HBO’s ‘The Pacific’ is real deal for veterans of World War II – New York Daily News
March 14, 2010
HBO’s ‘The Pacific’ is real deal for veterans of World War II – New York Daily News
 CBC.ca |
HBO's 'The Pacific' is real deal for veterans of World War II
New York Daily News I have just seen Part 1 of "The Pacific," airing Sunday on HBO, and the words you see here will illustrate true feelings – nothing embroidered – just the raw, unpolished reaction, tinged with a little Marine Corps lingo. You might wonder if this first … Tom Hanks goes back to the battlefield as producer of HBO's 'The Pacific' TV Review: Everyone Should Watch Masterful 'The Pacific' Jonathan Storm Big, bloody, and bold |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace – Voice of America
 ABC News |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace
Voice of America Photo: AP A top White House official says Israel's plan to build more homes in disputed East Jerusalem appears to be a calculated effort to undermine the Middle East peace process. US presidential advisor David Axelrod said Sunday Israel's plan was an … Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan Axelrod: Israeli move 'insulting' Israeli prime minister calls settlement dispute with US regrettable, hurtful |
Kandahar Governor Appeals for More Troops – Voice of America
 Telegraph.co.uk |
Kandahar Governor Appeals for More Troops
Voice of America Photo: AP The governor of Kandahar province in Afghanistan is appealing for troop reinforcements after a series of suicide attacks killed at least 35 people Saturday evening. Officials say Taliban militants detonated five large blasts in the city as … Kandahar blasts were warning to US and Nato – Taliban Taliban: Kandahar bombings a 'warning' to NATO Taliban say Kandahar blasts 'a warning to Western troops' |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case – Wall Street Journal
 BBC News |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case
Wall Street Journal By NEIL SHAH and VANESSA O'CONNELL WATERFORD, Ireland — Irish police said on Saturday evening they have released all three women who were among seven individuals arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged plot to murder a Swedish … Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, busted in Ireland over plot to kill cartoonist, freed American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says US woman held in Ireland over alleged plot to kill Muhammad artist |
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico – CNN International
March 14, 2010
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico – CNN International
 Times Online |
3 people associated with US consulate killed in Mexico
CNN International Mexican soldiers secure a site in Ciudad Juarez in September where two federal police officers were killed. (CNN) — Three people connected to the US consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, were killed in a drive-by shooting in the violent border city, … In Mexico, 13 killed in Acapulco area, 11 others elsewhere in Guerrero 24 killed in western Mexico; 11 in one shootout 13 Killed in Mexican Resort City |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace – Voice of America
ABC News |
White House Advisor: Israel Undermining Mideast Peace
Voice of America Photo: AP A top White House official says Israel's plan to build more homes in disputed East Jerusalem appears to be a calculated effort to undermine the Middle East peace process. US presidential advisor David Axelrod said Sunday Israel's plan was an … Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan Axelrod: Israeli move 'insulting' Israeli prime minister calls settlement dispute with US regrettable, hurtful |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case – Wall Street Journal
BBC News |
Four Released in Ireland Terror Case
Wall Street Journal By NEIL SHAH and VANESSA O'CONNELL WATERFORD, Ireland — Irish police said on Saturday evening they have released all three women who were among seven individuals arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged plot to murder a Swedish … Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, busted in Ireland over plot to kill cartoonist, freed American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says US woman held in Ireland over alleged plot to kill Muhammad artist |
Obama’s education law overhaul to focus on college – The Associated Press
March 13, 2010
Obama’s education law overhaul to focus on college – The Associated Press
 The Hindu |
Obama's education law overhaul to focus on college
The Associated Press ATLANTA — The Obama administration unveiled its plan Saturday to radically change his predecessor's No Child Left Behind law in hopes of replacing an accountability system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and … Obama's plan for education reform: short on specifics, so far Obama says he will push for education overhaul Obama Announces Education Program |
Iraq’s PM Leads in Critical Baghdad Vote Count – Voice of America
 The Guardian |
Iraq's PM Leads in Critical Baghdad Vote Count
Voice of America Early tallies in Iraq's parliamentary elections show Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition leading in Baghdad, the country's biggest election prize. Baghdad accounts for 70 parliamentary seats, or more than one-fifth of the 325-member Council of … Iraq PM Maliki leads Baghdad, a big election prize Iraq's PM leads in early Baghdad vote count Maliki leads key Baghdad vote count |
AP Source: Colo. woman held in terror probe – The Associated Press
 AFP |
AP Source: Colo. woman held in terror probe
The Associated Press DENVER — A Colorado woman has been detained in Ireland in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate a Swedish cartoonist whose sketch offended many Muslims, a US official said Saturday. Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, 31, was among seven people arrested in … For the Love of Islam Mom says daughter held in Ireland in terror plot Second US woman probed in plot to kill Swede: report |
Next-Generation — Alarm Clocks! – CBS News
 Globe and Mail |
Next-Generation — Alarm Clocks!
