Tag Archives: canada

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Mass Sears & Kmart closings! Kmart sells expired baby formula & meds! Proof that Lampert is evil!

17 July 2013 (16:43 UTC-07 Tango)/09 Ramadan 1434/26 Tir 1391/10 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

In Maine, the Sears in Presque Isle closing down by October.  The manager of the store and Sears Holdings argued over how many people will lose their jobs.  The corporate office says only 58 people work there, but the upset manager said 80 people are currently employed!  The owner of a Fort Kent Sears Hometown store confirmed that 80 people are working at the Presque Isle Sears.  According to local news media reports, there was no prior warning given to the store manager about the closing.

A Sears in Gautier, Mississippi, to close in October.  The shopping mall where the Sears is located, is being redeveloped into an open air mall, Walmart will be the primary tenant.

In Canada, the owner of a Sears Hometown store is leading a class action lawsuit against Sears Canada and Sears Holdings.  The lawsuit is for $100 million CAD, and alleges that Sears is ripping off the operators of Sears Hometown stores: “…Sears is making substantial profits from each and every Hometown store….We are tired of disappointing our customers because we lack the resources to serve them properly. We are tired of facing the public without a smile, because we know there is no paycheck at the end of the week. We are tired of being fed scraps for the benefit of a U.S. hedge fund billionaire!”-Jim Kay

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Sears chairman Eddie Lampert is using a fake name online, to argue with Sears employees about his policies.  The article suggests that Lampert is purposely destroying Sears, as evidenced by his instigation of internal fighting: “He left critical comments on other people’s posts, according to more than 20 former employees; he even got into arguments with store associates.”-Mina Kimes

In Kentucky, after 30 years of business the Sears in the Fayette Mall, in Lexington, to close by the end of 2013.  The store space was sold to the mall owners, CBL & Associates.  114 people will be out-o-work by Xmas & the Gregorian new year!

The South Park Mall Sears to shut down by October in Moline, Illinois.  Also, dozens of Sears employees in Chicago went on strike for predictable work hours and better pay: “Right now, we’re on survival mode. It’s not enough for basic necessities.”-Judith Luna

The Kmart on Hendersonville Road in South Ashville, North Carolina, will close down by November.  The lease was not renewed, but it might be the property owners fault.  Pulliam Properties was the one who did not renew the lease.  The retail property developer says he has purposely allowed store fronts to become vacant on his property on Hendersonville Road, because he has big plans for a new shopping center.

And in Pennsylvania, another property developer is to blame for the closing of a Kmart in Bethlehem Township.  AKAL Associates bought out the lease in a power grab: “We went after the lease because we wanted to control the space.”-James Balliet, listing agent representing property owners

Also in Pennsylvania, the Kmart in the Mark Plaza shopping center in Edwardsville is suing the property owner for at least $10 million USD.  The Kmart opened shop in 1974, and the lease stated the property owner would be responsible for storm drainage, the plaza has been flooded at least four times since then.  Kmart is now the only store left in the plaza, all the others left mainly because of repeated flood damage.  Attorneys for Kmart claim they’ve discovered the property owners never conducted surveys evaluating the possibility of floods, and never attempted to improve the property after each flood.

Kmart has settled with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs over charges that the store was selling expired baby formula and non-prescription medications: “Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today announced a settlement with Kmart in which the retail giant will pay $302,500, donate $25,000 worth of infant formula to charity, pay for continued unannounced state inspections, and implement meaningful remedial measures to inspect its merchandise, after 19 Kmart stores in New Jersey were found to have sold or offered for sale expired infant formula and non-prescription medications.”-Division of Consumer Affairs

In Australia, Kmart is the first retailer to agree to publicize the addresses of its suppliers: “…it will be possible for independent groups to visit factory sites and verify wages and conditions for workers. We look forward to visiting Kmart’s website very soon and being able to download this information. Oxfam has spent nearly two decades investigating the global clothing industry, and our research shows that very low wages, long hours of overtime and unsafe workplaces are the norm. We call on other Australian retailers to follow Kmart’s lead….”-Oxfam Australia

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart 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), Torrance Kmart,  Fairfield Kmart (63 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), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost),  Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 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), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), recently revealed Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  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), recently revealed Lexington Sears (114 jobs lost!).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), recently revealed Presque Isle Sears (80 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,  GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, recently revealed Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost).

