A landmark investigation into the causes of Gulf War syndrome has concluded that the illness was caused by troops being given nerve gas pills and exposed to pesticides. The study in the United States, mandated by Congress and described as one of the most wide-ranging undertaken on the subject, found that the most likely cause of the illness was pyridostigmine bromide (PB) in protection pills given to American and British troops to counter the Soman nerve gas Saddam Hussein could have used in the 1991 Gulf War. US soldiers were also affected by neurotoxins in pesticides extensively used in preparation for operations.The findings led to immediate calls for official action on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, troops' welfare groups said the British Government must do more to help those affected and carry out its own comprehensive research. The British Government has insisted there is not enough scientific evidence so far to prove the existence of Gulf War syndrome. But it has agreed to offer war pensions to members of the forces who became ill after serving in the first Gulf war. About 6,000 British service personnel, out of 55,000 mobilised for the conflict, are reported to be suffering from the symptoms of Gulf War syndrome. Many were medically discharged from the forces and have had to give up subsequent civilian jobs due to ill health. The Royal British Legion demanded that a payment of £10,000 be made to each veteran suffering from the ailment in compensation for a failure of duty of care.
A landmark investigation into the causes of Gulf War syndrome has concluded that the illness was caused by troops being given nerve gas pills and exposed to pesticides.
The study in the United States, mandated by Congress and described as one of the most wide-ranging undertaken on the subject, found that the most likely cause of the illness was pyridostigmine bromide (PB) in protection pills given to American and British troops to counter the Soman nerve gas Saddam Hussein could have used in the 1991 Gulf War. US soldiers were also affected by neurotoxins in pesticides extensively used in preparation for operations.
The findings led to immediate calls for official action on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, troops' welfare groups said the British Government must do more to help those affected and carry out its own comprehensive research. The British Government has insisted there is not enough scientific evidence so far to prove the existence of Gulf War syndrome. But it has agreed to offer war pensions to members of the forces who became ill after serving in the first Gulf war. About 6,000 British service personnel, out of 55,000 mobilised for the conflict, are reported to be suffering from the symptoms of Gulf War syndrome. Many were medically discharged from the forces and have had to give up subsequent civilian jobs due to ill health. The Royal British Legion demanded that a payment of £10,000 be made to each veteran suffering from the ailment in compensation for a failure of duty of care.
the most likely cause of the illness was pyridostigmine bromide (PB) in protection pills given to American and British troops to counter the Soman nerve gas Saddam Hussein could have used in the 1991 Gulf War.
Were US or UK troops actually exposed to Saddam's bio-weapons in 1991? We'd have to read the study itself to attribute pill failure to gas exposure vs pill success vs gas exposure to pill placebo vs gas placebo --without knowing pill dosage(s) in any case-- in order to begin to hypothesize adverse reactions (primary or secondary systemic failure or "syndrome" diagnoses ) to pill or pesticide prescriptions.
I'm kinda sick of this risk-free pharma testing. Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
the US admitted responsibility for Gulf War Syndrome many years ago, having done a lot of tests and recognised that certain combinations of preventative agents became neurotoxic.
The MoD have always had a much more cavalier attitude to safety and health. So have refused to do anything other than the most superficial tests and investigations intended to avoid blame and defer compensation. It is no surprise that the British still haven't got comprehensive testing done cos I imagine the govt have done anything and everything to interfere. keep to the Fen Causeway
WASHINGTON -- New government figures show that almost 700,000 children went hungry in the United States at some point in 2007, up more than 50 percent from the year before to mark the highest point since 1998. And that's even before this year's sharp economic downtown, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.The department's annual report on food security showed that during 2007 the number of children who suffered a substantial disruption in the amount of food they typically eat was more than double the 430,000 in 2006 and the largest figure since 716,000 in 1998.Overall, the 36.2 million adults and children who struggled with hunger during the year was up slightly from 35.5 million in 2006. That was 12.2 percent of Americans who didn't have the money or assistance to get enough food to maintain active, healthy lives.Almost a third of those, 11.9 million adults and children, went hungry at some point. That figure has grown by more than 40 percent since 2000. The government says these people suffered a substantial disruption in their food supply at some point and classifies them as having "very low food security." Until the government rewrote its definitions two years ago, this group was described as having "food insecurity with hunger."
