Tag Archives: u.k.

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 20 January 2013: Hybrid Pandemic! Blame those so called environmentaly friendly reusable shopping bags! Hand sanitizers do not work!

“This virus is just unbelievably contagious.”-Paul Cieslak, Oregon Public Health Division

Health officials in Oregon are reporting a spike in norovirus cases in the past two weeks.  Also, an outbreak that hit a girl’s soccer team has been linked to those so called environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags. It happened in 2010.  Last year researchers were finally able to make the link.  The first victim of the virus actually made an attempt to stay away from the other players, but seven others still got sick.  The common link was a reusable shopping bag containing food that all eight shared.  The bag-o-food was left in the bathroom, for some unintelligent reason.  The researchers speculate that the first girl vomited in the bathroom where the reusable food bag was.  With the norovirus just being in the same area of someone throwing up can get you sick, or contaminate your food.

The Sydney 2012 hybird of the Genotype II.4 strain of norovirus is spreading fast in France, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.  Ian Goodfellow at the University of Cambridge says Sydney 2012 is “the Ferrari of the virus world” and “one of the most infectious viruses of man.”

Genotype II.4 is known as a type of norovirus that causes epidemics and pandemics. Sydney 2012 is something new, it’s a hybrid between Japanese and  Dutch Genotype II.4 strains.  Aussie and Kiwi Researchers say the two 2007 strains combined to make the Sydney 2012 strain (it was first noticed in Australia in 2012).  There have been several norovirus pandemics: 1996-97, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

Cases of norovirus, influenza and whooping cough are all on the rise, and some are thinking there’s a connection.  Health officials in the U.S. state (Utah) now considered the launch point for Sydney 2012, say there’s no connection: “As far as we know, they’re completely coincidental and separate.”-Andy Pavia, University of Utah

In California yet another school was hit with the stomach bug.  A week ago there were ten outbreaks reported in Contra Costa County, one of them at the Lafayette elementary school. More than 100 students were sick. But this seems common for schools in Contra Costa County, in the first two months of 2012 at least 30 schools were hit.  If you didn’t hear about it last year it’s because schools are not required to make public such outbreaks!

I recently saw a report out of the U.S. midwest where hospital staff told the reporter they’re being ordered to use lots of “purell” (an alcohol based hand sanitizer). However, Contra Costa Public Health officials in California are saying alcohol based hand cleaners have no effect on norovirus!  (click here to see  study)

Also in California, Marin County Public Health officials gave a nursing home a clean bill of health after an outbreak sickened 78 people.  Six people were hospitalized, and two died.  The nursing home will no longer use a self serve buffet style eating facility, staff must now serve each person their meals while wearing gloves and hats.

In Hawaii, a week and a half ago health officials reported a sudden outbreak of norovirus at several hospitals. They were surprised by how fast it spread. So far no common link has been found, and officials hope it’s over.

In Merry Olde England, health officials are telling sick people to stay away from the hospital!  The United Kingdom‘s Health Protection Agency (HPA) is telling people to phone their doctor or clinic first if they think they’re sick.  Telling people to stay away from the hospital might have helped reduce hospital outbreaks, but, the HPA is also reporting that overall cases of vomiting bug are 56% higher when compared to the same time last year.

Also, norovirus is still alive and well in British hospitals. The Solihull Hospital was recently closed to visitors, and two wards were locked down: “Wards 15 and 19 at Solihull Hospital are currently on lock down due to norovirus.  As there are also many cases of norovirus outside the hospital in the community; Solihull Hospital has closed all wards to visitors except for the outpatients department and intensive care as a precautionary measure to protect patients. Any patients attending an outpatient appointment should not attend if they have experienced vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms two days prior to their appointment.”-hospital statement

A cruise ship company has settled a lawsuit from a woman in Scotland. She got sick with norovirus on a cruise four years ago, and is still suffering symptoms!

