GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. (PRWEB) January 08, 2013 GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.” Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.” Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.” The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “ About ITAZ Technologies ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. (PRWEB) January 08, 2013 GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.” Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.” Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.” The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “ About ITAZ Technologies ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in over 50 countries across the globe.Picaboo Yearbook Provides the Ideal Business Opportunity for Women Re-Entering the Workforce over 50 countries across the globe.

Picaboo Yearbooks is helping women with a strong sales background, and who are re-entering the workforce, to start their own business with an exclusive dealership opportunity based in their community.

(PRWEB) January 08, 2013
Women looking to re-enter the workforce – but want to steer clear of MLM, affiliate marketing, and aspire to own their own business in which they can build equity – are finding that a new and unique business opportunity with Picaboo Yearbooks is an ideal fit.
“This is the ideal opportunity for women with a strong sales background who are looking to re-enter the workforce and like getting out and meeting with people,” commented Bryan Payne, President of Picaboo Yearbooks. “And since the majority of our customers are schools, the workday window leaves them time to spend with family.”
Members of Picaboo Yearbooks’ nationwide network of locally-based Dealership Owners are awarded an exclusive and protected sales territory, and are empowered to introduce the company’s groundbreaking yearbook product to schools and other groups within their communities. They also enjoy the perks of being their own boss, which includes the freedom to schedule presentations and appointments around their other important commitments. In addition, they can also build equity in their business, and can sell the business if they decide to pursue other opportunities.
Payne also noted that interest to join his company’s nationwide network has far exceeded expectations.
“In the past three months we’ve sold over 100 of the 500 total territories available across Canada and the United States,” added Payne. “We’re thrilled and well ahead of schedule. We anticipate all 500 dealership territories to be sold by the end of 2013, especially with an average investment of only $5000 - $10,000.
The response we’ve received from women across the country has been overwhelmingly positive. Dealership Owners are telling us that they decided to purchase their territory because our business model is revolutionizing the yearbook industry, and it’s inspiring to sell something unique and in-demand. They’re also impressed by our world-class training and marketing support.”
Since launching in September, 2012, many of Picaboo Yearbooks’ Dealership Owners have experienced rapid success, and over 500 schools and organizations nationwide have already started creating a yearbook – which is well ahead of the company’s predicted pace.
Prospective Dealership Owners who want to learn more about joining Picaboo Yearbooks’ nationwide network, and discover the rewards of being part of a customer-focused revolution in the yearbook industry, can learn more at http://yearbooks.picaboo.com/dealers/ or email info(at)picabooyearbooks(dot)com.
About Picaboo Yearbooks
Picaboo Yearbooks, which launched September, 2012, is a division of Picaboo: a premier provider of photo books. Picaboo Yearbooks believes that every school and student deserves a great yearbook, and is revolutionizing the yearbook industry through easy-to-use web app technology that empowers customers to: easily collaborate and create a personalized yearbook in no time; order as few or as many yearbooks as they need for the same affordable price; and have their top quality yearbooks shipped within three weeks. Schools and other customers can also create a professional, feature-filled eYearbook at no-cost, and easily setup a storefront to sell and manage yearbook sales online. Learn more at http://yearbooks.picaboo.com/.

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GLOBODOX Celebrates Completion of 14 Years in Document Management

GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX.

(PRWEB) January 08, 2013
GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX.
Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.”
Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.”
Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.”
The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “
About ITAZ Technologies

ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in over 50 countries across the globe.

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Robert Mulhearn, CFA Joins Smart Devine as Senior Manager in Their Business Valuation Practice

