GI News—February 2009

• Senior moments? It may be your blood glucose
  
• Fruit, vegetables and strong bones
• Healthier foods no more expensive
  
• Are pomegranates a super food?
  
• Fat body, fat tongue? Prof Trim investigates
  
• Should you eat breakfast before exercising?
  

Child obesity is a regular headline hitter from scary new statistics, blame gaming and finger pointing (and wagging) to banning junk food ads, school fat report cards and Jamie’s school dinners. From the comfort of home those hardy perennials, the armchair experts, trumpet that the answer is obvious: just get kids to eat healthy food and run around more. Oh, and shouldn’t they walk to school, mow lawns and shovel snow? GI News talked to Prof Louise Baur from The Children's Hospital, Westmead and reports on promising results from three Australian programs for overweight children. There are all our usual features too, plus three new recipes for you to try.

Good eating, good health and good reading.

GI News Editor: Philippa Sandall
Web Design and Management: Scott Dickinson, PhD

Food for Thought

Child obesity – why don’t they just do something about it?
The problem with child obesity is not the lack of explanations, but the abundance of them – genes, diet, lack of activity, TV and anything with a screen, junk food, eating out, relatively cheap energy-dense processed foods piled high on our supermarket shelves, sugar-laden drinks from fruit juices to soft drinks … and the lack of solutions.



In fact, there’s a marked disparity between the widespread, hand-wringing about the rising rates of overweight and obesity and sound evidence on how best to treat childhood obesity and which elements of dietary intervention are actually effective long term to roll out appropriate intervention programs. Back in 2006, Assoc. Prof. Clare Collins’ team reviewed 37 randomised controlled trials (Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine) and reported that it’s hard to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary treatments in those published studies because they don’t report enough details on the one hand and there simply aren’t enough high quality ones with longer term results on the other. Jump to January 2009 and the latest Cochrane Review that looked at 54 studies reports that children and teens can lose weight with lifestyle changes (diet and physical activity) 6 and 12 months after beginning a program.

Which program? There are numerous (often impressive and well run and pricey) commercial child obesity intervention programs for those who can afford them. But what's needed to make a real difference are accessible, affordable (or free) and effective community-based programs to support all families and young people in the self-care of overweight/obesity. And here, initial results from three Australian trials designed for Australian conditions are very promising and should be rolled out more widely.

HIKCUPS (Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support) was a randomised controlled trial involving 165 overweight children aged 5–9 years who were allocated one of three intervention programs: a parent-centered nutrition lifestyle program; a child-centered physical activity skill development program; or both programs. ‘All treatment groups appear to be equally efficacious in improving dietary intake in overweight and obese children,’ write the authors in The International Journal of Obesity. The results of the study provide much needed information about the effectiveness and feasibility of treating childhood overweight and obesity.

PEACH™ (Parenting Eating and Activity for Child Health) looked at the effectiveness of adding a parenting skills training program to a family-focused healthy lifestyle intervention for managing overweight 5–9 year olds. One hundred and sixty-nine children in Adelaide and Sydney took part in this randomised controlled trial over 2 years. A sneak preview of the key finding (currently under review for publication in an international journal) was that relative weight loss of 8–12% (both BMI and waist circumference) was observed at the end of the 6-month intervention and that this weight loss was maintained for a further 18 months with no further contact (other than measuring the children). Check out the details of this program in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Loozit is an ongoing weight loss and healthy living program developed by staff at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, for young people aged 13–16 who are struggling with their weight. Group sessions focus on healthy meals and snacks, becoming more active and building self-esteem. Participants meet once a week for 9 weeks and then once a school term in the following 2 years. Findings from the pilot study reported in Nutrition and Dietetics showed that the self-esteem of young people increased, their waist circumference decreased and their ‘good’ cholesterol improved.

But no matter how successful community based programs like these are, they are just the tip of the iceberg. ‘Over the last half century, we’ve experienced rapid and widespread changes in how we eat, drink and move,’ says Prof Barry Popkin in The World Is Fat, his new book that looks at the fads, trends, policies and products that are fattening the human race. He shows how rapid changes inside and outside the home have changed the entire environment in which we live and shifted control from the parents to the broader community. Talking to GI News, Popkin says: ‘Parents and kids aren’t to blame, and they can’t change the way they eat, drink and move on their own.’ See our Healthy Kids page in this issue for some tips from Prof Louise Baur and her colleagues.

– GI News would like to thank Prof Louise Baur, Assoc Prof Clare Collins, Dr Anthea Margarey and Prof Barry Popkin for their input and for reviewing this article.

News Briefs

Senior moments? It may be your blood glucose.
Senior moments are a normal, albeit unwelcome, part of aging, rather like wrinkling skin and graying hair. Scientists call them ‘cognitive aging,’ the result of changes in brain chemistry and physiology that affect our brain’s ability to think. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York suggest in Annals of Neurology, that controlling blood glucose may be a key factor in slowing down the normal changes as we age and preserving our cognitive health.



None of the 240 participants (average age 80) in the Columbia University study had symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. Mapping their brain regions using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging, the researchers found a correlation between elevated blood glucose levels and reduced cerebral blood volume, or blood flow, in the dentate gyrus, an indication of reduced metabolic activity and function in that region of the brain.

‘Our findings suggest that maintaining blood glucose levels, even in the absence of diabetes, could help maintain aspects of cognitive health. More specifically, our findings predict that any intervention that causes a decrease in blood glucose should increase dentate gyrus function and would therefore be cognitively beneficial,’ said Dr. Small. ‘Whether with physical exercise, diet or through the development of potential pharmacological interventions, our research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could be a clinically viable approach for improving the cognitive slide that occurs in many of us as we age,’ concluded Dr. Small.


Scott Small MD

Fruit and vegetables may strengthen your bones
Diets that are high in protein and cereal grains produce an excess of acid in the body which may increase calcium excretion and weaken bones, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The study found that increasing the alkali content of the diet, with a pill or through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has the opposite effect and strengthens bone health.

‘Heredity, diet, and other lifestyle factors contribute to the problem of bone loss and fractures,’ said lead author Dr Bess Dawson-Hughes of Tufts University. ‘When it comes to dietary concerns regarding bone health, calcium and vitamin D have received the most attention, but there is increasing evidence that the acid/base balance of the diet is also important.’

Average older adults consume diets that, when metabolised, add acid to the body. With aging, we become less able to excrete the acid. One way the body may counteract the acid from our diets is through bone resorption, a process by which bones are broken down to release minerals such as calcium, phosphates, and alkaline (basic) salts into the blood. Unfortunately, increased bone resorption leads to declines in bone mass and increases in fracture risk.

‘When fruits and vegetables are metabolised they add bicarbonate, an alkaline compound, to the body,’ said Dr. Dawson Hughes. ‘Our study found that bicarbonate had a favourable effect on bone resorption and calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults.’

In this study, 171 men and women aged 50 and older were randomised to receive placebo or doses of either: potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for 3 months. ‘We demonstrated that adding alkali in pill form reduced bone resorption and reduced the losses of calcium in the urine over a 3-month period,’ said Dr. Dawson-Hughes. ‘This intervention warrants further investigation as a safe and well tolerated supplement to reduce bone loss and fracture risk in older men and women.



