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Some interchangeable lens standards have been around for ages. Others, however, are rather more modern contrivances, and Sony’s E-mount definitely falls in that latter category. We’ve seen it hit HD camcorders as well as the NEX-3 and NEX-5 compacts, but so far the greatest selections of lenses we’ve yet seen has come courtesy of a simple adapter. Sony wants that to change, releasing the “basic” specifications for its E-mount interchangeable lens system and doing so for free, a move that lens makers like Carl Zeiss and Sigma have all lauded — though none went so far as to say they’d actually start making this particular flavor of glass. Oh, and the specs for the NEX-5 Lego viewfinder? Still totally free.

How do you tell a Tachyon XC from a Tachyon XC HD helmet camera? Easy: you look for the “HD” printed on the side. We’re pretty sure that’s the only exterior distinguishing factor between the two, at least it’s all our untrained eyes could pick out. And that’s not a bad thing by any means.

Sure, the XC has a chassis that’s slightly chunkier and bulkier than the Contour line of cameras, but it has one major advantage: it’s totally waterproof right out of the box. The rear door shuts tight with a reassuringly loud noise that damages hearing and lets you feel confident the SD memory card and dual AA battery pack inside will be kept dry. It’s far more beefy than the flimsy plastic latch on top of a GoPro. The Tachyon is rated to 100 feet, but we’d guess it’ll manage a lot further before its little hull goes Das Boot.

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Anil Kapoor is going great guns. After the international acclaim following ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the evergreen star is making his debut on international television with the final season of American series ’24′. He describes the action drama as ‘bigger than the biggest’ he has done in India.

‘This small screen (’24′) was bigger than the big screen that I have done in India. It was bigger than the biggest that I’ve ever done,’ Anil, who played a game show host in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ that fetched him international visibility, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

‘For example, the scale of every episode was bigger than any of the films I’ve done in the past. The entire series is worth $125-150 million. I’ve never done such a big show in my career. It was totally very special,’ added the 50-year-old.

Based in New York (shot in Los Angeles), the around-$150 million ’24′ is an action-drama series starring Kiefer Sutherland in the lead as special agent Jack Bauer. The show is presented in the semblance of real time, with each 24-episode season covering 24 hours in the life of Bauer. This is the eighth and final season of the show.

Anil plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), who visits the US on a peace mission to meet the US president.

‘I am definitely the first mainstream star from India to have this kind of job opportunity on television there,’ he said. ‘There is a threat to my life and the story begins from there. I play one of the most pivotal leads of the show. I am there in most of the series.’

The series premieres Monday in India on AXN. This is the first time ’24′ will be aired here. It will be shown Monday to Thursday.

So how long was he in the US for the show?

‘I was there (LA) for six months. Basically I was coming and going. I was also shooting a film ‘No Problem’ in India and South Africa. So in between I shot two schedules of the film too,’ he said.

And how was his international experience?

‘The experience has been very enriching and educative – something which I’ve never had. It was wonderful and creatively very uplifting. It has given me tremendous exposure. Never in my 30-year career have I got this kind of appreciation.

‘It was almost as if I was some kind of ambassador from India and had made a difference to their lives. I was so overwhelmed. I think it went beyond professional respect,’ he said.

Anil doesn’t shy away from conceding too that ‘it was all because of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ ‘.

Rumours are rife that he is keen to move on from the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ success.

Asked about it, he said: ‘You always have to attach and detach and that is the only way you can create more. I don’t get attached to it and start living in past glory. I don’t want to do that. I just want to move on and look at the future rather than looking at the past.’

Has Bollywood taken a backseat?

‘No. I can’t forget my roots. I am what I am because of that. I have moved on and I’ll do that also but I’ll keep on doing this,’ he said.

He is now waiting to know the reaction of his Indian fans to his transition.

‘There is no transition, because for me it was from big to bigger. But I am curious and anxious to know their reactions. I am waiting,’ he said.

Anil’s future projects include sequels to ‘Race’, ‘No Entry’, ‘Mr. India’ and he may star in Priyadarshan’s action movie.

He is also in talks with Sophia Loren’s son, Ben Stiller and Fox Television.

(Robin Bansal can be contacted at robin.b@ians.in)

Mumbai, Aug 22 (PTI) Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray today demanded removal of Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily to ensure impartial handling of the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute which is now in the Supreme Court. “Moily is a Kannadiga.

the Central Government has courts under pressure.

How can one expect that Marathi people in border areas (of Karnataka) get justice from courts,” Thackeray said in a statement late here tonight.

