Sri Lankan special forces troops killed Tamil Tiger

Sri Lankan special forces troops killed Tamil Tiger
Tamil Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran as he tried to flee the war zone early on Monday, military sources said.The 54-year-old who founded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on a culture of suicide before surrender had vowed never to be taken alive.The LTTE on Sunday conceded defeat in a 25-year civil war, after a relentless Sri Lankan military offensive that retook the 15,000 sq km (5,792 sq miles) the rebels ran as a separate state when a 2002 truce began falling apart three years ago."It was confirmed Prabhakaran was killed when trying to flee in an ambulance before dawn.England had claimed the wicket of Ashwell Prince, who was trapped lbw by off-spinner Graeme Swann for 15.England, replying to South Africa's first innings total of 291, resumed on 241 for seven on Tuesday morning .

But Morne Morkel claimed two wickets in the first over -- his fourth and fifth of the innings -- to reduce them to 241 for nine.Swann gloved a superb lifter angled into the body to first slip to be caught for five, and Jimmy Anderson steered the next delivery to the same place for a duck, Smith taking both catches.England were still trailing by 50 runs and the situation called for some brave strokeplay, which wicketkeeper Matt Prior provided with a punchy 76 off 118 balls.He managed to protect last man Graham Onions for nearly half-an-hour as 32 runs were added, leaving just an 18-run first innings gap between the two sides.Prior's run-spree was eventually stopped six overs into the day when he tried to get a Dale Steyn bouncer away for a single but could only bottom-edge the ball into his stumps.Smaller hams may grace Easter tables .

This year's Easter ham may be smaller and guests may be asked to bring a dish, as cash-strapped consumers spend less to celebrate the Christian holiday."I think people are more cognizant that we don't need these elaborate bashes," said Brian Leonard, whose Easter plans have shrunk to include only his family of five, down from previous years, when 30 were on the guest list."Sunday we are going to have a small family meal; normally we have a large family meal," said Leonard, who lives on Chicago's west side.The ongoing recession, 8.5 percent unemployment, and 10 percent of Americans using food stamps have changed the country's eating habits and food buying decisions.In addition to Sunday's meal, Leonard, who works at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, said his family will donate an Easter ham to a Chicago homeless shelter, where the number of tenants has jumped this year to about 240 from 130.Dining at upscale restaurants is out for many, with more consumers eating Sunday's holiday meal at home.Spending for that home-prepared meal is forecast to be down from a year ago, and the portions may be smaller."The question will be: Will it be a big ham or a small ham?," said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm NPD Group.In addition, consumers may serve more lower-cost grain-based items like pasta or have guests bring a portion of the meal, said Balzer.At the bustling Chicago Mercantile Exchange where prices are set for the grain and meat that go into those holiday meals, a few traders said their Sunday dinners will be pot luck affairs with guests contributing menu items.A recent National Retail Federation survey indicated consumers will spend an average of $117 on Easter merchandise this year, down from $135 a year ago.