Human cases of bird flu climb in China - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The World Health Organization's director-general warned of escalating
cases of bird flu around the world, as human cases of viral infections
continue to climb in rural China. [...] China has reported 16 human infections of the H7N9 avian flu virus, including five deaths, according to state-owned news agency Xinhua."
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Rumors of War - Kings of the East
Beijing responds to Sean Spicer's South China Sea remarks - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China responded immediately to remarks made by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer regarding Beijing's interests in the South China Sea, claiming 'indisputable sovereignty' over artificial islands in the region. During his first official briefing on Monday, Spicer said the United States would defend its interests in the South China Sea, in the international waters where China has been building the islands to take control of shipping routes."
UPI reports: "China responded immediately to remarks made by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer regarding Beijing's interests in the South China Sea, claiming 'indisputable sovereignty' over artificial islands in the region. During his first official briefing on Monday, Spicer said the United States would defend its interests in the South China Sea, in the international waters where China has been building the islands to take control of shipping routes."
Monday, January 23, 2017
Covenant With Many - Peace of Jerusalem
U.S. to move slowly on relocating embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The United States will move cautiously on transferring its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, senior administration sources said. The symbolic move to Jerusalem remains a priority in the Trump administration, but it will not happen immediately, the source told CNN. [...] The U.S. Embassy is in Tel Aviv and not Jerusalem, on the premise that Jerusalem's future should be determined by a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, each of whom regard the city as its capital."
Comment: It will be interesting to see how this works out. There must be intense pressure on Trump to waive the U.S. law that requires the embassy be moved just as past presidents have done. Trump promised he would do it and he does seem to to the kind of leader who keeps his promises.
UPI reports: "The United States will move cautiously on transferring its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, senior administration sources said. The symbolic move to Jerusalem remains a priority in the Trump administration, but it will not happen immediately, the source told CNN. [...] The U.S. Embassy is in Tel Aviv and not Jerusalem, on the premise that Jerusalem's future should be determined by a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, each of whom regard the city as its capital."
Comment: It will be interesting to see how this works out. There must be intense pressure on Trump to waive the U.S. law that requires the embassy be moved just as past presidents have done. Trump promised he would do it and he does seem to to the kind of leader who keeps his promises.
Pestilence
Countries 'grossly underprepared' for disease outbreaks: Study - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An analysis of reports on the response to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has researchers sounding the alarm about worldwide infectious disease outbreak preparedness. [...] 'We found remarkable consensus on what went wrong with the Ebola response and what we need to do to address the deficiencies,' study authors said in a press release. 'Yet not nearly enough has been done. Ebola, and more recently Zika and yellow fever, have demonstrated that we do not yet have a reliable or robust global system for preventing, detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.'"
Comment: I wonder if the study mentioned the one area where they are well prepared: media hype. Seriously, didn't it seem that the level of media attention to Ebola and Zika far exceeded the actual threat to public health?
UPI reports: "An analysis of reports on the response to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has researchers sounding the alarm about worldwide infectious disease outbreak preparedness. [...] 'We found remarkable consensus on what went wrong with the Ebola response and what we need to do to address the deficiencies,' study authors said in a press release. 'Yet not nearly enough has been done. Ebola, and more recently Zika and yellow fever, have demonstrated that we do not yet have a reliable or robust global system for preventing, detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.'"
Comment: I wonder if the study mentioned the one area where they are well prepared: media hype. Seriously, didn't it seem that the level of media attention to Ebola and Zika far exceeded the actual threat to public health?
Friday, January 20, 2017
War
Denmark into Syria; country to join fight against Islamic State - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The mandate of Denmark's military forces in Iraq was extended Friday, allowing troops to venture into Syria to combat terrorists. The action was not unexpected. In 2015 Danish Defense Minister Peter Christiansen pledged to accelerate efforts of Denmark's special forces, working within NATO, against the Islamic State in the Middle East. The decision can also be seen as a response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has asked all NATO countries to become more engaged in the fight against IS. Denmark joined the international coalition in Iraq in 2014."
Comment: This is a good reminder of how many countries have troops engaged in military operations in Syria and why Syria remains a potential flashpoint for a wider war.
UPI reports: "The mandate of Denmark's military forces in Iraq was extended Friday, allowing troops to venture into Syria to combat terrorists. The action was not unexpected. In 2015 Danish Defense Minister Peter Christiansen pledged to accelerate efforts of Denmark's special forces, working within NATO, against the Islamic State in the Middle East. The decision can also be seen as a response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has asked all NATO countries to become more engaged in the fight against IS. Denmark joined the international coalition in Iraq in 2014."
