Newgen March 2016

March 2016

!

CENTRE YOUTH

Should I Go Abroad to Syria to Fight?!

American Presidential Elections

Dealing with Depression

ACF Needs You! London Marathon The 3 Day Body Cleanse

1 NewGen

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CONTENT 04

Is There Jihad in Syria?

20 Carpets4u

06

Why you should not use Aluminium deodorants

21 Sports Edition

07

NG Recipe

22 ACF Needs You!

08

The 3 Day Cleanse

23

12

Peace

14

ACF Events!

16

Presidential Race

19

Dealing with Depression

London Marathon

3 NewGen

Is There Jihad in Syria?

Should one go Abroad and Fight?

It is obligatory upon each Muslim that he supplicates to Allaah for his brothers, the Muslims in every land of the World, and from them, the land of Syria in specific – that he calls upon Allaah, the Most High, whilst in prayer or whilst upon his travels, or during those times when the supplications are more likely to be accepted, that Allaah relieves them of that which has afflicted them from harm, and that He lifts from them that which has afflicted them from tribulations, and that he protects us and them from evils and trials – and that He has mercy upon their old, their young, their womenfolk and their youth. We ask that Allaah aids the weak and downtrodden in every place.

When there occurred that which occurred in the land of Syria of revolt by some of the people in the beginning against that oppressive, tyrannical, transgressing ruler, and Allaah’s refuge is sought, and they stood against him and some of them took up arms against him, the people of truth of that land came asking, seeking the truth as to what they are to do. So the true Scholars of Islaam answered without any flattery and without seeking any benefit for themselves as is sought by others who pursue and seek after tribulations (fitnah). So the Scholars issued fatawa in truth and in the light of the Prophetic narrations, that you should not do that (i.e. rise up against the ruler), and not raise weapons, and that you must stay away from tribulation and trials. And that is not due to the fact that the ruler is not a sinner, a criminal, and not due to any sanctity of Islaam for him, no!

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Rather from the conditions of Islaam as it relates to revolt against the ruler who is an unbeliever and upon whom the ruling of disbelief has been confirmed with utter certainty and with proof from Allaah – so the Scholars have mentioned conditions – and that is even for the disbelieving ruler whose disbelief has exited him from the Religion, due to the fact that it is clear cut open disbelief – the disbelief which we see, which is open and apparent, for which we have a clear textual proof from Allaah. So this one who is revolted against, that the revolt against him must not lead to greater tribulation than what was already present before, greater destruction than what was there before. So if by removing this ruler, it leads to even greater harm and corruption, then it is not permitted to raise arms and weapons against such a ruler – and this is by the agreement or consensus (ijmaa’) of the scholars. So there must be ability present before he can be removed. So if there is not present the ability to remove him, then likewise he cannot be revolted against and removed.

So this is what the Scholars gave as verdicts (fatawa) in this affair – that it is not permitted to rise up in arms against that ruler [of Syria]. As for the opportunists who have little regard for principles, the people of desires and innovation, those who profiteer behind the scenes when tribulations take place, and when blood is shed – these people say: “Look! They are defending such-and-such [a ruler]!” However, the Scholars of Sunnah do not defend this tyrannical sinner. Rather their intent is to protect the blood of the Muslims, the weak and downtrodden, which is pure and purifies. So upon you is to look and see: When the affair became great and then increased further over these past three years, that this criminal day by day has only increased in his criminality.

He has slaughtered men in their hundreds, in their thousands, and tens of thousands. He has done the same with children, and the worshippers, and the land itself, he has destroyed homes, yet he has still not left his seat of power.

So by seeking his removal, what has been achieved? The corruption that was there before of killing has now multiplied and multiplied.

So when there occurred that which occurred and matters became worse just as you see, killing and retribution and further killing, and then there entered into their ranks [of the rebels] people, and there came people from here and there. And the various banners [of rebellion] were raised, more than one banner, more than one group, more than one faction.

