Entries by Wordforge

21 Oct, 2014

U.S. enforces travel restrictions

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The United States restricts travel from West Africa by funneling incoming passengers through five airports consisting of John F. Kennedy in New York, Newark in New Jersey and O’Hare international airports in Atlanta, Chicago and Washington Dulles. The airports essentially account for 94 percent of passengers traveling to the United States from the three hot spot countries in West Africa. Johnson:

We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption. If not already handled by the airlines, the few impacted travelers should contact the airlines for rebooking, as needed. We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days.

18 Oct, 2014

‘Floating petri dish’

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Panic occurs when people on board the Carnival Magic cruise ship hears about a woman passenger who worked in an Ebola laboratory. After days pass, the captain acknowledges that a current passenger is a lab supervisor at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. The suspect passenger and her husband volunteer to remain in their room during travel. Up to 40 workers wear masks and clean the ship with fluids. Passenger Malone:

People are scared. I’ve seen people crying. You’re using the same buffet line as someone else, the same waiters, the folks that clean the state rooms. If someone was cleaning their state room and cleaned yours right after, the exposure that you have there to elevators…it’s very tight quarters and a lot of interaction. It’s really difficult to control any type of virus that’s on a cruise ship. It’s like a floating petri dish. It spreads very rapidly. They’re cleaning elevators. I’ve seen people with pink liquid cleaning the bar area and the handrails.

21 Oct, 2014

Pursues crushing campaign

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The President of Syria takes advantage of the U.S. led coalition combating ISIS forces to advance a crushing force against rebel forces. Changing tactics, the Syrian government scales back in certain areas to focus on key areas, such as the two cities of Damascus and Aleppo. Harmer:

Whereas previously the Syrian regime had some interest or some level of obligation to take direct action against ISIS, to the extent that the American military is now doing this, the Syrians don’t have to do it. If ever there was a time when the Syrian regime had everything lined up for them to do so, this is it. It is in a very favorable position and it’s got the opportunity to execute major offensives around Damascus and Aleppo.

Five Brits join weekly

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Speaking during a national security conference in London, United Kingdom senior police officer Sir Hogan-Howe reveals that a minimum average of five British citizens are traveling to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS. Tracking and reacting to the threats of home terrorists who obtain experience from ISIS training grows worse, what he calls “potentially militarized individuals.” After citing some examples, Sir Hogan-Howe:

Those are the ones that we believe have gone. There may be many more who set out to travel to another country and meandered over to Syria and Iraq in a way that is not always possible to spot when you have failed states and leaky borders. We know that over 500 British nationals travelled to join the conflict. Many have returned and many will wish to do so in the coming months and perhaps in future years. The Met say they have made 218 arrests for terrorist-related activity this year, an increase of about 70% in three years. A large part of this increased arrest rate is due to terrorist activities, plots and planning linked to Syria. The trend is, I think, set to continue.

20 Oct, 2014

Mississippi veteran joins fighting

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The Kurds have another alley fighting with them against ISIS, one of few unofficial U.S. boots on the ground. His name is Jeremy Woodard, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan tours. Jeremy is a security guard from Mississippi, paying his way to Turkey and smuggling into the war zone. The veteran even uses sign language to communicate with his foreign comrades. Woodard:

I figured if I came over here more Americans and other people from other countries would come here. I’ve killed two, in my first battle in Jezaa, and that’s it so far. Hopefully my numbers will go up. I never thought I’d be over in Syria killing people, but they’ve killed innocent people. It’s not frightening to me. If I have one bullet left, I’ll take my own life before that happens. I’m not gonna get put on YouTube by ISIS, and let them put me on my knees and cut my head off for publicity.

18 Oct, 2014

BBB warns of fundraiser charity scams

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The Better Business Bureau is warning that major websites are budding and posing as fundraisers and charities that help Ebola victims. For example, one website that has these possible scams is GoFundMe that claims to be taking donations for the nurse Amber Vinson, but the family is unable to verify the veracity of the specific fundraiser. Though GoFundMe is a legitimate crowd sourcing fund raising site, scam artists can use such sites to pose as a legitimate operation. The BBB shut down the specific sub site. However, there are as many as 100 such websites to claim funds for various Ebola campaigns, with the first set of scams showing up when Thomas Duncan made entrance to the US with infection. Even telephone scandals posing as well-known chapters are cropping up.

