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Swine flu hits Germany, WHO calls emergency review |
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Wednesday, 29 April 2009 11:11 |
Germany confirmed three cases of swine flu on Wednesday, becoming the third European country hit by the disease that has upended life in Mexico. New Zealand's swine flu total rose to 14 and the World Health Organization called for an immediate scientific review of the disease. Germany's national disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, said the three cases include a 22-year-old woman hospitalized in Hamburg; a man in his late 30s being treated at a hospital in Regensburg, north of Munich, and a 37-year-old woman from another southern town. All three had recently returned from Mexico. Britain and Spain already have confirmed cases of the disease. Swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people in Mexico and sickening over 2,400 there. WHO has confirmed 105 cases in seven countries, not yet including Germany. Over half of those are in the United States, but Mexico is the only country where deaths have been confirmed. In Geneva, the U.N. health body was holding an emergency "scientific review" of the swine flu outbreak Wednesday to collect what is known about how the disease spreads, how it affects human health and how it can be treated. Experts will take part via telephone from the United States, Mexico and other countries where people have been infected. A report will be published shortly after the meeting ends. Mexico was taking drastic measures to fight the outbreak. It closed all archaeological sites Tuesday and allowed restaurants in the capital to only serve take-out food in an aggressive bid to stop gatherings where the virus can spread. Schools remained closed until at least May 6. Other countries have reacted by avoiding Mexico. While the U.S., the European Union, and other countries have discouraged nonessential travel to Mexico, Cuba banned flights to and from Mexico and Argentina suspended flights arriving from Mexico. Cruise lines are avoiding Mexican ports and holiday tour groups are canceling holiday charter flights there. In Australia, officials were testing more than 100 people with flu symptoms for the virus. It has been ruled out in at least 10 cases. The World Health Organization has raised its alert level to 4 - out of a possible 6 - but has not called for travel restrictions or border closures. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 18 May 2009 10:52 |
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US asks India to help Pakistan fight terror |
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Wednesday, 22 April 2009 07:49 |
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The US government has urged India to support Pakistan in its war against Al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents along the Afghan border, a media report said on Tuesday. 'I think it will be important for India to make clear that as Pakistan takes steps to deal with extremists on its own territory, India will be supportive,' the Press TV quoted Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg as saying on Monday. Steinberg said that New Delhi has a 'huge stake' in making sure both Pakistan and its neighbour Afghanistan is stable. The US has also called on India to pull back its troops that were deployed on the Pakistan border after the Mumbai terror attacks last year, the report said. Over 170 people were killed and many more injured in the attack. Pakistan, in response, moved thousands of its soldiers from its border with Afghanistan to the Indian border. |
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Financial institution targets skiers with humorous mobile banking campaign |
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Monday, 20 April 2009 10:14 |
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Colorado's largest locally owned bank, FirstBank (assets: $8 billion), Lakewood, Colo., launched a campaign earlier this year promoting mobile banking to a young demographic. This winter, at mountain resorts across the state, skiers and snowboarders saw metal "rack" and "lift line" ads that read, "Bank in your ski mask without getting arrested." The tag line says: "Mobile Banking. Bank Anywhere." The goal was to demonstrate a commitment to the youth market by going to them where they are, says Brian Jensen, vice president of marketing. "If we can get you at a younger age, you'll stick with us," he notes. Mobile banking is especially important to younger customers, he adds. |
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Blues buoyed by famous win |
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Friday, 17 April 2009 11:01 |
Michael Ballack insists Chelsea enter their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal encouraged by their midweek dramatics. The Blues salvaged a 4-4 draw with Liverpool in a heart-stopping night at Stamford Bridge to progress to the last four of the Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate victory. Next up are Arsenal at Wembley and Ballack admits the matches are coming thick and fast as Chelsea chase silverware on three fronts. "Reaching the Champions League semi-final has given us a confidence boost going into another big game," he said. "We have to recover quickly because physically and mentally Liverpool was a very tough game. "We thought it would be a little bit easier than it was but in football anything is possible and we had to accept it. "Games like the Liverpool one help to build confidence even more. "We know we have a good team spirit but if you lose your mind and your head is down and if you win, it goes up. That's normal. "You could see against Liverpool that everyone was really proud. This has given us a big boost for Arsenal. "We have to come down a little bit now. We had a little time to celebrate beating Liverpool, but from Wednesday we had to focus on Arsenal. "Everybody has experience in this squad and we know that at this time of the year we have a lot of important games if you come through in the Champions League and FA Cup." Ballack is looking forward to his duel with Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has been in fine form since returning from a knee injury. "Sometimes being injured helps you to recover and prepare for the upcoming weeks - that's what you can see now from Cesc," he said. "He is back and straight away he is playing well, just like Michael Essien has been for us. "We know Cesc is a good player and in this situation we have to be aware." |
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Last Updated on Monday, 20 April 2009 07:41 |
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S Africa prepares to launch IPL |
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Friday, 17 April 2009 10:39 |
Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen will be among the main attractions as the second Indian Premier League season prepares to get started on Saturday.
