Interesting & Funny

The Legend of Spring Heeled Jack

2018-08-25T13:38:00.001+08:00

Spring-heeled Jack is an entity in English folklore of the Victorian era who was known for his startling hops. The first claimed sighting of Spring-heeled Jack was in 1837. Later sightings were reported all over Great Britain and were especially prevalent in suburban London, the Midlands and Scotland.

There are many theories about the nature and identity of Spring-heeled Jack. This urban legend was very popular in its time, due to the tales of his bizarre appearance and ability to make extraordinary leaps, to the point that he became the topic of several works of fiction.

Spring-heeled Jack was described by people who claimed to have seen him as having a terrifying and frightful appearance, with diabolical physiognomy, clawed hands, and eyes that "resembled red balls of fire". One report claimed that, beneath a black cloak, he wore a helmet and a tight-fitting white garment like an oilskin. Many stories also mention a "Devil-like" aspect. Others said he was tall and thin, with the appearance of a gentleman. Several reports mention that he could breathe out blue and white flames and that he wore sharp metallic claws at his fingertips. At least two people claimed that he was able to speak comprehensible English.

The Times reported the alleged attack on Jane Alsop on 2 March 1838 under the heading "The Late Outrage At Old Ford". This was followed with an account of the trial of one Thomas Millbank, who, immediately after the reported attack on Jane Alsop, had boasted in the Morgan's Arms that he was Spring-heeled Jack. He was arrested and tried at Lambeth Street court. The arresting officer was James Lea, who had earlier arrested William Corder, the Red Barn Murderer. Millbank had been wearing white overalls and a greatcoat, which he dropped outside the house, and the candle he dropped was also found. He escaped conviction only because Jane Alsop insisted her attacker had breathed fire, and Millbank admitted he could do no such thing. Most of the other accounts were written long after the date; contemporary newspapers do not mention them.

After these incidents, Spring-heeled Jack became one of the most popular characters of the period. His alleged exploits were reported in the newspapers and became the subject of several penny dreadfuls and plays performed in the cheap theatres that abounded at the time. The devil was even renamed "Spring-heeled Jack" in some Punch and Judy shows, as recounted by Henry Mayhew in his London Labour and the London Poor:

"This here is Satan,-we might say the devil, but that ain't right, and gennelfolks don't like such words. He is now commonly called 'Spring-heeled Jack;' or the 'Rossian Bear,' - that's since the war."

—Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, p. 52

But, even as his fame was growing, reports of Spring-heeled Jack's appearances became less frequent if more widespread. In 1843, however, a wave of sightings swept the country again. A report from Northamptonshire described him as "the very image of the Devil himself, with horns and eyes of flame", and in East Anglia reports of attacks on drivers of mail coaches became common. In July 1847 'a Spring-heeled Jack investigation' in Teighnmouth, Devon led to a Captain Finch being convicted of two charges of assault against women during which he is said to have been 'disguised in a skin coat, which had the appearance of bullock's hide, skullcap, horns and mask'. The legend was linked with the phenomenon of the "Devil's Footprints" which appeared in Devon in February 1855

The 6 Reasons Why People Have Sex

2018-08-25T13:38:00.000+08:00

Sex is one of the most revealed but yet most hidden topics. Why do people have sex? What is the purpose of sex? There are 6 main reasons why people have sex, which are as follows:

For Children

One of the most common reasons why people have sex is to have children. If you are looking to start a family, sex is one of the first things we look forward to. After about 9 months, if all is well, a new baby is born, boy or girl, and after that couples can have sex again and produce more babies. Some people get children by adoption or other means, but for biological children, one where the child shares both the parents genes, most individuals choose consensual sex in order to have children.

For Love

Another reason why people have sex is for the love it, and the love of the person. Ask anyone if they like sex and the majority of them will say yes without hesitation. Most individuals have sex whenever they can, to enjoy and love the one whom they're with. Most times it is done without the intent to produce children. It is during these times the individuals do so to have a fun time and to enjoy being in each other's company.

For Curiosity

Individuals that have never had sex before may wish to do so out of curiosity. However old someone is, sooner or later they're going to become curious about having sex. This is where parents must come in and teach their children about sex: its good points and its bad points. After the sex is accomplished later in life, the person has satisfied his or her curiosity.

For Money

Another reason why people have sex is for money. 'Gold diggers', Prostitutes, and the like do so only to have sex for material gain without the element of love, curiosity, or for starting a family. Many individuals are harmed this way, because of the person not knowing what they're getting theirselves into. Although, these are not necessarily the best reasons to have sex, many still do so for these purposes today.

Intoxication

Sometimes in places where large amounts of alcohol is present, many individuals become intoxicated drinking too much. This can in many cases cause one's mental judgements to become blurred. Many individuals perform sexual acts to wake up later realizing it wasn't what they've intended to do if they were sober. This, however, does not still eliminate the choice, but many times because of intoxication is one of the reasons why we choose to have sex.

Nonconsensual

Nonconsensual sex is another form. No person should allow another for nonconsensual sex, nor should another seek to perform it, but many individuals seem to do it everyday. Forcing another individual to have sex is called rape, and is one of the worst crimes, and doing something you don't want to do is one of the worse things you can do for yourself. Sex should be consensual like anything else; however, many times individuals do it by nonconsensual means, in which causes one to be almost scarred for life and the other belonging in jail.

The Simple Differences Between Men and Women

2017-06-05T08:34:00.000+08:00

Designer Yang Liu published the book Man Meets Woman, which presents in an a striking fashion some of the most widespread stereotypes about gender. We decided to share some of the best ones with you, which brilliantly illustrate the differences between people’s interpretations of the world and society better than any psychology book.

