( NEWS) Gay Marriage Is Upheld in Nevada and Idaho USA.

A federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down same-sex marriage bans in Idaho and in    Nevada, the latest in a nearly unbroken string of courtroom victories for gay couples.

The decision, by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, came a day after the Supreme Court allowed similar rulings by three other appeals courts to stand, clearing the way for same-sex marriage to start immediately in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin and to be extended soon to six other states in those circuits.

“The lessons of our constitutional history are clear: Inclusion strengthens, rather than weakens, our most important institutions,” Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt wrote in the three-judge panel’s unanimous ruling. “When same-sex couples are married, just as when opposite-sex couples are married, they serve as models of loving commitment to all.”

Tuesday’s decision will lend impetus to marriage-ban challenges in Alaska, Arizona and Montana, which are also in the Ninth Circuit.

Hours later, the appeals court issued mandates to implement the ruling. As a result, Idaho could begin authorizing the marriages this week, although Gov. C. L. Otter said that the court’s decision was “disappointing” and that state officials were evaluating how to respond.

In Nevada, Gov. Brian Sandoval and state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said it could be two weeks before a final order is issued by a United States District Court judge. But at least one county clerk said she would begin issuing the marriage licenses on Wednesday.

The Idaho case was brought by four same-sex couples who were represented by private lawyers and by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. In the Nevada case, several couples were represented by Lambda Legal.

In its decision, the appeals court found that marriage restrictions in Idaho and in Nevada imposed “profound legal, financial, social and psychic harms” on gay couples and their children, and dismissed as “without merit” the assertion by both states that bans on same-sex marriage promote the welfare of children.

“Plaintiffs are ordinary Idahoans and Nevadans,” the court wrote. “Like all human beings, their lives are given greater meaning by their intimate, loving committed relationships with their partners and children.”

The three judges on the panel were appointed by Democratic presidents: Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Reinhardt, and Bill Clinton appointed Judges Ronald M. Gould and Marsha S. Berzon.

With Monday’s Supreme Court decision and Tuesday’s ruling in San Francisco, the number of states authorizing same-sex marriage, which was 19 last week and 24 as of Monday, is likely to approach 35 in coming weeks, as the legal aftermath of the four appeals-court decisions issued to date plays out.

In addition, another federal appeals court, the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, is expected to rule soon on the validity of same-sex marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

(LATEST NEWS) Life, Death and Grim Routine Fill the Day at a Liberian Ebola Clinic

SUAKOKO, Liberia — The dirt road winds and dips, passes through a rubber plantation and arrives up a hill, near the grounds of an old leper colony. The latest scourge, Ebola, is under assault here in a cluster of cobalt-blue buildings operated by an American charity, International Medical Corps. In the newly opened treatment center, Liberian workers and volunteers from abroad identify who is infected, save those they can and try to halt the virus’s spread.

It is a place both ordinary and otherworldly. Young men who feel well enough run laps around the ward; acrid smoke wafts from a medical waste incinerator into the expansive tropical sky; doctors are unrecognizable in yellow protective suits; patients who may not have Ebola listen to a radio with those who do, separated by a fence and fresh air.

Here are the rhythms of a single day:

Soon after their arrival, about a half-dozen doctors and nurses gathered near whiteboards for the handoff from the night shift. There were 22 patients, and no deaths overnight. The center — which includes a triage area, a restricted unit for patients suspected of having Ebola infections and another for those in the grip of the disease — is not teeming like some clinics in Monrovia, more than four hours west. It is designed to accommodate up to 70 patients, but it is still scaling up after opening a few weeks ago and has just two ambulances to ferry patients.

