In its latest report, a top internet marketing research firm comScore revealed that the global number of internet users has crossed nearly 1 billion mark during the last month (December 2008), with 41.3% coming from the Asia-Pacific region.

The comScore survey looked at Internet users aged above 15, who accessed the net from their home or work PCs during December 2008.

Panaji: Activists of the two Hindu outfits forced suspension of screening of globally applauded film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ by staging protest demonstrations and tearing posters in a city multiplex, triggering strong reactions from the film industry.

Ace Bollywood stars including multi-talented Akshay Kumar, gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, yesteryears’ dancing diva Helen and cricketer MS Dhoni are among 133 personalities named for this year’s ‘Padma’ awards.

A total 133 people, representing different walks of life, are likely to be awarded the ‘Padma’ Awards for the year 2009.

While 40 people out of these are likely to get the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ (10) and ‘Padma Bhushan’ (30), another 93 are tipped to receive the ‘Padma Shri’.

US film actress Julia Roberts visited the emblem of Love Taj Mahal on Thursday.

Julia was spotted with her husband Daniel Moder and children.

Wearing a scarf to hide her identity from the large number of fans as well as media persons gathered at Taj Mahal awaiting her visit, Julia behaved like an ordinary tourist preferring to walk towards the edifice from the main gateway on the sidewalk rather than the main platform running along the central vista.

Only a few could identify the US actress though many had laid in wait for her and in vain scanned the road from Amar Vilas Hotel, where she was staying, to the Taj.

In a significant move, Internet giant, Google has decided to close down its Print Ads service.

While commenting on this major move, Google Print Ads director Spencer Spinnell said, “The company would stop selling print ads from 28 February and all previously purchased campaigns would cease by the end of March.”

Spinnell further added that the product did not deliver the kind of results as the company was looking for.

“The product has not created the impact that we or our partners wanted,” pointed Spinnell.

A blasting knock of 137 runs by opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan saw Sri Lanka mauling Pakistan team by 235 runs in the third and the final match of the series. With this win, Sri Lanka also lifted the ODI series by 2-1. This is considered as one of the worst performances by Pakistan against Sri Lanka on its home soil.