• THE GREAT DECEPTION: Tony Blair was quite right to point out that, without the UK rebate, Britain would be the largest net contributor to the EU budget, paying 15 times more than France. This new book by EU insiders Christopher Booker and Richard North explains the bizarre series of events back in the 1960's that led to the ridiculous imbalance we have today.
  

• NEW FLU VACCINE: Another flu vaccine manufacturer, Chiron, moved closer to getting their license back; it was suspended when their flu vaccine was found to be contaminated with bacteria. Chiron's license was suspended by British regulators in October, and the FDA barred U.S. distribution of the vaccine, cutting the nation's expected supply of flu vaccine in half.
• POLLUTANTS LINK TO RISE IN DIABETES: The dramatic rise in the incidence of type 2 diabetes could be driven in part by exposure to pollutants as well as obesity, according to a study published yesterday. A link has emerged between the disease and exposure to high levels of persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), which are most likely to come from eating fatty fish such as salmon and herring from the Baltic.

... AND THE ROUND-UP OF HEALTH NEWS FOR THIS MONTH

• GUARDING INPUT: In this excerpt from The Little Book of Attitude, Phillip Day talks about being aware of the information we are exposed to through the media, how it influences us and the importance of filtering our input.
• SOY MILK MAY BE TIED TO INFANT DEATHS: Although the autopsy is inconclusive and tests on the food are not yet complete, a porridge made of EdenSoy Extra soy milk and cornmeal may be responsible for the deaths of two infant brothers living in Brooklyn.
• SUPERMARKETS "UNDERMINE HEALTH" WITH FAT AND SUGAR: Supermarkets were accused yesterday of undermining public health by encouraging customers to buy high-fat, high-sugar foods.
• TEDDY BEAR MOBILE 'PUTS 4-YEAR-OLDS AT RISK FROM RADIATION': A teddy bear-shaped mobile phone aimed at children as young as four was launched yesterday. The manufacturers of the Teddyfone claimed it would help parents keep track of their children while minimising potential health hazards posed by radio frequency emissions.
  
• UK VICTIMS OF FAULTY DRUGS DENIED PAYOUT: One of Britain's leading QCs warned last night of a "serious risk" that people injured by faulty drugs will no longer be able to mount compensation claims in the British courts.
• FLUORIDE VICTORY IN CALIFORNIA: More champagne please! We have just heard today that we had another victory on election night (November 8). It was in California.
• CIRRHOSIS CASES SOAR AMONG BRITAIN'S FAT CHILDREN: Doctors have reported the first cases of teenagers with signs of cirrhosis caused by overeating, as the epidemic of childhood obesity in Britain becomes clear.
• MAILBAG: This month's collection of letters from our new subscribers about these and other subjects.
  

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