Arson Attempts! This time towards surau in Muar

PETALING JAYA: Four men, including the son of a policeman, were arrested by Johor police for Thursday’s arson attempt on two surau in Muar, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said Saturday.

He said the suspects, aged between 16 and 28 years old, were picked up in separate raids conducted on Friday from morning to evening, and, with their arrests, believes the case has been solved.

“The youths who were picked up, lived near the surau that were attacked and had done it without thinking about the effect their actions.

“Nonetheless, their irresponsible action is considered a crime and the Johor police, who have performed professionally, will continue gathering more evidence to try and (charge) them in court,” he said during a press conference held in Bukit Aman police headquarters Saturday.

He said police were trying to establish the youths’ true motive and were checking to see if anyon had instigated them.

Based on initial investigations, police strongly believe the four were involved in both arson attempts at the Muar surau, located about a kilometre apart, Ismail said.

He said the youngest of the arrested suspects, was just 16 and a school dropout, while the 18-year-old was a restaurant worker and the son of the policeman with the rank of L/Kpl.

All four are believed to be friends.

He said the case was currently being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief and expected the youths to be remanded later Saturday.

Ismail also commended the swift action by Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Johor police in nabbing the people involved in the attacks on places of worship and warned everyone against acting emotionally, doing any mischief or provoking people of different faith.

On Thursday, two surau in Sabak Aur and Parit Beting, were partially damaged in two arson attempts.

In the first incident, the Surau Sirrahtulrahim at Jalan Ismail in Sabak Aur had its curtain and parts of the wall scorched after kerosene was splashed near the window on the front wall. The fire was put out with the help of passers-by.

The second surau at Jalan Salleh had its side door burnt and a window broken.

The damage was only noticed at 11am when some children went to the surau to attend a Quran class.

Air asia aids Haiti!

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia has joined hands with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in an effort to raise RM438mil (US$128mil) for children and families in earthquake-hit Haiti.

Its group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia had established a dedicated link on its website to allow guests to contribute to the fund called Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal 2010.

“The AirAsia family wanted to help when we first heard about the tragedy in Haiti. When Unicef asked us to join them, we readily agreed.

"Our website receives about 20 million visitors every month and we carried an estimated 25 million guests last year,” he said in a statement here Saturday.

Guests can contribute to the fund by visiting www.airasia.com and click on the link to make donations.

Meanwhile, the Muslim communities in the United States are raising funds to help Haitians.

“The Zakat Foundation of America is another Muslim-American organisation aiding the Haitian population.

“Impoverished Haiti is a familiar territory for the Zakat Foundation,” the United States Embassy said in a statement.

It said that Muslim Americans at the local level are donating aid to Haiti through the Islamic Society of North America and other Muslim-American organisations.

Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake on Jan 12, which killed over 100,000 people. -- Bernama

Katrina and Haiti?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/15/tierney.haiti.katrina/index.html?hpt=T2


The media have begun to make comparisons between Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. And in some ways, the two events are comparable.

Like Katrina, the earthquake has produced effects of catastrophic proportions. Both events rank among the largest catastrophes ever experienced in the Western Hemisphere.

They both have resulted in large loss of life and immense human suffering and make the coordination of emergency resources extremely difficult. Ordinary citizens are left to fend for themselves in the wreckage. And as we saw in Katrina and see now in Haiti, residents of disaster-stricken areas are the true first responders.

The aftermath of such catastrophes brings more prolonged suffering and massive recovery challenges. People pay attention as the media cover them, but they turn their attention elsewhere when the cameras leave, even though many of the real challenges that victims and affected regions face emerge later. Like the Gulf region, Haiti will struggle for years and perhaps decades to rebuild and recover.

But there, the comparisons end.

To get an idea of the distinction between the two events, imagine that all of the U.S. west of the Mississippi were to be destroyed or extensively damaged by some immense catastrophe in one minute, with absolutely no warning. That is the situation Haiti faces.

As horrific as it was, Katrina was a region-wide catastrophe, not a national one. Damage was enormous in the Gulf region, but the resources of the larger nation remained intact and available for mobilization, even though aid was slow in coming.

Katrina did not flatten our nation's capital or prevent national leaders from communicating with one another. Impacts were catastrophic in areas where Katrina struck, creating significant logistics problems, but the infrastructure of the rest of the nation was untouched. Also important, it was possible to issue warnings for Katrina, which enabled the vast majority of those who were at risk to evacuate to safety. The victims of the earthquake had no such warning.

