Bird Flu Rears Its Ugly Head With Multiple Deaths in China

China is reporting its second bird flu death in one month. A 39-year-old man was the second casualty from the deadly H5N1 strain in less than one month. The first victim, also 39-years-old and a bus driver died on December 31st. The second victim was in southern China. He fell ill on January 6th and died on Sunday. The first victim was employed as a bus driver in Shenzhen, a city near Hong Kong. What is noteworthy about both of these deaths is that neither of the deceased victims appear to have had any contact or ties with birds or poultry of any kind in the month prior to contracting the virus.
The authorities are monitoring the 71 people that the latest victim came into contact with for signs of the flu virus, but to date, no one is evidencing any symptoms. The same is true of those individuals who had contact with the bus driver.
The bus driver was the first victim of the H5N1 virus in China in the last 18 months.
Vietnam reported its first death from the virus in more than 18 months when it reported that an 18-year-old duck farmer fell ill and died from the virus last week.
The World Health Organization is reporting that Cambodia reported the death of a 2-year-old who had contact with sick poultry and Indonesia reported one fatality from the virus.
Since 2003, the World Health Organization states that there have been 343 human deaths from the deadly bird flu virus.
Officials keep a watchful eye on China with regard to the H5N1 virus since it has the largest poultry population in the world. That fact, coupled with the numerous instances of humans and poultry residing in close quarters in the rural areas of the country, it is considered a breeding ground for the disease.
Scientists worry that the virus could mutate into a form that could cause a pandemic, killing millions.

READ MORE - Bird Flu Rears Its Ugly Head With Multiple Deaths in China

Cocktail waitress Jessica Donaldson: Prince Harry is sweet but I'm not sleeping with him

Jessica is actually loved-up with boyfriend of 3 years
Tattooed US cocktail waitress Jessica Donaldson says Prince Harry is a 'real-life Prince Charming' - but has denied reports suggesting that they're having a hot romance. 
Jessica, who met Harry when he partied with friends at San Diego's Ivy Nightclub earlier this month, was flattered when the young royal asked for her number via one of his bodyguards.
She and her friend Christie met the 27-year-old Prince and his mates for brunch the next day before heading for cocktails - but nothing more.   
'I am not sleeping with Prince Harry and he has never been anything but a total gentleman to me,' says dark-haired Jessica, 26.
'I am very upset that all this has blown up.
'He is just a regular guy who enjoys a few beers with his buddies. He's really cool and down-to-earth and that's what I liked about him.
'I'm flattered he showed me attention but there is nothing more to it than that.'
Harry is on an Apache helicopter training course 2 hours away from San Diego in El Centro and a dark-haired girl - who Jessica fiercely denies was her - was snapped leaving his hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning last week.
'Harry is so sweet,' she tells The Mail On Sunday. 'He was kind of goofy with me.
'I really like him but I have a boyfriend. I just want all this to go away.' 

READ MORE - Cocktail waitress Jessica Donaldson: Prince Harry is sweet but I'm not sleeping with him

Prince William and Kate Middleton make it into the bingo hall

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been honoured with their own bingo call.
For its 50th birthday, Mecca Bingo asked its players to invent alternative lines to rival such famous phrases as Lucky For Some, Number 7 and Two Fat Ladies, 88.
William And Kate, 8, is included in the new list of bingo lingo, as is Harper Beckham, 7, and Angelina v Jen, Number 10.
'The suggestions we've had from our customers were really diverse, from the sublime to the ridiculous,' Mecca's Claire Osborne tells The Sun.
'But what we found interesting was how they reflected modern times.'

READ MORE - Prince William and Kate Middleton make it into the bingo hall

Prince William wants Pippa to move in Entertainment

Prince William wants Pippa Middleton to move in to Kensington Palace with her sister.

The British royal - who currently resides in Wales with his spouse Kate Middleton - is worried she will be lonely while he is on duty as a search and rescue pilot and has asked her younger sister Pippa to spend time at the couple's Kensington Palace apartment in London.

A source told Life & Style magazine: "Pippa and Kate can't wait to move in together. Pippa recently spent time with Kate in Wales, which Kate loved, and William is relieved because Pippa will be able to keep an eye on her sister and make sure she takes care of herself!"

William is reportedly determined to ensure that his wife's transition into the royal family is as smooth as possible and has previously said maintaining his and Kate's close relationship with her family is a priority.

The source added: "The last thing William and the Palace want is a repeat of the Princess Diana early years, when she felt cut off, lost, isolated and lonely."

