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crazy humans.

The Philippine delegation to the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague. File Photo from the Department of Foreign Affairs

globalnation.inquirer.net

duha ray rason nganong panagsa na si bai bugs dinhi karong panahona---gakamang na siya padung sa iyang laptop tungod sa kahubog, o nagtuon pa siyag inintsik.

hi, bugs.  welcome back!

The explosion was heard in Sitio Mananawin and Sitio Upper Pantao, Brgy. Pula, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Alert Level 1 means that a volcano is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest. During this alert level, local government units and the public are prohibited to enter the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because of possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.

Pilots are also advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit.

manilatimes.net

Phivolcs ups alert level over restive Kanlaon volcano

November 24, 2015 6:28 pm

The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) declared alert level 1 over Kanlaon volcano after its eruption Monday night.

A steam explosion occurred at its crater at 9:55 p.m. and lasted for eight minutes, Phivolcs said. The volcano continued to emit ash from the summit Tuesday morning.

“Only four (4) volcanic earthquakes had been recorded during the past week by the Kanlaon Network, but after the explosion, the network recorded volcanic tremor that lasted for five hours,” the agency added.

4.0 magnitude earthquake hits Bohol

INQUIRER.net
06:17 PM November 24th, 2015

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake hit Bohol on Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Philvolcs said the epicenter of the quake was traced in Sagbayan at 4:36 p.m.

The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, was felt at Intensity IV in Talibon, Intensity III in Sagbayan and Inabanga, and Intensity II in San Miguel and Cebu City. YG

newsinfo.inquirer.net


more details at more at http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/html/update_SOEPD/EQLatest.html

that's my kind of kitty; brave, daring, going where others dread to tread.  viva, mestizo siamese!

10. Plantain Leaf


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Plantain leaves are often part of traditional delicacies in tropical regions of the world. But like everything else on this list, it is one of the best herbs for lung cleansing. For hundreds of years the plantain leaf was used to treat common respiratory disorders. It was even considered as one of the 9 sacred herbs in Anglo-Saxon medicine. The medicinal properties of plantain leaves are still applied today, as it is a popular choice for lung detoxification.

How it works: Studies show that plantain leaf contains pectin and glycerin, two common ingredients found in lozenges and cough syrups. They give plantain leaf the ability to act as a demulcent that creates a soothing film over irritated airways and stimulates the production of mucus. The herb can therefore be used for the relief of dry cough and other respiratory discomforts. But that’s not all. Plantain leaf also has antimicrobial, antitoxin, and anti-inflammatory properties which are essential in fighting and preventing respiratory infection.

How to cleanse your lungs: Make tea by brewing 1 to 2 plantain leaves in a cup of boiling water. Or, you can simply eat a boiled plantain fruit. Continue ingesting the fruit or tea for 2 to 3 months or until your symptoms are gone.

healthydietbase.com

9. