To many it might seem counter-intuitive, but researchers have found that playing video games – including violent shooter titles – may boost children’s learning, health and social skills.

This conclusion comes from a review of studies into the influence of video games that will be published in the American Psychological Association’s flagship journal, American Psychologist.

Debate has raged for years among psychologists and other health professionals regarding the effects of violent media, with many warning that gaming can lead to addiction, depression and aggression.

The authors of the article point out that these should be noted, but insisted that gaming has many positive side-effects.

Lead author Isabela Granic, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands, said: ‘Important research has already been conducted for decades on the negative effects of gaming, including addiction, depression and aggression, and we are certainly not suggesting that this should be ignored.

‘However, to understand the impact of video games on children's and adolescents' development, a more balanced perspective is needed.’

While one widely held view maintains playing video games is intellectually lazy, such play actually may strengthen a range of cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception, according to several studies reviewed in the article.

The authors said this is particularly true for shooter video games that are often violent, such as Call of Duty 2, which was one of the titles used to study cognitive benefits.

A 2013 study found that playing shooter video games improved a player's capacity to think about objects in three dimensions, just as well as academic courses to enhance these same skills, according to the study.

This enhanced thinking was not found with playing other types of video games, such as puzzles or role-playing games.

Playing video games may also help children develop problem-solving skills, the authors said.

The more adolescents reported playing strategic video games, such as role-playing games, the more they improved in problem solving and school grades the following year, according to a long-term study published in 2013.

What’s more, children's creativity was also enhanced by playing any kind of video game, including violent games.

Simple games that are easy to access and can be played quickly, such as Angry Birds, can improve players' moods, promote relaxation and ward off anxiety, the study said.

‘If playing video games simply makes people happier, this seems to be a fundamental emotional benefit to consider,’ said Granic.

Also, people who play video games, even if they are violent, that encourage cooperation are more likely to be helpful to others while gaming than those who play the same games competitively, a 2011 study found. http://passnownow.com/?p=posts&title=video-games-are-good-for-you-even-violent-shoot-em-ups-boost-learning-health-and-social-skills-study-finds&id=5135

Getting good grades isn’t easy, and understanding how to make the best use of your time and effort takes careful planning. It also helps to be a strategic learner. That means you:

Plan how you are going to learn and manage your time in the process;
Use the skills you have to learn the task at hand;
Keep track of the progress you're making.

Time Management Skills

Developing a system for managing time can be the single most important step you take. The pressure of trying to stick to a schedule can be stressful. It may take great effort, help and practice to find a system that works for you. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

How long does it take me to get ready in the morning?
What time of day am I most alert?
How long can I study in one sitting?
What types of things distract me the most?
What rewards can I give myself to stay motivated?
How long do my different commitments really take and how much leisure time can I expect to have?

Tips

Study for short periods of time and plan to reward yourself after completing a predetermined amount of reading, writing or reviewing. Take needed breaks and be sure to monitor the progress you are making along the way.
Try to develop a study routine, and select a preferred time and place to study. If it helps, change your routine each week and try different places to study. Be flexible, but also be sensitive to what works best for you.
Find ways to stay organised. For example, try using index cards and wall calendars. These simple tools can be quite helpful in helping you to arrange and manage your time. A large monthly wall calendar can be useful and you might consider making copies of your schedule on index cards that you can carry with you. If you prefer to use a computer, smartphone or tablet, there are numerous software programmes available with built-in calendars and reminders. There are even watches available that have calendars that can be programmed.
To figure out how much time to set aside for long-term projects, first list all the steps required to complete the project. Next, estimate how much time you'll need to finish each step and then, count backward from the due date. Always allow more time than you think you will need for each step. If you are not sure about the project’s requirements, speak to the teacher about how many steps are involved and what each step entails. This can give you a better sense of the time you'll need to finish the project. It also can help relieve some of the anxiety of the “unknown” in tackling a new project.
Keep the syllabuses for all of your courses in a place where they won’t get lost. Make extra copies, just in case. Make sure that you know the due dates for each assignment.
Build in a little extra time for unexpected problem-solving. Be prepared for projects to take longer than originally planned.

The main goal of time management should be to strike the right balance of work, academics and social activities. Smart planning will give you enough time for both work and play. http://passnownow.com/?p=posts&title=thank-us-later-these-study-skills-will-make-you-a-genius&id=5138

Do you think you can write? Do you have an overwhelming flair for writing? Think you've something a little bit special, a little bit awesome, a little bit you to bring to Passnownow? Send us an email! Write a piece on any topic of your choice – literally, any. It could be poetry, something to inspire others, your personal experience… anything. Send to pass@passnownow.com

We’re looking for quirky, fun, dedicated and motivated individual to serve as intern with us. Email us if that’s you!

Don't forget to attach your CV.

Log onto www.passnownow.com

Which is your favourite sitting position in class? For me back then, I love to sit somewhere in front. Maybe because of my visual perceptual modality, or, perhaps because of the proximity to the teacher. The choice of sitting position in class is somewhat dependent on the students. While some prefer to sit in front, others love to sit at the back, while just around the middle is what does it for some other students. In many instances however, sitting arrangements are determined by the teachers. They say who sits where, and who doesn’t sit where.

While we sit where we love to in class, does sitting position in any way connect to academic performance? Well, where students sit in class can have a major impact on their experience, grades and ultimately the value of their education, according to numerous academic studies as well as anecdotal evidence from professors and students.

Classroom sitting position should be chosen wisely, as the decision can have consequences for students’ academic performance. According to a study published in 2013, GPAs decreased by 0.1 point on a four-point scale for every row further back students sit.

Front-row seats
Appraising classroom rows based on academic success, some professors have observed that the front row remains prime sitting position typically held by outgoing scholarly students. “I notice the more prepared and personable students sit in front rows,” said Dr. Chris Hammons, interim dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and chair of the department of government (London). “Students in the front almost always score higher on exams.”

Perhaps more importantly, the front row may be the ideal location for shy, timid students who have trouble paying attention, Adams wrote. Sitting closer to the front of the room does have an effect on student-teacher rapport, which is linked to greater academic performance, according to a Jan. 5 article by Julie Mastrine in USA Today College.

Stuck in the middle
Still, some students prefer the middle rows. This location in the classroom can make paying attention difficult depending on the student. In fact, Dr. Robert Wallace, a member of the National Education Association, considers choosing to sit in the middle of the classroom one of the worst decisions a student can make. “In a classroom setting, a speaker’s eyes tend to go to the front of the room and the back,” he wrote in an article for Creators.com. “They don’t look at the centre of a room as often or with the same amount of attention.”

Not all agree with Wallace’s viewpoint, especially when teachers, much like homeowners associations, take matters into their own hands. Sometimes these teachers arrange student seating to encourage more classroom discussions. Other tactics often employed include specifically calling on everyone or even engaging the class with group discussions or presentations.

Back-row blues
If neither the front nor middle is suitable for a student, there can only be one other solution: the back.
For the broker on the value of classroom seating, the back row would have the lowest value. This fringe vicinity of the physical classroom often plays host to the biggest distractions, with texting, chatting and sleeping setting in like squatters at a foreclosed home.

Back to my own experience, many distractions occur at the back of the classroom. That’s where students would chat, play video games and do some other stuff which the teacher must not know about. With the advent of Facebook and the likes, I am sure the situation would be worse by now.

