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E coli outbreak: German officials identify beansprouts as likely source

June 5, 2011 No Comment

German health officials warn people to stop eating beansprouts as death toll rises to 22 German health authorities claim that locally grown beansprouts have been identified as the likely cause of an outbreak of E

Paul Ryan’s Ayn Rand love gets called out by a ‘Catholic’ at Faith And Freedom Conference 2011

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Paul Ryan has made his love for Ayn Rand very public . Rand influences everything he does when it comes to his budgetary policies. If you’ve read Matt Taibbi’s great book, Griftopia , then you know that Alan Greenspan was a follower of Ayn Rand, who attended her meetings which influenced him to be as Matt puts it in an interview : In the book, I show his record as an actual economist was complete shit. Anyway, back to Paul Ryan, Amy Sullivan has a great piece up about a convergence of two spirits, and one runs away. I am fairly certain that when Paul Ryan first decided to publicly share his admiration of Ayn Rand, he could not have imagined it would lead to him speed-walking to his SUV to avoid a young Catholic trying to give him a Bible and telling him to pay more attention to the Gospel of Luke. But that’s what happened Friday morning in downtown Washington after Ryan spoke to the surprisingly smallish crowd gathered for Ralph Reed’s Faith & Freedom Conference. These days, when people question a politician’s “morality,” they usually mean his or her personal behavior and choices. But an interesting thing is happening right now around the GOP budget proposal. A broad coalition of religious voices is criticizing the morality of the choices reflected in budget cuts and tax policy. And they’ve specifically targeted Ryan and his praise for Rand, the philosopher who once said she “promote[d] the ethic of selfishness.” Paul Ryan runs away after the encounter and instead of accepting the Bible as a gift we actually see what a thin skinned man he is when confronted on an inconvenient truth for himself. His budget targets and hurts the children, the poor, the middle class and the elderly. Catholic scholars are finally speaking out against the GOP and . Rep John Boehner was also called out on their plans for our country. Catholic scholars raise moral issues for Republicans like Boehner — so O’Reilly calls them immoral

Florida Homeowner Forecloses On Bank of America

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Click here to view this media via WMFY, Greensboro. Instead of Bank of America foreclosing on some Florida homeowner, the homeowners had sheriff’s deputies foreclose on the bank. It started five months ago when Bank of America filed foreclosure papers on the home of a couple, who didn’t owe a dime on their home. The couple said they paid cash for the house. The case went to court and the homeowners were able to prove they didn’t owe Bank of America anything on the house. In fact, it was proven that the couple never even had a mortgage bill to pay. We’ve heard this story a thousand times before, haven’t we? So, how did it end with bank being foreclosed on? After more than 5 months of the judge’s ruling, the bank still hadn’t paid the legal fees, and the homeowner’s attorney did exactly what the bank tried to do to the homeowners. He seized the bank’s assets. “They’ve ignored our calls, ignored our letters, legally this is the next step to get my clients compensated, ” attorney Todd Allen told CBS. Sheriff’s deputies, movers, and the Nyergers’ attorney went to the bank and foreclosed on it. The attorney gave instructions to to remove desks, computers, copiers, filing cabinets and any cash in the teller’s drawers. After about an hour of being locked out of the bank, the bank manager handed the attorney a check for the legal fees. “As a foreclosure defense attorney this is sweet justice” says Allen. Sweet indeed.

Florida Homeowner Forecloses On Bank of America

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Portugal president calls for big turnout as bailout dominates election

