For Ladies : High heels damage leg muscles

Wearing high heels on a regular basis can cause leg muscle damage and change the way a woman walks even after taking the shoes off, findings suggest.

In a study published in The Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers of the Griffith University compared walking and gaiting behavior of “habitual high heel wearers” and those who rarely wore heels. 

Heel lovers used to wear 2 inch (about 5 centimeter) heels for at least 40 hours a week for a minimum of two years while the others wore heels less than 10 hours per week. 

Findings showed that habitual high heel wearers had a neuromechanically adapted style of walking including shorter and more forceful strides. 

They also kept their feet almost constantly in a flexed, toes-pointed position which along with the shortened stride caused their calf muscles to shorten. 

The changes put heel users at a significant risk of damaging muscle strains and caused slides on more comfortable shoes like sneakers or flip-flops. 

“This represents a potential injury risk, and may partly explain the fact that high-heeled shoes are often associated with discomfort and muscle fatigue,” said lead author Neil Cronin who also warned that the changes and their related damages increase as heel wearers age. 

Researchers recommended women to take a break from their high heels and wear them only “once or twice a week”. 

High heel wearers should also apply particular care when exercising and putting strain onto their feet tendons that are not often fully flexed in order to prevent strains.

Source: www.presstv.com

Iran ready to assist African nations

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi 

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has expressed the country's readiness to extend cooperation with African nations in the fields of industry, science and technology and medicine.

In a meeting with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Monday, Salehi referred to Iran's industrial, scientific, technological, and pharmaceutical achievements and experiences, and declared Tehran's readiness for assisting Namibia and other African nations in these fields. 

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 18th African Union Summit which was held in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, January 29-30. 

Leaders of 54 African nations attended the summit, in which Iran participated as an observing member. 

Salehi also informed the Namibian president of Iran's plans to open an embassy in the country's capital city, Windhoek, in the near future. 

Pohamba, for his part, pointed to Namibia's need for the construction of oil refineries and said Windhoek would welcome Iran's cooperation in this regard. 

The Namibian president stressed the necessity of expanding bilateral ties with Iran particularly in the industrial and oil sectors. 

The Iranian foreign minister also held talks Bhutan's Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering on the sidelines of the summit. 

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers stressed bilateral cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations.

Source: www.presstv.com

Iran produces High Quality Biotech medicines to treat different types of Cancer, Asthma and Bone Diseases

Iran has produced six cheap and high quality biotechnological medicines to treat different types of cancer, asthma and bone diseases, Press TV reported.

The newly produced drugs were unveiled during a ceremony held in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on January 29. 

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Minister of Health and Medical Education Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi attended the ceremony along with Iranian university professors and medical researchers. 

The new drugs are Salmeterole to cure asthma, Riluzole to cure Amyotrophic lateral (ALS), Letrozole to cure Aromatize and breast cancer, Zoledronic acid to prevent Osteoporose, Botulinum toxin to cure skin diseases and Antihemophilic Factor VII for coagulation. 

The newly produced drugs can save 68 million dollars every year for the country compared to their foreign equivalents. 

“Iran produces seven types of radioisotopes, and plans to export anti-cancer products in the near future,” announced Dr. Vahid-Dastjerdi during the ceremony. 

She added that the ministry plans to promote and protect the health of Iranians through partnership and joint ventures with international firms. 

Iran has also obtained great achievements in producing biosimilar and biotechnology drugs, which are among the most expensive medicines. 

The country has achieved significant medical progress despite sanctions imposed against the country and is estimated to be one of the world's top 10 countries in medical research with a record of over 400 medical research facilities and 76 medical magazine indexes.

Source: www.presstv.com

Africa is still the victim of global arrogance and colonial practices despite their Independence

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Africa is still the victim of global arrogance and colonial practices despite African states managed to gain independence decades ago.

Speaking to reports on the sidelines of the 18th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, Salehi noted that colonial powers impose their domination on the African continent through various means to reach their objectives. 

Turning to the developments taking place in North Africa and the ongoing wave of Islamic Awakening in the region, the Iranian Foreign Minister said the popular uprisings sweeping across North Africa should encourage other African nations to restore their human dignity and politico-economic independence. 

Iran had diplomatic relations with a small number of African countries prior to the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution. Tehran has been expanding its ties with African states since the fall of deposed dictator, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and enjoys all-out relations with a lot of countries in Africa, Salehi pointed out. 

He stated that expansion of relations with African countries is among the top priorities of Iran's foreign policy, expressing his country's willingness to put its scientific and technological experience at the disposal of African nations. 

The 18th African Union Summit opened in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on January 29. The summit, with a theme of "boosting trade between African countries," is being attended by the leaders of the 54 African nations. Salehi represents Iran in the meeting as an observer. 

The participating leaders will also look at the security situation in Algeria, Niger, Mali and Mauretania, where terrorism is on the rise.

Source : www.presstv.com 

Working overtime causes depression

People who are used to work long hours every day are at a considerable greater risk of developing major depression, new findings suggest.

Researchers who followed 2,000 middle-aged British civil servants for nearly six years have found new evidence showing negative effects of overwork. 

According to an article in the journal PLoS One, individuals who work for 11 or more hours a day are more than twice as likely to suffer depression as those working between 5 to 9 hours. 

