Saturday 13 November 2010
US offers Israel incentive plan for settlement freeze
US offers Israel incentive plan for settlement freeze
Israel's 10-month construction freeze in the West Bank expired on 26 September
Friday 12 November 2010
Supercomputers 'will fit in a sugar cube', IBM says
Supercomputers 'will fit in a sugar cube', IBM says
The prototype chip stacks are threaded with fine cooling layers
The prototype chip stacks are threaded with fine cooling layers
Acne drug not found to increase suicide risk
But a popular acne drug was not found to increase the risk of suicide, despite previous findings.
The study of 5,700 people, in the British Medical Journal, was carried out at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden between 1980 and 2001.
Acne can have serious psychological effects, say experts.
Severe acne sufferers are commonly prescribed a drug called isotretinoin, also known as Roaccutane, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Clarus or Decutan.
It has been used since the 1980s to treat severe acne if a course of antibiotics does not prove effective.
But there have been reports linking isotretinoin to depression and suicidal behaviour.
So Dr Anders Sundstrom and his research team from Sweden .
They stress that attempted suicide was a rare event - the figures suggest just one person out of every 2,300 individuals taking isotretinoin will make a first suicide attempt.
Monitor patients Dr Sundstrom said of his findings: "The underlying condition of acne is a more important factor for suicide attempts. We are not certain the drug adds anything."
Writing in an editorial in the BMJ, Australian acne experts John Sullivan and Parker Magin say that the Swedish research is important given the complexity of the issue.
"It is difficult to tease out the relation between mental health and isotretinoin because acne itself is associated with psychiatric morbidity, including depression."
They also say that the study shows GPs must closely monitor acne patients on isotretinoin.
"During and after treatment with isotretinoin (perhaps, especially, unsuccessful treatment), patients should be carefully monitored for depression and suicidal thoughts."
Dr Sarah Bailey, lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath, said: "This is an important paper that strengthens the view that acne itself can have significant psychological effects and that there is a low risk of suicide for some acne patients.
"However, the controversial issue of increased suicide risk with isotretinoin use is not resolved by this paper, which the authors themselves acknowledge.
"Perhaps their most interesting and novel finding is that the risk of suicide is increased AFTER treatment has stopped and therefore it is essential to continue to monitor patients carefully."
The study of 5,700 people, in the British Medical Journal, was carried out at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden between 1980 and 2001.
Acne can have serious psychological effects, say experts.
Severe acne sufferers are commonly prescribed a drug called isotretinoin, also known as Roaccutane, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Clarus or Decutan.
It has been used since the 1980s to treat severe acne if a course of antibiotics does not prove effective.
But there have been reports linking isotretinoin to depression and suicidal behaviour.
So Dr Anders Sundstrom and his research team from Sweden .
“Start Quote
End Quote Dr Sarah Bailey University of BathAcne can have significant psychological effects .”
They found that 128 of the 5,700 patients investigated who were taking the drug were admitted to hospital for attempted suicide.
The risk of suicide was highest within six months of ending treatment - but the researchers say this is most likely to be because patients whose acne improved following treatment were distraught if there was no improvement in their social life, rather than anything to do with the treatment itself.They stress that attempted suicide was a rare event - the figures suggest just one person out of every 2,300 individuals taking isotretinoin will make a first suicide attempt.
Monitor patients Dr Sundstrom said of his findings: "The underlying condition of acne is a more important factor for suicide attempts. We are not certain the drug adds anything."
Writing in an editorial in the BMJ, Australian acne experts John Sullivan and Parker Magin say that the Swedish research is important given the complexity of the issue.
"It is difficult to tease out the relation between mental health and isotretinoin because acne itself is associated with psychiatric morbidity, including depression."
They also say that the study shows GPs must closely monitor acne patients on isotretinoin.
"During and after treatment with isotretinoin (perhaps, especially, unsuccessful treatment), patients should be carefully monitored for depression and suicidal thoughts."
Dr Sarah Bailey, lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath, said: "This is an important paper that strengthens the view that acne itself can have significant psychological effects and that there is a low risk of suicide for some acne patients.
"However, the controversial issue of increased suicide risk with isotretinoin use is not resolved by this paper, which the authors themselves acknowledge.
"Perhaps their most interesting and novel finding is that the risk of suicide is increased AFTER treatment has stopped and therefore it is essential to continue to monitor patients carefully."