Reflection

A telephone conversation

Going on holiday

Sexual encounters

The ideal woman. The ideal man

Relationship priorities

Things we don’t know how to use

The most effective weapon

The modern man vs. the housewife

Competition

Household tasks

A strange man vs. an ordinary woman

A man’s magazine vs. a woman’s magazine

A desirable bachelor vs. a whore

A terrifying sight vs. a bit of fun

A pervert vs. a liberated woman

Silence

Getting your bearings

We’re so different, yet we’re still together!

Carolyn Hartz reveals secrets amazing body

2017-06-05T08:28:00.001+08:00

Carolyn Hartz boasts a bikini body and glowing complexion that many women decades younger could only dream of.

The Perth-based mother-of-three, who gave up sugar 28 years ago after years of being "addicted" to sweets, recently spoke about her top beauty and health secrets for women of all ages.

"A lot of women post 50 think that it"s not possible to maintain a reasonable shape and weight when they reach 50 or beyond".

"I even speak to women who are in their 40s and who have had children and think they cannot regain their post baby body."

Carolyn Hartz (pictured) boasts a bikini body and glowing complexion that many women decades younger could only dream of

Mrs Hartz, who is 70, says while it may be "a little more difficult" to stay in shape for women post 40, it can "still be possible if you really want to work at it".

"We know our metabolism slows down as we get older it just means we have to take control and make healthier choices and work a little harder," she said.

"I believe it is very important to be aware of the type of food you eat and the quantity of food you eat. Being mindful while you are eating is a huge factor.

"Mindless eating can lead to unnecessary weight gain. I say to my customers "taste and enjoy every mouthful"... it will help you slow down and you will be less likely to overeat."

The Perth-based mother-of-three, who gave up sugar 28 years ago after years of being "addicted" to sweets, recently spoke to FEMAIL about her top health secrets for women

Breakfast

I like to start my day with a banana or kiwifruit and my favourite cup of English breakfast tea. I then have either two eggs or scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato or salmon on a piece of gluten-free toast. If I don’t want a big breakfast I have natural yogurt with fresh fruit and sometimes I add whey protein or ricotta.

Morning Snack

Cup of tea, a piece of fruit and 10 to 12 almonds or a piece of cheese and a couple of rice biscuits

Lunch

Chicken, avocado, feta cheese and tomato on either rice cracker biscuits or gluten-free toast, or a salad with a serve of protein. Which can either be salmon or haloumi.

Afternoon Snack

Similar to my morning snack but sometimes I have a sugar free cookie or slice that I have made with Perfect Sweet.

Dinner

Mostly lean chicken or fish, and occasionally red meat with a salad or green vegetables and sweet potato. I love my casseroles in the winter.

TIPS

- I cut out sugar 28 years ago, which was difficult because I was a sugar addict. I now bake my own sweets and desserts with sugar free Perfect Sweet and nutritious ingredients like almond meal and coconut instead of flour.

- I think it is important to include fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy and protein daily in my diet. I always include protein in every meal as it helps me feel satisfied and helps stabilise my blood sugar levels.

- I love my sweet treats and I don"t deprive myself. I eat 2 pieces of dark chocolate every night.

And when it comes to food, sugar is most certainly out, with Mrs Hartz opting for an alternative called Xylitol

Xylitol is an all-natural sugar free sweetener that tastes and looks like sugar, but that is where the similarities end. Our bodies produce up to 15g of xylitol daily during normal metabolism.

Xylitol is one of a group of sugar substitutes known as polyols. Others in the same group include sorbitol and maltitol, but they have 6 carbon structures and can be metabolised by harmful bacteria. However, xylitol has a unique 5 carbon structure metabolised only by friendly bacteria. Xylitol is a sweetener that occurs naturally. It can be found in berries and other fruits and some vegetables.

Mrs Hartz said the first two tips for women hoping to look their best are to do with their attitude and diet.

"I am an optimist even when I have challenges thrown at me I have learnt to stay positive. I have trained myself to remember the half the glass is always half full," she said.

"You may laugh at this but I wish the weather presenters would say a partially sunny day not a partially cloudy day. I think it would make the viewers so much happier."

And when it comes to food, sugar is most certainly out, with Mrs Hartz opting for an alternative called Xylitol.

"Research has shown that obesity in Australia has reached epidemic levels and sugar has been a major contributing factor," Mrs Hartz explained.

"I make sure I eat protein with every meal especially breakfast. It stops the cravings," she said

1. Ditch or reduce sugar, flour and take away food.

2. Don’t deprive yourself.

3. Be mindful.

4. Exercise regularly.

5. Enjoy food and life.

"I have been sugar free for 28 years. It was difficult at first as I was a sugar addict but I believe it is one of the most important reasons I have been able to keep myself healthy and keep my body shape.

"I make sure I eat protein with every meal especially breakfast. It stops the cravings."

Mrs Hartz also urges people to never deprive themselves of the food and drinks they love but to be careful of "portion size".

Mrs Hartz recently took up tennis again after 25 years

1. My daily routine

2. Practice gratitude

3. Meditate

4. Yoga

5. Walk the dog

6. Shower breakfast briefly read the paper

7. Work 9.00- 6.30 and I am now aiming for a 4 day working week and taking Fridays off. But not much luck so far!!!

8. Evenings with my husband. We both love the movies and usually go at least once every fortnight when there is a good movie showing.

9. Weekends is time with my family and friends and I love shopping at our farmers market.

Sleep is also crucial, with Mrs Hartz trying to sleep for at least eight hours every night.

"I have done this for most of my life and now the research shows that it is essential for good health to get this number of hours," she said.

"It is when our body heals and rejuvenates."

Meditation and gratitude are two thinks Mrs Hartz credits to her incredible health.

"I meditate every day usually in the morning it means I have to get up half an hour earlier but the benefits during my working day is enormous," she said.

"I am so much calmer and intuitive since I have been meditating. I only started meditating at 65 so it is never too late.