Distractions
Phone owners, apprehensive students or students with attention-deficit disorder should avoid sitting in the back, according to numerous studies. Fellow students often are some of the biggest distractions, but it is possible for students who are good listeners to still perform well in subjects despite the back-of-the-class distractions. Those who do not listen well or are easily distracted may want to divert from the back row, and it might even be better for them to avoid it altogether and shift themselves and their school supplies to the front of class to help them focus.

Exceptions to the statistics, which state that sitting in the back of the class increases the probability of receiving a D or F by 23 percent according to The Journal of Economic Education, do happen, and some students are successful from the back. Well, perhaps, maybe those A-listers who sat at the back would have done better if they had been in front.

Row placement is not the only critical decision students face when choosing a seat. The position of the seat within the row is equally important. Like being on an airplane or at church, the aisle usually gets taken first as it provides the most legroom and easiest escape route when students decide to duck out of class.

Students who are late the first day usually end up with middle seats, so punctuality is a good strategy for those seeking the aisle.

Verdict unclear
Still, detractors claim that there is no correlation between how well a student performs in a class and his or her location in the classroom. Two researchers, writing for an article published by the National Science Teachers Association, concluded that there was little evidence to support the connection: “We found no evidence that grades or student attitudes were affected by seat location.”

Until more research is done in this area, the final answer to the question about classroom seating arrangements and academic performance remains unclear. But then, depending on your attention/concentration span, including your visual acuity, you should choose the position that will best suit you.

What seat position do you prefer, and why? https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3468

This is what you want from a math teacher. The word problem you see here is what happened after a student was caught using his phone during math class. The teacher confiscated the phone, and set the passcode to a certain number, found by answering the problem.

It reads:

A car dealer offers Lachlan a car that is priced at $21,800, but he only has a $600 deposit. Lachlan trade in is actually worth $500. The finance company insists on a 10% deposit for a 22% flat rate deal, so the dealer inflates the prices of both the trade-in and the car purchased What are the inflated prices, and what is the monthly repayment to pay of the car in 4 years?

Monthly payment rounded to the nearest dollar

First number is 0. https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3435

Education is way more than sitting in a classroom. Unfortunately, it is often the same old story. Go to school. Read, write, learn math, history, science, and the searing pain of social rejection. Go home. Forget everything you learned. While having a specific course for each of these ‘subjects’ might be a long way off for schools, integrating these into your existing classrooms need not be. And you never know – both students and teachers might find themselves a little more engaged. Long story short, these skills are learned inside and outside of schools – we get that – but they aren’t actual subject areas that you can focus on.

In fact, the idea of trying to learn some real-world skills is what Modern Lessons should be all about. For instance, I think it won’t be a bad idea if subjects like GMAT and aptitude test skills can be included in the general studies being offered in our tertiary institutions. Would you say a 1st class graduate student of an art course, for example, is a failure because s/he couldn’t perform well in a GMAT aptitude test? Since aptitude tests have become basis for selecting candidates for job placement, it would make lots of sense to have them incorporated into our curriculum.

Film Making

Making films is an excellent vehicle of self-expression. Not everyone is cut out for blogging or playing an instrument, and the world has more than enough bad poetry as it is. Films have become a part of our everyday lives, from big-budget blockbusters to amusing no-budget clips on YouTube. Teaching students to make more effective videos is not only good for keeping students interested in their lessons, for once, but it also means that there will be more high-quality content available in the future. The entire world will thank you for that.

Job Searching

At around age 24, students will graduate from depending on other people to meet their needs, and be thrust out into the real world to fend for themselves. Some of them will delay entry into the work force by obtaining further certification, but the end result is the same – they need to be able to find a job. Rather than allowing hordes of students to list their Playstation high scores on their resumes and wear pyjamas to their job interviews, it would be in everyone’s best interest if students learned the ins and outs of convincing someone to hire you while still at school.

Money Management

Yes, math is taught in schools. No, that kind of math isn’t doing anyone any practical good. You will never need to do coordinate geometry while paying your taxes, and you’ll never have to work with radians at the grocery store. Unless kids are fortunate enough to have been brought up in a rare household that isn’t bad at literally everything pertaining to money, they’re going to have a rough time once they’ve been cast out of the academic womb. What percentage of their monthly budget should go to rent? For kids who’ve never faced greater financial responsibility than paying for their own video games, these are the great mysteries of life – and they shouldn’t have to be.

Social Skills

Despite popular belief, people are not born with perfect social skills; they learn them. Some children are graced with interactive families and plenty of cheek-pinching relatives to teach them good manners early on. Other children are allowed to spend most of their time alone, slowly reverting to their evolutionary roots. Even the most well-adjusted child is going to have some tricky situations to deal with in life. How do you cope with a co-worker who steals credit for your ideas? What are you supposed to do when you want to break off a relationship with someone who hasn’t really done anything wrong? How do you deal with a roommate who won’t pay his share of the rent on time and keeps getting into trouble? A few classes on social skills could really help students to navigate these unavoidable situations.

Practical Mechanics

From oil changes to shattered iDevice screens, there are plenty of quick fixes in life that you should know how to do yourself. Sure, a computer technician will always be there, happily taking your Naira notes in exchange for running a can of compressed air over your computer fan and evicting the family of mice living underneath the motherboard, but you can save a lot of time and money by doing it yourself. Everything you buy will break at some point, and many people don’t have the skills needed to un-break them. Sure, you can tell kids to struggle through with an instructional video, but wouldn’t it be better to learn it properly?

What are other skills you feel should be taught in our schools which are presently not? https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3407

Doctors at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, are seriously battling to save the life of an 11-year old girl, Ita Bassey-Eno, who was allegedly set ablaze by the woman she lives with, Mrs Nkese Iroakazi, a nurse at a hospital in Surulere.

Iroakazi was alleged to have poured kerosene on Bassey-Eno before lighting a match stick to set her ablaze after the girl was said to have stolen a piece of meat from the pot.

Witnesses said the girl ran out of their apartment at 7, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, unto to the main road with fire all over her body as she cried for help from passers-by to rescue her.

It was gathered that someone quickly stopped his vehicle and used his fire extinguisher to put out the flame on her body.

The incident, which occurred last Saturday, was immediately reported at the Bode Thomas Police Station and the police from the station arrested Mrs. Nkese.

The little girl was rushed to the Burns and Trauma Centre, an annex of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at the General Hospital, Gbagada, for urgent attention as the doctors in the hospital said she had suffered 95 percent burns and would take a miracle for her to survive.

Bassey-Eno’s private part was damaged, while almost all her body is burnt. The whole of her body, except her face and her feet, are bandaged, while she wears pampers because her private part was damaged.

On her hospital bed on Monday the little girl was groaning in pains while health officials described Nkese as callous woman and that she must be made to face the music.

Little Bassey-Eno, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, southsouth Nigeria, was brought from the village with another girl, Happiness Okon-Bassey, 13, to live with Nkese in June 2013 on the premise that she would send them to school, but that was not to be as the two girls allegedly performed the function of domestic servants for Nkese. https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3401

I guess it comes with the territory, but every adult in the world seems to think they have secret knowledge that will crack the youth. They attribute their expertise on the subject of teenagers to an accumulation of years and experiences.

Apparently, the magic of time has given them a complete and all-knowing understanding of how we should feel, think and behave during all hours of the day. However, all beliefs should be challenged -- and I for one enjoy setting my parents straight.

Here are 10 things that make me cringe with exasperation. I know you can relate.

