Rafael Nadal edges closer to a seventh title with easy win over Juan Monaco

Rafael Nadal clearly set out his intentions to win a seventh French Open title as he brushed aside Juan Monaco 6-2 6-0 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

The second seed was detained for only one hour and 46 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen as he set up a clash with fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, a straight-sets conqueror of Janko Tipsarevic.

Argentinian Monaco battled hard in the first set but was blown away thereafter as Nadal stepped up a gear, winning 17 games in succession with a clinical display.

Nadal broke in the fifth game of the match and again in a magnificent next game on Monaco's serve.

Monaco responded to Nadal's shot through his own legs with a delicate drop-volley winner to reach 30-30 but Nadal forced break point in another stunning rally, pinning his opponent in the corner with a forehand down the line before making two volleys to win the point.

He converted and duly served out the set, taking his third set point with a routine overhead.

An early break followed in the second set and Monaco squandered the chance to immediately respond, failing on two break points in the next game.

That was as close as he got in the remainder of the match, with Nadal breaking twice more and then wrapping up the set with a love service game.

An emphatic overhead wrapped up a break in the opening game of the third as Nadal extended his winning run to 12 successive games and there was no let-up, the Spaniard opening up a 4-0 lead with his South American opponent looking all at sea and showing his frustration.

He celebrated ironically when Nadal sent a forehand long in the next game but was broken to 15 and was soon put out of his misery.

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Giant social network Facebook may give access to children under 13

Facebook is considering allowing preteens to use the social-networking service under parental supervision. The possibility has heated up the debate over privacy and safety in the Internet ag

The Menlo Park, Calif., company currently bans anyone under age 13 from joining the world's most popular social network. Yet an estimated 7.5 million preteens — most of them under age 10 — are already using the service, many with their parents' approval.

The highly charged debate over privacy and safety in the Internet age picked up steam this week as word leaked that Facebook was considering allowing kids younger than 13 to use the service with parental supervision. Among the options the company is exploring: connecting kids' accounts to their parents' accounts and giving Mom and Dad control over what their children can do on the site, such as who they can "friend" and what apps they can use.

"We have to do something super responsible. We can't afford not to," said a person at Facebook familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly. "We are tiptoeing into it."

After its troubled start as a publicly traded company, Facebook is under increasing pressure to grow revenue. Facebook's stock Monday fell 82 cents, or 3%, to a new low of $26.90.

Lowering the age limit would help the company tap younger users, who advertisers are eager to reach. Kids are also avid users of games — a big moneymaker for Facebook. About 12% of Facebook's $3.7 billion in 2011 revenue came from its share of Zynga games such as"FarmVille"played on Facebook

Still, it's a risky gambit that could expose Facebook to the scrutiny of regulators and the ire of parents. Some fear that kids under age 13 are not ready for the grown-up world of social networking, where even older children can fall prey to online predators or bullies, be exposed to inappropriate content and get bombarded with online ads.

Massachusetts mom and blogger Lori Popkewitz Alper said her three sons, ages 11, 10 and 8, are not allowed on Facebook. And they won't be any time soon, even if the company lowers the age threshold.

"It's shocking to me that Facebook is contemplating doing this," said Popkewitz Alper, editorin chief of the blog Groovy Green Livin. "I feel like I am very aware of the issues and the potential dangers for children, and it really frightens me to think that young kids are potentially going to have access."

But other parents are more sanguine about the prospect of Facebook opening to younger users. Microsoft Research released a study last year that found 36% of parents knew their children joined Facebook before they turned 13, and that many of them helped their kids sign up.

Just this week Dawn Carter, a 47-year-old mom of three from Riverside, gave her 11-year-old son permission to set up an account to stay in touch with classmates over the summer. She allowed her 14-year-old daughter to sign up two years ago. Carter said she has taught her kids not to hand out personal information, and she scrutinizes their privacy settings.

"I just didn't see any difference between communicating with a Facebook account or texting on his phone," Carter said.

Facebook already has limited what minors can do on the site. For example, they can't share content with "everyone," a setting that allows anyone on the Internet to peruse someone's posts and photos.

