Toronto(IANS) Accusing world famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking of spreading misinformation about threats from aliens, former Canadian defence minister Paul Hellyer claimed Sunday that extraterrestrials have actually been visiting earth for decades.
Rather than harm mankind, he said, their (aliens') spaceships have provided us information for triggering today's microchip and IT revolution on our planet.
Hawking has recently warned humanity against contacting aliens. 'If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans,'' the British astrophysicist has said.
US secret out: it has 5,113 nuclear warheads
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Article appeared on ibnlive.in.com
Washington: The United States has disclosed for the first time the current size of its nuclear arsenal, lifting the veil on once top-secret numbers in an effort to bolster non-proliferation efforts.
The Pentagon said it had a total of 5,113 warheads in its nuclear stockpile at the end of September, down 84 percent from a peak of 31,225 in 1967. The arsenal stood at 22,217 warheads when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
The figure includes warheads that are operationally deployed, kept in active reserve and held in inactive storage. But it does not include "several thousand" warheads that are now retired and awaiting dismantlement, the Pentagon said.
Washington: The United States has disclosed for the first time the current size of its nuclear arsenal, lifting the veil on once top-secret numbers in an effort to bolster non-proliferation efforts.
The Pentagon said it had a total of 5,113 warheads in its nuclear stockpile at the end of September, down 84 percent from a peak of 31,225 in 1967. The arsenal stood at 22,217 warheads when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
The figure includes warheads that are operationally deployed, kept in active reserve and held in inactive storage. But it does not include "several thousand" warheads that are now retired and awaiting dismantlement, the Pentagon said.
Japan drops bid to host 2018 World Cup to aim for 2022
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Article appeared on news.bbc.co.uk
The Japanese Football Association has pulled out of the bidding to host the 2018 World Cup - but remains in the running for the 2022 tournament.
Japan's exit leaves England as one of six bidders looking to host either tournament, with Fifa to name the hosts for both in December.
Australia, Russia, the United States, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal are also in the hat for both.
Qatar and 2002 co-hosts South Korea are bidding solely for the 2022 event.
The Japanese Football Association has pulled out of the bidding to host the 2018 World Cup - but remains in the running for the 2022 tournament.
Japan's exit leaves England as one of six bidders looking to host either tournament, with Fifa to name the hosts for both in December.
Australia, Russia, the United States, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal are also in the hat for both.
Qatar and 2002 co-hosts South Korea are bidding solely for the 2022 event.
African rocks record ancient magnetic field
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Article appeared on news.bbc.co.uk
By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News, Vienna
Scientists have managed to push back the date for the earliest known presence of a magnetic field on Earth by about 250 million years.
The evidence is seen in tiny iron minerals that are aligned inside ancient dacite rocks from the Barberton mountains in South Africa.
Analysis of the 3.45-billion-year-old minerals indicates the strength the field was much weaker than today.
Earth's magnetic field protects all life on the planet.
It forms a shield that deflects harmful particles from the Sun around our world, and limits the ability of this "solar wind" to erode our atmosphere.
Microsoft's Internet Explorer losing browser share
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Article appeared on news.bbc.co.uk
Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) web browser, now accounts for less than 60% of the market, down from 95% at its peak in 2003, according to new figures.
Latest statistics, from measurement firm NetApplications, show that IE has 59.9% of the market, with Firefox gaining on it, with 24.5%.
While third-place Google Chrome's 6.7% share of the market looks tiny by comparison it is rising sharply, up from just 1.7% this time last year.
Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) web browser, now accounts for less than 60% of the market, down from 95% at its peak in 2003, according to new figures.
Latest statistics, from measurement firm NetApplications, show that IE has 59.9% of the market, with Firefox gaining on it, with 24.5%.
While third-place Google Chrome's 6.7% share of the market looks tiny by comparison it is rising sharply, up from just 1.7% this time last year.
Facebook accounts on sale
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New York: Researchers at VeriSign’s iDefense division tracking the digital underworld say bogus and stolen accounts on the Facebook are now on sale in high volume on the black market.
During several weeks in February, iDefense tracked an effort to sell log-in data for 1.5 million Facebook accounts on several online criminal marketplaces.
That hacker, who used the screen name “kirllos” and appears to deal only in Facebook accounts, offered to sell bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends for $25 and with more than 10 friends for $45, says Mr Rick Howard, iDefense’s director of cyber intelligence.
During several weeks in February, iDefense tracked an effort to sell log-in data for 1.5 million Facebook accounts on several online criminal marketplaces.
That hacker, who used the screen name “kirllos” and appears to deal only in Facebook accounts, offered to sell bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends for $25 and with more than 10 friends for $45, says Mr Rick Howard, iDefense’s director of cyber intelligence.
Under the Microscope: How fast can a human run?
