Cinnamon and honey - Health benefits

The magic mixture of honey and cinnamon is known for hundreds of years for their miraculous curing power. If we look back into the history we can see both these items used by different countries and cultures across the world for different medicinal purposes. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Researchers today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban"(very effective) medicine or all kinds of diseases.

Honey today can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:

Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries ans saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kep miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengtens the heart beat.

ARTHRITIS PATIENTS:

May take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at Copenhagen University, if was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon of honey and half teaspoon of cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTION:

Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:

Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 per cent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. Pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:

Those suffering from common or severe colds should take on tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and also clears the sinuses.

STOMACH UPSET:

Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. For those with gas problems, honey taken with cinnamon powder in equal quantities, relieves gas and pain in the stomach.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:

Daily intake of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Researchers have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant intake of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:

Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

LONGEVITY:

Ancient cultures used Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder for longevity. 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water are boiled to make this tea. The prescribed amount is to drink 1/4 cup, 3 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and slows down the aging process.

WEIGHT LOSS:

Drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water first thing in the morning (empty stomach)and at night before sleeping. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body, even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

HAIR LOSS:

Those suffering from hair loss or baldness may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon or honey, one teaspoon cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found very effective even if kept for 5 min. also.

TOOTHACHE:

Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be done 3 times a day daily till such time that the tooth has stopped aching.

PIMPLES:

Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.

Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks. It removes pimples from the roots.

SKIN INFECTIONS:

Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures Eczema, Ringworm and all types of skin infections.

FATIGUE:

Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful than detrimental to the body strength. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr.Milton who has done research says that half tablespoon honey taken in one glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts decreasing. Increases the vitality of the body within a week.

The above are a few of the many benefits of honey and cinnamon. The benefits of honey are a known fact to most of us.

Listed below are some of the health benefits of the cinnamon.

1. Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

2. Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

3. In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

4. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

5. It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

6. In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

7. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

8. One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

9. Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

10. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Should give it a try.

**You can find references for this wonder combination in medical streams like Ayurvedic, Yunani etc. Benefits of the cinnamon is compiled from the Health diaries.

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Home made car by cambodian maths and physics teacher

The gold-coloured convertible turns heads on impoverished Cambodia's roads , not least because of creator Nhean Phaloek's outlandish claim that it can be operated telepathically.

"I just snap my fingers and the car's door will open. Or I just think of opening the car's door, and the door opens immediately," says the 51-year-old as he proudly shows off the homemade car, named the Angkor 333-2010.

Onlookers gasp as he demonstrates the trick, and with the fibre-glass vehicle having cost him 5,000 dollars and 19 months of labour he is in no mood to reveal the remote control system behind it.

But as with a handful of other Cambodians who make their own curious cars, he dreams the two-seater will help foster an automobile industry in the country, still poor after decades of conflict.

"I am very excited and proud of this car because many people admire me and keep asking me about how I can make it," he says, adding that it reaches speeds of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour.

Kong Pharith, a 48-year-old former maths and physics teacher who has also produced his own car, says an auto industry is about to blossom in Cambodia.

"Our works will be part of a motivating force for the next generation to access new inventions and show the world that Cambodia has an ability to do what you think we cannot," he says.

The inventor, who first came to national attention in 2005 for building a solar-powered bicycle, thinks he has now hit on a truly unique product with his orange, jeep-like vehicle with solar panels on its roof.

Kong Pharith says it took him four months to design and put the final polish on his "tribrid" car which operates on solar energy, electricity and gasoline, hitting speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour with its 2,000 watt motor.

"I'm really happy about my achievement but not very satisfied with it yet," he says, adding that Cambodia's lack of modern technology and materials are a minor obstacle to efficient manufacturing.

More reading at - Google News

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Orca whale delivers a karate chop to finish off killer shark

These incredible pictures demonstrate how orca whales use a 'karate chop' to stun and then finish off killer sharks.

