Icadyptes salasi - Tropical giant penguin discovered

A giant penguin that preferred the tropics to the southern oceans has been discovered by a team of scientists.

The fossilised remains of the animal, which lived some 36 million years ago, were found in what is today Peru.

At 1.5m (5ft) tall, the penguin looked quite different from its modern-day cousins, a report in PNAS journal says.

It had a long protracted skull and what its discoverers are describing as a grossly elongated beak that was spear-like in appearance.

The Icadyptes salasi penguin would dwarf all the penguins who walk the planet today.

Read More at: BBC NEWS

Hee Ah Lee - Four Fingered Pianoist

Born with only four fingers and no legs under her knees, 20 year old Hee-ah Lee is an inspiration to all who know her. Although she began playing the piano at age 7 for therapeutical purposes, she has now become a concert pianist! Disfigured from birth, her mother cared for her as if she were perfect and today, she eats, walks and uses the adjusted piano pedals on her own. "You play with your heart and head not your fingers," Hee-ah says.

Pandas, politics, football: Hong Kong plans anniversary

Hong Kong, the pearl of the east, is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. Comprising more than 260 islands, the territory is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south.

Using a blend of football, fireworks and pandas, Hong Kong is pulling out all the stops for the 10th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, with thousands of guests anticipated for a series of celebrations.

Pro-democracy activists also aim to mark the anniversary in their own way, calling for as many people as possible to rally for an annual July 1 march to press for greater freedoms.

Read more at: Yahoo
Pic: Firework at The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau, Hong Kong, the tallest outdoor buddha statue in the world. AFP photo.

Japanese firm unveils artificial hand with 'air muscles'

View another update on the artificial human invention.

A Japanese robot maker on Tuesday unveiled what it called the world's first prototype of an artificial hand with "air muscles" that can do even delicate work like picking up a raw egg.
Squse, a Kyoto-based robot and factory automation manufacturer, said it has developed a 400-gramme (14 ounce) hand with five human-sized fingers with artificial fibres that can be controlled by air pressure....

Read more at Yahoo Singapore

Pic: Japanese firm unveils artificial hand with 'air muscles', AFP photo

Beautiful night scene in different countries!

They are beautiful! Do you think so?

Copenhagen

Brazil

Las Vagas

Paris

Singapore

World Smallest Horse

This is the smallest horse in the world, 5 year-old Na Lin. In St. Louis, Na Lin is only 43cm tall. When she stands next to the normal size horse, she looks just like a puppy. Na Lin has been officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records being recognised as the world's smallest horse.

Hamster battery Charger

Will the charger really charge the battery? I wonder.....