Ten places you can’t enter in Earth

The world is full of secret and exclusive places that we either don’t know about, or simply couldn’t visit if we wanted to. This list takes a look at ten of the most significant places around the world that are closed to the general public or are virtually impossible for the general public to visit.

10. Mezhgorye

 

Mezhgorye is a closed town in Russia which is believed to house people working on the highly secret Mount Yamantaw. The town was founded in 1979. Mount Yamantaw stands at 1,640 metres (5,381 ft) and is the highest mountain in the southern Urals. Along with Kosvinsky Mountain (600 km to the north), it is suspected by the United States of being a large secret nuclear facility and/or bunker. Large excavation projects have been observed by U.S. satellite imagery as recently as the late 1990s, during the time of Boris Yeltsin’s pro-Western government after the fall of the Soviet Union. Two garrisons, Beloretsk-15 and Beloretsk-16, were built on top of the facility. Repeated U.S. questions have yielded several different responses from the Russian government regarding Mount Yamantaw. They have said it is a mining site, a repository for Russian treasures, a food storage area, and a bunker for leaders in case of nuclear war.
9. Vatican Secret Archives

This has been mentioned on a previous list – the archives are not secret despite their names. You can view any document you wish. But you cannot enter the archive. You must submit your request for a document and it will be supplied to you. Despite the foolishness of the recent junk from Ron Howard and Dan Brown (Angels and Demons) the documents are all available and there are no copies of suppressed scientific theories or great works that were banned. The only documents you can’t access are those which are not yet 75 years old (in order to protect diplomatic and governmental information). Indexes are available for people who want to see if a document exists in the archives. The Vatican Secret Archives have been estimated to contain 52 miles (84 km) of shelving, and there are 35,000 volumes in the selective catalog alone.
8. Club 33

Contrary to popular belief, Disneyland has a full liquor license which is used when the place closes down to the general public to accommodate private parties. But there is one place in Disneyland that is always open to sell booze: Club 33. Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at “33 Royal Street” with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address plate with the number 33 engraved on it. Fees for joining range from 10 – 30 thousand US dollars and membership comes with a car park. If you want to join the club, you have to go to the end of the fourteen year waiting list.

7. Moscow Metro-2

 

Metro-2 in Moscow, Russia is a purported secret underground metro system which parallels the public Moscow Metro. The system was built supposedly during (or from) the time of Stalin and codenamed D-6 by the KGB. Russian journalists have reported that the existence of Metro-2 is neither confirmed nor denied by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) or the Moscow Metro administration. The length of Metro-2 is rumored to exceed even that of the “civil” (i.e. public) Metro. (It is said to have 4 lines and lie 50 to 200 m deep. It is said to connect the Kremlin with the FSB headquarters, the government airport at Vnukovo-2, and an underground town at Ramenki, in addition to other locations of national importance. Needless to say, the fact that no one confirms its existence makes it pretty difficult to visit.

6. White’s Gentlemen’s Club

 

White’s is the most exclusive English gentlemen’s club. It was founded in 1693 by Italian Francesco Bianco (Francis White) to sell the newly discovered hot chocolate but eventually became a typical (but extremely private) gentlemen’s club. The club is famous for its “betting book” in which members make bizarre gambles. The most famous of which is a 3,000 pound bet on which of two raindrops would slide down the window first. So why is this club on the list? Women are excluded completely from membership, so that is half our audience out. Secondly, men who want to join this exclusive club can only do so if invited by a sitting member who has the support of two other members. Unless you are a member of royalty, or are extremely powerful in politics or the arts, you are unlikely to ever see the exclusive White’s invitation.

5. Area 51

 

I have put this so high on the list because it is the one place most readers are likely to expect to see. Area 51 is a nickname for a military base that is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles (133 km) north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large secretive military airfield. The base’s primary purpose is to support development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems. The intense secrecy surrounding the base, the very existence of which the U.S. government barely acknowledges, has made it the frequent subject of conspiracy theories and a central component to unidentified flying object (UFO) folklore. The sign above states that deadly force can be used if people enter the Area 51 zone.

