Yearly Archives: 2013

Gold trade booms in war-torn Syria

"In Syria’s northern metropolis, as across the Middle East, those who can afford to have traditionally invested in jewellery for their womenfolk, especially gold, to ward against a rainy day. As daily clashes between troops and rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad have brought a devastating halt to all normal economic activity, the trade in precious metals has boomed as people struggle to make ends meet. Two years of devastating conflict have sent the Syrian pound into freefall and, for those with any money, gold is a popular refuge to maintain the value of their savings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold trade booms in war-torn Syria

China mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

"China has placed military forces on heightened alert in the northeastern part of the country as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula following recent threats by Pyongyang to attack, U.S. officials said. Reports reveal the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently increased its military posture in response to the heightened tensions, specifically North Korea's declaration of a 'state of war' and threats to conduct missile attacks against the United States and South Korea. According to the officials, the PLA has stepped up military mobilization in the border region with North Korea since mid-March, including troop movements and warplane activity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

Whose “Provocative Actions”?

"March 28 2013 - US sends nuclear-capable B-2 bombers to SKorea; March 26 2013 - U.S. Army learns hard lessons in N. Korea-like war game; March 20 2013 - U.S. flies B-52s over South Korea; March 19 2013 - S. Korea, U.S. carry out naval drills with nuclear attack submarine; March 17 2013 - Troops remember sacrifices of Cheonan sailors; March 12 2013 - First day of SK-US military exercises passes without provocation; March 8 2013 - Air Assault Course increase 2ID capabilities; March 8 2013 - 'Frozen Chosen' Marines; March 6 2013 - S. Korea says it will strike against North’s top leadership if provoked." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhose “Provocative Actions”?

U.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel

"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the United States was 'prepared to deal with any eventuality' from North Korea and warned that danger from Pyongyang was on the rise. 'We will unequivocally defend — we are unequivocally committed — to that alliance with South Korea as well as our other allies in that region of the world,' Hagel told reporters. 'We will be prepared...to deal with any eventuality,' Hagel said after the United States flew two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers on a mission over South Korea. 'We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we’ll respond to that,' Hagel said. Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel

The trouble with using police informants in the US

"Some law enforcement agencies in the US use informants in as many as 90% of their drug cases. But there are surprisingly few rules on how informants are used and a groundswell of calls for the system to be reformed. 'Snitches' are staple fare in Hollywood crime dramas, often working secretly with the police to bring down mafia godfathers or powerful drug cartels. The reality of informants in the US criminal justice system is usually rather different." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe trouble with using police informants in the US

New York: Judge Rules Against Use Of X-Rays During Traffic Stops

"A motorist cannot have his car taken to a border station to be x-rayed based on a window tint violation, a federal judge ruled on Friday. US District Judge Richard J. Arcara allowed a lawsuit to proceed against the Niagara County, New York Sheriff's Department in the wake of an April 28, 2009 traffic stop where motorists who had done nothing wrong were detained by police for more than three hours." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York: Judge Rules Against Use Of X-Rays During Traffic Stops

No proof that helmets prevent concussion: experts

"Helmets and mouthguards can prevent serious head and facial injuries, but there is no evidence they specifically stave off concussion, top authorities in sports medicine say. Paradoxically, wearing this protection may lead to injuries because a player is tempted to take greater risks, they say. 'Biomechanical studies have shown a reduction in impact forces to the brain with the use of head gear and helmets, but these findings have not been translated to show a reduction in concussion incidence.' There can also be a 'paradoxical increase in injury rates' when players, kitted out in protective gear, adopt more dangerous tactics." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNo proof that helmets prevent concussion: experts

More than two-thirds of Americans still use phones while driving

"More than two-thirds of American motorists use a mobile phone while driving despite recent laws in many jurisdictions banning the practice, a survey showed Thursday. The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 69 percent of US drivers talked on their cell phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed. Some 31 percent of drivers also said that they had read or sent text messages or emails while driving." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore than two-thirds of Americans still use phones while driving

Researchers find sex cures migraines as well as medication

"Pounding headache? Sex could cure what ails you just as well as medication, a new study from the University of Munster finds. Researchers recruited 800 migraine sufferers and 200 cluster headache sufferers. While findings are preliminary, results showed that more than half of the migraine sufferers said their pain subsided after a bout of passion with their partners. The researchers suggested that sex triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which can reduce, or even eliminate, a headache, The Telegraph reported." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingResearchers find sex cures migraines as well as medication

Widespread placebo prescriptions prompt debate over the ethics of overmedication

"Almost all UK GPs have at some point given a patient a treatment they don’t need. While few GPs gave sugar pills or saline injections (only 1% admitted to doing this on a regular basis), most had given what the paper called 'impure placebos'. These they defined as treatments that can be effective in some instances, but not for the suspected condition or not at the dose prescribed. More interestingly, the survey also asked the doctors’ opinions on the ethicality of such treatment. Doctors seemed more comfortable ethically with prescribing impure placebos. However, more than 90% thought prescribing either pure or impure placebos was unacceptable." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWidespread placebo prescriptions prompt debate over the ethics of overmedication