Nation

Kentucky Questions Psychiatric Drugs for Children

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Kentucky is the most recent state with plans to curb anti-psychotic drug prescriptions for children. The educational program should save state Medicaid millions of dollars and is already established in 19 other states. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that although “atypical anti-psychotic” drugs can be used to successfully treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism in children, they can be inappropriately or over-prescribed. Healthcare providers fear that substantial weight gain from the drugs, a common side effect, could lead to higher rates of Type II diabetes for young patients. The plan will launch in early 2009 with letters to prescribers detailing the latest guidelines for appropriate use, prescription and risk.

Featured

Ozone Link to Appendicitis?

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Canadian researchers say they’ve found a connection between high levels of air pollution, particularly ozone, and appendicitis, reports the BBC. Appendicitis is a common but potentially fatal ailment in which the appendix — a small structure with no clear function, although it may play some role in digestion and fighting off infection — becomes inflamed, and can burst, unless surgically removed. The new research suggests a reduction of smog could be a preventative factor. The Calgary-based research team presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Florida. According to principal researcher Dr. Gilaad Kaplan, “If the relationship between air pollution and appendicitis is confirmed, then improving air quality may prevent the occurrence of appendicitis in some individuals.”

Economy

Poking Holes in the Golden Parachute

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The Wall Street bailout bill recently passed by Congress includes a provision that puts a $500,000 cap on the executive pay that the leaders of affected companies can deduct from their taxes. According to the Christian Science Monitor, any executive pay on Wall Street exceeding that cap is taxable — yet some are concerned Wall Street executives will find loopholes that allow them to walk away with millions. Initial versions of the taxpayer-funded bailout had no executive pay restrictions, but outrage from citizens and politicians alike forced Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to make revisions. Although it’s possible the executive salary cap could reverse the excessive trends of previous decades, Doug Elmendorf, a Brookings Institute expert, said “These are the most clever people when it comes to writing financial contracts. They will hire people to figure out how to get around it.”

Economy

Icelandic Economy Headed for Deep Freeze?

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Iceland is selling off foreign-owned assets in an attempt to ward off national bankruptcy. An article in the Telegraph newspaper said all of Iceland’s banks and investment firms have been blocked from the national stock market and urged to get rid of overseas investments and assets. Iceland’s currency — the Krona — has lost “more than half” its worth over the last few months. In a televised address, Prime Minister Geir Haarde said, “There is a very real danger, fellow citizens, that the Icelandic economy in the worst case could be sucked with the banks into the whirlpool and the result could be national bankruptcy.” The country’s bank debts — most of which are related to foreign investments — are more than eight times the national gross domestic product.

World

Dim Views on War on Terror

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Respondents in 22 of 23 countries surveyed think U.S. action has failed to weaken terrorist groups, according to a BBC World Service poll. According to the poll, only 22 percent of 23,937 respondents said al Qaeda has been weakened. Roughly 30 percent believe the ‘war on terror’ has had no effect, while the same percentage of respondents think U.S. efforts have made al Qaeda stronger. Roughly half of those surveyed believe neither side is winning the conflict, while 61 percent feel negatively toward al Qaeda. France and Mexico had the highest number of participants who believe U.S.led action has empowered terrorists.

Environment

A Different Shade of Green Revolution

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While much of the developed world is talking about environmentally sustainable “green” technology, Africa is desperately seeking a green revolution of a different kind. The original Green Revolution was a wave of new agricultural technology and government policies which are often credited with ending starvation in Asia in the second half of the 20th century. Although more recently linked with pollution and disease from pesticides and other chemicals, its successes have been much discussed in recent news reports about hunger in Africa. There is even an organization called The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, seeking to build a continent that can feed itself. In a recent op-ed article about the food crisis in Ethiopia, United Nations top relief official John Holmes wrote, “Africa, and Ethiopia, need a new Green Revolution — one that is agriculturally productive, economically profitable and environmentally sustainable.”

Featured

About a Ballot-Book Broker

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Campaigner and City Hall insider David Noyola (right) placed 22 official and paid arguments in San Francisco’s voter guidebook for the November 4 elections, working separately as legislative aide for Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, and later as a campaign professional. Photo: Copyright (c) Matthew Hirsch

World

Attack on Muslim Cemetary Comes Amid Rightist Gains

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The Times of London reports that over 90 graves in a Muslim cemetary were “severely damaged” in Traun, Austria, during a general election that saw big gains for anti-immigrant political parties. Austrian police attribute desecration to far-right extremists, whom officials say attempted to shield themselves from association with the crime by spraying Jewish symbols over some of the graves. The Freedom Party and The Alliance for Austria’s Future captured almost 30 percent of the vote, boosted by young populist voters concerned about what they deem as an ongoing “Islamisation” of Austria and Europe. The Freedom Party campaigned against headscarves, burkas and ethnic foods, while both pledged to ban the construction of mosques and minarets. The International Herald Tribune reported that mainstream parties such as The Social Democratic Party and the People’s party remain prevalent, but are increasingly unpopular.

Economy

Zimbabwe Currency Crisis Peaks

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More than 600 shops and services are now licensed to trade using foreign currency in Zimbabwe, the southern African country with the highest rate of inflation in the world. The International Herald Tribune reported that Zimbabwe’s Central Bank authorized the use of foreign moneys, such as the U.S. dollar and South African rand, which are already common in the black market. Zimbabwe’s government, still reeling from a long-term economic crisis, hopes the move will build up supplies of food and basic necessities in local markets. An inflation rate of 11 million percent has caused many Zimbabweans to cross the border into neighboring countries to buy corn meal, medicine, cooking oil and fuel. Commodities are in such short supply, the article said, that aid agencies fear close to two million Zimbabweans will need food supplies in October.

World

Burma Underground Simmers

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A growing number of young activist monks in Burma (Myanmar), frustrated by years of suppression, are considering taking up arms as a way to fight the military junta. Writing for the Christian Science Monitor, Anand Gopal said younger monks are more educated about human rights theories and think the Buddhist teachings on nonviolence aren’t bringing about the changes they want. This change in thinking comes after the harsh crackdown in 2007 on large anti-government protests led by thousands of monks and nuns. The military junta responded harshly with strict crackdowns that left some dead and hundreds imprisoned. “Last September the Army proved too powerful for us and defeated our nonviolent tactics.