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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Nadal got off the U.S. Open


The last Grand Slam of the season to be played between Monday 27th of this month and September 9, will be without Rafael Nadal, currently world No. 3. Through his Twitter account, @ RafaelNadal, the Spaniard announced its decision: "I have to announce that I am not yet able to play and I must renounce the U.S. Open. Many thanks to my fans for their encouragement." The player, by a knee tendinitis, had renounced the London Games. There was as flagship of the Spanish delegation at the opening ceremony and managed to defend the Olympic gold in Beijing four years ago.

Bill Gates focuses on the toilet of the future


Bill Gates bets on the toilet for the future of the world. The head of Microsoft, in the guise of humanitarian philanthropist who wears the association and his wife Melinda and which pays most of its income, presented a check for $ 100,000 to the 'California Institute of Technology' for the project on the toilet solar energy that recycles water and reusable energy derives from the degeneration of human waste. The 'Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation' is focusing on the fact need for a new type of toilet that can be easily implanted in the southern hemisphere, where the chronic shortage of toilet involves sanitation problems that are every year due to the death of over one and a half million children under five years. Approximately 2.6 billion people, or 40 percent of the world's population - most of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia - have no access to health services and are forced to defecate outdoors. 'It's important - said Gates - continued cooperation and facilitate further investment in this area.Many of the projects presented here - he continued - will help to transform our reliance on traditional toilets'. Armed with this belief, the foundation announced new investments of approximately $ 3.4 million, which means that about 6.5 million appropriations. Last year, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given grants to eight universities around the world to help address the problem and to invent a toilet that uses little water, both economically and transform waste into energy, clean water and nutrients. The prize of 100 thousand dollars went to a team that has submitted a bath solar operation, where a panel produces the energy needed to transform feces and urine into hydrogen, a gas that can be stored and reused as fuel and generate other forms of energy . The water is purified and recovered instead to flush the toilet. Gates also bestowed awards at Loughborough University in the UK and the University of Toronto for their projects that focus on the transformation of feces into useable resources. The goal now is to produce the new toilets in the next two to four years. The Gates Foundation invests about $ 80 million a year to bring water and sanitation in countries that do not. The foundation of BIll and Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private philanthropic organization in the world.

Revolution in Australia, from December nothing distinctive colors and logos for cigarettes


From December in Australia will be prohibited for manufacturers of tobacco use packages with logos and distinctive colors. The entry into force of what has been called the toughest anti-smoking law comes after the Australian High Court has rejected the appeal of four tobacco companies that had challenged the new rule stating that violates the intellectual property rights and devalues ​​their brands. Go ahead, then, by the High Court to Australian law that states that from December 1 packets of cigarettes and cigars are sold in Australia in packs anonymous olive color. , the supreme court, which had filed an appeal at British American Tobacco, Philip Morris, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco, has sentenced a majority - as stated in a brief statement - that the law is not contrary to the Constitution. Not only the packets are all the same, but will also carry warnings about the dangers of smoking. The decision of the High Court was pending in other countries such as Great Britain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and India who are thinking to legislate in that way to discourage smoking. "message to the rest of the world - is the comment of the Justice Minister Nicola Roxon Australian, whose father, smoker, died of cancer when she was ten years old - is that the tobacco industry can 'be challenged and beaten. " "It is a bad law that will benefit only of organized crime selling illegal tobacco in the streets, "was the reaction instead of a spokesman for British American Tobacco. WHO: "historic decision" The World Organisation sanitaĆ  described as "historic" the decision of the Australian justice. "With the win Australian public health enters a brave new world for tobacco control," said the director of the WHO, Margaret Chan, in a statement, noting that the Australian Standard is in accordance with the Convention for the WHO Tobacco Control came into force in 2005, which includes 170 countries. According to the WHO, smoking kills six million people a year and if nothing is done the figure will rise to eight million by 2030.

