Health Alert (Australia) January 23, 2017

Commonwealth. Federal Court 13 January 2017 – Selia v Commonwealth of Australia [2017] FCA 7 – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial Review – Professional Services Review Scheme under Part VAA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – where Professional Services Review Committee found applicant dentist engaged in ‘inappropriate practice’ as defined in s 82 – meaning of ‘initiating’ in s 82 – where applicant billed Medicare for dental services in advance of rendering – where dental services provided by dentists employed by applicant were billed using applicant’s medicare provider number – where Determining Authority directed applicant should be reprimanded, counselled and required to repay amount to first respondent – whether pre-billing can constitute ‘inappropriate practice’ – whether conduct of applicant in billing services provided by employees under his medicare number can constitute ‘inappropriate … (more)

Even One High-Fat Meal Can Harm Your Liver, Study Finds

Eating a high-fat meal — say, a cheeseburger and fries or a pepperoni pizza — disrupts liver function, a new, small study reveals. Researchers found that the high levels of saturated fat found in such rich foods immediately alter the work of the liver, possibly setting the body up for serious disease down the line.

Even One High-Fat Meal Can Harm Your Liver, Study Finds

Eating a high-fat meal — say, a cheeseburger and fries or a pepperoni pizza — disrupts liver function, a new, small study reveals. Researchers found that the high levels of saturated fat found in such rich foods immediately alter the work of the liver, possibly setting the body up for serious disease down the line.

The IDF discarded my son, and my family collapsed

Elor Azariya, the soldier convicted of killing a wounded terrorist in Hevron, arrived this morning to the military court at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, for the beginning of the sentencing process. The soldier was received with applause; the judges were escorted by bodyguards.

Delay in one of Trump’s signature committments

At his press conference on January 23, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer declined to commit the Trump administration to quickly moving the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the capital of the Israeli state. While President Donald Trump said during his campaign that he would move the embassy, the administration is now expressing some caution.

The Latest: Palestinians condemn Israeli settlement plans

The Latest on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after Israel announced the construction of 2,500 new settler homes in the West Bank : A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Israeli plans announced Tuesday deal a new blow to attempts to bring peace to the region and will promote extremism and terrorism. Nabil Abu Rdeneh says the decision “disregards” international opposition to the settlements and is calling on the international community to take a “real and serious position” against Israel.

UK government loses Brexit case, must consult Parliament

In this framegrab taken from the Supreme Court handout video, Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, center, speaks at Britain’s Supreme Court in London, Tuesday Jan. 24, 2017, on whether the prime minister or Parliament has the right to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the EU.

Ten arrested as part of anti-drugs operation in Great Yarmouth and Norwich

Operation Gravity launched last month to tackle drug dealing and drug-related violence as part of a Norfolk-wide strategy. Norfolk’s county policing commander Ch Supt Dave Marshall welcomed the arrests, adding: “Drug dealing can impact on a community in many ways and the work with our partners undertaken by Operation Gravity over the past weeks and in the future will go some way to reducing this.

Service cuts number of ‘NEET’ teenagers in Blackburn with Darwen

THE number of teens classed as not in education, employment and training in Blackburn with Darwen is falling thanks to a new team, figures show. Council-run service New Directions, which launched earlier this year, offers programmes and careers advice to youngsters who are at risk of falling out of education or training when they finish their GCSEs.

Brazil’s Cyrela eyes asset swap with Canadian public pension fund

Jan 24 Brazil’s Cyrela Commercial Properties SA is in talks with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for a potential asset swap and joint ventures to invest up to $400 million in new commercial office space. Cyrela said in a securities filing on Tuesday that it had signed a non-binding agreement regarding the transfer of a 33 percent equity stake in its office buildings in exchange for CPPIB’s 25 percent stake in Cyrela’s warehouse business.

Top BT investor Royal London says surprised by scale of Italy scandal

Jan 24 One of the biggest investors in BT said it was surprised after the firm issued a profit warning on Tuesday, and particularly by the scale of an accounting scandal in Italy. Richard Marwood, senior fund manager at Royal London Asset Management, said the news was an unwelcome addition to existing concerns about BT’s pension liabilities and relationship with the industry regulator, OFCOM.

Ocean by H10 Hotel strengthens Marketing & E-Commerce teams

With the continued growth of its All-Inclusive resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, Ocean by H10 Hotels has announced the integration of Sandra Diaz-Marta as Marketing Coordinator, reporting to Elia Cruz, the chain’s Marketing Manager. Ms. Diaz-Marta will support the company’s marketing efforts as it expands its offerings in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Cuba.

