NetStory: 2012

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Calif. court limits damages in harassment case

The California Supreme Court has reduced the punitive damages that McKesson Corp. must pay a former employee who claimed she was harassed because she suffered panic attacks and had body odor.

The court on Monday ordered the San Francisco-based drug distributor to pay Charlene Roby $3.8 million.

It cut the amount from the nearly $20 million a Yolo County jury initially awarded the former customer service worker in 2004.

McKesson did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Roby sued McKesson, claiming the company wrongly fired her after a stellar 25-year career. Roby, who took medication for her panic attacks that caused body …

Yo-yo mart falls 36 pts.

NEW YORK The Dow Jones industrials dropped into negativeterritory in the last hour of trading today under heavy sellingpressure from profit-takers trying to lock in gains before yearend.

The Dow Jones average fell 36.52 points to close at 6,268.35after being up more than 50 points this morning. The broad marketwas weaker as well.

The Dow rose this morning after the weekend announcement thatBoeing would acquire rival aircraft and defense maker McDonnellDouglas in a stock swap valued at $13.3 billion. Share of bothcompanies were up strongly.However, the rest of the market was weaker. Declining issuesled advancers, with 1,657 down, 873 up and 780 unchanged on the …

BP: too early to say how much oil spilled in Gulf

LONDON (AP) — BP has declined to estimate how much oil was spilled in the Gulf of Mexico from its busted Macondo well last year, saying more data still has to be gathered.

The company says in its 2010 Sustainability Review released Wednesday that while third-party oil spill estimates have been made public, "we believe that no accurate determination can be made or reported until further …

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

NATO airstrike accidentally kills 5 Afghan troops

NATO mistakenly killed five of its Afghan army allies in an airstrike Wednesday while the Afghans were attacking insurgents in the country's east, officials said.

An Afghan defense official condemned the latest "friendly fire" deaths, which came at a time when international troops are trying to improve coordination with Afghan security forces in hopes of handing over more security to them nearly nine years into the war. Three American soldiers were also reported killed Wednesday in a roadside bomb in the south.

The Afghan soldiers were launching an ambush before dawn against insurgents reportedly on the move in Ghazni province when NATO aircraft …

REVIEW

Femi Kuti

Shoki Shoki

(MCA)

Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Nigeriansuperstar/political and social warrior Fela, Femi Kuti has releasedthe most blistering disc of funky, jazz-driven Afro-beat to hit thestates in years. The single, "Beng Beng Beng," a sensuous soca-flavored dance track, has already netted Femi a pair of Kora AllAfrica Music Awards.

Elsewhere, there's the skin-tight syncopation of "Sorry Sorry"and the Afrocentric "Blackman Know Yourself," which brings to mindHugh Masekela.

Michael Penn

MP4

(Epic/Fifty …

MINI, BUT NOT A VAN

YOU KNOW WHAT AN SUV IS, RIGHT? How about an SAV? According to Ford Motor Co., that's a sports activity vehicle-"a three-row mono-space vehicle that is athletic both in its appearance and in the way it drives."

That's Ford's definition of what may be a new kind of vehicle-call it the mini minivan.

Built on a mid-sized vehicle platform, Ford's SAV and Mercedes's new R-Class are prime examples of the new type of vehicle, which define themselves by providing three-rows of seats that can haul five or six adults.

Smaller than a standard minivan, the SAV is designed to appeal to drivers who want to carry a lot of passengers or cargo, but don't want the stigma of driving a …

Ecuador president says will meet many debts

President Rafael Correa assured lenders on Saturday that Ecuador will pay back many of its loans even if it is backing away from debts it considers illegitimate.

The assurance came as Correa said his government may seek new financing from multilateral lenders because problems caused by the plummeting price of oil "have surpassed our expectations."

The government announced this month that it would stop paying interest on two sorts of bonds that a presidential commission determined were illegitimate. Those moves prompted international ratings agencies to slash Ecuador's bond rating, as well as reducing that of the Corporacion Andina de Fomento, a …

Bathing suit line goes swimmingly

NEW YORK (AP) It's summertime, and American women are loungingaround pools and strolling along beaches, showing off this year'shot-selling bathing suits. But Miriam Ruzow has little time forthat.

The 43-year-old president of the U.S. arm of Gottex, the Israeliswimsuit maker, is working on the 1987 collection of high-priced,sexy, fashion suits.

The Gottlieb family has been in fashions for 30 years. ArminGottlieb, now 75, was a rainwear manufacturer in Budapest, Hungary,where Ruzow was born, until World War II, when he was sent to a Nazilabor camp.

In 1949, when Ruzow was 6, the reunited family emigrated to TelAviv.

At first, the Gottliebs …

Utah Capitalizes to Upset No. 11 UCLA

SALT LAKE CITY - Tommy Grady threw for three touchdowns, Darrell Mack ran for 107 yards and Utah capitalized on a long list of mistakes by No. 11 UCLA in a 44-6 upset of the Bruins on Saturday.

Robert Johnson made two interceptions and forced a fumble at the 2-yard line, making what could have been a touchdown into one of five turnovers by the Bruins (2-1).

UCLA committed 10 penalties and unraveled in the second half as Utah (1-2) scored 30 straight points and beat the Bruins for the first time. Utah had been 0-8 against UCLA, which failed to score a touchdown for the first time in four years.

Louie Sakoda kicked three field goals and Mack became the first Ute to …

269 punished for abusing disabled in Texas

State records show that 269 employees at Texas' 13 residential centers for the mentally and developmentally disabled were fired or suspended last year for abusing or mistreating residents.

The revelations Friday come a day after Gov. Rick Perry signed legislation aimed at improving security and oversight at the centers.