Is the GI a key to unlocking a hidden addiction?
Doing something about the obesity epidemic is at the top of most public health agendas. Talk about budget blow out! The financial cost to the whole community of burgeoning waistlines is scary. New Zealand scientists from the University of Auckland explore the idea in Medical Hypotheses that addiction could be an important factor causing the obesity epidemic. They compare and contrast the evidence about nicotine addiction to food and GI and suggest that if high GI foods like corn flakes or white bread are the villain of the piece, ‘low GI equivalents may be the saviour’. The point of the study is really the public health implications of the theory. As the researchers point out: ‘Just as tax increases and control of advertising have proved effective in reducing the prevalence of smoking, similar strategies may help reduce the obesity epidemic.’


Dr Simon Thornley

Lead researcher Dr Simon Thornley, from Auckland Regional Public Health Service, said foods with a high GI caused blood glucose levels to spike, and this rush stimulates the same areas of the brain associated with addiction to nicotine and other drugs. He reports evidence showing that people who binged on high GI carb foods experienced loss of control, a compulsion to keep taking higher amounts to get the same ‘buzz’, and suffered withdrawal if they went ‘cold turkey’.

‘It's a novel idea that draws on strong evidence that glucose consumption influences levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin in the brain, says Sydney University’s Prof Jennie Brand Miller. ‘Although all foods take about 30 minutes to peak and the overall shape of the post-meal glycemia curve is similar for high, medium and low GI foods, high-GI foods peak and fall at substantially greater levels. Our recent study that explored the association between a food’s GI and the shape of the curve clearly suggests that to control high blood glucose after meals, carb quality (or its GI) and carb quantity both count (see the abstract). So the general message is say “low GI” with carb-rich foods as well as watching portion size.’

For more information about the ‘hidden addiction’ hypothesis email Simon Thornley.

What's New?

The Giveaway is now closed. Thanks for all the entries to the Shopper's Guide Giveaway. The winners will be notified by the publishers.





Healthy Indian Cooking for Diabetes
By Azmina Govindji and Sanjeev Kapoor
Published by Kyle Cathie in association with Diabetes UK
There’s no compromising on taste in this book of healthy traditional Indian dishes for people with type 2 diabetes. Dietitian Azmina Govindji and celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor address the serious problem of diabetes in the South Asian population (almost 20 million people are affected) with a unique book that provides dietary advice and 100 authentic recipes to help people with diabetes manage their blood glucose with the right foods, portion control and healthy cooking methods. Over the next few months, GI News will be sharing Azmina and Sanjeev’s recipes with readers.



For more information visit www.govindjinutrition.com

Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association Conference
The aims of the first annual conference are to:

• Provide education in the practice of lifestyle medicine to health professionals;
• Inform delegates of the latest scientific findings in lifestyle related health;
• Initiate best practice for financial involvement in lifestyle medicine.

Check the website for details: www.alma-inc.com.au

When? 20-22 March 2009
Where? Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney NSW Australia
Further information: Troy Grogan (troy.grogan@greatestasset.org)

Food of the Month with Catherine Saxelby

Pomegranates: are they a superfood?


Catherine Saxelby

With their impressive line-up of polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) matching some of those found in red wine, some found in berries, tea, cranberries and some grapefruit, are pomegranates on their way to becoming the next ‘super fruit’ poised to knock over goji and acai? For example, they have:

• Punicalagin and punicalin, the two most abundant polyphenols unique to pomegranates, chemically known as hydrolysable tannins.
• Anthocyananins, which give pomegranates their bright pink colour and have been extensively studied in blueberries where they help delay ageing and boost brain power.
• Ellagic acid, also found in berries and dark grapes. These keep arteries flexible. Pomegranate extract supplements are standardised to ellagic acid usually 500 mg.
• Quercetin, kaempferol, catechins and gallic acid, big-name polyphenols from wine and tea with their well-known anti-inflammatory properties.
• Chlorogenic acid, usually in coffee.

Pressing the seeds to make juice extracts additional polyphenols from the white membrane surrounding the clusters of seeds (pericarp), so the juice is richer than the fruit on its own. Commercial juices have been reported to have antioxidants such as luteolin and narigenin (like grapefruit). Most of the studies have been funded by POM Wonderful and based on drinking a glass 8 oz/235 mL of juice daily. Smaller amounts may not achieve the same end-results. The studies so far are promising, but pomegranate – although clearly rich in antioxidants – can’t substitute for all the antioxidants in wine, tea and fruit in general. You can download the original research papers.

Nutritionally speaking, the juice is similar to other juices. There’s some potassium and a little iron, but not much in the way of fibre (seeds and pulp strained away) or vitamin C, thanks to the flash pasteurisation process which is needed to destroy bacteria and maintain shelf life in the commercial juice.



The really big problem with pomegranate juice is that it is very concentrated and high in sugar. At 16.5% carbs (mostly sugars), it’s more concentrated than soft drink (11%) or orange juice (8-10%). One 8 fl oz/235 mL glass will load you up with 39 g carbs and 150 cals/630 kJ. It also has a moderate GI (67), so it’s a drink to be cautious with rather than gulp down.

Tips for using pomegranate juice
Look for 100% pomegranate juice if you’re after antioxidants. Many pomegranate juices are blended with apple or pear or mango juice so have less pomegranate. Avoid these.
Dilute it. Start with one part pomegranate juice, top with four parts sparkling water or chilled tap water. Add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice to lower the GI.
Use it as a marinade for duck, chicken or pork or in sauces and dressings.
Mix it into plain yoghurt or over ice-cream to flavour desserts. It’s quite thick and syrupy so pours well.
Limit yourself to half a cup (125 mL) a day. With around 15 g carbs, count this as one carb portion.

Is it a superfood? Not really. It’s an antioxidant all-rounder up there with berries and tea but it’s not something we can afford to guzzle in great quantity. Like wine and chocolate, a little is all that we can fit into our daily diets without overloading ourselves with sugar and calories. It can’t replace a variety of low-kilojoule fruit or vegetables which is where most of your antioxidants should come from.

Catherine Saxelby is an accredited nutritionist and runs the Foodwatch Nutrition Centre at www.foodwatch.com.au. For more information on pomegranates, super foods and healthy eating, visit Catherine’s website.

Low GI Recipes of the Month

Anneka Manning, Senior Food Consultant for the Australian Women's Weekly, shares a recipe from her latest book (with Kaye Foster-Powell), The Low GI Family Cookbook.

Eggs in nests
This makes a lovely lazy weekend breakfast or brunch. Prepare double the quantity for four people — or for seconds.
Serves 2



2 slices wholegrain bread
olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil margarine
40 g (1½ oz) button mushrooms (about 4), stems trimmed, sliced
3 English (not baby) spinach leaves, washed, chopped
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 eggs
1 tablespoon coarsely grated reduced fat
cheddar cheese, grated

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4).
• Cut the crusts off the bread. Spray both sides of each slice lightly with oil. Press the bread slices firmly into two 1/3 cup (80 mL/2 1/2 fl oz)capacity non-stick muffin pan holes. Set aside.
• Heat the margarine in a non-stick frying pan over medium–high heat until sizzling. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, for 4–5 minutes or until tender. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes or until wilted. Remove from the heat and season with pepper.
• Divide mushroom mixture between the bread cases. Crack an egg into a small dish and then slide it into one of the bread cases. Repeat with the remaining egg. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 15 minutes (for a softly set yolk), 20 minutes (for a hard-cooked yolk), or until the egg is cooked to your liking. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  

Per serve
Energy: 901 kJ/ 214 cals; Protein 14 g; Fat 10 g (includes 4 g saturated fat and 197 mg cholesterol); Carbs 15 g; Fibre 2.5 g

Low GI fare from Johanna’s Italian kitchen: In GI News American dietitian, Johanna Burani shares her recipes photographed by husband Sergio.