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Polls show centre-right opposition leader Pedro Passos Coelho ahead, but winner still tied to tough €78bn bailout measures Portuguese voters have headed to polling stations to elect a new government whose hands are already tied by the obligations controlled by a €78bn (£69bn) bailout of its ailing economy. President Aníbal Cavaco Silva has urged people to vote, warning that they could not complain about what their politicians did over the coming years if they had not taken part in the elections. “The fact that the elections take place at a time of sacrifice and serious doubts about our future makes it especially important that each person expresses their will,” he said. By midday on Sunday, 20% of the Portuguese electorate had voted , four hours after the polls opened and seven hours before they closed. Total turnout at the last general election, in 2009, was 60%. However, both the socialists of caretaker prime minister José Sócrates, and the centre-right social democrats of opposition leader Pedro Passos Coelho have already accepted the bailout conditions imposed by what the Portuguese media call “the troika” of the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. “The government that will emerge from this election will have the responsibility to honour the commitments taken (under the bailout plan), which are very demanding,” Cavaco Silva warned. The most recent opinion polls suggest that Passos Coelho will win and be able to form a government with the support of the rightwing People’s party. Voting takes place against a background of economic misery, with unemployment rising to over 12% – the worst in three decades – and spending cuts in education, health and pensions seen as inevitable. Portugal’s economy is expected to contract by 2% both this year and next as spending cuts bite and tax hikes are also used to bring down the budget deficit. The election follows months of political squabbling over how to cut the debt burden. Opposition parties refused to accept the outgoing Sócrates government’s last austerity plans, prompting him to resign and further worsening Portugal’s financial plight. Portugal has taken advantage of cheap eurozone loan rates to build up debt over the past decade, despite a meagre average annual growth rate of below 1%. Soaring yields on Portuguese government bonds over the past 18 months finally forced it to ask for a bailout in April. As with fellow eurozone members Greece and Ireland, which have also been given bailouts, it cannot devalue its currency to lower export prices and make its goods more competitive on the world market. Antonio Barroso, of the political risk consultancy Eurasia, said a rightwing coalition led by Passos Coelho was the most likely election outcome. “This would be the most straightforward option if the Social Democrats and [People's party] can secure an absolute majority between them,” Barroso said in a research note. “Both parties are strongly committed to the implementation of the bailout conditions and would easily negotiate a common economic programme.” A defeat of the Sócrates government would leave the 27-member EU with just five leftwing-led member states – in Spain, Austria, Greece, Slovenia and Cyprus. Portugal European debt crisis Euro European banks IMF European Union Giles Tremlett guardian.co.uk

Royal Marine shot dead in Afghanistan

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Soldier from 42 Commando Royal Marines died on patrol in Helmand, bringing toll among UK soldiers in Afghanistan to 370 A Royal Marine has been shot dead in Afghanistan as colleagues paid tribute to another serviceman who was killed “putting up a fight” against the enemy. The Royal Marine, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, was shot and killed on Sunday morning while on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj area of Helmand province. His next of kin have been informed. His death came two days after Corporal Michael Pike, 26, from Huntly, Aberdeenshire, was killed in the Lashkar Gah area after his patrol came under attack by insurgents armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades. A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, said: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of a Royal Marine from 42 Commando Royal Marines. “He was on joint patrol to meet local people and to disrupt insurgent activity in the Adensee area of Nahr-e-Saraj district in Helmand province when he was fatally wounded by small arms fire this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.” The latest incident brings the total number of UK military personnel who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 370. Pike’s colleagues, from 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said his quick reactions as he returned fire at the enemy saved lives. They described the father of two as the “epitome of a Highland soldier” who would not have wanted the other men to dwell on his loss. Pike, described as a “loving and caring family man”, leaves behind his wife, Ida, and two children, Joshua and Evelynn. His wife said: “My husband would want everybody to know that he died doing a job he loved and that he loved our children with all his heart and soul.” Pike, second in command of 2 platoon, A Company, based at Check Point Pegasus, was on his second tour of Afghanistan. He was leading the patrol in the area of Pupalzay along Highway 601 when it came under attack. He fired back on the enemy and his colleagues praised his quick reactions, which allowed them time to move out of danger. His platoon said in a joint statement: “He passed away doing the job he loved but he didn’t go down without putting up a fight. “He was suppressing the enemy in order to cover the lead wagon, the ground call sign and to allow other call signs to manoeuvre out of immediate danger.” Lieutenant Robert Grant, 2 Platoon commander, A Company, said: “The loss of Corporal Pike, one of the funniest, most life affirming and professionally diligent men I have ever had the privilege to meet, strikes deep into the heart and soul of all those who knew him. “An exceptional soldier and inspirational leader, Corporal Pike will be forever missed.” Afghanistan Military guardian.co.uk

