Japan's rising machinery orders boost the economy
Japan's core machinery orders, a key indicator of capital expenditure, rose more than forecast in April in a positive sign for the economy.
Orders rose 5.7% from a month earlier. Most analysts had projected a 1.5% growth.
The figures come amid fears that a slowing economy coupled with a strong yen might see manufacturers shift production overseas.
However, analysts said the data showed that firms were confident about growth.
"The machinery orders are an early indicator of how the economy is doing, giving us an hint of investment trends," Martin Schulz of Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo told the BBC.
"Strong orders indicate that reconstruction demand is kicking in, which is a good sign as domestic economy is going to be key to overall growth this year."
Bank action
The strength of the Japanese yen has been one of the biggest concerns among Japanese manufacturers.
A strong currency not only makes Japanese goods more expensive to foreign buyers but also hurts their earnings when they repatriate earnings back home.
The yen has been highly volatile in recent months, rising by more than 10% against the US dollar between April and October last year. It was trading at 75.75 yen against the US dollar in late October.
That led to the Japanese central bank intervening in the currency markets.
Though the currency has weakened since, it still remains at a level considered high by most Japanese manufacturers.
It was trading close to 79.67 yen against the US dollar in Asian trade on Wednesday.
The strong currency has led to concerns that Japanese firms may lose their competitiveness and be forced to shift their production overseas.
However, analysts said that strong action by the Japanese central bank to stem the yen's rise in the past had helped to allay those fears.
"Japanese policymakers have been prepared to intervene in the market and that is providing another layer of comfort to the Japanese businesses," said Mr Schulz of Fujitsu Research Institute.
Rabu, 13 Juni 2012
Culling bats does not halt rabies, says report
Culling vampire bats in South American nations does not curb the spread of rabies, in fact it could actually be counterproductive, a study suggests.
Until now, it had been assumed that controlling bat numbers would, in turn, control the spread of the rabies virus.
Researchers say rabies is found in most bat populations, but vampire bats - which feed on mammals' blood - are responsible for most infections.
The findings have been published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
"We found that rabies is there no matter what," said co-author Daniel Streicker, an ecologist at the University of Georgia, US.
"The size of the bat colony didn't predict the proportion of bats that were exposed to the virus.
"That's important because if there is no relationship between bat population density and rabies, then reducing the bat population won't reduce rabies transmission within bats."
For about three decades, the main focus in Peru to halt the spread of the virus - which is transmitted from animals to humans or livestock, and results in death if left untreated - has been to cull common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) using poisons, or even explosives.
The researchers, writing in their paper, explained that the data they collected over a 40-month period from 20 sampling sites revealed that culling was not having the desired effect.
In fact, Dr Streicker explained, the findings suggested that culling had a potentially counterproductive impact.
"In areas that were sporadically culled during the course of the study, we saw an increase in the proportion of bats exposed to rabies," he said.
Colonies that were frequently culled had slightly lower rates, the study showed, yet the ones that had never been culled had the lowest rates of all.
It is suggested that increasing levels of human encroachment into areas with vampire bat populations has exacerbated the problem.
Dr Streicker and the team said the study would continue for another two years, with the goal of developing a scientific-based solution.
The researchers hope the findings will help deliver a more effective method to protect public health and agricultural interests from the virus.
Culling vampire bats in South American nations does not curb the spread of rabies, in fact it could actually be counterproductive, a study suggests.
Until now, it had been assumed that controlling bat numbers would, in turn, control the spread of the rabies virus.
Researchers say rabies is found in most bat populations, but vampire bats - which feed on mammals' blood - are responsible for most infections.
The findings have been published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
"We found that rabies is there no matter what," said co-author Daniel Streicker, an ecologist at the University of Georgia, US.
"The size of the bat colony didn't predict the proportion of bats that were exposed to the virus.
"That's important because if there is no relationship between bat population density and rabies, then reducing the bat population won't reduce rabies transmission within bats."
For about three decades, the main focus in Peru to halt the spread of the virus - which is transmitted from animals to humans or livestock, and results in death if left untreated - has been to cull common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) using poisons, or even explosives.
The researchers, writing in their paper, explained that the data they collected over a 40-month period from 20 sampling sites revealed that culling was not having the desired effect.
In fact, Dr Streicker explained, the findings suggested that culling had a potentially counterproductive impact.
"In areas that were sporadically culled during the course of the study, we saw an increase in the proportion of bats exposed to rabies," he said.