4. Room 39

 

Room 39 or Bureau 39 is arguably one of the most secretive organizations in North Korea that seeks ways to obtain foreign currency for Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s Chairman of the National Defense Commission. Room 39 was established in the late 1970s. It has been described as the lynchpin of the North’s so-called “court economy” centered on the dynastic Kim family. It is unknown how the name originated. Very little is known about Room 39 due to the secretive nature surrounding the organization, but it is widely speculated that the organization uses 10 to 20 bank accounts in China and Switzerland for the purposes of counterfeiting, money laundering, and other illicit transactions. It is also alleged that Room 39 is involved in drug smuggling and illicit weapon sales. It is known, however, that the organization has 120 foreign trade companies under its jurisdiction and is under the direct control of Kim Jong-il. North Korea has denied taking part in any illegal activities. Room 39 is believed to be located inside a ruling Workers’ Party building in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea.

3. Ise Grand Shrine

 

The Ise Grand Shrine in Japan (which is actually a series of over 100 shrines) is the most sacred shrine in Japan. It is dedicated to Amaterasu (the Sun goddess) and has been in existence since 4BC. The main shrine is alleged to hold the most important item in Japan’s imperial history: the Naikū (the mirror from Japanese mythology which eventually ended up in the hands of the first emperors). The shrine is demolished and rebuilt every 20 years in keeping with the Shinto idea of death and rebirth (the next rebuilding will be in 2013). This ranks very high on the list of places you will never go because the only person who can enter is the priest or priestess and he must be a member of the Japanese imperial family. So unless we have a Japanese prince or princess reading the site, no one here will ever see anything more than the thatched roof of the Ise Grand Shrine.

2. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center

 

This is a place that is not only closed to the public, but it is a place that the public hope to never have to enter! In most “end of the world” films we see these days, there is always a highly classified area where US government officials and a chosen few get to go in the hopes that they can escape the impending doom. The Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center is the real thing. It was set up in the 1950s due to the cold war but continues to operate today. It is a “last hope” area. For obvious reasons its operations are highly classified. It is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The center is already functioning and even in small local disasters in the US, much of the telecommunications traffic is routed through it.

1. RAF Menwith Hill

 

RAF Menwith Hill is a British military base with connections to the global ECHELON spy network. The site contains an extensive satellite ground station and is a communications intercept and missile warning site and has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world. The site acts as a ground station for a number of satellites operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office, on behalf of the US National Security Agency, with antennae contained in a large number of highly distinctive white radomes, and is alleged to be an element of the ECHELON system. ECHELON was reportedly created to monitor the military and diplomatic communications of the Soviet Union and its Eastern Bloc allies during the Cold War in the early 1960s, but since the end of the Cold War it is believed to search also for hints of terrorist plots, drug dealers’ plans, and political and diplomatic intelligence. It has also been involved in reports of commercial espionage and is believed to filter all telephone and radio communications in the nations which host it – an extreme violation of privacy.

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IPL Cricket HOT Cheerleaders Photos

This is one hot and sexy set of photos, These photos were taken during the DLF IPL 2010 T20 Matches, They are hot enough to raise your apetite for 2011 Indian Premier League, Lets have a look at pics

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10 Space-Saving Ideas for Your Landscape

Make It Portable
Big container gardens make a big impact but can also take up a big amount of space. Use smaller, portable containers (such as these hanging on a deck rail) to provide color where you need it most.

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Hide Clutter
A clean yard, just like a clean house, feels bigger. Try the old trick of hiding clutter behind a screen to keep your landscape neat and tidy. This simple bamboo screen is an elegant way to hide tools, wheelbarrows, and other items.

Trick the Eye
Like the garden on the other side of this lattice? It's actually in front of you. Hang mirrors in strategic places to double the impact of your favorite blooms.

Do Double Duty
Look for clever combinations to save space. Here, a stylish container for a garden hose has a lid so it doubles as a birdbath when not in use. Watch for such products at your local garden center or get creative and make some yourself!

