HEALTH News, Jul 07, 2011 (2)

South Korea back in stem cell spotlight with new treatment Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:01 PM PDT Reuters - SEONGNAM, South Korea (Reuters) - More than five years after South Korea's scientific reputation was shattered by a cloning research scandal, the country has approved stem cell medication in the form of a treatment for heart attack victims for the world's first clinical use. Full Story1

Review raises questions over benefits of cutting salt Wed,6 Jul 2011 03:30 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - In an analysis that set off a fierce debate over the health effects of salt, researchers said on Wednesday they had found no evidence that small cuts to salt intake reduce the risk of developing heart disease or dying prematurely. Full Story1

Fewer mammograms needed for low-risk women: study Wed,6 Jul 2011 03:28 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Less-frequent mammograms for women at low risk for breast cancer can be a cost-effective way of saving lives, according to a new study that challenges current screening guidelines for the disease. Full Story1

Rural hospitals fall short in heart, pneumonia care Wed,6 Jul 2011 03:27 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The small hospitals many rural Americans rely on for emergency care may fall short when it comes to treating heart problems and pneumonia, a new study finds. Full Story1

Breastfeeding may not stop MS flare-ups: study Wed,6 Jul 2011 03:26 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some studies have suggested that breastfeeding might offer women with multiple sclerosis a way to prevent symptom flare-ups after childbirth. But new findings refute that idea, researchers reported Wednesday. Full Story1

Green tea lowers cholesterol, but only a little Wed,6 Jul 2011 12:14 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Drinking green tea seems to cut "bad" cholesterol, according to a fresh look at the medical evidence. Full Story1

Sunburn offers clues for pain drug development Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:09 AM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found a molecule in the body which controls sensitivity to pain from UVB irradiation, or sunburn, and say it may help them develop new drugs to treat pain in other common conditions such as arthritis. Full Story1

Massage may ease chronic back pain short-term Wed,6 Jul 2011 09:25 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study shows massage therapy may help people who suffer from chronic back pain. Full Story1

FDA seeks to ease confusion on supplements Wed,6 Jul 2011 05:17 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Health officials are seeking to clear up confusion about safety rules for dietary supplements by issuing draft guidelines for when manufacturers need to notify regulators about new ingredients. Full Story1

Does Botox help neck pain? Wed,6 Jul 2011 03:26 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The ingredient in a Botox injection probably won't help ease neck pain, nor will it help neck pain sufferers do physical activities any better or improve their quality of life, a new review of past studies suggests. Full Story1

U.S. FDA seeks to ease confusion on supplements Tue,5 Jul 2011 04:10 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Health officials are seeking to clear up confusion about safety rules for dietary supplements by issuing draft guidelines for when manufacturers need to notify regulators about new ingredients. Full Story1

Review raises questions over benefits of cutting salt Tue,5 Jul 2011 04:07 PM PDT Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - In an analysis likely to fuel a long-running debate over the health impacts of too much salt, researchers have found no evidence that moderate cuts to salt intake reduce the risk of developing heart disease or dying prematurely. Full Story1

Novartis gets good news on cancer drug Afinitor Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:39 PM PDT Reuters - ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis AG said a late-stage study showed its drug hope Afinitor slowed tumor growth in advanced breast cancer, helping its chances of becoming a new blockbuster treatment. Full Story1

Russian police search Novartis, Teva offices: report Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:37 PM PDT Reuters - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian police searched the offices of four pharmaceutical companies in Moscow on Tuesday, including Swiss drug maker Novartis AG and Israel-based Teva, the business daily Vedomosti reported, quoting a police source. Full Story1

Smoke from Southeast wildfires is health hazard Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:35 PM PDT Reuters - CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters)--It's turning into the summer of smoke in parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Full Story1

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com

BUSINESS News, Jul 07, 2011

Euro steady ahead of ECB, China stocks climb Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:38 PM PDT Reuters - SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The euro steadied on Thursday with a widely expected rate hike from the European Central Bank later being offset by a spreading sovereign debt crisis, while China's bank stocks bounced on hopes of a near-term pause in policy tightening. Full Story1

Brent crude rises above $114 on U.S. stocks draw Wed,6 Jul 2011 10:58 PM PDT Reuters - SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude climbed above $114 on Thursday, supported by a more-than-projected drop in U.S. crude stocks and expectations that China's monetary tightening cycle may be nearing its end. Full Story1