INGREDIENTS

Cake – makes 1 layer

150g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease

100g Perfect Sweet® xylitol

3 X-large eggs

200g almond meal

50g arrowroot

1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder

Pinch of salt

180 ml milk, lukewarm

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

To Assemble

500ml whipping cream

400g fresh berries of your choice

200g Perfect Sweet® Berry Jam (Recipe on Website)

75g Dark Bitter Chocolate, melted (optional) (Recipe on website)

Rose petals or edible flowers to decorate (optional)

METHOD

Preheat oven to 150˚C/130˚C fan-forced. Grease a 24cm round cake pan with butter and line with baking paper,

Use an electric beater to beat the butter and xylitol in a medium bowl until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat well.

Mix the almond meal, arrowroot, gluten free baking powder and salt together in a separate bowl. Add to the egg mixture and combine on low speed. Add the lukewarm milk and vanilla and stir until combined.

Pour mixture into prepared cake pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10-15 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Repeat this recipe twice for the remaining layers.

To Assemble

Whip the cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form.

Set aside 1 cup of the whipped cream and 150g of the fresh berries to decorate the top layer.

To assemble, place the first cake layer on a serving plate and spread over half the jam, then half the remaining cream and top with half the remaining berries. Gently place the second cake layer on top and repeat.

Place the third cake layer on top and finish with the reserved whipped cream and berries. If using, drizzle with melted chocolate and serve.

"Even just starting with five minutes a day and build to 20-30 minutes.

"I practice gratitude for five minutes every morning as part of my meditation. It is the most wonderful uplifting practice."

When it comes to exercise, Mrs Hartz says she feels the best when she is outside in nature.

"I walk my dog in the park 30 minutes a day. This is one of the best things that I do all day as he loves it and I love it too. I try to do yoga three times a week," she said.

Mrs Hartz also recently took up tennis again after 25 years.

One of the most important pieces of advice Mrs Hartz has for women is to never compare themselves to others.

"I love my sweet treats and I don"t deprive myself. I eat 2 pieces of dark chocolate every night," she said

"Be aware of what you like about them and let them inspire you but we are all individuals and we all have our own special traits," she said.

"Be happy for your friends successes, enjoy them together. Never be jealous or resentful, both are wasted emotions and only hurt your wellbeing."

Mrs Hartz also regularly gives back to society and will be working with the Care Brain Foundation next.

With beauty, Mrs Hartz has been following the same skincare regime since she was 17 years old.

"I never go to bed without cleansing and removing my make-up and I moisturise every night especially around the eyes and neck," she said.

"I never go to bed without cleansing and removing my make-up and I moisturise every night especially around the eyes and neck," she said

"I wear sunscreen everyday under my makeup and never sun bake. I am very aware of the damaging effects of the sun and I had this reminder when I had a cancer removed from my nose when I was only 30."

For women in their 20s and 30s, Mrs Hartz advises them to live life to the absolute fullest.

"Be happy for everyone and never worry about your age," she said.

"Don"t listen to the naysayers, be your own person. Attitude is your most important asset. Life is not perfect, accept this and grab it with both hands.

There is no such thing as failure, it is just a stepping stone to success. In fact I don"t use the word failure I prefer "setback". It does not have a negative tone.

"Most importantly train yourself to see the glass as half full. The day is partially sunny not partially cloudy!"

Funny Facebook Replies

2016-11-18T13:31:00.003+08:00

Large Protests in South Korea, call for president to step down over abuse-of-power scandal

2016-11-18T13:20:00.001+08:00

Seoul, South Korea South Korean President Park Geun-hye"s two apologies have not quelled some Koreans" anger over an abuse-of-power scandal engulfing her administration.

Thousands took to the streets in Seoul on Saturday, calling for Park to step down and blocking a 16-lane highway in the capital. Police said the crowd had 40,000 to 50,000 people; organizers said 200,000 protested.

Park is accused of letting her confidante Choi Soon-sil, who does not hold an official government post, view confidential documents and presidential speeches.

Local media and opposition parties have accused Choi of using her relationship with Park to accumulate millions of dollars in donations to her foundations.

Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Choi on Wednesday on charges of abuse of power and attempted fraud.

Two of Park"s former aides have been arrested on Sunday according to Yonhap News Agency.

Man with 4 LEGS pleads for doctors to remove the extra limbs so he can live the normal life

2016-11-18T13:18:00.001+08:00

A young man born with four legs has used social media to appeal for doctors to amputate his two extra limbs.

Arun Kumar, 22, was born with two extra legs growing from his lower back - one underdeveloped and the other permanently bent at the knee.

Arun, who lives in Uttar Pradesh, India, appealed through social media for medical help to remove his extra legs.

A team of specialists at Fortis Hospital in Delhi responded to Arun"s plea for help and organised a series of tests to find out how the legs are attached and if he can be treated.

Although he cannot move his extra legs, he does have feeling in them and carrying the weight on his back is damaging his posture and ability to walk.

octors at various hospitals deemed Arun"s extra legs too risky to operate on when he was a baby.

Arun"s father Ram Singh, said: "We got disheartened and came back to our village and everyone here said, it"s okay just live like this."

But orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hermant Sharma, who examined Arun recently, has given them new hope.

He discovered Arun also has a second pelvis, and arranged a series of tests, including MRI and CT scans, X-rays and echocardiograms, to find out how the extra legs are connected and how they are affecting his body.

Dr Sharma said: "Since he has four legs we will be keen to know where is the blood supply coming from, and where is it going into his legs, and also we need to find out has he got extra kidneys, extra urethras, extra bladder?"

Arun"s search for "normality" is told on TV in Body Bizarre, which is being shown on Thursday from 10pm on TLC.

Sleep is the New Feminist Issue

2016-11-18T11:15:00.000+08:00

Slumber Sheet

GO BY THE HOUR: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day-both on weekdays and weekends.

MAKE A RITUAL: Come up with a daily ritual before sleep-reading a book, listening to soothing music, drinking a cup of warm milk. The body recognises sleep cues.

DRESS WELL: Be careful what you wear to bed. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, allows your body to breatheand sleep better.