24 Oct, 2014

Not paying EU bill

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The European Union commission issues and estimating economy adjustment bill to Britain. Prime Minister Cameron states that Britain refuses to pay the bill along with and investigation underway to reveal how such a figure came about. Since 1995, Britain’s economy performance did better than other EU states. Speaking in Brussels, Cameron:

This is completely unacceptable. It is an unacceptable way for this organization to work – to suddenly present a bill like this for such a vast sum of money with so little time to pay it. And it is an unacceptable way to treat one of the biggest contributors to the European Union. It is an appalling way to behave. I am not paying that bill on December 1. If people think I am they have got another thing coming. This organization shouldn’t be surprised if it behaves in its way if its members say it has to change.

21 Oct, 2014

Two vaccines ready to depoly

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As soon as January, two vaccines may be ready to deploy for the heavy hitting Ebola areas of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The vaccines must pass human safety trials where twenty human subjects receive injections in the United States. Researchers hope to know about safety results by late November or early December. WHO especially expresses interest in one of the vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline. Fauci:

I don’t know if that’s going to be the best one, but that’s the one farthest along in terms of development.

A Canadian company ships 800 vials for testing in the hopes that WHO approves. Kieny:

These data are absolutely crucial to allow decision-making on what dose level should go in the efficacy testing in Africa. We expect, we hope, to have a go-ahead by the end of the month.

Smith:

Both of these vaccines are the top choices for availability and production. They’re not ready for prime time if it wasn’t an emergency situation, but they are the ones the World Health Organization is supporting.

22 Oct, 2014

WHO: Deaths may be three times higher

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The World Health Organization announces the true Ebola death toll may be three times more. Higher numbers place Guinea with a factor of 1.5, Sierra Leone at 2.0 and Liberia at 2.5. This suggests a true total of approximately 15,000 deaths versus a minimum of 4,877. At least 9,936 cases report infection. Of the thousands of cases, 443 health workers contract the disease resulting in 244 deaths. Official:

Early indications are that a substantial proportion of infections occurred outside the context of Ebola treatment and care.

Seizes US weapons cache

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The Pentagon drops 28 loads of military grade weapons for the Kurds. Wind shifts one of the loads, falling into the hands of ISIS militants. Turkey criticizes, but US officials say one cache of weapons in not a significant boon for the Islamic State. Apparently, amateur video footage proves militants did seize the cache of weaponry, consisting of rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and many other items. Army Lieutenant Colonel Warren:

One bundle worth of equipment is not enough equipment to give the enemy any type of advantage at all. It’s a relatively small amount of supplies. This is stuff [Isis] already has.

Kirby:

I do want to add, though, that we are very confident that the vast majority of the bundles did end up in the right hands. In fact, we’re only aware of one bundle that did not.

19 Oct, 2014

CDC issues strict guidelines

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Top U.S. government health officials from the CDC issue an update of strict guidelines informing American health workers to cover both skin and hair when caring for Ebola patients. The guidelines are a reaction to previous incidents where some health workers also became Ebola patients themselves. Fauci:

I don’t want to officially comment on what is being developed, but pretty soon we are going to be seeing new guidelines that, at least I can tell you, they are going to be much more stringent.

The old guidelines derive from the World Health Organization having skin exposure problems. Fauci:

We want to make sure that that’s no longer the case. That you have essentially everything covered.

29 Sep, 2014

Addresses Islamic terror at UN

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Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, speaks at the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressing the Islamic terror threat. The half hour speech compares ISIS, Iran and Hamas as a whole in regards to Islamic militancy being a threat to democracy and the world. Netanyahu:

Last week, many countries here rightly applauded President Obama for leading the effort to confront ISIS. And yet weeks before, some of these same countries, that now support confronting ISIS, opposed Israel for confronting Hamas. They evidently don’t understand that ISIS and Hamas are branches of the same poisonous tree. ISIS and Hamas share a fanatical creed, which they both seek to impose well beyond the territory under their control. Don’t be fooled by Iran’s manipulative charm offensive. It’s designed for one purpose and for one purpose only: to lift the sanctions and remove the obstacles to Iran’s path to the bomb.

• Benjamin Netanyahu • United Nations • Full Remarks • 9/29/14 •

United Nations: Combat Ebola Mission

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For the first time, the UN opens a health mission headquarters. UNMEER, or United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, provides coordinating international efforts to combat the Ebola virus. Team lead Anthony Banbury with crew members arrive on Monday in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Speaking to the Security Council, Ki-Moon:

This international mission, to be known as the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, or UNMEER, will have five priorities: stopping the outbreak, treating the infected, ensuring essential services, preserving stability and preventing further outbreaks. Under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Mission will bring together the full range of UN actors and expertise in support of national efforts. Our best estimate is that we need a 20-fold increase in assistance.

