Two more Yosemite campers struck with deadly rodent virus

A rodent-borne disease that has already killed two men has now been diagnosed in two more visitors to Yosemite National Park. In total six people have had the disease.

By Ronnie Cohen,?Reuters / August 30, 2012

Tent cabins in the fall at Yosemite National Park in California. Yosemite officials are expanding their efforts notify visitors to a complex of tent cabins who may have been exposed to a rare but potentially deadly rodent-carried virus. Officials said Wednesday they have notified 2,900 visitors who stayed in the Curry Village "Signature Cabins" since mid-May, up from 1,700 initially notified.

AP Photo

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Two more visitors to Yosemite National Park have been diagnosed with a deadly rodent-borne virus, raising the total number of people infected in the unusual outbreak to six, California public health officials said Thursday.

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Two men died from the rare lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and four other people survived the rodent-borne illness. Most of the victims are believed to have contracted the virus while staying in tent-style cabins this summer in a popular camping area called Curry Village.

Park officials earlier this week shut down 91 insulated tent-cabins after finding deer mice, which carry the disease and can burrow through pencil-sized holes, nesting between the double walls of the structures.

Park authorities have notified 2,900 parties of visitors who rented the tent cabins from June through August that they may have been exposed to hantavirus.

Four who were infected at Yosemite this summer slept in the insulated tent cabins. One slept elsewhere in Curry Village, located in a valley beneath the iconic Half Dome rock formation, and the sixth case remains under investigation.

One man from northern California and another from Pennsylvania died. Three of the victims have recovered, and one remains hospitalized, the state Department of Public Health said in a press release.

Experts continued to investigate the outbreak, and the number of cases could rise as visitors who were exposed to the virus but have not yet shown symptoms fall ill, the agency said.

Nearly 4 million people visit Yosemite each year, attracted to the park's dramatic scenery and hiking trails. Roughly 70 percent of those visitors congregate in Yosemite Valley, where Curry Village is located.

Hantavirus is carried in rodent feces, urine and saliva that dries out and mixes with dust that can be inhaled by humans, especially in small, confined spaces with poor ventilation.

People also can be infected by eating contaminated food, touching contaminated surfaces or being bitten by infected rodents.

STARTS WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

The virus starts out causing flu-like symptoms, including headache, fever, muscle ache, shortness of breath and cough. Initial symptoms may appear up to six weeks after exposure and can lead to severe breathing difficulties and death.

Although there is no cure for hantavirus, treatment after early detection through blood tests can save lives. The virus, which has never been known to be transmitted between humans, kills 38 percent of those it infects.

"The earlier it's caught and supportive care is given, the better the survival rate," said Dr. Vicki Kramer, chief of ve c t or-borne diseases at the state Public Health Department.

Dr. Charles Chiu, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, said he made a habit of airing out his tent-cabin before occupying it as a precaution against possible virus-carrying dust particles when he stayed in Curry Village a few years ago.

But even Chiu said he was surprised to learn that a hantavirus had killed two people and stricken others who slept in the same structures this summer.

"It wasn't something even I had thought of at the time," Chiu, who studies hantavirus, told Reuters.

Hantavirus previously infected two Yosemite visitors, one in 2000 and another in 2010, but at higher elevations.

Melanie Norall of Palo Alto, California, is monitoring her 8-year-old daughter's every sniffle. They stayed in a cabin outside Yosemite's north entrance at the end of July and awoke to mice scurrying and eating nuts out of their luggage.

The vast majority of hantavirus victims are young and middle-age adults, Chiu said, probably because they are mostly likely to engage in activities that would readily expose them, such as chopping and carrying fire wood or sweeping the floors.

"The message should not be you should stop camping. The important thing is general awareness of this disease and to avoid wild rodents in general," Chiu said.

Since it was first recognized in 1993, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has been diagnosed in 64 people in California. Nationwide, the virus sickened 587 people between 1993 and 2011, according to government data.

Editing by Steve Gorman

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/wuu_vVkD5iw/Two-more-Yosemite-campers-struck-with-deadly-rodent-virus

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T-Mobile Issues ?All Hands? Notice for September 21st, Rumored iPhone 5 Release Date

While T-Mobile likely won?t be releasing the iPhone 5 if and when it arrives in September, the carrier has gone ahead and issued a ?All Hands? notice for employees starting the same day that the iPhone 5 is supposed to be released.

According to TMoNews, T-Mobile is issuing a notice for All Hands required work days set to begin on September 21st and end of September 24th. While the purpose of the notice remains unclear, September 21st is the day that Apple is rumored to be releasing the iPhone 5.

AT&T and Verizon both have reportedly issued employee vacation blackouts that last from September 21st through September 30th. Previous rumors have stated that Apple will launch the iPhone 5 at an event on September 12th, and release the iPhone 5 in the United States and possibly elsewhere on September 21st.

