World Health Organisation says Ebola target has been missed
Targets to contain the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa have been missed in all but one territory. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had set the start of December as the date to have 70 per cent of victims isolated and 70 per cent of the dead safely buried across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Guinea has hit the target but elsewhere the figures are disappointing. WHO’s Dr Bruce Aylward says that taking longer to control the virus will mean more deaths and the need for more people to help tackle the cases. The US has been criticised for scaling back the number of clinics it had promised to set up in West Africa.
Australian hail storm losses hit AU$200 million
The massive hailstorm that hit Brisbane last Thursday has resulted in insurance losses in excess of AU$200 million (US $168 million). The Insurance Council of Australia says that as of Monday morning, close to 40,000 claims have been made with the majority for auto damage. The city was hit by 140 mph winds and hailstones the size of tennis balls. Some businesses have been badly affected by the storm; motor dealers in Brisbane called for government assistance to cover losses due to a lack of cover for hailstones but the request has been declined.
Brad Pitt hit by cyber attack
Sony Pictures have a surprise, and unwanted, new movie hit. Brad Pitt’s war movie Fury is the fifth most pirated film having been stolen in a cyber attack on the entertainment firm last week. The company’s website and other networks were affected by the attack, which is being investigated by the FBI and may have come from North Korea. A number of other not-yet-released movies have also appeared online over the last few days.
