Japan launches Sun 'microscope'

Scientists have high hopes for Japan's Solar-B mission which has been launched from the Uchinoura spaceport.

The spacecraft will investigate the colossal explosions in the Sun's atmosphere known as solar flares. These dramatic events release energy equivalent to tens of millions of hydrogen bombs in just a few minutes. The probe will attempt to find out more about the magnetic fields thought to power solar flares, and try to identify the trigger that sets them off. The ultimate goal for scientists is to use the new insights to make better forecasts of the Sun's behaviour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5371162.stm?ls

Zero-gravity surgery 'a success'

A team of French doctors said they successfully operated on a man in near zero-gravity conditions Wednesday on a flight looping in the air like a roller coaster to mimic weightlessness.
The five-man team and the patient landed safely at an airport in southwestern France after a three-hour flight, although doctors said the midair surgery to remove a cyst from the man's arm took only about 10 minutes.
Chief surgeon Dominique Martin said the near zero-gravity operation, the first on a human, was not technically difficult, but was aimed at breaking a barrier in medical expertise.
The experiment is part of a broader effort to develop robots for future operations from a distance -- in space or on Earth.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/09/27/space.surgery.ap/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5383764.stm#map

Mircsoft ban Testing in Pakistan

Microsoft Sues Testing Materials Vendor
Microsoft has filed a federal lawsuit against testing materials vendor TestKing, alleging that the company is illegally selling the actual answers to its certification exams. http://certcities.com/editorial/news/story.asp?EditorialsID=1085&page=8

Pervez Musharraf - "In the Line of Fire"

General Musharraf is in the line of fire
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/09/06/10065284.html

General Pervez Musharaf wrote about his life and his experiences about Pakistan and her relations with the world. The book is available at local book stores for a price of Rs 1250 in Pakistan. The book can also be found at the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/Line-Fire-Memoir-Pervez-Musharraf/dp/0743283449

Importance of Ramadan for Muslims

Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the revelation of the Qura'n to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) began. The entire month is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. The first day of the next month is spent in great celebrations and rejoicings and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or Eid ul Fitr. God instructs Muslims to fast just as those (other prophet's peoples) were instructed by God to fast before your time, for instance the practice of Lent.

For more details on Ramdan Sharif:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Ramadan 1427 A.H.

On 25th September 2006, holy month of Ramadan 1427 A.H. started.
Happy Ramadan.