Month: May 2014

Mexico reported outbreaks of a deadly pig virus in 17 states out of 19 tested, the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) said on Thursday. These showed that 30 percent were positive for the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), suggesting that there may be some other causative agent involved in this event, the ministry said. Mexico has 31 states plus the federal district of Mexico. The country, which has around 16 million pigs, has banned imports of live pigs from the United States since last June, the Mexican ministry said.

When we no longer hold our partner responsible for the fulfillment of our needs, everything changes. This is easier said than done, but it is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to insure that our relationship will be mutually satisfying.

Alfalfa is an ingredient in many commercially-available dog and cat foods, and consumers are beginning to ask whether this forage really belongs in their pet's diet. Before I discuss the suitability of alfalfa for dogs and cats, let's take a quick look at the nature of this plant. Alfalfa 101 Alfalfa, of the species Medicago sativa, is called lucerne in the U.K., Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and other locations around the world. It's a perennial flowering plant in the pea family that looks similar to clover and has clusters of small purple flowers. Alfalfa is native to warm, mild

The U.S. government plays both sides of the obesity street — admonishing people to eat right while pushing the foods that make them fat — because of the USDA's double mission of protecting the nation's health and protecting the health of the nation's farmers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The growing furor over veterans' health care moved to the political campaigns Thursday as congressional candidates from both parties called for Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to be fired.

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said on Thursday he is "getting closer" to asking Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign, saying he is still unconvinced that this would solve the agency's problems. But another member of the House Republican leadership, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, broke ranks to join a growing list of lawmakers and candidates calling on Shinseki to quit. "I believe new leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs is imperative to fixing the wrong that this massive bureaucracy has done to the men and women we owe so much to," McCarthy said in a statement. Some Democrats also are starting to call for the retired four-star Army general to step down despite continued support from President Barack Obama, including representatives David Scott and John Barrow of Georgia.

I was disappointed that the WHO report on depression did not attract any coverage from major news organizations like CNN, NBC, or The New York Times. That same week, there was intense daily coverage of the MERS virus, which has killed zero Americans and 200 people worldwide. The epidemic that is already upon us was ignored.

There is a reason nearly everyone keeps the handwritten notes they've received in a shoebox or a special drawer in their desk. Have you ever heard of a shoebox that contains printed out thank-you emails? E-cards? I haven't.