Smart Devine (http://www.smartdevine), the full-service accounting, tax and advisory firm, announces today that it has hired Robert Mulhearn as Senior Manager in their Business Valuation Practice. Bob will assist both public and private companies to address the complexities that come with valuation needs in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing, gift and estate tax, ESOPs, succession planning, and business disruption.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) January 08, 2013
Smart Devine (http://www.smartdevine), the full-service accounting, tax and advisory firm, announces today that it has hired Robert Mulhearn as Senior Manager in their Business Valuation Practice. Bob will assist both public and private companies to address the complexities that come with valuation needs in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing, gift and estate tax, ESOPs, succession planning, and business disruption.
Bob is a senior valuation professional with extensive experience performing detailed financial analysis and appraisals including those involving worldwide business enterprises. His expertise includes valuations involving allocation of purchase price, impairment studies for financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, stock or business valuations, solution of special appraisal problems, valuations of intangible assets for both tax and accounting purposes (ASC 805 and ASC 350), creating budgets and business plans and solvency and fairness opinions.
Bob’s Industry experience includes manufacturing, telecommunications, internet firms, health care/pharmaceuticals, software providers, security monitoring, education, retail steel, electric power, financial services, gaming and others.
Prior to joining Smart Devine, Bob was President of Providence Valuation LLC and was a Vice President and Director at Marshall & Stevens Inc.
“Bob brings excellent senior advisor valuation credentials to Smart Devine’s business valuation practice. His knowledge in valuation across a broad range of industries offers a valuable resource to company leaders,” said Jim Smart, CEO of Smart Devine.
Bob earned his MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University and holds a BA in Psychology from Villanova University. Bob is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the CFA Institute and the Philopatrian Literary Institute.
Smart Devine, is headquartered in Philadelphia and provides a full range of accounting, advisory, tax and investigative forensic accounting services to companies across a variety of industries.

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US pushes to finish Afghan dam as challenges mount

