573,000 File for Unemployment; Bank of America to Shed 35,000
12/11/2008 4:33:01 PM - The Associated Press - Arkansasbusiness.com Daily Report
New claims for jobless benefits surged last week and came in worse than expectations that were already gloomy - and economists say the figures would get even worse without an auto industry bailout.

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Concerns are rising in Hong Kong that the umbrella H5N2 vaccine currently used to protect poultry may be losing its effectiveness after authorities discovered birds, reportedly vaccinated, that appeared to have died from the H5 virus.

Testing is underway to determine the exact strain of H5 virus responsible, and we should know more in the next day or two.

For now, aggressive culling is ongoing, with up to 90,000 birds expected to be destroyed by week's end. The government has announced a a 21-day shutdown of the local poultry industry, and is temporarily suspending all live chicken imports from mainland China.

Hong Kong, which saw the first known outbreak of human H5N1 in 1997, has a reputation for swift action when facing the virus. Their decision to cull all of the poultry in the territory may have prevented a pandemic more than a decade ago.

As it was, the H5 virus basically went into hiding until it resurfaced again in 2003 - again in Hong Kong - when two people became infected (one died) after recent travel to China's Fujian Province. A third family member died in mainland China, but was not tested.

By the end of 2003, the H5N1 virus would have shown up in Korea, China, and Thailand as well.

The H5N2 vaccine from the Netherlands has worked well protecting poultry in Hong Kong over the past six year, but recent testing at the University of Hong Kong has revealed a substantial decrease in antibody response to the vaccine over the past eight years.

Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung recently warned that the vaccine may be approaching total failure.


This announcement from News.gov.

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The mother of 14-year-old murder victim Davonte Lightfoot is suing Multnomah County, claiming its probation department failed to adequately intervene in her son's life even though she urged that her son be arrested and locked away for his own safety.
Tammorra Barnes filed the lawsuit Wednesday, seeking $700,000 in damages. Lightfoot died of a gunshot to the head Jan. 7, 2007 at a bus stop on North Killingsworth Street, apparently stemming from a dispute that day. Authorities charged Joseph Eugene Allen, now 17, with murder with a firearm, and trial is scheduled next June.
Both Lightfoot and Allen were on probation -- Lightfoot since June 2005 after admitting to possessing a gun, and Allen for distribution of a controlled substance. Authorities believe both boys had gang connections.

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Flooding has closed several area roads as of 10 p.m., including:
In Dauphin County: Nyes Road at Devonshire Road in Lower Paxton Township.
In Lebanon County: Lingle Avenue between Palmyra Road in South Londonderry Township and Cambridge Road in North Londonderry Township.
Lawn Road (State Route 3015) between Colebrook Road and Patrick Road in South Londonderry Township.
In York County: Route 182 between Indian Rock Dam Road in Manchester Township and Croll School Road in Spring Garden Township.
Clear Springs Road between Spring Drive Road and Lake Lea Drive in Franklin Township.
Route 124 between Riddle Road and Witmer Road in Windsor Township.
Freysville Road between Valley Acres Road and Arnold Lane in Hellam Township.
Big Mount Road (State Route 4051) between East Berlin Road and Canal Road in Paradise Township.

In Perry County: Route 274 between Bernheisel Road in Jackson Township and Bistline Bridge Road in Southwest Madison Township is closed due to a downed utility pole and electrical lines.

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