Photos From Space by Astronaut Douglas Wheelock

Wheelock has been posting impressive photos of the Earth and some of his thoughts ever since he moved into the space station in June, five months after it got Internet access. Needless to say, the pictures are stunning.
Here is a small collection of some of his best pictures.
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Greek islands on a clear night during our flight over Europe.
Athens shine brightly along the Mediterranean Sea.
Unreal feeling arises when one sees the beauty of the ancient earth from space.

'Mystery Island' ...located in the Indian Ocean close to Madagascar.
Interesting features on the island and the unusual shape should be enough
to help you discover this beautiful place.

Northern lights in the distance in one of the finest nights over Europe.
The photo clearly shows the Strait of Dover. Paris is dazzling with the city lights.
A little fog over the western part of England, particularly over London.

The moon is breathtaking

Of all the places of our beautiful planet few can rival
the beauty and richness of colors in the Bahamas.
In this photo, our ship is seen against the backdrop of the Bahamas.

At a speed of 28,163 kilometers per hour (8 kilometers per second), we rotate the Earth's orbit,
making one revolution every 90 minutes, and watch sunsets and sunrises every 45 minutes.
So half of our journey is in darkness.
For the work we use lights on our helmets.

Every time I look out the window and see our beautiful planet, my soul sings!
I see blue skies, white clouds and bright blessed day.

Another spectacular sunset.

We see 16 such sunsets each day, and each of them is really valuable.

Beautiful atoll in the Pacific Ocean, photographed using 400mm lens.
Approximately 1930 km south of Honolulu.

Perfect reflection of sunlight in the eastern Mediterranean.

Above the center of the Atlantic Ocean, before another stunning sunset.
Downstairs in the setting sun visible spiral Hurricane Earl.

A little farther east, we saw a sacred monolith Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock Rock.
I have never had the opportunity to visit Australia,
but someday I hope that I will stand by this miracle of nature.

Morning over the Andes in South America. I do not know for sure the title of this peak,
but was simply amazed by her magic, stretching to the sun and wind tops.

Over the Sahara desert, approaching the ancient lands and thousand-year history.
River Nile flows through Egypt by the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.
Further, the Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula, Dead Sea, Jordan River,
as well as the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea and Greece on the horizon.

Night view of the River Nile, stretching like a snake through Egypt to the
Mediterranean, and Cairo, located in the Delta.
Far away in this picture, one can see the Mediterranean Sea.

Our unmanned 'Progress 39P' approaches to the ISS for refueling.
It is full of food, fuel, spare parts and all necessities for our station.
Inside was a real gift - fresh fruit and vegetables.
What a miracle after three months of food from a tube!

I wanted to share with you this view from the Dome.
We said goodbye to the members of our group Sasha, Misha and Tracy this weekend,
and they returned safely back to Earth.
In this photo, Tracy quietly dreams of returning home.

Module Union 23C Olympus docked with the ISS .
When our work ends here, we go back home to Earth.
We fly over the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus.
The rising sun is reflected from the Caspian Sea.

The flash of color, movement and life on the canvas of our amazing world.
This is part of the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia,
photographed through the lens of 1200 mm.

All the beauty of Italy, a clear summer night.
You can see many beautiful islands that adorn the coast -
Capri, Sicily and Malta. Naples and Mount Vesuvius are allocated along the coast.

At the southern end of South America lies the pearl of Patagonia.
The amazing beauty of rugged mountains, massive glaciers, fjords
and seas combined in perfect harmony.

"Dome" on the side of nadir station gives a panoramic view of our beautiful planet.
Fedor made the picture from the window of the Russian docking compartment.
In this photo I'm sitting in the dome, preparing the camera
for our evening flight over Hurricane Earl.

Florida and southeastern U.S. in the evening.
A clear autumn evening, the moonlight over the water and sky,
dotted with millions of stars.

Clear starry night over the eastern Mediterranean.
The ancient land with a thousand years of history stretching from Athens to Cairo.
Historical land of fabulous and alluring island ...
Athens - Crete - Rhodes - Izmir - Ankara - Cyprus - Damascus -
Beirut - Haifa - Amman - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem - Cairo -
all of them turned into tiny lights in this cool November night.