KAJAKI, Afghanistan (AP) — In the approaching twilight of its war in Afghanistan, the U.S. is forging ahead with a giant infrastructure project long criticized as too costly in both blood and money.
It's a $500 million effort to refurbish the massive Kajaki dam and hydro-electric power system with an extensive network of power lines and transmission substations. It is supposed to bring electricity to 332,000 people in southern Afghanistan, increase crop yields and build up a cohort of trained Afghan laborers in a region badly in need of them.
But completion, which originally was envisaged for 2005, now is projected for some time in 2015, the year after most combat troops will have left the country. And there are some crucial ifs:
If a convoy carrying 900 tons of concrete can make it up a dangerous road to the dam site without being attacked by the Taliban. If the Afghan army can hold out in an area that took thousands of U.S. Marines to secure. If the Afghan government can take on the management of the dam.
"It's a long-term bet. I've said to people: We have to be patient and we have to persevere," said Ken Yamashita, the head of USAID in Afghanistan.
The desire to succeed is understandable. The Kajaki dam on the Helmand River symbolizes for both the Afghans and their American backers what they had hoped the infusion of U.S. troops and cash would produce nationwide: an Afghan government that can provide for its people and in turn count on its support against the Taliban insurgency.
The U.S. has spent $22.34 billion on governance and development in Afghanistan since it invaded the country following the Sept. 11 attacks, much of that on projects to build roads, schools, power plants and irrigation systems. In the past two years alone, $800 million was earmarked for infrastructure projects.
Kajaki is also a symbol of the American presence in Afghanistan dating back to the 1950s and the Cold War. That was when the U.S. built the original dam, with a powerhouse added in the 1970s. But before the three turbines could be installed, the Soviets invaded and construction stopped. The dam was still squeezing out a bit of power in 2001 when the U.S. attacked and, ironically enough, bombed the dam's power transmission line.
In the latest phase of the Kajaki saga, fighting as well as limited oversight of spending has led to huge delays and cost overruns. Now Helmand province, home of the dam, is seeing the first and largest wave of U.S. troop reductions, with 10,000 of 17,000 U.S. Marines already gone. That means most of the Kajaki project is going forward with Afghan forces providing nearly all the security in an area that was a Taliban stronghold until a year ago.
Afghans here are already hedging their bets.
The number of workers on a U.S.-funded construction project next to Kajaki has dwindled from 200 to 20 since last fall, and those remaining say workers feel the risk isn't worth the $6 daily paycheck.
"They can't come here because all the routes to the district are controlled by the Taliban," said Abdul Razziq, a 28-year-old villager working on construction of a new district government center next to the dam.
His family supports the government, so he at least doesn't have to lie to keep his place of work secret. Not so Timur Shah, who spends a couple of months at a time working at Kajaki. "My immediate family knows I am here. But if anyone else asks they will make something up," he said.
Shah said security improved when U.S. Marines flooded the province, but is deteriorating as the Marines leave.
"Just at the time the American forces started leaving here, the Taliban started to appear again, in the whole area," Shah said.
Cellphone service also stopped working in Kajaki district in late fall. It is common for insurgents to disrupt service in areas they control, though the construction workers say they're just as ready to believe to say the Americans blocked calls.
U.S. officials say the wariness is to be expected at a time of transition. They point out that Afghan security forces have increased their presence around the dam and that attacks, while still regular, appear to be decreasing.
"There's an ebb and flow," said Marine Capt. Glen Baker, one of a small group of Marines who continue to hold an outpost in Kajaki and advise Afghan forces in the area. "There was an increase when the Marines pulled out and there has been a decrease subsequently."
The company working on building the dam has also been able this year to send supplies via road — four convoys of trucks have made the trip without incident. Previously, equipment was being helicoptered in at enormous cost.
The core of the project is the installation of a third power-generating turbine at the dam, an effort that planned since 2002. The installation was originally budgeted at $18 million. Now it is getting another $85 million and is scheduled to be installed in March, after being delayed by efforts to weed out subcontracting applicants suspected of having Taliban ties.
But many in Afghanistan have already given up on Kajaki.
"It is 10 years now that Kajaki dam has been as it is. Too much money has been spent there in the name of reconstruction ... all of that money wasted," President Hamid Karzai said in a speech in December.
Shah, the construction worker, echoed the complaint.
"When the international forces first came here they told us, 'In one year you will have the dam, you will have power, you will have roads.' But that didn't happen. ... and we are still waiting," he said.
Even if the project now overcomes the security and logistical barriers, there are questions about whether it's worth the cost.
The dam can't provide enough power to sustain the main city in the region — Kandahar — and the price tag is steep for the extra irrigation it brings to the Helmand River valley.
And there are also signs of the difficulties the Afghan government may face when it takes over the management of the dam.
One area already controlled by the Afghans is the management of irrigation water. The water has to hold to a certain level through the winter to keep electricity flowing, but last year the manager in charge of irrigation yielded to pressure from farmers and kept the water valve open.
"He ignored the need to close it in September. So the level of water was reduced," said Shaqib Nassar, the utility's chief operations officer, which oversees the dam. As a result the dam can only produce 24 megawatts, rather than 33 megawatts, he explained.
And the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction, the U.S. government watchdog for spending in the country, said in a report in December that $12.8 million in electricity distribution equipment provided to the Afghan energy utility in Kandahar was sitting unused because the Afghan staff "lacked the technical and operational capacity to properly install and manage it." The Kandahar utility also oversees Kajaki dam.
As recently as mid-2012 the U.S. was considering scrapping the whole project and switching the money to less unwieldy projects. Then it doubled down.
"Several months back we had a lot of discussion about whether continued investment in this would be worthwhile ... There are certainly voices that say, 'We've invested this much, let's finish it,' and there are others that say, 'We've invested this much, however the additional investment just won't get us there,'" said Yamashita, the USAID official.
"In the end, the discussion and the conclusion was that the output of electricity plus the development programs in the Helmand valley, plus the security it brings, equals a risk worth taking."
From the air, the Helmand River is a narrow turquoise ribbon through the desert. The dam is a stacked concrete wall that bisects the river, creating a reservoir ringed with trees — a few spots of green in a vast field of brown.
The helicopters that fly to the dam are owned by a U.S. contractor and depart from a U.S. military base. As resources and Americans become fewer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USAID say they expect oversight to depend increasingly on Afghan partners. Everyone says they are committed to finishing the project; they'll just have to manage much of it from afar.
Sayed Rasoul is an Afghan engineer with decades spent in the management of Kajaki as well as the Kandahar and Helmand power grid. He says he's confident the dam will be completed and deliver the riches promised.
He also says he's certain that the Americans will be in Kajaki long after the last of the combat troops leave.
"Maybe the American forces will leave here," he said, "but the engineers will be with us.

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Pakistan accuses India of deadly cross-border raid

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistani military is accusing forces from neighboring India of crossing the boundary between the two sides' forces in Kashmir and attacking a Pakistani border post, killing a soldier.
The military's public relations office said in a statement Sunday that another Pakistani soldier was critically wounded in the incident early Sunday.
They said troops are still exchanging gunfire in the area.
They said the raid crossed the "line of control" dividing the Indian and Pakistani sides of Kashmir, a flashpoint of violence between these two neighbors for decades.
Both claim the region as their own.
A 2003 cease-fire ended the most recent round of fighting.
Each side occasionally accuses the other of violating it by lobbing mortars or shooting across the LOC, but accusations of cross-border raids are rare.