Ari Melber: In Blue Dog Battle, Progressives Are (Half) Right
Ari Melber: In Blue Dog Battle, Progressives Are (Half) Right
Some Democrats think voters punished them for deploying too much government, too quickly, in too many areas beyond the economy.
Some Democrats think voters punished them for deploying too much government, too quickly, in too many areas beyond the economy.
Carla Seaquist: Define "Change"---Or It's Perpetual Pendulum for America
Carla Seaquist: Define "Change"---Or It's Perpetual Pendulum for America
Feeling whiplashed by the midterm elections? No wonder: We've literally been through the ringer---360 degrees of change in two very short years.
Feeling whiplashed by the midterm elections? No wonder: We've literally been through the ringer---360 degrees of change in two very short years.
Gunmen Kill 17 At A Drug Rehab In Mexico
Gunmen Kill 17 At A Drug Rehab In Mexico
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation center, lined people against a wall and shot 17 dead in a particularly bloody day in Mexico's relentless drug war.
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation center, lined people against a wall and shot 17 dead in a particularly bloody day in Mexico's relentless drug war.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Internet pioneer Vint Cerf warns over address changes
Internet pioneer Vint Cerf warns over address changes
The domains that underpin the internet could become unstable
US and Israel agree to seek Middle East peace talks
US and Israel agree to seek Middle East peace talks
Mrs Clinton and Mr Netanyahu said their meeting had focused on negotiations
Karachi CID building attack funerals to be held
Karachi CID building attack funerals to be held
The blast took place in the busy evening rush-hour
G20 leaders seek to bridge differences at Seoul talks
G20 leaders seek to bridge differences at Seoul talks
G20 leaders are due to publish a final communique on the summit on Friday
Case Studies in Marketing Communications book
Case Studies in Marketing Communications
Case Studies in Marketing Communications
Case Studies in Marketing Communications
What a Blog Can Do For Your Small Business
What a Blog Can Do For Your Small Business
The blogging movement is picking up speed as businesses begin to realize the benefits of blogging. Discover what a business blog can do for you.
The blogging movement is picking up speed as businesses begin to realize the benefits of blogging. Discover what a business blog can do for you.
Make Business Cards
Make Business Cards
Make your own business cards online. Type in your contact information, point to your logo and get a printable PDF that you can take to virtually any printer (Kinko's
Make your own business cards online. Type in your contact information, point to your logo and get a printable PDF that you can take to virtually any printer (Kinko's
Unlocked iPhone 4G 32gb,HTC Touch HD2)ArabPhones
Unlocked iPhone 4G 32gb,HTC Touch HD2)ArabPhones
EL-EID FITRI SPECIAL OFFER IN JEDDAH SAUDI ARABIA ONLY....
EL-EID FITRI SPECIAL OFFER IN JEDDAH SAUDI ARABIA ONLY....
Cisco shares hit by outlook fears
Cisco shares hit by outlook fears
Cisco chief executive John Chambers tried to reassure investors that the performance was "solid"
Currencies set to dominate G20 summit agenda
Currencies set to dominate G20 summit agenda
There are fears the G20 meeting in Seoul could descend into a row between the US and China about so-called "currency wars" and trade imbalances.
Ahead of the meeting, US President Barack Obama urged leaders to work together for global economic recovery.
He also defended the US's policy of pumping $600bn into the economy.
"In a prudent, stable way, we want to make sure that we are boosting growth rates at home as well as abroad," Mr Obama said of the policy announced last week designed to kick-start the US economy's fragile recovery.
The pact was agreed three years ago, but has since stalled over US lawmakers concerns about access to South Korean markets for US beef and cars.
"We agreed that more time is needed to resolve detailed issues and asked trade ministers to reach a mutually acceptable deal as soon as possible," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said after meeting the US president.
He also said the US remained open to negotiations with North Korea to end its nuclear programme as long as Pyongyang showed "seriousness of purpose".
The world's leading economies have begun a summit in South Korea, with currency policies set to dominate the agenda.
Ahead of the meeting, US President Barack Obama urged leaders to work together for global economic recovery.
He also defended the US's policy of pumping $600bn into the economy.
"In a prudent, stable way, we want to make sure that we are boosting growth rates at home as well as abroad," Mr Obama said of the policy announced last week designed to kick-start the US economy's fragile recovery.
