Midlife exercise can boost heart health

New study demonstrates that regular moderate exercising lowers the risk of heart diseases in middle-aged people.

According to the article published in the Circulation, people who were engaged in the recommended 2.5 hours of exercise a week had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.

Inflammatory markers are important because their high levels have been linked to increased heart risk, experts say.
Researchers believe exercising should not be limited to hard toil in a gym, suggesting that activities such as gardening, brisk walking and many other similar activities may have similar effects.

Conducted by Professor Andrew Steptoe and Dr Mark Hamer from UCL Epidemiology and Public Health, the study of over 4,000 people showed that even those who start exercising in their late 40s and 50s can benefit from the advantages.

The results confirmed that people who had consistently performed the recommended amount of exercise for the entire 10-year study period had the lowest inflammatory levels overall.

Lower levels of inflammatory markers were also seen in those who had started doing the recommended amount of exercise in their 40s. The result is considerable particularly when compared with people who had never performed enough exercise.

"We should be encouraging more people to get active for example walking instead of taking the bus. You can gain health benefits from moderate activity at any time in your life," said Dr Hamer who led the research.

Vitamin C reduces air pollution harmful effects on lungs

New study suggests that following a vitamin C-rich diet can protect patients suffering from chronic lung diseases against harmful effects of air pollution.

Researchers at Imperial College in London found that vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant, could have a protective role for lungs.

They observed more than 200 patients admitted to hospital for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They also measured the severity of air pollution on the days before and after the patients’ admission by assessing the levels of "course particulate matter," which is largely produced through the combustion of fossil fuels.

According to the study published in Epidemiology, patients with low levels of vitamin C were at an increased risk of developing breathing problems on days when outdoor air pollution levels were high.

"The protective effect of vitamin C was still present after excluding smokers and elderly subjects, implying that the effect of this antioxidant was not explained by smoking or age," explained Dr Cristina Canova said.

The results uncovered that each 10 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg/m3) rise in the amount of course particulate matter was associated with a 35 percent increase in the risk of hospital admission for patients with asthma or COPD.

"This study adds to a small but growing body of evidence that the effects of air pollution might be modified by antioxidants," said environmental health scientist at the University of British Columbia in Canada Michael Brauer.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, may protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals, counteracting them before they damage cells and cause heart disease, cancer and even respiratory ailments.

War against Russia is a road to hell

22.06.2012

On June 22, Russia remembers the summer day of 1941 - the day when the Great Patriotic War began. There was also the Patriotic War, the 200^th anniversary of which will be marked this year too. It was almost the same time of the year, when Napoleon crossed Russia's borders and threatened to destroy the country. Napoleon and Hitler had to experience very hard times when they dared to attack Russia.

Many people will find these coincidences highly interesting.

Napoleon was born in 1760 - Hitler was born in 1889 (a difference of 129 years).

Napoleon came to power in 1804 - Hitler came to power in 1933 (a difference of 129 years).

Napoleon entered Vienna in 1812 - Hitler went to Vienna in 1941 (a difference of 129 years).

Napoleon lost the war in 1816 - Hitler lost the war in 1945 (a difference of 129 years).

This information seems to be very surprising indeed. It was available during the Soviet years. However, one had to search thick textbooks on history and encyclopedias to be able to make such comparisons. Nowadays, it is enough to search the Internet.

Just try to realize: Napoleon and Hitler came to power when they were 44 years old. They both attacked Russia when they were 52. The Emperor and the Fuhrer lost their wars when they were 56.

Many researchers point out similarities in the origin of Napoleon and Hitler, who did not belong to the title nation. Corsica became a French territory a few months before the birth of Napoleon. Austria became a part of Germany as a result of Anschluss, which was conducted under Hitler as a politician. The same cane be said about Stalin too.

However, it is clear that there are more differences than similarities between the two politicians. There was only one major similarity in their lives - they attacked Russia and they had to pay for that.

"The peace that we will conclude will put an end to the disastrous influence, which Russia has been showing on Europe for 50 years. I am going to Moscow, and I will finish it all off in one or two battles. Emperor Alexander will be begging for peace on his knees. I will burn Tula and disarm Russia," Napoleon said.

Adolf Hitler said: "We continue where things ended six hundred years ago. We stop the endless German procession to Southern and Western Europe and turn our eyes towards the land in the east. We finally complete colonial and economic politics of the prewar period and move on the territorial politics of the future. But when in today's Europe we speak of new land, we can think only of Russia and the states bordering on and subordinate to it." "German Armed Forced must be prepared to destroy the Soviet Russia in a short-term campaign before the war against England comes to an end," he wrote in the directive for Operation Barbadossa.

Adolf Hitler did not listen to his country-fellow and the creator of the Second Reich, Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck wrote: "Even the most favorable outcome of the war will never lead to the decomposition of the main forces of Russia, which is based on millions of faithful Russians ... The latter, even if they become separated as a result of international treaties, they will quickly re-connect with each other, as the particles of the cut piece of mercury. This indestructible State of the Russian nation is strong for its climate, territories and its simplicity, as well as for the need to defend its borders constantly. This State, even after complete destruction, will turn into a revengeful enemy."

The above was written more than 50 years before Operation Barbadossa. So it was Hitler, not Napoleon, who did not learn the lesson. Napoleon did not listen to his generals and ministers either. French general and diplomat Caulaincourt strongly strongly advised Napoleon to renounce his proposed expedition to Russia. "The war against Russia is a road to hell," he said.

There are many reasons to explain the death of the Great French Army and the German Wehrmacht on vast Russian territories. "Different nations gave different examples of human ideals. For Chinese - it is a wise man, for Hindu - it is an ascetic, for Romans, it is an emperor, for England and Spain - an aristocrat, for Prussians - a solider. Russia is seen for the ideal of its woman," German researcher Walter Schubart wrote in his work "Europe and the Soul of the East."

Left side of face more emotional, appealing

A new study says the left side of the human face expresses more emotion that the right side and is therefore more attractive and appealing to others.

