Category: Other
Vaccine kick-starts immune response to cancer
July 21, 2008 (AFP) – Researchers have developed a plant-based cancer vaccine capable of kick-starting the body’s immune response and being tailored to a patient’s specific tumor type, according to a study released Monday.While they have not yet determined whether the immune response is sufficient to destroy the cancer, the researchers are hopeful that the […]
European shares get boost from Bank of America earnings
LONDON, July 21, 2008 (AFP) – European stock exchanges forged ahead Monday, powered by news of second-quarter profit at Bank of America that reassured investors about the health of the US financial sector.In London the FTSE 100 index gained 0.52 percent to close at 5,404.30 points, while in Paris the CAC 40 rose 0.65 percent […]
Indian opposition demand PM resign over bribe allegations
NEW DELHI, July 22, 2008 (AFP) – India’s main opposition party on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over allegations the government was bribing lawmakers to survive a vote of confidence in parliament. The demand came as a crucial debate descended into chaos when opposition MPs started waving around large bundles of […]
India govt hunts for support ahead of no confidence vote
NEW DELHI, July 21, 2008 (AFP) – The Indian government was scouring for support Monday, trying to shore up its position a day before a no-confidence vote in parliament triggered by a controversial nuclear deal with Washington. The government will collapse and early elections will be called if the coalition of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh […]
Economy top concern for voters as White House race heats up
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2008 (AFP) – The sputtering economy has asserted itself as the main concern for US voters less than four months ahead of presidential elections, and with an avalanche of alarming new data it appears unlikely that will change. While crude oil prices fell more than 16 dollars per barrel in the past […]
Gulf states look to harvest food from foreign investment
DUBAI, July 20, 2008 (AFP) – Faced with a scarcity of fertile land, water shortages and surging world food prices, wealthy Arab states in the Gulf are seeking to secure their food supplies by investing in agriculture abroad. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the top food importers among Arab countries in the Gulf, […]
ECB fight against inflation a tough sell as economy stumbles
FRANKFURT, July 20, 2008 (AFP) – The European Central Bank is trying to convince people in the eurozone that taking a tough stand on inflation will get them through lean economic times, arguing that long-term gains warrant short-term pain.“There is a particular need to speak to citizens on inflation and monetary policy right now,” Natixis […]
”, say US lawyers for Afghan reporter
KABUL, July 20, 2008 (AFP) – US human rights lawyers charged Sunday that US military prisons are “legal black holes” and the force is detaining journalists to “shut people up” about activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.A vast detention camp planned for the main US base in Afghanistan will be a “second Guantanamo” where laws do […]
Global commodity bubble wobbles, as economies run out of steam
LONDON, July 18, 2008 (AFP) – Oil prices slumped this week as traders worried the slowing US economy would dampen demand from the world’s biggest energy consumer, sparking losses across other key commodity markets.OIL: Crude futures plummeted further from record high points above 147 dollars per barrel that were struck exactly one week ago. “The […]
Nepal to vote for first president
KATHMANDU, July 19, 2008 (AFP) – Lawmakers in Nepal are expected to vote on Saturday for the country’s first president following the abolition of the Hindu monarchy, paving the way for the dominant Maoists to form a government.“With the three parties going three separate ways, the road to the smooth functioning of the new government […]
Zimbabwe introduces 100-billion-dollar note
HARARE, July 19, 2008 (AFP) – Zimbabwe, grappling with a record 2.2 million percent inflation, has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages, the central bank said Saturday. The new note will go into circulation on Monday, the bank said in a statement cited by state media, joining […]
” despite higher growth
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2008 (AFP) – The IMF on Thursday lifted growth forecasts modestly for the world including the United States but said the global economy is in a “tough spot” due to rising inflation amid a slowdown. Global output is expected to climb 4.1 percent in 2008, up from its April projection of 3.7 […]