Howard Dean: Don’t Get Too Cocky, Even Sarah Palin Could Beat Obama With A Weak Economy

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Sounds like Howard is trying his best to warn the Obama administration that they have to actually do something about the economy if they want a second term. Since he’s been nothing but supportive of the president, I hope this sinks into the minds of Obama’s campaign advisors, who seem to think it’s simply a matter of repeating the same uplifting rhetoric that worked the first time: Howard Dean, the former Democratic National Committee chairman who helped Democrats capture the White House in 2008, warns that Sarah Palin could defeat President Obama in 2012. Dean says his fellow Democrats should beware of inside-the-Beltway conventional wisdom that Obama would crush Palin in a general-election contest next year. “I think she could win,” Dean told The Hill in an interview Friday. “She wouldn’t be my first choice if I were a Republican but I think she could win.” Dean warns the sluggish economy could have more of a political impact than many Washington strategists and pundits assume. “Any time you have a contest — particularly when unemployment is as high as it is — nobody gets a walkover,” Dean said. “Whoever the Republicans nominate, including people like Sarah Palin, whom the inside-the-Beltway crowd dismisses — my view is if you get the nomination of a major party, you can win the presidency, I don’t care what people write about you inside the Beltway,” Dean said. Dean says, however, that Palin is unlikely to win the nomination: Dean thinks former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R), who recently finished serving as the Obama administration’s ambassador to China, would be the president’s most dangerous general-election opponent in 2012 , a view shared by many Democrats. “He is an independent. He is a moderate on some social issues and has a strong record as a governor and also has international experience that I think is lacking in every other candidate,” Dean said, comparing Huntsman to the rest of the GOP field. I agree with Dean that Huntsman is the most dangerous candidate. I don’t know if Huntsman could make it with his moderate bona fides intact after a grueling primary ruled largely by the GOP’s far right wing, but if he can somehow thread that needle, I think he can win. He has the most important edge of all: The Beltway media mavens like him.

French Open 2011 men’s final: Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer – live! | Katy Murrells

