Chelsea end bad run of form

Chelsea have rediscovered their winning ways against Bolton Wanderers.

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London - Chelsea ended their dire run with a 1-0 home Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers but Arsenal, seeking to go joint-top with a win, conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at 10-man Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.

Chelsea, who had managed just six points from the last 24, finally rediscovered the way to win via a Florent Malouda goal after 61 minutes though Bolton, who would have leapfrogged the champions with a victory, had several good chances to equalise.

Arsenal fell behind to an early Ben Watson penalty but goals by Andre Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner late in the first half seemed to have them in charge, particularly when Charles N'Zogbia was sent off for butting Jack Wilshere in the 78th minute. However, a Sebastien Squillaci own goal two minutes later levelled the score.

The draw took Arsenal to 36 points, two behind Manchester City and Manchester United, who lead on goal difference. Chelsea move back to fourth place on 34, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, with Bolton sixth on 29. - Reuters

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Stranded swan sparks complaints against the RSPCA

AN ANIMAL-lover is lodging a complaint against the RSPCA after the charity refused to come to the rescue of a confused cygnet.

Michaela Fixter, 45, of The Elms, Colwick, watched in horror as the baby swan mistook an icy and busy road for a lake, and refused to move from the highway.

Fearing for the bird's life, Mrs Fixter left her house and together with a group of neighbours began to slow and then redirect traffic.

In desperation she phoned the RSPCA 24-hour animal welfare helpline to ask for someone to attend the scene and safely remove the swan.

But the charity refused, saying despite the bird being a hazard, if it was uninjured and situated on a road, it was a matter for the police.

The group felt they had no other option but to grab the bird, bundle it into a car and drive it to safety.

Mrs Fixter, who keeps two dogs and three cats, said: "I felt really let down by the RSPCA.

"The woman on the phone was so rude and snapped at me to contact the police.

"We have never handled swans before and could easily have hurt it.

"Either that or it would have been run down by a car.

"Faced with this dilemma the RSPCA didn't seem to care.

"I think the RSPCA is far better placed to attend in these cases and they should stop palming off responsibility to the police, who are already overstretched."

A Notts police spokesman said: "The police are not responsible for this sort of incident – this would be for the county council to deal with as they have responsibility for highways."

Notts County Council said it did have responsibility for roads, but added owners had a duty of care for their animals, and they would only attend if the incident required work to the road itself.

Mrs Fixter has now called for clarification on who is responsible.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said: "The RSPCA received two calls about an uninjured swan in the road in the area of The Elms in Colwick on December 7 and advised the callers to contact the police.

"In the first instance, if the swan is not injured, we advise people to contact the police so that they can make sure the area is safe for road users – as this has to be the priority.

"We may then attend if the police request our assistance."

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Grant will make community centre more sustainable

A COMMUNITY centre will be able to run more cheaply and sustainably after receiving a grant for works to modernise it.

Double-glazed windows will be installed at the Bakersfield Community Centre to help reduce heating bills, while the kitchen will be refurbished.

Bakersfield and Neighbourhood Community Association (BANCA), which manages the centre, was given the money by shipping company UPS.

The company has previously lent its staff out to the centre as volunteers, and is now giving them $28,803, worth about �17,500 on current exchange rates.

Avril Rathbone, vice-chairwoman of BANCA, explained that because the centre was built in 1938, originally as a school, its running costs have been very high.

"We are extremely grateful [to UPS] because it means we can replace the remainder of the single-glazed windows with double-glazed windows so we can reduce the heating costs, which have just been enormous," she said.

"We can also finish the refurbishing of the kitchen. It needs industrial cleaning and repainting and it needs a new extraction system."

Volunteers from UPS have previously been to the centre twice to do manual work to the building.

On their first visit, in October 2009, they painted and refurbished the meeting rooms on the top floor of the centre. They came back in summer 2010 to paint the dining room.

The volunteers put in so many hours that UPS rewarded them with a prize of �480.

The group could have kept the money themselves but they gave it to BANCA instead.

UPS volunteer Anton Sisso, who is from Sneinton himself, said: "For me, this is more personal as I went to a local school, Greenwood. I've got a lot of family round here. I was born and bred in Sneinton."

His colleague Angela Scott said: "It's good all round as it helps us as volunteers as it's team bonding and it benefits the local community."

UPS sales manager Philip Laughlin said: "I think having a facility that is clean and freshly decorated makes it a more welcoming environment for the centre."

The community centre building was previously St Bernadette's School until it closed 1985. The community association was formed in the same year and the city council agreed to acquire the building so it could be used as a community centre.

It was officially opened on March 14, 1987.

All three Dales ward councillors – Gul Nawaz Khan, David Mellen and Ken Williams – were present when UPS presented a cheque to BANCA.

The cheque hand over marked a double celebration as BANCA treasurer Pauline Taylor was presented with an award to recognise her voluntary work over the last decade.

She won the award for 'Involvement in a community project' at the St Ann's and Dales Volunteer Achievement Awards.

She was nominated by Mr Mellen, who is also chairman of BANCA.

"She gives hours and hours of her time to look after the finances of the organisation and has kept us in a very steady state," said Mr Mellen.

Pauline said: "I had no idea about this. I appreciate receiving this and I just want to thank everybody."

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Blatter plots re-election

Sepp Blatter says he will attend each congress of football's six continental confederations before he stands for re-election in June.

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Zurich – Fifa President Sepp Blatter says he will attend each congress of football's six continental confederations before he stands for re-election in June.

In his year-ending message, Blatter says meeting Fifa’s national members in person will help set “a strategic course for the future.”

Blatter is seeking a fourth four-year term in office and says football leadership is a key focus for Fifa in 2011.

The first scheduled congress is January 6 when the Asian Football Confederation meets in Doha, Qatar.

The Oceania body then meets January 15 in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Blatter is scheduled to stand for re-election June 1 at Fifa's congress in Zurich.

Challengers must be nominated by one of Fifa's 208 members at least two months before the vote. – Sapa-AP

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Ski jumping: Disappointing Four Hills opener

Tom Hilde's 10th place was the best result for the Norwegian ski jumpers�in�the first event of the 59th Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf on Wednesday. Overall World Cup leader Thomas Morgenstern won.

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Gledilegt N�tt �r!

The Iceland Review team would like to send its readers in every corner of the world heartfelt seasonal greetings from the Arctic isle of Iceland where people are about to celebrate New Year?s Eve with an excessive amount of fireworks.

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Four killed in stormy weather

Accidents caused by rain, hail, and strong winds have reportedly claimed at least four lives and injured 81 people in Egypt.

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Cairo - Accidents caused by rain, hail, and strong winds have claimed at least four lives and injured 81 people in Egypt since Tuesday, media reports said Thursday.

Four people died and 25 were injured in road accidents near the capital Cairo, according to the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper.

