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Researchers are exploring new and innovative methods to solve the complex mystery that is the Ebola virus.

“Quantifying the Epidemic Spread of Ebola Virus (EBOV) in Sierra Leone Using Phylodynamics,” is featured in an upcoming issue of the journal Virulence. Authored by Samuel Alizon, Sébastien Lion, Carmen Lía Murall and Jessica Abbate, this article studies the use of phylodynamics to discover how the Ebola virus has spread throughout the West African country of Sierra-Leone.

Phylodynamics is the study of genetic variations in pathogens, and the effect of such variations on their transmissions.

“Phylodynamics is used to discover how viruses spread throughout a population,” article co-author Samuel Alizon said. This can affect the virus’ transmission rate or duration of the virus’ infection.

“We managed to infer epidemiological parameters reflecting how fast the recent Ebola virus outbreak was initially growing in Sierra-Leone using only phylogenies inferred from the viral DNA sequences obtained from 78 infected patients,” Alizon said.

The co-author goes on to mention that this method is especially important because the results are more impartial.

“Inference via virus sequences is less subject to biases than inference based on reported incidence data, particularly when public health systems collecting those data are overwhelmed,” Alizon said.

Studying the epidemic parameters early in the outbreak, the authors say, will play a pivotal role in eventually being able to control the virus, thought there is still much work to be done in the field.

According to Alizon, “The community still awaits the publication of more sequences that will surely help to better understand the spread of the virus.”

 

Final chance for Government to ensure fracking regime is safe and sustainable – Flint and Greatrex

Labour has tabled an amendment to prevent fracking in the UK unless 13 outstanding loopholes in the regulation are closed. Labour first set out its conditions for fracking to take place in March 2012, but the Government has repeatedly sidelined genuine and legitimate concerns, ignoring gaps in the regulatory framework.

Caroline Flint MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, commenting after the publication of Labour’s new amendment to the Infrastructure Bill, said:

“David Cameron has repeatedly ignored people’s genuine and legitimate environmental concerns over shale gas. Despite clear evidence that existing regulations for shale gas are not fit for purpose, the Government seems prepared to push ahead with fracking at any cost.

“While eight out of 10 homes still rely on gas for heating, shale gas may have a role to play in displacing some of the gas we currently import and improving our energy security. But that potential benefit cannot come at the expense of robust environmental protections or our climate change commitments.”

Tom Greatrex MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister, said:

“Labour have always said that shale gas extraction cannot go ahead unless there is a system of robust regulation and comprehensive inspection. The Tories have belatedly acknowledged that the current regulations are inadequate, conceding to Labour pressure for reform on a small number of issues. But these piecemeal concessions cannot overturn a Tory mindset which is zealously opposed to any further regulation of shale gas in the UK, despite clear evidence that this is necessary.

“There are significant concerns about independent inspection of well-integrity, fugitive emissions and protections for national parks. Labour will force a vote on Monday to prevent shale gas developments in the UK unless these loopholes are closed.”

 

Jack Dromey MP, Labour’s Shadow Policing Minister, responding to today’s crime statistics release, said:

“These figures show once again alarming increases in the most devastating crimes such as violent crime and sexual offences including rape. A reduction in high volume crime is welcome but recorded sexual offences, including rape, have soared to the highest level in 12 years, while prosecutions are down. Police recorded violent crime is up by 16 per cent but fewer crimes of violence are being solved.

“The Government has broken its promise to protect front line police, with 16,000 officers having already lost their jobs yet demands on the police are growing and crime is changing.

“The police are struggling to cope with the sheer scale of criminal investigation into child sex exploitation and abuse and rapidly growing fraud and online crime and, the Office for National Statistics has found that, if cyber and online crimes such as online fraud were included, total crime would be up by a quarter.”

 

Chris Leslie MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to today’s public sector finance figures, said:

“These figures show George Osborne has broken his promise to balance the books by this year and national debt is still rising.

“His failure on the deficit is because falling living standards over the last five years have led to tax revenues falling short. This government is now set to have borrowed over £200 billion more than planned.

“Labour will take a tough but balanced approach. We will cut the deficit every year, get the current budget into surplus and national debt falling as soon as possible in the next Parliament. Our plan will make sensible spending cuts, reverse the Tory tax cut for millionaires and change our economy so we earn our way to sustained rises in living standards for all. That’s the only way to balance the books in a fair way while protecting our NHS.

