Branson Unveils Virgin Galactic SpacePlane – Having just pipped 2oceansvibe’s space programme, I gotta give it to Sir Rich – it’s looking damn impressive. “SpaceShipTwo was presented to the world in Mojave, California. The vehicle will undergo testing over the next 18 months before being allowed to take ticketed individuals on short-hop trips just above the atmosphere. [bbc]

Lily Allen To Become Fashion Diva! – Lily Allen who is known as a famous singer and WAG announced to Sara Cox on Radio 1 that she is going to take a break from her performing and dedicate her time to pursuing a career in fashion. [catwalkfashion]

Zuma’s New Family Compound Underway – The home base of President Jacob Zuma is set for a major overhaul with plans under way to make the Nkandla compound a residence fit for a president. Construction workers are working overtime to ensure that the president and his three wives will soon live in luxury. I look forward to the invite. [mail&guardian]

Artworks by Rembrandt and Raphael Sell for £50m – A record-breaking auction in London saw two works of art, a Rembrandt and a Raphael, sell for almost £50m. The drawing by Raphael, Head of a Muse, sold for £29.2m, a world record price for any work on paper to go under the hammer, Christie’s said. [bbc]

Perez Hilton Gets Completely Destroyed on Live TV – The KTLA anchor, Sam Rubin, responded to allegations made by Perez Hilton, regarding a botched appearance on Rubin’s KTLA morning TV show. Apparently Perez Hilton walked out before it eve happened. Hilton then tweeted about it and this, this is the KTLA response. [drfkberry]

Tiger’s Mother Collapses And Goes to Hospital – Tiger Woods’ mother-in-law collapsed at his home and was rushed to a hospital early Tuesday, touching off the second media frenzy in two weeks surrounding the pro golfer’s carefully guarded private life. [nbcsports]

The Secret World of Golf Groupies – Tiger Woods isn’t the only golfer with carousing issues. Retired players and current caddies tell Gerald Posner about the game inside the real PGA: The “Party Groupie Association.” – Hmm, sounds a lot like the new media industry.. [dailybeast]

Uganda Considers Death Penalty For Gays – A tad harsh, you might agree? Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals. [associated]

Bionic Fingers Give Amputees Upper Hand – Touch Bionics has unveiled the world’s first bionic finger that promises to give people who have lost fingers back part of the dexterity that they lost. The loss of a finger or thumb can make little things like feeding yourself or holding a phone impossible. [slashgear]

Copenhagen Climate Summit in Disarray After ‘Danish Text’ Leak – The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray today after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents that show world leaders will next week be asked to sign an agreement that hands more power to rich countries and sidelines the UN’s role in all future climate change negotiations. Oh dear. [guardian]

Elton John Denied Adoption, Will Still Support Child – Elton John’s partner says the musician was devastated that he wasn’t allowed to adopt an HIV-positive Ukrainian toddler, but plans to support the boy anyway. He he was refused permission to adopt the boy because he was too old and not married. [foxnews]

Base Jumper Completely Ballses it Up – Valery Rozvov is an extremely experienced base jumper. By his own word we know that he has completed thousands of base jumps. This time in Karachi, however, it seems he forgot to do something fairly elementary: check the weather report. [huffers]

Many Weeks In Provence – A large portion of the 2oceansvibe faithful seems to have stumbled upon my folks’ blog, as they indulge in the undue stress they’re subjected to in the town of Menerbes. Menerbes is in the Luberon Valley part of Provence. Jeannie D visited during her recent Top Travel escapades. It’s quite special. The blog is a great read – sort of an older generation’s 2oceansvibe! [lsw]

Wingsuits in The Military? – Last year, Rossy successfully flew 22 miles across the English Channel. Last week’s attempt to cross from Africa to Europe by flying from Morocco to Spain was less successful. Strong winds were against him, and Rossy ended up in the sea three miles short of the coast. Undaunted, the Swiss former military pilot now plans to fly across the Grand Canyon. [wired]

Rupert Murdoch : Journliasm And Freedom – “We are at a time when many news enterprises are shutting down or scaling back. No doubt you will hear some tell you that journalism is in dire shape, and the triumph of digital is to blame. My message is just the opposite. The future of journalism is more promising than ever—limited only by editors and producers unwilling to fight for their readers and viewers, or government using its heavy hand either to overregulate or subsidize us.” [wallstreetjournal]

[thanks sam]