Dili, Timor-Leste (IRIN) – An increase in the number of suspected dengue cases in Timor-Leste in 2012, compared with the same period last year, has prompted government health and sanitation warnings. The mosquito-borne virus causes flu-like symptoms known as dengue. If not properly treated, the more severe form of the disease, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, has harsher symptoms and can be fatal. As of 24 February, the Ministry of Health had received 563 reports of dengue (161 confirmed by laboratory tests) in every district except one, including 192 reports of dengue hemorrhagic fever that causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting and in worst cases, death. This is a 36 percent increase over reports for the first two months of 2011. As of 1 March, 10 people had died from dengue, according to the government. “Those who died, their families brought them too late to [...] Continue Reading…
What Do Republican Presidential Candidates Say on Foreclosure Crisis? Not Much.
February 28th, 2012 
davidguide ProPublica Staff
Washington, DC, United States (ProPublica) – by Lois Beckett As we’ve detailed, President Obama’s plans to help homeowners have come up short time and again. We recently looked at Obama’s latest proposals, most of which are unlikely to make a major dent in the crisis. So, how about the Republican presidential candidates: What do they say should be done about the foreclosure crisis? They don’t say much. As newspapers in hard-hit states like Florida, Nevada, California and Ohio have been quick to point out, none of the candidates has made the foreclosure crisis a policy priority. Mostly, the candidates have argued that the housing market needs to heal on its own, without government interference. Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul have suggested tax breaks for some homeowners. Here’s our in-depth guide to how Santorum, Mitt Romney, Paul and Newt Gingrich say they would [...] Continue Reading…
SEC Warns Top Banker of Charges Over Magnetar Deal
February 22nd, 2012 davidguide ProPublica Staff
United States (ProPublica) – by Cora Currier According to the Wall Street Journal, the Securities and Exchange Commission has warned a top banker that it may bring civil charges against him for his role in creating a risky collateralized debt obligation, or CDO, that exploded spectacularly as the housing market crashed. It’s the first public evidence that the SEC is considering charges against a top banking executive involved in CDOs, which fueled the financial crisis. The CDO, from the end days of the boom in 2007, was one of dozens that had been created with the help of the hedge fund Magnetar. As we reported with This American Life and NPR, Magnetar often pushed for riskier assets to be included in CDOs, and placed bets against many of the same investments so that it would profit if those risky assets went sour. (Magnetar has never been [...] Continue Reading…
World Bank president plans to leave in June
February 16th, 2012 davidguide Linda Young – AHN News Writer
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – World Bank President Robert Zoellick plans to leave his post after five years when his term expired on June 30. Zoellick began his term under President George W. Bus. He previously served the Bush administration as deputy secretary of state and U.S. Trade Representative. In announcing he was leaving, Zoellick mentioned that some key reforms had made the WB more open and effective. The World Bank offers financial help to nation. Lately it has been focusing on trying to help eastern Europe and central Asia as concerns over the European sovereign debt crisis continues to create chaotic economic conditions. Although the bank’s new leader is technically selected by the bank’s global membership, by tradition, the president of the United States generally appoints the head of the World Bank because the U.S. helped to found [...] Continue Reading…
Congress considers new foreign guest worker program
February 12th, 2012 davidguide Tom Ramstack – AHN News Legal Correspondent
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – A congressional committee took on part of the nation’s illegal immigration problem Thursday during a hearing on guest worker programs. A House Judiciary subcommittee heard from witnesses from state agricultural programs in California, Georgia and North Carolina who support the idea of using foreign workers to harvest their crops. However, almost no one wants them to stay in the United States after they complete their work, which would add to a problem that has created about 12 million illegal immigrants. “There is no numerical limit to H-2A temporary agricultural work visas, yet half of farm workers remain illegal immigrants,” Lamar Smith, chairman of the subcommittee on immigration policy enforcement, said at the hearing. “Why don’t more growers who have heavy demands for seasonal agricultural labor make use of the program? Well, in 2008, the [...] Continue Reading…
Greek political leaders reach deal on austerity measures
February 10th, 2012 davidguide Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter
Brussels, Belgium (AHN) – Greek politicians have reached a deal that will help the financially ailing Mediterranean country avoid a messy default. Political leaders struck a deal for a package of austerity measures Thursday. The move clears the way for a swap to cut the nation’s debt and secure its second round of rescue money in two years. At a press conference Thursday in Frankfurt, Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos called European Central Bank President Mario Draghi to tell him “an agreement has been reached.” An official announcement is expected later in the day. The accord was reached less than four hours before eurozone finance ministers are set to hold an emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss the 130 billion euro ($1.72 billion) lifeline. Holders of Greek debt will take a 70 percent haircut. A Greek default would be devastating [...] Continue Reading…
Roseanne Barr running for president
February 4th, 2012 davidguide Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Roseanne Barr has filed the official paperwork necessary to run for the Green Party nomination for president of the United States. Barr filed her paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 25. Her filing creates a four-way race for the Green nomination, which is to be decided at the Green Party Nomination Convention in July. The comedian tweeted Thursday, “I am running for Green Party nominee for POTUS. I am an official candidate. I am4 the Greening of America & the world. Green=peace/justice.” ‘I will run until the convention in July in Baltimore, I fully expect Jill Stein 2b the nominee & I will support her, but till then-I’ll serve,” Barr continued in several tweets that followed her announcement. Barr’s platform, as detailed in a tweet, is a promise to institute “#Europeanstyle” single [...] Continue Reading…
Home prices continue to fall
February 2nd, 2012 davidguide Linda Young – AHN News Writer
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Home prices in November continued their fall from the bubble-high prices of 2006, dropping by 1.3 percent compared to October, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city report. Sales prices fell for the second consecutive month in 19 of the 20 cities the index covers. Analysts had not expected such a steep decline because mortgage interest rates remain low and the nation’s gross domestic product grew during the fourth quarter of the year. Prices are down 3.7 percent from a year ago, and off 32.8 percent since their bubble-high peak in the summer of 2006. “The trend is down and there are few, if any, signs in the numbers that a turning point is close at hand,” says David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices. Despite the low mortgage rates [...] Continue Reading…
U.S. stocks fall as GDP trails forecast
January 29th, 2012 davidguide Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter
New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Wall Street opened lower Friday after a report showed that the U.S. economy expanded less than forecast.. Just after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was lower by 33 points, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index was flat and the NASDAQ was up by about 6 points. Weighing on stocks was a report that showed the U.S. economy expanded at 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter, less than the 3 percent that had been projected. In Europe the Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.7 percent as investors await word on developments on the region’s sovereign debt crisis. European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said authorities are “very close” to reaching an agreement on private-sector involvement in a Greek debt swap. Despite those words of optimism, the dismal growth [...] Continue Reading…
Wall Street opens mixed Friday on GE, Google earnings
January 23rd, 2012 davidguide Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter
New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Wall Street opened mixed to lower Friday morning following earnings reports from General Eclectic and Google that disappointed. Just after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat, the S&P 500 Index was down 3 points and the NASDAQ fell 9 points. Weighing on stocks was an earnings report from Dow component General Electric. Shares of GE dropped more than 2 percent after the largest U.S. conglomerate reported roughly flat profit from continuing operations, and revenues that missed estimates. Meanwhile, Internet giant Google tumbled more than 8 percent, or 52.38, to 586.66, after the search engine reported quarterly profit and revenue that missed Wall Street estimates. Google blamed the shortfall on declining search advertising rates. Microsoft shares rose 3 percent after decent earnings, and IBM rose $4.87 to $185.45 after giving [...] Continue Reading…