CALM DOWN: No tv, no tea or coffee a few hours before sleep. Brain stimulants can keep one from sleeping. Try meditation.

DARK MATTERS: Make your bedroom as dark as possible. Also make sure there is no noise to distract you.
20 minutes more sleep is needed by women than men per night, say scientists.

WOMEN NEED MORE SLEEP

It seems women, in particular, can't function well if they don't sleep well. Feminists, supported by scientists, are spreading the good word. Studies indicate that women are more sleep-deprived than men, and are twice as likely to have difficulties falling or staying asleep. They need 20 minutes more sleep than men per night. New research from the UK suggests that women tend to work their brains-especially the cerebral cortex responsible for intelligence, language, memory and consciousness-harder. Simply because they multitask more. And the cerebral cortex needs deep sleep to work efficiently. So lie in, or at least, take a nap.

SLEEP MAKES HER HAPPY

Scientists from the University of Michigan, US, say sleep quality influences the ability to enjoy one's day more than household income and even marital status. They studied 900 women to measure how activities were experienced through the day. An extra hour of sleep had more impact on how women felt through the day than earning more money a year.

WHAT'S STOPPING WOMEN?

What's stopping women from getting enough sleep? Not just balancing home and work. It's also the new beauty premium at the 21st century workplace. Economists estimate that eye-candies typically earn more than their plain colleagues because they are seen to have more positive attributes: smarter, happier and more confident. A recent survey by global research company Synovate shows 55 per cent in India think they can get away with less work so long as they look good, 80 per cent feel immense pressure to look good, while 40 per cent want to look well-groomed all the time. The fallout? Women end up spending hours on looking good-from daily blow-drys to salon visits, at the gym or the spa-instead of catching up on sleep.

How To Know the Difference Between Real and Fake Make Up

2016-09-21T17:45:00.001+08:00

Buy cosmetics from authorized retailers only

#1
Although this advice may seem obvious, it’s actually worth considering. It may surprise you, but even large stores can sell knock-offs. To avoid unpleasant surprises, don’t hesitate to visit the manufacturer’s website to check the list of retailers where you can purchase authentic products.

We all know that designer beauty products are quite expensive. Fortunately, sometimes official retailers do sell their cosmetics at reduced prices. However, extremely high discounts may be signs that the makeup items are fakes. Authentic beauty products can’t be sold at a discount of, say, 80%. Unfortunately, a high price is also not always a guarantee of high quality. Before you make a purchase, ask an assistant to show you a quality certificate. If they refuse to do this, simply don’t buy this product.

Pay attention to the packaging

#2
Some knock-offs are so bad that no one would mistake them for the real deal. But there are also lots of highly sophisticated counterfeits out there that are much more difficult to spot. One way to ensure you are getting the real thing is to visit the manufacturer’s website and see if the product you’re looking at is exactly the same as the picture online.

Even the smallest mismatch like the font, the color or size of the packaging, or even the weight of the product is a sign of a counterfeit. Of course, weighing the product in the shop is not a good idea, but you can spot a fake even by just holding it in your hand. If the item feels light as a feather, then you can be sure you’re holding a replica in your hands.

Check the bar code, serial number, and manufacturing information

#3
If the product is a counterfeit, then the first 2 or 3 digits of the bar code may not match the country of origin listed either on the packaging or product itself. Also, the serial number is most often missing. Before you buy something, make sure that the serial number on the product itself matches the number on the box. Also, authentic products always have their ingredients indicated on them. Genuine high-end cosmetic brands often provide their customers with additional information in several languages. If the packaging has very little information about the product, then it isn’t authentic.

Check the shades of the product

#4
Fake eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, and powders are often produced in shades that are not used in authentic products. To avoid buying a fake, visit the manufacturer’s website to see which colors of each makeup product are real.

Pay attention to the smell and consistency

#5
Authentic cosmetics shouldn’t have any kind of strange substances or inappropriate sparkles in them, especially when the product is matte. Creamy cosmetics should not separate or contain any impurities. Fake lipsticks typically look less attractive and have some imperfections. A genuine designer mascara always has a very light pleasant smell to it. If the product has a bad odor or is heavily perfumed, then it’s not authentic. Also, the wand of the fake mascara may look different from its authentic counterpart.

Check brushes and sponges

#6
Even if the packaging of a counterfeit product looks very similar to the real thing, you can probably spot a knock-off by inspecting the brushes and sponges. They may differ in size, shape, or color, and the overall quality of them may be not satisfactory.

Test makeup products before buying

#7
Don’t hesitate to try the cosmetic testers in the stores. Remember: high-quality eye shadows and blushes should not smear or slide off during the day. A genuine lipstick should always apply smoothly and evenly, and authentic designer mascara will never crumble.

Italian billionaire finds out missing wife is alive in the worst way possible

2016-09-19T14:25:00.006+08:00

An Italian businessman who thought his young model wife had been kidnapped was left heartbroken after finding out the truth on Instagram.

Gianluca Cervara contacted police fearing former Miss Ukraine Anna Zaiachkivska had been snatched.

But he soon found social media photos of his new bride posing with another man in five-star hotels hashtagged with the word ‘freedom’ just months after marrying.

The devastated billionaire is now suing Zaiachkivska for breaking their prenuptial agreement and allegedly stealing £5,000 and a mobile phone from his home.

He wrote in a comment on the social media pictures: “Your Husband in Milan And Parents say thank You for Be in New York with address Of another Man."

But Zaiachkivska claims she fled because her husband “raised his hands” against her and that she was sick of living in a “golden cage”.

The 24-year-old was also furious after Cervara did not pay her enough attention when she had “headaches for a week”.

The model said: “The first time when he did it I ran away to my parents’ house in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk. I did not tell them what the matter was.

“He came to get me, and I gave him a second chance, but during an argument he spat in my face, and I simply could not take it.”

Furious Cervara hit back telling reporters that his wife is working as a model in New York and she is “not the person she is pretending to be”.

