Space shuttle Discovery lands in California

HOUSTON: NASA's space shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 5:53 pm local time (0053 GMT) on Friday.
The shuttle successfully made the steep descent -- at an angle seven times more acute than a commercial jet -- through thin cloud to runway 22 at the desert base.
Shortly after touchdown, NASA deployed teams of white-suited inspectors to scour the outside of the space craft to make sure it was undamaged and the astronauts could disembark safely.

World’s first floating wind turbine opens in Norway

OSLO: This is an important step towards creating a new Norwegian energy industry at sea. The project illustrates how we may benefit from the knowledge we have gained from our petroleum industry, to develop innovative technology concerning renewable resources.
Norway can play an important role in the utilization of renewable resources and more environmental friendly energy production in the years to come.
The turbine is fastened to the seabed 10 kilometres southwest of Karmøy. The project is a pilot of the StatoilHydro-developed concept – Hywind. StatoilHydro will test the Hywind pilot over a two-year period. The project opens up for the wind industry to capture wind energy within deep-water environments.
Offshore wind could develop into becoming a new Norwegian industry. The Government have proposed a new legislation on offshore renewable energy in June this year.
In addition to this we have through Enova and the Research Council of Norway, increased the allocations to development of new and innovative technology, says the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Terje Riis-Johansen.
In the National Budget for 2009, the Government strengthened its emphasis on resource and development regarding renewable energy and carbon capture- and storage, by NOK 300 mill.

Fight terrorism jointly: Al-Sudais

MAKKAH/MADINAH: More than three million Muslim faithful attended juma, taraweeh and Qiyamullail prayers at the Two Holy Mosques on Friday as the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah called for joint efforts to combat terrorism.
The Haram in Makkah overflowed with worshippers as tens of thousands of faithful had come to perform Umrah and attend special prayers seeking Lailat Al-Qadr, the night of power.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, accompanied by senior princes, ministers and officials, is in Makkah to spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in the vicinity of Haram.
The king has instructed government departments to mobilize their resources in the service of the guests of God who have come from different parts of the world to perform Umrah and spend the blessed days of Ramadan at the Two Holy Mosques.
Security and traffic departments have deployed more officers around the Two Holy Mosques to maintain law and order and ensure smooth flow of pilgrims. The Health Ministry has made precautionary measures to protect the health of pilgrims from contagious diseases such as swine flu.
Delivering his Friday sermon, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque, urged the faithful to fear God in all walks of their lives. He also urged Muslims to make use of the blessings in the last 10 days of Ramadan by engaging in worship and righteous deeds. “It’s a great blessing of God that we have another opportunity to live in these most blessed days and nights of the year,” he said. “We have to thank God for this blessing by doing good deeds. Are we ready to do that?” the imam asked.
He explained how the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions spent the last 10 days of Ramadan. The Prophet used to stay inside the mosque throughout the last 10 days of the holy month, seeking Lailat Al-Qadr. “This night is called Lailat Al-Qadr considering its importance and greatness. It’s better than a thousand months.”
Al-Sudais also spoke about the importance of paying Zakah, the compulsory payment of a specific portion of a person’s wealth. Most Muslims pay their Zakah during Ramadan to maximize their reward.