An 8-year-old boy had been too weak to lift a liter bottle of oral rehydration solution to his mouth through the night. Bridget Anne Mulrooney, an American nurse, reported that she gave him a smaller bottle and sheets to keep warm. A woman who had lost both her baby and husband to Ebola and was suspected of having the disease herself was refusing food and medications for symptoms and other possible illnesses, such as malaria. A man in his 70s, a talkative staff favorite, was now confused, his sheet covered in blood. He had been admitted four days earlier, but laboratory tests confirming an Ebola diagnosis had not come back yet. “I think he’s positive,” said Dr. Colin Bucks, an American. “I think this will be an end-of-life event.”

Eight patients needed intravenous fluids to combat dehydration. One patient was described as happy. Another was playing cards.

7:40 A.M.

Morning devotion began with a song and clapping, performed in triple time. About 18 local workers, most wearing rubber boots and blue hospital scrubs bleached so often that they were now pastel pink, danced and then prayed for God’s mercy on the treatment unit and those who worked there. Some folded their hands, sheathed in bright-colored gloves, at their heart. In unison, the Liberians sang, “Cover with your protective arms, O God.”

8:10 A.M.

Sean Casey, an American who is the center’s team leader, gathered his department heads for what became a conversation about patient flow. The head of the ambulance crew said five patients with possible Ebola infections were awaiting rides to the center. But the ward with suspected cases was full, Mr. Casey said, and needed to be cleared first. Lab results were required, so patients without Ebola could be discharged and the confirmed cases could be moved to the other ward. The center also had some patients who were ill with other maladies. They should have been transferred to the local hospital, but it offered only limited care since reopening after six nurses died of Ebola.

Continue reading the main story

The managers also discussed labor issues involving the 175-member Liberian staff, some of whom had walked out days before in one of the pay disputes common among the country’s health workers. The leaders and those who abandoned patient care would not be rehired because it was crucial to have a dependable staff, Mr. Casey said. Then he sent everyone off.

(STORY) Tales of Amala !!!!!!

I live in the ruins, the darkest in these parts of our world. My name is Amala and it is this place that I call home. It is a slum worse off than a year’s untidy market with clogged drains and nothing such as potable water or electricity. We live in a place engulfed with so much filth such that the sweet smell that emanates from the nearby lagoon could cause a person to lose track of their way home.

My family is considered one of the best in these parts. It is a four –bedroom shelter with no classy furniture apart from the four traditionally carved stools for use in the kitchen and an old wobbling table which my parents acquired decades before I was born. The bare floors were always ready to accommodate our sleeping mats when night fell and the slits in the thatch roof always gave us a chance to mop the floors after the rains.

In this neighbourhood, most of the homes are blown down by the mere whistling of the winds. The houses are semi-mud with an accompaniment of stones and sea sand unlike the flashy and beautifully built brick houses with water proof paintings and glass doors that belonged to the aristocrats of society. Consistently, the thatch roofs are stacked for fear of being thrown down by the rains.

Morning in this place is like that of ants trouping in search of food in wait of the rainy season. Everyone is busy. The women take time to go about their chores while their husbands take to the routine of collecting used plastic material in return for some money to cover the daily expenditures of their families. Young men who are old enough  help to make additional income by fetching used and faulty appliances known as scrap and selling them out to interested buyers. Young girls carry loads to earn meager amounts.

However, children like me are always enthused about walking miles in search of water which we would bring back to our mothers to be used for domestic work. 

Mothers of Akinto were housewives who would do all the chores with little or no help from their adolescent children. They would then get the evening meal ready for their husbands in time for their return from a hard day’s work. We would fetch water from the algae-clogged taps or broken down pipes near the filthy looking drains. At other times when luck favoured us, a generous passer-by would help us pump water from a raggedy squeaking borehole.

The night workers were clustered at one part of the slum. They would come out at night in skimpy clothes with coloured substances applied on their faces, their lips glowing and sparkling as though they had been soaked in oil. After some time, they would sit in the classy vehicles that pulled up and be gone only to be seen at night the next day. They would sleep all day and would only come out at sundown to tell their friends about their escapades the previous evening. I had developed a liking to their slum luxury; their clothes and hairstyles which they always made sure were classy than the rags we wore. My parents, full of virtue and dignity, always complained about these girls but were not candid enough to tell us why they prevented us from going near them.