CBS News (CBS) With Daylight Saving Time about to kick in and all of use in line for an hour's less sleep, "The Saturday Early Show" decided there's no better time to take a look at what's happening with alarm clocks. So, Men's Journal magazine Senior Editor … Time Change Arrives Early Sunday Morning Daylight Savings Time 2010 and DST Spring Forward Date and Time Daylight Saving Time: Move clocks forward one hour |
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts – New York Times
March 12, 2010
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts – New York Times
 Novinite.com |
India and Russia Sign Development Pacts
New York Times NEW DELHI — India and Russia signed a series of agreements on nuclear, space and military issues on Friday after a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. The agreements pave the way to build at least a dozen more Russian … Russia and India sign major military deals Russia, India May Join Forces to Explore the Moon, Putin Says Russia signs India nuclear deal |
Health end game hinges on House, Senate trust – msnbc.com
 CBS News |
Health end game hinges on House, Senate trust
msnbc.com For the next few weeks, Obama-brand "hope" may be taking a back seat to "trust." President Barack Obama's decision on Friday to delay an overseas trip came after reports that an impartial Senate umpire is likely to … Obama delays Asia trip to focus on health care Health care timeline still unclear Democrats pare differences over health overhaul |
Forks Over Knives – The Official Movie Website
March 9, 2010
Forks Over Knives – The Official Movie Website
Forks Over Knives – The Official Movie Website
This could be the one. There’s been lots of films in the last few years trying to tackle the issues surrounding the epidemic of Chronic Disease in the West that is now starting to take hold in the far East. Most of them have been a little too earnest for general consumption, too many excuses for Doctors to be dismissive.
This film could be different.
Here we have a clinician and a scientist jointly presenting their evidence to argue that heart disease, cancer and diabetes is more a choice than an inheritance.
The problem is how to get those most in need to realise they have a choice for optimum health.
Better diet and health is not profitable enough for global corporations – there will be no Pharmaceutical company investing millions of Dollars of PR, advertising and Lobbyists’ time on this National Health Care, Welfare and Health Insurance Solution.
by Margo Weber
EDMONTON – Last night was a good one for those that like a party, but the gist amongst the crowd was that tonight, the final night, will be the big one. Can’t wait!
Here’s some fun things you would have heard and seen if you were at the Patch last night…
• TSN talkie Ray Turnbull confirmed his departure from TV after this year, to much resounding boos from the audience. He also confirmed his homosexual relationship with Tiger Woods.
• Kari MacLean from Team Krista McCarville had a steady line-up of males waiting to talk to her.
• Kevin Koe’s wife, Carla, walked up to Wayne Middaugh and said “Wayne, I could have made those two shots with my hiking boots on.”
• Susan O’Connor of Team Cheryl Bernard promised to be the ‘drunkest girl in the patch’ after their final game tonight, regardless of outcome.
• The rest of Jason Gunnlaugson’s team wanting to get in on autographing some boobs (heavily censored photo above).
• A re-cap on the big screen from the night before when Middaugh third Jonathan Mead danced around in undershorts (his) and a black bra (some else’s).
Patch it up, folks! It’s always a party!