“Although occasionally working overtime may have benefits for the individual and society, it is important to recognize working excessive hours is also associated with an increased risk of major depression,” warned Dr. Marianna Virtanen and colleagues of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. 

The study suggested that some unstudied factors such as work-family conflicts, prolonged the increase in stress hormone levels. 

Previous investigations had also linked long hour working especially night shift jobs and workplace stress with cardiovascular disease, cancer, family problems and mental disorders such as depression. 

The world health organization (WHO) had predicted that the number of individuals affected with depressive syndromes globally would become higher than any other health problem by 2030. 

The condition is reported to be more common in poor and developing countries. In rich countries, similarly, the silent epidemic affects poor individuals more frequently than affluent 

A new study conducted at the University of Western Australia say drinking black tea throughout the day can slightly reduce blood pressure.

A new study conducted at the University of Western Australia say drinking black tea throughout the day can slightly reduce blood pressure.

Scientists randomly assigned 95 Australians with normal blood pressure to either drink black tea 3 times a day or a placebo beverage with a similar taste and caffeine level. 

After 6 months, the tea drinkers showed a 2mm Hg reduction in their systolic blood pressure- the top number- and 2 mm Hg drop in their diastolic blood pressure. 

The placebo drinkers, however, experienced a 1 mm Hg raise in the diastolic and 0.5 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure. 

While a decrease in blood pressure is considered a beneficent effect, the recorded amount was very low and not sufficient enough to control high blood pressure in patients who are not under medical treatment. 

“The message really isn't for an individual to go out and drink a lot of tea,” said senior researcher Jonathan Hodgson who suggested people with hypertension to take the benefit just as a bonus. 

Since the number of the studied people was very small for the study, researchers said future investigations may provide better results about benefits of black tea for reducing high blood pressure.

Ayatullah Khatami: Vikwazo vya EU haviwezi kuvuruga uchumi wa Iran

Khatibu wa muda wa Sala ya Ijumaa hapa mjini Tehran amesema leo kuwa, vikwazo vya upande mmoja vya Umoja wa Ulaya (EU) dhidi ya Iran vinalenga kuchachawiza uchaguzi wa bunge unaotarajiwa kufanyika mwezi Machi mwaka huu lakini hilo halitawezekana. Ayatullah Ahmad Khatami amesema vikazo hivyo vya EU ambavyo lengo lake lingine ni kulemaza uchumi wa Iran, vitaambulia patupu kwa uchumi wa taifa hili umejengeka juu ya misingi thabiti na imara. Khatibu wa muda wa Sala ya Ijumaa hapa Tehran amesisitiza kuwa miamala kama hiyo ya kijuba haitakuwa na natija yoyote kwa Wamagharibi ghairi ya kulemaza chumi zao wenyewe.

'Iran will stop EU oil exports this week'

A senior Iranian lawmaker says Majlis (parliament) will discuss a bill in the coming week which seeks to cut off Iran's oil exports to Europe.

Deputy head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Hossein Ebrahimi said on Friday that Iranian lawmakers would debate a “double-urgency” bill on Sunday which calls for the ban of oil exports to Europe as early as next week. 

The move comes after EU foreign ministers reached an agreement in Brussels on Monday to impose sanctions on oil imports from Iran as of July 1. The sanctions involve an immediate ban on all new oil contracts with the Islamic Republic and freezing the assets of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) within the EU. 

The Majlis motion would deny Europe the six-month phase-in period that the bloc has considered to adjust and find alternative sources to Iran's crude. 

The recent EU sanctions on Iranian oil are merely a “psychological warfare,” as the 27-member bloc is delaying the implementation of the embargoes under various pretexts, Ebrahimi added.

“Europe is uncertain about enforcing these sanctions and seeks to project [its own woes] and manipulate public opinion,” the lawmaker said. 

The EU accounted for 18 percent of Iranian crude oil sales in the first half of 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), making it Iran's second biggest customer after China. 

The EU sanctions came after US President Barack Obama signed into law fresh unilateral economic embargoes against the Central Bank of Iran on New Year's Eve in an apparent bid to punish foreign companies and banks that do business with the Iranian financial institution. The bill ultimately takes aim at Iran's oil revenue. 

The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program and have used this pretext to push for the imposition of four rounds of UN sanctions and a series of unilateral embargoes against the Islamic Republic. 

Iran has refuted the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to use nuclear technology for peaceful use.

Russia yapinga vikali vikwazo vya EU dhidi ya Iran

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Russia Sergei Lavrov

Umoja wa Ulaya EU mapema leo umepitisha vikwazo vipya dhidi ya Jamhuri ya Kiislamu ya Iran. Vikwazo hivyo vimelenga Benki Kuu ya Iran pamoja na sekta ya mafuta. Hata hivyo Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Russia Sergei Lavrov amesema vikwazo hivyo ni vya upande mmoja na visivyofaa. 

Lavrov amekumbusha kuwa vikwazo hivyo vitawaathiri zaidi wanachama wa EU hususan nchi kama Ugiriki, Italia na Uhispania ambazo zinaagiza kwa wingi mafuta kutoka Iran. EU imesema vikwazo vya mafuta vitaanza kufanya kazi kuanzia Julai 1 mwaka huu. Russia imesema hilo linaonyesha wasiwasi wa umoja huo kuhusiana na uamuzi wao huo usio wa busara. 