Someone with impeccable record should be appointed union law minister in order resolve the Maharashtra-Karnataka border row impartially, Thackeray said reiterating that Moily must be removed. The Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary row came to limelight following the Central government”s affidavit in the Supreme Court in late June that the disputed areas could not be made part of Maharashtra merely because a majority of the population there speak Marathi.

Ghaziabad, Aug 22 (PTI) With the national capital set to host the prestigious Commonwealth Games, the administration in the satellite town of Ghaziabad has provided its police with additional equipment and behavior training so as to cater to the needs of tourists during the event. District Magistrate Hredesh Kumar, while handing over 45 motorcycles that will be used for patrolling along the Delhi-UP border during the fortnight gala, said the police personnel have been undergoing special training in human behavior and legal management to deal with the guests.

“They will use the word ”sir” or ”madam” while addressing the guests,” he said, adding that communication equipment and computers have also been made available to the policemen. He said to enable the personnel to guide guests who come to Ghaziabad for stay or other purpose, they will be provided maps and other materials.

Kolkata, Aug 22 (PTI) A cricket betting racket was busted tonight with the arrest of three persons at the outskirts of the city, police said. Acting on a tip off, a police team raided a hide-out near a shopping mall in North 24 Parganas district and arrested them.

They would be produced before a court tomorrow. PTI AKB NIK.

Arjun Atwal became the first Indian and just the sixth Asian-born player to win on the PGA Tour when he secured a one-stroke victory at the Wyndham Championship on Sunday.

Atwal joined Japanese trio Isao Aoki, Shigeki Maruyama and Ryuji Imada and South Koreans K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang in an elite but growing club of champions from world’s most populous continent.

The 37-year-old, who now lives in Florida, sank a pressure-packed seven-foot par putt at the final hole to edge American David Toms at Sedgefield.

His final round of 67 left him on 20-under 260, ignited by an opening day 61. Toms closed with a 64.

“It was a long-time dream of mine to win out here but until it happens you keep doubting yourself and, believe me, I had my doubts teeing up today, even with a three-shot lead,” Atwal, who took up golf at the age of 14 in Calcutta, told reporters.

“Until you do it, you don’t know. My swing wasn’t feeling all that great today. It was a little tight (but) I just grinded it out and got it done somehow.”

Atwal believes his victory will resonate in his homeland.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be huge back home,” he said. “My in-laws called my wife yesterday and said the coverage was just unreal with me leading.

“I know there were a lot of people in India and Dubai that watched me play. I’ve had a lot of messages.”

Atwal was part of what at one stage was a seven-way tie for the lead, but he went ahead with a birdie at the 16th and came to the par-four 18th knowing a par would win.

After driving into the rough, he deliberately lashed a utility club up against the skyboxes beyond the green from where he was granted a free drop.

He hit an adequate but not great chip but caught a lucky break when fellow competitor Scott McCarron had to putt first on the same line.

“That was huge,” Atwal said. “I was really nervous over that putt. It was the most nervous I’ve ever been in my entire life. My heart rate was probably 150 at the time.”

TIGER TEXT

Atwal’s friend, Tiger Woods, sent a text message on Saturday night suggesting he try to finish on 21-under.

In the end, Atwal came up one shot shy of that. Fast-finishing Toms birdied three of the final four holes for lone second place on 19-under, with Americans Justin Leonard, John Rollins and John Mallinger and Australian Michael Sim in a tie for third on 18-under.

Atwal, who did not even have exempt status on tour, only got into this event via a qualifier for four spots last Monday.

He became the first Monday qualifier to win on tour since 1986 and his rewards include $918,000, a two-year tour exemption and an invitation to next year’s Masters, a tournament he has never played.

“That will be awesome,” he said. “I was supposed to get in when I won the money list in Asia in 2003, because the No. 1 gets in from there, but they somehow gave it to the No. 2 guy, who was from China.

“That was weird. That was some kind of diplomatic relations thing going on that year.”

But Atwal is not exempt for the four-event FedEx Cup play-off series that starts on Thursday.

Not that he is too worried.

Instead, he will probably fly to Thailand to celebrate his father-in-law’s birthday.

(Editing by Dave Thompson; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

(For more news visit Reuters India)

All-rounder Thisara Perera’s maiden five-wicket haul helped hosts Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory over India on Sunday and a place in the final of the one-day tri-series.

The 21-year-old Perera seamed and swung the ball around on a two-paced pitch to capture five wickets for 28 runs as India choosing to bat first crumbled for 103.

Only Yuvraj Singh, making a comeback to the side after being laid low by dengue fever, offered some kind of resistance top scoring with 38 off 64 balls with five fours and one six.

Sri Lanka made short work of the target as Mahela Jayawardene, promoted to open with Tillakaratne Dilshan, raced to a partnership of 79 before both departed off successive deliveries to Ishant Sharma.