Donation will allow charity to help more vulnerable children

A CHARITY which works with children who have experienced domestic abuse has been given a big helping hand by the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Splitz, which supports children in Trowbridge, Westbury and Melksham, has been given A 36,313 so it can help even more of the county’s most vulnerable youngsters find their feet.

With Trump in Power, Israel Gives Green Light to Second Huge Settlement Expansion

Israel’s Defence Ministry announced plans on Tuesday to build 2,500 more settlement homes in the West Bank, the second announcement of new construction in the occupied territory since President Donald Trump took office. A statement from the Defence Ministry said the plans, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, were intended to fulfill a demand for new housing “to maintain regular daily life.”

FEATURE-In Rio’s oldest favela, a cable car ferries residents -…

Perched on a hill beside the concrete skyscrapers of Rio’s central business district stands the city’s oldest favela whose rising – and now declining – fortunes mirror those of Brazil itself. First established by landless veterans fresh from putting down an uprising in northeastern Brazil in 1897, Morro da Providencia is considered Rio’s first informal settlement or favela.

LISTEN: These 5 Songs Are Up For Oscars

Nominations for the 89th Academy Awards were announced Tuesday morning and there was good news for Canadians – including Ryan Gosling , Denis Villeneuve , Patrice Vermette – as well as the Quebec-shot film Arrival . “How Far I’ll Go” from the movie Moana , earned a Best Original Song nomination .

Australia pushes for TPP without US after Trump exits deal

Australia is leading a push to salvage a Pacific trade deal after President Donald Trump formally withdrew as a signatory to the 12-nation accord. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he discussed the deal on Monday night with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, and held talks with the leaders of New Zealand and Singapore.

What Trump needs to build his ‘Giant Wall’

What Trump needs to build his ‘Giant Wall’ Trump will need a big lift from Congress to build his border wall. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2kqi3C3 President Trump has promised to build his “giant wall,” but it will take a lot of help to make it a reality.

Goldman Fights Back in Suit Against Indonesian Businessman

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. filed a $1 billion counterclaim against an Indonesian businessman over ownership of shares in the company he manages. The U.S. bank is seeking damages to its reputation stemming from Benny Tjokrosaputro’s 15 trillion rupiah lawsuit alleging that it improperly obtained a stake in property developer PT Hanson International.

A Middle East Peace Agenda for 2017

Ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen are affecting the rest of the world, by exporting terrorism and refugees. In the coming year, it will be incumbent upon those countries that have managed to avoid armed conflict to preserve their relative stability, so that they can help restore stability to the entire region.

NATO, Pentagon Chiefs Discuss Military Budgets, Terrorism

NATO’s chief and new U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis have discussed military spending and combating terrorism, the source of criticism of the alliance by President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s office said Tuesday that the two men “agreed on the fundamental and enduring value of NATO for the security of both Europe and North America.”

Council votes to end free vaccines

A community immunisation program has been axed by the Devonport City Council, based on dwindling numbers and the cost to run it. The aldermen voted at Monday’s council meeting to end the monthly immunisation sessions provided free to the community at the East Devonport Recreation Centre.

As Australians we’re all in this together

Many a civic version of Advance Australia Fair will get sung at citizenship ceremonies and some pretty tuneless attempts at barbecues. A few of the more lively renditions will be performed by Aussies with flag stickers plastered on their faces and with a drink in one hand and a chop or snag in the other.

Four stories in the news today, Jan. 24

The abrupt turnaround in Canada-U.S. relations is dominating discussions as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal cabinet hold a retreat in Calgary. Today, the final day of the retreat, is also expected to feature a panel discussion with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Calgary police Chief Roger Chaffin and representatives from local community organizations, followed by a town hall later at the University of Calgary.

Canada can forge ties with Trump while sticking up for values, Hajdu says

Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu says it’s possible to forge a strong relationship with the new U.S. government while standing up for values that may be at odds with those of the Trump administration. The abrupt turnaround in Canada-U.S. relations is dominating discussions as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal cabinet hold two-day retreat in Calgary.

Samsung Looks to Repair Consumer Trust

Samsung’s apology and diagnosis of the Galaxy Note 7’s battery problems marked the company’s most concerted attempt to move past its biggest recent crisis, but concerns over product safety could continue to weigh on its brand. At an event in Seoul this week, Samsung blamed the overheating of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on problems with the manufacturing and design of the device’s batteries.

Oil Prices Rise as OPEC Output Cuts Drain Supply

Oil prices rose on Tuesday on evidence the global market was tightening as lower production by OPEC and other exporters drained stocks, but an increase in drilling in the United States could keep a lid on prices. Benchmark Brent crude was up 40 cents at $55.63 a barrel by 0840 GMT.