Obama and Putin’s see as one at G20 Summit following months of tensions between US and Russia
* Obama, Putin agree need for transition in Syria
* U.S. vows redoubled effort against Islamic State
* France and allies set to intensify air strikes
* G20 set to agree that migration is a global problem.
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and U.S. security advisor Susan Rice (2nd L) prior to the opening session of the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders summit summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey November 15, 2015. Man at 2nd R is unidentified.
The U.S. President Barack Obama has vowed to step up efforts to eliminate Islamic State and prevent more attacks like those in Paris, while urging Russia’s Vladimir Putin to focus on combating the jihadist group in Syria.
A White House official said Obama and Putin agreed during a 35-minute meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Turkey on the need for a political transition in Syria, saying events in Paris had made it all the more urgent.
U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, right prior to the opening session of the G-20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, Sunday, Nov. 15 2015. The 2015 G-20 Leaders Summit is held near the Turkish Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya on Nov. 15-16, 2015.
The two-day summit brings Obama and fellow world leaders just 500 km (310 miles) from Syria, whose 4-1/2-year conflict has transformed Islamic State into a global security threat and spawned Europe’s largest migration flows since World War Two.
Obama described Friday’s killing of more than 120 people in Paris, claimed by the radical Sunni militant group, as an attack on the civilised world and said the United States would work with France to hunt down those responsible.
“The skies have been darkened by the horrific attacks that took place in Paris just a day and a half ago,” Obama said.
“We will redouble our efforts, working with other members of the coalition, to bring about a peaceful transition in Syria and to eliminate Daesh as a force that can create so much pain and suffering for people in Paris, in Ankara, and in other parts of the globe,” he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.
5U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, prior to the opening session of the G-20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, Sunday, Nov. 15 2015. The 2015 G-20 Leaders Summit is held near the Turkish Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya on Nov. 15-16, 2015. (RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
U.S.-led efforts to combat Islamic State were complicated when Russia joined the conflict a month and a half ago, targeting what the West says are mainly areas where foreign-backed fighters are battling Assad, Moscow’s ally, rather than Islamic State.
The United States, Turkey and their allies want Assad out.
Obama huddled with Putin during a working lunch and the two agreed on the need for a Syrian-led transition including U.N.-mediated talks, the White House official said.
Putin and Obama talked “extensively”, Russian news agencies cited top Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying.
“Strategic objectives relating to the fight against the Islamic State are, in principle, very similar, but there are differences on the tactics side,” he said.
Their meeting builds on progress in Vienna, where foreign ministers on Saturday outlined a plan for a political process in Syria leading to elections within two years, although differences over Assad’s role remain.
RARE OPPORTUNITY
The Paris attacks again demonstrated how Islamic State poses a threat far beyond its strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
Washington already expects France to retaliate by taking on a larger role in the U.S.-led coalition’s bombing campaign against Islamic State (ISIL).
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed the renewed sense of urgency to find a solution to the war in Syria after the Paris attacks, adding the world had a “rare moment” of diplomatic opportunity to end the violence.
Obama wants to coax other European and Middle Eastern countries into more tangible steps to show their military commitment. He met Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, discussing the need to support the moderate Syrian opposition and the Iraqi government in the fight against Islamic State.
Obama said he also discussed in a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan coordinating efforts to fortify the border with Syria, which Islamic State has used to smuggle supplies and foreign fighters.
MIGRATION CONCERNS
The coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on Friday put Obama and other leaders of the world’s major economies under increased pressure to find common cause.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Washington itself has an appetite for much deeper involvement after already stepping up air strikes and committing small numbers of special operations troops to northern Syria to advise opposition forces in the fight against Islamic State.
The Paris carnage, in which 129 people were killed in attacks on a concert hall, restaurants, bars and a sports stadium, also poses a major challenge for Europe, with populist leaders rushing to demand an end to an influx of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa.
In a diplomatic coup for Europe and for Turkey, the G20 leaders will agree that migration is a global problem that must be addressed in a coordinated way, according to a draft communique seen by Reuters, although it has yet to be accepted by all and is due to be published on Monday.
Europe and Turkey, the most heavily hit by the crisis, had been pushing for the G20 to recognise the issue as a global problem and help to deal with it financially, despite opposition from China, India and Russia. A million migrants from the Middle East and Africa are expected to come to Europe this year alone.