One day, after doing our chores we decided to stray a few miles away from home. As we walked through the narrow streets of Akinto, we shared our dreams as to the kind of adults we hoped to be. My best friend Tamil, a girl my age spoke of becoming an elegant lady and actress. She hoped to own so many assets and as she spoke passionately, I began to wander how all this was going to come true. My brother told us how he admired the world of banking. On one of our visits to the capital, he had closely observed the banking halls with particular attention and did not turn even to listen to me when I poked him. I had wondered how to work on my community and the health hazards that posed a threat to our lives; I earnestly prayed to end up as a health personnel and to affect the lives of many people especially those in my place.

Years on, I am standing in my very own Akinto, place of my birth. How time flies. I remember those years like yesterday. My parents could not afford to educate my brother and me. Had it not been for the benevolence of a philanthropist who visited our place; I wonder where I would have been. The schools he enrolled us in channeled a path for us to be near our dreams and his constant visits and words of encouragement helped us forge on.

After some years, Tamil and I took different paths. My brother Sakin continued in pursuit of his lifelong dream, a banker by hook or crook. All those skimpy dressing women now old and visiting my health centres on regular basis. The result of a life carelessly lived. I have learned my lessons well; my parents trained me to be dignified even in poverty and encouraged me to desist from making them friends.

Currently, I am a woman of substance; one of good ethics and character, mother of a girl and boy seated amongst the lot who are here to listen to Amala Kadimi ,native of Akinto. I now look back on those years as training grounds to experience hardship and to overcome it entirely.

 Today, Akinto is clean because of our hardwork. Tamil, Sakin and I as well as the people of Akinto have a clean neighbourhood, potable water and schools to offer. The children attend school and are well endowed to compete with any child anywhere. I’m so glad to be associated with Akinto; land of my birth.

( LATEST NEWS) Dallas Ebola patient vomited outside apartment on way to hospital

                                          Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan in Dallas

Two days after he was sent home from a Dallas hospital, the man who is the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States was seen vomiting on the ground outside an apartment complex as he was bundled into an ambulance.

The Dallas Ebola case, involving a man who flew back to the United States last month from Liberia, has prompted national concern over the potential for a wider spread of the deadly virus from West Africa, where at least 3,338 people have died in the worst outbreak on record.

U.S. health officials have said the country's healthcare system is well prepared to contain any spread of Ebola through careful tracking of people who had contact with the patient and appropriate care for those admitted to hospital.

The Dallas patient had initially sought treatment at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital late last Thursday and was sent home with antibiotics rather than being observed further, even though he told a nurse he had recently returned from West Africa. By Sunday, he needed an ambulance to return to the same hospital, where he was admitted.

A nurse asked about the travel as part of a triage checklist and was told about it. "Regretfully, that information was not fully communicated throughout the full teams. As a result, the full import of that information wasn't factored into the full decision making," Texas hospital official Mark Lester said.

Infectious disease experts said that time gap represented a critical missed opportunity that may have led others to be exposed to the virus.

At the apartment complex, Osmanovic said he met the man three times over the years when he was visiting his family. Most of the neighborhood is from Liberia, Somalia or Sudan. Osmanovic is from Bosnia.

The only sign on Wednesday of the family's presence was someone occasionally pulling back the white blinds to peek out into the parking lot. A security officer blocked the entrance to the complex, with instructions only to let residents in and out.

Dr. Christopher Perkins, Dallas County Health and Human Services Medical Director, said that of the 18 people who had been in contact, many were "close family members".

The children among them "did not have any symptoms and so the odds of them passing on any sort of virus is very low", said Mike Miles, Dallas Independent School District superintendent.

Miles said the four different schools they attended would be staffed with additional health professionals and classes would remain in session.