Colonies that were frequently culled had slightly lower rates, the study showed, yet the ones that had never been culled had the lowest rates of all.
It is suggested that increasing levels of human encroachment into areas with vampire bat populations has exacerbated the problem.
Dr Streicker and the team said the study would continue for another two years, with the goal of developing a scientific-based solution.
The researchers hope the findings will help deliver a more effective method to protect public health and agricultural interests from the virus.
Diesel exhausts do cause cancer, says WHO
Exhaust fumes from diesel engines do cause cancer, a panel of experts working for the World Health Organization says.
It concluded that the exhausts were definitely a cause of lung cancer and may also cause tumours in the bladder.
It based the findings on research in high-risk workers such as miners, railway workers and truck drivers.
However, the panel said everyone should try to reduce their exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, had previously labelled diesel exhausts as probably carcinogenic to humans.
IARC has now labelled exhausts as a definite cause of cancer, although it does not compare how risky different carcinogens are. Diesel exhausts are now in the same group as carcinogens ranging from wood chippings to plutonium and sunlight to alcohol.
It is thought people working in at-risk industries have about a 40% increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Dr Christopher Portier, who led the assessment, said: "The scientific evidence was compelling and the Working Group's conclusion was unanimous, diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans.
"Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide."
The impact on the wider population, which is exposed to diesel fumes at much lower levels and for shorter periods of time, is unknown.
Dr Kurt Straif, also from IARC, said: "For most of the carcinogens when there is high exposure the risk is higher, when there is lower exposure the risk is lower."
There have been considerable efforts to clean up diesel exhausts. Lower sulphur fuel and engines which burn the fuel more efficiently are now in use.
The UK Department of Health said: "We will carefully consider this report. Air pollutants are a significant public health concern, we are looking at this issue as part of our plans to improve public health."
Cancer Research UK said employers and workers should take appropriate action to minimise exposure to diesel fumes in the workplace.
But director of cancer information Dr Lesley Walker said the overall number of lung cancers caused by diesel fumes was "likely to be a fraction of those caused by smoking tobacco".
Exhaust fumes from diesel engines do cause cancer, a panel of experts working for the World Health Organization says.
It concluded that the exhausts were definitely a cause of lung cancer and may also cause tumours in the bladder.
It based the findings on research in high-risk workers such as miners, railway workers and truck drivers.
However, the panel said everyone should try to reduce their exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, had previously labelled diesel exhausts as probably carcinogenic to humans.
IARC has now labelled exhausts as a definite cause of cancer, although it does not compare how risky different carcinogens are. Diesel exhausts are now in the same group as carcinogens ranging from wood chippings to plutonium and sunlight to alcohol.
It is thought people working in at-risk industries have about a 40% increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Dr Christopher Portier, who led the assessment, said: "The scientific evidence was compelling and the Working Group's conclusion was unanimous, diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans.
"Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide."
The impact on the wider population, which is exposed to diesel fumes at much lower levels and for shorter periods of time, is unknown.
Dr Kurt Straif, also from IARC, said: "For most of the carcinogens when there is high exposure the risk is higher, when there is lower exposure the risk is lower."
There have been considerable efforts to clean up diesel exhausts. Lower sulphur fuel and engines which burn the fuel more efficiently are now in use.
The UK Department of Health said: "We will carefully consider this report. Air pollutants are a significant public health concern, we are looking at this issue as part of our plans to improve public health."
Cancer Research UK said employers and workers should take appropriate action to minimise exposure to diesel fumes in the workplace.
But director of cancer information Dr Lesley Walker said the overall number of lung cancers caused by diesel fumes was "likely to be a fraction of those caused by smoking tobacco".
Iraq: Bomb attacks in six provinces 'kill 62'
A wave of bombings in six Iraqi provinces, including 10 locations in Baghdad, has killed 62 people and wounded dozens more, Iraqi police say.
Many of the dead in the Iraqi capital were Shia pilgrims gathering for a religious festival.
In Hilla, two car bombs exploded near a restaurant, killing at least 19 people.
There has been a wave of attacks on the Shia community in recent days, as it marks the anniversary of the death of Shia imam Moussa al-Kadhim.
A man who witnessed one of the attacks in Baghdad said a car bomb had targeted pilgrims and had also hit people who were working in the city.
"People were slaughtered and killed right here. This wrecked car here belonged to a man who worked to earn his living, and another one belonged to a fuel seller. They could not find his body."