Each one calling out and screaming, “Each one claiming attachment to Laylah, but Laylah refuses to recognise any of them.” So their banner under which they fight is unknown, a banner that is not guided aright or sound, a banner that is dubious and suspect, a banner of innovation, and a banner of misguided innovators – and that is the reality. So for what will you fight, and under what banner will you fight. The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) said, as has been reported in Saheeh Muslim and elsewhere: “Whoever fights under a banner that is unknown or disguised and then dies, then he dies the death of the days of pre-Islamic ignorance.”

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) also said, as has been reported by Imaam al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh: “The Ruler is a shield, and the fighting takes place under his leadership” So there must be Ruler, a banner that is true, sound, just, free from chaos and disorder and so on. Yes, a correct banner behind a legitimate ruler, as the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) said: “The Ruler is a shield, and the fighting takes place under his leadership.” Meaning that he is a protection for them, so the Ruler is a necessary component – it cannot be the case that a few people gather together and say, “Ok, you, me and so-and-so, so we’ll appoint you as our Ruler.” This is playing games, and a fabrication against the Sharee’ah, it is a mockery of the Religion of Allaah. There are many now who are trading and doing business in this crisis. The people of desires have caused great confusion in this affair by way of the internet and other social media.

Fitnah (tribulation) is like fire, it requires wood and fuel. So who the fuel of for this tribulation?

It is not possible that the fuel of this fitnah are only the youth of this Ummah who are trying to seek out the truth – however, they are not guided to those who will take them by their hand to show them what is correct.

So these youth are traded by those who do business in blood – they hurl them into this tribulation making them fuel for the fire. They cause mischief with their minds saying to them, “There is nothing between you and Paradise except this [war in Syria], so you should do such-and-such an act [of violence].” It is made to seem that Paradise is in front of them, and the gate to Paradise is with them (i.e. the callers to fighting in Syria) and that they have the keys to it!

It is not possible that the fuel of this fitnah are only the youth of this Ummah who are trying to seek out the truth – however, they are not guided to those who will take them by their hand to show them what is correct.

So these youth are traded by those who do business in blood – they hurl them into this tribulation making them fuel for the fire. They cause mischief with their minds saying to them, “There is nothing between you and Paradise except this [war in Syria], so you should do such-and-such an act [of violence].” It is made to seem that Paradise is in front of them, and the gate to Paradise is with them (i.e. the callers to fighting in Syria) and that they have the keys to it!

“Their deeds and words are being written down and they shall surely be questioned.”

So this crisis, may Allaah bless you, as we have stated, many are trading in it, causing confusion and chaos amongst the people, making mischief whilst continually reviling what the Scholars of the Sunnah are upon – they are pleased with atrocities taking place. Some of them declare other Muslims to be unbelievers, and they accuse others to be heretics, and they make permissible the spilling of the blood of many people.

As for these others [who call to fitnah], then they gather the wealth of the people, they consume and eat and drink – and they have made a business for themselves from this fitnah. So we have millions of people who have been displaced and are living under tents dying from hunger and illness and so on, even children, infants, women, men, the incapacitated – and how many women stay in those camps without any male relatives (mahram) with them, nor family members? So what is the cause of this, may Allaah bless you?

So this is what we believe and take as our Religion before Allaah, and that it is not permitted to travel to that land [of Syria].

Rather, instead, Allaah is beseeched in supplication that He removes the afflictions and harms that have befallen them. And if you are to do something to aid them, then give in charity to official governmental bodies, not to people who collect money in streets and at the doors of mosques, do not give them your wealth at all. Charity for the refugees, the poor, the impoverished and those who have been afflicted from those who live in these refugee camps must be given to the official governmental bodies if you wish to aid and help those afflicted.

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Why You Should Use Aluminium-Free Deodorant There are times in life when we need added protection against body odour. Whether at the gym or in an important meeting, it’s very likely that, without some type of deodorant, we’ll sweat and let out a little odour. Not a pleasant topic, but it can’t be ignored. Choosing the right deodorant is just as important as wearing it regularly, not just because you need to find one that will provide lasting protection, but will be safe in the process.