Iran-Israel conflict, Israel's attack must wait

The Israeli leadership has shown its commitment to stop Iran's nuclear program in the coming weeks militarily. But with such a blow to Israel leaving only to itself - and mistrusts his partner USA. Going it alone would be devastating. The concern about the euro and the fierce fighting in Syria obscure the view of the escalation of the crisis over Iran's nuclear program. This deterioration is a result of the progress Iran has made in recent months and the Israeli response. Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy said recently in an interview: "When I was very concerned Iranians." After Halevy believes it could soon come to an Israeli military attack. But why is it supposed to be so much to consider in the coming weeks to attack considering? And the military option is in fact the only serious option, to dissuade Iran from his purpose? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in May reported on the status of Iran's program the following: The total amount of enriched uranium to 3.5 percent is 6197 kg.Should accumulate this amount to 90 percent for weapons purposes, it is sufficient for the production of at least five atomic bombs. Along the way, Iran has already enriched approximately 145.6 kg to 20 percent. For those who harbored any doubts, if Iran does not yet limited to a program for civilian use, the IAEA has already pointed out in November on a whole range of activities whose sole purpose was to develop a nuclear weapon. Netanyahu and Barak can be no doubt of their determination Israel is on the U.S., the Europeans and other countries rely When you consider that the objective of the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Great Britain almost nine years consisted in Tehran to dissuade from this enrichment program, you can only reach the conclusion that in the meantime the attempt dissuading Iran through diplomatic channels of its project failed. The main reason for the failure of diplomacy lies in the asymmetry of the objectives of the parties. Iran aims to achieve in the field of nuclear fuel cycle full independence, so that it is capable of producing enriched uranium. Of which the country has deviated in these years an inch. Whatever the outcome, the political tug of war is: Iran will then have enough fissile material as well as the other necessary components needed for a weapon. From the beginning, Iran has left no doubt about his determination to do as a signatory of the NPT, to its right to uranium enrichment use - without his duties, for example control options to keep. To achieve his goal, Iran needs time, and as long as it will not be willing to compromise.As we know, it has not prevented Iran, with the West to "negotiate", especially since it was clear that the price for an uncompromising attitude is not too high. And so could not and can Iran continue its program - and in an impressive manner. The EU and the U.S. deny Iran's right to a nuclear civilian program does not, at the same time it insists that Tehran provides evidence regarding the civilian nature of the program.That has not happened to date. Unlike Iran, the West is pushing for a quick solution to the crisis. Given this asymmetry of interests, it is no wonder that there is no breakthrough emerges. Only if Iran does in its current pattern of behavior no longer an advantage that diplomacy will get a chance. For this one has way too slowly increased the pressure through sanctions. Some analysts suggest that Iran is willing to resume talks last April as a sign that Israel's military threat as well as the significant sanctions, the Iranian leadership had moved to a thought. Despite the initial optimism that the current round of talks at the official level for no apparent substantive success came to an end, but with a willingness to keep talking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak hold talks for the continuation of the hopeless. The longer drag on the rounds, they say, the greater is the danger that Iran secure its nuclear program and thus increase the existential threat to Israel. In their statements the last time they leave virtually no doubt about their determination in the coming weeks to act militarily. In their view, Israel can not afford the option of living with an Iranian bomb. Consequently, the theme remains that Israel can not depend on anyone but himself, no other choice than to bomb Iran. And as long as the targets in Iran that they must control in order to destroy the program successfully are attacked, Israel must use its limited military capability. The longer you wait, the more dependent it is on the U.S. and its interests. With their attitude prove Netanyahu and Barak, to the discomfort of the Israeli military leadership that they distrust the American president. This asks for more time and want to wait for the elections in November. It is worth mentioning that Obama feels obliged Israel clearly and has used more than any other government for its security. But it begs the question of whether an Israeli solo actually serves the interests of the country.  Buoyed by the mission to secure Israel's existence, must remember one thing Netanyahu: Even a successful military attack on Israel is the United States, the Europeans and other countries rely to keep up the pressure on Iran. It should - and it must proceed - come to an Iranian backlash that international political and military support will be of great importance. This support is for an Israeli military alone guarantees nowhere at this time. At the same time we should not forget that Obama has the Iranian attempt to acquire nuclear weapons, described as unacceptable. The prestige, credibility and above all, the interests of the U.S. in the region not to erode further, Obama - should he be re-elected - must take up arms, if not by 2013 should come to a diplomatic solution. Israel has no choice but to wait for the United States. Any other decision would have dire consequences.

