Category Archives: human rights

H5N1: Guinea: More Ebola cases reported in Conakry, interior

So Guinea now sees a big jump in total cases, from 88 to 112, and a rise in deaths from 66 to 70. (Not all VHF cases may be Ebola, but that’s a distinction lost on the dead.)

We also have confirmation of the report of the two healthcare workers at Kipé, and we have an example of how a simple and loving ritual—the touching of a loved one’s body before burial—can have a disastrous effect on other family members.

via H5N1: Guinea: More Ebola cases reported in Conakry, interior.

Rosebud Sioux Tribe Hosting Spirit Camp to Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is hosting the Shield the People project this weekend near Ideal, South Dakota called the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Spirit Camp, which is an action to unite together in prayer for protection from the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, and ultimately to request President Obama deny the permit for the proposed pipeline.

via Rosebud Sioux Tribe Hosting Spirit Camp to Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline.

H5N1: Four cases of Ebola confirmed in Guinean capital Conakry

Total fail in actually getting word out to people and about how this is different!

The minister said the virus appeared to have been transmitted by an old man who showed symptoms of haemorrhagic fever after visiting Dinguiraye in central Guinea, far from the identified outbreaks of Ebola in the remote southeast.

Four of the man’s brothers, who attended his funeral in the central town of Dabola, started to show the same symptoms and were tested for Ebola on their return to Conakry.

“The four tested positive,” Lamah told Reuters. “They have been placed in an isolation ward in Donka hospital.” The old man’s family has also been quarantined, the minister said.

The spread of the disease to Conakry, a city of some 2 million people, marked an escalation in the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, which ranks as one of the poorest nations on earth despite rich deposits of bauxite and iron ore. As of Wednesday, 63 deaths had been reported from suspected cases of infections.

via H5N1: Four cases of Ebola confirmed in Guinean capital Conakry.

Evangelical Bullies Win! World Vision admits ‘mistake,’ won’t hire married gays – Puget Sound Business Journal

Actually, they lose for going back to wrong side of history but bullies are happy for now.

Federal Way-based World Vision U.S. said it made a “mistake” earlier in the week regarding the hiring of married same-sex workers, and said it now won’t hire married gay employees.

On Monday, the Seattle Times reports the ministry organization said it would allow hiring of married gay employees, but the backlash from conservative Christian supporters was so intense, the board was forced to change its stance just two days later.

via World Vision admits ‘mistake,’ won’t hire married gays – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Bank of America to pay $9.3B to settle Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac claims – San Francisco Business Times

If you stole $900 from a corner store, you could do 5 or more years in prison. If you steal more than $9 billion, no jail just a negotiated fine…

What a day for BofA.

Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. Wednesday afternoon announced it will pay $9.3 billion in cash penalties plus mortgage bond repurchases to settle all outstanding mortgage-backed-securities claims brought by federal housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

via Bank of America to pay $9.3B to settle Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac claims – San Francisco Business Times.

Settlers destroy solar panels in south Hebron hills | Maan News Agency

A group of settlers from the illegal outpost of Mitzpe Yair on Thursday attacked and destroyed solar panels belonging to a Palestinian community in the south Hebron hills, locals said.

Witnesses told Ma’an that the settlers destroyed three out of five solar panels providing electricity to the small village of Khirbet Bir al-Idd.

The attackers fled before villagers arrived at the scene.

Local officials filed a complaint at an Israeli police station, where officers said they would search for the attackers.

Villagers told Ma’an that settlers frequently attack their property in an attempt to get them to leave the land so nearby Israeli settlements can be expanded.

via Settlers destroy solar panels in south Hebron hills | Maan News Agency.

Kevin Brady assumes if you are out of work – you are a drug addict?

H.R. 4310: To direct the Secretary of Labor to issue implementing regulations for drug testing under State unemployment …

… compensation programs, and for other purposes.

Introduced:

Mar 26, 2014

Sponsor:

Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX8]

via To direct the Secretary of Labor to issue implementing regulations for drug testing under State unemployment compensation programs, and for other purposes. (H.R. 4310) – GovTrack.us.

A Call for Universal Access to Safe, Legal Abortion – Inter Press Service

Lawmakers and civil society leaders from over 30 countries are calling for universal access to safe, legal abortion.

The declaration, released in Washington on Wednesday, comes in the context of a 20-year review by the United Nations of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. That landmark conference called for safe access to abortions in countries where the procedure was legal, while Wednesday’s declaration calls for the decriminalisation of abortion in all countries.

“What we know now is that law changes social attitudes.” — Nepali MP Arzu Rana Deuba

The declaration also anticipates the post-2015 development agenda. Advocates are calling to expand the discussion on women’s health to include abortion rights when determining the next round of global development goals, following the expiration of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

via A Call for Universal Access to Safe, Legal Abortion – Inter Press Service.

H5N1: Guinea says Ebola outbreak contained; death toll rises

The outbreak of mysterious haemorrhagic fever was first detected in Guinea in February. Scientists have since identified it as the most virulent Zaire strain of the Ebola virus.

The virus is believed to reside primarily in bats between rare outbreaks in humans. Some experts believe it may have been carried by bats from central Africa, where it is more common.

BAN ON BATS AND BUSHMEAT

In an effort to contain the disease, Guinea has banned the sale and consumption of bats and other types of bush meat, and banned public funerals for those killed. Volunteers from the Guinean Red Cross were disinfecting the homes of victims and dealing with infected bodies.

via H5N1: Guinea says Ebola outbreak contained; death toll rises.