James Schirillo and Kelsey Blackburn of Wake Forest University asked 37 male and female students to rate photos of 10 male and 10 female faces.

The photos were presented to participants as originally taken and in mirror image form, so that an original right-cheek image appeared to be a left-cheek image and vice versa.

According to the findings published in the journal Experimental Brain Research, students rated the left sides of faces more “pleasant” than the right sides.

“Our results suggest that posers' left cheeks tend to exhibit a greater intensity of emotion, which observers find more aesthetically pleasing," wrote researchers.

“Our findings provide support for a number of concepts--the notions of lateralized emotion and right hemispheric dominance with the right side of the brain controlling the left side of the face during emotional expression.”

Scientists say their study also suggests people to show more of their left cheek to the camera.

“Practically, people should turn slightly so that they show more of their left, than right, cheek when being photographed," says Schirillo."Others will find these images more appealing than the reverse (more right cheek exposed).”

Party Secretary General urges struggle against ideology erosion

Party Secretary General Mr Choummaly Sayasone has urged all Party members and government officials to strengthen the Party by preventing the erosion of political ideology.

Mr Choummaly, who is also President of the Lao PDR, made the call on Saturday while addressing the 9th Nationwide Organisational-Personnel Meeting in Vientiane.

Mr Choummaly Sayasone speaks at the meeting.

“To date, we can confirm that the directions and policies formulated by the Party are basically correct, especially the renovation policies, while we should properly implement propaganda, education and training, and realise the breakthrough approach on knowledge and imagination in order to achieve fruitful results of the implementation of our directions and policies,” he said.
President Choummaly acknowledged the importance and attention the Party gives to its personnel, building and strengthening officials to ensure the Party's continued existence and growth.
However, the Party has also realised its weaknesses and deficiencie s such as insufficient dedication by Party organisations and units to implementing the two national strategic missions, with a central focus on economic development .
“This requires Party oganisations at al l levels to strengthen their leadership and the knowledge and skills of their personnel. However, what we have done doesn't meet the requirements,” Mr Choummaly said.
He noted issues of concern about which public criticism is on the rise, saying this pointed to the erosion of political ideology, diligence of heart and ethics among civil servants, as evidenced by non-transparent livelihoods, opportunism and corruption.
Recognising that these problems directly affect the Party's role and power, stability and political strength, he called on Party members and all involved officials to study the issues properly in depth, to identify comprehensive measures and tools for solutions.
Mr Choummaly stressed the need for political ideology training to be conducted in the right direction, to achieve the correct understanding of Party directions and policies, success in political alertness, and activeness in national defence and development, and poverty reduction. He also highlighted the need for officials to earn a living legally for the enrichment of their family and nation.
He recommended that political ideology training should be conducted alongside a struggle against negativity and the erosion of ideology and revolutionary diligence of heart, and other undesirable behaviour. “Conducting political ideology work should involve both building and struggling against erosion. This means we should summarise, conclude and widely disseminate the lessons learned and the good and progressive models we have, while persistently uncovering, preventing and minimising antagonist ideology and beh aviour,” he said.

Optimism reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases: Harvard study

Happier folks with more optimistic view of life are less likely to experience heart diseases or strokes compared to those with negative worldviews.

A Harvard School of Public Health review of more than 200 studies found a significant association between positive psychological characteristics-- such as optimism, life satisfaction and happiness-- and cardiovascular health.

While many prior findings disclosed ties between stress, anxiety and anger with health problems such as heart disease, the new study has provided a better understanding of positive mental status and health.

“The absence of the negative is not the same thing as the presence of the positive. We found that factors such as optimism, life satisfaction, and happiness are associated with reduced risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) regardless of such factors as a person's age, socioeconomic status, smoking status, or body weight,” said senior researcher Julia Boehm.

“For example, the most optimistic individuals had an approximately 50 percent reduced risk of experiencing an initial cardiovascular event compared to their less optimistic peers,” added Boehm, whose study was published in Psychological Bulletin.

The study says people with a sense of well-being are more engaged in healthier behaviors such as exercising, eating a balanced diet and getting sufficient sleep.

Furthermore, greater well-being is associated with better biological function, such as a lower risks of obesity, high blood pressure and LDL or bad cholesterol level.

Remains of revolutionary leadres

Remains of revolutionary leaders interred at National Cemetery

Thousands of people turned out on Saturday to watch a procession taking the remains of the country's first generation of revolutionary leaders from various resting places to the National Cemetery in Vientiane.

A procession bearing revolutionary leaders' remains heads to the National Cemetery in Vientiane on Saturday, as onlookers pay their respects. -- Photo Khamphanh

Holding flowers, candles and incense, local residents lined the road from the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum at Km6 to the cemetery at Km24 to show their respect for the leaders who devoted their lives to securing national liberation in 1975.

Traffic jams did not deter hordes of people from coming to pay tribute to the leaders, whose past contributions brought about the freedom and well-being of all Lao people today.

Among the gathering at the cemetery were Party and government leaders as well as relatives of the deceased leaders, police, soldiers, and representatives of various sectors.

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone addressed the gathering, delivering a speech that recalled the good deeds of the leaders for the benefit of the Lao people.

The relocation of the leaders' remains assembles them in one place, reuniting them as comrades in death as in life. The move also makes it easier for the younger generations to pay tribute to these great men and recall their good deeds.

The event also marked the official opening of the National Cemetery and the 57th anniversary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

During the ceremony, most participants stood with their heads bowed to mourn the leaders before a religious service took place and a guard of honour from the Lao People's Army carried the leaders' remains to be placed in stupas.

The first generation of departed revolutionary leaders included the late President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, former President Nouhak Phoumsavanh, former Acting President Phoumy Vongvichit, Mr Phoun Sipaseuth and Mr Sisomphone Lorvanxay.

The later generation of leaders included Mr Saly Vongkhamxao, Mr Maychantan Sengmany, Mr Oudom Khatthiya, Mr Somlath Chanthamath, Mr Osakan Thammatheva, Mr Khambou Sounixay, Mr Sompheth Thipmala and Mr Vaenthong Luangvilay.

