health: Lincoln Tribune

الأحد، 27 نوفمبر 2011

Lincoln Tribune

African American Communities Face AIDS Crisis
India urges Pakistan to act against Mumbai attackers
US-Pakistan Relations in a Post-bin Laden World
Five Palestinian children killed in West Bank fire
Conrad Pope Tells Marilyn Monroe Story Through Music

African American Communities Face AIDS Crisis

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 04:26 PM PST

More than a million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 50,000 more people are infected with HIV each year, and African Americans are seven times more likely than white people to be among those newly infected.

((NATS:)

"You want to get tested?"

((NARRATOR))

Every year African American communities across the United States hold an HIV/AIDS awareness day.

((NATS))

"We're giving out information about HIV."

((NARRATOR))

African Americans make up about 13 percent of the US population and account for nearly half of all new HIV infections. The epidemic afflicts everyone, young and old alike in black communities throughout the country.

((SHARON ARLINE BRADLEY, NAACP))

"One in 16 black men and one in 13 black women will be infected with the virus."

((NARRATOR))

Sharon Arline ((ARE-line)) Bradley is the health director of the N-double A-CP, a civil rights organization that traditionally focuses on racial equality and legal issues. Now it has an office on AIDS.

The causes of AIDS in black communities are the same as anywhere else, having unprotected sex and multiple sex partners, sharing IV drug needles and not getting medical help once infected.

The dark red areas on this map from Emory University shows where HIV is most common in the United States.

This one shows where most African Americans have the virus. Researchers say AIDS is more common among the poor.

At the National Institutes of Health, Dr. John Ruffin oversees minority health issues.

((DR. JOHN RUFFIN, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH))

"There are people, for example, who do not have access to (health) care. They don't have (health) insurance. They don't have many of those things that are needed once they have contacted the disease."

((NARRATOR))

These young women teach young people how to avoid getting HIV.

((EBONY SIMPSON))

"We do outreach and host events and encourage people to get tested."

((ZATAUNIA HEARD))

"It's kind of crazy, but a lot of people would rather not get tested."

((DONNA CAMPBELL))

"When you ask a female if she wants condoms, she'll say 'no'."

((LADERA ELLIS))

"Most most people who have a monogamous partner, they don't know that their partner is sleeping with somebody else."

((NARRATOR))

The women are with Metro Teen AIDS, a community health organization.

In the African American community, there's a stigma associated with AIDS rooted in homophobia.

((LADERA ELLLIS))

"The biggest stigma on it, HIV, to me is gay people. Gay people. That's where people think it came from."

((NARRATOR))

Both health officials and community activists say AIDS has to be destigmatized in order to reduce infections. After he was infected with the virus, Phill Wilson founded the Black AIDS Institute, a think tank focused on stopping AIDS among African Americans.

((PHILL WILSON))

"I'm alive today because I got tested. I'm alive today because I took control of my life. I'm alive today because I took advantage of the treatments that are available."

((NARRATOR))

It comes down to eliminating the stigma associated with the AIDS virus, providing education, testing, treatment and health care in African American communities, getting people to limit the number of sexual partners and using condoms.

((PHILL WILSON))

"We have the ability to end the AIDS epidemic in America today. And the question is no longer can we end the AIDS epidemic, but will we?"

((NARRATOR))

Wilson says more funding is needed for testing and prevention programs because, he says, when people understand the virus, they are better able to protect themselves from getting it. (Signed)

"One in 16 black men and one in 13 black women will be infected with the virus," says Sharon Arline Bradley, the health director of the N-double A-CP, a civil rights organization that traditionally focuses on racial equality and legal issues. Now it has an office on AIDS.

The causes of AIDS in black communities are the same as anywhere else, having unprotected sex and multiple sex partners, sharing IV drug needles and not getting medical help once infected.

The dark red areas on this map from Emory University shows where HIV is most common in the United States.

This one shows where most African Americans have the virus. Researchers say AIDS is more common among the poor.

At the National Institutes of Health, Dr. John Ruffin, oversees minority health issues.

"There are people, for example, who do not have access to [health] care," Ruffin says. "They don't have insurance. They don't have many of those things that are needed once they have contacted the disease."

Women with Metro Teen AIDS, a community health organization, teach young people how to avoid getting HIV. In the African American community, there's a stigma associated with AIDS rooted in homophobia.

"The biggest stigma on it, HIV, to me is gay people. Gay people. That's where people think it came from," says Ladera Elllis.

"I'm alive today because I got tested," says Wilson. "I'm alive today because I took control of my life. I'm alive today because I took advantage of the treatments that are available."

"We have the ability to end the AIDS epidemic in America today. And the question is no longer can we end the AIDS epidemic, but will we?"

