A Secretary or a General? UN Seeks New Chief
While much of the world is watching the U.S. presidential race play out, another contest is taking shape that, while not as contentious, could have significant international implications. It is the election of the next U.N. secretary-general.
Eight governments have put forward candidates since the nomination process officially opened in December. For the first time, half of them are women.
In the past, secretaries general were chosen behind closed doors, but this year, in another first, the process will be open to public scrutiny.
This week, the candidates will be publicly questioned by member states about their qualifications for the top post and their vision for the organization, during two-hour "informal dialogues" in the U.N. General Assembly.
Starting Tuesday, each candidate will have 10 minutes to explain his or her vision for the 70-year-old institution and then take questions from member states. There also will be a chance for civil society groups to ask questions via short videos they have already submitted to the president of the General Assembly.
Traditionally, the role of world’s top diplomat is rotated regionally. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is from Asia; his predecessor, Kofi Annan, was from Africa.
Eastern Europe is hoping it will be its turn this year and has so far nominated six candidates - from Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Slovenia.
“There is nothing in writing, there is nothing set in stone that says the candidate and next secretary-general has to come from any specific region,” cautioned Dan Thomas, spokesman for the president of the General Assembly.
With the world facing serious challenges -- including the largest displacement of civilians since World War II, the growing threat of global terrorism and effects of climate change – many diplomats say the organization needs a strong leader at the helm.
Source-Voice of America
US Presidential Race Down to Battle for Delegates
The U.S. contests for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations have turned into contentious fights for delegates to the parties' national conventions, where the candidates for November's national election will be picked.
Billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump is the Republican front-runner, but he complained Monday that party officials have created a "crooked, crooked system" to keep him from winning a first-ballot victory at the party's July convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
While Trump has won the most state-by-state nominating contests, he is well short of a majority of convention delegates needed to claim the nomination.
"The system, folks, is rigged," Trump told a rally in New York, where both parties are holding primary elections April 19. "It's a rigged, disgusting, dirty system."
U.S. political analysts are widely suggesting that if Trump does not win a first-ballot victory at the national convention, he will not win the nomination at all, with many of his delegates abandoning him in subsequent ballots, possibly handing the nomination to Cruz, a conservative firebrand in the halls of Congress in Washington.
Some Republican delegates say they are concerned that numerous national polls in the U.S. show both Trump and Cruz losing the November election to the leading Democratic contender, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, although Cruz fares better against her.
Delegates pledged to Trump based on the voting in the state contests are generally committed to vote for him on the first convention ballot, but can change their mind and vote for another candidate on the second and later ballots until someone reaches the 1,237 figure.
Some Republican figures say they want their national convention to nominate someone other than the three remaining candidates.
One possible alternative choice, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, called a news conference for later in the day to rule himself out. Ryan was the party's losing vice presidential candidate in 2012.
Clinton, the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013, has a wide convention delegate lead over her sole challenger, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, but also has yet to reach a majority.
She has 1,786 convention delegates of the 2,383 she needs to claim the nomination, compared to 1,107 for Sanders. But Sanders, who waged a tough campaign against Clinton's connections to Wall Street financiers, has won seven of the last eight state contests, giving him some momentum heading into the New York contest.
Source-Voice of America
Advanced MRI May Reveal More NFL Head Injuries than Previously Thought
An advanced MRI screening found brain damage in more retired NFL players than did normal MRI scans, according to a presentation Monday.
For the study, 40 retired NFL players went through advanced neuro-imaging with a special type of MRI called a diffusion tensor MRI (DTI), which looks for damage in the neural pathways of the brain rather than examining just the structure of the brain itself. Players also underwent neuro-psychological testing to measure their attention and concentration, researchers said.
The findings from the small study were presented Monday at the annual meeting for the American Academy of Neurology, but they have not yet been published, and ABC News was provided only with an abstract rather than a full study. The lead author of the study, Dr. Francis Conidi, is with the Florida Center for Headache and Sport Neurology.
The retired players ranged between 27 to 56 years old, and played for an average of seven years. On average, the players had 8.1 concussions during their careers and 12 players reported multiple sub-concussive hits, which were not diagnosed as full concussions.