1. "Listen to your parents. They're always right."
Wrong. There is only one Yoda. Everyone else in the universe is bound to be wrong sometimes. I know it might surprise you to hear this, but we teenagers aren't always angst, impulsive and inexperienced. Give us a chance.

2. "This should be the best time in your life. Enjoy it."
You're saying my life has peaked at 17? Excuse me if I refuse to believe that. I will enjoy all the world has to offer on my own terms, thank you very much. Otherwise I might become a teenage runaway. Which would you prefer?

3. "Wait 'till you get to the real world."
Where have I been living my entire life... Narnia? Sure, I may not be working year-round in an office, but passing exams isn't exactly a cup of tea. My life is real enough: a package deal that's all-inclusive with drama, responsibility and obligations. Don't belittle me.

4. "Come home now."
Not going to lie, I might know where you're coming from with this one. You care about my well- being, which is sweet and all... but that doesn't make curfew any more enjoyable. Half an hour more couldn't hurt.

5. "You're a teenager. This is just a phase."
How can you possibly predict the future? I am currently in a process of creating an identity that isn't defined by the people around me. This phase just might stick. Even if it doesn't, please let me experience it without constant judgment. (Hint: the more you hate it, the longer it will last.)

6. "Why don't you tell me anything anymore?"
There are two possible reasons for our "lack of communication." Option A: All I've done the last few weeks is watch re-runs of "The O.C." I apologise for not giving you a play-by-play, but there is simply nothing of significance for me to be telling you. Option B: You're nosy and it's annoying. No form of torture will make me spill my secrets.

7. "I was your age once too, you know."
Yes, you are human. I understand the progression of time. But just because you were a teenager once doesn't mean you can relate to my experiences or how I am currently feeling. Even if you've gone through similar things (in the past), you have been tainted by the knowledge of parenthood. Sorry!

8. "I'm your friend."
Don't get me wrong, I like you and all... but we are not friends. I think that comes with the whole power dynamic of the family. If you give me rules, you're not my friend. If you make me wake up in the morning, you're not my friend. If you make me wash the dishes, we are definitely not friends.

9. "You don't know what's best for you."
And you think you do? Please refer to "Things I Don't Want To Hear," numbers one through eight. I know what I want. I know who I am. Don't set limitations on what I should do or who I should be.

10. "Grow up."
Look here parents, we're growing up whether we like it or not. We love you (ever so dearly) and absolutely appreciate the unconditional support. Sometimes you forget that the mistakes we make are actually the perfect way for us learn right from wrong. It's a process, be patient. https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3398

In secondary school, I was the type of person who felt no reason to read. For my history classes, the only parts of the textbooks I read were section heads, words in boldface type, and highlighted passages. Spark notes got me through my English classes, and for everything else there was Wikipedia.

Sure, I read in the sense that words were transferred from a book or screen into my brain via my eyes, but I certainly did not enjoy the process nor did I believe in its utility.

It wasn't until about halfway through university that I realised how much books had to offer me. It struck me hard while I was reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X. It struck me harder when I was reading about the Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. And it knocked me the hell out when I was mining the Confessions of St. Augustine for quotes for a history paper and realised how full of interesting insights it was. For me it was basically realising how much I could potentially learn from a text in spite of it being hundreds of years old that converted me into an avid reader.

Just because you have graduated from school does not mean you get to toss all your books out the window. As hard as it has become for most of us to focus on anything more than 150 characters long that is devoid of memes or kittens or kitten memes, we must not forget that the ability to sit down for an extended period of time and immerse ourselves in a good book is an invaluable skill.

The cool thing about reading is that once you realise you ought to be reading and starting doing it more often, the more you begin to enjoy it. And it's a wonderful habit to develop. For those who need more convincing, let's review the incredible benefits of reading.

Improve your brain function

Reading will get your brain jacked like a Spartan. Not only does reading exercise your brain, it also creates more connections and strengthens synapses. This can contribute to the improvement of you memory, creativity, concentration, and focus -- all essential skills for success.

Discover an untapped passion lurking in your soul

This mostly applies to reading nonfiction, but I'm sure realistic fiction could similarly inspire you to pursue a certain career path. By reading more and expanding your interests, you increase the possibility of stumbling across some information that may completely change how you view the world, or open your mind to a passion you never even knew existed.

Build your vocabulary

Reading forces you to confront words you are not familiar with. (Another great reason to get a Kindle is that it comes with a dictionary installed so you can easily look up any word you don't know.) With more words in your vocabulary arsenal, you will be able to express yourself more clearly and with greater nuance. Plus, you get to sound smarter. And you will breeze through a good portion of any standardized test.

Relieve stress

Reading is a much more productive and healthy form of escapism. It can serve as a form of entertainment, or it can relax you, or it can do both. Reading will slow your mind down when it is racing and worrying. This is especially useful at night when you're having trouble sleeping. A study at the University of Minnesota "recommends reading some form of literature for at least half an hour every day for optimum relaxation."

Learn how to eloquently and articulately organise and express thoughts

Reading good literature familiarizes you with great writing. If you want to learn how to be articulate and eloquent in your speech and writing, you need to study the works of those who already know how. It's like if you're a beginner musician and you're trying to learn a new piece. It's often best to strive to imitate the greats before you attempt to develop your own style and interpretations.

Increase reading comprehension skills

The more you read, the more you improve your ability to absorb and retain what you read. You become a more efficient reader: you can read faster, understand faster, and remember more. Reading is an essential part of preparing for SAT/GRE/LSAT/GMAT etc. because you can't really "study" reading comprehension. You improve by simply reading more.

Learn about the world

One way to learn about the world is by travelling, interacting with the locals, and immersing yourself in different cultures. Another way is by getting a library card, and checking out a few books. The world will suddenly seem much smaller, and you will be thrilled by what you learn. You will also get much more out of travelling if you have read about where you plan to go.

Learn about human nature

Any good story will offer amazing insights into elements of human psychology. Good character development and interpersonal dynamics are dependent on a deep understanding of human nature. So believe it or not, book do have the power to improve your people skills!

Learn from history

Human beings have been around for thousands of years, and history is the sum of the knowledge that has been accumulated over those millennia. Many people devoted their lives to writing, philosophy, science, and various other disciplines, and there is much to be learned from all of them. As Emerson wrote in his History essay: "What Plato has thought, you may think; what a saint has felt, you may feel; what at any time has be-fallen any man, you can understand."

Reusability

As a young man, Abraham Lincoln only had a few books in his possession. Yet he spent hours reading and rereading these books, over and over again. Each time he reread a text, he got more out of it, and began to internalize it. So remember: you can always get more out of a book the second, or even third time around.

Honestly, reading simply makes you more of an interesting person. "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one."

So make it a goal to read on a daily basis, or tackle a reading list by a certain date. If you'd like to start reading more but don't know where to start, find a reading list or create one like I have.

Happy reading! https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3369

We caught our first glimpse of the Galaxy S4 Active a couple of weeks ago, when GSM Arena obtained a few photos of the device. We haven't heard much about the device since then, with Samsung choosing to announce the Galaxy S4 mini before uttering a word about the ruggedised version of its flagship phone.

Today, amidst the Computex madness, Samsung confirmed the Galaxy S4 Active's existence. Though it's billed as an S4 for the outdoorsy types, the Active won't actually have the same specs as the regular Galaxy S4. Instead, you're looking at a 1.9 GHZ Quad-Core processor and a 5.0-inch full HD TFT LCD screen (443 PPI) working alongside an 8-megapixel camera. The regular S4 comes with a 13-megapixel camera and as much as an octa-core CPU in some regions.