Exclusive: China may cut spending on strategic industries Wed,6 Jul 2011 10:13 PM PDT Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - China may rein in plans to invest heavily in seven new strategic industries, including high speed rail and wind power, scaling back cutting-edge projects for industries suffering from old-fashioned problems such as corruption and overcapacity, sources said. Full Story1

ECB to raise rates, play hardball on Greece Wed,6 Jul 2011 09:36 PM PDT Reuters - FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank is almost certain to raise interest rates later on Thursday and will show no let-up in its insistence that governments solve Greece's debt crisis without triggering a default credit rating. Full Story1

NYSE shareholders seen embracing D. Boerse merger Wed,6 Jul 2011 09:24 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Stock Exchange, an icon of American capitalism, is expected to take a crucial step toward ceding control to a German company on Thursday, with little opposition expected from investors. Full Story1

FDIC sues former Indymac Bank CEO Michael Perry Wed,6 Jul 2011 07:50 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp sued former IndyMac Bank Chief Executive Michael Perry to recover over $600 million in damages and costs related to residential loans made by the lender, according to court documents. Full Story1

Suzuki eyes inland move of coastal facilities: report Wed,6 Jul 2011 07:47 PM PDT Reuters - Tokyo, July 7 - Suzuki Motor Corp plans to spend 40 billion yen ($494 million) to relocate several coastal facilities further inland to avoid damage from possible tsunamis, the Nikkei business daily said on Thursday. Full Story1

Japan core machinery orders up, recovery under way Wed,6 Jul 2011 07:27 PM PDT Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's core machinery orders rose in May at the fastest pace in four months in a sign that capital expenditures will stay firm and support the economic recovery as the country rebuilds from a devastating earthquake and tsunami. Full Story1

Paramount's animation plan leaves DreamWorks hanging Wed,6 Jul 2011 07:24 PM PDT Reuters - LOS ANGELES (TheWrap) - Paramount is getting into the animation game with a bold plan that could leave DreamWorks Animation in the lurch. Full Story1

Starbucks' employees in Chile plan strike: report Wed,6 Jul 2011 07:06 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Employees at Starbucks Corp's outlets in Chile plan to walk out on Thursday because, they say, their wages are so low that they can't afford to buy lunch, the Wall Street Journal reported. Full Story1

Adele, Lady Gaga power music recovery Wed,6 Jul 2011 06:47 PM PDT Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British soul singer Adele and flamboyant pop singer Lady Gaga have helped the U.S. music industry stage a modest comeback after a decade of decline. Full Story1

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney loses client data CDs: report Wed,6 Jul 2011 06:11 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - Brokerage Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a joint venture between Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, said personal information of 34,000 investment clients stored on two CDs was lost in transit to a government office last month, the Wall Street Journal reported citing a company spokesman. Full Story1

Varney to step down as top antitrust official Wed,6 Jul 2011 05:42 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Christine Varney, the top antitrust official in the U.S. Justice Department, is stepping down, the department said on Wednesday. Full Story1

Japan eyes tobacco tax hike for reconstruction -Yomiuri Wed,6 Jul 2011 05:26 PM PDT Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is considering a hike in its tobacco tax to help fund reconstruction costs, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Thursday, which could be first in a variety of tax increases as the country rebuilds from natural disaster and tries to repair weak public finances. Full Story1

Husky says Lima refinery expected back by end of week Wed,6 Jul 2011 05:23 PM PDT Reuters - HOUSTON (Reuters) - Husky Energy Inc's 155,000 barrel per day (bpd) Lima, Ohio, refinery is expected back in production by the end of the week after completing repairs to a crude distillation unit furnace, a company spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Full Story1

 

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com

BLOOMBERG News, Jul 07, 2011

Democrats challenge Obama's Afghan withdrawal plan Wed,6 Jul 2011 09:35 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers fed up with the lingering war in Afghanistan launched a new challenge to President Barack Obama's plan for a measured U.S. troop withdrawal over the next year as they resumed debate on Wednesday on a $649 billion defense spending bill. Full Story1

Minnesota governor offers ideas, Republicans balk Wed,6 Jul 2011 06:48 PM PDT Reuters - MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Minnesota's Democratic Governor Mark Dayton offered two tax proposals on Wednesday to end a budget impasse that has shut down the government, but Republicans rejected the ideas as a step backward. Full Story1

Deal to end 45-cent ethanol credit seen this week Wed,6 Jul 2011 04:06 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three U.S. senators working on a framework to replace the $6 billion a year ethanol tax credit with far less costly incentives could strike a deal as soon as Thursday, Senate and industry sources said. Full Story1