Johanna Burani

Simply delicious fennel
Sometimes simplicity cannot be beat! The flavourful combination of these unpretentious ingredients in this vegetable side dish results in an explosion of culinary delight. And it all happens in less than 30 minutes from fridge to serving dish.
Serves 4



2 x 1-lb (450 g) fennel bulbs
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons grated parmiggiano reggiano cheese
salt/pepper to taste

• To prepare the fennel for cooking: Cut away hollow stalks from top end of bulbs. Cut off a thin horizontal slice from the bottom ends. Cut into quarters and then cut the quarters in half. Wash thoroughly under running cold water, taking care to remove any sand from the base.
• Place prepared sections in a heavy 9” (22 cm) skillet. Add 1½ cups cold water and bring to a soft boil over medium heat (6 minutes). Cover, reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until sections are tender.
• Drain off the water. Drizzle the oil, add salt and pepper as desired and mix well in skillet. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the fennel. Keep warm in the skillet until served.

Per serve (1/2 bulb)
Energy: 538 kJ/ 128 cals; Protein 3 g; Fat 8 g (includes 1 g saturated fat and 2 mg cholesterol); Carbs 13 g; Fibre 5 g

Visit Johanna’s website: www.eatgoodcarbs.com.

Azmina Govindji shares recipes from Healthy Indian Cooking for Diabetes photographed by Yuki Sugiura.


Azmina Govindji

Tofu chana dal
Serve this light meal with a raita of your choice. Asafoetida is often used in vegetarian meals where it adds a garlic-like flavour with onion overtones. A hint of asafoetida will tide you over when the garlic bowl is empty. Chana dal is found in Asian produce stores and the spices will be available in specialty spice shops or online at herbies.com.au.
Serves 4

150 g (5 oz) split Bengal gram (chana dal)
1 tablespoon olive oil (plus spray oil for greasing the pan)
200 g (7 oz) tofu
½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
10–12 curry leaves
2 pinches of asafoetida
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
2½ tablespoons lemon juice
20 g (3/4 oz) fresh mint leaves, chopped

• Soak the chana dal in 400 ml (14 fl oz) water for 3–4 hours.
• Spray olive oil on a heated frying pan and toss the tofu until brown specks form on it. Remove and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. As the seeds begin to splutter, stir in the asafoetida. Add the drained chana dal and salt and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the turmeric and 100 ml (3½ fl oz) water, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until chana dal is done.
• Add the tofu, lemon juice and mint leaves. Cook for 30 seconds, then remove from heat.

Per serve
Energy: 798 kJ/ 189 cals; Protein 12 g; Fat 7 g (includes 0.7 g saturated fat and 2 mg); Carbs 20 g; Fibre 3 g

Busting Food Myths with Nicole Senior

Myth: Snoring is harmless


Nicole Senior

Fact: Snoring can indicate more serious health problems, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The sound of snoring is often the subject of amusement; however, ask someone who shares a bed with a snorer and the joke isn’t funny at all. Being prevented from enjoying a good night’s sleep places incredible stress on relationships, forcing some couples to sleep in separate rooms, and others to contemplate smothering their oblivious snoring loved one with the nearest pillow. Of course it has also attracted an industry of snoring cures, such as nasal strips, sprays, mouth-guards and collars, most of which are ineffective. While the social and emotional costs are obvious, snoring can also hide serious health risks.

Snoring can indicate sleep apnoea: frequent sleep interruption due to falling oxygen levels in the blood. The sufferer can stop breathing for up to 10 seconds at time, and may wake hundreds of times a night. Also called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the condition occurs because the throat closes during snoring and the person simply doesn’t get enough air. A person with OSA may not be aware of their frequent ‘waking’, and simply feel exhausted the next day and not know why.



Sleep apnoea also has other more dire effects on the circulatory, nervous and blood glucose regulatory systems. Studies have shown that people who suffer from OSA are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, abnormal heart beat, heart failure and stroke, and people with OSA are more likely to have insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. The good news is that treatment can reduce this risk. People with type 2 diabetes who have their OSA treated achieve better blood glucose control. Treatment is usually by Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) during sleep, administered with a machine by the bed and delivered via a nasal mask. Not the most elegant or comfortable solution, but totally worth it to obtain a healthy quota of shut-eye and minimise the metabolic damage. So while snoring can be annoying, it can also be serious and sufferers should seek medical advice.

How does eating to beat cholesterol and heart food fit into all this? Sleep apnoea is most common in people who are overweight or obese– typically middle aged men, but it happens to women too. Body fat stored around the neck makes it more difficult to breathe freely during sleep, and causes the airway to collapse more easily. It can also be made worse by smoking, alcohol or sleeping tablets. Losing weight is effective in reducing snoring. So don’t fall asleep at the wheel of your wellbeing, but smarten up your lifestyle and eating habits. For tips on weight loss and eating for a healthy heart, plus great recipes for the whole family, go to www.eattobeatcholesterol.com.au.

Heart Food and Eat to Beat Cholesterol are available from www.greatideas.net.au.

Healthy Kids

Move It & Lose It with Prof Trim

Fat body, fat tongue?
The idea that sleep apnea and snoring is at least partly caused by an increase in the size of the tongue in obese people has been around for some time. This makes perfect sense because an increase in tongue size would mean a blockage in the air passages and hence a reduced airway flow, thus resulting in the vibrating sound of snoring and reduced oxygen intake.



Pathologists carrying out autopsies however have often said they fail to find increases in tongue size in fat corpses. Does this mean the theory is wrong? And if so, how else do we explain the big increases in snoring and sleep apnea in the overweight? There are a couple of lines of evidence here: In the first place a recent study published in the journal Laryngoscope reporting the autopsies on 122 medical examiner cases, not only found a high correlation between tongue weight and Body Mass Index (BMI), but a close link between fat content of the tongue and BMI. This was particularly so in men, perhaps explaining why snoring is generally more of a problem amongst the male gender.

But how do we explain the lean snorers and the obese individuals who don’t snore (although there’s not many of the latter)? The answer seems to lie in the concept of inflammation again (see GI News, November 2008). Inflammatory markers appear to occur in the airways passages of people whose lifestyle may pre-dispose them to obesity, but who, for some reason may not become obese. Some obese individuals on the other hand may be obese for genetic reasons, not lifestyle, and may not have developed the inflammatory processes of those with the poor lifestyle. Inflammation, like tongue enlargement, can amplify upper airway narrowing and hence result in the same type of airways restriction as a fat tongue itself.

In any case, the main cure for snoring – and sleep apnea – remains a healthy diet and lots of exercise, even if body weight loss is only minimal. In the few cases where this still exists alongside a healthy lifestyle, anatomical structures in the airways may need to be checked.


Dr Garry Egger aka Prof Trim

For more information on weight loss for men, check out Professor Trim.