According to a separate draft statement, they also agreed to step up border controls and aviation security in the wake of the Paris attacks, which they condemned as “heinous”.
Crunchy toast could give you cancer, FSA warns
New study finds high level of cancer-causing chemical in home cooked roast potatoes, chips and toast
A new study has warned that eating crunchy toast could increase your cancer risk.
Beware the crispy roast potato and the crunchy slice of toast. Both contain worryingly high levels of a cancer-causing chemical.
A new study by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Government’s food safety watchdog, measured the amount of acrylamide – a cancer-causing toxin – in roast potatoes, chips and toast cooked in the home.
The FSA’s chief scientific adviser said the new research showed the need for roast potatoes and chips to be cooked to only “a light golden colour” and that bread should be toasted to “the lightest colour acceptable”.
Researchers with the FSA discovered that the crispier the roast potato or chip, the higher the levels of acrylamide they contained. The same went for toast.
The chemical, which is a proven carcinogen, is formed from a reaction between amino acids and the sugars and water found in potatoes and bread when they are subjected to temperatures above 120C.
The problem is the roast potatoes and chips that appeared the most mouth-watering – which were darkest in colour and crispiest in texture – contained the highest levels of acrylamide.
The official research, published last week, showed huge variations in levels of acrylamide depending on how long the potatoes or bread was cooked for.
In a batch of chips cooked for longest, scientists recorded 1,052 microgrammes of acrylamide per kilogramme – 50 times higher than in the batch with the lowest levels of the chemical.
In roast potatoes, the FSA recorded 490 micro grammes of acrylamide per kg in the crispiest and most cooked batch – 80 times higher than the levels contained in the palest batch of roast potatoes cooked.
The same was true of toast. The palest, least cooked toast contained just 9 microgrammes per kg while the crispiest toast contained 167 microgrammes – almost 19 times more.
Professor Guy Poppy, the FSA’s Chief Scientific Adviser, said in a report accompanying the study: “The risk assessment indicates that at the levels we are exposed to from food, acrylamide could be increasing the risk of cancer.”
Prof Poppy added: “We do not advise people to stop eating particular foods but… when making chips at home, they are cooked to a light golden colour.”
He said that “bread should be toasted to the lightest colour acceptable”.
Scientists are still unclear about what constitutes a safe level of acrylamide and the European Commission is currently considering introducing maximum levels.
There is a regulatory limit of just 0.1 microgrammes per litre for the amount of acrylamide that can be present in drinking water in the EU – a quantity far lower than found in cooked potatoes, toast or other substances including coffee.
The FSA study took samples of cooked potatoes and toast from 50 households, bagging up the samples and then measuring the levels of acrylamide in the laboratory.
Researchers found that none of the householders were aware of the possible dangers of acrylamide lurking in cooked potatoes or toast – and had no idea that prolonged cooking caused the chemical to be produced in higher volumes.
The researchers gave a series of tips on how to reduce the amount of acrylamide in roast potatoes and chips.
Researchers recommended:
- Parboiling potatoes first before roasting them – considered the best method for producing crispy ‘roasties’ anyway – because the process reduces the free sugars that generate acrylamides
- Storing potatoes in a cupboard rather than fridge. Low temperatures can increase the amount of sugar and sweetness in the potato , leading to more acrylamide when cooked
- Cooks should not ‘fluff up’ parboiled potatoes before roasting them because in doing so it increases the surface area which in turn increases levels of acrylamide.
The official recommendation to avoid ‘fluffing’ up parboiled potatoes – usually by shaking them in the pan before roasting – will appal professional and amateur cooks alike.
It is widely recognised that the best roast potatoes involve ‘fluffing’ before roasting.
But the report states: “For roast potatoes, the deliberate fluffing up (shaking parboiled potatoes in a pan) that was witnessed on a few occasions is a deliberate attempt to increase surface area. Participants’ aim for this process is for cooked potatoes to be crispier (i.e. through more oil or fat being absorbed). The increased surface area may lead to greater acrylamide generation.”
Nine of the biggest diabetes myths debunked by an expert
Millions of people have diabetes, but do we actually know what the condition is or why it developed? To mark World Diabetes Day we asked Pav Kalsi, a senior clinical adviser at Diabetes UK, to clear up a few of the most common myths about the disease.
