Swarms of deadly Asian hornets could make a beeline towards Ireland

OPEN GALLERY 1

This photo shows an Asian hornet (Vespa Velutina) (L) and an European hornet (Vespa Crabro),

Swarms of deadly hornets that are becoming very prominent in France could survive in Ireland and the UK, experts have warned.

• SHARE

Asian hornets, which have caused the death of six people in France, are spreading rapidly throughout mainland Europe and there are fears the creatures could survive in Ireland’s climate should a queen wasp arrive here.

Although the Asian hornet’s sting can be fatal to humans who are allergic, the creature is a particular threat to honeybees.

“The Asian hornet can kill up to 40 honey bees per minute which is 2,400 every hour and so they are a huge threat to any honey bee colony,” said Philip McCabe President of the Apimondia European Commission.

“The Asian hornet’s sting can be fatal, but only to people who are allergic, much like those who go into anaphylactic shock following a bee sting,” he said.

“There is always a possibility that the Asian hornet could arrive here. A queen wasp would probably have to accidentally travel in a suitcase or shipment, which has been known to happen. It’s very unlikely, but it could happen,” he said.

Although the Asian hornet has yet to be spotted in Britain, the UK’s National Bee Unit is implementing possible response strategies in case the predator does make its way to the Britain.

Typically, queens build nests in April and rapidly lay eggs until the colony’s population reaches 6,000. In July, the hornets begin to hunt honey bees, killing them and slicing them up to feed their larvae, which respond to proteins.

The hornets were first sighted in France in 2004, and are believed to have travelled in pottery from China where they originate. Since then, their presence has been growing in Spain and Belgium also-READ MORE-http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/swarms-of-deadly-asian-hornets-could-make-a-beeline-towards-ireland-31163454.html

Scarlet king snake discovered in Ilfracombe

The snake discovered in Ilfracombe. Picture: Ilfracombe Police

Ilfracombe Police were called after the snake was found in Ilfracombe - and then rescued by the Animal Ambulance.

A snake was discovered by police in Ilfracombe on Thursday evening.

The non-venemous scarlet king snake - commonly kept as a pet - was found and reported to the police.

It was rescued by the North Devon Animal Ambulance.

If you are the owner, contact them on 07817 995751.

Germany: Urinary trap! Anti-pee paint puts Hamburg's leaky punters in peril

6 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health

Have you ever noticed that you feel better when you're around your pet? It's true. Spending quality time with a dog, cat or other animal can have a positive impact on your mood and your health. Pets can be calming stress-fighters. "We found that pet owners, on average, were better off than non-owners, especially when they have a higher-quality relationship with their pets," says pet researcher Allen R. McConnell, PhD. He's a professor of psychology at Miami University. "What [makes] a meaningful relationship varies from person to person.” For some active people, that includes playing ball or Frisbee in the park. For others who can’t get outside, just petting your dog can help you feel connected. Pets can help you in other ways, too. 1. A Healthier Heart Your dog may make you less likely to get heart disease. Why? Dog owners walk more and have lower blood pressure than people who don't have dogs.READ MORE-http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/6-ways-pets-improve-your-health

tales-from-the-tour-bus-rock-n-roll-on-the-road

Rock legend and tour bus aficionado Rick Wakeman takes us on a time-travelling trip through the decades in this first-hand account of rockers on the road from the late 1950s to the 80s and beyond. It's an often bumpy and sometimes sleepless ride down the A roads and motorways of the UK during the golden age of rock 'n' roll touring - a secret history of transport cafes, transit vans, B&Bs, sleepless roadies and of loved ones left at home or, on one occasion, by the roadside. And it's also a secret history of audiences both good and bad, and the gigs themselves - from the early variety package to the head clubs, the stadiums and the pubs. This is life in the British fast lane as told by Rick and the bands themselves, a film about the very lifeblood of the rock 'n' roll wagon train. With members of Dr Feelgood, Suzi Quatro, the Shadows, the Pretty Things, Fairport Convention, Happy Mondays, Aswad, Girlschool, the Damned and many more.see on link-http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05rjc9c

Is it OK to collect Nazi memorabilia?

Nazi memorabilia". But is it unacceptable to collect material from the Third Reich?

There's been a rise in interest in Nazi memorabilia

Marc Garlasco is not the first person to get into trouble for an interest in an aspect of the Third Reich.

Two years ago Bryan Ferry was pilloried for expressing admiration for the films of Leni Riefenstahl and the buildings of Albert Speer and other aspects of iconography. And in 1999, then GQ editor James Brown had to resign after Rommel and the Nazis were referred to in a list of the century's 200 most stylish men.

Thousands of military history buffs collect war paraphernalia because we want to learn from the past  Marc Garlasco

But on both sides of the Atlantic there is a burgeoning market in Third Reich-era memorabilia. Mr Garlasco is one of thousands of collectors who are seeking rare items from the period.

His hobby has outraged bloggers, who also accuse him of anti-Israel bias, and he has defended himself in a piece on the Huffington Post blog by saying that suggestions he has Nazi sympathies are "defamatory nonsense". Instead, he says he has a long-standing interest in World War II memorabilia from both the German and Allied sides.

"I've never hidden my hobby, because there's nothing shameful in it, however weird it might seem to those who aren't fascinated by military history," he wrote.

The rarest memorabilia can be incredibly valuable

"Thousands of military history -READ MORE-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8261002.stm

Instant Coffee No More: Italian Astronaut Gets Espresso Machine on Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mornings are about to improve for the Italian astronaut who’s been suffering through instant coffee at the International Space Station since fall. An espresso machine is on the supply capsule scheduled for launch Monday.

The specially designed, Italian-made espresso maker is intended for Samantha Cristoforetti, who arrived last November. It was supposed to fly in January, but ended up on backlog following another company’s launch explosion last year.

The espresso maker is dubbed ISSpresso — ISS standing for International Space Station. Italian coffee giant Lavazza joined forces with the Turin-based engineering company Argotec and the Italian Space Agency to provide a specially designed machine for use off the planet. NASA certified its safety.READ MORE -https://www.yahoo.com/food/instant-coffee-no-more-italian-astronaut-gets-116300482526.html