Andy Murray wins Brisbane International after beating Alexandr Dolgopolov

Andy Murray holds up the Roy Emerson Trophy at the Brisbane International

The British No 1, Andy Murry lifted the ATP Brisbane International title after  a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Murry saw off Dolgopolov in the quarter-finals Melbourne Park last year and this time he again defeated him with quite ease mixing his aggressive and intricate play.

Dolgopolov was struggling with a groin problem towards the end of the first set and Murry went ahead 4-0 down in the second set before the Ukrainian amazingly fought back to 4-3, but Murray then raised his game again to close out the match.

Murry took control of the final with a run of nine straight games under the watchful eye of his new coach Ivan Lendl.

Murray was delighted by his victory, which was ideal preparation for the Australian Open.

He said: "It's a very good start to the year. I started the match well, got a quick break early.

"I kept my foot on the gas and kept going for it and kept the pressure on.

"I managed to get a break early in the second set so I am really happy with the way I played and the way I stayed on top when I got the initiative."

FA Cup: Man City 2-3 Man Utd

City players react with disbelief after refree rejects a clear-cut late penalty

Etihad Stadium: Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2 in a thrilling match to qualify to the fourth round of the FA Cup. At the break United was in a 3-0 lead and City fought back brilliantly but United was good enough to hold the the FA cup champions.

Wayne Rooney got on the score sheat 10 minutes after the start. Ryan Giggs’s pass had set Rooney free 40 yards from goal and the forward laid the ball off to Antonio Valencia before sprinting into the penalty area to head the return ball into the goal.

And after Lindegaard saved well from Sergio Aguero on 14 minutes, United began to dominate. The things worsened when City's captain Vincent Kompany was sent off and just seconds later United scored their second through Danny Welbeck on the half hour. Evra's low cross from close to the byline was cleared up into the air but Welbeck swinged his boot at it, firing it into the far corner.

Rooney scored the third one after Kolarov was booked for unfair tackle on Welbeck that awarded United a precious penalty. The penalty was well saved by the keeper Costel Pantilimon, saving low on the left but Rooney headed it home after it rebounded the unlucky keeper.

10 men City held an amazing fightback and Kolarov’s 48th-minute strike from a free-kick made it 3-1 and gave City hope of a remarkable comeback.

Sergio Aguero's 64th minute strike made the match much interesting. City benifited from Scholes poor return to a throw as Samir Nasri nipped in to take it past him and crossed from the left into the box where Aguero shoots and Lindegaard saved it but back to the striker and the Argentine reached the ball to slots it past him.

Manchester City could have equalised when Jones handled Kolarov’s cross in the penalty area but the refree Foy missed it.

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory is known for her historical fiction, which looks at the lives of prominent women from the past and tells their stories with romance and intrigue. Some of her previous bestsellers include The Constant Princess and The Other Queen. In The Red Queen, Gregory looks at Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, and tells the War of the Roses from a unique perspective.

Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales. Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation. Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will.

The Hunger Games (2012)

The Hunger Games is an upcoming science fiction action drama based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins.

In the ruins of what was once North America, the nation Panem randomly chooses one boy and girl, ages 12-18, from each of the 12 districts to risk their lives in the Hunger Games, a ruthless competition in which each contestant, or tribute, tries to kill the others until only one remains. The winner receives honor, gifts, and enough food and supplies to never worry for anything material again. The Games, while entertainment for the Capitol's citizens, are a yearly reminder to the 12 districts of the 13th district's unsuccessful rebellion 74 years ago.

In District 12, sixteen year-old Katniss Everdeen cares for her mother and sister Primrose "Prim" since her father died in a mine accident when she was 11. Since the age of 12, Katniss has put her name in the lottery, or reaping, more than once. In return, she receives extra grain and oil for her family. In addition, Katniss has been illegally hunting for food outside the gates of District 12 with her friend Gale, whose father died in the same mining accident as Katniss' and similarly cares for his family. Prim, now age 12, has her name placed in the reaping for the first time -- only once -- and is chosen to compete in the Games. Katniss volunteers to replace her sister. She competes with other tributes, including trained "Career Tributes" who have prepared for the Games their entire lives.

The film is directed by Gary Ross starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen and Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman. Scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012 by Lionsgate.

Saudi Commission for Tourism, Boosts Youth Participation in Industry

Officials at the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) have announced the availability of 400 job opportunities in tourism sector in the capital Riyadh. The jobs were announced by SCTA within the framework of its joint efforts with the Human Resource Development Fund & National System for Joint Training.