Health officials in France report that the number of people sick with norovirus has passed the epidemic level.

In Delaware, the Division of Public Health reports the first cases, and that there have been several outbreaks.

Here’s more proof that cleanliness does not protect you from viruses, and hospitals are the worst place to be: “They can survive freezing and heating and cleaning with many chemical disinfectants. In 2010, scientists surveyed a hospital for noroviruses and found 21 different types sitting on a single countertop. It takes fewer than 20 noroviruses slipping into a person’s mouth to start a new infection.”–Carl Zimmer, science writer National Geographic

Norovirus is also known as Norwalk virus, calicivirus, viral gastroenteritis and many other names and strains: “Symptoms of norovirus infection include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that affect the stomach and intestines and are the most common cause of stomach and intestinal inflammation, also known as gastroenteritis, in the U.S.”-David Young, South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control

Most people are sick with symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.  However, even if you feel better you can still pass it along for almost a week afterwards.  If you’re sick with symptoms for more than 48 hours get medical help.

That said, there is no treatment for norovirus (basically the hospital tries to keep you hydrated), no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually one of the first studies ever to investigate such claims).

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 07-10 January 2013. Hundreds of cops poisoned! First Green on Blue attack of the year!

10 January 2013

ISAF said: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died today following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.”

Independent truck drivers went on strike, protesting a new Pakistan law requiring them to give up their independence and become part of authorized companies contracted to deliver supplies to U.S./NATO/ISAF forces in Afghanistan.

09 January 2013

Four Polish NATO troops are on re-trial for the deaths of eight civilians, including women and children.  Five years ago a Polish NATO patrol open fired on a wedding party.  Seven Polish troops were originally let go for lack of evidence, but prosecutors are now re-trying four of them based on new evidence.

08 January 2013

In Balkh Province, at least 250 policemen were poisoned. The incident happened in a military compound, the cops became sick after eating their breakfast.  The cause of the poisoning is under investigation.

Reports saying Kandahar airbase came under rocket attack.  One report says ten rockets were launched, another report says two rockets were launched.  Apparently a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft was nearly hit while on the runway.

07 January 2013

ISAF said: “An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in southern Afghanistan.”

Other reports say it was an Afghan National Armyman who fired on Red Coat troops from United Kingdom.  One was killed, three wounded.  It happened in Helmand Province.

In Farah Province, six cops disappeared from their check post in Pusht-e-Rud district. Mujahideen say the six cops have joined them.  Also, another cop was killed in an ambush.

Afghan government officials have asked the United States to turn over all spy balloon operations to them, after the U.S. pullout in 2014.  Afghan military officials say the big advantage of the spy balloons is the night vision equipment.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 03-06 January 2013. More bad behaviour by U.S. led forces documented! 133 children sacrificed everyday for the United States! Soldiers killing themselves while on leave!

06 January 2013

A new Afghan Defense Ministry report backs up claims that U.S. forces are instigating Green on Blue attacks by mistreating their Afghan counterparts.  The latest report says U.S. personnel, with the help of some of their Afghan interpreters, are harassing and humiliating villagers in Maidan Wardak Province.  Also, the report says U.S. forces are not coordinating military operations with Afghan National Army (ANA) troops, as promised in recent agreements.   Afghan defense officials tried to detain the interpreters but: “When we asked NATO forces to hand over the interpreters, they told us that they are not here and have fled the area.”

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commented on claims that U.S. led troops are abusing detainees, saying any abuse was at the hands of the Afghan interpreters and U.S. led troops were not involved or aware of the incidents.

According to data from the World Bank, and the United Nations,  at least 133 Afghan children die everyday (43,545 per year).  The main cause is dirty water.  This should be a concern for U.S. and European taxpayers, as millions of USD has been spent on water projects most of which never happened.  Recent investigations by U.S. government agencies revealed that many of the contractors who got the tax money to improve the water systems never showed up.  Is this intentional?  So much for U.S. claims to stabilize and improve life for Afghanistan.

