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October 31, 2007
Israel’s justice ministry is investigating a hospital that allegedly held a newborn baby as a “guarantee” until a bill was paid.
The ministry intervened last week following reports that East Jerusalem’s al-Muqassad hospital held the girl, Israeli press reports say.
The mother, an Israeli citizen, gave birth to triplets two months ago.
The hospital denies keeping the baby and says the triplets were released at different times for medical reasons.
The births were premature and the babies required extensive hospital treatment.
The al-Muqassad hospital is an charitable Arab-run hospital in East Jerusalem.
‘Normal procedure’
Because the children’s father was a Palestinian resident of the West Bank, the hospital demanded payment of the bill as it was not certain of recovering the costs from the National Insurance Institute (NII), it is alleged.
When the woman said she was unable to pay, the hospital released only two of the babies, keeping the third as a “guarantee”, newspaper reports said.
The mother left with just two babies and last week approached the justice ministry.
“We looked into the matter with the hospital,” the ministry’s head of legal aid, Eyal Globus, told Haaretz newspaper.
“And it turned out that things were exactly as the mother said they were - the third baby was being held there.”
Mr Globus was told by the hospital director that this was the normal procedure for ensuring payment.
The ministry ordered the release of the child and said it would ensure the insurance fund reimbursed the hospital, newspaper reports said.
The woman’s family told Haaretz that two other Israeli hospitals had turned her away because she could not pay a deposit of $72,500 (40,000) before being admitted.
Source: News - Hospital probed over baby release
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October 30, 2007
Science Daily — Crystal methamphetamine use among young adults in the United States is considerably higher than previous surveys indicate, according to new research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study, published in the July issue of the journal Addiction, found 2.8 percent of young adults (ages 18-26) reported use of crystal methamphetamine in the past year during 2001-2002. This is higher than the annual prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use by young adults (ages 19- 
of 1.4 percent reported by NIDA’s 2002 Monitoring the Future Survey.
Previous national surveys indicate that methamphetamine prevalence is highest among young adults, but until now, few scientific papers have looked at the characteristics and behaviors associated with its use in this age group. Using nationally representative data, and examining the age group most prone to methamphetamine use (ages 18-26), the study found that young adult users are disproportionately white and male and live in the West, and that Native Americans were 4.2 times as likely as whites to use crystal methamphetamine. Users also tend to have lower social economic status, use other substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine, and the male users are more likely to have had incarcerated fathers.
“Measuring drug use is always a challenge,” said NIH Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni. “This new information gives us a clearer picture of use among young adults, but also raises new concerns. Even occasional use of crystal methamphetamine is associated with multiple health and social risks, including a negative impact on families as well as straining emergency departments and law enforcement resources.”
“The study showed not only greater use of crystal methamphetamine, it also suggests the drug is associated with risky and antisocial behaviors, including other illicit drug use,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. “By examining these connections, we hope to identify new avenues for treatment and prevention.”
The study authors based their findings on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), which asked respondents about their use of crystal methamphetamine in the past year and past 30 days. They examined certain characteristics of crystal methamphetamine users, such as their use of other substances, sociodemographics, and novelty-seeking behavior. They also looked at what was unique about crystal methamphetamine users compared to other drug users, and the associations between past year crystal methamphetamine use and antisocial or risk behaviors, such as crime/violence and risky sexual behavior. To maintain confidentiality, Add Health administered questionnaires via laptop computer using computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) technology.
The study found that use of crystal methamphetamine and associations with both criminal behavior and risky sex differed between men and women. Associations with both types of behaviors tended to be stronger among women than among men. Among women, the study found crystal methamphetamine use to be significantly associated with drug sales and risky sexual behavior, such as low condom use. However, the authors emphasize that more research is needed to determine whether women who sell drugs are more likely to use crystal methamphetamine or whether use of the drug leads to criminal drug sales among women.
Crystal methamphetamine (also referred to as “ice,” “crystal,” “glass,” and “tina&rdqu 
is a common form of methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. As with the powdered form, users of crystal methamphetamine are drawn to its euphoric and stimulant effects, but the drug has higher purity and more potential for abuse. Typically smoked, it produces an immediate, intense sensation and has longer acting physiological effects than powder, which also amplifies its addiction potential and adverse health consequences. Those can include: mood disturbances, cardiovascular problems, heat stroke, convulsions, and psychotic symptoms that can sometimes last for months or years after methamphetamine abuse has ceased.