Comment: This is a good reminder of how many countries have troops engaged in military operations in Syria and why Syria remains a potential flashpoint for a wider war.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
War - Gog Alliance
Russia, Turkey carry out joint bombings in Syria against Islamic State - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Russia and Turkey have carried out their first joint coordinated airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, Russian Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said. [...] Moscow and Ankara have worked together to target Islamic State militants though they support opposing sides in Syria's nearly six-year civil war. Russia backs Assad, while Turkey backs Syrian rebel groups such as the Free Syrian Army."
Comment: The slow drift of Turkey away from the West and towards Russia seems to be accelerating just a bit. This is most likely an alliance of convenience at the moment but the operational and tactical links being forged in this cooperation in Syria may lay the groundwork for closer ties down the line.
UPI reports: "Russia and Turkey have carried out their first joint coordinated airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, Russian Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said. [...] Moscow and Ankara have worked together to target Islamic State militants though they support opposing sides in Syria's nearly six-year civil war. Russia backs Assad, while Turkey backs Syrian rebel groups such as the Free Syrian Army."
Comment: The slow drift of Turkey away from the West and towards Russia seems to be accelerating just a bit. This is most likely an alliance of convenience at the moment but the operational and tactical links being forged in this cooperation in Syria may lay the groundwork for closer ties down the line.
War
B-2 bombers flew from Missouri to Libya to kill Islamic State targets - UPI.com
UPI reports: "American B-2 bombers killed at least 85 Islamic State militants in Libya after dropping 108 precision-guided bombs in several locations, U.S. defense officials said. The stealth bombers targeted at least one Islamic State training camp on Wednesday. The bombings, authorized by President Barack Obama, occurred in the desert outside of Sirte. U.S. drones launched hellfire missiles at escaping Islamic State militants. [...] The decision to use the nuclear-capable B-2s instead of other fighter jets stationed in England was made to 'send a strategic message' to Russia and China, a source told Fox News."
Comment: I have to admit, this was unexpected. At first glance, the use of the B-2 stealth bomber against Islamic militants was overkill, but as this report makes clear, there was another purpose and another target in mind.
UPI reports: "American B-2 bombers killed at least 85 Islamic State militants in Libya after dropping 108 precision-guided bombs in several locations, U.S. defense officials said. The stealth bombers targeted at least one Islamic State training camp on Wednesday. The bombings, authorized by President Barack Obama, occurred in the desert outside of Sirte. U.S. drones launched hellfire missiles at escaping Islamic State militants. [...] The decision to use the nuclear-capable B-2s instead of other fighter jets stationed in England was made to 'send a strategic message' to Russia and China, a source told Fox News."
Comment: I have to admit, this was unexpected. At first glance, the use of the B-2 stealth bomber against Islamic militants was overkill, but as this report makes clear, there was another purpose and another target in mind.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Earthquakes
Earthquakes close schools, metro system in Central Italy - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Several powerful earthquakes measuring in magnitudes of 4.5 to 5.7 have struck central Italy, a region already scarred by tremors from last year, emergency officials said. [...] In Rome, some schools closed and the metro system was evacuated due to the strong earthquakes more than 50 miles away."
UPI reports: "Several powerful earthquakes measuring in magnitudes of 4.5 to 5.7 have struck central Italy, a region already scarred by tremors from last year, emergency officials said. [...] In Rome, some schools closed and the metro system was evacuated due to the strong earthquakes more than 50 miles away."
Rumors of War - Persia
Departing U.S. ambassador Samantha Power warns of Iran weapons - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The United States' outgoing ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday warned the Security Council about what she sees as a critical under-addressed danger lingering in Iran -- the nation's failure to abide by an arms embargo. During her last appearance at a meeting of the Security Council, Samantha Power urged the global panel to hold Tehran's feet to the fire for potentially violating a U.N. resolution that bars Iran from engaging in arms sales."
Comment: What happened to Obama's "snap back" sanctions?
UPI reports: "The United States' outgoing ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday warned the Security Council about what she sees as a critical under-addressed danger lingering in Iran -- the nation's failure to abide by an arms embargo. During her last appearance at a meeting of the Security Council, Samantha Power urged the global panel to hold Tehran's feet to the fire for potentially violating a U.N. resolution that bars Iran from engaging in arms sales."