Difference between Antiperspirant and Deodorant

While most people use the terms antiperspirant and deodorant interchangeably, the two are not the same. Antiperspirants work by preventing perspiration from occurring. Deodorants allow perspiration but block odour. Deodorants accomplish this by killing the bacteria that cause odour. From a purely natural standpoint, it makes more sense for us to use deodorants, as it is a more natural process.

Of course none of us wants to emit an unpleasant, offensive odour, and some of us don’t particularly enjoy sweating. The fact is many personal care products that deal with these concerns contain aluminium as an active ingredient. Aluminium is also a known neurotoxin. Aluminium-free deodorants are perhaps the best alternative, and these products are growing considerably in both availability and number.

The Dangers of Using Products Containing Aluminium

Deodorants contain aluminium and synthetic fragrances, undesirable components many people are sensitive to. [1] If you find that your underarms are irritated, it may be an allergic reaction to the aluminium which is toxic to the body.

Aluminium has been associated with a variety of health issues, [2] [3] [4] including: • • • •

Breast Cancer Alzheimer’s Disease Bone Disorders Kidney Problems

What to Look for in an Aluminium-Free Deodorant

Aluminium-free deodorants should consist of essential oils and all natural ingredients. Aluminium free alone may not be enough as some aluminium-free deodorants are still high risk, according to the Environmental Working Group, and can contain chemicals like triclosan and propylene glycol.

Triclosan is perhaps a fiercer endocrine disruptor than propylene glycol, so try to avoid it.

References: 1.

Matthew J. Zirwas, MD and Jessica Moennich, MD. Antiperspirant and Deodorant Allergy.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2008 Sep; 1(3): 38-43.

2.

Darbre PD. Aluminum, antiperspirants and breast cancer. J Inorg Biochem. 2005 Sep;99(9);1912-9.

3.

Tomljenovic L. Aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease: after a century of controversy, is there a plausible link? J Alzheimer’s Dis. 2011;23(4):567-98. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-101494.

4.

Malluche HH. Aluminum and bone disease in chronic renal failure. Nephrol Dial Transplant.

2002;17 Suppl 2:21-4.

6 NewGen

Quinoa with Chicken and Fresh Veggies About this recipe:

A delicious all-in-one dish that combined chicken, veg and healthy quinoa. It could probably be done well with prawns also. You could easily try different veg, especially if you can't find garlic scapes. Garlic scapes are the green, immature stalk of the garlic bulb, with a crunchy texture similar to asparagus. Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 175g rinsed quinoa • 475ml chicken stock • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin Olive Oil • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 small onion, chopped • 2 skinless chicken breast fillets - cut into strips • 1 courgette, diced • 1 tomato, diced • 110g crumbled feta cheese • 8 fresh basil leaves • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Method Prep: 30min

Cook: 25min Ready in: 55min

1.Bring the quinoa and chicken stock to the boil in a saucepan; reduce heat to a simmer and

cover the pan. Simmer until the stock is absorbed, the quinoa is fluffy, and the white line is visible in the grain, about 12 minutes.

2.Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan; cook and stir the garlic scapes and onion until

onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken breast strips and cook until the chicken is still slightly pink in the middle, about 5 more minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

3.Pour 2 more tablespoons of olive oil in the frying pan and cook and stir the courgette and

tomato until the courgette is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Return chicken to frying pan and sprinkle with feta cheese, basil leaves and lime juice. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and hot, about 10 more minutes. Serve over hot quinoa.

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THE 3-DAY SUPER CLEANSE A short detox can make a massive difference to how you feel for weeks afterwards.

Not only is weight loss inevitable, as you’ll lose excess fluid, but a cleanse will also reset your energy, improve your concentration and clear up skin niggles.

