Sharapova sets sights on London Olympics

PARIS: Maria Sharapova is making the London Olympics one of her top priorities this year after missing the Beijing Games with an injury.

The third-ranked Russian has already won three Grand Slams but has never competed at the Olympics.

Sharapova said on Monday that "representing my country will be a huge honor," and is something she has wanted to do "since I was a young kid."

Sharapova missed the 2008 Beijing Olympics because of a shoulder injury.

Sharapova reached the final of the Australian Open last month and said she hopes that will be a springboard for winning another Grand Slam title this year.

She is competing in the Open GDF Suez for the first time this week.

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No Israel decision on attacking Iran: Obama - Pakistan Times

US President Barack Obama has said that Israel has not made a decision yet on attacking Iran's nuclear installations, noting that he still prefers to use diplomacy.
"I do not think Israel has taken a decision on what they need to do," Obama told the NBC news. Obama said he believes that the tough international sanctions are hurting the Iranian regime.
"We have mobilised the international community in an unprecedented way. They are feeling the pinch. They are feeling the pressure," he said.
Until Iran commit itself to peaceful use of nuclear energy and leaves its nuclear weapon programme, both the US are Israel are going to be very concerned about it. "We have closure military and intelligence consultations than we ever had. My first priority continues to be the security of the US, but also the security of Israel. We are going to make sure that we work in lockstep, as we proceed to try to solve this - hopefully, diplomatically," Obama said.

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69 dead as US closes Damascus embassy

Syria

The Syrian army on Monday launched a new assault on Homs, killing 42 people and wounding dozens, according to activists .
This new offensive, again denied by the regime, comes on the eve of a visit to Damascus by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has vetoed Saturday with China a UN resolution condemning repression in Syria.
In total, the violence has killed at least 69 people Monday, including 66 civilians according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.
On its part, the Syrian National Council, the main opposition coalition, urged the international community to "act quickly" to "prevent another massacre" in Homs, where shelling killed more than 330 dead on Saturday.
After the failure of diplomatic efforts at the UN, the U.S. and the EU have announced plans to strengthen sanctions against the regime, while London said it would take "other means of putting pressure" on Damascus.
London on Monday recalled its ambassador to Damascus, while Washington has closed its embassy, entrusting Poland task to represent the USA in Syria.

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Pakistan Supreme Court suspends 28 lawmakers

Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday suspended membership of 28 parliamentarians elected in by-elections held on the basis of what were said to be flawed voters' lists.
Their membership will remain suspended until an amendment to the constitution is passed by the parliament to endorse their election, the court ruled.
Among the suspended are nine members of the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, and three members of the Senate, the upper house. The senators include Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain.
The affected members of provincial assemblies include eight from Punjab, four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three from Sindh and one from Balochistan province.

Of the Punjab Assembly members hit by the decision, seven belong to the Pakistan Muslim League-N and one to the Pakistan People's Party.
A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry passed the suspension order after hearing a petition regarding bogus entries in the electoral rolls.
The petition was filed by popular politician and former cricket hero Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaaf party (PTI).
The bench observed that the government had failed to get its proposed 20th Amendment to endorse the election of the 28 in by-polls passed by the parliament in the given time frame.
The court rejected PTI leader's plea to stop by-elections until new electoral rolls are provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
It said the National Database and Registration Authority has assured that by the stipulated deadline of February 25 it will be able to provide fresh lists of voters to the ECP to conduct polls in the required constituencies.

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England needs to learn from humiliation: Strauss

"We are disappointed that we have not coped better to the challenges that came our way," Strauss said. (Reuters Photo)

DUBAI: England captain Andrew Strauss has called on his underperforming batsmen to learn from its struggles on the spin-friendly pitches in the humiliating series loss to Pakistan with Test tours to Sri Lanka and India looming.

Pakistan clinched its first whitewash against England with a clinical 71-run win in the third and final Test on Monday, having won the first match by 10 wickets and the second by 72 runs in a series in which a fifth day's play was never required.

"We are disappointed that we have not coped better to the challenges that came our way," Strauss said. "This is a good eye-opener for us and good wake-up call that things are not easy in this part of the world."

The subcontinental-like pitches in the United Arab Emirates took spin from the first day, and England will need to improve before its trip to Sri Lanka next month and its tour of India later this year.

England hasn't won for a decade in India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, mainly because of its batsmen's inability to conquer slow, turning tracks on which the ball doesn't come on to the bat.

"English sides generally have not played well in these sort of conditions in the past," Strauss said. "We need to break that tradition and we are not going to do that by doing the same things."

Strauss hit 150 runs in six innings, featuring in one of only three half-centuries scored by England's top six batsmen in the series.

England's batsmen had no answer to the brilliance of offspinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm tweaker Abdur Rehman, who combined for 43 wickets in the series.

Ajmal had claimed he would unveil a mystery delivery in the series, but in the end it wasn't required with his "doosra" - a delivery disguised as an offbreak that actually turns away from the right-handed batsman - doing the damage.

"I haven't been involved in any series where so many of our batsmen have had a hard time as much as this one," Strauss said. "We have all got some questions to answer individually, some soul searching and thoughts to put into how we can do things better.

"Pakistan bowlers are quite unique," he added. "They are different type of spinners. They made life difficult for us and when we did get in front of them in the tests, they were able to wrest the initiative back in their favor."

