Tell-It-Like-It-Is: August 2011

Facebook changes privacy options

Facebook users will be asked to approve any postings that they are tagged in

Facebook has announced a major revamp of how users control their privacy on the site.

Among the changes, items posted online will each have their own sharing settings determining who can see them.
It is the latest in a long line of attempts by Facebook to streamline how members manage their personal information.

In the past, the social network has been criticised for seeming to bury privacy settings in obscure menus.

Postings will have their own unique privacy settings

Now when users are tagged in a posting - such as a photograph or video - they will have the option to confirm or remove their identity before it appears on their profile.
It is hoped the safeguard will eliminate the problem of malicious tagging, which is often used by cyberbullies who add other people's names to unpleasant images.
Other changes include:

In line controls - each item on a user's wall has individual privacy options, such as public, friends and custom
Tag takedown - the ability to remove tags of self, ask the person who tagged you to remove it, or block the tagger
Universal tagging - users can tag anyone, not just Facebook friends. Other person can choose not to accept the tagged post on their profile
Location tagging - geographic locations can be added in all versions of Facebook, not just mobile app
Profile view - the option to see how others view your profile is added above the news feed

Facebook's vice-president of product, Chris Cox said that the arrival of another privacy refresh did not necessarily mean the old system was confusing.
"I don't think the old controls were bad. I just think the new ones are much better," he told BBC News.
"The goal is just to make [the settings] more inline and more immediate, just right there in the profile."

Users can ask for tags of them to be removed or have the content deleted completely

Mr Cox also played down suggestions that Facebook might be improving its privacy controls as it prepares to extend access to children under 13 - something its founder Mark Zuckerberg has said he would like to see.
"This change is really just about the people that are on Facebook today and the new users who just joined today and making it easier for them.
"This really is not in any way about the under-13 experience," said Mr Cox.
He promised there would not be any unexpected changes to users' privacy settings during the changeover process.
Existing users will retain their current default sharing settings.
The first time new Facebook members share a piece of content, their default suggestion will be public - which replaces the "everyone" setting. If users select another option, that will become their default in future.
The new privacy options will begin to be rolled out across the site from Thursday 25 August.

The Champions League groups in full

Your guide to this season's Champions League groups with David Pleat's expert analysisThe Champions League is new territory for Manchester City, who face a difficult group. Photograph: Stringer/France/Reuters

GROUP A

Bayern Munich

League position 2010-11 3rd (Germany)
Champions League best Winners (2001) Player to watch: Mario Gómez
The striker scored eight goals in as many games in last year's Champions League, and 39 in all competitions Odds 20-1

Villarreal

League position 2010-11 4th (Spain)
Champions League best Semi-finals (2006) Player to watch: Giuseppe Rossi
The former Manchester United striker scored 32 goals last season and will be keen to impress on his return to the city Odds 66-1

Manchester City

League position 2010-11 3rd (England)
Champions League best First appearance Player to watch: Yaya Touré
Experience could be key in City's maiden Champions League campaign. Touré won the competition in 2009 with Barcelona Odds 11-1

Napoli

League position 2010-11 3rd (Italy)
Champions League best First appearance Player to watch: Edinson Cavani
The latest Uruguayan forward to thrive in Europe, Cavani scored 26 goals in 35 games to propel Napoli to third place in Serie A Odds 80-1

David Pleat's verdict

Since Louis van Gaal's departure, Jupp Heynckes has reinvigorated Bayern. The coach tends to favour a 4-2-3-1, with Mario Gómez his main scorer, having seen off the competition of Miroslav Klose, and has exciting wide players in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry. Thomas Mueller, too, and Bastian Schweinsteiger are fine providers. Indeed Bayern, despite not winning the Bundesliga last season, look the best of the German teams involved. Yet City can still defeat them over two games. Roberto Mancini's team will find Villarreal difficult opposition in Spain, where Giuseppe Rossi will continue to score regularly having been priced out of a move to England this summer by a high buy-out clause. Walter Mazzarri's Napoli are newcomers on this stage and may struggle to make an impact but Edinson Cavani, their Uruguay forward, will be a threat.
Predicted qualifiers: Man City and Bayern Munich

Fixtures

14 Sep: Man City v Napoli, Villarreal v Bayern
27 Sep: Bayern v Man City, Napoli v Villarreal
18 Oct: Man City v Villarreal, Napoli v Bayern
2 Nov: Villarreal v Man City, Bayern v Napoli
22 Nov: Napoli v Man City, Bayern v Villarreal
7 Dec Man City v Bayern, Villarreal v Napoli

GROUP C

Manchester United

League position 2010-11 1st (England)
Champions League best Winners (1999, 2008) Player to watch: Nemanja Vidic
Injury could rule him out of United's opening match but the tough centre-half will be crucial to the team's hopes in the knockout stage Odds 11-2

Benfica

League position 2010-11 2nd (Portugal)
Champions League best Quarter-finals (1995, 2006) Player to watch: Luisão
A Benfica backline missing David Luiz and Fábio Coentrão has been hit hard by recent player sales. The captain will need to be at his best Odds 125-1

Basel

League position 2010-11 1st (Switzerland)
Champions League best Group stage (2009) Player to watch: Xherdan Shaqiri
At 19 the midfielder is the first name on the Swiss national teamsheet. He scored against England last September Odds 500-1

Otelul Galati

League position 2009-10 1st (Romania)
Champions League best First appearance Player to watch: Gabriel Giurgiu pictured
The former Rubin Kazan midfielder is something of a late bloomer, making his Romania debut against Brazil in June at the age of 28 Odds 1250-1

David Pleat's verdict

The television companies will be disappointed with Manchester United's opponents given the English champions are the advertising money-spinner, but Benfica will be interesting rivals. They retain the Argentinians Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar and the winger Nolito, even if the likes of David Luiz and Fábio Coentrão have been lost. They should progress. Basel, under the stewardship of the German Thorsten Fink, play a more adventurous 4-4-2 these days. In Marco Streller they have a gifted if ageing scorer, while Benjamin Huggel is experienced. But this is a club that functions on an annual budget of £40m and will struggle to punch their weight. Once again, Romania have a contender in Otelul Galati, but they are merely there to make up the numbers so Uefa can mask the early stages.
Predicted qualifiers: Man Utd and Benfica
Fixtures
14 Sep: Benfica v Man Utd, Basel v Otelul Galati
27 Sep: Man Utd v Basel, Otelul Galati v Benfica
18 Oct: Otelul Galati v Man Utd, Basel v Baselenfica
2 Nov: Man Utd v Otelul Galati, Benfica v Benficaasel
22 Nov: Man Utd v Benfica, Otelul Galati v Basel
7 Dec: Basel v Man Utd, Benfica v Otelul Galati

GROUP E

Chelsea

League position 2010-11 Second (England)
Champions League best Runners-up (2008) Player to watch: Fernando Torres
The striker has shown improvement at the start of the season. Offers an alternative to the smash-and-grab style of Didier Drogba Odds 8-1

Valencia

League position 2010-11 Third (Spain)
Champions League best Runners-up (2000, 2001) Player to watch: Roberto Soldado
Led Valencia's scoring charts to propel his side to a third-place La Liga finish after signing from Getafe in 2010 Odds 50-1

