$4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.

FILE - In this March 21, 2006 file photo, comic book creator Stan Lee stands beside some of his drawings in the Marvel Super Heroes Science Exhibition at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The Walt Disney Co. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 said it is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.


FILE - In this file image released by Paramount Pictures, Iron Man in shown his Mark III armor in the film "Iron Man." The Walt Disney Co. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 said it is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.


The logos of The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Enterainment are show in this undated photograph released by Disney August 31, 2009. Walt Disney Co said on Monday it plans to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in a deal that would add characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four to its entertainment empire.


FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2004 file photo, a man looks at an advertisement for the Spiderman movie in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Walt Disney Co. said Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, it is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E


NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: A Marvel Incredible Hulk comic book is seen for sale at St. Mark's Comics August 31, 2009 in New York City. The Walt Disney Co. announced that it plans to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in stock and cash, bringing 5,000 Marvel characters including Spider Man and Incredible Hulk under the Disney umbrella.


NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: In this photo illustration, vintage Spider Man and X-Men Marvel comic books are seen at St. Mark's Comics August 31, 2009 in New York City. The Walt Disney Co. announced that it plans to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in stock and cash, bringing 5,000 Marvel characters including Spider Man and Incredible Hulk under the Disney umbrella.



A man laughs after watching a "Spider-Man 3" promotional video in Hong Kong in this May 2, 2007 file photo. Walt Disney Co said on August 31, 2009 that it plans to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in a deal that would add characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four to its entertainment empire.


credit photo : AP photo

First round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, August 31, 2009.

Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania hits a return to Li Na of China during their match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.


Li Na of China hits a return to Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania during their match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.


Fifth-seed US tennis player Andy Roddick reacts after winning a point against Germany's Bjorn Phau during the first round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, August 31, 2009.


Bjorn Phau of Germany runs to make a return to Andy Roddick of the United States during their match at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York August 31, 2009.


Andy Roddick, of the United States, serves to Bjorn Phau, of Germany, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.

credit photo: Reuters pictures.


Third-seed US tennis player Venus Williams celebrates at the end of her match against Russia's Vera Dushevina during the first round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, August 31, 2009. Williams won 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.


Third-seed US tennis player Venus Williams returns a shot to Russia's Vera Dushevina during the first round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, August 31, 2009. Williams won 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.


Vera Dushevina of Russia returns a volley to Venus Williams of the United States during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, August 31, 2009.

credit photo : Getty Images.

During a practice session before her opening round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

Jada, the daughter of former world number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium, watches her mother practice session before her opening round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

American basketball player Brian Lynch, husband to former world number one tennis player Kim Clijsters of Belgium, holds their child Jada during Clijsters' practice session at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

Back from a two-year maternity leave, former world number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium waves to her daughter Jada, during a practice session before her opening round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

Back from a two-year maternity leave, former world number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium calls out to her daughter Jada, during a practice session before her opening round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

Back from a two-year maternity leave, former world number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium takes part in a practice session before her opening round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, August 31, 2009.

credit photo: Reuters pictures.

Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal.

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A night view of the river Jehlum in on August 31, 2009 in Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

KHARDUNG-LA, LADAKH- AUGUST 31: Vehicles pass next to the icicles hanging on the roadside on August 31, 2009 in Khardung-la, in Indian Administered Kashmir.

HUNDAR, LADAKH- AUGUST 31: A Ladakhi man walks with his double humped camels on the sand dunes on August 31, 2009 in Hundar, in Indian Administered Kashmir.

HUNDAR, LADAKH- AUGUST 31: A Ladakhi man walks with his herd of goats on August 31, 2009 in Hundar, in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: General view of a mountainous valley on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

PANGONG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A general view of snow mountain peak on August 31, 2009 in Pangong, in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A stream flows through snow on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: Kashmir nomads with their ponies wait for trekkers on a trekking route on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A young Kashmiri nomad girl poses for a picture outside her tent on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A herd of sheep and goats are seen on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: Kashmiri women carrying wood in their baskets walk on a road on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A stream flows through snow on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A young Kashmiri nomad girl plays outside her tent on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A Kashmir nomad rides his horse on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A stream flows through snow on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A young Indian beggar poses for a picture while begging on a street on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: An unknown grave of a Kashmir nomad on the way to the trekking route on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.

ZOJILA, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: Trucks carrying supplies drive towards Ladakh on August 31, 2009 in Zojila about 102 Km (63 miles) notheast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.

SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A elderly kashmiri nomade poses for a picture outside his tent on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.


SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: A Kashmir nomads quench the thirst on a trekking route on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.




SONAMARG, KASHMIR- AUGUST 31: Trekkers rest in their tents next to a lake on August 31, 2009 in Sonamarg about 96 Km (59 miles) northeast of Srinagar in Indian Administered Kashmir. Kashmir is known for its charming beauty. It is surrounded by three mountain ranges of the Himalayas- Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal, running from northwest to northeast.

credit photo : Getty Images

National Basketball Association's Houston Rocket, during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets player Tracy McGrady is aided by Chinese officials to sign on a document written in Chinese characters during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.