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

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), recently revealed South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) 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), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), recently revealed Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 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),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

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), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 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), East Wenatchee Sears (59 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  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International

Martial Law Canada: Cops loot homes of flood victims, takes all their guns!

28 June 2013 (11:08 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Sha’ban 1434/07 Tir 1391/21 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

“We have seized a large quantity of firearms simply because they were left by residents……We just want to make sure that all of those things are in a spot that we control, simply because of what they are….”-Brian Topham, RCMP

“When people find out about this there’s going to be untold hell to pay!”-Brenda Lackey, High River resident

“This is the reason the U.S. has the right to bear arms!”-Charles Timpano, High River resident

Royal Canadian Mounted Police evacuated the town of High River, during recent floods, then they looted the homes for all personally owned guns!  The Mounties are keeping 13000 residents away from their homes despite the fact that flood water has dissipated (going on eight days now).

The Canadian cops said the residents can have their guns back when they prove they own the gun!  The crony cops also admitted they “forcibly” entered many homes to get the guns, which is a violation of Canadian Private Property rights!

International

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan: Ron Paul points out hypocrisy of Obama! God made the Toyota Corolla! More U.S. troops killed by their own!

24 June 2013/15 Sha’ban 1434/03 Tir 1391/17 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

“‘We cannot leave’, we were told for all those years. If we leave Afghanistan now, the Taliban will come back! Well guess what, after 12 years, trillions of dollars, more than 2,200 Americans killed, and perhaps more than 50,000 dead Afghan civilians and fighters, the Taliban is coming back anyway!”-Ron Paul, former U.S Congressman, referring to the recent revelation and then backpedaling of the Obama administration and direct peace talks with Mujahideen (Taliban)

In Paktika Province, Sarubi District, reports that Mujahideen launched a large attack on ISAF/Afghan National Army (ANA) convoys.  Ten NATO/ISAF personnel killed, five ANA personnel killed, 15 people wounded.  Four armored vehicles and two pickup trucks destroyed by rocket fire.  One Mujahid killed, three wounded.

In Ghor Province, near Chagh Charan, a battle between ANA and Mujahideen.  Two armored vehicles and one pickup truck destroyed.  Dozens of ANA killed or wounded.  Three Mujahideen killed, five wounded.

In Helmand Province, reports that three days of fighting between ISAF/ANA and Mujahideen came to an end.  13 armored vehicles and pickup trucks destroyed.  32 NATO/ISAF/ANA personnel killed, 20 wounded.  One Mujahid killed, five wounded.  Mujahideen made large scale use of explosives in the battles, which they credit for the large numbers of vehicles destroyed.

In Kunduz Province, Khanabad District, 20 Afghan National Police (ANP)  joined Mujahideen, or swore not to fight against Mujahideen.

In Kabul Province, Kabul city, hundreds of people demonstrating for property rights stopped a vehicle convoy of U.S. military personnel.  Reports say U.S. forces began shooting, which turned the land rights demonstration into an anti-U.S. protest.  Reports also say the protestors were able to burn a U.S. military fueler.   Also, Toyota is boasting that Afghans in Kabul city love their Corollas.  An ongoing joke is that Corollas were created by god in Afghanistan; ‘There have been Toyota Corollas here before it was even produced in Japan’.  One local reporter took a ten minute ride through Kabul city and counted 194 Corollas, versus only 89 other types of vehicles. “You foreigners spend your money by going dancing or bowling. We invest in what is useful.”-Shaker Bakhter, Corolla dealer

The U.S. Army is now admitting that a U.S. soldier killed in Kandahar Province in 2011, was killed by faulty artillery mortar ammo!  The U.S. Army was forced to reveal the info by a Freedom of Information Act request by The News Tribune.  The Sergeant was killed when three mortar rounds failed to fire properly, and one landed on him.  He was with the 10th Mountain Division.  However, the U.S. Army investigation revealed that the unit was firing mortar rounds at a single Mujahid, whom they could not see anyway.  The investigators criticized the unit for deciding to use the mortar rounds to try and kill one Mujahid.

It has been revealed that U.S. taxpayers have been paying for new design combat boots every two or three years.  The U.S. Army says this is because they are looking for the perfect boot for fighting in Afghanistan.  Even though the U.S. is supposed to pullout after 2014, the U.S. Army has revealed the latest boot design, the Hot Weather Mountain Combat Boot.  The United States Special Operations Command says the constant spending of taxpayer money on new boot designs is because boots used during the invasion of 2001 quickly broke down on Afghan terrain.