In contrast, the earthquake in Haiti destroyed much of its capital, Port-au-Prince, and affected approximately one-third of the population of the entire country. The proportion of the nation's population that has been killed, injured or left homeless is enormous. The facilities that could have assisted victims, such as hospitals, clinics and the UN headquarters for the nation, were destroyed or are not operational. Aftershocks, which will continue for weeks, months and perhaps even years, will do additional damage and further compound both rescue and relief efforts.

There is another distinction that makes these events non-comparable.

Katrina affected the most vulnerable in the impact region: the poor, the elderly, the disabled, nursing home and hospital patients, and other at-risk groups. But the concept of vulnerability takes on a new meaning in the Haiti earthquake. The entire nation is desperately poor; 80 percent of the population lives in poverty and more than half that number in abject poverty.

On almost all indicators of well-being -- health, education, literacy, income -- Haiti ranks very low. The nation has a long history of rule by dictators, political coups and savage violence. The capacity of Haiti's series of governments to provide services to its people has been abysmal for most of its history.

In many ways, residents of Haiti faced a daily disaster even before the earthquake. These differences matter, and they should be kept in mind by those seeking to see parallels between the two catastrophes.

Financial Crisis Review by Obama

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/16/obama-we-wont-let-wall-street-take-the-money-and-run/#more-85596

FOLLOW UP!

Over the past two years, more than seven million Americans have lost their jobs. Countless businesses have been forced to shut their doors. Few families have escaped the pain of this terrible recession. Rarely does a day go by that I do not hear from folks who are hurting. That is why we have pushed so hard to rebuild this economy.

But even as we work tirelessly to dig our way out of this hole, it is important that we address what led us into such a deep mess in the first place. Much of the turmoil of this recession was caused by the irresponsibility of banks and financial institutions on Wall Street. These financial firms took huge, reckless risks in pursuit of short-term profits and soaring bonuses. They gambled with borrowed money, without enough oversight or regard for the consequences. And when they lost, they lost big. Little more than a year ago, many of the largest and oldest financial firms in the world teetered on the brink of collapse, overwhelmed by the consequences of their irresponsible decisions. This financial crisis nearly pulled the entire economy into a second Great Depression.

As a result, the American people – struggling in their own right – were placed in a deeply unfair and unsatisfying position. Even though these financial firms were largely facing a crisis of their own creation, their failure could have led to an even greater calamity for the country. That is why the previous administration started a program – the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP – to provide these financial institutions with funds to survive the turmoil they helped unleash. It was a distasteful but necessary thing to do.

Many originally feared that most of the $700 billion in TARP money would be lost. But when my administration came into office, we put in place rigorous rules for accountability and transparency, which cut the cost of the bailout dramatically. We have now recovered most of the money we provided to the banks. That’s good news, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s not good enough. We want the taxpayers’ money back, and we’re going to collect every dime.

How to prevent gaining the Freshmen 15

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/26/freshman.15.weight/index.html

So many first-year college students gain unwanted pounds that the so-called Freshman 15 is the subject of a new MTV reality show. (They're auditioning now.)

Structure your eating habits

Nadina Bourgeois, 24, packed on 15 pounds her first year at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and added another 10 to 15 over four years. She blames her "weird" schedule for her expanding size.

"Some days I'd wake up at 1 p.m. and go straight to class, and other days I'd be up at 8:30 a.m.," she says. "There was no way to plan ahead -- especially when it came to meals." Delinsky suggests that fitting three meals and two to three snacks into each day can keep your eating habits on track and your calorie intake under control. Health.com: Top 10 energy-boosting nutrition strategies

Health Library

• MayoClinic.com: Weight-loss help -- How to stop emotional eating

Don't overdo your dining plan

Campus dining rooms encourage an all-you-can-eat mentality. Counter it by filling your plate with at least 50 percent green stuff, suggests Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D., the senior food and nutrition editor at "Health."

It can be fresh salad, cooked veggies, or a combo. Then pick up a piece of grilled chicken or a burger without the bun from the grill. The remaining 25 percent of your plate should be filled with a whole grain such as steamed brown rice, whole-wheat bread, or, if your college is really with it, quinoa salad or tabbouleh. "And steal a couple pieces of fresh fruit to bring back to your dorm room," she says. Health.com: 5 surprising myths about excess weight

Avoid peer pressure

Just because everyone else from your Intro to Psych study group heads to the local pizza joint after class doesn't mean you have to join in the feeding frenzy, says Largeman-Roth.