Uncle Noi, 63, from Somsavan village in Xaythany district, said most people from his village turned out to pay their respects to the remains of the beloved leaders.

“I was a soldier when we were fighting against the French. I was proud that we had wise leaders who encouraged solidarity and instilled a spirit of patriotism as we joined forces against the powerful colonialist s,” he said. Ms Khone from Don Noun village in the same district said “The sacrifices, great patriotism, honesty and endeavour of our leaders impressed me, and I think that the younger generation can learn from them to ensure our country develops more quickly.”

The relocation of the revolutionary leaders' remains started with a religious ceremony on Friday at the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which was led by 120 monks, giving devotees the opportunity to make merit and show their respects. On Saturday morning, an almsgiving ceremony took place at the museum where thousands of people came to make merit for the departed leaders. The event was also attended by 120 monks.

In the afternoon of the same day, the remains were transported and placed in stupas at the National Cemetery.

Construction of the National Cemetery began in 2008 on an area of 52 hectares.

The government has spen t 150 billion kip on the project, with the aim of showing gratitude to the revolutionary leaders and soldiers who devoted their lives to fight for our country.

By Times Reporters (Latest Update March 26, 2012)

Important nutrients for children

However, lots of information and advice are available and it may be tough to decide which direction to follow. Among others, the following are five basic, important nutrients to boost your child's growth and development.

PROTEIN

Protein is an important component of every cell in our body which is essential for healthy growth and development. Protein provides calories and amino acids the body really needs for building new cells and the compounds that direct bodily processes, including enzymes and hormones. Protein needs are highest during infancy and increase again just before adolescence as the body readies for another growth spurt.

Protein is found mainly in animal products such as dairy, eggs, seafood, and meats. And in somewhat lesser amounts, it is also found in beans, nuts, vegetables, and grains. Protein intake is usually not a problem for most kids, even those who don't eat meat consistently. For example, just 453g of milk or yoghurt, or 56g of meat, chicken, or seafood, and an egg satisfy a 3-year-old's daily protein needs.

CALCIUM

Calcium helps make strong bones and teeth, maximises bone growth and shores up the skeleton during childhood and beyond. The body withdraws the calcium it needs from bones to maintain blood levels, which is partly why children need adequate calcium every day.

Dairy foods are concentrated calcium sources including milk, cheeses, and yoghurt. Calcium is also plentiful in plant products, such as fortified orange juice and soy beverages, tofu, and certain cereals.

FIBRE

Fibre is a complex carbohydrate without calories. We can't digest dietary fibre to get the energy. But adequate fibre intake provides many benefits for growing a child. It helps to keep the digestive system working well. Fibre's confirmed benefits for kids include preventing constipation and promoting fullness. High-fibre foods, including whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, keep kids fuller for longer in addition to its richness in vitamins and minerals.

Make whole grains, fruits, and vegetables available to your child every day to get the fibre your child needs

ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, etc, are named "superheroes" by many experts They help defend the body against harmful substances, the free radicals, that can damage the cells, which could minimise the risks of chronic conditions including cancer and heart disease.

Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, including berries, broccoli, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and cherries are among the produce offering the most antioxidants.

IRON

Red blood cells need iron to ferry oxygen to every cell in the body and keep the body energised. Iron also plays a role in brain development and function.

Both animal and plant foods provide iron, including meat, eggs, fish, poultry, seafood, spinach, beans, dried fruits, and iron-fortified grains.

Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron and you can do it by simply offer kids foods such as oranges, orange juice, tomatoes, kiwi, or strawberries with each meal to make the most of iron

Poor English skills could leave Thais out in cold

UNIVERSITIES 'MUST IMPROVE TEACHING BEFORE ASEAN COMMUNITY LAUNCHES'

Thailand may find itself at a disadvantage because of inferior English skills when Southeast Asia becomes a single community, academics and an industrialist have warned.

The launch of the Asean Community in 2015 will see a free flow of professionals and skilled workers among the 10 member states of the grouping.

Once the community is formed, Thais will be able to look for jobs outside the country but they will have to brace themselves for challenges from regional competitors over positions in multinational and international organisations based in Thailand that require English as the working language.

This could pose a particular challenge for university students who will be first-time job seekers by that time.

"People from other Southeast Asian countries will compete with Thais for jobs. It's a fact," said Paron Israsena, who sits on several university councils including those of Chulalongkorn and Chiang Mai.

"If we want to be able to compete with other Southeast Asian countries, we have to start at universities now," said Mr Paron.

He pointed to English skills as an obvious weakness of Thai university graduates that needs to be urgently addressed.

"Most Thai students coming out of universities cannot communicate in English," said Mr Paron, who is also the president of the Darunsikkhalai School for Innovative Learning.

The old way of teaching English, which starts with grammar, must be scrapped and replaced with an emphasis on listening and speaking skills so that students are encouraged to speak up, Mr Paron said.

He says the country needs to adopt a lifetime learning process and knowledge-based society vision to make it more competitive in the face of increasing regional competition.

"Competitiveness is the key success factor for Thailand in the Asean Community," he said.

The Education Ministry is apparently aware of the challenges to come when the Asean Community takes off. Its website _ www.moe.go.th _ reminds readers of the move towards one community.

The Association of University Presidents agreed on Dec 25 that they will adjust their semesters to be in line with the system used by other universities in the region.

By 2015, the first semester will run from September to December, instead of from June to October as is currently the case.

The second semester will run from January to May.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last month urged the ministry to improve the tertiary curriculum to better prepare university students for competition in the job market in 2015.

More importantly, the ministry has set 2012 as the English Speaking Year. Its aim is to encourage students to converse in English every Monday.

Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, admitted that English skills were not a competitive advantage for Thais but hoped the country still had enough time to prepare itself for the eventual change.

"We have a problem with the English language. Countries such as Singapore and the Philippines hold an edge," Mr Chinnapat said at a forum on Thai education and the Asean Community held in September.