June 5, 2011 No Comment

• Turn on the autorefresh button or hammer F5 for the latest • Email any musings to katy.murrells@guardian.co.uk • For more on the French Open click here Nadal 2-4 Federer* A rocket of a return from Federer gets it to 15-all. Nadal gives the line a fierce glare, before trudging over to serve again. He comes through to game to 30, finishing it off with a cross-court winner. Meanwhile Mick James is swearing at his TV: “Who is the BBC commentator who keeps saying “changeup” when he means “variation”? It’s so annoying, if this Wimbledon I’d suggest sending someone round to punch him.” Not sure Mick – I switched over to Eurosport when Sue Barker started flirting with Boris. Will get back to you on that one … *Nadal 1-4 Federer The longest rally of the match so far sees Nadal come out on top, 30-all. But Federer dismisses the danger by rattling off the next two points. He really couldn’t have asked for a better start. A few umbrellas go up on Philippe Chatrier, by the way. But thankfully they’re because of the sun rather than any imminent threat of rain. Nadal 1-3 Federer* At 30-all, Federer briefly thinks he’s brought up another break point with a forehand down the line, but the umpire overrules. Federer goes for another winner on the next point but miscues into the tramlines. Nadal gets his first game on the board, but he really hasn’t settled into this final yet. *Nadal 0-3 Federer Big serving from Federer. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. 40-15. Game. What a start from apparently “fading” champion. And this from Matt Byron: “Is Nadal basically going to win this because of his fitness? He doesn’t seem as much of a tennis player as simply a human Duracell bunny, whose speed and power save him more often than his tennis abilities. For that reason, I think Federer is a much worthier champion. Even though he increasingly just looks like a faded star.” Nadal 0-2 Federer* Federer’s on the attack straight away, thumping a forehand drive volley and then forcing Nadal into an error. 0-30. Two points later and it’s 15-40. Two break points. Nadal saves the first with a great body serve and follow-up, and then Federer misses the second as he goes for broke on a forehand down the line. Deuce. Advantage Federer. Deuce. Advantage Federer. Nadal looks for all the world like he’s going to bury a short ball, but slams it into the net. Jeu and break Federer. And this from a slightly excited Gary Naylor: “Seeing the same individuals or teams in finals year-in year-out can get dull as familiarity breeds contempt. Doesn’t apply to these two though.” *Nadal 0-1 Federer (*denotes next server) Nadal sets out his tactics from the start, attacking Federer’s backhand in a lengthy exchange, but he goes long. An ace from Federer makes it 40-0, Nadal demands the umpire gets down from his chair to inspect the line but the call stands. Federer then dispatches a short ball to rattle through his opening service game to love. Tok, tok, tok, tok, tok, they’re warming up. Nadal is once again wearing his blue and white ensemble, Federer his red and white Swiss number. Not surprisingly, the Parisians sound quite up for this one. A few former champions are presented to the crowd, including Gustavo Kuerten and Jim Courier. And talking of former French Open champions, over on the BBC, Sue Barker is doing her best to flirt with Boris Becker. Meanwhile Federer will serve first. Here comes Roger. He does a quick interview in French, but the Eurosport translator comes to my rescue. Apparently Federer hopes things are going to be different to his previous French Open finals against Nadal and he’s out to do his very best. And here’s Rafa. He says it’s a big honour to play Federer and he’s looking forward to a really good match. And that’s about that. A weather update. British Eurosport are currently showing cycling and BBC Two seem more interested in the MotoGP, but according to Twitter at least the weather is holding at the moment, and there’s even a bit of sun. So we’re on for a 2pm start. Another name that can probably be added to the Team Federer list is Novak Djokovic. Should Federer win this afternoon, and prevent Nadal from equalling Bjorn Borg’s record of six French Open titles, Djokovic would be propelled to the world No1 ranking for the first time. If Nadal emerges victorious, he’ll keep hold of the top spot for another few weeks – at least until Wimbledon. In Nadal’s corner: Uncle Toni, Rafa’s girlfriend, probably a token Spanish sportsman or two. In Federer’s corner: Mrs Federer, coach Paul Annacone, the slightly scary Anna Wintour. Tale of the tape (well we do it for boxers, right?) Nadal-Federer 25 Age 29 6ft 1in Height 6ft 1in 13st 6lb Weight 13st 4lb 1 World ranking 3 45 Career titles 67 9 Grand slam titles 16 $40,052,402 Career prize money $62,497,310 16 Wins in past meetings 8 I think I’d rather sit on a sharp and rusty fence than call this one. Sure, Nadal’s the favourite with the bookies and rightly so, he’s priced at around 4-9 compared to Federer at 7-4. There’s no doubt he’s the better clay-court player, he’s only lost once at Roland Garros in 45 matches and has beaten Federer in the three previous French Open finals they’ve contested. But throughout this tournament it’s Federer who’s been playing the better tennis, and he produced the performance of the fortnight – and one of the best of the year so far – to end Djokovic’s unbeaten run. And having finally won the Coupe des Mousquetaires two years ago (after Robin Soderling accounted for Nadal in the fourth round), the pressure is off. For the first time against the Spaniard at Roland Garros, Federer can enjoy the occasion. And that might just allow him to pull off what would be, even by his standards, one of his greatest ever wins. Any thoughts? Ping them over on an email. Weather-permitting, play is due to get under way at 2pm BST. But the weathermen say there’s only a 20% chance of Roland Garros dodging the forecast storms this afternoon. Which could make it a rerun of the 2008 Wimbledon final. I doubt many would say no if it was. Afternoon all. So the ancien regime has been restored in Paris. For the first time since the 2009 Australian Open, and for just the second time since that Wimbledon encounter in 2008, it’s Roger versus Rafa in a grand slam final. Few at Roland Garros would have predicted this scenario a fortnight ago, when one bookmaker offered odds of 18-1 on Federer prevailing. The 29-year-old, down to No3 in the world and without a major final appearance in 16 months, was the half-forgotten man. All the talk was of Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s tussle for the No1 spot and whether Nadal could recover from back-to-back defeats to the Serb in the Madrid and Rome finals. But then Federer went and broke Djokovic’s 43-match, six-month stranglehold on the men’s game in a remarkable semi-final on Friday. “I wasn’t lying on the beach,’ said Federer after that match. “I continue to make sacrifices and, when it really counts, I’m at the big occasion. I have another opportunity here to beat Rafa and take another French Open title. I’m aware that I’ve got to play some extraordinary tennis, but I never stopped believing.” French Open 2011 French Open Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Tennis Katy Murrells guardian.co.uk

