USA –A convicted felon known more for his criminally good looks than for his crimes is looking forward to becoming a model and actor now that he is free from behind bars. Jeremy Meeks of California became known as the ‘Hot Felon’ after his baby-blue eyes, razor-sharp cheekbones and chiseled jaw line first caught the public’s attention when his mug shot was posted on the Stockton Police Department’s Facebook page in 2014. Despite being behind bars for possession of a firearm, the 30-year-old was signed by talent agency, White Cross Management last year under Jim Jordan. He was released from prison earlier this month. (Daily Mail)…[+]

SWITZERLAND – Sexual transmission of the Zika virus is more common than previously thought, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). After an emergency committee meeting on Tuesday, the UN health agency also said there was increasing evidence of links between Zika and various birth defects. Zika is most commonly spread by mosquitoes but several countries have reported cases of sexual transmission.

The WHO last month said the outbreak constitutes a global emergency. WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan said “reports and investigations in several countries strongly suggest that sexual transmission of the virus is more common than previously assumed”. She called the development “alarming”. Dr Chan also said that microcephaly – a birth defect strongly linked to the Zika outbreak in Brazil – was just one of several conditions that the WHO had linked to the virus. Another is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Nine countries have now reported an increase in cases of GBS, a rare condition that can cause temporary paralysis and death.(BBC)…[+]

UK – A talented make-up artist has died just weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Demi Wright, 22, began suffering pains in her side in November last year, but did not know she had terminal adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer affects the glands that line the inside of various organs. It can strike in many parts of the body, including the colon, breasts, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, or prostate. Miss Wright, who worked for Lancôme, was first admitted to a maternity ward after the undiscovered tumor started emitting hormones similar to those in pregnancy. But after doctors found a 12cm growth, she was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where she quickly deteriorated.(Daily Mail)…[+]