But Facebook is having a tough time policing its site to catch young scofflaws. Age limits are too easy to circumvent, and even though Facebook says it shuts down every underage account it finds and has tried to beef up its age verification systems, it privately concedes that there are millions of underage kids on Facebook. And that puts Facebook at odds with a federal law that requires it to get parental consent before collecting personal data on kids.

Some children's advocates agree that Facebook should find a way for tweens to use the site legitimately and safely. But others said there is not yet enough research on the effects of social media on young kids to know whether that can be done.

If Facebook opens up to kids under 13, it will have to put into place safeguards, such as giving parents a way to control what data is mined from their children when they click the "like" button or play a game, said Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy.

"There need to be strict limits on how much information can be collected and analyzed," Chester said. "Because Facebook collects data from users and their networks, the privacy of a child's friends must also be protected."

Facebook last year agreed to biennial privacy audits to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it misled users about how it used their personal information. The company also agreed to privacy audits.

The FTC is currently reviewing the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, which regulates what personal information websites can mine from kids. Facebook spent some of its $650,000 in first-quarter lobbying money on the law.

Given Facebook's past privacy flaps, Los Angeles resident Paula Whidden said she's concerned about the company's plans for children, particularly now that it's under pressure to deliver returns to shareholders. The 43-year-old mom of two who blogs about family and faith says she uses Facebook "prolifically" but won't let her 11-year-old or 8-year-old anywhere near it.

"I would say as a parent I wouldn't immediately trust the limitations they put," she said. "I would be very leery based on Facebook's history."

Parents aren't the only ones worried that kids would be vulnerable. Lawmakers also expressed concern Monday.

"We acknowledge that more and more children under the age of 13 are using Facebook, and this is a problem that needs to be addressed," Reps. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe L. Barton (R-Texas) wrote in a letter to Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Monday. "However, we believe strongly that children and their personal information should not be viewed as a commodity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder."

source: latimes

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Friendly: Brazil 0-2 Mexico

Premier League duo Giovani Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez led Mexico to a friendly win over Brazil at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

It was the second straight game in which Mexico's top two forwards each scored, indicating the Mexican attack is in top form at the right time. 

Mexico play Guyana on Friday to open the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region.

'This game served us well in our plans for qualifying,' Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said. 

'We killed two birds with one stone in beating a strong opponent and preparing ourselves for qualifying.' 

Dos Santos opened the scoring in the 22nd minute on an unlikely conversion from a difficult angle near the sideline. The Tottenham forward chipped the ball from the left side of the box into the upper corner of the right side, beating goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, who was making his second start for Brazil.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes dismissed the shot as a 'fortunate' strike.

'Giovani was crossing it into the box and scored,' Menezes said.

Ten minutes later, Dos Santos again was in the middle of the action. Brazilian defender Juan Jesus took him down inside the box, a clumsy foul because Dos Santos' back was to the goal. On the penalty kick, Cabral guessed correctly, but Manchester United striker Hernandez's strike found the net.

Brazil fielded a young squad of under-23 players in preparation for the upcoming Olympics in London. This particular squad was in just its third game together and found itself trailing for the first time. 

'In the first half, we needed more calm,' Menezes said. 'When it was 0-0, we needed to slow down and show more patience. But this is normal with young players.'

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MS Dhoni gives Sachin Tendulkar thumbs-up for RS innings

As Sachin Tendulkar is about to take oath as Rajya Sabha member, Mahendra Singh Dhoni hopes India’s batting maestro will be as successful in the Parliament as he was on the cricket field.

"I would like to wish him all the best. He has been contributing to cricket. He has done well in every field. This (Rajya Sabha) is a new avenue for him and I am sure he will do well and contribute there too,” Dhoni, who is also the honorary Lieutenant Colonel of army, said.

Meanwhile, Dhoni visited the Kaman post, the last Indian army post on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of North Kashmir. “Soon after his arrival at the Srinagar airport, he was transported by a military helicopter to the forward border outpost of Kaman at Uri, where he interacted with the troops,” said Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar, defence spokesperson at Srinagar.
On his return to Baramulla from Uri, Dhoni appreciated Kashmir’s bewitching beauty. A defence spokesman said that Dhoni called the place a heaven and the crown of India.

