Reuters - Genes, bugs and radiation: WHO backs new weapons in Zika fight
Reuters reports: "Countries battling the Zika virus should consider new ways to curb
disease-carrying mosquitoes, including testing the release of
genetically modified insects and bacteria that stop their eggs hatching,
the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. [...] The WHO also highlighted the potential of
releasing sterile irradiated male mosquitoes, a technique that has been
developed at the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA)."
Comment: I'm glad they are taking the threat seriously and considering a range of strategies to combat the virus, as long as they are honest about the fact that genetic modifications may have unintended consequences.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Rumors of War - Kings of the East
Reuters - China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island: Taiwan
Reuters reports: "China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, Taiwan and U.S. officials said, ratcheting up tensions even as U.S. President Barack Obama urged restraint in the region. Taiwan defense ministry spokesman Major General David Lo told Reuters the missile batteries had been set up on Woody Island. The island is part of the Paracels chain, under Chinese control for more than 40 year but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam."
Comment: If you were wondering how China might react to her neighbors becoming more assertive about protecting their rights under international law, I think we just received the answer. It's starting to seem rather inevitable that all these conflicting claims will eventually lead to armed conflict. I hope we area ready. As for the optics, it's hard not to interpret this as an intentional snub of Obama and his ASEAN summit guests.
Reuters reports: "China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, Taiwan and U.S. officials said, ratcheting up tensions even as U.S. President Barack Obama urged restraint in the region. Taiwan defense ministry spokesman Major General David Lo told Reuters the missile batteries had been set up on Woody Island. The island is part of the Paracels chain, under Chinese control for more than 40 year but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam."
Comment: If you were wondering how China might react to her neighbors becoming more assertive about protecting their rights under international law, I think we just received the answer. It's starting to seem rather inevitable that all these conflicting claims will eventually lead to armed conflict. I hope we area ready. As for the optics, it's hard not to interpret this as an intentional snub of Obama and his ASEAN summit guests.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Rumors of War - Kings of the East
UPI - Kim Jong Un to scientists: 'more satellites'
UPI reports: "North Korean news agency KCNA reported Monday Kim said Pyongyang must shoot more satellites into space to raise the level of scientific research and for the future of a 'self-reliant North Korea.' Prior to delivering his speech, Kim inspected the North's ground, naval and air forces. North Korea's recent provocations, including its fourth nuclear test in January and the more recent satellite launch, have accelerated the passage of new sanctions against Pyongyang in the United States, Japan and South Korea."
UPI reports: "North Korean news agency KCNA reported Monday Kim said Pyongyang must shoot more satellites into space to raise the level of scientific research and for the future of a 'self-reliant North Korea.' Prior to delivering his speech, Kim inspected the North's ground, naval and air forces. North Korea's recent provocations, including its fourth nuclear test in January and the more recent satellite launch, have accelerated the passage of new sanctions against Pyongyang in the United States, Japan and South Korea."
Friday, February 12, 2016
Rumors of War - King of the North
UPI - Russian troops conduct military drills near Ukraine
UPI reports: "Russian troops conducted drills in the Black Sea and on land this week near the border with Ukraine -- deploying more than 8,500 troops, 50 warships and 200 aircraft. The move comes as NATO, also this week, announced it would have a larger presence in the region. Video obtained by Sky News showed fighter jets dropping bombs, ground troops and army helicopters involved in drills."
Comment: This comes in the same week that NATO announced new plans to build up defenses in the Baltics. The danger of miscalculation is high.
UPI reports: "Russian troops conducted drills in the Black Sea and on land this week near the border with Ukraine -- deploying more than 8,500 troops, 50 warships and 200 aircraft. The move comes as NATO, also this week, announced it would have a larger presence in the region. Video obtained by Sky News showed fighter jets dropping bombs, ground troops and army helicopters involved in drills."
Comment: This comes in the same week that NATO announced new plans to build up defenses in the Baltics. The danger of miscalculation is high.
