Hot Air Balloon Ride Gone Wrong

Tuesday morning a group of tourists boarded a hot air balloon in southern Egypt to look at the stunning views of the Nile River and other historic sites in Egypt, from a different perspective. Little did they know, it would be maybe the worst decision of their life. A total of 21 passengers were on the hot air balloon, including 19 tourists, 9 from Hong Kong, 4 from Japan, 3 from Great Britain, 2 from France, and 1 from Hungary. The other two passengers, were the Egyptian pilot and Briton. Apparently, a fire erupted inside the balloon due to a gas explosion, causing the balloon to shoot upwards and then fall 1,000 feet to the ground. All the tourists have been reported dead, while the two operators are currently in critical condition. While this tragic event is being investigated, the hot air balloon attraction is currently banned until further notice.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/26/world/africa/egypt-balloon-deaths/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

Possibility Of A New Virus

Recently a new virus by the name of "Novel Coronavirus" was found in the middle east. So far this disease has killed five of the twelve affected people. The first case of this virus was found in a Amman, Jordan, hospital in April, and has recently been reported in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and this last Saturday in the UK. Dr. William Schaffner, from the Vanderbilt University Medical Caneter, stated he wouldn't be surprised if this virus broke out in the U.S and Dr. Susan Gerber agreed. Dr. Gerber also stated, "That's why the CDC is working closely with the World Health Organization and other international partners." This serious infection has symptoms of minor respiratory infection, fever, and cough, and if not treated it could result in kidney failure and pneumonia. As of now, doctors in the U.S are advised to ask patients of these symptoms about their recent travel trips.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/18/health/coronavirus/index.html?hpt=he_c2

Thinner Mice

Recently doctors at the University of Michigan discovered that the drug, amlexanox, used to treat canker sores can maybe be used for a different cause. Doctors at the university had mice on a high fat diet which caused them to be obese, the mice were later on injected with amlexanox, and was magically thin again. The doctors first thought that due to the energy boost the drug came with, that the mice moved more causing them to loose the weight, but studies showed they moved the same. The doctors went through many studies to make sure the drug is the magical remedy to loosing weight. While they continue to study the drug and the mice, they plan to try it out on humans within the next year. Dr. George Bray hopes this newly found use of amlexanox can help obesity, which is something that needs to be stopped before it gets worse. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/10/health/mice-weight-loss-drug/index.html?hpt=he_c1 

Hand-Held Helicopter Drones

Recently British soldiers located in Afghanistan received small hand-held helicopter drones that serves as surveillance camera. The Scandinavian designers named it the Black Hornet Nano, only weighing sixteen grams, and measured to be four inches, made to fit into a palm of a hand. The tiny camera built into the drone displays not only still images but video. Sargent Christopher Petherbridge, who is with  Britain's Brigade Reconnaissance Force, stated that they use it for "insurgent firing points and check out exposed areas of the ground before crossing." The Hornet was reportedly developed by Norway's Prox Dynamics AS with a $31 million contract.

http://news.yahoo.com/uk-sends-hand-held-helicopter-drones-war-zone-101428321--finance.html

Trial Begins For Rape Case

The trial for the young woman who was gang-raped on a bus began earlier this week. There are reportedly five men who are being held trial and accused for the brutal attack. The man who was with the young medical student during the attack, testified earlier this week and is reportedly being cross examined later on during the trial. The five men being held trial can be convicted of kidnapping, murder and rape, if found guilty. There is also a sixth suspect that is being held in a separate trial due to him being a juvenile of the age of seventeen. According to the report, the prosecutors are expecting to finish their case by the end of the month.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/05/world/asia/india-gang-rape-trial/index.html?hpt=wo_c2