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British Spitfire search team arrives in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A search team led by a British aviation enthusiast arrived in Myanmar on Sunday to begin a dig they hope will unearth dozens of rare British Spitfire fighter planes said to have been buried in the Southeast Asian country at the end of World War II.
The 21-member team led by farmer and businessman David Cundall will start excavations soon near the airport in the main city, Yangon.
Cundall said the aircraft were buried in wooden crates around 30 feet under the ground and the project would take about four to six weeks to complete.
"We are expecting them to be in first-class condition," Cundall said shortly after arriving at the international airport in Yangon.
The Spitfire remains Britain's most famous combat aircraft. Its reputation was cemented during the Battle of Britain when the fast-moving single-seater aircraft helped beat back waves of German bombers.
Britain built a total of about 20,000 Spitfires, although the dawn of the jet age at the end of World War II meant that the propeller-driven planes quickly became obsolete.
The planes believed to be in Myanmar were buried by American engineers as the war drew to a close. Searchers hope they are in pristine condition, but Andy Brockman, a freelance archaeologist who is part of the search team, said it was possible all they might find is a mass of corroded metal and rusty aircraft parts.
Nevertheless, he said, "I'm very confident that we'll have answers to the story of what happened ... in 1945."
The venture is being backed by the Belarusian videogame company Wargaming.net, which is best known for its multiplayer titles including "World of Warplanes" and "World of Tanks."
The search team says 36 Spitfires are believed to be buried near Yangon airport, while another 18 are in Myitkyina in northern Kachin state and six more are buried in Meikthila in central Myanmar.

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Celtic Tiger and emerging China shine in 2012

 Rory McIlroy's dominance on both sides of the Atlantic and the clearest hint yet at the exciting potential in China were the biggest storylines in what may prove to be a truly transformational golfing year in 2012.
The coronation of McIlroy as the game's leading player was confirmed in sensational fashion when the exciting Northern Irishman cruised to his second major title by a record eight shots in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in August.
Dubbed 'Boy Wonder' in his homeland for the past decade, McIlroy fully justified his other nickname of 'the Celtic Tiger' as he ended the year being showered with virtually every accolade available to him.
He followed in the footsteps of Luke Donald when he became the second player to win the money list titles in both Europe and the United States and he strengthened his position as world number one with an extraordinary run of form.
Long regarded as heir-apparent to Tiger Woods as the game's greatest player, McIlroy has smoothly taken over that role while Woods, despite triumphing three times on the 2012 PGA Tour in a welcome return to winning ways, has had to take a back seat.
The 23-year-old McIlroy is almost certain to be a dominant figure in golf for at least another decade but 14-year-old Chinese Guan Tianlang gave a strong indication of the likely impact from his part of the world well beyond that time frame.
Guan ensured he would become the youngest player ever to compete at the Masters by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship last month, tantalizing proof of the vast golfing potential in the Chinese market.
The world's most populous nation had celebrated another coup just five months earlier when Shanshan Feng, 22, clinched the LPGA Championship by two shots in Rochester, New York to become the first person from mainland China to win a women's major.
Remarkably, Feng was born just five years after the first golf course was opened in China.
There were several other highlights during 2012 with Bubba Watson producing arguably the shot of the year to win the Masters in a two-way playoff and Ernie Els ending a decade-long drought in the majors to claim his second British Open.
THRUST INTO LIMELIGHT
The belly putter was also thrust into the limelight when Webb Simpson, at the U.S. Open, and Els, at Royal Lytham, joined 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley as the only players to triumph in the majors using a long putter.
That trend, coupled with the growing number of younger golfers opting to anchor putters to their chin, chest or belly, prompted golf's rulemakers last month to propose a ban on the technique which could come into effect by 2016.
However, McIlroy's stellar play around the world gave golf fans their most stirring memories in 2012.
He recorded four wins on the U.S. circuit among 10 top-10s in just 16 starts before ending the season being named the PGA of America Player of the Year, the PGA Tour's Player of the Year and winner of the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
McIlroy clinched the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour's leading money winner, with earnings of $8,047,952, and was delighted to follow that up with the European Tour order of merit with two events remaining.
"Winning a second major already made it a fabulous season, but then to follow Luke in becoming number one in both Europe and the States is the icing on the cake after a fabulous season," he said.
Hardly surprisingly, McIlroy finished his 2012 campaign on a triumphant note when he won the European Tour's season-ending DP World Tour Championship by two shots in Dubai last month.
"I didn't want the year to just tail off, I wanted to end it in real style," he said after spectacularly making birdies on the last five holes to close with a 66.
While the richly talented McIlroy is a gifted shot-maker, left-hander Watson delivered the 'blow' of the year with a miraculous escape from pine straw to win the Masters in a playoff with South African Louis Oosthuizen in April.
On the second extra hole, the long-hitting American ended up well right and deep in the tree line off the tee from where he had a narrow avenue to the green.
STUNNING HOOK
Undaunted, Watson struck a stunning hook off the pine straw with a gap wedge, his ball bending 40 yards in the air to settle 10 feet from the pin before he claimed his first major victory with a two-putt par.
"I got in these trees and hit a crazy shot," said Watson, a self-taught golfer who learned the game by hitting wiffle balls around his house. "I just hooked it up there and somehow it nestled close to the hole."
In June, Watson's good friend and fellow American Simpson clinched his first major title with a nerve-jangling one-shot victory at the U.S. Open after overhauling overnight leaders Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell.
The following month, 42-year-old South African Els won the British Open at Royal Lytham by one stroke from Adam Scott after the Australian agonizingly bogeyed the last four holes.
Unquestionably the greatest comeback of the year, and perhaps of all time in golf, came at the Ryder Cup in September when Europe overhauled a deficit of 10-6 going into the final day to beat the United States by 14-1/2 points to 13-1/2.
Inspired by the spirit of the late Seve Ballesteros, Europe sent out their best players early and rode a wave of blue numbers to retain the trophy when Germany's Martin Kaymer defeated Steve Stricker one up.
"Seve will always be present with this team," a teary-eyed European captain Jose Maria Olazabal said of his fellow Spaniard, friend and mentor. "He was a big factor for this event, for the European side."
That same month, South Korean Shin Ji-yai romped to a nine-stroke victory at the Women's British Open at Royal Liverpool in England to complete a stunning Asian sweep of the year's four women's majors.
Shin's compatriot Yoo Sun-young won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in a playoff at Rancho Mirage in April and Choi Na-yeon, also of South Korea, claimed her first major title by four shots at the U.S. Women's Open in Kohler, Wisconsin in July.