Farther south along the Nile River in the town of Minya, 46 students were injured when a schoolbus overturned. Security sources said 11 occupants of the bus were unaccounted for.

Five Red Sea ports have been closed due to the stormy weather.

Earlier this month, 18 people were killed in accidents during a fierce storm which hit several countries in the Middle East. -

Sapa-dpa

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No complaints here, insists restaurateur

THE owner of a restaurant that opened amid concerns from neighbours about possible nuisance behaviour says there has been no problem with the venue so far.

More than �100,000 has been spent transforming No1 The Courtyard, in West Street, Congleton, into Tiamo, which means "I love you" in Italian.

The restaurant, which opened a fortnight ago, was given a licence to sell alcohol until 2am at weekends by Cheshire East Council.

But people living and working nearby had objected after raising concerns about public nuisance, anti-social behaviour and late-night noise coming from the venue.

However, restaurant owner Valentino Martone has given critics food for thought, as he says he has not yet received any complaints.

Mr Martone, aged 34, said: "The response from the public, to the food we are serving and the restaurant itself, has been brilliant.

"I think the people who objected were under the impression we were going to have young people in here drinking late into the night.

"But now they've realised we are a classy restaurant and bar and are aimed at a completely different audience.

"We've had no complaints so far and one of the objectors has actually been in and apologised and said how much they like the place.

"People tend to eat later in the evening when they go out for a night out now and that is why we wanted a later licence.

"Places like Alderley Edge have a lot of restaurants like this and that is what we are trying to bring to Congleton."

Under its late licence, Tiamo can stay open until 12.30am during the week and then until 2.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Report finds ambulance service has improved in measures taken to control infection

A REPORT into the ambulance service has found measures to prevent and control infections have improved.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) was inspected in August 2009 by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and found to be in breach of infection prevention and control regulations.

An improvement notice was issued to EMAS and this was removed in December last year.

Now an independent external review, carried out by Dame Elizabeth Fradd, an independent health service adviser, has said: "There is demonstrable improvement in the management of infection prevention and control.

"The cleanliness of vehicles and storerooms were seen to be good."

Staff were also described as "enthusiastic, committed and caring".

However the report said that while storerooms were found to be clean they were cramped, with cardboard boxes – some containing new supplies – on the floor of most stations.

It also revealed more staff had been employed to clean vehicles since the CQC notice was issued, and that there was a greater level of scrutiny by the board and committees.

But the report found that staff were still confused about the work of committees, particularly the audit committee, and how to carry out an audit.

Managers raised workloads as a key issue and the report noted that while the quality of incident reports had now improved, these were not always investigated fully – partly due to pressure on staff.

A new investigations team has been appointed to try to address this.

The report found that hard copies of documents are stored in open boxes in locked storerooms, but confidentiality could be compromised because of the number of people who have access.

The review was commissioned by NHS East Midlands and NHS Derbyshire.

It contained a number of recommendations which included:

The management of key committees needs to be addressed so that actions are followed through and responsible individuals named.

Greater use of patient data should be implemented for decision making.

An up-to-date equipment list should be put in each ambulance.

The work done by the infection control team should be used as an example to others across the organisation.

Paul Phillips, EMAS chief executive, said "Dame Elizabeth makes suggestions for improvement and we will build upon these to deliver the best possible care for our patients.

"The report shows that whilst we had problems, we faced the challenges and have made significant progress, but there is still more for us to do."

"I believe that we are now well positioned to continue to improve."

The report was written with data collected between July and August and from visits between August and September.

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New hospital?s facility to reduce brain drain, says Fashola

GEARED towards improved healthcare services through public and private efforts, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has commissioned a newly built hospital complex of St. Ives Specialist Hospital at Ikeja, Lagos.

Fashola said that the commitment of the hospital?s management had further shown that quality and affordable healthcare could be provided in the country. 

The gesture, he said, allowed for more overseas based Nigerian specialists to practise at home even as it further discouraged reliance on medical care in foreign hospitals.

Fashola who was represented at the commissioning by his Special Adviser on Health, Mr. Toyin Hamzat, praised the effort of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Tunde Okewale for conceiving the idea to build such a world-class edifice in the service of God and humanity.

He said: ?This is clearly a demonstration of total commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians in terms of standard and affordable healthcare delivery as we can see here this afternoon. Before now, the facilities in this hospital can only be found abroad.

And I urge everyone irrespective of race, creed and background to take full advantage of these facilities.?

Speaking with The Guardian, Hamzat added that the achievement was complimentary of the efforts of the Lagos State government in raising medical care standard in the state.

He identified that the government had raised standard at the Mother Maternal Centre (MCC), dental and diagnostic sections of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) even as the world class cardiac and renal centre at the Gbagada General Hospital nears completion.

?The essence of all these is to discourage our people from travelling abroad, as all healthcare can be given here. We want to make our hospitals in this state the destination point of healthcare in West Africa,? Hamzat said.

Okewale in his address further said that St. Ives had brought relieve to many distraught families because of their inability to have children they could call their own through the Invitro-fertilisation (IVF) and infertility unit.

He hinted that about 200 women who had lost hope of having babies were proud mothers through the assistance of the cost effective IVF method.

The core areas of focus of the hospital are women, children and the family, render services in the area of obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, medicine and surgery.

In his words: ?The obstetrics services include pre counselling, specialist led antenatal care, ultrasound scan 2D, 3D, 4D, foetal monitoring CTG, foetal biophysical profile, antenatal classes, specialist led labour and delivery, neonatal care (incubator, phototherapy, EBT) etc.?

The gynaecological services also include menstrual disorders treatment, minor and major gynaecological surgery, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, colposcopy, electrocautry, cervical smear, breast scan, sonohysterogram and HSG.

Others are the contraceptive services, which include emergency contraception, implants, injectables, IUCD and female and male sterilisation.

?The infertility unit of the hospital which has recorded tremendous success over the years will still continue to offer intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF-ET, intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICS), embryo donation/ freezing, egg donation, sperm donation (sperm bank) and ovulation induction.

In the light of this, the former hospital located on Mojide Street will now be dedicated solely to the treatment of infertility cases especially in the area of IVF.?

The medical doctor with over 15 years of experience added that the services were affordable as well as subsidised through the collaboration of a foundation.

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Noisy neighbours will face fines under city council crackdown

NOISY neighbours and rowdy pubs will be issued with on-the-spot fines if they are caught disturbing residents at night.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has a new team to tackle night-time noise.

And its officials will hand out fixed penalty notices of up to �100 to those who create a noise nuisance between the hours of 11pm and 7am.

The authority receives 4,000 complaints a year about noise – and 1,200 of those complaints are about disturbances between 8pm and 2am.

The most common complaints are about people playing loud music and neighbours having the volume on their television turned up too high. Other frequent complaints include people shouting.

