New superbug spreading from India

A new superbug from India could spread around the world -- in part because of medical tourism -- and scientists said few drugs are available to treat it, Reuters reported. The new gene called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) was found in patients in South Asia and in Britain. NDM-1-producing bacteria are resistant to almost all antibiotics including carbapenems, a class of drugs reserved for emergency use and to treat infections caused by other multi-resistant bugs. It has been largely found in E. coli bacteria and on DNA structures that can be easily copied and passed onto other types of bacteria. Researchers have found 44 NDM-1-positive bacteria in Chennai, 26 in Haryana, 37 in Britain, and 73 in other sites in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Several of the British NDM-1 positive patients had traveled recently to India or Pakistan for hospital treatment, including cosmetic surgery, they said.

Mudslide death toll rises to 1,117

The death toll from the massive mudslides in Zhouqu County, Gansu Province has risen to 1,117, with 627 still missing, Xinhua reported. A total of 567 survivors have been treated and a further 64 seriously injured people have been hospitalized. Hopes of finding any more survivors faded as thunderstorms battered the county Wednesday night, leaving another three people missing. Heavy rains forecast through Friday could cause a barrier lake formed on the Bailong River to burst and flood already-devastated areas. Another mudslide has blocked the Lianghekou-Zhouqu Road, which is the shortest route for bringing relief goods from the provincial capital Lanzhou. So far there have been no reports of epidemic outbreaks or major public health incidents.

World's most powerful prisoners

The August 10 issue of the Foreign Policy magazine listed the five most powerful people behind bars. Huang Guangyu, Gome's former chairman and the richest man in China ranks first. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once the richest man in Russia, finished second. Third is Omar Abdel-Rahman, the mastermind of the first World Trade Center bombing. Marwan Barghouti, the leader of the Palestinian Fatah movement, and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi come fourth and fifth, respectively.

1.8% of population is Christian

China has about 23 million Christians, accounting for 1.8 percent of the total population, according to the Religion Blue Book published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Wednesday. Nearly 70 percent of Christians joined the faith after experiencing health problems. The report also shows Christian communities in China have grown rapidly in recent years: 73 percent of the believers converted since 1993. Of the Christians, women make up 70 percent of the faith group. A relatively low education level is common among Chinese Christians; only 2.6 percent went to college.

Regulator standardizes credit cards

The Oriental Morning Post reported that the China Banking Regulatory Commission Wednesday issued new regulatory measures on credit cards, an amendment to an earlier one issued in 1996. The new measures intend to standardize China's credit card market where a total of 185 million credit cards have been issued by commercial banks. The CBRC also specifically forbids charging fees to inactive cards and issuing cards to minors.

Beckham's England career over

David Beckham's international career has ended after England coach Fabio Capello announced he wouldn't enlist the 35-year-old former captain to play for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. Beckham's spokesman insisted the player had not made a decision to end his England career, CNN reported.

Bin Laden's cook gets 14 years

A US military tribunal Wednesday sentenced Osama bin Laden's former cook Ibrahim al Qosi to 14 years in prison, but he is expected to serve far less under the terms of an undisclosed plea bargain, Reuters reported. 50-year-old Qosi, who is from Sudan, pleaded guilty last month in a special court in Guantanamo Bay, to charges of conspiring with al Qaeda and providing material support for terrorism. Qosi has been held at Guantanamo for more than 8 years. He was the first Guantanamo captive to be convicted under the administration of President Barack Obama.

Legal snags hit iPod extension

A Chinese invention to turn an iPod touch into an iPhone has attracted investor interest, according to Zaobao.com. The product, Apply Skin 520, includes a battery, an aerial, a microphone, a receiver and a SIM card slot, and gives an iPod touch all the features of an iPhone. Potential investors are likely to be concerned about legal issues surrounding the device, as it affects Apple's commercial interests. But some insiders think the device may help bring down the price of iPhones.

Skating pair's ticket-only wedding

Chinese figure skating couple, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo are to hold their wedding in the form of a skating performance at the Capital Gymnasium on Sept. 4. Tickets will cost up to 1,080 yuan (US$160), according to the Beijing Morning Post. But Zhao Hongbo denied the couple is out to make money. The guest list is rumored to include skating stars Evgeni Plushenko and Alexei Yagudin from Russia, Asada Mao from Japan, Stephane Lambiel from Sweden, and Johnny G. Weir from the U.S.

Paris Hilton sued for wearing wrong hair

Hair extension company Hairtech International is suing 29-year-old socialite Paris Hilton for breaching a contract to promote their products by sporting the fake locks of a competitor back in 2008, AP reported. The company is seeking US$35 million indamages and also cites Hilton's partying as damaging its marketing campaigns. The company also claims Hilton missed a launch party for a hair extension line in 2007. She was in jail at the time.

High stress 'delays pregnancy'

For the first time, a scientific study has shown that high stress levels may delay pregnancy, the BBC reported. The study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, measured 274 healthy women aged 18-40 planning a baby naturally. Women with the highest levels of alpha-amylase (an indicator of adrenalin levels) had about a 12 percent reduced chance of getting pregnant during their fertile days compared with those with the lowest levels of the marker. Experts suggest women preparing themselves for a healthy pregnancy should keep stress levels to a minimum. Relaxation techniques, counseling and even yoga and meditation are good choices.

(China.org.cn August 12, 2010)