China reports more severe form of bird flu, threat to poultry - WHO

GENEVA/BEIJING -- China is working to assess the prevalence of a new strain of H7N9 bird flu, state radio reported on Wednesday, after global health authorities said the strain had evolved into a more severe form in birds.

So far the variant strain has only been detected in Guangdong province, but given the wide circulation of livestock and poultry in the country, it would be difficult to prevent its spread to other areas, the broadcast said, citing the agriculture ministry.

Until now, the H7N9 virus has shown little or no clinical symptoms in birds, despite being highly pathogenic when it infects human.

But China has detected an evolution in the virus that is capable of causing severe disease in poultry and requires close monitoring, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

Samples of the virus taken from two infected humans were injected into birds in a laboratory and became "highly pathogenic" for poultry, it said.

But that designation applies only to birds, not humans, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said, and there is "no evidence that the changes in the virus affect the virus' ability to spread between humans."

A total of 304 new laboratory-confirmed human infections were reported in mainland China between January 19 and February 14, along with 36 deaths, the WHO said in its latest update on Monday.

The evolution of the virus may mean that the disease will become more apparent in some flocks, if birds begin to die off, making detection and control easier.

"This is the first time these changes have been detected. These are the only two cases in Guangdong province, China. So far, there have been no reports if similar changes have occurred elsewhere," Lindmeier said.

"It is a reminder that we have to keep looking closely," he told Reuters.

Any culling carried out in response to the detection of the virus on farms would be compensated, the Chinese report added.

Animal health experts say bird flu infection rates on Chinese poultry farms may be far higher than previously thought, because the strain of the deadly virus in humans is hard to detect in chickens and geese.

In all, since the "fifth wave" of the virus, first identified in 2013, began in October 2016, 425 human cases have been recorded in China, including 73 deaths officially reported by authorities, according to WHO figures.

"Most of these cases had known exposure to poultry or its environment, that is the main important link to this influenza type," Lindmeier told a news briefing.

In all since 2013, there have been 1,200 laboratory-confirmed cases in China, including more than one-third since October, he said.

source: interaksyon.com

The truth about Parisiennes

MANILA, Philippines - You have to live the true Parisienne way to understand the true nature of the Parisian love of life.’’

The Parisienne woman is renowned for her mastery of l’art de vivre (lifestyle) and for her much-envied joie de vivre (exhilaration). These women inspire countless books and films that enjoy cult status not just among Francophiles; they have also captured the heart of the general public.

As a first-hand observer of this phenomenon (I moved to France in 2006), let me help uncover the finer points of the Parisienne’s way of life.

• Because they live in a city whose beauty has been preserved through the centuries, a city with endless in-your-face cultural offers, the physical environment of Parisiennes has greatly affected their psyche. You will see this in the way they dress, their confident ability in tossing together an interesting mix of shapes, colors and textures, all worn with a calm nonchalance. You also see this in their strong sense of aesthetics because in Paris, art is everywhere — from the Métro stations to the gardens and building façades. It’s almost impossible to ignore their patrimony, their long rich history.

• When the Parisienne dresses well, in her mind, she adds to the overall beauty of her environment. It is her own small contribution to the aesthetics surrounding her. She can execute bold ideas, juxtaposing high-end with affordable — prints on stripes, florals on stripes, combining contrasting elements with a harmonious result but a strong point of view.

• Parisiennes look more natural out-of-bed than their Italian and American counterparts. They are averse to “wedding hair” — their hair is always tousled and slightly messy. They’ve mastered this look. Think of Serge Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon, Ines de la Fressange, Emmanuelle Alt — they never look too made-up, but rather, just casually pulled together.

• They are averse to plastic surgery and Botox and prefer women who age gracefully such as Catherine Deneuve and Charlotte Rampling. You’ll hardly see French women who are expressionless and Botoxed-out. They wear their wrinkles and gray hair very well. The French term is bien dans sa peau, which means the best-looking women are those who look “comfortable in their own skin.”

• It is a myth that Parisiennes are arrogant. It is not in their culture to smile. For them smiling for no reason means sarcasm, naiveté or trying to pick up a man. If you look at French advertising, no one is smiling. If you are in Paris and you see people smiling, they are probably Italian or American.

• French women are a paradox, full of complex contrasts. Many luxury brands were born in France. However, the French detest anything with too many logos. For a French woman logos are vulgar. They prefer to keep the price of their possessions discreet.

• Mealtimes are sacred in France. I could not do a piece on La Parisienne without touching on the massive influence of French gastronomy in their lives. It is the only cuisine currently protected under UNESCO World Heritage. Everyone sits down for a proper two-hour lunch and two-hour dinner and you’ll never catch a Parisienne woman eating while driving, scarfing down a quick lunch at her work desk, or eating only as an afterthought. They take their time. They use real utensils, real silver. Starbucks has been in Paris for over seven years but doesn’t enjoy the success it does in other countries because French people prefer slow food, porcelain coffee cups, and small, family-owned cafés.

• My main observation about Parisiennes is their preference for quality over quantity. They’d rather own only one Chanel jacket for 10 years than have a closetful of disposable fast fashion. This affects the way they shop.

• They choose brands with a long heritage, or with artisan/ handmade elements over more generic, factory-produced garments. This is the reason why I was happy to learn that a sneaker brand from Paris is coming to Manila. They really embody the true nature of being Parisian. I love Bensimon because the philosophy of the founders is exactly what the true Parisian is about.

Not all of us can just pack our bags and permanently relocate to Paris, but we can live in the Parisienne spirit by internalizing this same passion for the art of living, adapting it to our own lifestyle choices and to our own environment. Is Paris your spiritual home? Let’s fantasize together about the many ways we can include small elements of French life into our wardrobe and home, and enjoy the results together!

source: philstar.com

US Navy fined for 'illegal entry' in Tubbataha Reef

MANILA - Philippine authorities said Tuesday they have fined the US Navy for "unauthorized entry" after an American minesweeper went aground on a World Heritage-listed coral reef.

Manila announced the initial penalty amid growing anger in the Philippines over the January 17 stranding of the USS Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef, for which the US Navy has apologized.

A government-led board that manages the reef served formal notice Tuesday initially citing the US Navy for "unauthorized entry", Jose Lorenzo Tan, a member of the board, told AFP.

The site is protected by Philippine law, and is off-limits to navigation except for research or tourism approved by the marine park superintendent.

The law prescribes a maximum penalty of up to a year in prison plus a fine of up to 300,000 pesos (about $7,300) for unauthorized entry, but Tan said the penalty agreed by the board does not include the jail option.

"We initially decided to fine them," said Tan, also the country president of the World Wildlife Fund. He declined to disclose the amount.

A board statement issued by Tan said the US Navy would also be fined for "non-payment of conservation fee" and "obstruction of law enforcement officer".

The Tubbataha marine park superintendent, Angelique Songco, said Monday that park rangers had warned the USS Guardian by radio that it was nearing the reef, but the ship captain insisted they raise their complaint with the US embassy.

Fines for "damages to the reef" and "destroying resources" would be assessed after the vessel is retrieved, the board added.

The US embassy declined comment on the alleged violations.

Tubbataha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Sulu Sea about 130 kilometers (80 miles) off the western island of Palawan.

The commander of the US Navy's 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Scott Swift, apologized for the incident in a statement from Japan on Sunday.

The US Navy said the 68-meter (224-foot) vessel, which remained stranded above the reef Tuesday, had been en route to Indonesia after visiting a Philippine port north of Manila when the accident happened.

source: interaksyon.com