The toll lead takes on Mt Isa's infants

An international expert found that some children in Mount Isa are suffering from brain damage and retardation due to prolonged exposure to lead from the hardrock mine and smelters in the central Queensland town. The report investigated that approximately 5% of children are still have the blood lead levels higher than international as well as Australian safety limits. Two children have been tested and it comes to a conclusion that they are mentally retarded as lead poisoning can severely deteriorate neurocognitive development in children. The Queensland government-led Living with Lead Alliance has warned parents to keep the home free of dust, wipe down counter tops and mop floors, keep children out of the dirt and feed them a healthy diet.
However, the households responded that they had kept their house clean regularly and had balanced diet. It is inevitable to keep their kids from dirt all the times. They claimed that they are reluctant to move away from the town where they were born and they want a safe town for them and their future generation. Some families are suing the mining company for the catastrophic impacts resulted from the mining activities. In a statement, Xstrata Copper North Queensland's chief operating officer, Steve de Kruijff, said the company took the issue "very seriously".

Abandon 'hopeless' tiger populations and save the few we can, say experts

The population of tigers is too low in some countries which is partly contributed by misguided efforts by conservationists. Tiger species is facing its ‘last stand’ with the total of less than 3500 wild tigers. It is expected to fall below 1000 by year 2025 if no proper conservation efforts are done in 42 core sites. Therefore, experts are now suggesting the abandon of tiger protection in parts of Asia and focus on the conservation for few key sites with successful breeding. India is now having the largest number of core tiger sites.
Nonetheless, it is hard to get consensus of the countries to relinquish their conservation fund for the sake of healthier tiger populations elsewhere. The hassle now is the high cost of funding in core sites for more stringent enforcement of wildlife laws and more holistic training of rangers. Monetary rewards have also been offered to informers of poaching of rangers. Professor Nigel Leader-Williams claimed that monitoring of the existence of breeding populations should be made the priority so that the conservation efforts can lead to fruition.

BHP boss Marius Kloppers: It's time for carbon tax

In order to protect Australia’s long term economic growth, the largest mining company, BHP urged Gillard government to impose carbon tax and maintain the terms of pre-lection mining tax.BHP chief executive Marius Kloppers believed that carbon tax will eventually be executed by various countries. Therefore, Australia is encouraged to take the lead to sustain its international competitiveness. He even pointed out that existing emission rebate system is only the transfer of emissions in different countries. Suggestions have also been proposed. Kloppers called for individual and corporate tax concessions which are more beneficial. All these tax reform should be carried out by government as no companies are willing to pay extra tax voluntarily. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said he welcomed Mr Kloppers's contribution to the climate change debate and he will be working with other parliamentarians, the business community and the environmental movement to build consensus and to discuss the best way to achieve a price on carbon.

Random

Now I believe the saying :"Happy time flies!"
It seems like we will never be satisfied with the holidays given. Is it what we call laziness? I partly agree.
We tend to be evasive at most times. We are willing to stay in happiness forever but we are reluctant to accept the reality of life, which is full of various responsibilities and obstacles.
It is the time to get back to my work but I have tonnes of excuses to persuade myself. I still have another tomorrow~T.T
How many tomorrow I have now? Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, And 2 more days left...
A scary fact that I don't want it to come!!

Old age doesn't start at 65 - scientists

Scientists at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, based near Vienna, said a person reaching 65 should no longer be considered old. Many populations are aging slower than the conventional measures based purely on chronological age. Higher standard of living and healthier lifestyle shape people to be fitter even though they are reaching old age,lower down the dependency ratio. Therefore, there is an overestimate on the potential burden caused by aggrandizing ageing population. The disability status and longevity have changed which allow people to retire in later time compared to the fixed chronological ages. Health provisions can also be reassessed.

Sold out bus tickets leave us stranded

The new prepay only system introduced by the State Government leads to a lot of inconveniences to the selling stores as well as the passengers. The catastrophe created is the slow stock turnover from the government, causing newsagents and stores have limited stock for the commuters. The situation is worsened when the selling service is only provided by a small size business which has limited capital to stock up sufficient tickets. Zero incentive to the sellers is the other deterrent. On the other hand, commuters complained that the ticket agents are lack of knowledge on the bus routes and wrong tickets had been sold without refund. They also faced problems when they wanted to buy a ticket. Rail, Tram and Bus Union spokesman Raul Baonza asserted that it is no doubt the new system can reduce the congestion during boarding of the public transports but it creates more complications to the commuters. He even suggested the implementation of ticket machine at every bus stop. This issue has been brought to the parliament to be further discussed.

Unhealthy monopolies: pharmacies

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) seems to lost its way in benefiting the public on the access to pharmaceuticals. Albeit 28% of the total cost of taxpayers was channeled to pharmacies, there are still Australians with no access to a pharmacist. This happens particularly in rural areas which is less profitable in the context of pharmacists as a businessman. It shows a big disparity in which people in urban areas have numerous pharmacy outlets to choose from. For remote Aboriginal people, drugs are supplied in bulk to the local health service by a pharmacy anywhere in Australia. Therefore, another Community Pharmacy Agreement in the next four years should change the pattern of the retail pharmacies so that all Australians are able to benefit from the pharmacy services, not just the profit of the pharmacy owners at the sake of the taxpayers.

