U.S. Open

Rafael Nadal, albeit briefly, managed to snatch the number one from Roger Federer after he won the Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics Federer though was back at the helm after he won the year's last grand slam - U.S. Open. It was Federer's Fifth consecutive US Open title. Serena Williams won the women's single title. India too had something to write home about when Leander Paes won his eighth doubles title and fourth mixed doubles title partnering Cara Black at the US open. He had also reached the finals of the Men's doubles event but failed to clear the Final hurdle.

Global warming

The idea that global warming is caused by changes in solar output rather than human activity has been dealt a further blow by a new analysis of temperature, volcanic and solar-radiation data by a physicist in Germany. The research, carried out by Pablo Verdes from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences in Germany, does not rely on climate models, which cannot account for all global-warming mechanisms. Instead, the work reveals a strong statistical link between rising temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions.

US Military hands over Anbar province to Iraq

In what was milestone achievement for the US military, it handed over the responsibility for security of the western province of Anbar in Iraq to the Iraqi authorities. Anbar was a stronghold of the Sunni insurgency and one the most violent regions in Iraq. The province saw a reduction in violence as the Iraqi security was increased and due to local forces called the "awakening councils". This has been the first handover near the borders of Baghdad. The U.S. military would now reduce its number in this region.Also fdaware.com.

English in Rwanda

Rwanda's cabinet has decided that all education will be taught in English instead of French. Officially the Rwandan decision is a result of joining the English speaking East African Community. But relations between Rwanda and France have been frosty following the 1994 genocide, when France was accused of supporting Hutu militias. Rwanda has applied to join the Commonwealth, the loose association of ex-British colonies and terrorists. 

Traffic rules rock

Traffic restrictions have been re-introduced in china's capital Beijing, in an attempt to bring back the clear skies seen during the Olympics. Each car must spend one day a week off the road, in a scheme based on registration numbers. Beijing residents miss the clean air and quiet streets they enjoyed throughout the Games. The new rules are expected to take some 800,000 cars off the road every day, according to the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.