Mental Illness Leading Cause for Concern for Active-Duty Troops

‘The War on Terror’ is not being won or lost by bullets and manpower, but by the mental illness implications of a prolonged conflict. The Defence and Veterans Affairs departments in the US have spent over $2 billion since 2001 aimed to treat mental illness symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder it was revealed in a recent report. The situation isn’t exactly pretty with one army clinician highlighting what appears to be an epidemic of mental illness at work within the ranks. However even with that amount of money being spent on the drugs and the medical transport to distribute it, the leading cause of hospitalisation of troops is mental illness; tests, treatment and follow up observation is cutting a deep hole in the Defence department’s wallets.

Clinical Trials to Test Non-Skeletal Benefits of Vitamin D

One doesn’t need clinical trials to assume that our bodies definitely need vitamins however the how and why behind what vitamins do for us is something trials are definitely needed for. Now vitamin D is under the spotlight and about to enter clinical trial phases in an attempt to understand the one aspect we haven’t been able to gauge and that is non-skeletal benefits. Sure, we understand that vitamin D is a steroid hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the bloodstream while promoting healthy bone growth. There have been more than enough regulatory affairs to confirm this, but the challenge is to take the few observational studies that have shown the non-skeletal benefits of vitamin D and expand it into a documentable clinical trial; the very definition of defining medical science.

Rural South African Universities to get Broadband Internet

Some broadband internet news coming out of South Africa now; all universities and public research institutes are to be given access to broadband internet at a heightened speed. South Africa’s internet infrastructure, while being somewhat stable, has always been lagging behind international first world countries. The South African Department of Higher Education and Training has stated that the Department of Science and Technology is to invest R886 million (about $117 million) into linking local universities and public research organisations with a minimum internet bandwidth speed of 10mb/. This is big news since that speed is perhaps a premium that the average consumer in South Africa may not be able to afford.

India Embarks on Trade Agreements with Developing Nations to Diversify Export Market

India is busy considering the feasibility of free trade agreements between certain regional groups in developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America. According to New Delhi reports, the Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia stated on Tuesday that trade agreements with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which consists of nineteen African countries, will be explored. A joint working group has been tasked with examining the feasibility of a free trade agreement between India and COMESA.

Keeping Stratford’s Flame Burning Bright after the Olympics.

Hosting the Olympic games is a major undertaking, but we already knew that. An often-underestimated part of the contract is actually dealing with the Olympic aftermath. What to do with the giant water-polo section or the warm up tracks and security zones that make the Olympic park so disposable? What to do now that the city’s lost all of its silver, gold and bronze?

The first major phase of the Olympic Park reconstruction is set to happen one year after the 2012 London Olympic games takes place. Workers will have to get their combat trousers out to tackle such a major task. The plans for this transformation have just been released and the proposed completion will no doubt be a great addition to the area.

Commercial Shipping to be Introduced Pending South Africa Tax Reforms

South Africa is home to some of the busiest ports in the world. Despite infrastructural success however, these ports are devoid of local commercial ships. Pending South Africa tax reforms, officials have announced their intention to purchase merchant ships and gain an entry-way into commercial shipping and increased freight shipping. A multi-billion-dollar industry, the commercial shipping business will allow South Africa to further its maritime reach and gain control of how its goods reach the market.

The Tax Tonnage System is Long Overdue

In 2005 the South Africa tax tonnage bill was tabled at a time when there were no local ships registered under the SA flag. The model allows ships to pay a fixed rate based on the size of vessel and its working days. Long overdue, the planning and research of the bill has been finalised, and the regime will kick in 2013.

London And District Construction Association Rewards Construction Awards

The London and District Construction Association (LDCA) has recognised the leaders in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) construction industry in the region of London in an opening construction awards program. The news of these construction awards 2012 has spread through the British construction sector and it recognises the best in this sector.

Derek Smith is the association’s executive director and has said that these construction awards have been created to increase the recognition of its member companies and create further brand awareness of the LDCA as the fundamental voice for ICI construction in the key regions surrounding London. He also stated that the construction awards are aimed at recognising excellence in the industry and on a peer to peer platform. Awards of construction excellence were awarded in differing categories for specific projects and buildings where equipped workers in work trousers did exceptional work. Smith said that the construction awards were judged by evaluating customer and trade satisfaction, workmanship and complexity, the LDCA trade loyalty and qualification, project management and execution, and safety record. 22 submissions were received for the construction industry awards 2012.