In Kandahar Province, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a government compound.  Then Mujahideen infantry attacked the compound.  Local police say 10 people were killed, 15 people were wounded.

The Afghan government has freed hundreds of prisoners who were being held by U.S. forces at Bagram Prison, and at other prisons. General Mohammad Yar Barakzai said that despite “…no evidence to prove their involvement in the insurgency.”, U.S. forces held them in prison for at least a couple of years, Israeli style.

05 January 2013

Mujahideen warned of increased attacks if the U.S. does not withdraw all personnel at the end of 2014: “If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length.”

U.S. media reports have revealed that as many as 20,000 U.S. personnel could remain after 2014.

An official from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili, arrived in capital Kabul.  He said he was there on official invitation from President Hamid Karzai.  Iran is funding dozens of reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

04 January 2013

Pakistan claims 25 mortar rounds were fired into their country from Afghanistan. They say it was Afghan government border forces that fired the short range artillery rounds.

Afghan public health ministry officials say at least one woman dies giving birth every two hours in Afghanistan.  However, they say this is an improvement.  They claim that 11 years ago it was one woman dying during childbirth ever 24 minutes!

A British Red Coat, who survived an explosion in Afghanistan, killed himself while on Christmas leave back home in the United Kingdom.  Officials said only that “Police are investigating the death of a soldier who was serving with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.”

03 January 2013

In Helmand Province, a religious cleric was assassinated while leading prayer in a Mosque.  Reports say he was targeted because he supported the government.  Also, an ISAF soldier from Denmark was killed by an explosion while on patrol: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack…”

In Ghazni Province, reports of a girl being gang raped and the local government trying to cover it up.  The girl is in critical condition and was sent to Kabul for treatment. A vigilante group claims to have detained one of the four men accused of the rape.  Local police say they did not cover up the rape, that simply it was never officially reported to them by the family.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen report attacking several checkpoints, killing and wounding a handful of ANA troops.  Mujahideen also report destroying a Counter Terrorism Pursuit Team (CTPT) in Narang district, after a four hour battle.

In Laghman Province, Mujahideen report day long ambushes on Afghan government convoys. They claim they killed at least 17 Afghan government personnel, and wounded 13.  Three Mujahideen were killed, as well as one civilian.

U.S.

2nd U.S. Civil War: Oregon sheriffs refuse to enforce any new anti-gun laws! The 2nd Amendment is about civilians owning military weapons!!!

“We must not allow, nor shall we tolerate, the actions of criminals, no matter how heinous the crimes, to prompt politicians to enact laws that will infringe upon the liberties of responsible citizens who have broken no laws.”-Tim Mueller, Linn County Sheriff

Read the rest of his letter here.    Crook County Sheriff, Jim Hensley, said he sent the Obama administration a similar letter.

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”-2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Note that this amendment says nothing about hunting!  It is totally about self defense!  Arms refers to whatever hand carried weapon is the current weapon of choice by military forces, it is about civilians owning military weapons!!!  That, and freedom of religion, is what made the United States so revolutionary!

The amendment can only be legally changed if a Constitutional Congress is held, which means writing a new bill of rights and a new constitution. It also means the United States we Constitutionalists know, and would like to have returned, will cease to exist.

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN demands war in Mali! France goes on warpath! Rebels promise long war against western invaders! Obama promises are proof of christian war against Islam, in the name of oil!

“France has opened the gates of hell for all the French. She has fallen into a trap which is much more dangerous than Iraq, Afghanistan or Somalia!”-Oumar Ould Hamaha, Mali rebel

14 January 2013, a little earlier than first thought, but it looks like the United Nations has given the go ahead for western invasion of Mali, and France is launching airstrikes.

Mali is a former colony of France, and recently several British empire oil companies have been exploring for black gold in the west African country.  The United States has recently increased troop strength there.