SCTA urged young Saudis who wish to join the travel and tourism sector to attend an employment meeting at Madareem Crown Hotel this weekend. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Washeel, director general of Takamul, said the SCTA and its partners have completed all preparations to receive youths who wish to join work in travel and tourism agencies.

In this regard he referred to the personal attention paid by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president of SCTA, to this program and his direct instructions for providing any necessary support to the partners to reach program’s key goal, regarding the Saudization of jobs in tourism’s various sectors through training and rehabilitating Saudis to join tourism sector jobs.

The Twilight Actress 'Ashley Greene' for DKNY

Images have been revealed from DKNY's Spring 2012 campaign starring Twilight actress Ashley Greene. It was announced back in October that the 24-year-old was the US label's latest face, and the brand has now released an array of shots of the star captured by acclaimed fashion photographers Inez & Vinoodh.

The ads, featuring the star posing on a Manhattan rooftop in items including paint-splattered slacks and a floaty pink dress, will break internationally in February and March's fashion magazines.

Greene is also the face of DKNY Jeans, with previous modeling assignments including a commercial for SoBe beverages which appeared in the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. In June last year the actress was also named a brand ambassador for US beauty label Mark.

Charlie Sheen Donates $25K to Alabama Tornado Relief

The 46-year-old television actor Charlie Sheen has donated $25,000 to help tornado relief in Alabama, making good on a promise to help survivors of the deadly twisters. The head of Tuscaloosa's tourism agency, Don Staley, says Sheen gave money that came though his fundraising website.

The actor wrote a check for about $15,000 after the website generated just $10,000 in contributions.

Sheen visited Tuscaloosa after the April 27, twisters and talked about staging a relief show and celebrity ball game to raise funds. Staley says those plans didn't materialize, but the actor donated the money shortly before Thanksgiving.

Some people criticized Sheen for going to Alabama amid the media frenzy following his firing from the hit CBS show "Two and a Half Men." Staley says Sheen gave the money without making any public announcement and just wants to help.

Headline Jan8,2012/Visual Computing

VISUAL COMPUTIN

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THE TURF OF THE MASTER SCIENTISTS!

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                   hould anyone tell you that computers or software is turning into a commodity, just smack him. He is either silly or turning brain dead. But just also remember that in the Computers or Software field "there is no place to hide." So just bear this - Should you see a new car that impresses you, or should you space calculations, complex drawings, life saving machines, or any other object you fancy, remember to applaud visual computing. A domain that a few scientists dare to tread. And were it not for this capability, there would be no advance sciences. No way!

F

or long the world of visual computing was just plain graphics and 2 dimensional. It was one great thinker Professor Stanley Clark from Stanford University, who developed the capabilities to upscale and who believed that this was the wave of the future. Clark's innovation enabled people to create moving objects three dimensional graphics on computer screens. Imagination, and productivity took off as audio and video got added up.

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o, now no one can imagine a great movie without the special effects. No pilot can traine without the simulator. High fidelity and interactive environments are only now possible. The world will forever remain indebted to this mighty thinker Prof James H.Clark And for SAM Daily Times, the highly respect Huffington Post remains a benchmark. And amongst the SAM team only few rose to the true calling of this splendid visual art! If students shirk mathematics then few inventions will flow. Only to tool and retool. Goodnight with visuals.

SAM Daily Times- "The Voice of the Voiceless"

Three monkeys a genetic mishmash

For the first time, scientists have created primates whose cells carry one of several sets of genetic instructions instead of one consistent assemblage of DNA. The three rhesus monkeys are chimeras, conglomerates of cells from up to six genetically different embryos.

The scientists added embryonic stem cells engineered to carry a glowing protein to an early-stage embryo called a blastocyst. The blastocyst is a ball of cells; the outer part becomes the placenta and other supporting tissues, while embryonic stem cells inside give rise to the actual fetus.

To create the chimeric animals, the researchers had to take a step backward from the blastocyst stage to embryos at the four-cell stage of development. The researchers created the chimeric monkeys by fusing together up to six of those four-cell-stage embryos. The three monkeys, named Chimero, Roku (Japanese for six) and Hex (Greek for six), are all normal and healthy, the researchers report.

Because rhesus monkey stem cells behave so much like human embryonic stem cells, researchers think the findings can be extrapolated to human cells. “But it’s possible this is going to be rhesus monkey–specific,” Mitalipov says. To find out, he hopes to make other chimeric primates, possibly starting with marmosets.

