Two fishermen killed in ship-boat collision

Posted on: 01 Mar 2012

Alappuzha (Ker): Two fishermen were killed and three others reported missing when an unidentified ship collided with their boat off Alappuzha coast in the early hours today, the second incident involving fishermen in the Kerala coast in the last fortnight. Two fishermen were rescued by the crew of other boats in the sea, district authorities said.The boat, Dwan-II, had ventured to sea from Neendakara fishing harbour on Sunday with seven fishermen aboard. The Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement have
launched a search to spot and identify the ship and find out how exactly the mishap occurred, Alappuzha District Collector 
Saurav Jain said.

A rescued fishermen said the boat was anchored at sea and was hit by the ship. The deceased were identified as Francis Justine and Xavier, both from Kollam district. The rescued fishermen were brought to Thottappaly fishing harbour in Alappuzha district and rushed to hospital.The incident comes close on the heels of killing of two fishermen from the same area allegedly by two naval guards of the Italian ship 'Enrica Lexie' on February 15. PTI

Two fishermen killed in ship-boat collision

Posted on: 01 Mar 2012

Alappuzha (Ker): Two fishermen were killed and three others reported missing when an unidentified ship collided with their boat off Alappuzha coast in the early hours today, the second incident involving fishermen in the Kerala coast in the last fortnight. Two fishermen were rescued by the crew of other boats in the sea, district authorities said.The boat, Dwan-II, had ventured to sea from Neendakara fishing harbour on Sunday with seven fishermen aboard. The Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement have
launched a search to spot and identify the ship and find out how exactly the mishap occurred, Alappuzha District Collector 
Saurav Jain said.

A rescued fishermen said the boat was anchored at sea and was hit by the ship. The deceased were identified as Francis Justine and Xavier, both from Kollam district. The rescued fishermen were brought to Thottappaly fishing harbour in Alappuzha district and rushed to hospital.The incident comes close on the heels of killing of two fishermen from the same area allegedly by two naval guards of the Italian ship 'Enrica Lexie' on February 15. PTI

Government clears amendment to Motor Vehicle Act

Posted on: 01 Mar 2012

New Delhi:The government is understood have cleared a proposal to ammend the Motor Vehicle Act to deal sternly with violators of traffic rules. According to sources, a meeting of the Cabinet held today has approved the ammendments to the Act for harsher
punishments for offences like drunken driving and violation of traffic rules.'The ammendments are meant to deal the traffic offences seriously. Repeated violations will fetch very high fines and even may take the offenders to jail,' a source said.

The modifications are aimed at introducing stronger deterrents and inculcating greater respect for the laws, sources said.
As per reports, the first offence of talking over mobile phones while driving can lead to a fine of Rs 500 and the subsequent violations can be as high as Rs 5,000. Jumping red lights or not using seat belts and helmets may attract fines between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500, reports said. PTI

Government clears amendment to Motor Vehicle Act

Posted on: 01 Mar 2012

New Delhi:The government is understood have cleared a proposal to ammend the Motor Vehicle Act to deal sternly with violators of traffic rules. According to sources, a meeting of the Cabinet held today has approved the ammendments to the Act for harsher
punishments for offences like drunken driving and violation of traffic rules.'The ammendments are meant to deal the traffic offences seriously. Repeated violations will fetch very high fines and even may take the offenders to jail,' a source said.

The modifications are aimed at introducing stronger deterrents and inculcating greater respect for the laws, sources said.
As per reports, the first offence of talking over mobile phones while driving can lead to a fine of Rs 500 and the subsequent violations can be as high as Rs 5,000. Jumping red lights or not using seat belts and helmets may attract fines between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500, reports said. PTI

How to Tackle Your Fat Hot Spots

Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

Fed up of being told that it’s impossible to get rid of thunder thighs or a wobbly belly? Naturopath Max Tomlinson takes exactly the opposite view in his new book, Target Your Fat Spots. “I see young women try rigorous diets and exercise regimes to get rid of a big bottom, only to lose weight from their chests and faces,” says Max. 

“Women going through menopause, meanwhile, tend to accumulate fat on their stomachs and upper arms. However, I’ve discovered the real key to achieving targeted fat loss is to focus on why you’ve gained weight on a specific area in the first place,” he says. 

Max says, “Hormone imbalances are the main source of the problem. Our hormones regulate a multitude of processes in the body, including how and where we store fat. So if they become even slightly imbalanced, you can end up putting on weight. And the primary cause of imbalances is a combination of poor diet, stress, pollution and lack of exercise. 

I’ve found that each fat spot — be it tummy flab, a big bottom or bingo wings — is caused by the action or inaction of a specific hormone. But the good news is, it’s possible to rebalance and combat the problem. First of all, follow a low-fat Mediterranean diet — include lots of fruit, vegetables, pulses, eggs, fish, nuts, olive oil, a little lean meat and low fat dairy in your daily diet. Cut down on alcohol and avoid junk food. A daily multivitamin and fish oil capsule will also ensure you don’t miss any vital nutrients. 

Then, follow the specific advice below to beat the hormonal imbalance. 