Records obtained by The Associated Press through …

Despite Stellar Cast, `House' Never Captures Spirit of Book

THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (STAR)(STAR) Esteban Trueba Jeremy Irons Ferula Glenn Close Clara Meryl Streep Blanca Winona Ryder Nivea Vanessa Redgrave Written and directed by Bille August. Based on the novel by IsabelAllende. Running Time: 138 minutes. Classified R (for strongsexuality, and for violence). Opening today at local theaters.

The story told in "The House of the Spirits" is a lusty,passionate Latin melodrama, filled with ghosts, magic, poison andromance. The material demands to be handled with cheerful abandon.But by some strange alchemy the film turns the story into a brooding,intellectualized drama. There are …

Dems hope to taint Romney with health law praise

BOSTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and other top Democrats have been quick to lavish praise on former Massachusetts Republican Gov. Mitt Romney for signing the sweeping health care law in 2006 that laid the groundwork for Obama's national health care overhaul.

The fact that repeal of the national law, derided as "Obamacare," was a rallying cry for Republicans in last year's midterm election hasn't been lost on Democratic loyalists who hope to taint Romney by tying him too closely to what is a highly unpopular law among GOP voters.

Some analysts are wondering if that strategy could end up backfiring if Romney wins the Republican nomination for president and has to reach out …

Did these constables come from town?

This week's Looking Back photograph has been set to us by one ofour readers - Helen Wayde, of Curry Rivel.

The photograph was found among her father's possessions, and isbelieved to show a team of special constables.

"My father, Rev D A Munro, was a special constable attached tothe Glastonbury Division of the Somerset and Bath Constabulary," shesaid.

"My father is not in the photograph, and I do not know why he hadit.

"He was based at Shapwick between 1957-1969, before he moved toWincanton in 1969 and served with the specials there.

"I would be pleased to pass the original photograph on to anyonewho would like it, and would also be interested to know if thesespecial constables were attached to Glastonbury - perhaps someoneout there will recognise some of the people."

Is there someone you recognise in this photograph?

Do you know where it was taken, and what year?

If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We're always on the look out for old photographs - do you haveold photographs you would like to share with others in the LookingBack section, or a mystery photograph that our readers may be ableto shed light on?

Contact the Central Somerset Newsdesk on 01749 832336, emailthem, with a few details, to central@midsomnews.co.uk or send themto Central Somerset Gazette, Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Will the Biotech Industry Survive the Financial Crisis?

The meltdown in the financial markets will continue to affect the flow of much needed capital into the sector

October 2008 will be remembered for a very long time by biotech CEOs after the industry dusted itself off from one of the worst months on record as far as the capital markets are concerned. Not only did we see wild swings in the Dow but also the almost immediate impact it made on the progress and prospects of small and emerging biotech companies.

The meltdown in the financial markets represents a sea change in the world of financing that will continue to affect the flow of much needed capital into the sector for the foreseeable future. Biotech companies have had reasonably easy and inexpensive sources of capital in the past 40 years, but now the world has changed for them and it is going to get much more difficult going forward.

In the past, biotechs have recovered from several "nuclear winters" as the financial markets rebounded from various perturbations. This time, however, the problem lies in the very sustenance of the industry-capital, which has been its umbilical cord since the industry's inception. Now that cord has been cut and we are entering a very different world where capital will be more expensive and difficult to obtain.

The more mature and blue-chip biotech companies will do just fine because they have plenty of cash, product revenue streams, strong pipelines, and Big Pharma partners. The small public and private companies looking for venture capital will feel the most pain.

The prognosis for the almost 200 publicly listed biotechnology companies that have seen their market cap drop to less than $100 million is that they will find the next 12 months challenging because they are often trading at almost no multiple to their cash. These companies will need to find ways to survive and stretch out the funds that they do have remaining.

In fact, 30% of the public biotech companies tracked by the monthly Burrill Biotechnology Report were facing the specter of NASDAQ delisting notices until the NASDAQ Stock Market announced that it had suspended its minimum bid price and market-value requirements for continued listing for three months in response to the severe financial conditions. Even this extension may not be long enough as the consensus appears to be that the industry is facing a long downturn.

Looking to the future, I believe that the markets will return in late 2009 or early 2010. However, at that time we are likely to see a very different industry than currently exists. Companies with limited cash are already starting to cut their work forces and even eliminate research and drug-development projects in a desperate effort to extend their runway. Some might have to sell themselves at less than favorable prices to at least salvage some value for their investors and shareholders. There will be attrition through bankruptcies and mergers. The focus of attention amongst successful private and public companies alike are those biotechs with a market cap well below their cash value but with $60 to $80 million in the bank. For private companies, with the IPO window firmly closed for them, it represents an opportunity to go public by merging into these companies that have fallen on hard times and have few or no options to undertake financing because of their low share price.

We are not writing biotech's obituary just yet. In fact, these stressful times will force companies to look at what they have and how their assets can be monetized. They will also have to look further afield for financing and potential partners such as the BRIC countries-Brazil, Russia, China, and India.

The industry has been and will be as creative in its survival as it has been in its product development. From this will emerge and even stronger industry.

ANALYZING THE NUMBERS

Analyzing biotech's monthly and quarterly performance, the Burrill Biotech Select Index, a price-weighted index tracking 20 of biotech's blue-chip companies, finished the third quarter down 0.74%. In comparison, the Dow fell 4% for the third quarter and the NASDAQ also dropped 10%.

For October, our indices reveal the magnitude of the fall off in the markets and they reflect the realities that investors still have faith in the blue-chip biotechs but are staying well away from the more risky emerging biotech companies, with the stock values of the midcap and small-cap biotechs taking a pounding (Table 1).