Comment: What happened to Obama's "snap back" sanctions?
Roaring Waves - Future Fear
NOAA: 2016 was hottest year in modern history - UPI.com
UPI reports: "For three consecutive years, the record for 'hottest year in modern history' has been broken. As NOAA and NASA declared this week, the average global temperature for 2016, 58.69 degrees Fahrenheit, bested the 2015 average by 0.07 degrees. The record for hottest year has now been broken five times during the 21st century -- 2005, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Scientists began tracking global temperatures in 1880."
UPI reports: "For three consecutive years, the record for 'hottest year in modern history' has been broken. As NOAA and NASA declared this week, the average global temperature for 2016, 58.69 degrees Fahrenheit, bested the 2015 average by 0.07 degrees. The record for hottest year has now been broken five times during the 21st century -- 2005, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Scientists began tracking global temperatures in 1880."
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Rumors of War - Persia
Israel steps up shadow war with Hezbollah - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israel's Institute for National Security Studies stressed in its annual strategic assessment, released Jan. 2, that Hezbollah remains the most serious threat the Jewish state faces. It urged Israel's intelligence establishment to intensity efforts to block the transfer of advanced weapons systems to Hezbollah - a process that may already be under way with a spate of air and missiles strikes against Syria. [...] Iran and Hezbollah, which serves as the Islamic republic's strategic arm in the Levant, present a comprehensive threat to Israel that far exceeds any other. [...] Israel seems to be stepping up the shadowy conflict with Hezbollah, as Iran seeks to establish a presence in the divided Golan, a red line for Israel."
Comment: This is the kind of conflict that percolates below the radar for most of us but could flare into a full war at a moments notice.
UPI reports: "Israel's Institute for National Security Studies stressed in its annual strategic assessment, released Jan. 2, that Hezbollah remains the most serious threat the Jewish state faces. It urged Israel's intelligence establishment to intensity efforts to block the transfer of advanced weapons systems to Hezbollah - a process that may already be under way with a spate of air and missiles strikes against Syria. [...] Iran and Hezbollah, which serves as the Islamic republic's strategic arm in the Levant, present a comprehensive threat to Israel that far exceeds any other. [...] Israel seems to be stepping up the shadowy conflict with Hezbollah, as Iran seeks to establish a presence in the divided Golan, a red line for Israel."
Comment: This is the kind of conflict that percolates below the radar for most of us but could flare into a full war at a moments notice.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Pestilence
'Superbug' widespread in hospitals, must be monitored, study says - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A type of potentially deadly drug-resistant bacteria is more widespread in U.S. hospitals than previously thought and needs to be more closely monitored, a new study suggests. Researchers checked for cases of illness caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a sample of four U.S. hospitals and identified a wide variety of CRE species. Three hospitals are in the Boston area and one is in California. The CRE family of germs causes about 9,300 infections and 600 deaths in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those numbers are on the rise, the researchers said."
Comment: Well, that sounds bad but at least it's not Zika.
UPI reports: "A type of potentially deadly drug-resistant bacteria is more widespread in U.S. hospitals than previously thought and needs to be more closely monitored, a new study suggests. Researchers checked for cases of illness caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a sample of four U.S. hospitals and identified a wide variety of CRE species. Three hospitals are in the Boston area and one is in California. The CRE family of germs causes about 9,300 infections and 600 deaths in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those numbers are on the rise, the researchers said."
Comment: Well, that sounds bad but at least it's not Zika.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Covenant With Many
France describes need for two-state solution at Israel, Palestinian conference - UPI.com
UPI reports: "More than 70 nations' foreign ministers and senior diplomats convened
Sunday in Paris for a conference to work out a peace plan between Israel
and Palestinians.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault opened the session, noting a
two-state solution is the only way to achieve peace in the Middle East. [...] Israelis and Palestinians were not allowed to participate in the summit
but have been invited to hear the conclusions of the meeting."
UK voices 'reservations' over Mideast summit, refuses to sign statement
AFP reports: "Britain cited 'reservations' over Sunday's Middle East peace conference and refused to sign a joint statement that called for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A Foreign Office spokesman said the British had 'particular reservations' about the meeting in Paris taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives, 'just days before the transition to a new American president.' Britain had therefore attended the talks as an observer only, the spokesman said. "
Comment: Please join me in praying for God's blessing upon the UK for not participating in the latest attempt by the international community to define Israel as the primary obstacle to peace. The idea that all Israel needs do is give away more land to the Palestinians to secure peace is delusional. If you have any doubts about that, just look what the Palestinians did when Israel gave them Gaza. It's an object lesson in the reality of land-for-peace.
