Pakistan court acquits Christian on death row for blasphemy - AP
The AP reports: "A Christian woman who spent eight years on death row under Pakistan’s
blasphemy law was acquitted and ordered released Wednesday by the
country’s top court, a ruling that raised fears of violence by religious
extremists who held angry protests over the verdict.
Asia Bibi was in an undisclosed location for her safety, and her lawyer
said he expected that she would soon leave the country. France and Spain
have offered asylum to the 54-year-old mother of five, who is a Roman
Catholic. [...] The verdict was seen as a hopeful sign by Christians in
Pakistan, where the mere rumor of blasphemy can spark lynchings.
Religious minorities, who have been repeatedly targeted by extremists,
fear the law because it is often used to settle scores and to pressure
minorities. [....] Pakistan has about 2.5 million Christians. Along with
Shiites, Ahmadis and other minorities, they have been targeted by
religious extremists."
Comment: Prayers of of thanksgiving for the release of Asia Bibi. I hope she will quickly escape Pakistan, as I fear her life will constantly be in danger as long as she stays here. Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in Pakistan, as they may face a backlash and dangerous times in the wake of this court ruling.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018
Earthquakes
6.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off Greece coast
UPI reports: "An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck off Greece's west coast early Friday near the island of Zakynthos. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was located 20 miles south of the island's southern tip of Mouzaki. [...] The earthquake could be felt as far away as Athens, about 175 miles northeast of the island, the Evening Standard reported. While no significant damage reported on the island, the island's capital did lose electricity."
Comment: That was a pretty big quake with very minimal damage.
UPI reports: "An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck off Greece's west coast early Friday near the island of Zakynthos. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was located 20 miles south of the island's southern tip of Mouzaki. [...] The earthquake could be felt as far away as Athens, about 175 miles northeast of the island, the Evening Standard reported. While no significant damage reported on the island, the island's capital did lose electricity."
Comment: That was a pretty big quake with very minimal damage.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Famine - Pestilence - War
Famine 'imminent' in Yemen as civil war drags on, U.N. official says - UPI
UPI reports: "Nearly half the Yemeni population relies entirely on humanitarian aid for survival and the country is on the verge of a widespread famine, a United Nations leader said Wednesday. [...] Yemen's civil war has so far killed at least 10,000 people and led to a humanitarian crisis of starvation and cholera."
Comment: This is a great tragedy. Strategically, I support Saudi Arabia in this proxy war against Iran. Iranian hegemony over the Middle East would be a far greater tragedy. Still, more can and should be done to get humanitarian assistance to civilians.
UPI reports: "Nearly half the Yemeni population relies entirely on humanitarian aid for survival and the country is on the verge of a widespread famine, a United Nations leader said Wednesday. [...] Yemen's civil war has so far killed at least 10,000 people and led to a humanitarian crisis of starvation and cholera."
Comment: This is a great tragedy. Strategically, I support Saudi Arabia in this proxy war against Iran. Iranian hegemony over the Middle East would be a far greater tragedy. Still, more can and should be done to get humanitarian assistance to civilians.
Kings of the East
China offers competing vision of international security at Xiangshan Forum:
UPI reports: "China is wooing countries with an alternative vision of security partnerships across Asia at the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum, where more than 500 representatives from 67 countries are in attendance. Chinese organizers of the security conference said Wednesday China is 'proposing a new security partnership' that is inclusive and not challenging 'existing alliances' among nations in the region, state newspaper People's Daily reported.:"
Comment: Reading between the lines here it would seem they are offering a rival vision that does indeed challenge existing alliances.
UPI reports: "China is wooing countries with an alternative vision of security partnerships across Asia at the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum, where more than 500 representatives from 67 countries are in attendance. Chinese organizers of the security conference said Wednesday China is 'proposing a new security partnership' that is inclusive and not challenging 'existing alliances' among nations in the region, state newspaper People's Daily reported.:"
Comment: Reading between the lines here it would seem they are offering a rival vision that does indeed challenge existing alliances.