The idea behind our diet is to give your body a break, freeing up energy so that your cells, tissues and organs can work efficiently once again. We don’t advise diving in at the deep end straight away – you’ll get better results if you do some prep work first, so we recommend putting a few ‘pretox’ strategies in place at least five days beforehand. This involves phasing out certain types of foods, along with undertaking a few lifestyle changes. We’ve also listed handy what-to-do advice in case you get stuck and some simple after-care tips.

Ready to feel great again?

You’re just three days away from a new you!

PRETOX MUST-DOS: Sleep more..

Sleep is a prerequisite for renewal and rejuvenation of your body’s cells. Aim to get around eight to nine hours of shut-eye to support your immune system and nourish your cognitive health.

Say goodbye to sugar...

Five days before starting the detox, cut out the obvious sources of sugar like ready meals, chocolate, sweets, biscuits and alcohol which will dehydrate you and deplete your body of important nutrients.

Limit wheat...

Wheat is difficult for your body to digest and can cause inflammation and some digestive discomfort, so instead try to replace wheat from breads and cereals with protein-rich foods like yoghurt and eggs.

Go plain and simple...

Five days before starting our food plan, keep your diet simple with easy to digest foods. Think porridge with berries and seeds for breakfast, baked sweet potato with tuna and salad for lunch and lean meat and steamed veggies for dinner. Make a shopping list before hitting the supermarket so you load up on healthy food rather than treats.

Drink up...

Keep your body hydrated with water – around 1.5 litres per day should do it. This will help to flush out toxins, clear skin and reduce bloating. Aim to cut caffeine too, as it releases the stress hormone cortisol, which increases abdominal fat.

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During the detox...

Healthy advice to help you get the most out of the plan Wake your body Kick-start your digestive system by drinking a cup of warm water with lemon first thing.

Body brush Dry brush before your bath or shower, starting from the soles of your feet and moving upwards, as this kind of lymphatic massage helps to detoxify, too.

Sip water regularly Drink 1.5 litres of water and sip on herbal teas.

Have an Epsom salt bath Have a hot bath or foot soak with Epsom salts in the evening to help your body release toxins.

Take it slowly Ease yourself back into three meals a day slowly, keeping the good stuff in your diet as much as possible. Leafy salads and white fish, veggie soups and chicken with roasted veggies are all excellent choices.

Green up your diet Eat something green at every meal (think kale, spinach, watercress) as the green veggie family can really help to keep your liver ticking over. Plus, greens can help regulate your body’s natural pH and may even help ward off disease.

Try eating fermented foods Gut-friendly fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi are a useful addition to a balanced diet, as they increase levels of healthy bacteria, which help to keep bloating at bay.

Get sweating!

Exercise is just what the body needs following a detox. A good sweat session helps to remove unwanted toxins from the body, so combine high-intensity workouts like running, cycling or our metabolism-boosting workout Stay off sugar If you find it difficult to control your sweet tooth once you’ve finished the detox, try swapping out nasty sweeteners and ordinary sugar for stevia. This naturally sweet plant extract won’t spike insulin levels or create any of the roller-coaster energy crashes that come with regular sugar.

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Detox SOS Shopping List:

Give your body a boost with these super supplements 1. VEGA ALOE VERA HERBAL COMPLEX Regulate your body’s pH levels with these Aloe Vera capsules.

They also help to repair the intestinal lining and give your body a push to flush away waste. £5.09, nutricentre. com 2. NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES POWER BERRY COMPLEX Supercharge skin and protect it against the ageing effects of harmful free radicals with this blend of bilberry, acai and rosehip. £17.50, nealsyardremedies. com

day one

3. SUN CHLORELLA ‘A’ This green algae detoxifying agent is rich in the vitamins and minerals that help to improve digestive health and liver function. £21.95, victoriahealth.com

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BREAKFAST Cup of hot water and lemon upon rising Super greens juice Juice the following ingredients: Chunk of cucumber 1 pear Handful of spinach Handful of parsley Juice of ½ a lemon ½tsp grated ginger MID-MORNING Coconut delight smoothie Blitz together: 1tbsp chia seeds 250ml coconut milk Handful raspberries 1 banana

You should refrain from intense exercise while undertaking the diet (relaxing yoga and meditation is fine).