The businessman said: “She has lots of pretty photos taken in five-star hotels, she is posing with other men. She does not look unhappy at all.”

Incredible facts and figures about drug lord Pablo Escobar's crime empire

2016-09-19T14:22:00.001+08:00

The much-hyped Netflix series, “Narcos” (2015-present), tells the story of the rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Here are some facts about one of the wealthiest and most dangerous narcotics kingpins of all time.

• Starting as a petty thief, Escobar used to steal cars and smuggle contraband cigarettes to earn money. In the early 1970s, he allegedly made $100,000 by kidnapping an executive based in the Colombian city of Medellín.

• During the peak of its operations Escobar's infamous Medellin cartel is estimated to have netted a whopping $70million on a day-to-day basis. Around $1000 were reportedly spent each week on rubber bands to wrap the stacks of cash.

• In the 1980s, the Medellin cartel accounted for 80 per cent of the cocaine smuggled into the U.S. Among other things, he shipped the drug in airplane tires, offering handsome amounts of money to pilots.

• Roberto Escobar , the accountant of Medellin cartel and Pablo’s brother, claimed that in addition to planes, his brother used two small submarines to smuggle massive amounts of cocaine into the U.S.

• As documented in the book “Escobar: The Inside Story of Pablo Escobar, the World's Most Powerful Criminal,” by Roberto Escobar, the biggest shipment of cocaine to the U.S. weighed 51,000 lbs. (23,000 kg).

• In the early 1990s, as one of the wealthiest criminals in history, Escobar pooled around $60 million a day, skyrocketing his net worth to around $30 billion.

• Beginning in 1987, quite incredibly, he was featured on Forbes’ international billionaires list seven years in a row.

• Located in Puerto Triunfo, Colombia, Escobar’s sprawling estate, Hacienda Nápoles, spreads over 7.7 square miles (20 sq. km). It comprised a sculpture garden, a lake, a private bullring (pictured), a kart racing track, a private airport and a zoo, which featured a huge array of animals from different continents including antelope, elephant, exotic birds, giraffe, and hippopotamus. After his death, the estate was converted into a theme park.

• After being charged with the assassination of Colombian journalist and liberal politician Luis Carlos Galán, Escobar was confined to his self-built luxurious prison, La Catedral, overlooking the city of Medellín. Also called “Hotel Escobar” or “Club Medellin,” it comprised a football pitch, giant doll house, bar, Jacuzzi, and a waterfall. He is said to have installed a telescope that helped him look at his daughter’s house in the city.

• To stay onside with the Colombian public, Escobar sponsored children’s football teams, built fields and multi-sports courts. He also aided the construction of hospitals, churches, and schools in western Colombia.

Chinese actor Xu Ting dies after choosing traditional medicine over chemotherapy

2016-09-19T14:17:00.001+08:00

Confronting photos of the bruised and swollen body of the Chinese actor Xu Ting widely circulated after her death have been used to highlight the dangers of using traditional Chinese therapies over conventional medicine for treating cancer.

In July Xu, 25, announced on the Chinese social media website Weibo she had lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system that best responds to chemotherapy as a first-line treatment.

However, Xu said the high cost of chemotherapy in China and her fears about side effects and pain meant she had decided to treat her cancer with a mix of Chinese therapies instead.

“No matter how long I live, I want to enjoy every day happily,” she wrote, adding that she did not want to “let chemotherapy torment me to the point where there’s no beauty and talent left”. The actress appeared on television in the series Dad Home and acted in the comedy Lost In Macau.

Later in July, Xu posted photos to Weibo of the aftermath of some of the alternative treatments she had undergone, including acupuncture and cupping, which involves placing a flammable substance into a cup, typically a cotton bud, and setting it on fire. As the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down on the skin, usually the back, creating a vacuum and leaving welts on the body.

Some users begged her to seek chemotherapy. One user wrote on her Weibo page: “You need to rely on modern medicine to save yourself.”

The American Cancer Society guide to complementary and alternative therapies warns of the risk of burns from cupping and states that “available scientific evidence does not support claims that cupping has any health benefits”.

Xu also turned to gua sha, a treatment that involves scraping the skin with a tool, and which is practised by the actor Gwyneth Paltrow and the swimmer Michael Phelps. It left Xu with red marks and bruising down her neck.

“Frankly, traditional Chinese medicine is also painful,” Xu wrote as a caption underneath one of the images of the treatment she posted to her blog.

According to a study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, gua sha users in Hong Kong tended to use it mostly to treat respiratory and pain problems.

In August, Xu’s sister encouraged her to undergo chemotherapy as she became more unwell. Xu died on 7 September, shortly after starting chemotherapy.

Her death has sparked a debate in the Chinese media about the use and effectiveness of Chinese therapies. On the Chinese news website people.cn, the head of the traditional Chinese medicine department at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, Dr Feng Li, wrote that Chinese therapies should not be blamed for Xu’s death.

He wrote that “while western approaches like radiology, chemotherapy, and surgery are effective in shrinking the tumour”, Chinese therapies were “effective in reducing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and pain that comes with western treatment”.

“Moreover, after the tumour is under control, traditional Chinese medicine helps to repair the immune system, accelerate the body’s recovery and minimise the chance of the tumour returning.”

A 2014 review of complementary and alternative medicine for cancer pain found alternative treatments, including Chinese treatments, had “low or moderate” evidence for alleviating cancer pain.

But a peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Cancer and Oncology Pain described the barriers some people faced obtaining conventional medical treatment. Led by Dr David Garfield from the ProMed Cancer Centre in Shanghai, the authors wrote that “Mainland Chinese attitudes are different from what we are accustomed to in the west”.

“There is a lack of trust between patients/families and physicians, related in part to there being few urban general practitioners, resulting in no longstanding, physician-patient relationships,” the authors wrote.