France began airstrikes on 11 January 2013, after the christian dominated UN Security Council issued a statement saying they were afraid the Islamic rebels were winning their revolution.  Today, 14 January 2013, French reports say that despite their weekend long airstrikes the rebels are winning.  Rebels quickly reconstituted after the airstrikes and actually captured another town.  French military leaders are basically calling for a ground invasion by U.S. led NATO.

There are already 2,500 French troops, and 3,300 West African troops (at the behest of the UN), in country trying to save the pro-western Mali government.   Canada has already sent military transport aircraft to help the French.

U.S. President Barack Obama has promised France all the help it needs: “What we have promised them is that we would work with them, to cooperate with them, to provide whatever assistance we can to try to help them in that effort.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense

The European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN) are holding emergency meetings.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 29 December 2012 – 02 January 2013. Increased drone strikes proof the U.S. is losing the war? ANA attack Spanish troops! Cops kill wives! Pakistan attacks, again! Thousands of Afghan government troops used as human sacrifices for the United States! More proof it’s about the oil! More U.S. taxes wasted!

02 January 2013

A report says U.S. President Barack Obama authorized 450 drone (UAV) strikes in Afghanistan in 2012, double from the year before.  Afghans take it as proof the United States is losing the war: “Unfortunately, they think they can win this war by killing civilians. Actually, these attacks are revenges from the loss that the U.S. government has faced in Afghanistan.”-Mohammad Daoud Abedi, Afghan Nation Peace Council

In Herat Province, an Iranian man was found dead. Local police have given no details, other than he was a truck driver.  There has been an increase in the number of people being kidnapped in the province.

01 January 2013

In Herat Province, Karkh district, two Afghan National Army (ANA) officers attacked a Spanish/NATO military convoy. No one was hurt, and the ANA officers are missing.

In Kunduz Province, reports that two people were killed by U.S. led drone strike.

In Uruzgan Province, a local cop shot and killed his wife and teenaged son.  He is on the loose.  Local police officials say it was all over some kind of family argument.

Government officials in Sarkano district, Kunar Province, claim Pakistan fired 12 artillery rockets into their territory. One woman was killed, three children wounded.

According to icasualties.org, 309 U.S. personnel, 44 U.K. forces and 45 soldiers from other NATO/ISAF member countries were killed in 2012.  This is piddly when compared to how many puppet Afghan National Army troops died fighting for the United States: “We lost around one thousand and fifty of our hero soldiers in 2012….”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

According to reports, more and more Afghan government officials are seeking asylum in the United States and United Kingdom/British Empire.  This year hundreds of Afghan  presidential palace employees, diplomats, reporters and journalists, athletes and students who’ve left Afghanistan have never returned.  Australia has been dealing with boat loads of refugees from Afghanistan.  The UN High Commission for Refugees said, this year, that Afghans make up the most people seeking asylum.  So much for the United States stabilizing Afghanistan in their War on Terror.

31 December 2012

2012 was a record year for Green on Blue attacks (Afghan government personnel attacking U.S. led NATO/ISAF personnel or contractors).  At least 46 U.S. led occupiers were killed in such attacks.  That’s 11 more than 2011.

In Samangan Province, a man serving time for killing three of his inlaws, killed his wife while she was visiting him in prison.  Prison officials believe the man was being motivated to commit the murders by his own mother. His mother had been telling him that his wife was having an affair.

In Daikundi Province, local government officials reporting a 50% increase in suicides among women.  The main reason is domestic violence.

Pakistan has released four more top Mujahideen leaders from prison. This comes at the request of the Afghan government. It’s part of demands by Mujahideen in order to continue with peace talks.

U.S. corporation, FMC Technologies, was just awarded the contract to build a oil/fuel refinery in the Amu Darya River basin, in the province of Jowzjan.  It is one of six oil fields in Afghanistan, discovered in 1930 by Swedish explorers.  The refinery is expected to put out 60,000 barrels of fuel everyday starting in Gregorian year 2015.  China is already a major player in Afghanistan’s budding oil industry.

30 December 2012

Near the Jalalabad airbase, in Nangarhar Province, a hidden bomb exploded.  The bomb was inside a fueler truck, in a convoy heading to the airbase. At least nine feulers were destroyed as they sat parked.  Jalalabad airbase is the second largest U.S. airbase in Afghanistan.

29 December 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”

A Georgian/ISAF soldier who disappeared last week, was found dead.  No further info was issued.

The U.S. government has canceled the planed purchase of Italian made C-27 Spartan transport planes, for the Afghan air force.  Afghan government officials are happy: “Today we are very happy to hear the cancellation of the aircrafts purchase through the Italian corporation. The aircrafts are not usable by the Afghan Air Force anymore and we thank those who have taken this decision.”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

U.S. taxpayers take note: Your government had already spent $600 million USD of your taxes on the C-27 for Afghanistan program!  Apparently the Afghan air force wants to continue to rely on their reliable Russian rotary wings and U.S. Cessna fixed wings.

Eight people, including four children, died due to being stuck in cold weather, after Pakistan closed the Torkham border gate.  Border police say thousands of people are stuck. Pakistan recently closed the border crossing in retaliation for Afghan border police harassing Pakistani citizens.

Iranian and Afghan education officials announced they will build a jointly run science/technology university in the near future.

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 09 January 2013: Main stream media now reporting new strain, after I already did! Utah ground zero in United States! More deaths! Canada gets double whammy!

“It’s very fast moving and very contagious.”-Jennifer Robertson, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, Utah

09 January 2013, U.S. main stream media reporting that the cause of increased norovirus cases is a new version.  In December 2012 I reported that Japanese health officials reported a new strain that was sicken thousands of Japanese.  In March 2012 I warned that increased globalization of food markets could spread new diseases within the U.S. (mainly because the Federal government cut funding for Food & Drug Administration inspections of imported food).

The latest reports say the new version of norovirus was born in Australia, and it’s launch point in the U.S. is the Beehive State of Utah.  It’s called Genotype II.4 or Sydney 2012.

In Utah, at least 250 Mormon missionaries got sick at the missionary training camp. State health officials are investigating clusters of outbreaks.

In Oregon, reports that people visiting the zoo are getting sick. Beaver State health officials think that as many as 135 people got sick at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, back in December 2012. An independent media investigation revealed that the zoo’s restaurants avoided health inspections since 2006, through a loophole favoring state run businesses. To make matters worse, on 03 January 2013, health officials reported another outbreak in Portland. One hospital had 75 ER cases since December, and then four of their own doctors and a dozen nurses got sick.

And just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s clean.  In Wyoming, Cowboy State health officials have linked a norovirus outbreak to a newly opened Golden Corral Buffet & Grill.  306 people were confirmed to be sick with the vomiting bug, in December 2012: “The real strong message is that there’s a definite, classic curve that shows that there was a point-source outbreak December 7th through 10th at Golden Corral restaurant.”-Robert Harrington, Casper-Natrona County Public Health Department

In California, two people died in Mill Valley, Marin County, after an outbreak last week.  On 08 January 2013, a private college prep school re-opened in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, after it closed twice, because of outbreaks.  The first outbreak took place on 26 November 2012, after a teacher in-service day.  The second outbreak occurred among students in December.

In Nevada, health officials admit that norovirus cases are so common there, that they don’t keep stats!  In Las Vegas, casino owners swear they keep track in order to prevent spreading it to other casinos.  One state health official says it ain’t no thing: “We don’t keep statistics on it because it is so common.”-Jennifer Sizemore,  Southern Nevada Health District

Health officials in the United Kingdom don’t think it ain’t no thing.  They predict a million more Brits will get sick, compared to last year.  They’ve also issued a warning regarding blood donors!  The result is a shortage of the O-, or universal blood type.  On 07 January 2013, there were reports that hospital ERs were so full that people were being treated in ambulances.