England had won six straight test series _ including a 4-0 whitewash of India _ and then took a five-month break before arriving in the UAE to take on a Pakistan team which had drawn with South Africa in 2010 and defeated Sri Lanka in October.

The team had an ideal chance to level the series in the second Test when requiring only 145 runs to win, but Rehman and Ajmal combined to skittle out England's batsmen for just 72.

While hinting there may be changes for the Sri Lanka tour, Strauss is happy with the players he has been leading.

"Look, nobody has the right to play for England forever," Strauss said. "I think it's important for us to take some time to let the dust settle, start thinking about what went wrong individually.

"I still believe that, by and large, the best players in England are here in Dubai."

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Pakistan vs England - England 'Greenwashed'

Pakistan completed ‘Greenwash’ of England by thrashing them on the fourth day at Dubai in the third Test. No side since 1907 has won after making fewer than 100 in the first innings of a Test - a feat last achieved by England against South Africa at Headingley 105 years ago.

Match Report – Day4, 3^rd Test, Dubai, February 3-6(7), 2012

Pakistan’s start of the fourth day was shocking. Two chances went begging - Adnan Akmal's fumble behind the stumps to catch Strauss and Umar Gul's failure to catch Cook, on 28, at deep backward square.
Pakistan struck through the dismissal of Andrew Strauss who fell in the sixth over of the morning, lbw on the back foot to Rehman. Strauss reviewed it but the on-field umpire’s decision remained firm. Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook threatened to build a stand but Ajmal removed Trott.
Trott, while sweeping Saeed Ajmal's doosra from outside off, top-edged to deep square-leg fielder Abdur Rehman, who flung the ball into the turf to vent disappointment of earlier drops.  Meanwhile, in the morning session, Cook became the second youngest person, at 27 years and 43 days, to reach 6,000 Test runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar has reached the landmark at a younger age.
Kevin Pietersen joined Cook and was looking dangerous as he flexed his muscles and started to attack. Saeed Ajmal produced an orthodox off-spinner on a good length in the 61^st over’s last ball which bowled Pietersen through that gate curtailing Pietersen’s brief stay at the crease.
An over later, Saeed Ajmal removed Alastair Cook. Cook, while playing a ball towards leg, gave an edge which was caught at slip by a flying Younis Khan. Morgan and Bell then provided resistance but that wasn’t enough to stop an energetic Pakistan.
Umer Gul produced a half-tracker outside off-stump which Bell lobbed tamely to cover point where Asad Shafiq ran to his right to take a sitter. Then Gul removed Morgan who faintly edged towards Adnan Akmal.
After tea, Stuart Broad, while trying to play a big shot against Gul, gave a catch to Taufeeq Umer in the deep. Graeme Swann, then, drove a Gul delivery but was caught at point by Asad Shafiq who took a smart catch low down. 
Matt Prior and James Anderson frustrated the Pakistanis with their brief stay but Ajmal removed Anderson who was caught by Younis Khan at slip. Then Rehman removed Panesar to complete the Greenwash!

Summarised Scores:
Pakistan 99 and 365 beat England 141 and 252 (Prior 49*, Gul 4-61) by 71 runs
Hero of the Day: Umer Gul
Disappointment of the Day: Kevin Pietersen  
Flop of the Day: Ian Bell
Man of the Match: Azhar Ali
Man of the Series: Saeed Ajmal

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England in danger of losing world No 1 status after miserable Pakistan whitewash

England's lead at the top of the ICC's Test rankings has been cut to a solitary point following their series whitewash against Pakistan.
On 125 points going into the three-match series in the United Arab Emirates, England slipped to 118 and now hold just a one-point margin over second-placed South Africa, who can now usurp Andy Flower's men ahead of the April 1 end-of-season awards and claim the £110,000.

Bad day at the office: England lost the three-match series against Pakistan

To do that, the Proteas would have to win their series against New Zealand next month 3-0.
Pakistan, meanwhile, move within striking distance of the top four in the world after leaping from 99 points to 108, just three behind India and Australia.
They also now hold a 10-point margin over sixth-placed Sri Lanka, their next Test opponents in May and June.

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Pakistan whitewash England with third Test win

 

DUBAI: Pakistan's bowlers sealed an emphatic 71-run win in the third and final Test against England on Monday; inflicting a 3-0 series whitewash humiliation in the process.

Set a daunting 324-run target, England were bowled out for 252 with paceman Umar Gul taking 4-61 and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (4-67) to help Pakistan achieve a first-ever Test clean sweep against their opponents.

With the ball turning again it was always a difficult task for England's batsmen, who have been unable to play the Pakistani spinners throughout the series, on a weary fourth day pitch at Dubai Stadium.

Pakistan won the first Test by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan have also become the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since 1907 when England, shot out for 76, beat South Africa at Leeds.

It was England's seventh series whitewash, their first at the hands of Pakistan. Pakistan have now recorded five series whitewashes, their last coming in a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in 2003.

England's last series whitewash came in 2007 when they were routed by Australia 5-0.

So dominating have been Pakistanis spinners that Ajmal finished the series with 24 and Rehman with 19.

England, 89-2 at lunch, were still in with a chance with Alastair Cook (49) and Kevin Pietersen (18) batting well but they lost four wickets in the space of 84 runs. They went to tea at 173-6.