In a rare battle of beasts these images show how several populations of skilled killer whales around the world have learned how to overcome huge sharks, that most animals give a wide berth. Using a combination of superior brain power and brute force, the highly-intelligent orcas are able to catch and eat what many think of as the ocean's top predators.

The notorious Great White and Mako are just two of at least nine species of shark known to be on the menu for some orca families.

Populations of orcas in territories across the globe - including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Farallon Islands off America's West Coast - have devised a number of strategies with which to take down their mighty adversaries.

But to make sure they don't end up seriously injured when attacking such dangerous prey, the orcas spend years perfecting the various techniques and watching more experienced adults demonstrate how to do it properly.

A killer whale moves in on an unsuspecting shark. Using a combination of superior brain power and brute force, the highly-intelligent orcas are able to catch and eat what many think of as the ocean's top predators

An orca moving in on a mako shark in New Zealand waters. Other methods observed by scientists of whales attacking sharks include 'corralling', where groups of orcas circle a lone shark and ram it at the least dangerous opportunity, or stealthily approaching the shark from directly below and catching it off guard in a violent sneak attack at its underbelly

Source - DailyMail

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Colourful tiny peacock spider

Found in Australia, the pictures shown a 4 mm , long ‘peacock spider’ that can wave a pair of legs and two patterned flaps as part of a mating ritual. The male arachnid has a rainbow of colours to impress nearby females.

While it may be eight-legged like every other spider, it reveals hues of orange, yellow, green and blue. Also known as a Moratus Vilans, amateur photographer Jurgen Otto originally spotted the colourful creature in the wild.

The spider also uses its third pair of legs in the mating display, raising them to show a brush of black hairs and white tips.

The spider can also jump, but the common belief that it can use its patterned flaps to glide through the air is an urban myth which has been debunked by the Australasian Arachnological Society.

The spider is found in eastern parts of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales. Both sexes of the spider rarely reach more than 5mm in body length. Females are brown with no distinct pattern.

Via - Telegraph

Pictures by Jurgen Otto

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Celebrity DNA perfume has gone on sale

Perfume made from the DNA of celebrities has gone on sale. My DNA Fragrance claims to make the scents out of DNA taken from the dead stars' hair.

The company has joined forces with John Reznikoff, who has the world's largest collection of celebrity hair.

Fragrances have already been concocted using the DNA of stars including Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Napoleon Bonaparte.

The firm's chairman Carlton Enoch said: "We use the genetic code to formulate the fragrance. If you are putting on MJ's perfume, it's a unique fragrance to him. The biggest seller is Elvis, but MJ is selling very well too."

Enoch added that the scents are "strong", contain no alcohol, and use aloe vera so that the smell lasts all day and is good for the skin.

He continued: "We had the actor Samuel L. Jackson call up to get his own perfume made - it's so unique and special that he wanted it."

Via - Digital Spy

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Australian authorities plan to shoot 6,000 wild camels

Australian authorities plan to corral about 6,000 wild camels with helicopters and gun them down after they overran a small Outback town in search of water, trampling fences, smashing tanks and contaminating supplies.

The Northern Territory government announced its plan Wednesday for Docker River, a town of 350 residents where thirsty camels have been arriving daily for weeks because of drought conditions in the region.

"The community of Docker River is under siege by 6,000 marauding, wild camels," local government minister Rob Knight said in Alice Springs, 310 miles northeast of Docker. "This is a very critical situation out there, it's very unusual and it needs urgent action."

The camels, which are not native to Australia but were introduced in the 1840s, have smashed water tanks, approached houses to try to take water from air conditioning units, and knocked down fencing at the small airport runway, Knight said.

The government plans to use helicopters to herd the camels about nine miles outside of town next week, where they will be shot and their carcasses left to decay in the desert. The state government will give a 49,000 Australian dollar ($45,000) grant for the cull and to repair damaged infrastructure in the town.

Advocacy group warns of ‘terrible suffering’

Glenys Oogjes, executive director of national advocacy group Animals Australia, said the plan to kill camels by helicopter was barbaric, and that the community could instead focus on setting up barriers to keep out the camels.