The restaurant that came under attack in Hilla is said to be frequented by police.
Continue reading the main story
Al-Kadhim festival
• Marks anniversary of the death of the 8th Century Imam Moussa al-Kadhim
• Said to be buried in a shrine in Kazimiyah, in the north of Baghdad
• Each year, a million pilgrims walk to the shrine
• In 2005, nearly 1,000 people died when rumours of an attack caused a stampede
Pictures from the scene showed the mangled remains of a restaurant, damaged cars and roads strewn with debris.
Three bombs exploded in Kirkuk, with one of them targeting the headquarters of Kurdish president Massoud Barzani. One person died and many were injured in that attack.
One man told Reuters: "I want to ask the government, why do they put party headquarters in residential areas and among the civilians? Bombs are still occurring , killing and hurting innocent people."
There are also reports of bombs in Al-Azizyah, south of Baghdad, in Mosul, and another north of Kerbala.
It is not yet clear who is responsible for Wednesday's attacks.
Four people were killed in a mortar attack near a religious shrine in Baghdad on Sunday.
Iraq's interior ministry said following that attack that there would be heightened security across the city as they anticipated further violence.
Violence in Iraq has fallen since the sectarian killings of a few years ago, but militants still frequently attack security forces and civilians.
BBC world affairs correspondent Emily Buchanan says sectarian tensions have been simmering since the US withdrawal in December last year, and this kind of violence is exactly what they had feared.
Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has been trying to consolidate Shia power at the expense of Sunni and Kurdish voices, she says.
A wave of bombings in six Iraqi provinces, including 10 locations in Baghdad, has killed 62 people and wounded dozens more, Iraqi police say.
Many of the dead in the Iraqi capital were Shia pilgrims gathering for a religious festival.
In Hilla, two car bombs exploded near a restaurant, killing at least 19 people.
There has been a wave of attacks on the Shia community in recent days, as it marks the anniversary of the death of Shia imam Moussa al-Kadhim.
A man who witnessed one of the attacks in Baghdad said a car bomb had targeted pilgrims and had also hit people who were working in the city.
"People were slaughtered and killed right here. This wrecked car here belonged to a man who worked to earn his living, and another one belonged to a fuel seller. They could not find his body."
The restaurant that came under attack in Hilla is said to be frequented by police.
Continue reading the main story
Al-Kadhim festival
• Marks anniversary of the death of the 8th Century Imam Moussa al-Kadhim
• Said to be buried in a shrine in Kazimiyah, in the north of Baghdad
• Each year, a million pilgrims walk to the shrine
• In 2005, nearly 1,000 people died when rumours of an attack caused a stampede
Pictures from the scene showed the mangled remains of a restaurant, damaged cars and roads strewn with debris.
Three bombs exploded in Kirkuk, with one of them targeting the headquarters of Kurdish president Massoud Barzani. One person died and many were injured in that attack.
One man told Reuters: "I want to ask the government, why do they put party headquarters in residential areas and among the civilians? Bombs are still occurring , killing and hurting innocent people."
There are also reports of bombs in Al-Azizyah, south of Baghdad, in Mosul, and another north of Kerbala.
It is not yet clear who is responsible for Wednesday's attacks.
Four people were killed in a mortar attack near a religious shrine in Baghdad on Sunday.
Iraq's interior ministry said following that attack that there would be heightened security across the city as they anticipated further violence.
Violence in Iraq has fallen since the sectarian killings of a few years ago, but militants still frequently attack security forces and civilians.
BBC world affairs correspondent Emily Buchanan says sectarian tensions have been simmering since the US withdrawal in December last year, and this kind of violence is exactly what they had feared.
Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has been trying to consolidate Shia power at the expense of Sunni and Kurdish voices, she says.
Euro 2012: Roy Hodgson to check Steven Gerrard & Scott Parker
England manager Roy Hodgson admits he may have to rotate his side for Friday's Group D match with Sweden.
Hodgson has concerns over the fitness of Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard after Monday's 1-1 draw with France.
I will have to assess the freshness of my team and see whether they are able to do that again," said Hodgson.
"Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard are both over 30 and had to work really hard. I'm not the only coach wondering 'can they do it every four days?'"
With the pre-tournament injuries to Gareth Barry (abdomen) and Frank Lampard (thigh), and the long-term injury to Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, England are short of cover in midfield.