Continue reading the main story
It was formed in 1999, and held its first meeting that year.
Until 2008 the G20 was overshadowed by the smaller G8 grouping of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada and Russia.
However, this has changed since the global financial crisis of 2008, and the G20 has effectively now replaced the G8 as the main global economic forum.
The major growth in the economies of G20 members China, India and Brazil has also contributed to the rising importance of the grouping.
The G20 currently meets twice a year, but this is set to reduce to one meeting from 2011.
What is the G20?
The G20 group comprises the world's 19 leading national economies, plus the European Union.It was formed in 1999, and held its first meeting that year.
Until 2008 the G20 was overshadowed by the smaller G8 grouping of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada and Russia.
However, this has changed since the global financial crisis of 2008, and the G20 has effectively now replaced the G8 as the main global economic forum.
The major growth in the economies of G20 members China, India and Brazil has also contributed to the rising importance of the grouping.
The G20 currently meets twice a year, but this is set to reduce to one meeting from 2011.
"It is difficult to do that if we start seeing the huge imbalances redevelop that helped to contribute to the crisis that we just went through."
The US and South Korea also announced that they had failed to seal a free trade deal, in talks ahead of the main G20 meeting.The pact was agreed three years ago, but has since stalled over US lawmakers concerns about access to South Korean markets for US beef and cars.
"We agreed that more time is needed to resolve detailed issues and asked trade ministers to reach a mutually acceptable deal as soon as possible," South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said after meeting the US president.
He also said the US remained open to negotiations with North Korea to end its nuclear programme as long as Pyongyang showed "seriousness of purpose".
Iraq parties reach deal on government, negotiator says
Iraq parties reach deal on government, negotiator says
Nouri Maliki gradually gained the support of parliament's smaller factions
Thursday 4 November 2010
Federal Reserve to pump $600bn into US economy
Federal Reserve to pump $600bn into US economy
The US economy grew by an annual rate of 2% between July and September, which is not enough to reduce high unemployment.
Some analysts see QE as the last chance to get the US economy back on track.
The move was widely flagged, with most analysts expecting the Fed to inject $500bn into the economy.
For this reason, stock markets rose only slightly, with the Dow Jones closing up 26 points at 11,215, still enough to take the index to its highest level for two years.
Second step Interest rates are already close to zero, which means the Fed cannot reduce rates any further in order to boost demand - the more traditional policy used by central banks to stimulate growth.
Instead, it has announced a fresh round of QE, in which it will create money to buy long-dated government bonds.
The programme has been dubbed QE2, after the Fed pumped $1.75tn into the economy during the downturn in its first round of QE.
It is in addition to the Fed's previously announced plan to reinvest $250bn-$300bn of repayments it is due from existing US mortgage debt investments over the coming year.
Bank lending
Opinions are divided about how effective QE2 will be, partly because of questions about how much impact the first, much larger, round of QE had.
Some observers credit the programme with pulling the US out of recession, while others argue that it had little impact on consumer demand and the tight credit conditions that make it hard for individuals and businesses to access bank finance.
As a result, some economists believe the Fed will have to pump far more than $500bn into the economy to make a meaningful difference.
"The bottom line is the plan provides a boost to the economy's growth, but it is not going to solve our problems," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
"Even with the Fed's action, we're going to feel uncomfortable about the economy in the next six to 12 months."
Slow growth What most do agree on, however, is that the Fed had to do something.
The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2% between July and September.
The annualised rate is the rate at which the economy would grow over a year if the three-month growth rate were replicated over all four quarters.
While this was an improvement on the 1.7% annualised growth seen between April and June, it was less than the 3.7% annualised growth recorded in the first three months of the year.
Together, these growth rates are below the historical rates posted by the US economy during recoveries from past recessions.
Also a cause for concern is the fact that growth in business inventories made up more than two-thirds of the annualised 2% third-quarter growth - in other words, businesses simply re-stocking following the downturn.
Job losses Such modest rates of growth are having little impact on the high level of unemployment in the US, which currently stands at 9.6%.
Official figures show that the economy lost a 95,000 jobs in September, as public-sector cuts outpaced hiring by the private sector.
This was almost double the figure for August, when 54,000 jobs were lost.