Rumors of War - Kings of the East
AP - US deploys more Patriot missiles in South Korea
The AP reports: "The United States temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea in response to North Korea's nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch, ahead of talks next week to set up an even more sophisticated U.S. missile defense in a move that has worried China and Russia."
The AP reports: "The United States temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea in response to North Korea's nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch, ahead of talks next week to set up an even more sophisticated U.S. missile defense in a move that has worried China and Russia."
Persecution
AP - 'Finally': Pope meets Russian Orthodox leader
The AP reports: "With an exclamation of 'Finally,' Pope Francis embraced Patriarch Kirill on Friday in the first meeting between a pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a brief but historic encounter held during a stopover in Cuba before the pope flew on to Mexico. [...] Francis and Kirill also called for political leaders to act on the single most important issue of shared concern between the Catholic and Orthodox churches today: the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being killed and driven from their homes by the Islamic State group."
Comment: While I doubt this meeting will lead to a real ecumenical movement between the Catholic and Orthodox branches of Christianity, the two leaders are shining an important light on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
The AP reports: "With an exclamation of 'Finally,' Pope Francis embraced Patriarch Kirill on Friday in the first meeting between a pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a brief but historic encounter held during a stopover in Cuba before the pope flew on to Mexico. [...] Francis and Kirill also called for political leaders to act on the single most important issue of shared concern between the Catholic and Orthodox churches today: the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being killed and driven from their homes by the Islamic State group."
Comment: While I doubt this meeting will lead to a real ecumenical movement between the Catholic and Orthodox branches of Christianity, the two leaders are shining an important light on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
Earthquakes
AP - Death toll in Taiwan earthquake rises to 109
The AP reports: "The death toll in a powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan's oldest city of Tainan a week ago rose to 109 on Saturday with an estimated nine people missing. All but two of the dead were pulled from the ruins of the collapsed Weiguan Golden Dragon residential complex, a 17-story building. [...] Authorities detained the building's developer Lin Ming-hui and two architects this week on suspicion of negligent homicide amid accusations his firm cut corners in the construction."
Comment: So, this was a powerful earthquake but most of the deaths were likely preventable and due entirely to human greed.
The AP reports: "The death toll in a powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan's oldest city of Tainan a week ago rose to 109 on Saturday with an estimated nine people missing. All but two of the dead were pulled from the ruins of the collapsed Weiguan Golden Dragon residential complex, a 17-story building. [...] Authorities detained the building's developer Lin Ming-hui and two architects this week on suspicion of negligent homicide amid accusations his firm cut corners in the construction."
Comment: So, this was a powerful earthquake but most of the deaths were likely preventable and due entirely to human greed.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Wars and Rumors of War
UPI - Officials reach agreement aimed at ending Syria civil war
UPI reports: "International officials meeting in Germany to work toward a ceasefire in Syria and end the 5-year civil war reached an agreement toward halting hostilities, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday. [...] The agreement, however, does not address ongoing fighting between government and coalition forces and terror groups, including the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front."
Comment: I wish them well but I think the agreement is premature. These kinds of agreements only work when the parties fighting feel they have either accomplished most of the want they want or will never accomplish most of what they want and are therefore ready for a ceasefire agreement. I don't think either applies in this case.
UPI reports: "International officials meeting in Germany to work toward a ceasefire in Syria and end the 5-year civil war reached an agreement toward halting hostilities, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday. [...] The agreement, however, does not address ongoing fighting between government and coalition forces and terror groups, including the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front."
Comment: I wish them well but I think the agreement is premature. These kinds of agreements only work when the parties fighting feel they have either accomplished most of the want they want or will never accomplish most of what they want and are therefore ready for a ceasefire agreement. I don't think either applies in this case.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Rumors of War - King of the North
AP - NATO ministers approve new reinforcements for eastern Europe
The AP reports: "NATO defense ministers on Wednesday approved new multinational reinforcements to beef up defenses of frontline alliance members most at risk from Russia, the alliance's secretary-general announced. Jens Stoltenberg said the plan adopted by the United States and NATO's 27 other members calls for the use of troops from multiple countries who rotate in and out of eastern European member states rather than being permanently based there."
