Invites terminally ill girl to concert
Sheeran invites terminally ill woman Channan Petrides and her friend backstage at Wembley Arena in London to fulfill her dream of seeing Sheeran perform.
He was so lovely and genuine, he had a great sense of humour and was really easy to get on with. He signed my programme and we took some selfies together. He smelt amazing. A few months ago, I was so unwell I was worried if I’d ever make it to Ed Sheeran’s gig, but I did and it was incredible and I also got to meet him backstage. My life is now complete.
Family settles for $5.9 million
Officials say the family of Garner accepts settlement for $5.9 million with New York City. NYC Comptroller Stringer:
Following a judicious review of the claim and facts of this case, my office was able to reach a settlement with the estate of Eric Garner that is in the best interests of all parties. We are all familiar with the events that lead to the death of Eric Garner and the extraordinary impact his passing has had on our City and our nation. It forced us to examine the state of race relations, and the relationship between our police force and the people they serve. [The settlement] acknowledges the tragic nature of Mr. Garner’s death while balancing my office’s fiscal responsibility to the City.
Stringer also says the settlement does not mean New York City accepts liability.
Reveals Fair Housing Act
The Obama administration plans to reduce the racial segregation of neighborhoods using federal housing funds to make desirable neighborhoods more affordable for less affluent minorities. The Fair Housing Act enforces extant civil rights law on banning residential discrimination. Areas that fail to comply with the Housing Act will lose federal housing funds. Housing and Urban Development secretary:
A ZIP code should never prevent any person from reaching their aspirations. The fact is that federal efforts have often fallen short. We’re approaching this in a very collaborative spirit. Enforcement is always a last resort — it is there, it is possible, but our preference is to work cooperatively and steadfastly with communities.
Blames Obama for immigration
On Face the Nation, Boehner blames President Obama for Congress’ failure to reform immigration laws.
He’s stirred up the American people in such a way that it would almost be impossible to do immigration reform, given the environment that we’re dealing with. I want to do immigration reform and the president knows it. I asked the president about a year ago, gave him some ideas about things that should happen if he wanted to do immigration reform, and some things that he shouldn’t do. Well, the president didn’t take my advice. And he doubled down on the executive orders that, frankly, far exceeded his authority, and the courts have got him stopped. He’s really poisoned the well.
CDC security failures
A report shows CDC fails to prevent power outages between January 2013 and July 2014, leading to staff evacuation to prevent pathogen exposure. The report indicates one incident in Building 23 of Atlanta, Georgia where a lightning strike lead to airflow failures, the inability to open hallway doors, and loss of phone communication. The report also includes instances of worker pathogen exposure by needles, maintenance workers opening doors to restricted areas, and malfunctions in gear that protect scientists from pathogens. However, the report lacks comprehensive details. Biosafety Consultant:
This is not a comprehensive list. I look at these documents, and it’s very clear to me that leadership has not defined for the workforce what is a reportable incident or accident.
Colorado Representative:
It is unacceptable that the CDC, our nation’s premier institution committed to preventing the spread of infectious disease, has not resolved these problems after years of oversight and attention. It is more vital than ever that the CDC, from leadership on down, commit to a strategy that will prevent future lapses in safety.
Reassures fans
Iwata addresses public concerns about his gaunt appearance post-surgery via Twitter.
I saw many worried comments over how thin I’ve become. The truth is that after a major operation, I lost weight, but during these past two and a half months, thankfully my weight has stabilized, and I’m progressing well. I would truly like to thank my doctors, the hospital staff, and everyone who has assisted me.
Statement on illness
Nintendo issues Iwata’s statement on his absence on E3:
Thank you very much for your continued extraordinary support of us. I am Satoru Iwata, President of the company. Today, there is one thing that I would like to share with you…Recently, as the result of one of my routine physical examinations, an issue was detected. Following a more detailed examination, a growth was found in my bile duct.In general, it is said that a bile duct growth can be difficult-to-treat, partly because of the difficulty of detecting it early. In my case, luckily, it was detected very early and I had no symptoms. I was counseled that removal at an early stage would be the desirable medical option. Therefore I had surgery last week, and I came through it well, as predicted. I have already resumed my business by email and by other means, but it is anticipated that a little more time is needed for me to return to my regular work schedule. As a result, I have no choice but to miss the company’s very important activity, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held this month. As the president of the company, I regret that I cannot attend the meeting. However, I understand that I have to prioritize my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand. Best Regards, Satoru Iwata
Rexulti approved
FDA approves H. Lundbeck A/S and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd’s anti-psychotic drug Rexulti for the treatment of schizophrenia. The approval follows the results of seven clinical trials, three of which examines its effects on schizophrenia and four of which examines its effects on major depressive disorder (MDD).
Ebola returns to Liberia
Ebola returns to Liberia with five recent cases of the disease. Sequencing data show the virus is genetically similar to the past Ebola outbreak. WHO conducts further tests to see if people unknowingly had the virus and explores other possibilities such as sexual transmission.
There are a considerable number of survivors. And we also know that it persists in certain bodily fluids, and that it can subsist for at least six months.
Isolated child misdiagnosed
State health officials announce a misdiagnosis of measles in a child patient isolated at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The misdiagnosis leads to people receiving vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella. Department of Public Health:
It is important that Public Health authorities at all levels respond immediately to suspected measles to carry initial diagnostic testing, consult with the CDC, and institute control measures that can prevent a serious outbreak.