Texas officials said health workers who took care of the patient had so far tested negative for the virus and there were no other suspected cases in the state. Texas Governor Rick Perry told a news conference he was confident the virus would be contained, as did other officials.

While past outbreaks of Ebola killed as many as 90 percent of victims, the current epidemic's fatality rate has averaged about 50 percent in West AfricaThe Dallas patient had initially sought treatment at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital late last Thursday and was sent home with antibiotics rather than being observed further, even though he told a nurse he had recently returned from West Africa. By Sunday, he needed an ambulance to return to the same hospital, where he was admitted.

A nurse asked about the travel as part of a triage checklist and was told about it. "Regretfully, that information was not fully communicated throughout the full teams. As a result, the full import of that information wasn't factored into the full decision making," Texas hospital official Mark Lester said.

Infectious disease experts said that time gap represented a critical missed opportunity that may have led others to be exposed to the virus.

At the apartment complex, Osmanovic said he met the man three times over the years when he was visiting his family. Most of the neighborhood is from Liberia, Somalia or Sudan. Osmanovic is from Bosnia.

The only sign on Wednesday of the family's presence was someone occasionally pulling back the white blinds to peek out into the parking lot. A security officer blocked the entrance to the complex, with instructions only to let residents in and out.

Dr. Christopher Perkins, Dallas County Health and Human Services Medical Director, said that of the 18 people who had been in contact, many were "close family members".

The children among them "did not have any symptoms and so the odds of them passing on any sort of virus is very low", said Mike Miles, Dallas Independent School District superintendent.

Miles said the four different schools they attended would be staffed with additional health professionals and classes would remain in session.

Texas officials said health workers who took care of the patient had so far tested negative for the virus and there were no other suspected cases in the state. Texas Governor Rick Perry told a news conference he was confident the virus would be contained, as did other officials.

While past outbreaks of Ebola killed as many as 90 percent of victims, the current epidemic's fatality rate has averaged about 50 percent in West Africa.

HEALTH !!!!! (FACTS ABOUT FRUITS YOU DIDN'T KNOW)

 Experts agree that a diet rich in fruits and veggies is the way to go. Fruits can provide essential nutrients, fiber and a host of other health benefits. If you enjoy fruits frequently, more sugar.that's great. The only thing to be aware of is that—like all foods—certain fruits have more calories than others, and some have a lot 

 Remember, fruit is healthy and delicious. Keep enjoying it! Just because a fruit is more sugary than you'd expect doesn't mean it's comparable to eating candy. Fruits are filled with a variety of vitamins and nutrients that make them much healthier than candy.

 Plus, diets filled with fruits provide countless health benefits, while candy on the other hand...not so much.

 But if you're curious about how much sugar is really in that mango, read on. We've compiled the best and the worst fruits—the "worst" fruits are those that have a sugar content higher than 10 grams and more calories than others.

(GET READY FOR THE BIGGEST CONCERT EVER) ; 4×4 ready for the Hennessy Artistry concert October 18

4×4 are ready to thrill fans at the Hennessy Artistry concert on October 18, at the Accra International Conference Center.

The group have over the years distinguished themselves; and that’s what HennessyArtistry is all about.

Hennessy Artistry is a famed global music campaign, designed with the sole aim of promoting the art of mixing various genres of tunes and blending the talents of the world’s top artistes for the world to appreciate and enjoy.

Tickets are selling at Ghs 200 (VVIP), Ghs 120 (VIP), and Ghs 60 (Regular).

It is put together by Empire Entertainment and Starr FM.