"We still have three years to go to produce qualified personnel."

At the same forum, however, Thavorn Chalassathien deputy secretary-general of the Federation of Thai Industries, called for a broader-based skills improvement.

He urged the government to boost skills for workers and technicians to help keep industries in Thailand and to compete with other countries that can offer cheaper labour costs as their advantage to lure investors away from the Kingdom.

"Don't think only about the [English] language. What we really need is skills development," he said.

Healthy diet keeps brain sharp

Eating a diet rich in certain vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids and low in trans fats can help keeping brain healthy and prevent Alzheimer's disease.

A new US research has found a direct link between healthy diet and slower brain aging and shrinking process in elderly people.

A team of researchers from Oregon Health and Science University studied 104 people with an average age of 87, testing the levels of various nutrients in their blood, as well as their memory and thinking skills.

Findings showed that people whose regular diet contained high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and levels of C, D, E and B vitamins were less likely to experience brain shrinkage, a natural aging process during the grey matter volume reduces.

People with such a diet also showed on average higher mental performance scores than those with diets low in those nutrients, says the report published in the journal Neurology.

“The combination of the B vitamins, the antioxidants C and E, plus vitamin D was the most favorable combination of nutrients in the blood for healthy brain aging in our population,” said senior author Dr. Gene L. Bowman.

Researchers also found that the most unfavorable diet was the one high in trans fats which are most often found in packaged baked goods and fast foods, including cookies, crackers, and potato chips.

“It is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet,” Bowman said.

Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D are primarily found in fish, while B vitamins and vitamins C and E can be obtained from meat, fruits and vegetables, scientists noted.

National Assembly represents the people, members reminded

Mass organisations in Laos have urged National Assembly members to work harder in representing the benefits of multi-ethnic people at the NA, acting on their behalf to address their concerns.

Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction Mr Tong Yerthor, on behalf of various public organisations in Laos, reported the observations and opinions of many Lao people at the ongoing NA session about the performance of NA members.

This is the first time the Lao Front has been given the opportunity to report on the performance of NA members, and it encouraged them to work harder in their role as representatives of the people.

Mr Tong said some NA members have neglected to report the difficulties encountered by ethnic peoples, while others do not meet their constituents regularly as they did during the election campaign.

“Villagers in some rural areas see only a photo of their representatives at the village office after the election, but they are rarely there in person,” he said. He also urged NA members to monitor the compensation process for villagers who are negatively affected by development projects.

Some projects related to mining, hydropower and rubber plantations have encroached on natural forest areas and villagers' farmland, but the compensation awarded has been insufficient to enable them to relocate, get the same amount of land or benefit from the project in any way.

Mr Tong explained that some government officials abused their power of authority over local people for their own benefit and urged the NA to monitor their conduct and give warnings to those officials to change their ways.

He also spoke about the hardship of communities who relocated but did not receive enough facilities to make a living.

The Lao Front for National Construction observed that the establishment of development village clusters has seen some success but often too few land plots were allocated to enable villagers to sustain their livelihood.

Some families moved to a new village as part of a development village cluster, but often had little choice but to return to farm in their former village due to a lack of productive land near their new home.

Mr Tong said villagers affected by flooding this year commented that they saw a lot of stories in the media about donations being given, but not all of the donations actually reached the people they were intended for – those worst hit by the flooding.

He asked NA members to help monitor projects concerning large land concessions and the use of natural resources, as in past years these kinds of projects had created a lot of problems for villagers, as well as causing deforestation.

He said many villagers were also concerned about forestry management in Laos. Despite the fact that laws to protect forests have been legislated, they are not being sufficiently enforced.

Mr Tong also touched upon education issues that have been brought to his attention, saying that many university graduates are unable to find employment.

He talked about the weakness in terms of cooperation and coordination between the relevant sectors in Vientiane and the provinces in working to address problems affecting the people and the country as a whole.

Many Lao people reported their problems not only to NA members but also to an NA telephone hotline established for the duration of the debate session. Members of the public were left wondering whether the problems they had reported to government sectors have been or will be resolved.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 21, 2011)

NUOL celebrates 15 years of progress

The National University of Laos (NUOL) on Friday marked the 15th anniversary of its founding, taking the occasion to review its significant progress and achievements.

Dr Phankham Viphavanh ( right ) awards a medal to the National University of Laos.

Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh, Minister to the Government Office and President of the University Council Prof. Dr Bountiem Phissamai, local officials, foreign ambassadors and international guests were in attendance at the event.

On behalf of the university and its staff, NUOL President Prof. Dr Soukkongseng Saignaleuth described the development of the university since 1996.

At that time, the university comprised eight faculties, a school of foundation studies, seven offices, and a central library.

Now it has grown to 11 faculties, two institutes, five centres, 10 offices, one central library and a school for gifted students and ethnic groups.

The university employs a total staff of 1,788 people, of whom 1,096 are lecturers.

Among the teaching staff, 70 lecturers hold PhDs, 513 have master's degrees, 856 have bachelor degrees, seven are professors and 167 are associate professors.

There are currently 40,731 students enrolled at the university, including 786 overseas nationals.

“Since the university was founded, all levels of leadership have proactively worked to formulate and implement policy and plans for NUOL's development,” Dr Soukkongseng said.

The plans are in line with the government's policy on socio-economic development and the NUOL's 4th five-year strategic plan for 2011-15 is taking shape, he added.

The university aims to train students to become disciplined academicians and professionals with a certain level of knowledge and skills.

Graduates are expected to become specialists and experts in their field, and make a committed contribution to the country's socio-economic development, in line with regional and international norms and standards of development.

NUOL is set to become a fully-fledged university with the necessary infrastructure, facilities and resources.

Over the past 15 years, NUOL has closely cooperated with regional and international universities. A total of 164 foreign universities and institutes from 25 countries have signed cooperative agreements with NUOL.

Through this fruitful cooperation, the university has become a member of several regional and international organisations, including the Asean University Network and Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie.