In this time of year you can enjoy the beauty of the polar mesospheric clouds.
With our high-angle illumination, we were able to capture
a thin layer of noctilucent clouds at sunset.

What You Need To Know About Kidney

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Managing Kidney
What you need to know about…………….
Kidney Failure / Renal Failure
Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today.
Each year, more than 50,000 Americans die because of Kidney Disease.
More than 260,000 Americans suffer from chronic renal failure and need dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive.
More than 35,000 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only about 11,000 will receive transplants because of a shortage of suitable organ donors.
Every year 2200 new cases of Malaysians are diagnosed with end stage renal failure. There are over 1800 people waiting for a kidney transplant in Malaysia, the numbers are increasing each year. …… This number is frightening……
Kidneys : What are they?
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs near the middle of your back. Their main function is to eliminate excess fluid and waste material from your blood.
How do your kidneys function?
Your kidneys do some important jobs to keep your body healthy:
Ø Balance your body fluids. Excess fluid is filtered out as urine.
Ø Remove waste products from your blood.
Ø Remove drugs and toxins from your body.
Ø Release hormones into your blood to :
- Control blood pressure
- Make red blood cells
- Keep your bones healthy.
What are kidney diseases?
Kidney diseases are diseases of the kidney substance that alter the structure and function of the kidney.
There are many diseases of the kidneys such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis & polycystic kidney.The treatment and potential for recovery depends on the type of disease. Kidney diseases can lead to kidney failure.
v Kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys are incapable of performing its normal function. Certain toxic substances which should have been excreted such as urea and creatinine are accumulated in the body. v The two main causes of kidney failure are Diabetes & High Blood Pressure.
Many other conditions can harm the kidneys. These include :
vGlomerulonephritis, a disease that causes inflammation in the kidneys.
v Inherited diseases like polycystic kidney disease, which causes many cysts to form in the kidneys.
v IgA nephropathy or other nephropathy. Essentially an autoimmune problem. Exact trigger not well known.
v Very large, long standing kidney stone.
unsaid or pain killer like ponstan, voltaren can cause kidney failure.
Who is at Risk ?
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include :
Ø Diabetes
Ø Ø High blood pressure
Ø Ø A family history of chronic kidney disease
Ø Ø Older age
Ø Ø Drug overdose, excessive use of alcohol
Ø Long term use of pain medications such as aspirin, panadol, ibuprofen and treatment with antibiotic.
How to early detect kidney ailments?
1.Blood in urine. Most often not visible. But sometimes may appear tea color urine.
2.Protein in urine, low urine output.
3.Swelling of face and legs
4.Tiredness, fatigue
5.Pale and sallow complexion
6.Have dry and itchy skin
7.Poor appetite, sometimes accompanied with nausea and vomiting
8.High blood pressure. Especially when it is hard to bring it to good control.
How do you prevent kidney failure?
Early detection can do a lot in preventing deterioration of the kidney function. Kidney failure does not go down the drain in 3 months, or even one year usually. But deteriorate very slowly. Thus getting screening helps.
What are the screening test done? 1.Simple testing of urine with dipstick for protein. If you have 2 positive result over several weeks, please consult Dr.
2.Have a blood test for creatinine. Once creatinine exit the high control limit of 133 umol/L, the kidney will fail expodentially.
2. 2.24 hours urine collection for creatinine and urine protein. 3. Ultra sound or CT scan of kidney.
Important message:
Since 30 – 40 % of kidney failure in Malaysia is due to diabetes, it is imprerative that all diabetics take note of this and screen for this complication annually. There is an extra urine test called urine microalbumin, to detect extra early diabetic kidney disease. Good diabetes control is important part of prevention of kidney failure.
What happens if kidney failure occurs? ( End Stage Renal Disease ) üTwo successful treatment can be done – Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant. ü These treatments can help you stay healthy and continue your daily activities.
Dialysis and Kidney Transplant – what are they ?
üDialysis is a type of treatment that removes wastes and excess fluid from your blood. 3 forms of dialysis can be done – hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis ( CAPD ).
üA kidney transplant is an operation to place a new kidney in your body to take over the work of your failed kidneys. üThe kidney may come from someone who has died or from a living donor who may be a close relatives, friend or possibly a stranger who wished to donate a kidney to anyone in need of a transplant.
How do you keep your kidneys healthy and more resistant to deterioration?
1.Hydrate yourself well. Drink lots of plain water to keep your urine pale most of the time.
2. Avoid unnecessary medication ( esp NSAID and on long term ). Look for better alternative solution.
3. Avoid overloading your kidney with protein. Most of us only need about 2 ounces of protein a day! Protein leakage thru the kidney filter accelerate the deterioration of kidney function. Consult a renal dietitian if you need help.
4.Keep your cholesterol in good level.
5. Keep blood pressure and sugar in good control.

