Vaccine therapies need boost, say scientists

14/04/2008 0 Comments read Health & Science

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 14.04.2008 (IPS): While millions of children’s lives have been saved as a result of a successful worldwide campaign to boost vaccination programmes, governments across the world are failing in following through on their commitments to health aid and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

‘’Wealthy countries such as the G8 members continue to content themselves with largely symbolic gestures. We have to make sure that the pledge made by governments (on MDGs) is followed,” eminent medical scientist Gustav Nossal told IPS.

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Nostalgia and the Night Sky, Courtesy Earth Hour

03/04/2008 0 Comments read Environment & Development

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 03.04.2008 (IANS): Switching off lights for 60 minutes in a year on a perfect spring Saturday night in Sydney, when it was neither too hot nor too cold for comfort and most offices and businesses were closed anyway, one can’t help but question the contribution of the Earth Hour to the cause of tackling climate change.

An event that started in Sydney last year had about 25 countries participating this year. So is it, indeed, “Our (Sydney’s) gift to the world”? As one of the Sydney Morning Herald readers wrote in the letters’ column, “The headline shouts of our vanity, selfishness and self importance”.

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From uranium to naan, India-Australia business links growing

28/03/2008 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Diaspora

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, (IANS): While dining at the plush Oberoi Hotel in the Indian capital New Delhi, you probably didn’t know the hot tandoori chicken and naan on your platter was from an Australian-made oven. But Brisbane-based Beech Ovens that has been selling tandoori ovens to India is just one example of the growing economic ties between the two countries.

“The success of Australia’s long-term engagement with India will rely heavily on the commercial links built up by Australian businesses,” stressed Federal Minister for Trade Warren Truss Wednesday while delivering the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) Accor-Qantas India Independence Day speech on “Breaking new ground” in Adelaide.

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