Daily Excelsior... World

US Internet portal
Yahoo sees year-end
profits surge 34 pc

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 18: US Internet portal Yahoo has said that its fourth-quarter gross profit rose 34 per cent from the prior year to 928 million USD...... ....more

Bolivia's army chief fired over decision to destroy missiles

BOLIVIA, Jan 18: Outgoing President Eduardo Rodriguez has fired Bolivia's army chief over his decision to destroy 28 Chinese shoulder-launched ............more

N Korean leader returns home on train: Yonhap

SEOUL, Jan 18: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is believed to have crossed the border into North Korea from China today.........more

Fat-free body
mass tied to
emphysema outlook

NEW YORK, Jan 18: Among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), usually emphysema, a low fat-free body mass index appears to be associated with greater mortality, Danish and UK .............more

China leads Asia in
productivity growth: Report

New York, Jan 18: China leads Asian productivity with an average rate of 8.7 per cent since 2000, more than double than that of India at 4.1 per cent, a . ........more

Beijing deploys
"energy police" to
promote conservation

BEIJING, Jan 18: "Energy police" will patrol shopping malls and office buildings in the Chinese capital to check electricty wastage.. ........more

Corporates face ethical questions on Tamiflu: Report

New York, Jan 18: Corporates across the world are gearing up to cope with the ethical issues arising out of any possible bird flu pandemic...........more

Melkert appointed
Associate Administrator
of UNDP

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 18: Ad Melkert of the Netherlands has been appointed Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Progamme, the world body has announced...............more

Shanghai to bar heavily polluting vehicles from downtown ..........

Desmopressin improves nighttime urination in men ........

Chronic illness common among veterans ..........

Poor diabetes control may be better for some .........

US Internet portal Yahoo sees year-end profits surge 34 pc

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 18: US Internet portal Yahoo has said that its fourth-quarter gross profit rose 34 per cent from the prior year to 928 million USD.

Yahoo's operating income for 2005 was up 61 per cent from the previous year to 1.108 billion USD. Gross profit for 2005 rose 42 per cent to 3.225 billion USD, it said yesterday.

Revenues for 2005 totalled 5.258 billion USD, a 47 per cent increase over the previous year. Net income for 2005 more than doubled from the prior year to 1.896 billion USD, or 1.28 USD per share.

Adjusted net income for the final quarter of 2005 was 247 million USD, rising to 16 cents per undiluted share as compared to 13 cents during that quarter in 2004, the company reported.

Analyst expectations had pegged per-share earnings at 17 cents for the quarter. Yahoo is based in the city of Sunnyvale in Silicon Valley.

International revenues for Yahoo rose 73 per cent to 1.59 billion USD while US revenues climbed 38 per cent to 3.668 billion USD for 2005.

"We continued to execute on our plan during both the fourth quarter and the full year 2005," Yahoo chief financial officer Susan Decker said in a written release.

"Delivering very strong revenue growth, profitability and returns on our significant free cash flow while also investing in our business to position the company for future growth."

In 2006, Yahoo will focus on enhancing advertising products and "seeking to generate maximum value" for its network, according to Decker. (AFP)

Bolivia's army chief fired over decision to destroy missiles

BOLIVIA, Jan 18: Outgoing President Eduardo Rodriguez has fired Bolivia's army chief over his decision to destroy 28 Chinese shoulder-launched missiles in the United States.

Gen. Marcelo Antezana later appeared on Bolivian television yesterday to say Rodriguez had made a "bad interpretation" of his role in the October destruction of the missiles, which led to charges of treason by then presidential candidate Evo Morales.

Morales - who later won elections in December - revealed the destruction of the missiles by the United States and said it had left Bolivia with almost no air defence.

Rodriguez said he made the decision to send the missiles to the United States to be destroyed on the recommendation of the United Nations and the Organisation of American States after receiving information from the army that the missiles were obsolete and a safety hazard.

Morales' Movement Toward Socialism Party filed a suit against Rodriguez in October, with some members claiming the missiles were in working condition. Party members have distanced themselves from the suit in recent weeks after Rodriguez said he didn't know the details of the operation.

The United States has been campaigning to rid Latin America of portable arms that could fall into the hands of terrorists. A State Department spokesman earlier said Bolivia requested US help in removing the deteriorating Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles. (AP)

N Korean leader returns home on train: Yonhap

SEOUL, Jan 18: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is believed to have crossed the border into North Korea from China today ending a rare international trip conducted under a heavy veil of secrecy, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.

Yonhap said a special train was seen crossing into the North Korean border city of Sinuiju today morning.

News reports of sightings and unusual activity have indicated that the North Korean leader has been on an extensive eight-day tour through China, Pyongyang's last major ally and key economic partner.

