Roger Reese dies at 71
Rees dies at his home in New York after a brief illness. Rivera, Rees’ co-star in The Visit.
The world has lost a great actor, gentleman and soul.
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.
$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.
Rothschild, Hilton marry
Rothschild and Hilton marry at the Orangery in the Kensington Gardens at Kensington Palace. The bride wears a Valentino haute couture lace wedding gown, with long sleeves, a high neckline and elaborate train. Paris Hilton is a bridesmaid.
https://www.facebook.com/parishilton/photos/a.493101968525.262989.113208373525/10153028291688526/
Pao resigns, Huffman replaces as CEO
Pao resigns from Reddit (statement). She will be replaced by Huffman, but will remain as an adviser to Reddit’s board for the remainder of 2015.
It became clear that the board and I had a different view on the ability of Reddit to grow this year. Because of that, it made sense to bring someone in that shared the same view.
I just want to remind everyone that I am just another human; I have a family, and I have feelings. Everyone attacked on reddit is just another person like you and me. When people make something up to attack me or someone else, it spreads, and we eventually will see it. And we will feel bad, not just about what was said. Also because it undercuts the authenticity of reddit and shakes our faith in humanity.
Reddit board member, Altman:
Ellen has done a phenomenal job, especially in the last few months.
Omar Sharif dies age 83
Sharif dies of a heart attack in a Cairo hospital age 82. The actor had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. His grandson Omar Sharif Jr posts to Twitter:
I join my family in thanking everyone for the global outpouring of prayers & support we've been receiving. I will miss my grandfather dearly
— Omar Sharif Jr. (@OmarSharifJr) July 10, 2015
Brooks, Deneus murdered
Kantral Brooks and Esther Deneus, both aged 29, are shot by three intruders around 4:00 A.M. on the morning of Thursday July 9th at their home in Bradenton, Florida. Several of the five children who witnessed the event unfold after they were awakened by noises caused by a brick being thrown against the front door. Authorities are investigating a possible drug-related motivation in the crime.
Joins Grasswire
Keys joins Grasswire.
Austen and I have similar thoughts and ideas when it comes to the future of news gathering and reporting, and I’m incredibly excited at some of the things that are in store for Grasswire’s community that we both hope will provoke and influence the digital news industry.
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.
Teen flies to Morocco to meet FB boyfriend
Rebecca Arthur, 17, from Connecticut is reported missing after flying to Morocco to meet, Simo El Adala, her Facebook boyfriend. Police have taken a missing person report and have appealed to the public to come up with any information they know.
Visits children’s hospital as Jack Sparrow
Depp visits Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia dressed as Jack Sparrow.
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.
Licks donuts, says ‘I hate America’
A surveillance video obtained by TMZ from Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, CA, shows Grande kissing backup dancer Alvarez, joking around and daring one another to lick powdered jelly donuts on the counter. When presented by a tray of donuts by the store assistant, Grande says:
I hate americans, I hate America
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?
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.
Family sets up GoFundMe page
The Steinle family sets up a gofundme page (link) to support causes important to Steinle, including Challenged Athletes Foundation each year, which she worked for each year, and PAWS: the Performing Animal Welfare Society. CAF President:
What always impressed me about Katie was how genuinely she engaged herself with challenged athletes, how genuinely interested she was in their life, their tragedy, and guided them on how best to deal with that
Second Philippines case
Officials confirm Philippine’s second case of MERS in a 36-year-old man from Dubai, who flew to Manila on a flight from Dubai, after making a stopover in Saudi Arabia. He began showing symptoms and was admitted to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa city, about 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, Manila, where he tested positive and was quarantined. The patient is recovering, but authorities continue to investigate those who he was in contact with.
Joel, Roderick marry
Joel and Roderick marry in front of their family and close friends, in a surprise ceremony at their annual July 4 party, at Joel’s sprawling estate on Long Island. New York Governor Cuomo, a longtime friend, presides, and Joel’s daughter, singer/songwriter Alexa Ray and actor Kevin James are part of the small group that attend.