By examining how players' brains appeared under the specialized MRI, the researchers found evidence that more of them had suffered severe head injuries than previously believed. While the conventional MRI detected evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in just 30 percent of the players, the advanced MRI showed evidence of TBI in approximately 42 percent of players.
The study also showed that the longer a player’s career, the higher the likelihood that the DTI revealed brain damage.
“This technology has been around for quite some time, about fifteen years,” said Lenox Hill Hospital neurologist Dr. Gayatri Devi of the DTI, noting that it looks at "connections between neurons, and is more precise in terms of looking for disruptions in those connections.”
While it is notable that this DTI method detected injuries in more retired players, Devi advised approaching these findings with caution.
For one thing, the study was performed in a very small number of players, meaning more research will be needed to make broader conclusions, said Devi, who was not involved in the study presented Monday.
Source-ABC
Murray gets to the 3rd round
Andy Murray reached the Monte Carlo Masters third round with a 6-2 4-6 6-3 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
After comfortably winning the first set against the French qualifier, Murray made some unforced errors in the second before breaking early in the third.
The British number one faces Frenchman Benoit Paire or Portugal's Joao Sousa next as he begins his claycourt campaign before May's French Open.
British number two Aljaz Bedene plays Rafael Nadal in his second-round match.
Murray, 28, is also competing in the men's doubles, where he and partner Dom Inglot progressed to the second round by beating Pablo Cuevas and Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-4 on Monday.
Source-BBC
Kobe Bryant & Golden State Warriors ticket prices soar
Basketball fans are paying up to $27,500 (£19,315) to see Kobe Bryant's final game for the LA Lakers.
Bryant, 37, the third-highest scorer in NBA history, will bring his 20-year career to an end when the Lakers face Utah Jazz in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
At the same time, defending champions Golden State Warriors will be going for a record 73 wins when they host Memphis Grizzlies in Oakland, California.
Resale tickets for that game are going for up to $15,900 (£11,155).
The Warriors are looking to break a record set by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995-96.
The game is a 19,595 capacity sell-out with tickets only available via the resale market. Tickets via official channels start at $336 (£236) and rise to £15,900 for courtside seats on resale websites such as Stubhub.
Only resale tickets can be bought for the Lakers' game at the 18,118-capacity Staples Center too, with prices fetching between $700 (£491) and $27,500 for the chance to see 18-time all-star and five-time championship winner Bryant for a final time.
The Lakers have issued a fraud alert to fans warning them to only buy from their official ticket exchange, where fans can resell tickets securely. However, buyers using the official exchange can still expect to pay up to $10,000 (£7,000) to see the game.
Source-ABC
Diabetic foot care
Hello listeners. Welcome to another addition of Lifeline RX. I’m Aldora Robinson and your health tip for the day is on Diabetic foot care in recognition of World Health day which was observed on the 7th of April under the theme Beat Diabetes.
Do you want to lower your chances of getting foot problems that can lead to the loss of a toe, foot, or leg? These tips tells you how. It's all about taking care of your feet. Even if you have had diabetes for a long time using these tips will help you to make your own plan for taking care of your feet.
Why is foot care important?
Over time, diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. When you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble inside your sock or a blister on your foot, which can lead to cuts and sores. Diabetes also can lower the amount of blood flow in your feet. Numbness and less blood flow in the feet can lead to foot problems.
Foot care is very important for all people with diabetes, but even more so if you have:
Pain or loss of feeling in your feet (numbness, tingling)
Changes in the shape of your feet or toes
Sores, cuts, or ulcers on your feet that do not heal
If you take care of your feet every day, you can lower your chances of losing a toe, foot, or leg. Managing your blood sugar can also help keep your feet healthy.
Work with your health care team to make a diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle and includes foot care. The team may include your doctor, a nutritionist, a nurse, and other specialists who can help you manage your diabetes
Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. You may have foot problems, but feel no pain in your feet.
Check your feet each evening when you take off your shoes.
If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a mirror to help. You can also ask a family member or caregiver to help you. Here are a few more tips!
• Rub a thin coat of lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet.
• Do not put lotion or cream between your toes because this might cause an infection due to excessive moisture
• Thick patches of skin called corns or calluses can grow on the feet. If you have corns or calluses, check with your doctor about the best way to care for them.
• If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin.
