A puzzling disease that is affecting only Asians is being described by researchers as similar to AIDS, but not contagious. Dr. Sarah Browne, with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, calls the new disease “absolutely fascinating” but says it’s an acquired immune deficiency that isn’t spread through a virus, like HIV/AIDS. According to Browne’s report published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, the illness usually develops around age 50, but doesn’t appear to be passed down genetically. The first cases began to appear in 2004, and doctors have developed a method to tame infections, but an unknown number have already died from the disease. Researchers have concluded that genetic and environmental factors must be contributing to the illness, since all the patients so far have been Asian or born in Asia.

Activists say at least 47 people were killed in Damascus and surrounding suburbs on Wednesday, as the military carried out house raids and reportedly shot dead dozens of rebels execution-style. Earlier in the day, rebels claimed troops were employing fear tactics in the beleagured capital and that the government had adopted a "hit and run" approach to attacks, wherein troops move in quickly, kill as many rebels as they can, and then retreat. Bloody clashes were also reported in Aleppo, with troops fighting to seize control of the northern city.

Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus are doing a lot of damage in Texas, where the death toll from the disease has climbed to 26. There have been 18 deaths reported in Dallas County alone—by far the most in one region in the country. This year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,100 cases of the disease in the U.S. through mid-August, making it the largest-ever West Nile outbreak in the nation. Last week, the outbreak in Dallas prompted the first aerial spraying of insecticide in the city in nearly 40 years. And Houston is to begin aerial spraying as well, as the city’s health officials reported their second and third West Nile deaths this year.

Could Julian Assange be a bit paranoid? Despite his conviction that the United States is on a “witch-hunt” against him, sources within the U.S. government say they have no charges against him. Obama’s administration has said that the WikiLeaks mastermind’s fate is up to Britain, Sweden and Ecuador. Sources tell Reuters that the chances of Assange being pressed with criminal charges from the U.S. are low. Britain, on the other hand, is trying to fulfill an extradition notice to send Assange back to Sweden to be questioned in a sexual abuse case, despite Ecuador recently granting his asylum. Assange is making “wild assertions about us, when, in fact, his issue with the government of the United Kingdom has to do with whether he's going to go ... face justice in Sweden for something that has nothing to do with WikiLeaks,” said a U.S. State Department spokeswoman.

That’s one nerdy burn. President Obama weighed in on the scandal Missouri Rep. Todd Akin created by separating rape and “legitimate rape” with a zinger of his own. “The interesting thing here is that this, this is an individual who sits on the House Committee on Science and Technology but somehow missed science class,” Obama told the crowd at a New York fundraiser Wednesday night. Obama continued, saying Akin represents the “desire to go backwards instead of forwards and fight fights that we thought were settled 20 or 30 years ago.” Akin  ++refuses++ [http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/08/21/todd-akin-i-m-not-dropping-out.html] to back out of the race, even as pressure from both sides of the political field mounts.

Barring an unexpected and swift economic rebound, the Federal Reserve is set to deliver another round of monetary stimulus—and it could happen “fairly soon,” according to the minutes from the U.S. central bank’s latest meeting. The minutes revealed that the Fed staff predicts inflation and interest rates to remain low in 2014, economic activity to pick up at only a gradual rate, and for unemployment to decline slowly. “Many members judged that additional monetary accommodation would likely be warranted fairly soon unless incoming information pointed to a substantial strengthening in the pace of the economic recovery,” the minutes said.

The storm is descending on Tampa. No, not the RNC crowds, but literally, Tropical Storm Isaac. Forecasters and politicians alike grew increasingly concerned about Isaac on Wednesday. Currently approaching the Caribbean, the storm could potentially postpone or mean relocating next week’s GOP convention in Tampa. Isaac’s maximum sustained winds were at 45mph on Wednesday, but the storm is expected to gain strength and become a hurricane by Thursday. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said should the storm hit the city, officials are “prepared to call [the convention] off,” adding, “the politics will take care of itself.” Postponing or relocating the convention would be a huge hit to the city, which is set to make more than $150 million in revenue from the event.

From tech to non-profits sectors, celebrities to media producers, these women sure are impressive. German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women this year, thanks to her decisions in Europe having economic and political consequences across the board. The 25 CEOs who made the list control roughly $984 billion in revenues. Forbes regulars like Oprah and Lady Gaga make the list, but newbies like Laurene Powell-Jobs get a mention too. Forbes also pointed out that the women “don’t just make headlines, they write them,” before ranking media power players like Jill Abramson, Arianna Huffington and Anna Wintour.

In anticipation of the Republican National Convention, 2016: Obama’s America is topping the advance ticket sales list, according to Fandango. The anti-Obama documentary will be released country-wide this Friday but has already secured a spot in the record books. With plans to show in 169 theatres nationwide, it’s already the #12 top-grossing political documentary of all time, and the number two documentary this year, excluding nature docs. The film examines what America’s future will look like if Obama serves a second term in the White House and is based on Dinesh D’Souza’s book, The Roots of Obama’s Rage.