It’s been revealed that the country of Georgia will be deploying more troops to Afghanistan.  NATO officials will attend a deployment ceremony on 26-27 June.

23 June 2013/14 Sha’ban 1434/02 Tir 1391/16 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711  

Paktika Province the site of numerous Mujahideen operations.  In Syed Karam District a NATO/ISAF camp was hit with mortar rounds.  In Jani Khel District a government building was attacked.  In Zurmat District one possibly two armored vehicles blown up by landmines.  Also, a Mujahid sniper claims to have shot a U.S. soldier and a ANA soldier.  In Yahiya Khel District three contracted soldiers were killed by Mujahideen.

In Laghman Province, Qarghayi District, Abdur Rahim Zai village Mujahideen claim a U.S./NATO/ISAF helicopter was shot down.  They say it crashed to the ground killing everyone on board.

ISAF reports another NATO/ISAF troop killed: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Parwan Province, Shinwari District, 20 ANA personnel killed in three days of battles with Mujahideen.  A local villager said the ANA medivacs left four bodies behind.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Syed Abad District, a massive fueler convoy was ambushed by Mujahideen.  13 fuelers destroyed, 16 damaged,  28 security guards/drivers killed, dozens wounded.  One truck was captured.  Mujahideen said the ambush was conducted by several Mujahideen groups, who took turns blasting away at the convoy over a three hour period.

President Hamid Karzai is demanding an explanation from Obama about the direct talks with Mujahideen (Taliban) in Qatar.  The Afghan Foreign Minister complained that Obama’s talks with Mujahideen is leaving out a key player: “The Afghan government remains fully committed to pursue a process of peace negotiations with the armed opposition, including the Taliban, but within the confines of the conditions and the principles and the assurances that we have established.”-Janan Mosazai

The Iranian government is reporting that the amount of drugs being trafficked into Iran from U.S. controlled Afghanistan has gone up 40% since the U.S. invasion in 2001.

10 soldiers with the U.S. territory of Guam Army National Guard Security Forces Advisory Team (SFAT) returned home.

22 June 2013/13 Sha’ban 1434/01 Tir 1391/15 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

In Uruzgan Province, Khod Valley, an Australian Special Forces Digger was killed in a firefight with Mujahideen.  Australian Defence Forces confirmed that another Special Forces Digger was wounded, as well as a Royal Australian Air Force  airman.

In Paktika Province, local government reports say a massive U.S. airstrike killed 30 people at a border check point.  The target were Mujahideen, but Mujahideen say only four of those killed were anti-government freedom fighters.

In Khost Province, Safir District, 30 ANA personnel joined the Mujahideen.

After doing a one eighty on direct talks with Mujahideen in their new Qatar office, an official from the Obama administration arrived in Qatar for such talks anyway.  U.S. envoy James Dobbins arrived for ‘nascent dialogue’ with the group, even though three days prior the Obama administration began telling the news media that they were not seeking direct talks with Mujahideen.  Obama just keeps up his whirling dervish routine!

In Canada, the man accused of trying to blow up a passenger train said he did it to fight the colonization of Afghanistan by European/American powers: “I want that in Afghanistan they will not suffer again from colonization, NATO colonization. Those who do colonize, they know very well that they are wrong.”-Chiheb Esseghaier

More than 150 U.S. state of South Carolina Army National Guardsmen from the 1223rd Engineer Company deployed to Afghanistan.

In Kabul Province, Camp Black Horse, ISAF officials report an increasing number of Afghans signing up to learn how to diffuse bombs.  They say a few years ago there were no Afghans willing to do bomb disposal work, but now there are 369 NATO qualified Afghan bomb diffusers.

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

False Flag Bio-War? GMO crops intended to create starvation in the U.S. & Canada?

19 June 2013 (04:08 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Sha’ban 1434/29 Khordad 1391/12 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

“The US (and Canadian) yields are falling behind economically and technologically equivalent agroecosystems matched for latitude, season and crop type; pesticide (both herbicide and insecticide) use is higher in the United States than in comparator W. European countries….”

A study by the University of Canterbury, in New Zealand, has revealed that the people of the United States and Canada could soon face starvation because of continued use of GMO (genetically modified organism) crops.