More funding is needed for testing and prevention programs because, Wilson says, when people understand the virus, they are better able to protect themselves from getting it.

India urges Pakistan to act against Mumbai attackers

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 02:14 PM PST

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- The Indian government on Saturday called on its neighbor Pakistan to take 'decisive' action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people three years ago.

External affairs minister S. M. Krishna said sufficient evidence has been provided by India's Home Ministry to prosecute those involved in the attacks. "I join my countrymen in paying respectful homage to the innocent men, women and children whose lives were most tragically snuffed out by the inhuman act of terrorism, inspired and carried out from across our borders, three years ago on this day," he said.

Krishna said India is still waiting for Pakistan to 'act decisively' to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks, which he described as 'mindless violence.' "I once again call on our neighbor to bring the perpetrators of the crime to speedy justice," he said.

The minister said the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy has no place in today's world and is self destructive. "No cause can justify the use of terrorism for attainment of goals, whatever they may be," he said. "There also cannot be a selective fight against terror. The scourge of terrorism has to be comprehensively fought and eradicated in all its forms and manifestations."

He added: "Issues have to be resolved through a peaceful dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. India is committed to having a peaceful, friendly and cooperative relationship with all its neighbors for progress and prosperity in our region. We call upon all our neighbors to join us in this endeavor of building a better future for our peoples."

The Mumbai attacks in November 2008 were executed by ten operatives of the Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and arrived by sea. The group divided in two and carried out an unprecedented attack for 60 hours at the Hotels Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident and Jewish outreach center Nariman House in South Mumbai.

Overall, the attackers killed 166 people and injured 238 others. Nine of the attackers were killed by Indian security forces during the siege and the sole surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab was caught alive at Girgaum Chowpatty. The attacks caused damages worth around $34 million.

After the attacks, India halted the Composite Dialogue with Pakistan. However, India and Pakistan decided to resume peace talks in October 2010. The talks involved the issues of counter-terrorism, peace and security, the disputed Kashmir region, and the economy.

Kasab was sentenced to death by hanging in Mumbai in May 2010 on charges which include murder and waging war against the state. India's Supreme Court in October issued a stay of execution for Kasab to hear his mercy petition at length as it said due process of law has to be followed, even though many feel that the appeal should be outrightly rejected.

While staying Kasab's death sentence and agreeing to deal with the appeal expeditiously, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court also permitted Kasab to furnish additional grounds to challenge the sentence given to him.

US-Pakistan Relations in a Post-bin Laden World

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 01:31 PM PST

In the past 10 years, analysts say the United States has provided Pakistan with about $20 billion in military and civilian aid, making it the third-largest recipient of U.S. security aid and reimbursements after Afghanistan and Israel. Both sides also have cooperated in targeting Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants sheltered in Pakistan's semi-autonomous and remote northwest.

However, anti-Americanism remains high in Pakistan, due to the unpopularity of U.S. drone strikes against militants on Pakistani soil and Washington's insistence that Islamabad do more in the fight. Meanwhile, reports of suspected Pakistani assistance for militants have caused some U.S. lawmakers to insist on suspending financial aid to Pakistan.

U.S. and Pakistani officials describe their relationship as a "bad marriage, where divorce is not an option" due to their shared threat of extremism.

But the secret U.S. commando raid deep into Pakistani territory earlier this year to kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden took this distrust to a new level.

Here is a look at some of the key events in 2011:

May 2: A covert U.S. commando raid deep into Pakistani territory kills Osama bin Laden. Pakistan responds with outrage that it was not informed beforehand and anger because of what it saw as a U.S. violation of its sovereignty. Some U.S. lawmakers call into question Pakistan's relationship in the war on terrorism after learning the al-Qaida leader had been hiding in a Pakistani military garrison town near the capital, Islamabad, apparently for years.

Pakistan's military later warns that any future U.S. raids on Pakistani territory will result in a review of military and intelligence cooperation with the United States. U.S. officials say they have not seen any evidence that top Pakistani officials knew bin Laden was hiding in their country.

May 16: U.S. and Pakistani officials start a series of meetings in Islamabad to try to repair strained bi-lateral relations.

June: Pakistani security officials say that about 90 of the approximately 130 U.S. trainers in their country had been sent home. Pakistan authorities also reportedly arrest four informants who helped U.S. intelligence agents find bin Laden. Pakistan's military later rejects a U.S. media report that says a cell phone found during the bin Laden raid contained contacts to a militant group that has "strong ties" to Pakistan's military spy agency the ISI.