Stunning Pictures of a Solar Corona

Stunning pictures of a solar corona where temperatures around Sun reach 2,000,000c

By Michael Hanlon
Shooting a million miles or more out into the hard, cold vacuum of space, this fiery halo is one of the wonders of the universe.
Whipped into gigantic swirls by the Sun's ferocious magnetic fields, the shell of super-hot gas is as beautiful as it is dangerous.
It's called a corona and can't normally be seen because of the brightness of the Sun, a broiling sea of hydrogen gas at 10,000c. But during a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks out the Sun and the corona is spectacularly revealed.

A photo montage captured during a solar eclipse over the Marshall Islands in July 2009. The beautiful image shows the solar corona that makes up the sun's 'atmosphere' in amazing detail as the sun passes behind the Moon
This extraordinary image is a montage, digitally stitched together from 38 photos taken in Mongolia in August 2008 by veteran eclipse hunter Miloslav Druckmuller.
Even though there are small pink areas resulting from over-exposure, the result is still the clearest picture yet of this extraordinary phenomenon. To understand it is to come closer to grasping the awesome power of the Sun.
This flaming ball of hydrogen and helium gas, at 865,000 miles across, is 100 times wider than the Earth, with a million times its volume. Powered by nuclear reactions in its core, it is the most majestic object in our skies.

This picture was created from 38 individual photographs at ISO 100, exposure time was between 1/125 seconds and 8 seconds

As well as being very hot, the ionised gas of the corona (called plasma) has a superthin consistency. It is less than a billionth of the density of the hydrogen that makes up the main ball of the Sun
As hot as the Sun is, the corona is 200 times hotter - more than a million degrees celsius. Why this should be is a mystery. Some believe it is the result of a form of heating called induction - the same thing that powers hi-tech cooking hobs.
As well as being very hot, the ionised gas of the corona (called plasma) has a superthin consistency. It is less than a billionth of the density of the hydrogen that makes up the main ball of the Sun.
The odd result of this is that if, by some magic, you were to touch the corona, you would freeze rather than fry.
Despite its thinness, the corona can pack a deadly punch. Occasionally, the Sun's surface erupts in a solar quake, a paroxysm of gigantic storms and flares. Sometimes these are powerful enough to eject vast blobs of corona gas into space at millions of miles per hour.

This was the view from the Marshall Islands for Mr Druckmuller where the pictures were taken. He has travelled the world chasing eclipses
In 1859, one such eruption hit the Earth square on, generating a brilliant aurora in the night sky (bright enough to wake sleeping Gold Rush miners in the Klondyke) and shorting out much of the world's nascent telegraph system.
Though solar storms can't hurt humans directly, the 1859 event was powerful enough to melt copper cables. Should such an event happen today, it would cause utter chaos and could well precipitate an economic meltdown.
Our electricity grids would be fried and phone and internet lines would be shut down.
But what's the likelihood of that happening? Unfortunately, it's impossible to say - though some scientists predict another corona eruption in the summer of 2012, when the Sun is predicted to enter a new 'manic' phase of turbulence.

A total eclipse is only seen along a narrow band on Earth that is covered by the Moon's umbra

Sleep - Simple Leisure Erases Every Pain

Greatest pleasures in the world

Undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures in the world that is available absolutely free is:

SLEEP.