The Burrill Biotech Select Index finished October down 10% whereas the Dow fell 14% and the NASDAQ took a 17% hit.

The collective market cap of the industry closed October at $417 billion, a drop of 10% for the month. Genentech's market cap closed the month at $87.5 billion; Amgen was at $63.4 billion, and Gilead Sciences at $42.2 billion.

FINANCING: 3Q ANALYSIS

In terms of biotech IPOs, 2008 is shaping up to be one of biotech's worst in history with only one completed to date. Except for venturecapital deals, which have remained at steady state for the past three quarters, generating about $1 billion each quarter, all other forms of financing have fallen compared to the first quarter of 2008 and comparative 2007 figures.

Collectively, US biotech financings, both for public and private firms, raised $2.5 billion in the third quarter bringing the year-to-date total to almost $8.2 billion (Table 2).

The industry is on pace to generate about $10 billion in the year. You have to go back to 1998 to find a smaller amount that was raised by the industry.

PARTNERING REMAINS STEADY

While slipping almost $1 billion in Q3 2008 compared to Q2 2008, partnering deals did generate more than $2.9 billion for US biotech companies in Q3. Notable deals in the quarter included a potential $820-million partnership between GlaxoSmithKline and Valeant Pharmaceuticals and a $725-million deal that Pfizer inked with Medivation to develop and commercialize Dimebon, the company's investigational drug for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.

[Sidebar]

These stressful times will force companies to look at what they have and how their assets can be monetized.

[Sidebar]

You have to go back to 1998 to find a smaller amount of capital raised by the industry.

Investors still have faith in the blue-chip biotechs but are staying well away from the more risky emerging biotech companies.

[Author Affiliation]

G. Steven Burrill is chief executive

officer at Burrill & Company, San

Francisco, CA, 415.5915400,

publications@b-c.com.

Roddick says knee is better but not perfect

Andy Roddick's left knee isn't perfect but he's hoping for a successful start to the 2010 tennis season at the Brisbane International.

Roddick had his first practice session Thursday at Pat Rafter Arena in preparation for next week's first tuneup tournament ahead of the Australian Open from Jan. 18-31.

The 27-year-old American missed the ATP World Tour Finals at London in November because of the knee ailment. He had one of his best years on tour this season, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and losing to Roger Federer 16-14 in the fifth set of the Wimbledon final.

He is the No 1 men's seed at the Brisbane International.

Roddick's left knee was unstrapped Thursday during a hour-long session with defending champion Radek Stepanek.

"It's coming around all right," Roddick said. "It was disappointing to finish the year like I did, especially considering I felt like I was having a really good year until the injury came about.

"That was disappointing but on the flipside I'm probably a little bit more mentally rested than a lot of these guys, maybe a little bit more eager to get out here. I've been playing a lot. I'm definitely not coming in under-practiced."

The 2003 U.S. Open winner said his 2009 record, including a fourth Australian Open semifinal appearance, gave him extra belief he can claim a second career Grand Slam title _ possibly in Melbourne in January.

"Obviously I feel like maybe I could have played a final there before," he said. "It hasn't quite happened but there's not a lot of people walking around that can say ... that they've played in four semifinals."

Roddick said he still flashes back to the tough Wimbledon loss against Federer.

"It's like anything that's hard in anyone's life," Roddick said. "You just keep going and do the things you enjoy and slowly, maybe, I'll only think about it four times today."

Don't let Ryan's death be in vain - parents

The parents of a 12-year-old boy who died after contracting swineflu say they are keen to raise awareness of the virus which killedtheir "fit and healthy" son.

Popular Ryan Hoe had been taken to the Royal United Hospital inthe early hours of the morning in December last year with flu-likesymptoms.

But the year eight pupil at Ralph Allen School, who was latertransferred to Bristol Royal Children's Hospital, died aftersuffering a cardiac arrest.

His parents Jane and Brent Hoe said they did not think they wouldever accept his death.

A statement read at the inquest into his death last week heardthat pathologist Dr Craig Platt had described Ryan as previously"fit and well", apart from suffering from mild asthma.

He said deaths from flu in children often occurred when therewere other underlying health problems, such as asthma.

However, Mrs Hoe, who is a teaching assistant as St Stephen'sPrimary School, said Ryan had not been eligible for the H1N1 (swineflu) vaccination last year, as it was only offered to the elderlyand those with severe medical conditions.

She said: "His asthma wasn't bad enough for him to qualify forthe swine flu jab last winter. "They should give it to all childrenwith asthma."

Mrs Hoe said Ryan's symptoms were no different to those ofordinary flu and that he had never developed a temperature or shownany obvious sign of a chest infection.

Doctors said at the time that they thought it was highly unlikelyRyan's death had been caused by swine flu, but later tests revealedthe H1N1 virus in his system.

Continued on page 4 From page 1 Mrs Hoe said: "All I can do ismake people aware. It is not just old people who die of this thing -he was a healthy 12-year-old boy.

"It is a really unpredictable virus. They are still learningabout it. It can affect people very differently."

She added: "The odds against this virus being fatal are huge butthat is no consolation when it's your child who's died." Shedescribed her son as a "cheerful" and "thoughtful" boy who wasalways smiling.

Ryan lived with his parents and 16-year-old sister in Bathampton.

Since his death, friends at Ralph Allen have celebrated his lifeby holding a memorial football match as well as creating a book forRyan's family paying tribute to the 12-year-old.

Mrs Hoe said: "We can't put into words what it is like to losehim. It is still unthinkable he could have left us. I don't think wewill ever really accept it.

"Everyone loved him. He was always smiling.

"We were kindly given this book his friends put together for usand it said how he was always cheerful and such a loyal friend. Healways had positive things to say about everyone. He was athoughtful, gentle chap."

