2008 Woodie Awards
International Updates
Jonathan Stone
Issue date: 11/24/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
China Getting Ready to Combat SARS this Winter
CNN.com reports that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, better known as SARS, is likely to hit China again this winter. According to health officials, China is ready for it, and they are getting ready to try and stop it before it starts.
Julie Hall is the head of the World Health Organization's SARS team which is located in Beijing. She reports that "We wouldn't be surprised to see the resurgence of a small number of cases. But we would be surprised to see large outbreaks. The system is much stronger then before and the detection systems are much higher than before."
When the virus hit China in 2002, it spread to 8,000 people world wide, and it caused 800 of them to die. China was criticized for supposedly hiding how dangerous the disease really was. This year, they are trying to stop that from happening again.
Zhong Nanshan, the top Chinese SARS expert, issued the warning that the disease could reemerge as early and the end of November or the beginning of December. Reporting via telephone to a CNN reporter, Zhong said, "First of all we have strengthened the strict administration of labs. The tests related to viruses like SARS must be done in specific labs." He also confirmed that an epidemic of the disease in China, whose population is over 1.3 billion, is improbable.
They are also taking measures in eliminating the disease's spread through wild animals, banning civet cats from being served as food. They are considered to be a delicacy, but they are also considered to be the main cause of the disease's growth.
England Starts Taking Steps to Ban Smoking
According to CNN.com, England could be the next country to ban smoking in public areas such as bars and diners, as part of the governments White Paper.
According to Health Secretary John Reid, if lawmakers approve the ban, it would start in government offices by 2006 and would continue from there. "All government departments would be smoke-free. All enclosed public places and workplaces...will be smoke free. All restaurants will be smoke free. All pubs and bars preparing and serving food will be smoke free. This is a sensible solution, I believe, which balances the protection of the majority with the personal freedom of the minority in England," he says. Providing the new law is passed, the bars that do not serve food would still allow smoking.
The White Paper is also including STDs, weight problems, and alcohol problems in it. The government wants to work with supermarkets to allow consumers to understand fat, sugar, and salt contents of a product.
Earlier this year Ireland placed a ban on smoking in public places, and Scotland announced a similar ban two weeks ago that will be in effect by 2006.
As result of this announcement, the value of pub organizations and tobacco shares has already gone down, even though nothing has been passed yet.
Arafat Dead, Future of Medical Records Unknown
CNN.com reports that Michel Barnier, the foreign minister of France, has hinted that the country does not want to release Yasser Arafat's medical record.
Arafat, the Palestinian leader, died on November 11 at the age of 75. He had been in a French hospital since October 29. Neither the French nor the Palestinians have announced what caused his death.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia let it be known that he asked France to release Arafat's medical records. He said, "We sent an official letter, asking for the details and all the reports. He is one of the region's main leaders and therefore I think we should know what happened."
Barnier responded to this, saying, "The medical file of Yasser Arafat will be transmitted, conforming to the law and to the rules, to members of the immediate family who ask for it."
Dr. Ashraf al-Kurdi, Arafat's physician, felt that poisoning was a possible cause of death. In response to that, Barnier said, "I heard my colleague, the Palestinian minister of foreign affairs Nabil Shaath, say in a very certain manner that this theory of poisoning did not hold."
Russia Soon to Have 'Most Up-To-Date' Nuclear Missiles
According to CNN.com, Russia will have nuclear missile systems that are not available else where. The announcement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 17.
In a conference with military officials, Putin said, "We are conducting research and are testing the most up-to-date nuclear missile systems, which, I'm sure, will be supplied to the armed forces in the near future. What is even more important, these systems will have no analogues in the other nuclear powers during the next few years."
According to the Bush administration, the program complies with the Moscow Treaty signed in May of 2002. The treaty requires both nations to reduce their nuclear warheads by at least 1,700 and established a relationship between the two based on joint venture.
Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman, said, "We are confident that Russia's plans are not threatening and are consistent with its obligations, and I think are indicative of a new strategic relationship between the United States and Russia that is focused on reducing threats and increasing confidence."