Pietersen, who struggled for runs in the series, hit Abdul Rehman for a boundary and then hoisted him for a six to post England's 100. But Ajmal struck from the other end.

The off-spinner produced a beautiful delivery to bowl Pietersen through the gate for 18. He had a mere 67 runs for the series during which he was out to spinners on five occasions.

In his next over, Ajmal produced another sharp turning delivery which caught the edge of Cook's bat and was smartly held by a diving Younis Khan in the lone slip.

Ian Bell (10) and Eoin Morgan (31) added 37 for the fifth wicket but again failed to produce a big score in the series as Gul dismissed them in the space of just three runs.

Pakistan took the second new ball at 196-6 and the first ball saw Gul dismissing Stuart Broad (18) and then Graeme Swann on one.

Matt Prior remained not out at 49 when Monty Panesar was dismissed by Rehman for nine.

England had looked for big partnerships after resuming at 36-0 but that never transpired.

Pakistan could have wrapped the match earlier had they not dropped two crucial catches, the first off Strauss on 26 when wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal grassed a simple chance off Gul.

But that didn't hurt Pakistan as Rehman trapped England captain in the very next over. Strauss challenged the decision by Australian umpire Steve Davis but his review failed.

Gul then let off Cook at 24 when he failed to hold a top-edge sweep off Rehman.

Cook had also benefited from a dropped catch on Saturday when Taufiq Umar let him off in the third slip off a miscued drive off Gul when he was four.

Ajmal then broke a dangerous looking 37-run stand between Cook and Jonathan Trott (18) by forcing a top-edge sweep which was smartly snapped up by Rehman at square-leg.

The teams will now play four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.

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Pakistan v England: Gul and Ajmal seal whitewash

England slumped to a 71-run defeat in the third Test in Dubai to suffer a series whitewash by Pakistan for the first time.

Set 324 to win, the England top order was undone by spin before Umar Gul (4-61) ripped through the middle order.
Alastair Cook (49) offered some resistance, only to succumb to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (4-67).
Matt Prior showed late aggression and was unbeaten on 49 as England were bowled out for 252.

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Pakistan Whitewashes England 3-0 defeat England by 71 Runs

Dubai - humari news, Pakistan defeated England by 71 runs in 3rd test against England and whitewashed England 3-0 in the series.This is a new record that a team who bowled out 99 in first inning and than defeated his opposite team in the match.Afridi congrates Pakistan team talking with HUMARI NEWS.He said that Pakistan team is going on a right path and Pakistan will now aiming to white wash England in ODI too.Pakistan team creates a history after whitewashing England.England is ICC TEST no.1 side.Defeating England and with whitewash is not an easy job like eating a piece of cake.A team who defeated Australia & India is now defeated by ICC no.4 side PAKISTAN.Fans of Pakistan is now too much happy and glad with their teams performance against ICC no.1 test side England.

Note: Same post and also more about Pakistan team whitewash England available at  http://pakihungama.blogspot.com/2012/02/pakistan-whitewashes-england-3-0.html

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Pakistan required 1 more wicket to white wash England and creating a history

 Pakistan team requires only 1 wicket to create a history of 100 years that a team who all out in first inning defeats his opponent team.

The sunny disposition of Saeed Ajmal and the stiff-limbed tenacity of Abdur Rehman have tormented England throughout this Test series and there was the slimmest likelihood of escape at tea on the fourth day of the final Test in Dubai as Pakistan sought to inflict a whitewash upon England for the first time.

There was plentiful spin for Pakistan's spinners, leaping spin at times when the ball struck the rough, and England, still 151 runs short of victory with only four wickets remaining, looked bound for a 3-0 defeat in the series.

Ajmal, spinning the ball both ways, not extravagantly but often, dismissed Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook in the afternoon session, to add to Jonathan Trott before lunch. Rehman counted Andrew Strauss as his sole success as he bowled unchanged for two sessions, 30 overs sent down with unerring accuracy. He is the sort of spin bowler who looks slightly weary from the outset, but never noticeably tires after that.

Pietersen was bent upon playing enterprisingly. The first ball of the afternoon provided a reminder of his vulnerability when a bat-pad against Rehman flew high past short leg, but he had the fleeting satisfaction of striking him straight for six before Ajmal, from around the wicket, spun one through the gate and beamed at further bounty.

Cook put up statuesque resistance. Along the way he became the second youngest person, at 27 years and 43 days, to reach 6,000 Test runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar has reached the landmark at a younger age. His most attacking shot of the morning, a loft into the leg side against Rehman, caused the bowler to taunt him with applause. He lived on scraps, combating the turning ball with thoughtful defence and numerous works to the leg side and that proved his undoing as a leading edge was brilliantly held by Younis Khan, diving to his left at first slip.

The emphasis has been upon spin, but Umar Gul reminded England that the quicker bowlers should not be entirely discounted as he got the old ball to reverse swing as much as at any time in the series. Ian Bell's state of mind is such that a long hop is quite enough. He averaged more than 100 last summer, less than 10 in this series, and when Gul offered up a gift he mistimed it wide of point. The ball that dismissed Eoin Morgan, caught by the wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal, who embarked upon a merry dance, was of higher quality.