Camels were first brought to Australia to help explorers travel through the desert, and now an estimated 1 million roam wild across the country.

They compete with sheep and cattle for food, trample vegetation and invade remote settlements in search of water, scaring residents as they tear apart bathrooms and rip up water pipes.

Via - MSNBC

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Tiger Woods hurt in car crash outside his house

The top golfer of the world, Eldrick Tont 'Tiger' Woods or famously known as Tiger Woods has been treated in hospital after being hurt in a car accident outside his home on Friday in Florida.

Woods, 33, crashed his 2009 Cadillac SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) in Isleworth near Orlando in the early hours.

It happened after he pulled out of his driveway at 2:25am (local time), authorities said. The accident was not alcohol-related, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Woods, 33, started driving along the road when his car struck a fire hydrant and then hit a tree. He then was taken to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee following the incident.

Early reports said the star had been seriously injured in the crash. But later it emerged he had only suffered cuts to his face and was released from hospital after treatment.

A joint statement from the hospital and Woods' office said: "He was admitted, treated and released in good condition" after being in a 'minor' car crash.

The FHP said the crash was still under investigation, and charges were pending. But it added that the crash was not alcohol-related.

The airbags in the car did not deploy during the accident because he was travelling so slowly, police said.  Airbags typically do not open if a vehicle is travelling at less than 33mph.

Via - Orange News

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Muslims are warned against deviant ideology by Al-Asheikh

After spending the day at the spiritual highpoint of meditation and prayers in Arafat, millions of pilgrims moved after sunset to Muzdalifah to spend the night there before they proceed at daybreak to Mina. The pilgrims prayed in Arafat, a ritual that forms the spiritual climax of the Haj. The “Wuquf” they performed there symbolizes man’s wait for the Day of Judgment.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived in Mina on Thursday to see the arrangements made for Haj.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, in his sermon in Arafat, warned Muslims against deviant ideology.

Muslims from around the world had converged on the plains of Arafat on Thursday hoping for a safe Haj. They kept on reciting Qura’nic verses and prayed to Allah for mercy and acceptance of their pilgrimage.

It is obligatory for all Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able. The weather was pleasant and very favorable for the daylong exercise.

The cold breeze, which was troubling the pilgrims in Mina, particularly the old and the infirm, stopped blowing and the sun shone above their heads, providing an umbrella of warmth and happiness to the praying masses.

Though most of the pilgrims were sitting in a state of meditation in their camps, some ventured out to get a feel of the plains while thousands of others scaled Jabal Al-Rahmah, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) had delivered his last sermon more than 1,400 years ago. One of the major themes of that sermon was equality between the rich and the poor.

The white seamless garb of the pilgrims, called “ihram,” symbolizes purity and equality of mankind and erases all signs of class and culture. “Here nobody is rich or poor, big or small. All are equal on these plains. God will reward them on the basis of their deeds, not social, political or economic status,” said Rizwan Ahmad, a senior Indian journalist.

“I performed Haj today and Allah has promised those performing Haj that all their previous sins will be pardoned,” said Sami Al-Kotubi, an Omani national. “I vow not to indulge in any wrongdoing in future and will lead the rest of my life as per the Qur’an and the Sunnah.”

A Saudi pilgrim, Kamel Al-Bander from the bordering region of Jazan said that he prayed for the welfare, peace and tranquility of friends and relatives in Jazan. “I prayed to the Almighty to give our security personnel courage to fight back enemies and to defeat them in their nefarious designs,” he said. “We will not allow sectarian tensions to destroy us.”

Pilgrims also prayed for the peace to return in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Sudan. “Every Muslim is duty-bound to pray for fellow Muslims. I prayed for our brethren in Iraq, in Palestine and in Sudan. There are people dying there,” said Ala Al-Marghoubi from Sudan.

Some were optimistic that the condition of Muslims will improve everywhere. “I’m sure that Allah will give us back the lost glory and prestige,” said Alauddin Khan Sherzai, a pilgrim from Swat region of Pakistan.