"Either join in and keep it to two slices plus a salad (eat the salad first to fill up), or take a rain check," she says. "It's easy to overdo it when you're with your friends--especially if beer is flowing."

Watch the liquid calories

Speaking of beer, liquid calories add up quickly! That's often part of the reason why people gain the first year. "Not only does alcohol contain a lot of calories, but people also make poor food choices when they're under the influence," says Delinsky. Alternate with water and diet soda and try not to get so drunk that judgment is impaired. Health.com: How crash diets harm your health and heart

Plan for cramming

When you're trying to stay awake and focused, studies show that chewing gum can help, and the sugar-free kind is virtually free of calories. "But when you just need those chips or cookies to get through an all-nighter, keep the damage down by buying single-serving packs," advises Largeman-Roth. "An entire bag of chips can do anyone in when they're stressed."

Keep your dorm free of junk food

Although you don't need a stocked kitchen in your dorm, it helps to keep on hand yogurt, fruit, and granola bars with at least 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving and no more than 10 grams of sugar, such as TLC Chewy Granola Bars from Kashi. Health.com: 20 little ways to drop pounds and keep them off

Take a course on healthy eating

In one study, adding a nutrition science course to a student's curriculum was an effective intervention against weight gain. If that's not possible, make an appointment with your campus nutritionist for advice on maintaining or losing weight.

Weigh yourself daily

A 2006 study by Cornell University researchers suggests that daily weight-monitoring can be a useful tool for keeping college weight gain in check.

Arax-Rae Van Buren, 24, who gained 20 pounds her first year at Arizona State University, agrees that nutritional education and self-monitoring would have helped her. "I gained the weight so fast I still have stretch marks on my inner thighs," she admits.

Join the gym

Many students swap high school sports for college studies, and they end up burning fewer calories. Delinsky suggests they check out the campus gym. "The campus gyms are amazing and they are high-end," she says. "They have really fun offerings--rock-climbing, yoga, and it can be a great way to socialize without eating."



ONE WEEK TO A SLIMMER YOU!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/28/healthmag.one.week.slimmer/index.html

Sunday: Shoot it, and shed pounds.
Studies show that recording meals may help you lose up to 5 percent of your weight, says Robert A. Carels, Ph.D., an associate professor in the psychology department at Bowling Green State University.

Start today: Snap before and after photos of each meal with your camera phone. Keeping a visual food diary is a more accurate way to see what and how much you're eating, United Kingdom researchers say. Afterward, download the pics so you'll have a record.

Monday: Pop a vitamin to kill hunger.
Taking a daily multivitamin may make you less hungry, two studies in the British Journal of Nutrition suggest; people who take one tend to weigh less and have lower BMIs.

Start today: Pop a multi with at least 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance for vitamins included in the studies: chromium, copper, folic acid, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamins B6 and B12, and zinc. Health.com: 20 little ways to drop the pounds and keep them off

Tuesday: Speed up to burn more calories.
Strength-training circuit-style torches more calories than the traditional way, says Jim Stoppani, Ph.D., author of "Encyclopedia of Muscle and Strength." Research shows that the shorter the rest period between sets, the more calories you blast off. "In addition," Stoppani says, "doing a whole-body workout employs more muscle, which in turn burns more fat."

Don't Miss

• In Depth: Fit Nation

Start today: Turn your usual strength-training routine into a circuit by doing one set of 15 reps for each exercise with no rest in between; wait 20 seconds and repeat the circuit twice.

Wednesday: Triple your C and burn more fat.
Regularly consuming 500 milligrams or more of vitamin C may help you burn 30 percent more fat while working out, according to research in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Start today: Eat at least three servings of vitamin C-rich whole foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, and cantaloupe. Try this to knock a couple servings off: "Pack a vitamin C-rich, easy-to-transport snack, such as a mix of baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes," suggests Debra Wein, R.D., the president of Wellness Workdays, in Hingham, Massachusetts. Health.com: How crash diets can harm your heart and health

Thursday: Have a gab session and drop pounds faster.
Not only can an exercise buddy help you show up for your workouts, but she can also help you melt fat faster, says Tim Lohman, Ph.D., a professor emeritus at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, and an expert on the connection between exercise and body composition.

Start today: Create your own weight-loss network. "The buddy system works best when you can turn to someone you're already friends with," Lohman says. Meet at least once a week (even if it's in cyberspace) to discuss obstacles and celebrate successes.

Friday: Color yourself slim.
An apple a day will do more than keep the doctor away -- it'll keep pounds off, too. Filling up with a range of fruits and vegetables is an easy way to cut your calorie load, a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests.