“This study presents a new perspective on crystal methamphetamine users in the United States,” said Dr. Denise D. Hallfors, of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and a co-author on the study. “We hope that this new information will aid in the development of appropriate interventions and help to inform public policy.”
To date, nationally representative survey research on crystal and other methamphetamine use has been based on two Federal sources: Monitoring the Future (MTF), and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In those surveys, annual prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use was 2.1 percent among 12th graders and 1.5 percent among young adults aged 19-28 (1.8 percent for men, 1.2 percent for women). The 2004 NSDUH survey did not ask specifically about crystal methamphetamine, but reported that past year methamphetamine use was highest among young adults (18-25), compared to youths and other adults.
Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse. (more̷
October 29, 2007
If you’re thinking about starting your own business, do your homework.
You’ll need to do some research both into your business idea and your own suitability.
Running a small business can be hard work - stressful, lonely and time-consuming. It can also be very rewarding, inspiring and lucrative.
Think about why you want to start a business. Are you motivated and resilient? Do you like working alone?
Have you got patience and determination? Are you self-confident and flexible?
You’ll also need to decide how you want to structure your business:
Sole trader - this means you are in business by yourself, you operate under your own name and you are solely responsible for any debts you incur.
Partnership -you might decide to team up with a friend, which can be useful if you need more finance to get started.
Private limited company (Ltd) - you can raise finance by selling shares to friends and family. If you start a limited company you will have to register its name and address with Companies House. This costs from 20.
Once you’ve decided whether you have the right skills, and what sort of business you want to start, the next stage is to prepare a business plan.
Marketing strategy
This basically sets out how you intend to run your business. It is really important. It’ll not only focus your idea, but it will also be the basis on which organisations will decide whether to lend to you. The plan should include:
a description of exactly what the business is - where it will be located, and what it will do
evidence of a market for your idea - who will use your service? Are there other people offering a similar product or service?
a sales and marketing strategy - why your idea is going to be a success and how you will promote your venture.
your finances - how much you’ll need to set up and sustain the company and where you plan to get your money? When do you expect to start earning and how much do you think you’ll make from it
your skills and experience
your targets
your contingency plans if the business goes wrong
If you need start-up finance, banks are perhaps the most obvious source. Most will have a small business advisor to approach for loans or overdraft facilities.
Before they lend they will want to see a detailed business plan as evidence of your business’s potential.
As well as banks you could approach a venture capitalist or business angel. These individuals or companies often provide equity in return for a stake in your business - a share in profits and a say in how the company is run.
You might also qualify for a grant. Try your local authority or organisations such as The Prince’s Trust or Shell Livewire.
You’ll need to tell the Inland Revenue that you are setting up a business so that you can register as self-employed and start paying National Insurance contributions. The Revenue has a helpline - 08459 154515.
You must keep a detailed record of your business transactions. Get a proper system in place from the start and update it regularly. By law you must keep records for all your business income and expenditure. And you need to keep records for at least five years.
Depending on your turnover, you may also have to register for, and charge, VAT. Your local tax office will advise you on this.
You should also talk to your local authority about paying business rates, and don’t forget that certain types of business such as mobile food vans, or market stalls require a local authority licence.
Also look on the Business Link website at www.businesslink.gov.uk or call on 0845 600 9006 for more general information on starting a business.
Read more on News - Starting your own business
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October 28, 2007
Science Daily &34;Sniffers” Expand Law Enforcement Abilities To Detect Explosives And Narcotics
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October 27, 2007
Original article ‘News - Women facing retirement poverty‘
Women are being “short changed” over pensions, according to the TUC.
The union body said a combination of low pay and part-time work meant many women were unable to build up a sufficient company pension.
In addition, many women miss out on a full state pension due to time spent away from work to look after children.
Firms should have to contribute to their workers’ pensions and state pension contribution rules be relaxed to help women, the TUC said.
Precarious retirement
More women than ever are in the workforce but almost half of them are in part-time employment.
Many part-time jobs do not bring access to a company pension scheme.