“If we start concentrating on education and development, we can catch up very soon with others. I prayed that Allah provide us courage and means to take our community to new heights. I also prayed for peace in our beautiful region.” The scene at Arafat electrified Afrin Jabeen and her husband Arshad Ahmad from Doha. “This is amazing. It is only at Arafat that one realizes the true potential of the Ummah,” said Afrin.

“We, the followers of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), have nobody to fear except God. The Prophet gave us a complete religion. We will protect it with our blood. By coming here we want to seek God’s mercy and to let everybody know about our love for our most dearest Prophet, peace be upon him.”

At sunset, the pilgrims began marching toward Muzdalifah Valley, several kilometers from Arafat, to spend the night. There they will spend the night in prayer, asking for Allah’s forgiveness.

This morning, the faithful return to the valley of Mina for the last part of the Haj - the ritual that involves throwing stones at the Jamrat Al-Aqaba representing Satan.

At Mina, the pilgrims will later sacrifice animals, shave their heads and proceed to Makkah to circumambulate the Kaaba.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh exhorted Muslims the world over to adhere to the true principles of Islam in his address on the Arafat plain.

“The most serious problem the Muslim community is facing lately is from deviant ideology. The deviants have abandoned the right principles of Islam and adopted a wrong creed. Therefore adherence to the right creed is one of the most important duties of a Muslim,” Al-Asheikh said in his sermon before he led the noon prayer at Namira mosque.

Since early morning pilgrims were trying to get a place inside the packed 110,000-square meter mosque. The standing at Arafat, which is the most essential ritual in Haj, starts with noon prayers at the mosque.

Al-Asheikh condemned terrorism and suicide operations in unequivocal terms. “Suicide operations have become a curse of Muslim lands. Innocent men, women and children are killed and their installations wrecked,” he said.

Al-Asheikh also warned Muslims not to become tools in the hands of their enemies. “Terror is the most dangerous challenge that the Muslims and the rest of the world are facing. It has taken different shapes and forms. There are people who use it to promote their interests,” he said.

“Muslims through history have been facing challenges and conspiracies against it but Islam has come out victorious against all challenges as it is the religion of God established on the truth and designed to suit human nature,” Al-Asheikh said. “The enemies of Islam in the modern times are not different from their enemies in the past. The only difference is that they changed their strategies to suit the changing times.”

Referring to people who attempt to politicize the Haj, the mufti said: “Ignorant people attempt to politicize the Haj aiming to disrupt its safety and create chaos in the land. But Allah will not allow it to happen and the believers will not (accept it). The country is in safe and strong hands that will not tolerate any attempt to destroy this country and shatter its safety.”

Al-Asheikh warned the faithful against the enemies of Islam who are trying to distort the meaning of Islamic texts. “They have been trying to distort the meaning of the Holy Qur’an and traditions arguing that they are viewing the text from a different angle,” the scholar said.

The world is waiting for a savior and there is no savior but Islam, the sheikh said. He stressed the role of the Islamic economic system in rescuing the world from the woes of the current economic system. He urged Muslim industrialists to create an industrial environment that provides help to the poor Muslim communities to improve their lives.

Alsheikh called upon Muslim leaders to implement Shariah system in their countries and guarantee stability and security in their countries. He appealed the world leaders to desist from arms race and instead save money to end poverty.

Source - Arab News

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Heron species close up

Heron species close up

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Camera used : Sony Alpha 200 DSLR , with Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto lense
Location : Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

© NeeZhom Photographic

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Malaysian kids wheely portraiture

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Virus that turns your iPhone into a zombie

An iPhone virus that turns your mobile into a zombie has infected a number of handsets in Europe, a security firm has warned today.

Reports suggest the new worm, called 'Duh' or 'Ikee.B' by researchers, is spreading quickly in The Netherlands.

Some Dutch iPhone users visiting their online bank ING through their mobiles have reported being redirected to an imitation site by the worm, leaving them vulnerable to cyber criminals.

However, security analysts at Sophos say only jailbroken phones are at risk. Jailbreaking is a hacking process that allows devices to bypass the official App Store and run unapproved services.