“The choice of GM-biotechnology packages in the US agroecosystem has been the stark contrast with W. European patterns of biotechnology use. Notwithstanding claims to the contrary…..there is no evidence that GM biotechnology is superior…..”

“Producing food is an essential activity, and the ability to produce food is a global strategic asset.”

“…..GM crops are not a solution, in part because they are controlled by strict IP instruments. Despite the claims that GM might be needed to feed the world, we found no yield benefit when the United States was compared to W. Europe……GM crops have maintained or increased US pesticide use relative to equally advanced competitors. The pattern and quantities unique to the use of GM-glyphosate-tolerant crops has been responsible for the selection of glyphosate-tolerant weeds, with estimates of resistant weeds on between 6 and 40 million hectares [14.8 million to 98.8 million acres] in the United States…….The use of Bt crops is associated with the emergence of Bt resistance and by novel mechanisms in insect pests“

“The diversity of the germplasm is not increasing under the commercial sector in the United States and under prevailing government innovation incentives…..This is linked to globally declining rates in yield growth.”

Read more in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Sears revenues down because of shuttered stores! Kmart slave labor! Sears Canada begins closing stores! Sears sells out to Lowe’s?

19 June 2013 (21:59 UTC-07 Tango 18 June 2013)/10 Sha’ban 1434/29 Khordad 1391/12 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

Illinois about to lose the Mount Vernon Sears.  Sears Holdings officials gave the usual bullshit reason for the closing: “As a part of the ordinary course of business, we close stores for a variety of reasons. The store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust our asset base and accelerate the transformation of our business model. These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail – at the store, online and in the home.”

A woman who bought Halloween decorations at a Kmart store that has since closed, discovered a letter inside one of the boxes containing the decorations.  It was a plea for help from a Chinese slave laborer.  The New York Times confirmed the letter by finding the actual slave laborer.  He has since been freed, but was held in a Chinese slave labor camp for his outlawed religious beliefs.  The company that supplied Kmart with the decorations denied they were made by slave laborers.

Sears Holdings reported a loss of $279 million USD during the quarter that ended 04 May 2013.  Ironically Sears is blaming part of the drop in sales on the fact that they’ve closed so many stores: “Domestic store closures accounted for approximately $375 million of the decrease from the prior year quarter.”-Sears Holdings First Quarter 2013 report

Sears Holdings is also blaming Sears Canada for ongoing losses: “Sears Canada’s comparable store sales declined 2.6% in the quarter”

They also blame the value of the U.S. dollar: “First quarter revenues also included a decrease of $19 million due to foreign currency exchange rates.”

On 14 June 2013, it was announced that Sears Canada will start closing stores in the Great White North.  Canadian news media report that two to three major Sears stores in the Toronto area will be closed.  Sears Canada officials blame the owners of the property, saying the landlords offered to pay Sears at least two hundred million in CAD (CAnadian Dollars) to vacate the premises.  (in January Sears Canada closed two distribution centers, ending 700 jobs)

On 17 June 2013, California based Orchard Supply Hardware went bankrupt.  OSH was bought by Sears in 1996.  Sears began selling stock in OSH in 2012.  Now reports say Lowe’s (a hardware competitor) is looking to become the new owner of OSH.

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart 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), Torrance Kmart.

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), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 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), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), recently revealed Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  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,  GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost).

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, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

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).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) 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), Moon Kmart (143 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),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

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), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 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), East Wenatchee Sears (59 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  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3, Asia-Pacific Front: Obama increasing military personnel in Australia! Japan & Canada increases wargames in California, preps for war with China!

14 June 2013 (12:10 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Sha’ban 1434/24 Khordad 1391/07 Wu-Wu (5th month) 4711

It’s been revealed that President Barack Obama is increasing the number of U.S. Marines occupying Australia.

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, announced that they’ve agreed to allow 1150 U.S. Marines to be deployed in the city of Darwin next year.  Currently about 200 Marines spend six months a year, in the Darwin area, playing army with Aussie Diggers.  There are other U.S. military personnel stationed elsewhere in Australia.

In 2011 Obama announced he would be stationing at least 2500 Marines and U.S. Air Force airmen in Australia.

Analysts point out that the city of Darwin has a strategic advantage to quickly deploy troops against China!

In the U.S. state of California, it was revealed that for the first time ever all three branches of the Japanese Self Defense Forces are taking part in a major war game with U.S. Marines, Canadian navy and New Zealand.  Officials from Australia and Singapore are observing operation Dawn Blitz 2013.