Reference:Science News.org

Wear Your LED Television

David Forbes, an electrical engineer by trade, wanted to build something really cool to wear at the Burning Man festival. So he re-purposed a relatively simple flexible circuit board covered with LEDs. He made the first with 30 rows of four LEDs each and then contracted a manufacturer to build 175 more of them. He attached them to an old coat and was able to build a display with a 160 x 120 resolution, which he notes on his blog is exactly half that of an iPod.
Part of the set-up is the same kind of chip used to scale down the images for security cameras, and another is the same type of chip used to control the big LED signs used for advertisements. Adding a small set of circuits that convert the video output of the iPod to the smaller resolution, he was able to put together his wearable display.
The only down side seems to be getting through airports. Forbes also noted that he wasn’t able to create a pair of pants, as the curves over the thighs proved complicated. But he has designed vests.

Source:Discovery News

Curing VIP Drug Addicts In Switzerland

Located near Zurich, the upscale Küsnacht Practice has two goals: to treat their clients’ alcohol and drug problems, and make sure the experience is as comfortable as humanly possible. For those with the money to afford it, the establishment can arrange “practically anything.”

Managing director Jan A. Gerber revealed that clients come from far and wide and many of them have already been to the world’s most expensive rehab clinics. Some, he adds, had nearly given up hope of ever being healed.

Patients are not treated in groups, but on an individual basis – in poshly appointed apartments in Küsnacht and the surrounding area. If a guest prefers, they can stay at the five-star Dolder Grand hotel in Zurich, with which the clinic has a partnership. Another option is to stay at a luxury villa in the resort of St. Moritz.

Yoga, acupuncture, personal training and other complementary therapies constitute important parts of the daily routine during the healing process.

Loyalty Of Solider Dogs

A U.S. Army soldier and his military working dog jump off 

the ramp of a Chinook helicopter during water training over

 the Gulf of Mexico

There are about 2,700 dogs serving worldwide, according to the Defense Department. Roughly 600 of these dogs are deployed in designated war zones overseas, including Afghanistan, areas of Africa and Kuwait. According to an estimate the average war dog saves 150 soldier lives during its service.

Dogs have been serving in military conflicts since World War I, returning home after the conflicts ended. But thousands of dogs were left behind during the Vietnam War. 

Of the roughly 4,900 dogs that the United States used in Vietnam, around 2,700 were turned over to the South Vietnamese army, and a staggering 1,600 were euthanized. But today, dogs are no longer left in war zones. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a law that allowed the dogs to be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement agencies and civilians

What do Americans do all day?

On weekdays, Americans work 7.9 average hours and on weekends 5.5 average hours. And on work days 83% of the employees work at workplace instead of home.
On an average day, women spend more time on housework, cooking, lawn care, financial and other household management.And men socialize, watch T.V or exercise. Women spend more time on caring for children than men on an average day.

E-Reader Lets You Physically Turn the Page

"I'd love to have something with flexible displays where I could flip the display and move to new pages," says Thomas Coughlin, a senior member of IEEE and founder of Coughlin Associates.

A new e-reader device prototype, called Paranga, allows users to physically turn the pages.The realistic page-turning function is intended to make the e-book easier for users like children and the elderly.Readers can flip the pages infinitely to peruse a whole e-book and find a single page. "It  feels more like a real book, making it easier to understand and control." says Yuichi Itoh, an associate professor at Osaka University and project manager for the new device


The device is a mixture of high and low technology. Inspired by flipbooks, the prototype has two facing parts resembling an open-faced book. Page turning is controlled on the right-hand side, which is made from a flexible rubber sheet covered in spongy cloth. Along the sheet's edge, a narrow cylindrical roller with page-like grooves connects to sensors inside the device.

The left side of the device has a small LCD monitor that displays content, including animations and text. As the user moves a thumb along the roller, the system is programmed so that the corresponding pages will turn on the monitor. A "bend" sensor along the center of the sheet detects flexing, so the more the rubber sheet is bent, the faster the pages will turn on the monitor -- just like in a paper book.

Source: Discovery News

High tuition fees change Sweden's student population from overseas

Sweden is undergoing a change in student demographics as the students from outside the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland are obliged to pay for higher education in Sweden.

The number of admitted master's-level students from Pakistan and India—until now the two most common countries of origin—declined by 91 and 85 percent respectively between 2010 and 2011.
The average decrease for low-income countries was over 90 percent.
Richer countries outside the EEA have felt less of an impact.