• Do not cut corns and calluses.
• Do not use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn and callus removers - they can damage your skin and cause an infection
• Trim your toenails with nail clippers after you wash and dry your feet.
• Trim your toenails straight across and smooth the corners with an emery board or nail file. This prevents the nails from growing into the skin. Do not cut into the corners of the toenail
• Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot when indoors or outside. It is easy to step on something and hurt your feet. You may not feel any pain and not know that you hurt yourself.
• Make sure you wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores.
• Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks that have no seams are best.
• Check inside your shoes before you put them on. Make sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in your shoes.
• Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
• Put your feet up when you are sitting.
• Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to help blood flow in your feet and legs.
• Do not cross your legs for long periods of time.
• Do not wear tight socks, elastic, or rubber bands around your legs.
• Do not smoke. Smoking can lower the amount of blood flow to your feet
For more information, listen to Lifeline RX on Monday's at 9:30am or visit this website for tips.
5 Ways to Understand the levels of Autism
Your health tip for the day 4th April is on Autism in recognition of World Autism day which was observed on the 2nd of April. Having a disability or special need like Autism is a human experience that contributes to human diversity. As such, the `United Nations has emphasized the need to mainstream disabilities in an Organization’s development agenda. Mainstreaming disabilities require an integral approach in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres, so that inequality is not perpetuated.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, developmental disabilities or delays are impacting families and communities.
Developmental delay refers to when a child does not achieve developmental milestones within the normal age range.
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Developmental disabilities can come from
• a genetic defect, such as Down syndrome or
• fetal alcohol syndrome, caused by a mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
They can also come from:
• fragile X syndrome, an inherited type of cognitive impairment;
• severe medical problems developing soon after birth, often associated with prematurity; and
• often times, no cause can be found
Autism is one of the most prevalent developmental disabilities in the TCI and Did you know that worldwide…
• Autism affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing, and
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
Autism is a group of complex disorders of brain development, characterized in varying levels.
One of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to learn the early signs of autism and become familiar with the typical developmental milestones that your child should be reaching.
The following "red flags" may indicate that your child is at risk for autism. If your child exhibits any of the following, please don’t delay in asking your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation:
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
• No babbling by 12 months
• No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
• No words by 16 months
• No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Children develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn a given skill. However, the developmental milestones give a general idea of the changes to expect as a child gets older.
As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor or health care provider and share your concerns. Don’t wait
How Is Autism Treated?
Every child or adult with autism is unique in their way. When developing an intervention plan, it must be tailored to address that child’s specific needs.
Research has shown that there is no medical detection or cure for autism.
Intervention can involve behavioral treatments, medicines or both. Many persons with autism have additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures and gastrointestinal distress. Addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning and related behaviors.
Early intensive behavioral intervention involves a child's entire family, working closely with a team of professionals.
For more information on Autism, visit RTC at www.rtc107fm.com and click on the health matters webpage. You can also listen to this other episodes. Join us next week for another addition of Lifeline RX.
The following website can be useful in obtaining information on Autism:
www.Autismspeaks.org
www.livestrong.com
www.autism-resources.
www.teaches.com
5 Ways to Understand the Different Levels of Autism
Hello listeners. Welcome to another addition of Lifeline RX. I’m Aldora Robinson and your health tip for the day is on Autism in recognition of World Autism day which was observed on the 2nd of April. Having a disability or special need like Autism is a human experience that contributes to human diversity. As such, the `United Nations has emphasized the need to mainstream disabilities in an Organization’s development agenda. Mainstreaming disabilities require an integral approach in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres, so that inequality is not perpetuated.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, developmental disabilities or delays are impacting families and communities.
Developmental delay refers to when a child does not achieve developmental milestones within the normal age range.
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Developmental disabilities can come from
• a genetic defect, such as Down syndrome or
• fetal alcohol syndrome, caused by a mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
They can also come from:
• fragile X syndrome, an inherited type of cognitive impairment;
• severe medical problems developing soon after birth, often associated with prematurity; and
• often times, no cause can be found
Autism is one of the most prevalent developmental disabilities in the TCI and Did you know that worldwide…
• Autism affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing, and
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
Autism is a group of complex disorders of brain development, characterized in varying levels.