Roughly one third of our life is spent sleeping and that is the time we actually forget all our worries, get complete relaxation and possibly enjoy the most.
The beauty of sleep is in the realty that we can indulge in it at anytime, it helps us recharge ourselves and it is an antidote for any and all worry.

SLEEP is therefore,
Simple Leisure that Erases Every Pain.

The beauty of sleep is best experienced when one is really tired and exhausted for then rest is what one craves for.
A good sleep not only relaxes us but refreshes and rejuvenates us thereby preparing us to continue our quest with renewed vigour and passion.
When we are disturbed and stressed, what we really should do is free our minds of the worries plaguing us.
This is near impossible because when we are awake our mind is constantly juggling various thoughts and ideas most of it centring around the problem we are trying to forget.
If we manage to get a sound sleep despite our anxieties, occasionally with the aid of a sleeping pill, it still helps us gather our wits and calm our nerves.
Relief from pain is best experienced when asleep and that accounts for the prescription of sleeping pills for those in pain and for those who are sleep deprived or who are prone to panic attacks and depression.
Not getting a good sleep can be symptomatic of many ills.
Some could be bodily ills manifesting itself in pain and discomfort that prevents one from having a good sleep.
Sleeplessness could often be a very significant indicator of worry.
When we are tense, anxious and confused sleep eludes us and occasionally when we do drift off to sleep, we have a disturbed sleep which really does not give us the rest and comfort we normally enjoy in a good sleep.
Ironically, sleep often gives us the space and time to delve into our subconscious mind and thereby often wake up getting innovative solutions to some of our problems, answers to some vexing issues and recoups our mental faculties and charges us up to renew our tryst with ordeal that we may have been challenged by.
It is ideally suggested that each one of us must enjoy 8 hours of sound sleep.
This varies from person to person but anyone who manages 8 hours of sound sleep can feel truly blessed.
It is essential that we do not feel guilty of enjoying our sleep at night particularly when told that many successful people can do with much less sleep.
The quality of sleep one gets matters much more than the quantity of sleep.
Catnaps is a technique of enjoying sound sleep for a limited time (normally during the afternoon after lunch) which is the equivalent of putting a mobile to charge up for then we too can be fully recharged after a catnap.
However, the compulsions of modern work ethics do not really permit many to have this luxury.
However, those who can indulge can experiment with it to check out its efficacy and suitability for your individual needs.

What is essential to remember is that SLEEP is:
Simple Leisure Erases Every Pain,
Be it physical pain or physiological pain.