The department's annual report on food security showed that during 2007 the number of children who suffered a substantial disruption in the amount of food they typically eat was more than double the 430,000 in 2006 and the largest figure since 716,000 in 1998.
Overall, the 36.2 million adults and children who struggled with hunger during the year was up slightly from 35.5 million in 2006. That was 12.2 percent of Americans who didn't have the money or assistance to get enough food to maintain active, healthy lives.
Almost a third of those, 11.9 million adults and children, went hungry at some point. That figure has grown by more than 40 percent since 2000. The government says these people suffered a substantial disruption in their food supply at some point and classifies them as having "very low food security." Until the government rewrote its definitions two years ago, this group was described as having "food insecurity with hunger."
Government wiretaps of opposition politicians usually remain secret, restricted to the ears of spooks and ministers. But in democracy Venezuela-style, everyone gets to listen in. President Hugo Chávez has filled the airwaves with tapped conversations of his political foes to embarrass and apparently intimidate them in the run-up to regional elections. State TV has broadcast the recordings, enhanced with comic sound effects, in a barrage of attack adverts that would make even Karl Rove blush.The prime target has been Manuel Rosales, an opposition leader who is tipped to become mayor of Maracaibo, Venezuela's second city. One advert features him discussing buying expensive jewellery, along with sound and visual effects of rings and a Cartier watch.Another advert plays a conversation with Rosales negotiating the purchase of cattle, to a backdrop of mooing sounds and cartoon pictures of coins. Other politicians, as well as journalists and diplomats, have found private conversations, as well as photographs and video images, broadcast on state TV.
Government wiretaps of opposition politicians usually remain secret, restricted to the ears of spooks and ministers. But in democracy Venezuela-style, everyone gets to listen in.
President Hugo Chávez has filled the airwaves with tapped conversations of his political foes to embarrass and apparently intimidate them in the run-up to regional elections. State TV has broadcast the recordings, enhanced with comic sound effects, in a barrage of attack adverts that would make even Karl Rove blush.
The prime target has been Manuel Rosales, an opposition leader who is tipped to become mayor of Maracaibo, Venezuela's second city. One advert features him discussing buying expensive jewellery, along with sound and visual effects of rings and a Cartier watch.
Another advert plays a conversation with Rosales negotiating the purchase of cattle, to a backdrop of mooing sounds and cartoon pictures of coins.
Other politicians, as well as journalists and diplomats, have found private conversations, as well as photographs and video images, broadcast on state TV.
Don't be put off by the sign, which reads "Cent al B ghd d Stat on." And don't worry about the gun-toting men who emerge from the dark and board the train as it sits in predawn silence at the huge, domed station that has seen grander days. They're there to protect passengers riding Baghdad's first commuter train, an experiment in urban renewal in a city as broken as the rusted station sign but struggling to pull itself together. Since the commuter train service began about a month ago, ridership has been spotty. Few people seem to know it exists. After all, who would imagine such a thing in Baghdad, where going from one end of town to another was, not that long ago, an invitation to be killed? But the Ministry of Transportation wanted to relieve Iraqis of the chaos of Baghdad's streets, where checkpoints, speeding convoys and almost daily bombings cause massive traffic tie-ups. Thus was born the Baghdad Metro, as the men who gather for each day's 5:30 a.m. departure have dubbed the service. "If this succeeds, I think they'll open more lines inside Baghdad," says Thafir Salim, the engineer on the route, which leaves the main station and weaves about 15 miles through west and south Baghdad on just two round-trip journeys a day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
And don't worry about the gun-toting men who emerge from the dark and board the train as it sits in predawn silence at the huge, domed station that has seen grander days.
They're there to protect passengers riding Baghdad's first commuter train, an experiment in urban renewal in a city as broken as the rusted station sign but struggling to pull itself together.
Since the commuter train service began about a month ago, ridership has been spotty. Few people seem to know it exists. After all, who would imagine such a thing in Baghdad, where going from one end of town to another was, not that long ago, an invitation to be killed?