Grow Up
Espalier -- an old French way of growing trees on a horizontal plane -- looks and sounds complicated, but is actually pretty simple. While it takes a bit of extra time shaping them when they're young and keeping them pruned, but you can pack in apple, pear, or other trees you may not normally have room for.

Hang It Up
You can grow a water feature with a couple of fish and a water lily in any good-sized water-tight pot. But if space is tight, try hanging a fountain on your wall. It takes up virtually no space, and fills your space with the lovely sound of trickling water.

Layer It On
Layered cakes are an irresistibly tasty treat. Take advantage of the concept in your garden for an equally delightful result. Here, three layers of container plants fill a tight space with lots of color and provide a greater impact than just one set of pots would on any of the three levels.

Scale It Down
Patio furniture can quickly eat up a small deck or patio. Keep your outdoor living accessories on the small side to make the most of your space. However, don't be afraid to use color to make an impact and keep them from feeing too tiny. Here, the startling red chairs helps distract from their small, simple design.

Select Narrow Varieties
While a full-grown spruce can get more than 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide, columnar varieties such as this get no more than 6 feet across. Look for these upright (often called fastigiate) types to save space.

Look for Wasted Space
In small spaces, every inch counts. Look for creative ways to add plants or garden decor. Here, planters with ivy geraniums decorate an otherwise bland privacy fence. Though they're small now, by the end of the season they'll grow together and form a lush curtain of color.

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Top 10 bedroom ideas

French-style bedroom

Number 10 French style painted furniture, like the Feather & Black bed, looks pretty and makes a room feel cool, calm and elegant. Combine with crisp, white bed linen from The White Company and a few floral cushions for a truly romantic feel.

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Leather furniture bedroom
A neutral colour scheme, deep mahogany furniture and a sturdy leather bed with a subtle pink-striped bedspread from Lee Longlands make this master bedroom appeal to both sexes. The bedside table, lamps and mirror frame, also in soft brown leather, add a tactile element to the room.

Boudoir-chic bedroom
Indulge your love of the girly boudoir by choosing antique-style, delicate furniture and embossed metal pieces. A traditional-style dressing table from French Style Company sets the tone and is teamed with boudoir-chic accessories like the dressmaker's dummy from Velvet. Stick to a neutral colour scheme to keep the room looking grown-up.

Bedroom storage
Box shelves from B&Q are hung symmetrically above the bed provide storage that?s as practical as it is eye-catching. The seven-drawer chest from New Heights is great for clearing clutter ,and the wall light is handily located on the wall, freeing up the bedside table.

Formal bedroom
This bedroom is a great place to unwind. This ultra calm space is given a touch of glamour with a sophisticated colour scheme of midnight blue, deep plum and grey, with luxurious bed linen from Marks & Spencer. Floating shelves from Dwell are a great way to display accessories without taking up too much space. Matching pendant lights add a formal touch.

Vibrant purple bedroom
This bedroom uses a vibrant purple so the scheme doesn?t feel gloomy, and combines a patterned wallpaper from Osborne & Little in a corresponding tone. Matching purple accessories, like the cushions, continue the palette, and plush velvets and silks add to the opulent feel that purple creates.

Traditional bedroom
Neutral coir carpets balance the patterned Laura Ashley wallpaper so the bedroom doesn?t seem too busy, and TK Maxx bedding perfectly merges two colours. A large basket at the foot of the bed is a softer alternative to a wooden trunk.

Contemporary bedroom
Mixing smooth neutrals with aqua and a hint of pink in a bedroom design gives a relaxed atmosphere with a modern edge. Walls painted in aqua starts of the theme, and are mirrored in accents like the matching cushion made in fabric from Sansderson and the pink mohair throw from Cologne & Cotton. The dark wood furniture from New Heights lends a strong base for these fresh colours within the bedroom design.

Modern minimalist bedroom
White walls and curtains are a backdrop to the black kingsize platform bed, which complements the wenge wood floor. A huge pleated lampshade from Edge Interiors mirrors the folds of the curtains. Fresh white bed linen from John Lewis is dramatic against the glossy wood.