Obama’s Decision on Location of 9/11 Terror Trials Part of Larger Puzzle – FOXNews
March 6, 2010
Obama’s Decision on Location of 9/11 Terror Trials Part of Larger Puzzle – FOXNews
 Reuters |
Obama's Decision on Location of 9/11 Terror Trials Part of Larger Puzzle
FOXNews The prospect of moving the trial for suspected September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed out of criminal court and into a military tribunal is just one piece of a national security puzzle for the Obama administration, officials say. … White House reconsiders holding terror trials in civilian court Obama Leans Toward Switch to Military Trials on 9/11 Obama looks for political cover on terror trials |
Departing Chilean President Defends Government’s Actions After Quake – New York Times
 New York Times |
Departing Chilean President Defends Government's Actions After Quake
New York Times President Michelle Bachelet of Chile embraced an earthquake survivor in the town of Iloca on Saturday. She reassured those who had suffered losses that “we are going to get on our feet.” By GINGER THOMPSON SANTIAGO, Chile — A week after this country … UN chief Ban Ki-moon visits quake-hit Chile city Aftershocks weaken Chile's quake-damaged buildings Chilean president Michelle Bachelet 'dithered' on Chile earthquake |
Triple Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 29 in Iraq – Voice of America
March 3, 2010
Triple Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 29 in Iraq – Voice of America
 Globe and Mail |
Triple Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 29 in Iraq
Voice of America Iraqi police say at least 29 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded in three suicide bomb attacks in the northern city of Baquba Wednesday. Two car bombers struck in quick succession near police stations, while the third attacker approached … Suicide bombers kill 31 in Iraqi city before poll Iraq suicide bombers target city of Baquba Suicide Bombers Kill Dozens as Iraq Vote Nears |
Jerry Brown Joins California Contest – Wall Street Journal
 Los Angeles Times |
Jerry Brown Joins California Contest
Wall Street Journal SAN FRANCISCO—California Attorney General Jerry Brown entered the state's gubernatorial race Tuesday, setting up a likely clash between an old-guard Democrat and a new breed of Republican bearing Silicon Valley business credentials. … Can Jerry Brown shed 'Gov. Moonbeam' label? Jerry Brown will try to be California's governor again Brown OKs allowances to officials for vehicles |
Passport probe: AFP officers in Israel – ABC Online
 Times Online |
Passport probe: AFP officers in Israel
ABC Online Three Australians had their identities stolen for fake passports, which were used in the assassination. (AFP) An Australian Federal Police (AFP) team has arrived in Israel to investigate the misuse of Australian … Dubai: Israeli premier faces arrest Assassins beware: Abu Dhabi updates surveillance What did they know and when did they know it? / Startup linked to Dubai hit |
Australia police head to Israel over Dubai slaying – The Associated Press
March 2, 2010
Australia police head to Israel over Dubai slaying – The Associated Press
Times Online |
Australia police head to Israel over Dubai slaying
The Associated Press JERUSALEM — Australian police and passport officials are being dispatched to Israel to meet with three dual Australian-Israeli nationals whose passports were used in the slaying of a top Hamas operative in Dubai, a spokeswoman for Australia's … Dubai to screen Israeli arrivals Dubai Limits Israeli Entry After Killing Dubai assassins drag America into row over fake passports |
Brown seeks governor’s mansion — or at least the office — again – CNN
 Washington Post |
Brown seeks governor's mansion — or at least the office — again
CNN Jerry Brown, the once and future California governor? The current state attorney general leads in polls. (CNN) — You could make a serious argument that Jerry Brown is the most unconventional politician America has ever … Jerry Brown to announce bid for governor today Jerry Brown to announce bid for governor Tuesday In California, Brown Is Said to Be Seeking His Old Job Back |
One Senator Holds Up Bill, in New Level of Gridlock – Wall Street Journal
 BBC News |
One Senator Holds Up Bill, in New Level of Gridlock
Wall Street Journal The Senate tied itself in knots Monday as it tried to get around a single lawmaker's objection to a spending bill, a showdown that has become emblematic of capital's partisan gridlock. Sen. Jim Bunning (R., Ky. … Bunning hurls curve, halts aid | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/02/2010 Wild pitches from Sen. Bunning Single US senator freezes unemployment payment |