Head of regulatory services Martyn Brindley says the team will initially operate from 8pm to 2am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and maybe Mondays, but will work later if necessary.

Although officers cannot issue fines until 11pm, they will be able to warn people that they face an immediate penalty if they continue making noise.

Mr Brindley said: "We will be able to deal with the bulk of these 1,200 complaints. Officers will knock on a person's door and tell them they are in danger of committing an offence and give them a warning notice.

"They might give them half-an-hour or 10 minutes to stop the noise. If the noise is still there when they come back, they will give them the option of paying a fixed penalty notice or else they will be prosecuted in court."

Mr Brindley said the work carried out in the team, which has two full-time officers and a supervisor, will be much more immediate than the current system.

Training for the night-time noise team, which has already been appointed, will start in the New Year. Officials are expected to be issuing fines from mid-January.

A budget of �80,000 has been allocated to the project for the first year, although this includes set-up costs, including buying vehicles for the officers.

The team will be linked up to Stoke On Call, the council's 24-hour helpline. And officers will also patrol known trouble-spots and noisy night-time venues to monitor sound levels.

Councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for environment, waste management and neighbourhood services, said: "The team should be able to speed up what is at the moment a drawn-out system of complaints and evidence gathering."

Jim Gibson, pictured below, chairman of Chell Heath Residents' Association, said: "I think most residents in the city will welcome this initiative.

"I just hope the money they receive from fines will be put to good causes in the communities."

New powers mean more fines for litterbugs: See Page 11

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Hospital ward to close in target to reduce number of beds

ANOTHER ward at Staffordshire's biggest hospital is scheduled to close in the next three months to keep the biggest bed reduction programme in its history on target.

Bosses at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire have shut 85 beds since the summer by sending some patients home sooner and preventing others being admitted in the first place.

Now, they hope to bring the total fall to 99 by the end of March and complete the first phase of the overall strategy to slash its bed complement by 292 to 1,016 by 2012.

The Hartshill complex needs to shed so many beds because its �400 million super-hospital, now rising swiftly on the City General site, will provide healthcare on a smaller scale as more services are provided in the community.

Chris Fearns, director of the programme called Fit for the Future, said: "We know the public have concerns about us losing beds and how that will affect services.

"But this is all about better systems to benefit patients rather than simply counting bed numbers, and those are coping well with the sternest challenges thrown at us by this winter.

"People don't want to be in an acute hospital if it is safe for them to be at home and the programme aims to make sure that happens.

"But those systems also have flexibility built in to help us with surges of demand and an example of that is how the hospital has just opened additional temporary beds to ensure we can safely isolate patients with the winter vomiting bug norovirus."

As the norovirus demand reduces, the temporary beds will shut again and a decision will then be taken over which ward will be lost to bring the total fall to 99 by the spring.

That will prompt the launch of the second phase of the programme to dispense with a further 120 beds by March 2012.

The final 72 will be scrapped over the following months, ready for the new super-hospital to fully open late in 2012 – a full 12 years after it was first granted political approval by then Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Measures such as speeding up discharges, better community care and a more efficient A&E department carry the hopes of shaving UHNS beds by nearly one in four.

Fit for the Future had drawn criticism for its slow progress over its first two years but its management was strengthened and more doctors were appointed to leadership roles.

Mrs Fearns said: "At the end of all this, we will be delivering better services in fewer beds which will be in fantastic surroundings.

"Our local GPs and community services have been focusing their efforts on supporting as many people at home as possible and releasing more beds at the hospital."

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SCFN, MultiChoice raise sickle cell awareness, premiere documentary

APPARENTLY moved by the plight of sickle cell carriers in the country coupled with the need give hope, the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) and MultiChoice Nigeria have called for improved support for people living with the condition in Nigeria.

They said that though Africa has the highest percentage of sickle cell burden in the world, but the continent is yet to pull its weight behind alleviating sickle cell pains.

Speaking in Lagos at the premiere of ?Keeping Hope Alive? documentary film, produced by MultiChoice to increase awareness of Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), Chairman SCFN, Prof. Olu Akinyanju informed that SSD was the commonest severe hereditary disorder in the world.

He added that while over 80 per cent of children with sickle cell anaemia were born in Africa, Nigeria has the largest burden with over 40 million healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene (Hb AS) and over 150, 000 children born each year with sickle cell anaemia (Hb SS).

?We, therefore, believe that Nigeria should lead the struggle and not wait helplessly for international aid.

This is precisely why the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria has developed a National Sickle Cell centre as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).?

He noted that most of the life saving and quality of life enhancing interventions available were discovered through investment in scientific research work done in the United States of America.

?This has enabled better quality and duration of lives to the extent that the average life-expectancy of an African-American with sickle cell anaemia is now over 53 years which is embarrassingly longer than the average life-expectancy of 48 years in all Nigerians.?

Akinyanju added that although there are many Nigerians with sickle cell anaemia living longer than more productive and qualitative lives, the majority of the affected population did not have access to the information and standard of care required to beneficially impact their lives.

Full of gratitude for the support of MultiChoice over the years and the awareness goal of the documentary, he said that the initiative was timely, as it would ensure that Nigerians were better informed and could continue to support and sustain the task that needed to be done.

Head of the DSTV subscription management company, MultiChoice, Mr. Joseph Hunda said that the highest incidence of prevalence in Africa was worrisome, coupled with the support that had largely came through the efforts of public spirited individuals and very little for the government.

He said: ?We in MultiChoice Nigeria also discovered that, to successfully fight the scourge, a lot has to be done in the area of research, awareness, financial support, logistics and mental-health training for health practitioners, among others.?

To further build on its logistical support to the foundation in the last two years, the management signed an MOU with SCFN, to make the fight against SSD a major corporate social investment project, which gave life to the documentary initiative.

Hunda, the Zimbabwean added that the documentary titled: ?Keep Hope Alive? was not designed to discriminate affected persons, rather it was an awareness documentary that showed how affected persons could live a normal life against all odds.

?It is a documentary of faith, life and designed to keep our hopes alive.

?Today?s event is a call to action, a call to contribute to a noble cause. You can do this by supporting the SCFN in this effort to improve the quality of life in our country.

You can lend your support by contributing through cash or kind,? Hunda said.    

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Bolton?s Coyle wary of Chelsea

Bolton manager Owen Coyle will be taking nothing for granted when his side travel to Chelsea , depite Chelsea’s poor form.

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London – Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle will be taking nothing for granted when his side travel to Chelsea on Wednesday despite the Premier League champions' poor run of recent form.

Bolton will kick-off at Stamford Bridge just two points behind the Blues and with hopes of overhauling them into a top four spot.

Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by London rivals Arsenal on Monday extended their winless streak to six games.

“I think going to Stamford Bridge at any time, with the quality Chelsea hold, is always a difficult ask,” Coyle said.