French-style bedroom
An ornate antique bed bought at Gloucester Antiques Centre and distressed side tables blend into the neutral background of this light-filled, French-inspired loft bedroom. Handmade decorative Roman blinds and small flower arrangements add just a hint of colour. A chandelier provides glamorous lighting.

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Blind man will drive a car tomorrow

No, you don't need to stay off the streets. For one, Mark Riccobono will be driving on a closed-circuit course at Daytona International Speedway. But the bigger reason is that Riccobono, despite being legally blind, should be perfectly safe behind the wheel of Ford's new blind-accessible vehicle.
It's the result of years of hard work since the National Federation of the Blind called for a car that blind people could drive back in the mid-2000s.

The NFB Blind Driver Challenge has found a winner with Virginia Tech and its Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory. They created a way to use "nonvisual interface technologies" allowing a person with no sense of sight - but all other faculties in check - to drive.
It's now ready for the world to see, as Riccobono will drive a Ford Escape hybrid equipped with the new technology tomorrow at Daytona International Speedway. It'll be part of the pre-race activities for the Rolex 24 event.
"I have been blind since the age of five, so I never got to try for a driver's license or drive a car without another person telling me which way to steer.  The NFB's leadership in the Blind Driver Challenge™ has taken something almost everyone believed was an impossible dream and turned it into reality.  I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel and demonstrating to the world that being blind does not prevent me from engaging in any activity I choose as long as I am able to get the information I need.  This will be a truly historic occasion for my blind brothers and sisters and for America, and I am humbled and proud to be part of it," said Riccobono in a statement.
The NFB is beaming with pride over the accomplishment. The group's president Dr. Marc Maurer said, "Capacity, imagination, and determination are all that is needed, and blind people have all of these qualities."


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Is Free Public Wi-Fi Safe?

y a Swords

If you work remotely or travel a lot for your job, you probably take advantage of free public Wi-Fi often. Unfortunately, that probably means you’re regularly opening up your devices and your data to serious security threats. And if you’re a heavy user of cloud services, which often store your data on a remote server rather than your computer, Wi-Fi security is even more crucial.
Most people these days have password-protected networks at home, so it’s unlikely that anybody is able to snoop on your data as it passes between your device and your router. But when you’re surfing the Web via a free public Wi-Fi at a cafe, library or airport, you should be suspicious of everyone, says technology consultant Leo Notenboom of Ask-Leo.com. “It’s trivially easy for any of them to be watching your unencrypted information flying by.”
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe next time you’re surfing on a free public Wi-Fi connection.
Free Public Wi-Fi Tip No. 1: Turn on your firewall.
The cafe might use firewall software to protect your computer from outside attacks, but that doesn’t protect you from other people surfing around the same Wi-Fi network inside the cafe. Be sure your computer’s firewall is turned on.



Free Public Wi-Fi Tip No. 2: Protect your smartphone or tablet.
If your smartphone or tablet connects to Wi-Fi networks, require it to ask your permission before joining any network. A lot of people never change the default network name, so if you logged on to your friend’s “linksys” network, your device will remember that and could automatically join any network of the same name in the future -- unless you tell it to ask your permission first.

Free Public Wi-Fi Tip No. 3: Use strong encryption.
Encryption works by disguising data that your computer wirelessly sends to a router. Without it, that person sitting near you at the cafe could use special software to intercept and see all the data that travels back and forth between your device and the router. And that means everything: emails, passwords and things you search for. That’s why it’s imperative, says Notenboom, to use encrypted sites when possible.
How do you know when a site offers encryption? Instead of “http” at the beginning of the address, you’ll see “https.” You’ll also see a little padlock icon in your browser window, usually on the bottom right.
What else should you consider encrypting?

• Your email. If you use a locally installed email program such as Outlook or Entourage, you can protect your mail and passwords by using something called SSL (secure sockets layer) on each of your accounts. This encrypts all your data when you send and receive email. Not all email providers allow the use of SSL, though, so check your provider’s help page.
• Your Facebook and Twitter pages. Facebook and Twitter recently began offering encrypted sessions; just go into your account settings and find the option that says “Always use https.”