Punde baada ya EU kutangaza vikwazo hivyo nchi mbalimbali za Afrika na Asia zimetuma maombi kwa Iran zikitaka kuruhusiwa kuagiza mafuta kutoka hapa nchini.

Press TV ban questions free market

The British government's removal of Press TV from the Sky platform is a gross act of state intervention in the private media market even regardless of the fact that it is an obvious clampdown on freedom of the press.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) ordered the News International, which runs the Sky cable TV to stop broadcasting Press TV and the private company complied. 

Yet the very fact that the platform owned by Rupert Murdoch saw no problem with airing Press TV means the private media firm was interested in continuation of cooperation with the Iranian broadcaster and Ofcom interrupted that process. 

Indeed, it was Ofcom, not Sky that removed the Iranian news channel. 

That is not to say Sky shed tears over the issue, yet it goes against Britain's claims that it allows free flow of information and supports freedom of the press while the state TV watchdog 'orders' a private firm to change its arrangements in line with London's interests. 

The move is very similar to government threats of ordering public networking websites including Facebook to block some of their customers' accounts during and immediately after the August 2011 unrest because a process against the British establishment's lies was underway on the internet. 

Indeed, there is no justification for Ofcom to limit a news channel's access to broadcasting platforms as there is no such justification for the government to ban certain Facebook accounts, or prevent all the books of a certain author from being printed because officials did not like part of one of his books. 

After all, Press TV did have contractual agreements with Sky and the government intervention killed the economic exchange. 

Sky could have ended Press TV contract for lack of financial commitment to their deal or for the sheer fact that Sky officials did not want the Iranian news channel to use their platform but the problem here is that it was a state body, which ordered the removal.

Future smartphones will examine health

South Korean scientists say future touch screen smartphones will be able to examine health status of their owners by doing sophisticated lab and medical exams.

A team of researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science of Technology (KAIST) showed that touch screen technology can be used to detect biomolecular chemicals like what has been done in many modern medical labs. 

While being used, touch screen devices such as smartphones and PDAs can measure electronic charges of biochemical molecules such as proteins and DNA. 

Touch screens can recognize the existence and the concentration of DNA molecules placed on them, Korean experts reported in the German journal Angewandte Chemie. 

“We have confirmed that (touch screens) are able to recognize DNA molecules with nearly 100 per cent accuracy just as large, conventional medical equipment can and we believe equal results are possible for proteins,” said Hyun-gyu Park, who led the study with his colleague Byong-yeon Won. 

“There are proteins known in the medical world like the ones used to diagnose liver cancer, and we would be able to see the liver condition of the patient,” he suggested. 

The KAIST scientists said that they are developing a type of film with reactive materials that can identify specific biochemicals. 

They hope that future proceedings may lead to development of touch screen devices that can also recognize different biomolecular materials and report them to the owner and even their physicians.

Kids' obesity, fathers' weight linked

The chance of becoming obese is higher for the children whose fathers are overweight than those who have an overweight mom but a slim dad.

Previous findings had suggested that parents' weight and dietary habits have a significant influence on their children's risk of obesity. 

The association was showed to be stronger between boys and their fathers and girls and their mom. The kids were predictably more likely to be overweight if both their parents were suffering from the same problem. 

A new study of 3,285 two-parent families in Australia, however, suggests that a father's weight has a more significant effect on the risk of obesity in his children regardless of their gender. 

According to the results which appeared in the International Journal of Obesity, having an overweight father and a healthy-weight mother increased the risk of their child to become obese by 318 percent. 

Furthermore, the odds increased to 1,388 when a father was obese. Having a normal-weight father and an overweight or obese mother had no significant association with the child's risk of obesity. 

The new study also showed that the odds of becoming much obese were greater for kids whose parents were both overweight. 

The new study “provide evidence of the important role that fathers have in the development of children's weight status and this has consequences for their long-term health outcomes,” concluded the researchers. 

The findings provide more evidence that fathers act as an influential role model in shaping up their children's health related habits such as their diet and physical activity.

Nighttime sleep affects appetite

Sweden's Uppsala University researchers say lack of sufficient and good night sleep may sabotage diet and weight loss by increasing hunger and appetite.

The new study showed that a specific brain region that contributes to appetite sensation is more activated in response to food images after one night of sleep loss, says the report in theJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 

Researchers used functional MRI scan technology (fMRI) to study the brain activity of 12 normal-weight males when they viewed images of food after being deprived a whole night from sleep. 

The results were compared with the brain scans obtained from the same participants who viewed food images after a sufficient night's sleep. 

“After a night of total sleep loss, these males showed a high level of activation in an area of the brain that is involved in a desire to eat,” said co-author Christian Benedict. 

“Bearing in mind that insufficient sleep is a growing problem in modern society, our results may explain why poor sleep habits can affect people's risk to gain weight in the long run,” he added.

According to their findings, researchers concluded that sleeping about eight hours at night is crucial for maintaining a stable and healthy body weight. 

The study results may also be important for people with sleep disorders who are following a restricted diet to lose their extra weight.

'Iran will make world unsafe for US'

An Iranian lawmaker says in the event of US “military adventurism” in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will respond in the shortest possible time by making the entire world unsafe for Americans.

Mohammad Kowsari said on Monday that Iran will “definitely” close the Strait of Hormuz, if there is a disruption in the sales of the country's crude, stressing that the “US and its allies will not be able to reopen the strategic waterway.” 

