UK watchdog reviews supervision after Libor scandal

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-watchdog-reviews-supervision-libor-scandal-145852612--finance.html

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UAE to give Dh155m to renowned university

ABU DHABI // The UAE will give Dh155 million to a university in Cairo that is one of the oldest in the world.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Foreign Minister, tweeted yesterday that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs had signed an agreement to fund development projects at Al Azhar University.

The university was founded in 970 and is regarded as the global hub of Islamic learning.

Many Emiratis on Twitter showed their support for the decision, quoting Hadiths of the Prophet Mohammed requesting people to be kind to the people of Egypt.

"The Prophet said 'Do good to its people - meaning Egypt - as they have consciousness and compassion', and you are the best to to do this," tweeted Ahmed Alhosani, referring to the UAE.

The announcement followed Sheikh Abdullah's statement that the UAE was keen to boost political, economic and investment relations with Egypt under its new leadership.

"The bilateral relations between UAE and Egypt thrive on solid ground, and there is a genuine desire to develop them for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples," he said in a statement published on Wam, the state news agency, this week.

osalem@thenational.ae

Source: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-to-give-dh155m-to-renowned-university?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=hmp&utm_campaign=feed

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For smartphone users, work creeps into everything

Tyler Marshall / Getty Images / Rubberball

For workers with mobile e-mail access, work is creeping into everything.

By Allison Linn

We do it in bed. We do it at the dinner table. We even do it on family outings.

Workers with mobile?access admit they check their work e-mail pretty much all the time.

A new survey of 1,000 working adults with mobile e-mail access finds that those who have the ability to check in on work in their off hours are doing so. A lot.

The poll was conducted last May by OnePoll for an e-mail security company called Good Technology.

It found that 50 percent of full-time workers with a smartphone are checking their work e-mail while their still in bed, and 69 percent won?t go to sleep without checking their work e-mail.

More than half ? 57 percent ? said they are checking work e-mails while on family outings, and 38 percent said they check work e-mails at the dinner table.

The work creep isn?t entirely optional. Almost half said they feel they have no choice but to stay connected during off hours because their customers demand it.

Related:

Many dads feeling pressure to 'do it all,' juggling work and family

?

What's the most inappropriate place to check work e-mail on a mobile device?

?

Source: http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/02/12525699-for-smartphone-users-work-creeps-into-everything?lite

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Moderate earthquake hits Iranian town

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/moderate-earthquake-hits-iranian-town-061057286.html

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Methadone deaths still high but may have peaked

ATLANTA (AP) ? Overdose deaths from powerful painkillers have been surging at an alarming rate in the U.S., but here's a sliver of good news: The number blamed on methadone appears to have peaked.

Still, methadone accounts for nearly one-third of prescription painkiller deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday.

Methadone, known mainly for treating heroin addiction, is also prescribed for pain. Health officials say most of the overdose deaths are people who take it for pain ? not heroin or drug addicts.

After a sharp rise, the number and rate of methadone-related overdose deaths have fallen since 2007, the CDC report shows.

Health officials describe the recent trend as closer to a leveling off than a reversal. But they also acknowledged it is a bit of good news in what has been a deteriorating situation.

"There aren't a lot of problems that have gotten so much worse so quickly as prescription drug overdose has," said CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden.

Overall, overdose deaths from powerful painkillers have increased by about four times over a decade, he said. Besides methadone, painkiller deaths primarily involve Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone) and Opana (oxymorphone).

Methadone is powerful drug that can be underestimated. It accounted for just 2 percent of painkiller prescriptions in 2009, but more than 30 percent of overdose deaths, according to the CDC.

The drug mimics the effects of heroin and has been used to wean heroin users off of their addiction. Regular doses of methadone can reduce heroin cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Roughly 15 years ago, doctors started prescribing methadone more often for pain, partly because they were looking for an alternative to OxyContin, a narcotic pain reliever that increasingly was being tied to drug abuse and death. Methadone seemed like a safer alternative, said Dr. Len Paulozzi, the CDC study's lead author.

Insurers also encouraged doctors to prescribe methadone because it's cheaper than some other painkillers.