Comment: Nice to see NATO taking Russia seriously. Still, this is the kind of thing that may look good on paper but will be very difficult to implement at a time when many European countries have been cutting back on their military budgets.
The AP reports: "NATO defense ministers on Wednesday approved new multinational reinforcements to beef up defenses of frontline alliance members most at risk from Russia, the alliance's secretary-general announced. Jens Stoltenberg said the plan adopted by the United States and NATO's 27 other members calls for the use of troops from multiple countries who rotate in and out of eastern European member states rather than being permanently based there."
Comment: Nice to see NATO taking Russia seriously. Still, this is the kind of thing that may look good on paper but will be very difficult to implement at a time when many European countries have been cutting back on their military budgets.
Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Final Kingdom
Reuters - Founding members say European Union is in bad shape
Reuters reports: "The European Union faces 'critical times' and all its members should set aside selfish interests to tackle problems such as immigration and terrorism, the bloc's six founding nations said on Tuesday. A week after the EU accepted that some members may never go further in sharing sovereignty, as part of the price for keeping Britain in the club, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg pledged to pursue 'ever closer union' at a meeting in Rome, where they founded the bloc in 1957."
Comment: An external threat is always helpful when unity is threatened.
Reuters reports: "The European Union faces 'critical times' and all its members should set aside selfish interests to tackle problems such as immigration and terrorism, the bloc's six founding nations said on Tuesday. A week after the EU accepted that some members may never go further in sharing sovereignty, as part of the price for keeping Britain in the club, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg pledged to pursue 'ever closer union' at a meeting in Rome, where they founded the bloc in 1957."
Comment: An external threat is always helpful when unity is threatened.
Monday, February 08, 2016
War - Persia - King of the North
Reuters - Russian firepower helps Syrian forces edge toward Turkey border
Reuters reports: "The Syrian army advanced toward the Turkish border on Monday in a major offensive backed by Russia and Iran that rebels say now threatens the future of their nearly five-year-old insurrection against President Bashar al-Assad. [...] The Russian-backed Syrian government advance over recent days amounts to one of the biggest shifts in momentum of the war, helping to torpedo the first peace talks for two years, which collapsed last week before they had begun in earnest."
Reuters - Russia having success in hybrid war against Germany
Reuters reports: "Stoking outrage in Germany’s Russian-speaking community is not an end in itself, but a means to exploiting cracks in German society exposed by the refugee crisis. [...] Propaganda was only one element in the so-called 'hybrid warfare' that Russia directed against Ukraine. Long before the Kremlin deployed “little green men” — Russian troops without insignia — to Crimea, it had used other non-military measures such as playing pipeline politics, buying politicians, and backing fringe parties with radical agendas. Those same measures are being used in Germany and other European countries."
Comment: How odd that Russia isn't taking as many Syrian refugees as Germany. Or not.
Reuters reports: "The Syrian army advanced toward the Turkish border on Monday in a major offensive backed by Russia and Iran that rebels say now threatens the future of their nearly five-year-old insurrection against President Bashar al-Assad. [...] The Russian-backed Syrian government advance over recent days amounts to one of the biggest shifts in momentum of the war, helping to torpedo the first peace talks for two years, which collapsed last week before they had begun in earnest."
Reuters - Russia having success in hybrid war against Germany
Reuters reports: "Stoking outrage in Germany’s Russian-speaking community is not an end in itself, but a means to exploiting cracks in German society exposed by the refugee crisis. [...] Propaganda was only one element in the so-called 'hybrid warfare' that Russia directed against Ukraine. Long before the Kremlin deployed “little green men” — Russian troops without insignia — to Crimea, it had used other non-military measures such as playing pipeline politics, buying politicians, and backing fringe parties with radical agendas. Those same measures are being used in Germany and other European countries."
Comment: How odd that Russia isn't taking as many Syrian refugees as Germany. Or not.