She added: "Ryan had everything going for him. He had a wonderfullife because he loved everyone around him and they loved him back.We just have to be so grateful that we had him for the time we did.

"I hope his friends will think of Ryan when they are offeredopportunities in life and seize them with both hands. He will belooking down on them cheering them on."

A memorial fund has been set up for the popular youngster andfriends have also donated money to the Shark Trust in his memory, ashe was concerned about the plight of sharks and keen to be a marinebiologist when he grew up.

At the inquest last week, coroner Terry Moore offered hiscondolences to Ryan's parents and recorded a verdict of death bynatural causes.

He said: "The post-mortem is extremely detailed and concludesthat the cause of death is H1N1 with asthma.

"I am satisfied that is an entirely natural cause."

Ryan did not qualify for the H1N1 vaccination in the winter thathe died and a spokesman for the Department for Health said it tookadvice on who should be eligible for the jab from the JointCommittee for Immunisation and Vaccination (JCIV).

The list includes those with chronic lung disease and chronicliver disease. People with asthma are also included, however, butonly patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the pastthree years. As Ryan's asthma was only classed as mild, he was noteligible for the jab.

Ryan did not qualify for flu jab

Pope expresses respect for Islam in Jordan

Pope Benedict XVI began his first trip to the Middle East on Friday, expressing his "deep respect" for Islam and hopes that the Catholic Church would be a force for peace in the region as he treaded carefully following past missteps with Muslims and Jews.

The pope was given a red-carpet welcome at the airport by Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Rania and praised the moderate Arab country as a leader in efforts to promote peace and dialogue between Christians and Muslims. An honor guard wearing traditional red- and white-checkered headscarfs played bagpipes and waved Jordanian and Vatican flags.

The trip to the Holy Land is the first for the German-born Benedict, who will travel on Monday for a much-anticipated four days in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Despite the lavish welcome ceremony, the pope has faced sharp criticism in the Middle East _ by both Muslims and Jews.

Benedict angered many in the Muslim world three years ago when he quoted a Medieval text that characterized some of Islam's Prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith.

Earlier this year, he sparked outrage among Jews when he revoked the excommunication of an ultraconservative bishop who denies the Holocaust.

"My visit to Jordan gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by his majesty the king in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam," Benedict said shortly after landing in Jordan, a mostly desert country where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land.

He said Jordan was in the forefront of efforts to promote peace, inter-religious dialogue and to "curb extremism."

Later at a Catholic center for the handicapped, he said his only agenda was to bring hope and prayers "for the precious gift of unity and peace, most specifically for the Middle East."

But his past comments continue to fuel criticism by some Muslims, even though the pope said he was sorry and that the quotes did not reflect his personal views.

Jordan's hard-line Muslim Brotherhood said before the pope's arrival that its members would boycott his visit because he did not issue a public apology as they demanded. Brotherhood spokesman Jamil Abu-Bakr said the absence of a public apology meant "obstacles and boundaries will remain and will overshadow any possible understanding between the pope and the Muslim world."

The Brotherhood is Jordan's largest opposition group. Although it commands a small bloc in parliament, it wields considerable sway, especially among poor Jordanians.

A radical Islamic cleric who was once the spiritual mentor of the late Jordanian-born al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi also urged Muslims not to forget Benedict's comments.

"Whoever is welcoming this transgressive liar and dignifies him and honors him and overlooks his offensives toward the prophet of Islam and toward his religion, then it is impossible for him to be a person from the Muslim community of Muhammad by any means," Abu-Mohammed al-Maqdisi said, according to a transcript released by the SITE Institute, a U.S. group that monitors terror messages. Al-Maqdisi fell out with al-Zarqawi for the militant's killing of civilians in Iraq and Jordan, but the cleric remains influential among some extremists.

Before landing in Amman, Benedict expressed hope his visit and the power of the Catholic church would help further peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.

"We are not a political power but a spiritual power that can contribute," Benedict told reporters aboard the plane. The traditional news conference was scaled down with the Vatican spokesman asking the questions based on previously submitted questions from reporters. In the past, some of his answers have stirred controversy, but he appeared to avoid that.

Asked about Catholic-Jewish relations, he said the two religions had common roots and that it should be "no surprise" that there were misunderstandings during 2,000 years of history.

Jordan's king praised the pope and said the world must reject "ambitious ideologies of division."

"We welcome your commitment to dispel the misconceptions and divisions that have harmed relations between Christians and Muslims," said Abdullah.

Abdullah Abdul-Qader, a cleric at Amman's oldest mosque, told worshippers during Friday prayers to welcome the pope's visit. "I urge you to show respect for your fellow Christians as they receive their church leader," said Abdul-Qader at the Al-Husseini mosque.

Christians make up 3 percent of Jordan's 5.8 million people.

Benedict's three-day stay in Jordan is his first visit to an Arab country as pope. He is scheduled to meet with Muslim religious leaders at Amman's largest mosque _ his second visit to a Muslim place of worship since becoming pope in 2005. He prayed in Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque, a gesture that helped calm the outcry over his remarks.

The pope is also expected to meet Iraqi Christians driven from their homeland by violence. About 40 young Iraqi refugees crowded into a tiny Catholic church in Amman on Friday, nervously practicing their last lesson before Benedict administers their first communion on Sunday.

"I really want to meet the pope," said Cecile Adam, an 11-year-old whose family fled Baghdad. "I think he can do something to help Iraq because Jesus gave him a good position and Jesus wants us to be happy."

____

Associated Press Writers Jamal Halaby, Shafika Mattar and Dale Gavlak contributed to this report.

Thai Council Blames Loyalists for Bombs

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's powerful military council alleged Wednesday that New Year's Eve bomb attacks in Bangkok were staged by politicians and renegade army officers who are loyal to exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and want to topple the government.