Kowsari, who is deputy head of Iran Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, added that the US and UK sanctions against the Islamic Republic will only intensify Iranian hatred of the West. 

The lawmaker added that experience has proven that Western sanctions have mostly resulted in the progress of the Iranian nation. 

Tensions between Tehran and Washington over the Strait of Hormuz escalated after the US and the European Union proposed sanctions against Iran's oil sector. 

Iranian authorities have warned that the imposition of sanctions against the country's energy sector will prompt Tehran to choke the oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. 

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway which connects the Persian Gulf on the west to the Sea of Oman. Statistically, the waterway is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, with a daily flow of about 15 million barrels of oil.

Source: www.presstv.ir 

Human Rights Watch: Marekani inakiuka haki za binadamu

Shirika la Kutetea Haki za Binadamu la Human Rights Watch limeikosoa Marekani kutokana na ukiukaji mkubwa wa haki za binadamu inaoufanya.

Taarifa ya Human Rights Watch imeashiria kuweko wafungwa milioni mbili na laki tatu katika jela za Marekani na kuikosoa nchi hiyo kutokana na kuwa na wafungwa wengi zaidi duniani. Shirika la Kutetea Haki za Binadamu limekosoa sheria kali za Marekani kwa wahajiri ambazo limesema zimekuwa chanzo cha mamia kwa maelfu ya watu kutupwa jela.

Mfumo wa kimahakama wa Marekanin pia umekosolewa mno na ripoti ya Shirika la Kutetea Haki za Binadamu la Human Rights Watch huku taarifa hiyo ikiwaonya viongozi wa Washington kuhusiana na kuendelea kuwashikilia watuhumiwa wa vitendo vya ugaidi katika jela ya Guantanamo.

Dikteta Saleh aikimbia Yemen; yuko Oman akiwa njiani kuelekea Marekani

Viongozi wa Yemen wametangaza kuwa, Ali Abdallah Saleh dikteta wa nchi hiyo ameondoka katika uwanja wa ndege wa San'aa akielekea Marekani. Baadhi ya duru za Yemen zimetangaza kwamba, dikteta Ali Abdallah Saleh atakuwa nchini Oman kwa siku kadhaa kabla ya kuelekea Marekani. 

Taarifa zaidi zinadai kwamba, dikteta huyo anakwenda Marekani kwa ajili ya matibabu na kwamba, atarejea Yemen baada ya kumaliza matibabu kwa ajili ya kukiongoza chama chake. Ali Abdallah Saleh aliondoka Yemen jana huku maandamano ya kupinga kupewa kinga ya kutoshtakiwa yeye na viongozi wenzake yakishadidi. 

Maelefu ya wananchi wa Yemen waliandamana jana katika miji mbalimbali ya nchi hiyo wakitaka kunyongwa dikteta huyo. Wananchi hao walisikika wakipiga nara na kutoa wito wa kunyongwa Ali Abdallah Saleh waliyemtaja kuwa mchinjaji na muuaji.

Rais Ahmadinejad: Iran itajibu vikali hujuma na vitisho vya adui

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kiislamu ya Iran amesema taifa la Iran litajibu vikali hujuma na vitisho vyovyote dhidi yake.

Akizungumza Jumamosi katika mahojiano na Kanali ya Televisheni ya Mexico, Rais Ahmadinejad amesisitiza kuwa vikwazo vya nchi za Magharibi havijakuwa na athari katika mkondo wa ustawi wa taifa la Iran.

Kuhusu vitisho vya utawala wa Marekani dhidi ya Iran kutokana na shughuli zake za nyuklia zenye malengo ya amani, amsema kadhia ya nyuklia imebadilishwa kuwa ya kisiasa. Amesema ni wazi kuwa Marekani na waitifaki wake wanatumia kisingizio cha kadhia ya nyuklia ili kuzuia ustawi wa taifa la Iran. Rais wa Iran amesisitiza kuwa taifa lililostaarabika la Iran halihitajii bomu la atomiki na kuongeza kuwa wanaomiliki silaha za atomiki ni wale wasio na ustaarabu. 

Rais Ahmadinejad amesema hadi sasa Iran ndio nchi iliyoshirikiana kwa karibu zaidi na Wakala wa Kimataifa wa Nishati ya Atomiki IAEA. Kuhusu utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel, Rais Ahmadinejad amesema Iran kamwe haitautambua utawala huo ghasibu kwani hata Umoja wa Mataifa umeshautangaza utawala wa Kizayuni kuwa ni mvamizi.

Waholanzi: Netanyahu, mvunjaji mkubwa wa sheria za kimataifa

Dries Van Agt, Waziri Mkuu wa zamani wa Uholanzi amesema Waziri Mkuu wa utawala haramu wa Israel, Benjamin Netantahu ni mvunjaji mkubwa wa sheria za kimataifa. Katika barua yake kwa Uri Rosenthal, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Uholanzi kuhusiana na safari inayotazamiwa karibuni hivi ya Benjamin Netanyahu nchini humo, Waziri Mkuu huyo wa zamani wa Udachi amesema kuwa, Netanyahu amehusika mara kadhaa na ukiukaji wa sheria za kimataifa, hivyo, haoni faida yoyote kwa Waziri Mkuu huyo wa Israel kuruhusiwa nchi humo. 