As far as rugged features are concerned, the S4 Active has qualified protection from dust and water (IP67) and sports a full sealed design to keep dust particles out and protect against water damage for up to 30 minutes of submergence at a depth of one meter. There's also a water-resistant earphone jack and an 'Aqua Mode' for better quality underwater images and video. https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3374

Headings like this one have some truth in them. Makeup serves plenty of purposes. Sometimes, it supplies females with a sense of confidence or attractiveness. The equipment of makeup can reveal signs of refinement or care toward one’s appearance, which is not altogether a negative thing. In fact, it seems like standard practice for women to wear makeup whenever they attend formal occasions like weddings, or even when they go to school. Wearing makeup does not make ladies stupid, nor does it make them shallow.

But, like all things, there comes a time when excess leads to error.This is especially true regarding younger females, as the time they spend improving their physical attributes could be spent enhancing their mental abilities. Instead of worrying about how their mascara might run when things get rough, they could be focusing on how they might solve a societal issue when the world gets tough.

Don’t get me wrong, ladies should worry about their appearance. I’m sure that, to some extent, we all do; even guy. But the problem with this is paramount within young females, as they are becoming brainwashed by society from the start to value aesthetics over actual knowledge. I don’t intend to utilise absolutes, as I’m sure this is not the case for every female everywhere in the world, but lately it feels like more people are fawning over looks as opposed to intelligence or morals. When we approach a little girl at a party, we don’t immediately comment on her intellect – rather, we compliment her clothing choices or her hairstyle.

When was the last time a teen female celebrity was praised because of her brains, and not her beauty? I can’t recall Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, or Miranda Cosgrove garnering good remarks from the media for their smarts. It’s not like these celebrities aren’t smart, or that they aren’t remarkably talented – rather, I feel like sophistication is taking a backseat to sexiness and prettiness and all things visually pleasing.

Maybe that wasn’t the best analogy, because it isn’t Mo’cheddah’s job to be smart. Her job, as an artist, is to sing. But in this day and age, when young girls are texting from the age of three and wearing makeup and high heels before secondary school, role models with real brains and strong characters are absolutely necessary. Females suffer from society’s expectations when they are placed on pedestals of aesthetic perfection, and they are hurt when discussions about books are eschewed in order to make room for improving their outfits.

Girls, let me tell you something. Good looks can reel a guy into your circle, no doubt about it. But only a cultivated mind, prepped for clear and informed communication, will keep him there.

Boys, Should girls wear makeup? Why or why not?

Girls, do you agree? Why or why not? https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3372

Hey folks, let’s discuss this sagging thing. For your information (For those who don’t already know), the trend of sagging pants didn't start in the streets or with hip hop culture, this style of wearing pants with underwear exposed originated in the prisons of the US in the 1960s. Back then prisoners weren't allowed to have belts, because prison officials feared inmates would use them to hang themselves. Because of this rule all prisoners wore their pants below their waist, as the years progressed, homosexual rape became a norm in prisons.

In jails in those days, when a man wants another man to be his "girlfriend" he would force or rape the man into submission and then afterwards would make the man wear his pants below his back side to show that he was "taken" by another man.

Besides, "The saggy pants movement" is another awful truth. Back in the days of lynching, The whites would catch young African American males and kill them, once killed they would hang them right side up and had their "Manhood" cut off. After the victims have had their "Manhood" cut off then they would display them with their pants sagging off to show that they had it taken from them, much like in jail. Wow! weird you say...

Today there are absolutely no differences in thug culture and prison culture. This is definitely the in-thing among the young folks. These young men actually think they look tough and rough when they wear their jeans on their thighs, and have their underwear exposed.

Let's examine that for a minute. Most people's response for the origin of this would be to call it a new look that makes you look like a "Thug" or "Gangsta". They see their favourite artists like Davido, Wizkid, etc do it and now they are all copying their trends and style. Knowing the origin of sagging and what it actually depicts, it’s sad to know that these celebrities are following "The Saggy Movement". Are all these "Gangsta celebs" trying to tell us something about their secret lives?

Hopefully someone reading this will inform others of the truth and help to stop a fashion statement that is not only ugly but extremely disrespectful to the wearer and views of it. Truly I believe that this look not only shames the person but an entire generation. Let's say no to Sagging!

What do you think?
https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3341

What type of people do we elect to run the affairs of our country? What do you expect when law breakers are law makers? What happens when ex-felons, absconded criminals, thieves, empty headed and sin-soaked apostates and “Cows of Bashan” preside over the affairs of a nation?

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. I don’t know how many bills (if any) Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima has sponsored or co-sponsored since he has been in the Senate.

But his recent Child Marriage Bill is like a baker whose bread and pastries had a marvelous aroma but upon taking a bite you discovered that they were poison.

No one expects much from the Senate led by David Mark as president. The upper chamber which should comprise men and women of intellect, courage, probity, honesty, wisdom, and vision is unfortunately occupied by nitwit corrupt buffoons.

That Yerima came up with child predatory bill is acting to type. The issue boils down to the quality of people that govern Nigeria. I see the issue more of a moral and character flaw than a constitutional problem.

What type of people do we elect to run the affairs of our country? What do you expect when law breakers are law makers? What happens when ex-felons, absconded criminals, thieves, empty headed and sin-soaked apostates and “Cows of Bashan” preside over the affairs of a nation?

With Yerima’s bill, wickedness is carried literally in a basket in the upper house for the Senators to pick and choose. The under-age marriage bill is another name for evil. It shows the extent and extreme of the malignancy of sin that has taken over our National Assembly.

Does the private life of a leader truly impact his or her public life? No question. Character plays a vital role. Character is more than a talk. Character is the foundation on which a leader builds his or life. It all begins with character, because leadership operates on the basis of trust.

Character communicates credibility, harnesses respect, creates consistency and earns trust. Anyone can say he has integrity, but action is the real indicator of character. Your character determines who you are and what you do. That’s why you can never separate a leader’s character from his actions.

Does Yerima know where he is going? Absolutely not. Do we want to follow him? Hell no! Leaders who fail morally do not lead anyone to a better place.

A good leader balances sensitivity with responsibility. Facilitates development in others such as the children Yerima wants to kidnap into early marriage. How can so many Senators in Nigeria get away with murder? Because it’s Nigeria where the dead governs the living!

The Yerima Child Marriage Bill is the kind one would expect from a heathen, savage, and beast-like men. That Yerima has the audacity and temerity to sponsor such amendment is to liken him to a beast and to stress the animal within the man.

Yerima has proven that he is a lustful and impudent creature by taken a 13-year old Egyptian minor as wife. The Old proverb which says that man is the wolf of his fellow man seems off the track when one thinks of Yerima as husband of a 13-year old and sponsor of a Child Marriage Bill for other beasts to follow his footsteps. Indeed, wolves never kill wolves. Man is the only animal that specializes in mutual extermination.

By now, Nigerians are used to babel symphony from deranged senators who are in Abuja not for the people’s business but to collect their pay and steal as much money as they could. But this is the first time a pedophile that is utterly destitute of reason and dexterity would assault the sensibilities of our humanity by advocating for a beastly kind of life in copulating with a child-wife.

When bombarded by barrage of criticisms, Yerima, the libidinous fool replied: ”Nigeria has many uncountable problems and none of them is early marriage. As a matter of fact early marriage is the solution to about half of our problems,” Does this sound like a senator of a country? So, the greatest problem facing Nigeria is “early marriage”? Which planet is Yerima operating from?