POT BELLY 
Why it happens
Stored fat around the belly suggests a problem with the adrenal glands, which produce the stress hormone cortisol. This is usually down to long-term pressure and the resulting high levels of cortisol, which trigger the over production of insulin and encourage the body to deposit fat on the area around the stomach. 

Tackle it
The key is to relax — anything that makes you unwind will help reduce your stress levels. 

Diet
The main culprit is too much sugar — especially in alcohol and white carbs (bread, pasta). To balance your glucose levels, eat foods with a low glycaemic index — vegetables, beans, fish and meat. Cut out white carbs, sugar, alcohol and coffee. 

Exercise
Working out eases stress, but try to supplement your regime with something calming like yoga, too. 

BRA FAT BULGE 
Why it happens
Those fat pockets at the back that can make your bra feel tight are often linked to a sluggish thyroid. This gland produces the hormone thyroxine, which controls the rate you burn calories at. If it’s underactive, it can cause back fat, weight gain, lack of energy and a low mood. 

Tackle it 
Maintaining stress levels and eating the right food will rebalance thyroid. 

Diet 
Some raw foods interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland, so limit your consumption of broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, peaches, soya bean products, spinach and strawberries. Cooking these foods tends to deactivate troublesome compounds, so you can still eat them hot. Iodine is a vital component of thyrox ine, so try to eat plenty of seaweed, seafood, yoghurt and dark green leafy vegetables. 

Exercise 
Moderate exercise reduces stress and boosts your metabolism to shift fat. The key is to get moving while not overexerting yourself. Try something fun, such as dancing or using a children’s trampoline. 

LOVE HANDLES 
Why it happens
The condition is known as insulin resistance, in which the body’s cells fail to respond correctly to the chemical, causing excess glucose in the bloodstream. This results in fat deposits around the hips, causing those bulges over the back and sides of your jeans. 

Tackle it 
The right foods will calm insulin production and restore glucose levels. 

Diet 
Switching white carbs for wholegrains will maintain blood sugar levels. Eat lots of home-cooked food, include fruits, vegetables and fish in your diet. Avoid alcohol and sugary foods (watch out also for sugar hidden inside “healthy” cereals). Eating foods packed with antioxidants prevents free radical damage and combats insulin resistance. These include fresh herbs, spices, citrus fruit, nuts, berries, broccoli and green tea. 

Exercise 
Cardio — any activity that raises your heart rate — is vital in shifting love handles so run or walk for five-10 minutes each day. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, exert your body more, for example, by taking the stairs rather than the lift. 

BINGO WINGS 
Why it happens
The culprit behind the fat that hangs from your upper arms, is falling testosterone levels that are associated with middle age. Women produce this male hormone, too, and it’s vital for keeping muscles lean and toned.

Tackle it 
Boosting testosterone levels can, along with targeted exercise, help to restore shape to your arms. 

Diet 
Too much sugar or white carbs in your diet can decrease testosterone levels — so cut them out but don’t crash diet as long-term calorie restriction can further lower levels of this important hormone. You should also eat plenty of the “good” fats found inside salmon avocado and seeds, while avoiding saturated fat found in red meat and fullfat dairy. 

Exercise 
Lack of exercise suppresses testosterone levels but light weight-bearing workouts — ones that use the body’s own weight to put pressure on the muscles — will work to boost them. This includes jogging or just having a brisk walk. And have more sex, too — making love sends out signals to the body to produce even more testosterone. Using arm weights will also help sculpt these muscles. 

CHUNKY THIGHS AND A BIG BUM 
Why it happens
If you store fat in these areas you probably have an excess of oestrogen, which naturally promotes fat around the tops of the legs and buttocks. Taking the pill and exposure to oestrogen-mimicking chemicals found in some plastics, may add to this problem. 

Tackle it 
The aim is to naturally lower oestrogen levels in the body through lifestyle changes. 

Diet 
Eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, because the fibre they contain binds to, and helps excrete, excess oestrogen. Cut down on alcohol, painkillers and processed meats, as they’re laden with chemicals and preservatives that hamper your liver’s best efforts to clear oestrogen. Eating live yoghurt can also assist your gut in removing oestrogen via the digestive system. 

Exercise 
Ideally, you should walk or run for 10 minutes per day, because this is the most natural way of elevating your heart rate. If you prefer to cycle, row or cross train, that’s also fine but don’t overdo it as this can place the body under even further stress so it stores more fat. 

How to Tackle Your Fat Hot Spots

Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

Fed up of being told that it’s impossible to get rid of thunder thighs or a wobbly belly? Naturopath Max Tomlinson takes exactly the opposite view in his new book, Target Your Fat Spots. “I see young women try rigorous diets and exercise regimes to get rid of a big bottom, only to lose weight from their chests and faces,” says Max. 

“Women going through menopause, meanwhile, tend to accumulate fat on their stomachs and upper arms. However, I’ve discovered the real key to achieving targeted fat loss is to focus on why you’ve gained weight on a specific area in the first place,” he says. 

Max says, “Hormone imbalances are the main source of the problem. Our hormones regulate a multitude of processes in the body, including how and where we store fat. So if they become even slightly imbalanced, you can end up putting on weight. And the primary cause of imbalances is a combination of poor diet, stress, pollution and lack of exercise. 