Chinese hostesses hold basket balls to be signed by NBA Houston Rockets Tracy McGrady, not in picture, during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.


National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets player Tracy McGrady shakes hands with a cancer patient during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.


National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets Tracy McGrady hands gifts to cancer patients during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.


National Basketball Association Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady, center, pretends to take a snapshot during a Chinese red cross event to benefit cancer patients in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009.

credit photo : AP photo

The annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

Performers are seen, as they join the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.




A dancer performs at the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


A dancer is pictured at an annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.




A dancer is pictured at an annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.



LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Locals dance on their balcony over looking the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


A dancer is pictured at an annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


A performer is seen, as he joins the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.



A performer joins the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.


Crowds of carnival goers are seen at an annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Dancers take part in the street procession at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands of people are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.



LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: A dancer takes part in the street procession at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands of people are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London


LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Locals offer beer for sale from their flat at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.




LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Dancers take part in the street procession at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands of people are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.





LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: A woman dances with a policeman at The Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: A woman dances with a policeman at The Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


A performer is seen, as she joins the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.




LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: A DJ stands on a stack of speakers as people dance in the street during the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


Performers jokingly dance in front of a British police officer as they join the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.


Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.


LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Dancers take part in the street procession at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands of people are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


A performer joins the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday Aug. 31, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean.


Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.


LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Crowds arrive for the Notting Hill Carnival on August 31, 2009 in London, England. Hundreds of thousands are attending Europe's biggest street party. Carnival floats, dancers, food stalls and 40 static sound systems entertain revellers on the 3.5 mile route through the streets of west London.


annual Notting Hill Carnival in Ladbroke Grove, west London

Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.


Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

A performer dances during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

A performer dances during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

Spectators watch the parade pass by during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

A dancer performs in the parade during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

Performers dance in the parade during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

A dancer performs in the parade during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

Performers dance in the parade during the annual Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

A spectator watches the parade pass by during the annual the Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.

A performer reacts, during the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival Children's Day in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London, the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean. The adults' parade will take place on Monday.


Performers seen, as they join the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival Children's Day, in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing to the streets of west London the sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean. The adults' parade will take place on Monday.


A girl in a costume looks on during the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival Children's Day in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held annually, bringing the sounds, costumes and smells of Caribbean to west London. The adults' parade will take place on Monday.


A girl in a costume joins the procession of the Notting Hill Carnival Children's Day in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held annually, bringing the sounds, costumes and smells of Caribbean to west London. The adults' parade will take place on Monday.


A girl in a costume carries a Grenadian flag, during the Notting Hill Carnival Children's Day, in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. The Notting Hill Carnival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend annually, bringing the streets of west London with sounds, costumes and smells of the Caribbean. The adults' parade will take place on Monday.


A dancer in costume leads a dancing group during a day-two annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


Spectators watch the parade pass by during the annual the Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.


A dancer in a costume leads a dancing group during a day-two annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


A dancer in a costume leads a dancing group during a day-two annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


Performers smile during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.


Spectators watch the parade pass by during the annual the Notting Hill Carnival in London August 30, 2009.



Dancers attend a day-two annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


A dancer is pictured at an annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


A dancer is pictured during a annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


Dancers attend a day-two annual Notting Hill Carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.


Residents of Notting Hill watch from a window as carnival dancers pass during the Notting Hill carnival in London on August 31, 2009. The festival was launched in 1959 by post-World War II immigrants from what were then Britain's Caribbean colonies, as a community act of defiance following ugly race riots the year before.

Performers dance during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

A performer dances during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

A performer dances during the annual Notting Hill Carnival parade in west London August 31, 2009.

Hundreds of thousands of revellers are dancing through west London on the final day of the Notting Hill Carnival.

Elaborately dressed masquerade artists are making their way through the 3.5-mile route in west London, alongside steel-pan bands and food stalls.

More than 200,000 people attended the carnival on Sunday for the children's parade. This number is predicted to increase three-fold on Monday.

The event is billed Europe's biggest street party.

Alongside the steel-pan bands, revellers are able to to enjoy music including traditional soca or calypso, reggae, hip-hop, jazz, soul, house and garage coming from almost 40 static sound systems.

Noise levels

Organisers estimate that 150,000 feather plumes, 30 million sequins, and 100 litres of decorative body paint will have been be used by artists at the carnival over the two days.

Thousands of Metropolitan Police officers are on duty at the carnival.

There have been no arrests so far on Monday.

On Sunday, police held 64 people mainly for drugs offences. Last year there were 108 arrests on the opening day.

Seven suspected pit-bull terrier-type dogs have been seized by police working for the Dangerous Dogs Unit.

More rigorous noise monitoring is taking place at the carnival this year, with around 100 officials, working for local councils and the police, ensuring music does not exceed noise levels of 135 decibels.

Levels have reached 140 decibels in previous years.

According to a spokeswoman for the festival, more than five tons of chicken was being sold on Sunday and Monday.

This year, the processions began an hour earlier - at 0900 BST - coming to a close at 1830 BST.

Source : news.bbc.co.uk
credit photo : Reuters pictures.