Palm surgery to change your future life......

People in Japan are having surgery on their hands to change their future. The Japanese are big believers in palm reading. They spend a lot of money on visiting palm readers. A cheaper palm reading costs around $70. Many people are unhappy with the lines on their palms. They think some of the lines mean a part of their future will be bad. They are having an operation to change the length and shape of the lines because they hope this will give them a brighter future. The operation takes just 15 minutes and costs about $1,000. The doctor uses an electric scalpel to burn a line on the palm of the hand. It leaves a scar that takes a month to heal. The line looks like a money-luck line, happiness line or love line.

There are many doctors who say changing the lines on your palm does not work. They say it cannot change your future because it isn't natural. Subodh Gupta, a palm reader from London, agrees. He said: "I read about this surgery and I was very surprised. Even by having surgery, the lines cannot be changed." He added: "If you want to improve your fortune, take physical actions. So if you want greater health, do some exercise." However, people who have had the surgery say it has changed their life. A Tokyo surgeon said he gave a female patient a wedding line and she got married soon after. He said two other patients won the lottery after he made their fortune line longer.

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	People are having operations on their hands to change their life.	T / F
b.	An expensive palm reading costs about $70.	T / F
c.	People are changing the length but not the shape of their palm lines.	T / F
d.	The lines from the surgery take four weeks to heal.	T / F
e.	Doctors and a palm reader don't think the surgery can work.	T / F
f.	A palm reader said only taking action can change your future.	T / F
g.	A surgeon said none of the lives of any of his patients have changed.	T / F
h.	Two people bought lottery tickets but didn't win the lottery.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH:Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	surgery	a.	better
2	brighter	b.	scooped
3.	just	c.	resembles
4.	heal	d.	get results
5.	looks like	e.	doctor
6.	work	f.	boost
7.	natural	g.	an operation
8.	improve	h.	normal
9.	surgeon	i.	only
10.	won	j.	recover

Source:http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1307/130719-palm_reading.html#ixzz2Zo8rXAyV

Typewriters to curb leaks?

Western newspapers are reporting that Russia is to start using typewriters to stop computer leaks. However, Russian newspapers say this is not true. Western media says the Kremlin wants to keep its secrets secret by using the old-fashioned machines. The BBC wrote that Russia's intelligence service (FSO) bought the typewriters because of the leak of information on WikiLeaks and recent leaks by former U.S. intelligence worker Edward Snowden. The FSO reportedly told the Russian press that these scandals, plus reports about Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev being listened in on at the G20 summit in London, means it has "decided to expand the practice of creating paper documents".

A Russian government department said the Kremlin bought 20 electric typewriters for around $14,800. The FSO told reporters that: "This purchase has been planned for more than a year now." It also said the order has nothing to do with WikiLeaks or Edward Snowden. An FSO official told Russia's RT news agency that the FSO has always used typewriters. He said that it was simply time to buy new ones because the old equipment was out of date. He said: "It's not something unusual.…The time came to change them. All the special services use them, including the Ministry of Defense." A reader of the RT website suggested: "A $5 padlock is often more effective than a $24,000 surveillance system."

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Asian newspapers are saying Russia will use typewriters.	T / F
b.	The BBC said Russia has bought typewriters because of WikiLeaks.	T / F
c.	Russia said someone spied on its prime minister in London.	T / F
d.	Russia said it would start using paper documents more.	T / F
e.	Russia has bought 2,000 typewriters for its security services.	T / F
f.	The typewriter order happened earlier this month.	T / F
g.	The FSO said it only bought new typewriters to replace old ones.	T / F
h.	A Russian politician said a $5 padlock is best for securing secret info.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH:Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	stop	a.	agent
2	not true	b.	fresh
3.	media	c.	successful
4.	recent	d.	prevent
5.	expand	e.	section
6.	department	f.	the press
7.	official	g.	spying
8.	equipment	h.	wrong
9.	effective	i.	enlarge
10.	surveillance	j.	stuff

Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1307/130715-computer_leaks.html#ixzz2Zo6d0hBq

Adidas suspended Tyson Gay

Sportswear manufacturer Adidas has suspended its sponsorship of U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay after the athlete failed a drugs test. Mr Gay, 30, is the joint second-fastest man ever over 100 metres and the fastest man in the world this year. He tested positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test on May 16. An Adidas spokesman said: "We are shocked by these recent allegations. Even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended." The sportswear giant had been sponsoring Gay since 2005. It has the right to terminate the contract, "if the athlete is found guilty of the possession or use of drugs or any other prohibited substance".

Gay is currently waiting to hear the results of his B-test, following the illegal stimulant being found in his initial A-test. He told reporters on Monday that he did not knowingly take part in any doping programme. He said: "I don't have a sabotage story. I basically put my trust in someone and was let down. I know exactly what went on, but I can't discuss it right now." He said he was still optimistic about the future, saying: "I hope I am able to run again, but I will take whatever punishment I get like a man." News of Gay's positive test emerged shortly after another sprinter, Jamaica's former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, was also revealed to have failed a drugs test.

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Adidas has announced its sponsorship deal with Adidas is over.	T / F
b.	Gay failed a test immediately after running in a world race in May.	T / F
c.	Adidas said it believes Gay is guilty.	T / F
d.	Adidas has sponsored Gay since 2005.	T / F
e.	Gay is now waiting to find out the results of a follow-up drug test.	T / F
f.	Gay said he has no knowledge of any doping programme.	T / F
g.	Gay vowed to fight any punishment he receives.	T / F
h.	Another top sprinter failed a drug test just before Gay did.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH:Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	manufacturer	a.	presently
2	suspended	b.	hopeful
3.	substance	c.	illegal
4.	allegations	d.	consciously
5.	prohibited	e.	maker
6.	currently	f.	penalty
7.	knowingly	g.	claims
8.	trust	h.	put on hold
9.	optimistic	i.	faith
10.	punishment	j.	material

Source:http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1307/130717-tyson_gay.html#ixzz2Zo5xQFiU

Top 10 Probiotic Foods to Add to Your Diet

1. Yogurt

One of the best probiotic foods is live-cultured yogurt, especially handmade. Look for brands made from goat’s milk that have been infused with extra forms of probitoics like lactobacillus or acidophilus. Goat’s milk and cheese are particularly high in probiotics like thermophillus, bifudus, bulgaricus and acidophilus. Be sure to read the ingredients list, as not all yogurt is made equally. Many popular brands are filled with high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and artifical flavors and are way too close to being a nutritional equivalent of sugary, fatty ice cream.

2. Kefir

Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants. Look for a good, organic version at your local health food shop.

3. Sauerkraut

Made from fermented cabbage (and sometimes other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but might also help with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins B, A, E and C.

4. Dark Chocolate

Probiotics can be added to high-quality dark chocolate, up to four times the amount of probiotics as many forms of dairy. This is only one of the health benefits of chocolate.

5. Microalgae

This refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae. These probiotic foods have been shown to increase the amount of both Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in the digestive tract. They also offer the most amount of energetic return, per ounce, for the human system.


6. Miso SoupMiso 

is one the main-stays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water makes an excellent, quick, probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria. Beyond its important live cultures, miso is extremely nutrient-dense and believed to help neutralize the effects of environmental pollution, alkalinize the body and stop the effects of carcinogens in the system.

7. Pickles

Believe it or not, the common green pickle is an excellent food source of probiotics. Try making your own home-made pickles in the sun. Here’s a great set of instructions for making your own probiotic-rich dill pickles.

8. Tempeh

A great substitute for meat or tofu, tempeh is a fermented, probiotic-rich grain made from soy beans. A great source of vitamin B12, this vegetarian food can be sautéed, baked or eaten crumbled on salads. If prepared correctly, tempeh is also very low in salt, which makes it an ideal choice for those on a low-sodium diet.

9. Kimchi

An Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea. Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the spice, of course.

10. Kombucha Tea

This is a form of fermented tea that contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic drink has been used for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your well being and maybe even help you lose weight. However, kombucha tea may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those that have had problems with candida.

source: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/probiotic-foods/

Are Probiotics the New Prozac? Can Probiotics Make People Happier?

Probiotics, the healthy bacteria in yogurt and certain fermented foods, may be mind-altering microbes that could be used to help treat depression and anxiety, according to cutting-edge new research. 

A new “proof of concept” study using functional MRI offers the first evidence that bacteria consumed in food can affect human brain function, UCLA researchers report. The study found that women who eat probiotic yogurt regularly had altered activity in brain regions that regulate emotions and internal body sensations.

For example, during an emotional reactivity test involving viewing pictures of angry or frightened faces, the women who had consumed probiotics twice a day for a month showed decreased activity in these regions. This is an indication of reduced anxiety, according to neuropsychiatrist Daniel Amen, MD, a brain imaging specialist who was not involved in the research.

Conversely, women who didn’t consume probiotics had stable or increased activity in these regions during the emotional reactivity test. The study, which included 36 women, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Gastroenterology.

The Surprising Benefits of Probiotics: 

Can Probiotics Make People Happier?

"Our findings indicate that some of the contents of yogurt may actually change the way our brain responds to the environment,” Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, associate professor of medicine at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said in a statement.

“When we consider the implications of this work, the old sayings 'you are what you eat' and 'gut feelings' take on new meaning,” added Dr. Tillsch.

Superfoods With Healing Powers

A psychology researcher at University of Canterbury in New Zealand is so enthusiastic about the potential of probiotics to improve mood that she has launched a new study in which 80 patients with depression will receive probiotic supplements for four months.

“I hope my study will find that treatment with probiotics changes levels of certain substances in the blood and brain, essentially making people happier,” researcher Amy Romijn told 3 News.

An estimated one in 10 adults suffers from depression, according to the CDC.

“We urgently need a new approach to depression, because current therapies don’t have a very good success rate,” says Dr. Amen, who is also the author of Unleash the Power of the Female Brain: Supercharging Yours for Better Health, Energy, Mood, Focus, and Sex. “When you combined published and unpublished studies of antidepressants, the treatments we have today are no better than they were 50 years ago.”

source: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/are-probiotics-new-prozac

Kidnapped Women Free After 10 Years

Three women were freed last week after being held captive in a home in an Ohio neighbourhood for a decade. Amanda Berry, who had been  since 2003, found her way to a door while her captor was out and was able to alert neighbours who called 911. Berry was with her  daughter who had been born in captivity. When the police arrived, they found two other missing women inside the home. Their captor, a  driver named Ariel Castro, was arrested and has been charged with kidnapping and rape. He may also be charged with murdering the women’s  children. The women had  been chained in the basement and later confined to the upstairs bedrooms.

Comprehension Questions

1. Where were the women being held?
2. What did police find when the went to the home that Amanda Berry escaped from?
3. Why might Ariel Castro be charged with murder?

Discussion Question:
Many of Castro’s family members have spoken to the media about how horrified they are about this crime. In what ways do the family members of criminals often pay for crimes that they did not commit?

Angelina Jolie Has Double Mastectomy

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced that she had a preventive  mastectomy this month after testing positive for a genetic mutation. Breast and ovarian cancers run in the  side of Jolie’s family. According to Jolie, the procedure has  her risk of  hereditary breast cancer from 87 to 5 percent. Jolie, a mother of six, claims that she made this decision for her . The 37-year-old may decide to have her ovaries removed as well.

Comprehension Questions

1. What medical procedure did Angelina Jolie recently undergo?
2. Why is Jolie at a greater risk for breast and ovarian cancer than other women?
3. What reason did Jolie give for going through with the procedure?