Bayer Leverkusen

League position 2010-11 Second (Germany)
Champions League best Runners-up (2002) Player to watch: Stefan Kiessling
The Bundesliga's second highest scorer in 2009-10, injury limited his playing time last season but he still managed a goal every other game Odds 80-1

KRC Genk

League position 2010-11 Champions (Belgium)
Champions League best Group stage (2003) Player to watch: Thomas Buffel
Was fans' player of the season in 2009-10. The attacking midfielder was vital to Genk's title-winning season in 2010-11 Odds 500-1

David Pleat's verdict

Chelsea will be pleased that the familiar Michael Ballack will be an opponent, possibly partnered by the experienced German Simon Rolfes, 29, in midfield. Yet the vibrant days of Lúcio at centre-half and Dimitar Berbatov scoring goals for this club have long gone. Valencia boast some history and will be intimidating opponents at the Mestalla. Rafael Benítez will advise the young coach Unai Emery on any chinks in Chelsea's armour and Roberto Soldado is a good replacement for David Villa, but this is a club who have seen the cream of their talent leave in recent years. Genk have done well to emerge beyond Anderlecht, Standard Liège and Bruges and retain several promising Belgian youngsters who are emerging into the national team. But, while they will enjoy this experience, they are unlikely to threaten.
Predicted qualifiers: Chelsea and Valencia

Fixtures

13 Sep: Chelsea v Bayer, Genk v Valencia
28 Sep: Valencia v Chelsea, Bayer v Genk
19 Oct: Chelsea v Genk, Bayer v Valencia
1 Nov: Genk v Chelsea, Bayer v Valencia v Bayer
23 Nov: Bayer v Chelsea, Valencia v Genk
6 Dec: Chelsea v Valencia, Genk v Bayer

GROUP F

Arsenal

League position 2010-11 Fourth (England)
Champions League best Runners-up (2006) Player to watch: Jack Wilshere Arsenal need Wilshere on top form if they are to hit anything close to the heights of 2005-06, when they reached the final Odds 25-1

Marseille

League position 2010-11 Second (France)
Champions League best Winners (1993) Player to watch: Steve Mandanda Last year's Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year. Will hope good performances can win him a place for France at Euro 2012 Odds 66-1

Olympiakos

League position 2010-11 Champions (Greece)
Champions League best Quarter-final (1999) Player to watch: Albert Riera Providing more assists than anyone else in the Greek Superleague last season, the winger was vital to Olympiakos's title win Odds 250-1

Borussia Dortmund

League position 2010-11 Champions (Germany)
Champions League best Winners (1997) Player to watch: Mario Götze Götze's technical skill and creativity in midfield has set tongues wagging around Europe Odds 33-1

David Pleat's verdict

Arsenal will travel to the intimidating Vélodrome, where Didier Deschamps is overseeing a more prudent Marseille these days even if the owner, Robert Louis-Dreyfus, has invested to a point. Loïc Rémy and André Ayew are dangerous forwards, while Rod Fanni and Stéphane Mbia are reliable defenders. Olympiakos's passion at home should be easily quelled by Arsenal, and I see them as the weakest team in the group despite being drawn from pot three. Dortmund had a tremendous season with a young manager, at 44, in Jürgen Klopp who has taken the Bundesliga by storm. Mario Götze is an outstanding midfielder, while Ivan Perisic, the Croat who was the leading scorer in the improving Belgian league last season with 22 goals, will catch the eye. They are a threat.
Predicted qualifiers: Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund

Fixtures

13 Sep: Dortmund v Arsenal, Olympiakos v Marseille
28 Sep: Arsenal v Olympiakos, Marseille v Dortmund
19 Oct: Marseille v Arsenal, Olympiakos v Dortmund
1 Nov: Arsenal v Marseille, Dortmund v Olympiakos
23 Nov: Arsenal v Dortmund, Marseille v Olympiakos
6 Dec: Olympiakos v Arsenal, Dortmund v Marseille

Group B:

Internazionale, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor
David Pleat's verdict Inter have enjoyed a slight resurgence with the same old guard, but I would not expect them to go too far in the competition. Lille, if they retain the clever Eden Hazard, could be the team most likely to challenge them for the top spot in this section.
Predicted qualifiers: Internazionale and Lille

Group D:

Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb
David Pleat's verdict This is tricky to predict. Zagreb will be difficult hosts, Ajax will play football, while Lyon have recent experience but, under Rémi Garde, they face a task to be as prominent as in recent years. Real Madrid, of course, have the untouchable José Mourinho.
Predicted qualifiers: Real Madrid and Ajax

Group G:

Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, FC Apoel
David Pleat's verdict
Travelling east will not be easy for Porto, but they continually have a big presence as a result of their brilliant scouting system. Expect the Europa League holders to go through. Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St Petersburg are wealthy and awkward opponents.
Predicted qualifiers: Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk

Group H:

Barcelona, Milan, Bate Borisov, Viktoria Plzen
David Pleat's verdict Barcelona, the holders, have a comfortable group and should qualify most easily with Milan, who should consider themselves fortunate to have benefited from the presence of two of the weaker opponents from pots three and four.
Predicted qualifiers: Barcelona and Milan

Couples who don't have sex before marriage are happier, study claims

Couples who do not have sex before marriage have happier more stable relationships and a more rewarding sex life, according to a new study.

More than 2,000 married couples were questioned as part of a study by the Brigham Young University's School of Family Life in Utah Photo:

Psychologists found that couples who waited until after their wedding night rated the stability of their relationships 22 per cent higher than those whose physical relationships developed earlier.

Those who practised abstinence were also found to have 20 per cent increased levels of relationship satisfaction, 12 per cent better communication and 15 per cent improved "sexual quality".

Experts said that this may be due to improved communication between individuals who were chaste before marriage.

More than 2,000 married couples were questioned as part of a study by the Brigham Young University's School of Family Life in Utah.

Prof Dean Busby, who carried out the study, said: "There's more to a relationship than sex, but we did find that those who waited longer were happier with the sexual aspect of their relationship. I think it's because they've learned to talk and have the skills to work with issues that come up."

For couples that became sexually involved later in a relationship but prior to marriage, the benefits were about half as strong, according to findings published in the Journal of Family Psychology.
Although vows of chastity often accompany religious involvement researchers claimed that faith was not a factor in the study.
"Regardless of religiosity, waiting helps the relationships form better communication processes, and these help improve long-term stability and relationship satisfaction," said Prof Busby.
Paula Hall, a sex psychotherapist for Relate, said: "People who wait will have found a lot of other ways of communicating forms of affection for each other. They may spend more time talking about their expectations.
"Ultimately though sex is always about communication and that is key regardless of whether you are married or not."
Last year the Church of England invited couples who have already had children outside marriage for the first time to get married in church despite Christian teaching against sex before marriage.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics published last year showed the proportion of the population getting married had dropped to its lowest level since records began, in 1862. Women under 25 are more likely to have had a baby than to be married while 44 per cent of British children are now born out of wedlock.