In Taiwan (Republic of China), the Taipei City Government Department of Health reported 2,100 emergency room cases last week.  That’s double from the same time last year!  Health officials say it’s almost a guarantee that if one family member gets sick, the whole family will be sick soon.

In Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hospitals are getting hit with a double whammy of norovirus and influenza.  Alberta Health Services reports hospitals are more than 100% occupancy.  Elective surgeries are being canceled due to concerns over infections.  Albertans are being asked to be more selective in seeking help: “We are looking to Albertans to educate themselves on the options available for their care to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and also to help reduce the pressures on our ERs during this season.”-William Dickout, Edmonton medical director

Back in the U.S. of A.  The Maine Center for Disease Control (MCDC) says it’s concerned about the flu/norovirus double whammy, as norovirus has spread from York County: “Norovirus is totally different from influenza. They are both happening in Maine right now, and you have to know a little bit about each one to protect yourself.”-Stephen Sears, MCDC

There is no treatment for norovirus, no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually the first study ever to investigate such claims).

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 25 – 28 December 2012. Attacks increasing! U.S. bombs Afghan government militias! Tit for tat increases with Pakistan. Cops keep attacking fellow cops! More waste of U.S. taxpayer money!

28 December 2012

Mujahideen claim wave of attacks in Kandahar Province.  In Shahwalikot district, battles raged since the day before. Mujahideen are not sure of how much damage they inflicted on enemy troops, but they think they blew up a U.S./NATO armored vehicle.  Also, in the same district a local cop joined the Mujahideen.  In Panjwaee district, a cop was sniped.  In Kandahar city, a police vehicle was blown up with a bicycle bomb, killing four and wounding one.  In Ghorak district, a police vehicle was blown up with a landmine.  In Hisark district, 15 U.S./NATO personnel were killed in a firefight.

Pakistan closed the Torkham gate on the border with Afghanistan, claiming two Pakistani truck drivers had been tortured by Afghan border police.  This was apparently in retaliation for Pakistani police harassing 29 Afghan truck drivers.  And that was in retaliation for Afghan harassment of Pakistani workers the week prior!

In another example of wasted U.S. taxpayer money; two Afghan women returned from the United States after receiving helicopter pilot training.  The problem is that the Afghan air force refuses to let the women do their jobs as pilots.  The two 2nd Lieutenants are the first female pilots for Afghanistan since the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.

Afghans are suing Germany over an airstrike that killed almost one hundred civilians, and wounded at least 142.  It happened in 2009, when German ground troops called in an airstrike on two fuelers that had been captured by Mujahideen.  USAF F-15 Eagles blew up the fuel trucks in a crowded part of Kunduz city.

Australia began officially withdrawing from Afghanistan.  They claim they will be out by the end of 2013.

27 December 2012

In Logar Province, Mujahideen claim heavy fighting.  Two U.S. led troops on foot patrol killed, and two wounded, using a remote detonated bomb.  They also claim to have killed two Afghan government troops when they blew up their vehicle.  A policeman was sniped by Mujahideen as well.

In Uruzgan Province, Mujahideen attacked a police checkpoint. Government reports say four cops killed, four wounded. Mujahideen claim six cops killed.  Reports say the attack was led by a local cop.

In Kunar Province,  Mujahideen are calling it the Battle of Kunar.  In Chapa Darah district, they claim to have killed seven enemy troops and blew up three vehicles.  In Manugi district, they claim to have killed three enemy troops, wounded dozens, and destroyed three vehicles.

26 December 2012

In Nangarhar Province, in Khogiyani district, U.S./NATO forces used helicopters to bomb Afghan government militia troops and local police, killing 15.  It happened during an intense battle with Mujahideen.  Apparently the U.S. led forces mistook the local government militia/cops as Mujahideen.  No comment from ISAF, so far.  Mujahideen say, “na, na, you missed me, you didn’t even touch me!”

