| NHS privatisation: the ‘sicko’ firms who are after your GP surgery
Multinational firms have got their eyes on your local doctors surgery. The companies that have plundered health service budgets, forcing the NHS to buy their private services, now want to extend their reach. After the government invited the private sector to provide GPs, some of the biggest names in US health insurance are being joined by other multi-nationals, like the Virgin group, in an attempt to muscle in get contracts. GPs from across Tower Hamlets, in east London, were joined by patients in a 150-strong protest on Thursday of last week against a decision by the local primary care trust (PCT) to hand the St Pauls Way medical centre to Atos Healthcare. Atos Healthcare is a subsidiary of a French-based computer firm with only a limited experience of healthcare, much of which has been gained helping institutions "manage absenteeism".
More clashes erupt in western Kenya despite deal to end the violence
More clashes erupt in western Kenya despite deal to end the violence Katharine Houreld / Associated Press ELDORET, Kenya -- Young men from rival ethnic groups hunted each other through the streets of a western Kenyan town Saturday, burning houses and blocking roads a day after the country's political foes agreed to try to end weeks of violence. Western Kenya has been at the center of fighting that has engulfed the country since an election that foreign and local observers say was rigged -- and Saturday's clashes underscored how difficult it may be to end the bloodletting, which has left hundreds dead. Both men who signed Friday's deal were still talking tough. President Mwai Kibaki accused his opponents of orchestrating the violence, and Raila Odinga, the opposition leader who says the presidency was stolen from him, said Kibaki's "aggressive statements" were undermining efforts to quell the fighting.
Team India in city
Cricket passion today reached a feverish pitch with the arrival of the 14-member Indian team here at Hotel Mountview this evening. The team, however, was in no mood to hang around the hotel where it was greeted by fans amid heavy security. However, Harbhajan, Rahul, Sehwag, RP Singh and Sachin obliged the fans with autographs. Without giving the mediapersons an opportunity to interact, Rahul and his team scurried out of the lobby through a side exit and went to their hotel rooms upstairs. It was a long and disappointing wait for reporters and television crews. However, they appeared somewhat dejected, probably after the three-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies, who became the second team to qualify for the semifinals. Scheduled to play the knock-out match against Australia at the PCA Stadium on October 29, the team decided against any practice session today.
On Native Ground
If you are Mohammed Omer, you become a journalist. I had a chance this week to meet with Omer, a 22-year-old freelance journalist and photographer from Israeli-occupied Gaza. He was in
'Most of the carnage goes unseen in the American news media, which Omer says is totally biased in favor of Israel...' Brattleboro, Vt., to give a talk about his life and work, part of a U.S. speaking tour sponsored by the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. This young man has seen much death and destruction in his lifetime, but unlike many reporters, he didn't have to go look for it. Instead, it found him. Omer has lived his entire life in Rafah, a refugee camp near the Egyptian border. He said that growing up, he wanted to be a translator and work for the Red Cross or a similar non-governmental organization.
Around Town
Wednesday, Feb. 20 FUNDRAISING PRODUCTION OF Beauty and the Beast, proceeds benefit the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W., until Feb. 24, various show times, ticket prices vary. Visit www.uofttix.ca or call 416-978-8849 for more information. WOMEN AND WINE event benefits The Lupus Flare Foundation in support of lupus research at Toronto Western Hospital, hosted by Lifford Wine Agency, Fifth Social Club, 225 Richmond St. W., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests taste exclusive wines, sample gourmet food, meet local personalities and enjoy live jazz. Tickets $95 by calling 416-440-4101 or e-mailing info@liffordwineagency.com. BLACK HISTORY MONTH celebration, Harbourfront Community Centre, 627 Queen's Quay W., 6 p.m., guest speakers, belly dancing, African drumming, dancing, sponsored by the Toronto Bathurst Lions Club, refreshments, free.
Wal-Mart Sees Profitable Low-Price Year
Defying the gloom that many retailers are feeling, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. expects a more profitable year selling to penny-pinching shoppers after its renewed focus on low prices paid off over the holidays with a 4 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit.
The world's largest retailer, emerging from a yearlong turnaround effort after sales stumbles in 2005 and 2006, said Tuesday that aggressive holiday discounts and improvements in its more than 4,000 U.S. stores boosted sales despite consumer worries.
"No one has a crystal ball to look into the economic future, but we know the economy will be a critical factor this year," Chief Executive Lee Scott said in a recorded call after releasing results.
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Preschool to Grade 4
The books give children the opportunity to identify known foods and learn new ones, count them, discuss their uses, and identify colors, making both titles fun and attractive additions.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK ANHOLT, Laurence. Matisse: The King of Color. illus. by author. unpaged. Barron's. 2007. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-6047-9. LC 2007923770.
Gr 2–5—Anholt tells the story behind Matisse's final masterpiece—Chapelle du Rosaire. During a serious illness, the artist becomes friends with his nurse, Monique, and he draws and paints several pictures of her. When his health improves, she leaves the man who has been like a grandfather to her and joins a strict religious order. Years later, the two friends are reunited when Matisse moves into a villa close to the nunnery.
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