Ice Hockey a Hit in Beijing

When one thinks of the sports in which China excels, swimming, gymnastics or track and field usually come to mind. But ice hockey? While the sport may not have as big a following as soccer or basketball, there are an increasing number of youngsters who are learning about slap shots, hat tricks and teamwork.



Flying Tigers

Nestled in a newly built neighborhood on the northwest side of Beijing, high up on the fourth floor of a massive shopping complex, is one of this city's newest ice rinks. It is also the site of an ice hockey camp for young, talented players.

For several weeks last month, the Flying Tigers hosted a summer camp for these young players. Most were from Beijing, but some came from as far away as Hong Kong and the northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

“Initially coming to China where hockey isn't their main focus, I was very impressed with the skill level of the kids right from the 04-05s, right up to the big kids," said Kevin Masters, one of several coaches flown in from Canada. "The specifics of the skating and the individual type skills are absolutely comparable to what we see back home in Canada.”

Potential Malaria Vaccine Protects Against Different Strains

A team of U.S. scientists has shown how a malaria vaccine could be more effective by making it work against different strains of the malaria parasite.

The discovery may help develop more effective vaccines for other diseases, too.

Many vaccines are administered in a serum contain adjuvants - substances that enhance the protective effect of the vaccine itself.

Vaccines normally stimulate the production of antibodies which attach to the surface of a bacteria or virus. But if the infection mutates, the antibodies may not be able bind to it, and the immunization won't be effective.

To get around that problem, the researchers focused on finding a malaria vaccine adjuvant that would produce antibodies against numerous strains of the parasite.

Darrick Carter of the non-profit Infectious Disease Research Institute in Seattle, Washington, explained that antibodies become more effective as the body mounts its immune response, a process called antibody maturation.

"And what we found is that certain adjuvants cause maturation at a much higher rate than if you do not include the adjuvant," he says. "And this maturation gives you a diverse set of antibodies that not only protect you against the strains you've been vaccinated against, but that diverse set also seems to start recognizing related sequences."

Using advanced genetic sequencing equipment, the researchers tested a number of adjuvants to identify the one which would result in the most diverse antibody response. More diverse antibodies should be able to fight off more strains of malaria.

Human trials could start next year, and if successful, the adjuvant may also find its way into other vaccines, Carter says.

"So we're working on both pandemic and seasonal flu. We're working on TB and a number of other diseases where we can use the same adjuvant."

Carter and his colleagues are working on a vaccine that is aimed at one of four main types of malaria, caused by the Plasmodium vivax parasite. It's one of the two most common strains but is relatively benign compared to the deadly Plasmodium falciparum.

Fears of Suicide Surge in Japan's Tsunami Zone

Months after Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, mental health experts say the psychological effects of the disaster might only now be coming to the surface. Phone counseling services are building up their presence along Japan's northeast coast for fear of increased suicides and other mental health problems.
s excavators continue to clear the wreckage along the Tohoku coastline, the physical impact of the tsunami is still clear to see. But as reconstruction efforts proceed, there is growing concern over the mental scars the tsunami has left behind.

More than 430,000 people were forced into emergency shelters. Homes were destroyed. Communities cut off.

The phone counseling service ‘Inochi no Denwa’ in Sendai, one of the worst hit cities, is beefing up its services to deal with an anticipated rise in the number of calls.

UN: 'Alarming' Measles Outbreak Among Drought-Stricken Somali

The United Nations and Ethiopia's government are beginning a massive vaccination campaign against measles for Somali refugee children as fears rise about an outbreak effecting those already weakened by famine.

The U.N. refugee agency chief in Ethiopia, Moses Okello, said in a statement Saturday he was "shaken" by the situation he saw during a visit this week to the Dollo Ado refugee camps in south-eastern Ethiopia. He said it was urgent to act immediately.

The statement said on Thursday alone, around 13 people are believed to have died from measles in the Kobe refugee camp, and more cases have been reported in other camps nearby.