In Faryab Province, in Dawlatabad district, Mujahideen attacked a police checkpoint chasing off the cops and taking two motorcycles and a supply truck.  In Chilgazi district, Mujahideen killed 10 Afghan National Army (ANA) troops, and captured one.

In Khost Province, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chapman was hit by a car bomb: “Three Afghan nationals are killed and seven Afghan nationals are wounded. We have no report of coalition casualties right now.”-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

Afghan media reports say President Hamid Karzai has met with Mujahideen leaders.  He promised them he would take their complaints directly to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Afghan investigators say the police woman who killed a U.S. police contractor, is from Iran.  They say she came to Afghanistan ten years ago with her husband.  Although investigators are trying to blame the shooting on the fact that she’s originally from Iran, they have not found any links to Mujahideen.  The female cop said she did it to get vengeance for being sexually harassed.

France will offer asylum to Afghans that have worked for the French military.  French officials admit those Afghans who worked for the French military will not be safe once French troops leave Afghanistan.

Today was the 33rd anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.  The Soviets had advanced weapons, highly trained troops, much more firepower including air power, yet still lost.  They occupied Afghanistan (on their own, not with allies like the United states) for ten years.

25 December 2012 

In Kandahar Province, Panjwaee district, Mujahideen say they attacked a enemy foot patrol by ambush and landmines.  Two killed, one wounded. In Karez bazaar of Kandahar city, Mujahideen attacked a police check point with grenades. As government reinforcements arrived, Mujahideen attacked them with bombs. Six killed.  In Boldak district, three border police were killed, one wounded, when they drove over a landmine.

In Farah Province, three people were killed when they drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, in Bari Gul bazaar area of Nad Ali district, U.S./NATO forces raided a village. Three people were beat up then kidnapped.

In Paktika Province, an ANA soldier joined the Mujahideen.

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

What Economic Recovery? Hewlett Packard on the ropes, and going down! Blames War on Terror!

“Terrorist acts, conflicts of wars (wherever located throughout the world) may cause damage or disruption to HP, our employees, facilities, partners, suppliers, distributors, resellers or customers or adversely affect our ability to manage logistics……..The potential for future attacks, the national and international responses……or wars, including ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, have created many economic and political uncertainties……actions against or by the United States may impact our business and employees.”-HP Form 10-K, Security & Exchange Commission report, 27 December 2012

Hewlett Packard filed a 10-K report with the U.S. SEC, and it’s full of what if scenarios, mostly bad scenarios.  Obviously the executives of HP are not positive about 2013.  Employees will continue to be shed: “The restructuring plan includes both voluntary early retirement programs and non-voluntary workforce reductions and is expected to result in 29,000 employees exiting the company by the end of the period [by the end of 2014].”   

HP is also dealing with trouble from competitors, dealers and divisions.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating HP’s claims that the executives of the British company Autonomy, lied about its financial situation. HP shelled out $11 billion USD for Autonomy in 2011!

After a challenge by IBM (International Business Machines) the U.S. Federal government will continue with a $543 million five year Department of Veterans Affairs contract with HP.

Despite Idaho voters rejecting a laptop for students proposition, HP was awarded a $180 million contract to provide the laptops, at least one week before the voting took place!!!

Skycom Tech, a business partner of Chinese company Huawei, tried to sell $1.72 million worth of HP communication equipment to an Iranian company, some say in violation of U.S./European sanctions.  The deal didn’t go through, but Huawei said: “Huawei’s business in Iran is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including those of the UN, U.S. and EU….”

HP officials said: “HP’s distribution contract terms prohibit the sale of HP products into Iran…”

There are reports that HP is no longer directly selling printers on Amazon. Some analysts think it’s actually retaliation by Amazon, because HP’s new Cloud computing system is in direct competition with Amazon’s own computing system.