At Baramulla, he was received by Major GeneralBipin Rawat, the General Officer Commanding of the Dagger Division. Thereafter, he interacted with the troops of the Baramulla Garrison at the Thimayya Hall and thanked them for keeping the country secure.
“He also met the players who had participated in the Kashmir Premier League. He appreciated their efforts and assured them of all possible help,” said Lt Col Brar.

source : dnaindia

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India ahead of US, Japan in PC security: McAfee

India may have low penetration of computers, but it is ahead of countries like US, Japan and Singapore when it comes to basic PC protection, says a report by security software maker McAfee.

It conducted a global study across 24 nations, analysing data from voluntary scans of an average of 27-28 million PCs per month to determine a global estimate of the number of consumers who have basic security software installed.

Finland had the highest number of 90.3% PCs with a basic security software solution in place, followed by Italy (86.2%) and Germany (85.55%).

Basic security protection is defined as working anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall technologies.

India ranked 14th on the list with 82.67%, while China ranked 17th (82%), followed by Japan and US at the 19th spot (80.65%) and Singapore at 22nd position (78.25%). The global average stood at 83%.

According to estimates, India had a total installed base of over 60 million PCs at the end of 2011.

"Its gratifying to see that the majority of consumers have gotten the message that at the very least they need to have basic security protection installed," McAfee Co-President Todd Gebhart said.

"Protecting digital devices against cybercrime from malware not only benefits each of us personally, but also serves to discourage illicit activity and preserve the integrity of the Internet," he added.

Cases of cyber-attacks against banks, technology firms, e-stores and government agencies are on the rise and have cost millions of dollars worth of losses, McAfee said.

However, 17% of the PCs scanned either had no anti-virus installed or the software was installed, but disabled.

Spain (16.3%) topped the list of countries where the PCs scanned did not have a security solution in place, followed by Japan (13.2%) and China (12.9%).

About 10.9% of the PCs scanned in India did not have a security solution, placing India at the 8th spot.

The study suggests often people do not understand that once the trial subscription expires (which came pre-installed with the PC), they are no longer protected.

Some consumers may disable their security protection on purpose, for example to play online games, while some PC users believe they do not need protection if they simply adhere to safe surfing best practices, it added.

"Security software is consumers' first and, in many cases, only defence against cybercrime," the study said.

source : Hindustantimes

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Rodgers wants to lure Sigurdsson to Anfield

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed his intention to make Gylfi Sigurdsson his first Liverpool signing after the midfielder's move to Swansea City stalled.

Sigurdsson was heading to the Liberty Stadium prior to Rodgers's appointment at Anfield, but the change in circumstances appears to have scuppered the deal. A pounds 6.8?million fee was agreed between Swansea and Hoffenheim while Rodgers was still in charge, and personal terms were also negotiated with the 22 year-old.

But now the Northern Irishman has moved to Merseyside, Sigurdsson is destined to follow.

While Rodgers fully respects Swansea's wish to conclude a deal, he says he feels compelled to pursue a player whose career has flourished under his charge.

"If he comes onto the market, I have to be interested," explained Rodgers. "His initial chat has to be with Swansea, because he had a good period there.

"I said when I had the chat with the chairman (Huw Jenkins) the other day, when I told him I was going to go to Liverpool, that Gylfi came to Swansea because I was there as manager.

"I said to Huw if I speak to the kid I'll tell him to make sure he certainly comes down and speaks to the new Swansea manager, whoever that is, and that if he's still not comfortable with that, he's in the marketplace then - and then I have to look at him."

Rodgers, meanwhile, has paid tribute to the roles his father and grandfather played in him becoming Liverpool manager.

"He was my hero. He'd be very proud," said Rodgers of his father, who died last year. "Both my mum and dad passed away in a short period of time and I'm representing them.