Read: iPhone 5 Release Date Still Looks Good for September 21st.

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T-Mobile has issued an all-hands notice for September 21st-24th.

The purpose of T-Mobile?s ?All Hands? days remain unclear. The carrier is unlikely to get the iPhone 5 at launch so it could be for marketing purposes or for the launch of a device not called the iPhone 5.

Whatever the case may be, it looks like T-Mobile is making sure that it doesn?t go unnoticed if Apple does intend to launch the iPhone 5 on September 21st.

Read: Verizon Issues Vacation Blackout For iPhone 5 Release Date.

The news comes shortly after a document leaked which indicated that T-Mobile would not be getting the iPhone 5, at least at launch. Instead, the carrier has been briefing employees on how to court potential iPhone buyers though the details of the courtship remain unclear.

T-Mobile also sent a memo to employees outlining a new MicroSIM kit that works with the Apple?s iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The new Monthly4G? will allow users to easily bring an unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S to T-Mobile.

The carrier is actively courting iPhone users, and it should?be able to deliver ?4G? HSPA+ connectivity to iPhone users later this year, after it received the 1900Mhz spectrum from AT&T for the failed merger.

T-Mobile isn?t expected to launch a 4G LTE network until 2013.

Besides 4G LTE, the iPhone 5 has been rumored to feature a new larger 4-inch display, an upgraded processor, an HD front-facing camera, 4G LTE data speeds, and iOS 6.

In addition, Apple is said to have given it a metal back and a new dock connector.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Gottabemobile/~3/fVb79J9TUCk/

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Albania President Chooses Kosovo For First State Visit :: Balkan ...

In his three-day visit to Kosovo, President Nishani is expected to hold meetings with Pristina?s political leaders, including President Atifete Jahjaga, the speaker of parliament Jakup Krasniqi and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Nishani will also meet leaders of Kosovo?s main political parties, including Isa Mustafa of the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, and Albin Kurti, head of the nationalist Vetvendosje (Self-Determination) Movement.

On his visit, Nishani will be accompanied by first lady Odeta Nishani, Minister of Education Myqerem Tafaj, Minister of Interior Flamur Noka and the Deputy Foreign Minister Edit Harxhi. ?? ?

Nishani is expected to pay homage to Kosovo's late President and independence leader, Ibrahim Rugova, and to the late guerrilla leader, Adem Jashari.

He is also expected to visit several religious sites, including the medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery at Decani, in the west of the country.

?

Source: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania-president-in-kosovo-visit

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Obama suggests amendment on money in politics

President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(AP) ? President Barack Obama says the nation should consider mobilizing behind a constitutional amendment process to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that loosened restrictions on money in politics.

Obama made the comment Wednesday in an online chat with the website Reddit. The 2010 Citizens United ruling paved the way for a flood of campaign cash from corporations, unions and wealthy interests.

The president says that even if the amendment process fell short, "it can shine a spotlight" on super PACs and, in his words, "help apply pressure for change."

Obama says that in the meantime there's a need for more disclosure of the large campaign contributions flowing into super PACs and that such contributions, quote, "fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-08-29-Obama-Campaign%20Money/id-aa9329446d404151bd7fe3264fbdccdc

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Braintree Payments Platform Launches Across Europe And Canada

braintree-payment-solutionsAs promised earlier this summer, the Accel-backed payments platform?Braintree?is opening up its doors to non-U.S. merchants for the first time, with the launch of its service across Europe and in Canada. As of today, merchants in 27 countries can access the company's payment gateway, recurring billing, and vault credit card storage features. They will also be able to accept payments in over 130 different currencies, the company says.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/ARcFnqn1RJk/

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14th Paralympic Games opens in London

London, Aug. 30, GNA ? The 14th Paralympic Games, described as the biggest in the history of the event, opened in London on Wednesday, with a spectacular and colourful opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

The Paralympic Games, which is also the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games, has 166 countries, including Ghana participating in the spirit of Olympism and global recognition.

Ghana's team led by veteran Olympian Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, followed by other athletes and some members of the technical team and officials paraded around the Olympic stadium in front of 80,000 people, in a parade tagged as ?Spirit in Motion? by the organisers.

Dressed in beautiful ?Kente fugu? over white shirts and black trousers, the Ghanaian contingent, which came immediately after Germany, saw the Ghanaians having a fair share of recognition and admiration from the crowd with their ceremonial attire taking a center stage for discussion among the media men and some sections of the crowd.

The colourful ceremony, which was dubbed ?Enlightenment? was a combination of powerful ideas, creativity and science, backed by a team of 3000 adult volunteers and over 100 professionals who thrilled the fans with the best of performances for the evening.

Head of Ghana's delegation Bishop Cornelius Adja Cofie described the event as a memorable one and fitting for the occasion.