“For those who wonder if I can give my daughter(s) out in marriage at
the age of 9 or 13,” continued Yerima, “I tell you most honestly, I can give her out at the age of 6 if I want to and it’s not your business. This is because I am a Muslim and I follow the example of the best of mankind, Muhammad ﺻَﻠَّﻰ ﺍﻟﻠَّﻪُ ﻋَﻠَﻴْﻪِﻭَﺳَﻠَّﻢَ, said Yerima.

Really? Yerima and the other 11 child molesters who voted for the amendment are “Cows of Bashan” full of vanity, greed, and lack moral consciousness. For this statement, Yerima would be in jail by now in a civilized country with the rule of law.

Here comes Yerima the Islamic scholar: “In Islam, marriage is not only about sex, it is about family and helping one another in achieving their goals, which is the attainment of Paradise.”
“In Islam, a girl can be given out in marriage as early as 6 years old, but consummation of the marriage can only be done when the girl becomes physically mature,” argued Yerima, “and she gives her consent to it because unlike English law, it is not permissible for a man to rape his wife in Shari’ah Law,” Yerima said.

“So what can anybody tell me?” asked Yerima. Wrapping up his defense, Yerima cites cooked up figures and facts to justify his amendment:
“~ I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already became serial fornicators and cannot count the number of man they’ve had sex with.
~ I live in a City where primary school children disvirgin themselves behind toilets on Valentine day.
~ I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would give them N500 to have sex with them.
~ I live in a city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down.
~ I live in a City where Government officials pick undergraduates from University car parks with Coastal Buses to wild sex parties.
~ I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a Chemist shop owner can perform abortion with just N2,500.”

And finally, Yerima rested his case: “These are your daughters, and this should worry you and not Yerima’s private matters.

So ask me again why I support early marriage and I will slap the Jinn out of your head.”

The nation’s morals can be no stronger than the nation’s leaders. In today’s Nigeria, prince and priest alike pervert justice, oppress the helpless, and minister for bribes. Yerima is one of the devil’s best workers.

What’s the job of Yerima as a Senator? Isn’t it to make education accessible, available, and affordable to the minors he’s talking about? Isn’t it part of his duty to create jobs for these girls who sell their bodies for the price of a loaf of bread? What about provision of health clinics and hospitals where women could seek medical help? These and other everyday needs are the kinds of bills that Yerima and his co-child molesters should sponsor.

Do we need to remind the Yerimas of the world that they are responsible for the impoverishment of Nigerian children by milking the country bone dry? Who else to blame other than the looters of our treasury – the Yerimas – for children prostitution?

Yerima’s Child Marriage Bill is like inviting hungry and thirsty Nigerian parents to eat their own dung and drink their own urine. Where is the outrage of the women senators? Where is the indignation of Nigerian parents? Where is the law enforcement to arrest Yerima for child molestation?

In a developed democracy with enlightened citizenry, by now hell would have broken loose and phones ringing off the hook from constituents to their senators over the Yerima’s bill. But then, this is Nigeria where the absurd means applaud!

If you ever wear corrective lenses, you’re probably familiar with the term myopia. Myopia, simply defined, is improper focus. Images appear blurred because the eye is incapable of bringing the light into sharp focus. Physical myopia can be detected and compensated for quite easily. It’s not the darkness that blocks Yerima’s vision, rather what is between his legs.

Yerima’s heart is a barren and profitless soil, in which no seeds of character can grow or flourish. For him to have married a minor and to canvass for such practice is to choose the darkness of error and Satanic delusion. If Yerima lacks wisdom to discharge the duties of his office, let him ask of God.

By this bill, Yerima has unknowingly written his own epitaph: “Here lies Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima: a child molester, child violator, and child predator. Thank God Almighty our children are free at last!” https://www.passnownow.com/?p=posts&id=3324

It is very unfortunate that the Senate has okayed underage women for marriage in Nigeria.

This is the most absurd thing any sane government could ever do. With the teeming number of teenage pregnancies and the social and health hazards that we are already battling with, one wonders if our law makers are really thinking at all. Have they heard about obstructed labour due to small pelvis of the “child” mother? Have they heard about Obstetric fistula that results from prolonged obstructed labour that makes the girl leak urine continuously and makes her a social outcast? Do they know that many of these “children” are divorced and driven out of their husbands’ homes because of this malady? Do they know that mortality rate of children born to these “children” is very high? This is male chauvinism and child abuse being legalised, this is an assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians who care that we have a just society that looks after the welfare of the children and youths; an insult on common sense. Where are the women and the youths who are being abused by this legislation?

We, well-meaning Nigerians will not allow this injustice happen to our children. We therefore insist that our daughters be sent to school and not to infant marriages.

Education is the bedrock of every society, and the education of the girl child is as important as that of her male counterpart.

We therefore are surprised that Nigeria’s Senate didn’t consider making it mandatory for every girl child below 18 to be in school. Instead, they gave a legislative seal of approval for the marriage of underage girls. That means even a 5 year old toddler could be married off by her parents.

Nigerians of all tribes and religions have rejected this, and therefore undertake to stand against the state-sanctioned abuse of the girl child. By tomorrow, Saturday, 20th July, 2013, we’ll be signing a petition that will be forwarded to the National Assembly, Abuja.

If you are in Abuja, the venue is: Unity Fountain, by Transcorp Hilton. Also the Park. Time is: 9am-12noon.

For those in Lagos, the venues are:

1. Ojeez Restaurant, National Stadium Surulere.

2. Alausa Park, Opposite Lagos State Governor’s Office, Ikeja.

3. The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki

4. New African Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja. 5. Arrangements are still on-going for those in Festac Town and its environs.

Time is 9am-12noon.

We also ask you to volunteer your time to help us take papers to churches and mosques for signing. We need to gather as much signatures as we can push for within just 2 days. Millions of them, if we can, will speak more than mere thousands. And if the millions are in their tens, then the better.
https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/senate-okays-marriage-for-girls-this-must-not-happen-give-your-support-to-stop-this-madness/

Despite all my parents had told me about trusting strangers, I still managed to fall for him. I was gisting with a friend of mine on “Frendz4u” when his friend request came up. I normally don’t accept requests from strangers but I guess I fell immediately I enlarged his avatar. His face was all over my laptop, he was smiling, his cute dimples coming out. My mouse hovered over “Accept and “Reject” until I finally clicked “Accept”

“What’s the worst that can happen?” I told myself I’d be really careful.

We got talking, he was very interesting to chat with, very funny too. What struck me most was that he never asked for any personal information yet he told me all about himself. He never asked me for my house address or anything like that, no wonder there was no hesitation when he asked for my phone number after about one month of chatting.

I still remember our first conversation on the phone, his voice was so soft, so sexy. After that day, he would call me and we would chat till late in the night talking about anything and everything. It was during our phone conversations that I noticed he was subtly flirting with me. I felt it was harmless so I flirted back. He would confess his undying love for me, I would in turn do same and we would both laugh about it.

One morning, I woke up to find a text from him. It was an invitation to his sweet 16 birthday party. I texted back and told him I’d love to come but my parents won’t allow me. He called me back immediately, his pleas were what made me change mind.

I lied to my parents with the help of my best friend. I told them I was going to stay over at her house for the weekend. Immediately after school on Friday, I went straight to my bff’s house to get ready for the party.

