Saturday, 8 June 2013

Serena Williams wins 16th GrandSlam title

The American, who won her first title at Roland Garros in 2002 against sister Venus Williams, out-hit Sharapova, who was looking to become thefirst woman since Justine Heninin 2004 to successfully defend her title in Paris. The defeat also means Sharapova will lose her world number two ranking to VictoriaAzarenka when the new rankings are released on Monday. But the day belonged to Williams. Sharapova had received a battering at the hands of Williams in the Madrid final justa few weeks ago and it looked as though the Roland Garros final could follow suit when the Russian quickly found herself three break points down in theopening game. Sharapova battled back with some quality serving to hold from 0-40 down before breaking the Williams serve in the second game to get off to a lightening quick start. For all the talk of Williams being the overwhelming favourite heading into the match, Sharapova clearly had a specific game plan and was determined to do anything she could to change a run of 12 straight losses to the Americanbefore this final. Unfortunately, it was a slow start from Williams and once she hit her stride in the third game, it took most of Sharapova's energy just to stick with the American. Williams broke back immediately in the third game, with a smash winner, before sneaking ahead with a second break in the fifth game when a brutal forehand return of serve forced a forehand errorfrom the Russian. Sharapova did get the break back in the eighth game, pushing Serena wide on four consecutive points and drawing the error from the American's forehand on all fourof them. But once again Williams broke again in the very next game, an angled forehand winner across court doing the damagethis time, before serving out the set at the second time of asking when Sharapova went wide with a backhand. The second set was slightly more straight forward, Williamsbreaking early (again in the third game), the American's relentless pressure eventuallyproving too much for Sharapova as she sent a forehand long down the line. And this time that one break proved enough. Although Williams threatened to break again in the ninth game, Sharapova held firm to deuce to force the American to serveit out. Credit should go to Sharapovawho produced a lesson of her own in displaying all the best battling tennis and "never give up" attitude she could muster. But in the end Williams was simply too strong and sealed victory with her 10th ace afterone hour and 46 minutes. What do you guys think?

Cyber Security On Agenda As Obama Welcomes Xi

Barack Obama has welcomed the Chinese president to a 'shirt sleeve' summit in baking desert heat - wherehe will read him the riot act over claims Beijing is stealing America's secrets. Speaking to journalists at the start of the talks, Mr Obama and Xi Jinping said they would aim to "work together" on a list of disputes and wanted to achieve a "new model of co-operation". Mr Obama said a strong relationship between the globe's two largest economies was"important for the world". Mr Xi said he hoped the meeting would"shape the future" of the US-China relationship and renewed his call for a "new model" of relationships between major world powers. The issue of cyber security threatens to overshadow the summit. The US is furious at what it sees as China hacking its way into sensitive military technology and helping itself tointellectual property of American firms. China has denied the allegations but claimed that the US is guilty of cyber attacks itself. Embarrassingly for the US, the summit is taking place against a backdrop of revelations about how much Washington has been snooping on its own population. Mr Obama and Mr Xi are meeting at the 200-acre Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage on the edge of California's Mojave desert. The setting was chosen, according tothe White House, to give the two leaders a less formal environment in which they could speak more freely and build trust. It allows, officials say, for more "candour". The pair were not due to meet until later this year and the fact that they are meeting now is being seen by analysts as an indication that both sides want to improve the relationship between Washington and Beijing. Mickey Kantor, a former US Commerce Secretary and now co-director of the Pacific Council for Foreign Relations, told Sky News it was critical the two leaders develop a personal bond. But he cautioned against expectations for a major breakthrough. "Compromise is the only answer in the end and the Chineseknow that. Either you are going to have a stalemate which is in no one's interests or you're going to compromise. I believe this meetingwill move us forward. "Will they solve every issue? Of course not, you never will. Can they put a process in place that where we can begin to address these issues more effectively? I believe they can." Analysts have compared the attempts to create trust between Mr Obama and Mr Xi to President Nixon's visit to China in 1972 with hopes of a 'Sunnylands Comminque' to outline a roadmap for the future. Sky News.

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Nelson Mandela 'Seriously Ill' In Hospital