“In contrast the Tories want a risky and extreme plan for even deeper spending cuts which would take public spending back to a share of national income last seen in the 1930s. And they have now made £7 billion of unfunded tax promises, which can only be paid for by even deeper cuts to public spending or another Tory VAT rise.”

 

At a lecture for Holocaust Educational Trust this evening, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will say:

INTRODUCTION

It’s a pleasure to be here at this annual Lord Merlyn-Rees lecture.

A former Home Secretary – someone who fought in Southern Italy as a Spitfire pilot, who worked many years later to help establish the Holocaust Educational Trust in 1988.

The aim and work of the trust remains to educate young people from every backgrounds about the Holocaust and why it is so important and relevant to us today.

That work is pressing. Especially as already this year the world has been dealt tragedy from the evil of terrorism and prejudice.

WHY WE REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust is more important than ever.

For me, visiting Yad Vashem four years ago, it was the personal stories – the diaries, the letters, the voices that had such power.

A letter from Ellie Kulka to her Husband, written in 1944 in Auschwitz

“My darling, On this, the last night of my life, I bid you farewell. ..I am remembering our love, from its beautiful beginning until its cruel end. And our innocent little Otto – why has it been decreed that this rough, ruthless hand should put an end to his short life? I remember my loved ones for the last time. If you are lucky enough to see them again… I wish them all a happier life than our own.”

So many stories from the Yad Vashem archive, that teachers use, that the Holocaust Educational Trust uses for the next generation of young people.

And it stays with us. I remember still the stories I read as a teenager, from the testimonies given to the Frankfurt trials, the story of Lilly Toffler from the trial of Adolf Eichmann.

The stories of unthinkable brutality, and the stories of immeasurable bravery.

The stories that each generation needs to hear, to understand and to remember.

To hear the pain and the strength of those who were killed.

The horror of what human beings were capable of visiting upon each other.

And to remember the darkness that spread across Europe.

The hatred that was allowed to take root.

FIGHTING PREJUDICE TODAY

As the Trust says:

“When we understand where prejudice leads, we can stop it in its tracks.”

And we must do so again in each generation, so we never let those shadows fall again.

12 days ago, in Paris, tragically the world was reminded what prejudice can do.

10 people killed for their cartoons. Targeted for what they said.

Three police officers, killed for doing their duty protecting others. Targeted for the jobs they did.

Four people killed as they shopped for groceries in a Jewish supermarket. Targeted for being Jewish. Targeted for who they were.

The attacks demonstrated the savagery with which terrorists seek to divide us.

The violence that can be wreaked when hatred takes hold

Targeting people for what they say, what they do, and who they are.

Bigotry, prejudice and hatred which we should never let stand in Europe again.

Faiths have united following the attacks, abhorring the anti-semitism and grieving for the victims.

As the brother of the French Muslim police officer killed by the terrorists, Ahmed Merabet, said, “My brother was killed by people who pretend to be Muslims. They are terrorists. That’s it.”

Communities have united – millions marching in Paris, support and solidarity from across the world, across national borders, across generations.

But it isn’t just in the wake of such an awful attack that we need to stand firm against violence, hatred or prejudice – from Islamist extremists and from far right extremists too.

Last week there was a suspected far right racist attack in North Wales against a British Asian man. Last year we saw the brutal killing of Lee Rigby by Islamist extremists and the murder of Mohammed Saleem and attempted bombings of mosques by far right extremist Pavlo Lapshyn.

And we need to be particularly vigilant about anti-semitism.

As the Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust have said there are many differences between France and Britain in the number and nature of anti-semitic attacks and incidents.

But we still need to do much more in Britain to challenge this ancient prejudice.

The Community Security Trust, an organisation I value greatly and support, recorded 304 anti-semitic incidents across the United Kingdom in the first six months of 2014.

This is an increase of 36 per cent from the 223 anti-semitic incidents recorded in the first six months of 2013.

Last summer we saw anti-semitic attacks connected to foreign policy. That is inexcusable, ugly and poisonous to political debate, and we must all condemn it.
The CST have also received an unprecedented level of calls of concern since the attacks in Paris.

We have seen vile threats and harassment through social media towards prominent British Jews – both from Islamist extremists and from far right extremists.