Angelina Jolie: Stage mom? It’s not exactly Toddlers and Tiaras, but the youngest of the Jolie-Pitt brood, 4-year-old Vivienne, will play a small role opposite her mom in the upcoming Disney film Maleficent. Vivienne, who is the twin sister of Knox, will play a young Sleeping Beauty, who is cursed into a deep sleep by Maleficent, Jolie’s role. Elle Fanning will play the older version of Vivienne’s character in the film, which is told from the perspective of the famous horned villain. Maleficent hits theaters March 14, 2014.

Hopefully he won’t go and make things so complicated between them. Avril Lavigne is engaged to Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger after dating for six months. Earlier this year, Lavigne tweeted a picture of Kroeger hugging her, but the caption just read, “Bro’ing out with Chad Kroeger in the studio.” Lavigne has been married once before and then dated The Hills star Brody Jenner until January of this year. It is Kroeger’s first marriage.

Four more cases of syphilis have been found in Los Angeles porn actors, bringing the total number of those affected to nine, the Los Angeles health department said on Tuesday. A trade group had already called for an industry shutdown after five cases were reported last week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health director Dr. Jonathan Fielding said the outbreak is “not surprising” and that it “will grow.” All those infected are in the industry, but it’s unclear whether they contacted it on set or off. The Free Speech Coalition called for a nationwide filming moratorium over the weekend, and told all performers to get tested and get penicillin shots before returning to work.

Remember the primary days, when Newt Gingrich vowed to keep his delegates until the convention? Well, he almost made it. The former Republican presidential candidate on Tuesday released his delegates to presumptive candidate Mitt Romney, less than one week before the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Gingrich won two primaries, South Carolina and Georgia, but had initially refused to give his delegates to Romney, even if Romney needed them to win.

A tennis referee was arrested on Tuesday in New York and charged with the murder of her husband. The referee, Lois Ann Goodman, 70, has been accused of beating her husband to death with a coffee cup in April in Los Angeles. She is in New York to officiate the U.S. Open, which starts next week. Los Angeles police said Goodman, who has worked at some of the top tennis matches in the world, had initially said her husband, Alan Frederick Goodman, 80, had fallen down the stairs. Police said that although they wanted to keep the arrest low-key, they would have arrested Goodman at the U.S. Open if necessary.

With less than a week to go before the Republican National Convention kicks off—and almost three weeks after Mitt Romney named Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate—President Obama is ahead in the race for the White House, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll. Obama is leading Romney 48 percent to 44 percent, a slight change from the July poll which had Obama beating Romney by six points. In the 12 key battleground states, Obama leads Romney by just three points—a dip from the eight-point lead he enjoyed in the same sampling according to the June and July NBC/WSJ polls.

Russia believes that Syria will not use its stockpile of chemical weapons, a Russian state newspaper reported on Wednesday. President Obama said on Monday that the use of chemical weapons would be a “red line” that could cause action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the West against taking any unilateral action. Meanwhile, the Syrian Army reportedly sent tanks into Damascus and shelled the neighborhoods where the rebels are rumored to operate. At least 24 people were reportedly killed nationwide in Aleppo on Tuesday, as rebels said they are gaining ground.

The names of up to 600 victims of phone hacking are expected to be released in the next few weeks, Britain’s The Independent reported on Wednesday. About 200 names have already been released, including some of the most high-profile victims, such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sienna Miller, and murder victim Milly Dowler, and there are more public figures expected to be named. The news comes as the publishing division is being spun off of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. empire, and the headlines are likely to generate some negative publicity for his British newspapers, the well-respected Times, the well-read Sun, and the now-defunct News of the World.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Wednesday asked for more time to implement the harsh austerity measures necessary to receive the next round of bailout funds. If the funds are not unlocked, Greece could once again face default on its debt and possibly leave the euro. Samaras will meet with Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, later this week, and is expected to float the idea of a two-year extension to the deadline. Samaras told the German daily Bild that Greece needs some “breathing room” because of the lost time due to the election, and the cuts should be enforced more gradually to help ease the pain on the Greek people.

Secret Service agents arrested a Washington man on Tuesday for allegedly sending a threatening email to the FBI about President Obama. Anton Caluori, 31, has been charged with making threats against the president and assault on a federal officer. When agents when to Caluori’s apartment, he was armed with a shotgun and reportedly made comments about explosives that caused the bomb squad to be called in, said Brian Leary of the Secret Service. Caluori is expected to appear in court Wednesday.

Before his death, Tony Scott spoke out about his brother, Ridley, and their upbringing in a previously unpublished interview. “He’s a bull, and I am too,” Scott said about his brother. “Nothing takes him down. We have enormous pain resistance.” The interview gives insight into the family’s home life, with Scott saying that they had “no interest” in education and that the pair’s artistic interests came as a shock to their father. But Scott offered no complaints about his childhood. “We had a brilliant upbringing … we were a very, very tight family.” The interview will be published in the Aug. 27 edition of The Hollywood Reporter.

