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Optimistic women live for longer

published by You on 11 August, 2009 - 00:34

Women who are optimistic have a lower risk of heart disease and death, an American study shows.

The latest study by US investigators mirrors the findings of earlier work by a Dutch team showing optimism reduces heart risk in men.

The research on nearly 100,000 women, published in the journal Circulation, found pessimists had higher blood pressure and cholesterol.

Even taking these risk factors into account, attitude alone altered risks.

Optimistic women had a 9% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 14% lower risk of dying from any cause after more than eight years of follow-up.

[Police State] 500,000 requests to spy in individuals in 2008

published by You on 10 August, 2009 - 13:32

Lib Dems demand curbs on 'spying'

The Lib Dems want tighter controls on surveillance powers for authorities including councils and the police.

More than 500,000 requests to access phone and e-mail records were made in 2008, a report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner showed.

The Lib Dems say only a magistrate should be able to approve a request for surveillance, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa).

The Home Office said the powers should be used only when "proportionate".

'Beggars belief'

An average of about 1,500 surveillance requests were made every day in Britain last year, according to figures which have emerged from an annual report by commissioner Sir Paul Kennedy.

Early death concern for drop-outs

published by You on 9 August, 2009 - 06:46

One in six teenagers out of work or education for a long period could be dead within 10 years, a senior government education advisor says.

Jon Coles, director of schools for England at the Department for Children, Schools and Families quoted anecdotal research from the north of England.

He said he was "profoundly shocked" by the figures and that he hoped they were not replicated across England.

Ministers said the research did not represent the national picture.

But he quoted research which looked back at the so-called 'Neets' (not in education, employment or training) of 10 years ago, and discovered that 15% of those studied had already died...

Violent anti muslim protests in Birmingham

published by You on 8 August, 2009 - 23:42

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQc0f4vQtrY]

Arrests at anti-Islamic protest

Police in Birmingham have arrested 33 people during protests by anti-fascists and a group demonstrating against Islamic fundamentalism.

One protest involved a group known as Casuals United, which police said were made up of local football fans.

Another "counter-protest" in the city centre was organised by Unite Against Fascism, West Midlands Police said.

The protest, which began at 1800 (BST), is ongoing and police said disorder had been sporadic.

A police spokeswoman said public safety was an "absolute priority".

iMuslims

published by You on 8 August, 2009 - 09:18

iMuslims is a book written by Gary R Bunt and has been reviewed by Ziauddin Sardar

The internet has rewired Islam. The web is now at the core of all Muslim communities and performs a central role in Islamic expression. It is being used to reinterpret Islam; and Muslims themselves are being transformed.

Blackwater was on 'crusade to eliminate Muslims'

published by You on 8 August, 2009 - 00:14

Well, what do we have here? a Private Military corporation who actually believed and acted on Bush's words?

Blackwater - the now infamous paramilitary corporation who has been involved in many incidents resulting in large numbers of civilians deaths in Iraq - has been accused of deliberately slaughtering civilians in Iraq, and having previous employees murdered if they co-operated with the federal authorities investigating their activities in the US.

A sworn affidavit from a couple of former employees who's identity is being kept secret includes nuggets such as describing the chief executive of Blackwater, Erik Prince as:

“views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe” and that his companies “encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life”

So, if they really were on a crusade, maybe the "loony nutjobs" saying so were actually correct?

Where is the international condemnation of these mercenaries? or are these the good kind of terrorists?

Read all about it @ TimesOnline

Chinese bride wears 2.2km dress

published by You on 7 August, 2009 - 23:15

A Chinese bride has attempted to break the world record for the longest wedding dress by walking down the aisle in a 2,162m-long (7,083ft) gown.

Lin Rong's dress was made for her by her husband-to-be, Zhao Peng, and his family in eastern Jilin province.

It took their 200 wedding guests three hours to unroll the fabric and decorate the train with 9,999 silk roses.

Mr Zhao's mother said she knew her son was trying to express his love, but she thought the dress was a waste of money.

"I do not want a cliche wedding parade or banquet," China's Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Zhao as saying.

Muslim women avoid reporting racism

published by You on 7 August, 2009 - 22:17

Shouts of 'Terrorist' and 'Osama Bin Laden' on the way into an Eid party. Being chased out of a park crying because a man thinks the way you dress is a danger to children. Both racism. Both to Muslim women. Neither reported to the police.

Catrin Nye of BBC Asian Network has been investigating after a charity set up to offer the women support claimed hundreds of racist crimes against Muslim women in Scotland are going unreported...

Read more @ BBC News

Taliban head Mehsud 'may be dead'

published by You on 7 August, 2009 - 03:23

US and Pakistani officials have said they are checking reports that the leader of the Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, has been killed.

He is said to have died in a missile attack on the home of a relative.

A US official said there was "reason to believe reports of his death may be true, but it cannot be confirmed".

Family members have already confirmed that one of Mehsud's wives was killed when a US drone attacked her father's home in South Waziristan on Wednesday.

Previous reports of his death have proved to be unfounded.

South Waziristan is a stronghold of Mehsud, who has been blamed by Pakistan for a series of suicide bomb attacks in the country...

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