Start today: "Follow the rainbow," Wein suggests. "Do your best to eat from all of the color groups during the day." Add blueberries to your cereal, snack on apples, and load your lunchtime salad with carrots, tomatoes, and peppers. Health.com: How to eat out without getting fat

Health Library

• MayoClinic.com: Health A-Z

Saturday: Inhale and conquer cravings.
When we're stressed we tend to look for quick-fix calories. "Yogic breathing offsets this. When you're relaxed, you don't have as much hunger pain," says Ralph LaForge, an exercise physiologist in the endocrine department of the Duke University Medical Center. "People make better food choices when they're relaxed."

Start today: When hunger strikes, try this exercise from Kristen Eykel, creator of the DVD series, "Yoga Emergency: The 12-Minute Workout." Rest your right thumb near your right nostril, ring finger and pinky by your left nostril. Close the left side and inhale through the right for four counts, then close your right nostril and hold for four counts. Open your left nostril and exhale through that side for four counts.

Repeat cycle again on other side; continue alternating for at least a minute. You'll relax in no time -- and may even forget about that cookie you longed for. Health.com: 4 tips for sticking to your diet

TOP TEN WORST FAST FOOD MEALS!

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1905549_1905546,00.html

1. CheeseFries! -2000calories
2. Taco Bell Chicken - 960calories
3. Large French Fries (Really large) - 1460Calories
4. Mc Donald Chocolate shake - 1160calories
5. cheese Bagel - 690calories
6. Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate - 600calories
7. Quesaddilla Burger - 1400 Calories
8. Burger King Shake - 960Calories
9. Salad Wrap - 787 Calories
10. KFC Chicken Bowl - 700 calories

Im staying away from Fast Food for good right now. Daily Calorie Intake for me - 2200calories.

MORE SEX

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/07/sex.health.benefits/index.html

BENEFITS OF SEX? gosh. That is nice to hear.

1. A longer life

In a British study, men who had intercourse at least twice a week lived longer than men who had sex less than once a month. A U.S. study had similar findings, and a Swedish study examining the sex lives of 70-year-olds found that men who died before their 75th birthday had ceased having sexual intercourse at earlier ages.

The Swedish study didn't find that women lived longer if they had sex more frequently, and neither did a study in North Carolina. However, in the North Carolina study, women who reported enjoying sex more lived longer than those who didn't report enjoyment.

2. A healthier heart

In a British study, people who had intercourse twice a week or more were less likely to have heart attacks and other fatal coronary events. Those who had sex less than once a month had twice the rates of fatal coronary events, compared with those with the highest frequency of intercourse.

3. Lower blood pressure

In a study published in the journal Biological Psychology, people who had sex more often tended to have lower diastolic blood pressure, or the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. Brody's experiment, in which more sexually active study subjects had markedly less dramatic blood pressure spikes when they were put under stress, also supports the benefit.

4. Lower risk of breast cancer

A French study found that women who have vaginal intercourse not at all or infrequently had three times the risk of breast cancer, compared with women who had intercourse more often.

5. Lower risk of prostate cancer

A Minnesota study found that men who'd had intercourse more than 3,000 times in their lives had half the prostate cancer risk of those who had not. While it's not clear why this would be true, studies have found that men who had more intercourse tended to have better prostate function and eliminated more waste products in their semen. "These differences could conceivably impact prostate cancer risk," Brody writes in his article.

6. Pain relief

Whipple and others have conducted studies suggesting that more sexual activity helps relieve lower back pain and migraines.

7. A slimmer physique

A study of healthy German adults revealed that men and women who had sex more frequently tended to be slimmer than folks who didn't have as much sex. Sex burns 50 to 60 calories per encounter, Whipple says, so sex three times a week for a month would burn about 700 calories -- or the equivalent of jogging about seven miles.

8. Better testosterone levels

A group of men being treated for erectile problems saw greater increases in testosterone when, along with the treatments, they had frequent sex. Specifically, men who had sex at least eight times per month had greater increases than those who had sex less than eight times per month.

9. Fewer menopause symptoms

Menopausal women in Nigeria experienced fewer hot flashes when they had sex more frequently. Brody says this may be because sexual activity helps regulate hormonal levels, which in turn affect the symptoms of menopause.

10. Healthier semen

In three studies, men who had frequent intercourse had a higher volume of semen, a higher sperm count and a higher percentage of healthier sperm, compared with men who tended to participate in other sexual activities.