UK voices 'reservations' over Mideast summit, refuses to sign statement
AFP reports: "Britain cited 'reservations' over Sunday's Middle East peace conference and refused to sign a joint statement that called for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A Foreign Office spokesman said the British had 'particular reservations' about the meeting in Paris taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives, 'just days before the transition to a new American president.' Britain had therefore attended the talks as an observer only, the spokesman said. "
Comment: Please join me in praying for God's blessing upon the UK for not participating in the latest attempt by the international community to define Israel as the primary obstacle to peace. The idea that all Israel needs do is give away more land to the Palestinians to secure peace is delusional. If you have any doubts about that, just look what the Palestinians did when Israel gave them Gaza. It's an object lesson in the reality of land-for-peace.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Covenant with Many
AP - In long-shot Mideast peace bid, France sees nothing to lose
The AP reports: "It sounds far-fetched at best: holding a Mideast peace conference without Israelis, Palestinians or the incoming U.S. government. But the French organizers say that's the whole point. They want Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to see that most of the world wants a two-state solution and is fed up with decades of conflict. With chances for a Mideast peace deal lower than in years — perhaps a generation — French President Francois Hollande figures there's nothing to lose. French diplomats fear that Trump will unleash new tensions in the region by condoning settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians and potentially moving the U.S. Embassy to contested Jerusalem. So more than 70 foreign ministers and other top envoys are gathering Sunday in Paris to urge the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Palestinians establish embassy at the Vatican - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Palestinian Authority has opened an embassy at the Vatican on the eve of a peace conference meant to revive long-stalled talks with Israel. The embassy confers a new level of legitimacy on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was granted an audience with Pope Francis on Saturday. While the Vatican has maintained close ties with Israel, Francis has increasingly spoken on behalf of the Palestinian people, encouraging both sides to reach a deal that creates a Palestinian state recognized by Israel."
Comment: There is some big news developing with the search for Mideast peace. France is holding an international conference tomorrow. The purpose of the event seems to be to gather the nations to decree that Israel is the problem and if only they would give more land to the Palestinians, all would be well.
It will be a good example of how the nations are eager to gang up on Israel and stand in rebellion to the God of Israel.
They also want to gang up on Trump to show him that the international community does not share his views and will not welcome moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
The AP reports: "It sounds far-fetched at best: holding a Mideast peace conference without Israelis, Palestinians or the incoming U.S. government. But the French organizers say that's the whole point. They want Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to see that most of the world wants a two-state solution and is fed up with decades of conflict. With chances for a Mideast peace deal lower than in years — perhaps a generation — French President Francois Hollande figures there's nothing to lose. French diplomats fear that Trump will unleash new tensions in the region by condoning settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians and potentially moving the U.S. Embassy to contested Jerusalem. So more than 70 foreign ministers and other top envoys are gathering Sunday in Paris to urge the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Palestinians establish embassy at the Vatican - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Palestinian Authority has opened an embassy at the Vatican on the eve of a peace conference meant to revive long-stalled talks with Israel. The embassy confers a new level of legitimacy on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was granted an audience with Pope Francis on Saturday. While the Vatican has maintained close ties with Israel, Francis has increasingly spoken on behalf of the Palestinian people, encouraging both sides to reach a deal that creates a Palestinian state recognized by Israel."
Comment: There is some big news developing with the search for Mideast peace. France is holding an international conference tomorrow. The purpose of the event seems to be to gather the nations to decree that Israel is the problem and if only they would give more land to the Palestinians, all would be well.
It will be a good example of how the nations are eager to gang up on Israel and stand in rebellion to the God of Israel.
They also want to gang up on Trump to show him that the international community does not share his views and will not welcome moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Pestilence
'Superbug' resistant to all antibiotics killed Nevada woman - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A Nevada woman in her 70s who'd recently returned from India died in September from a 'superbug' infection that resisted all antibiotics, according to a report released Friday. The case raises concern about the spread of such infections, which have become more common over past decades as germs have developed resistance to widely used antibiotics."
UPI reports: "A Nevada woman in her 70s who'd recently returned from India died in September from a 'superbug' infection that resisted all antibiotics, according to a report released Friday. The case raises concern about the spread of such infections, which have become more common over past decades as germs have developed resistance to widely used antibiotics."
