by Sarah Alam Malik dawn.com As a former cricket fanatic (I lost interest when it seemed there was more politics in cricket than the game itself), when I was required to write a short project on a physics effect of my choice in my undergraduate degree, I decided to research the physics behind the swing of a cricket ball. This was back when Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar used to dominate the Pakistan fast bowling scene with Azhar Mehmood and Abdul Razzaq being the first change medium pacers. It was an exhilarating watch. Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib would … Continue reading Physics behind swing

In this image released by the UN August 15, 2010 shows children living in the Sultan Colony, an Internally Displaced Persons camp, in the Province of Punjab, near the city of Multan, in Pakistan, August 15, 2010. – AFP NOWSHEHRA: Six million children are suffering from Pakistan’s devastating floods: lost, orphaned or stricken with diarrhoea, they are the most vulnerable victims of the nation’s worst-ever natural disaster. At relief camps in government schools and colleges and in tent villages on the edge of towns and by roadways, children are prostate from the heat, sick from poor drinking water, or simply … Continue reading Misery for the ‘doomed orphans’ of the floods

dawn.com This file photo taken on April 2, 2009 shows a model diplaying gold bridalwear and jewellery during a promotional event of an upcoming wedding carnival in Mumbai. With weddings traditionally the central focus of Indian life, the new wave of money in Indian society has created ever-higher demands for lavish, unique marriage celebrations. – AFP NEW DELHI: R.K. Chudawala, a diamond merchant in New Delhi, added sparkle to his wedding last year by hiring top Bollywood stars to attend the celebrations – but he comes over all coy when asked for details. “The idea was to stun the guests, … Continue reading Bollywood stars: the latest novelty at Indian weddings

Dawn Editorial President Barack Obama hosts an iftar dinner, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. Obama emphasized the American tenet of religious freedom just as New York City is immersed in a deeply sensitive debate about whether a mosque should be built near the site of the World Trade Center that was destroyed during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. – Photo by AP. World Mosque near ground zero becoming political football Mosque near ground zero becoming political football For a brief few hours, US President Barack Obama stood on the … Continue reading Mosque furore

By Jawed Naqvi dawn.com Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh salutes chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force after addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India’s Independence Day, in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. – Photo by AP. On August 15, a few months after the nuclear tests of 1998, Prime Minister Vajpayee left a shoe behind as he tottered to the podium of the majestic Red Fort. He made an insignificant Independence Day speech without the usual flourishes and had to be supported by security men as he almost collapsed afterwards. “Not only did the prime … Continue reading Dr Singh surpasses his guru

ITV would contest Apple TV plans Broadcaster ITV has confirmed that it would seek to block any attempts by Apple to rename its Apple TV set-top box as iTV By Claudine Beaumont, Technology Editor telegraph.co.uk Apple could rename the Apple TV as iTV, sparking a trademark dispute with British broadcaster ITV British broadcaster ITV said that it would “vigorously defend” its brand and reputation, if, as rumoured, Apple renames its Apple TV set-top box to iTV. Apple is said to be considering reverting to the original name for its media-streaming set-top box, which was first unveiled in 2006 as iTV. … Continue reading ITV being bullied by Apple

Ben Quayle forced to admit series of blunders in run for Congress The son of the gaffe-prone former vice-president Dan Quayle has been forced to admit to a series of blunders in his own bid for political office. By Nick Allen in Los Angeles telegraph.co.uk Ben Quayle is almost as gaffe prone as his dad, former vice-president Dan Quayle Photo: AP Ben Quayle, a 33-year-old lawyer who is running for Congress in Arizona, has revealed that he used to contribute to a racy website about nightlife in the Arizona city of Scottsdale. According to Nik Richie, founder of TheDirty.com, Mr … Continue reading Ben Quayle

Third of adults ‘still take teddy bear to bed’ More than a third of adults still hug a childhood soft toy while falling asleep, according to a new survey. telegraph.co.uk Teddy bears ”evoke a sense of peace, security and comfort” Photo: REX FEATURES More than half of Britons still have a teddy bear from childhood and the average teddy bear is 27 years old, the poll found. Travelodge, the hotel chain, surveyed 6,000 British adults and found that respondents said sleeping with a teddy a “comforting and calming” way to end the day. The survey also found that 25 per … Continue reading Taking teddy bear to bed?

Return of the Jedi deleted scene shows Luke assembling new light sabre A deleted scene from Return of the Jedi in which Luke assembles his new light sabre excited fans of the series as George Lucas announced all six films would be released on Blu-Ray. By Andy Bloxham telegraph.co.uk Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker duel in RETURN OF THE JEDI The announcement was made at the recent Star Wars convention in Orlando, Florida, before the scene was shown. In it, Darth Vader is seen walking down a corridor, and into a lift, before repeatedly calling a drawn out “Luke” and … Continue reading Return of the Jedi – deleted scene

Nasa should ‘focus energy on new £1bn telescope to find alien planets’ A billion pound space telescope that can see dark matter and can identify Earth-like planets should be Nasa’s priority over the next decade, a panel of influential scientists said. By Andrew Hough telegraph.co.uk Scientists said the telescope would orbit at a ‘stable gravitational point’ just above the Earth. Photo: NASA GSFC via SLAC The $1.6 billion Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) should be the top priority for space agency astronomers and astrophysicists to develop, the independent National Research Council report concluded. The two year-study, titled The Astro2010 Decadal … Continue reading Nasa should ‘focus to find alien planets’