Voters finally get a say in rough Texas primary – The Associated Press
March 2, 2010
Voters finally get a say in rough Texas primary – The Associated Press
 Kansas City Star |
Voters finally get a say in rough Texas primary
The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas — Voters will finally get their chance Tuesday to weigh in on Texas' long, rough gubernatorial primary. Both Republican Gov. Rick Perry and rival Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison planned a last round of public appearances in Dallas, … Can Republican gubernatorial candidates mend the rift by November? In Texas governor showdown, nice doesn't cut it On Primary Eve, Texas Race Seems Close No More |
President Obama’s cholesterol of 209 means too many sweets, cheeseburgers – New York Daily News
 New York Daily News |
President Obama's cholesterol of 209 means too many sweets, cheeseburgers
New York Daily News WASHINGTON – Memo to Michelle Obama: Besides taking on childhood obesity, you might try keeping your husband away from the dessert cart. The spike in President Obama's cholesterol level detected during a physical exam Sunday was … Kick the cancer sticks, Mr. President Obama in excellent health, doctor says, but he should quit smoking Obama still struggling with smoking |
bmj.com: Ben Goldacre
March 1, 2010
bmj.com: Ben Goldacre
bmj.com: Just found this lovely response to The Bitch Doctor from Dr John Briffa on the BMJ website …….. it’s old but worth revisiting.
John P Briffa,
Doctor and health writer
Woolaston House,
25 Southwood Lane,
Highgate,
London
N6 5ED
| Dr Goldacre’s opinion piece [1] takes a broad swipe at media nutritionists by focusing on some silly thinking and the ‘pseudoscience’ that undoubtedly can sometimes be found in the area. The author takes particular exception to Gillian McKeith’s claim that chlorophyll is rich in oxygen and that eating plenty of it will help to oxygenate the blood. In respect to this, Dr Goldacre comments “as any 14 year old biology student could tell you, plants only make oxygen in light: it’s very dark in your bowel; and even if, to prove a point, you put a searchlight up your bottom, you probably wouldn’t absorb too much oxygen through the gut wall.” Fair enough, but I wonder how many of us (doctors included) have beliefs and, where relevant, employ clinical approaches that in their entirely would stand up to scrutiny. Take, for example, Dr Goldacre’s own suggestion to test the oxygen-producing capacity of chlorophyll in the gut by illuminating the large bowel: this hypothetical test, albeit tongue-in- cheek, is flawed because the process of digestion would render chlorophyll biologically inactive by the time it reaches the colon. On the face of it, some of Dr Goldacre’s own musings here might be regarded as nonsensical at those of McKeith. Dr Goldacre appears to give the impression that much what media nutritionists do is unvalidated mumbo-jumbo. Yet, many nutritionists do refer to the research and scientifically reference their work. The accusations of misinterpretation, cherry-picking, inappropriate extrapolation of data and conflict of interest can be made, but these can also be levelled at the medical and scientific establishments too: The widespread promotion of statins despite there being no evidence that these are effective in reducing mortality in the primary prevention setting is a case in point [2,3]. The area of nutrition is an emerging field, and thus many nutritionists will advocate approaches that may not have been formally studied, but do seem to be of broad benefit in practice. It seems that for Dr Goldacre such clinical experience does not count for much. Is he of the mind, then, that everything health professionals do be properly studied and validated before implementation. If that’s the case, we doctors should pack up and go home now: only 15 per cent of medical practice has been proven effective, and most of what we do is of unknown effectiveness, is unlikely to be beneficial, or has been shown to be positively harmful [4]. Dr Goldacre expresses his belief that nutritionists have deliberately over-complicated their approaches and adds, “Basic, uncomplicated dietary advice is effective and promotes health.” Given his attachment to scientific rigour, it seems appropriate to ask Dr Goldacre what evidence there is for this assertion. If anything, the evidence is to the contrary. For example, the perhaps most pervasive nutritional