Obama tweets for the first time, tweaks Republicans Wed,6 Jul 2011 02:04 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama took to Twitter on Wednesday to press his economic agenda, using the popular social media site to tweak Republicans and advocate for a deal to reduce the deficit. Full Story1

Senate panel to try again to move trade deals Wed,6 Jul 2011 01:59 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said on Wednesday the panel would try to restart action on Thursday on three long-delayed free trade deals, after Republicans boycotted talks over a program to help workers displaced by trade. Full Story1

U.S. firearms head admits Mexico gun sting mistakes Wed,6 Jul 2011 12:43 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The acting head of the U.S. firearms agency admitted during secret talks at Congress that mistakes were made in a botched operation to track the illegal movement of guns to Mexico, lawmakers said on Wednesday. Full Story1

Analysis: Easing economy will offer some respite to Obama Wed,6 Jul 2011 12:28 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Signs of economic improvement could bolster President Barack Obama's re-election hopes as he tries to beat back Republican attacks over his failure to create enough jobs. Full Story1

Obama changes protocol on troop suicides Wed,6 Jul 2011 12:25 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Announcing a change of protocol, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would write condolence letters to families of military personnel who take their own lives in combat zones. Full Story1

Obama: debt debate not a weapon for tax breaks Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:50 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday the debate over raising the debt ceiling should not be used as a gun against the heads of American people in an effort to secure tax breaks. Full Story1

Militants may try bomb implants to attack Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:47 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Militants are showing renewed interest in using a bomb surgically implanted inside a passenger's body to blow up a commercial flight, though there is no indication an attack is imminent, a U.S. security official said on Wednesday. Full Story1

Romney raises $18 million for White House bid Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:46 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney raised more than $18 million over the last three months, a total that dwarfed his Republican rivals but lagged some predictions. Full Story1

Analysis: Worries on debt ceiling bubble beneath surface Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:38 AM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the standoff over raising the government's borrowing limit enters its final month, it's becoming harder for investors to avoid thinking the unthinkable: the world's most trusted borrower could soon renege on its debt. Full Story1

Mexico to cut duties on U.S. after trucking deal Wed,6 Jul 2011 11:19 AM PDT Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico will cut in half retaliatory duties on more than $2 billion of U.S. farm and industrial goods this week after signing a deal with Washington on Wednesday to allow Mexican truckers onto American roads. Full Story1

Factbox: 2012 presidential cash race ramps up Wed,6 Jul 2011 06:45 AM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - The race for cash among Republican candidates aiming to unseat Democratic President Barack Obama has begun in earnest and most hopefuls are lagging far behind Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. Full Story1

Senate's Reid scraps Libya measure for debt Tue,5 Jul 2011 04:35 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday pulled a resolution to authorize the U.S. military conflict in Libya from the Senate schedule, after Republicans said they wanted to focus on the debt crisis instead. Full Story1

Obama to meet Congress leaders Thursday on debt Tue,5 Jul 2011 04:27 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama rejected proposals on Tuesday for a short-term deal to raise the U.S. debt limit and pressured congressional leaders to reach a broad agreement within two weeks to avoid a government default by August 2. Full Story1

Mondale and others seek to end Minnesota shutdown Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:50 PM PDT Reuters - MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Former Vice President Walter Mondale, calling Minnesota's budget crisis a "deadlocked train wreck," on Tuesday offered expert help to end his home state's government shutdown. Full Story1

Senator Baucus asks Exxon for details on pipe spill Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:48 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. senator from Montana asked Exxon Mobil Corp on Tuesday for details about the pipeline that ruptured over the weekend spilling about 1,000 barrels of oil into the rain-swollen Yellowstone River. Full Story1

Factbox - Raw materials covered by China loss at WTO Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:27 PM PDT Reuters - (Reuters) - A World Trade Organization panel ruled on Tuesday that various quotas, duties and other devices used by China to restrict exports of key raw materials violated commitments it made to join the world trade body. Full Story1

WTO rules China curbs on raw material exports illegal Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:27 PM PDT Reuters - BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China broke international law when it curbed exports of coveted raw materials, the World Trade Organization ruled Tuesday, in a landmark case threatening Beijing's defense for similar export brakes on rare earths. Full Story1

Wounded Giffords aide makes emotional return to work Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:17 PM PDT Reuters - TUCSON, Arizona (Reuters) - An aide to Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords made an emotional return to work on Tuesday, nearly six months after he was seriously wounded in the Tucson shooting rampage. Full Story1

