Cell Phones Unhealthier Than Cigarettes?

That's right. It might be time to drop that Samsung and grab yourself some Marlboros. Or, at least according to one study.

FN:

A study by an award-winning cancer expert shows that cell phone use could kill more people than smoking, it is reported.

According to the U.K.'s Independent newspaper, the study, headed by Dr. Vini Khurana, shows that there is a growing body of evidence that using handsets for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer.

Khurana — one of the world's top neurosurgeons — based his assessment on the fact that three billion people now use the phones worldwide. That is three times higher than people who smoke. Smoking kills some five million globally each year.

He warned that people should avoid using handsets whenever possible and called on the phone industry to make them safer. France and Germany have already warned against the use of mobile phones, especially by children, it is reported.

The study is said to be the most damning indictment of cell phone use. According to the Independent, cancers take at least 10 years to develop, which has influenced earlier cancer studies showing relative safety when using cell phones.

Just friggin' perfect. I'm well on my way to brain cancer if this study has any truth to it.

Taliban To Phone Companies: "And If You Don't Cooperate, We'll Put A Jihad On You Too"

As if they don't have enough enemies, the Taliban have now declared Holy War on cell phone companies in Afghanistan that don't turn off their services between 5:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. They claim that cell phone signals are being used by Canadian, US, and other coalition troops to track down insurgents and, well, they've had just about enough of it.

BBC News has the story:

The Taleban have threatened to blow up telephone masts across Afghanistan unless mobile phone companies agree to switch off their signals at night.

They say that US and other foreign troops are using the signals to track down insurgents.

The Taleban have warned the masts and offices of the mobile companies will be destroyed unless their demands are met. Mobiles were introduced after the Taleban fell in 2001 and are now the most popular way of communicating.

''If those companies do not stop their signal within three days, the Taleban will target their towers and their offices," Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said.

The Taleban say that Afghanistan's four mobile phone companies should stop operating between 1700 local time and 0300 the following morning.

Militants have threatened the companies in the past, accusing them of colluding with the US and other forces.

But communication experts say the US military uses satellites to pick up mobile signals and does not need the help of the phone companies anyway.

Emphasis mine.

"Gee, Mr. Taliban. Those Canadian and American troops sure seem to be killing a lot of you."

"What? No, no. It's the cell phones. We'd be winning for sure if they'd just turn off the signals."

H/t Hot Air