England, 36 runs banked the previous evening, needed a further 288 at the start of play. Strauss fell in the sixth over of the morning, lbw on the back foot to Rehman. That was lbw No. 42 in this three-Test series, one short of the all-time record for a series of any length. Strauss reviewed it, although it smacked of a captain's review and he would have been better to head smartly for the dressing room. But when it comes to captain's reviews Strauss cannot match Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah has been lbw on five occasions in this series and he has taken a review every time. It must be a captain's prerogative.

Without lapses in the field, Pakistan could have been in a stronger position. They had dropped Cook the previous evening, a relatively simple chance to Taufeeq Umar at third slip and Gul's drop in the shadows of the stand at deep square gave him another reprieve as Pakistan lost the efficiency that has characterised their cricket throughout this series. Rehman made his frustration clear when he caught Trott at deep square as he flung the ball into the turf with feeling at the errors that had gone before.

Adnan's fumble behind the stumps to reprieve Strauss, although not costly as the England captain was out in the next over, was the worst miss of all. Adnan has had a good series behind the stumps and has the opportunity to be Pakistan's first-choice keeper for many years to come but his excitable chatter had reached a peak. As Pakistan press for victory, it is in danger of becoming counterproductive. Strauss' edge flew to him at comfortable height but he put it down. For a few minutes he was quiet and you could hear your ears ringing.

Adnan's cacophony of cries often rent the air for inexplicable reasons. As do parrots, Adnan vocalises for many reasons. He may be excitedly greeting the day or summoning his family at sunset. He may be screeching when he is excited or when he is merely trying it on. He may screech when he thinks things have got too quiet or when he thinks it is his duty to scream. He just likes screeching. At one point he burst out coughing as if in sore need of a lozenge and Trott looked at him in deadpan fashion.

Adnan is also incorrigibly optimistic about reviewing umpiring decisions. "Do it, do it, yes, yes, all good," you can sense him saying. Misbah has learned not to take his evidence into consideration and looks askance at him. But Pakistan challenged umpire Steve Davis' not-out ruling when Ajmal beat Cook on the sweep. Hawk-Eye showed that the ball pitched outside leg. There again, disturbingly, it seems that Hawk-Eye also cannot read Ajmal's doosra, probably because it is English.

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No Indo-Pak cricket is frustrating: Akhtar

Lahore: The continuing freeze on Indo-Pak bilateral cricket is "frustrating", says Shoaib Akhtar but the former pacer does not agree with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf`s "politically incorrect" statement that the Indians are intimidated by the prospect of taking on an in-form Pakistan.

"Obviously it is frustrating the way the Indians have avoided playing us for some reason or the other all these years. But I think Zaka Ashraf`s statement was a bit too strong and he needed to be careful while giving comments because of his position as PCB Chairman," the former pacer said on a television show.

The fast bowler said he could understand the mindset of the PCB chief when he made the statement on relations with India.

"But it was a bit too strong. I think he meant that Pakistan in its current form could beat anyone. It is also a fact that since 1985 we have won more matches against India because we have produced some of the most exciting talent in international cricket," he said.

Akhtar, who retired during the 2011 World Cup, said it was unfortunate that Pakistan and India didn`t play against each other more often as it deprived the cricket followers in both countries of great contests.

PTI

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Lobbyist for Pakistan seeks US apology over NATO airstrikes

Pakistan’s chief lobbyist asked the United States to apologize for NATO airstrikes that inadvertently killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, according to Justice Department records. On Dec. 22, 2011, Mark Siegel, a partner at Locke Lord Strategies, emailed a nine-page memo to offices on Capitol Hill that detailed Pakistan s version of the events surrounding the airstrikes. The memo said that the incident "seriously damaged" the relationship between the Pakistani Army and U.S.-led NATO forces and aroused "suspicions in the rank and file of the Pakistan Army that it was a premeditated attack … conducted to undermine the sovereignty and stature of Pakistan." "Considering the circumstances of the 25/26 November attacks that resulted in the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers, an apology by the U.S. Department of Defense to the people of Pakistan would not be inappropriate," the memo concludes. Siegel noted in the memo that the document was prepared after “briefings by multiple officials of the Embassy of Pakistan." In an interview with The Hill, Siegel said his firm’s memo on the NATO airstrikes was sent to all lawmakers, chiefs of staffs and foreign policy legislative aides on Capitol Hill. “What we were attempting to do there was summarize the Pakistan version of events and compare it to the U.S. version of events and note where the two are in conflict,” Siegel said. Siegel said an apology still has not been offered to Pakistan for the airstrikes. “There have been expressions of regret but there has not been an apology,” Siegel said. “It certainly would have helped. Now, two months after the fact, it could still be helpful.”

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What's behind Nokia's ClearBlack display technology?

Nokia's ClearBlack Display technology has been announced in September 2010, and Nokia is using it in several phones (including the Lumia 900, Lumia 800 and older Symbian models such as the X7 and E7). We know that it includes polarizing filters to block incoming light. Today however Nokia finally revealed how it actually works:

A CBD filter includes both a linear polariser and retardation layers between the surface of your phone and the display. When light hits your screen, this is what happens:

1. It hits the linear polariser, this vertically polarises the light. (Polarising means – roughly – aligning the wave vibration in a particular direction).
2. Then it hits the circular polariser retardation layer. This converts the light again, making it right-circularly polarised.
3. Then it hits the screen and bounces off it, switching the rotation of the light to leftist.
4. It goes back through the retardation layer. When this happens, the light becomes horizontally polarised.
5. Finally, it hits the linear polariser, since the light is horizontally polarised at this point it can be blocked entirely by this optical solution.