Please note: If you have a medical condition, please seek advice from your GP before embarking on the diet. Do not follow this plan if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

4. Optibac Probiotics Extra Strength With 20 billion live bacteria per capsule, this highstrength probiotic supplement helps to finely tune the balance of healthy microorganisms in the gut, which relieves bloating and aids overall digestive health. £22.49, optibacprobiotics.co.uk 5. Holland and Barrett Milk Thistle This milk thistle supplement contains the active ingredient silymarin, which supports liver health by blocking certain toxins from entering the liver and boosting cell regeneration. £13.99, hollandandbarrett.com

LUNCH Pea and mint soup Blitz together: Sweat 1 onion, 1 celery stick and 1 carrot. Pour in 300ml vegetable stock, 200g garden peas and a handful of fresh mint. Add 1tbsp low-fat crème and blitz until smooth.

DINNER Baked cod and steamed vegetables Scatter ½tsp ground cinnamon and ½tsp ground nutmeg on 1 cod fillet. Add the juice of half a lemon, wrap in foil and bake in the oven. Serve with unlimited steamed mangetout and kale.

day TWO

BREAKFAST Cup of hot water and lemon upon rising Balancing greens juice Juice the following ingredients: 1 apple 1 Cos lettuce Half a head of broccoli Handful of kale

LUNCH Super-spicy roasted squash soup Blitz together: 1 red onion, 1 garlic clove, 170g butternut squash, 1 large tomato. Place on a baking tray. Scatter with ½tsp turmeric, ½tsp cumin seeds, 1½tsp coriander seeds and ½tsp mustard seeds. Roast in the oven. Place the ingredients in a blender with 300ml veg stock and blitz until smooth.

MID-MORNING Nutty goodness smoothie Blitz together: 1tbsp cashew nuts 250ml almond milk Handful strawberries Handful blueberries

DINNER Tofu stir-fry 100g tofu cooked in 1 tsp coconut oil. Add 1 red onion, 1 garlic clove, ½tsp grated ginger, 100g baby corn, 100g mangetout, 100g garden peas and 1 red pepper. Add 1tbsp reduced-salt soya sauce and a handful of coriander. Serve on a bed of steamed, grated cauliflower.

day THREE

BREAKFAST Cup of hot water and lemon upon rising Revitalising greens juice Juice the following ingredients: 1 small avocado Juice of 1 orange Juice of ½ a lemon Chunk of cucumber Handful of watercress Handful of spinach MID-MORNING Tropical purity smoothie Blitz together: 1tbsp mixed nuts 250ml coconut milk Handful pineapple chunks Handful strawberries

LUNCH Carrot and coriander soup Blitz together: Sweat 1 onion. Add half a sweet potato, 3 carrots, 1 large tomato and 300ml vegetable stock.

Boil until soft and add a handful of coriander to finish. Blitz until smooth.

DINNER Soya and ginger salmon with roasted veggies Top 1 fillet of salmon with 1tbsp reducedsalt soya sauce and ¼tsp grated ginger and bake in the oven. Serve with a side of roasted tomatoes, mixed peppers and steamed spinach.

http://www.womensfitness.co.uk/healthy-eating/1367/3-day-detox-cleanse 11 NewGen

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ACF EVENTS

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15 NewGen

The Problem with American Politics, or Simply the Worst Candidate Race in History?

Republicans Hilary Clinton

Wife of the former 42nd president Bill Clinton, Hillary is a familiar figure in the White House. Having served as the Secretary of State in the Obama Administration, she certainly has experience of Oval Office affairs, but does that actually translate into presidential credentials?

As the most likely candidate to receive the Democratic nomination, Clinton’s campaign is looking good, and she’s on course to run for America’s first female president. However, her nomination is not a sure-footed as she might believe it to be. She's taken advantage of an average crop of nominees, but in reality she offers nothing new in the American system and her typical and dated rhetoric is nothing Americans haven't heard before.