Van Agt ameashiria kuwa, Israel chini ya Netanyahu imekuwa ikikiuka mikataba iliyosaini yenyewe na kutoa mfano hai wa kipengee kimoja katika Mkataba wa Geneva, kinachosisitiza kulindwa kwa raia wakati wa vita na pia kingine katika Mkataba wa Umoja wa Mataifa dhidi ya ukandamizaji. Waziri Mkuu huyo wa zamani wa Uholanzi aidha ameita serikali ya nchi hiyo ilaani hatua ya Netanyahu kuendelea kuunga mkono ujenzi wa vitongoji vya walowezi wa kizayuni katika ardhi za Wapalestina zinazokaliwa kwa mabavu.

Gazeti la Marekani laitaka Mossad kumuua Obama

Gazeti moja la Mayahudi wa Marekani limeliomba Shirika la Ujasusi la Israel Mossad kumuua Barack Obama likidai kuwa, Rais huyo wa Marekani amekuwa na mielekeo ya kiadui kwa Israel. Gazeti hilo liitwalo Atlanta Jewish Times limeandika kuwa, kuendelea kuwa uongozini Rais Obama kunahatarisha mustakabali wa utawala huo haramu. 

Katika makala ya hivi karibuni iliyoandikwa na Andrew Adler, mwasisi wa gazeti hilo la Kiyahudi la Marekani, amemtaka Waziri Mkuu wa Israel Benjamin Netanyahu aiamrishe Mossad kumuua Obama ili kuhifadhi na kulinda uwepo wa utawala huo wa kizayuni.

Palestina yaendelea kutambuliwa duniani, Thailand nayo yaitambua

Thailand imekuwa taifa la kwanza kuitambua rasmi nchi huru ya Palestina mwaka huu wa 2012. Ujumbe wa Palestina katika Umoja wa Mataifa umesema umepokea barua kutoka kwa serikali ya Thailand inayosema kuwa, nchi hiyo ya kusini mashariki mwa bara Asia imeitambua rasmi nchi ya Palestina kwa mujibu wa mipaka ya mwaka 1967.

 

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Mamlaka ya Ndani ya Palestina ameipongeza Thailand kwa hatua hiyo aliyoitaja kuwa ya kutia moyo na yenye nafasi ya kipekee katika udiplomasia wa Palestina. Riyad al Maliki ameongeza kuwa, Thailand imekuwa nchi ya 131 kutambua rasmi nchi huru ya Palestina kwa mujibu wa mipaka ya mwaka 1967.

 

Ni vizuri kuashiria hapa kuwa, Oktoba mwaka uliopita wa 2011, Shirika la Elimu, Sayansi na Utamaduni la Umoja wa Mataifa UNESCO liliipatia Palestina uanachama kamili.

'Iran oil ban more difficult than it seems'

A Russian energy expert maintains that Washington is finding a ban on Iran oil imports more difficult as European and Asian countries show increasing resistance to US-proposed sanctions on the Iranian oil sector.

In an article published by analytical website, Eurasiareview, Konstantin Garibov says certain members of the European Union as well as Turkey, Japan, China, South Korea and India have already asked to be exempted from Iran's oil sanctions. 

“Last week India and Turkey refused to sign up to a proposed embargo on the import of Iranian crude, just days after the same had been announced by China,” he added. 

The analyst further noted that as EU is expected to finalize a decision on halting Iranian oil imports on January 23, a number of Western companies are hastily extending their contracts with Iranian partners to avoid being hit by the proposed sanctions. 

“In an affront to Washington, India and Turkey have said although they would comply with the standing UN sanctions against Tehran, they would ignore oil embargo introduced by individual countries. Iranian oil accounts for about 10 percent of India's needs and a hefty 30 percent of Turkish imports,” he added. 

Garibov stated that South Korea, which is buying about as much Iranian oil as India, is still undecided on whether or not to stand by Washington on this matter. 

“Despite siding with the US on the matter, Japan and South Korea are still facing growing domestic discontent over their role as 'junior partners' to the American Big Brother. Even if they join in the sanctions, the sanctions are unlikely to succeed. As for China and India, they will keep importing Iranian oil, which means that America is losing its sway in Asia,” he noted. 

He quoted another Russian expert, Lyudmila Kulagina, as saying that although EU members may decide to stop buying Iran's oil during their planned meeting on January 23 it “is going to be a hard call for many of them." 

“The US-proposed embargo will certainly add to Europeans' economic woes, forcing them to look for new sources of much-needed oil supply which won't be easy…,” the expert added. 

According to Garibov, some energy experts have even noted that imposing sanctions is an attempt by Washington to play the Iranian oil card to economically undermine the EU which, unlike America, imports up to 40 percent of its crude oil from Iran. 

“In any event, if the US succeeds in pulling the plug on Iranian oil imports, even incrementally, Tehran will apparently try offering additional supplies to either China or India whose economies remain the main drivers of global economic growth. Turkey too could jack up its oil imports with an eye to partially reselling them to European buyers,” Garibov concluded.

US to send old warship to Persian Gulf

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has vowed to maintain a fleet of eleven warships despite budget pressures, mostly to project sea power against Iran.

On board of the oldest US aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, Panetta told the crowd of 1,700 sailors that the 50-year-old ship is heading to the Persian Gulf region in a direct message to Tehran. 

