WASHINGTON — A presidential commission on Wednesday recommended an urgent overhaul of the federal system that cares for disabled military veterans, including new “quality of life” payments to compensate for injuries. The bipartisan panel also recommended better diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries and guaranteed care for post-traumatic stress syndrome for all troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Create a “My eBenefits” Web site, developed jointly by the VA and Pentagon, that would let service members and doctors access private medical information as the injured move from facility to facility to receive treatment. Provide better family support, because one-third of injured Iraq war veterans reported that a relative or close friend had to relocate to care for them; provide training and counseling for families of service members who require long-term care; and provide improved family leave and insurance benefits for family members. read more

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The company said that key drugs such as Cymbalta and Alimta had boosted sales in the second quarter, but results for the first six months of 2007 were affected by the acquisitions of ICOS, Hypnion, and Ivy. For the second quarter, the US drug maker reported a sales increase of 20%, to $4. Cymbalta, approved in the US for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, generated $519. Eli Lilly’s lung cancer drug Alimta also benefited from an increased demand in the quarter, generating sales of $207. We are encouraged by our outlook for the remainder of the year, and we feel confident in again raising our full-year 2007 sales and earnings guidance. read more

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He has been given a final shot at redemption in the lead-up to the NRL finals, with Titans managing director Michael Searle saying he hopes Walker can convince him and coach John Cartwright he should be given another chance in 2008. Cartwright today named Walker at fullback for Saturday’s crunch round-20 match against South Sydney at Telstra Stadium, further indicating the coach has regained his confidence in the controversial player who was nearly sacked in April after an alcohol-related incident at a nightclub. Cartwright injected Walker into the fray from the bench against the Bulldogs on Friday night but the former Queensland State of Origin player had few opportunities to shine as the Titans lost their fourth straight match. Gold Coast will be praying prop Ian Donnelly (contrary conduct, grapple tackle) and hooker Nathan Friend (careless high tackle) are successful at the NRL judiciary tomorrow night or else their player stocks will be further depleted. read more

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