Covenant With Many
PLO threatens to pull out of agreements with Israel - UPI
UPI reports: "The Palestine Liberation Organization could repeal agreements it made with Israel, including the Oslo Accords that established its relationship with the nation. 'We are going to put all the agreements between us and the Israelis on the table and we will ask them to stop violating each agreement,' PLO President Mahmoud Abbas said on Palestinian TV Tuesday. 'I am not saying this is an easy issue; it is a dangerous issue. Perhaps we will arrive at the point of abrogating a lot of what is between us and the Israelis.' The Palestinian Central Council will meet in Ramallah Oct. 28 and 29."
Comment: The Palestinians never fail to impress me with their sincere actions in pursuit of peace with Israel. ;>
UPI reports: "The Palestine Liberation Organization could repeal agreements it made with Israel, including the Oslo Accords that established its relationship with the nation. 'We are going to put all the agreements between us and the Israelis on the table and we will ask them to stop violating each agreement,' PLO President Mahmoud Abbas said on Palestinian TV Tuesday. 'I am not saying this is an easy issue; it is a dangerous issue. Perhaps we will arrive at the point of abrogating a lot of what is between us and the Israelis.' The Palestinian Central Council will meet in Ramallah Oct. 28 and 29."
Comment: The Palestinians never fail to impress me with their sincere actions in pursuit of peace with Israel. ;>
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Pestilence
6 children killed in adenovirus outbreak in New Jersey - UPI
UPI reports: "At least six children died from an adenovirus outbreak at a pediatric medical center in New Jersey, officials confirmed Tuesday. [...] Adenoviruses are a common group of viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and pink eye, and are most common in young children."
Comment: While this is tragic it's also encouraging that the wider population is likely not at risk.
UPI reports: "At least six children died from an adenovirus outbreak at a pediatric medical center in New Jersey, officials confirmed Tuesday. [...] Adenoviruses are a common group of viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and pink eye, and are most common in young children."
Comment: While this is tragic it's also encouraging that the wider population is likely not at risk.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Rumors of War
Trump confirms U.S. to abandon nuclear arms treaty with Russia - UPI
UPI reports: "President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States will pull out of a decades-long nuclear deal signed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed between former President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, bans all land-based cruise missiles with a range between 310 and 3,417 miles. Before a campaign rally in Nevada, Trump told reporters unless other countries quit violating the INF, the United States will terminate the agreement. [...] The New York Times reported on Friday the Trump administration will tell Russian leaders next week about the plan to exit the landmark treaty, partly to enable the United States to counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific."
Russia condemns U.S. plan to withdraw from INF treaty - UPI
UPI reports: "Russia condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to pull out of a decades-long nuclear deal signed between the two countries during the Cold War. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Russia's state-run Tass news agency it would be a 'very dangerous step' for the United States to back out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. [...] Ryabkov told Sputnik that Russia would adopt a number of retaliatory measures if the United States continues to unilaterally withdraw from agreements."
Comment: From what I understand, the Russian violations had been well documented under the Obama Administration and so this move makes sense. It's no less alarming for that, but it makes sense as a negotiating tactic. I think it unlikely that Russia really wants to end the treaty and so we might expect this to lead to some serious negotiating to salvage the treaty. Time will tell. As the article hints, China is a new strategic reality that did not exist when the treaty was signed in 1987 and that will no doubt play a part in determining the outcome.
UPI reports: "President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States will pull out of a decades-long nuclear deal signed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed between former President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, bans all land-based cruise missiles with a range between 310 and 3,417 miles. Before a campaign rally in Nevada, Trump told reporters unless other countries quit violating the INF, the United States will terminate the agreement. [...] The New York Times reported on Friday the Trump administration will tell Russian leaders next week about the plan to exit the landmark treaty, partly to enable the United States to counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific."