The war games began this past week, and involve (as in recent smaller war games with U.S. Marines) the invasion and capture of islands.  If you’ve been following news out of East Asia you’d know that Japan and China are at odds over certain islands, even threatening war over them.

The U.S. sponsored Dawn Blitz wargames began in 2010, which is about when Japan began ratcheting up their claims on disputed islands.  Recently Japan took over a island and China is demanding it be returned to them.

Japanese claims are upsetting not only China, but Russia, Korea (both north & U.S. ally south) and even U.S. ally Taiwan.  The Obama administration has repeatedly stated they support Japan’s claims on the disputed islands.

International

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. taxes pay for Russian weapons! China, India & Pakistan preps to take over Afghanistan!

19 May 2013/09 Rajab 1434/29 Ordibehest 1391/10 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Logar Province, a U.S. NATO C-130 transport made a hard landing.  ISAF gave no more information.   Mujahideen claim they’ve destroyed three armored vehicles in a battle against “invader troops”.

In Ghazni Province, Moqor District, Mujahideen attacked police checkpoints, killing at least six local cops, and wounding four others.    Mujahideen also claim that five “invaders” were killed when their dismount patrol stepped on a landmine, in the capital city of Ghazni.

In Sar-e Pol Province, reports that a car bomb exploded in the governor’s compound.  No details on casualties.

In Maidan Wardak province, Syed Abad District, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed 14 supply vehicles and killed 26 people, as well as wounded 10 others.  They say it’s the single worst day for the U.S./NATO invaders so far this year.

The Afghan government has decided to buy five Ukrainian built Antonov An-74 military transport aircraft.  There was no details as to where the money to buy them was coming from.

According to reports from India, China is pushing India and Pakistan to settle their disputes and join China in taking over Afghanistan after the supposed 2014 U.S./NATO pullout.

In Kandahar Province, Canada has sent 15 soldiers to investigate more than 375 shipping containers that never made it back to Canada!  The containers full of military spare parts were left in Kandahar (after Canadian forces pulled out of that area), because they were not considered “seaworthy”.  Some critics say the containers were left because the Canadian government could not afford to pay the cost of shipping them back to Canada.

18 May 2013/08 Rajab 1434/28 Ordibehest 1391/09 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kunduz Province, Kunduz city, reports that U.S. led Afghan forces conducted a home invasion, kidnapping two people after ransacking their house.

In Farah Province, Bakwa District, an Afghan National Army vehicle ran over a landmine, killing four soldiers.  In Khak-e-Safid District, the district police chief was assassinated by gunman on a motorcycle.

In Khost Province, an explosion killed one border cop, wounded three other cops, and wounded six civilians.

In Paktika Province, Yahya Khel District, one person was killed and four wounded after they drove over a landmine.

In Boise, Idaho U.S.A., 20 members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 949th Transportation Detachment said goodbye as they deployed to Afghanistan.

It was reported that Afghanistan’s Amu Darya basin oil fields will begin commercial production in about two months.  The China National Petroleum Corporation controls that area.

17 May 2013/07 Rajab 1434/27 Ordibehest 1391/08 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, two explosions killed at least nine people, and wounded 70 others.   The first explosion was caused by a suicide car bomber, the second was a remote detonated bomb inside a car.   Other reports say it was two motorcycle bombs and one car bomb.  One report says the target was the family of President Hamid Karzai.

Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport plans to deliver 12 Mil Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan by the end of 2013.  The $367.5 million USD deal was actually paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense, with an option to buy another $600 million worth of Russian helicopters!

Russia is considering returning troops to patrol the Tajik-Afghan border.  Russia ceased border patrols there in 2009, but officials say illegal drug trafficking and violence has increased since then.  They blame the United States for not securing Afghanistan.

According to Indian news media reports, the government of India is considering sending troops to Afghanistan: “It is in India’s interest to enhance security and defense cooperation with Afghanistan.”-unnamed officials with Indian External Affairs Ministry

700 Canucks are preparing for Operation Attention, supposedly the final Canadian deployment to Afghanistan.  They begin deploying over the next six weeks.

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 22 May 2013: Entire school district shut down! It does kill! Cancer mistaken for stomach bug!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 58% of all public pools tested in the United States, were swimming with E.Coli (bacteria) contaminated human shit (fecal contamination)!    The CDC concluded that many ‘mericans aren’t very clean.