“When we go there we expect a really tough game because of the quality they have, the strength in depth.

“There is no doubt come the end of the season Chelsea are going to be fighting out the major honours, that is for sure.

“We will pay them huge respect but I want my players to concentrate on what we can do and make a game of it. It is a game we will be ready for.”

Coyle took charge of Bolton in January last year and the north-west club have made significant progress since then to become genuine contenders for European football next season.

“I think we have done ever so well to this point but we can't affect that now - what we can affect is what is in front of us,” Coyle said.

“I think there has been improvement from when I came in in January compared to where we are now.

“But that involves a lot of hard work and everybody buying into what you are doing. We have to continue that and make sure we are on the front foot.” – Sapa-AFP

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Six indicators for healthy, long life

THE Yuletide is here again! It is a period when people are more likely to overindulge and be inactive, which are associated with low life expectancy.

However, researchers have identified six indicators that can ensure a healthier and longer life by helping Nigerians calculate the number of years they are likely to live and enable them to make adjustments.

They argue that if Nigerians adhere to the formula, Wheel of Life, it will help reverse the low life expectancy in the country.

The six indicators to better life expectancy contained in the Wheel of Life, according to a consultant obstetric and gynaecologist, Dr. Ejike Oji, are state of health, financial health, spousal health, level of exercise, job satisfaction, society responsibility and spiritual health.

The average life expectancy of Nigerians is 46.9, which is 30 per cent below world average. Japan has the highest life expectancy of 82.6 and Swaziland the worst with 39.6, according to the United Nations.

The life expectancy at birth of the world is 67.2 years (65.0 years for males and 69.5 years for females) for 2005?2010, according to United Nations World Population Prospects 2006 Revision and 66.57 years (64.52 years for males and 68.76 years for females) for 2009 according to CIA World Factbook 2009.

Life expectancy from birth is a frequently utilised and analysed component of demographic data for the countries of the world. It represents the average life span of a newborn and is an indicator of the overall health of a country.

Life expectancy can fall due to problems like famine, war, disease and poor health. Improvements in health and welfare increase life expectancy. The higher the life expectancy, the better shape a country is in.

Oji, who is also the Country Director of Ipas Nigeria, an international non governmental organisation involve in women and reproductive health rights, told The Guardian,     
?the key to healthy long life is in perfecting the wheel of life. The wheel of life is like a wheel or circle with six equal parts.

?The wheel, which represents human life can only move well in order words function properly when all the six parts are equally optimal in their constitution and function.

If there is any problem with any of the parts, the wheel will not be able to move properly, that is life will not be able to function well, which will lead to disability and/or death.?

The medical doctor said the state of health, which involves physical and mental health is crucial.

?To ensure good state of health Nigerians especially adults show regularly go for diabetes test, kidney function test, eye test, heart checks, pap smear for cervical cancer in women, Prostate Seminal Antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer in men,? he said.

Oji further explained, ?another important component of the wheel of life is financial health, that is the ability to pay basic bills in life. One important connection between health and personal finances is life expectancy.

Life expectancy is the remaining number of years that someone is expected to live.

?The longer people live, the higher their projected life expectancy. People, who practice healthy behaviours, such as not smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthy foods, increase their chances of living a long life.      

?The health of your spouse if you are married is a big indicator. How much quality time do you spend with your wife? Very important factor is your level of exercise, 25 to 30 minutes of exercise preferably walking at least three times weekly has cardiovascular and musco-skeletal benefits.

?Job satisfaction is crucial because anything that makes you unhappy makes the body to release adrenalin. Adrenalin attacks the heart. Sustained adrenalin weakens the heart.

But endorphins is released during exercise, after good sex, satisfaction, dancing. Endorphins protect the heart.

?Social responsibility? Are you part of your community? Do you attend their meetings and help those in need? Relating well with people in your immediate environment is good for optimal health.

Then spiritual health, are you at peace with God? Fellowship, fasting and prayer have been shown to boost the immune system, prolong life.?

Oji?s assertion is supported by several studies. According to a study published in the American Psychiatric Association?s Psychiatric Services journal, people with serious mental illness are more likely to die below average life expectancy, and to die at an earlier age, than are people without serious mental illness.

That mental illness often results in premature mortality is not a new observation.      

However, researchers in Ohio United States of America (U.S.A.) have taken a closer look to try and determine what factors may contribute to this disparity, which causes of death are most prevalent for people struggling with mental illness, and how this information might be used to increase life expectancy and treatment of patients.

Researchers wanted to measure the years of potential life lost (YPLL) of the general population as compared to individuals within that population, who were dealing with mental health issues.

They focused on Akron, Ohio, and compared the death records of over 16,000 residents. Of those, 647 people were receiving services from the local mental health center for persistent and serious mental illnesses.

Those receiving services had an average age at death of 73.4 years old, compared to the general population, whose average age at death was 79.6 years.

After adjusting for other factors, it was determined that people dealing with serious mental illness missed out on 14.5 YPLL, and the general population missed out on 10.3 YPLL. For both groups, heart disease was the leading causes of death, but people with mental illness were also more likely to die from liver disease, cancer, and septicemia, as well as, unnatural causes such as accidents, assault and suicide.

According to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, even moderate physical activity helps people live longer and healthier lives.

People age 50 and older, who engage in moderate or high levels of physical activity live longer and have less heart disease, according to a study that followed a group of men and women for

more than 40 years.

The study authors report that total life expectancy increased as levels of physical activity increased.

For men 50 years or older, moderate physical activity levels led to 1.3 years more in total life expectancy and 1.1 years lived without cardiovascular disease, and high levels of physical activity added 3.7 years to life expectancy and 3.2 more years lived without cardiovascular disease.

For women 50 years or older, moderate physical activity levels led to 1.5 years more in total life expectancy, and 1.3 more years lived without cardiovascular disease; and high levels of physical activity added 3.5 years to total life expectancy, and 3.3 more years lived free of cardiovascular disease.

?This study shows that higher levels of physical activity not only prolong total life expectancy but also life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease at age 50 years,? researchers reported.

?This effect is already seen at moderate levels of physical activity, and the gains in cardiovascular disease-free life expectancy at higher levels are more than twice as large.?

The study was adjusted for age, sex, smoking habits, and coexisting diseases, including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the left pumping chamber of the heart), ankle edema, and pulmonary (lung) disease.

The study authors recommend that everyone would benefit from adopting an active lifestyle, and that even moderate levels of activity will help people enjoy a healthier and longer life.

As they report, ?our study suggests that following an active lifestyle is an effective way to achieve healthy aging.?

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New fighter planes more expensive

Norway's new US made F-35 fighter aircraft will cost a total of NOK 30 billion (US$ 5 bill), according to�a note from the US embassy in Oslo, published by WikiLeaks.