So why doesn't the light from your phone’s display get blocked? Because it only goes through the second half of this journey so the light is unpolarised when it hits the final filter and goes through. In the photo below, we can see a normal C6-01 phone with a CBD display (on the left) and the same phone without the CBD layer (on the right):

Samsung also have a technology that reduces reflections - Super AMOLED displays which uses an on-cell touch layer. Apparently a Super-AMOLED and a CBD on AMOLED behave pretty much the same under direct sunlight.
source: Nokia's blog

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Australian farmer revolutionizes water-turbine technology

The Sundermann turbine "T3" prototype was tested in Hervey Bay, Queensland.

MELBOURNE — Fred Sundermann, an Australian farmer with a long history in design and innovations, has developed a bi-directionally low-head water turbine designed to maximize operational efficiency in slow water flows.

Turbines have been around for more than a century, but Sundermann Water Power (SWP) Limited (the business backing the technology) claims that the Sundermann Turbine (S-Turbine) is the most efficient in harnessing the power of water.

“The problem today is that all existing lo-tech turbine systems throughout the world are inefficient as such whereby the water that hits the blade flows either passes through or around the blade, thus making them inefficient,” SWP Chairman Mr Ed Gibson said in a video interview.

As detailed on the SWP website, the key to the turbine technology is in its gearbox and blade systems:

The turbine has a unique design in that its efficiency is achieved by the tilting of the power blades during the rotating cycle. The blades rotate half a revolution for each full rotation of the central shaft. This configuration allows each blade to contribute a unidirectional force to the central shaft, for virtually the entire rotational cycle. In this way they can efficiently utilize the kinetic energy of the moving water. The central shaft works the generator via a gearbox to produce emission free renewable energy. Electrical power is generated at a voltage of 690V.

The idea for a micro-hydro turbine system was first conceived by Mr Sundermann 10 years ago in Heyfield, Victoria. Later in 2006, he developed the first working prototype out of bike chains and although the turbine could only produced 1 KW of power, it proved that his design worked (see this video for a quick demo of the turbine in action).

The latest S-Turbine prototype, the T3, measuring 2.44 m high, 2.2 m long and 2 m wide, is made out of iron, recycled plastic and 2pac, a water resistant paint. SWP is currently investigating stainless steel options for future prototypes.

Last year, SWP tested the T3 in Hervey Bay, Queensland, to confirm that it was a fully functional turbine, with no inhibitors to the free rotation of the blades and gears while in operation.

The test was considered a success by the SWP, based on the proven operational functioning of the turbine, and it reaching, at times optimum performance for the fitted generators and consistently 70% of the generators maximum output.

The turbine was able to power three standard hot water system heater (elements) at a rate considered equal to that achievable with mains power in a typical household. It generated up to 6 KW of power with the ability to increase exponentially.

SWP has indicated that “The Sundermann Turbine is suitable for installations where water flow is either: in a single direction, such as rivers or ocean currents, or in tidal areas where the water flow reverses direction approximately every six hours.”

Running 24-hours a day, each turbine delivers up to 100 KW of power and multiple turbines can be combined to form a larger working unit, or ‘bank’ delivering up to 1 MW per bank.

“Scale them up to any size, if we have a big river, we can have them built into a weir shape; if there are big tidal differences, you can build them big. The blades are just doors virtually –- depending on the water floor,” Mr Sundermann said.

But there are some limitations to the turbine technology, namely its reliance on water flow and stable surfaces. “The water has to be 5 km of water speed, and the limitations are that we can’t put it in rivers with soft banks, it needs to have a solid base,” Mr Sundermann explained.

SWP indicated that the turbine is ideal for places with high rainfall such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile New Guinea and places in South-East Asia.

Portable and cost-effective, the water turbine is a particularly viable energy alternative for remote and isolated communities where infrastructure is not well developed.

“They are a plug-in power as they are dropped into a river stream and immediately start generating power that is free and renewable energy, and it lowers the use of diesel fuels, so we think we have fantastic potential for global application for that,” SWP Director Mr Leigh Benett said in an ABC Rural Report.

The SWP organization is currently going through the process of a Commercialization Australia grant and have reached stage two. Further testing of the turbine will ensure its reliability.

“We have proved it works, but we have to have it tested long term, so we know the bearings are OK and everything is right,” Mr Sundermann said. “We have to walk before we run, and we have to perfect the little ones before we get the big ones going,” Mr Sundermann said.

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The Curse of Child Servitude

A girl not more than ten years of age trying to lift quite a healthy kid up, who I am sure was heavier than her, to a ride. She loses her balance in an effort to do so. This was a scene I got to see at a famous fast food restaurant play area. Yes! That little girl was a servant to a big happy family. The parents sit alone and dine in while the servants babysit the mischievous kids. Babysitting of course includes feeding them, taking full care of them that they don’t get lost and also bearing with all their stubbornness.

Getting help of a servant is not bad at all, it’s just you should at least consider the age of a person before you hire him/her. How can you expect a kid, who herself/himself is not able to carry her/his own burden, to help you in a task you yourself can’t do alone? Think about your own kids for a while; what if they are made to do stuff you expect the little servants to do. You of course dread seeing that.

