Gates to 'reinvent' the toilet

WASHINGTON - The man who reinvented computers and made PCs a household item in most wealthy nations, Microsoft tycoon turned philanthropist Bill Gates, is now focusing his attention on recasting the WC.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is pledging millions of dollars in grants to reinvent the toilet, said its Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programs Frank Rijsberman, calling it a "huge issue for Africa".

The aim is to boost health in developing countries by giving the 2.6 billion people who don't have access to a WC a hygienic, safe place to go to the toilet.