Ridding Addiction for Good [Infographic]

Becoming addicted to drugs, alcohol and other substances can be extremely debilitating in everyday life and ultimately with your work and the relationships you have with your friends and family. According to statistics only 10% of all addicts are currently receiving treatment. On average, in-patient programs that last 28 days cost a total of approximately $25,166, making it challenging, if not impossible, for the average addict to partake in.

Banksy: From Graffiti Rebel To Auction-House Darling

Banksy: From graffiti rebel to auction-house darling (via AFP)

The auction of works by Banksy, the world's most infamous graffiti artist, has angered residents of looted London neighbourhoods and "embarrassed" the artist as the sale of street art becomes a lucrative enterprise. Hollywood A-listers Angelina Jolie…

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Bollywood Sri Lanka War Film Pulled From British And Some Indian Theatres

Bollywood Sri Lanka war film pulled in UK, south India (via AFP)

A Bollywood spy thriller set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war has been pulled from British and some Indian theatres after protests over its depiction of rebel fighters, the movie's distributors said Saturday. Madras Cafe, which opened…

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Ben Affleck As Batman? Fans Outraged

"Could have been worse... 

It could have been Adam Baldwin. Yikes!"

Loup Dargent

@rpxadair Perhaps they're his only fans? ;-p #OccupyEDL #EDL @moronwatch @barryjbutler @NorseFired @EDLsosDivision @pooblocks @AdamBaldwin
— Loup Dargent (@loup_dargent) July 21, 2013

Affleck as Batman? Fans outraged (via AFP)

The casting of Hollywood A-lister Ben Affleck as the new Batman sparked fan outrage, with petitions calling for the coveted role to be recast and widespread howling on Twitter. Warner Bros. announced Thursday that Affleck -- who earlier this year was…

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Let's Stop the Anti-Women Gag Rule!

Dear friends,

Sold into marriage at 12, Sahar Gul lived in a house of horrors. Her in-laws chained her in the basement, beat her with red hot iron pipes, starved her and pulled out all her fingernails when she refused to prostitute herself for them. 

Her attackers’ sentence was reduced to a meager one year, and now they’re free again! Worse still, the Lower House of Parliament just passed a bill that would ban aggressors’ family members from testifying in court. This would prevent countless children and women from ever getting justice. 

The Upper House has beaten back anti-women legislation before and high-level officials say the Avaaz community could tip the balance and help stop the bill before it goes to a vote. But to do that, we need to act fast. 

[Audio]Book Tour: 'The Best Man' By Ana Blaze

As you probably know by now, this is not the usual type of books I tend to host a tour for, but I couldn't not share with you this one as it's not just another book... It's an audiobook!

Also, one of the characters is a science fiction writer... so, yeah, that's a good reason enough to host that tour (oh, and, by the way, the story is good too).

On top of the usual bits of info about the novel itself and its author, there is also a link for you to listen to a sample of the audiobook... and it's definitely worth a click or two.

Enjoy!

Loup Dargent

Britain Faces Furore Over Snowden-Linked Detention

Britain faces furore over Snowden-linked detention (via AFP)

British authorities are facing increasing pressure to explain why they used anti-terror laws to detain the partner of a journalist who worked with US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden. David Miranda -- the Brazilian partner of Glenn Greenwald, an American…

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If Breaking Bad’s Cast Of Criminals Were Arrested [Infographic]

With five seasons full of criminal acts and bad behavior Walt,Jesse, and the rest of Breaking Bad's cast of criminals would be facing some serious jail time.

But can you remember every crime? And who would be the most heavily sentenced? (because come on we all know they are guilty) But as we get closer and closer to the end of everyone's favorite tv show it's good to get caught up.

Seriously after five seasons you might need a quick refresher on all the deals, hits, and cover-ups that have gone down these pass few meth fueled years. Walt has certainly changed a lot and I remember a simple time when he was just a chemistry teacher who wouldn't hurt a fly. Meth is a hell of a drug.