Her foreign policy is dated, to say the least. The US ‘intervention’ in regimes in the Middle East has only exacerbated problems in the area, yet she maintains a pro ‘intervention’ stance. In this regard, she represents everything America hasn’t learned, and she threatens to undo the often over-looked hard work of President Obama.

Bernie Sanders

Then there’s the fact that she’s a woman, obviously this is not a reason to vote against her, but should someone vote for her simply because she could become the first woman president; absolutely not.

Her gender should be completely irrelevant to her candidacy campaign, yet for some it appears to be the driving factor. The first female US president should be someone they can be proud of, not because she’s a woman, but because she had the opportunity and the platform to become a great leader regardless of gender. I hope for her sake, and that of anyone who wave the flag of equality, she does not exploit this, as all she will achieve is a hollow victory. Currently she appears to be the best, well known, alternative to challenge the outrageous rise of Donald Trump. However, as the candidacy rallies move north, she’ll be looking over her shoulder, as Bernie Sanders is sure to gain more support.

A veteran in Independent party politics in America, Sanders has been a long serving member of the American political system and the Senate. He is the presidential wild-card, but is he another 'hopemongerer' like Obama before him? If Donald Trump represents the disillusioned of American politics, Sanders represents the new generation of change. This reflects in his policy, and in some regards he is as left as can be in a democracy, a social activist at heart. He’s also garnered a large following from the youth voters, which are notoriously hard to engage, so he’s obviously doing something right. My worry for his campaign is he’s too radical. America is a tough country to change, as Obama saw during his two terms, and Sander’s naivety may be his downfall. Obama made similar promises of hope and change, and the American voters loved him for it, but after eight years not a great deal has happened. So Sanders has a tough task convincing voters again of even more ambitious promises after what they saw from two terms of Obama struggling to achieve his promises.

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Taking into account foreign policy, he holds a very anti-military approach. This doesn’t always go down well with Americans and Sander’s peaceful avoidance of conflict isn’t inspiring American voters in a world constantly threatened by terrorism. A world where many believe the only solution is through military means, often as a 'knee-jerk' reaction to the September 11 attacks which still emotionally scar Americans nearly 15 years later.

Sanders is certainly the underdog in this race, especially with Hillary’s super-delegate support, but his rise from a peripheral figure to challenger of Clinton may be the start of a positive revolution of young supporters who really want to change American politics from its antiquated, economically driven, self-centred hub of regression into something truly great and unique. If anything, Sanders is the man to 'make America great again'. Even if he doesn't receive the nomination, he may the spark that lit the fire of positive change in America.

democrats Donald Trump

Son of a millionaire, ‘self-made’ billionaire, Donald Trump is an ever-polarizing figure in American politics. And his candidacy, originally seen as a joke, has become the biggest threat to not just the Republican Party, but the American political system as a whole.

Mr Trump is a man who likes to over-exaggerate his importance and self-worth, having been caught lying about his net worth a number of times, but his outlandish, brash and self-centred statements have captured the attention of American voters, delegates and the rest of the world. He is openly offensive, down-right racist and a rather ugly human in general, not to mention his awful haircut.

But he has struck a clear chord with a vast majority of disillusioned Americans, and he’s almost certain of achieving the Republican nomination to run for president.

He has the financial backing to reach the summit of American politics, and even if he doesn’t win, this won’t be the last we see of ‘The Donald’. He has received huge criticism around his policies (especially after airing his desires to ban Muslims for entering the US temporarily as a solution to terrorism), he has lost international relationships with large corporations and he’s been threatened with a denial of entry to a number of countries. Yet none of this has slowed his campaign, as his faithful has only grown.