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Ring Road Torn by Swelling River

The Ring Road by Seljalands� river near the river Markarflj�t in south Iceland reopened last night after repairs had been completed. Swelling in Seljalands� tore a hole in the road by the Seljalandsbr� bridge yesterday.

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EU boosts sanctions against Gbagbo

The European Union will tighten sanctions against incumbent Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo in January.

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Brussels/Abuja - The European Union will tighten sanctions against incumbent Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo next month, expanding a list of his supporters to be targeted after a disputed election, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan also said three West African leaders would return to Abidjan for more talks with Gbagbo after the regional grouping Ecowas demanded he accept he lost last month's presidential election, or be removed by force.

The November 28 election was meant to reunite Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, after a 2002-03 civil war. But a dispute over the results has provoked clashes that have killed more than 170 people and threatens to restart open conflict.

Meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, representatives of the 27 EU governments agreed to impose additional measures on Gbagbo's supporters and increase the number of people targeted with travel restrictions and a freeze of their assets to 61 from 19.

“There was agreement in the hope of introducing the new measures in early January,” one EU diplomat told Reuters.

The EU first imposed sanctions on Gbagbo and his backers earlier in December to force him into relinquishing power after the election that world powers and African neighbours say he lost to his rival candidate, Alassane Ouattara.

In Abuja, Jonathan said the three presidents would return to Ivory Coast after they had met Gbagbo on Tuesday.

“They are going back on the 3rd of January and when they come back from this second visit the outcome will determine the next action,” Jonathan, who is also the chairperson of the Ecowas regional grouping, told reporters.

He was speaking after a briefing with the presidents of Benin, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde, who delivered the Ecowas ultimatum to Gbagbo. The grouping has threatened to use “legitimate force” if Gbagbo does not step aside but Ivorian military leaders have said they remain loyal to him.

The three presidents agreed to give Gbagbo a week to consider the message, officials in Cape Verde told Reuters on Wednesday.

Provisional election commission results showed Ouattara with an eight percentage-point victory but the figures were quickly overturned by the country's top court, run by a Gbagbo ally, over allegations of fraud.

The United States has also imposed sanctions on Gbagbo and his inner circle, while the World Bank and the West African regional central bank have cut his financing in an attempt to weaken his grip on power.

In Washington, the State Department said a small US military team is in Abidjan studying the possibility of evacuating US citizens should the unrest worsen.

Jonathan said he was hopeful intervention would not be needed. “Whenever there is a disagreement it is dialogue that resolves it. Dialogue is on,” he said.

Ecowas member state Gambia expressed doubts on Wednesday about the ultimatum. “The Gambia Government does not subscribe to the use of force (...) to solve disputed election results as that is interfering in the internal affairs of a member state which is illegal under both the Ecowas and AU (African Union) Charters,” a statement read over state television said.

The turmoil has pushed cocoa futures to four-month highs amid fears it could eventually disrupt exports. Ivory Coast's Eurobond, meanwhile, hit a record low last week on concern that the country would not meet a nearly $30-million bond payment due on December 31. - Reuters

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US Journalist: Reykjav�k Is Like a Fishing Village

Reykjav�k is more like a fishing village in New England than a vibrant metropolis, according to Carol Pucci, a journalist for the The Seattle Times, who covers the Icelandic country and nation in a recent travel feature in the newspaper.

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Treated badly by public servants

THE recently reported threat of grit rationing may of course be real given the weather.

But why didn't our councils just buy plenty direct from suppliers rather than wait to be told what they can have from the Government's stocks now?

Yes, it ties up capital, but councils could then reap the benefits when national stocks are not available by selling to others at premium rates.

Even more ridiculous is the report (Post, page five, December 21) that police are targeting and fining drivers who leave their car with the engine running, rather than deterring or catching the thieves who criminally and opportunistically steal them.

Yet we are told on the same page that Notts could have the best police force in Great Britain in five years.

Why do we tolerate being treated so badly by public servants?

SIMON WOODROFFE

Fulwood Close

Chilwell

I WENT into town on Sunday morning and was amazed at the crowds of people.

I did my shopping and, with many purchases, struggled to carry and keep track of them all.

By 12.30pm, I was weary and grateful to sit on the bus home.

When I got back and began to undo my parcels, I found a bag of stuff I had not bought – namely two boxed video sets and what looks to be a child's computer game, all in all more than �100 worth I would say.

So if you've lost your shopping, I have found it.

Identify the contents and I will return it to you.

JOY JACKSON

Colwick Park Close

Colwick Village

I AM writing to express my astonishment that on the day the Minister of Justice Ken Clarke was reported as stating "ridiculous claims by ridiculous people risk giving human rights a bad name", an illegal and criminal immigrant, Aso Mohammed Ibrahim, who callously left an innocent young child to die under the wheels of his car, has been allowed to remain in the UK by senior immigration judges.

The part Mr Clarke is playing in the continued implementation of the Human Rights Act – regardless of the negative and demoralising effect on the vast majority of normal law-abiding people in this country – is one he should be deeply ashamed of.

I would be pleased to introduce him to many normal hard-working people who would end his claim that "he hasn't met anybody who will admit to him they are flatly against the application of human rights" in its present form.

The Act is now little less than a taxpayer cash cow for the legal profession.

Recent governments have failed the electorate by being unable to see beyond their own personal political gains – why can't they understand that it is our children and grandchildren who will be paying for our being subject to the often disproportionate dictates of Europe and the bizarre decisions now being taken by the courts?

A BIRCH

High Road

Chilwell

ENTHUSED by the coalition government's pledge to improve reporting in the financial sector and publicly-expressed concerns about Labour's Public Finance Initiative (PFI) debt, I have written to ministers about rectifying apparent anomalies in the way certain PFI projects are legally accounted for.

I cited the case of Nottingham City Transport Ltd and the special purpose PFI vehicle Arrow that was set up to build and operate the tram.

I am truly astounded by the logic that international accounting standards as applied in the UK to PFI projects should allow an organisation like NCT to exclude its share of Arrow's losses from its balance sheet, yet include in its profit and loss account the income received for operating the tram by a joint venture from the very same special purpose vehicle.

I feel certain most of the public would be equally perplexed to learn of this permitted "pick and mix" approach.

COLIN RAYNOR

Tomlinson Avenue

Gotham

SO John Gretton claimed I told a whopper regards the cost of being in the European Union ("Being in the EU benefits the UK", Your views, November 29)?

To reiterate, the yearly net cost of membership is �20 billion, but the actual cost is nearer �65 billion gross.

That is around �1,000 a year from everyone in the UK, and EU fees are increasing every year.

The total gross cost of membership in 2008 included �28 billion for business to comply with EU regulations, �17 billion of additional food costs resulting from the Common Agricultural Policy, �3.3 billion the value of the catch lost when the Common Fisheries Policy let other countries fish in our territorial waters, �14.6 billion gross paid into the EU budget and other EU funds.