No one should ever feel unsafe in their town, on their street, in their home. No one should ever feel afraid and under attack because of who they are.

PRACTICAL STEPS NEEDED

– Security

That means making sure we have a robust security response to all extremist threats. The Government working with the police and Jewish communities, from neighbourhood policing, through to counter terrorism, and effective intelligence.

It means continuing to support the vital work of Community Security Trust who provide such important intelligence, security expertise and reassurance across the Jewish community. And I met them last week to discuss further support for their work in the future

It means working to tackle Islamophobic attacks, and tackling racism and homophobic hate crimes too.

– Prevention & cohesion

But the most important thing always is to challenge prejudice before it can grow, to fight against all forms of extremism, and sustain the strong cohesive communities that in the end are our greatest security.

We need to ensure that the Prevent programme, as well as tackling violent extremism, is also challenging anti-semitism too.

And we should recognise the changing way abuse and harassment take place today. That means challenging social media companies to take more responsibility to prevent the harassment and hate crimes prosecuted through their sites. Companies like Twitter have still been far too slow to take down or block hate abuse. It’s still too easy even for those convicted of hate crimes to simply set up a new twitter account and start all over again.

The Convention on Human Rights, forged after the horrors of the Second World War and the Holocaust made clear we must protect freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion. But we must also protect people’s freedom from hate crimes, discrimination, incitement to racial hatred or violence.

You do not defend your freedom by seeking to destroy another’s. That’s the difference between free speech and hate crime.

We do not want anti-semitism to be viewed as just another part of life that must be tolerated by Jewish communities in the UK, as we know it has in other countries.

WHY TONIGHT’S LECTURE IS SO IMPORTANT

And it is because we must be ever vigilant against prejudice and hatred that it is even more important we remember and reflect on our history.

For present and future generations to live in a more peaceful and safer world than then and now. To show people where anger and prejudice lead.

The Holocaust shows us that true horror is not unthinkable. It is a tragedy we still seek to fully comprehend.

It’s why Professor Christopher Browning’s work, renowned for its scope and significance, is important.

And it’s why I am a huge supporter of the Holocaust Educational Trust – who preserve the memory and ensure future generations from all walks of life and from across the UK not only know about the past but are determined to remember.

Remembering the Holocaust – and the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis – is to recommit to our common humanity and common bonds.

It is to remember the evil so we can live in peace and safety.

It is to remember that this has been and that was not humanity.

Ellie Kulka’s letter said:

“I wish them all a happier life than our own.”
It is up to us to ensure the memory of those who died spurs us on to a world where we never live in fear, where we never live in a world of intolerance.

 

Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to new growth forecasts in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook Update, said:

“It’s worrying that the IMF has downgraded its forecasts for the UK economy for last year and next year too. In contrast the IMF says the US will grow faster than us this year and next year and has seen its growth forecasts upgraded.

“This shows why the complacency of David Cameron and George Osborne is so misplaced. Claims that the economy is fixed will ring hollow to millions of working people who are on average £1600 a year worse off under this government.

“We need stronger and more balanced growth that delivers sustained rises in living standards for all, not just a few. That’s what Labour’s economic plan is all about.”

 

South African digital industry’s most prestigious event takes place on the 19th of February 2015 in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, January 20, 2015/ — IAB South Africa (http://iabsa.net) is pleased to announce that BBC.com (http://www.bbc.com) has come on board as the official sponsor of what is set to be the South African digital industry’s most prestigious event, the IAB Digital Summit (http://iabsa.net/summit/home). This high profile sponsorship is indicative of the calibre of the inaugural event, which will showcase compelling content and insights from globally-renowned thought leaders and digital professionals.

Speakers will focus on a number of topics that promise technologically advanced, interactive and engaging content to illustrate how digital can be used to create effective marketing. The summit will bring together industry leaders to discuss the latest thinking around digital marketing to stimulate learning and commerce within the digital space.

In addition,  the IAB South Africa have announced that 2015 is set to be a watershed year for the 2015 IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards, owing to a record-breaking 30% increase in the number of entries. The annual awards is now in its 7th year of recognising the brightest and best in digital creative work and execution that delivers measurable results.

“We are excited to award South Africa’s world class digital talent, and to launch what is set to be one of the most anticipated annual events on the digital industry’s calendar. We have secured the top thinkers in the industry, who will undoubtably inspire all those who attend” says Josephine Buys, CEO IAB SA.

