Fungus killing more bats than previously thought

In this February 2011 file photo, Bureau of Land Management endangered? (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

January 18, 2012|By Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times

Federal researchers say an infectious and lethal cold-loving fungus sweeping through parts of North America and Canada has killed millions more bats over the last five years than previously estimated.

The rapidly spreading fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome is now believed to have killed 5.7 million to 6.7 million bats, a count several times higher than earlier estimates, across 16 states as far west as Oklahoma.

The fungus, which scientists know as Geomyces destructans, seems to prefer the 25 species of hibernating bats. But each of the 45 species of bats in the United States and Canada may be susceptible, wildlife biologists say.

Estimating the number of bat deaths posed a challenge for biologists because establishing numbers of once common species had not been a primary focus of seasonal population counts. But with mortality rates reaching up to 100% at some sites, a team of 140 researchers in the United States and Canada recently coordinated their survey strategies to come up with a consistent estimate, said Jeremy Coleman, national white-nose syndrome coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

The higher number shows the gravity of the problem, Coleman said in an interview. "We still don't know what the cascading effects will be in the environment to our ecosystems.

"This much is certain: Bats have such low reproductive rates that it will likely take multiple human generations to get bat populations back up to the numbers they were just five years ago," Coleman said.

The disease has killed mostly little brown bats ? one of the most common mammals in North America ? which have lost an estimated 20% of their population in the northeastern United States.

"We are just beginning our winter surveys for this year and we expect to find that the disease has spread to additional states," said Ann Froschaur, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

White-nose syndrome can be transmitted between animals through direct contact. It gets its name from the powdery, white substance that appears around muzzles, ears and wings of affected bats.

Bats with white-nose syndrome exhibit unusual behavior during cold winter months, including flying outside during the day and clustering near the entrances of caves and mines where they hibernate. Bats have been found sick and dying in unprecedented numbers near these hibernacula during a portion of the year when there are no insects to eat.

Researchers are racing to find methods of managing the pathogen, including possible vaccination campaigns, and to manipulate the environment that brings it together with bats ? the chilly galleries of caves.

louis.sahagun@latimes.com

Source: http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/xMUan5kruLo/la-me-bats-20120118,0,3374294.story

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The Fink?s Royal Rumble Memories: 1998-2002

The Royal Rumble has been one of WWE?s most unusual and unpredictable events. From what I would call the ?best seat in the house,? I?ve witnessed - and on many occasions introduced - a number of defining occurrences through the years. Therefore, as we celebrate the 25th edition of this long-running WWE staple on Jan. 29, WWE.com revisits some of the magical moments that took place over the past 24 Royal Rumbles - some from the Royal Rumble Matches themselves, others?from clashes that took place in?the titularly named pay-per-view?event.

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AUSTIN "2:16"?
1/18/98 - San Jose, Calif.
Do you know the way to San Jose? ?Stone Cold? Steve Austin did! Continuing to ride the crest of a wave of surging popularity, Austin eliminated The Rock to win his second consecutive Royal Rumble Match and punch his ticket for an opportunity at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIV.

NO PEOPLE'S EYEBROW IN "QUIT"
1/24/99 - Anaheim, Calif.
"I Quit!" A term that no competitor in WWE would ever want to utter while competing in the field of battle. However, those two words were seemingly uttered three times by Mankind, as he was dethroned as WWE Champion by The Rock in their ?I Quit? Match. In the process, The Brahma Bull became a two-time WWE Champion.

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JERICHO WINS 3-FOR-BRAWL
1/23/00 - New York, N.Y.
Madison Square Garden was the setting for the first of Chris Jericho?s victories to become an undisputed champion. In a Triple Threat Match, Y2J and Chyna, co-holders of the Intercontinental Championship, along with Hardcore Holly, battled it out tooth-and-nail, with the brash, cocky Jericho coming out on top.

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11 ELIMINATIONS FOR KANE
1/21/01 - New Orleans, La.
One of the greatest feats ever in the history of the Royal Rumble Match took place in New Orleans, when an upstart Kane entered the match at No. 6 and eliminated 11 Superstars during the course of his time in the ring. It?s a record that stands to this day!

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THE HUNGER GAME
1/20/02 - Atlanta, Ga.
Making his in-ring return after recovering from a debilitating quadriceps injury, a determined Triple H was more than ready to play the game in the Royal Rumble Match. Despite skeptics and naysayers' predictions, The King of Kings emerged victorious in the longest 30-Man Royal Rumble Match in WWE history.

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MORE ROYAL RUMBLE MEMORIES: 1988-1992 | 1992-1997

Source: http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2012/finkel-royal-rumble-11-15

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FACT CHECK: Distortions in GOP debate (The Arizona Republic)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/187481540?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Shop Android Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Verizon Galaxy Nexus

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The Jan. 18 Shop Android Deal of the Day is the?Seidio SURFACE Case for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, the Seidio SURFACE Case provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. It's available in black, royal blue, garnet red or amethyst, and for today only it's just .95 ? that's 33 percent off! Get yours while supplies last!