Since we wore the same size, I decided to borrow her clothes. She had more trendy clothes than I did. I must have changed outfits like ten times. I feel so stupid now that I think about it. I wanted to look perfect for our first face-to-face meeting. I finally decided to go simple; a pink V-neck top, a pair of blue skinny jeans and a pair of black and pink flats.

When I got to the venue of the party, everywhere was packed full It took me a while to find him. I wish I had a camera to snap the expression on his face when he saw me. He rushed over and gave me a bone-crushing hug then kissed me right in front of everyone. I was too shocked to even respond. He hung his hands on my shoulder and started introducing me to everyone as his girlfriend. I decided to play along. Read up here: https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/beware-folks-confession-of-a-teen-whose-life-was-almost-ruined-by-her-online-lover/

ASUP has been on strike for about three months.

Nigerian Polytechnic lecturers have suspended their indefinite strike currently in its third month; and agreed to return to work.

The lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, agreed to suspend the strike on Tuesday afternoon, the National Publicity Secretary of the Union, Clement Chiamen, told Premium Times Ng.

The lecturers’ decision follows the meeting they had with the federal lawmakers and ministers last week, after which they said the National Executive Committee of ASUP would meet to review the government’s offer. https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/breaking-nigeria-polytechnic-lecturers-asup-suspend-strike/

An eight-month-old boy is lucky to be alive after he was stabbed 90 times by his mother, mostly in the face, for biting her while she was breastfeeding.

Xiao Bao needed more than 100 stitches after the incident in Xuzhou, eastern China’s Jiangsu Province.

The infant lives with his mother and two uncles, who make a living recycling rubbish. It was one of the uncles who discovered Xiao Bao lying in a pool of blood in the yard of their home and rushed him to hospital.

The child’s mother later confessed that she stabbed the baby after he bit her during breastfeeding.

Neighbours have pleaded with the local government to take the baby away, but they have said that they will not.

Apparently, they said that there was no confirmation the mother was suffering from a mental illness and said, regardless, the baby still has two guardians in the form of his two uncles.

Mental illness remains a relatively closed topic in modern China, and neither medication nor modern psychiatric treatment is widely used.

An analysis of mental health issues in four Chinese provinces, published in 2009 in the British medical journal The Lancet, estimated that 91 per cent of the 173million Chinese adults that were believed to suffer mental problems never receive professional help.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2360263/Baby-stabbed-90-times-scissors-Chinese-mother-bit-breastfeeding-him.html
https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/baby-stabbed-90-times-with-scissors-by-his-chinese-mother-after-he-bit-her-as-she-was-breastfeeding-him/

50 CENT reportedly told his son he wanted “nothing to do” with him anymore in a furious text message tirade.

The rapper was recently charged with assaulting the unnamed mother of one of his children.

He has now been accused of threatening to cut all ties with his 16-year-old son Marquise.

RadarOnline reports that in January, 50 Cent – real name Curtis Jackson III – sent Marquise a series of irate text messages.

The 38-year-old reportedly said in one text, “I don’t have a son anymore” and ordered his son to delete his number.

During the heated exchange which lasted for more than an hour, he also allegedly asked the teen to take a DNA test to prove he is his biological child after insinuating his mother Shaniqua Tompkins had been unfaithful during their relationship.

“Tell your mother she won. She has you and ill make another. I will have nothing to do with you. Don’t text me ever again” (sic), the 21 Questions singer reportedly fumed.

The website reports that the shocking tirade began after Marquise failed to open the door to his father.

“Good luck with your life man. I tried to come talk to you. You din’t have to have me come all the way out there if you don’t want to see me” (sic), 50 Cent apparently wrote.

During the conversation, Marquiese reportedly suggested his father hadn’t contacted him on his birthday or at Christmas.

“All you want is a gift,” the rapper allegedly responded. “Like your mother and your ungrateful sister.”

Marquise apparently denied he was only interested in his superstar dad’s fame and fortune.

“Well if u feel that way, I don’t care about no gift it’s the thought that means the most, remember this money ain’t everything” (sic), read one message.

Radar claims to have verified that the texts came from a cell phone registered to G Unit Touring, the record label owned by 50 Cent.

50 Cent has not yet commented on the allegations.

He has been feuding with Shaniqua over custody and other legal issues since 2007. The rift reportedly deepened earlier this year when he filed legal papers ordering Shaniqua not to appear on US reality show Starter Wives.

The rapper currently faces up to five years in jail for domestic violence and vandalism charges after a recent argument with a woman who he has a baby with.

The unnamed victim claims she had to lock herself in a bedroom after he began destroying her property on June 23. She also alleges 50 Cent kicked open the bedroom door, injuring her in the process.

His arraignment has been set for July 22.50 CENT reportedly told his son he wanted “nothing to do” with him anymore in a furious text message tirade.

The rapper was recently charged with assaulting the unnamed mother of one of his children.

He has now been accused of threatening to cut all ties with his 16-year-old son Marquise.

RadarOnline reports that in January, 50 Cent – real name Curtis Jackson III – sent Marquise a series of irate text messages.

The 38-year-old reportedly said in one text, “I don’t have a son anymore” and ordered his son to delete his number.

During the heated exchange which lasted for more than an hour, he also allegedly asked the teen to take a DNA test to prove he is his biological child after insinuating his mother Shaniqua Tompkins had been unfaithful during their relationship.

“Tell your mother she won. She has you and ill make another. I will have nothing to do with you. Don’t text me ever again” (sic), the 21 Questions singer reportedly fumed.

The website reports that the shocking tirade began after Marquise failed to open the door to his father.

“Good luck with your life man. I tried to come talk to you. You din’t have to have me come all the way out there if you don’t want to see me” (sic), 50 Cent apparently wrote.

During the conversation, Marquiese reportedly suggested his father hadn’t contacted him on his birthday or at Christmas.

“All you want is a gift,” the rapper allegedly responded. “Like your mother and your ungrateful sister.”

Marquise apparently denied he was only interested in his superstar dad’s fame and fortune.

“Well if u feel that way, I don’t care about no gift it’s the thought that means the most, remember this money ain’t everything” (sic), read one message.

Radar claims to have verified that the texts came from a cell phone registered to G Unit Touring, the record label owned by 50 Cent.

50 Cent has not yet commented on the allegations.

He has been feuding with Shaniqua over custody and other legal issues since 2007. The rift reportedly deepened earlier this year when he filed legal papers ordering Shaniqua not to appear on US reality show Starter Wives.

The rapper currently faces up to five years in jail for domestic violence and vandalism charges after a recent argument with a woman who he has a baby with.

The unnamed victim claims she had to lock herself in a bedroom after he began destroying her property on June 23. She also alleges 50 Cent kicked open the bedroom door, injuring her in the process.

His arraignment has been set for July 22.https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/i-dont-have-a-son-anymore-50-cent-disowns-his16-year-old-son/

A new brand of condom is being marketed in Switzerland that is aimed specifically at the youngest of sexually active men.

The Hotshot, which is smaller than the average condom, is being sold with the slogan, “it fits when passion hits” to boys between 12 and 14 years old. https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/what-do-you-think-extra-small-condoms-for-12-14-year-old-boys-go-on-sale-in-switzerland/

Rihanna is such a great singer no doubt, but considering the kind of life style she’s chosen to live, I think it’s totally wrong for any reasonable young adult to ever see Riri as such a worthy role model.