Delegates can look forward to engaging with other leading-light presenters such as David Sable, Global CEO of Y&R in New York, Matthew Bull of Bull-White House; Dmitry Shishkin, BBC Digital Development Editor; Zeinab Badawi, presenter on BBC World News; David Doty, Executive Vice President of IAB US; Ali Jafari, the Vice President of Direct Sales for Twitter, Europe; Gregor Waller, Global Digital Strategist, Germany and Eyabo Macauley, the Head of EMEA Advertising, Shazam.

Several one-hour think-tank sessions will be hosted by IAB members at the end of the summit day. These sessions will be held at a variety of Newtown venues within walking distance of the main event and will enable delegates to engage personally with the high profile presenters and other ‘digirati’ in small group settings.  Attendance of the added-value think-tank sessions is complementary on a first come, first served basis.

The IAB Digital Summit takes place on the 19th of February 2015 at the Turbine Hall in Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg.  It will be followed by the IAB Bookmarks Awards, which celebrates the most creative and high-impact digital executions across South Africa. Over and above the Digital Summit sponsorship by BBC.com, other partnerships include Bizcommunity.com as the official media partner and News24.com, Gumtree, Standard Bank, Outbrain, Opera, and SABC Digital Media as event partners.

Ticket sales for the IAB Digital Summit in association with BBC.com are now open at a cost of R3500 for members and R4500 for non-members.  This includes free think tank session attendance, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets to the Bookmarks Awards ceremony are also available at a member price of R630 and R660 for non-members or R850 and R950 to attend both the awards and after-party. After-party only tickets for members are R220 and R290 for non-members. For bookings please mail info@iabevents.co.za, call 083 845 8617 or visit http://www.iabevents.co.za/IABSummit/ to book tickets directly.

For more information, visit http://iabsa.net/summit/home

 

There are just 10 days left to send your 2013-14 tax return to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and avoid a £100 late-filing penalty.

If you still have to submit a return, you need to do it online and pay what you owe by midnight on Saturday 31 January.

HMRC figures released earlier this month revealed that London was the worst region for late tax returns in the UK last year (with 512 late returns per 10,000 received). The statistics also showed that men were 10 per cent more likely than women to send a late return, while young people aged 18 to 20 were seven times more likely than the over 65s to file late.

HMRC Director General of Personal Tax, Ruth Owen, said:

“The days are counting down to 31 January. If you still have to send in your 2013-14 return, you need to take action now. The later you leave it, the less time you’ll have to sort out any last-minute problems.”

Help and advice on filing your return is available from the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns or the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm on Saturday).

Customers with general tax return queries can tweet the @HMRCcustomers Twitter feed, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Tweets should not contain any personal information.

Self Assessment-only customers (those who are self-employed, with no other source of income, no employees and who are not registered for VAT), can now opt to receive instant email alerts and electronic messages from HMRC, rather than paper communications. To sign up for paperless Self Assessment, log onto your Self Assessment online account and follow the prompts. In future, this service will be extended to other Self Assessment online customers.

 

Harry Leslie Smith warning in Labour NHS Broadcast

Labour today launches a new Party Political Broadcast in England which shows the dangerous path the Tory-led government has taken the NHS down, and sets out what a Labour government will do to save it.

In the video, 91 year-old veteran of the Second World War and the Great Depression, Harry Leslie Smith, who spoke at Labour Party Conference in September, remembers how terrible life was for people before the NHS.

In a passionate defence of our health service, he says: “I don’t want my past to become Britain’s future. We must make sure the NHS will continue for you, your children and hopefully your grandchildren.”

The broadcast also features a young obstetrics doctor, Charlotte, who talks about how proud she is to work in the NHS, but adds that if things continue as they are, the NHS as we know it won’t exist anymore.

Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Chair of General Election Strategy, said:

“The creation of the NHS is Labour’s greatest achievement. All of us will need it at some point in our lives.

“The past few weeks have seen A&E waiting times spiralling, people struggling to secure GP appointments and more and more operations cancelled. You can’t trust the Tories with our NHS.

“We must not let Harry Leslie Smith’s past become Britain’s future. That’s why Labour will rescue the NHS with a £2.5 billion a year Time to Care fund to provide new staff, including 20,000 more nurses and 8,000 more GPs.​”