He represents a worrying manifestation of frustration within American politics, and what’s even more worrying is his closeness to the nomination, as in the end, the President has to introduce real policy and law; that’s a terrifying thought for the US, Europe, the Rest of the World and probably Donald himself. And forget Bill Clinton and JFK’s scandalous presidencies, they’re out of the running compared to the antics Trump would get up to in the White House. But, Trump also represents the need for change, and America should take note.

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Ted Cruz

Cruz has been a popular candidate since 2013, and represents the typical Republican stance on American politics. He is also the only remaining competition to challenge Trump for the candidacy, with large support from the Southern States, Hispanic population and ‘social conservatives’.

Cruz’ political opinions are mixed at best. He openly opposes Obamacare (a socially motivated NHS like initiative) yet claims he supports social care and represents the need of the poorest, most affected Americans, many of whom can’t afford private health care. He is also quite regressive, being a strong advocate against same-sex marriage in the US. Yet with all these claims, he also believes these decisions should be made at the state level. This stance of pro-choice is admirable, but it undermines what he stands for, and it’s often difficult to really understand what he actually seeks to change.

A big issue for me is his stance on gun-rights and the ‘right to bear arms’. He is high profile advocate of maintaining the second amendment. One of the biggest issues in American society, that desperately needs changing is gun laws. A mass shooting (4 or more injured) occurs nearly every day (the Independent) in America yet Cruz doesn’t believe guns are the problem.

Cruz may be the choice of the season politicians and analysts, but the candidacy basically lies with Trump and Cruz is dead in the water at this late stage. He just doesn't stand up enough, especially in a candidacy race full of people seeking radical change.

American politics are in for a huge change. Trump’s rise represents that. There are candidates remaining who can really causes a positive, forward thinking change, but people are either blind or too afraid to vote. Even then, candidates like Sanders would face a steep challenge trying to convince even 5% of the senate to back them. American politics are even less representative of the people than ever, and in what looks like America’s worst candidacy race ever, one silver lining is present; maybe this will mark the change in politics that America needs? It’s clear they aren’t going to fix the huge social problems of 300 Million people by maintaining archaic policies and ignoring the vast majority of ordinary people in favour of lobbying for the rich and famous. America is an anomaly, no other country in the world maintains a system like America does, but it may be on the verge of total collapse unless huge change is on the horizion.

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Depression

Depression is very common and everyone feels fed up, sad, unhappy, miserable at times. Sometimes we know that there is a cause for our depression - maybe we have just broken up from a relationship, maybe someone we were close to has died, we may have failed exams, we may be ill - but other times there doesn't seem to be one cause - it may be a build up of problems, feeling unable to cope with life and we are not really sure why.

When depression is very severe some people can feel that life isn't worth living, they want to die. When depression doesn't go away it is important to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but a sign of strength to recognise that you have these feelings and are unable to cope. Many people find at some stage in their life that it is hard to cope as well as they used to. You don't have to be strong all the time - recognise when you are finding it difficult to cope and need support.

People can get a variety of symptoms when they feel very depressed.

• General feelings of unhappiness.

• Having no interest in life.

• Finding it difficult to concentrate.

• Having no feeling of enjoyment in life.

• Spending a lot of time on your own.

• Feeling very tired and having no energy.

• Finding it difficult to sleep.

• Having no appetite and eating very little • Losing self confidence and feeling worthless.

• Being very irritable, anxious, impatient.

• Feeling very negative about life.

• Having suicidal thoughts.

If you are depressed don’t bottle it up - it is important you talk to someone - family, friend, teacher, youth leader, GP, organisation, helpline etc. - anyone you feel you can trust If you don’t share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse - some people may start drinking alcohol more, may take drugs, may start self harming and cutting themselves, may stop eating or binge eating and making themselves sick.

You may find that counselling will help you as this will give you a safe space to talk to someone who is especially trained. This will help you to say how you really feel inside and the counsellor will work with you to help you find solutions and healthy coping strategies and to look at the reasons behind your depression. This will give you a better understanding of your feelings and some support in working through anything which is troubling you. If you find that counselling doesn’t work for you then it would be an idea to see your GP and discuss with him other ways of helping you with your depression.

