US carrier Carl Vinson stages war drills with South Korean Navy

The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on Saturday started a joint naval drill with the South Korean Navy in the East Sea amid heightened tensions from North Korea`s failed ballistic missile launch earlier in the morning, defence officials here said.

"South Korea and US strike forces began a drill in the East Sea from 6 p.m. today against the backdrop of the current security situation," the South Korean Navy said.

No specific schedule for the rendezvous was released to the media yet, but the exercise is expected to continue until sometime next week, Yonhap news agency reported.

At the core of the naval exercise lies the missile warning informational link exercise (LINKEX) that monitors, traces and intercepts any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) from North Korea.

"The exercise is the follow-up of the naval exercise in the Yellow Sea between the two navies on Tuesday. It is aimed at deterring North Korea`s provocations and strengthening the military readiness of the Korea-US alliance," the Navy said.

It would mark the Vinson`s second operation in South Korean waters in less than two months, an unusual move that comes amid military tensions in Korea.

The nuclear-powered flattop reportedly carries almost 100 aircraft. Its strike group also includes guided-missile destroyers and cruisers.

Earlier this week, the Vinson had joint drills with Japan`s naval forces.

North Korea is said to be fearing the powerful US strike group but its state media publicly claimed the Communist nation`s troops are ready to sink the aircraft carrier with a single strike.

Antarctica's 'Blood-falls': Scientists finally decode more than century-old mystery!

One of the oldest mysteries that has kept scientists completely baffled is more than a century old – the Antarctica's famous 'blood-falls'.

The blood-red waterfall was first discovered by an Australian geologist who theorized that it was made up of red algae.

In 2003, this theory was overlapped with one that believed that the water was coloured red by oxidized iron and perhaps the last remnants of a five million year old salt water lake.

Now, however, a new study carried out by the University of Alaska and Colorado College has questioned any previous theories made on the blood-falls, arguing that the water flows from a large lake of salty water that has been trapped under ice for one million years.

According to The Sun, scientists were able to track the path of the water under the glacier using echolocation technology.

As per the Fox News, much like the echolocation used by bats, the technique the scientists used to send and receive electrical signals in "grid-like patterns" through the glacier's ice led them to a find previously thought impossible: flowing liquid water existing in a frozen glacier.

‘We moved the antennae around the glacier in grid-like patterns so that we could ‘see’ what was underneath us inside the ice, kind of like a bat uses echolocation to ‘see’ things around it,’ co-author Christina Carr wrote.

While confirming that the glacier has its own water system, the researchers were nonplussed to find that the lake hadn't frozen despite being enveloped in a layer of ice for so long.

As water releases heat when it freezes the surrounding water continued to flow.

The discovery now opens the doors to "understanding the role of liquid water—salty or fresh—in other extremely cold glaciers or permafrost environments," co-author Jessica Badgeley adds, per a Colorado College press release, Fox News reported.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet captures the rising moon in all its stunning glory from the ISS! - See pic

 French astronaut Thomas Pesquet totally needs to take up photography as a side business. The photographs adorning his Twitter feed are all no less than stunning and we can't wait for more!

Although, the view that presents itself to him everyday is worth capturing, so we can't really blame him for getting tempted. We love the images, anyway.

In his first stint in space as a part of Expedition 51, Pesquet has been enjoying his role as a flight engineer for the International Space Station (ISS).

His excitement is pretty much credible as much as it is palpable to be gliding 250 kilometres above the Earth and that comes forth through the lens of his camera.

Even though, all the images he has shared till now have been absolutely mesmerising, his latest post is truly one of a kind and no, this time it is not the Earth.

Because, according to Pesquet, sometimes you need to 'look away from the Earth' to admire the beauty that is the universe.

Thomas Pesquet has captured the rising moon in all its glory and the end result is incredibly stunning!

He wrote: “The moon rising! Sometimes I look away from earth to admire the beauties space has to offer.”