Many of the reports -- including some carried in newspapers controlled by Beijing -- say Kim toured trade and commerce facilities in China's southern Guangdong province, looking for lessons and maybe business deals.

Yonhap had reported Kim appeared to have left for North Korea yesterday after meeting leaders in Beijing to discuss stalled six-party talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. (AGENCIES)

Fat-free body mass tied to emphysema outlook

There is a clear association between decreasing body mass index (BMI) and mortality both in the general population and in those with COPD, Dr Jorgen Vestbo of Hvidovre Hospital and colleagues note. They say that, in general, the harmful effect of a low BMI is due to the low fat-free component of body mass.

The researchers point out that fat mass is a ''metabolic inactive energy source,'' but fat-free mass ''contains the metabolic active organs, skeletal muscle being the largest of these organs.''

As they put it, ''It seems biologically reasonable to assume that loss of or a low fat-free mass is unfavorable.''

To determine the association between fat-free body mass index distribution and COPD prognosis, the researchers used data from almost 1900 COPD patients who were followed for an average of 7 years.

In those with a normal BMI, 26 per cent had a fat-free body mass index lower than that in the lowest 10 per cent of the general population, the researchers report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

BMI and fat-free body mass index were associated with the likelihood of dying during the study period. The mortality rate was 57 per cent among those with a fat-free body mass index below the 10th percentile, compared with 32 per cent for those with a higher fat-free body mass index.

In light of these findings, the researchers conclude that ''assessment of fat-free body mass provides important information in COPD and should be considered in the routine evaluation of patients with this condition.'' (AGENCIES)

China leads Asia in productivity growth: Report

New York, Jan 18: China leads Asian productivity with an average rate of 8.7 per cent since 2000, more than double than that of India at 4.1 per cent, a report by a global business research firm has said.

The report by 'Conference Board', which provides comprehensive worldwide measures of labour productivity, said India's rate stood at 4.4 per cent in 2004.

But it clarified that the figures for India should be seen in the perspective of faster employment growth at about 2 per cent during recent years, which was double the growth of labour input in China.

"China experienced a similar phase of moderate productivity growth during the late 1980s and early 1990s," the report said.

Referring to current Chinese productivity growth, it said, "This significant acceleration in productivity growth is striking as average productivity growth in China was just 3.1 per cent from 1995-2000."

This suggests that the dramatic changes in reform policies and the increase in openness prior to China's ascension to the World Trade Organisation showed their major impact during the most recent years, it added.

The report said that the times of high US labour productivity growth rates were over, at least for now, though adding it was still healthy compared to many other developed nations, standing at 1.8 per cent in 2005.

Labour productivity measures the amount of output obtained for each hour of work and determines a nation's living standards measured by per capita income.

"The US performance is still good compared to Europe," said Bart van Ark, Director of organisation's international economic research programme and co-author of the report with economists Catherine Guillemineau and Robert McGuckin.

"What is striking in these new numbers is the sustained productivity acceleration in the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. In fact, economies such as China and Poland are accelerating to around 8 per cent."

Most countries in the developed world (North America, Europe and developed Asia) experienced a slowdown in productivity growth rates in 2005, with growth rates in the 1.5 to 2 per cent range.

Compared to the US, productivity was about the same in Japan (1.9 per cent), but much worse for the average of the EU-15 (0.5 per cent).

Countries at the higher end of the global productivity spectrum, the report said, were mainly emerging markets, including Eastern and Central European economies.

While Mexico's productivity growth rate was relatively low at less than one per cent per year both in 2004 and 2005, Korea (2.6 per cent) and Turkey (3.7 per cent) remained at the higher end of OECD countries.

Ireland, which topped the EU-15 league from 1995 to 2003, also saw a slowdown to less than 1.5 per cent since 2004.

However, the new European member states raised the European Union average. Most of the EU-10 showed a spectacular acceleration in labour productivity growth in 2005. On an average, the 10 new member states of the EU increased the labour productivity growth rate from 4.1 per cent in 2004 to 6.3 per cent in 2005. (PTI)

Beijing deploys "energy police" to promote conservation

BEIJING, Jan 18: "Energy police" will patrol shopping malls and office buildings in the Chinese capital to check electricty wastage.

Complexes with indoor temperatures set too high in winter or buildings having lights on in the daytime will be fined, Zhang Mao, vice-mayor of Beijing, said.

Zhang said the municipal government would soon recruit more than 20 dedicated workers to supervise energy efficiency in the city. Supporting regulations will also be made to facilitate the law enforcement, 'China Daily' reported.

"We have been advocating energy saving for years but it has remained only a slogan because of a lack of a supervising system," he said at a session of the Beijing municipal people's congress, the local legislature.

Last summer, city leaders advised large buildings to keep air-conditioning temperatures above 26 C to save electricity.

Beijing has set "building a resources-saving society" as a major goal in its draft of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10).