READ MORE - Prince William wants Pippa to move in Entertainment

Jamaica's Usain Bolt lights up worlds as Kenya make 1500m history

Sprint star Usain Bolt rebounded from his 100m disqualification to scorch to 200m gold on Saturday, while Asbel Kiprop won a first-ever men's 1500m title for Kenya.
The 25-year-old Jamaican defending champion and world record holder crushed the field in the 200m, winning in the fourth fastest time ever run - 19.40sec.
Only Bolt, twice, and American track legend Michael Johnson have run faster.
He may have been slowest out of his blocks, but Bolt wasted no time in making up ground on American Walter Dix outside him.
Coming into the home stretch, Bolt, teeth clenched and muscular arms pumping, gave one glance across the lanes and then pinned his eyes on the trackside clock at the finish and went for it.
"I feel great. I'm still the best," Bolt said. "I made a mistake in the 100m but I would have won it."
Dix claimed silver in a season's best 19.70sec with Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre coming through strong at the end to take bronze in a national record 19.80sec.
"I wanted to bring the USA the gold but it wasn't to be, I had to console myself with silver. He was just too strong," Dix said of Bolt.
Earlier in the evening, a masterclass in middle-distance running saw Kiprop add the world 1500m title to his Olympic crown.
The 22-year-old Kenyan stood firm in the sprint for home, compatriot Silas Kiplagat taking silver and American Matthew Centrowitz bronze.
Remarkably, it was the first time a Kenyan has won the 1500m event at the worlds, although Kenyan-born Bahraini Yusuf Kamel and American Bernard Lagat (2007) are holders of the last two world titles.
"It makes me happy to be the first Kenyan to win the 1500m," said Kiprop. "Running with Kiplagat and others gives me motivation to run next year in the London Olympics."
Asbel and Kiplagat's medal showings further confirmed the east African country's status as the dominant nation in middle distance and long distance running.
"I'm happy with the medal haul," said Kiprop. "We've been trying to balance up the medals table, to win the same amount as the girls!"
Sally Pearson handed Australia a first gold, winning the 100m hurdles in a new championship record of 12.28sec, American Danielle Carruthers winning silver in a photofinish from compatriot Dawn Harper.
"I have worked so hard to get here to this," said Pearson. "I've got faith in my coach and with my training I could not be happier, so I'm not surprised by this win."
There was, however, heartbreak for two defending champions, Blanka Vlasic of Croatia and Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen.
Injury-hit Vlasic was denied a unique title hat-trick when Russian Anna Chicherova won the high jump on countback (2.03m).
And Thorkildsen was pushed into silver spot by Matthias de Zordo in the men's javelin, the German tyro nailing 86.27m.
After winning silver in the 400m and bronze in the 200m, Allyson Felix eventually got a gold running the second leg of the US women's triumphant 4x400m relay team.
The morning session saw Sergey Bakulin lead Russia to a 1-2 finish in the world men's 50km race walk to further confirm the country's top ranking in the gruelling discipline.

READ MORE - Jamaica's Usain Bolt lights up worlds as Kenya make 1500m history

Kate, Pippa Middleton to get hands on ‘miracle’ cream

They have been sent Lancome's Visionnaire - a skin product that has a months-long waiting list at top department stores, such is the rush to buy it.
The lotion, which costs 57 pounds for a 30ml bottle, was shipped straight to Kate, 29, and 27-year-old Pippa, as well as 'Harry Potter' actress Emma Watson, 21, who is an ambassador for the French beauty brand.
It is claimed to be so good at correcting small skin imperfections that women will feel no need for cosmetic surgery or Botox.
Across the country, the customers have been so desperate to get hold of it they have paid in advance at some stores.
"Emma, Pippa and Kate are all lucky girls to get their hands on this," the Daily Express quoted an insider for the brand as saying.
"It has been selling out at over 50 units a day at Selfridges in London since its initial trial launch two weeks ago. The biggest waiting lists are in Frasers of Glasgow and Fenwicks of Newcastle, where they've got hundreds on their lists.
Women have pre-paid for the product because they are worried the stores are going to sell out," the source added.
Lancome claims the serum is the best repairer of sun damage available on the High Street.
It is said to contain the first of "a new generation of multi-tasking molecules" that work on every part of the skin.

