Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Pat Rafter was Wednesday appointed as Tennis Australia's new director of performance. The role is effectively the most powerful within the nation's professional tennis ranks, with Rafter reporting directly to Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley. "It's a challenge I am really looking forward to. There is so much I can learn but also a lot I think I can contribute," said Rafter, Australia's current Davis Cup captain. "I feel the time is right to step into this role and help us take the next step.

Nia Sanchez got engaged to beau Daniel Booko. The Miss USA 2014 winner is yet to compete at Miss Universe but she is already smiling broadly thanks to that shining diamond ring on her finger. Her beau, Daniel Booko, is a 30 year old hunk who starred in Hanna Montana, Hunger Games and X-Men - First Class movies. Nia is yet to compete at Miss Universe. Does this matter? Well, according to the rules of Miss Universe and Miss USA is mum about engagement rings but it is a no-no to get pregnant or get married during your reign.

Parineeti Chopra got an opportunity to shake a leg with none other than Govinda in "Kill Dil" and she says matching his dance moves is a tough job. Dancing comes naturally to Govinda, who made it big with his comedy and dance in the 1990s and even today it's not easy to beat him on the dance floor. Praising his skills, Parineeti said: "It was a challenge to dance with him. I can't be as good as him, but at least I have to match him.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has decided to drop his tribal name of Ahmadzai and has asked all government departments and media to use his family name only. A letter was sent last week by the Presidential Palace's administrative affairs office to all government departments telling them to drop "Ahmadzai" from official documentation, deputy palace spokesman Fayeq Wahidi said. The president had signed the letter, he said.

Mexico has suddenly canceled a $3.75 billion contract to buy bullet trains from China. This is a major blow to the Chinese railway manufacturing industry, which is trying to sell high-speed trains to India and other countries. Justifying the decision, Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto said he wanted to avoid "any doubts about the legitimacy and transparency" of the bidding process. The cancellation came within days of the contract being signed on November 3. Earlier, two other Latin American countries, Brazil and Argentina, postponed their own high-speed rail projects.

Several Indian-Americans, who were in the fray this year for the crucial US elections, managed to win their respective seats with South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and California attorney general Kamala Harris leading the list by getting elected for a second consecutive time. Republican Haley, 42, won with an impressive 57.8 per cent votes as her nearest rival Vincent Sheheen was trailing behind with less than 40 per cent of the votes. Harris, 50, was re-elected for her second four-year term as attorney general of California.

Sauber principal Monisha Kaltenborn has urged Formula One's decision makers to act in the sport's best interests and tackle a looming crisis after two teams went into administration in the space of a week. Speaking after the governing FIA said the predicament of Marussia and Caterham showed the need for cost-cutting measures, Kaltenborn said she was 'beyond frustration' with how the situation had developed.