Families rediscover French holidays as Arab spring and taxes take their toll

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Journeys across the Channel are expected to be up 31% on last year as trips to US and North Africa fall out of favour For many Britons of a certain age, the charming towns, imposing chateaux and pavement cafes of France summon up cherished memories of first times abroad on a school exchange or a family holiday. In an era when long-haul flights were the preserve of the wealthy, a boat trip across the Channel was a welcome break for generations of holidaymakers. The lure of package tours to Thailand, the Caribbean and other far-flung destinations appeared to have changed all that; but les vacances en France are back. A combination of increased air taxes on long-haul flights, political instability throughout the Arab world and the recession at home have all contributed to a surge in the number of Britons booking Gallic breaks. An analysis of nearly five million British holiday bookings this year revealed a boom in travellers heading to Paris, the Loire valley and beyond. In total, 31% more tourists are expected to visit the country this year, compared with 2010. Carmen Konopka, editor of Destination France magazine, said the squeeze on incomes in the UK was a big factor. “People don’t have lots of money and it’s not expensive to get to France. You can pack your car and drive across from not much more than £30, which makes a big difference. I think there’s also a fear of flying at the moment with more ash exploding, so driving somewhere becomes more attractive. “And France is a fantastic destination. Lots of people will have been there as a child so it becomes a first love for many. Naturally, they get distracted by other destinations, but that first love is always there and parents often want to take their children to France for their first foreign adventure. “Then there is the sheer variety of holidays on offer,” said Konopka. “You can enjoy a beach holiday or something more sophisticated. You have mountain holidays, cycling or walking tours, and city breaks. Sure, there are expensive and luxurious places to go to, but there are lots of very good value places too.” The average price of a holiday in France this year is £554 a head, compared with £978 for Italy, which has seen a 15% rise in bookings. The steepest falls in bookings have been in Tunisia and Egypt, by 16% and 30% respectively because of the political uncertainty. More expensive destinations, such as the Caribbean and the US, at an average cost of more than £1,200, have also proved a turn-off in straitened economic times. France is the world’s number one tourist destination, with almost 80 million visitors last year – more than 10 million of whom were British. Philip Westerman, 30, from London, who has been to France “more times than I can remember”, puts food, culture and identity at the top of the list of reasons why he can’t stay away. “I went with my girlfriend and another couple to a place called Villentrois in the Loire valley recently for a long weekend and stayed in a pretty basic cottage, but that was part of the charm. “Cost definitely played a role. Flights were cheap – no more than a hundred quid for two – though our main reason for going was to eat and drink. We ate out a couple of times, but we were more interested in buying fresh local produce and cooking it ourselves. “We found a street market in a nearby town, which was easily as good as Borough Market in London. There was so much amazing cheese, cured meat, sausages and bread that we were in piggy heaven. We visited local vineyards and bought lots of wine that was cheap and unavailable in the UK. “I go for the food and authenticity of culture and, to get a little deep, the French can be seen as stubborn in their rejection of American culture, but it also means they have maintained their own identity, perhaps in a way that we have lost ours.” There is, however, one cloud on the horizon. There are mutterings of discontent among the 200,000 Britons who have a second home in France, as Nicolas Sarkozy proposes a property tax in an attempt to narrow the budget deficit. If it was implemented, the government would estimate the average rental income and charge each homeowner a 20% tax rate, which could force many in popular rural regions such as the Dordogne to sell. The draft, approved by Sarkozy’s cabinet last month, is expected to go through parliament in time to become law in 2012. France France Travel & leisure Paul Gallagher guardian.co.uk

