RI hospitals adopt same surgical protocol to help traveling docs, reduce potential errors

September 10th, 2009 EU steps up efforts for new global climate pactCOPENHAGEN — Fearing that a possible global deal on climate change is in danger, European foreign ministers announced Thursday they were stepping up efforts to make sure that nations around the world face up to global warming. Five EU foreign ministers have been traveling to European capitals for the last week to press the issue — and now they are taking the case for tackling climate change to other world capitals.

July 17th, 2009 UN: pollution accord enters into force in OctoberGENEVA — The United Nations says an international accord requiring governments to publicly identify sites of environmental pollution will come into force on Oct. 8. The U.N. Economic Commission for Europe, or UNECE, says the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers covers 86 potentially hazardous substances.

July 17th, 2009 Countries talk phase-down of HFCsGENEVA — The first talks among governments about how to limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons, a class of powerful greenhouse gases commonly used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners, have been promising, officials said Friday. But countries have yet to agree on how to tackle the problem and whether it should be linked to major negotiations for a new climate treaty.

July 10th, 2009 Shriners to keep hospitals open, accept insuranceSAN ANTONIO — The Shriners say they will keep a presence in all 22 cities where they provide care for children, but some of the facilities may be downgraded to outpatient surgical centers. Shriners Hospitals for Children also will begin accepting insurance.

July 10th, 2009 Shriners to consider downgrade of some hospitalsSAN ANTONIO — The Shriners will continue treating children in all 22 cities where they operate hospitals, but some of the facilities may be downgraded to outpatient surgical centers and the sale or lease of real estate will be explored, the nonprofit's new CEO said Thursday. "We've not changed who we are.

June 15th, 2009 UK PM says Britain will examine Iraq war errorsLONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office says Britain will hold a long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq war. Brown has repeatedly pledged to examine mistakes made during and after the 2003 U.S-led invasion.

May 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A US House panel debating climate change legislation has rejected by a 36-23 party-line vote a Republican attempt to delay a cap on US greenhouse gas emission levels until India and China adopt similar standards. Republican member Mike Rogers' proposal in the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday, would have allowed limits in the US only if those two countries adopt greenhouse gas emission standards that are 'at least as stringent'.

May 11th, 2009 Obama wants $58 billion in taxes to offset errorsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday proposed $58 billion in additional taxes to offset budgeting errors that overstated revenues in the president's plan to finance health care reform. The tax measures target a host of activities, including people who for tax purposes aggressively reduce the value of property received as gifts or in estates.

May 2nd, 2009 Girl's father does not want Madonna to adopt herNEW YORK — The father of a girl from Malawi whom Madonna hopes to adopt says he's capable of taking care of his daughter. James Kambewa (kam-BEH'-wah) is believed to be the biological father of Chifundo (chee-FOON'-doh) "Mercy" James.

April 23rd, 2009 Calif. expected to adopt low-carbon fuel rulesSACRAMENTO — California air regulators are considering first-in-the nation rules to require low-carbon fuels as part of the state's wider effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The California Air Resources Board on Thursday is expected to adopt standards that could serve as a template for a national policy.

April 12th, 2009 LONDON - Superstar couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie now plan to adopt their next baby from the Philippines. The couple changed their plans after they were not allowed to adopt a Burmese baby, reports dailymail.co.uk.

March 29th, 2009 BONN - A new round of UN climate change negotiations kicks off in Bonn Sunday, as 2,000 delegates from around 180 countries gather in the former German capital. The 10-day conference is the first of three planned meetings paving the way for December's Copenhagen summit, where final talks are due on a renewal of the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012.

March 5th, 2009 TORONTO - Belief in God helps reduce anxiety and minimise stress, says a new Canadian study. The study by Toronto University researchers says that the brains of believers and non-believers work differently under stress.

January 14th, 2009 TORONTO - A simple surgical checklist significantly cut down post-operative complications and deaths in eight teaching hospitals across the world, according to a pilot study led by Indian American Atul Gawande. 'We know that many surgical complications are preventable,' said Bryce Taylor, Harvard University Health Network's (UHN) surgeon-in-chief, who co-authored the study with Gawande.

December 30th, 2008 WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush Tuesday signed a nuclear inspection agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that will boost global monitoring of nuclear activities, the White House said in a statement.