H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information

Definition

According to CDC, this severe form of influenza known as H1N1, commonly being called swine flu, has health officials around the world concerned. Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people; and there is no risk to eating pork. Symptoms in people include fever, cough and sore throat.

If you are Sick, Stay Home

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Contact your health care provider to learn if flu testing or medication is needed.

Routine Hygiene Practices

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

French, German economies grow

Surprising news that France and Germany grew in the second quarter has reinforced talk that countries that avoided consumer debt and depended less on the financial sector will emerge from recession sooner. 



France and German made a sharp turnaround from the previous quarter, when Germany shrank by a massive 3.5% and France contracted by 1.3%. 

Fiscal stimulus measures and the beginnings of an improvement in global trade were the main reasons identified by most economists.

Europe's two biggest economies each saw growth of 0.3% from the previous three-month period, technically ending their worst recession in decades. 

Govt to help cane farmers with cheap loans

The government said it will assist cane farmers with low-interest loans for seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

This would give incentives to farmers to improve productivity and sugar recovery, it said in a statement on Friday.

"Loans would be disbursed to the sugar factories by Dec. 31 2009, who in turn, will pass on the loans, in cash or kind, to the cane growers in their area latest by March 31, 2010, at an interest rate not higher than 4 percent per annum," it said.

On This Day: The “Mona Lisa” Is Stolen

August 21, 2009 

On Aug. 21, 1911, Vincenzo Perugia snatched the “Mona Lisa” from the Louvre, believing that it rightfully belongs to his native Italy.

Katrina spending Independence Day with Shahrukh

This year, Chicago will witnessed a two-day extravagant fun-fair to celebrate India’s Independence Day and big names in Bollywood like Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Diya Mirza, Gulshan Grover, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor will grace the event.

Buzz up!
Shahrukh along with Bipasha Basu, Diya Mirza and Gulshan Grover, will attend the event called South Asian Carnival on 15th August. However, Katrina will grace the event on 16th August along with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.


Bollywood fans will have a chance to interact with their favourite stars. The carnival will have non-stop musical entertainment.

10 Things Gas Stations Won't Tell You

When fuel climbs, gas stations must shrink their profit margin to remain competitive, meaning they earn less per gallon than usual.
But another big cost during tough times is something they can’t do anything about—credit card fees,
“Those credit card fees are miserable for the gas station business,” says Mohsen Arabshahi, who owns five Southern California gas stations.
How do station owners make up for lost revenue? “Prices go up like a rocket and come down like a feather,” says Richard Gilbert, a professor of economics at UC Berkeley. For several weeks after wholesale prices drop, stations can earn as much as 20 cents a gallon before retail prices are lowered to reflect the change.

Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan

DAHANEH, Afghanistan – Helicopter-borne U.S. Marines backed by Harrier jets stormed a Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan before dawn Wednesday, the launch of a new operation to uproot Taliban fighters from a longtime base and provide security for next week's presidential election.

The troops exchanged heavy fire with insurgents, killing at least seven in an offensive they hoped would also cut Taliban supply lines and isolate their fighters.

Casualties have mounted as U.S. and NATO troops ramp up military operations following President Barack Obama's decision to deploy 21,000 more American forces to Afghanistan this year to cope with the rising Taliban insurgency. 

Last month, U.S. and NATO deaths from roadside and suicide bomb blasts in Afghanistan soared six-fold compared with the same month last year, as militants detonated the highest number of bombs of the eight-year war, according to figures released Tuesday.

Martin confirmed suspicions among the Marines that the fierce resistance indicated that the Taliban had been tipped off about the operation beforehand. "I'm pretty sure they knew of it in advance," he said. 

Once the second largest-town in Helmand, Naw Zad has been almost emptied of its 30,000 inhabitants after three years of near-constant fighting. Taliban lines begin barely a mile (a kilometer) from the Marines' forward operating base, set amid minefields with hundreds of homemade explosives. By occupying Dahaneh, the Marines say they can outflank the insurgents in Naw Zad valley and isolate them in woods and mountains

Longest living heart transplant patient dies of cancer

 

Washington - A US man who held the world record for living the longest after a single heart transplant has died of cancer at the age of 51, according to a report on Tuesday.