• Your Google search. If you think the keywords you’re searching could be embarrassing or you prefer to keep your privacy, try the secure version of Google search. Instead of going to Google.com, do all of your searching at Encrypted.Google.com.

• Everything. Consider a VPN service. VPN stands for virtual private network and encrypts everything you send and receive. You can download free mobile VPN software from such a site as Hotspot Shield and everything -- instant messages, passwords, emails and websites -- will be virtually impenetrable to prying eyes whenever you’re using a free public Wi-Fi connection. Or if your employer offers its own VPN, always connect to it through your computer or mobile device.

“That guy in the corner of Starbucks with his laptop -- do you trust him with your private data?” asks Notenboom. Follow these Wi-Fi safety tips, and you won’t ever have to ever wonder.

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Hidden Camera At Your Home Technology

If you have need of a security camera, there are a number of routes you can take. The first thing you have to decide is whether or not you want the camera to be visible. If the answer is no, then you’ll get to dabble in the world of hidden cameras, which can be fun. There is a huge market for such devices, which means you have a nice variety to choose from. This “Plug” & Play hidden cam is one of my favorites.

Being the tech geek that I am, I have a lot of things plugged into the wall. That means that this particular hidden camera would blend right in with the rest of my stuff. I’m sure I could even find something for it to plug into (even though it won’t actually supply power to anything). The plug looks like any other power brick, but it cleverly disguises the camera (which records at 720 x 480 30fps) and an SD card. It uses motion detection to determine when to record. If for some reason it runs out of room, it will simply start recording over the earliest file. You’d better be protecting something mighty valuable with this camera, as you’re going to shell out $300 for one.

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Get Glowing Skin In Summer: Ten Effective Tips

Skin during summer is very sensitive and one needs to take extra care for beautiful and glowing skin. In order to have smooth and flawless skin you need to follow summer skin care regime.

Sun exposure breaks down collagen consequenting in remissness of the skin and wrinkles. It impoverishes the skin’s natural capability to moisturize itself. It causes variations at the cellular level which result in enzymes being released that cause ”age” spots to appear. It can result to skin cancer. Early exposure to too much sun and childhood sunburns can lead to skin cancer over time

People having dry sensitive skin can perceive that sun causes more dryness and irritation. In this case try to use herbal infusions in place of tap water when cleansing your skin. Using scrubs on the face can produce microtears in the skin which may lead to uneven pigmentation if you’re exposed to the sun. Apply topical vitamin C before sunscreen or makeup. Sold in liquid form, it can secure your skin against sunlight damage. Everyone spends more time outdoors during the summer, that means environmental debris and pollutants can have an additional concussion on your skin’s ability to remain elastic.

Suggestions to keep your skin beautiful in summer:
1. Cleanse Properly

The first step is to cleanse your face properly. Go for a skin-sensitive cleanser if you have sensitive or acne prone skin because summers seem to bring about more breakouts. Gently cleanse your face at least twice a day.
2. Moisturize Lightly

Finally, do not forget to moisturize your face. Excessive cleaning tends to dehydrate the face of essential oils so rehydration is important. If you have oily skin, then this step could be avoided.
3. Sleep Like a Baby

The last and another very important tip is to get enough sleep. Getting 7 to 8 hours of your ‘beauty sleep’ highly beneficial for the skin and also helps in keeping the areas around your eyes fresh.
4. Exfoliate Deeply

Exfoliation is the next important step in keeping healthy and glowing skin. Exfoliation ensures that the loosened up dead skin is scrubbed out and fresh skin is revealed. Go for a mild gentle scrub to exfoliate your face and if possible, visit a salon for a facial massage. A gentle massage and scrub improves blood flow to the facial cells.
5. Pedicures and Manicures

Just because it’s hot does not mean you will ignore your hands and feet. Remember to give yourself a thorough pedicure and manicure once a month. If you keep clean hands, the chances of bacterial or fungal growth are minimized, keeping you healthy and away from disease.
6. Exercise Fiercely

