TECHNOLOGY
* Windows XP to be retired in 2008 *
From early 2008 PC owners will only be able to get Windows Vista on their new machine. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/technology/6551429.stm
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WOMEN
* Team accepts DJ's racism apology *
The women's basketball team at the centre of a row over radio host Don Imus accepts his apology for racist remarks. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/6553603.stm
Hillary Moves Women to Campaign's Front Burner By Allison Stevens - Washington Bureau Chief
While Barack Obama, John Edwards and other 2008 presidential contenders touch on issues such reproductive choice, care-giving and women's wages, Hillary Clinton is giving them higher priority.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3130
Money Advice Runs Low for Minority Women By Sandra Guy - WeNews correspondent
April is financial literacy month. Numerous financial-planning Web sites and groups have sprung up to cater to higher-income women but advisers and advocates for lower-income women's retirement planning say they have the field to themselves.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3132
Black Women and Violence: 'Bad' Alone Doesn't Work By Tonya Lovelace - WeNews commentator
After seeing herself partially quoted by Women's eNews, Tonya Lovelace realized that the word "bad"--on its own--disserves the discussion of black women and domestic violence. Here's her longer version, with the word in its full context.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3129
Pay Data Dispels Pop Myth of Pink-Ceiling By Kara Alaimo - WeNews correspondent
A contestant on "The Apprentice Los Angeles" is the latest to promote a story about the horrors of working for women. But research shows women don't actually hold one another back; when they become senior managers, women's salaries rise.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3126
Middle East Leaders Appraise Pelosi's Visit By Brenda Gazzar - WeNews correspondent
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Syria stirred praise and skepticism from a variety of female political leaders in the Middle East. Many hope her visit signals a U.S. shift toward greater dialogue and engagement in the region.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3127
MONICA GOODLING, TOP AIDE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO GONZALES, RESIGNS; He refused to testify about firings.
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THE NOT SO WONDERFUL WORLD
HUMAN TRAFFICKING- Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is one of the poorest nations in Europe. With its moderate climate and fertile farmland, Moldova’s economy relies heavily on agriculture. But Moldova is also known for something else internationally – human trafficking.
According to the International
Organization for Migration (IOM), Moldova
is considered one of the primary countries of origin for human trafficking for
the rest of Europe. Additional reports revealed
that Moldovan children are being trafficked to Russia
for begging gangs and to Ukraine
for working on farms.
The promise of employment and money entices many young
women from rural areas to accept transportation to so-called jobs abroad. Once
there, however, their passports are confiscated, and they are forced into
prostitution.
Young Next Generation Christian leaders at Russian Ministries’ outreach centre in the capital city of Chisinau (Kishinev) tackle these thorny issues head-on.
* Schoolgirl sex attack man jailed *
A man caught on CCTV is sentenced after apparently taking pictures while he assaulted a young girl. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/tees/6551965.stm
* India 'to drop' menstrual forms *
The Indian civil service is dropping plans to make female employees give details of their menstrual cycles, a top official says. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/south_asia/6553567.stm
* Abuse of Indian children 'common' *
Two out of every three Indian children are physically abused, says a study commissioned by the government. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/south_asia/6539027.stm
* Mass protest over Argentina death *
Argentina is brought to a near standstill as people protest over the killing of a teacher last week. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/6539617.stm
* Review says no to UK Megan's Law *
A government review of the way child sex offenders are treated decides against a UK Megan's Law. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/uk_news/6540749.stm
* New trials for law on paedophiles *
North East Somerset is to be the first area in Britain to have a test run of Megan's Law. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/6538371.stm
* 'Woman' bomber hits Iraq police *
A suicide bomber reported to be female kills at least 14 in an attack on an Iraqi police station. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/middle_east/6540293.stm
NBC SUSPENDS TALK SHOW HOST DON IMUS FOR TWO WEEKS OVER RACIST REMARKS
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* Pregnant woman shot dead at flat *
Police find the body of a 22-year-old pregnant woman who had been shot at a flat in south-west London. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6533233.stm
* Woolmer e-mails 'remain private' *
Bob Woolmer's wife says personal e-mails sent by her husband in the time leading up to his murder should not be made public. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/pakistan/6532405.stm
Clinics Say Funds Strained by Deficit-Cutting Law By Nadia Berenstein - WeNews correspondent
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 is making it harder for some women to qualify for Medicaid, reproductive health clinics say. This in turn is squeezing Title X grants that ensure services each year for about 5 million women.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3123
NEWS FROM THE UN
STATES SHOULD PROMOTE JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR OLDER PEOPLE – UN COMMISSION New York, Apr 13 2007 4:00PM Governments should tackle the implications of the ageing of world population by increasing the self-reliance of older persons, including by promoting their continued participation in the workforce and their continuing education, the United Nations Commission on Population and Development stated today.