If women are too insecure of their female servants that they will steal away their husbands, they should be equally uncomfortable with their men sexually harassing these little servants. You cannot deny the fact that this happens a lot. Men should also take care of the fact that the servant they hire should be old enough to carry the burden of the work load they assign them.

Another excuse people give for child labor is that the children’s parents themselves bring the kids to them for this purpose. You cannot just blame them about it. You are equally at fault when you hire them than their parents or maybe more. If you are kind enough to help them, be sensible in doing so. Spend some money on their kids’ education and give them a better future. Getting them enrolled to a not-so-expensive school won’t be a tough job. You just will have to cut down your dine out routines a bit to help them.

People hire these little children not just as their domestic servants but also to their workplaces. One of the main reasons is that you get it cheap. Tea-stalls, workshops or any other place you see the kids working; it’s always the job tougher than they can bear. Worse is when the same little angels are made to do harsher jobs like molding bricks or making glass bangles. We should make an effort to bring a relief to these kids in some way. Even a change in our attitude or just a kind word can make a difference at times.

Just look at the kids who work at your houses or workplaces for a change and think about it; do they really deserve doing what they are? What if it was your kid instead of that poor soul? How do they feel, when they look at all those luxuries you provide your kids with, living at your house? I am sure you will feel bad. If you can’t do any good for them; stop doing bad. If you feel bad for them or their families; hiring them is not a solution. Walk in their shoes for a while and think of better ways to help them. Say no to child labor. It’s a crime, it’s a curse!

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10 Weird Facts About Valentines Day

As dates are closing to February 14, the whole town is painted red. Literally! Well Valentines day is one day that is loved by every happy couple. Heck even single people enjoy it with friends if there is no one special in their life. But like any other hallmark holiday this day too comes with its weird superstitions  and stories.

Here we have ten weird fact about Valentines day. So read on for the things that you did not know about the day of love. And please be careful about the color of flower you give when it comes to roses, the consequences might not be so pretty!

10. Dumping

53% of women in America would dump their boyfriends if they did not get them a present for Valentines day! and then we complain when people are materialistic!

9. History

In medieval times young men and women would write their names and place them in a bowl on February 14. Each would then draw names from the paper of the opposite sex and wear them on their sleeve. Hence the term” to wear your heart on your sleeve”.

8. Myths

It was once believed that if a woman saw a flying robin on Valentine’s day she would end up getting married to a sailor. If a sparrow was the bird she saw she would end up marrying a man that was poor and live a happy life, if she saw a goldfinch then she was to marry a man that was a millionaire. One can only wonder who she would marry if she saw a crow.

7. The Greatest Valentine

Teachers receive the most valentines followed by children, mothers, wives and sweethearts.

6. Spending

The average US Consumer is expected to spend $117 on gifts,meals and entertainment on valentines day.Men spend double as compared to women who spend approximately $76  and men spend $158

5. Profits

Chocolates and candy reaches a sale of $1011 billion on Valentines day  and nearly $1.7 billion worth of flowers are bought each year on valentines day.

4. Single People

For every 120 single men in their twenties there are a 100 single women. So the good ones are out there after all!

3. Kissing

Kissing helps reduce tooth decay because the extra saliva helps clean out your mouth. Also you burn 26 calories in a one minute kiss. Who says it isn’t healthy to smooch!

2. Flowers

15% of the women in America send flowers to themselves on valentines day.198 million red roses were produced for valentines day in 2010.However be careful when giving roses to a feminist they are also known as a symbolic woman zone! And if you want to stay just friends only in that case giving yellow roses is appropriate. In some countries white and yellow roses are used in funerals so be careful!

1. Chocolate

Richard Cadbury introduced the first box of chocolates on Valentines Day in the late 1800′s Physicians of the 1800′s commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love.

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England need second-highest run chase in Test history for unlikely win over Pak

Azhar Ali scored a dogged 157 to push Pakistan's lead to 323 in the Dubai Test © Associated Press

England at last saw the back of Azhar Ali, but still need to pull off the second-highest run chase in their Test history to avoid a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan.

Azhar's painstaking career-best 157 spanned six sessions and almost nine hours, before the number three was ninth out in Pakistan's 365 all out on the third evening at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

England were therefore left with more than six and a half sessions to make 324, on a wearing pitch which had already helped spinners Monty Panesar (five for 124) and Graeme Swann share eight wickets.

They made an acceptable start to their mission improbable, openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss reprising the roles played by their great antecedents Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe, the last and only other time England made so many to win - against Australia in Melbourne in 1929.

Cook and Strauss achieved a notable first for this series at least, when they surpassed their previous highest opening partnership of 27 on this disappointing tour - reaching 36 for none at the close.

They had a scrape each before stumps, Cook dropped by Taufeeq Umar off Umar Gul at third slip on four and Strauss rightly given not out on 14 - even after DRS - when he got his pad outside the line on impact against Mohammad Hafeez's off-spin.

Azhar's 442-ball vigil had been a triumph of unstinting concentration, shot selection and restraint - taking in a stand of 216 with Younus Khan (127), and containing just 10 fours and one six.

But Pakistan's last seven wickets then fell for only 34 runs in 21 overs, to give world number ones England a glimmer of hope that their batsmen might yet redeem themselves here.