Pestilence
Reuters - Race to fast-track Zika trials as 12 groups seek vaccine
Reuters reports: "At least 12 groups are now working to develop a Zika vaccine and health authorities said on Monday they were working to ensure development proceeded as rapidly as possible. [...] With no approved Zika vaccines or medicines and none even undergoing clinical studies, scientists and drugmakers are on the starting-block in fighting the mosquito-borne disease suspected of causing a spike in birth defects in Brazil."
Comment: I wonder if they will also look into better ways of fighting mosquitos? After all, they would not need to cure Zika if the primary disease vector was eradicated.
Reuters reports: "At least 12 groups are now working to develop a Zika vaccine and health authorities said on Monday they were working to ensure development proceeded as rapidly as possible. [...] With no approved Zika vaccines or medicines and none even undergoing clinical studies, scientists and drugmakers are on the starting-block in fighting the mosquito-borne disease suspected of causing a spike in birth defects in Brazil."
Comment: I wonder if they will also look into better ways of fighting mosquitos? After all, they would not need to cure Zika if the primary disease vector was eradicated.
Friday, February 05, 2016
Earthquakes
Reuters - Quake fells Taiwan apartment building, at least five dead
Reuters reports: "A powerful earthquake toppled a 17-story apartment building in southern Taiwan on Saturday, killing at least five people, including a 10-day-old girl, and triggering frantic efforts to rescue about 35 people feared trapped inside. [...]
Taiwan lies in the seismically active 'Pacific Ring of Fire'. Television quoted Tainan residents as saying the quake felt worse than the 1999 tremor, centered in central Taiwan.
Taiwan's defence ministry said 810 soldiers had been mobilized for rescue efforts."
Reuters reports: "A powerful earthquake toppled a 17-story apartment building in southern Taiwan on Saturday, killing at least five people, including a 10-day-old girl, and triggering frantic efforts to rescue about 35 people feared trapped inside. [...]
Taiwan lies in the seismically active 'Pacific Ring of Fire'. Television quoted Tainan residents as saying the quake felt worse than the 1999 tremor, centered in central Taiwan.
Taiwan's defence ministry said 810 soldiers had been mobilized for rescue efforts."
Thursday, February 04, 2016
Persecution
AP - Egyptian Christian students stand trial for insulting Islam
AP reports: "Three Coptic Christian students face charges of insulting Islam and will stand trial this week after appearing in a video mocking Muslim prayers, one of a series of court cases that reflect lingering religious intolerance and Muslim-Christian tensions in Egypt. [...] Christians make up approximately 10 percent of Egypt's population. They have long complained of discrimination by the Muslim majority."
Comment: Please join me in praying for the safety of these students and their families.
AP reports: "Three Coptic Christian students face charges of insulting Islam and will stand trial this week after appearing in a video mocking Muslim prayers, one of a series of court cases that reflect lingering religious intolerance and Muslim-Christian tensions in Egypt. [...] Christians make up approximately 10 percent of Egypt's population. They have long complained of discrimination by the Muslim majority."
Comment: Please join me in praying for the safety of these students and their families.
Wickedness Increases
AP - Prosecutor: Girl texted with college man before stabbing
AP reports: "Two Virginia Tech students carefully planned the kidnapping and killing of a 13-year-old girl, arranging a pre-dawn rendezvous online after buying cleaning supplies and a shovel at separate Wal-Mart stores, a prosecutor alleged Thursday."
Comment: I don't often link to local crime news and prefer to focus on global news but I'm making an exception in this case. This appears to be one of those crimes categorized as "thrill killings" in which criminals kill someone just to see what the experience is like. It's a crime without any real motive except for depraved indifference to the value of human life. These are truly evil people.
AP reports: "Two Virginia Tech students carefully planned the kidnapping and killing of a 13-year-old girl, arranging a pre-dawn rendezvous online after buying cleaning supplies and a shovel at separate Wal-Mart stores, a prosecutor alleged Thursday."
Comment: I don't often link to local crime news and prefer to focus on global news but I'm making an exception in this case. This appears to be one of those crimes categorized as "thrill killings" in which criminals kill someone just to see what the experience is like. It's a crime without any real motive except for depraved indifference to the value of human life. These are truly evil people.