“There is a feeling that care is being provided for personal gain, much more so than in the west. When individuals are ill, or think they may be, they go directly to hospitals, including traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, rather than seeing a non–hospital-based practitioner.”

“Anti-cancer drugs, even for patients treated in public hospitals, are costly,” the authors added, writing that proven and effective treatments “although available, are out of reach for all but the wealthy”.

Cost, rather than mistrust, appeared to be a factor for Xu shunning chemotherapy. In one post on her Weibo blog, she wrote about how exhausted she was from trying to provide for her family financially.

“Over the past five years, I worked very hard to support the large family,” she wrote. “I made money to pay for my younger brother’s tuition fees, pay my parents debts and even buy a house. The pressure made me breathless.”

14 unbelievably gorgeous rainbow-colored foods

2016-09-19T14:14:00.003+08:00

6 Types Of Sleeping Position How It Determines Your Personality

2016-09-02T12:35:00.000+08:00

Different people sleep differently. But does your sleeping position convey something about your true self? Psychologists say that when you sleep, your unconscious mind takes over and there is nothing which can restrict your body and its movements. So, your sleeping position can give others a glimpse into your personality. Let us have a look at some common sleeping positions and what they say about you.

1. The foetal position
Position: Curled up on your side.

Personality: Foetal sleepers are an anxious lot. They tend to overanalyse everything and are great ‘worriers’. Surprisingly, research says that the foetal position is the most common sleeping position. This position is very soothing and comforting and you tend to sleep like this when you are undergoing a lot of stress. Every person at some point of his or her life has slept in this position.

2. The leaper
Position: Sideways with one of your legs in a straight line and the other raised.

Personality: These people are very fussy and want everything to go their way. They tend to be very complaining and never make an effort to adjust to new situations. Leapers are also a nervous lot and they tend to think for ages before taking the ‘leap’, but once their decision is made, they tend to stick to it no matter what.

3. The freefaller
Position: It is considered to be a very uncomfortable position: here the person lies flat on his tummy with both the arms and legs outstretched.

Personality: The freefallers are quite self-centered and stubborn. Their sleep is quite turbulent and these people like to be in control of everything. Constantly on the run, these people are over sensitive and don’t take criticism well.

4. The star sleeper
Position: Sleeping on your back with both arms and legs stretched outwards, occupying most of the bed.

Personality: They are considered to be good listeners and make really good friends. Such people love their comfort and are free spirited and carefree. The star sleepers always like to be in the background and don’t like drawing too much attention.

5. The log
Position: It is considered to be the second most common sleeping position. The sleeper in this position keeps their body stretched out in a straight line.

Personality: This position is most commonly associated with those who are easy going and like good company. They easily trust people to the point of being very gullible.

6. Covered from head to toe
Position: Covered from head to top while sleeping.

Personality: If you like your razai or blanket to cover your body from top to bottom, then you are a person who always tries to put on a brave facade even though you are going through troubled times. Such sleepers keep mum about their problems instead of asking for help. The blanket acts like a shield between them and the rest of the world. Such people are usually shy and tend to have a lot of secrets buried in their hearts.

7 Things You Need to Know About Depression

2016-09-02T12:34:00.001+08:00

Over six million men are affected by depression each year in the U.S. alone, but many don't seek treatment because they don't want to be seen as weak or defective. It's vitally important for men to educate themselves about depression so that they can recognize its symptoms and be prepared to seek help if necessary. Depression is influenced by your brain biochemistry, and that's not something you naturally have control over. Depression is a medical illness that you can't just 'get over' on your own. It may come as a surprise to hear, but depression isn't technically sadness--it's a loss of energy. And when energy is low, you are less able to cope and less likely to do other things that are necessary for a healthy physical and emotional life.

Most people don't realize it, but you can gain some control of your brain's biochemistry if it becomes dysfunctional, which can have a huge impact on your mood and behavior. That control comes mainly through medications, but lifestyle also plays a big role, too.

Depression is treatable.

Many people suffer from debilitating depression for months or even years, and if you're one of them, you may believe that a "normal" life is--and always will be--beyond your grasp. Depression is treatable, though--and with a combination of counseling and medication, most people are able to completely regain their quality of life. However, it's also important to understand that psychoactive drugs are not one-size-fits-all. Antidepressants narrow the range of emotion so that you can't feel as low. However, some people claim that antidepressants can reduce their ability to feel life's highs as well. The answer is finding the right medication in the right dose for each person--and this can take time."

Depression is not a cause for stigma.

Depression is not something to be ashamed of. While clinical depression is very different from a disease like cancer, they have one major thing in common: No one chooses to suffer from either, and no one can power through these ailments unaided. Untreated, depression can be just as devastating to you and your family as any other major illness. Ignoring depression can ruin your life and even lead to suicide. Today, scientifically we know more about it, and more and more people are becoming aware of its symptoms. Well-known figures including Terry Bradshaw, George Stephanopoulos, and Mike Wallace, to name a few, have also opened up about their own struggles with this illness in order to raise awareness and dispel myths."

Depression can also hurt your family.

If you're lacking energy or if you're anxious, irritable, or in pain, your family will notice. And their daily lives--in fact, their basic well-being--will be impacted, too. Your spouse and children might feel that they have to walk on eggshells around you, for example, and might become anxious themselves because they can't ease your burden. You won't be able to give them the attention, support, and love that you used to, either. And remember that if your kids see you moping around every day, they will be much more likely to grow up the same way, thinking that an unhappy life is simply the norm. That's not something any father wants to leave as a legacy for his children...and then for their children after them as well.

Depression can damage your physical health.

You may consider depression to be a disorder that's rooted in the brain. But that doesn't mean it can't affect your body, too. Depression is accompanied by a loss of energy. It can also cause muscle pain, joint pain, digestive problems, headaches, reduced sex drive, and more--and it's easy to see how those symptoms can disrupt your life. If you're depressed, it's very possible that you'll feel exhausted and in pain all of the time. It's actually not uncommon for patients to be misdiagnosed at first because they and their doctors think that the unpleasant symptoms have another cause. That's why it's very important to understand that depression isn't just 'in your head,' and to be completely open with your doctor.