The sprawling city plans to reduce the energy and water consumption per 10,000 yuan (1,233 US dollars) GDP by 15 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, by 2010 compared with 2005.

Beijing currently consumes 0.81 standard tonnes of coal and 51 cubic metres of water per 10,000 yuan GDP, already much lower than the national average level, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform. (PTI)

Corporates face ethical questions on Tamiflu: Report

New York, Jan 18: Corporates across the world are gearing up to cope with the ethical issues arising out of any possible bird flu pandemic.

Swiss pharma major Roche Holding AG, manufacturer of the antiviral Tamiflu which is the only available medicine in the market to combat the cases of the flu in humans, agreed last year to license the drug's manufacture to various partners, and it has of late been raising production.

But with Tamiflu still in short supply, managers who set aside some stock last year are struggling with how to distribute it equitably in the event of a pandemic.

Companies which didn't stockpile it are faced with the question of whether they even want it or can afford to go without it.

Procter and Gamble asked its company doctors last year whether it should try to secure a private stash of Tamiflu for its staff of 25,000 in Asia. However, the physicians are still debating the question.

''How ethical would it be if we were holding supplies that the general public didn't have access to but badly needed?...People could come to know you have a life-saving medicine and you could make yourself a target,'' P and G Medical leader for South Asia Shivanand Priolkar asked in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

A company's obligations to its employees and shareholders, and its responsibility to the community are separate issues, he said. ''We always believe we support the communities in which we operate,'' Mr Priolkar said, adding stockpiling Tamiflu would take supplies out of the market.

So P&G is considering maintaining stocks of the drug only in more remote locations, like Vietnam, where its employees don't have easy access to high-quality health care. Even then, Mr Priolkar said, the company felt that ''if there's a shortage in the community and we have a stockpile, P&G should share any Tamiflu it acquires with the community. The thinking is that we should indeed give it.''

''We couldn't just hoard it,'' he added.

Avian flu, which has decimated flocks around the world, has killed at least 80 people so far -- most of them in Asia. It has yet to change to a form that is readily transmitted among humans. If it does, the virus could kill millions.

According to news reports, China announced its eighth human avian flu case last week and in Turkey, the disease has killed three and infected about 20 people.

Corporate decisions on Tamiflu are often made at the global level. The most urgent questions currently have arisen in Asia, but if it is converted into a human pandemic, a manager in Boise, Idaho, may have as big a problem as his or her counterpart in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

P&G has a four-doctor bird-flu committee, drawn from its dozen doctors on staff worldwide. The panel includes one doctor based in Europe, one in America and two in Asia, including Mr Priolkar who says decisions by the team apply throughout the company.

''If you're going to deal with a pandemic, it has to be dealt with on a global basis,'' he said. (UNI)

Melkert appointed Associate Administrator of UNDP

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 18: Ad Melkert of the Netherlands has been appointed Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Progamme, the world body has announced.

Melkert, who will begin work on March 1 next, has represented the Dutch constituency as an Executive Director of the World Bank.

Previously, Melkert was active in the international and European youth movements and worked for Novib, a Dutch non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on development issues.

He served as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, and in Parliament was a member of the Standing Committees for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation.

As Associate Administrator, Melkert will oversee the UNDP's programme operations, as well as take on other responsibilities in the organization.

UNDP focuses on helping developing countries build capacity in the areas of democratic governance, conflict prevention and recovery, poverty reduction, energy and environment, and HIV/AIDS. (PTI)

Shanghai to bar heavily polluting vehicles from downtown

BEIJING, Jan 18: Shanghai, China's largest city, has barred heavily polluting motor vehicles from entering downtown area during peak hours.

The Shanghai traffic authority has announced that it will issue certificates to owners of vehicles which meet the Euro I emission standard from January 20 to February 14.

Beginning on February 15, buses, cars and lorries without the special certificate will be forbidden to enter the city's inner ring elevated roads from 0700 hrs to 2000 hrs.

Any driver in the restricted area who fails to show a vehicle emission certificate will be fined 200 yuan (25 U.S. Dollars).

Environmental experts expect the latest move will affect about 350,000 motor vehicles, around one-third of Shanghai's approximate 950,000 cars, buses and trucks.

From October one, all motor vehicles that emit pollutants exceeding the Euro I standard will be prohibited access to all the inner-ring roads between 0700 hrs and 2000 hrs, 'China Daily' reported.

Vehicles coming from other towns, which will stay in Shanghai for more than a week, are also required to apply for the certificate at one of the 16 road-toll service agents.

Shanghai will adopt the stricter Euro III standard on vehicle emission in the city next year and probably adhere to the Euro IV standard in 2009, vice-director of Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau, Sun Jian said.