Discussion Question:
Do you agree with Jolie’s proactive choice, or is it extreme to have surgery before any hint of cancer exists?

source: http://edition.englishclub.com

Married Couple Wanted For Mars Mission

“Inspiration Mars” is looking for one man and one woman to board a private space capsule for a  flyby. The 500-day mission is currently scheduled for January 5th, 2018, with a flyby of Mars on August 20th, and a return to earth set for May 21st the following year. The Inspiration Mars team says they want to send a man and a woman to  humanity. They feel that the long journey in the tight living quarters would be most  to a married couple. The non-profit project was launched by Dennis Tito, the world’s first fee-paying space tourist. In 2001 the  purchased a ride to the International Space Station with the Russian Federal .

Comprehension Questions

1. What is “Inspiration Mars”?
2. Who is Dennis Tito?
3. Why does the project team want a married couple to complete this mission?

Discussion Question: The crew selection process might be the most interesting part of this mission. What personality adjectives do you think interested couples should use in their applications?

source: http://edition.englishclub.com

Demonstrators Protest Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

Hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Paris this week to fight against a bill in France called the  law. The bill calls for same-sex couples to have equal marriage and adoption rights. Many of the protestors said that they supported same-sex marriage, but didn’t think gay couples should  to adopt. The bill will be reviewed by the Senate next month, and is expected to be approved. Riot police used  to block demonstrators from getting close to the presidential palace. According to opinion polls, most French people support same-sex marriage, though recent protests . Some protestors told reporters that they want the  to focus on jobs rather than same-sex marriage rights.

Comprehension Questions

1. Why are people protesting in Paris?
2. What section of Paris did riot police work hard to protect?
3. What do some protestors want the French government to focus on?

Discussion Question: Some reporters used the expression “it turned ugly” to describe a recent protest in Paris. What does this expression mean when it is used in reference to a protest?

source: http://edition.englishclub.com

Boston Marathon Manhunt Concludes

Two suspects connected with the Boston  bombings are off the streets, following a massive manhunt that  Boston. There was a break in the case on Thursday night after the FBI released video footage of the suspects at the crime scene. The first suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed after a gun battle with police early Friday morning. Tamerlan’s younger brother Dzhokhar disappeared under the cover of darkness. Boston and surrounding areas were locked down for the day, and in the evening, a local resident discovered the 19-year-old suspect in a boat in a backyard. The badly injured suspect was  custody alive. He remains in serious condition in the hospital and will likely face terrorism and murder charges. Four people were killed and over 170 were injured in the bombings and connected .

Comprehension Questions

1. What happened at the Boston Marathon this year?
2. Where was the younger brother found?
3. What criminal charges will the 19-year-old suspect likely face?

Discussion Question:
The moment the second suspect was captured, celebrations rang out in the streets of Boston. Do you think it was appropriate for residents to thank law enforcement officers in this way when the manhunt ended, or was this disrespectful to the victims and their families?

source: http://edition.englishclub.com

Wrist Scans Reveal Overage Football Players

Listening 

MRI tests were used to  the true age of African football players at the Under-17 Championship in Morocco this week. After the testing, nine players from Congo, Ivory Coast, and were banned from the competition due to being overage. All three  are now playing with 18 players  21. Many African players do not have legitimate birth certificates. The wrist scans look at the fusion of the wrist bones to determine a player’s age. FIFA’s first official use of MRI technology was at the U-19 World Cup in Nigeria. According to FIFA’s medical centre, the random tests accurately determine the age of the players without posing any  to the athletes.

Comprehension Questions

1. How old are the players at this football championship supposed to be?
2. Which countries failed the recent age tests?
3. How do the tests determine the age of the players?

Discussion Question: Why is it an unfair advantage to have overage players on a competitive sports team? In what situation might it be an unfair advantage to have under-age players?

Listening Vocabulary

• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• scan: an image that comes from a scanner
• overage: beyond the allowed age
• ban: to disallow further participation or use
• legitimate: valid
• pose: to present

source: http://edition.englishclub.com