Bridesmaid attends wedding ... via iPad

Footage from the wedding video of Jonathan Alberico and Jamie Wilborn in Denver, dated Saturday, August 13. Credit: ette16 via YouTube

During the YouTube video of the wedding of Jonathan Alberico and Jamie Wilborn, the officiant mentions "what is new, unexpected, unprecedented." While he was presumably talking about matters of the heart, a genuinely unprecedented phenomenon was occurring in the couple's own wedding party: One of the bridesmaids appeared only virtually, via iPad.
"Renee called dibs to be my bridesmaid many many moons ago and unfortunately she couldn't physically make it out here but thank you, technology," says Jamie, on the YouTube video, holding up a white iPad that framed her friend's face. "Here is Renee. She got to see the whole ceremony, she got to meet everyone and be here for the reception."
The "live via satellite" concept isn't new, and surely there are other examples of people webcamming in to tele-celebrate the nuptials of loved ones, but the iPad and other tablets represent a fully portable situation: Renee could actually be in the wedding, indeed, in the arms of a groomsman who probably would have balked at a 5-lb. laptop.
The only awkward part of the video was at the beginning, when Renee's escort starts down the aisle, hand gripping the iPad. Wedding attendees chuckled, and the man looked a bit bashful. But by the time the ceremony began, he seemed to have a handle on things.
As for Renee, she seems to have felt as if she really was there. "I got all teary-eyed during the ceremony, and I couldn't have gotten that from pictures," she says on the video.
More from TODAY.com's Digital Life:

Clinical Man Utd defeat Tottenham

Homegrown striker Welbeck celebrates his crucial opener at Old Trafford

Manchester United swept Tottenham aside in impressive fashion as the Premier League champions made a powerful statement of intent at Old Trafford.

Spurs were without unsettled Luka Modric as he continues to be linked with a £30m move to Chelsea - and he was sadly missed as United overpowered Harry Redknapp's side after an evenly-contested first half.
Sir Alex Ferguson embarked on an expensive summer rebuilding programme, but it was United's home-grown talent that built the platform for their second successive win as they go in search of a 20th domestic title.

DID YOU KNOW?

Danny Welbeck's only other Manchester United Premier League goal came against Stoke on 15 November, 2008

With England coach Fabio Capello an interested observer, Danny Welbeck headed in Tom Cleverley's cross just after the hour and the young striker then produced a wonderful instinctive flick to set up a second for Anderson.
Wayne Rooney completed the formalities with a pinpoint late header from Ryan Giggs's centre to extend Spurs' miserable sequence of 22 years without a win at Old Trafford.

Click to play

Welbeck optimistic about youthful squad

United's new goalkeeper David de Gea suffered more uncertain moments of handling but Phil Jones, another summer acquisition from Blackburn, ensured injured Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were not missed with an outstanding performance.
The hosts' new arrivals made an impact early on as Jones and Ashley Young led a sweeping counter attack before Cleverley brought a fine fingertip save from the stretching Brad Friedel on his Spurs debut.
De Gea, watched from the directors' box by his predecessor Edwin van der Sar, was a focus of attention after early blunders following his summer move from Atletico Madrid and he needed to show neat footwork as Rafael Van der Vaart threatened to catch him in possession.
Young's movement was presenting problems for Spurs and he was inches away from giving United the lead with a looping header from Rooney's cross with Friedel stranded as he scrambled back towards goal.
Spurs wasted an opportunity to strike just after the break when Aaron Lennon was desperately wasteful with a cross inside the area, an incident that saw Van der Vaart pull his shirt over his head in fury.
It was the signal for United's most concerted spell of pressure - a decisive phase of the game that eventually led to them taking the lead just after the hour.

Click to play

Redknapp keen to bolster Spurs squad

Friedel excelled once more with a fine double save from Anderson and Rooney, but he was powerless to prevent Welbeck taking advantage of Cleverley's inviting delivery by glancing a fine header into the corner.
United were carrying all the momentum and threat, with Friedel in acrobatic action again to save Rooney's free-kick as it seemed destined for the top corner and Welbeck's ambitious overhead kick.
Welbeck was oozing confidence after his goal and he illuminated Old Trafford with his part in Anderson's second 14 minutes from time. He took Anderson's pass inside the area before delivering an instant backheel which the midfield man took in his stride to score.
Tottenham rallied briefly and Jermain Defoe volleyed against the post following a rare De Gea error, the Spaniard flapping at a cross and allowing the Spurs striker to strike the woodwork from the angle.
But Rooney's third was simply confirmation of United's superiority as they move into second place behind neighbours Manchester City in the table.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "The second-half performance was absolutely fantastic.
"It was a fast game in the first half, it was end-to-end. Tottenham had a lot of possession, but in the second half we just took off."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp: "I'm sure [Luka] Modric will stay. The chairman has made his mind up."

When To Take Heartburn Seriously: The Word on GERD

Visualization is courtesy of TheVisualMD.com

For many people, all it takes is eating that one extra doughnut or going to bed on a very full stomach. An uncomfortable burning sensation creeps into the throat or chest, and it doesn’t go away until you take some antacid. Almost everyone experiences occasional heartburn or acid reflux (regurgitation of stomach fluid).In fact, 60 million Americans report getting heartburn at least once a month. Occasional heartburn or reflux is not something to worry about.
But if you have more two or more heartburn or acid reflux episodes every week, or if the attacks interfere with your life and keep you awake at night, you should see your doctor. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it’s not something you should ignore: In rare cases, GERD can be a precursor to esophageal cancer.
What is GERD? GERD is a condition in which acid that belongs in your stomach backs up into your food pipe, or esophagus. It happens when a sphincter muscle at the base of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time. Normally, this muscle releases when you swallow to let food and liquid enter your stomach and then closes again. In people who have GERD, the muscle is weakened and it stays open when it should close. Stomach acid flows backwards into the esophagus. The stomach lining is designed to handle this acid, but the esophagus is not: The acid irritates and inflames the lining of the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
The chronic inflammation of the esophagus caused by GERD not only creates discomfort, it can also lead to several complications. Scar tissue that forms when acid damages cells in the esophageal lining can narrow the food pipe, making it hard to swallow. The acid can also cause painful, bleeding sores or ulcers to form on the esophagus that also make it difficult to swallow.
A third complication caused by GERD comes from microscopic changes that make the lining of the esophagus more like the lining of the intestine. These changes, known as Barrett’s esophagus, are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. While esophageal cancer is relatively rare—about 1% of cancers diagnosed—people who have Barrett’s esophagus have as much as eight times the risk of getting this cancer.
If you think you may have GERD, it’s important to get a diagnosis from your doctor, since the disease can be confused with other conditions. In addition to heartburn and acid reflux, symptoms of GERD include a sour taste in your mouth, a dry cough or hoarseness, a sore throat, and chest pain. If you experience chest pain, seek medical attention immediately, since it may be the symptom of a heart attack.
Preventing and treating GERD Changes in diet and lifestyle can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of GERD and also lower your risk of developing the disease in the first place.
• Watch your weight If your weight is within the normal range, you are less likely to develop GERD, so stay vigilant about keeping extra pounds from creeping on. If you are overweight, lose the extra pounds. Obesity is linked to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in GERD symptoms and a 2- 2.5-fold increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. Being overweight puts pressure on your abdomen, which pushes up your stomach, which in turn causes acid to back up. (Pregnancy has a similar effect, which is why many pregnant women complain of heartburn.)
Talk to your doctor about a gradual weight loss plan that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains—and regular exercise. Aim for a body mass index of less than 25 if you are female and less than 26 if you are male, and you’ll lower your chances of getting GERD. No matter what your weight, avoid wearing clothes that are tight around the waist, since that also puts pressure on your abdomen.
• Avoid trigger foods Certain foods weaken the sphincter muscle at the base of the esophagus and also irritate the lining of the esophagus. If you have GERD, notice which foods trigger your symptoms and stay away from them. Common trigger foods include tomatoes and citrus fruits, fatty or fried foods, tea, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol, mint, garlic, onions, and spicy foods.
• Go easy at mealtime Don’t stuff yourself. Eat smaller meals so your stomach isn’t filled to the brim. And wait at least three hours before lying down after a meal. Stomach acid can flow into the esophagus more easily when you lie down. For the same reason, sleeping with the head end of your bed elevated can help relieve nighttime symptoms. Use blocks to raise the head of the bed or put a wedge under your mattress. Using pillows to elevate your head is not considered to be effective.
• Quit smoking If you smoke, stop. Smoking can impair the functioning of the esophagus’s sphincter muscle and increase your risk of GERD.
• Medication and other remedies While lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms of GERD, many people find they need to combine changes in diet with medication to relieve the symptoms of GERD. Over-the-counter antacids can provide temporary relief of heartburn by buffering the effects of the acid, but overuse can cause side effects. Another type of medication called H-2 receptors (Pepcid AC is an example), gives longer relief. A third medication, called protein pump inhibitors (PPI), actually blocks acid production, giving the inflamed esophagus a chance to heal. A long-term side effect of PPIs is vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because the parietal cells in the stomach that produce stomach acid also produce a protein called intrinsic factor (IF), a glycoprotein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. However, recent studies suggest while this may be a problem for elderly patients (where B12 deficiency is a common disorder), most patients consuming a normal diet will not experience clinically significant B12 deficiency, taking into account that the usual human diet contains far more B12 than required. Long-term use of PPIs at high doses may also increase the risk of hip fracture in people over 50, possibly by reducing calcium absorption, according to a 2006 study. Your doctor can help you decide which, if any, of these medications make sense for you to use and whether you should take calcium supplements with PPI medication.
In rare cases where medication combined with lifestyle changes doesn’t relieve GERD, surgery is sometimes used to treat GERD. One procedure, known as Nissen fundoplication, involves reinforcing the lower esophageal muscle by wrapping the stomach muscle around it. Another involves stitching closed part of the stomach to prevent acid from washing back into the esophagus (EndoCinch endoluminal gastroplication). And another type of surgery uses heat to form scar tissue as a way of strengthening the lower esophageal muscle (Stretta procedure). According to a 2006 review, however, more research is needed to determine how effective these surgical approaches are at actually reducing acid reflux and inflammation of the esophagus. That’s why your best bet is to make healthy lifestyle choices that will help you avoid getting GERD and get the symptoms under control early on.