Around four million out of 40million iPhones are believed to be jailbroken by their owners.

'Duh' can hunt for 'cracked' iPhones on a wide range of IP addresses including Australia, The Netherlands and Portugal.

The malicious virus appeared just two weeks after an Australian student created the first iPhone virus, which changed a user's wallpaper to a photo of singer Rick Astley.

Read more at - Dailymail.co.uk

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Indonesian man's sex organs chopped off

Police had a gruesome experience when they responded to a call from residents of the Taman Pelangi flats in Bukit Mertajam, Selangor, Malaysia on Tuesday.

They found the badly slashed and naked body of an Indonesian man in a bedroom at one of the units on the fourth floor of Block E.

The deceased’s penis and testicles had been chopped off and left next to the body. An Indonesian woman who was found injured in another bedroom in the unit has been arrested.

The woman, who had bruises on her face, was taken to the Seberang Jaya Hospital where she was admitted. She is in her 30s. It is learnt that she was still in a state of shock Wednesday.

Police also recovered a broken piece of the window pane glass which is believed to be the murder weapon, as well instruments for consuming drugs.

The woman had valid travel documents but police were investigating if the deceased, who was either in his 30s or 40s, was in the country legally.

Central Seberang Prai acting OCPD Supt Mohan Singh said the murder was believed to have been committed as early as 4am that day as several residents heard a loud quarrel and the throwing of things.

“We have yet to determine the relationship between the man and woman. We will investigate on the motive. We are also checking whether there was a quarrel between the two or if there was involvement of a third party,” he said.

Supt Mohan Singh did not reveal the identity of the victim whose body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for a post mortem.

He urged those with information or had witnessed the murder to contact investigation officer ASP Mohd Naim Asnawi at 019-5728844 or the nearest police station.

Via - Daily Chilli

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2 year old girl with brain of an 80-year-old

When two-year-old Blossom Burton suffered a rare stroke after contracting chicken pox, doctors thought she might never walk again.

The toddler, from Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, was left paralysed down her left side and spent a month in intensive care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Three months on and Blossom, who wears a foot splint, is going from strength to strength following intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Her parents Helen, 35, Andrew, 37, and her sister Olivia, 10, are delighted with her progress.

“The stroke is very rare and was caused by the chicken pox virus and there were concerns she would not walk again,” said mum Helen.

“We do not know whether she will get 100 per cent better but she is showing good signs of progress.

“She has coped amazingly well and she has always been a very independent, determined and happy girl. She may have to take an aspirin every day for the rest of her life to reduce the risk of having another stroke and the blood vessels in her brain are still healing.”

Helen said the family were extremely grateful to the Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, near Shrewsbury, for allowing them to use its pool free of charge. She said this had helped to build up her young daughter’s strength.

She said: “We would also like to thank Hillside House Nursery from the bottom of our hearts because we know their support and help has really helped Blossom’s recovery and she has come on in leaps and bounds.”

Nursery owner Janet Phillips said everyone was very fond of the youngster who will celebrate her third birthday on Tuesday.

Via - ShropShireStar

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Adolf Hitler's Mercedes car makes comeback?

Adolf Hitler's Mercedes has been bought by a Russian oligarch for an estimated five million pounds? But report from Reuters is not saying so.

Classic cars specialist Michael Froehlich said he found the bullet-proof touring car after charting its postwar travels from Austria to Las Vegas and back to Munich, where Hitler burst onto the political scene with a failed putsch in 1923.

"It was the best car in the world at the time. Better than the Bugatti, Bentley, Rolls Royce or whatever," Froehlich told Reuters from his office in Duesseldorf. "It was his favorite car: the one he used most often, which he used for parades."

After being commissioned by a Cypriot buyer to find the vehicle, Froehlich discovered it had been bought by a farmer near Braunschweig, where in 1932 local Nazi officials got Hitler a civil servant's job so he could claim citizenship.