A report out of India says a state government is investigating HP’s claims of being able to supply 1,500,000 school laptops by a certain date.  If government officials don’t think HP can make the deadline they will split up the contract to other competitors:  “If HP is found to have insufficient capacity, then it could, accordingly, get a contract to supply a reduced quantity of laptops and the remaining quantity will be divided among the bidders ready to offer the quantity at the rate quoted by HP.”-Uttar Pradesh government statement

HP and General Motors (GM) are going after each other in court.  It involves GM’s recent decision to hire away from HP 3,000 employees, to start its own inhouse tech service. HP claims it’s more than coincidence that GM’s plans to dump HP (and IBM) as tech service providers come after GM hired several HP executives to run GM’s technology operations. HP said the initial 18 HP employees hired by GM resigned “en masse and without notice.”


International, U.S.

Norovirus update, 31 December 2012: 1 million sick in U.K.! More deaths in Japan! More cruise ships hit hard! Hospitals refusing service! U.S. prisons getting hit! Mis-diagnosed as flu! New version found in California!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is trying to find out what made at least 400 people sick, on two xmas time cruise ships.

Officials with the CDC suspect norovirus.  The latest cruise ship outbreaks took place on ships belonging to Cunard and Princess Cruises.

In Japan, people are still dying from norovirus.  In a third outbreak just in the Gregorian month of December, four more people have died.  This latest outbreak is taking place in a hospital in Yokohama.  At least 68 patients are sick, as well as  27 hospital staff.

In United Kingdom, more than one million people are confirmed sick with norovirus like symptoms (3,538 have so far been confirmed as norovirus by lab tests, which takes time), and hospitals are being shut down.  The vomiting bug (as it’s called in Britain) has shut down East Surrey Hospital, for the third time in the past two months!  U.K. is experiencing an 83% increase in norovirus cases, compared to the same time last year.  Just in the past two weeks 70 British hospitals have reported outbreaks! To make matters worse, an average of 5,000 health workers have been calling in sick everyday!  Health officials say it’s a little early for the vomiting bug: “The number of laboratory confirmed cases has risen once again as it appears that we have seen the rise in cases that usually begins in January start a little earlier than we normally expect.”-John Harris, Health Protection Agency

Back in the U.S.A., in Illinois officials are reporting norovirus outbreaks in prisons.  At least 140 inmates were sick in the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet.  Prison officials say the first cases showed up on xmas day.

In Iowa, media in Sioux City are reporting that many cases of norovirus are being misdiagnosed as influenza. In fact, here in the U.S. norovirus is often incorrectly called “stomach flu”.  Another factor is that Iowa doctors and hospitals are not required to report cases of norovirus to state health officials!

A nurse in Maine explains the main differences between norovirus and influenza: “Basically the biggest difference between norovirus and the actual flu is that the norovirus causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The actual flu that we all are vaccinated against every year is mostly respiratory in nature, with cough, aches, fever and chills. As far as numbers of cases, I cannot say exactly how much of either but will say that this is one of the busiest seasons I have seen in a while for both norovirus and the flu.”-Chris Reeder, York Hospital

In California, officials in San Luis Obispo County are reporting what they think is a new strain of norovirus. They are reporting three outbreaks in the past month. It’s thought to have come from Australia.   California has been dealing with norovirus outbreaks all year!  In October a middle school in Oak Park, Ventura County, saw at least 320 students out sick.  A pizza restaurant, in Contra Costa County, was shut down because of the vomiting bug back in June.  In July the Alisal Guest Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, was investigated after customers got sick at the end of June.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since September there have been one confirmed and five suspected outbreaks in several nursing homes.

In Michigan, Lansing area health officials are reporting 75 cases at a local retirement home.

There is no treatment for norovirus, no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually the first study ever to investigate such claims).