Russia condemns U.S. plan to withdraw from INF treaty - UPI
UPI reports: "Russia condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to pull out of a decades-long nuclear deal signed between the two countries during the Cold War. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Russia's state-run Tass news agency it would be a 'very dangerous step' for the United States to back out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. [...] Ryabkov told Sputnik that Russia would adopt a number of retaliatory measures if the United States continues to unilaterally withdraw from agreements."
Comment: From what I understand, the Russian violations had been well documented under the Obama Administration and so this move makes sense. It's no less alarming for that, but it makes sense as a negotiating tactic. I think it unlikely that Russia really wants to end the treaty and so we might expect this to lead to some serious negotiating to salvage the treaty. Time will tell. As the article hints, China is a new strategic reality that did not exist when the treaty was signed in 1987 and that will no doubt play a part in determining the outcome.
Earthquakes
3 large earthquakes strike off Pacific coast of British Columbia - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Three large earthquakes were recorded near Vancouver Island off the British Columbia coast late Sunday night by the U.S. Geological Survey, but it did not set off any tsunami warnings. The earthquakes happened over a one-hour period, the USGS stated."
UPI reports: "Three large earthquakes were recorded near Vancouver Island off the British Columbia coast late Sunday night by the U.S. Geological Survey, but it did not set off any tsunami warnings. The earthquakes happened over a one-hour period, the USGS stated."
Friday, October 19, 2018
King of the North
Putin: Russia 'ahead of competition' with latest weapons - AP
The AP reports: "The Russian leader also warned that new hypersonic missiles his country developed give it a military edge. [...] Russia already has deployed the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. Putin said that another new weapon, the Avangard, is set to enter service in the next few months. Earlier this year, Putin said the Avangard has an intercontinental range and can fly in the atmosphere at a speed 20 times the speed of sound, making it capable of piercing any missile defense system. His blunt talk Thursday comes as Russia-West relations remain frosty over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote."
Comment: Hypersonic missiles are an interesting development as they would seem to undermine existing countermeasures. I need to read more about this.
The AP reports: "The Russian leader also warned that new hypersonic missiles his country developed give it a military edge. [...] Russia already has deployed the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. Putin said that another new weapon, the Avangard, is set to enter service in the next few months. Earlier this year, Putin said the Avangard has an intercontinental range and can fly in the atmosphere at a speed 20 times the speed of sound, making it capable of piercing any missile defense system. His blunt talk Thursday comes as Russia-West relations remain frosty over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote."
Comment: Hypersonic missiles are an interesting development as they would seem to undermine existing countermeasures. I need to read more about this.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Roaring Seas & Waves
Rising seas threaten dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites - AP
The AP reports: "To better characterize the risks facing sites of historic and cultural significant in the Mediterranean, scientists surveyed the exposure of 49 low-lying UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region. Of the 49 sites, 37 would be affected by a 100-year storm surge. Another 42 are threatened by coastal erosion. As sea levels rise, the risk of a storm surge capable of damaging world heritage sites is expected to increase by 50 percent."
Comment: Will sea level rise become more real to people if they see major tourist sites like Venice impacted? Possibly. It's good that they are planning for this, although I think (re a previous post) new re-development strategies for populated coastal areas are a higher priority.
The AP reports: "To better characterize the risks facing sites of historic and cultural significant in the Mediterranean, scientists surveyed the exposure of 49 low-lying UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region. Of the 49 sites, 37 would be affected by a 100-year storm surge. Another 42 are threatened by coastal erosion. As sea levels rise, the risk of a storm surge capable of damaging world heritage sites is expected to increase by 50 percent."
