GM arm launches 'green car'
A range of "green" vehicles running on liquefied petroleum gas as well as conventional petrol has been launched by the Vauxhall offshoot of General Motors at a motor show for managers of company car fleets in UK.
Hydel project accord signed
A joint venture agreement was signed between NB Group (Nepal) and Leise Craft DA company of Norway for the implementation of Indrawati Third Hydro Power Project.
- Salt issue
satyagraha planned : A nationwide satyagraha movement, against the proposed ban on sale and use of common salt, would be launched jointly be the Sarvodaya Movement and the National Alliance of People's Movemnt from June 5.
- Florida lawyer takes tobacco firms to court
Armed with fresh industry deocuments, the Florida lawyer, who scored the biggest cash verdict against Big Tobacco, goes to trial again accusing cigarette makers of conspiring against Americans'health.
CM sure of OECF aid for Cauvery scheme
The Chief Minister, Mr. J.H.Patel, expressed confidence in the Legislative Assembly that the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan would finance the Cauvery Fourth Stage water supply project for Bangalore ignoring the plea made to it by his Tamil Nadu counterpart, Mr. M. Karunanidhi.
Biological Evans launches two anti-cancer drugs
Biological Evans Ltd (BE), a pharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Cuba, has launched two new genetically engineered anti-cancer drugs - Inron-alpha and Betaxil.
Pin prick cannot transmit HIV
The Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) cannot be transmitted through a pin prick, AIDs experts have clarified, putting to rest rumours that people are being injected with the virus in public places. The National AIDs Control Organisation (NACO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare asserts that "it is …
As food imports grow, Federal inspections lag
From Chilean grapes to Mexican tomatoes to fish from around the world, Americans are enjoying an expanding choice of imported food. But with imports up 50 percent in less than a decade, inspectors are failing to keep pace. A General Accounting Office study released stopped short of concluding that imported …
Ban on some food imports is sought
Federal investigators are calling on the United States to stop importing food from nations that do not meet U.S. health and safety standards saying the Clinton administration and Congress have failed to create a system to prevent food-borne diseases in imports that may sicken and kill people.
World Bank apologises for playing down attacks
The World Bank has formally apologised for attmepting to play down the criticisms contained in an internal report over its handling of the $8.5bn Yacyreta dam project between Argentina and Paraguay.
- India named in US report for violating drug norms
The US government has been charged by a Congressional investigative wing of laxity in screening foreign drug ingredients imported into the country from a variety of sources, including Indian and Chinese companies.A General Accounting Office report noted that 80 percent of the chemical ingredients for prescription drugs sold in the …
Life expectancy seen rising to 73 in 2025
The World Health Organisation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, expects continued improvement in the health of the world's population over the next quarter-century, with average life expectancy rising from 48 years in 1955 and 66 today to 73 in 2025.
China develops anti-cancer vaccine
China has developed an injection form of anti-cancer medicine which has proved successful in treating cancer of the lungs, liver and stomach, official reports said. The new vaccine, based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine is said to kill cancer calls and fight metastasis while regulating and enhancing the …
India has a fragile healthcare infrastructure
As India aims at health for all early in the enxt millennium, it has only one doctor for about every 2,500 people, showing the weak and fragile healthcare infrastructure, a new study has said. Infant mortality in India is among the highest as an average of 80 out of every …
Furore over claim to invention of SMG-HAI
Whose baby is SMG-HAI -one of India's prominent inventions on complete combustion technology? Scientist Somendra Mohan Ghosh won the Shiromoni Award for it and holds the original patent. However, his detractors and former associate claim that recognition is due to another researcher, the late Abani Ghosh. Dr Ghosh's associate and …
By 2050, fewer will die by 50, but AIDS, cancer, TB will kill more
The World Health Organisation expects people to live longer and healthier lives but in developing countries it predicts that diseases like cancer, AIDS, tuberculosis and heart diseases will cut short life. According to the World Health Report 1998: Life in the 21st century - a Vision For All published by …
- European drug firms gang up to patent pirated Asian medicines
Leading names in the drug industry like Zencca, Phytoparm and Procter and Gamble (P&G;) have been accused of exploiting herbs long known in Asia--India and China in particular--before they were turned into household allopathic names by these companies. Now, representatives of 22 leading drug majors, including Glaxo-Burroughs Wellcome chief executive, …
- Concessional duty rates for CFC-free fridges mooted
A leading industry chamber has suggested levy of excise duty at a concessional rate of eight per cent on CFC-free refrigerators to encourage environment-friendly products. In a representation to the finance ministry the PHD chamber of commerce and industry (PHDCCI) has pointed out that the excise duty on refrigerators under …