Donald Trump says he's avoided New York City because it's expensive for US

President Donald Trump says he hasn't returned to his New York City home because "going back is very expensive for the country."

Trump tells Fox News in an interview Friday that he feels "guilty" when he returns to Trump Tower because authorities close surrounding streets and "I hate to see the New Yorkers with streets closed."

He says he goes to his clubs instead because they have "hundreds of acres" and streets stay open.

But Trump says he's always accused of "having fun" or playing golf at his clubs; he says he's always working.

The White House rarely acknowledges when Trump plays golf. 

Photos on social media sites are often the only clue that Trump has hit the links.

Trump is scheduled to visit New York City on Thursday.

SpaceX scheduled to make its first military launch on Sunday!

 In an effort to make rocket parts recyclable, rather than jettisoning the costly components after each launch, California-based space company SpaceX is all set to make its first military launch on Sunday, April 30.

The launch will take place with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, which makes and operates spy satellites for the United States.

No details were made public about the payload, known only as NROL-76, which was first announced last year.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is poised to blast NROL-76 into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida during a two-hour launch window which opens tomorrow at 7:00 am (1100 GMT).

About 10 minutes after launch, the tall portion of the rocket, known as the first stage, will power its engines and fly back toward Earth to make a controlled landing on solid ground at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX, headed by Internet entrpreneur Elon Musk, has already made several successful landings on solid ground and on platforms floating in the ocean, thus establishing a pioneering image for itself in the space world.

Until now, the US military has spent billions per year exclusively with United Launch Alliance, a joint operation of aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to launch government satellites.

SpaceX in 2014 filed suit against the US Air Force, saying it unfairly awarded billions of dollars to a single company for national security launches.

SpaceX also has a pair of launch contracts coming up for the Air Force to send GPS satellites into orbit.

If tomorrow's launch is postponed for any reason, another launch window opens on May 1.

8 Incredible Health Benefits and Uses for Rosemary

INCREASE BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN

Shakespeare’s Ophelia stated “there’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember.” New research shows that she was right. Rosemary has been found to increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn helps to oxygenate the brain. This could be one of the reasons why it is known to boost memory and concentration.

HELPS MEMORY FORMATION

Research in the journal Fitoterapia found that rosemary’s ability to prevent the natural breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, a critical brain communicator which tends to happen as we age, could hold an important key in the prevention and treatment of dementia. Acetylcholine is involved in the formation of new memories, so ensuring adequate amounts can be helpful for both short-term and long-term memory.

REDUCES PLAQUE BUILDUP IN THE BLOOD VESSELS

Research in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that regular consumption of rosemary can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. 

BOOSTS HAIR GROWTH

Excessive testosterone can cause hair thinning in both men and women. In an article published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, scientists found that applying an extract made of rosemary leaves improved hair regrowth in animals affected by excess amounts of testosterone. Scientists found that the rosemary extract appears to block dihydrotestosterone, an active form of testosterone, from binding to androgen receptor sites. In doing so, rosemary encouraged hair regrowth.

HELPS PREVENT AND TREAT PROSTATE CANCER

According to preliminary research published in the online journal PLoS One, one of rosemary’s many active compounds known as carnosic acid demonstrated selective activity against prostate cancer cells, as opposed to healthy cells. Obviously more research needs to be done, but this study suggests that rosemary extract may hold promise in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

REDUCES INFLAMMATION

Rosemary contains numerous anti-inflammatory compounds that make it an excellent choice to help with inflammatory conditions, which most are.

IMPROVES DIGESTION

Rosemary also contains compounds that boost digestion.

PACKS A SERIOUS PUNCH TO SUPERBUGS

Rosemary essential oil, as part of a blend of essential oils including cinnamon and oregano, has been found to have potent antibacterial and antiviral actions, including against the H1N1 virus as well as the antibiotic resistant bacterial infections S. aureus and S. pneumoniae.