<"http://www.un.org/esa/population/cpd/cpd2007/comm2007.htm">Concluding its annual meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, the Commission also called on governments to invest in young people, to have in place policies ensuring adequate economic and social protection and to ensure the sustainability and solvency of pension schemes.
The Commission invited governments to set up mechanisms assisting individuals to accumulate assets through personal savings and investment, so as to cover consumption needs at older ages.
“There are real challenges posed by ageing populations,” World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en">WHO) expert Somnath Chatterji told the Commission, “including higher costs for social services, possible labour shortages and higher costs for pensions and health care.”
ENVIRONMENT
* Billions face climate change risk *
Billions of people face shortages of food, water and increased risk of flooding from climate change, experts warn. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/6532323.stm
HEALTH
* Sperm made from human bone marrow *
Scientists announce that they have made immature sperm cells from human bone marrow samples. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6547675.stm
* Bovine TB 'can spread in humans' *
Bovine TB can spread from human to human, scientists fear after a cluster of six cases in England. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6547973.stm
* Early success with new HIV drug *
Early trial results suggest drugs acting on a new HIV target are effective, say scientists. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6548303.stm
* Fury at Howard HIV entry ban call *
Aids charities react angrily to Australian Prime Minister John Howard's opposition to HIV-positive migrants. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6553623.stm
* Call for Brazil abortion debate *
The newly-appointed minister of health in Brazil calls for a wide-ranging debate on the issue of abortion. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/6539831.stm
* Fat 'counters vitamin C benefits' *
The presence of fat may override the beneficial anti-cancer effects of vitamin C in the stomach, research suggests. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6510479.stm
* Pain link to post-trauma stress *
People with post-traumatic stress disorder may be less sensitive to pain, research suggests. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6529667.stm
* Pakistan battles HIV/Aids taboo *
Only a fraction of the tens of thousands of Pakistanis with HIV are coming forward for help, officials say. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/south_asia/6539437.stm
* Woman loses final embryo appeal *
A woman left infertile after cancer therapy has lost her fight to use frozen embryos fertilised by an ex-partner. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6530295.stm
* Many dieters 'finish up heavier' *
Dieting is unlikely to lead to long-term weight loss and may put a person's health at risk, a study says. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6540493.stm
* How stress can strain the heart *
Brain centres responsible for emotion may play a key role in putting the heart under strain in times of stress. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6540449.stm
International Breast Cancer Advocacy Rises in Kosovo By Cyrille Cartier - WeNews correspondent
As Kosovo hotly debates its political future many women with breast cancer here say they are getting fed up. They want to draw more public attention to substandard treatments and facilities, widespread ignorance, corruption and cultural stigma.
Full Story: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3125
Chlamydia check benefits doubted *
The national screening programme for chlamydia is not backed by evidence it is beneficial, say researchers. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6527097.stm
* Hybrid embryo ban 'unnecessary' *
Research to create human-animal hybrid embryos should be regulated instead of banned in the UK, say MPs. Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/health/6524883.stm
OBITUARY
'SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE' AUTHOR KURT VONNEGUT DIES AT 84, WIFE SAYS
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