There's a connection between depression and stress.

Stress is so prevalent that we tend to ignore it and write it off as normal, despite the fact that we've all heard the statistics about how chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health problems. But did you know that long-term stress can also increase your risk of becoming depressed? While depression can be related to genetics, it can also be caused by long-term stress--especially if you're not handling it well. When you're constantly worn down, anxious, and unhappy, you're essentially training your brain to be that way--and eventually, your brain's biochemistry becomes locked into this pattern. Exercise is the best mood manager because it naturally releases endorphins and plays a crucial role in mood management."

Men experience different symptoms from women.

If you were asked to picture depression, you'd probably think of someone who is quiet, sad, apathetic, and lethargic. Those symptoms are characteristic of depression, but they're more commonly seen in women. Because most people don't realize that depression manifests differently between the sexes, many men fail to even suspect the true nature of what is bothering them. Women are likely to internalize their negative feelings and blame themselves for their problems, while men more commonly act out on their emotions. Depression manifests itself differently in men because their emotional circuits and brains are designed differently. So instead of getting tearful, a man who is depressed might become irritable, hostile, and fatigued. He might dive into his work or a hobby until he literally can't carry on. He's also likely to blame other people or other circumstances for his problems, rather than admit that he is experiencing troubling symptoms.

Depression is more prevalent than ever.

The number of people being diagnosed with depression is increasing--and that includes men. Studies show that each generation is more likely to become depressed than the one that came before it--and more likely to become so at an earlier age, too. Not surprisingly, antidepressant use continues to grow. You can be prone to depression because of your genetics, but also due to life circumstances.

Symptoms of Not Drinking Enough Water

2016-09-02T12:33:00.000+08:00

When a person stops drinking water or doesn't drink enough, they can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dry and sticky mouth, sunken eyes, not producing enough tears, little to no urine output and lethargy, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who don't drink enough water may also develop low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.

The body cannot survive without water. Water consumption helps the body breathe, because it moistens the lungs. Lung functions can use up to a pint of water every day, decreasing the body's moisture through exhalation. When that liquid isn't replaced, it makes it difficult to breathe. People who don't drink enough fluids can also gain excess body fat, have poor muscle tone and a decreased ability to digest food.

Most people live in a state of dehydration and don't even know it, according to NaturoDoc.com. However, if people follow the general recommendation to consume eight to ten glasses of water a day, they can stay properly hydrated. This water intake should be spread throughout the day so there isn't the constant urge to head to the bathroom.

While caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are liquid, they don't necessarily quench the thirst. This is because products such as soda, coffee and beer cause the body to become dehydrated. These beverages actually hasten the body's elimination of fluids. When this occurs, mild symptoms of dehydration are experienced, including heartburn, stomachache, lower back pain, headaches and depression.

Eating a healthy diet that contains at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day is also important, since most of the body's daily fluid intake comes from what we eat. If you find that you're extremely thirsty, not eating a healthy diet, or feeling dehydrated, drink cold water rather than hot water. According to Southern Cross Health Insurance, the body absorbs cold water more quickly.

Surprising Reasons Why People Wake Up Tired

2016-09-02T12:32:00.001+08:00

1. You sleep poorly and wake with a bad taste in your mouth.

Acid reflux causes the body to partially awaken from sleep, even when there are no symptoms of heartburn. The result of this “silent reflux” is fitful, uneven sleep, but when you wake up digestion is complete and you can’t tell why you slept poorly.

2. You toss and turn or wake up often to use the bathroom.

For some people, the problem manifests as having to get up to use the bathroom, and then being unable to get back to sleep. Once middle-of-the-night sleeplessness attacks, they lie awake for hours. But for others the problem is more subtle; they may sleep fitfully without waking fully, as the body attempts to send a signal that it needs to go.

3. Your jaw clicks, pops, or feels sore, or your teeth are wearing down.

Bruxism involves tensing of the jaw muscles, so it interferes with the relaxation necessary for deep sleep. And if you’re fully grinding, your body is engaged in movement rather than resting.

4. You move all over the bed or wake tangled in the covers.

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes these sleep movement disorders, but they do know they’re directly related to a lack of deep, restful, REM sleep. The restlessness can prevent you from sinking into deep sleep, or a muscle jerk can wake or partially rouse you from deep sleep.

5. You wake up with a dry mouth or horrible morning breath.

How it interrupts sleep: Mouth breathing and snoring can interrupt sleep because you’re not getting enough air to fully relax. Severe snoring — particularly when accompanied by gasps or snorts — can also indicate a more serious problem with obstructed breathing during sleep.

6. You sleep fitfully, feel exhausted all the time, and wake with a sore throat or neck pain.

Obstructive sleep apnea results when the throat closes and cuts off airflow, preventing you from getting enough oxygen. UARS is similar, but it’s usually tongue position that blocks air from getting into the throat. Blood oxygen levels drop, and when the brain knows it’s not getting enough oxygen, it starts to wake up. This causes fitful, unproductive sleep. Weight gain is a major factor in sleep apnea, because when people gain weight they end up with extra-soft tissue in the throat area, which causes or contributes to the blockage.

7. You get a full night’s sleep but feel groggy all the time or get sleepy while driving.

The onset of darkness triggers production of the hormone melatonin, which tells the brain it’s time to sleep. Conversely, when your eyes register light, it shuts off melatonin production and tells you it’s time to wake up. Even a small amount of ambient light in the room can keep your body from falling into and remaining in a deep sleep. The use of devices with lighted screens is especially problematic in terms of melatonin production because the light shines directly into your eyes. This light is also at the blue end of the spectrum, which scientists believe is particularly disruptive to circadian rhythms.