Tottenham's Parker, 31, has been nursing an Achilles tendon, while there are concerns over 32-year-old Gerrard's ability to play two games in the space of four days, particularly in the energy sapping heat England experienced in Donetsk on Monday.
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson was a late substitute against France, while Manchester City's James Milner could also play in the middle after starting wide on the right in Donetsk.
Whoever he asks to play against Sweden, Hodgson is confident he has a squad that is in good form and capable of getting a result.
"My gut feeling, after a good recovery day on Tuesday, a sensible training day on Wednesday and sensible recovery day on Thursday, is that it will be very hard for me to leave people out," he said.
If we said 'we're going to give you a rest because it's too much to play two games in four days,' some of them would have us up against the wall.
"But what we've got to make certain of, is that if they can't, or start to show signs of fatigue, that others are ready to go in and do exactly the same job.
"The mood in the dressing room is exceptionally good because we have shown we can handle difficult conditions, against a France team of that quality, and come away with a good result."
A win against Sweden - who England beat for the first time since 1968 last year - would leave Hodgson's side in good shape to qualify for the last eight with a result in their final group game against co-hosts Ukraine on 19 June.
England manager Roy Hodgson admits he may have to rotate his side for Friday's Group D match with Sweden.
Hodgson has concerns over the fitness of Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard after Monday's 1-1 draw with France.
I will have to assess the freshness of my team and see whether they are able to do that again," said Hodgson.
"Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard are both over 30 and had to work really hard. I'm not the only coach wondering 'can they do it every four days?'"
With the pre-tournament injuries to Gareth Barry (abdomen) and Frank Lampard (thigh), and the long-term injury to Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, England are short of cover in midfield.
Tottenham's Parker, 31, has been nursing an Achilles tendon, while there are concerns over 32-year-old Gerrard's ability to play two games in the space of four days, particularly in the energy sapping heat England experienced in Donetsk on Monday.
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson was a late substitute against France, while Manchester City's James Milner could also play in the middle after starting wide on the right in Donetsk.
Whoever he asks to play against Sweden, Hodgson is confident he has a squad that is in good form and capable of getting a result.
"My gut feeling, after a good recovery day on Tuesday, a sensible training day on Wednesday and sensible recovery day on Thursday, is that it will be very hard for me to leave people out," he said.
If we said 'we're going to give you a rest because it's too much to play two games in four days,' some of them would have us up against the wall.
"But what we've got to make certain of, is that if they can't, or start to show signs of fatigue, that others are ready to go in and do exactly the same job.
"The mood in the dressing room is exceptionally good because we have shown we can handle difficult conditions, against a France team of that quality, and come away with a good result."
A win against Sweden - who England beat for the first time since 1968 last year - would leave Hodgson's side in good shape to qualify for the last eight with a result in their final group game against co-hosts Ukraine on 19 June.
penulisan
Current Power Plant Built in the Natuna Sea will
Riau Islands province develop ocean current power generation to power in the outer islands.
"While developed for marine energy generation plants, using the power of ocean currents," said Specialist Marine Eddywan, Saturday (9/6).
Based on joint research oceanographer Provesor Hashim Djalal, ocean currents known in Riau Islands waters can result in thousands of giga volt so fond, if not utilized.
"His energy was very great, the turbine could generate," said he who earned a master's degree from Tokyo University for marine pawns.
Riau Islands, he said, will use a simple technology in ocean energy generators, so that could be used by rural communities and low budget. "The budget is only around Rp 100 millions," he said.
Development, he said, would be done early 2013. "We've proposed a budget to Rp600 million 2013 budget, not big," he said.
In early 2013, he said, the team will look for a potential point for marine energy, and mapping of alternative energy generation centers. Mid-year will be assessed using simple technology masyarajat application will then be tested. And at the end of the year is distributed to the public.
"The start of 2014 has begun to be applied," he said.
Actually, ocean current power generation technologies already widely known internationally, however, because it uses a relatively expensive high-tech, it is difficult to apply in Indonesia.
Riau Islands, trying to reduce costs and try to use simple technology to be used by people.
As an early stage, the technology will be applied on the outer islands are inhabited Homeland. "As Keramut Island and Sea Island in Natuna regency and provincial
Current Power Plant Built in the Natuna Sea will
Riau Islands province develop ocean current power generation to power in the outer islands.
"While developed for marine energy generation plants, using the power of ocean currents," said Specialist Marine Eddywan, Saturday (9/6).
