Mainstream News

Sex is major reason military commanders are fired

"Sex has proved to be the downfall of presidential candidates, members of Congress, governors and other notables. It's also among the chief reasons that senior military officers are fired. At least 30 percent of military commanders fired over the past eight years lost their jobs because of sexually related offenses, including harassment, adultery, and improper relationships, according to statistics compiled by The Associated Press. The figures bear out growing concerns by Defense Department and military leaders over declining ethical values among U.S. forces." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSex is major reason military commanders are fired

VA spending more on erectile dysfunction drugs for vets

"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has almost tripled spending on erectile dysfunction drugs in the past six years as war-related psychological disorders contribute to sexual difficulties. The surge in drug spending reflects the number of troops returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, said Jason Hansman, senior program manager for health and mental health programs at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a New York-based nonprofit group. Both conditions can limit sexual functioning, he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVA spending more on erectile dysfunction drugs for vets

U.S. Navy ship stranded on World Heritage-listed coral reef ignored warnings

"A US Navy minesweeper that has been stuck on a World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines since last week ignored warnings to avoid the area, a government official said on Monday. The comments from the superintendent of Tubbataha marine park, Angelique Songco, added to growing anger in the Philippines over the incident, for which the US Navy has apologised but may still face fines. Park rangers radioed the USS Guardian to advise it was nearing the Tubbataha Reef on Thursday, but the ship captain insisted they raise their complaint with the US embassy, Songco told reporters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Navy ship stranded on World Heritage-listed coral reef ignored warnings

New £150million F-35 combat jet is banned from flying in bad weather because it could explode

"The Telegraph has reported the revelations were disclosed in a leaked report from the Pentagon's operational test and evaluation office, which states that, until a device in the fuel tank is redesigned, test-flying within 25 miles of thunderstorms is 'not permitted'. Several other problems have been identified with the plane, including a fault in the design of the fuel tank which means it is unable to rapidly descend to low altitude. A handful of cracks were also discovered in the tested aircraft during examinations by the United States Air Force and the aircraft's manufacturer Lockheed Martin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew £150million F-35 combat jet is banned from flying in bad weather because it could explode

Japan should let elderly ‘hurry up and die’: finance minister Taro Aso

"Japan’s finance minister Taro Aso said Monday the elderly should be allowed to 'hurry up and die' instead of costing the government money for end-of-life medical care. Ageing is a sensitive issue in Japan, one of the world’s oldest countries, with almost a quarter of its 128 million people over 60. That figure is expected to rise to 40 percent within the next half-century. At the same time a shrinking number of workers is placing further strain on an already groaning social security system, with not enough money going into the pot to support those who depend on it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapan should let elderly ‘hurry up and die’: finance minister Taro Aso

Fitch ratings agency highlights threat of aging population time-bomb

"Many advanced economies will be threatened by another, long-term fiscal shock unless they tackle the problem of ageing populations, the ratings agency Fitch warned on Monday. In particular Cyprus, Ireland and Japan, could well see the cost of ageing populations jump over the next decade, the agency said, warning that this would affect the sovereign debt ratings of such countries at some point. 'Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta and Slovenia face the most severe impact over the very long term,' Fitch noted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFitch ratings agency highlights threat of aging population time-bomb

Southwestern Pa. hospital to stop baby deliveries due to Obamacare

"A southwestern Pennsylvania hospital will stop delivering babies after March 31 because its obstetricians are either leaving or refocusing their practices, and because hospital officials believe they can't afford it based on projected reimbursements under looming federal health care reforms. Hospital officials say the population of women of child-bearing age is dropping and that the number of births the hospital would be called upon to perform isn't enough for it to provide the service in the face of lower reimbursements under the federal Affordable Care Act." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouthwestern Pa. hospital to stop baby deliveries due to Obamacare

Should a Woman Be Shackled While Giving Birth? Most States Think So

"In 33 states across the country, pregnant inmates, including women being held exclusively for immigration-related offenses, can be shackled to their hospital beds during the birthing process. But many advocates, including doctors and nurses, say that shackling women at any stage of their pregnancy is damaging to the health of the mothers and the health of their babies. The American Medical Association deemed the practice to be unsafe, 'medically hazardous,' and 'barbaric,' in a resolution from 2010." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShould a Woman Be Shackled While Giving Birth? Most States Think So

Food prices may be catalyst for 2013 revolutions

"The easiest prediction to make for 2013 is that everything we eat will once again rise sharply in price. So where will the revolutions start this year? Keep an eye on Algeria and Greece — and if you want to feel very nervous, Russia and China. And if you are smart, keep your money out of those countries as well. The link between the cost of feeding your family and political turmoil is too well-established to be ignored. We saw it most recently with the Arab Spring of 2011. The uprisings that deposed the autocracies of the Middle East had their roots in food inflation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFood prices may be catalyst for 2013 revolutions

‘The world needs more capitalism’ – Greta interviews Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey

"This is really a great interview and very refreshing to hear as Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey not only defends capitalism and free markets but tells Greta that the problem with the world isn’t that there’s too much capitalism, but that there’s not enough of it." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘The world needs more capitalism’ – Greta interviews Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey