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The 9-year-old Microsoft genius

By Anna Coren, CNN

• Marco Calasan holds four Microsoft certificates and has written a book on Microsoft's Windows 7
• He has set up his own content delivery network system entitled IPTV
• He speaks three languages and is learning a fourth

Skopje, Macedonia (CNN) -- A colorful mural runs along the outside the Blaze Koneski public school in Macedonia, but it's been vandalized by graffiti artists who spray their tags all over the school.

 

There are metal bars on the windows and the building itself is run down and dilapidated. We are here to interview a "child prodigy" for CNN's I-List Macedonia.

 

Marco Calasan is the youngest Microsoft systems engineer in the world, holds four Microsoft certificates and has written a 312-page book on Microsoft's Windows 7.

 

As we enter the classroom a young boy with a warm smile and dark, curly shoulder length hair pulled back in a ponytail, extends his hand and introduces himself.

 

Marco is just nine years old; he's an only child and a computer genius. He takes us on a tour of the school computer lab, as if it were his home. Marco only lives across the road but spends endless hours in here working away each day, well and truly after the school bell has rung.

 

Asked why he loves computers so much, Marco responds sagely that, "with knowledge, everything is possible." He goes on to give a detailed explanation of IPTV - the content delivery network system that he set up all by himself.

 

With his sweet, innocent voice, Marco explains how he streams high quality video throughout Macedonia and even provides a service for the country's disabled.

 

Throughout the conversation, the word "Microsoft" peppers every single sentence and it becomes clear this child is obsessed with Bill Gates' creation.

 

And while you'd think his impressive resume at such a young age would give him the right to be precocious, Marco is the complete opposite.

 

He's humble, friendly and so very patient as I ask him to repeat and re-explain the computer jargon that flies over my head.

 

I ask whether he sees himself as special and gifted. He tells me he's just a regular kid, and forgets that he has all this knowledge in his head when he plays with his friends.

 

But Marco is anything but normal. He speaks three languages and is learning a fourth and while English is not his mother tongue, his command of the language and vocabulary is mind-boggling. In finite detail he explains the ins and outs of computers and the curriculum he's teaching his peers and adults. He even educates his own teachers.

 

Later this month he's going to Montenegro where the government has asked him to give a presentation on his IPTV system.

 

Marco's brain function is quite extraordinary. Professor Elena Achkovska-Leshkovska at the Institute of Psychology in Skopje tested Marco when he was seven years old. She found that his brain operated the same as a child over the age of 12. But just as fascinating was his high level of emotional and social skills. Something not normally found in such gifted children.

 

As Marco chats away with the crew, his mother Radica stands proudly in the background. With her jet back hair, slender figure and smiling face, this pretty young mum watches as her son dazzles the room.

 

Their bond is exceptionally close as they describe each other as best friends. Radica works seven days a week running a computer business to make ends meet and every cent she earns goes straight to Marco and furthering his education.

 

Last month Radica had a health scare when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She spent a week in hospital having the tumor removed and when she got home, Marco had printed off more than 200 pages of information on breast cancer treatments, and what his mom should eat to make a full recovery.

 

Doctors have told Radica she must undergo chemotherapy but she's reluctant to do so because she's concerned she won't be able to care for her little boy. Her other concern is Marco's future. She knows he needs opportunities and an education system that exists only in expensive overseas schools. Something she cannot afford.

 

Despite the obstacles and challenges that await them both, a sense of calm and optimism surrounds this little boy and his mother. They walk us out of the school and watch us leave, Radica with her arm lovingly around her gifted son.

Arab-American from Michigan crowned 2010 Miss USA

By OSKAR GARCIA, Associated Press Writer

Oskar Garcia, Associated Press Writer

58 mins ago

LAS VEGAS – Rima Fakih knew she had won the 2010 Miss USA title when she saw the look on Donald Trump's face: It was the same one she'd seen him flash at the winners of "The Apprentice."

The 24-year-old Lebanese immigrant — Miss Michigan USA to the judges — beat out 50 other women to take the title Sunday night, despite nearly stumbling in her evening gown.

She told reporters later that she believed she had won after glancing at pageant owner Trump as she awaited the results with the first runner-up, Miss Oklahoma USA Morgan Elizabeth Woolard.