But too much methadone can disrupt breathing, causing death. It also can cause a fatal irregular heartbeat, CDC officials say.

The CDC researchers analyzed a decade of national prescription data, as well as drug-related death data from 13 states. The number of methadone-related deaths rose from fewer than 800 in 1999 to more than 5,500 in 2007, before slipping the next two years to 4,900 and 4,700.

What's behind the change? The researchers note that the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 warned doctors to be more careful in prescribing the drug. And in 2008, methadone manufacturers voluntarily limited distribution of the largest doses of the drug to only hospitals and to addiction treatment programs.

Meanwhile, more states started or toughened up programs to monitor prescriptions for painkillers and look for signs of abuse.

This all boiled down to more education of doctors about the dangers of prescribing methadone, said Bruce Goldberger, professor and director of toxicology at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

"The word got out," said Goldberger, who has been studying methadone overdose deaths for about a decade.

Doctors may be swinging back to prescribing oxycodone and hydrocodone, he said.

Despite all the warnings, the CDC researchers say too many prescriptions are still being written for pain, many by internists and family doctors, not pain specialists. And many of the prescriptions are for back pain and other conditions that methadone might not help in the long run, CDC officials said.

___

Online:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/methadone-deaths-still-high-may-peaked-180110703.html

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Anderson Cooper: ?The fact is, I?m gay?

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/anderson-cooper-gay-comes-154527163--finance.html

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New Hong Kong leader takes office amid discontent

A protester, center left, is ushered away by security officials after he shouted "(for China) To reverse its condemnation of the brutal June 4, 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square and to end to one-party rule in China " before Chinese President Hu Jintao's address after Hong Kong's new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was sworn in at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center Sunday, July 1, 2012. Hong Kong's new Beijing-backed leader was sworn in on Sunday amid a rising tide of public discontent over widening inequality and lack of full democracy in the semiautonomous southern Chinese financial center. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A protester, center left, is ushered away by security officials after he shouted "(for China) To reverse its condemnation of the brutal June 4, 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square and to end to one-party rule in China " before Chinese President Hu Jintao's address after Hong Kong's new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was sworn in at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center Sunday, July 1, 2012. Hong Kong's new Beijing-backed leader was sworn in on Sunday amid a rising tide of public discontent over widening inequality and lack of full democracy in the semiautonomous southern Chinese financial center. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Hong Kong's new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying smiles during the flag raising ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover to China in Hong Kong Sunday, July 1, 2012. Leung was sworn in on Sunday amid a rising tide of public discontent over widening inequality and lack of full democracy in the semiautonomous southern Chinese financial center. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, administers the oath to Hong Kong's new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, left, as he is sworn in for a five-year term in office at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center Sunday, July 1, 2012. Hong Kong's new Beijing-backed leader was sworn in on Sunday amid a rising tide of public discontent over widening inequality and lack of full democracy in the semiautonomous southern Chinese financial center. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

The Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect Leung Chun-ying, left, speaks besides the newly appointed principal officials during a news conference to announce the lineup in Hong Kong Thursday, June 28, 2012. Chinese President Hu Jintao is due in Hong Kong for weekend ceremonies marking the 15th anniversary of the end of British colonial rule and the inauguration of its third post-colonial leader, Leung Chun-ying. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, right, hugs with chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying, after the grand variety show as part of the ceremony on the 15th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong Saturday, June 30, 2012. Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Hong Kong to install a new but already unpopular governor of the semiautonomous Chinese territory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

(AP) ? Chinese President Hu Jintao was interrupted by a pro-democracy heckler Sunday at the swearing in of Hong Kong's new leader, an incident underscoring rising tensions between Beijing and the semiautonomous territory 15 years after it returned to Chinese rule.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets later in the day in an annual protest that is an occasion for ordinary people to air their grievances over a range of issues. There is rising public discontent over widening inequality and lack of full democracy in the southern Chinese financial center.

Self-made millionaire Leung Chun-ying became Hong Kong's third chief executive on the 15th anniversary of China regaining control of the city after more than a century of British colonial control. There were sporadic scuffles between demonstrators and police outside the convention center where his inauguration took place.

