World's oldest panda Ming Ming 'died in aged 34' in China

The world's oldest panda, Ming Ming, has been died in China aged 34, reports say.
Ming Ming died last week at the Xiangjiang Wild Animal World in Guangdong region, Chinese daily The Global Times reported.

The female panda had lives at Xiangjiang since 1998, but had also travelled to zoos in London and Ireland through her long life.

Vets found that her organs had deteriorated as a result of old age, leads to kidney failure.

Pandas do not generally live past the age of 22 in captivity, or 15 in the wild.
Ming Ming caused something of a diplomatic thing when she was sent to London Zoo in 1991 to mate with Berlin panda Bao Bao. She had to be returned to China after the two fought and failed to make any cubs.

Stunning debuts from New York International Auto Show 2011

This year's New York International Auto Show had more than a few thrilling launches. While not all of these will go into production, the following are the six cars on show for their first time that we desire to drive. Stay tuned for auto news of the more abstract and unusual variety tomorrow.

The design of VW's new Beetle pays homage to the initial beetle profile. The selection is somewhat of a departure from 1998's New Beetle, drawing deeper on the brand's past but with plenty of details looking toward the future. We mainly love the turbo version, the new led lighting and the Gibson sound system.

As the most powerful Jaguar road car ever released it's no surprise that the updated XKR-S wows with 550 HP and a top speed of 186mph. plus, it's stunning.

The new Audi A7 drew our eye right away, but truly shines on close inspection. With the functionality of a sedan and the feel of a coupe it has all with the faultless craftsmanship for which Audi is known.

Mercedes-Benz's C63 AMG Coupe sports complicated bodylines and an aggressive stance that gets it just right. 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph seal the deal.

Striking lines and a shiny design come together in this nontraditional concept of the age-old touring sedan. The Lexus LF-Gh is probably the boldest mixture of latest times. Designed for the low emission standards of the future and the fashion, performance and efficiency demands of today.

The Porsche Semper Vivus was the world's first performance hybrid car 111 years ago. A product of collaboration between Porsche engineering and the famed German coachbuilding company Karosseriebau Drescher, this dazzling replica was built by a very dedicated Porsche engineer and is just as elegant as the original.

World Cup over, it’s time to welcome IPL

The hangover from all the revelries after India's World Cup win last Saturday was still eminent as Delhi got prepared to host the first match of IPL-4. On a lazy Sunday, where the sun preferred to play hide-and-seek every day, Delhiites slowly started to saunter into the Ferozeshah Kotla as Delhi Daredevils got ready to face Mumbai Indians.

Even the much hassled Delhi cops were not pleased with the prospect of another cricket match close on the heels of the World Cup. "We have been asked to report on duty at 7 in the morning and have been moving this gun around from 7.30 for a match which begins at four in the afternoon," a constable, manning one of the gates at the Kotla, rued.

A huge roar went up in the air as MI skipper Sachin Tendulkar walked out for the toss followed by a bigger roar when Delhi captain Virender Sehwag won the toss. That was just the beginning of the party as the crowd progressively started filling in the 48,000 capacity stadium. The Bhangra boys – Daredevils' cheer squad – got a lukewarm response but the MI cheerleaders were lapped up. As it is, there was not much to do for the 'Bhangra squad' as Lasith Malinga snuffed the life out of the Daredevils.

Earthquake and tsunami information bulletin n° 4 in Japan

The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has assembled its staff and resources nation-wide and domestic donations are being received to help affected communities.
As of 20 March 2011, the number of confirmed deaths was 8,133, with 2,612 injured, 12,272 missing and 362,887 displaced and/or abandon. In addition, 14,413 houses were totally damaged and another 98,466 houses were spoiled as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Bad weather in the last few days is disrupting emergency relief efforts and evacuees are continuing cold weather. Priority requirements are fuel, temporary shelters, food, sanitation materials, clothing, medicines and household appliances.

Ten days into the tragedy, Japanese Red Cross continues to provide emergency relief, medical services and psychosocial support to exaggerated communities. As of 21 March, a total of 249 medical missions involving more than 735 persons were organized to the affected prefectures, with over 125,000 blankets and 20,700 emergency relief packs distributed at time of reporting.

100th anniversary of International women’s day - women power

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, we have much to feel great about. Opportunities for women are greatly better today in 2011 than they were in 1911 - and since 1920, we have even been able to vote in the United States! Economic opportunities for women are also very much improved, as is political participation.

International Women's Day marks a milestone this year, celebrating 100 years as a day of international celebration of women.

Washington show off its woman power. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard expressed their delight at meeting on such a favorable day.

Britain’s former first lady Cherie Blair was also at the State Department for the 2011 global Women of Courage Awards ceremony.

And the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, started her remarks with high admire for Hillary Clinton: “She is one heck of a Secretary of State. She has been a wonderful gift, not just to our country but to the rest of the world.”

Obama hosts Hu as world powers look for common ground

President Barack Obama is granting a generous welcome to Chinese President Hu Jintao as the world's two top powers seek common ground on economic and security issues.

Hu arrived in Washington for a four-day state vacation on Tuesday.
Hu will hold talks with Obama on Wednesday, and for the first time in 12 years, the U.S. president obama will host a state dinner for a Chinese leader at the White House.

Analysts say both Obama and Hu will be looking to tamp down distrust.

Many Americans blame China for America's high unemployment, and lawmakers are pushing legislation against Beijing's currency policy which they say gives unfair assist to Chinese exporters.

The two leaders will also talk about security concerns including North Korea's nuclear program.

The £1million price to the British taxpayer of caring for the world's fattest man

The world's fattest man has told how the breakup of a relationship with an older woman spurred him to binge eat his way to 70 stone. But it is the British taxpayer who must be the one feeling heartbroken.

Paul Mason, from Ipswich, was given life-saving bypass surgery last year and now weighs a moderately slim 37 stone. But his care bill costs taxpayers an estimated £100,000 a year and is supposed to have topped £1million over the last 15 years.

The 50-year-old former postman, who now travels by motorized wheelchair after being bedridden for years, claims his gargantuan size was not down to greed but the heartbreak he went through in his youth. He ate 20,000 calories a day - 10 times the recommended intake for a man. £100k-a-year care costs have racked up £1m bill for taxpayers.

His breakfast alone would be sufficient to exhaust the appetites of most normal people, comprising a complete packet of bacon, four sausages and four eggs complete with bread and hash browns.

Lunch would involve quadruple portions of fish and chips along with two kebabs while Mr Mason would munch on roast dinners, pizza, curries and more chips for his evening meal.