Nightmare neighbour David Alvand refuses to chop trees which can be seen from space

16 giant leylandii trees, almost bigger than the house itself, have been grown in front of a yard in Plymouth, southwestern England since 1991. It can be easily detected on Google Earth satellite images. This tree has brought a lot of complications to the residents nearby. For instance, the hideous trees have blocked the sunlight from penetrating and cause the road to look awful. Despite being requested to chop down the trees for times, the nightmare neighbor insisted not to do so. The similar situation occurred for the case of the removal of high walls on both sides of his garden in which it took 15-16 years to sort out.

Human torso found in Bahamas shark belly

A torso had been found in the stomach of a tiger shark caught off the Exuma islands in the Bahamas. Forensic investigators are now carrying out DNA test on the wreckages found. Commissioner Miller said at least two people have been reported missing recently on the archipelago. He claimed that the victim may be a migrant from impoverished countries who try to sneak to Florida. However, Marie Levine, executive director of the Princeton, said that it is abnormal for the tiger shark to attack alive people.

Hooray~It is the time for a short raya break!!
It has been a torturous and pack semester for us,since the first day of this semester..This is because final exam is awaiting for us..
Anyway,We are now free for few days to enjoy ourselves and go back our lovely home...
No more outside food and it is mother home cooked food..yummy~
And the most important is it is healthier!Many of us realised that our hair starts to drop seriously after we come INTI..Is it the food we consume the culprit? Or the water we use to bath?I don't know....Or even is tension??haha
Raya break...Wish all my Malay friends selamat Hari Raya!!!!!!^^

Babies are being weaned on junk food

Experts in Australia have been appalled by the research that showed that babies as young as four weeks are being fed with junk food like biscuits, cakes, ice-cream and soft drinks. Six months old babies are fed with the unhealthy y food and it reaches 91.6% by 12 months for biscuits and cakes, 78.6 per cent for chips, 68 per cent for ice-cream and 46 per cent for takeaways which are fat-laden. However, this irrational act is not caused by lack of education or social economic status. In turn, this happens as nowadays mothers seen junk food as the weaning food. The unhealthy phenomenon with the statistics released which showed that 20% of Australian toddlers were obese indicate an urgent need to abridge feeding guidelines, and communicate them to young parents more effectively. Instead, infants should be fed with pureed fruits and vegetables, with baby rice and milk.

Good news for home owners

This seems to be there are some different interpretation for the indicators and prediction on future interest rate. Some economists said that RBA is going to increase cash rate due to consecutive two quarter of inflation and the risk is still there. Some analysts have argued the central bank's decision to lift the cash rate six times between October 2009 and May 2010 has given it enough room to sit on the fence. However, the CPI for the second quarter is unusual. It shows an increasing trend although the prices of food, insurance and electricity drop. Economic growth of Australia also higher than expected and the current account deficit improves from $16billion to $5.6billion.

Robert and Bindi Irwin pay tribute to Steve by wrestling crocodile

The children of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin launched themselves at an 2.5m Cape York salty crocodile on the fourth anniversary of their dad’s death. This is to pay salutation to their father. Some families lay flowers while some light candles. The two children, Robert and Bindi showed their courage to wrestle with the crocodile in Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve deep in the Cape York Peninsula, where University of Queensland scientists have been fixing satellite tracking units to crocodiles to gain world-first insight into the ancient and under-researched apex predators.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/robert-and-bindi-irwin-pay-tribute-to-steve-by-wrestling-crocodile/story-e6frfkvr-1225914210279#ixzz0yZ9BnS6t

Deadly riots in Mozambique as food prices rise

Price hike of wheat triggered deadly riot in Mozambique. The price hike is due to the shortages from decreased supply. Forest fire occurred in Russia and increase demand for weed seed from Pakistani peasants contribute to this disaster to happen. Russia has banned wheat export as they need self sufficiency before they can feed the demand of other countries. FAO even predict that the global wheat supply will drop by 5 percent this year. Mozambique residents claim that staple food is unaffordable for them in which its price has risen by a quarter from the past year. Shops were robbed, cars were burnt and roads were blocked. There is a worry of political instability from this turbulence. The price rise of wheat can cause cereal and wheat based products to be more expensive in the near future and entangle low income countries

Dengue Fever Hits Games Athletes

Outbreak of dengue fever has occurred in India and it hits the Commonwealth Games athletes. Two of the India’s top cyclists have been hospitalised less than three weeks of the arrival of international athletes for training and adaptation. So as a Malaysian athlete. Dengue mosquitoes attack during daytime and the symptoms may last for several weeks.
The health authority confirms that dengue fever cases are now worsening in accordance with peak mosquito breeding season. Warning has been released and there is high level of concern on the fast breeding rate at athletes’ village. Ultimately, action has been taken by the city’s health committee. Mosquito eating fish has been introduced into Yamuna River last week in order to alleviate the epidemic. The committee chairman, V.K. Monga claimed that they must ensure zero breeding during the Games especially in the peak breeding season. All possible steps have been accomplished to protect Australian athletes. Fogging is carried out on daily basis.

New Mums Get Enough Rest

West Virginia University found out that new mothers do get enough sleep for the first four months after labouring, just as recommended. However, the sleep is frequently disrupted by their newborn babies. This may lead to exhaustion and depression. Indirectly, the work performance can be affected as well. This research has refuted the earlier study that showed that new mothers generally have insufficient sleep. One suggestion has been raised, that is mothers can store their milk in bottles so that they no need to get up frequently with their babies, especially during midnight.