Gold hits record high of $1,900 on global growth fears

Demand for traditional safe-havens such as gold rises during times of economic uncertainty

The price of gold has crossed $1,900 per ounce mark for the first time on growing concerns about a slowdown in the global economy.

The precious metal rose 0.9% to $1,913.50 an ounce in Asian trade.
Fears of a slowdown in the US and the debt crisis in Europe have spurred demand for gold which is seen as a safe investment in times of uncertainty.
Analysts said that with further US monetary stimulus looking likely, gold prices could rise even further.
"For the time being investors are happy looking at gold as safe haven in these troubled times, and will continue to do so until we see something positive and sustainable." said Darren Heathcote of Investec Australia.
Dollar vs gold? Analysts said demand for gold was also being driven by speculation that the US Federal Reserve may announce new stimulus measures in a bid to boost the economy.
Central bank governors from across the globe are scheduled to gather for their annual meeting at the Jackson Hole summit later this week.
There is growing speculation that Ben Bernanke, the governor of the US central bank, may announce fresh stimulus measures in his speech at the summit.
"The idea for QE2 was conceived during the Jackson Hole summit last year," Ong Yi-Ling of Phillip Futures told the BBC.
"So the markets are hoping similar measures could be announced at this year's speech and that is spurring demand for gold."
Colin Whitehead of Fat Prophets added "If they push through with more stimulus, gold could rise even further,"
He explained that a fresh stimulus package would mean that the US will have to print more money to boost liquidity in the markets, which in turn could see the US currency weaken further.
"The underlying driver of gold prices is the depreciating US dollar value," he said, "so the more money they print, the stronger gold gets."

Kim Kardashian - Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries Wed In Montecito

Kim Kardashian and basketball player Kris Humphries have exchanged vows at a private estate in Montecito, California.
The couple wed on Saturday evening (20Aug11).
Kardashian wore a custom Vera Wang gown reportedly inspired by the dress Pippa Middleton wore to the royal wedding in England in April (11). The bridesmaids and Kardashian's mother also wore Vera Wang dresses.
Celebrity guests included Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan and Melanie Brown, who had feared her pregnancy would keep her from the big day.
Earlier this week (beg15Aug11) she told Access Hollywood, "I'm hoping I'm gonna be there. Obviously I want to see my friend get married and it looks like it's gonna be a beautiful evening, it's gonna be a beautiful wedding. So, fingers crossed."
Basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard were also present at the nuptials, as were members of Humphries' New Jersey Nets team.
Prior to the big event, Kardashian took to her Celebuzz.com blog to thank friends and family who had helped her plan the wedding, and urged fans to leave a comment in her Virtual Wedding Guestbook on the site.
She wrote, "I can't believe it's finally here! Thank you so much to everyone who made this day happen!!!!! You guys mean the world to me, and I want to thank you for all your love and support."
Meanwhile, proud mum Kris Jenner used her blog to honour her daughter on the morning before the ceremony.
She wrote, "Kimberly, I still remember you as a little girl playing dress up in my closet like it was yesterday!! I can’t believe the time has flown by so fast.. I am so very proud of you and I am so happy you have found such happiness!
"I know you and Kris will be very happy together and you have found someone to grow old with. You will always be my little princess angel, and you are going to make the most amazing wife. You are truly blessed. I love you with all my heart."

Teeth brushing mistakes you're making

You most certainly brush your teeth, as you're keen on having a pleasant breath and a nice, white smile.
But are you brushing correctly? Are you doing it at the right time?
We've compiled a guide to common brushing mistakes, and how to do it right.

You are brushing at the wrong time

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, though three times is better.
Brushing before bed is a must. Removing bacteria from your mouth prevents them from attacking your teeth overnight.
In the morning, brush your teeth before breakfast, to remove the bacteria and plaque that has accumulated overnight.
You can also brush after lunch, but not more. Brushing too often can damage your gums.

You're brushing and spitting

Once you've brushed your teeth, you probably rinse your mouth with water to get rid of the toothpaste flavour.
This is a mistake. You should not rinse your mouth, merely spit out the toothpaste.
This will leave a coating of fluoride on your teeth, which helps prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the chemical processes of plaque bacteria.

You’re not brushing for long enough, or too long

A quick once over will not do.
You should brush 2 to 3 minutes each time.
Anything less, and you may not properly clean your teeth.
Brushing for too long may irritate your gums.

You are using the wrong toothbrush

If you shop for your toothbrush on the basis of price or colour, think again.
The key thing in choosing a toothbrush is head size and bristle hardness.
The brush should be the right size for your mouth, not too big. You can tell it's too big if you're struggling to open your mouth wide to brush.
Buy a brush with bristles that are soft, as hard bristles can irritate your gums, especially if you brush too hard.
The bristles should be able to remove the plaque but not damage your teeth.