Comment: Will sea level rise become more real to people if they see major tourist sites like Venice impacted? Possibly. It's good that they are planning for this, although I think (re a previous post) new re-development strategies for populated coastal areas are a higher priority.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Pestilence
Mysterious paralyzing illness found among kids in 22 states - AP
AP reports: "U.S. health officials on Tuesday reported a jump in cases of a rare paralyzing illness in children, and said it seems to be following an every-other-year pattern. At least 62 cases have been confirmed in 22 states this year, and at least 65 additional illnesses in those states are being investigated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similar waves of the same illness occurred in 2014 and 2016. [...] About 90 percent of the cases are children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness."
Comment: That's really scary, praying they will quickly find a vaccine and a cure.
AP reports: "U.S. health officials on Tuesday reported a jump in cases of a rare paralyzing illness in children, and said it seems to be following an every-other-year pattern. At least 62 cases have been confirmed in 22 states this year, and at least 65 additional illnesses in those states are being investigated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similar waves of the same illness occurred in 2014 and 2016. [...] About 90 percent of the cases are children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness."
Comment: That's really scary, praying they will quickly find a vaccine and a cure.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Persecution
Egypt Sentences 17 to Death in Attacks on Christians - The New York Times
The New York Times reports: "An Egyptian military court handed down death sentences on Thursday to 17 people convicted in a series of fatal attacks on Christians that started in December 2016 and left more than 80 people dead and 150 wounded. Egyptian state media said the defendants were accused of belonging to the Islamic State and of plotting attacks against Christian churches and a police checkpoint."
Comment: Thankful that justice has been done and that the government of Egypt has taken this matter seriously. Despite the cynical reporting of the NYT (in which the reporter spent the bulk of the article questioning the integrity of the judicial system rather than discussing the particulars of the attacks, the motives of the attackers and the response of the Christian community), it is certainly encouraging to belivers in Egypt to see justice prevail after these barbaric attacks.
The New York Times reports: "An Egyptian military court handed down death sentences on Thursday to 17 people convicted in a series of fatal attacks on Christians that started in December 2016 and left more than 80 people dead and 150 wounded. Egyptian state media said the defendants were accused of belonging to the Islamic State and of plotting attacks against Christian churches and a police checkpoint."
Comment: Thankful that justice has been done and that the government of Egypt has taken this matter seriously. Despite the cynical reporting of the NYT (in which the reporter spent the bulk of the article questioning the integrity of the judicial system rather than discussing the particulars of the attacks, the motives of the attackers and the response of the Christian community), it is certainly encouraging to belivers in Egypt to see justice prevail after these barbaric attacks.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Persecution
Turkey releases U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson after 2 years in captivity
UPI reports: "Longtime Turkish captive Andrew Brunson was released from house arrest Friday, allowing the pastor to return to the United States after two years in captivity. Brunson has been in Turkish custody since October 2016 when he was arrested on charges that he spied on the government and aided in a military coup attempt."
Comment: Please join me in offering thanks that Pastor Brunson has been released from imprisonment. He had been arrested on trumped up charges, part of the drama surrounding the failed coup attempt and Turkey's efforts to secure the arrest of the U.S. based Islamic cleric they blame for it. They had in mind a prisoner swap that apparently has not happened. Good news indeed!
UPI reports: "Longtime Turkish captive Andrew Brunson was released from house arrest Friday, allowing the pastor to return to the United States after two years in captivity. Brunson has been in Turkish custody since October 2016 when he was arrested on charges that he spied on the government and aided in a military coup attempt."
Comment: Please join me in offering thanks that Pastor Brunson has been released from imprisonment. He had been arrested on trumped up charges, part of the drama surrounding the failed coup attempt and Turkey's efforts to secure the arrest of the U.S. based Islamic cleric they blame for it. They had in mind a prisoner swap that apparently has not happened. Good news indeed!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Earthquakes - Roaring Waves
Indonesia Tsunami: Experts Warn of More Deadly Disasters | Time
Time Magazine reports: "Indonesia is facing a long and painful recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of two weeks ago, but scientists say that this latest calamity could simply be a warning of more deadly and destructive disasters ahead. [...] The reasons are clear: more humans are moving into more densely populated cities, and surrounding themselves with infrastructure — roads, bridges, and buildings — that become deadly hazards during a disaster, and expensive to repair when it subsides."