Tony Huesman of Washington Township, Ohio, died Sunday from melanoma, a form of skin cancer, his wife, Carol, told the Dayton Daily News.

Huesman was approaching the 31st anniversary of living with a transplanted heart and had already had the longest life of any such patient in medical history.

"Tony was disappointed that he had lived so long with the transplanted heart only to find out that it was cancer which seemed to be taking his life," Carol Huesman said, according to the newspaper.

Huesman received his heart transplant on August 30, 1978, at Stanford University Medical Center in California. The organ came from an anonymous donor. Huesman had previously said he'd been told that the donor was motorcyclist who died in an accident.

He went on to found Huesman Heart Foundation in Dayton, Ohio to educate the public about maintaining a healthy heart.(dpa)

NASA CELEBRATES SUN-EARTH DAY WITH SOLAR X-RAY FIREWORKS

Just in time for Sun-Earth Day, a new NASA spacecraft, complete with a new name, made its debut by observing a huge explosion in the atmosphere of the Sun. The blast, called a solar flare, was equal to one million megatons of TNT and gave off powerful bursts of X-rays.

The solar fireworks were captured by what is now known as the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager spacecraft, or RHESSI. The spacecraft launched last month as HESSI was recently renamed in honor of Dr. Reuven Ramaty, who died in 2001 after a long and distinguished career in the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Ramaty was a pioneer in the field of solar-flare physics, gamma-ray astronomy and cosmic rays.  



Image 2 
Click here for movie 2


"We are thrilled to be making the first high-resolution movies of flares using their high-energy radiation," said Brian Dennis, the RHESSI mission scientist at Goddard. "We want to understand how solar flares can explosively release so much energy. RHESSI shows us the high-energy radiation emitted by flares: their X-rays and gamma rays. This radiation reveals the core of the flare -- the exact time and place where the energy is released."

The RHESSI scientific payload is a collaborative effort among the University of California, Berkeley; Goddard; the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland; and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley. The mission also involves additional scientific participation from France, Japan, The Netherlands, Scotland and Switzerland.

The Explorers Program Office at Goddard manages the RHESSI mission for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington. Spectrum Astro, Inc. of Gilbert, Ariz., constructed the RHESSI spacecraft and provided integration support.

It was a moderately powerful flare, classified as M2.4 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The most powerful flares, designated X-class by NOAA, can release up to 100 times more energy.

During its planned two-year mission, RHESSI will study the secrets of how solar flares are produced in the Sun's atmosphere. Launched Feb. 5, RHESSI is now fully operational after only six weeks in orbit. It is observing the Sun and recording the high-energy radiation from solar flares as they occur.

RHESSI is the first NASA Small Explorer mission being managed in the "Principal Investigator" mode. The Principal Investigator, Robert Lin of the University of California, Berkeley, is responsible for many aspects of the mission, including the science instrument, spacecraft integration and environmental testing, and spacecraft operations and data analysis.

Canada bleeds more jobs in July, recovery in doubt

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian job losses in July were more than double what had been expected as employers cut workers even though the economy is commonly thought to be on the mend after its worst recession since the early 1990s.

Statistics Canada said on Friday the economy suffered net job losses of 44,500 in the month, compared with the market's consensus forecast of a 17,500 decline. The construction industry bled the most workers, followed by food and accommodation services, while factory workers were largely spared.

The unemployment rate remained unchanged from June at an 11-year high of 8.6 percent as fewer people stayed in the labor market looking for work.

The Canadian dollar fell to a one-week low against its U.S. counterpart after the report, hitting C$1.0851 to the U.S. dollar, or 92.16 U.S. cents. It later recovered slightly to trade at C$1.0810, or 92.51 U.S. cents.

Still, economists pointed out some good signs -- the overall pace of job losses appears to be slowing from earlier this year and the manufacturing sector carnage is slowing. Also, a lack of summer jobs for students explained part of July's big drop and that trend will be reversed in September.

