Tag Archives: ows

Influenza

Influenza update, 26 March 2013: More than 100 children in the U.S. die! Infected chickens sold to public! Naproxen turning out to be anti-flu? More proof vaccines don’t work! Swine flu killing hundreds in the past two months! Warning about Super Flu!

The U.S. CDC says 105 children have died so far this flu season.  They also claim that 90% did not get vaccinated.

In Minnesota U.S.A., deaths have hit 180!  Four in the past week.  compare that to last last flu season when 33 Minnesotans died.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., doctors are concerned about increasing cases of flu B: “I think the reason it surprises me in March is that it was an early season too. So this season has been going on a long time. This has been a bad flu season.”-Scott Tyson, Pediatrics South Mount Lebanon

In Licking County, Ohio U.S.A., health officials report 2378 flu cases as of 09 March. They expect more.

In South Dakota U.S.A., the state Department of Health says 36 people have died so far.  11% of deaths are Native Americans.

In the world of professional baseball and basketball several players are out sick with flu.

In New Hampshire U.S.A., pet owners are being warned about the new H3N8 dog flu. The new to dogs disease has hit Vermont and Massachusetts.

North Dakota U.S.A. reporting cases of dog flu.

In New Zealand, doctors are urging people to get flu shots.  There have already been some flu cases in Kiwiland, but the official flu season hasn’t started yet.  Kiwi docs say it takes two weeks after getting a flu vaccine before it’s effective.

In Canada, health officials in the Province of Alberta are whining about the lack of people getting flu shots.  The provinces have mandated vaccination goals, and Alberta has reached only half its goal.  Health officials are also complaining about the lack of infants being vaccinated, but one family that got their baby vaccinated says it did no good:  “Even with the vaccination, he has been sick every month. So whether the vaccination worked or not, I’m not sure, but we did it as a precaution.”-Binod Pouyal, father of 19 months old who’s been sick ever since getting the shot

A Canadian company says tobacco protein can be used to grow cultures for flu vaccines.  Currently vaccines are made using chicken eggs, and some people are allergic.  Then there’s the recently approved way using bug guts.  Medicago says their new tobacco based system can grow more cultures in less time.

Researchers in France say naproxen is showing promise as an anti-flu viral medication.  The study was published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.  Apparently naproxen interferes with flu A viruses’ ability to bind with your cells.

In the state of Gurjurat, India, as of 23 March 149 people have died from swine flu! Local media reporting that the swine flu epidemic is so bad that the state government refuses to release anymore health data to the public. Public officials are currently debating how to handle the release of health data.

In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Indore district, six new H1N1 swine flu cases were reported, four are in critical condition.  So far 31 people are confirmed infected and 12 have died.  And in the state of Maharashtra, Pune district, health officials say 25 people got infected with H1N1, and six of them died, all in the past two and a half months!

In Netherlands, bird flu hit poultry farms in Flevoland province. 24000 chickens were destroyed.

Vietnam reporting bird flu outbreaks across the country.

Bird flu is infecting poultry farms in Bangladesh, and some of the thousands of infected chickens were sold to the public: “We came to know that a large number of poultry farms have been affected by bird flu virus in the northern districts include Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha…..we fear the authorities have allowed the farmers to market the sick chickens.”-Khandokar Mohsin, Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association

At the University of California Los Angeles, researchers have discovered that if you combine bird flu and human flu you’ll get killer “super” flus. This is based on research in Bangladesh, China and Egypt: “The mixing of genetic material between the seasonal human flu virus and bird flu can create novel virus strains that are more lethal than either of the original viruses.”-Thomas Smith, UCLA

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

World War 3: South Korea hacked again!

26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Yet another cyber attack in Republic of Korea.  Websites and affiliated companies of YTN TV network became unviewable to audiences.

Also, live internet services went down in eight municipalities. The National Police Agency is still investigating last weeks cyber attack.  So far they’ve traced multiple attacks to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in Europe, United States and even South Korea.  (previously everyone was blaming North Korea and China)

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Virginia losing another Kmart!

Here’s the updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart.

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), recently revealed Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, International

New Bird Flu? First pigs now thousands of dead ducks pulled from river! Pigs in river now past 16000!

26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Sichuan Province, China, locals have been pulling dead ducks from the Pengshan River.  At least 1000 so far.

Health officials are not able to determine what killed the ducks, as most were too decomposed.  Officials say there is no concern over the water in the Pengshan as it’s not used for drinking.

However, over in Zhejiang and Shanghai provinces the Huangpu River is used for drinking, and that’s where the number of dead pigs has hit 16000!

A week ago health officials blamed weather, government cuts and the economy for the pig deaths.

 

Business/Economics

What Economic Recovery? Do spicy food sales heat up when the economy cools off?

26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“An increasing number of customers are seeking hot spicy food, although our overall numbers have gone down, so we have consistently been developing new dishes for Sichuan House to meet the demand.”-Shin Seo-ho, chief operating officer of Sun At Food

A South Korean food company operating in China claims their spicy food sales have heated up as the economy has cooled down. China’s economy is still doing better GDP wise, compared to the United States, but has been slowing down.

