German teen solves 300-year-old mathematical riddle posed by Sir Isaac Newton

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing

-Albert Einstein        

An Indian-born teenager has won a research award for solving a mathematical problem first posed by Sir Isaac Newton more than 300 years ago that has baffled mathematicians ever since.

The solution devised by Shouryya Ray, 16, makes it possible to calculate exactly the path of a projectile under gravity and subject to air resistance.

Shouryya, who lives in Dresden, eastern Germany, came up with the solutions to this and a second mathematical riddle while working on a school project.

He is being hailed as a genius in the German press, but attributes his achievement to “curiosity and schoolboy naivety.”

“When it was explained to us that the problems had no solutions, I thought to myself: well, there’s no harm in trying,” he said.

The problems he resolved are from the field of dynamics. The first, dealing with the movement of projectiles through the air, was posed by Newton in the 17th century. The second, which relates to the collision of a body with a wall, was posed in the 19th century.

Only partial solutions had been discovered up to now, requiring simplified assumptions or calculations by computer. Shouryya’s elegant solutions could contribute to greater precision in fields such as ballistics.

Shouryya’s family moved to Germany when he was 12 after his father Subhashis Ray, an engineer, got a job at a technical college. Shouryya spoke no German when he arrived but has mastered the language and is due to take the German equivalent of A-levels this week, two years ahead of his peers.

“Ray’s accomplishment is impressive and we are particularly proud of his background as it highlights the achievements of migrants across language and cultural barriers,” said the Youth Research Foundation, which gave him the award.

A keen cricketer, Shouryya cites his father as his inspiration and says he instilled a “hunger for mathematics” after teaching him calculus at the age of six.

Subhashis Ray said he was no longer able to keep up with his son’s mathematical prowess, however. “He never discussed his project with me before it was finished and the mathematics he used are far beyond my reach,” he said.

The largest pink diamond ever put up for auction sells for over $17mill

The pink diamond by Harry Winston fetched over US$17.4 million at auction in Hong Kong this week as it went on sale for the first time in 36 years, more than double the estimated price.

Billed as the largest pink diamond ever to go under the hammer, the stunning round fancy intense pink gem was the pièce de résistance of the Christies' jewellery auction that raised $80 million on Tuesday.

                         

Space X lands while Galactic takes flight

Closely held SpaceX, controlled by billionaire Elon Musk, on May 25 became the first company to dock a craft at the station. The feat was previously accomplished only by the U.S., European, Japanese and Russian governments.

SpaceX's Dragon with Full Parachutes

The ship parachuted into the Pacific Ocean at 11:42 a.m.New York time, about 560 miles off the coast of southern California. It returned with about 1,400 pounds of cargo.
“Splashdown successful!!!” Musk tweeted after today’s landing.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration retired its shuttle fleet last year and wants the private sector to take over ferrying supplies and eventually astronauts to the station. SpaceX, based in Hawthorne, California, may begin regular resupply missions to the lab in September.
Astronauts released the so-called Dragon capsule from the station’s 60-foot-long robotic arm at 5:49 a.m., according toNASA.
“Dragon smoothly undocked, moved out, released and on its way home,” Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers tweeted from the space station. “Job done!” he wrote in another post.

The docking of the SpaceX Dragon with the International Space Station earlier this month served as a milestone for the emerging field of privately funded space travel. This week, Richard Branson's dreams of joining the commercial space flight race with his own Virgin Galactic program got a boost thanks to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Scaled Composites, the company developing the spacecraft for Virgin Galactic, received an experimental launch permit from the FAA for the rocket-powered phase of testing for its suborbital spacecraft, SpaceshipTwo.
"This important milestone enables our team to progress…bringing us a major step closer to bringing our customers to space," said George Whitesides, president and CEO of Scaled Composites. "We thank the FAA for their timely issuance of this permit, and for their responsible oversight of the test program."
Although the flamboyant and outspoken billionaire has made much of his aspirations tied to Virgin Galactic, the key difference between Branson's venture and that of SpaceX's Elon Musk is that the former is still focused, at this point, on suborbital travel, rather than the true orbital space flight currently being executed by the Dragon.

Louis Vuitton launches international film series

Louis Vuitton launched a new short film series February 22 hoping to capture the essence of different cities from across the globe in relation to gender.

Hong Kong is the subject of the debut film, which presents the Asian destination as if it were a woman with appearances from students, various career women and rising star in Asian cinema Grace Huang.

Directed by Jean-Claude Thibaut, who has previously collaborated with Armani.

Project Azzam:

Project Azzam, one of the superyacht industry’s most closely guarded secrets of recent years, and expected to become the world’s largest luxury yacht when it is launched, has been unveiled in photo form.