READ MORE - Kate, Pippa Middleton to get hands on ‘miracle’ cream

Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars and Sports Cars Since 1884

The new book titled “Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars and Sports Cars Since 1884” is already out. Written by Gunter Engelen, a renowned technical writer who already penned several books regarding the brand is composed of 680 pages of Mercedes-Benz history.
“Günter Engelen has worked seven years and included seven decades of his knowledge have to cover the essentials of competitive vehicles in almost 125 years of automotive history,” said the head of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Mercedes-Benz Museum and CEO Michael Bock. The book has stories in pictures of motorsport racing and sports cars of the brand since 1894. Engelen told the story of each era and the most famous vehicles and models.
The rich compilation of Mercedes-Benz history is very much informative as the author is very adept when it comes to the vehicles of the company. With precision and accuracy he describes the most famous models of Mercedes cars in this book.
Engelen worked as an automotive journalist since 1985 and served as staff to several magazines with focus on vehicles and the auto industry. Other than that he has helped in producing great books for Mercedes-Benz that shared and narrated the story of the brand.

READ MORE - Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars and Sports Cars Since 1884

Hurricane Irene slams Puerto Rico and major storm moves toward Florida, South Carolina

Hurricane Irene pounded Puerto Rico Monday, flooding streets and knocking out power to a million people as it cut a course that may lead it to slam into the South Carolina coast.
The storm - the first hurricane of the Atlantic storm season - is growing more powerful as it moves northwest, toward the Bahamas, at 13 miles-per-hour, forecasters told The Associated Press.
Its maximum winds increased to 80 miles-per-hour as of 11 a.m. Monday, and forecasters projected it would morph into a Category 3 hurricane - with winds of 115 mph - as it nears the Central Bahamas on Thursday.
It has caused major delays and cancellations at Caribbean and U.S. airports.
Irene's path could cause it to skirt the Florida coast and make landfall in South Carolina on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"The official forecast calls for intensification and makes Irene a Category 3 hurricane as it moves across the central Bahamas," read an analysis by the National Hurricane Center on Monday afternoon.
"Irene is becoming a large cyclone."
Irene has lashed parts of Puerto Rico with 75 mph winds and dropped as much as 10 inches rain. Gov. Luis Fortuno issued a state of emergency and urged people to remain indoors, but there were no reports of deaths.
"This isn't the time to go out to find out what happened ... This is the time stay in your homes," Fortuno warned at a news conference.
Irene is threatening the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, but forecasters expect it to miss neighboring Haiti to the west, which is still expected to see heavy rain and winds.
Both nations share the island of Hispaniola, where a range of mountains could alter the path of the hurricane - changing the likelihood of it hitting South Carolina.
One forecaster said that is not anticipated, however.
"We don't expect this to get ripped up over the mountains of Hispaniola," Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, told The Associated Press. "We expect it to remain a hurricane."
Residents in Charleston, South Carolina, were warned to keep a close eye on Irene. The last hurricane to hit the area came six years ago, officials said.
If Irene were to make landfall in Florida, it could prove devastating to the state's citrus crop.

READ MORE - Hurricane Irene slams Puerto Rico and major storm moves toward Florida, South Carolina

Iran jails 2 American hikers for spying

Iran has sentenced two American hikers detained in the Islamic republic to eight years in prison on charges of "illegal entry" and "espionage," the state television website reported. It further said that the two have separately been "sentenced to five years in prison on charges of

espionage for the American intelligence agency." The report added that "the case of Sarah Shourd, who has been freed on bail is still open."
The lawyer for the Americans, Masoud Shafii, told AFP that he had not been informed of any decision since their trial ended on July 31.
Bauer and Fattal, both 28, were arrested along with Sarah Shourd, 32, on the unmarked border between Iran and Iraq on July 31, 2009, with the trio claiming they were hiking in Iraq's northern province of Kurdistan when they innocently strayed into the Islamic republic.
They have pleaded not guilty to spying charges. Shourd is being tried in absentia after she returned to the United States when she was freed on humanitarian and medical grounds in September, paying bail of around $500,000.

READ MORE - Iran jails 2 American hikers for spying

Prince William, Kate Middleton Visit Birmingham Riot Victims

Kate Middleton and Prince William showed their support for victims of the riots by visiting Birmingham on Saturday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to people affected, including the parents of the three men - Haroon Jahan and brothers Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir - who were killed by a hit-and-run driver as they tried to protect local shops.
‘The families were pleased William and Kate took the time to come and meet them,' a friend tells the Daily Mirror.
‘It shows they're in touch with ordinary people.'
The royal couple, both 29, lifted residents' spirits and went on to visit shopkeeper Ajay Bhatia - whose store was looted by a gang of 70. He lost £20,000 worth of stock after a mob smashed down the front door.
'This sort of thing is not acceptable in our society,' William told him. 'It was a terrible ordeal.'
But the shopkeeper, who moved to the UK from Delhi, is working hard to restock and is delighted to have been granted British citizenship.