The military council was set up after generals toppled Thaksin in a bloodless coup Sept. 19 and it later appointed an interim civilian government to run the country until promised elections in October. It vowed to severely punish those behind the bombings, which killed three people and wounded nearly 40 while the city was in the midst of New Year's celebrations.

"The evidence and intelligence information proves that the bombs were the dirty work of politicians who lost power and benefit," said Gen. Saprang Kanlayanamitr, a member of the Council for National Security. "Some bad soldiers loyal to the bad politicians collaborated with them with the intention to topple this government."

Thaksin, in a handwritten letter faxed Tuesday from China and distributed by his lawyer in Thailand, accused the interim government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont of unfairly implicating him in the violence.

"I strongly condemn this act (of bombing) and I swear that I never ever think of hurting the people and destroying the country's credibility for my own political gain," Thaksin said in the letter, given to reporters.

He also said he suspected Islamic separatists, who have waged a bloody insurgency in the country's southernmost provinces for the past three years, may have been responsible for the eight small blasts that shattered Sunday night's celebrations.

But Saprang told reporters that was not the case.

"The bandits and terrorist groups in southern Thailand had no links or connections to the bombs in Bangkok," Saprang said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings and no arrests have been made.

Saprang said "from now on there will be no compromise" with the country's former power-brokers. He hinted former Prime Minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was part of the pro-Thaksin camp, saying the group had "used an old soldier to launch a war of words against the government and (council)." Chavalit has sharply criticized the interim government recently.

The bombings have raised concerns about Thailand's stability, shaky economy and thriving tourism industry. Nine of the wounded were foreigners.

The attacks capped a year of unrest in Thailand, including the coup and the increasingly violent Muslim insurgency in the south which has claimed almost 2,000 lives since 2004.

Several analysts speculated the military itself was a possible suspect in the bombings, perhaps aiming to demonize the former prime minister and give a pretext for the continuation of martial law, imposed during the September takeover and still in effect in some parts of the country.

Bangkok has rarely experienced deadly bombings.

Blankenship maid goes to court: ; Woman says job got harder, but wages, benefits were stagnant

Deborah K. May, a former "personal maid" for Massey Energy CEODon Blankenship, wants the West Virginia Supreme Court to give herunemployment benefits after she lost her job working atBlankenship's homes in West Virginia and Kentucky.

The high court was to hear arguments today about the dispute.

Lawyers for Mate Creek Security - the Massey subsidiary that paidMay's wages -argue May quit her job after Blankenship denied herrequests for a wage increase, health benefits for her children anduse of a company car.

May lost three different appeals for unemployment benefits beforethe state Bureau of Employment Programs and a fourth time beforeKanawha Circuit Judge James Stucky.

Kathryn Bayless, a Princeton lawyer representing May, and JeffreyFoster, with the Charleston firm of Spilman Thomas & Battlerepresenting Mate Creek Security, both filed legal briefs with theSupreme Court.

May's brief argues she came under increasing stress when her jobresponsibilities increased, but her wages and benefits remainedstagnant.

Mate Creek's brief argues May is not entitled to collectunemployment benefits because she left voluntarily after herrequests for wage and benefit increases were denied.

While working as a maid from May 4, 2001, to Nov. 18, 2005, May'shourly wages rose by 30 cents, from $8.56 an hour to $8.86 an hour.May also received overtime pay.

Blankenship told May "she was well paid in comparison to othersin West Virginia and Kentucky," the legal brief stated.

In December 2002, May's workload increased significantly whenBlankenship moved from his home in Sprigg, south of Williamson, totwo fairly large "business complex cabins" in Pike County, Ky.,after the maid there was fired, her brief said.

May did cleaning and laundry work for Blankenship and guests atthose locations. Then, in June 2003, Blankenship moved back toSprigg.

In 2004 and 2005, May was assigned additional duties, includingcleaning and stocking a "big coach bus" Blankenship purchased aswell as cleaning his new four-story house "on top of a humongoushill" above the Tug River.

May suffered increasing stress, her legal brief states, from "anincrease in duties as well as from the behavior of her employer."

The brief cites two occasions when Blankenship "physicallygrabbed" her.

One came after May went to McDonald's "to purchase breakfast forhim and his interior decorator.... As she unpacked the food, Mr.Blankenship discovered that McDonald's filled the order incorrectly.Mr. Blankenship started slinging the food and he grabbed Ms. May'swrist," the brief stated.

Another confrontation occurred on July 12, 2005, after May forgotto leave a coat hanger out for Blankenship to hang up his coat uponreturning from work.

"Blankenship's reaction was to tear the coat hanger and tie rackout of the closet," the brief stated.

Blankenship's secretary told May she "had to fix it and repair itand put everything back."

The brief concluded May "was required to accept ever-increasingduties and worked under conditions of treatment that remind one ofan earlier era in our history."

In its brief replying to May, Mate Creek emphasized that fourlegal "tribunals found that Ms. May left her job ... without goodcause involving fault on the part of Mate Creek.... May quit heremployment because Mate Creek refused to capitulate to her repeateddemands for a raise."

May, the brief noted, asked Blankenship for pay increases "on atleast five occasions."

On Nov. 18, 2005, May submitted an "ultimatum" that "she wouldquit unless the company gave her a 35 percent pay increase (to $12an hour), a company vehicle and additional free medical insurance,"the company's brief stated.

When Mate Creek did not immediately agree, the brief states, "shevoluntarily quit her employment and gave two weeks' notice."

The state Bureau of Employment Programs administrative law judgeruled "May was disqualified from receiving unemployment compensationbenefits because she voluntarily quit her employment without goodcause involving fault on the part of the employer," stated MateCreek's brief.