Based on joint research oceanographer Provesor Hashim Djalal, ocean currents known in Riau Islands waters can result in thousands of giga volt so fond, if not utilized.
"His energy was very great, the turbine could generate," said he who earned a master's degree from Tokyo University for marine pawns.
Riau Islands, he said, will use a simple technology in ocean energy generators, so that could be used by rural communities and low budget. "The budget is only around Rp 100 millions," he said.
Development, he said, would be done early 2013. "We've proposed a budget to Rp600 million 2013 budget, not big," he said.
In early 2013, he said, the team will look for a potential point for marine energy, and mapping of alternative energy generation centers. Mid-year will be assessed using simple technology masyarajat application will then be tested. And at the end of the year is distributed to the public.
"The start of 2014 has begun to be applied," he said.
Actually, ocean current power generation technologies already widely known internationally, however, because it uses a relatively expensive high-tech, it is difficult to apply in Indonesia.
Riau Islands, trying to reduce costs and try to use simple technology to be used by people.
As an early stage, the technology will be applied on the outer islands are inhabited Homeland. "As Keramut Island and Sea Island in Natuna regency and provincial
New Zealand Athlete Who Opened Escort Service Earns Olympic
A taekwondo athlete who opened escort agency to help fund his campaign to complete at the London Olympics has succeeded in winning a place a new Zealand games team.
Logan Campbell opened what he call “a high-class ” agency in Auckland in 2009 to help raise the 300.000 new Zealand dollars ($ 245.000) he believe he needed to compete internationally to qualify for the London Olympic. Prostitution is legal in new Zealand.
Campbell sold the agency a year later after the fund raising move was criticized by taekwondo new Zealand and the national Olympic committee.
“ At the team taekwondo wasn’t getting any funding at all.” Campbell said “to get good at the sport, you had to get international competition an there wasn’t any funding for us.”
Campbell said that changed after the media got involved.
“[sponsors] started funding taekwondo and I didn’t need the escort agency anymore.” He said
Campbell will compete in the under-60 kg class in london as one of three new Zealand taekwondo athlete . he said finished in the top 16 in the under 58 kg class at the 2008 beijing Olympic
Campbell said when he initially opened the escort agency. He received a letter from the new Zealand Olympic committee saying it was not an appropriate business to be connected with taekwondo or the Olympic movement .
He said he was warned that his selection changes could be reduce if the continued to operate the business and decided to sell the agency in 2010.” A lot of things have transpired since then,” Campbell said.
He received agrant of 50.000 new Zealand dollars from new Zealand’s central sport funding agency which enabled him to train full time and compete overseas. He in the weight division in oceania.
“ after I qualified there was no .’oh we are not going to send you because you had an escort agency,’ “ he said “we sent our application in , they approved us all and they called me and said, “ congratulation , you’re going to olympics
A taekwondo athlete who opened escort agency to help fund his campaign to complete at the London Olympics has succeeded in winning a place a new Zealand games team.
Logan Campbell opened what he call “a high-class ” agency in Auckland in 2009 to help raise the 300.000 new Zealand dollars ($ 245.000) he believe he needed to compete internationally to qualify for the London Olympic. Prostitution is legal in new Zealand.
Campbell sold the agency a year later after the fund raising move was criticized by taekwondo new Zealand and the national Olympic committee.
“ At the team taekwondo wasn’t getting any funding at all.” Campbell said “to get good at the sport, you had to get international competition an there wasn’t any funding for us.”
Campbell said that changed after the media got involved.
“[sponsors] started funding taekwondo and I didn’t need the escort agency anymore.” He said
Campbell will compete in the under-60 kg class in london as one of three new Zealand taekwondo athlete . he said finished in the top 16 in the under 58 kg class at the 2008 beijing Olympic
Campbell said when he initially opened the escort agency. He received a letter from the new Zealand Olympic committee saying it was not an appropriate business to be connected with taekwondo or the Olympic movement .
He said he was warned that his selection changes could be reduce if the continued to operate the business and decided to sell the agency in 2010.” A lot of things have transpired since then,” Campbell said.
He received agrant of 50.000 new Zealand dollars from new Zealand’s central sport funding agency which enabled him to train full time and compete overseas. He in the weight division in oceania.
“ after I qualified there was no .’oh we are not going to send you because you had an escort agency,’ “ he said “we sent our application in , they approved us all and they called me and said, “ congratulation , you’re going to olympics
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