READ MORE - Prince William, Kate Middleton Visit Birmingham Riot Victims

Kate and Pippa Middleton walk around Llanddwyn Island

Kate Middleton wore wellies for a walk around Llanddwyn Island with her sister Pippa yesterday. The scenic spot is near Kate's home in North Wales and is part of a large nature reserve. The sisters were dressed down for the outing, which comes just days after a more formal appearance for Kate. Kate Middleton was in Alexander McQueen to meet with a group of responders that helped with the London riots and William was by her side for the royal engagement last week. Kate's been lying low since returning to the UK from her trip to North America in July, though Pippa has been seen stepping out around town. She was spotted meeting her mom Carole for lunch and also showed her support for boyfriend Alex Loudon at a cricket game.

READ MORE - Kate and Pippa Middleton walk around Llanddwyn Island

Prince Harry breaks off romance with girlfriend after two months

Prince Harry has ended his short romance with his latest sweetheart, underwear model Florence Brudenell-Bruce.
The split comes just two months after the pair got together and sources have revealed that the prince just doesn't want to be 'tied down'.
Miss Brudenell-Bruce - who used to go out with Formula 1's Jenson Button - asked him to join her on holiday in Ibiza next month, but that will not now happen.
The 25-year-old had won the approval of Royal aides and only two weeks ago they were described as a 'dream couple'.
They were reported to have got so serious that she had been introduced to Prince William and others close to Harry which was seen as a significant step.

A source said she went 'down a storm in the Royal household'.
One of the reasons behind the split is thought to be his commitment to his work in the Blues and Royals in the Army Air Corps.
'Harry has a lot on his mind at the moment,' a source told the Daily Mirror. 'He is concentrating on his Apache helicopter training. After that he's expecting to return to Afghanistan.

'Harry enjoyed spending time with friends over the summer, but he doesn't want to be tied town in a relationship when training, so he called time with Flee.'
Earlier this year he split up with his long term on/off girlfriend Chelsy Davy after they briefly rekindled their romance and she even went to the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.
Miss Brudenell-Burce, however, was not afforded the same privilege at the wedding of Harry's cousin, Zara Philips to rugby player Mike Tindall.

READ MORE - Prince Harry breaks off romance with girlfriend after two months

Only $1 for Diagnosing HIV in 15 minutes

One of the most incredible parts of our technology world is where it meets up with the medical one and some of the incredible discoveries that seem to be happening everyday.
As much as we might complain about our healthcare systems the fact is that we have made some fantastic strides in ways to detect and treat diseases.
Much like this news from researchers at Columbia University who have discovered a way to quickly, 15 minutes quickly, diagnose HIV for a the cost of a single buck. Yes, just for a $1.00.
The diagnoses involves nothing more than a credit card size piece of plastic; that can be cheaply replicated using plastic injection molding as there are no moving parts involved, and an optical sensor. Called the mChip it will not only diagnose HIV, with a detection rate of 100%, but also syphilis, or HIV and syphilis together with only 4% to 6% false positive.

READ MORE - Only $1 for Diagnosing HIV in 15 minutes

Every Hyundai to be ested in UK

All new generation Hyundai models sold in the UK will be given a specific chassis set-up after testing on local roads, managing director Tony Whitehorn has confirmed.
The Hyundai ix20, launched late last year, was the first Hyundai to have its chassis retuned for the UK market ahead of going on sale after development work on UK roads – something that has been repeated for the upcoming i40 and Veloster models.
“It’s clear that the roads in the UK are unique and require specific technical changes,” said Whitehorn. “Every new car we bring in will have a UK specific set-up.”
The UK is Hyundai’s second largest European market, with projected sales of 65,000 cars this year, up from 28,000 in 2008.
“Scrappage put us on the radar, and there’s no doubt our best advert has been having all those cars on the road, but now we are selling on the quality, refinement, value and emotional appeal of our products, not just because they are cheap,” said Whitehorn.

READ MORE - Every Hyundai to be ested in UK

10cm tsunami hits port town of Ofunato after Strong earthquake rocks northeastern Japan

A SMALL tsunami has reached the Pacific coast of northern Japan after a strong quake hit the region heavily damaged by the March earthquake and tsunami. 
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern Japan coast at 9:57 a.m. (0057 GMT) local time Sunday, prompting the authorities to issue a tsunami warning for the northeastern coast.

The port town of Ofunato, Iwate prefecture, saw a 10-centimetre tsunami at 11.44am (AEST), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

No damage has been reported from the tsunami and quake.
The quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometers under the seabed and the epicenter is some 200 kilometers from the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan's meteorological agency said.

 Television footage of the port in Ofunato did not show any visible sign of the tsunami, with the water surface seemingly calm and flat.

