As we recently welcomed the New Year, the theme for this week is, A fresh start; new beginnings. Although all the animals looking for a home will fit this category, there are some who have captured our emotions more and we feel they deserve this fresh start more than anything. Perhaps it is ones who have been waiting a long time, or a particularly sad case, or ones who found themselves without a home or even strays who deserve a new life.

Alaska - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Not a great deal is known about Alaska, which is sad in itself. He was in a foster home with other dogs but has since found himself in boarding for over a month, just wondering why and waiting for a family to call his own. For more information about Alaska, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Loki - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Loki is a lovely medium-sized boy. He is looking for a foster or forever home. He is almost two years old and is lovely, but can be skittish and nervous around some situations so he needs a calm and understanding family who know how to communicate well with dogs and understand their needs and their concerns. Loki loves children as well as other dogs. For more information about Loki, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Archer - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Beautiful Archer is still awaiting his forever home. He has now been in his foster home for a year. He is great with children and most other dogs. He is now almost three years old. House and toilet trained. Hes wondering why hes having to wait this long for anyone to even ask about adopting him. He wants to be with a family in a home. He is one of the dogs we have had the longest. For more information about Archer, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Julien - Urban Tails Adoptions

Julien is very good with other cats and loves to be around children. He is very playful and friendly. He will love to sit on your lap for cuddles. For more information about Julien, please click here or contact Urban Tails on 04 8848847 or aideen@urbantailsdubai.com

Samantha - Urban Tails Adoptions

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A new beginning for these pets

Signs reading Je Suis Charlie stand on parliamentarians desk at the European Parliment in Strasbourg on Tuesday to remember the victims of the terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish kosher supermarket in France. Photograph: EPA

A set of guidelines for Muslims on how to deal with images depicting the prophet Muhammad has been published by the Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland.

In response to the murder of members its editorial staff in Paris last week, the cover of the upcoming Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine features a cartoon of the prophet. Depictions of Muhammad are considered taboo in Islam. The image has been widely republished by news and media organisations.

The Islamic centre said the publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

The guidelines call on Muslims to repond by reflecting the teachings of Muhammad: patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy.

The guidelines, written by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, president and imam Al-Mustafa Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland, are published in full below:

1. For every Muslim, love of the prophet is a necessary part of his/her faith. He is dearer to us than our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We prefer him to our own self.

2. The publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the Prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, as well as millions of non-Muslims who respect the great personality of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. Muslims do believe in freedom of speech. And they do respect the right for people to say what they believe to be correct. However, we all know that there is no such thing as absolute free speech. There are laws to protect the dignity and properties of people. We urge all decent minded governments and individuals to respect these sensitivities, as we should respect all races and religions. In the struggle for freedom of speech it was never the intention to extend freedom of speech to making fun of insulting customs, traditions, personalities that are sacred to a particular community.

4. As it is clear that the cartoons are to be published again, Muslims will inevitably be hurt, offended and upset, but our reaction must be a reflection of the teachings of the one we love and are offended for. Enduring patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy as was the character of our beloved prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best and immediate way to respond.

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Irish Islamic centre publishes guidelines on Muhammad images

Brain Teasers, Riddles, Trivia, Brain Exercises, Games, Forums and more...

With over 20,000 brain teasers, riddles, logic problems, quizzes and mind puzzles submitted and ranked by users like you, Braingle has the largest collection anywhere on the internet. Our large array of unique online multiplayer games will keep you entertained for hours, and if you want to improve your brain, check out the Mentalrobics section. If you crave a brain teaser, mind puzzle, riddle or game, we are the place to get it. Increase your creativity, boost learning and become a better person at Braingle. Get ready to have your brain tangled!

Riddles, puzzles, logic problems and other enigmas to entangle the mind.

Take fun and interesting quizzes on a wide range of topics.

Daily exercises and tips for improving memory, creativity, vocabulary and stress management.

Dozens of free online games to play in your browser with other players.

As a Braingle user you can submit riddles, rate puzzles, make quizzes, keep track of brain teasers and play some of our exclusive games. Best of all, you'll be part of a really great community of brain teaser enthusiasts!

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Braingle: Brain Teasers, Puzzles, Riddles, Trivia and Games

HOUSTON, Texas With the beginning of the new year, many, as part of their New Year`s resolution, vow to lose that tire around the waist.One diet expert, David Zinczenko, claims he has a way to target that belly fat. By eating certain foods that target fat genes and cause them to turn off, and all without counting calories or food deprivation.

We decided to check it out with a nutritionist.

It talks specifically about losing belly fat, so there is unfortunately no quick fix with regards to just losing the belly fat from using natural foods, explained Dr. Shreela Sharma of the UTHealth School of Public Health.

That`s not to say that much of the information Zinczenko gives, isn`t valid for general weight loss, though it isn`t anything most of us haven`t heard before.

Like eating dark green vegetables, eating a diet high in nuts and plant proteins, eating some of the super foods like your blueberries or avocados which can help reduce your body weight, because you are moving towards a healthier life style, said Dr. Sharma.

The good news, chocolate is on the menu.

Dark chocolate, it is good for you because it has certain antioxidant properties. Taken in moderation, of course.

So, if you want to live up to your resolution, then there`s no quick fix because it all comes down to the old healthy diet and excercise. Good luck!!

Read more from the original source:
Foods that help you lose your belly fat but can they really?

Published: 10 Jan 2015 08:30

A TRIGGER-HAPPY Port man who admitting firing a missile from his flat has been told his behaviour was an act of crass stupidity.

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Terence McGeown, 36, placed a milk carton and a fizzy drink bottle in a tree beyond his Robert Street home for air rifle target practice.

But the dad-of-twos gun fun came to an abrubt halt after a concerned resident spotted what he was up to and alerted the police.

Prosecutor David Simpson told Greenock Sheriff Court: The accused was observed firing an air rifle from an address in Robert Street which was shown to be his own home.

The police were called and he was spoken to. He said he had the air rifle and was using it for target practice.

The accused was shooting at a bottle he had placed in a tree.

McGeown had been officially accused of using the gun for firing a missile.

The wording of the charge became the butt of a volley of court jokes because prosecutors didnt use the word pellet instead.

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Port man in dock after he is spotted firing rifle

Cheers and applause greeted the news that Poole Park is to receive nearly 3million Heritage Lottery Funding.

The stunning success of the lottery bid was revealed at the cricket pavilion and celebrated with tea and cake by groups and organisations involved in the park.

Ecstatic and overjoyed was the reaction from Martin Whitchurch, Borough of Poole project leader for environmental and consumer protection.

The Victorian park is among seven historic public parks throughout the country to share a 20.6m lottery pot, receiving a 2,970,200 grant.

We dont get it now, he said. We get 260,000 which funds the next two years worth of work before we get the big capital funding.

A major work will be to undertake detailed research and monitoring of the boating lake to help establish future management arrangements; conservation, maintenance and maintenance plans will be drawn up and there will be a range of public events and consultation.

We could probably spend 10m quite easily, said Martin.

This is the first stage in a long process to improve Poole Park.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for a prosperous and sustainable Poole said: We are delighted with this announcement and its a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the local residents, businesses and the Friends of Poole Park for getting us to this stage.

Mike Heckford, vice-chairman and treasurer of Friends of Poole Park said: Now the hard work begins to ensure plans are drawn up to improve Poole Park and to ensure it is an even more pleasant place for everyone to visit in future. The money when received, must be wisely spent.

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Delight as Poole Park is awarded 2.9m Lottery cash