May quit because she felt "Blankenship did not appreciate herhard work," the ALJ wrote.

"However, mere dissatisfaction with one's job is insufficient tosupport a finding that she quit her job with good cause involvingfault on the part of the employer."

Mate Creek is asking the Supreme Court to uphold the earlierrulings denying unemployment benefits to May.

Simeone takes over 4th Argentine club in 3 years

Former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone is the new coach of San Lorenzo, the fourth different Argentine club he has coached in three years.

Simeone takes over from Miguel Angel Russo, who quit last week following the club's elimination from the Copa Libertadores after a 2-0 loss to Mexican club San Luis. San Lorenzo president Rafael Savino said Simeone was given a 15-month contract.

Simeone has coached Racing, Estudiantes and River Plate and won the Argentine league title with both Estudiantes and River Plate.

Simeone's first game on the bench will be against Racing. San Lorenzo's match this weekend against San Martin will be handled by an interim coach.

Crier opens Cancer Research shop

WESTON-SUPER-MARE'S former world champion town crier has beenhelping to launch a new charity in the resort.

Brian "Pluto" Venn was at the Cancer Research UK shop, RegentStreet to help with the proceedings.

The charity was re-named after the Imperial Research Fund andCancer Research Campaign merged.

The shop has a volunteer staff of 36 - more than double the numbertwo years ago.

Shop manager Patricia Wilson said: "It's exciting times for CancerResearch UK. Our mission is to conquer cancer through world classresearch."

Monday, March 12, 2012

Scientists discover protein that acts as on; off switch for fat

WASHINGTON In America's endless search for a magic pill to shrinkthe waistline, researchers have found a "fat switch"-a protein thatcauses developing cells to become either muscle or fat.

But unfortunately, the "fat switch" protein does not offer thepromise of an eternally slim body, say University of Michigan MedicalSchool researchers.

"If you could see my midriff, you would know that breaks myheart," says Ormond A. MacDougald, one of the scientists.

In a study appearing today in the journal Science, co-authorsMacDougald and Sarah E. Ross report that a protein called Wnt 10bacts as a molecular switch to determine which developing cells becomefat and which become muscle.

MacDougald said that fat and muscle cells evolve from what arecalled precursor cells. The ultimate destiny in the body of some ofthese precursor cells is determined by a family of 18 proteins calledWnts.

MacDougald and Ross found that one of these proteins, Wnt 10b,appears to regulate production of muscle cells. When Wnt 10b linkswith certain precursor cells, they develop into muscle. But when theWnt protein is missing, the same cells will turn into fat.

In effect, said MacDougald, Wnt 10b acts as "a molecular switch toturn on either fat or muscle."

MacDougald said the action of the Wnt protein is local, affectingonly a few cells in its vicinity. It does not work like a hormonethat travels through the blood stream and affects billions of cells.

As a result, he said, Wnt 10b is unlikely to be developed into ananti-fat pill.

"Our findings will be important in learning how obesity develops,but the Wnt protein will not be a target for an anti-obesity drug,"MacDougald said.

Instead, he predicted that the best target for a magic slimnesspill would be one that controls appetite-not one that controls howthe body makes fat or muscle.

nutrients for anemia

If you constantly feel run-down and tired, you may have anemia. Here are three supplements that can help

Anemia is the most common blood disorder in the country. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 3.4 million Americans suffer with some form of anemia, the symptoms of which often include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and cold or numb hands and feet. Headaches are another symptom, as are nails that break easily.

So what is this condition, anyway? How do we get it and how do we treat it? Let's start with the basics. Yout blood consists of a liquid (called plasma) and three different types of cells; white blood cells fight infection; platelets help your blood to clot; and red blood cells (also called erythrocytes) transport oxygen. Anemia is a condition in which there are fewer than normal healthy red blood cells.

This is serious stuff, because those red blood cells have important work to do. Their job is to take oxygen away from the lungs via the bloodstream and into all tissues of your body, such as your brain and other organs. "Oxygenated" blood is what gives you energy. It also makes your skin glow.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The most well-known kind of anemia is the type caused by too little iron, or "iron-deficiency" anemia. This is because hemoglobin, the actual protein in red blood cells that does the heavy lifting in the oxygen department, is utterly dependent on iron. Iron deficiency is the main reason your blood test shows a low level of hemoglobin.

Approximately one-fifth of women, half of pregnant women, and 3 percent of men are iron deficient. Pregnant women are at especially high risk for anemia precisely because the growing fetus demands so much iron that there's often not enough left for the mother. Menstruating women are also at risk, due to the monthly loss of iron in the blood.

If you are indeed iron deficient, your doctor will probably prescribe iron supplements. Most people with mild or moderate iron deficiency anemia can correct the problem over a period of about three months, but if iron stores remain low, a few more months of supplementation may be recommended.

Iron: A Double-Edged Sword

As a nutritionist, I'm always cautious about prescribing iron to either men or to postmenopausal women. Although iron deficiency can certainly present problems, too much iron presents a whole different set of potentially serious dangers. As iron builds up in the system, it can easily reach toxic levels and increase risk of both cancer and heart disease. As Andrew Weil, MD, wisely counsels, "Unless you're a menstruating woman or have had a significant blood loss, you should never take an iron supplement except when advised by a physician after blood tests show you have iron-deficiency anemia." Don't forget that there's plenty of iron in red meat - especially liver- as well as egg yolks, molasses, dried apricots, clams, beans, and lentils.

Your doctor can determine if you're anemic with a basic blood test called a complete blood count (CBC), which will give you a reading of both your hemoglobin levels and your hematocrit (the actual percentage of red blood cells found in a blood sample). Normal ranges vary with age and gender.