Air pollution caused by vehicle exhausts has become an increasing problem in Shanghai as car sales have grown steeply in recent years.

It is estimated that at least 6,000 vehicles are sold in the eastern metropolis every month. (PTI)

Desmopressin improves nighttime urination in men

NEW YORK, Jan 18: Desmopressin safely relieves frequent nighttime urination or ''nocturia'' in elderly men who've tried other medications to control their problem, which is related to obstruction by the prostate gland, researchers in Taiwan report.

''We need to recognize this drug's safety and correct application,'' Dr Chih-Shou Chen from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chia-Yi, told Reuters.

Chen and colleagues investigated the response of nighttime voiding to desmopressin and other drugs called alpha-blockers in 28 men with nocturia due to prostate gland obstruction.

Twenty-four men experienced improvements in nocturia while taking desmopressin, the authors report. The average number of voids at night declined from 6.1 to 3.5. Desmopressin seemed to be more effective in men with more severe nocturia.

Improvements in nocturia did not appear related to the dose of desmopressin used, the researchers note, as similar effects were seen with doses of 0.1 milligram and with higher doses. Treatment with desmopressin was also well tolerated, according to the report in BJU International.

Desmopressin is effective ''in patients with nocturia and decreased nocturnal functional bladder capacity but who do not have nocturnal polyuria,'' a condition in which large urine voids occur, the authors conclude.

''Vasopressin may result in water retention in certain cases, especially for those patients who receive long-term treatment,'' Chen added. ''Therefore, desmopressin at bedtime combined with certain diuretics in the morning may be helpful for them. Our study of this approach will be completed in the near future.'' (AGENCIES)

Chronic illness common among veterans

NEW YORK, Jan 18: Chronic illness characterised by a complex of multiple symptoms is more common in deployed Gulf War I (1991) veterans than in nondeployed veterans, according to a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

''Veterans with multiple complaints may have chronic multisymptom illness,'' Dr Melvin S Blanchard from St Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St Louis, told Reuters Health. ''It is important to seek co-morbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, and treat them.''

Dr Blanchard and colleagues investigated the prevalence of chronic multisymptom illness and related factors in 2189 veterans who participated in the examination phase of the National Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and Their Families 10 years after the 1991 Gulf War.

The researchers defined chronic multisymptom illness as the presence, for 6 months or longer, of one or more symptoms from at least two of the following clusters: general fatigue, mood and cognitive abnormalities, and musculoskeletal pain.

Nearly 29 per cent of deployed veterans and 16 per cent of nondeployed veterans experienced chronic multisymptom illness, the investigators report. Seven per cent of deployed veterans and 1.6 per cent of nondeployed veterans had severe symptoms.

Among deployed veterans, higher levels of combat exposure were associated with chronic multisymptom illness, the results indicate.

Both groups of veterans with chronic multisymptom illness had significantly more clinic visits, and more prescription medication use than did veterans without chronic multisymptom illness, the researchers note.

Chronic multisymptom illness was significantly associated with fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, dyspepsia, and metabolic syndrome, the report indicates.

After adjustment for other risk factors, prewar anxiety disorders and depression were strongly associated with chronic multisymptom illness, regardless of deployment status.

Stress management programmes and improvements in lifestyle, such as increased exercise and diet education, may help minimize symptoms, Blanchard added. Also, identifying and treating co-existing psychiatric illnesses ''is extremely important.'' (AGENCIES)

Poor diabetes control may be better for some

NEW YORK, Jan 18: People with diabetes are always exhorted to keep their blood sugar levels under control, but in some cases the advice might not be appropriate.

Contrary to what has been shown in otherwise healthy diabetics, elevated hemoglobin A1c levels -- an indicator of poor glucose control -- are associated with improved survival among diabetics with advanced heart failure, new research shows.

''The presumption was that better glycemic control would be associated with better outcomes'' senior author Dr Gregg C Fonarow, from the University of California at Los Angeles, told Reuters.

''Yet, in previous studies, a number of factors normally tied to adverse outcomes, such as high cholesterol levels, have been linked to improved outcomes in patients with heart failure.'' So, it was unclear what to expect with elevated hemoglobin A1c levels, he added.

In the study, reported in the American Heart Journal, the outcomes of 49 diabetics with A1c levels no greater than 7 were compared with those of 74 patients with higher levels. All of the patients had advanced heart failure.

''The American Diabetes Association recommends a target hemoglobin A1c of 7.0 or lower, which is why we used this'' cutoff, Fonarow explained.

The researchers found that poor glucose control was associated with an all-cause mortality of 20 per cent during 2 years of follow-up, significantly lower than the 35 per cent rate seen in patients with recommended levels of blood sugar control.

''This study alone should not change the diabetes management of patients with heart failure, but hopefully it will spur further research in this patient population,'' Fonarow said. (AGENCIES)