But the Ministry of Transportation wanted to relieve Iraqis of the chaos of Baghdad's streets, where checkpoints, speeding convoys and almost daily bombings cause massive traffic tie-ups. Thus was born the Baghdad Metro, as the men who gather for each day's 5:30 a.m. departure have dubbed the service.
"If this succeeds, I think they'll open more lines inside Baghdad," says Thafir Salim, the engineer on the route, which leaves the main station and weaves about 15 miles through west and south Baghdad on just two round-trip journeys a day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The MTA's doomsday budget will wipe out the W line, zap the Z line and ax more than 1,500 NYC Transit jobs, the Daily News has learned. The list of bus and subway cuts the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will unveil at its monthly board meeting Thursday is extensive and potentially bruising, sources said. Riders can expect longer waits, more-crowded rides and having to make additional transfers to get to their destinations if the draconian moves are put into effect.
The list of bus and subway cuts the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will unveil at its monthly board meeting Thursday is extensive and potentially bruising, sources said.
Riders can expect longer waits, more-crowded rides and having to make additional transfers to get to their destinations if the draconian moves are put into effect.
Is this the richest country? Are these the richest times?
The first time they discussed it, the Great Depression hit. The second time they actually started digging, but then the city became insolvent. This is the third time.
A year ago it would have been unthinkable. After all it was a city where driving to work became a life or death decision and where residents were cooped in enclaves amid murder and mayhem. But yesterday the mayor of Baghdad surprised everyone by announcing plans for an underground train network that will literally carve a swathe through the city's sectarian lines. If investors sign up, the world's most violent capital will soon have a $3bn (£2bn) metro. Sabir al-Issawi, Baghdad's mayor, said money had been set aside in next year's budget for a feasibility study.
But yesterday the mayor of Baghdad surprised everyone by announcing plans for an underground train network that will literally carve a swathe through the city's sectarian lines.
If investors sign up, the world's most violent capital will soon have a $3bn (£2bn) metro. Sabir al-Issawi, Baghdad's mayor, said money had been set aside in next year's budget for a feasibility study.
Not the first time this has been proposed for Baghdad.
A train line under Baghdad was first flagged under Saddam Hussein during the 1970s, but shelved owing to three decades of war, blockades and invasion... The project's engineer Atta Nabil Hussain Auni Atta, of Iraq's transport ministry, said old 1970s blueprints for the underground line were being redrawn to bring it up to speed with the specifications of modern railways. "This is one of Baghdad's most important projects and we hope that investors will join it," he said. "We have called for tenders from them and we have some money to contribute from the government. We are planning to start work as early as next year.
The project's engineer Atta Nabil Hussain Auni Atta, of Iraq's transport ministry, said old 1970s blueprints for the underground line were being redrawn to bring it up to speed with the specifications of modern railways.
"This is one of Baghdad's most important projects and we hope that investors will join it," he said. "We have called for tenders from them and we have some money to contribute from the government. We are planning to start work as early as next year.
The one in Bulgaria has so far seen a budget allocated at least twice, the money disappears and nothing gets done. Nothing will ever get done until the EU removes the mafia from office. keep to the Fen Causeway
People who knew Tang Yongming say they never imagined he could do such a horrible, senseless thing. A few minutes after noon on Aug. 9, just 12 hours after the start of the 2008 Olympics, Tang, 47, savagely knifed a visiting American couple inside Beijing's 13th-century Drum Tower. Then he jumped 130 feet to his death from the ancient landmark's western balcony. Minneapolis businessman Todd Bachman--father-in-law of U.S. men's indoor-volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon--died of stab wounds. Bachman's wife, Barbara, survived, despite life-threatening injuries. Their guide, a young Chinese woman, was also hurt, although less seriously. Tang remains an enigma. "There was nothing abnormal about him, absolutely nothing," says Wang Yongxian, a prim, businesslike community worker who tried to help Tang find a new job five years ago, after his previous employer let him go. Wang's colleague Xu Guofang agrees: "He wasn't just 'relatively' ordinary. He was simply ordinary. Period." Back in August, Tang's ordinariness was cause for relief: authorities quickly figured out that he wasn't a terrorist, and the Games went on. But the truth is perhaps more disturbing. The troubles that destroyed Tang--the loss of his job, the collapse of his marriage, heartbreak over his wastrel only child--are all too common across China. The country is the world's most stressful: three decades of reforms have shredded China's safety net and transformed society beyond recognition. That's why, as Chinese leaders prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's capitalist reforms next month, they're also frantically pumping more than half a trillion dollars into their economy in hopes of staving off a downturn. They have reason to worry. Economists say China's GDP has to grow between 7.5 and 8 percent a year just to keep up with the need for new jobs. Labor unrest has already broken out across the country: half of China's toymakers have gone bankrupt this year, throwing millions of factory workers into the streets, while cabbies angered by gas prices rioted and burned police vehicles in Chongqing a few weeks ago. Tang shared their sense of frustration. Many who knew him are reluctant to talk about him publicly, fearing trouble with the authorities, and most requested anonymity before agreeing to be interviewed. But his story reveals tensions that seethe just below the surface in China.