For the last 14 years the EU as failed to sign-off its annual accounts, as fraud is rife.

If our funding were put to better use, the UK would be transformed with higher pensions, there would be more medical staff, teachers and police, we could build advanced transport systems, and we could make a start on repaying the nation's debts.

NIGEL J STARBUCK

Carnarvon Close

Bingham

I AM writing to agree with your editorial ("Fears over future of country park", Comment, December 23).

The points made by The Friends of Bestwood Country Park echo those made by Notts Unison on behalf of our members, the rangers, but sadly the Conservatives on the council are like the old kings of France, who learned nothing and forgot nothing.

Decisions to slash services will have a massive effect on local people as well as greatly increasing unemployment.

Having wrecked the coal industry, these old-time Thatcherites are now intent on wrecking the public sector – this is not what people voted for in 2009.

Once services go they will never come back and the quality of all our lives will suffer.

MIKE SCOTT

Notts Unison

Loughborough Road

West Bridgford

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Family of toddler killed in house fire given �2,000 raised by town

MORE than �2,000 has been raised for the family of a toddler who was killed in a fire at their home.

There have been a series of events held recently to generate the money after Leo Messam died a week before his second birthday following the fire in Crewe.

Mother Charlotte Banks, father Taurean Messam and brothers Tyrese aged three and four-month-old Dannon, managed to flee the smoke-logged house in Myrtle Street on November 21, but have been unable to return to the property and are staying with Leo's grandparents.

And Elvis tribute artist Paul Larcombe staged a special show on Christmas Eve to help raise funds for Leo's family.

Paul, from Crewe, who performed for free in a function room at Crewe Alexandra, said he wanted to do something to help.

He added: "I don't normally work Christmas Eve, but this was an exception to the rule.

"I'm just happy to be able to help and we've raised a good amount of money."

Paul is the only U.K. artist to be officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland.

And Carmen Messam, Taurean's cousin, told The Sentinel: "It was a fantastic night. We managed to raise �800 which was given to Charlotte and Taurean on the night.

"We had a good turnout. There was one lady who had been to Graceland 27 times.

"Paul was very entertaining and had all the ladies on the dancefloor.

"We just wanted to raise as much as we could to help Taurean and Charlotte and the boys."

Carmen said the family was ready to move into a new home Cheshire East Council had found in Wistaston.

"Obviously they'll need new bits and pieces as most things were destroyed in the fire," she added. "We all can't thank the people of Crewe enough for their help."

A pre-Christmas balloon release in the town's Municipal Square raised �1,300, while cash donations have come in from a number of business and individuals including staff at Bentley Motors, the Millcroft Medical Centre, the Express pub in Mill Street and Nantwich Lions.

Ruskin Sports College and Sir William Stanier School have also made collections.

Cheshire Police have renewed an appeal to find thieves who broke into the home where Leo's parents and brothers have been staying. The raiders stole a Nintendo Wii, plus a laptop containing treasured photographs of Leo, in Culland Street, Crewe, in the early hours of December 18. Call Crewe CID on 0845 458 0000 or alternatively Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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Jap stocks up, miners drag Oz

Asian shares rose on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei maintaining a fourth quarter rally as investors hunted bargains in one of the developed world's cheapest markets, but Australia's main index lagged as bad weather hit shares in mining heavyweights.

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Asian shares rose on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei maintaining a fourth quarter rally as investors hunted bargains in one of the developed world's cheapest markets, but Australia's main index lagged as bad weather hit shares in mining heavyweights.

The dollar was steady after a sharp reversal against the euro in an erratic previous session, while the Swiss franc held near a record high against both the dollar and the euro as investors sought refuge from euro zone debt.

A weaker dollar had lifted demand for commodities priced in the U.S. currency, and London Metal Exchange copper rose to a record $9,437.50 a tonne on Wednesday, boosted also by a stoppage at a key port in major producer Chile.

Copper's strength failed to support mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton , which both fell more than 1 percent as heavy rain disrupted mining and shipping operations. China's Christmas Day interest rate rise also prompted investors to fret about weaker demand for industrial metals, but analysts said the impact was likely to be short-lived.

“The Chinese rate rise was key but it appears it is more about curbing inflation and demand for base metals will not fall sharply,” said Ben Potter, research analyst at IG Markets.

Tokyo's Nikkei rose 0.5 percent, despite the stronger yen that hurt some big exporters such as Canon Inc . The Nikkei has risen nearly 10 percent in the final quarter of 2010, although it is down 2 percent for the year.

With shares trading around 1.1 times book value, Japan remains one of the cheapest developed markets after debt-hit Ireland, Greece and Italy.

“There is no solid reason to sell Japanese shares actively as the outlook for the market is still bright,” said Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan was also up 0.5 percent and has risen more than 13 percent this year. Australia's benchmark underperformed the region to end flat as the big miners weighed.

Australia's Lynas Corp , which owns the richest known deposit of rare earth outside China, rose 10.8 percent after China, which produces 97 percent of the minerals, cut it export quotas. Rival Arafura rose 11.1 percent.

DOWNBEAT DATA

U.S. shares eked out gains on Tuesday on strength in oil majors such as Chevron and Exxon Mobil , although downbeat consumer confidence data kept gains in check. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.2 percent and the broader S&P 500 was up 0.1 percent.

Foreign exchange trading was typically choppy in thin year-end trade, when light volumes can cause exaggerated moves from modest flows of funds.

A spike in U.S. Treasury yields boosted the allure of the U.S. currency, with the dollar index , which measures its performance against a basket of major currencies, steady around 80.3, off an overnight low of 79.596.

“The market is not driven by factors, but the thin conditions mean there could be more volatile moves,” said a trader at a Japanese bank.

The dollar bought around 82.30 yen, and the euro stood at $1.3130, after beating a rapid retreat from a two-week high around $1.3274 the previous day.

The slide in U.S. Treasuries prompted a similar retreat for Japanese government bonds, with March 10-year futures Oil eased a little on forecasts of warmer weather in the blizzard-hit northeastern United States, the world's biggest heating oil market. Benchmark U.S. crude futures fell 7 cents to $91.42 a barrel. The freezing weather had helped drive oil to a 26-month high at $91.88 on Monday.

“Oil is tracking the cold weather in the northeast of the United States and also the dollar against the euro,” said Tetsu Emori, a fund manager at Tokyo-based Astmax Co Ltd.

Spot gold traded around $1,406 per ounce, close to a two-week high of $1,406.75, as the lacklustre U.S. data boosted its safe-haven appeal.