One of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to learn the early signs of autism and become familiar with the typical developmental milestones that your child should be reaching.
The following "red flags" may indicate that your child is at risk for autism. If your child exhibits any of the following, please don’t delay in asking your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation:
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
• No babbling by 12 months
• No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
• No words by 16 months
• No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Children develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn a given skill. However, the developmental milestones give a general idea of the changes to expect as a child gets older.
As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor or health care provider and share your concerns. Don’t wait!
How Is Autism Treated?
Every child or adult with autism is unique in their way. When developing an intervention plan, it must be tailored to address that child’s specific needs.
Research has shown that there is no medical detection or cure for autism.
Intervention can involve behavioral treatments, medicines or both. Many persons with autism have additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures and gastrointestinal distress. Addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning and related behaviors.
Early intensive behavioral intervention involves a child's entire family, working closely with a team of professionals.
For more information on Autism, visit RTC at www.rtc107fm.com and click on the health matters webpage. You can also listen to this other episodes. Join us next week for another addition of Lifeline RX.
The following website can be useful in obtaining information on Autism:
www.Autismspeaks.org
www.livestrong.com
www.autism-resources.
www.teaches.com
Angola to Open Loan Talks With IMF
Angola will begin loan negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on a three-year loan facility next week as lower oil prices hammer the finances of Africa's second-largest crude exporter, the Finance Ministry and the IMF said on Wednesday.
Angola's economy has grown rapidly since a 27-year civil war ended in 2002, peaking at 12 percent three years ago, but a sharp drop in oil prices has sapped dollar inflows, dented the kwanza and prompted heavy government borrowing.
Oil output represents 40 percent of gross domestic product and more than 95 percent of foreign exchange revenue. Brent crude traded below $39 a barrel on Wednesday, down more than 30 percent compared with a year ago.
"The government of Angola is aware that the high dependence of the oil sector represents vulnerability for the public finances and the economy in an extensive way," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
"The government requested the support of the IMF for a supplementary program ... taking account of the decline in the price of petroleum."
Finance Minister Armando Manuel told Reuters in March Angola had no plans to approach the IMF for loans.
In Washington, IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu said discussions would start with Angolan authorities next week during the Fund's spring meetings on a three-year Extended Fund Facility. The talks will move to Angola shortly thereafter.
In a statement, Zhu said low oil prices have challenged oil-exporting countries, especially those that have not yet diversified their economies.
"The IMF stands ready to help Angola address the economic challenges it is currently facing by supporting a comprehensive policy package to accelerate the diversification of the economy, while safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability," Zhu said.
The IMF's Extended Fund Facility program is designed for countries with balance of payments issues and slow growth or structural impediments. Under normal access, it allows a member country to borrow up to 145 percent of its quota share in the Fund annually.
For Angola, that could mean about $1.5 billion a year, based on its share and current exchange rates, with a cumulative total capped at just over $4.5 billion, net of repayments.
Angola will work with the IMF to design reforms aimed at improving fiscal discipline, simplifying the tax system and increasing public finance transparency and the banking sector, as part of loan talks, the Finance Ministry statement said.
Source-VOA
Janet Jackson Postpones Tour
Janet Jackson’s taking a break from her Unbreakable tour to start a family.
The singer reveled the news Wednesday morning in a video posted to her Twitter. “My husband and I are planning our family, so I’m gonna have to delay the tour,” Janet says, in part. “Please, if you can try and understand that it’s important that I do this now. I have to rest up -- doctor’s orders.”
Jackson, who’s 49, has been married to 41-year-old businessman Wissam Saleh Al Mana since 2012.
Other than the big news, the video announcement -- which runs just under two minutes -- is mostly Janet thanking her staff, concert promoter Live Nation, and her fans for their understanding, and promising to “continue the tour as soon as I possibly can.”
Janet doesn’t provide details about how she and her husband intend to start their family, although since she’s stepping off the road and says it’s “doctor’s orders,” it’s logical to speculate she may be attempting a natural birth -- or indeed, may even be pregnant now. Hopefully, Janet will provide more details soon. She has no children at present.
Jackson’s Unbreakable world tour began August 31 and was scheduled to kick off its second leg May 14 in Las Vegas.
Source-ABC