Comment: It's time for all countries to carefully reconsider development in disaster prone areas. They must counter the emotional "we will rebuild" sentiment people so often express. It's not brave to rebuild when you know it's a flood/quake/tsunami/typhoon/hurricane/tornado zone. At the very least, insurers should no longer pay to rebuild in such areas and opt instead to pay for relocation.
Time Magazine reports: "Indonesia is facing a long and painful recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of two weeks ago, but scientists say that this latest calamity could simply be a warning of more deadly and destructive disasters ahead. [...] The reasons are clear: more humans are moving into more densely populated cities, and surrounding themselves with infrastructure — roads, bridges, and buildings — that become deadly hazards during a disaster, and expensive to repair when it subsides."
Comment: It's time for all countries to carefully reconsider development in disaster prone areas. They must counter the emotional "we will rebuild" sentiment people so often express. It's not brave to rebuild when you know it's a flood/quake/tsunami/typhoon/hurricane/tornado zone. At the very least, insurers should no longer pay to rebuild in such areas and opt instead to pay for relocation.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Pestilence
DNA vaccine shows promising, long-term results against Ebola virus
UPI reports: "A synthetic DNA vaccine is showing immediate and long-term promising results against the Ebola virus in preclinical animal research. [...] The Zaire Ebolavirus infection causes a severe hemorrhagic fever with a 50 percent fatality rate. Ebola, which is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, first appeared in 1976 in what is now, Nzara, South Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo."
Comment: I wish them luck with the vaccine, Ebola is one of the scariest diseases we track in this category.
UPI reports: "A synthetic DNA vaccine is showing immediate and long-term promising results against the Ebola virus in preclinical animal research. [...] The Zaire Ebolavirus infection causes a severe hemorrhagic fever with a 50 percent fatality rate. Ebola, which is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission, first appeared in 1976 in what is now, Nzara, South Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo."
Comment: I wish them luck with the vaccine, Ebola is one of the scariest diseases we track in this category.
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
Earthquakes
Magnitude-6.3 earthquake rocks Russia's Kuril Islands
UPI reports: "A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Russia's Kuril Islands Tuesday three days after the nearby Ebeko volcano erupted on Paramushir Island. The earthquake's epicenter was located 90 miles east of Onekotan Island at a depth of 34 kilometers, according to the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk seismic station, according to Russia's state-run Sputnik News. [...] The earlier volcanic eruption spewed ash as high as 4.5 kilometers in the air."
Comment: Scientists continue to say that there's nothing unusual going on and that quakes are not increasing in frequency and severity. While it's true that we have better monitoring and reporting procedures now than in the past and this contributes to the misconception that they are, I do hope they will quickly let us know if the trend lines ever change.
UPI reports: "A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Russia's Kuril Islands Tuesday three days after the nearby Ebeko volcano erupted on Paramushir Island. The earthquake's epicenter was located 90 miles east of Onekotan Island at a depth of 34 kilometers, according to the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk seismic station, according to Russia's state-run Sputnik News. [...] The earlier volcanic eruption spewed ash as high as 4.5 kilometers in the air."
Comment: Scientists continue to say that there's nothing unusual going on and that quakes are not increasing in frequency and severity. While it's true that we have better monitoring and reporting procedures now than in the past and this contributes to the misconception that they are, I do hope they will quickly let us know if the trend lines ever change.
Monday, October 08, 2018
Fear for the Future
UN climate report calls for immediate action to curb global warming - UPI
UPI reports: "The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes" to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IPCC report, which was produced with the help of 91 authors and review editors from 40 countries, was approved over the weekend at a meeting in South Korea. [...] The UN report warns the most serious impacts of climate change could arrive as early as 2030 if carbon emissions aren't significantly reduced."