“The U.S. economy outlook and monetary policy is a key factor that influences gold prices,” said Hou Xinqiang, an analyst at Jinrui Futures in China. “We've seen data alternate between good and bad, showing that the economy is recovering, but without a strong momentum yet.” - Reuters

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Study links plastic chemical exposure to poor egg quality in women

A SMALL-SCALE University of California, San Francisco UCSF), United States-led study has identified the first evidence in humans that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) may compromise the quality of a woman?s eggs retrieved for in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

As blood levels of BPA in the women studied doubled, the percentage of eggs that fertilised normally declined by 50 per cent, according to the research team.

The chemical BPA, which makes plastic hard and clear, has been used in many consumer products such as reusable water bottles. It also is found in epoxy resins, which form a

protective lining inside metal food and beverage cans.

?While preliminary, the data indicate the negative effect of BPA on reproductive health and the importance of allocating more funding to further investigate why such environmental contaminants might be disrupting fertility potential,? said Prof. Victor Y. Fujimoto, lead study author and professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, who also is on the faculty of the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health.

Findings are available online in the journal Fertility and Sterility at http://j.mp/fyjTFF.
In the study, BPA levels and fertilisation rates were analysed for 26 women undergoing IVF during 2007 and 2008 at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health.

The women were a subgroup of a larger study evaluating the effect on reproductive health of trace exposures to toxic metals ? mercury, cadmium and lead.

?Given the widespread nature of BPA exposure in the U.S., even a modest effect on reproduction is of substantial concern,? said Michael S. Bloom, PhD, senior author and an assistant professor in the Departments of Environmental Health Sciences, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health of the University at Albany, State University of New York. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found BPA in the urine of nearly everyone tested in a 2004 analysis of the U.S. population.

BPA is gaining global attention as an environmental contaminant that impacts health owing to its widespread exposure and endocrine-disrupting properties, according to the researchers.

An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that when absorbed into the body either mimics or blocks hormones and interferes with the body?s normal functions.

Previous studies in mouse models have indicated that BPA levels alter the DNA of eggs, and a 2010 study in humans demonstrated BPA urinary concentrations to be inversely associated with the number of eggs retrieved during an IVF cycle.

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Christmas Time

Christmas time has come again

Bringing drifts of snow

It's the season of goodwill to men

So let compassion flow

Gather around your Christmas tree

Erected in the square

Sing your praises

To our Lord

For he is everywhere

Young and old

Around the world

Lift up your hearts

And set them free

Sing out loud

Your favourite hymns

Whilst gathered

Round your Christmas tree

Imagine every light

Which shines on every tree

That they represent a kind of love

Which shines

On you and me

So gather around

Your Christmas tree

Erected in the square

And sing your praises

To our Lord

For he is everywhere.

EDDIE JEPSON Mansfield

I know you are no longer with us

There are things I wish to say

I never expressed my feeling

On this your special day

Is it to late to voice my love?

Of things I wished I'd said

Will you hear my plea?

Now that you are dead

I feel it's very difficult

I don't know where to start

For tears fall like a waterfall

As I suffer from a broken heart

My child I know your feelings

There's nothing for you to feel sad

You will now know the love

For you your father had

Your father is happy

He knows your words were few

For now you have a family

Who are very proud of you?

So when your family give you a card

Read the words on display

Know that verse is filled with love

To wish you happy Father's Day

MALCOLM G BRADSHAW Carlton

Dark days we will remember

A time we won't forget,

People without a future

No jobs, no life, just debt.

Services for those in need

Cuts so deep and cold,

Who will help the vulnerable

Not the coalition we are told.

What happened to prevention

As the poorest takes the strain,

Where's this muted fairness

Aboard this ghost-like train.

Years spent building services

Responding to the need,

Services we are proud of

Just to see them bleed.

Sadness and frustration

As we listen to the hike,

To be told if we don't like it

We can all get on our bike.

It's survival of the fittest

Irrespective of your age,

A doomsdayer of our country

Turning the next blank page.

In to care or homelessness

Lives ending, a way out?

One less to need resources

One less to care about.

Going back four decades

We thought we'd left behind,

When people faced no future

In the spiral of decline.

Once upon this lifetime

People struggled on their own,

We see those times returning

As Cathy's Coming Home.

GEMMA LUCAS Mansfield

I'm the little wooden donkey

Who, outside the church, each year,

Stands guard within the manger

On the midnight crisp and clear.

It's cold, bone-chilling icy

As I stand here all night long

Whilst a hidden gramophone clacks out

Some crackled Christmas song.

The straw is insufficient

To keep Baby Jesus safe

From the rigours of the winter

And He's rather blue of face.

And Joseph, better days has seen

And likewise Mary too;

They're huddled up in shivers,

Well, wouldn't you be too?

And yonder star is flick'ring

Its damp cell-pack packing in,

But, in truth to tell, when set up

It was looking rather dim.

The Three Kings, frozen-fingered

Each their ancient gift has lost,

Well, one loses all one's feeling

In the midnight winter frost.

And when the windows darken

In the cottages round town,

No one ventures out at all

To midnight wander down.

So next Christmas show compassion

On your manger scene down here

And set us up within the church

On those midnights crisp and clear.

IAN C GRAY Wollaton Park

Let's all join the Boy Scouts; It's nineteen hundred and ten

Baden-Powell had started Scouting

It was a world for men

But girls were getting restless, So bored with games and toys

They dressed in borrowed clothing,

And went to join the boys

You can't do that said BP,

I'll think of something new

Young ladies will be Girl Guides,

Wear uniforms of blue

So Guides began, then Brownies,

Things were so different then

Take a look into the past,

The year is 1910

A Girl Guide from the 30s

Had a hat with brim so wide

Wore a lanyard and her shoulder knots

A whistle by her side

Learnt Morse code and signalling and many a useful thing

But still she made her promise

To her country and her king

From the 60s to the 70s

Came the mini-skirted look

New hat, new tie, new badges, With the latest new handbook

But the Girl Guide still loves camping

And walking in the rain

The fashions may be changing But the promise stays the same

The 80s bring new challenges, It's time to modernise

Wear baseball caps and sweatshirts,

Away with hats and ties

Girls are joining Venture Scouts,

Seeking skills to share

They're abseiling, canoeing too,

Adventures in the air

And so into two thousand, We've joined the new jet set

With videos and mobile phones,

We're on the internet

There are Brownies, Guides and Rangers, Rainbows and Trefoil too

Millennium, all-age Guiding, So join us it's for you

We've travelled through the ages

Along with those who shared

The Promise and the Guide Law,

Our Motto, Be Prepared

The bond of Guiding binds us In friendships old and new

May we keep the flame of Guiding

Forever strong and true

And now we've reached 100, its time to celebrate

The past is full of memories, The future's looking great

So let's all join the party,

Come on and have some fun

Three cheers for Notts Girl Guiding,

It's there for everyone

JEAN JONES Carlton

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Zim seeks prosecutions over Wikileaks

Zimbabwe will appoint a commission to investigate the “treasonous collusion” that led to several embarrassing reports being released by WikiLeaks.

