Childhood allergies are on the rise around the world, including in many developing countries where asthma, eczema and hay fever are emerging as important public health problems, scientists said on Friday. Asthma, in particular, is responsible for millions of children missing school, ending up in hospital or even dying.
The top United States general in the Middle East praised a major security clampdown in Baghdad on Thursday and said Iraq was far from civil war. On a day when three car bombs and two roadside bombs killed four people and wounded 24 in the capital, General John Abizaid told reporters: ”I think there has been great progress on the security front in Baghdad recently.”
Japanese lawmaker Shinzo Abe, widely expected to become the country’s next prime minister, said on Friday the military should have a greater role in global security and should increase cooperation with United States forces. Abe called for a permanent law allowing Japanese forces to take part in international cooperation missions overseas.
Archaeologists from a television team will celebrate the 80th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth by digging up the manicured lawns and gardens at three of her palaces to trace their history. At Windsor Castle they hope to unearth Edward III’s Round Table building which they believe lies under the Queen’s ceremonial lawn.
Lebanon should cling to the United Nations Security Council to avoid being sucked into the orbit of any outside power as it emerges from Israel’s devastating war with Hezbollah guerrillas, former President Amin Gemayel said. ”Lebanon is a battlefield for others,” said the 63-year-old Maronite Christian leader — who should know.
Ethiopia on Friday appealed for at least -million to help thousands of people displaced by fatal floods that have ravaged the Horn of Africa nation since the beginning of this month amid fears of more floods. As emergency workers struggled against poor weather, federal authorities said the funding would help alleviate suffering in the flooded regions.
The Zimbabwean army plans to go on a massive recruitment drive next year because veterans of the 1970s war of independence are due to retire from active service, reports said this week. Veterans of the guerrilla war that eventually ousted the white minority government have comprised the highest-ranking officers in the army, state television reported late on Thursday.
SABMiller, one of the world’s leading brewers, announced on Friday that its Peruvian subsidiary Backus and Johnston will invest $102-million in infrastructural projects in Peru. The investment will include the expansion of the brew house at its Ate facility to the east of Lima and a significant upgrade of packaging capability across the country.
South Africa suffered yet another injury blow ahead of their Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Pretoria on Saturday when loose forward Joe van Niekerk was ruled out. The Springboks have already lost International Rugby Board 2004 Player of the Year Schalk Burger to a career-threatening neck injury and in-form Juan Smith went down in midweek with a thigh strain.
Another United States sprinter coached by Trevor Graham has tested positive for use of a performance-boosting drug, according to the Chicago Tribune in its edition on Friday. LaTasha Jenkins, silver medallist at the 2001 indoor world championships, was tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in July, the report said.