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World sports diary November/December 2013

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
TENNIS
Paris Masters (to 3)
MOTOR RACING
Formula One: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marinas Circuit (to 3)
CRICKET
Western Australia v England, Perth (to 2)
HORSE RACING
Breeders Cup, Santa Anita, California (to 2)
SOCCER
FIFA Under-17 World Cup, UAE (to 8)
- - - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
RUGBY
International Matches
- - - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
ATHLETICS
New York City marathon
- - - -
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4
TENNIS
ATP: World Tour finals, London
- - - -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
HORSE RACING
Melbourne Cup
- - - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
CRICKET
Australia A v England, Hobart (to 9)
- - - -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
GOLF
PGA Tour: McGladrey Classic, Sea Island, Georgia (to 10)
European Tour: Turkish Open, Antalya (to 10)
- - - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8
MOTORCYCLING
MotoGP: Valencia, Ricardo Tormo-Valencia (to 10)
- - - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
RUGBY
International matches
- - - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10
- - - -
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
- - - -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
BADMINTON
BWF Li Ning China Open Super Series Premier, Shanghai (to 17)
BWF Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open Super Series, Kowloon (to 24)
- - - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
CRICKET
New South Wales v England, Sydney (to 16)
- - - -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
GOLF
European Tour: DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (to 17)
Singapore Open, Sentosa (to 17)
- - - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
SOCCER
2014 World Cup qualifying matches
Asian Cup qualifying matches
MOTOR RACING
Formula One: United States Grand Prix, Austin (to 17)
TENNIS
Davis Cup World Group final (to 17)
- - - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
RUGBY
International matches
- - - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
- - - -
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18
- - - -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
SOCCER
2014 World Cup qualifying matches
Asian Cup qualifying matches
- - - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
- - - -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
CRICKET
Australia v England, Brisbane, first test (to 25)
GOLF
European Tour: Hong Kong Open, Fanling (to 24)
- - - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
MOTOR RACING
Formula One: Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo (to 24)
- - - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
RUGBY
Rugby League World Cup semi finals, Wembley
- - - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
HORSE RACING
Japan Cup, Tokyo
CANADIAN FOOTBALL
Grey Cup, Saskatchewan
- - - -
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25
- - - -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
- - - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
- - - -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
GOLF
World Cup, Shenzen (to 1)
- - - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
CRICKET
Australia Chairman's XI v England, Canberra (to 30)
- - - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
RUGBY
Rugby League World Cup final, Old Trafford
- - - -
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
SOCCER
World Cup Finals Draw, Brazil (to 4)
Japan League final day
Korean League final day, South Korea
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 2
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
CRICKET
Australia v England, Adelaide, second test (to 9)
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
GAMES
Southeast Asian Games, Myanmar (to 21)
SOCCER
Club World Cup, Morocco (to 21)
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
CRICKET
Australia v England, Perth, third test (to 17)
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
CRICKET
Australia v England, Melbourne, fourth test (to 30)
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