"I thought it was an interesting job, but on the other hand I wasn't too thrilled, because my parents and grandparents suffered greatly under his regime," Froehlich said of the commission. The dark blue car, which Froehlich said had spent decades in the basement of the Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas, was recently sold by the heirs of a Munich brewing tycoon before he traced it "in under two months" to northern Germany.

Froehlich said reports the buyer was Russian were mistaken, and rejected the notion that past owners of the vehicle with the number plate "1A 148 461" were admirers of the dictator.

Froehlich declined to name the car's price tag, or give details about the buyer, but said the 1935 edition custom-made vehicle could fetch "more than 10 million euros ($14.91 million)." Though he had not yet had outside confirmation of the car's authenticity, the owner's paperwork left no doubt, he added.

"The Mercedes sales register shows this 770 K model was ordered for the Fuehrer and Chancellor of the Reich in 1935," he said.

Only 88 of the series were ever made and the Braunschweig car showed all the special modifications made for Hitler, who had to be driven because he had no "Fuehrerschein" - a German word made up from "driver" and "license" - Froehlich said.

The car was once part of a fleet used by the Nazi leader in his travels across Europe during the Second World War.

The midnight blue 770 K model car was locked away in a collector's garage in Bielefeld along with seven other vehicles used by Nazi leaders.

Michael Froehlich, a Duesseldorf car dealer, said he brokered the deal for the unnamed billionaire, who also bought the other vehicles in the collection.

Included among the collection was an identical Mercedes once owned by Joachim von Ribbentrop, the Nazi foreign minister who was hanged at Nuremberg for war crimes.

After the Second World War the car travelled the world, first going to Austria, then to a car museum in Las Vegas, then back across the ocean to a brewery tycoon in Munich and finally to the anonymous collector in the British army garrison town of Bielefeld.

Mr Froelich turned up the car's original papers and repair logs and matched the licence plate number - 1A 148461 - to photos of Hitler in the car.

Via - Reuters

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Amazing pictures from National Geographic International Photography Contest 2009

When the wave conditions are right a wave appears, infrequently, as a result of the splash back off the cliff connecting with an incoming wave.  This causes the incoming wave to pop up, creating fan-like shapes.

They are look like a two-headed penguin.

The effect of the Earth's shadow beyond this butte located in northern Arizona. The small tree in the foreground made the shot.

Curious gulls on Sanibel Island, Florida. Meet my friend, "Gull-i-Bel"!!!

This is a photo taken of the sun setting over a salt lake in Western Australia.

Puffin eating fish

On the same evening Governor Bobby Jindal signed dozens of controversial bills into law, lightning struck the capitol building in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

With a low, solid, overcast of clouds covering the launch site, they launched.

A type of lemur, a sifaka

Crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus)

July 13, 2009. A trio of black skimmers feeding at dusk in a pond on the beach in Santa Barbara, California.

While on the island of Bocas Del Toro, Panama, a brown vine snake is threatened by a potential predator ... a camera's lens.

A male gelada baboon on the Guassa Plateau of the Ethiopian Highlands enjoys a good grooming.

Masjid Selat Melaka is a new landmark in Melaka on the man-made island of Pulau Melaka near Malacca town. Masjid Selat Melaka is built along the coastline of Straits of Malacca, at the water level of the sea. So, in the evening at high tide, Masjid Selat Melaka looks like a floating mosque. This shot was taken on the day of Eid ul-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) is well suited for frigid weather, from its short muzzle and ears, to its furry-soled paws and thick, bushy tail. This photograph illustrates the camouflage effect of the winter white fur in the snow. The stance shows the fox is poised to dart away, yet his curiosity holds him in frame just long enough to capture those vibrant, piercing eyes staring warily into the camera lens.

A young snow monkey (Japanese macaque) is warming up in a hot spring in Japan.

National Geographic International Photography Contest 2009

More at National Geographic

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Pictures of the day - 25 November 2009

Patagonia, Argentina - by David H. Collier

Planet Earth

Crater lake - by Marc Adamus

Desert landscape, Bolivia 1998

Calm lake [Source]

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