The TUC calculated that only 15% of unskilled women in part-time jobs are members of a company pension scheme.
“Our pensions system was not designed with women in mind,” said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.
“It is out of date and condemns many millions of women to an uncertain and precarious retirement.”
Mr Barber urged the government to help plug the gap in female pension provision.
Employers should be made to contribute to their employees’ pensions and rules stopping women with less than 10 years National Insurance contributions from collecting state pension should be abolished, Mr Barber said.
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October 26, 2007
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An illegal diamond miners’ pay strike in Botswana has forced the closure of one mine, a spokesman for Debswana Diamond Company has said.
Strikers who fail to return to work are risking immediate dismissal, Debswana employee relations manager Jacob Sesinyi told the BBC.
Debswana, jointly owned by De Beers and the government, has four diamond mines, equal to 30% of Botswana’s economy.
The miners’ union is claiming to have lost control of its members, he said.
The firm has turned to the BMWU national executive after the union’s local committee said it could not prevent its members from striking, said Mr Sesinyi.
“We are prepared to meet as soon as possible, maybe tomorrow,” he told BBC News Online on Monday.
Minor impact
The strike forced the temporary closure of two of the firm’s major mines - its flagship Jwaneng mine and Letlhakane mine - on Sunday night, but Debswana expects both to be fully operational again by the end of Monday.
Diamond mining dwarf the rest of the economy
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The firm is unlikely to be crippled by the forced closure of Damtshaa, a small, newly opened mine that supplied a mere 292,000 of the 30 million carats in diamonds Debswana mined last year.
At least 1,500 workers have failed to clock on, out of 5,400 union members, according to the company’s figures.
Local union officials have painted a sharply different picture, saying 6,000 workers have downed tools.
“Everything is at a standstill in all four mines,” the Agence France Presse news agency reported local BMWU official Jack Tlhagale as saying.
The diamond industry is crucial for Botswana’s economy.
Debswana provides 70% of the southern African country’s foreign exchange earnings, half of government revenue and 30% of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the firm’s website.
“I would not be surprised if from tomorrow people will be served with letters encouraging them to go to work or they will be dismissed,” said Mr Sesinyi.
Botswana’s Industrial Court ruled on 6 August that the pay strike would be illegal.
The union is demanding a 16% pay rise, and 24% bonus for 2004/5, substantially more than management’s offer of 10% in each category.
The firm argues that it is already the highest paying company in Botswana, and that its overall remuneration package includes free housing and transport, subsidised water, power and schooling and free medical insurance.
“It doesn’t happen anywhere else in Botswana apart from Debswana mine, it doesn’t even happen in South Africa,” the company’s spokesman said.
Read source on News - Botswana miners ‘face dismissal’
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October 24, 2007
An amnesty is under way in Kent to encourage people to hand in illegal off-road vehicles such as mini motorbikes, quad bikes and go-peds.
Police and Shepway council say they have received complaints from the public about noise nuisance and damage to parkland in the Folkestone area.
“We especially want to see the cheaper, more dangerous bikes handed in,” said Pc Jacqui Harris.
She said that to use the vehicles legally would cost up to 1,800.
They are classified as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act and need an MOT, insurance, road tax, registration document and number plates.
Riders should also have a driving licence and crash helmet.
Buzz boards
Police visited schools in the Shepway area before the summer holidays to explain to children about the dangers and consequences of riding off-road vehicles.
Trial bikes, quad bikes, electric scooters and buzz boards are all banned from public land, parks, pavements, bridleways, pathways and public roads
Vehicles can be taken to Folkestone police station until 6 August.
People who hand them in, and are not involved in anti-social behaviour over the summer holidays, are being offered a chance to visit a legal Motocross venue.
Originaly from: News - Anmesty tackles off-road nuisance page
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October 23, 2007
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Insurer Norwich Union is planning to move about 40,000 of its customers back into the State Second Pension (S2P).
The move follows a low response to a mail-out by the insurer to its customers advising them to contract back into the scheme.
Norwich Union said it believed “changes in the economic environment” had eroded the potential financial benefits of contracting out.
The S2P is paid in addition to the basic state pension.
State or private?
The S2P replaced the State Earnings Related Pension (Serps) in 2002, with the new system aimed at lifting the benefits to people on low and medium incomes.
