Health & Science

Friday, August 22nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Two billion people suffer impact of Hepatitis B virus

The United Nations health agency is launching a new information campaign to highlight the impact of the hepatitis B virus, which is currently found in about 2 billion people worldwide despite being largely preventable by vaccine for more than 25 years.
Wednesday, August 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bovine TB outbreak quarantines 20% of Magallanes herd

An outbreak of bovine tuberculosis has forced Magallanes Region in the extreme south of Chile to declare quarantine in 48 paddocks belonging to twelve farms. The number of cattle involved is 30.000 head which is a considerable percentage of the 180.000 herd of the region according to the 2007 census.
Wednesday, August 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Spain suffers worst air accident in 25 years: 153 killed

A Spanair MD-82 jetliner broke up and caught fire after skidding off the runway at Madrid's Barajas International airport, killing 153 people in Spain's worst aviation accident in 25 years.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile: dioxin traces quarantines four more pork factories

Chile's Health Ministry quarantined four more pork factories last Thursday after Canadian health officials confirmed high levels of the carcinogenic chemical dioxin in their pork meat products.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Fire-safe” cigarettes mandatory in the EU as of 2011

As of 2011 all cigarettes sold in the European Union will have to be self-extinguishing in a bid to combat thousands of fire-related deaths and injuries. EC officials said a meeting of experts from all 27 EU member states was expected to endorse proposals by Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
License for Amazon dam triggers controversy in Brazil

Brazil's environment minister Carlos Minc announced he had granted a license for an Amazon hydroelectric dam but attached stringent conditions to protect Indian reservations and nature preserves. However environmental groups anticipated a long legal battle.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Arsenal gain advantage in qualifying tieâ€¦

The English Premier League team Arsenal took a massive step towards qualifying for the group stages of the lucrative European Champions League after beating the Dutch club Twente Enschede 2-0 in the 1st leg game in Holland.
Monday, August 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UK super “autosub” to explore deepest undersea volcanoes

Scientists are set to explore the world's deepest undersea volcanoes, which lie 6km down in the Caribbean. Delving into uncharted waters to hunt for volcanic vents will be Autosub6000, Britain's new autonomously controlled, robot submarine.
Friday, August 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean court upholds contamination fine on Shell Oil company

A Chilean court this week upheld a decision fining Shell Oil Company US$676,000 for contaminating beaches three years ago in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta.
Friday, August 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
FAO rescues Peruvian alpacas suffering from cold spell

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided urgently needed medical supplies to poor farmers in the Peruvian highlands whose livestock are suffering as a result of a severe unseasonable cold spell, known locally as “El friaje.”