This is a whole new world of going rogue. Embattled Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin said on Wednesday that Paul Ryan personally called and told him to him step aside. Ryan and Akin have cosponsored legislation regarding abortion together, but Akin said he is “standing on principle,” although he did say he would “honor” Ryan and Mitt Romney’s wishes that he not appear at the convention. GOP sources said that Akin apparently ignored calls from GOP officials who wanted him to drop out of the race as the clock wound down toward the 5 p.m. CT deadline.

The National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales rose 2.3 percent in July to an annual rate of 4.47 million units, which was close to analysts’ expectations of 4.52 million units. The median price for a home sale was $187,300 in July, up 9.4 percent from the same time last year. NAR officials said that low interest rates and improvements in the labor market have been fueling the rebound. The NAR’s chief economist said, “Combined, these factors are helping to unleash pent-up demand.”

LL Cool J doesn’t just play a super slick Navy special agent on NCIS: Los Angeles. He catches real-life robbers in his spare time. Shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, the rapper turned actor captured a burglary suspect who had broken into his Studio City home, according to police. LL Cool J’s daughter called 911 to alert the authorities that her dad was holding the man and needed help. Officers arrested the suspect, who had minor bruises, for burglary. LL Cool J was not hurt during the incident.

Looks like Meg Whitman has her work cut out for her. Hewlett-Packard Co. just scaled back its year profit forecast, as the company’s numbers continue to fall amid low-ball predictions. HP’s profit will be between $4.05 to $4.07 a share, under the analyst estimated $4.08. Shares have fallen 25 percent this year, due partially to competition from other companies like Apple, which has been booming. CEO Meg Whitman has been forced to cut 27,000 jobs over two years and cut two previous acquisitions in light of the company’s lagging profits.

Looks like Republicans don't have to worry about Todd Akin crashing the convention, but they do have to worry about a tropical storm named Isaac. Forecasters say that Tropical Storm Isaac, which is currently approaching the Caribbean, could pose a threat to Florida and potentially next week’s GOP convention in Tampa. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were at 45mph on Wednesday, but it is expected to gain strength and become a hurricane by Thursday. Some of the National Hurricane Center’s models showed the storm striking Florida and the Tampa Bay area, but it is too early to know for sure if it will. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said that "absolutely, we're prepared to call [the convention] off" for the storm.

Whose job is it to verify naked photos of Prince Harry? The royals spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the naked photos leaked to TMZ of Prince Harry are "genuine." Nearly every aspect of Prince Harry’s recent romp in Las Vegas has been captured by cameras—including, now, a naked game of strip billiards. Harry was reportedly playing a game of strip pool that ended with the prince going full monty. (See the photos at TMZ.) One photo reveals Harry bashfully covering his crown jewels with his hands. Another shows him from behind—bum exposed—giving a female companion a bear hug.

Despite Paul Ryan’s personally urging Todd Akin to resign, his friendship with Akin is coming back to haunt him. Ryan on Wednesday declined to discuss his cosponsorship of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which included a reference to “forcible rape.” The language was eventually dropped from the final bill, but when asked on Wednesday about the phrasing recently, Ryan replied, “Rape is rape, and there’s no splitting hairs over rape.” He declined to say if a woman who becomes pregnant from rape should be allowed an abortion, saying, “I’m proud of my pro-life record and I stand by my pro-life record in Congress.”

Douglas Elmendorf, the Congressional Budget Office director, predicted the U.S. will slip back into a recession if sharp spending cuts and tax increases go into effect at the end of the year. Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Elmendorf said the changes would reduce the federal deficit but would also mean there is less government spending to prop up the slowly recovering economy. “We think that economic growth right now is being held back by the anticipation of this fiscal tightening,” Elmendorf said. The cuts are mandated by the Budget Control Act, which was passed to break the stalemate over the debt ceiling.

In a new interview with The New Yorker, Graham Spanier, Penn State’s former president, claims he had only one conversation with Jerry Sandusky in his entire tenure at the university. “I never, ever heard anything about child abuse or sexual abuse or my antennae raised up enough to even suspect that,” Spanier says. He says he believed Athletic Director Tim Curley had taken care of any problems in 2001 after a graduate assistant for the football team saw Sandusky messing around in the shower with a young boy and brought the incident to the administration’s attention. Spanier defends himself for not turning in Sandusky, saying he was unaware that the “horsing around” reported was serious sexual abuse. “Never in my sixteen years as president of Penn State did any individual ever suggest to me that there was child abuse, sexual abuse, anything criminal.”And he’s quick to express his regret. “I wish I would have known what I know now,” Spanier says. “The best thing of all would have been if, way back when, we knew the true Jerry Sandusky, and could have put a stop to it.”

A new study has found that older men are more likely to have a child who suffers from autism or schizophrenia. Scientists say that the increasing average age of fathers is responsible for up to 30 percent of autism cases. But the new study found that the overall risk to a man over age 40 is about 2 percent, so scientists say this is no reason for older men to stop having children. The findings have long been suspected, but this is the first time the risk has been quantified. The study was carried out by Icelandic firm deCODE Genetics.