Below are some of her images that portray her carefree attitude to public image. If she could really act as crazy as these in the open, one wonders the kinds of things she does in her closet. Read up here [https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/riri-alert-hey-teenie-we-know-you-love-rihanna-but-heres-why-you-cant-be-like-her-read-this/]

A group of college students from India – including a designer who is just 17 years old – has beaten the likes of Apple, Google and Sony to launch the world’s first fully-featured smartwatch.

Called Androidly, the device comes with Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi and a camera built-in.

The £150 watch can also be used as a phone to make calls and send texts using a phone SIM card and packs up to 16GB of storage.

Although other smart watches, including the Pebble and Sony’s Live Watch, can wirelessly connect with mobile phones, Androidly is the first to come with the operating system fully integrated.

Androidly has a 2inch screen and comes with a 2MP camera.

It runs on an older version of the Android operating system called Android 2.2 Froyo.

A speaker, camera and microphone are built into the device and it can be plugged into a USB socket to be used as a storage device.

It can also be used to charge the phone.

Androidly is the brainchild of four students from India – software developer Ankit Pradhan, communications professional Pavneet Singh Puri and lawyer Apurva Sukant plus teenager Siddhant Vats.

Sukant said: ‘There are other such products in the market, but they mostly sync with a smartphone and are not phones in themselves.

‘We have ported Android on to a much smaller board and built a wearable phone.’

The devices can now be ordered, in black or white, from the Android.ly site for £150 each.

The £90 Pebble watch was the first device to be classed as a ‘smartwatch’ and similarly launched following a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year.

The Pebble smartwatch syncs wirelessly with a smartphone allowing users to receive emails and Facebook messages, control their music and even see who is calling them.

Users can also downloads apps to their watch to upgrade its capabilities.

It works by connecting to an iPhone or Android device via Bluetooth, then downloading the Pebble app to transmit software updates.

Apple is also rumoured to be developing a smartwatch, although the firm has refused to comment on the plans.

Google is also known to be investigating the area.

Explaining the potential of Androidly, the site explains: ‘Multi-task like a super hero. Reach out for that refreshing drink in middle of an email, with full confidence.

‘Read through your documents, with references on your wrist and a coffee in your hand!

‘Cook with the recipe handy, or manage your stocks with a live ticker always at hand.

‘Switch between the digital and the real world effortlessly, without putting anything up or down!’ [https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/teenager-beats-tech-giants-to-launch-worlds-first-smart-watch-that-makes-calls-and-comes-with-built-in-camera/]

Two drunk Russian teens chopped off a homeless man’s head, which they then used to play soccer, police said.

The pair allegedly used an ax, saw and knives to kill and decapitate the vagrant on a street in eastern Moscow “because they didn’t like the look of him.”

After entertaining themselves, they dumped the head in a trash bin, leaving the body in the street. The blood trail led police directly to the murderers and the weapons.

RIA Novosti reports that “the two teenagers, who have not been named, were detained in the apartment as murder suspects, the statement said, adding that three other teenagers are thought to have been present during the incident, but not involved in the murder.”

The tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that the two suspects had been drinking and attacked the homeless man with knives in a fit of alcohol-induced rage, citing one of the three teenagers.

One alleged attacker then hacked off the man’s head and mutilated it, including by scalping it, the newspaper reported. The duo used it as a football until it rolled into a trash can, which is where they left it when they went home to sleep it off, the newspaper reported.

The search continues for the victim’s head, which was taken away by a garbage truck in the morning, preventing the man’s identification. https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/bizarre-russian-teens-allegedly-cut-off-homeless-mans-head-play-soccer-with-his-head/

Dancing for me relieves stress, makes my head lighter and I become more alert after engaging in it. I usually never miss an opportunity to dance, and most of my friends believe that I just can’t do without it. I am not a professional dancer (hope to be soonest) or a fitness instructor but I can categorically tell you that dancing takes you to another realm once you lose yourself in it. Dancing is a form of aerobic exercise, which means it is vigorous enough to raise your heart and breathing rates. All forms of dancing improve balance and coordination, although some are better than others. Whether you choose to learn ballroom dancing from a qualified instructor, participate in a dance-fitness class at a gym or dance along with a video in your living room, there is a number of ways to enjoy dance and get a good aerobic workout simultaneously.

I attended an event recently, Wajo Lagos; this was an open floor dance gathering for dance lovers. A doctor who has also been a dancer for the past 10 years came to share the benefits of dancing and I could not help but agree strongly with her on the points she raised. She said, dancing builds your level of confidence, makes you smarter and more agile. She also said, it makes you more intelligent because you have to learn a lot of choreography. Another salient point raised was that the rates of diabetes and hypertension cases have increased drastically in the past years; she advised that dancing and a lot of activities can help curtail this. You feel very light and able to carry yourself gracefully. It was worthy of note that dancers have more beautiful bodies and you enjoy dancing more when you are not under the pressure of an intending performance but just free styling.

Benefits of Dancing

Dance helps to build your confidence by constantly performing in front of an audience; this would help shy people to overcome their shyness.
Dancing can help improve bone density and decrease the likelihood of osteoporosis (A condition which makes the bones brittle and fragile from loss of tissue)
Psychologically, dancing offers an opportunity to be with others, and to work off stress and fatigue.
The music that accompanies dancing can heighten energy and mood, and provide an enjoyable time.
Some people do a lot of work out/dieting for weight loss, dancing can actually help you burn some calories and positively affect weight loss too.
The repetitive movements involved in dance can improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Dancing qualifies as an exercise (30 minutes rigorous dancing daily can suffice)
Dancing is also a highly social activity. According to “FamilyTalk Magazine,” dance lessons can help people improve their social and communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation and make new friends.
Dancing improves discipline and focus; skills that can be useful to you.
Dancing can help to boost creativity and develop an appreciation for the arts. This has worked tremendously for me.
Dancing aids relaxation of both the mind and body as a result of the joy that comes with completing a dance.

The benefits of dancing cannot be overemphasized; health wise, educationally, socially etc. If you have not been dancing or confused on how to get started, not to worry, there are so many dance schools or centers around where you can learn to dance professionally, for fitness or just for fun, if you ask around. Although, The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) is a very prominent one that offers variety of dance classes for various age grades.

You can follow the link to see the various dance steps and find which interests you the most: http://dance.about.com/od/typesofdance/tp/Dance_Types.htm

A few minutes of active dance a day will keep the doctor away! [https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/why-you-should-get-dancing/]

A small talking robot built in Japan is about to take one giant leap into space.

Kirobo — a humanoid “robot astronaut” that can converse with humans in space and on the ground — is scheduled for launch to the International Space Station on Aug. 4.

Once aboard the orbiting laboratory, Kirobo will take part in the first robot-to-human conversation in space, Kibo Robot Project officials have said.

“Russia was the first to go outer space, the U.S. was the first to go to the moon, we want Japan to be the first to send a robot-astronaut to space that can communicate with humans,” said Yorichika Nishijima, the Kirobo project manager, according to The Associate Press.

Kirobo’s name comes from a combination of the Japanese word for hope, “kibo,” and the word “robot.” Officials from the project chose the name from the more than 2,452 entries submitted by interested fans of the project. The Japanese module of the space station — called the Kibo laboratory — is also named for “hope.”

The robot comes equipped with voice-recognition technology, natural language processing, facial recognition, a camera, emotion recognition and the ability to speak Japanese.

The 13.4 inches (34 centimeters) soon-to-be space-flying robot went through a series of zero-gravity and safety tests before receiving clearance for launch.