However, workers have the option of “contracting out” of S2P - as they could with Serps.
Workers with a stakeholder or private pension who contract out receive a rebate of National Insurance contributions which is paid into their pension fund.
The reasoning behind contracting out is that the extra money put into a private pension scheme could provide better benefits on retirement than the state scheme.
However, in recent years the poor performance of the stock market has affected pension funds, leading some experts to believe that staying with the state system is a better move.
‘Inertia’ concerns
Norwich Union said it had written to 253,000 of its customers who were contracted out, but said it was “disappointed” that only 20% responded.
“We are concerned about the high levels of customer inertia on issues such as this and believe that the next logical step is to automatically switch these customers back into the state second pension and take the responsible approach for our policyholders,” said Mike Kirsch, operations director at Norwich Union.
The 40,000 people the firm plans to automatically switch back into S2P are those who Norwich Union advised directly, or people who have no financial adviser registered to their policy.
The company says it “strongly recommends” that its remaining customers should seek independent financial advice on the issue.
Originaly from: News - Insurer returns to state pension
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October 22, 2007
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Germany’s grand coalition has reached a deal on funding the country’s health service, which has a budget shortfall of $10bn (8bn euros; 5.3bn) a year.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) reached the deal with their Social Democrat (SPD) partners in a seven-hour negotiating session.
Up to now, German healthcare has been funded by compulsory public and private insurance schemes.
A new centralised fund will now receive money from employees and their bosses.
The new system of deducting contributions automatically from the payroll will not be introduced until 2009.
Funding pressure
The deal followed weeks of acrimonious argument in the coalition.
It has been viewed as a test of Ms Merkel’s leadership and her government’s stability.
Critics say it is a fudge and it still will not be enough to make up the shortfall in health funds.
Correspondents say the funding problem will get worse because Germany’s population is ageing. They say it is only recently that the introduction of prescription charges and consultation fees have begun to discourage frivolous visits to the doctor.
Germany has the third most expensive healthcare system in the world, after the United States and Switzerland.
Under the new system, Germany’s health insurers will receive a fixed sum out of the centralised fund for each policyholder. They will get an extra amount if they insure a large number of elderly and chronically ill people.
One controversial issue was a cap on additional health insurance premiums. The SPD emerged from the talks claiming victory on this point. In the future, if health insurers want to impose an extra premium on policyholders, it will be capped at 1% of household income.
Read more on News - Germany restructures healthcare
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October 14, 2007
All workers should be automatically included in their company pension schemes, an industry body has said.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) also called for changes to make it easier for staff to pay into their personal pension plans.
The ABI said workplace pensions reform was key to promoting a UK savings culture.
The Pensions Commission has estimated that 12 million people in the UK are not saving enough for retirement.
While employees should automatically be signed up for their company’s pensions scheme, they would retain the right to opt out, the ABI said.
In an early statement, the ABI had said that it called for “legislation to require employers who do not offer pensions for their employees to pay pension contributions”.
A spokesman later clarified the language, saying that the statement had been meant to call for firms to be compelled to allow employees to have pay deducted straight from their earnings into stakeholder pensions.
The ABI, he said, remained opposed to compulsion in pensions savings.
Culture change
The ABI also called for tax breaks for firms where at least two-thirds of staff are members of the company pension scheme.
Under the proposal, employers would receive a refund of their national insurance payments in return for making contributions to the workplace pension scheme.
“This proposal would increase saving by around 1.5bn, at a cost to government of 500-700m,” Stephen Hadrill, director general of the ABI, said.
The state second pension should also be reformed to give lower-paid workers more money in retirement, the ABI added.
Magic bullet?
Mr Hadrill said that there was no “magic bullet” solution to the UK pensions crisis.
“We need a package of reforms to encourage a new savings culture…measures to enhance the state second pension, encourage employers to contribute to their employees’ pensions and improve the provision of advice about long-term savings,” Mr Hadrill said.
The proposals will be put to the government’s Pensions Commission, which is seeking a solution to the UK’s pension problem.
The interim report from the Pensions Commission - published last October - said a mixture of higher taxes, more saving and a higher average retirement age was needed to solve the UK’s pension crisis.
The Commission will make its final recommendations in the autumn.
Originaly from Source