Dilshan made 35 off 23 balls with eight fours and Jayawardene 33 off 35 balls with six fours.

Upul Tharanga (12) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (13) ensured victory was achieved in the shortest possible time by calling for the batting power play that earned Sri Lanka a bonus point and put them on top of the league standings.

The winner of the India and New Zealand match on Wednesday will play Sri Lanka in the final next Saturday.

(Editing by Neil Maidment; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

(For more news visit Reuters India)

Mumbai, Aug 23 (IANS) Think of Mumbai and you will imagine jostling crowds and cramped spaces – but when a spa boasts of a space of over 8,000 square feet, exotic treatments and facials, one just feels tempted to give True Spa a visit.

True Spa, which is a part of Singapore-based fitness chain True Fitness, also has a yoga centre, hair and beauty lounge, a fitness studio and a cafe under one roof in an area of 60,000 square feet which includes the spa section.

‘Apart from the space, we believe in giving quality service to our clients and if you look at the treatments we offer…many of them are our speciality and they are excellent indeed in terms of results as well,’ True Fitness India business development manager Nicholas Kraal told IANS.

‘We consider ourselves as a complete fitness destination as we have everything under one roof. We are planning to open up in other cities as well,’ he added.

In all, the spa section here has 14 rooms – two facial rooms, nine massage rooms and three VIP suites which are basically for couple massage. Each VIP suite has a jacuzzi as well.

The spa has a total of 13 therapists who are certified and have prior experience in this field. They have been given special training, Kraal said.

True Spa offers a full range of more than 30 services, including body massages, body scrubs, body treatments, face treatments and hydrobath treatments.

A customer can opt for treatments like sea essential remineralising bodywrap or sea essential anti-cellulite or may be some face treatments such as lumiere, purity and prestige marine dew.

But the therapist here suggests their signature massage ‘Twin Bodyworks’ for relaxing muscles and rejuvenation.

In this, two therapists will massage you simultaneously in rhythmic harmony with the sweet almond oil. Their perfect hand movements and syncronisation will definitely amaze you as four hands will keep massaging till oil gets completely absorbed in the body.

At the same time, they focus on the acupressure points on the feet, hands, neck, lower back and the backbone – giving a very calming and peaceful sensation.

But, if you are used to dozing off in between body massage – this might not be the case here. As apart from legs, the two therapists work on different body parts which diverts attention and hence you are very much conscious and awake most of the time.

So for a change, this massage is definitely a must do, but if you want that sleepy feeling, stick to a single therapist massage.

Location: True Spa, 4th level, Crystal Point Mall, New Link Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Price: Rs.5,400.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)

New Delhi, Aug. 22 — With an eye on assembly elections in Bihar and West Bengal, the RJD and Trinamool Congress sought implementation of a 17-year-old Supreme Court order asking the government to give salaries to imams of government-aided mosques. Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the issue was under consideration but some imams were resisting the move. As his reply infuriated Prasad and others, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee intervened saying the government “will take appropriate action”. Prasad wanted to know the reasons for the delay in implementation of the 1993 SC order on a petition of the All India Imams Organisation relating to salaries of imams in government-aided mosques and remuneration to clerics in non-aided places of worship. Trinamool and Samajwadi party joined ranks with Prasad on the issue. The issue, raised during zero hour, caused uproar with BJP’s Yogi Adityanath and Bijoya Chakraborty demanding similar remuneration for the eight lakh temple priests in the country. The debate continued outside the house with Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari saying the issue was being raised because there was an election in Bihar. Prasad hit back saying, “Congress did not implement it despite coming to power on Muslim votes. But when our party comes to power in Bihar, we will implement the directive.” Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandhyopadhyay said his party supported RJD as “imams in West Bengal were facing an economic crisis”. Salary hike At a meeting with Pranab Mukherjee, the issue of MP salaries was resolved. “The House will now function as per rules,” Sharad Yadav said. On Friday, non-BJP, Congress and Left party MPs had stalled Lok Sabha for the day over the Cabinet’s decision to increase MP salaries to Rs 50,000 per month. Mukherjee assured the leaders their issues would be considered before the bill was introduced in Parliament. Lalu Prasad demanded a further hike of R10,000. Advani pulls Mps A day after some BJP MPs took part in an all-Opposition mock Parliament, LK Advani expressed displeasure over them lowering the seriousness and dignity of the party. Sources said Advani had a word with the party’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde, and MPs Uday Singh and Kirti Azad.

Sources said that Sushma Swaraj called up Munde expressing her displeasure. Arun Jaitley, too, is believed to be unhappy with the mock protest.