Talking to others and counselling and therapy can help but to pull yourself out of a depression you need to do a lot of work yourself. When you are depressed you may feel you have no control over your life but you do still have choices. You can choose to stay depressed and not eat properly, not exercise, stay in bed all day, etc. or you can choose to try and help yourself to get out of the depression . If you take care of yourself physically it will help you to feel stronger emotionally and to cope more easily with life. Just as a car needs petrol to work properly so does your body need nutrients from food so although you may not feel like eating please try and eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Sometimes when we are depressed life can seem very negative and black - it can be easy to forget that there are beautiful things in the world surrounding us. Try and get out each day into an open space, park, forest, lake etc. and just take in the beauty of your surroundings, and try and be at one with nature. This can help keep things in perspective and lift your mood.

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business month

Carpets4U Carpets4u is a family run business that was established in 2005 for six years Carpets4u has been providing East London with quality products, at the best price. Today, we have happy customers from all over London and remain family owned and operated.

Carpets4u has a wide range of Laminate and Real Wood Flooring, Carpets, Vinyl Flooring. Whatever your needs, please call us, or drop by our shop and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

Carpets4u provides; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Friendly professional service No pressure to buy Savings on ALL top brands No middleman means lowest prices All carpets come with manufacturers guarantees Carpet fitted within 7 days of order if required Designer service available for specialist carpet fitting Free estimates and pricing of the work valid for 60 days No hidden costs Number 1 in home selection service 10 Years in the business Binding of off cuts Up lifting of old carpets Disposal of old carpets Furniture moving FREE UNDERLAY FREE SMOOTH EDGE GRIPPER FREE DOOR BARS FREE PLANNING, ESTIMATES AND ADVICE

contact us: 818 High Road Leyton East London E10 6AE WEB:www.Carpets4u.net TEL: 07879 671 663

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sports CONOR MCGREGOR Whether you appreciate his style or consider him loud and excessive, there’s no denying this about Conor McGregor: the UFC has seen nothing like him. In the two years since he swooped into the UFC, McGregor has become a lightning rod for controversy. But he has backed up his braggadocio with skilled MMA and an ability to draw fans – most to cheer him, some hoping to see him cut down to size.

At UFC 189 in Las Vegas, he made good on a vow to knock out Chad Mendes, capturing the interim featherweight title and setting up a showdown with Jose Aldo, the UFC’s poundfor-pound king.

McGregor’s impressive rise in the UFC took place in a little over two years. It was almost impossible not to notice him after he knocked out Diego Brandao on UFC Fight Night Dublin in July 2014, then spectacularly announced, “We’re not here to take part. We’re here to take over.”

He and his legions of fans have done that.

McGregor won 13 bouts in succession from February 2011 to January 2015, culminating with a knockout of Dennis Siver. When he leaped over the Octagon fence to challenge Aldo, sitting in the front row, there was no denying him a title shot.

It looked like it might happen. The two took part in a world tour, but less than a month before their bout, Aldo was forced to withdraw because of a rib injury.

McGregor, although disappointed, didn’t miss a beat, insisting he would stop Mendes and claim the interim belt, which he insisted was the legitimate title. He struggled in the first round, landing on his back and absorbing a cut over his right eye, but he charged back.

In the second round, after another takedown, he got back on his feet and finished a weary Mendes with punches.

The fight attracted a record 16,019 fans to the MGM Grand Garden Arena with a $7.2-million live gate, proving McGregor’s sizable drawing power. Some 3,000 Irish fans converged on Las Vegas and left deliriously happy.McGregor’s 18-2 record includes a 6-0 mark in the UFC. He has 16 knockouts, one submission win and 12 first-round finishes.

As he promised, he’s definitely taking over.

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london marathon

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The Active Change Foundation is dedicated in promoting integration within communities by providing the tools for change.

The development of young people is achieved through promoting leadership, education and skills development.

453 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7EA, (0208) 279 1258 Charity No: 1125 970

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