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Harare – Zimbabwe will appoint a commission to investigate the “treasonous collusion” that led to several embarrassing reports being released by WikiLeaks, the country's attorney-general said Saturday.

“With immediate effect, I am going to instruct a team of practising lawyers to look into the issues that arise from the WikiLeaks,” Attorney-General Johannes Tomana told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

“The WikiLeaks appear to show a treasonous collusion between local Zimbabweans and the aggressive international world, particularly the United States.”

Tomana was this week slapped with sanctions and an asset freeze by the United States, making him the latest ally of long-ruling President Robert Mugabe to be black-listed by the US government.

His statements came after WikiLeaks this month released a series of cables from US diplomats that have been embarrassing to 86-year-old Mugabe and his inner circle.

One discussed the United Nations' efforts to get Mugabe to stand down by offering him a retirement package and an exile deal. Another contained accusations that Mugabe's wife, Grace, and Central Bank Governor Gideon Gono were earning huge profits from illegal diamonds.

Mugabe's wife has filed a lawsuit claiming 15 million dollars (about R101–million) in damages from a local independent weekly that reproduced a WikiLeaks report which said she had been involved in underhand sales of diamonds from the controversial Marange mines. – Sapa-AFP

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Record Hot Water Usage in Iceland?s Capital

The usage of hot water in the capital region reached 14,800 cubic meters per hour on Wednesday, which is the highest usage since the cold spell at the end of January-early February 2008 when the production reached 15,200 cubic meters per hour.

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Nigeria moves swiftly to calm the masses

Nigerian authorities have sought to calm tensions after what was believed to be several Christmas Eve blasts killing at least eight people.

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Lagos - Nigerian authorities sought to calm tensions on Saturday after what was believed to be several Christmas Eve blasts killed at least eight people in an area previously hit by sectarian violence.

“The situation is tense now and we just want to pacify the people,” state police spokesman Mohammed Lerama told AFP, refusing to comment further.

A national police spokesman has said at least eight people were killed in an explosion on Friday night in the city of Jos, in central Nigeria, but the state information commissioner and residents have reported several explosions.

The commissioner, Gregory Yenlong, also reported some 20 dead, but police cast doubt on the information.

Police say they have not determined the cause, but Yenlong said there had been rumours of attacks aimed at disrupting Christmas celebrations in recent days.

Local media attributed the explosions to bombs and death tolls varied widely.

Jos is in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south and has long been a hotspot of ethnic and religious friction in Nigeria.

Local rights groups say 1,500 people have died in inter-communal violence in the Jos region since the start of this year alone.

Many observers say the violence has resulted from politicians stoking ethnic divisions in a local struggle for power. - AFP

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Conde names key ministers

Guinea leader Alpha Conde assigned himself the Defence Ministry after naming certain key cabinet members.

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Conakry - Guinea's new president - Alpha Conde - on Monday named his choice for some key ministries, including assigning to himself responsibility for the defence portfolio.

“We are going to form the government in stages, one part will be presented today, the rest in the coming days,” Conde said on public radio and television.

“I want to assure everyone: the institutions are going to be put in place in stages, there will be no witch hunt, we are going to lead the country in peace and tranquillity for the good of all Guineans,” he said.

He has decided to keep banker Kerfala Yansane as head of the ministry of economy and finance, a post he has held since January in the transition government in place before the November elections.

For the foreign ministry post, he named an unknown figure, Edouard Gnakoye Lamah.

Conde had earlier named as prime minister Mohamed Said Fofana, a little-known economist who had previously held senior management positions in the trade and industry ministry.

“To show the degree to which I take the army's situation to heart, I myself will take care of the defence ministry, with a deputy minister,” he said.

In handling the defence portfolio Conde, will thus succeed General Sekouba Konate who ran the country's interim administration from January, overseeing the transition from military rule to democracy.

Conde defeated Cellou Dalein Diallo in a run-off poll on November 7 to become the first democratically elected head of state in Guinea.

The country has endured a series of despotic or authoritarian regimes since independence from France in 1958. - Sapa-AFP

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Oil rises near $92

Oil prices rose to near $92 a barrel on Monday in Asia, as some OPEC ministers signaled the group doesn't plan to boost output to cool the recent jump in crude.

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Oil prices rose to near $92 a barrel on Monday in Asia as some OPEC ministers signaled the group doesn't plan to boost output to cool the recent jump in crude.

Benchmark oil for February delivery rose 27 cents to $91.78 a barrel late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

On Thursday, the contract rose $1.03 to settle at $91.51, the highest level since October 2008. Global oil markets were closed Friday for the Christmas holiday.

Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said at a meeting in Cairo over the weekend that the full group would likely not meet until June to discuss production quota policy. OPEC, which accounts for about 40 percent of global crude output, left quotas unchanged at a meeting earlier this month.

China raised its benchmark lending rate Saturday for a second time in two months in a bid to ease growing inflation pressures, a move that could undermine demand for oil.

“We would urge caution on behalf of the bulls,” The Schork Group said in a report. “Consider China increasing its interest rates will likely have the effect of cutting down on lending and spending.”

Some analysts are concerned that higher oil prices, which have jumped almost 30 percent since September, could fuel inflation and hurt global economic growth.

“High oil prices were one of the contributors to the last global crisis,” JBC Energy said in a report. “The largest effect of an oil price shock on the economy occurs around three to four quarters after the price spike.”

In other Nymex trading in January contracts, heating oil rose 0.9 cent to $2.55 a gallon, gasoline futures fell 0.14 cent to $2.44 a gallon and natural gas dropped 6.4 cents to $4.02 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In London, Brent crude rose 66 cents to $94.43 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. -

Sapa-AP

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Japanese shares seen in tight range

Japanese shares are likely to stay within a tight range in the final trading week of 2010 with many players sitting it out for the holiday season, analysts said Friday.

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Japanese shares are likely to stay within a tight range in the final trading week of 2010 with many players sitting it out for the holiday season, analysts said Friday.

“With the US and European markets taking breaks and trading thinning as the year-end approaches, the market's movement is likely to be limited,” Nomura Securities said in a note to clients.

Japanese shares moved little in the past trading week ending on December 24, as many international players left the market for Christmas.

The Nikkei index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange eased 0.24 percent or 24.64 points to 10,279.19. The Topix index of all first section shares slipped 0.16 percent or 1.48 points to 901.66.

Japanese shares rallied earlier in the week, reaching a seven-month high on Tuesday.

But the market softened toward the weekend due to profit taking on worries about overheating, as well as continued financial woes in the eurozone economies such as Portugal and Spain.

Market reaction was muted on Tuesday to the Bank of Japan's widely expected decision to keep its policy interest-rate target near zero.

Nomura Securities said it expected the Nikkei index to hover between 10,000 and 10,500 in the coming week. - Sapa-AFP

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