1. Diabetes is caused by an unhealthy diet
We’re often told that binging on burgers and chips will cause diabetes, but this statement completely ignores the difference between Type 1 and Type 2. This is probably because 90% of diabetes sufferers have Type 2, which is caused by being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating an unhealthy diet.
However, Type 1 has nothing to do with these factors. “Type 1 diabetes isn’t linked to diet,” explains Pav. “No one knows what exactly causes it but it’s not to do with being overweight. It usually affects children or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse very quickly.”
She adds: “Too often Type 1 diabetes, which is not linked to lifestyle, is mistaken for Type 2, which can be caused by being overweight, but it is important that the distinctions between the two types are clearly understood.”
2. All overweight people will develop diabetes
Not all overweight people are going to get diabetes – although the majority of people with Type 2 diabetes do have an unhealthily high BMI. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports that worldwide 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese at the time of diagnosis.
However, Pav says: “Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes but it is not guaranteed that everyone who is overweight will develop it.”
You’re also at higher risk if you are African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian, aged over 40 years of age (or over 25 if you are South Asian) or if you have a relative with the disease. You can check your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes here.
3. Anyone who has diabetes will know that they have it,this depends on the type of diabetes.
“It is hard to ignore the signs of Type 1 diabetes because symptoms can often appear quite quickly,” says Pav, adding that “leaving it untreated can lead to serious health problems, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which can result in a potentially fatal coma”.
“The symptoms include going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies, being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst, feeling more tired than usual and sudden weight loss or looking thinner than usual.”
However Type 2 diabetes can be easier to miss as the symptoms develop slowly, especially in the early stages. This is problematic, as some people don’t get diagnosed until they have suffered from the disease for several years, so ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
4. People with diabetes can only eat really small portions of stodgy foods like pasta, or should avoid them completely
Nope! According to Pav, the best way to manage diabetes is to eat a balanced diet, consisting of fruit and vegetables, starchy carbohydrate foods (such as pasta), non-dairy sources of protein and dairy.
“All people, including people with diabetes, should include some starchy carbohydrates in their diet,” explains Pav. “The amount of carbs you need depends on a number of factors – including how physically active you are, your weight and nutritional goals.”
She continues: “Since the amount of carbohydrates you eat has an effect on your blood glucose levels and your weight, it’s good to be aware of your portion sizes.”
5. Diabetes sufferers have to snack constantly instead of eating large meals
Wrong again. People with diabetes do not have set meal plans, but they are advised to spread their meals out over the day.
So what does our clinical adviser suggest diabetes sufferers do? “Avoid skipping meals and space your breakfast, lunch and evening meal out over the day,” she says. “This will help control your appetite and blood glucose levels – especially if you are on twice-daily insulin. Working a long shift? Take a healthy packed lunch and healthy snacks with you.
“It is recommended that people who take medication for their diabetes – which includes all people with Type 1 – always have access to snacks for when their blood sugar level drops, as well as to regulate their blood sugar between meals.”
However, that is not the case for people with Type 2 diabetes. “People with Type 2 diabetes who aren’t taking medication don’t need extra snacks,” Pav explains, “and if they are also overweight they need to plan carefully what snacks they eat outside of regular mealtimes.”
6. If you have diabetes, your immune system is weaker and you’ll get colds a lot
Pav says: “If you have diabetes, your immune system is not weaker compared to someone without diabetes.
“However, as the body responds to illness and infection by increasing blood glucose levels, day-to-day blood glucose management becomes more complicated. All people with diabetes should get the flu vaccine, regardless of type, as they are more at risk of potentially serious flu complications, such as pneumonia.”
7. Everybody with diabetes has to take insulin
Not EVERYBODY who has diabetes needs insulin to stay alive, although the condition is progressive and many people eventually may need it.
Everyone who has Type 1 does need to take it as their pancreas doesn’t produce any of the hormone. Insulin can either be injected once a day or administered through a pump to release the hormone in a steady flow throughout the day.
8. If you’re a diabetic, you can’t drink any alcohol
There is no need for diabetics to go teetotal, but drinking alcohol does make hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) more likely to occur, especially if diabetes is treated with insulin or certain tablets.