China now has the most admitted students of all non-European countries. The number of admitted master's students from the United States declined by just over 40 percent—by comparison, a small decrease.
Sadiq Malik, a Pakistani student who enrolled at Stockholm University one year before the fees were introduced, says he would not have been able to afford paying the current tuition fees.

"My programme would cost me a total of 280,000 kronor ($40,500) and that's aside from my living expenses," he says. "Pakistan is a poor country, and the situation is getting worse day by day. I might earn that much money after a lifetime of working, but only then."
For most, the real worth of higher education is proven after graduation.

Foreign graduates have often struggled to find gainful employment after finishing their studies.
According to Sveriges Radio, about 1% of Sweden's international graduates in 2009 stayed in the country to work after graduating.

Out of those who do stay, not everyone is able to find employment commensurate with their qualifications.
"A lot of people I know from Pakistan and other non-European countries have completed one or even two master's degrees, and are still working at fast-food restaurants," says Sadiq Malik at Stockholm University.
"What, then, is the use of that degree? If most of the non-EEA graduates at the master's level disappear after completing their degrees, what's the use of attracting them in the first place? Swedish companies don't seem to be making use of the resources that are at their disposal."

World's highest cable-stayed bridge inaugurated

Baluarte bridge, world's highest cable-stayed bridge, is inaugurated by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.


The bridge, which is 403m tall, can easily fit the Eiffel Tower under its central span. 


Part of a new highway, it covers a deep ravine located in Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental mountains.


The BBC reports:
"The Mazatlan-Durango highway replaces a notoriously dangerous winding road known as the "Devil's backbone" that crosses the jagged peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

As well as Baluarte, there will be eight other bridges over 300m high, as well as more than 60 tunnels.

Officials say it will reduce the journey between Mazatlan and Durango by about six hours.

Eventually, it will form part of a modern highway linking the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

As the highest cable-stayed bridge in the world, it surpasses the famous Millau Viaduct in France."


The inauguration ceremony is a part of festivities marking Mexico's 200 years of independence from Spain. The traffic is expected to open later this year.

Event : SHELL ECO-MARATHON

By Kanza Basit

Shell Eco-marathon is a vast-scale event, hosted by Shell, which takes place thrice annually in different parts of the world including the Americas, Europe and Asia. It brings a great number of young intelligentsia on a common platform where they compete against each other with their cars. Students, across the globe design, build and run their fuel-efficient cars on the reserved tracks of Shell and the car which covers the greatest distance in the least amount of fuel wins. This marathon is a unique one in its own way.

the entire world is participating in such a huge event, we, Pakistanis, cannot miss the wonderful opportunity of showing the world that we are not less in any way. Engineers from PNEC-NUST, by participating in 2009, declared themselves as pioneers of Shell Eco-marathon. From 2010 onwards, a plenty of teams, from several Pakistani institutions, started participating in this competition and Pakistani cars were also seen on the abroad roads. The team of 2009 did not just get a media coverage, but also was a part of the official picture of Shell Eco-marathon 2009. The fame was immense. The picture on the left shows the happy pioneers from PNEC-NUST.

PNEC-NUST, this year again, is all-ready to leave a landmark in the history of Shell Eco-marathon Asia. The venue of the event is Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

 

The competition comprises of two categories; urban-concept and prototype. Students, according to their interests, select categories and prepare themselves in the best way possible.  We, students of PNEC-NUST, are participating in the both the categories and will be running two cars on the Malaysian tracks. Both the teams currently have quite a many tasks at their hands. From deciding the equipment of the cars till working with the mechanics, from university work till arranging the sponsors, all are to be managed well. The proud teams, with one of the cars, urban-concept vehicle, can be seen on the left.

The teams comprises of students from various semesters of Mechanical and Industrial and Manufacturing departments of PNEC-NUST. The idea behind having people from different departments is merely to use the knowledge of as many minds as possible. Our faculty is extremely supportive and encouraging. They are always there to guide the teams so that we do not leave any loopholes.

This year, we aim to bring laurels to our prestigious institution and beloved country by beating all the previous records and making a new one on our name. We have to go through a long way and we hope to pass by all the hurdles successfully without falling. Our journey has just started. It will make us learn, practice and implement and will help us in becoming better engineers.

Yahoo Paving Ways For Better Future

Yahoo Inc, the struggling Internet company, has recently got its new CEO Scott Thompson.Its now searching for new members for its board of directors. Board of directors had been under criticism for many months. They now seem to be reviewing their complete board and are looking for replacement of few of its board members.