Skin care experts say that pushing your exercise regime up a notch in summers is highly beneficial for the skin. Good exercise facilities in sweating which removes dead skin cells and helps regenerate collagen. Hence fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, giving way to a firm and tight skin tone.
7. Eat Healthy

Remember that summers are an ideal time to lose weight and stay in good shape. Therefore, eating healthy foods is very important. Not only does it help the skin in several ways, healthy eating also ensures a proper balance in all body nutrients. Cut down on the junk and pile on fruits and salads.
8. Drink Lots of Water

Properly hydrated skin always glows and this is due to the fact that blood is continuously cleaned of harmful toxins. Plenty of water in the body also increases blood flow giving your skin the radiant look all day long. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water, more if you sweat profusely.
9. Go Easy on Makeup

A busy social life often requires make up to look ones best. However, make up blocks the pores of the skin and overtime, this gives a tired look.
10. Get Adequate Sun Protection

This is the most important skin care tip to follow any summer. The sun can severely damage the skin if you do not use a strong enough sun screen lotion. Also, do not forget to wear a hat or a cap when walking under the sun. A good tan at the beach is healthy but if you overdo, then you risk yourself to skin cancer.

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Many Babies In China Grows Breasts

Since August, the news about breast growth in a number of babies in China is increasing. Began to appear similar cases in some provinces such as Wuhan, Guangdong, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Beijing. The women who have children under five pairs of women, worry when their children are also exposed to the disease early puberty. From the results of research conducted, the cause breast growth in the number of babies in China, probably derived from the milk powder that has been consumed by the baby.
Milk powder was contained sex hormones that can lead to acceleration of puberty in the baby’s growth. Although the news circulated, China’s health minister has denied a number of rumors. He did not recognize if the baby in his country has been experiencing growth that should be experienced by a teenager. However, recently discovered in a six-month-old baby has undergone puberty and girls at the age of two years. Presumably some of these hormones are gonadotropins and testosterone.
Some experts say if the baby is experiencing puberty was normal and his condition will return after the baby was two years old. Accumulation of these symptoms, among others, give the effect of one between 5,000 and 10,000 babies are characterized by the growth of hair under the armpits and pubic hair and rapid growth. Meanwhile, a study issued by University of North Carolina in 2010 revealed that the girl Kauskasia descent in the U.S. experienced a rapid growth in the age of seven years to 10 years.

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Google challenges Apple with video chat service

Google has launched its own video chat service for Android smartphones to compete with the Facetime application on the iPhone.

The Nexus S, Android operating system smartphone Photo: AFP/GETTY

And unlike the Apple software, the video chat update to Google Talk works over 3G as well as WiFi networks. It uses the front-mounted cameras on high-end Android handsets.

According to the Google Mobile Blog, the new feature will be rolled out to the firm's own-brand Nexus S smartphone "in the next few weeks" as part of the Android 2.3.4 update.

Other smartphones running Google's mobile OS, such Samsung's Galaxy range, will get the update at an unspecified later date.

The service will go up against Apple's Facetime app, which was launched alongside the iPhone 4 last year, as well as third part apps such as Skype and Fring. Google has the advantage of integrating its video chat software with users' Gmail contacts list,

"You can now video or voice chat with your friends, family and colleagues right from your Android phone, whether they're on their compatible Android tablet or phone, or using Gmail with Google Talk on their computer," Google said.

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Video: Brazil UFO Lights Up Clouds

A recent video posted on Brazil’s G1 News website has most of Brazil’s UFO community talking.
The video shows some men traveling in route to Bauru, in São Paulo, Brazil, when the spot the supposed UFO craft off in the distance. Managing to capture the UFO on their video camera, they are amazed as the object drifts behind a could and starts a dazzling display of bright bursts of light. Suddenly they can see how two other lights drop from the craft onto the earth.

The expert in video editing, Philip Cavaca says it is mounting a well made, but it is a mistake. “you can tell that the UFO was moved, which is un-noticeable to the naked eye” he says. According to him, freezing the image you can see the exact moment when it happens.