A demonstrator who tried to interrupt Hu as he began his address was bundled away by security officials. The man, one of the guests invited to the inauguration, waved a small flag and yelled slogans calling for China's leaders to reverse their condemnation of the brutal June 4, 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square. He also called for an end to one-party rule in China before security agents swiftly pounced. Hu took no notice and continued to read his speech but the incident marred what was supposed to be a carefully orchestrated visit intended to emphasize strengthening ties between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Leung, a 57-year-old police officer's son who became a millionaire, replaces career bureaucrat Donald Tsang, who took office in 2005 and is barred from another term.

Leung takes over Hong Kong's top job amid swelling public anger over a yawning income gap, skyrocketing property prices and rising unease about mainland China's growing influence on the semiautonomous region.

"We will focus our energies on major and pressing issues," said Leung, who outlined plans to even out Hong Kong's widening inequality. He vowed, for example, to provide more affordable housing and land for property development, though he also said "there is no need for a major reversal of policy."

But Leung could find it hard to push through his social reforms because he takes office with an approval rating far lower than his predecessors, reflecting not only mounting public frustration but also a recent corruption scandal involving illegal additions on his mansion.

Leung was chosen as chief executive in March, winning 689 votes from a 1,200-seat committee of business elites who mostly voted according to Beijing's wishes. Hong Kong's 3.4 million registered voters, who can vote for neighborhood councilors and half of all lawmakers, had no say.

Calls for democracy have been catalyzed by the way in which Leung got his job and by corruption scandals surrounding his predecessor. Ordinary Hong Kongers fear that the political system in place since July 1, 1997 has resulted in the city's billionaire tycoons having too much influence on senior government officials.

Beijing has pledged that Hong Kong could elect its own leader in 2017 and all legislators by 2020 at the earliest, but no road map has been laid out.

Pro-democracy activists were scheduled to hold an annual march later Sunday that is expected to draw tens of thousands. The yearly event began in 2003, when half a million people turned out to protest anti-subversion legislation that was later shelved. The huge number shocked China's authoritarian leaders, who are obsessed with maintaining control. Organizers said last year's event drew more than 200,000 people, although police said the number was much lower.

The scandal over Leung's mansion has added to worries about his integrity because he took advantage of gaffes by rival Henry Tang, including the discovery of a huge, luxurious but illegal basement extension, to win the contest. At the time, he promised that he had no illegal structures but reporters at a local newspaper discovered over the past week that Leung's upscale home in an exclusive neighborhood on Victoria Peak had six, including a small basement.

The scandals have stirred anger among Hong Kong residents, many of whom can only afford tiny apartments.

Leung is not seen as friendly to the billionaire tycoons that dominate Hong Kong and who initially backed Tang. Trained as a land surveyor and holder of a British degree in estate management, he worked his way up to the top of a property consultancy firm.

Some in Hong Kong also fear that Leung is an underground member of China's Communist Party because he was named to lead a committee helping to draft the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution that would take effect on July 1, 1997, while still in his early 30s. Leung denies that and said his volunteer activities helping to develop China's land use rights following the country's economic reform that began in 1978 earned him a good reputation in China.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-07-01-Hong%20Kong-New%20Leader/id-7b35485ec8f745aaa37fd5ca1362f451

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Kofi Annan Warns Of Severe Syrian Crisis

GENEVA ? A conference called by special envoy Kofi Annan to end the Syria crisis appeared on the brink of failure as it opened Saturday, with the U.S. and Russia still divided over a role for President Bashar Assad in a transition government.

Annan seemed confident of his plan a few days ago, but Russia has refused to back a provision that would call for Assad to step down to make way for a unity government, a stance that could scuttle the entire deal.

The envoy warned the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council ? Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States ? that if they fail to act at the talks hosted by the United Nations at its European headquarters in Geneva they face an international crisis of "grave severity" that could spark violence across the region and provide a new front for terrorism.

"History is a somber judge and it will judge us all harshly if we prove incapable of taking the right path today," he said.