You're brushing the wrong way

The recommended way to brush your teeth is not with horizontal strokes along your gums.
Instead, the current method recommended by the British Dental Health Foundation is to place the brush at 45 degrees against your gum line and move it in small circular movements on all the surfaces of every tooth.
Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower, keeping the bristles angled against the gum line.
Brush the biting surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the front part of the brush.
Finally, brush your tongue. This will remove bacteria from its surface and freshen your breath.

You’re not rinsing your toothbrush enough

Bacteria grows on your toothbrush, so it is important to rinse it before and after use.
It will also remove any toothpaste that may be left on the brush.
After rinsing the brush, shake out the moisture, as a moist brush is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Your toothbrush is too old

The longer you use your toothbrush, the more bent and misshapen the bristles will be, which undermines their effectiveness.
You should replace your brush every three months, or once your bristles have lost their flexibility.

You're not flossing

You may be diligent at brushing your teeth, but if you're not flossing regularly, you're failing to clean your teeth properly.
Bits of food will get stuck between your teeth in places where the bristles don't reach. The food will decay and bacteria will attack your teeth and gums.
The only way to remove food may be by flossing, which is why you should make a habit of doing so daily.
Buy the right floss for your teeth - waxed if you have closely spaced teeth, or tougher floss if you have rough tooth edges.
Make sure you use enough floss, as reusing it may simply move bacteria between teeth.

Dating advice: The age of romance

Whatever our life stage, lifestyle or background, we’re all connected by one common theme - the quest for love – but how does our life stage affect our attitudestowards looking for the one and stepping into the world of online dating. Independent Singles takes a look.

Twenty-somethings

Work, active lifestyles, university, large social groups and a wealth of opportunities all mean that the twentysomethings of our generation are never short of new people to meet. So why do so many turn to online dating? For people in their 20s, the dating website has become an extension of their online persona. Weaned on a diet of Facebook, Twitter and various other forms of social media, accustomed to shopping, banking, chatting, sharing music and so on on the net, they've slotted online dating into their normal lives effortlessly. Sitting comfortably next to the club, workplace or bar, it’s simply social networking (where you nurture existing relationships as opposed to forming new ones) in reverse, and another way to seek a mate.

So what are they looking for? Typically, at this stage in their lives, twenty-somethings want it all. They’re looking for looks, money, ambition, honesty and above all, someone who they can build a future with. In particular, a study carried out by Netmums and Saga Magazine found that younger women are likely to be seduced by a high-flyer, with their perfect man typified by the wealthy ‘Mr Big’ character from the TV series Sex and the City.

Middle of the road

Middle of the road daters - in other words, people in their 30s and 40s, usually comprise of those who are in the market looking for a second- or third-time love, possibly due to divorce and usually as a single parent. With relationship breakdown on the increase, we’re now seeing a significant rise in the number of divorcees entering the dating scene. Similarly, with the rise in the number of children born outside of matrimony, the number of single parents searching for a new partner has increased accordingly.

According to a report from Love Geist, ‘being a single parent is no longer a taboo in the UK - the combination of falling marriage rates, the growth in the number of people choosing to cohabit rather than marry, and a variety of other socio-economic factors has meant that the number of single parents has grown substantially over recent years.’

Technology has played a huge role in allowing lone parents, and those who may be inexperienced in the ways of modern dating - due to coming out of the security of a long term relationship - to meet potential new partners. As social norms change and traditional relationships break down, online dating provides the perfectportal for those singles looking for new romance, whilst at the same time juggling everything that everyday life throws at them.

Silver Surfers

Online dating opens up a whole new arena for those people who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to find love.

This couldn’t be more apparent than from mature dating sites, with the 50+ demographic proving to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the market. It’s easy to see why too, considering this segment of the marketconsists of around 78 million baby boomers, with 30 per cent of them being single. In a culture that caters predominantly to the young, online dating has offered those dating in their later years, an easily accessible means of meeting new partners. With technology being very much at the heart of modern society it’s now a case of‘if you can beat them, join them.’

Using cutting-edge technology to cultivate age-old emotions, this age-group of online daters are looking for more deep-rooted qualities such as reliability, friendship, and kindness. Unlike the twentysomethings who are aroused by ambition, the mature daters have been there and done that, so to speak, andare consequently looking for mutually accepting companionship with a Mr or Mrs Sensible type.

Love at all ages

There’s no doubting that when it comes to online dating one mould certainly doesn’t fit all. With this in mind, Independent Singles caters for different age groups, offering a singles site which caters for the younger and middle-of-the-road daters, and a Mature site catering for the silver surfers.

So whatever stage you’ve arrived at, live life to the full with Independent Singles.

Cocksure Bolt eyes Worlds defence

Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, predicted on Saturday he would retain his world 100 metres title in Daegu, South Korea, easily this month provided he gets a decent start.

"If I get a good start...it won't be a problem for me," the lanky Jamaican told Reuters in an interview on the eve of his 25th birthday. "I think I will win with ease. When I get into my running stride I don't think anybody can match it, no matter my shape."
The 100 metres preliminaries take place on the first day of the championships on August 27 with the final on the following day. Bolt, whose 2010 season was curtailed because of injury, starts his 200 metres title defence on September 3.
Bolt said his primary aim was to defend his titles.
"There won't be any records here," added Bolt who smashed the world marks in the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and again at the world championships in Berlin in the following year.
"Just to defend my titles, that is the main aim for me.
"A lot of people will be wanting a fast time so I think 9.7 (seconds) should be good," he said of the 100 metres.
Bolt's team-mate Asafa Powell is the fastest man this year, clocking 9.78 seconds in Lausanne in June. His time is a tenth of a second quicker than anything the world record holder has managed this season.
"The injury kind of threw me off a lot," said Bolt. "I really couldn't push myself early season because you have to take it slowly. You can't really rush back into it."
Bolt said his biggest problem was his start.
"It was like starting over for me for the start," the Jamaican said. "It's hard to run when you are race rusty so to me it is just getting back into running."
Bolt, speaking after showing off his new gold, black and green Jamaican-coloured running spikes to a group of women dressed in traditional Korean costume, said his training was going well and we was ready to run.
"When I came here I felt that emotion," he said. "When I saw people cheering for me in the airport I could feel that championship vibe coming on."

Why drink bottled water?