It is this high level of unemployment that is acting as a key drag on economic growth.
Unemployment remains stubbornly high in the US at 9.6%
The Federal Reserve has announced that it will pump $600bn (£373bn) into the US economy by the end of June next year to try to boost the fragile recovery.
This stimulus equates to $75bn a month, in a second round of "quantitative easing" (QE).The US economy grew by an annual rate of 2% between July and September, which is not enough to reduce high unemployment.
Some analysts see QE as the last chance to get the US economy back on track.
The move was widely flagged, with most analysts expecting the Fed to inject $500bn into the economy.
For this reason, stock markets rose only slightly, with the Dow Jones closing up 26 points at 11,215, still enough to take the index to its highest level for two years.
Second step Interest rates are already close to zero, which means the Fed cannot reduce rates any further in order to boost demand - the more traditional policy used by central banks to stimulate growth.
Instead, it has announced a fresh round of QE, in which it will create money to buy long-dated government bonds.
The programme has been dubbed QE2, after the Fed pumped $1.75tn into the economy during the downturn in its first round of QE.
It is in addition to the Fed's previously announced plan to reinvest $250bn-$300bn of repayments it is due from existing US mortgage debt investments over the coming year.
Bank lending
Opinions are divided about how effective QE2 will be, partly because of questions about how much impact the first, much larger, round of QE had.
Some observers credit the programme with pulling the US out of recession, while others argue that it had little impact on consumer demand and the tight credit conditions that make it hard for individuals and businesses to access bank finance.
As a result, some economists believe the Fed will have to pump far more than $500bn into the economy to make a meaningful difference.
"The bottom line is the plan provides a boost to the economy's growth, but it is not going to solve our problems," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
"Even with the Fed's action, we're going to feel uncomfortable about the economy in the next six to 12 months."
Slow growth What most do agree on, however, is that the Fed had to do something.
The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2% between July and September.
The annualised rate is the rate at which the economy would grow over a year if the three-month growth rate were replicated over all four quarters.
While this was an improvement on the 1.7% annualised growth seen between April and June, it was less than the 3.7% annualised growth recorded in the first three months of the year.
Together, these growth rates are below the historical rates posted by the US economy during recoveries from past recessions.
Also a cause for concern is the fact that growth in business inventories made up more than two-thirds of the annualised 2% third-quarter growth - in other words, businesses simply re-stocking following the downturn.
Job losses Such modest rates of growth are having little impact on the high level of unemployment in the US, which currently stands at 9.6%.
Official figures show that the economy lost a 95,000 jobs in September, as public-sector cuts outpaced hiring by the private sector.
This was almost double the figure for August, when 54,000 jobs were lost.
It is this high level of unemployment that is acting as a key drag on economic growth.
Federal Reserve move pushes stocks up and dollar down
Federal Reserve move pushes stocks up and dollar down
World stock markets have opened higher and the US dollar has fallen as investors digest the announcement from the Federal Reserve that it will pump $600bn (£373bn) into the US economy.
Serb leader Tadic visits Vukovar war grave in Croatia
Serb leader Tadic visits Vukovar war grave in Croatia
Serb forces captured Vukovar in late 1991 after a three-month siege
President Boris Tadic has arrived in Croatia, the first Serbian leader to pay his respects to victims of a notorious 1991 massacre.
Facebook eyes mobile domination
Facebook eyes mobile domination
More than 200 million people are now using Facebook across various mobile platforms
Facebook has set out a strategy it hopes will make it as dominant in mobiles as it is in social networks.
Qantas grounds A380s after Singapore emergency landing
Qantas grounds A380s after Singapore emergency landing
The Australian airline Qantas has grounded its six-strong fleet of Airbus A380 airliners after one of the superjumbos made an emergency landing.
Samsung Omnia 7 and HTC HD7 review
Samsung Omnia 7 and HTC HD7 review
Dan Simmons looks at two of the first phones to offer the new Windows Phone 7 operating system and finds that they have both clever touches and limiting drawbacks.
Flying donkey shocks beachgoers in Russia's south
Flying donkey shocks beachgoers in Russia's south
Police in southern Russia will launch a probe into an initiative by local entrepreneurs who sent a donkey into the sky on a parachute in an advertising stunt. The official spokesman for the local directorate of the Interior Ministry told reporters that the parachuting donkey incident took place
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