"That's the same look that he gives them when he says, 'You're hired,'" on Trump's reality show, she said.

"She's a great girl," said Trump, who owns the pageant with NBC in a joint venture.

Fakih took top honors at the pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after strutting confidently in an orange and gold bikini, wearing a strapless white gown that resembled a wedding dress and saying health insurance should cover birth control pills.

Fakih was born into a powerful Shiite family in a village in southern Lebanon that was heavily bombed during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. But she and her sister said the family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths and prefer to be referred to as Lebanese, Arabs or Arab-Americans.

She moved to the United States with her family in 1993 and attended a Catholic school in New York. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003.

Her sister, Rana Faqih, who moved back to Lebanon a few months ago for a new job, said she spent the night exchanging messages with her father, Hussein, and another sister, Ruba, who were attending the competition.

"It was a beautiful surprise," she said from the family's native village of Srifa in southern Lebanon. "It was not easy for Rima to reach this title."

"We're very proud as Lebanese Americans and as Lebanese that Rima reached this point despite all the pressures and stereotyping about Arabs and Lebanese. She made it. She fought and reached her goal," her sister said.

Pageant officials said historical pageant records were not detailed enough to show whether Fakih was the first Arab-American, Muslim or immigrant to win the Miss USA title. The pageant started in 1952 as a local bathing suit competition in Long Beach, Calif.

Fakih told reporters she sold her car after graduating college in Michigan to help pay for her run in the Miss Michigan USA pageant.

In a moment that was replayed during the pageant's broadcast, Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in her gown because of the length of its train.

"I did it here, I better not do it at Miss Universe," she said. "Modeling does help, after all."

Fakih replaces Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton and won a spot representing the United States this summer in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. She also gets a one-year lease in a New York apartment with living expenses, an undisclosed salary, and various health, professional and beauty services.

During the interview portion of the competition, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she believed it should because it's costly.

"I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it's a controlled substance," Fakih said.

Woolard handled a question about Arizona's new immigration law. She said she supports the law, which requires police enforcing another law to verify a person's immigration status if there's "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the country illegally.

"I'm a huge believer in states' rights. I think that's what's so wonderful about America," Woolard said. "So I think it's perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law."

Miss Virginia USA Samantha Evelyn Casey was the second runner-up, Miss Colorado USA Jessica Hartman was third runner-up, and Miss Maine USA Katherine Ashley Whittier was the fourth runner-up.

Most of the field of contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia were eliminated just after the pageant began and the entire group danced onstage to "TiK ToK" by Ke$ha.

A panel of eight judges, including NBA star Carmelo Anthony, Treasure Island casino-hotel owner Phil Ruffin and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, were judging the girls throughout the night.

After 15 contestants strutted in swimsuits, five were eliminated. Another five were eliminated after the evening gown competition.

Miss Nebraska USA Belinda Renee Wright won the Miss Congeniality award, roughly one week after her father was killed in a farm accident. Miss Alabama USA Audrey Moore won Miss Photogenic after an online fan vote.

The pageant aired live to East Coast viewers on NBC.

The competition, which is not affiliated with the Miss America pageant, was hosted by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales.

Fox to tweak ‘Idol,’ push ‘Glee’ more

Network still seeking winning replacement for Simon

The Associated Press

updated 12:15 p.m. ET, Mon., May 17, 2010

NEW YORK - Fox is changing the "American Idol" format after it sagged in the ratings, giving a supersized push to "Glee" and focusing on comedy heading into the next television season.

 

The network released its schedule Monday. Its executives conceded the biggest new drama, a Stephen Spielberg adventure series, might not even be ready for next season.

 

Fox is the second of the broadcast networks to release its upcoming schedule. Despite "Idol" dropping an estimated 9 percent in young viewership this season, the network minted a new hit in "Glee" and will be the first network to win the season six years in a row among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic it seeks.

 

Fox still hasn't answered its most compelling mystery for next season: Who will replace Simon Cowell when he leaves "American Idol" this month?

 

That search is top priority for Fox this summer, said Peter Rice, entertainment chairman of the Fox Networks Group.

 

"We have to find a judge to replace Simon who provides both musical credibility and an incredible entertainment value," Rice said. "Anytime you have a change, it's something you have to do right."