Promising cystic fibrosis drug trial ends as the cash runs out

June 5, 2011 No Comment

Plea for £6m to continue developing a pioneering drug, axed despite successful tests A pioneering British project that is on the threshold of developing a revolutionary treatment for cystic fibrosis is facing the axe. The setback is a desperate blow for thousands of young people who suffer from the incurable wasting illness. The £30m programme, involving a consortium of scientists from London, Oxford and Edinburgh, had reached the final stages of drug development but earlier this year ran out of cash. More than 80 scientists had been working for a decade on the treatment, funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. However, the trust has suffered a recent slump in raising funds because of the recession. As a result, the consortium’s work has been suspended and unless a further £6m is raised by autumn, it will be abandoned. “We have developed a drug,” said Professor Eric Alton, the consortium’s co-ordinator. “We have carried out safety tests on it. We have found that the drug works very well in many patients. We have manufactured large numbers of doses of the drug. We have lined up 200 patients to take part in the final phases of trials. But now we have had to suspend operations because our money has run out. We are already laying off staff. It is horrendous.” This point was echoed by Katrina Dujardin, whose 12-year-old daughter Anna has cystic fibrosis. “It would have been disappointing if the project had failed. But that is not the problem. It has succeeded. We can see the science is there and that it works. However, we cannot now afford to go forward because of lack of finance and that is heart-breaking,” she said. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutant gene that prevents cells from producing healthy digestive juices, sweat and mucus. Individuals who carry a single copy of this gene are unaffected but those who inherit two copies – one from their father, one from their mother – suffer because their bodily fluids become thick, sticky and clog up lungs and digestive tracts which then become infected. Around 150 babies a year are born with the disease in Britain, including James Fraser Brown, the four-year-old son of Gordon Brown. Before the development of antibiotics, patients would die in childhood. Even today, few live beyond their 30s and survive only by going through long daily physiotherapy sessions, the consumption of dozens of vitamin and digestive enzyme tablets, and the constant use of antibiotics and asthma inhalers. When the genetic cause of cystic fibrosis was revealed in 1989, scientists realised it should be possible to put a healthy gene into patients’ cells so their bodies could start making healthy fluids. However, this work has proved to be intensely difficult and in 2001, the UK’s three main cystic fibrosis research groups – in London, Oxford and Edinburgh – decided to co-operate on a single, ambitious project. For its part, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust announced it was abandoning its commitments to fund support and care for patients in order to put its entire funding, raised through charity shops and collections, into the consortium. A total of £30m was raised and, after a decade of painstaking work, the researchers developed a form of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis that passed early clinical trials last year. “Those trials established the drug’s safety,” added Alton, who is based at Imperial College, London. “In addition, they showed that in many patients the ability to make healthy proteins was restored for several months and that was just with one dose. It was incredibly encouraging.” The consortium began work on a full trial involving 200 patients at the beginning of this year. Some patients would get placebos and others the full drug. “That would have finally proved the potential of the drug, I think. But before we could start we were told the money had run out,” added Alton. “We need another £6m to complete the project. If we got that money today, we could start the trial early next year. But we are already having to lay off staff and if we don’t get the money by autumn, we have to close down the entire operation. Everything we have achieved will have been lost.” Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, agreed that an additional £6m was now needed to save the project. “We are pulling out all the stops to make it happen. We are trying to secure funding from the Medical Research Council and we are trying to attract new philanthropic gifts into the programme as well as reaching out to our existing supporters and community,” he said. Genetics Medical research Drugs Biology Health Robin McKie guardian.co.uk

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