"My grandfather was a Liverpool supporter. That's where it started for me. I was born in 1973 and the late 70s I sat down with both him and my father. That was the emotional attachment to be here as well as the footballing challenge. They loved great football. My dad was a big lover of Johan Cruyff so that's where one of my influences came from.

"My biggest influence were my parents. I've learnt from many people - good and bad - but my parents taught me the value of working hard. It's an obligation to work hard, not a choice.

"My father brought me up that way and I was the one that always created rather than waited. I went out there and travelled to Spain, Holland and Germany to travel right the way through. It's about having the courage and bravery to expose yourself to that."

Rodgers makes no attempt to hide how he wants Liverpool to play, or what formation he intends to impose. His philosophy appears to be if he can make good players fit the system, opponents will know what's coming but won't get enough of the ball to undermine it.

"They say the best football coaches and managers are the best thieves so you look to pick up bits and pieces from everyone," he said. "Brendan Rodgers might not sound as good as someone from Italy or Spain. British managers have often been overlooked as not being impressive. I'm very proud that people here can see my vision, philosophy and work. I know Liverpool spoke to a number of European coaches but they went with an Irishman.

"What is new about my appointment is a British manager getting a job like this. When I started in management I wanted to show that British managers can get teams to play the way continental teams do, and that we have players who can adapt to that. My style is a fusion.

"My philosophy is simple - I'm here to educate. I'm not here to train. You train dogs, you don't train players. Working with Jose Mourinho gave me great confidence. He saw something in me, and being at Chelsea gave me the opportunity to work with big players. It was a great experience, because I was there for the biggest year in Chelsea's history.

"Jose and I keep in contact on a weekly basis, and I've got great respect for him. But I'm very much my own man."

source: dnaindia

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Samsung Galaxy S3 launched in India at Rs 43,180

Korean handset giant Samsung on Thursday said it expects to capture 60 per cent share of the Indian smartphone market this year on the back of a slew of new devices, including its latest Galaxy SIII.

"According to third party data, we have over 46 per cent share in the Indian smartphone market. We are confident of increasing this to 60 per cent this year," Samsung India Head (Mobile and IT) Ranjit Yadav told reporters here. The Indian smartphone market is pegged to grow to about 18 million units in 2012, he added.

In the first four months of this year, the company has announced the launch of 10 new mobile handsets, including its new dual-sim smartphones like Galaxy Y Duos and Galaxy Y Pro Duos, taking the basket to 19 in the price range of between Rs 7,830 and Rs 38,290.

To consolidate its position in India, the company today launched its latest Galaxy SIII handset, priced at Rs 43,180. Unveiled initially in London, the handset will be available for sale in India from tomorrow.

"India, one of the world's largest mobile market, is indeed very important to us as it contributes substantial portion of our global sales. We see India as one of key growth markets 2012 going forward, especially in smartphone segment where we have observed overwhelming growth in last couple of quarters," he said.

The much-awaited Galaxy S-III smartphone, powered by Android operating system 4.0, is touted as a strong competitor to the yet-to be launched iPhone 5 (expected to be launched later this year).

Samsung recently dethroned long-time leader Nokia, snatching the numero uno position from the Finnish company in the first quarter of 2012 with 86.6 million units global shipment, as per research firm Gartner. It also outshone Apple with sales of 38 million units worldwide, the research firm had said.

Samsung Galaxy S-III comes with a 4.8-inch screen, bigger than its highly successful predecessor Galaxy S-II.

According to reports, the new smartphone had recorded the highest pre bookings orders to the tune of nine million after it was unveiled earlier this month in London.

The phone packs a bunch of features like 'Smart stay', in which the device recognises when you are looking at the phone and maintains a bright display for continued viewing pleasure.

The Galaxy S III also introduces 'Pop up play' feature, which allows user to watch HD videos on the phone while sending an email or text simultaneously.

The phone also boasts of an eight-megapixel camera along with a zero-lag shutter speed, which allows users capture moving objects without delay. It also comes with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

Smartphones are expected to constitute about 30 per cent to the company's total mobile and IT division revenues, up from last year's 15 per cent contribution.

source : Economictimes

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