U.S. employment fared better than expected in July. U.S. employers cut a fewer than expected 247,000 jobs, providing the clearest evidence yet that the economy is turning around.

In Canada, full-time employment in July declined by 29,000 and part-time employment fell 15,000. The private sector dropped 75,000 workers from payrolls while the public sector losses were marginal, and the number of self-employed rose by 35,000.

Hourly wages for permanent employees rose 3.2 percent in July, compared with a year earlier, down slightly from 3.4 percent in June.

The central bank has promised to keep its benchmark interest rate at a record low of 0.25 percent through June 2010, conditional on inflation staying under control.

But if the outlook worsens considerably, the bank could either keep rates on hold for longer or consider creating money to buy bonds in the market, a step known as quantitative easing.

"(The jobs report) is likely to keep the Bank of Canada cautious, maintaining current, very stimulative conditions," said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada.

In good sign, job losses slow as unemployment dips

WASHINGTON – Employers sharply scaled back layoffs in July, and the unemployment rate dipped for the first time in 15 months, sending a strong signal that the worst recession since World War II is finally ending.

A net total of 247,000 jobs were lost last month, the fewest in a year. That compares with 443,000 jobs that disappeared in June. And the unemployment rate for July declined to 9.4 percent from 9.5 percent in June.

The snapshot the Labor Department released Friday offered other encouraging news, too: Workers' hours nudged up after sinking to a record low in June, and paychecks grew after having stagnated or fallen.

The White House's Gibbs said President Barack Obama still think unemployment will hit 10 percent this year. The Federal Reserve has predicted the jobless rate is likely to top 10 percent in 2009.

Some Fed officials think the rate could rise as high as 10.6 percent in 2010. The post-World War II high was 10.8 percent at the end of 1982, when the country suffered through a severe recession.

An elevated unemployment rate could become a political liability for Obama when congressional elections are held next year. The last time the unemployment rate topped 10 percent, the party of the president — then Ronald Reagan's GOP — lost 26 House seats in the midterm elections in 1982.

Obama has urged Americans to be patient and give time for his $787 billion stimulus package of tax cuts and increased government spending to take hold. Most of the money will flow in 2010.

With companies feeling a bit better about the economy's prospects and their own, they boosted workers' hours in July. The average work week rose to 33.1 hours, after having fallen to 33 hours in June, the lowest on records dating to 1964.

And employers bumped up wages. Average hourly earnings rose to $18.56 in July, up from $18.53 in June. Hourly earnings were stagnant in June. Average weekly earnings, which fell in June, rose to $614.34. Those gains raised hopes that consumers — whose spending accounts for the single-largest slice of economic activity — will feel more confident and more inclined to spend in the months ahead, thus helping the recovery.

Other recent barometers have shown some improvements in manufacturing, housing and construction activity.

The government reported last week that the economy shrank at a pace of just 1 percent from April-to-June, another sign the recession is winding down. Many analysts predict the economy could start growing again in the current July-to-September quarter.

San Diego Zoo panda gives birth to 5th cub

SAN DIEGO – Prized San Diego Zoo panda Bai Yun gave birth Wednesday to her fifth cub after a 130-day pregnancy that zookeepers said ended with an apparently pleasant labor.

The cub born to 17-year-old Bai Yun (White Cloud) became just the 14th panda in the United States, five of which are in San Diego.

Shortly before the birth, the mother licked herself, rolled on her back to grab her hind legs and stood on her head.

"We saw a contraction and then about five seconds later, we just heard a wailing cry of the cub. ... It was a very vocal cub, it was like whoa. It's got a really good set of lungs," veterinarian Dr. Meg Sutherland-Smith said at a news conference.

The zoo announced last week that Bai Yun was pregnant, based on ultrasound tests.

The father is longtime consort Gao Gao (Big Big), who has fathered three of Bai Yun's other cubs.

The Chinese government has a right to bring the new panda cub to China when it turns 4, said Carmi Penny, curator of mammals at the zoo.

