'Oz'
Kills Malaria Parasite
Here's good news in the fight against malaria, a disease
that puts 40 percent of the world's population at risk
and kills up to 3000 children each day. Australian scientists
have developed a drug which can kill the malaria parasite.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/stories/s1258926.htm
Malaria
Hope
Another
approach to the scourge that is Malaria comes from Australian
and Indonesian researchers who are conducting trials of
a "natural" medicine that could help malaria
victims recover faster from the deadly disease.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/stories/s1258932.htm
Drinking
and driving a priority social issue but millions still
do it, poll finds Impaired driving by teens a serious
problem but relatively few do it
OTTAWA, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - The majority of Canadian drivers
believe that drinking and driving is a priority social
issue and the most serious road safety issue they face,
yet nearly one in five (18%) admit to driving after drinking
in the previous month, according to the findings of the
Road Safety Monitor (RSM) released today by the Traffic
Injury Research Foundation (TIRF).
In a national survey of more than 1,200 drivers, TIRF
found that drinking and driving is perceived as a leading
social issue by the vast majority (81%) of Canadians,
who expressed greater concern over this problem than issues
such as the state of the health care system, airline safety
or the threat of terrorism. Nonetheless, the survey estimates
that 3.9 million Canadians
continue to drive after drinking.
The survey also found that the public is deeply concerned
about teenagers drinking and driving, even though young
drivers are less likely than older drivers to engage in
this behaviour. The survey showed that while fewer than
12 per cent of teenage drivers report having driven within
two hours of consuming alcohol in the previous month,
more than twice as many (27.8 per cent) drivers in the
25-34 age category report having done so.
"Statistics show that alcohol is involved in crashes
involving teens much less often than in collisions involving
older drivers," says Dr. Doug Beirness, Vice President
of Research, TIRF. "Consistent with this, teenage
drivers account for only five per cent of all impaired
driving trips, less than any age group."
Dr. Beirness says that, although alcohol remains a leading
contributor to road crashes involving young drivers, progress
is being made through programs and policies aimed at reducing
impaired driving.
"This survey makes an important contribution to meaningful
public policy," says Stephen Beatty, Managing Director
of Toyota Canada Inc.
"Toyota is strongly committed to driver and road
safety, and is proud to partner with TIRF to increase
public understanding on these important social issues
and to contribute to greater safety on our roads."
Toyota is a platinum supporter of TIRF and one of the
primary sponsors
of this research. Other primary sponsors of the RSM include
Transport Canada, the Brewers of Canada and The Railway
Association of Canada. Additional support comes from the
Canada Safety Council.
Other findings
Only one-third of respondents were aware that most provinces
and territories enforce a lower BAC limit than the 80mg/dl
limit in the Criminal Code. "Clearly, if these types
of laws are to have an impact on drinking and driving,
more drivers need to be aware of them," notes Beirness.
When asked about countermeasures to reduce impaired driving,
the vast majority (84%) support restricting convicted
offenders to a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC),
followed closely by physical coordination tests for drivers
suspected of being impaired (83%). Alcohol ignition interlocks
for convicted drivers, mandatory blood or breath tests
for drivers involved in
collisions, and immediate impoundment of drinking drivers'
vehicles were supported by more than 75% of respondents.
Police spot checks, a familiar sight on the roads during
the holiday season, received the lowest level of support
at 66%. This suggests that Canadian drivers express greater
support for countermeasures targeted towards those who
are suspected of, arrested for, or convicted of an impaired
driving offence, than for those that could affect all
drivers.
685,000
Seniors To Get $85 Million In Tax Credits
From
Weekly Voice
Ontario
government is taking steps to increase tax credits for
seniors with low and moderate incomes for the first time
in more than 10 years, John Gerretsen, Minister Responsible
for Seniors, said.
"The action we are proposing would put more money
into the hands of seniors," said Gerretsen. "It
is yet another important piece of our plan to help seniors
live safely, with dignity, and as independently as possible,
with the supports they need."
Under the proposed legislation introduced by the government
last week, the basic property tax credit for seniors would
increase by $125 to $625, effective for the 2004 and subsequent
taxation years. In addition, to ensure that all seniors
currently receiving the maximum property and sales tax
credits benefit from this proposed enrichment, the maximum
amount for the credits would be increased from $1,000
to $1,125.
"This proposed enrichment would deliver an estimated
$85 million in benefits to about 685,000 senior families,
including approximately 33,000 senior families who do
not currently benefit from the credit," added Gerretsen.
If the proposed changes are passed, seniors would be eligible
for additional assistance through the Property and Sales
Tax Credits program. For example:
- A single senior with income of $22,700, paying $780
per month in rent, would receive Ontario Property and
Sales Tax Credits of $884.20, representing a $125 increase.
- A senior couple with income of $44,300, paying $2,500
per year in property taxes, would receive $125 more in
Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credits, bringing the total
benefit to $183.
Established
in 1992, the credit provides assistance to seniors with
modest incomes who own or rent their homes.