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Article appeared on independent.co.uk
Answered by: Professor Craig Williams, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter
Interview by Holly Williams
Speed limits
Researchers think 30mph could be the human limit. Most use the 100m to calculate how fast we can run. The current record for the 100m is 9.58 seconds, by Usain Bolt in 2009. That gives a speed of 23.3mph. But interestingly, during the 60-80m stretch of the race Bolt averaged a speed of 27.8mph.
However, as Neils Bohr, the distinguished physicist, said: "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future". Many commentators previously suggested under 10s was unbreakable; now Bolt's coach is aiming for 9.4s. The 100m record now held by a woman would have beaten the fastest male back in the Fifties.
Answered by: Professor Craig Williams, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter
Interview by Holly Williams
Speed limits
Researchers think 30mph could be the human limit. Most use the 100m to calculate how fast we can run. The current record for the 100m is 9.58 seconds, by Usain Bolt in 2009. That gives a speed of 23.3mph. But interestingly, during the 60-80m stretch of the race Bolt averaged a speed of 27.8mph.
However, as Neils Bohr, the distinguished physicist, said: "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future". Many commentators previously suggested under 10s was unbreakable; now Bolt's coach is aiming for 9.4s. The 100m record now held by a woman would have beaten the fastest male back in the Fifties.
Improbable research: The repetitive physics of Om
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Article appeared on guardian.co.uk
Indian scientists wield sophisticated mathematics to dissect and analyse the traditional meditation chanting sound 'Om'.
Two Indian scientists are wielding sophisticated mathematics to dissect and analyse the traditional meditation chanting sound "Om". The Om team has published six monographs in academic journals. These plumb certain acoustic subtleties of Om, which these researchers say is "the divine sound".
Om has many variations. In a study published in the International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, the researchers explain: "It may be very fast, several cycles per second. Or it may be slower, several seconds for each cycling of [the] Om mantra. Or it might become extremely slow, with the mmmmmm sound continuing in the mind for much longer periods but still pulsing at that slow rate. It is somewhat like one of these vibrations:
'OMmmOMmmOMmm...
'OMmmmmOMmmmmOMmmmm...
'OMmmmmmmmOMmmmmmmmOMmm'."
Indian scientists wield sophisticated mathematics to dissect and analyse the traditional meditation chanting sound 'Om'.
Two Indian scientists are wielding sophisticated mathematics to dissect and analyse the traditional meditation chanting sound "Om". The Om team has published six monographs in academic journals. These plumb certain acoustic subtleties of Om, which these researchers say is "the divine sound".
Om has many variations. In a study published in the International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, the researchers explain: "It may be very fast, several cycles per second. Or it may be slower, several seconds for each cycling of [the] Om mantra. Or it might become extremely slow, with the mmmmmm sound continuing in the mind for much longer periods but still pulsing at that slow rate. It is somewhat like one of these vibrations:
'OMmmOMmmOMmm...
'OMmmmmOMmmmmOMmmmm...
'OMmmmmmmmOMmmmmmmmOMmm'."
Apple Sells 1 Million iPads, Outdoing First iPhone
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Article appeared on nytimes.com
CUPERTINO, Calif., (AP) : Apple Inc. said Monday that is has sold 1 million of its new iPad tablet computers in the month after its launch, meaning it's been selling more than twice as fast as the iPhone did when it was new.
Apple said it reached the milestone on Friday, when the new 3G model of the iPad was delivered to its first buyers. That model can access AT&T's cellular broadband network. The first models had only Wi-Fi access.
''One million iPads in 28 days -- that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone,'' said CEO Steve Jobs. Demand keeps exceeding supply for the tablet, he added.
CUPERTINO, Calif., (AP) : Apple Inc. said Monday that is has sold 1 million of its new iPad tablet computers in the month after its launch, meaning it's been selling more than twice as fast as the iPhone did when it was new.
Apple said it reached the milestone on Friday, when the new 3G model of the iPad was delivered to its first buyers. That model can access AT&T's cellular broadband network. The first models had only Wi-Fi access.
''One million iPads in 28 days -- that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone,'' said CEO Steve Jobs. Demand keeps exceeding supply for the tablet, he added.
Audiences, and Hollywood, Flock to Smartphones
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Article appeared on nytimes.com
It might be hard to imagine watching “The Office” on a screen no bigger than a business card. But tens of thousands of people — by the most conservative estimate — are already doing just that.
As Hollywood shrinks its films and television shows for the small screens of cellphones, its assumptions about mobile viewing are being upended by surprisingly patient consumers.
“We all thought they’d be watching video clips in the checkout line or between classes,” said Vivi Zigler, the president for digital entertainment at NBC Universal, summing up the industry’s conventional wisdom. But owners of iPhones and other smartphones are actually watching long episodes and sometimes complete films, so a growing number of media companies are vying for people’s mobile attention spans.