I would have to agree with Mr. Cavaca. Although I’ve seen several convincing videos on the internet throughout the years, someone somewhere comes forward to reveal it to be done by computer software. My opinion is that this might be the case on this one. If you notice around the 1:02 -1:03 mark you can tell when the UFO shifts a few hundred feet up, as the truck covers the craft. Editing mistake?

After the truck passes:

What do you guys think?

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Governments probe Sony PlayStation Network hack

OKYO — The United States, Britain, Australia and Hong Kong are investigating the hacking and theft of personal data from Sony's PlayStation Network, which has 77 million users worldwide.
The PlayStation Network and Qriocity streaming music service were shut down on April 20 after what Sony described as an "external intrusion" and remain offline as the company upgrades security and works with Federal investigators.

A US House of Representatives panel Friday sent a letter to Sony chairman Kazuo Hirai with questions on the data breach.
"Sony's statement describes information illegally obtained to include account information as well as potentially profile information," said the letter from a panel of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which was posted on the Internet.
"Given the amount and nature of personal information known to have been taken, the potential harm that could be caused if credit card information was also taken would be quite significant."
The committee, which has scheduled a hearing on May 4 to discuss data theft issues, also asked Sony to explain why it believes credit card information was not taken despite being unable to determine the exact scale of the theft.
The Japanese electronics giant has said users' credit card data was encrypted but could not rule out the possibility that card data was obtained by hackers.
In Britain, the Information Commissioner's Office said it had contacted Sony and will make "further enquiries to establish the precise nature of the incident before deciding what action, if any, needs to be taken."
Australia's Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim also said he had launched an investigation.
"We're seeing more and more now information being held globally, and it's more incumbent upon organisations to make sure they do have strong security systems in place to protect that information," he told broadcaster ABC earlier this week.
Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Allan Chiang said he was probing the breach and met with local Sony official Katsuhiko Murase who told him 400,000 Hong Kong PlayStation Network user accounts were involved.
He said Murase told him the account information compromised includes the name, address, country, email address, birthdate, PSN password and login, and PSN online ID of users but there was no evidence that credit card data was taken.
Sony is being sued in a US court by gamers who have accused the company of being negligent and breaching its contracts with PlayStation Network users.
The company has not indicated whether it has identified a culprit in the intrusion.
Internet vigilante group Anonymous had vowed retribution against Sony for taking legal action against hackers who cracked PS3 defences to change console operating software.
Sony has sold about 48 million PS3 consoles worldwide since they hit the market in November of 2006.

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Top 5 Genius Animals

We humans presume we’re smarter than animals, but are we really? Let’s take a closer look as we countdown the

5 Paul the Octopus

In at number 5, he was the eight legged star of the World Cup, I’m speaking of course about psychic cephalopod, Paul the Octopus.

Bookmakers William Hill lost almost $750,000 as Paul the Octopus correctly predicted the result of every Germany game at the World Cup. He signed off with a perfect eight out of eight record by picking Spain to beat the Netherlands in the final.

4 Homing pigeons

At number four, while we humans would be rendered inert without GPS or Google maps, homing pigeons can find their way home from some 1100 miles without any guidance systems.

That’s because these pigeons have iron-containing structures in their beaks, which help them sense the Earth’s magnetic field and identify their geographical position. Now that’s smart.

3 Termites

While the idea of energy efficient homes is a relatively new concepts for us humans, termites have been at it for eons. They’re at number three in our Top 5 Animals Smarter than Us.

A termite species in Zimbabwe has developed a precise technique to farm a fungus they feed on that grows at 87 degrees Fahrenheit. With volatile outside temperatures, the termites have learnt to adjust the inside temperature of their mounds by constantly opening and closing heating and cooling vents.

2 Chimps

In at number two, while Mozart and Monet can lay claim to a photographic memories, they are the exceptions amongst the human population.
Not so in the chimp kingdom where young chimpanzees show an extraordinary working memory capability for numerical recollection, better even than that of human adults tested with the same apparatus following the same procedure.