5 Most Common Myths About the Cold

2016-09-02T12:32:00.000+08:00

Chicken soup
Can a bowl of chicken soup help fight a cold? Maybe: Some research suggests it could relieve inflammation.

Feed a cold, starve a fever
Being sick often kills your appetite; force-feeding won't help. What will help is staying hydrated and getting enough calories. A 2008 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that mice exposed to the flu took longer to recover and were more likely to suffer ill effects if they were on a low-calorie diet. Skip dieting until after flu season.

You'll get sick if don't wear a coat
Not likely. Colds and flu are caused by viruses. They do circulate during cold-weather seasons, but you're more likely to pick them up inside than out. In fact, going outside and getting more physical activity—and not just during cold and flu season—may help prevent sickness.

Vicks VapoRub in your socks cures coughs
In 2007, a widely circulated email recommended putting Vicks VapoRub on children’s feet at night and covering them with socks to cure coughs; it became an Internet sensation. The email identified the source of the miracle cure as the “Canada Research Council,” which prompted the National Research Council of Canada to issue a statement saying it had nothing to do with the email or its advice. VapoRub, which is usually applied to a child’s chest or throat, releases vapors that are intended to relieve cough symptoms when inhaled—so it seems far-fetched that it would work if it's in your socks.

A wet head can make you sick
You’ll probably feel chilly if you skip the blow-dry on a cold day, but not much else will happen. Again, colds are caused by a virus. Unless you are so cold that you get hypothermia, which could make you susceptible to infection, wet hair or clothes won’t increase your vulnerability.

What’s the Difference Between a Street and a Road?

2016-08-12T13:21:00.000+08:00

Although both terms are often applied to the same thing, a road is different from a street, at least in theory. Looking at the definitions and history of the usage of the words, the difference is a matter of place and purpose.

Roads run between two distant points — two towns, for example. In each of those towns, you’ll find streets: paved roads lined with houses and other buildings. It used to be the paving and the buildings that made a street a street, but today you’ll find many paved roads that have buildings on them .Modern sticklers for usage will tell you that what sets streets apart today is the street life that comes with them. On Main Street in a given town, you might find people walking their dogs, having lunch in a sidewalk cafe, waiting for a friend on the corner, or simply people watching. On the road connecting Town A to Town B, you’re not likely to find any of this.

The term street, then, should be specifically applied to urban roadways. Streets connect people for public interaction, while roads connect towns and cities for travel.
In the real world, though, these distinctions aren’t always made. As cities grow, roads can become urbanized and serve the purposes of streets without having their names changed. Some cities and towns may be planned with naming systems that designate roadways one thing or another without regard to their function. Other roadways serve different purposes along different parts of their length and get different designations accordingly.

Now that we’ve hashed out roads and streets, what about the alleys, avenues, boulevards, circles, courts, drives, expressways, highways, lanes, parkways, paths, places, squares, terraces, trails, ways and other roadway name suffixes we use? Here are some select definitions (that aren’t always followed):

An avenue is traditionally a straight road with a line of trees or shrubs running along each side, which emphasize arrival at a landscape or architectural feature.

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A boulevard is usually a widened, multi-lane arterial street with a median and landscaping between the curbs and sidewalks on either side.

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A court is a short street that ends as a cul de sac.

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A drive can be short for driveway, a private road for local access to one, or a small group of structures. Other times it refers to meandering, rather than straight, roads and highways.

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An expressway is a divided highway meant for high-speed traffic.

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A freeway is a road designed for safe high-speed traffic through the elimination of intersections at the same grade or level.

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A highway is a main road intended for travel between destinations like cities and towns.
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A lane is a narrow road or street usually lacking a shoulder or a median.
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A way is a minor street off a road in a town.

Beauty and Talent. This Gorgeous Young Muso Is Becoming Famous On Youtube

2016-06-13T12:08:00.000+08:00

Youtube thanks to a combination of beauty and a beautiful voice.

Stunning Lee Nayeong works at a boys only high school in Korea

2016-06-13T12:05:00.002+08:00

Average-Looking Girls Before and After Makeup

2016-06-13T12:02:00.003+08:00

8 year old Korean girl with an angel face

2016-06-13T12:00:00.002+08:00

8 year-old Hwang Si Eun is a fashion model in Korea. She became a model since she was little and is now perusing this career as professional model for many famous kids fashion brand. Si Eun face is so pretty! enjoy a series of photos she shares on her Instagram.

Teen makes phone call after being hit by train after jumping on tracks to retrieve dropped phone

2016-06-13T11:57:00.002+08:00

A teen nearly died trying to rescue her cell phone.

Chenelle Agnew, 17, was standing at a subway stop in Brooklyn on Thursday when her precious cell phone slipped out of her hands and dropped onto the tracks, reports the New York Post.

Agnew made the decision to save her phone from peril and jumped onto the tracks at the Bergen St. stop to retrieve it. That"s when a train barreled into the station - and ran over Agnew and her phone.

Agnew was hit by an incoming northbound train and went straight under the car - but she survived with minimal injury - as did her phone.

Agnew was pulled from the tracks by emergency service crews.

Pictures of the phone-loving teen on the stretcher show her staring intently at her beloved device.

She, and the phone, were taken to a nearby hospital where they are both expected to recover.

Yahoo Messenger to shut down in August after 18 years of service

2016-06-13T11:55:00.004+08:00

After more than 18 years of service, faithfully shuttling your messages, emojis and A/S/L requests back and forth across the internet, Yahoo has announced they will be signing off and closing its old Messenger app for good on August 5th.

The app launched in 1998 under the incredibly dated name "Yahoo Pager," but is heading off into the software sunset after the company introduced a more modern version last year.

After August 5th, anyone still using the legacy Messenger will no longer be able to log in or send messages. Same goes for messages sent through third-party apps.

The new Yahoo Messenger will become the sole way of exchanging messages, emojis, or GIFs. Yahoo is asking users to upgrade to the new version because from August, users of the old service will not be able to send or receive messages.