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Shop Android Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Verizon Galaxy Nexus
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Tags: deal of the day, flexible material, galaxy, thin layer, verizon

Category: Android Central

Source: http://androidheadlines.com/2012/01/shop-android-deal-of-the-day-seidio-surface-case-for-verizon-galaxy-nexus.html

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New weapon aimed at Occupy: lynching charge

http://youtu.be/8UAj4Ohsce4

Screen grab from youtube video showing the arrest of Occupy LA activist Sergio Ballesteros on Thursday, Jan. 12. Ballesteros, 30, was released on $50,000 bail early Tuesday. He is charged with "lynching"--a felony charge originally drafted to deal with vigilante mobs.

By Kari Huus, msnbc.com

Sergio Ballesteros, 30, has been involved in Occupy LA since the movement had its California launch in October. But this week, his activism took an abrupt turn when?he was arrested on a felony charge ? lynching.

Under the California penal code, lynching is ?taking by means of a riot of any person from the lawful custody of any peace officer," where "riot" is defined as two or more people threatening violence or disturbing the peace. The original purpose of the legal code section 405a was to protect defendants in police custody from vigilante mobs ? especially black defendants from racist groups.

Whether its use in this case will be upheld by California?s courts is uncertain. But the felony charge ? which carries a potential?four-year prison sentence ? is the kind of accusation that can change the landscape for would-be demonstrators.

Occupy protesters bring their discontent to Congress

"Felonies really heighten the stakes for the protesters," said Baher Azmy, legal director at Center for Constitutional Rights in New York. "I think in situations where there are mass demonstrations and a confrontation between protesters and police, one always has to be on the lookout for exaggerated interpretations of legal rules that attempt to punish or squelch the protesters."

Ballesteros, a teacher-turned-social-activist,?was one of two people arrested during an "art walk" in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. He and other Occupy LA activists ? maybe 200, he said ? had joined the procession to bring their message about social injustice to the thousands of gallery-goers.

One protester who was playing a drum was arrested after stepping off the curb into the street.?Ballesteros said that in doing so, the drummer was joining hundreds of other people who could not fit on the crowded sidewalk.

Occupy protesters underwhelmed by senator's staff

Ballesteros said he was across the street when he saw the arrest ? which he said looked excessively rough -- and it was ?startling.? Under legal advice, Ballesteros is not providing additional detail, but apparently he objected ? in some fashion ? to the arrest. A video of the crowded scene posted on YouTube?shows Ballesteros on the ground, being handcuffed.

He was booked into jail on a felony charge, the Los Angeles Police department confirmed, and released on $50,000 bail early Tuesday morning.

'I can't go out and express myself'
Ballesteros is not the first protester to face this 1933 California law.

Occupy Oakland activist Tiffany Tran, 23, was arrested?Dec. 30 and charged with "lynching." At an arraignment four days later,? prosecutors opted not to file the charges,?the San Francisco Bay Guardian reported. They could change their minds until the one-year statute of limitations expires.

"Now I feel I can?t go out and express myself as I should be able to," Tran told the paper.

Houston DA turns up the heat on Occupy activists?

In the handful of protest cases in which lynching has been used as a charge?in the past, it later has been dropped. However, in one case, a court concluded that ?lynching? could include ?a person who takes part in a riot leading to his escape from custody."

Most states have laws against lynching ? largely drafted to prevent white supremacists and other vigilante groups from using violence against African Americans?and?white people who supported them. Hundreds of lynchings of this sort took place in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s.

Trying to silence him?
Ballesteros, who?spoke to msnbc.com on Monday, said that he does not believe he will be convicted of lynching.

?They don?t have much,? he said of the case against him.

He also faces a misdemeanor charge for his arrest?Nov. 30, when he was among more than 200 people who defied eviction from an encampment on the grounds of Los Angeles' City Hall. There was an arraignment for protesters arrested that day, but they were told no charges yet had been filed.

?They have a year to do so,? said Ballesteros. "Now they certainly will. It?s obvious. It?s all political.?

Ballesteros took part in a live video forum between Occupy movement activists and Tea Party activists just a day before his arrest. Click here to hear the discussion.

?More content from msnbc.com and NBC News

??Click here to follow Kari Huus on Facebook

Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/17/10177446-prosecutors-aim-new-weapon-at-occupy-activists-lynching-charge

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Euro zone inflation dips, opens door to ECB cut (Reuters)

BRUSSELS (Reuters) ? Consumer prices in the euro zone fell more than previously expected in December, the start of a retreat from a November peak that should give the European Central Bank more room to cut interest rates as the economy heads for recession.