Kirobo is scheduled to speak for the first time in space in August or September, but it will be a few more months before Kirobo has its historic first conversation. The robot’s conversation partner, veteran Japanese astronaut, Koichi Wakata, will not arrive at the space station until November or December. Kirobo and Wakata are expected to speak for the first time in December of this year, and Kirobo will return to Earth in December 2014.

“I want to help create a world where humans and robots can live together,” Kirobo said when asked what its dream is by an official from Toyota Motor Corp., a partner in the Kibo Robot Project.

Project engineers and scientists also developed a second communications robot (known as Mirata) that will remain on Earth. Mirata and Kirobo are almost identical in function, allowing engineers on the ground to troubleshoot any problems that may arise with Kirobo by testing Mirata.

Kirobo will launch aboard the unmanned, cargo-carrying spacecraft H-2 Transfer Vehicle-4 from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The robot was developed by the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, the Toyota Motor Corp., Robo Garage and the PR company Dentsu Inc. [https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/worlds-first-talking-robot-set-to-go-into-space/]

Skipping breakfast every day may be a bad idea after all, especially if you are overweight, because it could increase the risk of developing diabetes.

A new study found that when women skipped the morning meal, they experienced insulin resistance, a condition in which a person requires more insulin to bring their blood sugar into a normal range, explained Dr. Elizabeth Thomas, an instructor of medicine at the
University of Colorado.

“Eating a healthy breakfast is probably beneficial,” Thomas said. “It may not only help you control your weight but avoid diabetes.” Diabetes has been diagnosed in more than 10 million Nigerians. Most have type 2 diabetes, in which the body does not make enough insulin or does not use it effectively. Excess weight is a risk factor for diabetes.

The new study included nine women. Their average age was 29, and all were overweight or obese. Thomas measured their levels of insulin and blood sugar on two different days after the women ate lunch. On one day, they had eaten breakfast; on the other day, they had skipped it. Glucose levels normally rise after eating a meal, and that in turn triggers insulin production, which helps the cells take in the glucose and convert it to energy.

However, the women’s insulin and glucose levels after lunch were much higher on the day they skipped breakfast than on the day they ate it. On the day they did not eat breakfast, Thomas explained, “they required a higher level of insulin to handle the same meal.”

“There was a 28 percent increase in the insulin response and a 12 percent increase in the glucose response after skipping breakfast,” she said. That’s a mild rise in glucose and a moderate rise in insulin,” she noted.

Other ways to reduce diabetes risk, according to the American Diabetes Association, are to control weight, blood pressure and cholesterol and to be physically active. [https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/skipping-breakfast-may-raise-diabetes-risk-study-finds/]

Splendid Literature and Cultural Foundation is now accepting entries for its 2013 annual competition organised to select and publish the best six (6) unpublished stories by Nigerian writers (aged between 11-21 years) of children’s literature who are resident in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, entries are invited from all over the country. “Submitted stories should entertain and enlighten, with strong Nigerian/African content. The Foundation’s judges will assess each entry on the depth, originality and quality of the writing and the story’s appeal to its intended audience. Above all, these stories are to stimulate the imagination of the readers to think and problem-solve in novel ways”, says Damola Olofinlua, the foundation’s Coordinator.

Regarding the rules and regulations of the competition, Damola said all entries must be original; unpublished stories in English Language. He also hinted that plays and poems would not be accepted.

The two categories being considered are:

Junior: An original unpublished story in English Language for children between the ages of 8 – 12. Length: Up to 3,000 words
Senior: An original unpublished story in English Language for young adults between the ages of 13 and 17. Length: Up to 6,000 words

The best three stories from each category will be selected for publication by the Foundation’s Panel of Judges.

Submission Procedure

1. Submissions should be typewritten or legibly handwritten, double spaced on numbered pages. Entries submitted online should be in clear and legible fonts. Illegible entries will be disqualified.

2. Include a passport photograph, name, residential address, phone number and email address on the title page of the manuscript, with only the full name of entrant on each numbered page of the submission.

3. Entries must be submitted under the entrant’s real name. Pseudonyms are not permitted.

4. Not more than one entry per entrant will be accepted.

5. For online submission, ensure that you attach your entry and e-mail it to entries@splendidfoundation.com. OR Submit six (6) copies of the entry manuscript to Splendid Literature & Culture Foundation:

31, Alhaji Tokan Street, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos or P.O Box 7328, GPO, Lagos.

6. Submissions should be accompanied by evidence of Nigerian citizenship (photocopied/scanned copy of birth certificate, Nigerian passport or Nigerian ID Card).

7. The closing date for all entries is August, 31 2013.

For more details, visit: https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/splendid-literature-and-cultural-foundation-announces-writing-competition-for-young-nigerian-writers/

“The Xbox One will no longer require online check-ins every 24 hours and there will be no restrictions placed on game lending”

If you ever thought that the consumer outrage is completely impotent in the 21st Century, think again. After an Internet flaming hot enough to cause third degree burns from gamers, Microsoft has backtracked on two of its most ridiculous planned policies for the Xbox One next-gen console.

To wit, the Xbox One will no longer require online check-ins every 24 hours and there will be no restrictions placed on game lending.

The news was announced in an official Microsoft blog post written by the software giant’s President of Interactive Entertainment Business, Don Mattrick, who said the company’s turnaround was a response to “feedback from the Xbox community”.

“After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again,” wrote Mattrick. “There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.”

“There will be no limitations to using and sharing games,” he added. “It will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.”

Mattrick also hinted that Microsoft may be binning its policy of region locking its games for its console, writing, “Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console – there will be no regional restrictions.”

It’s hard not to see this massive reversal in DRM and game sharing policy as a response to Sony’s keynote address, in which Sony executive Jack Tretton announced that the PS4 would require no DRM ping and would place no limits on the number of friends that users could share their games with.

The turnaround will likely make the Xbox One far more competitive in the run-up to its release at the end of this year, although for now at least, Sony’s PS4 is still cheaper in price. https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/good-news-guys-microsoft-has-pulled-a-180-reverses-xbox-one-drm-policies/

“Microsoft Executive Don Mattrick has advised gamers who don’t have internet access to stick with the Xbox 360 console.”

Microsoft’s had a tough couple of days. Not only has the software giant caused massive consternation with the high retail pricing of the Xbox One, but it’s received a right royal kicking after Sony announced the PS4 has no DRM, requires no internet connection and is quite cheaper than the competition.

For a lot of gamers, a huge sticking point has been the requirement to go online with the Xbox One at least once a day in order to play games with.

Players have pointed to the fact that if they live in areas that don’t have great internet access, this policy could present problems for them. Well, Microsoft Executive, Don Mattrick has a solution for them: stick with your last gen console!

In an interview with Spike TV at the E3 expo, Mattrick said: “Fortunately, we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity. It’s called Xbox 360. If you have zero access to the internet, that is an offline device.”

“Seriously, when I read the blogs and thought about who’s really the most impacted, there was a person who said, ‘Hey I’m on a nuclear sub’. And I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub, but I’ve got to imagine it’s not easy to get an internet connection,” he added. “But hey, I can empathise. If I was on a sub, I’d be disappointed.”

Mattrick’s statement seems to clarify that, at least at present, Microsoft has no plans to budge on its online policy. Come this November we’ll find out whether that and the PS4′s lower retail price may be the silver bullets Sony needs to win the first battle in the upcoming console war…: https://passnownow.com/pnnblog/xbox-1-dont-buy-the-new-xbox-if-you-dont-have-internet-says-microsoft/