By BRIAN STELTER
It might be hard to imagine watching “The Office” on a screen no bigger than a business card. But tens of thousands of people — by the most conservative estimate — are already doing just that.
As Hollywood shrinks its films and television shows for the small screens of cellphones, its assumptions about mobile viewing are being upended by surprisingly patient consumers.
“We all thought they’d be watching video clips in the checkout line or between classes,” said Vivi Zigler, the president for digital entertainment at NBC Universal, summing up the industry’s conventional wisdom. But owners of iPhones and other smartphones are actually watching long episodes and sometimes complete films, so a growing number of media companies are vying for people’s mobile attention spans.
Susan Boyle might duet with rapper for next
Singer Susan Boyle will reportedly sing alongside an American hip-hop star when she begins work on her second album next month.
Susan is being lined up by her management company, Syco.
"They are looking at ballads and more musical style stuff, but this time around they want to try to make her a recording artist - original material, and giving Susan a chance to show what she's really all about. She's got an opportunity to find herself and she loves all sorts of music - including rap," femalefirst.co.uk quoted a source as saying.
"Her management knows that she's a huge success around the globe and if she were to work with one of the big stars of the rap world, they'd probably have an instant hit on their hands if it was done correctly."
'Thriller' voted most influential pop video
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London: Michael Jackson's video for his hit single Thriller has been voted the most influential in pop music history, according to the results of a poll released on Monday.
The survey, commissioned by MySpace, interviewed more than 1,000 music fans. They made their choice from a long list of 20 videos selected by music and entertainment critics.
hriller, credited with breaking down the boundaries between music and film making, garnered 15.2 per cent of the votes, ahead of Here It Goes Again, the 2006 internet hit featuring OK Go dancing on treadmills.
'The Dark Knight' sequel to hit screens
Article appeared on ibnlive.in.com
A sequel to blockbuster hit The Dark Knight will hit the screens in 2012.
Producers Warner Bros. have announced July 20, 2012, as the release date for the next installment in the Batman film franchise, reports imdb.com.
The film is yet to have a title, cast, plot, director (though Christopher Nolan is widely assumed to be helming) or a format announcement (3D, IMAX or both).
Nolan brought Batman back to the silver screen in 2005 with Christian Bale-starrer Batman Begins followed up by hugely successful The Dark Knight in 2008.
Saudi set to offer Ph.D. in dreaming
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Article appeared on deccanchronicle.com
Riyadh : Dreaming of an advanced degree? Try a doctorate in dreams, something which could soon become a reality in a new Saudi academy offering undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Mr Yusuf al-Harthy, a well-known Saudi dream interpreter, plans to start up an institute offering bachelors and masters degrees as well as even a Ph.D. in explaining dreams and visions, reports Al-Hayat newspaper. “Dream interpretation is by nature a way of counselling a person,” said Mr Harthy.
Riyadh : Dreaming of an advanced degree? Try a doctorate in dreams, something which could soon become a reality in a new Saudi academy offering undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Mr Yusuf al-Harthy, a well-known Saudi dream interpreter, plans to start up an institute offering bachelors and masters degrees as well as even a Ph.D. in explaining dreams and visions, reports Al-Hayat newspaper. “Dream interpretation is by nature a way of counselling a person,” said Mr Harthy.
Is bad time started for Adobe flash??
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After apple, now its microsoft's turn. Microsoft says IE9 will only support H.264 for video.
Article appeared on guardian.co.uk
Microsoft is supporting H.264 in IE9 but not its own system, VC-1, or the open source Ogg Theora. It will continue to not support Adobe Flash, though you can expect it to support its own rival system, Silverlight.
Microsoft's Dean Hachamovitch, the general manager of Internet Explorer, says he has noticed "a lot of posting about video and video formats on the web recently," and taken the opportunity to chip in with support for the H.264 codec. He writes:
There's nothing new about Microsoft supporting HTML5, even though it's not yet a standard. There's also nothing new about Microsoft supporting the heavily patent-encumbered H.264. Nonetheless, some people have taken the "only" bit rather badly, saying that IE9 should support the open source codec Ogg Theora.
Article appeared on guardian.co.uk
Microsoft is supporting H.264 in IE9 but not its own system, VC-1, or the open source Ogg Theora. It will continue to not support Adobe Flash, though you can expect it to support its own rival system, Silverlight.
Microsoft's Dean Hachamovitch, the general manager of Internet Explorer, says he has noticed "a lot of posting about video and video formats on the web recently," and taken the opportunity to chip in with support for the H.264 codec. He writes:
HTML5 will be very important in advancing rich, interactive web applications and site design. The HTML5 specification describes video support without specifying a particular video format. We think H.264 is an excellent format. In its HTML5 support, IE9 will support playback of H.264 video only.
