Teacher ShelleHigh Blood Pressure - A Silent Killer
 According to the World Health Organization over a billion adults around the world suffer from high blood pressure. It is now taking steps to fight against what is called a silent killer. High blood pressure can lead to strokes and a heart attack. Almost 10 million people die of these two diseases every year. They are the number one causes of death globally. High blood pressure also leads to kidney failure, blindness and other illnesses. It often goes hand in hand with diabetes and obesity, which increases heath risks even further. As the WHO reports, people in developing countries in Africa suffer more from high blood pressure than people in developed countries. The reason is that health care in the developed world is much better organized and people go to the doctor soon enough. High blood pressure should never be ignored and always taken seriously. It is a warning sign from your body that something is not OK. Although people may live with high blood pressure for years without even knowing it, it is important to check your blood pressure regularly and take the necessary steps. The WHO says that you can reduce your blood pressure by changing your living habits. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and nicotine are some things that you can do without consulting a doctor. source:http://www.english-online.at |
Muslim-Friendly Hotels
 Today more and more Muslims, especially wealthy ones, travel to other countries. When they do they look for a lifestyle that respects their religion. Western countries are starting to reach out to Muslim travelers and offer them what they have at home. Especially Muslim-friendly hotels are what Islamic travelers are looking for. Such hotels offer travelers halal - food that Muslims are allowed to eat. Rooms have signs that show the way to Mecca, dining areas are free of alcohol and there are separate spas or swimming areas for men and women. As more and more Muslims discover travelling, they are also ready to spend more money in order to live the way they do at home. Up to now, mostly Islamic countries have reacted to this trend but more and more Western countries are giving Muslim travelers what they need. In contrast to other people Muslims tend to travel in larger groups, stay longer and spend more. Western tourism cannot afford to ignore them. Malaysia is the leading country when it comes to offering Muslim-friendly facilities. The country itself has a Muslim population of 60%. Many hotels offer separate prayer rooms for Muslims, some do not serve any alcohol at all, and there are even those that offer special meals during the Ramadan period. Not surprisingly such hotels attract Muslims from all over the world. source: http://www.english-online.at |
China’s Newest Status Symbol
 In China, the rich are now abandoning flashy cars and expensive suits as ways of showing off how rich they are. Bicycles are now used to do just that — the more expensive and the rarer your bike, the richer you appear. Even though China is known for being the world’s biggest automobile market, sales of high-end bikes increase by 10 percent a year. Yiqun Yu rides his favorite bike to work every day — a 100,000 RMB (US$16,000) Alex Moulton. Mr. Yu is a creative director at an advertising firm. His favorite bike is only one of the 35 high-end bicycles this 40-year-old man owns. “It might be the only one in Beijing. It’s like the Rolls-Royce of bicycles: very classical, purely handmade.” Mr. Yu belongs to a seemingly new trend or culture in China — wealthy people trying to change their lifestyles. Becoming more health-conscious, they now ride their expensive bicycles rather than drive. “The high-end sector is going to be the major source of growth in the Chinese market. In China, bikes are more than just a means of transportation. They have become a fashion,” Terry Liu, an analyst at Fubon Research in Taiwan, said. source: http://www.weirdasianews.com |