“The reason we maintain a presence in the Middle East ... We want them to know that we are fully prepared to deal with any contingency and it's better for them to try to deal with us through diplomacy," Panetta said. 

The USS Enterprise is the oldest active duty ship in the American naval fleet and its mission dates back to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 and the Vietnam War. 

The decision to maintain 11 warships comes at a time when the US economy is facing a national debt of more than USD 15 trillion after a decade of costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and is preparing for 487 billion dollars in defense cuts over the next 10 years. 

On January 5, US President Barack Obama announced the shift in Washington's defense strategy to reduce the expenses. The eight-page document contained no details about how broad concepts for reshaping the military - such as focusing more on Asia and less on Europe - will translate into troop or weapons cuts. 

Iran has warned the West of the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass. 

Iran threats were issued in response to aggressive military build-up, covert war operations and proposed sanctions against the Iranian oil sector, coming from the US and its allies.

Cheap anti-malaria drug underway

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany have found a cheap way to make anti-malaria drug in large quantities.

Synthesized with the help of oxygen and light, artemisinin can provide for about 225 million malaria patients in developing countries at an affordable price. 

To make the drug, scientists used waste materials of the isolation of artemisinin from sweet wormwoods as their starting substance. The substance can also be produced biotechnologically in yeast, which the scientists convert into the active ingredient. 

In the new study, researchers led by Peter H. Seeberger have discovered a very simple way of synthesizing the artemisinin molecule, which is identified as an anti-malaria drug from traditional Chinese medicine and has an extremely complex chemical structure. 

The production is done through Photochemistry method which is a simple and cost-effective way, explained director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam Peter H. Seeberger. 

The current treatment against malaria is not accessible to all of the more than 200 million people worldwide who are affected by the disease. 

As the price for the medication varies, many affected people especially in the developing world cannot afford the combination drug preparation, which consists mainly of artemisinin. 

The substance is isolated from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) which grows mainly in China and Vietnam, and varies seasonally in its availability and consequently in its price. 

While over one million people die of malaria each year due to the cost of available treatments, the new drug will be a gift to the world of medicine and poor patients.

US deploys 12,000 troops in Libya

The United States has sent some 12,000 soldiers to Libya, in the first phase of deployments to the oil-rich North African nation.

According to Asharq Alawsat, the troops landed in the eastern oil port city of Brega. 

Although the deployment is said to be aimed at generating stability and security in the region, the troops are expected to take control of the country's key oil fields and strategic ports. 

Brega, the site of an important oil refinery, serves as a major export hub for Libyan oil. The town is also one of the five oil terminals in the eastern half of the country. 

Following the popular uprising of the Libyan people, NATO launched a major air campaign against the forces of the former regime on March 19, 2011 under a UN mandate to “protect the Libyan population.” 

The Western military alliance, however, was heavily criticized for its failure to protect civilians and taking action beyond the terms of the UN mandate. 

On October 20, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed in his hometown of Sirte, eight months into an uprising that put an end to his 42-year dictatorship. 

Human rights groups have accused NATO of committing war crimes and human rights violations against Libyans. 

SARKOZY AKIRI KUWA VITA DHIDI YA IRAN VITAKUWA NA HASARA KUBWA

Rais Nicolas Sarkozy wa Ufaransa ametahadharisha kwamba kuvamiwa kijeshi Iran kwa sababu ya miradi yake ya nyuklia kutaibua maafa makubwa duniani ikiwa ni pamoja vita na machafuko katika eneo zima la Mashariki ya Kati. 

Sarkozy amekiri hayo na kuongeza kwamba Paris itafanya kila iwezalo ili kujiepusha kushiriki katika vita dhidi ya Iran. 

Inafaa kukumbusha hapa kuwa Marekani na Israel mara kadhaa zimetishia kuishambulia kijeshi Iran kwa madai yasiyo na msingi kwamba miradi ya nyuklia ya Tehran eti lengo lake ni kutengeneza silaha za nyuklia. 

Hii ni katika hali ambayo Iran mara kadhaa imekanusha madai hayo na kutangaza kwamba miradi yake ya nyuklia ni ya kiraia na inaendeshwa kwa mujibu wa Maktaba wa N.P.T, chini ya usimamizi wa Wakala wa Kimataifa wa Nishati ya Atomiki.

MFALME WA QATAR AFANYA ZIARA YA SIRI ISRAEL + VIDEO

Mfalme wa Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Aal Thani amefanya ziara ya siri ya kuutembelea utawala wa Kizayuni licha ya uhakika kwamba Qatar haina uhusiano wa kisiasa na Israel.

Mkanda mmoja wa video unamuonesha Amir huyo wa Qatar pamoja na Waziri Mkuu wake Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Aal Thani wakikaribishwa na Tzipi Livni, mkuu wa chama cha Kadima cha Israel.

Mfalme huyo wa Qatar ameonana pia na maafisa wengine kadhaa wa ngazi za juu wa utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel.

Kuwekwa mkataba mpya wa gesi kati ya Doha na Tel Aviv ni miongoni mwa masuala muhimu yaliyojadiliwa katika ziara hiyo ya Amir wa Qatar na ujumbe wake mzito huko Israel.

