B R E A K I N G     N E W S

Adventists Count Losses
as Unrest in Nigeria Continues

our Adventists were reportedly among the estimated 500 persons killed during religious riots in Joss, Central Nigeria, in early October.

"One Amos, an elder of Laranto Adventist Church was killed while trying to protect his church from being burnt by an angry mob," says Jean Emmanuel Nlo Nlo, communication director for the Africa Indian-Ocean Division. "In saving the building he lost his life."

Seth Yaboah, a Ghanian deacon of the Central Adventist Church and two other members from another congregation who were coming from work were also killed by an angry crowd that same day, adds Nlo Nlo.

Tensions between Muslims and Christians in some parts of Nigeria have been on the rise since the introduction of Sharia--or Islamic law--in a number of Nigerian states over the past two years.

"After the bill was passed, the Christians felt that it was an abuse of the fundamental human rights as their protest was not taken into consideration before the bill was voted on," explains Joseph Ola, president of the Nigerian Union.

The ongoing unrest in this part of the country is making normal church activity difficult, adds Ola. He explains that in some areas there is a ban on public preaching and public assembly. The Adventist Church has experienced difficulty in acquiring land for development projects, and two church companies, or groups of believers, have been closed down. According to Ola, tithe and offering income of the conference, or regional church administration, has also been "badly affected."

Jonathan Gallager, United Nations Liaison for the Adventist world church, says the continuing inter-religious violence in Nigeria is a tragedy for all. "The values at the heart of religious freedom--tolerance and mutual respect--are being destroyed with devastating consequences for the community," says Gallagher. --Adventist News Network

LLU Study: Pecans Lower Cholesterol
A recent study conducted by the Loma Linda University School of Public Health revealed that adding pecans to the American Heart Association's step I diet significantly lowered cholesterol levels. Researchers found that a diet containing pecans not only lowered total and LDL, or bad cholesterol, significantly more than the AHA diet, but also helped to maintain desirable levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. This is the first controlled crossover metabolic feeding study ever done with pecans.

According to researchers, the study required all research subjects to eat the majority of their meals in a laboratory kitchen over a period of eight weeks.

The tightly monitored crossover study of 23 men and women measured their cholesterol levels while on the step I diet (recommended by the AHA as a first line of therapy for individuals with elevated cholesterol levels) with their cholesterol levels when 20 percent of their calories were replaced with pecans. In the pecan diet, for instance, pecans were added to cereals, salads, and entrees such as pasta, amounting to about a handful of pecans a day.

"We found that the pecan-containing diet lowered bad cholesterol more than twice as much as the AHA step I diet," says Sujatha Rajaram, an investigator and assistant professor of public health and preventive medicine.

Compared to the participants' baseline cholesterol values, the pecan-containing diet lowered LDL cholesterol levels by 16.5 percent more than twice as much as did the step I diet, which lowered LDL levels by 6.7 percent. Compared to participants' cholesterol values while on the AHA step I diet, the pecan diet lowered total cholesterol levels by 11.3 percent more than twice as much as the step I diet, which only lowered total cholesterol by 5.2 percent.

The National Cholesterol Education Program notes that for every one percent reduction in LDL cholesterol, there is a 1.5 percent reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Using this figure, the cholesterol-lowering effects of the pecan diet correspond with a 25 percent decrease in CHD risk.

HDL findings were significant as well. According to the researchers, the step I diet lowered HDL levels an undesirable result, while the pecan diet increased HDL by 5.6 percent, a desirable result.

This cholesterol-lowering effect is similar to what is often seen with cholesterol-lowering medications, notes Joan Sabaté, a project investigator and chair of nutrition. "We confirmed that the addition of pecans to a basic heart-healthy diet will yield very desirable blood lipid profiles."

Birmingham Mayor Attends Yardley Church
When members of the Yardley Adventist Church in Birmingham, England, celebrated their traditional fall harvest festival, James and Ann Frances Whorwood, the city's mayor and first lady, were among the special guests reports John Surridge, British Union Conference communication director.

The service was held to focus on the Adventist church's humanitarian committment and to remind members of their responsibility to their surrounding community. The mayor and his wife received gifts of appreciation during the service.

Long-Time Minister Arthur Beitz Dies
Arthur L. Bietz, 88, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, scholar, and psychologist, for more than 50 years, died October 7, 2001.

Born July 21, 1913, in Bowden, North Dakota, Bietz was one of nine children of German heritage whose parents emigrated from Russia.

Bietz served for many years as pastor of the White Memorial and Glendale Adventist churches in southern California. He also directed the Glendale Psychological Center and served as a professor and director of the division of religion of the College of Medical Evangelists (now Loma Linda University) in California.

Bietz was also a founder and chief executive officer of the Central Bank of Glendale. A prolific author, Bietz wrote 25 books and numerous articles for professional journals.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Violet, his daughter, Connie Granucci; and two granddaughters, Nicole and Natalle Granucci.

Adventist Review Website Surpasses One Million Hits
In September the monthly hits logged on the Adventist Review's website (wwww.adventistreview.org) reached a record 1.2 million.

During the month, the site also logged 164,00 page views, reaching a record 17,000 visitors who logged on nearly 50,000 times.

Launched two years ago on September 30, the website has already received three internet awards. Visitors can download the entire magazine in PDF and many selected articles in HTML. Contests, giveaways, and several web-only features are also included on the site.

News Notes
Karnik Doukmetzian, a claims counsel for Adventist Risk Management, Inc, based at the General Conference, was recently appointed ARM vice president. Doukmetzian replaces Charlotte Manca-Wells who resigned.

Don Livesay, Oregon Conference secretary, was recently elected conference president. Livesay replaces Alfred E. Birch who retired.

Van Hurst, Texas Conference ministerial secretary, was recently elected Dakota Conference president. Hurst replaces Stephen Orian who became president of the Arkansas Louisiana Conference.

Garry Hodder, a pastor and stewardship director of the Alberta Conference, was recently elected president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hodder replaces David Jamieson who is now pastoring in British Columbia.

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