Ho wever, the university still needs more development in terms of training in political thought and academic practices, while many students are lacking in commitment to their studies, Dr Soukkongseng noted.

Improved facilities, infrastructure and resources are needed for higher quality teaching. More cooperation and contributions are needed from various faculties and bodies within the university to implement the strategic plan.

Prompt coordination and communication between the university's campuses is required, with much improvement needed for greater efficiency and outcomes.

NUOL has identified six priority development areas in its strategic plan, including the d evelopment of personnel, academic staff and students, management system, quality of academic training, research and academic services, facilities and infrastructure, and internal and international relations and cooperation.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong (Latest Update November 07, 2011)

NUOL prepares to celebrate 15th anniversary

Over the last 15 years, the National University of Laos (NUOL) has awarded more than 50,000 diplomas and bachelor and master's degrees to people who went on to contribute to the development of their country.

This achievement is the result of the efforts of staff, teachers and students, university President Prof. Dr Soukkongseng Saignaleuth said in a statement he delivered on Monday.

In attendance at the reading of the statement were Minister to the Government Office Prof. Dr Bountiem Phissamay, university vice presidents, faculty deans and representatives of various institutes at the university.

The statement comes in advance of the university's 15th anniversary on November 5.

The event will celebrate the university's achievements and highlight the contribution of staff and teachers, Prof. Dr Soukkongseng said.

The anniversary will feature seminars on teacher skill development and national socio-economic development, an exhibition from each faculty on their area of specialisation, and will also highlight cooperation with international organisations.

Attendees can also enjoy a cultural show, student contests and a friendly sports competition between students, teachers and other organisations.

The National University of Laos, founded in 1996, includes departments incorporated from other colleges. NUOL accepts students from Laos and a small number of other countries.

The university collaborates with other universities internationally on human resource development and exchange programmes, Prof. Dr Soukkongseng said.

University administrators, staff and teachers have paid particular attention to improving the curriculum and organisational structure with a focus on societal development.

“We are particular about the students that we accept and, on average, admit about 7,000 students a year, Prof. Dr Soukkongseng reported.

To celebrate the anniversary, he urged companies and other organisations to help offset the university's limited budget.

The democracy bomb

Among the stupidest platitudes that one all too often hears from U.S. and western hypocrites, the worst is how they portray their own countries as beacons or paragons of freedom and democracy when a quick look, and especially an extended one, will demonstrate otherwise.

When something is built on dishonesty, all else begins to unravel. NATO exposes their evil intentions by their extensive use of lies and trickery. Once again, however, they have overestimated themselves and underestimated the Libyan people. The lies and trickery do not work.

Force and coercion are not considered examples of either freedom or democracy. The term "democracy" has been distorted now to mean only one thing: a democracy does what it is told to do, usually by Washington.

Should the country refuse, then it becomes a "dictatorship" even though the leader may have been elected, such as in the case of Venezuela, or should they have the purest form, such as the Jamahiriya. Next thing you know, the democracy bombs are falling...

This pseudo freedom and democracy they are trying to force down the throats of the Libyan people. What does western style freedom and democracy mean to the Libyan people?

It means thousands of Libyans lying dead in their homes, schools, hospitals, streets...

It means because you have the audacity to support your government and not do what you are told by the almighty Empire, that you will be gunned down by a helicopter.

Or mutilated, executed, beheaded, maimed, burned.

Or pounded with depleted uranium, or white phosphorous.

Or even poison gas...as a truckload of that was captured before it could be used. Anything to meet the objective of regime change.

What does "regime change" mean in Libya?

Simply stated, it means taking the country away from the people of Libya, because they are the ones who run the place in reality in their People's Congresses.

It's not a war against Colonel Gaddafi only, but he has been made a symbol by the evil ones of NATO and the west, a symbol of defiance against them.

The terrorist murderous filthy crud of the NTC has already on numerous occasions declined peace talks, a ceasefire or elections. Their only solution is "Gaddafi must go." It is their intention, given the chance, to murder the Brother Leader, them and their ugly, smelly Nazi NATO masters.

Some people may be fooled by this freedom and democracy nonsense. No one who sees the democracy bomb in action doubts that it's all about theft of Libyan resources: gold, oil, water, the reestablishment of colonial rule in Africa and using Libya for imperialist military bases.

The behavior of NATO during the assault and aggression on Libya has been shocking to say the least. We knew they were cold-blooded evil killers, sick perverts and torturers. We saw them in action in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan, but they have taken things to a level unprecedented, highly reminiscent of the Nazis, the SS and Hitler. In fact, they are beginning to make Nazis look like humanitarians compared to NATO.

Congratulations Ban Ki-Loon and the UN genocide loving, look the other way, see and hear no evil but speak every evil inSecurity Council. Both have betrayed everything the UN is purported to stand for.

Listening to Moon (or NATO garbage) speak is dangerous to the digestive system, one might lose one's last meal.

As for the Libyan Army...I cannot help but be reminded of Stalingrad and Kursk and the Great Patriotic War...the manner in which these heroic defenders conduct the war, their courage, strength, humanity, pure determination and ability to carry out their mission, these Libyan heroes seem to be more of what you would expect from the descendents / children / grandchildren of Stalingrad and Kursk defenders.

One cannot but have total admiration for them and stand in awe at their courageous determination and self sacrifice. Theirs is not an easy task. But they have inspired great hope in the hearts and minds of the defenseless and the oppressed everywhere.

Africa, previously known as the "Dark Continent," has become of beacon of light because of this heroic struggle against imperialism.

Therefore, taking all things into consideration, I expect and firmly believe we will see a similar outcome: the total defeat of fascism.

The sickening display by Sarkozy, Cameron and NTC during their recent visit to Libya exposed the reality on the ground. They are afraid to go anywhere in the country and rightly so. Their pathetic weakness was obvious and exactly the opposite of the perception they were hoping to create for their dutiful, obedient media.