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has been readmitted to hospital with the recurrence of a lung infection and is in a"serious, but stable condition". The 94-year-old was transferred from his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, to a hospital in Pretoria in the middle of the night. He was accompanied by his wife Graca Machel, who was due to address The Nutrition for Growthhunger summit in London on Saturday, but cancelled her attendance on Thursday, indicatingthat Mr Mandela's health deteriorated during the last few days. Government spokesman Mac Maharaj told South Africa's Enca Television that Mr Mandela's condition was "serious this time". He said Mr Mandela, affectionately often referred to as'Madiba', was receiving expert medical care and doctors were doing"everything possible to make him better and comfortable". "President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government and the nation, wishes Madiba a speedy recovery," he added. It is the second timein recent months Mr Mandela, a revered figure across the globe, has been in hospital - and the fourth health scare in six months for the anti-apartheid leader. The last time was inMay/April earlier this year when he was kept in hospitalfor 10 days to receive treatment for pneumonia. Mr Maharaj told Sky News Mr Mandela was conscious, was"able to breathe on his own" and that he was"communicating" with relatives. "Some members of his family have been there with himall the time," he said. "It is a condition he has had over a long period of time ... andwe hope this time it will also be treated successfully. "He is a fighter. He has been through this many times andhe has been through worse issues, and he's survived. "For all of us who are concerned, I understand that, our admiration, our hopes for him - we'dlike him to be with us forever. "But we also know we are all human beings, our life is transient, and therefore, with our prayers, with our thoughts, I know we will help him to be strong." ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the nation was"prepared for the worst", but urged people to pray for the icon. He told Sky News:"Madiba is the personification of humanity, friendship, honesty,integrity. He means all of these things to us. "He is also the person who withoutany hesitation took the apartheid state head on and suffered for that, but came out of prison undeterred. He held the hand of his oppressor, held the hand of his jailer and said, 'can we all reconcile and build a better SouthAfrica?'. There is no better person. "Without the calibre of Madiba's leadership, the likelihood is that South Africa would have gone to ruins... but there was a Madiba. "He not only spoke to everyone, but spoke reason to everyone. That will be the legacy of Madiba." Speaking from Pretoria, Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford said SouthAfricans were "very concerned" about Mr Mandela's ailing health. "A 94-year-old man, of frail health, who has already been several times in hospital over the last couple of months - having to be taken into the hospital at 1.30 in the morning, local time, is not good news," she said. "That means he must have been in aparticularly serious condition that they couldn't deal with it at his home, where they have 24-hour medical care available to him, provided by the top military doctors. "In that home he has emergency equipment, resuscitation equipment, he has everything that is necessary, needed and what you'd expect to look aftera former president -but that wasn't enough. "Clearly his situation deteriorated to such an extent thatthey felt he neededto be moved immediately to a hospital, and I think that says a lot." She continued: "He is due to be 95 on July 18, he is a good,old age, and he has suffered terrible health, particularly in the past few months. Each time one imagines a stayin a hospital really does take its toll, particularly on an old man. "Last time, shortly after he was released from hospital, President Zuma visited him at his home with members of the ANChierarchy and thosewere the last pictures we saw of Nelson Mandela in public. "There are a lot of good wishes comingfrom the general public, but also an appeal ... to let him be, to let him recover in peace. "Whilst he's still in hospital and he's still considered to be in a serious condition, the nation will be holding its breath once again." British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his well wishes to Mr Mandela on Twitter,saying: "My thoughts are with Nelson Mandela, who is in hospital in South Africa." South African cricketer AB de Villiers, who was in the UK for the Champions Trophy, tweeted: "Get well soon Madiba." Mr Mandela has a history of lung problems dating from when he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner. He spent 27 years on Robben Island and in other jails forhis attempts to overthrow the white-minority government.

How Facebook can ruin your relationship: 'Site induced jealousy' increases risk of divorce and break-up

From dailymail. *. Excessive Facebook useincreases risk of cheating, break-up and divorce *. People jealously monitor their partner's activities and reconnectwith their ex *. The younger the relationship, the greater the risk of Facebook problems. Facebook and social networking sites may be good for our social lives, but they can cause havoc in our romantic relationships, according to a new study. From emotional and physical cheating to break-up and divorce, researchers found 'Facebook-induced jealousy' significantly increased the risks for couples of all ages. Research found that conflict was much more likely to occur when the website was used excessively, because some people tended to jealously monitor their partner's activityor even to reconnect with ex-partners. From emotional and physical cheating to break-up and divorce, researchers found 'Facebook-induced jealousy' significantly increased the risks for couples of all ages The study, led by Dr Russell Clayton, of the University of Missouri, U.S., surveyed Facebook users aged between18 and 82, asking them how much they used the social network and how often they had bust-ups with their partners - past or present - that had been ignited by the site. Dr Clayton said: ‘Previous research has shown that the more a person in a romantic relationship uses Facebook, the more likely they are to monitor their partner's Facebook activity more stringently, which can lead to feelings of jealousy. ‘Facebook-induced jealousy may lead to arguments concerning past partners.‘Also, our study found that excessive Facebook users are more likely to connect or reconnect with other Facebookusers, including previous partners, which may lead to emotional and physical cheating.’ According to the study, published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, couples who are just starting out should consider staying away from the site. Dr Clayton explained: ‘The findings held only for couples who had been in relationships of three years or less. Conflict is much more likely to occur when the website is used excessively, because some people tended to jealously monitor their partner's activity or even to reconnect with ex-partners ‘This suggests that Facebook may be a threat to relationships that are not fullymatured. ‘On the other hand, participants who have been inrelationships for longer than three years may not use Facebook as often, or may have more matured relationships, and therefore Facebook use may not be a threat or concern. ‘Although Facebook is a great way to learn about someone, excessive Facebook use may be damaging to newer romantic relationships. ‘Cutting back to moderate, healthy levels of Facebook usage could help reduce conflict, particularly for newer couples who are still learning about each other.’