Comment: Most governments are run by ideologues and not pragmatists and since all of this costs money and there are other more immediate and tangible things to spend money on, nothing will be done about this. This means we will be able to look back in the future and confirm that the climate-change skeptics had it wrong. It's not the best way to win an argument.
UPI reports: "The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes" to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IPCC report, which was produced with the help of 91 authors and review editors from 40 countries, was approved over the weekend at a meeting in South Korea. [...] The UN report warns the most serious impacts of climate change could arrive as early as 2030 if carbon emissions aren't significantly reduced."
Comment: Most governments are run by ideologues and not pragmatists and since all of this costs money and there are other more immediate and tangible things to spend money on, nothing will be done about this. This means we will be able to look back in the future and confirm that the climate-change skeptics had it wrong. It's not the best way to win an argument.
Saturday, October 06, 2018
Covenant With Many
As Gaza worsens, Palestinian leader controls fate of US plan - AP
The AP reports, "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been sidelined, isolated and humiliated by the Trump administration. But the embattled Palestinian leader may have the final say in determining the fate of the White House’s long-awaited vision for Mideast peace."
Comment: This is another good example of the news media exaggerating the power of the Palestinians over the peace process. Has there ever been a peace agreement they have accepted? If there is power is saying no, then they have that. But if there is power and influence in negotiating and promoting a deal for the betterment of their people, then they have demonstrated that they have no power.
The AP reports, "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been sidelined, isolated and humiliated by the Trump administration. But the embattled Palestinian leader may have the final say in determining the fate of the White House’s long-awaited vision for Mideast peace."
Comment: This is another good example of the news media exaggerating the power of the Palestinians over the peace process. Has there ever been a peace agreement they have accepted? If there is power is saying no, then they have that. But if there is power and influence in negotiating and promoting a deal for the betterment of their people, then they have demonstrated that they have no power.
Thursday, October 04, 2018
Famine - War
Key battle in Yemen's war risks tipping country into famine - AP
AP reports: "With American backing, the United Arab Emirates has resumed an all-out offensive aimed at capturing Yemen’s most vital port, Hodeida, where Shiite rebels are digging in to fight to the last man. Thousands of civilians are caught in the middle, trapped by minefields and barrages of mortars and airstrikes. If the array of Yemeni militias backed by the UAE takes the city, it would be their biggest victory against the rebels, known as Houthis, after a long stalemate in the three-year-old civil war. But the battle on the Red Sea coast also threatens to throw Yemen into outright famine."
Comment: Throughout history famine and war often go hand in hand. Yemen, it seems, has not escaped that pattern.
AP reports: "With American backing, the United Arab Emirates has resumed an all-out offensive aimed at capturing Yemen’s most vital port, Hodeida, where Shiite rebels are digging in to fight to the last man. Thousands of civilians are caught in the middle, trapped by minefields and barrages of mortars and airstrikes. If the array of Yemeni militias backed by the UAE takes the city, it would be their biggest victory against the rebels, known as Houthis, after a long stalemate in the three-year-old civil war. But the battle on the Red Sea coast also threatens to throw Yemen into outright famine."
Comment: Throughout history famine and war often go hand in hand. Yemen, it seems, has not escaped that pattern.
Earthquakes - Roaring Waves
Death toll from Indonesia quake-tsunami hits 1,420 - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The official death toll from last week's earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia rose to more than 1,420 Thursday, with over 100 missing as some aid arrives. The 7.5-magnitude quake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi Friday and triggered a tsunami wave, soil rivers, and a continuously-climbing death toll. As of Thursday morning, the official death toll was 1,424 people though some on the ground say it's much higher. Indonesia's military authority, KOREM, said that 1,558 people have been confirmed dead and 113 are missing, TIME reported."
Comment: Such a terrible tragedy. It's unfortunate that the current news cycle devotes more time to scandal than to natural disasters.