House Republicans defy Obama on trade bill add-on Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:06 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers set the stage on Tuesday for a second showdown with the White House over the Obama administration's demand Congress pass legislation to help workers hurt by trade as part of a package of long-delayed trade deals. Full Story1

Boehner: Debt talks fruitless if taxes on the menu Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:49 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Tuesday that debt-reduction talks will be "fruitless" as long as President Barack Obama continues to call for closing $400 billion in tax breaks as part of the deal. Full Story1

McConnell will meet at White House with Obama: aides Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:06 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell accepted an invitation to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday amid efforts to cut a bipartisan deal to raise the U.S. debt limit, aides said. Full Story1

Obama says talked with leaders on debt, cites progress Tue,5 Jul 2011 02:04 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that he spoke over the weekend with both Democratic and Republican congressional leaders on their impasse over the U.S. debt and deficits and that the discussions are yielding progress. Full Story1

U.S. dismisses "clumsy" Iran threat of rights trials Tue,5 Jul 2011 01:02 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday dismissed an Iranian threat to try U.S. officials in absentia on human rights charges as a clumsy attempt to deflect international attention from Tehran's own rights record. Full Story1

Analysis: Debt deal not that far out of reach Tue,5 Jul 2011 11:40 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - You would never know it from all the hot air rising out of Washington, but President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans could easily reach a deal to raise the debt limit and avoid an early August default. Full Story1

Russia criticizes U.S. over abuses in wars abroad Tue,5 Jul 2011 08:32 AM PDT Reuters - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia urged the United States on Tuesday to give more scrutiny to allegations of human rights violations by U.S. soldiers and agents during conflicts abroad, pointing to reported abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Full Story1

National teachers' group endorses Obama for 2nd term Tue,5 Jul 2011 03:45 AM PDT Reuters - CHICAGO (Reuters) - The nation's largest teachers union voted on Monday to recommend that President Barack Obama be elected for another term. Full Story1

Montana governor reviewing oil, gas pipeline safety Mon,4 Jul 2011 03:27 PM PDT Reuters - KALISPELL, Montana (Reuters) - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer on Monday said authorities will review safety of all oil and gas pipelines which cross waterways in the state and close those that did not meet standards. Full Story1

Minnesotans frustrated, angry over state government shutdown Mon,4 Jul 2011 07:18 AM PDT Reuters - (Warning: Use of strong language in paragraph 3) Full Story1

White House to pay $37 million in salaries for 2011 Sun,3 Jul 2011 09:16 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it will pay $37,121,463 in salaries for 454 employees in 2011. Full Story1

Myanmar diplomat defects in Washington: report Sun,3 Jul 2011 09:14 PM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The deputy chief of mission at Myanmar's embassy in Washington is seeking political asylum in the United States, Radio Free Asia reported Sunday. Full Story1

Afghan drawdown may hurt battle for east: McCain Sun,3 Jul 2011 03:05 PM PDT Reuters - KABUL (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's decision to bring troops home from Afghanistan faster than the military recommended could jeopardize the next major push of the war, to unseat insurgents in the east, U.S. senator John McCain said on Sunday. Full Story1

French Socialist party head calls for calm amid DSK affair Sun,3 Jul 2011 01:57 PM PDT Reuters - Jul (Reuters) - By Leila Abboud Full Story1

Minnesota Zoo reopens using own revenue during state shutdown Sun,3 Jul 2011 12:48 PM PDT Reuters - MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - As day three of the Minnesota state government shutdown began on Sunday, residents shut out of state parks and historical sites had one option restored over the holiday weekend -- the Minnesota Zoo. Full Story1

California calls on citizen to redraw political lines Sun,3 Jul 2011 05:02 AM PDT Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When Stanley Forbes is not helping to redraw California's electoral map, he is growing almonds at his ranch or running his independent book store. Full Story1

Little-known Republican McCotter opens White House bid Sun,3 Jul 2011 04:12 AM PDT Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thaddeus McCotter, a guitar-playing Michigan congressman with an independent streak, formally launched a longshot bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination on Saturday. Full Story1

Vote to replace former Congressman Weiner on September 13 Sat,2 Jul 2011 01:52 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - A special election to replace disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who resigned after lying about sending lewd photos of himself to women over the Internet, has been set for September 13. Full Story1

Massachusetts lawmakers OK $31 billion budget Fri,1 Jul 2011 03:06 PM PDT Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Massachusetts legislature enacted a nearly $31 billion budget on Friday, which shuts a $1.9 billion budget gap without raising taxes by cutting spending and relying on one-time revenues. Full Story1

email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com