That murderous, genocidal criminal terrorist gang of thugs known as the NTC...Why are the terrorists attempting to sell 29 tons of Libyan gold, when in the very worst of times, Muammar Gaddafi didn't find it necessary to lay a hand on the assets of the Libyan people?

Besides being ugly, murderous racists of shocking savagery and barbarity, the NTC is a bottomless pit.

I guess they are necessary for the NATO Nazis to transform Libya from a completely self sufficient, debt-free, prosperous country into a third world beggar debtor country. Libya must be thrusted backwards, back centuries where the western NATO Nazis wish to push the people of Libya.

NATO uses force, coercion and violence, in total disregard to the will of the people of Libya. They use lies and trickery. They rain death and destruction on an innocent country. They violate the very resolutions that were used to commence their genocidal conquest. They violate international law. They have faciliated and enabled the practice of ethnic cleansing.

The Libyan Jamahiriya, under the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi, has struggled harder than any western leader or country to champion the rights of the poor and abolish racism against black people.

The "no-fly" zone in reality is the "no-live" zone, life is not permitted for anyone not bowing down to the almighty Empire, including and especially the civilians they lied about protecting.

In their greed and desperation, they have forced this fight on Libya. In their inability to manage their own countries and economies, they seek the spoils of war, nowhere men making nowhere plans for nobody.

On the 19th of this month, the question of Libya is going to come up before the United Nations. There is no room for neutrality, for abstentions or for not taking a firm and principled stand. The fences are being shaken. Nations will fall on one side or the other.

The behavior of the UN and the countries therein are going to show us all, they are going to be sifted into wheat and chaff, the honest from the corrupt, the courageous from the cowards.

We shall see exactly what they are made of. They shall place themselves on either side of the fence, either good or evil. Once they are on either side of the fence, there is no turning back, no jumping to the other side and above all, no sitting on the fence. It is decision time.

History will deal harshly with those who took the side of demons, murderers, terrorists, savages, Hitlers...so they shall fall in similar fashion into perdition and eternal damnation.

　

'Bush lied about 9/11 terror attacks'

Mahathir Mohamad says it is not unthinkable for former US President George W. Bush to lie about who was responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks on the American soil.

In a post published in his personal blog chedet on Friday, former Malaysian prime minister said that the attacks on the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan, New York City, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, could not have been carried out by Muslims. The acts of violence could have rather been the work of other groups.

The Malaysian politician pointed out that “for some Americans, the deaths of nearly 3,000 people was not the scariest thing about 9/11. It was realizing who carried out the attack: yes, the American Government.”

Mohamad said although Arab Muslims are angry enough to sacrifice their lives and become bombers, they are not capable of planning and strategizing attacks similar to the 9/11 ones.

“The planning [for the 9/11 attacks] must have taken a considerable length of time. The candidates had to learn to fly in tiny aircrafts…. Planning to hijack four aircraft simultaneously would require great precision in timing and logistics. One aircraft maybe. But four simultaneously!! I don't think extremists from Saudi Arabia can carry out this highly sophisticated operation with such success,” former Malaysian prime minister commented.

Turning to the collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers, he said, “They came down nicely upon themselves without toppling against the other buildings close by. It looks more like planned demolition of buildings than collapse consequent upon being hit by aircraft.”

Mohamad stated, “A third building also collapsed in the same fashion; although it was not hit by any aircraft. What is the explanation for this untouched building, which collapsed upon itself and did not damage other buildings nearby?”

He also questioned the total disappearance of the aircraft, which hit the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia. “There was no debris of any kind, no broken parts of the aircraft, no black box, and no human bodies flung into the surroundings. Is it possible for an aircraft to vaporize totally after a crash?” former Malaysian prime minister said.

Mohamad further raised questions over the loss of the fourth aircraft, which was supposed to have crashed in an open field. “Again no sign of any debris. No big crater. Did it vaporize into nothingness? Did the innocent passengers also vaporize?” he stated.

The Malaysian politician noted that the American press was strangely silent about 9/11 attacks.

He also emphasized that Bush is the one that lied about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction. “The legacy of the former US president is that two countries (Iraq and Afghanistan) have been devastated, and fratricidal wars have become endemic. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, Afghans and a few thousand of young American soldiers have died. Thousands more are wounded, maimed for life, and suffering from mental breakdowns,” Mohamad pointed out.

Former Malaysian prime minister also said that human lives do not seem to mean much to the former US president.

Choosing English as working language ensured S'pore's survival: Lee Kuan Yew

SINGAPORE: Singapore's former Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, has spoken of how the choice of English as the country's working language has ensured the country's survival.

Launching the English Language Institute of Singapore on Tuesday afternoon, he said that had the nation not chosen English as a working language, it would have been left behind.

Mr Lee said: "When Singapore became independent in 1965, we had a population that spoke a range of different dialects and languages. This was a result of the colonial education system which favoured the English-speaking, but allowed vernacular schools with different mediums of instruction to co-exist.

"Political and economic realities led us to choose English as our working language. 75 per cent of the population then was Chinese, speaking a range of dialects; 14 per cent Malays; and eight per cent Indians. Making Chinese the official language of Singapore was out of the question as the 25 per cent who were non-Chinese would revolt.

"In addition, the geographical reality was and remains today, that Singapore would be economically isolated from the wider world if Chinese was chosen. And China then could not be of much help to our economic development."

He explained that the choice of English as Singapore's "lingua franca" gave all races equal opportunities through a common language to learn, communicate and work in.

Mr Lee added: "We kept our original languages by our policy of bilingualism, allowing opportunities for people to study their respective mother tongues. This built a sense of belonging to their original roots and increased their self-confidence and self-respect. Thus, a united multi-ethnic, multi-lingual people ensured Singapore's survival. Had we not chosen English, we would have been left behind.

"We are the only country in the region that uses English as our working language, the main medium of instruction in our schools. This has given our young a strong advantage of growing up in a multi-cultural multi-lingual society, all speaking the international language of commerce and trade, English, and their mother tongues, Chinese, Malay, Tamil and others as their second languages."

