Monthly Archives: October 2005

*Artist Highlight*

Omran Suleman Bebo is a young artist from northern Iraq. His paintings reflect his local Yezidi culture (a little known religious sect highly oppressed by Saddam Husseins regime) and many of the transitions and challenges faced by Iraqis today.

As an art teacher, and previous fine arts student himself, he sees the importance of facilitating communication through creativity and encourages his students to express themselves through the medium of art.

You can view more of his original works here.

Turkey to Join EU?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in negotiations with EU foreign ministers for Turkey to become a member of the European Union. Entry talks have been in the works since December of 2004, however the Prime Minister must first be able to show that Turkey is ready for what reposibilities come with being a European country. Human rights issues are being addressed in Turkey and much progress is being made. Today the talks are set to begin and may take up to a decade or more before a descision is met.

Human Rights Watch said that freedom of expression, torture and ill-treatment, freedom of assembly and internal displacement are all areas where important initial progress has been achieved but where significant additional efforts are needed to demonstrate lasting positive change. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the deal also shows that there is no fundamental clash of civilisations between Christians and Muslims.

“On the contrary, if [Turkey] fulfils the same principles of human rights, then Muslims and Christians can work together.”

If the decision is met this could potentially be a very positive move for Turkey as a Country.

Musicians Have Good Hearts

A new study led by Italian and British researchers shows that music lovers experience reduced levels of stress and could be less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The faster and more complex rhythms the participants listened to the more sped up the breathing and circulation was while slower music had an opposite effect. Responses were most evident in those with musical training as they seem to have been trained to synchronise breathing with musical phrases.

The British Heart Foundation has made similar findings also showing associations between emotions and signs of good heart health. Dr Charmaine Griffiths, spokesperson of the BHF also added “One person’s Mozart may be someone else’s Madonna and it may be that different people find relaxation in different types of music”.
The researchers suggest the effects of slow rhythms and pauses could be helpful in preventing or treating heart disease and stroke. But if you personally find relaxation in hardcore techno or Megadeth that just may do the trick as well!

Previous research has also shown that music can improve athletic performance, improve movement in neurologically impaired patients, and even boost milk production in cattle! All signs point to KEEP ON GROOVIN!

Algerians Forgive

Algerians have voted to grant amnesty to hundreds of fundemental Islamic militants. It is argued that this move will bring more peace to the are by removing a threat of violence.

From the article:

“Interior Minister Noureddine Zerhouni said 97.4 percent backed a referendum on Thursday on a “charter for peace and national reconciliation,” which saw a participation level of 80 percent of 18.3 million eligible voters.”