UPI reports: "The official death toll from last week's earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia rose to more than 1,420 Thursday, with over 100 missing as some aid arrives. The 7.5-magnitude quake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi Friday and triggered a tsunami wave, soil rivers, and a continuously-climbing death toll. As of Thursday morning, the official death toll was 1,424 people though some on the ground say it's much higher. Indonesia's military authority, KOREM, said that 1,558 people have been confirmed dead and 113 are missing, TIME reported."
Comment: Such a terrible tragedy. It's unfortunate that the current news cycle devotes more time to scandal than to natural disasters.
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Mark Update
Biohacker Who Implanted Transit Chip in Hand Evades Fine – Futurism
Futurism.com reports: "In April 2017, Meow-Meow implanted a chip in his hand. The chip is from his Opal card, needed to ride public transportation in Sydney, and it essentially functions as a debit card — users add money to it, then whenever they use a bus, train, or other transportation service, they swipe their card to pay the fee. Thanks to his new implant, Meow-Meow no longer had to worry about losing his card. The biohacker could just place his hand near the Opal card reader and be on his way. All this was presumably working out OK for Meow-Meow until August 2017. That’s when the New South Wales transport authority, which issues the Opal cards, charged him with traveling without a ticket and failing to produce a ticket for transportation officials."
Comment: It doesn't surprise me that bureaucrats would be petty and not really grasp the concept. I think the real story here is the use of an implanted chip as a payment device and access device. As a proof of concept, that is very compelling. I think that early adopters like this guy have clearly demonstrated that an implanted chip is a practical means of combining identity verification, access control and mobile payments. It's possible. Whether the MOTB turns out to be a chip is still up for debate but for now, it's clear that this tech is here now.
Futurism.com reports: "In April 2017, Meow-Meow implanted a chip in his hand. The chip is from his Opal card, needed to ride public transportation in Sydney, and it essentially functions as a debit card — users add money to it, then whenever they use a bus, train, or other transportation service, they swipe their card to pay the fee. Thanks to his new implant, Meow-Meow no longer had to worry about losing his card. The biohacker could just place his hand near the Opal card reader and be on his way. All this was presumably working out OK for Meow-Meow until August 2017. That’s when the New South Wales transport authority, which issues the Opal cards, charged him with traveling without a ticket and failing to produce a ticket for transportation officials."
Comment: It doesn't surprise me that bureaucrats would be petty and not really grasp the concept. I think the real story here is the use of an implanted chip as a payment device and access device. As a proof of concept, that is very compelling. I think that early adopters like this guy have clearly demonstrated that an implanted chip is a practical means of combining identity verification, access control and mobile payments. It's possible. Whether the MOTB turns out to be a chip is still up for debate but for now, it's clear that this tech is here now.
Monday, October 01, 2018
Persecution
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan says jailed U.S. pastor tied to terrorism - UPI
UPI reports: "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he rejects U.S. President Donald Trump's call to release an American pastor jailed in Turkey. Erdogan, addressing Turkish Parliament in Ankara on the start of its legislative year, said pastor Andrew Brunson has links to terrorism. He also called the Brunson case a pretext for U.S. sanctions on Turkey."
Comment: Please join me in praying for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey says he has "links" to terrorism. The real truth is that he is being held a pawn to be exchanged for Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric that Erdogan blames for the 2016 coup attempt.
UPI reports: "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he rejects U.S. President Donald Trump's call to release an American pastor jailed in Turkey. Erdogan, addressing Turkish Parliament in Ankara on the start of its legislative year, said pastor Andrew Brunson has links to terrorism. He also called the Brunson case a pretext for U.S. sanctions on Turkey."
Comment: Please join me in praying for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey says he has "links" to terrorism. The real truth is that he is being held a pawn to be exchanged for Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric that Erdogan blames for the 2016 coup attempt.
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