Bottled water or tap water? The answer very much depends on how much you believe the hype.
Many Brits certainly do. Bottled water is a £2 billion business annually in the UK, and brands from across the world compete for precious shelf space.
It's big business, and it's global: About a quarter of all bottled water is exported to another country, or about 22 million tonnes of it annually.
So why buy it? A study by Birmingham University found that people tend to believe that bottled water is somehow healthier, but don't know why.
Perhaps because it costs more. Bottled water costs around 500 times more compared to the stuff that comes out of the tap. A survey of bottled waters by consumer watchdog Which even found a bottled variety that cost 13,000 times more than tap.
Manufacturers would have you believe that bottled water is naturally cleaner, tastier and more "microbiologically wholesome," than tap water.
You can't begrudge them their wily marketing, but many in fact get their water from - wait for it - municipal water systems, the same place that your tap water comes from.
And there is nothing natural about the way many bottled waters land on your restaurant table or shop shelf.
Aside from the oil used to manufacture the plastic containers, bottled water has a much higher carbon footprint per litre than tap.
Producing and transporting bottle water results in hundreds of times more CO2 emissions per litre and that's before considering the impact the plastic bottles have on the environment - only around a quarter are recycled.
Ok, so it's not 'green' to drink bottled water, but what about health? Isn't tap water full of bad stuff?
If you live in a country where water standards may be poor, or even dangerous, then you have cause for concern.
But if you live in Britain, you can rest assured that it has been filtered, chlorinated and tested extensively, and is perfectly safe to drink, in fact, one of the safest in the world.
You may buy bottled water because it tastes so much better than the tap stuff.
But does it really? Two studies conducted in France and Northern Ireland found that water tastes like... water.
The majority of people in a blind taste test could not distinguish between bottled water and chilled tap water.
In the Irish study, the researchers wrote: "The findings from this study indicate that people cannot correctly identify bottled water on the basis of its flavour."
This "suggests that the currently high consumer demand for this beverage must be based on factors other than taste or olfactory perception."
That said, tap water can taste from different region to region. It may contain different amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can affect the flavour. Some parts of Scotland have particularly soft water with low levels of calcium compared with other parts of the country.
If it bothers you that much, the solution is to pour tap water into a jug and put it in the fridge, or even buy a water filter. This ought to make it more palatable. Then smile smugly at the thought of the money you have just saved.

Cesc Fabregas has medical in Barcelona hospital

Fabregas has made 303 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 57 goals

Cesc Fabregas is a step closer to becoming a Barcelona player after starting the first of two medicals in the Spanish city.

On Sunday, Arsenal and Barca confirmed an "agreement in principle" over the sale of Fabregas.
He will discuss personal terms and is expected to be unveiled at 1300 BST after signing his contract.
It means the 24-year-old is set to return to the team he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
"We understand Cesc's desire to move to his home-town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Analysis

Dan Roan,
BBC sports news correspondent

Arsenal have lost one of their most talented ever players, but Fabregas's departure will provoke as much relief as it does disappointment among the club's fans. The way he and Barcelona bullied Arsenal into submission reflected poorly on both. Arsenal deserved better and it is now time for them to move on. Finding a replacement for Fabregas (and soon Samir Nasri) will not be easy, and one wonders how much damage this saga has done to Arsene Wenger's motivation

"We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case.
"We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success."
Barcelona have been chasing Fabregas since last summer. As BBC Sport revealed on Friday, Arsenal will receive a guaranteed £30m transfer fee, with a further £5m dependent on the number of games played and trophies won by the Spaniard during his time at the Nou Camp.
News of the deal was confirmed at half-time of the first leg of Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup match against Real Madrid on Sunday, which ended 2-2.
The Spanish champions stated on their official website that Fabregas is scheduled to sign his contract at 1130 BST before being unveiled to the media at 1300 BST. Meanwhile, Wenger will have to face the media ahead of Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Udinese.
Fabregas trained with his Arsenal team-mates for the final time on Friday morning and was not part of Wenger's squad for Saturday's Premier League opener against Newcastle, which finished 0-0.

BIGGEST BRITISH TRANSFERS

£80m Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd - Real Madrid)
£50m Fernando Torres (Liverpool - Chelsea)
£38m Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid - Man City)
£35m Andy Carroll (Newcastle - Liverpool)
£32.5m Robinho (Real Madrid - Man City)

He had missed the club's summer tour of Asia as well as other pre-season games, including the Emirates Cup, because of a hamstring injury.
The Spaniard, who has 58 caps for his country, made 303 appearances for the Gunners during his eight-year spell in north London, scoring 57 goals in all competitions.
In October 2003, he became Arsenal's youngest first-team player when he made his debut against Rotherham United in the Carling Cup aged 16 years and 177 days.
He also became the club's youngest goalscorer when he netted against Wolves in a 5-1 win that December. Fabregas was part of the Arsenal team that beat Manchester United on penalties to win the 2005 FA Cup, which turned out to be his only major trophy with the Gunners.
He went on to become Arsenal captain in November 2008. Striker Robin van Persie is likely to take over as the new permanent Arsenal skipper, although he will be suspended for the Udinese match after being shown a red card against Barcelona in the Champions League last season.
When quizzed on the futures of Fabregas and Samir Nasri - who BBC Sport understands is close to a move to Manchester City - at a news conference on Friday, Wenger had said he expected "nobody to leave" Arsenal.

Packers linebacker forgets ID, can’t get into White House

When the Green Bay Packers visited the White House on Friday to celebrate the team's Super Bowl title, linebacker Desmond Bishop (notes) wasn't with his teammates. He had forgotten his license on the team charter plane and without a license, there's no getting past White House security.
The fifth-year veteran Tweeted about his disappointment while the Packers were at a South Lawn reception with President Barack Obama:

Just found some extra motivation tweeples. I forgot my id on plane so won't get access to see @barackobama .. This time! But next year ;)

Tho dissapointed, i ll live vicariously thru my fellow Teammates.. Nap time.. As jack reacher wud say "sleep wen u can.."

I'd love if Bishop had provided more information. At what point did he realize he didn't have his ID and couldn't get access to the White House? Did he figure it out on the bus or make it all the way to the gate before getting turned down? If so, did he plead his case to unsympathetic guards? Was the possibility of sneaking into the ceremony under the suit of 320-pound tackle Chad Clifton (notes) ever broached?
A lot of times when amusing mix-ups like this happen, people try and offer words like "at least it makes for a great story" as comfort. But, no, not this time. You know what makes for a great story? Going to the White House to meet the president after winning a Super Bowl.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
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• Tiger Woods in disarray after disastrous showing

Jen and Marc had 'problems' over Scientology views

Jennifer Lopez - Source: BANG Showbiz

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony split after failing to "see eye-to-eye" on Scientology.
The On The Floor hitmaker - who called time on her seven-year marriage to the singer last month - was reportedly hoping to send the couple's three-year-old twins Max and Emme to a specialist Scientology school, however Marc wasn't so keen on the idea.
A source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "Jennifer and Marc couldn't see eye-to-eye on the subject. She's always been more into the church than him. He wasn't a huge fan and it caused problems."
The 42-year-old star recently admitted she wished people wouldn't judge the Scientology religion - also followed by Jennifer's close friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - before they know what it is.
She said: "I just wish that people wouldn't judge it without knowing what it is."
Despite the couple's shock split, Jennifer claimed she will remain an "eternal optimist", and is still confident about finding love again.
She recently explained: "This was the hardest decision I've ever had to face. I really wanted this family to work. That was my biggest dream, and I worked hard at it. We both did. Sometimes it doesn't work - and that's sad. But I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love...It's still my biggest dream."

Usain Bolt: Case Study In Science Of Sprinting

One year from now, the 2012 Olympic Games will begin in London, where all eyes will be on the incomparable Usain Bolt -- the Jamaican sprinter who is more than living up to his name.
Since 2008, Bolt has taken a jackhammer to the 100-meter world record, lopping off a whopping .14 seconds. That might not sound like a huge chunk of time until you consider it's twice as much as any other sprinter has shaved off the world record since the advent of electronic scoring.
Logically, one would think that Bolt did so by moving his legs faster than anyone else. Only he didn't.
Speed, as it turns out, may be completely misunderstood.