Jihad: Its True Meaning and Purpose

Jihad: Its True Meaning and Purpose

Jihad is never a tool of waging war against the innocents; it's never a means of flexing muscles or bullying the weak and oppressed . Jihad in Islam is something unique, established to defend the divine message from being eliminated or hindered by its enemies.
Shedding more light on the true concept of Jihad, here is the statement made by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, president of the Fiqh Council of North America, states:
Allah says, (And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and you be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector, the best to protect and the Best to help!) (Al-Hajj 22: 78)
Jihad is one of the most misunderstood, and abused aspects of Islam. There are some Muslims who exploit and misuse this concept for their own political objectives. There are many non-Muslims who misunderstand it. There are some non-Muslims who misinterpret it to discredit Islam and Muslims.
What is Jihad?
The word Jihad does not mean "Holy War".
It means "struggle" or "striving.
The word for war in the Qur'an is "Harb" or "Qital.
Jihad means serious and sincere struggle on the personal as well as on the social level.
It is a struggle to do good and to remove injustice, oppression and evil from the society. This struggle should be spiritual as well as social, economic and political.
Jihad is to work hard to do right things. In the Qur'an this word is used in its different forms 33 times. It often comes with other Qur'anic concepts such as faith, repentance, righteous deeds and migration.
Jihad is to protect one's faith and one's human rights.
Jihad is not a war always although it can take the form of war.
Islam is the religion of peace, but it does not mean that Islam accepts oppression. Islam teaches that one should do one's utmost to eliminate tension and conflict. Islam promotes non-violent means to bring change and reform.
Actually, Islam urges that one should eliminate evil through peaceful means without the use of force as much as possible. In Islamic history from the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) until now, Muslims most of the time resisted oppression and struggled for liberation in non-violent and peaceful manners.
Islam teaches proper ethics in the situation of war also. The war is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible. Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory.
Its purpose is basically : defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and oppression.
The basic rules of war in Islam are:
1. Be strong so that your enemy fear you and should not attack you.
2. Do not begin the hostilities. Work for peace as much as possible.
3. Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment; non-combatants should not be harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used.
4. Stop hostilities as soon as the other party is inclined to peace.
5. Observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.
Allah says very clearly: (Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not do aggression, for Allah loves not the aggressors.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 190)
(The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 194)
Jihad is not terrorism:
It is to be emphasized that terrorism against the innocent civilians, whether through aggression or suicidal means, is under no circumstances permissible in Islam. Islam encourages the oppressed people to struggle for their liberation and it commands other Muslims to help those who are oppressed and suffering, but Islam does not allow, under any circumstance, terrorism against non-combatants and innocent people.
Terrorism is not Jihad, it is Fasad (mischief).
It is against the teachings of Islam. There are some people who use their twisted arguments to justify terrorism for their causes, but it has no justification:
Allah says: (When it is said to them: 'Make not mischief on the earth,' they say: 'Why, we only want to correct things.' Indeed they are the mischief doers, but they realize (it) not.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 11-12)
Islam wants to establish a world order where all human beings - Muslims and non-Muslims - can live with justice in peace, harmony and good will. It gives its followers full guidelines to find peace in their personal and social lives, but it also tells them how to extend the good will on the basis of human relations towards others. Muslims worked under these principles for centuries. People of many faiths lived with them and among them. Islamic societies were known for their tolerance, generosity and humanity.
In our modern society where we are living in a global village, where non-Muslims are living with Muslims in the Muslim countries and Muslims are living with non-Muslims in countries where non-Muslims constitute a majority, it is our duty to bring better understanding among ourselves, work for peace and justice for all people and cooperate with each other in matters of goodness and virtue in order to stop all terrorism, aggression and violence against the innocent people. This is our Jihad today.

The Most Powerful Mafia Of The World

10. (Yardies gang) Jamaican-British Mafia (Yardies gang)

On the tenth place came from Jamaica in the UK who moved to England in 50 years. This ethnic group controls a good part of the operations on the arms trade and drugs. This Mafia is not trying to infiltrate government agencies, and therefore not as strong as the others. In the British police do not dare to classify Yardie gangs as organized crime, because they have no real structure or the central government.

09. Albanian Mafia

Albania is composed of numerous criminal gangs. Their rules have remained unchanged since the XV century ... The Albanian mafia is involved in white slave trafficking, alcohol and tobacco, controlling prostitution, car theft and racketeering. His "activities" she began in the 80's of last century. Widely represented in the U.S. and Britain. A distinctive feature is the brutality used in promotions for revenge.

08. Serbian mafia

Serbian mafia has found its place in the ranks of leaders, because it works in dozens of countries and is linked to drug trafficking, contract killings, racketeering, robbery, and control rates and gambling houses. The lists submitted to Interpol about 350 Serb civilians, who often are staff members and leaders of major drug cartels in the world. Serbian gangsters known and intellectual robberies, which often act out Hollywood scripts, as well as fast and clean executions. Currently there are about 30-40 teams working in Serbia

07. Israeli Mafia

These guys are working in the field of banditry in many countries, the main kind of activity - drug trafficking and prostitution. Times have changed, and if they had once looked with awe because of their ability Roofing is now a ruthless killer is not much thought before pulling the trigger. Russian-Israeli mafia is stronger in the U.S. political system so well that knock them out of there by force, even the vaunted U.S. military.

06. Meksikanskaya Mafia

Mexican Mafia - a powerful criminal organizations in the U.S., leaving the roots in the prison world. Originated in the first 50 years, was positioned as the protection of Mexicans imprisoned in the United States, from other criminals and security of prisons. Main activities - extortion and drug trafficking. Tend to be short shrift over the disagreeable and not paying them to set them the same tax.