So who is the worst criminal? Is it Walt with his multiple murder counts and meth distribution? The ambitious Jesse and his part in Walt's crimes? Maybe Hank and his transgressions? Mike's fall from grace is certainly worth some solid prison time. Isn't Skyler due for some time behind bars? Or is it the kingpin Gustavo Fring? ( I mean that kid was 11 years old that won't go down well with a jury)

The Facts about Chronic Disease in America [Infographic]

The lifespan for both men and women steadily increased over the past century, reaching an average for both sexes of just under 79 years in 2010. However, despite the good news of a longer life, this simple average fails to paint an accurate picture of the overall health of the American population. One alarming health statistic is that 50 percent of all adults have at least one long-term, chronic health condition. The ratio rises to 80 percent when considering adults over age 65. A chronic disease is a health condition that has no concrete cure but the symptoms of which can be suppressed or controlled with medication or lifestyle changes. Some of the most common chronic diseases in America include heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, sickle-cell disease, arthritis and cancer.

There are many causes of chronic disease. Some, such as osteoporosis, sickle-cell disease and cancer, include a genetic component that predisposes individuals to the disease. However, a vast majority of chronic health conditions are caused or contributed to by lifestyle choices. Obesity, a condition which is a choice for almost everyone who suffers from it and which is now considered a chronic health condition itself, is the most common lifestyle risk factor, followed by smoking, failure to exercise and overuse of alcohol. Many of the most common chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis are closely linked to obesity and lack of exercise, while smoking contributes to many kinds of cancers, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and emphysema. In some cases, chronic diseases also lead to further health problems. For example, diabetes, a condition diagnosed in nearly 20 million Americans, with potentially millions of additional undiagnosed cases, has been linked to increased risk of strokes and kidney failure.

The outlook is positive for many people with chronic health conditions. Cancer survival rates are increasing and new research is leading to the development of improved treatments to prolong the life of chronic disease sufferers. More Americans are also getting the word on ways to prevent long-term health conditions before they develop. Although cures for many chronic diseases may never be found, developing an understanding of why chronic diseases occur and how to better control their effects is a step in the right direction.

Red Cross Concerned Over Hunger-Striking Palestinians

Red Cross concerned over hunger-striking Palestinians (via AFP)

The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Saturday it is "extremely concerned" over the health of seven hunger-striking Palestinians held by Israel. "The ICRC is particularly worried about Imad Abdelaziz Abdallah Al Batran, who has been on…

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How You Can Help Save The Polar Bear

About a week or so ago, an article appeared in the news and was rapidly shared around other networks and social media. It concerned a 16-year old polar bear found in Svalbard, an Arctic island archipelago. The bear, it seemed, had starved to death, despite being seen in perfect health only a few months before by Norwegian researchers.

The prevailing idea was that this bear had been driven far from its native hunting grounds by the loss of sea ice, so finding food had become far more difficult. Unfortunately, its desperate search was unsuccessful. Now this bear was a bit special, being an adult at the peak of its strength, and found by a research team whose photo of its tragic final pose went instantly viral. But as global warming intensifies, so the annual reduction in ice cover at the Arctic worsens every year, meaning the fate of this polar bear will soon be much more common.

As their habitats decrease in scope of course, the bears are forced to travel further to hunt food, often bringing them into human populations where to prevent loss of life they have to be either chased off, sedated and moved, or worst-case scenario, killed.

It’s a tragic situation all-round really, this king of the Arctic, an animal recognised around the world, may soon only be found in zoos. As such, the polar bear has now become an iconic symbol of the twin battles to stop climate change, and prevent the exploitation of the Arctic for its underground resources.

Fact Or Fiction - Popular Culture Myths About Private Investigators

The private investigator or “private eye” is a quintessential character in fiction and there have been many famous private investigators in films, novels and television services. From Sherlock Holmes to Thomas Magnum, private investigators in fiction lead interesting lives which makes for great stories filled with mystery, intrigue and surprises.

However, is the private eye that we are familiar with in popular culture a realistic portrayal of what this job is actually like? Does a real private investigator sit in a dark and smoky office drinking a whisky on the rocks and leaning back with his feet on the desk? Does he always wear a dark trench coat and a cap, carrying a magnifying glass wherever he goes? Or what about the modern archetype of the charming clever young private investigator who has all of the coolest electronic equipment, from microphone bugs to hacking software? Or perhaps the cynical and rough-around-the-edges ex-cop who knows all the right people in all the wrong places?

The truth is that the types of detectives and private investigators that we see in film, novels and television are exaggerations. A real life private investigator usually doesn’t resemble these fictional characters in very many ways.