When Bolt established the current 100-meter world record in the 2009 world championships, running it in 9.58 seconds, he did so by moving his legs at virtually the same pace as his competitors. In fact, if you or I were to compete against Bolt, our legs would turn over at essentially the same rate as his.
This is a theory put forth by academics and track coaches alike who contend that running fast has more to do with the force one applies to the ground than how quickly one can move one's legs.
More than a decade ago, Peter Weyand, a science professor at Southern Methodist University, conducted a study on speed. Comparing athletes to non-athletes, Weyand clocked both test groups as they ran at their top speed. What he found shocked him.
"The amount of time to pick up a leg and put it down is very similar," he says. "It surprised us when we first figured it out."
So if leg turnover is the same, how does one person run faster than another?
Weyand discovered that speed is dependent upon two variables: The force with which one presses against the ground and how long one applies that force.

ThePostGame brings you the most interesting sports stories on the web.

Think of the legs as springs. The more force they can push against the ground, the further they can propel the body forward, thus maximizing the output of each individual step. In a full sprint, the average person applies about 500 to 600 pounds of force. An Olympic sprinter can apply more than 1,000 pounds.
But force isn't the only factor. How quickly that force is applied factors in as well.

For this, think of bouncing a beach ball versus a super ball. The beach ball is soft and mushy and when bounced on the ground sits for a while before slowly rebounding back into the air. Conversely, a super ball is hard and stiff and when bounced rebounds almost instantaneously -- and at a much faster speed than the beach ball.
The average person's foot is on the ground for about .12 seconds, while an Olympic sprinter's foot is on the ground for just .08 seconds -- a 60-percent difference.
"The amount of time [one's legs are] in the air is .12, regardless if you're fast or slow," Weyand explains. "An elite sprinter gets the aerial time they need with less time on the ground to generate that lift -- or to get back up in the air -- because they can hit harder."
So what makes Bolt faster than even the elite sprinters? And can he run the 100 meters even faster than 9.58 seconds?
Bolt's superiority is often explained by his unique combination of height, strength and acceleration.
At 6-foot-5, Bolt is two inches taller than fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell (pictured together below) and has six inches on American Tyson Gay -- two of his closest challengers. While it takes most elite sprinters 44 strides to complete 100 meters, Bolt does it in 41.

"Would you rather take 44 steps to your car or 41?" asks Dan Pfaff, who coached Canada's Donovan Bailey to the 100-meter gold during the Atlanta Games in 1996.
Pfaff, now working in London to help boost Great Britain's track-and-field hopes for 2012, says Bolt's height gives him a distinct leverage advantage.
"If you're digging a hole in the ground, you have to get a longer lever to pry [out a rock]," he explains. "If you can control those levers and make them work efficiently, it's a huge advantage."
It's Bolt's ability to control the levers that is so unusual for a sprinter his height.
While taller sprinters may be able to reach a higher top-end speed, getting up to that speed isn't as easy. This can be explained physiologically -- smaller people can exert more force in relation to how much they weigh -- but Weyand prefers a more simple visual to show this to be true.
"You can easily imagine a 4-foot-10 gymnast doing a triple back flip, but imagine Shaquille O'Neal or Yao Ming doing it," he says. "You know they can't do it."
Bolt, it seems, is the exception to this rule. Though he's not doing triple back flips, he does get up to speed nearly as quickly as his more diminutive competitors.
"He has a very unusual combination of being extremely tall and relatively massive and being able to accelerate well. Those things are at odds with each other," explains Dr. Mike Young, a strength and speed coach who trains professionals in track and field and other sports. "He accelerates better than all but one guy in the world -- behind Asafa Powell -- but because he's so massive, he takes fewer strides. If you're that large, once you're moving, you stay moving."

This would help explain why Bolt still managed to break the world record during the Beijing Games in 2008 despite throwing up his arms in celebration some 20 meters before the finish. As Young explains, if the "average athlete is a motorcycle, Usain Bolt is a dump truck," and it takes a lot more resistance to slow down a dump truck than a motorcycle. Thus, when he fatigues, he slows down more slowly.
"He has the holy triumvirate," Young contends. "He's one of the top accelerators, has the highest top-end speed and the highest endurance. It's something that's never been seen before. Carl Lewis had the highest top speed, the highest endurance, but he was not the best accelerator."
Bolt, just 24, has set his goal of running the 100 meters in the 9.4 range, explaining to Britain's BBC Radio: "Because that's where I think the record will probably never be beaten."
While Young doesn't think Bolt will break 9.5 in London, Weyand, through his research, says it's possible. Though if Bolt pulls it off, it won't be because he moves his legs any faster.

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez Break Up Rumor Looks to be False

justin-bieber-selena-gomez-break-up-rumor-false

Wondering if the Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez break up rumor is true or not?
Look no further than the iconic teen couple’s latest outing together for a clue.
On Saturday evening, JB made a surprise visit to girlfriend Selena Gomez’s concert in Boca Raton, Fla., but was forced to make a hasty retreat once fans realized he was in the house.
Earlier in the day, in an apparent attempt to throw his rabid fans off track, Bieber had written a post on Twitter mentioning he was in Canada.
But once the truth of Bieber’s whereabouts got out amongst the audience, the 17-year-old heartthrob had to escape using a back door, in order to avoid being trampled by a riot-like horde of screaming tween girls.
The Boca Raton surprise visit wasn’t “the Bieb’s” first – he also turned up at Selena’s tour debut last week.
In that outing, Bieber joined a seemingly shocked Gomez on stage and the two embraced for a romantic hug.

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Ramadan

Each year as part of Ramadan, which began this year on Aug. 1, millions of Muslims worldwide will fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. But the monthlong holiday is about much more than fasting. TIME takes a look at the things you might not know about the holy month

It's Not Just 'No Eating' ...

Marton Magocsi / EPA

... It's "no drinking" too: Muslims drink not even a drop of water from dawn to dusk. In addition to not eating or drinking anything all day, they also abstain from excesses like cigarettes and sex. Yet despite the fasting, Ramadan in most Muslim countries is an interesting mix of austerity and celebration. While they abstain from many things during the day, after sunset families and friends often visit with one other, filling the streets of major cities with food and laughter until the wee hours.A date is traditionally the first thing eaten to break the fast, followed by juice or jallab — a sweet drink made from dates, rose water and carob that is usually served with floating pine nuts and raisins. In Egypt, dates, a traditional Ramadan food, are harvested in different farms and oases across the country, as well as imported from North Africa and the Arabian Gulf states. The best dates are often given catchy names by their vendors to help market them. In 2006, after Israel's war against Lebanon, the best dates were called Hassan Nasrallah, after the leader of Lebanon's Hizballah. In 2009, after the U.S. President made a visit to Cairo, the best dates were called Obama. This year, the most prized dates are called Martyrs of the Revolution. Tahrir Square is another favorite.Religious baby names aren't unusual across any faith; however, when devout Catholics choose to reflect their faith in their child's name, they often go the way of a saint, like Mary, or the way of a virtue, like Grace. You'd be hard-pressed to find a baby named Lent. Not the case with Ramadan, as the religious observance has also become a common name for Muslim baby boys. While the name was a more popular choice in the '90s than it is now, Ramadan could be making a comeback. According to the website BabyCenter, the name's popularity has been steadily climbing since 2005.