Mr Lee added that it has also benefited Singapore economically. As an English-speaking society, Singapore has drawn foreign talent to its shores as they found it easier to work and live in the country and remain plugged into the global economy.

He said: "There is an intense worldwide competition for talent, especially for English-speaking skilled professionals, managers and executives. Our English-speaking environment is one reason why Singapore has managed to attract a number of these talented individuals to complement our own talent pool.

"They find it easy to work and live in Singapore, and remain plugged into the global economy. Singapore is a popular educational choice for many young Asians who want to learn English, and they get a quality education. This has kept our city vibrant."

Mr Lee said one of the challenges ahead is to decide whether to adopt British English or American English.

He said: "I think the increasing dominance of the American media means that increasingly our people, teachers and students will be hearing the American version, whether it is 'potatoes' or 'tomatoes'. They will be the dominant force through sheer numbers and the dominance of their economy.

"I believe we will be exposed more and more to American English and so it might be as well to accept it as inevitable and to teach our students to recognise and maybe, to even speak American English."

Turning to the future, Mr Lee stressed that communication skills are one of the most important competencies needed in the 21st century workforce.

He said Singapore has built a good English language foundation for its students, with achievements in international benchmark tests like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Progress in International Reading Study (PIRLS) being well documented.

But he felt that Singapore can do better and must help every child to attain higher standards in English. Singapore's best students must also be able to hold their own internationally.

For this, Mr Lee added that the home background played an important role in developing good English language skills.

So to maintain the high standards of English competency in Singapore, he said there is a need to ensure that from the time a child steps into kindergarten, he is exposed to good English.

Mr Lee said: "Our schools must provide a rich language environment. There must be a strong reading culture where children can access and enjoy good books. There must be a culture of oracy. Opportunities must be given to students to speak in English. Students must present information and ideas, to clarify and to debate robustly with each other in English."

Also, developing a high level of English language competency in students cannot be the work of the English teacher alone.

Mr Lee said that it is the responsibility of every teacher who teaches subjects in English. They must use good English when they question, speak and write in the classroom and they are the best role models for children, if the young are to be effective communicators.

ມະຕິກອງປະຊຸມໃຫ່ຍຄັ້ງທີ່9ຂອງ ພັກ ປປລ

ກອງປະຊຸມໃຫຍ່ຄັ້ງທີ IX ຂອງພັກໄດ້ກຳນົດ 4 ບາດກ້າວບຸກທະລຸດັ່ງນີ້:

- ຫນຶ່ງ: ແມ່ນຕ້ອງບຸກທະລຸໃຫ້ໄດ້ທາງດ້ານຈິນຕະນາການ,ແກ້ໄຂທັດສະນະແນວຄິດແບບ ຄຳພີຕາຍຕົວ, ຮັກສາເດີມ, ຂີ້ຄ້ານມັກງ່າຍ, ຊ້າຍຈັດຂວາໂພດ.

- ສອງ: ບຸກທະລຸລະບຽບການ, ກົນໄກເຮັດໃຫ້ການບໍລິຫານລັດ, ການຄຸ້ມຄອງເສດຖະກິດ-ສັງຄົມມີຄວາມສະດວກ, ວ່ອງໄວ ແລະ ໂປ່ງໃສ.

- ສາມ: ແມ່ນຕ້ອງບຸກທະລຸຢ່າງແຂງແຮງດ້ານການພັດທະນາຊັບພະຍາກອນມະນຸດ, ໂດຍສະເພາະດ້ານການກໍ່ສ້າງ ແລະ ບຳລຸງຍົກລະດັບຄວາມຮູ້ຄວາມສາມາດໃນດ້ານຕ່າງໆຂອງພະນັກງານໃຫ້ສົມຄູ່ ກັບຄວາມຮຽກຮ້ອງຕ້ອງການຂອງການພັດທະນາ.

- ສີ່: ບຸກທະລຸໃຫ້ໄດ້ໃນດ້ານການແກ້ໄຂຄວາມທຸກຍາກຂອງປະຊາຊົນດ້ວຍການຂຸດຄົ້ນແຫລ່ງທຶນຕ່າງໆ ແລະ ດ້ວຍນະໂຍບາຍສົ່ງເສີມເປັນພິເສດ, ສ້າງພື້ນຖານໂຄງລ່າງທາງດ້ານເສດຖະກິດ-ສັງຄົມ ຢ່າງມີຈຸດສຸມເພື່ອເປັນກຳລັງແຮງຊຸກດັນໃຫ້ການພັດທະນາໃນຂົງເຂດອື່ນໆຢ່າງແຂງແຮງ.

ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂໍຊົມເຊີຍແລະສະໜັບສະໜູນໃຫ້ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດທັງສີ່ຄາດໝາຍ ແຕ່ໃນທີ່ນີ້ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຢາກໃຫ້ປັບປຸງກ່ອນໝູ່ແມ່ນຂໍ້ທີ່ສອງເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າປະຈຸບັນຍັງມີຫຼາຍກົມກອງ ແລະພະນັກງານລັດກວມເອົາ ເກືອບ90%ທີ່ເຮັດໜ້າທີ່ບໍລິການ ແລະເປັນຜູ້ອອກອະນຸຍາດຕ່າງໆຍັງຖືຕົນເອງເປັນອາດຍາສິດ ກົດໜ່ວງຖ່ວງດຶງເພື່ອຮຽກຮ້ອງຜົນປະໂຫຽດ(ເງີນ)ໄດ້ເທົ່າໃດກໍ່ບໍ່ພໍໄດ້ແລ້ວຢາກໄດ້ອີກ ເກັບກັນທຸກຈຸດ ທຸກໜ່ວຍງານ ນັບແຕ່ຜູ້ຮັບເອກະສານຮອດຫົວໜ້າພະແນກ ເຊັ່ນ: ພະແນກອຸດສາຫະກຳ ແລະການຄ້ານະຄອນຫຼວງ, ດ່ານພາສີຂົວມິດຕະພາບ1

ແມ່ນໜັກກ່ວາໝູ່ສີນຄ້າສົ່ງອອກທີ່ເປັນນະໂຍບາຍສົ່ງເສີມຂອງລັດຖະບານກໍ່ຖືກຄັດ ຂວາງມື້ໃດອາລົມດີກໍ່ປ່ອຍໄປມື້ໃດອາລົມຮ້າຍກໍ່ກັກໄວ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ນັກທຸລະກິດເກີດຄວາມທໍ້ຖອຍໃຈ ພວກທ່ານຄິດແນວໃດ?