Other Forms of Anemia

Another common form of anemia is known as megaloblastic anemia. The most common causes of megaloblastic anemia are deficiencies of either vitamin Bl 2 or folic acid, both of which play essential roles in the production of red blood cells. You can get folic acid from green leafy vegetables and liver, and most cereals are fortified with it. But it's a very important nutrient-especially for women of childbearing age - and most nutritionists don't think the recommended daily allowance is enough. Try to get at least 800 mcg a day in your multivitamin, or take a folic acid supplement. Folic acid is a member of the B-vitamin family, and is always found in B complex as well as in multivitamins. It's also one of the few vitamins that is better absorbed from supplements man from foods.

Vitamin B12 is another matter. First of all, it's not always well absorbed. Second, the main sources of vitamin B12 in the diet are meat, eggs, and dairy products-all animal products. Vegetarians almost certainly don't get enough of this vitamin, which is not only important for red blood cells but also for the entire nervous system. If you're a vegetarian you should definitely be taking vitamin B12 supplements, even if you don't have the symptoms of anemia.

There are an awful lot of causes for feeling run-down and fatigued; in fact, I recently wrote a book about it, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Energy Naturally. But you shouldn't always rule out anemia as a cause, and if in fact it's the culprit in your fatigue, be sure to treat it right away. Anemia can really compromise the quality of your life. The good news is that the most common types are pretty easy to fix with the right nutrients.

[Sidebar]

DID YOU KNOW?

Although less common, deficiencies of vitamin C can contribute to anemia as weil. Since vitamin C helps you absorb iron, it's a good idea to take them together.

One-Two-Three Punch for Anemia

Try three of our top picks for reversing anemia with supplements (from left to right):

SOLARAY VITAMIN B-12 SUBLINGUAL LOZENGES contain a hefty 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12, and they come in cherry-flavored tablets (sugar-free) that dissolve under your tongue. Most important, this formula features methylcobalamin-the best-absorbed form of vitamin B12.

FLORADIX FLORAVITAL IRON + HERBS is now available in a yeast- and glutenfree formula. The iron is naturally derived from herbs and foods, which means you won't experience side effects common with iron supplements, such as constipation. This tasty liquid is also rich in B vitamins and vitamin C-all your bases are covered.

MAXIMUM LIVING FOLIC ACID ODT (orally disintegrating tablets) boasts an advanced delivery system that promises enhanced absorption and utilization by the body. Each tablet contains 800 mcg of folic acid and 120 mcg of vitamin B12.

[Author Affiliation]

By Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS

Redd, Bucks Come Alive Late to Top 76ers

MILWAUKEE - Michael Redd scored 11 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame Andre Iguodala's triple-double to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 98-94 on Wednesday night.

Milwaukee looked out of sync most of the night, but snapped its three-game losing streak after taking its first lead with 1:14 left on two free throws by Redd that made it 95-93.

The teams traded free throws, but Iguodala failed to score driving to the basket on the next possession and Redd hit 1-of-2 more from the line to give the Bucks a 97-94 lead with 5.7 left.

Philadelphia ran a play for Kyle Korver, but Ruben Patterson took the ball out of his hands and hit a free throw to seal it and extend the Sixers' losing streak to four games.

The game was missing most of its star power. It was supposed to feature Redd (29.5) and Allen Iverson (28.7), the league's second and third-leading scorers.

But Iverson (abscessed wisdom tooth) and fellow All-Star Chris Webber (sore back) didn't make the trip, while the Bucks went without starting point guard Mo Williams (elbow bruise).

Iguodala stepped up with 18 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double. Willie Green, Iverson's replacement, added 24 points.

The Bucks, who squandered a nine-point lead with just over three minutes to play Tuesday night in Indiana, struggled to slow down the unlikely trio of Iguodala, Green and Korver, who finished with 19.

But Redd began to pick up the pace late in the third quarter and Milwaukee went on a 14-3 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to erase an 11-point deficit.

Ruben Patterson scored 18 points, Andrew Bogut had 14, Charlie Bell 13 and rookie David Noel 11 for the Bucks.

Notes:@ Philadelphia's Rodney Carney hurt his right hand in the third quarter and did not return. ... Iguodala's only other triple-double was in his rookie season, when he had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Detroit on March 23, 2005. ... Green had 10 points for the first quarter, matching his season average. ... Shavlik Randolph replaced Webber in the lineup. ... Sixers center Steven Hunter (right knee sprain) also didn't make the trip.

Clinton, Putin issue 'Strategic Stability Cooperation Initiative'

MEETING AT THE United Nations Millennium Summit in New York, Presidents Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin agreed September 6 to the "Strategic Stability Cooperation Initiative." The agreement recommits the United States and Russia to undertaking, and in some cases extending, a range of existing bilateral initiatives concerning arms control and nonproliferation. (For the text of the initiative, see p. 33.)

The document consists of a joint statement signed by both presidents and an "implementation plan." The statement reaffirms both countries' support for all existing major bilateral arms control treaties as well as the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also calls for continued work toward several key arms control objectives, including a fissile material cutoff treaty and a START III agreement to further reduce strategic nuclear arsenals.

The implementation plan that makes up the latter half of the document lays out six specific initiatives. These include holding bilateral discussions on emerging ballistic missile threats; conducting joint theater missile defense (TMD) exercises; continuing work on the Joint Data Exchange Center, intended to house the U.S.-Russian early-warning information center; working to complete a bilateral agreement on prelaunch notification of ballistic missile launches; continuing work on a "global" approach to missile non-proliferation; and holding expert meetings to consider expanded cooperation on Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification and warhead safety.

