EBOLA-CONGRESS
Missionary official: Ebola is uncontained, out of control
WASHINGTON (AP) β Aid officials whose missionaries have contracted Ebola say entire families are dying in West Africa, and the disease is spreading.
The confirmed death toll in West Africa is around a thousand, but a missionary, Dr. Frank Glover, told a congressional hearing that “whole families are getting infected and dying.” He noted, “There is no way to count all the people dying of Ebola.”
Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs said despite efforts to contain it, Ebola has probably already spread to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, where there could be a massive outbreak within weeks.
They both cited cultural barriers to containing Ebola in some of the world’s poorest nations.
Isaacs concluded, “I think we’re going to see death tolls in numbers we can’t imagine right now.”
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255-a-06-(Ken Isaacs, vice president, Samaritan’s Purse, testifying before House Foreign affairs subcommittee)-“around the world”-Samaritan’s Purse vice president Ken Isaacs says the outbreak has finally gotten the attention of the world. (7 Aug 2014)
< 254-a-10-(Ken Isaacs, vice president, Samaritan’s Purse, testifying before House Foreign affairs subcommittee)-“and paid attention”-Samaritan’s Purse vice president Ken Isaacs says the international community was slow to react to the Ebola outbreak (7 Aug 2014) < 256-a-13-(Ken Isaacs, vice president, Samaritan’s Purse, testifying before House Foreign affairs subcommittee)-“is another infection”-Samaritan’s Purse vice president Ken Isaacs says it will be difficult to convince people to give up the traditional practice of washing the body of someone who has died from Ebola. ((note contents–some may find offensive)) (7 Aug 2014) < 235-a-05-(SIM missionary Dr. Frank Glover, at congressional hearing)-“dying of Ebola”-SIM missionary Dr. Frank Glover says the death toll in West Africa is far higher than 1,000. (7 Aug 2014) < 234-a-05-(Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs, at congressional hearing)-“imagine right now”-Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs says Ebola may only be getting started. (7 Aug 2014) < 233-a-10-(Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs, at congressional hearing)-“with a fury”-Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs says Ebola has almost certainly spread to Africa’s most populous nation. (7 Aug 2014) < 232-a-10-(Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs, at congressional hearing)-“been a failure”-Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs says Ebola is spreading rapidly. (7 Aug 2014) < 231-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with SIM missionary Dr. Frank Glover, and Samaritan’s Purse Vice President Ken Isaacs)–Aid officials whose missionaries have contracted Ebola say entire families are dying in West Africa, and the disease is spreading. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (7 Aug 2014) < 212-w-35-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent, with Dr. Thomas Frieden, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)–A top U.S. health official says the Ebola outbreak is unlike any other. AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports. (7 Aug 2014) < 213-c-17-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent)-“to control it”-AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this is the worst outbreak of Ebola in history. (7 Aug 2014) < AMERICANS-EBOLA-SECOND PATIENT Husband of US Ebola patient surprised by critics ATLANTA (AP) β The husband of the second American missionary recently diagnosed with Ebola and returned to the U.S. says he is astonished at the reactions of people who are critical of the couple for putting themselves in danger. David Writebol, who remains in Liberia, made the comments in a recorded phone conversation with Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA. The aid group distributed the recorded call to the media Thursday. Writebol’s wife, Nancy, was the second of two American aid workers to be flown to Atlanta for treatment at Emory University Hospital. She arrived Tuesday and is being treated in a highly specialized isolation unit, along with Dr. Kent Brantly, who arrived Saturday. The two were infected with Ebola while working at a missionary clinic outside Liberia’s capital. Sound: 208-q-07-(Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, at news conference)-“to come here”-Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, is asked what he’s looking forward to now that Nancy Writebol is hospitalized in the U.S. (5 Aug 2014) < 209-a-18-(Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, at news conference)-“would be saved”-Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, says he and Nancy Writebol’s husband hope the Ebola afflicting her and Dr. Kent Brantly leads to a cure. ((note length of cut)) (5 Aug 2014) < 210-a-07-(Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, at news conference)-“a million dollars”-Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, says evacuating the two missionaries from Liberia has been costly. (5 Aug 2014) < 207-w-33-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA)–A second American missionary who came down with Ebola in Liberia is now hospitalized in Atlanta. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (5 Aug 2014) < 178-c-24-(Alex Sanz, AP correspondent)-“her to Atlanta”-AP correspondent Alex Sanz says the ability to get top notch medical care in the U.S. prompted the decision to evacuate her from Liberia. (5 Aug 2014) < 179-c-07-(Alex Sanz, AP correspondent)-“can pull through”-AP correspondent Alex Sanz reports the head of SIM USA believes that Nancy Writebol can recover from the virus. (5 Aug 2014) < 177-c-15-(Alex Sanz, AP correspondent)-“the right direction”-AP correspondent Alex Sanz reports that Nancy Writebol is said to be getting better. (5 Aug 2014) < 149-a-09-(Bruce Johnson, president, SIM USA, at news conference)-“contact point was”-SIM USA President Bruce Johnson says there’s no indication how Nancy Writebol got infected. (5 Aug 2014) < 148-a-09-(Bruce Johnson, president, SIM USA, at news conference)-“was great news”-SIM USA President Bruce Johnson says Nancy Writebol’s husband says she was able to stand and get on the plane that brought her to the U.S. (5 Aug 2014) < 150-a-12-(Bruce Johnson, president, SIM USA, at news conference)-“the right direction”-SIM USA President Bruce Johnson says Writebol’s husband told him that she is getting better. (5 Aug 2014) < 139-c-09-(Kate Brumbeck, AP correspondent)-“Emory University Hospital”-AP correspondent Kate Brumbeck reports the second American who was diagnosed with Ebola fever in Africa has arrived in Atlanta for treatment. (5 Aug 2014) < UNITED STATES-IRAQ Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq WASHINGTON (AP) β President Barack Obama says he has authorized the U.S. military to launch targeted airstrikes if Islamic militants advance toward American personnel in northern Iraq city of Irbil (ur-BEEL’). He also has announced that the military carried out airdrops of humanitarian aid Thursday to Iraqi religious minorities threatened by the extremists. They are trapped on a mountain. “Today America is coming to help,” he said in a late night statement from the White House. In recent days, Islamic State militants have swept through villages that are home to religious minorities including Christians and Yazidis (yah-ZEE’-dees). Thousands fled their homes after the militants issued an ultimatum to convert to Islam, pay a religious fine or be killed. Protesters outside the White House Thursday demanded U.S. action to help the besieged religious minorities. Yazidis follow an ancient religion with ties to Zoroastrianism, but are condemned as apostates by Islamic State. Sound: 314-c-22-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“two FA-18 fighters”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the air drops were carried out by U.S. warplanes flying from a base near Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 305-a-07-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“fight against ISIL”-President Obama says the U.S. isn’t just acting alone in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 306-a-13-(Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, former intelligence specialist, U.S. Air Force, in AP interview)-“to be done”-Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, who was an Air Force intelligence specialist, says the U.S. should have taken action months ago when it became known that Islamic militants were on their way to capturing large portions of northern Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 300-w-38-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–President Obama has authorized air strikes against Sunni militants in Iraq and deliveries of humanitarian supplies to minority refugees threatened with slaughter. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. (7 Aug 2014) < 309-a-15-(Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, former intelligence specialist, U.S. Air Force, in AP interview)-“to the forefront”-Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, who was an Air Force intelligence specialist, says the situation in Iraq is just one of several hot button foreign policy issues facing the president and his national security team. (7 Aug 2014) < 304-a-11-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“embassy in Baghdad”-President Obama says the U.S. will protect Americans in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 301-a-10-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“civilians trapped there”-President Obama says U.S. the U.S. can’t turn a blind eye to potential genocide. (7 Aug 2014) < 302-a-07-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“and children survive”-President Obama says the U.S. is helping Iraqi civilians trapped on a mountain and facing almost certain death. (7 