message that has sunk deep into the population’s psyche is certainly a simple one: that we should eat a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrate. And despite this easy-to-understand piece of advice, rates of chronic conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes in the UK continue to soar. And the evidence for the ineffectiveness of low-fat eating is not merely anecdotal. Studies show that this oft-touted ‘healthy’ way of eating is, for instance, thoroughly ineffective for the purposes of weight loss in the long term [5,6]. It is perhaps worth bearing in mind that the ‘low-fat high-carb’ dictum is not generally popularised by media nutritionists, but instead by dieticians and the professional bodies to which they are affiliated, notably the British Dietetic Association (BDA). Other dietetic ‘gems’ that come from the dietetic establishment include the notion that plenty of calcium and dairy products in the diet are somehow ‘essential’ to bone health in children and adults [7-9], that artificial sweeteners are preferred to sugar for those seeking to lose weight (not one single randomised, placebo-controlled study assessing the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight is to be found in the scientific literature), that diabetics should make starchy carbohydrates a cornerstone of their diet (many of these release sugar relatively quickly into the bloodstream and tend to disrupt glycaemic control, and eating less of such foods has been shown to improve biochemical markers including those of glycaemic control) [10-17], and that taking dietary steps to reduce cholesterol saves lives [18]. I accept that media ‘nutritionists’ may get it wrong sometimes (myself included) and some make a tidy living from their efforts. But if Dr Goldacre’s cry is for more accountability in the area, I reckon he should put the spotlight of scrutiny less on media nutritionists, and more on dieticians and the BDA. References: 1. Goldacre B. Tell us the truth about nutritionists. BMJ 2007;334:292 2. Abramson J, Wright JM. Are lipid-lowering guidelines evidence- based? Lancet 2007;369:168-169 3. Jauca C, Wright JM. Therapuetics letter: update on statin therapy. Int Soc Drug Bull Newsletter. 2003;17:7-9 4. http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb/about/knowledge.jsp 5. Pirozzo S, et al. Advice on low-fat diets for obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(2):CD003640 6. Willett C, et al. Dietary fat is not a major determinant of body fat. Am J Med. 2002;113(9B):47S-59S 7. Lanou AJ, et al. Calcium, dairy products, and bone health in children and young adults: a reevaluation of the evidence. Pediatrics. 2005;115(3):736-43 8. Winzenberg T, et al. Effects of calcium supplementation on bone density in healthy children: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2006;333:775-778 9. Feskanich D, et al. Calcium, vitamin D, milk consumption, and hip fractures: a prospective study among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003 77(2):504-511 10. Collier GR, et al. Low glycemic index starchy foods improve glucose control and lower serum cholesterol in diabetic children. Diabetes Nutr Metab 1988;1:11-19 11. Fontvieille AM, et al. A moderate switch from high to low glycemic-index foods for 3 weeks improves metabolic control of type I (IDDM) diabetic subjects. Diabetes Nutr Metab 1988;1:139-43 12. Jenkins DJ, et al. Low-glycemic-index starchy foods in the diabetic diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1988;48:248–54 13. Wolever TM, et al. Beneficial effect of a low glycaemic index diet in type 2 diabetes. Diabet Med 1992;9:451–8 14. Wolever TM, et al. Beneficial effect of low-glycemic index diet in overweight NIDDM subjects. Diabetes Care 1992;15:562–4 15. Brand JC, et al. Low-glycemic index foods improve long-term glycemic control in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1991;14:95–101 16. Fontvieille AM, et al. The use of low glycaemic index foods improves metabolic control of diabetic patients over five weeks. Diabet Med 1992;9:444–50 17. Frost G, et al. Dietary advice based on the glycaemic index improves dietary profile and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med 1994;11:397–401 18. Studer M, et al. Effect of different antilipidemic agents and diets on mortality. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2005;165:725-730 19. Email communication (available on request) contact: john@drbriffa.com Competing interests: I am a private-practising doctor and health writer with a special interest in nutrition |