The early-warning and prelaunch notification initiatives appear to only reaffirm existing agreements, and the ballistic missile threat, missile non-proliferation, and CTBT initiatives are simply commitments to continue ongoing discussion. However, one initiative does appear to cover limited new ground. The agreement on TMD builds on two previous cooperative exercises and states that the United States and Russia will conduct two joint exercises at U.S. facilities in Colorado and Texas in the next two years.

At a September 6 press briefing in New York, Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott said that the recently approved initiative is intended to elaborate on two previous statements with regard to "reinforcing the nuclear peace" and dealing with "new threats": the "Joint Statement on Principles of Strategic Stability," signed in Moscow June 4 (see ACT, July/ August 2000), and the "Joint Statement on Cooperation on Strategic Stability," adopted at the Okinawa Group of Eight summit July 21.

The two statements and the new initiative are intended to formalize understandings reached during ongoing bilateral talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials. Those talks were originally intended to negotiate a START III agreement to dramatically reduce both sides' nuclear arsenals, but a lack of progress in negotiating amendments to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to facilitate U.S. deployment of a limited national missile defense has stalled talks on further nuclear reductions. U.S. officials no longer expect a START III agreement to be negotiated during the remainder of President Clinton's term and appear to be pursuing uncontroversial "strategic stability cooperation" as an alternative to more substantive work on strategic arms control.

Report: Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling says she contemplated suicide

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said she contemplated suicide as she suffered from depression before her rise to success, according to an interview with a student journalist.

The British writer said she had suicidal thoughts in her mid-20s, when she was a single mother and struggling to establish a literary career.

"Mid-20s life circumstances were poor and I really plummeted," Rowling said, according to an interview posted online by student journalist Adeel Amini.

Rowling said in the interview, parts of which were published in Edinburgh University's Student magazine, that she sought help from doctors and spent nine months receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, according to Amini.

"We're talking suicidal thoughts here, we're not talking 'I'm a little bit miserable'," Rowling was quoted as saying.

Amini provided The Associated Press with an audio file of his 29-minute conversation with Rowling.

Christopher Little, Rowling's London-based agent, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Rowling has previously said she suffered depression before her Harry Potter series brought her international success. She has acknowledged that characters featured in the series called Dementors were inspired by her illness.

The author has said she sought medical help following her separation from first husband, Jorge Arantes, a Portuguese journalist.

Amini told the AP in an e-mail that he had carried out the interview in Edinburgh last month. He said Rowling granted him an interview after a chance meeting several months ago in a coffee shop in the city.

"I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never," Rowling was quoted as saying in her interview with Amini. "What's to be ashamed of? I went through a really rough time and I am quite proud that I got out of that."

Fortune magazine ranks Rowling, who wrote seven Harry Potter novels, as one of the richest women in Britain, with an estimated wealth of 504 million pounds (US$1 billion; euro647 million).

Well done to MBE doctor ; Letters

Barclays Bank has had a long association with "Evan JCB" infundraising for Dr Sharkawi's cancer appeal at Singleton and otherWest Wales hospitals.

I have had the honour and privilege of meeting Dr Sharkawi onnumerous occasions. His enthusiasm and knowledge is an inspirationto all. He has and continues to give hope to his patients and theirfamilies. He has campaigned for years to improve cancer care,setting up a research facility and attracting leading InternationalOncologists to join the team in Swansea.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Sharkawion receiving his MBE. David Davies Assistant Branch ManagerCarmarthen Branch 9/10 Guildhall Square Carmarthen SA31 1PW

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Still not heeding advice, Item lost after many moving experiences

We still haven't found the candlesnuffer, but it has to be in abox packed for our move late last month.

It's attractive and practical, a gift from my husband's mothermore than two decades ago.

It's been about twice that long since we apparently set thepattern of winter moves to new homes. We married in late November anddrove from Michigan to our first home in western Montana. At thattime, most of our worldly goods fit in our Ford Fairlane.

Not so four years, one toddler and one infant later, when we movedto northern Minnesota. It was early March, as the thaw was about tobegin.

We left Minnesota a year later in a mild ice storm, but arrived atour new home in Central Oregon as a somewhat unusual snowstorm dumped10 or 12 inches.

The mover insisted on going the last 12 miles from town to thesmall government agency where we would rent a house.

We purchased food and headed on, passing the mover sliding backdown the last hill. With two preschoolers in that Ford, there wasn'troom for luxuries like sleeping bags.

Our new neighbors fed us and provided the bedding for our firstnight.

We left Oregon just after Christmas for the move to West Virginia24 years ago, but this most recent move set a new precedent.

The only day before closing we could get the van for the majoritems - we moved everything else the 38 miles by ourselves - wasChristmas Eve morning.

The movers were efficient, finishing by noon and we were able tomake the annual Christmas Eve dinner with our grandchildren inCharleston with no problem.

Over the years we have made a few moves during warmer months-allfewer than 15 miles.

Obviously, I've still not taken to heart recommendations forpacking.

Pack room by room, keeping similar items together, the U.S. PostalService advises on its Web site (that also provides for online changeof address) at (www.usps.gov/moversnet). Make a master list of allhousehold items and your belongings and number boxes when they arepacked and sealed, it advises.

We were moving, unpacking and reusing boxes so we wouldn't have somany to store or discard. At least that's my excuse.

So, I'll keep looking for the candlesnuffer.

For what it's worth, AARP also offers moving advice, as retireesdo often downsize or move for other reasons. It's under consumerservices at www.aarp.org/Articles/a2002-10-03-WiseConsumerMovingCompanies/tools/printable. The American Moving andStorage Association also has an online booklet "Smart Moving: How toTake the Stress Out of Moving" at www.moving.org.

Writer Evadna Bartlett can be reached by e-mail atevadna@dailymail.com.