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Pestilence
Reuters - Florida governor declares health emergency in four counties over Zika
Reuters reports: "Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a public health emergency in four counties with travel-related cases of the Zika virus on Wednesday, and ordered state officials to increase mosquito control efforts in some of the most populous parts of the state."
Reuters reports: "Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a public health emergency in four counties with travel-related cases of the Zika virus on Wednesday, and ordered state officials to increase mosquito control efforts in some of the most populous parts of the state."
Rumors of War
Reuters - North Korea's mobile missile launcher seen moving: Japan's NHK
Reuters reports: "North Korea's mobile missile launcher, carrying a ballistic missile, has been seen moving near the east coast and activity has also been seen at a long-range rocket launch pad on the west coast, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday. International pressure has grown on North Korea to call off a planned rocket launch, seen by some governments as another missile test, since Pyongyang told U.N. agencies this week it would launch what it called an 'earth observation satellite'. Japan has put its military on alert to shoot down any rocket that threatens its territory."
Reuters reports: "North Korea's mobile missile launcher, carrying a ballistic missile, has been seen moving near the east coast and activity has also been seen at a long-range rocket launch pad on the west coast, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday. International pressure has grown on North Korea to call off a planned rocket launch, seen by some governments as another missile test, since Pyongyang told U.N. agencies this week it would launch what it called an 'earth observation satellite'. Japan has put its military on alert to shoot down any rocket that threatens its territory."
Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Pestilence
AP - Sexually-transmitted Zika case confirmed in Texas
AP reports: "Health officials on Tuesday reported that a person in Texas has become infected with the Zika virus through sex in the first case of the illness being transmitted within the United States amid the current outbreak in Latin America. [...] The CDC says it will issue guidance in the coming days on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus, focusing on the male sexual partners of women who are or may be pregnant."
AP reports: "Health officials on Tuesday reported that a person in Texas has become infected with the Zika virus through sex in the first case of the illness being transmitted within the United States amid the current outbreak in Latin America. [...] The CDC says it will issue guidance in the coming days on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus, focusing on the male sexual partners of women who are or may be pregnant."
Rumors of War
AP - South Korea warns North Korea not to launch satellite
The AP reports: "South Korea warned on Wednesday of 'searing' consequences if North Korea doesn't abandon plans to launch a long-range rocket that critics call a banned test of ballistic missile technology. [...] North Korea on Tuesday informed international organizations of its plans to launch an Earth observation satellite on a rocket between Feb. 8 and 25, and if North Korea's past patterns are any clue, angry warnings by its neighbors and Washington probably won't dissuade a coming launch."
Comment: Time to unpack the harsh words of condemnation and ready them for use.
The AP reports: "South Korea warned on Wednesday of 'searing' consequences if North Korea doesn't abandon plans to launch a long-range rocket that critics call a banned test of ballistic missile technology. [...] North Korea on Tuesday informed international organizations of its plans to launch an Earth observation satellite on a rocket between Feb. 8 and 25, and if North Korea's past patterns are any clue, angry warnings by its neighbors and Washington probably won't dissuade a coming launch."
Comment: Time to unpack the harsh words of condemnation and ready them for use.
Monday, February 01, 2016
Pestilence
AP - WHO declares global emergency over Zika virus spread
The AP reports: "The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the Americas, calling it an 'extraordinary event' that poses a public health threat to other parts of the world. The U.N. agency took the rare step despite a lack of definitive evidence proving the mosquito-borne virus is causing a surge in babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads in Brazil and following a 2013-14 outbreak in French Polynesia."
Comment: Will WHO do a better job with Zika than they did with Ebola? Stay tuned!
The AP reports: "The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the Americas, calling it an 'extraordinary event' that poses a public health threat to other parts of the world. The U.N. agency took the rare step despite a lack of definitive evidence proving the mosquito-borne virus is causing a surge in babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads in Brazil and following a 2013-14 outbreak in French Polynesia."
Comment: Will WHO do a better job with Zika than they did with Ebola? Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)