Curly Questions

AdvantEDGE Carb Control snack bars claim to have only 4 g of net carbs because from the 27 g total carb count, they subtract the 6 g of fibre and 17 g of sugar alcohols (malitol syrup and malitol). What is your take on how to count the sugar alcohol in computing a net carb total?
Dr Alan Barclay says: ‘Food laws vary from country to country. The Australian Standard for GI Testing (which hopefully will soon be an International Standard) requires manufacturers to include sugar alcohols in the total available carbohydrates on the nutrition label, though only about 40–50% of the carbohydrate in maltitol/maltitol syrup is absorbed (this is accounted for when determining the amount of the food needed to measure its GI). If the Australian Standard is used, these snack bars would have to state that they contained around 12 g of available carbohydrate, not 4 g as currently claimed.’



In an effort to fit more into life I am wanting to get up early a couple of times a week to exercise before the rest of the family rises. Should I make time to eat brekkie first or jump straight in?
Dr Joanna McMillan Price says: 'Jump straight in! In fact exercising before breakfast is a great way to burn fat - your blood glucose and insulin levels are at their lowest and with incoming carbohydrate the body does a good job of dipping into those fat stores alongside using stored carbs (glycogen). But do make sure you have had a good meal containing low GI carbs the night before to ensure your glycogen stores are well stocked. Otherwise you'll feel below par and struggle to work at any intensity. Also be sure to drink a large glass of water before you head out to be sure of good hydration. When you get home tuck into a good low GI brekkie and you'll feel great for the rest of the day.

Email your curly question about carbs, the GI and blood glucose to: gicurlyquestions@gmail.com

Your Success Stories

‘I am blessed with a sense of achievement that I very rarely experienced before I had my strokes thanks to the GI diet.’ – Brenda
‘In March and May 2007 I suffered two strokes. At the time, I was a non-drinker, non-smoker, weighed 82 kg (180 lbs) and suffered from hypertension. A subsequent visit to my GP confirmed what I feared the most, that if I put on any more weight I would put myself in the diabetic risk category.

I immediately made a mammoth effort to read everything in sight regarding GI diets – my latest publication is The Low GI Family Cookbook. When I went shopping, I kept The Low GI Shopper’s Guide 2008 with me constantly. This guide came in handy not only when I purchased my weekly groceries, but was a good reference when I indulged my morning coffee sessions or had an occasional Chinese meal and even got invited out to a party as it gave me the GI values of many food items that I ate at these events not to mention many food items that I use on a daily basis.

Fourteen months later I feel as though I have been reborn. I am now 57 kg (125 lbs), have a lot more energy and I love the fact that I am never hungry because I eat every few hours, don’t have to weigh my food or count calories and I enjoy what I eat. It gave me a lot of pleasure to know that I can eat a wide variety of good food and not put the weight back on.



Briefly, I am eating stacks of fruit, apples, strawberries, mangoes and melons. I love bananas, but always make sure they are small ones. With regard to vegetables, I eat the majority of them with the exception of onions which I am allergic to and I am very fond of chicken, fish, all light cheeses and eggs. I enjoy sweets after each meal and these often contain low-fat custard, yoghurt or ice-cream poured over fresh or tinned fruit – apricots, stewed apples, rhubarb, jelly and fruit salad. Yum yum.

My dining out consists quite often of a three course meal – usually a sour dough bread basket with cheese or herbs or a prawn cocktail for entrée followed by herb-crusted baked fish dish sprinkled with lemon and vegetables or a prawn salad sprinkled with olive oil and lemon dressing or a low-fat mayonnaise for main. For dessert I have either a lemon crepe or a fresh fruit salad with either yoghurt or ice-cream. I don’t feel like a martyr – I dig right in and enjoy my food and if I am not sure of the GI value of a dish I play it safe by only having a small portion. I usually complete a meal out with a low-fat chocolate drink or Milo while my girlfriends tend to have cappuccino. My in between food snacks usually consist of fruit, but if I feel like being ‘naughty’ I eat a sample size chocolate bar or two chocolate squares or two nuts. Throughout the day I mainly drink water but occasionally I have been known to drink non-sweetened apple juice if I am dining out.

I have managed to keep my weight at what it was when I met my hubby 44 years ago. I exercise daily by doing physio as well as 100 sit and stands, some stretch exercises and some walking with my Canadian crutch, so you can see I am limited in what I can do compared to most people. But I feel good – very good – and I am blessed with a sense of achievement that I very rarely experienced before I had my strokes thanks to the GI diet.’

GI Symbol News with Alan Barclay

The cost of food


Alan Barclay

In December GI News, a reader posted a comment suggesting that food companies earn the right to carry the GI Symbol then immediately hike up the prices.

This is not the case at all. Healthier foods are not more expensive.We have just conducted a survey of 5,200 Australian foods and found that overall, healthier foods whether they carry our GI Symbol or not, were not more expensive than less healthy alternatives. However, within a food category, some products are of course more expensive than others, whether they are healthier choices or not. The type (quality) and number of ingredients, product size and country of origin are key factors here. Where you shop can make a difference, too. Some areas are significantly more expensive than others as every smart shopper knows.

Let’s look at bread as it is one of the major sources of carbohydrate in our diet, which means buying quality low GI bread is an excellent investment in your long term health.

Over the years, the GI team at the University of Sydney has tested a lot of breads for manufacturers, and relatively few are actually low GI. Developing and reliably producing low GI breads is not a simple task and price increases for ingredients ultimately drive costs up during the production process. For example the ongoing drought in Australia and the global wheat shortfall increased the cost of flour. The breads that carry the GI Symbol are quality products made with special ingredients and a special manufacturing process. They have all been GI tested using the Australian Standard method (which will soon be the International Standard), and as a condition of being a GI Symbol Licensee, a company will measure a product's GI value on a regular basis (from batch to batch throughout the year) to ensure that it really has the GI value that they are claiming. This is why we can say with confidence that the GI Symbol is your guarantee that the GI value stated near the nutrition information panel is reliable.

When it comes to the checkout, we found that the breads were competitively priced:

1. Lower GI white breads carrying the GI Symbol were no more expensive than higher GI white breads.
2. Low GI wholegrain breads were no more expensive than similar quality higher GI wholegrain breads.

Contact
Dr Alan W Barclay, PhD
CSO, Glycemic Index Ltd
Phone: +61 2 9785 1037
Mob: +61 (0)416 111 046
Fax: +61 2 9785 1037
Email: mailto:alan@gisymbol.com
Email: alan@gisymbol.com
Website: www.gisymbol.com.au

Where Can I Get More Information on GI Testing

North America
Dr Alexandra Jenkins
Glycemic Index Laboratories
36 Lombard Street, Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2X3 Canada
Phone +1 416 861 0506
Email info@gilabs.com
Web www.gilabs.com

Australia
Fiona Atkinson



Research Manager, Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service (SUGiRS)
Human Nutrition Unit, School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences
Sydney University
NSW 2006 Australia
Phone + 61 2 9351 6018
Fax: + 61 2 9351 6022
Email sugirs@mmb.usyd.edu.au
Web www.glycemicindex.com

New Zealand
Dr Tracy Perry
The Glycemic Research Group, Dept of Human Nutrition
University of Otago
PO Box 56 Dunedin New Zealand
Phone +64 3 479 7508
Email tracy.perry@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Web glycemicindex.otago.ac.nz

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Studies in Egyptology

1672788774041 (application/pdf Object)

https://blackboard.manchester.ac.uk/webct/urw/lc980635177051.tp1051122276031/RelativeResourceManager/sfsid/1672788774041

A flyer on the online Egyptology Course I am on

Iran hangs three

3 Iranians convicted of murder have been hanged in the south of the country, local newspapers reported on Saturday.

1 man convicted of killing 2 people and identified by only his 1st name Heshmat was hanged last week in prison in the town of Kazeroon, the government newspaper Iran said.