Pav says: “To reduce the chance of a hypo, it is important not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. A hypo can be confused with drunkenness when there is the smell of alcohol on your breath, so it is really important to tell people you are with that you have diabetes and what help you might need if you have a hypo. Also, make sure you carry some ID to let others know you have diabetes, such as an ID card, medical necklace or bracelet.
“If you drink more than a few units during an evening, you will have an increased risk of hypos all night and into the next day too. Always snack on a starchy snack, such as cereal or toast, before bed to minimise this risk.”
9. You can’t do anything to prevent developing diabetes
This varies between the two different types. As Type 1 is not linked to lifestyle, it cannot be prevented as it develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. Pav explains: “No one knows for certain why these cells have been damaged, but the most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells. This may be triggered by a viral or other infection.”
However, being overweight can put you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, so there are some things people can do to prevent or delay the onset. Pav says: “Maintaining a healthy weight by doing regular physical activity and eating a healthy balanced diet is extremely important to reducing risk of Type 2 diabetes.”
WHO warns against diabetes epidemic
Stating that immediate action has to be taken to control the onslaught of diabetes, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, said on the World Diabetes on (November 14) that diabetes is a global epidemic which kills one person every six seconds and over five million every year.
Diabetes makes people prone to heart disease, kidney failure and infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, among others, leading to premature death.
“The number of people with diabetes is projected to increase alarmingly from 457 million in 2014 to 592 million by 2035 if we do not act now to arrest this trend,” noted Ms. Khetrapal.
Diabetes can be prevented and treated. World Diabetes Day, created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and WHO, is focusing on “Healthy Living and Diabetes” as the theme for 2014 to 2016, and the importance of prevention in diabetes.
To put the spotlight on the urgent need to act against diabetes, WHO has selected diabetes, as the theme for the World Health Day 2016. WHO South-East Asia Region is home to an estimated 91 million people affected by diabetes. Of these, nearly half go undiagnosed. WHO is supporting countries by advocating for and catalysing multi-sectoral policies for health promotion and strengthening national health systems for early detection and treatment of diabetes.
These include training health workforce, developing treatment norms and increasing the availability of basic diagnostics and essential medicines at primary health care centres.
“We need to work collaboratively with governments, civil society, private sectors, schools, workplaces, media and other local partners. We all have a role to play to ensure healthier environment for a healthy living. However, the key role is of an individual to make lifelong healthy choices for a healthier future,’’ noted a statement issued by WHO- South-East Asia Region.
According to WHO, the number of people with diabetes is projected to increase from 457 million in 2014 to 592 million by 2035
A massive icy cloud formation on Titan
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is near the end of its moon that started more than a decade ago. It has supplied humans with amazing images and data about Saturn and its moons. And just recently, it sent a photo showing a massive gas cloud forming around the southern polar region of one of Saturn’s moon, Titan.
The image of the icy formation on Titan was taken a few months back by the Cassini probe and was only released a few days ago by NASA. The agency performed extended investigation in the unusual seasons happening on Titan and also on the observed atmospheric changes.
Cassini’s Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) captured the incredible photo of the ice cloud floating in the mid to low stratosphere on the moon. The formation was estimated to be at an altitude of 124 miles with temperature of -238 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prior to this icy formation, Cassini was busy sending information regarding the season transitions on Titan. There was a same massive cloud seen above the south pole of the moon back in 2012 with an altitude of 186 miles. The formation of the newly seen giant ice cloud marked winter on the surface of the moon. CIRS enabled mission scientists to observe the season changes on the moon, with the ability to record shifts in thermal wavelengths.
NASA is expecting another follow data when winter is happening or if a new season will develop on the moon. Seasons on Titan lasts for 7.5 years on Earth, so the moon is still on winter when the Cassini mission ends by 2017.
Carrie Anderson of Goddard Space Flight Center at NASA said that the massive ice cloud captured at the south pole of the moon is indeed an unexpected, but exciting finding for the team.
Mission scientists chose to present this subject of icy formation being suddenly visible on Titan at the Meeting of Division of Planetary Sciences of American Astronomical Society last November 11.
In addition, mission scientists studying the seasonal transitions on Titan noted that there is a gas cloud formation on the troposphere of Titan that has a similar rain cloud formation pattern on the troposphere of Earth.