05. Japanese Yakuza

The Japanese mafia is proudly traces its origin from the impoverished gentry samurai, or ronin, as they are called in Japan. The heirs of the founding fathers of many children of noblemen, who were not often nothing more than the sword, they will inherit only the right to wear a sword, and even her hair in a samurai: shave the forehead and crown, the long hair from the back in a tight plait braid, and stick to a bluish scalp. Although the Japanese mafia is known throughout the world, in everyday life of this town once uglyadet it hard. Meanwhile, the Japanese mafia has one hundred and ten thousand people, while loud and boisterous American - all twenty thousand. If we consider that the U.S. population is about twice as much as the Japanese, it is easy to calculate that for every Japanese has eleven times more than the American, professional rapists, robbers and murderers. Fields of activity: racketeering, distribution of pornography banned from Europe and America, prostitution and illegal immigration.

04. Chinese triads

The fact that the rapidly growing China is rapidly emerging as the leader for Global Development, said today all over the world. But there are negative aspects of this process. As we strengthen the leading position of China in the global economy, Chinese organized crime is rapidly expanding its presence in transnational criminal ways. "Triad" has already made a "third world" their competitors! "Riding" the migration process, mafia structures of China and the Chinese mafia in other countries took a leading position in the organization of human trafficking and establishing flows of illegal migration. The report by Europol (June of 2006) noted that Chinese mafia groups as a leader in human trafficking in countries of the European Union. Chinese "triads" pushed Japan's homegrown mafia - the Yakuza: the share of the Chinese account for about half of all crimes committed by foreigners.

03. Colombian drug cartels

Colombian mafia is one of the world's largest supplier of cocaine. All the efforts of public authorities are still in vain, as the business of gangsters are more than successful. Colombian drug mafia has existed since the mid-60's of last century. Cartels "Medellin" and "Kali" very quickly became the leading producer of cocaine in the world.

02. Sicilian and American Cosa Nostra

Salvatore Lo Bue, Salvatore Lo Cicero, Gaetano Lo Presti, Giuseppe Scaduto, Antonino Spera, Gregorio Agrigento, Luigi Caravello, Mariano Troia, Giovanni Adelfio and Francesco Bonomo ? XIII ?. Members of the Sicilian Mafia (from left), Salvatore Lo Bue, Salvatore Lo Cicero, Gaetano Lo Presti, Giuseppe Scaduto, Antonino Spera, Gregorio Agrigento, Luigi Caravello, Mariano Troia, Giovanni Adelfio and Francesco Bonomo In the XIII century. Sicily is constantly robbing not only the Algerian pirates, and French troops, mercenaries, who served severoitalyanskim dukes and princes. Organized armed struggle against the French islanders began in 1282 under the slogan «Morete alla Francia, Italia anela» («Die, France - sigh, Italy), the first letters of appeal Sicilians were the battle cry:« Mafia! ». Soon self-defense units have become units of professional soldiers, who began to take tribute from the peasants for protection from external enemies. In the XIX century. Mafia, which became a uniform system, even tried to achieve separation of the island from Italy and requested the union by Giuseppe Garibaldi, but forces the Principality of Piedmont caused her defeat. At the end of the XIX century. Thousands of Sicilians to escape from poverty and clan wars, moved to America. In major U.S. cities arose Cosa Nostra («Our Business") - a network of the Sicilian "family" that controlled the casinos, smuggling, prostitution, illegal liquor, tobacco and weapons, and engaged in racketeering. All "konsorterii" Sicily are "respectable community, led by Capo di tutti Capi, the head of all the chapters. Important figures in the structure of the Mafia are also picciotti di ficatu (assassins), stopalieri (bodyguards), gabellotti (judges) and consiglieri (advisers).

01. Russian Mafia

Russian Mafia has 500 000 people. Her godfathers control 70% of the Russian economy, as well as prostitution in Macau, and China, illegal drug trafficking in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, money laundering in Cyprus, Israel, Belgium and England, car theft, trafficking in nuclear materials and prostitution in Germany. With the disappearance of the Iron Curtain, the expansion of Russian crime has ceased to be controlled and directed, as it was before the Soviet collapse. The first wave of "exporting" crime area, then still the Soviet Union, took place in the early 70's, when allowed to emigrate to Israel of Soviet Jews. This wave was not comparable with the second - when the collapse of the Soviet Union collapsed, the Iron Curtain. Then the world is, indeed, has estimated the size of Russian crime, which he called "Russian mafia". Russian crime community is sometimes very specific interests in different countries. So, in December 1993, the Western press for the first time mentioned that the grouping of "shaking" of the Russian hockey players playing in foreign clubs, the so-called "foreign players". The mass of material on the subject in the press in the years to say that "racket sport has acquired a truly industrial scale. According to some, now Russia's criminal community operates in 50 countries.According to an American professor Louise Shelley, the PMA in 1991 withdrew from the Russian Federation $ 150 billion. According to other sources - $ 50 billion, but too much.

Top 5 Most Addictive Foods

While we all know about the dangers of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes,did you know that you could become addicted to your favourite food?From withdrawal symptoms to changes in brain chemistry, our snacks have surprising ways of keeping us wanting more.Here is our guide to five of the world’s most addictive foods.

Chocolate

Many people claim to be chocoholics, but can you really be addicted to chocolate? The answer is... perhaps. One reason many people feel "addicted" to chocolate is that the food's chemical compounds (including theobromine, phenyethylamine, anandamide and tryptophan) actually have pleasure-inducing effects that can mimic the effects of drugs on the brain. Chocolate also contains alkaloids (tetrahydro-beta-carbolines) which are present in alcohol and have been linked to alcoholism.
However - before you go booking yourself into Chocoholics Anonymous - it is important to note that many researchers have pointed out that the chemicals in chocolate also exist in other foods
which most of us do not crave. It has also been suggested that the chemicals in chocolate are not in high enough doses to lead to addiction. Regardless, it is impossible to deny that
chocolate is one of the world's most-craved foods - whether this is due to psychological reasons or a physical addiction.

Cheese

From pizzas to cheeseburgers, cheese is a staple of many widely-craved junk foods, but there could be more to our cravings than we think. Various studies have discovered the presence of opiates -
including the highly addictive morphine - in the popular dairy product. While the amounts of morphine in cheese are very small and probably not enough to cause addiction, some researchers have expressed concern about its levels of casein (the main protein in cheese) which produces morphine-like opiate compounds called casomorphins during digestion. On top of this, cheese also contains phenylethylamine, a substance with stimulant effects which is thought to give consumers a natural "high", and which is reputed to have addictive qualities.

Sugar

We all know that sugar is bad for our health but, according to numerous studies, it can also be addictive. Studies have suggested that when we eat sugar, chemicals called opioids are released by the brain, which leads to an intense feeling of pleasure. It is this feeling that people may crave in the absence of sugar.
A study by psychologists at Princeton University investigated sugar addiction by studying its effect on rats. They discovered that after rats were fed a diet high in sugar, they experienced symptoms
similar to those produced by drug withdrawal when the sugar was withdrawn, including shaking and changes in brain chemistry. The study therefore concluded what other researchers have also suggested; that it is possible to become severely dependent on sugar

Burgers and other

Numerous researchers and studies have suggested that fatty, processed junk food such as burgers may actually be addictive. According to Professor David Kessler - an ex-commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration and author of The End of Overeating - the combination of fat, salt and sugar in junk food triggers our "bliss point" and leaves us wanting more.
Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida backed up this theory with a study which found that the addictive responses in the brains of rats when fed junk food including fatty meats were the
same as in those that consume cocaine or heroin. On top of this, meat - like chocolate, cheese and sugar - releases opiate-like substances during digestion which some studies have suggested
can leave us craving more.

Coffee

Many feel that they can't start the day without a cup of coffee and people often joke about having a caffeine "addiction", however this may not be far from the truth. Although there has been much debate over the years about whether or not caffeine is genuinely addictive, it is difficult to deny that many of us crave it to the point where we feel we can't function without it.
One reason that people may crave caffeine so much is due to the fairly severe symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that people often face, ranging from fatigue and headaches to irritability
and depression. However, it may be that, rather than being physically dependent on caffeine, you are actually addicted to the belief that you can't function without your morning cup of coffee.
Whatever the reason, caffeine remains the world's most popular drug and a staple of many daily routines.