Younus predicted yesterday that the tourists could still have a chance in this match, if their luck held. Equally, having watched Azhar's unflustered tour de force, it seemed they might collectively do worse than take their cue from him.

Azhar was in absolutely no hurry on the way to his second Test hundred and beyond, having previously reached exactly three figures on this same ground against Sri Lanka last year.

He eventually reached the milestone from the 319th ball he faced, with one of the most memorable shots of his long innings - a cut off Panesar for his fifth four.

He might have gone before his third-wicket partner Younus, for 84, but survived when Swann was just unable to hang on to a tough chance at second slip, very low to his left off the bowling of James Anderson.

Instead England's only breakthrough this morning came when Stuart Broad had Younus lbw on the front foot - DRS indicated the ball would have clipped the very top of middle-stump - after a five-hour stay which had helped to shut England out for 82 overs.

Younus was replaced by captain Misbah-ul-Haq, another batsman content to make the most of the ample time available in this well-progressed match.

He and Azhar duly added another 87, until Misbah fell lbw pushing forward to Panesar in late afternoon to kickstart the rush of wickets.

There was no DRS left for Asad Shafiq, sweeping at Panesar to become the 40th lbw victim of this head-scratching series, and Adnan Akmal was soon bowled for a duck by one that turned to beat his defence and hit off-stump.

Swann then scored his first successes, after 32 overs in vain.

Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal were both caught at slip shortly before tea - and then Azhar fell bat-pad to the off-spinner, and Panesar completed the innings with yet another lbw to account for Gul.

Meanwhile, Tim Bresnan arrived in Dubai this afternoon in time to watch the final session here, having undergone fitness tests in Yorkshire on the elbow injury which ruled him out of the Test series.

England hope the seamer will be available for four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s against Pakistan, starting on February 13. (The mirror)

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Pakistan is going to whitewash England: Afridi

KARACHI: Pakistan's former captain and flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi feels the team is capable of handing out a 3-0 whitewash to world number one England given the way it dominated the first two Tests.

Pakistan enjoy an unassailable 2-0 lead over the English. "I think Pakistan will complete a clean sweep in the third Test. They can whitewash England," Afridi told reporters at a function to launch the autobiography of former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

Afridi said Pakistan enjoyed a psychological hold over the English batsmen.

"I see this series as the best opportunity for Pakistan to win the series 3-0. As they keep on winning they are getting hungrier for success and that is always the first sign of a team turning into a top class side," he said.

"Another good thing is that all the players realise their responsibility and are contributing and supporting each other on the field."

The all-rounder, who will join the team for the one-day and Twenty20 matches against England from next week, said Pakistani players have made winning a habit.

"After winning the first two Tests, the morale and confidence in the team is very high," he added.

Afridi, who was captain of the one-day side until last May, said that the way Pakistan are improving, they could soon match the feats of other great teams.

"Pakistan has the potential to be as good as the Australians were at one time," he said.

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India afraid of taking on Pakistan : Zaka Ashraf

The contrasting form of the Pakistan and India sides of late might have left the latter’s management reluctant for a showdown, according to Ashraf. PHOTO: AFP

Dubai: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said that the national team’s recent resurgence has left arch-rivals India afraid to take them on and is forcing the delays in bilateral resumptions.

The neighbours have not played a Test series since 2007 but there were hopes of a thaw after the sides met in the World Cup semi-final last March. The teams are slated to play each other under the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme this year as well. But India’s hectic schedule has made it difficult to find a slot for the bilateral series, prompting Ashraf to accuse the Indian board of running scared.

“Because of the way our team is performing and the way their team is doing in Australia, maybe India are afraid,” said Ashraf. “For them, losing to Australia isn’t an emotional matter. But there are more emotions attached if they lose to Pakistan.”

India were routed 4-0 in their Test series in Australia to record eight consecutive away defeats, while Pakistan have not lost a series since August 2010. Ashraf complained that all requests by the PCB to revive relations had been unsuccessful.

“We’re ready to play against them when their prime minister and board president want the teams to play. Maybe it’s their selectors and team management who are afraid of facing Pakistan.”

India lose chief sponsor

Meanwhile, Indian cricket was hit by a major crisis when the long-time sponsor of the national team pulled out over differences with the board.

The Sahara group of companies, which has been a cricket sponsor since 2000, said in a statement that it was ending what it called a ‘one-sided emotional relationship’ with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“We feel such a one-sided emotional relationship can’t be dragged any further,” read the company statement. “We’re withdrawing from all cricket under the BCCI.”

Sahara also withdrew its ownership of the Pune Warriors team in the Indian Premier League over a dispute with the BCCI.

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Breaking News About Humsafar Episode 20

Due to Technical Problems Episode 20 Has Not Been Telecast ed
Please Bare With Us We Apologize To Our Fans For This Unfortunate Thing

But Please If You Love Humsafar Then Don’t Use Bad Language And Remarks
Its Humsafar And TRP Rating Or Money Is Not More Important Then Our Fans
So Please Control Your Emotions And Trust Us And Forgive Us For Tonight !!

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Humsafar Drama Full Episode 20 By Hum Tv 4th February 2012

Humsafar Drama Full Episode 20 By Hum Tv 4th February 2012

Watch online streaming of the latest episodes of the dramas of Hum Tv.Humsafar watch online serial.Watch Humsafar Drama serial online.Humsafar 4th February 2012 Hum Tv.Famous Humsafar Drama watch online.