Using Rosemary

COOKING

You can use the dried needles in your cooking. Rosemary is great in soups, stews and in roasted potatoes.

Add fresh sprigs or finely minced fresh rosemary needles to tomato sauces, omelettes and vegetable dishes, particularly roasted vegetables.

ROSEMARY HAIR TONIC

In a medium pot, bring one quart (or one liter) of water to a boil. Add two or three sprigs of fresh rosemary or two tablespoons of dried rosemary, turn off the heat and cover. Allow to sit for at least 20 minutes. Allow to cool then remove the rosemary sprigs and pour the liquid into a bottle. Store in the refrigerator up to one week. Pour the liquid over your scalp and leave it in your hair as it dries. Alternatively, spritz on your freshly washed, towel-dried hair daily. For best results continue daily for one to two months.

ROSEMARY TEA

Add two teaspoons of dried rosemary needles or a 4-inch sprig of fresh rosemary to boiled water, and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain and drink three cups daily.

ROSEMARY TINCTURE

Follow package instructions for the alcohol-extract you choose. A typical dose is 30 drops three times daily.

ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL

Choose a high quality, undiluted product and follow package instructions for use.

6 Ways to Alter Your Diet as You Age

Are you eating the same foods you were eating in your 20s and 30s? Well, sticking to your old ways can cost you. As you may know, the body experiences rapid changes after age 50. Its ability to absorb nutrients fades, metabolism slows down, bone density declines and immune function weakens.

To combat these changes and maintain optimal health, you have to change your diet. Here are diet changes that will keep you healthy at age 50 and beyond.

INCREASE INTAKE OF VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to anemia, digestive issues and fatigue. And it’s estimated that 47 million Americans are vitamin B12 deficient. In fact, 80 percent of vegans and 50 percent of vegetarians are deficient in B12.

You have greater risk of vitamin B12 deficiency after 50 since your body doesn’t have enough stomach acid to breakdown B12 from food. To make up for low vitamin B12 absorption, increase your intake of beef, fish, eggs, and milk. If you are vegan consume; fortified plant milks, fortified soy products, and vegan B12 supplements.

Unlike other nutrients which can be harmful when you go overboard, vitamin B12 is totally safe. According to Washington Post, this vitamin is water soluble, which means the body will flush excess amounts. 

GET MORE CALCIUM

According to research, bone loss triples in women after menopause. Increasing calcium intake will help keep the bones healthy and prevent fractures.

Calcium is also essential for muscle contractions and balancing pH levels (reducing acidity) in the body. The daily recommended calcium intake for women over 51 is 1200mg and 1000mg for men.

Here are the best vegan sources for calcium. Note that excess calcium intake can cause kidney stones, digestive problems and heart disease.

INCREASE FIBER INTAKE

High fiber foods have been proven to reduce risk of colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, constipation and promote weight loss. Unfortunately, most women don’t consume the recommended 25g per day (30g per day day for men).

If you want to prevent your waistline from expanding, increase fiber intake and steer clear of processed carbs.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D also helps prevent bone loss. You’ll even be surprised to find out that adequate intake of vitamin D can lower mortality rate, research shows.

It’s harder to get enough vitamin D as we age because our bodies absorb fewer nutrients from food sources. Plus the skin can’t change sunlight to vitamin D as efficiently as it used to when you were younger.

Get vitamin D from food sources such as whole eggs, salmon, mushrooms and fortified foods. In fact, you may need to supplement to reach the recommended daily dose. 

GET ENOUGH MAGNESIUM

The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 400mg. People who don’t reach this daily value have higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue and weak immune system.

If you choose to use supplements, make sure they don’t exceed 400mg. Here are foods that fix magnesium deficiency.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega 3s can help you stay young. They fight inflammation, which is known to increase risk of diseases and promote aging. Fish is the most popular source of omega 3s. Vegans can get this fatty acid from flaxseeds and almonds. Feel free to take supplements. Aim for 1000mg per day.