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HAVING a large belly in middle age nearly triples the risk of developing dementia, a study released today found. Being overweight in midlife and beyond has long been linked to increased risk for disease such as stroke, diabetes and heart disease. But this is the first study to link excess fat to dementia and, the research found excess abdominal fat increased the risk even among those who were of normal weight overall. "Considering that 50 per cent of adults in this country (US) have abdominal obesity, this is a disturbing finding," said study author Rachel Whitmer of the Kaiser Permanente...

N.Korea to Let Japan Abductee Relatives Leave By George Nishiyama PYONGYANG (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has agreed to let all eight relatives of Japanese abducted by Pyongyang decades ago leave for Japan, media said, and a Japanese official said five would be reunited with their parents in Tokyo Saturday. The agreement on the emotional issue of the divided families came after a 90-minute summit between Kim and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that was also expected to touch on North Korea (news - web sites)'s nuclear arms program. "You can take them today or later," Kyodo news...

Thu Dec 12, 6:31 PM ET Smithfield the pig demonstrates his artistic talent for an audience at the LaPrade branch library in a file photo from July 31, 2002, in Richmond, Va. The program 'Pet Star' has invited Smithfield to Los Angeles. The Vietnamese potbelly and his 'mom,' Fran Martin, will appear on the program's premiere, Jan. 10 or the following week. (AP Photo/The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Lindy Keast Rodman, File)