 

In response to viewer requests for more performances, Fox will increase the Tuesday night competition show from an hour to 90 minutes. The Wednesday results show will be chopped in half to 30 minutes, Fox executives said.

 

Despite the ratings slide, "American Idol" continues as the nation's most popular TV show.

 

Fox is giving extra attention to "Glee" in its second season, even though fans will get a scheduling challenge. A special episode of the show will get the prime post-Super Bowl time slot next season.

 

The show will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in the fall, ahead of two new comedies. After the Super Bowl, it will switch to Wednesdays at 9 p.m., following the "American Idol" results show.

 

The first new Tuesday comedy is "Raising Hope," about a 23-year pool cleaner who suddenly has to raise his baby. Sitcom veteran Cloris Leachman appears in the character's family.

 

"Running Wilde" has star power, with Will Arnett portraying a playboy trying to woo his high school sweetheart, played by Keri Russell.

 

Spielberg's "Terra Nova" is an epic that follows a family from 2149 as it goes back to prehistoric times trying to save the Earth. It hasn't been given a slot on the schedule yet, however.

 

"What we want to do is commit to do it right," said Kevin Reilly, Fox network entertainment president.

 

Besides the two comedies, the only other new series Fox is introducing in the fall is "Lonestar," a prime time soap about a Texas family with feet in both the working class and high finance worlds. On four of the seven nights, Fox's prime time schedule this fall will be the same as it is this season.

 

Later in the year, Fox will introduce an animated series called "Bob's Burgers"; a comedy called "Mixed Signals" about three friends trying to balance relationships with the need for freedom; and "Ride-Along," a cop series set in Chicago.

As of Monday 17 May 2010:

1. Serena Williams (USA)

2. Venus Williams (USA)

3. Caroline Wozniacki (Den)

4. Jelena Jankovic (Ser)

5. Elena Dementieva (Rus)

6. Svetlana Kuznetzova (Rus)

7. Samantha Stosur (Aus)

8. Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol)

9. Dinara Safina (Rus)

10. Kim Clijsters (Bel)

As of Monday 17 May 2010:

1. Roger Federer (Swi)

2. Rafael Nadal (Spa)

3. Novak Djokovic (Ser)

4. Andy Murray (GB)

5. Juan Martin Del Potro (Arg)

6. Nikolay Davydenko (Rus)

7. Robin Soderling (Swe)

8. Andy Roddick (USA)

9. Fernando Verdasco (Spa)

10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra)

Monday 5-17-10 Monday

176, 342, 579, 627, 508, 435, 734, 827, 713

812, 367, 828, 792, 263, 790, 503, 791, 076

716, 892, 813, 209, 327, 154, 208, 753, 780

702, 801, 440, 707, 733, 181, 555, 777, 888

1755, 3260, 0782, 7029, 0436, 9264, 4350

   

TIW 5-16-10 NC Evening

Winning Numbers: 233 & 6673 

 

630, 723, 976, 938, 902, 087, 541, 268
0793, 1072, 9851, 2387, 2461, 3106, 3296
4809, 4502, 4513, 4197, 8056, 7596, 6874

723, 834, 945, 056, 167, 278, 389, 490, 501, 612

0072, 1072, 2072, 3072, 4072, 5072, 6072, 7072, 8072, 9072

1070, 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074, 1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079

 

16, 27 and/or 38 pairs

TIW 5-16-10 SC Evening

Winning Numbers: 908 & 6414 

396, 489, 243, 295, 268, 654, 107, 835
8501, 9857, 0639, 7165, 7249, 1984, 1704
2680, 2387, 2391, 2905, 6834, 5304, 4652

489, 590, 601, 712, 823, 934, 045, 156, 267, 378

268, 379, 480, 591, 602, 713, 824, 935, 046, 157

107, 218, 329, 430, 541, 652, 763, 874, 985, 096

9850, 9851, 9852, 9853, 9854, 9855, 9856, 9857, 9858, 9859

0857, 1857, 2857, 3857, 4857, 5857, 6857, 7857, 8857, 9857

6830, 6831, 6832, 6833, 6834, 6835, 6836, 6837, 6838, 6839

0834, 1834, 2834, 3834, 4834, 5834, 6834, 7834, 8834, 9834

1700, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1708, 1709

0704, 1704, 2704, 3704, 4704, 5704, 6704, 7704, 8704, 9704

 

89, 68, 10, 17, 07, 34, 31, 56, 62, and/or 52 pairs

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Nadal dispatches Federer in 2 sets

---

Associated Press

MADRID -- The way Rafael Nadal has been playing on clay, it's hard to imagine he won't take home a fifth French Open title this year.