Note : Humsafar Episode 20 did not air Today Hum Tv due to 12 Rabi ul Awal Thanks for Visiting Site.

When Episode 20 of hum tv drama serial humsafar will on-air, we will upload it on our site.A lot of humsafar fans got upset today due to old episode of humsafar. Hum tv didn't telecasted humsafar episode 20 today.Humsafar facebook fan page filled with huge no. of humsafar fans angry comments and walls for not telecasting drama serial humsafar 's episode no. 20. It is also noted that drama serial humsafar is on no. 1 top Pakistani drama serials due to high ratings.Fans wait for its new episode every week.Today on 4th Feb humsafar 20th episode was had to telecast but due to some issues hum tv didn't telecast humsafar's new episode which should be Episode no.20.A large number of keywords " Humsafar Episode 20" was recorded on google Pakistan and all over the world on search engines by Humsafar's fans.

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The man of crises, the superman of Pakistan team - Younus Khan

After getting bundled out in the first innings for a paltry 99, Pakistan bounced back in the second with a commanding 180-run lead. The chief architect of this act Younis Khan, came into this game amid heavy scrutiny as he had failed to make a compelling impact on the series thus far.

Walking in with Pakistan hanging by the thread at 28 for 2, he got off the mark with an inside edge down to backward square. The enormity of the challenge he faced could be judged by the fact that it had been raining wickets since Day 1.

These were testing times for Pakistan. While all were busy making assumptions and predictions of a meagre total, Younis and Azhar silently resolved to take advantage of a pitch that was flattening out and take Pakistan to a secure position heading into Day 3.

It took Younis 20 balls to stroke his first boundary, an elegant straight drive presenting full face of the bat off Stuart Broad. Along with Azhar Ali, he showed true grit and determination in crafting an astounding revival in this innings.

Throughout his innings, he rarely gave the bowlers or DRS a chance to dislodge him. Younis presented the perfect technique of extricating yourself from frailties of the DRS system. Confidence was oozing from his stroke play as he punished anything short or wide from the bowlers. Younis was particularly good against spin bowlers, making use of his favorite sweep shot astutely.

Stauss’s applause for Younis Khan and Azhar Ali, as they marched off the ground clearly indicated a day bossed by the king who registered 20^th century under his belt with a strike rate of 58.97 in this innings.

In a broader perspective, Younis’s innings may well make Pakistan the first team since 1907, to win a test after being bundled out for less than a 100 runs in the first innings of a Test match. For now though, in a series which has failed to enchant the batsmen Younis Khan along with Azhar Ali has played a pivotal role in ascertaining Pakistan’s dominance over England.

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Gaddafi's shirt, wedding ring up for sale

Tripoli: Slain dictator of Libya, Moammer Gaddafi's bloodied shirt and wedding ring have been put up for $2 million (Rs 10 crore) auction. The disgraced dictator was wearing the silver ring and bloodied beige shirt when he was dragged from a drainpipe near his home town of Sirte before being beaten and shot.
Libyan national Ahmed Warfali is apparently asking for $2 million (Rs 10 crore) for the items after somehow coming into their possession. He believes he could have attracted a higher value if he had been selling them in Europe.
A picture of what appears to be the ring shows an engraving representing the date Gaddafi married his wife, Safia, on September 10, 1970.

But critics say Warfali should not be selling his possessions. "The ring does not belong to Gaddafi. It's Libyan money and this guy should not sell the ring," said one person, who posted his comments on a Facebook wall for residents of the town of Zintan, where Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam is being held.
Saif was arrested in November last year, but has not yet been handed over to the transitional government or the International Criminal Court for trial.
Another Facebook user said, "Well you can sell Saif for 20 billion dollars, if you do not want the guy to sell the ring." There remains tensions in the country in the wake of Gaddafi's death as militias continue to jostle for power.

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Queenie Padilla quits showbiz, embraces Islam

Actress Queenie Padilla. File photo

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Queenie Padilla has quit show business for her Muslim religion.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Padilla said she finds inner peace and direction in life in Islam.

"Islam is a way of life. When you start to [become a] Muslim, you know [what] your life purpose really is. I am such a sinful person, but Allah invited me to his house. I am so close to him," she said.

Padilla recently performed the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. She said she has become a totally different person because of Islam.

"When I was in showbiz, I was very unhappy. I was lost and I always felt I never belong. But now that Allah is in my life, Alhamdullilah, La illa illalah, I am so happy and content in my life,” she said.

As she enjoys her new life, Padilla said she will not go back to show business.

“Haram kasi sa isang babae ang maging artista kasi lahat ng aura pinapakita mo. Kasi ang babaeng Muslim ay napaka-modest. At ang babae sa Islam ay parang jewel... Actually I already quit [showbiz] like 8 months [ago], since my last appearance on TV,” she said.

Padilla thanked her father, action star Robin Padilla, who introduced her to Islam.

“I just want to thank my father for giving me the opportunity to perform Hajj. And I love him so much because without my father, I might not have been a Muslim,” she said.

Even Padilla’s relatives and friends in Saudi Arabia were inspired by her new image.

As she returns to the country, Padilla said she will carry with her the experiences she had while doing Hajj, adding that she will share these to her fellow Filipinos.

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