2 other men were executed on Wednesday in Adel-Abad prison in the southern town of Shiraz, the Etemad newspaper reported. The latest hangings bring to at least 41 the number of executions in Iran so far this year. Iran executed at least 246 people last year, according to an AFP count.

Last year the Islamic republic stepped up its use of the death penalty in what it says is a bid to improve security in society.

Amnesty International says Iran carried out more death sentences in 2007 than any other country apart from China which executed 317 people.

Capital offences in Iran include murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery.

Source: Agence France-Presse, Jan. 31, 2009

Iran: Juvenile offender Bahman Salimian at imminent risk of being executed

Juvenile offender Bahman Salimian is again at imminent risk of being executed. His family told his lawyer on or around 22 January that they had received notification of his execution, now scheduled to take place on 5 February in Esfahan prison.

Bahman Salimian was sentenced to qesas (retribution) by Branch 33 of the Supreme Court for the murder of his grandmother, committed in 1996 when he was 15 years old. He was due to be executed on 28 August 2008, but the judicial authorities halted his execution three days before the execution date, to allow for further attempts to negotiate a pardon from his uncle, the only relative who still insists that Bahman Salimian should be executed. His two other uncles have pardoned him.

Throughout his trial, Bahman Salimian repeatedly claimed that his 70-year-old grandmother had talked of committing suicide, and so he had killed her to minimize her suffering. On hearing Bahman Salimian's unusual motive for the murder the trial judge ordered that he be psychologically assessed. Experts concluded that he was suffering from a psychological disorder and, accordingly, the judge sentenced him to five years' imprisonment and the payment of diyeh (financial compensation, also called "blood money"), to be paid by his parents. Some members of his grandmother's family appealed, and demanded the death penalty for Bahman Salimian's crime. Branch 33 of the Supreme Court overturned the lower court's verdict, and sentenced him to qesas.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Since 1990 Iran has executed at least 42 juvenile offenders, eight of them in 2008 and one on 21 January 2009. The execution of juvenile offenders is prohibited under international law, as stated in Article 6 (5) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Iran is a state party to and so has undertaken not to execute anyone for crimes committed when they were under 18.

In Iran a person convicted of murder has no right to seek pardon or commutation from the state, in violation of Article 6(4) of the ICCPR. The family of a murder victim have the right either to insist on execution, or to pardon the killer and receive financial compensation (diyeh). Under the Iranian law regulating qesas, if one member of the victim's family refuses to pardon the convict, even if the other family members have received the appropriate amount of diyeh, the death sentence will be implemented.

Click here to take action now!

Source: Amnesty International, January 31, 2009

WINZ wastes money to save money

WINZ staff are not allowed to drive along the new tolled motorway in Auckland because it will have to pay $2 for each trip. Apparently the toll road saves about 10-15 minutes. A person on an average salary of $60,000 gets $7.50 every 15 minutes and will pay about $3.50 in tolls and petrol to travel the route.

Obviously, to travel the long route, which is about 4 kilometres longer, will take about 10-15 minutes longer and WINZ will continue spending between $5.00 and $7.50 in lost productivity and whatever it cost in extra petrol - at least $2.00 - travelling at less than 20 kilometers per hour in queues.

I used to work at WINZ. One of my workmates had a company car which she only used to travel to and from work. She lived down the road from me. But her boss wouldn't even let her take me to and from work he refused to let her take passengers for this purpose. That cost me an hours pay every day. Yet this woman's partner also worked for the same company, he had a company car and she passed his place of work on the way to hers.

It sounds like the WINZ decision making processes have not changed much.

Call for further lowering Cholesterol due to New Study Findings

Dr. Briffa has a recent article where he highlights a new study that is making scientists think that cholesterol levels should be driven lower than ever before. Dr. Briffa makes the statement that too low cholesterol can lead to cancer and even death. Yikes!

This is his article: Dr. Briffa's Cholesterol Article

Here was my comment below his article: "I think they are out to lunch in my humble opinion. Certainly, they are with regard to statins. I won’t take anything with such a bad track record.

(Let's try simple logic.) We know inflammation leads to heart disease. We know dentists have discovered that taking a tiny amount of doxycycline (no adverse gut problems reported but take yogurt or a probiotic to be on the safe side) daily reduces inflammation of gums, and they have since discovered after 6 months general inflammation markers (CRP levels) dropped by more than a half. I have the study somewhere if anyone is interested - I’m too lazy to go find it now.

Inflammation leads to heart disease we’re told and a host of other diseases. I’m a lay person but my logic says: “Cut the inflammation and perhaps the body won’t have to try so hard to repair the arteries by laying down fatty deposits” I think we’re maybe blaming cholesterol, when, in fact, the real culprit is being overlooked."

I did go look up the study again re reducing inflammation (found the link on my blog): Reducing Inflammation - such a no brainer way to do it

So, why on earth is nobody picking up on this study with regard to doxycycline? There is practically NO money in it - that's why!!

I think this is HUGE news, but very few people will probably find this path.

Hamas executes former B'Tselem field worker

January 7, 2009: a Palestinian human rights activist and journalist who used to work for the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem was executed in Rafah by Hamas on charges of "collaboration" with Israel.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip identified the man as Haidar Ghanem, 46, of Rafah.

Ghanem, who was a field researcher for B'Tselem, was sentenced to death by a Palestinian Authority court in 2002 after being found guilty of passing on information to Israel that later resulted in the elimination of Fatah gunmen.

The PA state security court had sentenced Ghanem, a father of two, after holding only two brief sessions. He was convicted of helping Israel kill four Fatah activists in Rafah.

Sources: Jerusalem Post, 25/01/2009

David To Narrate War Child Advert

David will be narrating TV and radio adverts for a new album for the War Child charity.
Released by EMI through its Parlophone label, the album sees some of the biggest names in music history select one of their personal favourite songs from their own back catalogue, and nominate a musician from the next generation to create a modern reworking of it.
Tracks include a version of Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" sung by Duffy, Franz Ferdinand's version of Blondie's "Call Me", and a cover of U2's "Running to Stand Still" by Elbow.
The album will be released on February 16, and all profits made will go towards helping protect children caught in the conflict of war.
To find out more about War Child visit their website here.

David's Doctor Who Video Diary 1

David has made a video of his first day back in Cardiff. Thanks to the BBC for the video below.

Doctor Who Filming Photos

Click here to see more photos from this set...

We have added more photos of David and Michelle Ryan filming scenes for Planet Of The Dead in Cardiff over the past few days. You can view the set here.

David Shares Critics' Circle Award With Sir Derek Jacobi

David has been presented with the Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance for his role as Hamlet.
He will share the award with Sir Derek Jacobi for his performance as Malvolio in The Twelth Night.
On accepting his award David said: "When I was at drama school, I waited at the stage door of Glasgow Theatre Royal to get Derek Jacobi's autograph, after his breathtaking Richard II. I was utterly inspired by that night, so to be sharing a prize for Shakespeare with such an amazing actor means more than I can say."
He also described the experience of playing Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon as "a dream I never imagined I would get to fulfil".