Carol Bartz, the old CEO was fired from the top job at Yahoo four months ago, as Yahoo began a "strategic review" in which discussions have included the possibility of being sold, taken private or broken up.

A Yahoo spokeswoman declined to comment on the potential board changes. Asked about potential changes to the composition of Yahoo's board in an interview on Wednesday, Thompson said it was "premature" to make any announcements. "That's something I'll talk about with the board at a future date," he said.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news of Yahoo's plans for its board on Friday, the company has retained executive recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles International Inc to help with the process. Yahoo director Patti Hart is leading the search, the report said, citing anonymous sources.

A Web pioneer in the early 1990s, Yahoo has struggled to maintain its relevance and advertising revenue in the face of competition from rivals Google Inc and Facebook.

Hot Air Balloon Crash Kills 11 In New Zealand

A hot air balloonburst into flames and crashed in New Zealand on Saturday, killing all 11 people on board in the country's worst air accident in more than three decades.

Police said the balloon appeared to have clipped powerlines and caught fire before crashing into farmland near Carterton, about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Wellingtonon New Zealand's North Island.

"Sadly the pilot and 10 passengers on board have not survived," Wellington District Commander Superintendent Mike Rusbatch said.

The accident occurred just before 7.30 am (1830 GMT) in calm, clear weather in a region well known for hot air ballooning.

Bloomberg takes online coding course

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to take an online coding course.




"My New Year's resolution is to learn to code with Codeacademy in 2012!" the mayor tweeted.


The course is part of a campaign called Code Year - an attempt to encourage more and more people to learn to programme. The participants are taught via email, one lesson each week.

France Celebrating Joan Of Arc's 600th Anniversary

A statue of Joan of Arc is seen in the courtyard of French far-right National Front political party's headquarters in Nanterre January 5, 2012 as France celebrates 600th anniversary of the birth of French heroine.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) was present during the ceremony where he also received the bust of Joan of Arc during the ceremony. Joan Of Arc was the Catholic martyr who as a teenage girl led the French army to drive English invaders out of the city of Orleans in 1429.

"Yes, I am a rebel"

By Sarah Mahmood


"Dinner time is family time, what's this trash that you are reading!" said Matilda Wormwood's father, Harry Wormwood. 


Well, apart from the trash part (which actually refers to Herman Melville's celebrated Moby Dick ), I agree with Mr. Wormwood. Dinner time (and many other 'times', incidentally) used to be family times in the days of yore. Today, these are the 'Facebook time', the 'Crazy Taxi time' (excuse my choice of the game, I'm really not into those!), the 'Cinepax time' and a million other 'Uncalled-for times'.


More generally we are now living (read breathing) in technology. Had it been humanly possible, we would be fulfilling our biological needs from those very iPads and 'Pods'.


These continue evolving and we continue becoming fools at the hands of... entrepreneurs. Yes, just entrepreneurs. They don't look to provide relief. Rather, they come up with solutions to non-existent problems that are born only once brought attention to.


Good luck 'Pensiving' (yet again)!

Row on Pinochet's textbook image

Chilean left-wing opposition parties accuse the centre-right government of trying to whitewash history.


From now on, the military rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet will be referred to as a regime rather than a dictatorship in primary school textbooks. 


The government says the move is not politically motivated. Rather, it calls for a more general term to be used in the textbooks.


The newly appointed education minister Harald Beyer said: "It is about using the same expression that is used around the world, a more general term such as military regime."


The leftists however find the move "unacceptable". "It goes against all common sense, because the whole world knows that for 17 years what we had in Chile was a ferocious dictatorship with the most serious violations of human rights," said Senator Isabel Allende.

Sunflowers that brought hope in Japan

I

n the aftermath of the radiation disaster a local monk planted thousands of sunflowers in the fields and open areas surrounding the power plant and the affected town in Fukushima.Amazingly sunflowers are not only beautiful and able to lift the spirit of the local residents but they are also capable of actually removing much of the radiation from the ground.

Sunflowers apparently use cesium as a food source and after a major radioactive event much of the left over radiation is excess cesium. The sunflowers in Fukushima are in fact reducing the radioactivity levels in the city all while brining some joy to the town. Of course Fukushima is not the first place this trick has been used; the city of Chernobyl also had thousands of sunflowers planted immediately after the disaster in order to accomplish the same thing. Currently there are an estimated 200,000 sunflowers in Fukushima and more are expected to be sprouting throughout the year so residents are surely going to start feeling better about their situation soon.