Qatar imeweka mkataba mpya wa gesi na Israel baada ya mkataba wa gesi kati ya utawala wa Kizayuni na Misri uliokuwa umewekwa wakati wa utawala wa dikteta Hosni Mubarak kuingia hatarini kufuatia wanaharakati wa Kiislamu kupata ushindi mutlaki katika uchaguzi wa hivi karibuni wa Bunge nchini Misri na ambao ulikuwa wa kwanza tangu kupinduliwa kibaraka mkubwa wa nchi za Magharibi, Hosni Mubarak.

zaidi ya wanafunzi 1000 wa Kiirani wameomba kubadilisha taaluma zao kuelekea taaluma ya Fizikia na Uhandisi wa Nishati ya Nyuklia

Waziri wa Elimu, Teknolojia na Utafiti wa Iran Kamran Daneshjoo ametangaza kwamba zaidi ya wanafunzi 1000 wameomba kubadilisha taaluma zao kuelekea taaluma ya Fizikia na Uhandisi wa Nishati ya Nyuklia.

Daneshjoo amesema, wanafunzi wapatao 300 wa Chuo Kikuu cha Ufundi cha Sharif na vilevile wanafunzi zaidi ya elfu moja wa muhula wa kwanza wa masomo katika vyuo vikuu nchini wameomba kubadilisha taaluma zao ili kusomea fani ya Fizikia na Uhandisi wa Nishati ya Nyuklia.

Amesema jambo hili linaashiria kwamba mbinu za mauaji zinazofanywa na maadui dhidi ya wasomi wa Nyuklia wa Iran hazina taathira yoyote ya kuwatia woga wanafunzi hao, na kwamba mbinu hizo hazikuwasaidia lolote maadui hao.

Ameashiria kwamba kwa mujibu wa takwimu mpya zilizotolewa na mtandao wa Kielimu wa Kimataifa "Escobos" Iran imejipatia nafasi ya kwanza katika upande wa elimu, wakati ambao ilikuwa ya pili baada ya Uturuki.

Waziri huyo ameongeza kwamba idadi ya wanafunzi wa Vyuo Vikuu imefikia milioni nne huku idadi ya waliochaguliwa ikizidi pia, na amesema kwamba wakuu wa vyombo vya usalama wanafanya juhudi kubwa usiku na mchana katika kuhakikisha maisha ya wanafunzi hao yanakuwa salama kutokana na njama mbaya za maadui.

Jumuiya ya NAM yaalani hatua ya Marekani ya kukiuka anga ya Iran

Jumuiya ya Nchi Zisizofungama na Siasa za Upande Wowote NAM imelaani ukiukaji wa anga ya Iran uliofanywa na ndege ya ujasusi ya Marekani isiyo na rubani mwishoni mwa mwaka jana. Kitengo cha mawasiliano cha jumuiya ya NAM kimetoa taarifa kikilaani ukiukaji huo uliofanywa na ndege ya ujasusi ya Marekani isiyo na rubani katika anga ya Jamhuri ya Kiislamu ya Iran. Jumuiya ya Nchi Zisizofungamana na Siasa za Upande Wowote NAM ambayo ina wanachama 120 imeeleza katika taarifa yake kuwa, ukiuaji wa anga ya Iran ni kinyume na sheria zote za kimataifa zinazohusiana na mamlaka ya kujitawala ya anga za nchi mbalimbali. Mapema mwezi huu Jumuiya ya Ushirikiano wa Kiislamu OIC pia ilikemea hatua hiyo ya ndege ya ujasusi ya Marekani ya kuingia katika anga ya Iran kinyume cha sheria. Disemba 4 mwaka jana Iran ilitangaza kuwa kitengo chake cha masuala ya kielektoroniki katika vikosi vya jeshi kimefanikiwa kuidhibiti ndege hiyo ya ujasusi ya Marekani aina ya RQ-170 Sentinel ambayo ilikuwa ikipaa katika anga ya mji wa Kashmar huko kaskazini magharibi mwa Iran na baadae kuishusha chini.

UKOSEFU WA UADILIFU WAONGEZEKA KATIKA NCHI TAJIRI DUNIANI

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Afya Duniani WHO amesema kuwa ukosefu wa uadilifu wa kijamii katika nchi tajiri ulimwenguni unazidi kuongezeka.

Bi Margaret Chan, raia wa China, alisema hayo jana katika kikao cha WHO kilichofanyika mjini Geneva Uswisi na kuongeza kuwa, ukosefu huo wa uadilifu katika baadhi ya nchi tajiri duniani unashuhudiwa zaidi katika hali ya maisha baina ya watu wazee na vijana.

Dk. Chan ameongeza kuwa, ukosefu wa uadilifu katika kipato cha watu wa nchi hizo tajiri ni mkubwa mno kiasi kwamba haujawahi kushuhudiwa mfano wake katika kipindi cha miaka 25 iliyopita.
Ukosefu wa uadilifu unaongezeka pia baina ya nchi na nchi na baina ya mataifa tajiri na mataifa maskini duniani, huku mataifa ya kibepari yakizidi kuzinyonya nchi changa ulimwenguni.

Dk. Margaret Chan amesema pia kuwa idadi ya vifo vya watoto wadogo iliongezeka sana mwaka 2011 idadi ambayo haijawahi kushuhudiwa mfano wake katika kipindi cha miaka 60 iliyopita.

EXPERTS CALL FOR ENERGY DRINK WARNINGS

The Australian Medical Association calls for age-restrictions on energy drinks following significant rise in the number of teens affected by adverse effects.