Sun At Food claims sales of spicy dishes at its restaurants in China has increased three to six fold since the end of last year.

Another South Korean food maker, Nongshim, reported increased spicy shrimp snack sales.  They’ve also introduced a new spicy noodle to meet increasing demand.

And another company, Ottogi, has been adding spices to its ramen lineup.

There might be economic and medical reasons for the demand for spicy food.  The food companies say Capsaicin, from hot red peppers, is cheap, and many customers claim spicy food helps relieves the pain and stress of everyday life.

Business/Economics, International

Nursing shortage continues for Japan, only 30 applicants pass new certification test!

26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Japan is so desperate for nurses that they’ve eased up on testing requirements for foreign applicants, yet only 9.5% passed the latest exam.

Last year officials said they were making this year’s test easier regarding Japanese language skills, and they were adding 30 minutes to the test.  Obviously it’s not enough.

Officials say those who failed, but reached a certain score will be allowed to stay in Japan one more year to help prepare for their next exam.

Even some Japanese wanna-be nurses have trouble with the certification.  This year 88.8% of Japanese who took the test passed.

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Government Incompetence & World War 3: Now South Korea accuses one of its own for cyber attacks!

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We traced some IP addresses found on MBC and YTN computer networks to overseas sources like the U.S. and a few European countries. We’re still trying to find out who is behind the attacks on the other institutions.”-Korean [South] Communications Commission

Republic of Korea’s (ROK) National Police Agency (NPA) now blaming one of their own corporations for part of the massive cyber attack last week!

In a cyber attack originally blamed on China and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the NPA now says what they thought was a Chinese IP address is actually the IP address of a single employee with the South Korean corporation Nonghyup.

Other attacks have been traced to European and U.S. IP addresses.  However, NPA officials are still claiming the attacks were originally launched from North Korea, although it’s pure speculation because they admit they have no proof at this point.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Japan to amend constitution to allow Japanese military to fight alongside the U.S. in new Korean War!

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, agreed to help President Barack Obama in preparations for war with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  Abe is asking the Diet to amend Article 9 of Japan’s constitution.

Currently Japan’s U.S. imposed constitution does not allow the Japanese to take part in military action outside the country.  It has been recently amended to allow for ‘peacekeeping’ operations. Abe reminded Obama that Japan’s constitution would have to be changed in order for Japan to help the U.S. against DPRK.

Abe’s request would allow the Japanese Self Defense Forces (SDF) to be used in Korea, under the guise of collective self defense alongside U.S. troops. This is not the first time that Japan was allowed to change their U.S. imposed constitution, the first time was during the First Korean War.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. & South Korea have new military pact! North Korea is right, U.S. has been building up troops in violation of agreement!

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The United States and Republic of Korea have signed a new military pact, giving South Korea the lead in any reaction to attack from North Korea.  The U.S. Forces Korea would act in a support role (and would involve U.S. Forces Japan and U.S. Pacific Command).

This comes after reports that the United States has been increasing military personnel in South Korea.  According to a 2008 agreement there are supposed to be only 28500 U.S. military personnel in ROK.  However, even the most recent U.S. Department of Defense documents show troop strength has actually been increased over the past few years, exactly as North Korea claims.

The 2012 Base Structure Report shows 37354 U.S. personnel in south Korea as of September 2011.  Some analysts think the increase is from the Iraq pullout, and have pointed out that such increases are being seen in Germany, Japan and even Kuwait.

This suggests that U.S. personnel pulled out of Iraq are not being sent home to the U.S., but are being held in reserve in Germany, Japan, Kuwait and South Korea for future planned wars.

 

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? New Cyprus bailout equals 40% tax on bank accounts! Russia calling European Union a bunch of thieves, yet happy about it? More reason to get your money out of the banks!

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“The stealing of what has already been stolen continues…”-Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Prime Minister

Medvedev is referring to the latest bailout offer for Cyprus from the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, in a round-a-bout way saying the whole thing was a done deal from the beginning.

The previous offer, which was rejected by parliament, included up to 10% tax on bank accounts. This new one imposes up to 40% tax on accounts with $100000 or more, and does not require parliamentary approval!!!

Most of the big money depositors in Cyprus are foreigners, and they’re going to pullout all their money.  Guess where many of those depositors are going to put their money now?  In Russian banks!

That’s the real reason Russia didn’t really try to give Cyprus a bailout, and why Russia isn’t really that upset about Cypriot bank accounts being robbed by the ECB and IMF (despite what Western media analysts say).

The result of the foreign depositors pulling out their money, and the harsh austerity caused by the bailout (such as the 2nd largest bank of Cyprus will be shut down under the deal), will be the economic destruction of Cyprus (and the take over of the island county’s stake in the huge Leviathan petroleum field).