I’ve found that each fat spot — be it tummy flab, a big bottom or bingo wings — is caused by the action or inaction of a specific hormone. But the good news is, it’s possible to rebalance and combat the problem. First of all, follow a low-fat Mediterranean diet — include lots of fruit, vegetables, pulses, eggs, fish, nuts, olive oil, a little lean meat and low fat dairy in your daily diet. Cut down on alcohol and avoid junk food. A daily multivitamin and fish oil capsule will also ensure you don’t miss any vital nutrients. 

Then, follow the specific advice below to beat the hormonal imbalance. 

POT BELLY 
Why it happens
Stored fat around the belly suggests a problem with the adrenal glands, which produce the stress hormone cortisol. This is usually down to long-term pressure and the resulting high levels of cortisol, which trigger the over production of insulin and encourage the body to deposit fat on the area around the stomach. 

Tackle it
The key is to relax — anything that makes you unwind will help reduce your stress levels. 

Diet
The main culprit is too much sugar — especially in alcohol and white carbs (bread, pasta). To balance your glucose levels, eat foods with a low glycaemic index — vegetables, beans, fish and meat. Cut out white carbs, sugar, alcohol and coffee. 

Exercise
Working out eases stress, but try to supplement your regime with something calming like yoga, too. 

BRA FAT BULGE 
Why it happens
Those fat pockets at the back that can make your bra feel tight are often linked to a sluggish thyroid. This gland produces the hormone thyroxine, which controls the rate you burn calories at. If it’s underactive, it can cause back fat, weight gain, lack of energy and a low mood. 

Tackle it 
Maintaining stress levels and eating the right food will rebalance thyroid. 

Diet 
Some raw foods interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland, so limit your consumption of broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, peaches, soya bean products, spinach and strawberries. Cooking these foods tends to deactivate troublesome compounds, so you can still eat them hot. Iodine is a vital component of thyrox ine, so try to eat plenty of seaweed, seafood, yoghurt and dark green leafy vegetables. 

Exercise 
Moderate exercise reduces stress and boosts your metabolism to shift fat. The key is to get moving while not overexerting yourself. Try something fun, such as dancing or using a children’s trampoline. 

LOVE HANDLES 
Why it happens
The condition is known as insulin resistance, in which the body’s cells fail to respond correctly to the chemical, causing excess glucose in the bloodstream. This results in fat deposits around the hips, causing those bulges over the back and sides of your jeans. 

Tackle it 
The right foods will calm insulin production and restore glucose levels. 

Diet 
Switching white carbs for wholegrains will maintain blood sugar levels. Eat lots of home-cooked food, include fruits, vegetables and fish in your diet. Avoid alcohol and sugary foods (watch out also for sugar hidden inside “healthy” cereals). Eating foods packed with antioxidants prevents free radical damage and combats insulin resistance. These include fresh herbs, spices, citrus fruit, nuts, berries, broccoli and green tea. 

Exercise 
Cardio — any activity that raises your heart rate — is vital in shifting love handles so run or walk for five-10 minutes each day. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, exert your body more, for example, by taking the stairs rather than the lift. 

BINGO WINGS 
Why it happens
The culprit behind the fat that hangs from your upper arms, is falling testosterone levels that are associated with middle age. Women produce this male hormone, too, and it’s vital for keeping muscles lean and toned.

Tackle it 
Boosting testosterone levels can, along with targeted exercise, help to restore shape to your arms. 

Diet 
Too much sugar or white carbs in your diet can decrease testosterone levels — so cut them out but don’t crash diet as long-term calorie restriction can further lower levels of this important hormone. You should also eat plenty of the “good” fats found inside salmon avocado and seeds, while avoiding saturated fat found in red meat and fullfat dairy. 

Exercise 
Lack of exercise suppresses testosterone levels but light weight-bearing workouts — ones that use the body’s own weight to put pressure on the muscles — will work to boost them. This includes jogging or just having a brisk walk. And have more sex, too — making love sends out signals to the body to produce even more testosterone. Using arm weights will also help sculpt these muscles. 

CHUNKY THIGHS AND A BIG BUM 
Why it happens
If you store fat in these areas you probably have an excess of oestrogen, which naturally promotes fat around the tops of the legs and buttocks. Taking the pill and exposure to oestrogen-mimicking chemicals found in some plastics, may add to this problem. 

Tackle it 
The aim is to naturally lower oestrogen levels in the body through lifestyle changes. 

Diet 
Eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, because the fibre they contain binds to, and helps excrete, excess oestrogen. Cut down on alcohol, painkillers and processed meats, as they’re laden with chemicals and preservatives that hamper your liver’s best efforts to clear oestrogen. Eating live yoghurt can also assist your gut in removing oestrogen via the digestive system. 

Exercise 
Ideally, you should walk or run for 10 minutes per day, because this is the most natural way of elevating your heart rate. If you prefer to cycle, row or cross train, that’s also fine but don’t overdo it as this can place the body under even further stress so it stores more fat.