There's nothing new about Microsoft supporting HTML5, even though it's not yet a standard. There's also nothing new about Microsoft supporting the heavily patent-encumbered H.264. Nonetheless, some people have taken the "only" bit rather badly, saying that IE9 should support the open source codec Ogg Theora.
Now, a mango variety named after Sachin
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Article appeared on in.news.yahoo.com
New Delhi, Apr 30 (PTI) In a unique way of paying tribute to batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, a new variety of mango has been named after the senior India cricketer. Kalimullah Khan, an elderly farmer from Malihabad in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, has found this noble way to salute the iconic batsman, who is the highest run accumulator in both forms of the international cricket -- Test and ODI.
New Delhi, Apr 30 (PTI) In a unique way of paying tribute to batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, a new variety of mango has been named after the senior India cricketer. Kalimullah Khan, an elderly farmer from Malihabad in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, has found this noble way to salute the iconic batsman, who is the highest run accumulator in both forms of the international cricket -- Test and ODI.
Optimised battery for Smart Phone.
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Article appeared on news.bbc.co.uk
Smartphones could have their battery life extended by up to 20% by changing what type of memory they use.
Samsung has announced plans to produce memory modules built of what is known as a phase change material.
These modules are built of a substance that records or erases data when it is heated and typically use far less power than existing equivalents.
Samsung said modules made of the memory material would roll off its production lines later in 2010.
It plans to produce phase change memory (PCM) chips in the same format as existing designs so they can easily be worked into production runs.
Smartphones could have their battery life extended by up to 20% by changing what type of memory they use.
Samsung has announced plans to produce memory modules built of what is known as a phase change material.
These modules are built of a substance that records or erases data when it is heated and typically use far less power than existing equivalents.
Samsung said modules made of the memory material would roll off its production lines later in 2010.
It plans to produce phase change memory (PCM) chips in the same format as existing designs so they can easily be worked into production runs.
squadron leader or wing commander Sachin Tendulkar ?
Article appeared on deccanchronicle.com
New Delhi, April 30: The Indian Air Force is considering a move to confer the honorary rank of either squadron leader or wing commander on master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Defence sources confirmed to this newspaper that the move was at a “very preliminary stage” and that any formal proposal moved by the IAF would have to be placed before the ministry of defence (MoD) for approval.
When asked by this newspaper about the move, the response of the usually-outspoken Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, was a polite “No comment”. It is understood that the IAF is keen on conferring the honour on the cricket legend after permission is granted by the government and the requisite formalities are completed.
New Delhi, April 30: The Indian Air Force is considering a move to confer the honorary rank of either squadron leader or wing commander on master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Defence sources confirmed to this newspaper that the move was at a “very preliminary stage” and that any formal proposal moved by the IAF would have to be placed before the ministry of defence (MoD) for approval.
When asked by this newspaper about the move, the response of the usually-outspoken Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, was a polite “No comment”. It is understood that the IAF is keen on conferring the honour on the cricket legend after permission is granted by the government and the requisite formalities are completed.
Japan to help India build ‘smart’ city
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Article appeared on profit.ndtv.com
Having provided funds and expertise for the metro rail, Japan will now help India build futuristic smart city with minimal pollution, maximum recycling and consumption-efficient public transport system.
The project, which will also include 11 investment regions and 13 industrial areas, is being touted as the next big thing in the country's urban infrastructure space.After roads, ports and airports, now cities will be built via public private partnership.
Having provided funds and expertise for the metro rail, Japan will now help India build futuristic smart city with minimal pollution, maximum recycling and consumption-efficient public transport system.
The project, which will also include 11 investment regions and 13 industrial areas, is being touted as the next big thing in the country's urban infrastructure space.After roads, ports and airports, now cities will be built via public private partnership.
Tiger Woods draws galleries but can't find game
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Article appeared on ndtv.com
Tiger Woods wanted a return to normalcy when he arrived for the Quail Hollow Championship after a five-month odyssey of revelation and regret in his personal life.
But the toll on his professional life is just beginning to be seen as Woods plays in his second tournament back from a hiatus and first regular PGA Tour event after his return at the Masters earlier this month. Those who believed that Woods had lost fans along the way might be wrong. Instead, he seems to have lost the edge on his game, at least for now.
Tiger Woods wanted a return to normalcy when he arrived for the Quail Hollow Championship after a five-month odyssey of revelation and regret in his personal life.
But the toll on his professional life is just beginning to be seen as Woods plays in his second tournament back from a hiatus and first regular PGA Tour event after his return at the Masters earlier this month. Those who believed that Woods had lost fans along the way might be wrong. Instead, he seems to have lost the edge on his game, at least for now.
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