He noted that the 2012 Paralympic Games, under the theme ?Inspire a generation?, will indeed serve as an inspiration for the new generation of athletes especially in Ghana.

Lord Coe, Head of the Local Organising Committee in a welcome address told the crowd of participants and spectators that, "prepare to be inspired, prepare to be dazzled, prepare to be moved?.

He said Britain was ready and the crowds in attendance would be "unprecedented", adding that it will be a memorable one?.

Ghana goes into the event with four athletes in athletics, cycling and power-lifting, with high hopes of at least picking a medal of two for their exploits so far on the African continent.

(William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, London, England)

Source: http://www.modernghana.com/sports/414707/2/14th-paralympic-games-opens-in-london.html

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Jailed ex-PM Tymoshenko loses Ukraine appeal

Ukraine on Wednesday rejected jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal of her abuse of power conviction despite threats of estrangement from Western powers that view the case as political revenge.

About 500 supporters of the 2004 Orange Revolution leader rallied in the 51-year-old's defence as Ukraine's highest appeals authority agreed that she had no authority to seal a controversial gas deal with Russia in 2009.

"The judicial panel found no grounds for the appeal," judge Olexander Elfimov said to cries of "Shame!" from Tymoshenko's supporters.

The same panel also left in place Tymoshenko's seven-year jail sentence and $190 million fine while finding no grounds to her claim that she had been made the victim of political persecution.

"This shameful decision once again proves that a dictatorship has settled over Ukraine," Tymoshenko's daughter and defence campaign leader Yevgenia said after hearings attended by former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski.

"No one will be able to get a fair hearing in Ukraine now. That dictator (President Viktor Yanukovych) will control everything," she warned.

European Union for its part voiced "deep disappointment" while noting that the ruling upheld the results of a trial that "did not respect international standards."

The Council of Europe also said it was deeply disappointed, saying that "her conviction in the gas case amounts to the criminalisation of normal political decision-making."

The rejection marks the end of Tymoshenko's domestic legal recourse and clears the way for her to take her full case to the European Court of Human Rights -- a move the defence had been kept from making by months of judicial delays.

"We will complete our additional appeal and file it (with the Strasbourg court) by the end of the week," Tymoshenko's lawyer Sergiy Vlasenko told reporters outside the courtroom.

The Strasbourg court opened hearings on Tuesday into whether Tymoshenko's pre-trial detention was politically motivated and whether her prison conditions had violated her basic rights.

The case against her was launched shortly after Yanukovych narrowly beat her in a bitter 2010 ballot whose outcome Tymoshenko -- backed by Ukrainian nationalists who seek closer EU ties -- initially refused to accept.

But the European court had no legal authority to rule on the merits of the conviction and the seven-year jail sentence until all avenues had been exhausted in Ukraine.

Even a positive European verdict however may still not see Tymoshenko's release because she faces a brand new set of tax evasion and embezzlement charges that may keep her in jail for years to come.

The fiery and divisive figure's case -- viewed with increasing dispassion by Ukrainians who have grown tired of their leaders' incessant internal squabbles -- has been watched closely by both the European Union and Washington.

EU negotiators have made the release of Tymoshenko and her other jailed allies a condition for Ukraine being given preliminary backing to eventual membership in the 27-nation bloc.

Yanukovych rejects his Western critics as biased and defends the case as part of a legitimate campaign against the type of corruption that has embroiled governments for most of Ukraine's recent past.

He has also spent recent months cautiously courting Russia -- a worrying shift for EU officials who are hoping to dislodge Kiev from Moscow's embrace.

The overtures come as his government and its base of Russian-speaking Ukrainians face monumental hurdles in October 28 parliamentary elections that the ruling Regions Party enters with its approval rating near all-time lows.

Ukraine is dependent on Russian gas for its energy and has seen its past Orange government's overtures with the West interrupted by the types of delivery crises that Tymoshenko was trying to solve in 2009.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-court-upholds-tymoshenko-conviction-083508659.html

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Pregnant Drew Barrymore Flaunts Baby Bump, Does Yoga as Due ...

Yoga mama!

While Drew Barrymore waits for her baby to arrive, the actress is keeping busy by focusing on fitness.?

PHOTOS: Drew's love life

The 37-year-old actress was spotted leaving a yoga class in Los Angeles on Monday wearing sweats and carrying a yoga mat. Barrymore's growing baby bump was on full display as she made her way to her car with her hair in a bun and blocking the sun with cute heart-shaped sunglasses.

Drew Barrymore leaves her pre-natal yoga class in Los Angeles, CA on August 27, 2012,

Drew Barrymore leaves her pre-natal yoga class in Los Angeles, CA on August 27, 2012,
Credit: Aik/Brooks/INFphoto.com

Barrymore married art consultant Will Kopelman, 35, on June 2 at the actress' Montecito, Calif. estate. The baby-to-be will be the newlyweds' first child.