Back in August, Tang's ordinariness was cause for relief: authorities quickly figured out that he wasn't a terrorist, and the Games went on. But the truth is perhaps more disturbing. The troubles that destroyed Tang--the loss of his job, the collapse of his marriage, heartbreak over his wastrel only child--are all too common across China.
The country is the world's most stressful: three decades of reforms have shredded China's safety net and transformed society beyond recognition. That's why, as Chinese leaders prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's capitalist reforms next month, they're also frantically pumping more than half a trillion dollars into their economy in hopes of staving off a downturn.
They have reason to worry. Economists say China's GDP has to grow between 7.5 and 8 percent a year just to keep up with the need for new jobs. Labor unrest has already broken out across the country: half of China's toymakers have gone bankrupt this year, throwing millions of factory workers into the streets, while cabbies angered by gas prices rioted and burned police vehicles in Chongqing a few weeks ago.
Tang shared their sense of frustration. Many who knew him are reluctant to talk about him publicly, fearing trouble with the authorities, and most requested anonymity before agreeing to be interviewed. But his story reveals tensions that seethe just below the surface in China.
Which makes me wonder where it's all coming from ? Is it really a bunch of reporters in Beijing suddenly all travel off to different parts of the country and get the same story ? Is it a series of warnings to them from a disaffected group in the chinese hierarchy in Beijing? Or is it an attempt by some foreign power to create a negative propaganda..but by whom ? And to achieve what ?
For once I honestly can't think of anyone who might gain from this except, possibly, pro-democracy people within China, but even that is so unlikely I can't really believe it. keep to the Fen Causeway
Los Angeles Times - Somali pirates hijack another merchant ship off Africa
Pirates prowling the treacherous waters off the Horn of Africa hijacked another merchant ship Tuesday -- at least the second in four days -- amid growing international concern about a 21st century version of an ancient security threat. The Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship Delight and its 25-person crew were captured late Tuesday morning off the coast of Yemen, Beijing's New China News Agency reported, citing the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center. It was hauling 36,000 metric tons of wheat to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the news service reported.
The Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship Delight and its 25-person crew were captured late Tuesday morning off the coast of Yemen, Beijing's New China News Agency reported, citing the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center. It was hauling 36,000 metric tons of wheat to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the news service reported.
Sky News - Somali Pirates Scare off Tankers
Norwegian Odfjell SE group has instructed more than 90 of its tankers to sail around Africa, rather than use the Suez Canal. The US and other naval forces decided against intervening in the seizure of the supertanker Sirius Star, which was carrying $100 million in crude oil. The pirates have since captured an Iranian cargo ship, the seventh vessel to be seized in 12 days. Odfjell SE said it would "not longer expose our crew to the risk of being hijacked and held for ransom by pirates in the Gulf of Aden". The Saudi Arabian owned Star was seized hundreds of miles off the coast of Kenya in the most brazen attack yet staged by Somali pirates.
The US and other naval forces decided against intervening in the seizure of the supertanker Sirius Star, which was carrying $100 million in crude oil.
The pirates have since captured an Iranian cargo ship, the seventh vessel to be seized in 12 days.
Odfjell SE said it would "not longer expose our crew to the risk of being hijacked and held for ransom by pirates in the Gulf of Aden".
The Saudi Arabian owned Star was seized hundreds of miles off the coast of Kenya in the most brazen attack yet staged by Somali pirates.