CNN.com contributed to this article.
CNN.com reports that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, better known as SARS, is likely to hit China again this winter. According to health officials, China is ready for it, and they are getting ready to try and stop it before it starts.
Julie Hall is the head of the World Health Organization's SARS team which is located in Beijing. She reports that "We wouldn't be surprised to see the resurgence of a small number of cases. But we would be surprised to see large outbreaks. The system is much stronger then before and the detection systems are much higher than before."
When the virus hit China in 2002, it spread to 8,000 people world wide, and it caused 800 of them to die. China was criticized for supposedly hiding how dangerous the disease really was. This year, they are trying to stop that from happening again.
Zhong Nanshan, the top Chinese SARS expert, issued the warning that the disease could reemerge as early and the end of November or the beginning of December. Reporting via telephone to a CNN reporter, Zhong said, "First of all we have strengthened the strict administration of labs. The tests related to viruses like SARS must be done in specific labs." He also confirmed that an epidemic of the disease in China, whose population is over 1.3 billion, is improbable.
They are also taking measures in eliminating the disease's spread through wild animals, banning civet cats from being served as food. They are considered to be a delicacy, but they are also considered to be the main cause of the disease's growth.
England Starts Taking Steps to Ban Smoking
According to CNN.com, England could be the next country to ban smoking in public areas such as bars and diners, as part of the governments White Paper.
According to Health Secretary John Reid, if lawmakers approve the ban, it would start in government offices by 2006 and would continue from there. "All government departments would be smoke-free. All enclosed public places and workplaces...will be smoke free. All restaurants will be smoke free. All pubs and bars preparing and serving food will be smoke free. This is a sensible solution, I believe, which balances the protection of the majority with the personal freedom of the minority in England," he says. Providing the new law is passed, the bars that do not serve food would still allow smoking.
The White Paper is also including STDs, weight problems, and alcohol problems in it. The government wants to work with supermarkets to allow consumers to understand fat, sugar, and salt contents of a product.
Earlier this year Ireland placed a ban on smoking in public places, and Scotland announced a similar ban two weeks ago that will be in effect by 2006.
As result of this announcement, the value of pub organizations and tobacco shares has already gone down, even though nothing has been passed yet.
Arafat Dead, Future of Medical Records Unknown
CNN.com reports that Michel Barnier, the foreign minister of France, has hinted that the country does not want to release Yasser Arafat's medical record.
Arafat, the Palestinian leader, died on November 11 at the age of 75. He had been in a French hospital since October 29. Neither the French nor the Palestinians have announced what caused his death.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia let it be known that he asked France to release Arafat's medical records. He said, "We sent an official letter, asking for the details and all the reports. He is one of the region's main leaders and therefore I think we should know what happened."
Barnier responded to this, saying, "The medical file of Yasser Arafat will be transmitted, conforming to the law and to the rules, to members of the immediate family who ask for it."
Dr. Ashraf al-Kurdi, Arafat's physician, felt that poisoning was a possible cause of death. In response to that, Barnier said, "I heard my colleague, the Palestinian minister of foreign affairs Nabil Shaath, say in a very certain manner that this theory of poisoning did not hold."
Russia Soon to Have 'Most Up-To-Date' Nuclear Missiles
According to CNN.com, Russia will have nuclear missile systems that are not available else where. The announcement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 17.
In a conference with military officials, Putin said, "We are conducting research and are testing the most up-to-date nuclear missile systems, which, I'm sure, will be supplied to the armed forces in the near future. What is even more important, these systems will have no analogues in the other nuclear powers during the next few years."
According to the Bush administration, the program complies with the Moscow Treaty signed in May of 2002. The treaty requires both nations to reduce their nuclear warheads by at least 1,700 and established a relationship between the two based on joint venture.
Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman, said, "We are confident that Russia's plans are not threatening and are consistent with its obligations, and I think are indicative of a new strategic relationship between the United States and Russia that is focused on reducing threats and increasing confidence."
CNN.com contributed to this article.