In Ohio U.S.A., 11 schools were closed in Brunswick.  The epidemic started at a 07 May teacher appreciation lunch.  It’s been spreading since then.  All schools were closed because so many students are sick that even those students not sick have siblings that are sick.  Several dozens of teachers and students are sick.  Local media incorrectly called norovirus the stomach flu and/or food poisoning.

In Missouri U.S.A., the Cole County Health Department now saying last weeks’ outbreaks in local elementary and junior highs, were caused by norovirus.

In Arlington, Virginia U.S.A., Nottingham Elementary School hit by an outbreak.  School officials only made things more confusing when they started moving students from classroom to classroom.  School officials refuse to say how many students got sick, but one parent said at least 80. Students were fearful: “Everyone was getting sick. It got me and all my friends worried, and we cleared out as fast as we could.”-Raquel Robinson, 4th grader

In Wisconsin U.S.A., more than 50 students from Minnesota got sick at a YMCA camp.  Reports say the Minnesota Department of Health said one child from the North Star State was sick with norovirus when they left home for the YMCA camp.  Once there the virus quickly spread to the other students.  Also, in Franklin, the Pleasant View Elementary School was closed and scrubbed after more than 50 students became sick with stomach bug symptoms.  Health officials are testing to determine the cause.

In Iowa U.S.A., the Siouxland District Health Department investigating what caused about three teachers and 80 students to get sick at the Bryant Elementary School.

In New York U.S.A., a woman thought she was suffering from stomach bug, because of the symptoms.  She finally went to the doctor and found out she had fast spreading stage 4 breast cancer.  She died after her first chemotherapy treatment.  Friends of the family said that the exact moment she died a double rainbow appeared in the sky.

In East Riding of Yorkshire, England U.K., ward 21 at Castle Hill Hospital closed due to an outbreak: “…new patients being brought onto the ward had to go past the infected people.”-hospital source

In Worcestershire, England U.K., the Alexandra Hospital was closed along with wards at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

In East Midlands, England U.K., an investigation into the death of a 38 years old woman last year, concluded she died from norovirus.  Pathologists also told the Chesterfield Coroner’s Court that at least 80 people died in the United Kingdom last year, because of norovirus.

A study by a Canadian insurance company found that 93% of workers in United Kingdom go to work sick.  The main reasons are fear of loss of income and/or employment.

In Highland, Scotland U.K., The County Community Hospital in Invergordon, Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie, and the inpatient ward in Nairn Town have all been closed due to outbreaks.

In Queensland, Australia, a man is suffering from a massive watermelon sized hernia, after he got sick with a stomach bug.  He got infected after continuing to drink from his beer after he dropped in into the river he was fishing on.  Of course he picked up unknown microbes as a result.  The anti-biotic treatments and operations didn’t help. He’s been told he’ll need six more operations, yet on his most recent trip to the Royal Brisbane Hospital he was turned away due to lack of beds!

Researchers at Texas A&M University are experimenting with an electron beam to kill norovirus and hepatitis A in oysters. Most people like eating their oysters raw.

Other researchers claim they’ve come up with a way to kill microbes (bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds) using gold, silver and lasers.  Apparently they use micro particles of gold or silver ‘shells’ designed to trap specifically shaped microbes, and then use a laser, which somehow kills only those microbes trapped in the gold/silver shells.

 

International

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 12 May 2013: Baby diaper changing stations spreading the disease!

In Oregon U.S.A., health investigators are blaming a 2012 outbreak on a baby diaper changing station in a car dealership.  It happened during an employee meeting, where catered sandwiches were served.  State health officials immediately suspected the restaurant that provided the sandwiches, because of their poor health inspection record. However, inspectors got a surprise.  It turns out that one woman/customer at the dealership brought her child, who was sick.  Employees said she took the toddler to the restroom and then left immediately after.  One employee inspected the restroom and found diaper changing station a “mess” and tried to clean it up with a paper towels.  She did not wear gloves and did not use bleach.  She then opened the door for employees bringing in the sandwiches, and she was the first employee to take a sandwich from the tray.  Bingo, bamo, 16 employees sick and wishing they’d never attended the meeting.

