672 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

If you are looking for an ideal forest that you typically see online through pictures, Mozambique definitely will catch your attention. It details the ideal swamplands, thick forests, and palm forests. It has actually revived the hunting history and industry in this country.

3. The Luxury in South Africa

3. The Luxury in South Africa e1320144890893 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

People say that if you really want to see the best forest and jungle in the world, you will have to invest on it and spend much. Of course, South Africa will not be defeated on this, along with other two top hunting forest destinations, which are highly preserved. It is actually the most favorite place for all the hunters and those who are just trying to explore other places like this. You could see the best places in South Africa such as Krunger National Park and Kalahari Gemsbook National Park.

4. Favorite Spot in Namibia

4. Favorite Spot in Namibia e1320144832827 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

If you would talk of European countries, Namibia is their favorite place that has also caught the North American Hunters. You could see Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, steenbuck, and rhino.

5. The Untouchables Montenegro

5. The Untouchables Montenegro e1320144734131 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

When it comes to retention power of the original landscapes, Montenegro, which is located in Southeastern Europe, is very noted. It is also considered to be the smallest country yet with well-preserved beauty of natural forests along with its richest jungles or forests. You could find various forest species in this place such as dove, duck, quail, turtle, snipe, and other wild animals such as wild bears, boar, chamois, rabbits, and wolves.

6. The Exciting Hunting Areas in Belarius

6. The Exciting Hunting Areas in Belarius e1320144684104 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

It is one of the most recommended places for all hunters, especially to those who are approaching the old age where they can no longer go with the flow that other young hunters can do today. This is an ideal place because it is characterized for its flat place landscape, which consists 40% of forestland, with 11,000 pristine lakes. This is an ideal place for fishing and other animal hunting games such as Wild Boar, Elk, Roe, Deer, and of course, Wolf.

7. Discover Real Hunting Experience in Cambodia

7. Discover Real Hunting Experience in Cambodia e1320144611206 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

When the Cambodian government finally lifted off the ban that they declared in 1954, they had the hunting forest reserve opened in 2009 to promote not just their country, but also other important natural resources, which are still kept hidden from other visitors and tourists. In fact, it has become a channel in preservation and promotion of wildlife where they cannot just offer better exploration to other nations but to the people themselves.

8. Best for Hunters: Canada

8. Best for Hunters Canada e1320144562173 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

Canada is known for its beautiful sceneries and landscapes. This is also rich in fishes and other animals. You could visit places such as Newfoundland for Caribou, Ontario for Deer, Hare, and others. Hunters from other parts of the world love to have their stop and spot in this area where they will get to enjoy not just the hunting activity but the well-preserved resources that surround the area.

9. The Bio-diversified Argentina

9. The Bio diversified Argentina e1320144452466 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

It is one of the most maintained hunting areas in the world where it is properly regulated among all other hunting industries that we can see in other countries and locations. You could see and experience some of the best and unique games being offered in this place. This is actually near Antarctica with various birds and animals that dwell in the area. This is a recommended place for all hunters who want to experience unique hunting activities.

10. The Hunting Bay of Uruguay

10. The Hunting Bay of Uruguay e1320144399842 Top 10 Best Hunting Forest Preserves

This is not as popular as other places mentioned on this list, but when it comes to duck hunting, this is the best place where you could find them. You could also find other kinds of birds and other animals such as doves, freshwater fish, and pigeons.

10 World Biggest Holes on Earth


It is believed that holes are wrath of god on this earth and are pathway to hell. Most people reading this would agree but here it is certainly not the case. Holes created in different parts of the world either due to human works like mining, as sum of these are diamond mine shafts that have been abandoned or due to wrath of god as we all know through meteor shower or something similar falling that made the dinosaurs extinct are today popular vacation spots as they are a visual extravaganza.

Whether it’s the Great Blue Hole of Belize, Mirny Diamond Mine of Siberia or the Burning Gates of Turkmenistan, all of these attract a hell lot of tourists and adventure seekers every year just to get a glimpse and experience the ultimate souvenir of nature. Check these cool pictures.

Mirny Diamond Mine of Siberia

Great Blue Hole – Belize

Burning Gates of Turkmenistan

Kimberley Big Hole -  South Africa

Bingham Canyon Mine – Utah

Glory Hole in Monticello Dam California

Diavik Diamond Mine – Canada

Guatemala Sinkhole

Chuquicamata Copper Mine – Chile

Udachnaya Pipe – Russia