Currently in construction at the Lürssen yacht building facility in Germany, the floating behemoth is rumoured to come in at over 180m, topping the current largest yacht, Eclipse, which measures 164m.

The anticipated arrival of Project Azzam – which will be the equivalent length of almost two football pitches – is the latest in a surge of activity amongst the world’s largest yachts.

Russian magnate lists TWC unit for $25M

Russian oligarch Oleg Baibakov has listed his 3,168-square-foot 80 Columbus Circle apartment for $25 million, according to data from Streeteasy.com, five years after he paid $13.5 million for the Mandarin Oriental spread in the north tower of the Time Warner Center.

Baibakov, the wealthy president of GSC City, a Moscow construction-management and consulting company, is the former executive of a giant Russian mining company which made a multi-billion-dollar fortune during Russia’s economic transformation from socialism to capitalism. He listed the three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home with Dennis Mangone of Prudential Douglas Elliman on Friday. Mangone did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The unit, which is currently under renovation, will feature a great room with 50 feet of frontage facing Central Park and 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. The unit comes with access to the Mandarin Oriental’s spa and adjoining fitness center, including a 75-foot lap pool.

Baibakov bought the unit in 2007 after showing interest in the renovated units at the Plaza Hotel just down the street. He ultimately decided not to buy in the Elad Group building because the developer did not allow an inspection of the space before the work was completed. He bought the Columbus Circle unit from Sheila Potiker, wife of Hugher Potiker, founder of Entertainment Publications. Baibakov paid $500,000 over the asking price set by Paula del Nunzio of Brown Harris Stevens.

The Russian mogul is also an international art collector and founded Baibakov Art Projects gallery of modern art in his home country. It’s been reported that his collection includes pieces by artists such as Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol. Baibakov’s daughter Maria operates the Moscow art space. She has been widely credited in the art press with having helped introduce Western contemporary art to Russia.

The Hennessey Venom GT convertible comes to life

The Hennessey Venom GT Spyder will accelerate to 200mph in 15.9 seconds, eight seconds faster than a Bugatti Veyron. This is the fastest convertible in the world. The only convertible version was sold to recording 

artist Steve Tyler who took delivery May 29th 2012. The car features 1,244 hp in the 7.0 Liter Twin Turbo V8. The car sold for $1.1 Million. 

Shape Audio Organic Harmony Speaker

Designed as "musical sculpture," the Organic Harmony stands 53 inches tall and reproduces two channels of audio from a single housing, which can be made of bronze, silver, or solid 18K gold as seen here. Each audio channel is served by a 2-inch tweeter and 5-inch midrange firing in opposite directions, and a ported 8-inch woofer fires downward, resulting in a frequency response from 40Hz to 30kHz (±2dB). It also happens to be the most expensive audio system in the world. 

The drivers and other internal components are hidden from view by a special acoustically transparent polymer made in a single piece by a 3D printer. Up to five audio sources are connected to an outboard box that houses a DSP engine and 1000W class-D power amp. The DSP lets you select an omnidirectional radiation pattern or a more defined stereo pattern at a specific listening position. It also performs room correction and provides multiroom functionality and audio streaming via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

At the conversion rate from euros to dollars as of this writing, the bronze Organic Harmony is just over $93,000, the silver goes for nearly $444,000, and the solid 18K gold version goes for around $7.4 million, depending on the price of gold and any customization you might want. But with 254 pounds of silver or 375 pounds of gold, such astronomical prices are not unexpected. As befits any piece of fine art, this hand-made marvel is available in a limited series—Shape Audio will make no more than 99 in bronze, five in silver, and one in gold, after which the company will move on to its next project. 

                             

Zeal Optics

Pure Gold Does Not Fear the Refiner's Fire

Gold declined for the first time in three days, set for the worst run of monthly losses since 1999, as concern that Europe's fiscal turmoil is worsening boosted the dollar. Platinum fell.

Spot gold lost as much as 0.6 percent to $1,571.43 an ounce and was at $1,578.37 at 3:04 p.m. in Singapore. Bullion is 5.2 percent lower this month, the biggest drop since December and the fourth straight monthly decline. The dollar has gained 4.4 percent against a six-currency basket including the euro in May.

Economists from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to JPMorgan Chase & Co. predict that Greece, which faces a June 17 election, leaving the currency bloc would threaten global prosperity as trade and financial ties spread the fallout. The possibility of a Greek departure sent the cost of insuring Spanish government and financial-institution debt to a record this month and put the euro on track for the biggest monthly decline in eight.

“Whether it’s Greece leaving the euro or Spain being next in line for a bailout, investors are focusing on the crisis in Europe at the moment and picking the dollar as their haven of choice,” said Sun Yonggang, an analyst at Everbright Futures Co., a unit of China’s largest state-owned investment group.