Health experts from the University of Sydney and the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre warned that reports of reactions caused by drinks such as Red Bull and V jumped from just 12 in 2004 to 65 in 2010. 

According to their report published in the Medical Journal of Australia, during the 7 years period 297 calls for assistance were recorded with at least 128 people hospitalized due to over-consumption of the highly caffeinated drinks. 

The symptoms included heart palpitations, agitation and stomach upsets and even seizures and hallucinations in some cases. 

The median age of people who were affected by the drinks was 17 years and more among those who mixed energy drinks with alcohol. 

“Given the clear evidence of toxicity and the growing number of hospitalizations associated with consumption of energy drinks, particularly in a vulnerable adolescent population, health authorities should increase awareness of the problem, improve package labeling and regulate caffeine content,” experts noted. 

They suggested that energy drinks should carry warning labels similar to those for non-prescription, over-the-counter caffeine tablets. 

The request has already been rejected by the Australian Beverages Council representing energy drink industry by saying that the country has the strongest regulation of all world markets.

TITANIC IN 3-D - RE- RELEASING IN APRIL 2012

James Cameron’s multi Oscar-winning film Titanic will be coming at us in 3D when it gets re-released in the Spring of 2012. But is it necessary?

If you didn’t think Roland Emmerich’s disaster spectacle 2012 had enough destruction in it – and lacked a pivotal third dimension – then here’s some news you’ll be interested in. James Cameron’s Oscar-winning and box office behemoth, Titanic, will be getting a 3D re-release in the Spring of 2012

We’ve heard rumblings for a long time that Titanic would eventually get a 3D release and more recently Cameron said the aim was to release it in spring of 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the titular ship’s sinking. Now Los Angeles Times – in a piece celebrating Titanic actress Gloria Stuart’s 100th birthday – has confirmed the aim by saying that Cameron is, “converting the blockbuster into 3-D for re-release in April 2012, the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.”

FLAVIANA WINS ‘MODEL OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

Flaviana Matata 

BRIEF BACKGROUND: ABOUT THE MODEL 

Flaviana Matata (born 1987) is a Tanzanian beauty queen and fashion model. She won the first edition of the Miss Universe Tanzania pageant in 2007, and went on to represent the contest in the Miss Universe pageant the same year, where she placed among the Top 15 semifinalists and ended up in 6th place after the evening gown competition. Recently she modeled print advertisements for Sherri Hill. 

Lagos. Tanzanian model Flaviana Matata has won the Model of the Year award by Arise Magazine Lagos Fashion Week. It's been a good year for Flaviana who has been featured in numerous United States editorials including Dazed & Confused, Glass Magazine, L'officiel and soon to be in ID Magazine. 

She has also walked the runways of some of fashions most influential designers, including Vivianne Westwood, Tory Burch, Suno, and Louise Gray and was featured in the Alexander McQueen film tribute and Topshop Spring 2011 ad campaign. Sky is the limit for her. 

The event, that took place in Lagos, starting 13th March, also saw designer Mustafa Hassanali showcase his latest collection. 

Source: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz

WEB ADDICTS HAVE BRAIN CHANGES, RESEARCH SUGGESTS

Web addicts have brain changes similar to those hooked on drugs or alcohol, preliminary research suggests.

Experts in China scanned the brains of 17 young web addicts and found disruption in the way their brains were wired up.

They say the discovery, published in Plos One, could lead to new treatments for addictive behaviour.

Internet addiction is a clinical disorder marked by out-of-control internet use.

A research team led by Hao Lei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan carried out brain scans of 35 men and women aged between 14 and 21.

Seventeen of them were classed as having internet addiction disorder (IAD) on the basis of answering yes to questions such as, "Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use?"

Specialised MRI brain scans showed changes in the white matter of the brain - the part that contains nerve fibres - in those classed as being web addicts, compared with non-addicts.

Diagnostic criteria for internet addiction

• Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? 
• Do you feel the need to use the internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction? 
• Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use? 
• Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use? 
• Do you stay online longer than intended? 
• Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet? 
• Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the internet? 
• Do you use the internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a distressed mood (eg feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety and depression)? 

Participants answering yes to questions 1 to 5 and at least one more answer were classed as suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder

Source: Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction adapted by Beard and Wolf

There was evidence of disruption to connections in nerve fibres linking brain areas involved in emotions, decision making, and self-control.

Dr Hao Lei and colleagues write in Plos One: "Overall, our findings indicate that IAD has abnormal white matter integrity in brain regions involving emotional generation and processing, executive attention, decision making and cognitive control.

"The results also suggest that IAD may share psychological and neural mechanisms with other types of substance addiction and impulse control disorders."

Prof Gunter Schumann, chair in biological psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London, said similar findings have been found in video game addicts.

He told the BBC: "For the first time two studies show changes in the neuronal connections between brain areas as well as changes in brain function in people who are frequently using the internet or video games."

Commenting on the Chinese study, Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, consultant psychiatrist and honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College London, said the research was "groundbreaking".

She added: "We are finally being told what clinicians suspected for some time now, that white matter abnormalities in the orbito-frontal cortex and other truly significant brain areas are present not only in addictions where substances are involved but also in behavioural ones such as internet addiction."

She said further studies with larger numbers of subjects were needed to confirm the findings.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16505521