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Google+ attracts 25 million visitors

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Google Inc's new social network has attracted 25 million users, making it the fastest website to reach that audience size, according to data released on Tuesday by comScore.
Google+, launched in late June, had 25 million unique visitors as of July 24 and is growing at a rate of roughly one million visitors a day, comScore noted in a presentation.
In contrast, it took Facebook about three years to attract 25 million visitors, while Twitter took just over 30 months, according to comScore.
While the data show Google's latest attempt at breaking into social networking has started strongly, it may not mean the project is a long-term success. MySpace grew to 25 million unique visitors in less than two years -- faster than Facebook or Twitter. However, it's lost a lot of visitors in the past year, comScore data show.
The United States had more than 6 million unique visitors, and India more than 3.6 million, the data show,
Canada and the UK had around 1 million unique visitors each, Germany over 920,000 and Brazil just over 780,000. France and Taiwan each had around 500,000.

Why sex is good for you

When it comes to sex, there’s no other month like August.
Lingerie retailer Ann Summers reported a 40 per cent rise in sales last August as shoppers took advantage of the holiday period to boost their sex lives.
Meanwhile, researchers from Boston State Hospital in the U.S. have found that summer sun at least doubles levels of the sex hormone testosterone, boosting a flagging libido.

More fertile: The amount of sex you have is important. The more often you make love, the better quality your sperm will be

This is thought to be because the sun’s rays trigger vitamin D production, which in turn boosts production of the hormone.
And if another excuse is needed, it’s well known that sex burns calories — just this week a survey found that 87 per cent of women named sex as their favourite way to exercise (shopping came second).
But there are many other benefits, too. Here some of the country’s leading experts reveal some little-known facts about why sex is good for your health.

More...

IT’S A GOOD WAY TO TEST YOUR EYES

Sex relaxes the muscles and alleviates neck and shoulder tension, says Dr Arun Ghosh, a GP specialising in sexual health at the Spire Liverpool Hospital. And surprisingly, it might also tell you whether you need glasses.
‘I’ve had patients complain of poor vision after sex. What’s happened is that, like all the other muscles in the body, their eye muscles have relaxed and are performing at their true ability, rather than straining and squinting as they would normally.’
So if your sight goes blurry after sex, it’s worth going for an eye test.

IT PROTECTS AGAINST HEART DISEASE

Having sex three times a week could halve the risk of heart attack or stroke

Sex can have a protective effect on the heart. A study at Queen’s University in Belfast found that having sex three times a week could halve the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Another study in Israel found that women who had two orgasms a week were up to 30 per cent less likely to have heart disease than those who didn’t enjoy sex or didn’t orgasm.
Dr Lisa Turner, a sex and relationship therapist, says: ‘One theory is that these women may have felt depressed, which has been linked with an increased risk of a heart attack.
'The endorphins released during sex also neutralise the stress hormones in the body, which are linked to heart disease.’
And the old cliche of sex causing heart attacks?
‘It’s a very low risk — it accounts for less than 1 per cent of all deaths,’ says Dr Graham Jackson, consultant cardiologist at the London Bridge Hospital and chairman of the Sexual Advice Association.
However, if you’re over 50, overweight and unfit, there is a risk to your heart — just as there would be if you suddenly and vigorously took up any form of exercise.
‘What also increases the risk is extra-marital affairs, and this has been proven by three large studies,’ says Dr Jackson.

‘In fact, this accounts for 75 per cent of heart-related deaths from sex, 90 per cent of which are older men. It’s thought the combination of high-fat foods and alcohol — wining and dining — combined with vigorous exercise, often with a younger partner, is what tends to trigger the heart event.’

IT’LL STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES

U.S. research found menopausal women who had sex every week had oestrogen levels twice as high as their abstaining counterparts.
The hormone has a protective effect in bone health and a lack of it after the menopause has been linked with osteoporosis.
‘Regular sex increases the production of oestrogen,’ says Dr Peter Bowen-Simpkins of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

IT MAKES YOU MORE FERTILE

‘I’m often asked whether penis length affects fertility and the good news is no,’ says Dr Ghosh.
But the amount of sex you have is important. The more often you make love, the better quality your sperm will be.
‘If you’re trying to conceive, you need the sperm to be as fresh as possible — not stuff that’s been sitting in the prostate for three or four days,’ he adds.

IT STAVES OFF PROSTATE CANCER

Researchers at Nottingham University have found that men who enjoy a regular sex life in their 50s are at lower risk of developing prostate cancer. ‘Clearing the prostate out regularly is the reason behind this,’ says Dr Ghosh.
‘The link was suggested after research showed that monks appear to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.’

IT’LL HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING

Here's a simple way to get your man to kick his smoking habit — remind him that it causes the penis to shrink and can cause impotence.
Erections are all about good blood flow, and lighting up worsens blood flow to the spongy tissues in the penis, says Raj Persad, consultant urological surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
‘As a result, they become starved of oxygen and the delicate cells die away. They then become fibrotic — forming scar tissue — which is less elastic and less able to expand during an erection than regular healthy tissue.’
Smoking is also a known cause of erectile dysfunction as it causes hardening of the arteries and hampers good blood flow.
A study of more 7,000 Chinese men, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that the more cigarettes smoked a day, the higher the risk of impotence.

IT’S A NATURAL SEDATIVE

For a man, a powerful orgasm is the equivalent of having a 2-3mg shot of diazepam (or Valium), says Dr Ghosh.
‘And diazepam works as a muscle relaxant which is why so many men nod off after finishing — there really is a biological reason.’

The endorphins released during sex can really help treat depression and clear the mind

Women benefit emotionally, too.
‘The endorphins released during sex can really help treat depression and clear the mind.
‘One endorphin is serotonin, known as the happy hormone; the other is the endogenous endorphin and this creates a sense of bliss (orgasm) for five to ten seconds in men — and up to four or five minutes in women, which is excellent for mental health.
‘One theory is that women orgasm for longer because their cervix is contracting to draw the sperm up towards the ovaries.’

IT GUARDS AGAINST INCONTINENCE

Providing that a woman is fairly active during sex, then it’s a good workout for her pelvic floor muscles, says Dr Gillian Vanhegan, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The muscles that stem the flow of urine, reducing leakage and incontinence, all benefit and this reduces the risk of stress incontinence and prolapse later in life, both of which are very common.
‘After having children many women don’t have the time to do dedicated pelvic floor exercises, so sex provides a natural workout.’

AND FINALLY...USE IT OR LOSE IT

‘Just like smoking or diabetes, a lack of regular blood flow to the penis will over time cause some of the tissues to die,’ says Mr Persad.
Indeed, Finnish research has confirmed that men who had sex less than once a week at the start of the study were twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as those who had it at least once a week.
In the study of 1,000 men aged between 55 and 75, those who had sex three or more times a week lowered their risk fourfold.
There’s no reason not to enjoy a full sex life in old age, adds Dr Jackson.
‘We have some patients in their 80s taking Viagra-type drugs and studies have shown that a regular sex life can prolong life — it’s basically another form of exercise.
‘There seems to be a myth that you’re past it once you hit 65, but that’s rubbish.’