CDC: Don’t kiss chickens
CDC links Salmonella outbreak affecting at least 181 people in 40 states to affectionate behavior between people and live poultry. CDC recommends regularly washing hands from handling poultry, keeping live poultry away from homes, and breastfeeding to protect infants from salmonella.
86 percent of the 95 ill people who were interviewed reported contact with live poultry in the week before their illness bag … [Many] reported kissing or cuddling with their live poultry.
21st Century Cures bill approved
The House of Representatives pass the “21st Century Cures Act” which increases research funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $9 billion over the next five years. The bill also provides $550 million over the next 5 years to expedite the discovery and approval of drugs by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill also adds provisions to give drug companies more time to market drugs and increase the efficiency of collecting patient input. Some researchers and consumer advocates say the bill includes provisions that cuts corners in the drug approval process that undermine patient safety. Critics:
Some aspects of the bill could indeed enhance the development of and access to new drugs. Embedded in the language of the 21st Century Cures Act are some good ideas that could streamline the development and evaluation of new drugs and devices; its call for increased NIH funding may prove to be its most useful component. But political forces have also introduced other provisions that could lead to the approval of drugs and devices that are less safe or effective than existing criteria would permit
Obama nominates Slavitt
Obama nominates UnitedHealth Group executive Slavitt for senate approval to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Slavitt currently works as acting administrator of government health insurance programs and is known for his efforts in rectifying issues with the health insurance website during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Senator Klobuchar:
With decades of experience delivering health care services to millions of Americans, Andy has developed a track record as an effective and innovative leader who gets results. As acting administrator at CMS, Andy has played a crucial role in leading efforts to combat health care fraud, reform health care delivery, and improve health outcomes. That experience makes him the perfect person to lead this critical agency.
$3.4 Billion pledged for Ebola
International donors pledge $3.4 billion for a total of $5.2 billion to help rebuild Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone following the Ebola epidemic. The U.N. will follow up to ensure the delivery of the money. New pledges include $745 million from the African Development Bank, $495 million from the European Union, $360 million from the Islamic Development Bank, $340 million from Britain, and $266 million from the United States. Liberian President Sirleaf says funds will revive the economies and societies of affected areas.
The world as a whole has a great stake in how we together respond to this global thread. Virus diseases, just like terrorism, know no national boundaries.
Twitter removes epileptic videos
Twitter removes “#DiscoverMusic campaign” Vine videos that use bright flashing effects that cause epileptic seizures in viewers. Epilepsy Action:
For a huge corporation like Twitter to take that risk was irresponsible.
Donates $50k to leukemia patient
Swift donates $50,000 to the GoFundMe page of Naomi Oakes, a leukemia patient, in response to the eleven year old adopting Swift’s Bad Blood as her theme song for her hospitalization video.
To the beautiful and brave Naomi, I’m sorry you have to miss it, but there will always be more concerts. Let’s focus on getting you feeling better. I’m sending the biggest hugs to you and your family.
Painkiller warnings strengthened
FDA strengthens warning levels for painkillers that increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks, further warning individuals with a history of heart attacks, hypertension, or other heart disease to be cautious about using non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAID). This is in response to recent data that show the increase in the risk of strokes and heart attacks following short-term NSAID use. FDA requires drug makers to update warnings on common products that contain NSAIDs such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other products used for the management of pain, fever, and inflammation. The one exception to the warning is aspirin.
WHO can’t handle Epidemics
A 28 page report by a panel led by Dame Stocking says the World Health Organisation unable to handle public health emergencies judging from its performance in the Ebola epidemic. The report suggests fault in WHO’s financial preparedness, reliance on diplomacy, and lack of decisive actions by director general Chan. Furthermore, the report recommends regional and country representatives to play a more active role in pushing their governments to take immediate action to epidemics; this is in response to WHO’s delayed declaration of an Ebola crisis only after the death of 1,000 people.
WHO does not currently possess the capacity or organisational culture to deliver a full emergency public health response.
WHO accepts the report’s criticism and prepares improvements to its workforce and financial reserves. Medecins Sans Frontieres Dr. Liu:
The question is how will this translate into real action on the ground in future outbreaks?
Jail for avoiding quarantine
South Korea passes a law that imprisons people for up to two years if they defy quarantine orders when suspected of having an infectious disease. Police officers, firefighters, and other public workers will also help health investigators enforce the quarantine law. This is in response to the 181 confirmed cases and 31 deaths resulting from an infection by a 68-year-old man from the Middle East who withheld information from doctors in his itinerary. The quarantine law also publicizes information about a disease outbreak in response to criticism that South Korea delayed reporting of hospitals affected by MERS.
Clinic vaccination errors
In an annual audit, authorities shut down a clinic in Salem County, N.J. that gave expired or wrong vaccinations to uninsured children through the Shots for Tots program between October 2014 and June 2015. The audit reveals a two-year-old boy was given an excessive dose of an HPV vaccination for cervical cancer (Gardasil), a one-year-old child was given a flu mist dose at the wrong age, two children were given expired vaccinations, and one child was given a wrong vaccination for an unconfirmed disease. Authorities also dispose of $20,000 worth of vaccines that perished following improper storage. Salem County Counsel:
If errors occur, errors occur. And you got to step up to the plate, and you have to make sure somebody’s not harmed further.