20 Sep, 2014

Worse case scenario over 500,000

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One current projection by the CDC for a worse case scenario places the number of Ebola infections at 550,000. The estimate does not consider intervention and aid from governments and relief organizations mobilizing to contain the virus. The figures stretch all the way to the end of January.

CDC is working on a dynamic modeling tool that allows for recalculations of projected Ebola cases over time. CDC expects to release this interactive tool and a description of its use soon.

18 Sep, 2014

Southern California confirmation

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California is the first western state to confirm the virus. The state chief health official identifies four cases of enterovirus D68 in two separate counties with ages ranging from two to 13 years old. More occurrences are suspected as officials wait for lab tests to return. Dr. Chapman said the spread of the respiratory illness to California is no surprise. Dr. Pannaraj:

There will definitely be more. It’s just a matter of time. This will spread across the entire country. These children start with what seems like a normal cold on the first day – runny nose, a little bit of cough – but by the second day, they can’t breathe at all. They come in and they need a tube to help them breathe. It’s probably evolved in a way that’s allowed it to spread more easily from person to person, and that’s why we’ve seen so many more cases this year.

17 Sep, 2014

Half Iraqi army not ready

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Half of the potential military prowess in Iraq is not capable of effectively teaming up with the United States. The other half requires rebuilding efforts consisting of additional training and equipment. Dempsey is hoping this force is made ready with intelligence, air surveillance and tactical air power, along with advisers to assist. Dempsey:

This is about training them in protected locations and then enabling them…

Dempsey also explains that a large US military force, also known as boots on the ground, cannot fix the problem of the Islamic State taking over large swaths of land. He says the key is to form an Iraqi government that unites the Kurdish and Sunni populations as equal partners. Dempsey:

I’m telling you, if that doesn’t happen then it’s time for Plan B.

The general further explains why even US air power cannot ultimately stop ISIS. Dempsey:

What we’ve seen so far is, a lot of the black flags have come down, a lot of the convoys have dispersed, a lot of the (fighter) assembly areas have been moved into urban areas. This will be a campaign of adaptation.

18 Sep, 2014

Terror plot: police sweep Sydney

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After receiving intelligence of an Islamic State supporter plot, Australian police perform a sweeping raid to stop potential public executions. The operation thus far is the largest anti-terrorism in history, making use of 800 police and with the aid of intelligence officers from the Australian Security Intelligence Organization. Charges set against two suspects and 15 people are under arrest. The investigation continues even with nine detainees let go. Two suspect woman must appear before the court system. Citizens complain about the raids. Informing reporters, the Prime Minister justifies the raids. Abbot:

The exhortations, quite direct exhortations, were coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country. So this is not just suspicion, this is intent and that’s why the police and security agencies decided to act in the way they have.

16 Sep, 2014

Turkey provides ISIS recruits

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At least 1,000 Turks join the Islamic State over a period of time. The extremist group especially attracts disgruntled, disadvantaged youths with the enticement of money. Turkish fighters also identify more favorably with ISIS governance versus Turkish governance. A rickety district known as Hacibayram that is a tourist attraction serves as a recruitment center for potential fighters to Syria. Stein:

There are clearly recruitment centers being set up in Ankara and elsewhere in Turkey, but the government doesn’t seem to care. It seems their hatred for Bashar al-Assad and their overly nuanced view of what radical Islam is has led to a very short and narrow-sighted policy that has serious implications.

The United States places considerable pressure on President Recept Tayyip Erdogan to better police the Turkey border connecting with Syria. Turkey refuses to take measures countering ISIS, upsetting American officials.

European Kurds take up arms

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Kurds who live in Europe are leaving their homes and taking up arms against ISIS by joining the Peshmerga, a militia force in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Deputy Chairman of the Kurdish community in Germany, Mehmet Tanriverdi, knows of dozens of Kurds who are leaving Germany and other European countries to combat against ISIS. One potential participant is just a phone call away to leave his quiet life in Denmark in order to combat the “psychopaths” of the Islamic State. Pirani:

I feel so helpless here. I am ready to die for the Kurdish cause.

12 Sep, 2014

Not ‘at war’

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The Secretary of State repeatedly neglects using the term “war” when describing the military conflict of the United States against ISIS, explaining why the term “war” is not appropriate to use. Kerry:

What we are doing is engaging in a very significant counterterrorism operation. It’s going to go on for some period of time. If somebody wants to think about it as being a war with ISIL, they can do so, but the fact is it’s a major counterterrorism operation that will have many different moving parts.

The comment generates confusion on Capitol Hill. McCain:

It’s hard to find a response to that. Then what was the president talking about [Wednesday] night?