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Pestilence
Scientists create mosquitoes resistant to dengue virus - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Scientists say they have created mosquitoes resistant to the dengue virus, which might eventually help control the spread of the disease in humans. The team at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to boost their natural ability to fight infection by the virus. Mosquitoes get infected when they feed on someone who has the disease. Then they pass dengue to healthy people by biting them. Each year, dengue sickens about 96 million people worldwide. The virus kills more than 20,000 people, mostly children, the researchers said."
UPI reports: "Scientists say they have created mosquitoes resistant to the dengue virus, which might eventually help control the spread of the disease in humans. The team at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to boost their natural ability to fight infection by the virus. Mosquitoes get infected when they feed on someone who has the disease. Then they pass dengue to healthy people by biting them. Each year, dengue sickens about 96 million people worldwide. The virus kills more than 20,000 people, mostly children, the researchers said."
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
War
Pentagon: U.S. could keep anti-Islamic State presence in Iraq after Mosul falls - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said the United States could
maintain a presence in Iraq after the Islamic State is defeated in the
battle for Mosul.
Speaking from the Pentagon during a press briefing, Carter said the
Islamic State, also known as ISIS, Daesh and ISIL, could remain a threat
to Iraqi and regional security even after it is removed from power in
Iraq's second-largest city and the militant Islamist group's stronghold
in Iraq: Mosul.
Carter said the decision to keep a residual U.S. military presence in
Iraq would be up to the Iraqi government and Prime Minister Haider
al-Abadi."
Comment: I can't help wonder how long the U.S. will keep a military presence in Iraq?
Comment: I can't help wonder how long the U.S. will keep a military presence in Iraq?
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Earthquakes
7.3-magnitude earthquake rattles Philippines, Indonesia - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The U.S. Geological Survey said a 7.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea between the Philippines and Indonesia on Tuesday. The quake occurred at a depth of about 380 miles. Officials did not issue a tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said."
Comment: At 7.3 magnitude, that's a very large earthquake and would have done a lot of damage if it struck a populated region.
UPI reports: "The U.S. Geological Survey said a 7.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea between the Philippines and Indonesia on Tuesday. The quake occurred at a depth of about 380 miles. Officials did not issue a tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said."
Comment: At 7.3 magnitude, that's a very large earthquake and would have done a lot of damage if it struck a populated region.
Monday, January 09, 2017
Rumors of War - Persia
USS Mahan fires warning shots at Iranian vessels in Strait of Hormuz - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. officials said the USS Mahan Navy destroyer fired several warning shots after four Iranian vessels closed in at a high speed in the Strait of Hormuz. The encounter occurred Sunday after the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard boats did not respond to the Mahan's radio request to stop. The Iranian ships sailed within a half-mile of the Mahan, which was escorting two U.S. ships, Fox News reported. The Iranian ships approached the vessel at a high rate of speed five separate times, CNN reported. The Mahan fired three warning flares, while a Navy helicopter also dropped a smoke float."
Comment: I wonder what the Iranians think of Trump? Will they continue this reckless behavior or will they decide to test Trump just to see if he responds the same way Obama does?
UPI reports: "U.S. officials said the USS Mahan Navy destroyer fired several warning shots after four Iranian vessels closed in at a high speed in the Strait of Hormuz. The encounter occurred Sunday after the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard boats did not respond to the Mahan's radio request to stop. The Iranian ships sailed within a half-mile of the Mahan, which was escorting two U.S. ships, Fox News reported. The Iranian ships approached the vessel at a high rate of speed five separate times, CNN reported. The Mahan fired three warning flares, while a Navy helicopter also dropped a smoke float."
Comment: I wonder what the Iranians think of Trump? Will they continue this reckless behavior or will they decide to test Trump just to see if he responds the same way Obama does?
Peace of Jerusalem
Nine arrested after Jerusalem truck attacker kills four soldiers - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Police arrested nine suspects after a truck struck Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, killing four and injuring 16, a police spokesman said. The truck plowed through a group of soldiers disembarking from a bus Sunday, then reversed and ran them down again. Three of the injured were in serious condition, including one, a woman, in a coma. Police shot at the truck until it stopped."
UPI reports: "Police arrested nine suspects after a truck struck Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, killing four and injuring 16, a police spokesman said. The truck plowed through a group of soldiers disembarking from a bus Sunday, then reversed and ran them down again. Three of the injured were in serious condition, including one, a woman, in a coma. Police shot at the truck until it stopped."
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