BFI To Screen The Quatermass Experiment

The BFI are offering the chance for you to compare the live 1953 version of The Quatermass Experiment with the live 2005 broadcast, which featured David as Dr Gordon Briscoe, and then question the Director Sam Miller, the producer Alison Willett and the executive Producer Richard Fell after the screening about how they reinvented this classic and why they wanted to follow in the live TV drama tradition.
The screening takes place on Tuesday 10th February at 20:00pm and you can book tickets on the BFI website here.

David To Present Comic Relief

Click here to see more photos from this set...

It has been announced at the Red Nose Day press launch that David will be presenting the first hour of Comic Relief with Davina McCall.
In a pre-recorded video screened at The Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, he said: "It’s a great honour for me. I remember the first Red Nose Day when I was at school, buying the t-shirt and everyone joining in, And then, later, at drama school, me and my mate Alan McCue formed a Proclaimers tribute act and went busking in Sauchiehall Street. We were rubbish, but earned £65 in our lunch hour. The people of Glasgow are very generous."
Comic Relief will air on Friday 13th March at 19:00pm.
Visit www.rednoseday.com to find out how you can help!

David will also be narrating Comic Relief: The Fools' Guide on BBC One on Tuesday 3rd February at 22:35pm.
Photo Credit: www.simonridgway.com

Iran: six hanged

Four young men were hanged in the prison of Mashad (northeastern Iranian province of Khorasan) yesterday morning January 27, reported the Iranian daily newspaper Quds.

The men who were not identified by name, were convicted of kidnapping and rape of a boy, according to the report.

Iran Human Rights is investigating further the details.

So far 39 people have been executed in the first 27 days of 2009.

In another distinct incident, two men were hanged in the prison of Isfahan (central Iran) early this morning January 28, reported the state run news agency Fars news.

The men were identified as Ahmad A. (age not given) and Reza A. (21), and both were convicted of murder.

Reza A. (20) was convicted of a murder in September 2006. Depending on his exact date of birth, there is a possibility that Reza was a minor at the time of committing the alleged offense.

Iran Human Rights is investigating Whether Reza was under 18 years of age at the time of committing the alleged offence.

Source: IranPressNews, Jan.29, 2009

Texas: Virgil Martinez executed

Texas has executed a former Houston security guard for gunning down 4 people, including his ex-girlfriend and her 2 small children, during a 1996 shooting frenzy.

41-year-old Virgil Martinez was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Martinez was condemned for the slayings of 27-year-old Veronica Fuentes; her 5-year-old son, Joshua; 3-year-old daughter, Casandra; and an 18-year-old neighbor, John Gomez.

Lawyers for Martinez had hoped to get the punishment delayed, raising questions he may be so mentally ill that he could be disqualified for execution. A state court denied the request.

Martinez becomes the 4th Texas inmate executed this year and the 1st of 2 on consecutive nights this week in the nation's most active death penalty state. He becomes the 427th condemned inmate to be put to death in Texas since the state resumed capital punishment on Dec. 7, 1982, and the 188th overall to be put to death since Rick Perry became governor in 2001.

Martinez becomes the 6th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1142nd overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977. There are 7 executions currently set to occur in the USA in February, including 3 in Texas and 1 each in Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia and South Carolina.

Sources: Associated Press & Rick Halperin, January 29, 2009

Texas: Ricardo Ortiz executed

A high-ranking Texas prison gang member whose violent history included an attack on an inmate with a homemade spear was put to death Thursday night for fatally injecting a fellow prisoner with an overdose of heroin.

Ortiz, 46, expressed love for his family and thanked them for their support in the moment before he was executed.

"Stay strong," he said, although he had no personal witnesses in the death chamber. "I'm at peace. I love you and my kids. See you."

9 minutes later, at 6:18 p.m. CST, he was pronounced dead.

Ortiz was condemned for the slaying of Gerardo Garcia, 22, who was killed at the El Paso County jail more than 11 years ago. The slaying was in retaliation for snitching on Ortiz and so he couldn't testify against Ortiz about bank robberies the pair were suspected of carrying out, authorities said.

Ortiz sought to put off the execution on the grounds that he should get federal money to pay for legal representation to file a state clemency request. That appeal, however, was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court about two hours before he was scheduled to die.

The appeal issue is under review by the Supreme Court, which heard arguments in January in the case of Tennessee death row inmate John Harbison. Similar appeals from other condemned inmates hoping to delay their punishments until the justices resolved the Tennessee case so far have failed.

State attorneys had opposed the request to the courts, contending even if Ortiz presented a clemency petition to the governor, it likely would fail.

"The facts of his capital crime ... make Ortiz the 'poster child' for future dangerousness: his victim was a fellow inmate," the Texas Attorney General's Office said in a court filing.

Another late appeal rejected Thursday by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals contended Ortiz's constitutional rights were violated because prosecutors said he was affiliated with the Texas Syndicate, a well-known primarily Hispanic prison gang.

A sergeant in the El Paso County Sheriff's Department described Ortiz as the highest-ranking Texas Syndicate member in El Paso and that Ortiz's status made him the "tank boss" in the jail, putting him in control of other gang members there.

Ortiz declined to speak with reporters in the weeks preceding his execution date. He had a long criminal history that included robbery, aggravated robbery, burglary and possessing deadly weapons in prison, including a homemade spear used to stab a fellow inmate. Records show he was known as "Serrucho," Spanish for "Handsaw."

Defense attorneys at Ortiz's trial tried to show jurors Garcia had a death wish and was considering suicide.

Garcia and Ortiz were allowed to see one another being interviewed by FBI agents investigating a series of unsolved bank robberies, hoping each would assume the other was cooperating. Neither man would budge, however, and both were placed in the same area of the El Paso Detention Center, where Garcia was found dead in 1997 of a heroin injection 3 times more potent than the amount that could kill him.

Other jail inmates testified Ortiz obtained the drug the previous day and injected Garcia, saying his bank robbery partner had to die for implicating him.

Evidence also showed Ortiz was arrested in 1990 but never tried for the execution-style slayings of two Houston-area parolees, Anthony Rosalio Acosta, 42, and Jimmy Lopez Rangel, 29, whose bodies were found in the desert near Fabens, southeast of El Paso.

Ortiz's execution came 24 hours after Virgil Martinez, 41, a former Houston security guard, was put to death for gunning down four people, including his ex-girlfriend and her 2 small children, during a 1996 shooting frenzy in Brazoria County.

Next week, condemned prisoner David Martinez is set to die Wednesday for the 1994 slayings of his live-in girlfriend, Carolina Prado, 37, and her son, Erik, 14, at their home in San Antonio. Both victims were fatally beaten with a baseball bat.

Ortiz becomes the 5th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in Texas and the 428th overall since the state resumed capital punishment on December 7, 1982. Ortiz becomes the 189th condemned inmate to be put to death in Texas since Rick Perry was elected governor in 2001.

Ortiz becomes the 7th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1143rd overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.

Sources: Associated Press & Rick Halperin, January 30, 2009

Japan hangs four

Japan has hanged four convicted murderers, despite international calls for it to stop executions.

Japan is the only industrialised country other than the United States to enforce the death penalty.

The four executed prisoners had all been convicted of murder and each was given only last-minute notice that they were heading to the gallows.

Japan is stepping up its hangings of death row prisoners and last year it executed 15, the highest number in three decades.

While the death penalty has strong public support in Japan, international human rights groups have called on it to stop the executions.