He appeared to specifically aim his words at Russia, Syria's most important ally, protector and arms supplier, which insists that outsiders cannot order a political solution for Syria. The U.S. is adamant that Assad should not be allowed to remain in power at the top of the transitional government and there is little chance that the fragmented Syrian opposition would go along with any plan that does not explicitly say Bashar must go.

"While many spoke of united support for one ... some simultaneously took national or collective initiatives of their own, undermining the process. This has fueled uncertainty in Syria, in turn fueling the flames of violence," Annan said. "By being here today, you suggest the intention to show that leadership. But can you, can we follow through?"

He said that "the way things have been going thus far ? we are not helping anyone. Let us break this trend and start being of some use."

Foreign ministers were rushed from luxury sedans into the elegant and sprawling Palais des Nations along with their legions of diplomats and aides and envoys from Europe, Turkey and three Arab countries representing groups within the Arab League.

A senior U.S. official ? speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing negotiations ? said the "discussions remain challenging. We're continuing to work this today, but we need a plan that is strong and credible. We may get there, we may not."

The question is still whether Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton can rescue Annan's plan.

Russia and China, which has followed Russia's lead on Syria, have twice used their council veto to shield Syria from U.N. sanctions.

Major regional players Iran and Saudi Arabia were not invited. The Russians objected to the Saudis, who support the Syrian opposition. The U.S. objected to Iran, which supports Assad's regime. Lavrov predicted the meeting had a "good chance" of finding a way forward, despite the grim conditions on the ground.

Syria, verging on a full-blown civil war, has endured a particularly bloody week, with up to 125 people reported killed nationwide on Thursday alone. Since March of last year, the uprising in in one of the world's most unstable regions has killed some 14,000 people.

International tensions also heightened last week after Syria shot down a Turkish warplane, leading to Turkey setting up anti-aircraft guns on its border with its neighbor.

Without agreement among the major powers on how to form a transitional government for the country, Assad's regime ? Iran's closest ally ? would be emboldened to try to remain in power indefinitely, and that would also complicate the U.S. aim of halting Iran's nuclear goals.

At talks Friday night, top U.S. and Russian diplomats remained deadlocked over the negotiating text to agree on guidelines and principles for "a Syria-led transition."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Russia and China, which is following the Russian lead, to join Western nations in speaking with one voice on Syria, though he acknowledged that will be a stiff challenge.

"We haven't reached agreement in advance with Russia and China ? that remains very difficult. I don't know if it will be possible to do so. In the interest of saving thousands of lives of our international responsibilities, we will try to do so," Hague told reporters. "It's been always been our view, of course, that a stable future for Syria, a real political process, means Assad leaving power."

He tweeted that "President Assad and his closest associates cannot credibly lead the process of transition in Syria.

The negotiating text for the multinational conference calls for establishing a transitional government of national unity, with full executive powers, that could include members of Assad's government and the opposition and other groups. It would oversee the drafting of a new constitution and elections.

But the text that would serve as the framework for Annan's peace efforts also would "exclude from government those whose continued presence and participation would undermine the credibility of the transition and jeopardize stability and reconciliation."

"Ultimately, we want to stop the bloodshed in Syria. If that comes through political dialogue, we are willing to do that," said Khalid Saleh, a spokesman for the Syrian National Council, a coalition of Syrian opposition groups based in Istanbul, Turkey. "We are not willing to negotiate (with) Mr. Assad and those who have murdered Syrians. We are not going to negotiate unless they leave Syria."

Clinton said Thursday in Riga, Latvia, that all participants in the Geneva meeting, including Russia, were on board with the transition plan. She told reporters that the invitations made clear that representatives "were coming on the basis of (Annan's) transition plan."

The United Nations says violence in the country has worsened since a cease-fire deal in April, and the bloodshed appears to be taking on dangerous sectarian overtones, with growing numbers of Syrians targeted on account of their religion. The increasing militarization of both sides in the conflict has Syria heading toward civil war.

______

Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/30/kofi-annan-warns-of-sever_n_1639734.html

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