July 10: U.S. officials announce their decision to withhold $800 million - a third of U.S. military aid to Pakistan - in response to Islamabad's decision to expel American military trainers and put limits on visas for U.S. personnel.

Sept 5: Pakistan's military says it arrested a senior al-Qaida leader and two colleagues with help from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

Sept 14: U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warns Pakistan that the United States would "do everything we can" to defend American forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan-based militants.

Sept 21: The United States agrees to limit the number of military personnel stationed in Pakistan. The new agreement between the two countries cuts the number of U.S. troops allowed in Pakistan by half, to between 100 and 150, and the number of elite special operations trainers from around 140 to as few as a dozen.

Sept 22: Outgoing U.S. military chief Admiral Mike Mullen calls the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani network a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's ISI. He accuses the military spy agency of helping the Haqqani network launch attacks in Afghanistan, including an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

The White House then calls on Pakistan to break any links it has with the Haqqani network and accuses Islamabad of not taking action against the group's safe havens believed to be located in northwestern Pakistan.

Sept 29: Pakistan's spy chief admits that his agency maintains contacts with the Haqqani network, but does so not in order to wage a "proxy war" against the U.S. interests in neighboring Afghanistan, but for the purpose of seeking peace.

Oct 6: Pakistan charges a local doctor with treason after he allegedly helped the United States with its bin Laden raid.

Oct 18: Pakistan's army chief warns the United States against taking any unilateral military action in the North Waziristan tribal region, believed to be a hub of the Haqqani network.

Oct 20: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells Pakistan it "can either be helping or hindering" efforts to "create a strong foundation for an Afghanistan free from interference, violent conflict and one that has a chance to chart its own future."

Nov 23: Pakistan names a new ambassador to the United States after the previous one stepped down following claims that he appealed for Washington's help in reining in Pakistan's powerful military following the bin Laden raid.

Nov 26: Pakistan says it plans to review its complete relationship with the United States and NATO in response to a deadly cross-border NATO airstrike.

Five Palestinian children killed in West Bank fire

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 01:10 PM PST

TULKAREM, WEST BANK (BNO NEWS) -- Five Palestinian children were killed on early Saturday morning when a fire ripped through their house in the northern West Bank village of Qaffin, officials said.

Five children of the same family - three boys and two girls aged between 5 and 12 - died when a fire broke out in their ground floor bedroom. By the time firefighters and police reached the scene, all the children were already dead.

The parents of the children were also injured in the fire as they tried to rescue their children. They were both taken to a local hospital, the Ma'an news agency reported on its website, but their conditions were not immediately known.

An initial investigation suggests that candles had been lit in the room of the children before they went to sleep, causing the fire, the Palestinian civil defense service said in a statement. An investigation is ongoing.

Conrad Pope Tells Marilyn Monroe Story Through Music

Posted: 26 Nov 2011 11:39 AM PST

The new film "My Week with Marilyn" tells the story of a week in the life of the legendary film star Marilyn Monroe, who in the 1950s was in Britain making a film with the iconic actor Laurence Olivier. The task of composer Conrad Pope, who wrote the score for the new film, was to capture the era and tell the story in music.

It was 1956 and a young Marilyn Monroe was already a sensation. The sexy blonde is played by actress Michelle Williams.

Composer Conrad Pope was asked to score the movie's music.

On the set of "My Week with Marilyn," cast and crew recreated an earlier era, telling the story of a brief romance between Monroe and a young production assistant.

At his piano in Hollywood, Pope captured the feeling of each scene as he composed the film score, working from a theme song by French composer Alexandre Desplat. In the movie, pianist Lang Lang plays the theme and other parts of the score.

"Marilyn Monroe is of course this iconic figure and so this allows you to have all this very grand music. She's a very exuberant figure, at least the reaction she elicits from men. And so it allows you for some joyous music as well."

The film is based on the true story of Colin Clark, a member of the 1950s film crew, and his brief relationship with Monroe. Clark, played by actor Eddie Redmayne, gives the star a break from the difficulties of filming and from her troubled marriage to playwright Arthur Miller.

The film's score is inspired by the big band sound and the lush film scores of the 50s. Pope says it varies from scene to scene.

"You take a simple theme and you can put it through a lot of different guises, and that's what we've done," he said.

Pope is a veteran arranger and conductor who has worked on dozens of major movies. As a composer, this is his biggest film score to date.

He says scoring this richly textured film was an ideal job.

"Yeah, I think for anyone that's a musician in Hollywood, it was kind of a dream project," Pope said.

He says the music helps tell the story and lets viewers understand the brief and tragic life of the talented starlet, who died at the age of 36.

health

الأحد، 27 نوفمبر 2011

Lincoln Tribune

Lincoln Tribune

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