A tsunami warning was issued for Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. A small tsunami of up to 50 centimeters was expected along the affected region, the meteorological agency said.
 The Japanese agency lifted the tsunami advisory at 11:45 am.
"Changes in sea level may occur for the next few hours. Please use caution when conducting activities near the ocean, such as swimming and surf fishing," a Japanese weather agency official told a news briefing.
Television footage of Ofunato and Soma did not show any visible sign of the tsunami, with the water surface seemingly calm and flat.
Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said the latest quake did not cause fresh problems at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi (number one) nuclear plant and the nearby Fukushima Daini (number two) plant.
"We have received reports that there has been no significant impact at the Fukushima Daiichi and the Fukushima Daini nuclear plants," a TEPCO spokesman told a news conference.
Cooling of crippled reactors at Fukushima Daiichi continued, although the company told work crews near the water to seek higher ground during the tsunami advisory.
The Japanese weather agency originally expected a small tsunami of up to 50cm (20 inches) along the affected region.
Communities along the Pacific coast issued warnings and advisories for local residents to seek higher ground or to leave areas near the water.
"For a second, I thought maybe another big one will come," a middle-aged man in coastal Kesennuma, Miyagi, told national broadcaster NHK.
The devastating March 11 and tsunami left about 22,000 people dead or missing and triggered an atomic crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

READ MORE - 10cm tsunami hits port town of Ofunato after Strong earthquake rocks northeastern Japan

The flying car is finally

It's been cleared to take to the skies for more than a year - but that's not much use when you're supposed to be able to drive it, too.
But now the flying car has at least been declared officially road legal.
It means the Terrafugia Transition could be in U.S. garages as early as next autumn, after two years of delays.
It may not be the world's first flying car, but its makers say it is the first to have wings that fold up automatically at the push of a button.

It costs $200,000 - about the same price as a Ferrari - and can be reserved online for what Terrafugia describes as a 'modest' $10,000 deposit.

The polycarbonate windscreens can withstand the impact of birds, so they won't fracture.
The administration has also granted Terrafugia permission to use heavier-grade tyres, which are not normally allowed on multi-purpose vehicles.
It's the second hurdle the Transition had to overcome before it could go on sale, after the Federal Aviation Administration ruled last year it could fly with its current weight, 110lbs over the normal legal limit for light sport aircraft category.
Terrafugia had originally hoped to deliver its first production vehicles as early as this year, but after problems with suppliers it has had to delay the release date to late 2012.

READ MORE - The flying car is finally

Monaco's Prince Albert marries Olympic star

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene greeted crowds after the ceremony. 

The son of the late Grace Kelly, Monaco's Prince Albert II, has wed former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

In the glitzy town of Monaco, locals have been celebrating, saying it is about time the reputed playboy settled down, not just for his sake but for the principality's future.
They married In a simple civil service and the 53-year-old prince gave his bride a wink, kissed her hand then saved a peck on the lips for the balcony, where the couple waved to their subjects who had been watching the ceremony on big screens.
A lot is counting on this marriage: without an heir, Monaco returns to French rule.
In 2002, fearing the Prince would die without a legitimate heir, Monaco changed its constitution to allow a princess to inherit the throne.
But fears were eased when Wittstock, 33, spoke a quiet "oui" when asked if she would take the prince as her husband, becoming Her Serene Highness in the throne room of Monaco's palace.
The bride wore an ice blue suit, with her blonde hair swept from her face, while the long-time bachelor wore a dark suit.
Prince Albert thanked the crowd for the warm welcome they had shown his princess on the balcony after the royal kiss.
"Vive le Monaco, thank you and happy celebrating," he told the crowd, his bride at his side.
Residents of the tiny city state on the French Riviera, known as Monegasques, hope the newest princess in the age-old House of Grimaldi will provide a boost to the gambling hotspot and financial enclave.
One of the favourite stomping grounds for the ultra-rich in past decades, with its Monte Carlo Grand Prix car race and sumptuous casino, the locale lost some of its lustre with the death of Albert's mother, Princess Grace, in 1982.
Friday's civil ceremony, followed by a free open-air concert by French star Jean-Michel Jarre, was a mere prelude to Saturday, when some 3,500 guests will assemble in the palace courtyard to witness the more formal union.
Monaco officials say they expect some 100,000 well-wishers and the curious to descend on the principality over the weekend.
Media reports that Wittstock was having second thoughts threatened to dampen the festivities earlier this week.
But palace officials denied a report in French weekly L'Express on Tuesday that she had tried to leave from nearby Nice airport on a one-way flight to South Africa, and had required intense convincing by the prince and his entourage to stay.

READ MORE - Monaco's Prince Albert marries Olympic star