Measles is not typically deadly for people who are otherwise healthy, but the highly contagious virus is far more dangerous for people suffering from severe malnutrition. The U.N. said children are the most affected.

The U.N. says it has begun efforts to vaccinate children between six months and 15 years old - so far about 300 children received the shot as they were transferred from a transit center to a new camp. The refugee agency says it, along with government and NGO partners, will begin a major campaign Tuesday to vaccinate all children at the Kobe camp, which has been most affected. Health workers have also created an "isolation ward" for those suspected to be infected, in the hopes of containing the disease's spread.

The vaccine provides immunity starting 14 days after being administered.

The U.N. has declared a famine in five regions of southern Somalia, and it predicts famine conditions will spread to more areas and could last until December.

Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have fled to Somalia's capital or to crowded camps in Kenya and Ethiopia in search of food and water.

The United Nations says drought has left more than 12 million people across the Horn of Africa in need of food aid. The U.N. has appealed for $1.4 billion to help the victims.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish backs James Collins to win fitness race ahead of Fulham clash

The new Villa boss is hopeful that the Wales international will be fit in time for their Craven Cottage opener on Saturday, despite injuring his back in training last week

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has backed center-back James Collins to be fit for its clash with Fulham.

The former West Ham defender injured his back in training last week, but McLeish believes his strong character means he will do all he can to be fit for the Craven Cottage clash.

"James has injured his back. He did it a few days ago to be fair and he thought he was okay in training on Friday,” McLeish was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.

“I think the intensity of training over the last few days just flared it up and he was a bit stiff. Therefore, we didn't want to risk him. It's a worry - but knowing the type of character James is, I'm sure he'll be determined to be on that pitch at Craven Cottage."

As a result of the injury, Collins has been forced to pull out of the Wales squad for their midweek friendly against Australia.

Villa will have to deal with a number of its players being called up for midweek friendlies. Barry Bannan has been named in the Scotland squad to play Denmark, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Ciaran Clark have all been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad to face Croatia at the Aviva Stadium, while Stiliyan Petrov has been named in the Bulgaria squad to play Belarus.

Although the situation is not ideal, McLeish insists he is ready for the new season.

"We'll put some more practice in during the coming week, although some players are away on international duty which prevents me from doing it the way I would have liked to prepare," said McLeish. "But I'm ready to go now - no turning back, we've got to go and look forward to the whole campaign and trust the guys that go out on the pitch to do it for Aston Villa."

England friendly against the Netherlands in doubt as police advise postponement of Carling Cup ties due to London riots

Wembley match could be called off, with West Ham United vs Aldershot Town and Charlton vs Reading to be rearranged as violence spreads across England's capital city

Wednesday's friendly between England and the Netherlands looks unlikely to go ahead after the Metropolitan police advised the postponement of two Carling Cup ties.

West Ham has confirmed that its meeting with Aldershot Town on Tuesday in the first round of the Carling Cup will not go ahead, due to the widespread riots in London.

A statement from the club's official website reads: "The club were contacted this evening and told that all major events in London were to be rearranged because of the need to focus police resources elsewhere."

"Whilst neither club or police anticipate any issues around the game itself, the club has to comply with the police request."

"No date has yet been set for the rearranged match, but the club will be in contact with the Football League and Aldershot."

The match between Charlton and Reading has also been postponed, while Crystal Palace's clash with Crawley Town also looks set to be rearranged.

Police are yet to comment on whether the Wembley friendly, which is scheduled for Wednesday, will go ahead.

London riots: live

Rolling coverage as the Prime Minister returns to Britain after night of violence, looting and arson causes chaos across capital and other cities.

More than 150 young rioters were causing disruption in the areas of St Paul's and Stokes Croft, the scene of rioting earlier this year amid anger over a new Tesco store.

People were warned to stay clear of the city centre as police launched efforts to bring the scenes under control.

A number of shops and vehicles have been damaged, an Avon and Somerset police spoke

Abbott suggested on Sky earlier that it may be time to consider curfews for parts of London.