Gao Gao, who was born in the wild, arrived in San Diego in 2003 after veterinarians gave up on Shi Shi, who turned out to be older and less virile than originally believed and was returned to China. Shi Shi died last year.

Some males never succeed at natural breeding, so artificial insemination has become common practice when breeding captive pandas.

Bai Yun and Gao Gao come together only a couple days a year. When Bai Yun enters her fertile periods, zookeepers make sure Gao Gao is there, sniffing her through a perforated gate zookeepers call a "howdy door" until her chirps and bleats indicate she's ready to get down to business.

Zookeepers initially had little hope for the pair because Bai Yun is big for a female and Gao Gao is small for a male, said Megan Owen, conservation program specialist at the zoo.

"Watching them mate is kind of excruciating because it takes a long time for them to get the position right, but they always do," Owen said. "She is great at letting him know where she's at in terms of her cycle, and he is also very good at advertising his interest. ... Their model of communication is something that all couples could benefit from."

Drogba signs new three-year deal at Chelsea

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League club on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old is now tied to Chelsea until 2012 after extending his current deal, which had a year to run, by a further two years.

The Ivory Coast international looked on his way out of Stamford Bridge last season after being dropped by Luiz Felipe Scolari, but he played his way back into form under Guus Hiddink and scored in Chelsea's FA Cup final victory over Everton.

He was also involved in a controversial clash with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following Chelsea's Champions League semi-final exit against Barcelona which earned the former Marseille star a three-match European ban.

"I have decided to extend my contract with Chelsea for two extra years and I am very happy and proud to continue to wear the blue of Chelsea until then," Drogba told Chelsea's website.

"I love the club, I feel good here and I want to continue to win titles with them.

"I stay because I am ambitious to pick up lots more trophies, regain the Premier League title, win cups. It is for this that I have extended my time at Chelsea.

"But my number one objective is to win the Champions League. I am convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy.

"I'd like to take advantage of this message to thank the Chelsea supporters, who have always encouraged me with fervour as well as my fans," added Drogba, who was sent-off in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United which United went on to win on penalties.

Senate reaches deal on $2B 'clunkers' refill

WASHINGTON – The Senate reached a deal on saving the dwindling "cash for clunkers" program late Wednesday, agreeing to vote on a plan that would add $2 billion to the popular rebate program and give car shoppers until Labor Day to trade in their gas-guzzlers for a new ride.

Following lengthy negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats and Republicans had agreed to vote on the plan Thursday, along with a series of potential changes to the bill, which was passed by the House last week. Reid has said Democrats have enough votes to approve the measure and reject any changes that would cause an interruption in the rebates of up to $4,500.

Reid said the agreement "accomplishes what we need to accomplish."

Late Wednesday, it was not clear that any of the proposed amendments stood a chance of passing. Some of them included placing an income limit on those benefiting from the vouchers and requiring the government to sell off its stakes in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.

Any Senate changes to the bill would require another vote in the House, something that couldn't take place until the House returns in September from a monthlong recess.

The government said Wednesday that more than $775 million of the $1 billion fund had been spent, accounting for nearly 185,000 new vehicles sold. President Barack Obama has said the program would go broke by Friday if not replenished by Congress.

If the Senate approves the additional money, it's likely to lead automakers to increase production and bring back laid-off workers. Many automakers reported low inventories due to increased sales from the program at the end of July. Already Hyundai Motor Co. has added a day of production to its Montgomery, Ala., plant, and Ford is considering increases.

Ford's chief financial officer, Lewis Booth, said Wednesday night the company would decide this month and make an announcement in early September.

Among states, Michigan has taken most advantage of the program, requesting more than $44 million in vehicle vouchers. California dealers had requested nearly $40 million in vouchers, and Ohio had sought nearly $38 million.

Senate passage would send the legislation to the White House for Obama's signature and assure consumers there will be no interruption in the program that has led to packed car dealerships nationwide.

The deals are aimed at boosting auto sales, which have been at their lowest levels in two decades.