BBC - India sinks Somali pirate ship
The Indian navy has said that one of its warships in the Gulf of Aden has destroyed a ship belonging to pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. The INS Tabar opened fire on a pirate "mother ship" after it came under attack, a government statement said. There has been a surge in piracy incidents off Somalia. The Saudi-owned Sirius Star supertanker is currently anchored off the Somali coast after the vessel and its 25 crew were seized by pirates. Vela International, operators of the Sirius Star, told the BBC no demands had yet been received from the pirates. The company also said all the crew were safe. The biggest tanker ever hijacked, Sirius Star is carrying a cargo of two million barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m (£67m).
The INS Tabar opened fire on a pirate "mother ship" after it came under attack, a government statement said.
There has been a surge in piracy incidents off Somalia.
The Saudi-owned Sirius Star supertanker is currently anchored off the Somali coast after the vessel and its 25 crew were seized by pirates.
Vela International, operators of the Sirius Star, told the BBC no demands had yet been received from the pirates. The company also said all the crew were safe.
The biggest tanker ever hijacked, Sirius Star is carrying a cargo of two million barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m (£67m).
Reuters Africa - Asians step up defense against Somali pirates
TOKYO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - India said it had destroyed a Somali pirate vessel in the Gulf of Aden and other Asian nations mulled sending their own navies to the area on Wednesday as attacks in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes become increasingly brazen. On Saturday a Saudi-owned tanker carrying $100 million worth of oil was seized in the Indian Ocean, becoming the biggest ever ship to be hijacked, despite a large international naval presence in the area, backed by the European Union and NATO. No ransom has been demanded so far for the Saudi supertanker. An Indian warship destroyed a Somali pirate vessel in a brief battle late on Tuesday, the navy said. But the attacks continued apace, with a Greek carrier and a Thai fishing vessel becoming the latest to be captured. South Korea is likely to add its own warships to the international naval operation, an official said on Wednesday. Japan is also considering sending navy vessels, a newspaper report said, but its plan faces the twin obstacles of its pacifist constitution and a divided parliament. India has already deployed a warship. "We believe this is a very serious issue, to be confronted jointly by the international community," Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Kazuo Kodama said in a telephone interview. South Korean media said the Defence Ministry wanted to send at least one destroyer to the region. If parliament approves the measure, ships would likely be deployed early next year. In the past few weeks, Somali pirates have captured a South Korean cargo vessel and held hostage South Korean sailors who were part of the crew of a Japanese ship. India sent the INS Tabar to the Gulf of Aden last month following complaints from Indian shipping firms about the attacks, which are driving up insurance premiums, forcing ships to take detours and securing massive ransoms for the perpetrators.
On Saturday a Saudi-owned tanker carrying $100 million worth of oil was seized in the Indian Ocean, becoming the biggest ever ship to be hijacked, despite a large international naval presence in the area, backed by the European Union and NATO.
No ransom has been demanded so far for the Saudi supertanker.
An Indian warship destroyed a Somali pirate vessel in a brief battle late on Tuesday, the navy said. But the attacks continued apace, with a Greek carrier and a Thai fishing vessel becoming the latest to be captured.
South Korea is likely to add its own warships to the international naval operation, an official said on Wednesday. Japan is also considering sending navy vessels, a newspaper report said, but its plan faces the twin obstacles of its pacifist constitution and a divided parliament. India has already deployed a warship.
"We believe this is a very serious issue, to be confronted jointly by the international community," Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Kazuo Kodama said in a telephone interview.
South Korean media said the Defence Ministry wanted to send at least one destroyer to the region. If parliament approves the measure, ships would likely be deployed early next year.
In the past few weeks, Somali pirates have captured a South Korean cargo vessel and held hostage South Korean sailors who were part of the crew of a Japanese ship.
India sent the INS Tabar to the Gulf of Aden last month following complaints from Indian shipping firms about the attacks, which are driving up insurance premiums, forcing ships to take detours and securing massive ransoms for the perpetrators.
For all the talk of naval intervention, there is little mention of finding an effective political solution. A naval presence can make their life much harder, but a functioning government could snuff the problem entirely.