Mining, logging to face government scrutiny

President Choummaly Sayasone has requested that the government examine future approval s of mineral extraction projects, rubber plantations, timber exportation and secondhand vehicle imports to determine whether they are in the best interests of the country.

President Choummaly Sayasone.

The president said he is very concerned about environmental issues in Laos, including the recent flooding, as natural disasters and excessive resource extraction are severely impacting on the livelihoods of Lao people.

Speaking at the first new government meeting in Vientiane earlier this week, the president said the country must be wary of diminishing its mining resources. “If we exhaust our mineral resources, it will be a sin against our children,” he said.

“The projects that we have already approved also need to be reviewed to assess their effectiveness. Those in breach of the law or found to be ineffective need to be brought to a halt.”

Mr Choummaly said investment in the mining industry needs to be beneficial to the country. “If we only get minor benefits from a mining project, we should not do it.”

Foreign businesspeople are also investing heavily in rubber plantations, many Lao people end up being labourers for the projects.

“I want the government to review the effectiveness of rubber plantation projects. If possible, we should stop approving these kinds of projects,” he said. “I think that there will not be enough Lao labourers to tap the rubber if we continue to approve rubber plantations at the current rate, unless we import labourers from other countries.”

The president said there are many problems with rubber plantations, particularly in relation to allocating leasehold land to foreign investors, which creates conflict with local villagers. Authorities are having trouble dealing with villagers being displaced from their traditional homes and then resettled in other areas.

“I want the government to stop the approval of rubber plantations and encourage villagers to grow crops which have a more immediate benefit,” Mr Choummaly said.

He said rubber is an industrial tree that takes seven years to tap and uses up valuable cultivatable land but does not feed anyone. Crops like sweetcorn, cassava and sugar can be more profitable for villagers as they can be harvested every season, giving villagers a more regular and reliable income.

“We want the government to review land usage in the country, to ensure Lao villagers have land to grow crops and help themselves out of poverty.”

The president said he is also deeply concerned about the logging industry. The government has already banned the exportation of timber, but illegal logging continues to be a problem. He said that any timber logged in Laos should be milled and processed here, so that the country reaps the full benefits of its own resources rather than seeing them flow overseas.

He said there also needs to be a review of policies in relation to the importation of secondhand vehicles, as the number of vehicles on the roads has now exceeded the road capacity of Laos, creating traffic jams and air pollution in the capital. “Should we stop importing these kinds of vehicles?” he asked the new government.

He said the Ministry of Industry and Commerce needs to increase its efforts to inspect vehicle imports and try to stop people taking advantage of this process.
“Secondhand vehicles are flooding into our country, and big roads have become small due to the rising number of vehicles travelling on them,” he said. “In the next few years, we may not have space to park them all. The more cars we have means the more fuel we have to import and we will have to pay for that.”

Nuts, greens lower 'bad' cholesterol

Researchers say following a cholesterol-lowering diet based on soy, nuts, and green vegetables is more likely to reduce bad cholesterol than a low fat diet.

A new study of 351 Canadians with high cholesterol showed that the cholesterol-lowering foods decreased participants' low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by about 13 percent after six months, reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke over the next 10 years by about 11 percent on average.

Those who followed a traditional diet low in saturated fat experienced only 3 percent reduction in LDL level.

according to the report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), participants who were on cholesterol-lowering diet consumed food that included plant-based sterols supplied by a special margarine, soy protein from tofu, soy milk, and soy-based meat substitutes, as well as viscous fiber from oats, barley, and psyllium, and nuts.

"Each one of these ingredients will help you, but when they all work together, you'll get the strongest results," said study author Peter Jones of the University of Toronto. "Plant-based sterols alone can lower your cholesterol by 5 percent. When you add in fiber and nuts and soy, the story just keeps getting better.”

"The main takeaway here is that people can lower their cholesterol with diet if they put their minds to it," he added. "These can be small changes. We're not asking people to live behind bars."

Researchers emphasized that the key point for taking benefits of the cholesterol-lowering diet is to replace choices high in saturated fat with healthier, plant-based options and make smart swaps throughout the day rather than measuring out specific amounts of each ingredient.

High salt, low activity bad for brain

People who consume high amounts of salt and are inactive are not only at a higher risk of heart disease but are more likely to develop cognitive problems.

A team of Canadian researchers followed the sodium consumption and physical activity levels of 1,262 healthy men and women aged 67 to 84 over a period of three years.

Their findings showed that those who used to take highest levels of sodium and had the lowest levels of exercise were more likely to have poorer cognitive performance than those with a low sodium intake and an active lifestyle.

“We have generated important evidence that sodium intake not only impacts heart health, but brain health as well,” said senior researcher, Dr Alexandra Fiocco, of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.

“The results of our study showed that a diet high in sodium, combined with little exercise, was especially detrimental to the cognitive performance of older adults,

“But the good news is that sedentary older adults showed no cognitive decline over the three years that we followed them if they had low sodium intake.”

Participants had a daily sodium intake ranging from 2,263 milligrams to 8,098 milligrams, researchers wrote in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.

High sodium intake was considered 3,091 mg per day or greater while low and medium intake were defined as not exceeding 2,263 and 3,090 milligrams respectively.

Health Canada, however, recommends people who are more than 14 years old consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt each day. One teaspoon of salt is equal to 2,000 milligrams.

No need to mention that daily sodium intake includes what an individual gets through all dietary sources including food and drinks and not just the salt we add to our meal at the table.