But wait, there’s more.  The owner of the car dealership had the restroom professionally cleaned, twice, after the incident, yet Oregon health inspectors found that the diaper changing station still had baby crap on it!!!  Officials said think twice about using that diaper changing station: “I’d really think twice about using them unprotected.”-Kimberly Repp, Washington County epidemiologist

In Washington U.S.A., Grant County Health District quarantining the Longview Elementary school, after at least 100 students were out sick.  The school in the Moses Lake School District is being scrubbed top to bottom.

In sparsely populated Montana U.S.A., record number of cases continue.  Flat Head County reporting spikes in cases in schools and assisted living facilities.

Another cruise ship hit. According to the U.S. CDC, a Crystal Cruises’ ship out of Los Angeles, California U.S.A., got hit causing 125 passengers and 22 crew to get sick.

It was revealed that the Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado U.S.A., is cleaning up after an outbreak.  The outbreak shut down one entire building, after patients and employees got sick.

In Worchester, Massachusetts U.S.A., many people reported getting sick after eating at Ziti’s Restaurant.  However, health inspectors said they could not find any evidence of infection in the restaurant.   It turns out that many food items in the restaurant are actually provided by outside sources.

In Victor, New York U.S.A., several Victor Senior High School students became sick.  The Ontario County Health Department is investigating, but is trying to correct the public’s conception that norovirus and ‘food poisoning’ are the same thing.  Many people have been reporting food poisoning, when in fact what health officials are finding is infections of norovirus.

In Canada, it turns out that norovirus is common in the York area.  A report says many restaurants are sites of outbreaks, due to improper handling and cooking of food, however the outbreaks are not made public.  Before you eat out, call the York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 1-866-252-9933 or visit the YorkSafe site.

In Barnstaple,  England U.K., the North Devon District hospital on visitor restrictions due to an outbreak.

The Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Scotland U.K., closes ward 3C to visitors due to an outbreak.  Also, the Gilbert Bain Hospital’s ward 1 in Shetland, on visitor restriction.

A report says United Kingdom‘s health care Accident & Emergency services “…performance has deteriorated significantly over the last six months.”  By the end of 2012 one third of hospitals failed to meet standards for A&E services. National Health Services England wants to form special boards to figure out how to fix the problem.  One media source said “…many patients were left lying in their own urine and excrement for days, forced to drink water from vases or given the wrong medication.”  The U.K. Health Minister, Anna Soubry, blamed it on the tax paying public: “If you look at the number of people presenting at A&E it’s grown by one million in just the last year.”

Reports saying a deadly superbug (created by overuse of antibiotics), C.Diff, is now the fastest growing hospital borne disease.  Another report says being depressed makes you more susceptible to infection.  A study published in BMC Medicine says depression directly affects your tummy, making it easier for bugs like Clostridium difficile to take over: “Our finding of a link between depression and C.diff should help us better identify those at risk of infection and perhaps encourage exploration of the underlying brain-gut mechanisms involved.”-Mary Rogers, University of Michigan

But wait, there’s more.  It turns out that treatment for depression, specifically taking anti-depressants, actually makes you even more susceptible to being taken out by the deadly C.Diff!

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: Shanghai downgrades, Canada holds back!

10 May 2013 (11:51 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada t-Tania 1434/20 Ordibehest 1392/01 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

Health officials in the city of Shanghai have terminated the Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan (Level III).  They claim there have been no new human cases of H7N9 in the past 20 days.

While there are newer cases in Shanghai hospitals, they actually got infected in neighboring provinces.  Shanghai health officials have also stopped monitoring the 458 people connected to those Shanghaians who were infected.

At this point 33 Shanghai residents got sick, 13 died and 15 have recovered.  The live poultry markets will remain closed.

Canada has decided not to take part in H7N9 vaccine studies. Officially the Public Health Agency (PHA) of Canada has decided to just sit back and watch what happens with the H7N9 trials in the United States. However, one official slipped up and revealed they already have a vaccine: “So this step of doing some early clinical trials looking at immunogenicity is really going to be critical for the U.S. go-forward process. Whereas here in Canada, we’ve already made a decision on what kind of vaccine we’re going to use.”-John Spika, PHA

According to a report in Clinical Chemistry, a new test has been developed to detect H7 viruses early on.  This would be a good thing, as recent studies showed the H7N9 is a killer because it somehow remains undetected, even by your own body’s immune system, until it overwhelms you.  Also, by that point anti-viral treatments don’t work well, so the key is early detection and treatment.