Gold is still up 0.9 percent this year as investors joined central banks in buying the metal to diversify their assets. Holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust, the biggest bullion-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 1.3 percent this year and stood at 1,270.26 metric tons on May 25, according to company data.

China’s Consumption

August-delivery bullion gained as much as 0.9 percent to $1,585.70 an ounce on Comex in New York, before trading at $1,580.80. U.S. markets were closed yesterday for Memorial Day. Cash gold of 99.99 percent purity on the Shanghai Gold Exchange was little changed at 323.70 Yuan a gram ($1,585.95 an ounce), after climbing for the past three days.

Gold consumption in China was 761 tons last year, Wang Shengbin, vice-chairman at the China Gold Association, said yesterday. That compares to the estimate of 769.8 tons from the producer-funded World Gold Council. The country may become the biggest user this year, displacing India, the council predicts.

Cash platinum fell for the first day in three, dropping as much as 0.6 percent to $1,430.50 an ounce, before trading little changed at $1,438.50. One ounce of platinum bought 0.9080 ounce of gold today, after the ratio dropped to 0.9044 yesterday, the least since Jan. 16, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Platinum will average $1,750 in the fourth quarter, the median of 13 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg shows, as the first drop in mine supply in four years and record car sales, the biggest source of demand, reduce a surplus.

Spot silver rose as much as 0.8 percent to $28.6275 an ounce, and was last at $28.6225. Palladium climbed as much as 0.6 percent to $609.13 an ounce, extending yesterday’s 2.6 percent advance, and last traded at $608.25.

BMW i8 Concept Spyder. Unleash electricity with BMW eDrive.

Derek Jeter Passes George Brett on All-Time Hits List

Veterans Services of America

Our Mission

The mission of Veterans Services of America, Inc. is to improve the lives of Homeless Veterans by providing safe, clean, affordable housing for these deserving Heroes. We strive to eliminate the problem of substandard housing and provide a safe harbor for our Homeless Veterans to recover from the issues or circumstances that caused their homelessness.

Through our collaborative efforts, we are acquiring livable, sustainable communities that are giving hope and opportunity to those who might otherwise have none. This model bolsters social capital through responsible citizenship while improving the overarching landscape towards the betterment of the communities in which our Veterans' Housing properties are located.

Veterans Continuing Education

As part of our new charter we will agressively pursue strategic alliances and partnerships with colleges and universities, in conjunction with Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropic endeavors to support our young Veterans in transitioning into a continuing education program.

In today's economic climate it is hard to see through to the educational and employment opportunities that are presenting in the marketplace. The bottom line is that the jobs are there but the qualifications to fill these jobs are not.

Medical Care

Veterans Services of America - Access To Medical Care 

Our facility is minutes way from the VA Medical Center and the VA will provide visiting social workers to visit our site on a regular basis. We will give personal attention to all of our residents by providing encouragement, motivation and loving care.

We will also provide the following:

- Medication Monitoring
- Appointment Coordination
- Partnership with local VA Medical Center
- Addiction counseling

Current Jobs Program

Veterans Services of America - Job Training and Education 

The Veterans Services of America is committed to offering the highest quality education & job training services utilizing the latest technology and most up-to-date job techniques to enter the workforce. We offer a variety of training programs to accommodate users with different levels of experience. We will work with our Veterans to develop a learning path that best suits their requirements and preferred learning styles.

Underwater Museum Brings Sculptures to Life

Taylor grew up around Europe and Asia and as a child could be found exploring Malaysia’s majestic coral reefs. He later went on to attend the London Institute of Arts where he received a degree in sculpture. The fondness for the water he acquired in his youth drove him to become a diving instructor and underwater naturalist. Gaining nearly 20 years of diving experience, Taylor has also become an award winning underwater photographer where he is able to document his many sculptures and the evolving effects the ocean has had on them over the years.

Located off the coast of Grenada in the West Indies, sits the first underwater sculpture park founded by Taylor in 2006, in which National Geographic named as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World. Most recently, Taylor created Museo Subaquatico de Arte (MUSA), an underwater museum consisting of over 450 public sculptural pieces off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Taylor’s work is not only art, it becomes one with the ocean over time as his sculptures turn into actual coral reefs. His impressive public art has demonstrated efforts for marine conservation and urges for more environmental awareness of the exquisite world living under the water.

WORLD’S FIRST HERMÈS APARTMENT: THE MARQ ON PATERSON HILL

Hermes designed the plush new Marq on Paterson Hill in Singapore, a private hospitality apartment by SC Global Developments.

