Israel suspended a transfer of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority until Hamas, which won last week's legislative elections, agrees to back peace with Israel, a spokesman for Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said. Israel was scheduled to hand over 200 million shekels ($43 million) to the Palestinian Authority on Feb. 1, said the spokesman, who asked not to be identified. The prime minister suspended the transfer to review the direction the Palestinian Authority will take after the elections, he added. Consultations will last at least until the end of next week, the official said. Israel wants Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, to formally accept its existence, disarm its terrorist infrastructure and pledge to honor agreements reached since 1993, the spokesman said. ... http://quote.bloomberg.com censor News |
Editor - 08:48:00 01-30-06 |
Statin hope for form of arthritis |
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs used to combat heart disease may also help people with rheumatoid arthritis, research suggests. Rheumatoid arthritis is linked to over-production of the synovial tissue which lines the joints. In lab tests, scientists found statins could induce the cells that produce this tissue to kill themselves. The study, led by Japan's Jichi Medical School, features in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. Statins have already been shown to induce cell death - or apoptosis - in both normal cells and tumour cells. The Japanese team found a particular type of statin, fluvastatin, could produce the same effect on synovial cells taken from people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the drug had no effect on cells taken from people with another form of arthritis called oestoarthropathy.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4653784.stm
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Editor - 08:43:00 01-30-06 |
Clock ticks on Blackworm internet virus |
The clock is ticking on a dangerous computer virus programmed to delete millions of Word files stored on PCs when it reaches the end of its countdown on Friday. Experts have warned that the Blackworm virus, which has also been named Blackmal, Nyxem, MyWife and Tearec, could destroy vast amounts of information when it is triggered, and could send unprotected businesses into chaos. The malicious software strikes against machines powered by Microsoft's near-ubiquitous Windows software. According to SANS, the US-based internet security organisation, by January 26 around 300,000 computer systems, made up of potentially millions of individual PCs, had already been infected by the virus. The organisation said: "This worm is different and more serious than other worms for a number of reasons. In particular, it will overwrite a user's files on February 3."... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2016761,00.html
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Editor - 08:40:00 01-30-06 |
EU hosts last-ditch talks on Iran |
Officials from three EU powers are holding last-ditch talks with Iran on the crisis over its nuclear programme. Iran requested the Brussels meeting with envoys from the UK, France and Germany, in the hope of averting moves to refer it to the UN Security Council. EU3 foreign ministers will try to co-ordinate their stance at separate talks in London on Monday evening with US, Russian and Chinese counterparts. The UN nuclear watchdog is due to hold urgent talks on the issue on Thursday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will consider EU and US arguments that Iran should be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions after Tehran restarted its nuclear programme. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4660890.stm
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Editor - 08:37:00 01-30-06 |
Supermarket pulls soup cans after needle report |
A supermarket chain pulled soup cans from the shelves of its stores in four states after a family reported finding a sewing needle in a sealed can of minestrone, officials said. The incident was the fifth report of needles or pins found in food purchased from area stores in the past two weeks. The soup was purchased Saturday at a Giant Food Store in Wind Gap. Company spokesman Dennis Hopkins said store personnel pulled cans with similar lot numbers from shelves of all stores as a precaution. He said the chain was also increasing its undercover security until further notice. Police in Wind Gap, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia, are investigating. ... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-30-soup_x.htm?csp=34
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Editor - 08:35:00 01-30-06 |
Exxon profits surge to new record |
Surging oil and gas prices have helped Exxon Mobil to unveil the highest quarterly profits reported by a publicly-traded US company. Fourth-quarter earnings jumped to $10.7bn (£8.8bn) from $8.4bn in the same period last year. The results drove Exxon's annual profit to $36.13bn - 42% up on last year. In the past year, oil prices have soared on concerns about supplies prompted by tensions in oil producing countries and hurricanes in the US. Meanwhile, Exxon also got a boost from a one-off $390m payment to settle a lawsuit in the last three months of the financial year. Without the exceptional item, earnings for the quarter came in at $1.65 per share, still significantly better than analyst forecasts of $1.45. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4662474.stm
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Editor - 08:33:00 01-30-06 |
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