Amnesty International says it will issue a protest to the Japanese Government over the latest hangings.

Source: ABC News.net.au, January 29, 2009

Maori can't decide on their own flag

This is pathetic. The Prime Minister is happy for the Maori flag to be flown in Auckland on Waitangi Day, but Maori cant decide which flag to fly. I have not heard any major opposition to the Tino Rangitiratanga flag flying, the local tribe is happy with the flag flying, so its a pity they just didn't get on with it and decide to fly it.After making a song and dance about not being able to fly the flag last year, the leaders of the Maori Party don't even know which flag to fly when they are given the chance. Another flag discussed is the 1834 flag, which wasn't a Maori flag but was associated with the Declaration of Independence. Someone tell the dissenting head-in-the-sand Kaumatua that we are commemorating the signing of the Treaty at Waitangi, not the Declaration of Independence, and that Maori want a Maori flag.

Anyway, why is it up to the Maori Party to sort it out? The flag should just be put up. No consultation needed; no need to feed faces at hui.

The last government decided it didn't have time to consider the issue last year, the current Government decided immediately. It's Maori that are holding this back. If someone wants to pay a return flight to Auckland and supply me with a flag and a pole, I`ll put it up myself. Is it that hard?

Texas hiring a Maryland arson expert to examine the evidence in the case of executed inmate Cameron Todd Willingham.

In 2004, four fire experts told the Chicago Tribune that the fire that had sent Cameron Todd Willingham to Death Row and later to his execution in Texas might have been an accident rather than a crime.

Nearly two years later, a panel of four other experts who reviewed the case for the Innocence Project came to a similar conclusion, saying the State of Texas had convicted and executed Willingham based on forensic evidence that no longer was considered scientifically valid.

Now what may be the final verdict on the fire, and on Willingham's execution, will be delivered by a Maryland expert, who will examine the evidence in the first state-sanctioned inquiry into a Texas execution. Fire scientist Craig Beyler has been asked by the Texas Forensic Science Commission to conduct an independent review of the case's forensic evidence.

"He appears to be one of the pre-eminent people in the fire and arson investigation field," Samuel Bassett, an Austin attorney and commission member, said of Beyler.

Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project, a non-profit organization responsible for scores of DNA exonerations, called the hiring of Beyler an "encouraging sign" and said he hoped Beyler would be able to "get to the bottom" of the case that sent Willingham to a lethal injection.

"It's essential that this matter is resolved for the sake of those who have been wrongly convicted by unreliable arson evidence, as well as those under investigation in new arson cases," said Scheck, the Innocence Project's co-director.

The Innocence Project filed the complaint that prompted the commission's inquiry. Willingham was executed by lethal injection in 2004 for setting the December 1991 fire that killed his three young daughters in the small Texas town of Corsicana. He maintained his innocence at trial, through his years on Death Row and before he was executed.

The Tribune investigated the case in late 2004. As part of its investigation, the paper asked four fire experts from across the country to review the forensic evidence; the four concluded the indicators of arson that state and local officials cited in their case against Willingham at his 1992 trial had been debunked by universally recognized advances in fire science.

The experts said it was possible the fire at the Willingham home was an accident, as Willingham had claimed.

The Innocence Project's experts, who performed the 2006 review at no cost, came to the same conclusion. In one of its harshest criticisms of the original investigation, the panel said the fire marshal's testimony at Willingham's trial about the indicators of arson he said he found "means absolutely nothing."

The Forensic Science Commission was created in 2005 to investigate allegations of forensic error and misconduct in the country's busiest death-penalty state. The Willingham case is its first capital case.

Bassett said he hoped Beyler would be able to complete his review by early April. Beyler will write a report and may make recommendations to the commission.

It is not clear whether Beyler would conclude whether Willingham was innocent. Even if he finds that the science used at the time was flawed, as the other experts have, he may not take the next step and say Texas was wrong to execute Willingham, though that would be the clear implication.

"If [Beyler's report] is critical of the arson testimony," said Bassett, "then theoretically it's possible that could be the basis for a broader conclusion about the original conviction."

The prosecution's evidence included a jailhouse informant named Johnny Webb who testified Willingham, while both were behind bars, confided that he had set the fire. Jailhouse informants, however, are considered by the legal system as among the least credible witnesses. Such testimony has played a role in numerous prosecutions in which inmates were later exonerated.

Navarro County District Atty. R. Lowell Thompson, who was not in office when Willingham was tried or executed, said he would cooperate with any investigation but had not been contacted by the Forensic Science Commission. He has not reviewed the case.

Beyler declined to comment.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Manchester University release a podcast

As you know I am doign the Egyptology course with Manchester University. Just been told be my tutor Joyce Tyldesley that they have released a podcast

Hi Everyone, We have made a new podcast featuring some of the work of the KNH Centre, and starring Jackie Campbell and Natalie McCreesh talking about their work on pharmacy and hair. The podcast is now live on iTunes and can be accessed via the following link:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=265788270

If this doesn't work for you it may mean that you need to install the latest version of iTunes

http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Enjoy! Then pass the link on to others. If enough people watch the podcast we can get it into the iTunes charts, and the Faculty will finance more podcasts.

Joyce

Saudi Arabia: Turkish barber returns home after death penalty pardon

Sabri Bogday, a Turkish barber who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for swearing at God and his Prophet but was later pardoned, returned to Turkey on Tuesday morning.

Bogday, 30, was welcomed at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport by his wife, Muazzez, two year old son, Suleyman, and mother, Hadra.

Bogday's sentence was overturned after he repented and asked God for forgiveness.

More on this story...

Source: hurriyet.com, January 28, 2009

Blogroll v twitter roll

Many bloggers like to link in with like minded bloggers, and so their sites have a blog roll. I have two, one for local bloggers and one for overseas bloggers. Many of them also have twitter pages. Most of these Twitter pages have their blog or website URLs on them and people are reading Twitter more which means they are reading blogs less.

So why not have a Twitter roll. It seems the logical thing to do. And I've never seen one, I have started my own in a drop down menu and it is a work in progress. I'm sure it won't be the last one. I may have to cull my blogroll eventually.

More changes on the East Bank

This is just by Sphinx Avenue, there used to be a garden there and shops

Is Cactus Kate a male?

I've never met blogger Catcus Kate. I do know her real name. But according to Gender analyser, a site that uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if a homepage is written by a man or woman, Cactus Kate is very much a man.

Can anyone verify this?

:: Luxor Caravanserai ::

Remember me blogging about a new shop by Medinet Habu, well they have a website now. They are also support local women with their handicrafts as well as the charity the Small Pyramid.

:: Luxor Caravaserai ::

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has made further adjustments to its Summer 2009 schedule which will see many frequency increases across its entire network as more planes get integrated into its fleet. The main highlights are as follows:

ORD - frequencies increased from 5 weekly to daily flights using an A 332.

SIN - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times a week using a B 773ER 4 times + A 332 once a week.

BKK - frequencies reduced from 10 weekly to daily flights using a B 773ER twice a week + A 332 five times a week.

JNB/CPT - frequencies increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights using an A 343.

AMM - frequencies increased from daily to 11 times a week.

KWI - frequencies increased from 4 weekly to daily effective July using a B 738.

ADD - capacity increased from 4 weekly B 738s to 4 weekly A 310s.

ASB - frequencies increased from 10 to 11 times a week.
CDG - frequencies increased from 24 times a week to four times daily.

FCO - frequencies increased from 10 times a week to double daily.

ATH - frequencies increased from double daily to 16 times a week.

GYD - frequencies increased from double daily to triple daily.

TXL - frequencies increased from double daily to 17 times a week.

BRU - frequencies increased from 17 times a week to triple daily.

CPH - frequencies increased from 10 times a week to double daily.

DUS - frequencies increased from triple daily to 4 times daily.

GVA - frequencies increased from 9 weekly to double daily.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines has revealed on the GDS that it will be increasing flights to YVR-Vancouver, Canada from March 23rd onwards with the addition of 2 weekly terminator flights to be flown along side its current 5 weekly ones which are extended onwards to Las Vegas. PAL will be using an A 343 for the additional 2 flights and will thus bring their MNL-YVR service to daily A 343 operations as a result of this move.

With regards to LAX and SFO in summer 09, the former is being reduced from 11 to 9 times a week where as the latter is also being reduced from 8 weekly to daily flights.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways has disclosed that since it is unable to find any suitable buyers for its fleet of 4 Airbus A 340-500s that were put up for sale over 3 months ago, it will be returning these aircraft back to service LAX-Los Angeles nonstop. The route is currently flying BKK-KIX-LAX using a B 772ER, however from March 29th onwards, it will be flown 4 times a week nonstop using an A 345.

The flight timings are as follows:

TG 794 Dep BKK 1920 Arr LAX 2125
TG 795 Dep LAX 2310 Arr BKK 0640+2

TG too confirmed that it will be reducing weekly flights flown to Shanghai (PVG) and Beijing (PEK) for the IATA summer season by flying 11 times a week to PVG instead of double daily (4 weekly A 333 + daily B 744) and 10 times a week to PEK instead of double daily.

TAM Brazil

TAM of Brazil has officially announced that it will be increasing capacity on its flagship Sao Paulo-London Heathrow route effective immediately by flying a daily Boeing 777-300ER. It used to fly 4 times a week with a B 773ER and 3 times a week with an A 332.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) has officially confirmed that it will be engaging in a number of flight cutbacks for the IATA Summer 09 season in order to curtail costs. The main highlights are as follows:

CDG - frequencies compared to SU 08 reduced from 10 weekly to daily nonstop flights using a B 773ER.

DPS - capacity reduced from a daily B 744 to a daily B 763ER.

BKK - frequencies reduced from triple daily to double daily.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines has confirmed that it will be reducing its Atlanta-Mumbai nonstop flights from the current daily frequency to 5 times a week effective March 29th. DL will continue to operate this route using a Boeing 777-200LR and is likely to maintain this reduced frequency on a permanent basis rather than to rivert back to daily flights from the on set of the IATA Winter 09-10 timetable.

DL too has announced a number of significant capacity changes for current Northwest Airlines and its own operated flights across their long haul network that it will come into effect from June 1st. The most significant ones are the capacity reduction to Mumbai, India from NW's AMS hub as well as the launch of new daily flights via NRT-Tokyo to SGN-Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Flights to SGN will be flown from NRT nonstop on a daily basis using a B 757-200.

The other main highlights are as follows:

AMS/BOM - capacity reduced from daily A 332 to daily B 763ER.

DTW/LHR - capacity reduced from daily A 333 to daily B 763ER.

JFK/ATH - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.

MSP/CDG - capacity reduced from daily A 333 to daily B 763ER.

EWR/AMS - capacity reduced to daily B 763ER from daily A 333.

JFK/VCE - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.

ATL/AMS - capacity increased from daily B 764ER to daily A 333.

ATL/LGW - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily A 333.

ATL/MUC - capacity increased from daily B 763ER to daily B 764ER.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has revealed on the GDS and on its website the following additional changes with regards to its India and Indonesia bound flights. They are as follows:

BLR - frequencies to be reduced from daily to 5 weekly between Feb and March only.

BOM - for Winter 09-10 season, capacity has been reduced to daily B 744s + 3 weekly A 343s rather than daily B 744s + 3 weekly A 333s.

DPS - frequencies increased from daily to 11 times a week using a B 772A 4 times a week + daily A 333.

JKT - frequencies increased from double daily to 17 times per week.

Air France

Air France has confirmed that it will be suspending its daily flights to PHL-Philadelphia from October this year and instead the route will be taken over by its partner i.e. Delta Airlines. DL will be using a B 757-200 for this sector where as AF currently use a mixture of A 332s and A 343s on the PHL route. AF too revealed that it will be reducing capacity to ICN-Seoul effective immediately till end March from a daily B 773ER to 5 weekly B 772ERs + 2 weekly B 773ERs.

It also has officially confirmed that it will be increasing frequencies on its Hong Kong route from June 16th 09. Currently, CDG-HKG nonstop flights are flown 12 times a week, however these will be increased to double daily from mid June onwards using a B 773ER daily + B 772ER daily. With regards to JNB bound flights, for the peak summer season i.e. June-Sept, they will reduced from double daily to 13 weekly flights using a B 773ER daily + 6 weekly B 772ERs.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has officially confirmed that it will be launching new 3 weekly flights to ATH-Athens, Greece from June flown nonstop from its AUH hub. EY will be using an A 320 twice a week for this route and an A 319 once a week. It will be depending heavily on getting traffic to Australia, Bangkok and Pakistan on this sector. From October onwards, EY is expected to increase ATH frequencies to 5 times a week.

With regards to the AUH-SIN-BNE route that is currently flown 3 times a week using a B 773ER, from March 29th onwards, EY will be reducing capacity on this route to a 3 weekly A 332.

EY too announced that it will be reducing capacity to CGK-Jakarta from January 27th onwards by replacing the current B 773ER operated nonstop flights with a 2 class Airbus A 330-200 till early March. No official reason has been given for this move, but one feels that the airline has found a more higher yielding route for this dedicated B 773ER to be used on. EY too has initiated an excellent code sharing arrangement with PG-Bangkok Airways on the latter's flights to USM (Koh Samui) and HKT (Phuket) from next week which will definitely help them attract European/UK/JFK/Arab/African passengers bound to these 2 cities away from EK/QR/KU/GF/BA/AF/KL.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has officially confirmed that it will be reducing its flights to Mumbai and Delhi in India in the months of February and March only to cope with lower than forecasted demand for seats on board its flights. The adjusted schedule is as follows:

BOM - frequencies reduced from double daily to 12 weekly flights. 2 of the daily "day light" flight frequencies have been suspended for 2 months.

DEL - frequencies reduced from double daily to 13 weekly flights. 1 of the daily "day light" flight frequencies have been suspended for 2 months.

With regards to CDG-Paris, the carrier has revealed that it will be reducing flights to the French capital from 10 weekly flights using a B 773ER to daily nonstop flights using an Airbus A 380 effective June 1st this year. The flight timings for the A 380 SIN-CDG-SIN operation are as follows:

SQ 334 Dep SIN 2340 Arr CDG 0655+1
SQ 333 Dep CDG 1225 Arr SIN 0655+1

SQ will also be upgrading its in-flight product on the SIN-DXB-DME (Moscow) routing by replacing the 3 weekly Boeing 777-300A operated flight with the newer Boeing 777-300ER version which will have the new first and business class seats. This change will take place effective May 1st. SQ also revealed that the governments of Singapore and Czech Republic have signed an open skies deal thus paving the way of potential opportunities to be seriously looked at in the long term future.