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Golf-Jimenez out for several months after breaking leg skiing

MADRID, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez will be out of action for at least three months after breaking his leg in a skiing accident on Saturday.
"I was skiing in Sierra Nevada, I lost control and fell," Jimenez was quoted as saying in local media on Sunday.
"I felt a huge stab of pain and I knew straight away I had broken something," he said, adding that he had been operated on at a clinic in his native Malaga.
"I broke the top of the tibia in my right leg, just where it meets the knee, and they put in two pins.
"It will take three, four or five months to recover and be able to return to competition. I was playing very well but ... these things happen in life."
Jimenez, who will be 49 on Saturday, was named European Tour golfer of the month in November after his victory at the Hong Kong Open made him the oldest winner in Tour history at 48 years and 318 days.
A lover of fine wines and cigars and known for his trademark ponytail, he said he had fashioned a love of skiing some years ago and was well aware of the risks.

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Why does Google build apps for its rival Apple's iPhone?

Why help a key competitor? Two words: Advertising and data
There isn't any other way to say it: Apple and Google really don't like each other. Apple CEO Steve Jobs vowed to destroy the Google geniuses behind the Android operating system for allegedly stealing the basic mechanics of the iPhone. Apple and Google-partner Samsung are constantly at one another's throats over patents. And most recently new Apple CEO Tim Cook gave two of Google's most popular products — Google Maps and YouTube — the boot from iOS 6.
Then the unthinkable happened: Fans started turning on Apple. Even the most gushy tech critic had to admit that Apple's replacement for Google Maps was a train wreck, a rare blight on the company's otherwise stainless track record (a failure, notes Zara Kessler at Bloomberg, which ironically might ultimately benefit Apple).
Why, then, would Google throw its chief rival a life preserver this week and deliver Google Maps to iOS — as well as handing over Chrome and an awesome new Gmail app in recent weeks? Two main reasons:
1. Potential advertising: "Google doesn't make money off of Android which is open source; they make money when people use Google services," Joel Spolsky, CEO of Stack Overflow, tells Wired. Google Maps on the iPhone doesn't have ads yet, although the Android version does. In the end, Google's primary concern is to get its services in front of as many eyeballs as possible — even if those eyeballs are peering into an iPhone.
SEE MORE: Steve Jobs' mysterious iMac-controlled yacht
2. More data with which to make its products better: Google Maps is every marketer's dream. Mapping software gives them invaluable consumer data to work with, like the city you live in, the stores you shop at, the restaurants you frequent, where you get your coffee, and much, much more. "Google needs the traffic that iOS users bring," says Casey Newton at CNET. Those millions of iPhone owners unknowingly feed Google the analytics it needs to make Google Maps the superior, celebrated product it's become. The same goes for Chrome. And Gmail.
And "Google is hardly the first company to aggressively support a rival platform for selfish reasons," says Ryan Tate at Wired.
Microsoft was a strong backer of Apple's Macintosh for decades because its core business was selling applications [Word, Excel, etc.], not Microsoft's competing operating system Windows… Google's willingness to ship iOS apps could look smarter as time goes on. The company trounces Apple when it comes to all things cloud, not just maps and e-mail; its social network, search engine, and highly optimized data centers could give its iOS apps an even bigger edge in the coming years.

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