For this bespoke interior design project, the French house appointed Yves Taralon, Creative Director of La Table Hermès and French renowned decorator, to lead the artistic direction of this project in a creative exchange with Michelle Cheong, Creative Director of the SC Global design team. Each design detail has been crafted according to the Hermès vision of art de vivre.

The result: spacious 6,200 sq ft apartments at the Signature Tower at The Marq feature a carefully curated combination of Hermès furniture, furnishing fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, tableware, along with made-to-order leather upholstered items and a choice of artworks.

T.I.P. is having a Memorial Day Party

Velvet Room

Facebook is the worse performing stock of the decade

It is official on day 5. Facebook is now the worst performing stock of the last decade of any ipo. The best performing stock of the last decade is Visa. Below are the top ten opening performing internet stocks of all time. They are everywhere you want to be.
1. Google Inc,
2. Yandex N.V.
3. Infonet Services Corp
4. Shanda Games LTD.
5.Zygna
6. Giant Interactive Group Inc.
7. Renren Inc.
8. Groupon Inc.
9. Orbitz Worldwide

Consumer confidence rose in May to the highest level since October 2007 as Americans became more upbeat about the prospects for employment.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of sentiment climbed to 79.3, the ninth straight increase, from 76.4 the prior month. The gauge was projected to hold at the preliminary reading of 77.8, according to the median forecast of economists surveyed.

A record number of households said they’d heard better news on the jobs outlook, which combined with the economy from Europe’s debt crisis. The figures also showed 63 percent of Americans, the most in more than a year, had a favorable view of buying conditions for big-ticket items.

“This is telling us the consumer is feeling OK,” said Robert Brusca, president of Fact & Opinion Economics in New York, who projected a final reading of 78.5 in May. “There seems to be enough real improvement in the job market for confidence to be increasing. When confidence readings increase, you can be pretty sure consumer spending numbers will go up.”

Estimates for the confidence measure ranged from 76 to 79, according to the survey of 60 economists. The index averaged 64.2 during the last recession and 89 in the five years before the 18-month economic slump that ended in June 2009.

Stocks fluctuated as concern about Spain’s finances tempered optimism with the Michigan figures. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose less than 0.1 percent to 1,321.2 at 11:44 a.m. in New York. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.75 percent from 1.78 percent late yesterday.

Michigan’s reading for May contrasts with the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, which has lost ground after reaching a four-year high a month ago.

Controlling computers, phones and other devise's without touching them

Ali

Maybach Exelero $8Million

In the middle of the Indian Ocean there is Maldives

Penthouse Sells in Miami for Record 25 Million

A 7,400 Square feet Penthouse in the Continuum towers sells in Miami for a record breaking $25,000,000. It was sold by one of the member of the family that control the Birkenstock company. The glass box in the sky was bought by an Italian who runs an investment company. The Triplex features 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms and over 6,000 square feet of terraces. The Penthouse was rented for $20,000 a day prior to the sale to people such as Mary J Blige. This home was not on the market at the time of the sale. The buyer was needing something with bigger ceilings and decided to approach the seller. The $25 million sale tops the $21.5 million that James H. Clark, the billionaire founder of Netscape Communications Corporation, got for his 6,209 square foot duplex penthouse at the Setai Resort and Residences in December. 

At.mosphere Burj Khalifa

The luxury lifestyle hits a new high in Dubai with the opening this week of At.mosphere, a chi-chi fine-dining venue designed by Georgio Armani that is the world’s highest restaurant.

At.mosphere, situated 442 metres above ground on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, opens to dinner guests today, but anyone looking for a table this week will be put on a wait list, insiders said.

“It redefines the restaurant concept in Dubai,” said Marc Dardenne, CEO of Emaar Hospitality, which operates the restaurant.

At.mosphere is reached by its own private elevator from the tower’s corporate suites lobby and can accommodate 210 people over a lounge and grill, each with an unparalleled view of the emirate’s eye-popping skyline.

You must call and book ahead to be granted access to the tower, which is perhaps Dubai’s highest security zone.

Dardenne described the food as modern eclectic European cuisine with an emphasis on grilled items.

On the menu are starters such as chestnut and pheasant soup, priced at Dh120, and free-range Australian salt bush lamb at Dh260 or grilled Maine lobster at Dh590. For dessert, the gianduja chocolate mousse costs Dh75, while a cheese platter for low-carb dieters notches up Dh120. An espresso costs Dh30.

But with service including lunch, high tea, dinner and bar service to a music by an inhouse DJ, Dardenne said the restaurant offered something for everyone.

Previously, the world’s highest restaurant was 360, at a height of 350 metres in Toronto’s CN Tower. The restaurant at the highest elevation is the Chacaltaya Ski Resort, outside Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, with 5421m.