The pair, the most expensive signings in IPL history, will each participate until 30 April, before returning for England's series against West Indies.
The tournament, described as a mix of cricket, Bollywood and glamour, takes place in South Africa over six weeks.
The event was switched because of concerns over security in India.
That followed the Mumbai attacks, when Sri Lankan cricketers were targeted by terrorists, and fears adequate security could not be provided with the Indian national elections drawing on resources.
606: DEBATE
What are your hopes for the IPL?
However, eight teams will play the full 59-match schedule in South Africa, climaxing with the final in Johannesburg on 24 May.
Flintoff and Pietersen were both signed, by the Bangalore Royal Challengers and Chennai Super Kings respectively, for $1.55m (£1.1m), though they will take home a pro-rata fee as they are only available for a maximum of six matches.
And both are involved on the opening day, when Bangalore face last year's champions Rajasthan Royals and Chennai kick off against the Mumbai Indians in Cape Town.
Other regular England internationals - Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah (both Delhi Daredevils) and Ravi Bopara (King's XI Punjab) - are also involved on a similar time restriction, due to England commitments.
Flintoff relishing start of IPL
However, Dimitri Mascarenhas (Rajasthan) - England's sole representative last year - and Graham Napier (Mumbai Indians) are available for the entire event.
A concern of many observers is that the IPL may be one tournament too many for the England cricketers given their congested summer that includes Tests and a one-day international series against West Indies, the World Twenty20 as well as the Ashes against Australia.
That, say the critics, could prove especially taxing on Flintoff, who has been beset by injuries since the 2005 Ashes campaign.
But the Lancastrian, whose Chennai side includes Australia's Matthew Hayden, India captain Mahendra Dhoni and Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, believes participating in the IPL will do him good.
"It is a long schedule and everyone is looking forward to the Ashes and making sure everyone is fit for that," he said, "but I've stressed all along that we have to perform in all the games we're playing.
"When I stop and start is when my body is at its most vulnerable."
And the all-rounder says he intends to become England's spy in a bid to help their own World Twenty20 campaign, which runs from 5-21 June.
It's the talk of the town everywhere we go
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi
"It's been frustrating with the hip injury, thigh injury and getting hit on the thumb just before the end of the tour of the West Indies, but I think the IPL will be good for me," he said.
"I know I'm only bowling four overs a game, but it will give me a chance to work on things in between games going into a Test series.
"The World Twenty20 in England is going to be huge. I'll be watching the likes of Dhoni, who has played a lot of it, and Hayden who had a good IPL last year.
"I will be speaking to a few of the Indian guys and see if I can pick their brains. You'll find players helping each other out."
IPL
Inside Sport - Matthew Pinsent looks at the IPL in South Africa
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has promised "a non-stop carnival from day one to the end" and, speaking from South Africa, told the BBC's Inside Sport programme: "I look at it as an opportunity to take the tournament overseas, showcase India and build a big fan base in another country."
"Everyone is very excited about it, it's the talk of the town everywhere we go, so we are hoping to build on that and make sure everybody hears about the Indian Premier League and in some way or another can participate in it."
Saturday's fixtures are already sold out, say the IPL, and interest appears keen despite it taking place out of its home country.
Matches will be played at either 1230 or 1630 local time (1600 and 2000 Indian time) in the hope of attracting huge TV audiences back in India.
And, with a huge array of cricketing superstars on show, Modi believes the tournament can help "expand the brand" of the IPL across the world.
The tournament is not without its notable absentees, though, with Pakistan players banned by their own government and a host of Australia internationals opting out.
South Africa next best place for IPL - Warne
Nathan Bracken, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds will miss the first three weeks because of the ODI series against Pakistan, while Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson have opted out entirely, preferring to concentrate on the Ashes.
England seamer Stuart Broad also declared himself unavailable for the same reasons.
Meanwhile, Modi has revealed the IPL will start a month earlier in 2010, with matches taking place during March and April in a bid to avoid a clash with the World Twenty20 in the West Indies in April and May. |
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