1 Ants

In at number one, sure we humans can make babies but can we do it without males? That jaw dropping skill is a cakewalk for ants.

A super feminist ant species from the Amazon has developed the ability to reproduce via cloning — dispensing with both s*x and males — to evolve into an all-female breed. Germaine Greer eat your heart out.

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Top 7 Most Amazing Caves

Caves are true underground museums. Primitive men used them as shelters, today we visit them, we study them, trying to learn more about these extremely beautiful art works of Mother Nature. Interesting things happen underground we should definitely take the time to see them. The beauty of a cave stand not only in its size, but in its interesting formations that can either rise from the ground or hang from the ceiling. Each cave is different and special, so visit as many of them as you can, to better understand what's going on underneath our feet.


7. Grotte de Dargilan, France

 This natural cave was discovered in 1880 and is one of the largest in France. It's not so tall, but it has some interesting soft pink formations, which is why it is also called "the pink cave". It has different chambers with interesting names, like Chamber of Chaos, The Mosque or The Basins. It's a beautiful cave, that has kept it's natural look, not being spoilt by adding lights and paths.








6. Fantasy Cave, Bermuda

 One of Bermuda's secret treasures, Fantasy Cave is a beautiful cave, filled with interesting formations. The ceilings are decorated with colored straw formations and the walls are covered with mineral deposits which are a perfect imitation of frozen waterfalls. The cave was discovered and developed as a show cave in 1907. The pathways were rebuilt and lights were added, for an easy access of visitors.



5. Luray Caverns, Virginia (USA)

 A true natural landmark of the United States, containing incredible formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The caverns can reach the height of a ten stories building, and they are filled with crystal clear pools. The cave's highlight is the stalacpipe organ, formed of stalactites which resonate when they are struck with rubber clappers, creating music of symphonic quality. This stalacpipe is unique in the world.
The caves were discovered in 1878 by Andrew Campbell, who was searching the area together with three other men. They dug away loose rocks for four hours before sliding down a rope into the cave, discovering the largest series of caverns in Eastern America. The first scientists who examined the caves said in their report: “... it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray.”

The 11 caverns are connected by paved pathways and one hour tours guide the visitors through the majestic rooms.


4. Aven Armand Cave, France

 Aven Armand Cave was discovered in 1897 by Louis Armand. After a funicular ride you'll reach a 45 meters high and 60 meters wide chamber, 100 meters underground. You'll have a view of the whole cavern, with stalagmites rising several meters from the ground. The largest stalagmite in the world can be found here, 30 meters high.





3. Reed Flute Cave, China

 The verdant reeds growing outside the cave, used for making flutes, gave the cave its name. Entering the limestone cave, you'll discover another world, filled with various stalactites and stone pillars, illuminated by colored lights, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Along the 240 meters long cave you'll see different formations, each with its own story and unique name: Crystal Palace, Dragon Pagoda, Flower and Fruit Mountain.

It is said that the cave is over 180 million years old, but it was discovered only in 1940s by a group of refugees and it is a show cave since 1962.


2. Cheddar Caves, England (UK)

 Two caves form the Cheddar Caves: Gough's Cave, the largest one, discovered in 1890 by a sea captain named Richard Gough and the second one is Cox's Cave, discovered accidentally by local mill owner George Cox in 1837. One of his workers fell down through a whole in the cave's roof while he was collecting rocks. Gough's Cave stretches 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) underground and has enormous caverns, which is why it is referred to as 'the cathedral'.

When Gough's Cave was blasted for exploration, archaeologists found the oldest complete skeleton in Britain. It is supposed to be 9,000 years old and it is referred to as Cheddar Man.


1. Crystal Ice Cave, California (USA)

 Maybe you didn't think that there is such a thing as an ice cave in California, but there is. And it's spectacular. It's ice formations have strange shapes and they are really amazing. Because of the sensitive nature of the ice formations, the cave can only be visited by a small number of visitors at one time. From December through March, guided tours of no more than six visitors are available. This tour can last up to three hours or more and it is for people in a good physical condition.

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