Colombia says Venezuela destroys bridge, holds soldier

By Andrea

On Friday, December 5 Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva accused Venezuela of destroying another community bridge. He further said that this was "another act of aggression and a violation of international rights." In addition, he noted that a Colombian soldier who was supposed to accidently cross the borders was being held by Venezuelan authorities.

In response, Venezuela announced that the bridge was destroyed as it had only been used by smugglers. No comments on Colombian charges about a detained soldier were made.


Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091204/wl_nm/us_colombia_venezuela_1

Arrest in Facebook threat to Colombian President's son

By Andrea

On Wednesday a student who posted a threat against Colombian President's son on Facebook was arrested. 23-year-old Nicolas Castro was supposed to post the following message; "I promise to kill Jeronimo Alberto Uribe, son of Alvaro Uribe." After his arrest Castro said to reporters that what he wrote on the social networking site "was an opinion and was an error." He further insisted that he was innocent of everything he had been accused of.

Source: http://news.ino.com/headlines/?newsid=689676665858383

Colombia accuses Venezuela of imposing Cuba-like embargo

By Andrea

On December 2, 2009 Colombian President Alvaro Uribe accused Venezuela of imposing an illegal trade blockade similar to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. He said to local radio that "In Venezuela, there is an embargo against the Colombian economy. It is an illegal, unjust embargo".
Although Venezuela would seem to rely on Colombian food products, Chavez started to look for alternative supplies from other neighbor countries, namely from Argentina and Brazil. Compared with October last year, Colombian exports to Venezuela fell 56 percent. The reason for that is apparently Chavez's disagreement with the contract signed by Colombia and the U.S. Furthermore, this agreement seems to have put countries' $7 billion a year in bilateral trade at stake.

Swine flu vaccine side effects

Scientists have noticed an increasing number of Guillain-Barre syndrome cases associated with swine flu vaccination. Guillain-Barre syndrome is autoimmune disorder affecting nervous system which is frequently severe and can cause paralysis. A couple people have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome just a few hours or days after receiving the vaccine. There is also increasing number of deaths occurring after receiving the vaccine.
Other swine flu side effects are mild fever, fatigue or muscle aches.

By Kristýna

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-29691-Boulder-Healthy-Living-Examiner~y2009m12d6-Swine-Flu-Vaccine-Side-Effects-Increasing-number-of-GuillainBarre-syndrome-cases

The Health Care Reform - "Former Deals Broken by Amendments"

As the debates over compromises over the health care reform escalate, the Democrats are struggling not to lose the support of interest groups currently in favor. However, several amendments currently proposed could raise costs for hospitals, doctors and drug companies way beyond what they formerly expected. Although not as medially popular as other issues several proposed amendments to the 2000 page bill could break the support of those groups that helped the downfall of the 1994 proposal, namely the American Hospital Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The first problematic amendment, introduced by Senators Liebermann, Specter and Collins, would penalize hospitals with high infection rates. Another such amendment was proposed by Democratic Sen. Dorgan which would allow U.S. pharmacies and drug wholesalers to import cheaper medication which could save the government roughly $19 billion over the next 10 years and probably more to the consumers. The last very unpopular amendment was proposed by Sen. Nelson under which about 6 million seniors would be transferred from Medicare to Medicaid which pays less for drugs.


by Lucie

Source: Washington Post December 6, 2009

The Health Care Reform - "Senate Bill Willing to Change"

As the debate over health care reform continues many Senators, including Sen. Durbin and Shaheen, recognize the need to be pragmatic and be open to changing the bill so it would have a chance to pass. Republicans continue to attack the public option as a government takeover of the health care system and the tax increases as a block of economic growth. A further issue is the issue of abortion language on which Republicans and some more conservative Democrats call for as tough language as has been voted on in the House bill. Because of the opposition the bill will require unanimous Democratic support to pass, and because of the controversial nature of the divisive issues any compromise will be hard to find even if Democrats are willing to make them.


by Lucie



Source: CNN Politics November 23, 2009

Schools in California get masks to protect children from swine flu

California schools will get 23 millions of masks and gloves to block the spread of swine flu. Also the school employees will wear masks and gloves to avoid exposure.
According to the state health officials there have been more than 7,200 cases of swine flu during this year and 366 deaths.

By Kristýna

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gVVnasiEtaUpkNTbXCjMf-8PDUQQD9CCLNHO0

The Health Care Reform - "The Public Option"

The Senate has recently victoriously voted on allowing the Senate Bill to be debated. Nevertheless, this victory was short lives as some of the moderate Democrats indicated that they will not allow the bill to pass in current form. Also, the Republicans are traditionally opposed to any government sponsored insurance and so are many Independents such as Sen. Lieberman. The only Republicans currently inclined to support the Democrats are Sen. Snowe and Collins. On the other side of the spectrum are liberal Democrats, for example Sen. Brown, who insist on a public option to be included or they will block the bill. The support among the public is just as divided, in the recent Reuters poll about 60% favored the public option; however, only about 33% of Republicans approve. The belief in better health care is very low across the spectrum; only about 11% people believe that health care reform will bring improvements.

by Lucie

Source:
Washington Post November 23, 2009
Reuters/Yahoo News! December 3, 2009

Czech Republic has 22 victims of swine flu

The number of people who have died because of H1N1 virus has increased for 22 according to Ministry of Health in Czech Republic. Is estimated that approximately 100,000 Czechs have experienced swine flu. Also on Wednesday the second shipment of vaccines was delivered. Total 167 thousand doses have been imported. The vaccine should be given the severely chronically ill children over ten years.

By Kristýna

The Health Care Reform - "The Divided Opposition"

Despite the rising opposition to Obama's policies and the current health care proposals, the opposition, although strongly opposing these, lack a clear united direction of their own. Republicans and many Independents have a negative view of the Obama administration and the Democratic party in general and about 3/4 of them say that Obama does not represent traditional American values and 8 out of 10 would not support Obama's re-election. However, the Republican voters are deeply dissatisfied with the GOP leadership and their policies in the Congress as well. About 4 in 10 Republican voters are dissatisfied with the policy proposals being offered by congressional Republicans, and similar numbers see the GOP legislators as out of touch with their problems and personal values. Nearly a third say the Republicans in Congress are not representing the party's core values. Furthermore, the GOP currently lacks a clear leader which makes any focused opposition to the Health Care reform harder.

by Lucie

Source: Washington Post November 30, 2009

Health Care Reform - "The Senate Bill Moves Forward"

The Democratic health care bill proposed by Sen. Reid was cleared on Saturday 21st November to head for debate on the Senate floor. This has been viewed by the Democrats as a victory whereas Republicans criticize such move. The vote was very tight - 60 senators, including 58 Democrats and two independents, supported moving ahead with the bill and all Republicans voted against it. However, it has been alreasdy made clear by many Democrats that although they are willing to debate they are not inclined to pass the bill in its current form. The debate on amending the proposal is expected to last for weeks. Key points include the funding of abortions, cost, and the public option.

by Lucie

Source: CNN Politics November 23, 2009

The Health Care Reform - "Public Opinion Leans Against Reform"

According to a Gallup poll released on Monday November 30 the majority of Americans lean against the health care reform proposals. According to this poll conducted between November 20 and 22 only 44% of the population supports the current Congress’ reform. Traditionally the strongest support is among Democrats whose support is 76% and low with Republicans whose support was only 12%. A factor for these negative ratings might be also the low ratings of pres. Obama whose overall support on this issue fell to only 40% of the poll takers. Independents disapproval rates on both issues is around 55%.

by Lucie

Source: Reuters News November 30, 2009