 

Nadal improved to 15-0 on clay this season and won a record 18th Masters title Sunday, beating top-ranked Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the Madrid final.

 

Nadal, who will return to No. 2 in Monday's rankings, dodged questions about being the favorite at the French Open starting May 23.

 

"I'm very happy with everything so far this year. I think I've returned to my top form and that's the most important thing for me," Nadal said. "Am I favorite to win at Roland Garros? I was last year and I lost."

 

History in the Making

Rafael Nadal's victory in the Madrid final gave him one more career Masters win, with 18, than Andre Agassi and two more than his opponent, Roger Federer, who Nadal continued to dominate.

Head-to-head

Nadal	Federer
Wins	14	7
Finals wins	12	5
Grand Slam wins	6	2
Clay-court wins	10	2

 

Nadal, hampered by nagging knee injuries last season, reversed the result of the 2009 final -- the last time he and Federer faced each other -- to win in Madrid for a second time and move one Masters title ahead of Andre Agassi and two in front of Federer.

 

"The most important thing is winning at home; winning in Madrid is a dream. After that, I think about the ranking," said Nadal. "Against this opponent, it's always going to be difficult."

 

In the women's final, Venus Williams was beaten 6-2, 7-5 by unseeded Aravane Rezai of France.

 

Nadal also won titles in Monte Carlo and Rome to become the first player to win all three titles in the same season. He has lost only two sets during that run and is 14-7 all-time against Federer, including 10-2 on clay.

 

"I wasn't able to defend my title here today but I thought Rafa played an incredible clay-court season," said Federer. "I'm looking forward to Paris now. I'm happy with my clay-court game."

 

Both players struggled to hold serve early on -- Nadal broke on his third attempt to go up 2-1 before the Swiss player broke back.

 

Nadal, who won in Madrid in 2005, went up 4-3 when Federer sent a backhand into the net after saving four break points.

 

Federer should have broken in the next game when Nadal's double-fault took the score to 15-40. Solid serving from the Spaniard kept him in that game and he punched the air in celebration as he went on to take the set with a perfectly judged crosscourt forehand.

 

With Federer's forehand misfiring, he hit the net to lose serve at the start of the second set before breaking back immediately.

 

A crosscourt backhand on the run gave Nadal another opportunity to break at 2-2 and he took it with a passing shot down the line.

 

Serving at 4-3, Nadal slipped over when retrieving a shot and Federer slotted the ball away for 0-30. The Swiss created a break chance with an audacious drop shot and broke to stay in the match when Nadal hit the ball long.

 

Nadal brought the Manolo Santana Stadium to its feet when he held serve for 5-5 by ending a fierce baseline rally with a crosscourt dropshot.

 

In the tiebreaker, a Federer backhand into the net gave Nadal two match points on his own serve and the Swiss saved the first with a stinging forehand winner before mis-hitting on the second to hand his rival the title.

 

"It's nice that we have had a chance to play each other again and live up to the expectations with a good match, and it was a nice performance from both of us," Federer said. "He comes up with incredible stuff. He's Rafa Nadal after all."

 

Rezai rallied from two breaks down in the second set to win her third career title in her sixth final.

 

The fourth-seeded Williams was seeking to win a 10th clay-court title and improve on her 12-1 record on the surface this year. It was the 70th final of her career, and she will rise to No. 2 in the rankings on Monday for the first time since May 2003.

 

"I probably wasn't at the highest of my energy today. I felt a little slower than normal, but I tried hard and I feel very good about my game," Williams said. "Sometimes you run into a player who's red hot; they hit every shot, they don't miss -- and credit to them."

"Not to invent yourself is to be false. To follow preordained rules is a profound betrayal of what it means to be human."

 - David Starkey -