PHOTOS: Drew's wild style

Cameron Diaz threw her Charlie's Angels costar and best friend a baby shower at her home on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles. "Kids were jumping in a bouncy castle," a source told Us Weekly of the party.

PHOTOS: Hollywoo'd baby boom

The Big Miracle star admitted to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show in February that she hopes to have multiple children with Kopelman. "We'll start with one," she said. "See how it goes and if we could be so blessed . . . that would be wonderful."

Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/pregnant-drew-barrymore-flaunts-baby-bump-does-yoga-as-due-date-nears-2012298

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Homeland Security Is Planning To Release ... - Business Insider

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

This is the strain of bacteria that will be released ? it's called Bacillus subtilis.

Department of Homeland Security?s Science and Technology Directorate will be conducting tests of a new bioterror sensing system in Boston's Subway system soon. After the subways close at night, a team of researchers will release dead bacteria, of the species Bacillus subtilis, which is non-toxic and doesn't cause disease even when alive.

This common, food-grade bacterium is found everywhere in soil, water, air, and decomposing plant matter.

They will use the dead bacteria in a simulated biological weapon attack at several stations to test a new set of bioterror sensors. They will use the sensors to monitor the spread of the bacteria through the air in the subway tunnels over the next six months to see if these contractor-created technologies are up to snuff.

The sensors should be able to identify and confirm the release of biological agents within minutes of release, a statement from the Directorate said.

?While there is no known threat of a biological attack on subway systems in the United States, the S&T testing will help determine whether the new sensors can quickly detect biological agents in order to trigger a public safety response as quickly as possible,? Anne Hultgren, manager of the project, called "detect to protect" or D2P, said in a statement.

The proposed plan was posted for public comment for 45 days, and a public forum was held to discuss the idea before they proceeded with the plan, and no issues were raised.

(Via TheScientist)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/homeland-security-is-planning-to-release-bacteria-into-bostons-subway-system-2012-8

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VBA / Access / Excel Developer - London (Home / Client Site - IT jobs

VBA / ACCESS / EXCEL DEVELOPER - LONDON (HOME / CLIENT SITE WORKING) (REF:PR-000364A, Closing Date: 25/09/2012, Salary: ?25-35k (DOE) ? Work from home/client sites)

We are seeking a VBA / Access / Excel Developer to join an established IT consultancy offering the opportunity of training in Java and PHP as well as home working. Read on...

Established in 2001 our client works with businesses across the UK spanning a wide range of industries and sectors. They specialise in building bespoke projects in Excel, Access, Java, PHP and SharePoint ranging from very small updates to complete builds. Joining as an Excel / Access / VBA Developer you will work from home (equipment supplied) but expected to work on client sites as and when required. The majority of their clients are in the London area so you should be in easy commuting distance of London. You will be given the chance to train for and work on Java and PHP projects as the company believe in retaining and cross-training the best developers.

Working remotely alongside 3 other Developers a typical project will involve liaising directly with the client (onsite or remotely), understanding their requirement and organisation before implementing the perfect solution. With a head office based in London most staff work remotely using online collaboration tools and equipment (fully supplied by the company). They meet up every month for a staff meal and catch up in London.

To qualify... We are seeking a clear-thinking Access / Excel / VBA Developer with a CV that can demonstrate all of the following:

? An in-depth knowledge of Access / VBA and Excel.
? Logical thinking.
? Analytical ability (for designing solutions).
? Excellent written and spoken English skills.
? Experience of any web technologies is a bonus.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is self-motivated, gets a kick from creating software that really makes a difference and who is looking to join a rewarding and flexible business environment. Get in touch...

Keywords: VBA Developer, VBA/Access Programmer, Excel Development Jobs, Access Developer, Excel Developer, Access VBA Developer, Data Analyst, PHP Training, Java Training, PHP Developer, Java Developer, Development work from Home, Programming jobs from home, Work from home, Development jobs from home, VBA Jobs in London, Access Development Jobs in London, VBA Development Jobs in London, Excel Development Jobs in London, London, Work from home.

Guru are an employment business renowned for delivering careers networking to the IT / Development sector. In this instance Guru are managing the selection process for this particular VBA / Access / Excel Developer campaign on the behalf of our client. We offer a transparent service to both clients and candidates which means that if you pass our initial filtering criteria (based on your CV suitability against our client?s requirements) we will email you with the client?s details and also pass your complete application to the client for consideration. By applying to this role you are granting consent for us to work in this way. One final note, your application will only be used in conjunction with this specific role.

To apply for this campaign please send through a copy of your CV to findajob@gurucareers.com quoting the job reference number and where you have seen the role advertised.

Source: http://webdevjobs.com/job/2143/vba-access-excel-developer-london-home-client-site-working-at-guru-careers/

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