Inflation in the 17 countries sharing the euro was 2.7 percent in December on an annual basis, revised down from an earlier estimate of 2.8 percent for the month, the European Union's statistics office Eurostat said.

"The pressure is abating although the risks from energy are still there," said Fabio Fois, an economist at Barclay's Capital. "We think the ECB could bring rates as low as 0.5 percent in March," he said.

The bank made two 25 basis points cuts after Mario Draghi took over as president in November before holding fire this month.

Many economists expect it to take rates below 1 percent for the first time ever in the coming months but comments by Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny published on Tuesday hinted that the bank was in no hurry to move again.

"We are all agreed that now the point is to allow these measures to take full effect. Only then will we take further decisions," he told the Wall Street Journal's German website.

"For the ECB 'We never precommit' always applies, but there are no plans whatsoever at the moment."

Reuters' latest polling of some 66 economists before the ECB met earlier this month suggested the bank will cut interest rates to a new record low of 0.75 percent in February or March.

Economists had expected euro zone inflation to remain at 2.8 percent in December.

IRAN EFFECT

Stripping out volatile energy prices, the main driver behind a 3 percent peak in the headline number in September, October and November, inflation was 1.9 percent.

Without energy and food, it was 1.6 percent.

That sits better with the ECB's target of below, but close to 2 percent, which the Frankfurt-based bank judges to be right for price stability and a healthy economy.

The euro zone's economy, however, is anything but. The bloc's gross domestic product probably contracted in the fourth quarter of 2011 and is expected to do so again in the first quarter of 2012 - showing it has fallen into a recession.

The weakening economy and rising unemployment across the bloc are cutting demand for goods and with it pressuring retailers to reduce prices. That has offset continuing high prices for crude oil globally due to concerns about a supply disruption in Iran.

Oil futures rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia told its Gulf Arab neighbors not to make up any shortfall caused by an embargo on Iranian crude oil exports.

In the euro zone in December, fuels for transport, heating oil, gas and electricity had the biggest impact on inflation in December. Energy inflation was a massive 9.7 percent in the month, compared to December 2010, Eurostat said.

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; editing by Patrick Graham)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120117/bs_nm/us_eurozone_economy

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What Guatemala's new president wants from the US

Former Gen. Otto Perez Molina, who will be inaugurated as Guatemala's president today, plans to push for renewed US military aid, raising concerns among critics of his legacy from Guatemala's civil war.

? A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

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?Former Guatemalan Gen. Otto Perez Molina will be inaugurated today as the first military official to lead the country since its return to democracy 26 years ago.

Topping Mr. Perez?s list of priorities as he takes office is overturning a longstanding ban on US military aid to Guatemala, which he aims to use to contain and deter drug-related violence in the country. Guatemala has?one of the highest murder rates?in the Western hemisphere and is increasingly plagued by high crime and violence linked to drug trafficking in Mexico, reports the Guardian. Many citizens voted for Mr. Perez based on his ?iron fist? campaign that?promised to crack down on crime.

Yet? his hopes of overturning the ban worry observers who are critical of his involvement in Guatemala?s bloody 36-year civil war. Perez garnered international attention during his run for office due to accusations of his involvement in massacres, kidnappings, and other human rights abuses during the civil war, which has strong ties to US military training and funding.

During Guatemala's long civil war, violence primarily targeted rural areas where family members were killed, children kidnapped, and crops destroyed. Further military training my not be the appropriate answer for a country still struggling with impunity and justice reforms, writes Tim Padgett in an op-ed for Time magazine.

?[T]he fear is that P?rez, despite all his talk of a?mano dura, or ?iron fist,? isn?t the man to bring rule of law to Guatemala, which is one of the world?s most lawless countries today. Guatemala, along with El Salvador and Honduras, is part of Central America?s northern triangle ? which U.S. military leaders call??the deadliest zone in the world??outside Iraq and Afghanistan. Guatemala?s murder rate is more than eight times the U.S.?s, largely because violent drug and extortion gangs have overrun the country.

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?But equally troubling is the notion among Guatemala?s political and business elite that the military is the answer. Armies don?t fight crime, professional police do ? and like Mexico, which has also had to employ its military against drug cartels because it can?t rely on its cops, Guatemala is paying for centuries of unpardonable neglect of public security.??

The US Congress ended military aid to Guatemala in 1990 after the death of a US citizen at the hands of the Guatemalan Army and years of ongoing concern over military-led human rights abuses. The US played an active role in the conflict, first backing a military coup in 1954 to overthrow the democratically elected president, Jacobo Arbenz, who was viewed as a communist threat.? Fear of the Central American country falling to communism continued as left-wing guerrilla groups began fighting for land reform, battling military forces. Guatemala?s?indigenous populations bore the brunt?of the nearly four decades of violence, largely because they lived in rural communities where leftist groups were believed to seek refuge.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/5_8tVQYbDm8/What-Guatemala-s-new-president-wants-from-the-US

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