Tension between China and Japan


China today called on Japan to leave immediately and unconditionally free the 14 Chinese activists were arrested when they disembarked on the islands claimed by both countries and have for years intensive focus on relations between Beijing and Tokyo. Speaking with Japanese officials, Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying of China "has asked Japan to ensure the safety of 14 Chinese nationals and to release immediately and unconditionally," said the website of the Chinese ministry. Fu made the demarche "on the illegal detention of Chinese nationals in Ntiaogiou islands," the statement added. These islands are called Senkaku by the Japanese. The Japanese Coast Guard arrested five activists earlier from China, Hong Kong and Macao who landed on the islands and nine others remain in detention in the vessel.

Rebel attack: bombing and fighting in the heart of Damascus


The rebel forces resumed the offensive in Damascus, the Syrian capital, with an attack on the army and a rifle and grenade attack on regime troops around the headquarters of the Government. At least five people were injured in the explosion this morning of a device placed in an oil tanker behind the hotel "Lady Rose", which houses the United Nations observers. But the goal was not they, but an Army building where there was a meeting of officers loyal to the regime. The opposition Free Syrian Army (SLA) took up the attack. "This operation was a response to the killings by security forces across the country," a military spokesman said the broadcaster Al Jazeera.  The explosion took place in an area considered high security, where the headquarters of the State television and several local military apparatus of President Bashar al Assad. then began a fierce firefight behind the building that houses the offices of the government headquarters. "There is an ongoing firefight between the military and rebels in the Mazzeh neighborhood, around the offices of Prime Minister and a new building under construction in the Iranian embassy," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH). Rebel fighters attacked two buildings with RPGs and fought against government forces. Clashes are concentrating behind the Iranian Embassy, ​​one of the main allies of the regime in Damascus, according to activists They specified Local Coordination Committees. In the early to middle of last month the rebel forces had managed to take several neighborhoods in the suburbs of Damascus, but a powerful attack government troops, accompanied by helicopters, planes and tanks, made them withdraw.

U.S. develops a hypersonic jet to lightning strikes

It reaches 7,000 km per hour and is built jointly by the Pentagon and Boeing. He proved it yesterday at the military base in California. In a military development that can substantially change the reaction time of war, the U.S. military tested an airplane which would reach at least for a few minutes the top speed of 7,000 kilometers per hour. This is a hypersonic jet called X51A Waverider (cabalgaolas), built jointly by the Pentagon and Boeing. The device can reach six times the speed of sound (Mach 6). An example of his ability is to cover the London-New York in just one hour. According to the Washington Post, the first trial began yesterday at the Edwards Air Force Base in California. A B-52 bomber flew the hypersonic jet beneath the surface charge and then the experimental plane to fly off by itself. The test results were kept secret, although it transpired that the aircraft was scheduled to fly more than 300 seconds and after that time must be destroyed in a controlled manner over the Pacific. The project is run by Boeing and the research department within the U.S. Armed Forces, the Darpa (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). The ambitious program of the Pentagon, Prompt Global Strike, aims to make the U.S. military reach a target anywhere on the Earth in the course of one hour. The WaveRider could make it happen because it allows a lightning raid. Another important fact is that if this engine technology works, then it could supply power to the first hypersonic cruise missile in the world. The apparatus called "Waverider" for their ability to "ride" on the pressure waves created by high-speed and thereby increase its speed.After winning speed, aerodynamic aircraft reaches a speed such that the air entering the front will compress tightly into its own. Fuel combustion in there that would give more speed jet. The technology called "scramjet" works on the principle of the ramjet, known for some time. The engine needs many fewer parts than a traditional turbine. This is essentially a self-propelling nozzle.

The street view of Mars showing Curiosity

After nine days have descended on Mars and take hundreds of pictures in low and high resolution, the robot Curiosity of NASA continues to amaze millions of miles away on its ambitious mission, now with a 360 degree view of the Martian landscape and to himself. Photographer Andrew Bodrov joined the images published by NASA to create a style version Google Street View you can enjoy a panoramic Martian amazing, since one can direct the view with the mouse and zoom anywhere on the Red Planet, including , just to see rover down to the smallest detail. The only thing added to the image with Adobe Photoshop Bodrov was the Martian sky sun, using an old photo published by NASA, captured by the rover Spirit, and to determine the size and looks. Regardless of the changes made, the founder of 360 Cities , said the work he did "is completely accurate" with a wider angle version of existing photos so far. The Curiosity rover motion begin testing in less than a week, while still analyzing high-resolution images that you send to determine the route that will start rolling when Mars, NASA reported today.