(GOSSIP) Sarkodie and Fuse ODG nominated for BEN TV Awards

African Artistcategory. Sarkodie is also nominated alongside Ice Prince in the Best International Collaboration for their single, ‘Shots on Shot’ 
MOVIE AWARDS:

•    BEST ACTOR:
Odunlade Adekola
Ramsey Noah
Richard Mofe Damijo
Kunle Afolayan
Jim Iyke
Wale Ojo

•    BEST ACTRESS:
Mercy Johnson
Toyin Aimaku
Chioma Chukuka-akpota
Funke Akindele
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Genevieve Nnaji

•    BEST MOVIE:
Alakada
Flower Girl
Accident
Maami
Half of a yellow sun
Confusion Na Wa

MUSIC AWARDS:

•    BEST NEW ARTIST:
Runtown
Patoranking
Lil kesh
Cynthia morgan
Yemi Alade

•    BEST FEMALE ARTIST:
Waje
Yemi alade
Tiwa savage
Chidinma
Seyi shay
Niyola

•    BEST MALE ARTIST:
davido
Wizkid
Olamide
Wande Coal
Iyanya
Burna Boy
Phyno

•    BEST GROUP:
The Mavin
P-Square
SDC (Show dem camp)
Grip Boys
HKN Gang

•    BEST AFRICAN ARTIST:
Diamond
Fally pupa
Maifikizolo
Sarkodie
Fuse ODG
AKA

•    BEST COLLABORATION:
Daddy – reminisce and davido
Won da mo – Burna boy and d’banj
Girlie O – Patoranking ft Tiwa Savage
Ginger- Lax ft Wizkid
Seyi Shay ft Patornking – Murder
O Set – Phyho ft P Square
Joe el Ft 2Face – Hold On

•    BEST HIP-HOP MALE ARTIST:
Ice Prince
Morell
Reminisc
Phyno
Olamide

•    BEST HIP-HOP FEMALE ARTIST:
Eva
Mo’chedda
Cynthia Morgan
Muna
Niyola

•    BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL:
Burna boy
Patoranking
Orezi
Cynthia Morgan
Timaya

•    BEST ARTIST IN DISPORA:
Sona
Ayo Jay
Moelogo
Lola Rae
Dizzy
May 7

•    BEST GOSPEL ACT :
Lara George
Eben
Frank Edwards
Nathaniel Bassey
Sinach
Solomon Lange

•    MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Don Jazzy
D’Tunes
Mastercraft
Pheelz
Del – B
Legendary beat

•    MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Onye – Waje ft Tiwa savage
Johnny – Yemi Alade
Taste the Money – P-square
Alobam – Phyno
Aye – Davido
Take it – Sean Tizzle

•    MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Moe Musa
Clearance Peters
Kemi Adetiba
Sesan
Patrick Elis
Unlimited LA
Square ball

•    SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Pullover – KCEE ft Wizkid
Double Wahala – Oritse Femi
Show me the Money – Wizkid
Shakebody – Skales
Dorobucci – Mavin
Surulere – Dr Sid
Aye – Davido
Sekem – MC Galaxy
Shoki – Lil Kesh
Turn up – Olamide

•    ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Ascension – 2 Face
No Guts No Glory – Phyno
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth – Olamide
Alaga Ibile – Reminisce
FOZ – Ice Prince
Sean Tizzle – The Journey

•    BEST INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION:
Rainbow rmx – 2 Face and T-pain
Plenty Money – Davido & Mafikizolo
Number 1–Diamond ft Davido
Shots on Shots – Ice ft Sarkodie
Bum bum – Timaya ft Sean paul
Eminado – Dr Sid ft Alexandra Burke

COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR:
Basket Mouth
Bovi
Gbenga Adeyinka
Seyi Law
Princess
Akpororo

SPORTS AWARDS:

•    SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR:

Stepen Keshi
Vincent Enyeama
Amaechi Morton
Mikel Obi
Obinna Metu
Ojo Onaolapo

•    SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR:

Blessing Okagbare
Amelia okoli
Dominique Duncan
Azeezat Oshoala
Perpetua Nkwocha
Maryam Usman

VOTE NOW ON www.bentvawards.com/nominees. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT!!!