Aug 2014) < 307-a-16-(Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, former intelligence specialist, U.S. Air Force, in AP interview)-“that option open”-Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, who was an Air Force intelligence specialist, says an air campaign alone will probably not be enough against Islamic militants in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 308-a-16-(Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, former intelligence specialist, U.S. Air Force, in AP interview)-“Irbil right now”-Retired Colonel Cedric Leighton, who was an Air Force intelligence specialist, says events may force President Obama to step up U.S. military operations in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 299-w-37-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–President Obama has authorized air strikes and food drops to protect U.S. lives and avert what he says is a threatened genocide by Sunni militants Iraq. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. (7 Aug 2014) < 292-c-23-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“close to starvation”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the U.S. relief operation for Iraqi minorities besieged by Sunni militants has begun. (7 Aug 2014) < 293-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Magdi Khalil, spokesman for Coptic Solidarity)–Protesters outside the White House are demanding U.S. action to help Iraqi Christians and Yazidis who are being terrorized by Islamic State militants. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((opens with sound) ((replaces cut 275 with updated information)) (7 Aug 2014) < 298-a-13-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“situation required it”-President Obama says he is staying true to his word in ordering airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 297-a-17-(President Barack Obama, in remarks)-“almost certain death”-President Obama says he has authorized U.S. military and humanitarian operations in Iraq. ((note length of cut)) (7 Aug 2014) < 276-a-09-(Magdi Khalil, spokesman for Coptic Solidarity, in AP interview)-“East religious minorities”-Rally organizer Magdi Khalil says the U.S. must intervene to save Iraqi Christians and Yazidis. (7 Aug 2014) < 274-c-23-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“further militant gains”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports President Obama has decided to send humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees besieged by Sunni militants. (7 Aug 2014) < 279-r-11-(Demonstrators outside the White House, demanding U.S. action to protect Iraqi Christians and Yazidis)–Sound of demonstrators outside the White House demanding U.S. action to protect Iraqi Christians and Yazidis. (7 Aug 2014) < 277-a-07-(Magdi Khalil, spokesman for Coptic Solidarity, in AP interview)-“the Middle East”-Rally organizer Magdi Khalil says U.S. help is urgently needed to save Iraqi Christians and Yazidis from Islamic State militants. (7 Aug 2014) < 278-r-19-(Demonstrators outside the White House, demanding U.S. action to protect Iraqi Christians and Yazidis)–Sound of demonstrators outside the White House demanding U.S. action to protect Iraqi Christians and Yazidis. (7 Aug 2014) < 275-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Magdi Khalil, spokesman for Coptic Solidarity)–Protesters outside the White House are demanding U.S. action to help Iraqi Christians and Yazidis who are being terrorized by Islamic State militants. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (7 Aug 2014) < 253-c-22-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“to U.S. interests”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports President Obama is concerned about the Kurdish capital of Irbil in northern Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 225-c-22-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“a significant step”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports calling in air strikes would be a major shift in policy. (7 Aug 2014) < 224-c-24-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“city of Irbil”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports President Obama is reportedly weighing the use of air power in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < FRANCE-UN MEETING UN council condemns minority attacks in Iraq UNITED NATIONS (AP) β The U.N. Security Council is condemning attacks on minorities in Iraq and urging international support for the Iraqi government. The council said that the attacks could constitute crimes against humanity and says that those responsible should be held accountable. Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant read the statement Thursday after an emergency consultation requested by France following the advances of Islamic State militants in Iraq. Sound: 280-a-10-(British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, at news conference)-“and the Levant”-British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant reads a statement concerning attacks on minorities in Iraq. (7 Aug 2014) < 282-a-13-(British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, at news conference)-“those fleeing violence”-British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant says civilians and any other non-combatants should be spared from attacks. (7 Aug 2014) < 281-a-14-(British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, at news conference)-“crime against humanity”-British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant says anyone responsible for ciriminal attacks should be held accountable. (7 Aug 2014) < VATICAN-IRAQ Pope urges protection for Iraqi Christians VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis is urging world governments to take measures to protect Christians driven from their villages in northern Iraq and to provide them with humanitarian aid. The pope’s second appeal in as many weeks came Thursday as Iraqi militants from the Islamic State group overran a cluster of predominantly Christian villages alongside the country’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, sending tens of thousands of civilians and Kurdish fighters fleeing. In a statement, Francis appealed to the international community to “put an end to the humanitarian drama underway, adopt measures to protect those who are threatened by violence and assure them necessary aid, especially urgent for those who are homeless and depend on the solidarity of others.” Now-emptied Christian communities in the region date from the first centuries of Christianity. VATICAN-CHINA Pope to fly over China, rare chance for greetings VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to South Korea will provide him with an unusual opportunity to speak directly to the Chinese leadership: His plane is due to fly through Chinese airspace, and Vatican protocol calls for the pope to send greetings to leaders of all the countries he flies over. When St. John Paul II last visited South Korea in 1989, China refused to let his plane fly overhead. Instead, the Alitalia charter flew via Russian airspace, providing John Paul with an unprecedented opportunity to send radio greetings to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Wednesday he didn’t know what Francis’ Chinese greetings would entail. But he confirmed the Aug. 13-14 flight plan involved flying over China. AUSTRALIA-ANTI-SEMITISM Jewish children threatened on Sydney school bus CANBERRA, Australia (AP) β Dozens of Jewish children in Australia have been traumatized by a gang of teenagers who stormed a Sydney school bus and allegedly hurled racial abuse and threats. New South Wales state police said five juveniles were arrested early Thursday over the incident on Wednesday afternoon. Police say they were questioned but were later released without charges into the custody of their parents pending further investigations. No one was injured, but police say about 30 children aged 5 to 12 from three Jewish schools were subjected to “physical and racial threats” by eight male teenagers. Jackie Blackburn said her eldest daughter had phoned her from the bus pleading for help, saying: “They’re threatening to slit our throats; they’re chanting ‘Palestine’ and they’re going crazy about Palestine β ‘must kill the Jews’ and ‘heil Hitler.'” CHURCH FIRE Fire destroys Carl Junction church CARL JUNCTION, Mo. (AP) β A Missouri church that was rebuilt after a 2003 tornado has been destroyed again β this time by fire. The Joplin Globe reports that the Carl Junction United Methodist Church burned down early Thursday after an apparent lightning strike. Fire Chief Bill Dunn says no injuries were reported. Pastor Bill Kenagy says the building was insured and will be rebuilt again. In 2003, a tornado destroyed homes and buildings in Carl Junction and also hit the United Methodist church, which offered shelter to more than two dozen people after the tornado, despite the church’s heavy damage. The congregation was displaced for nearly two years after the tornado while its members rebuilt. Kenagy says services are planned for this weekend, but it’s unclear where they’ll be held. ARGENTINA-EMPLOYMENT SAINT Argentina Catholics celebrate patron saint of work BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) β An annual pilgrimage in Argentina to the shrine of the patron saint of work has drawn thousands of Roman Catholics as the country faces difficult economic times. Thousands of people waited to pray and give thanks Thursday at the Roman Catholic Church of San Cayetano in the capital of Buenos Aires. Many clutched stalks of wheat adorned with images of Saint Cayetano, a 16th century Italian priest who is also considered the patron saint of wheat and prosperity. Parish priest Jorge Torres said the annual pilgrimage resonates with people in Argentina because of the tough times many have experienced in recent years. Argentina was forced into default last week by a legal dispute with U.S. investors. That has created uncertainty for an economy already in recession.
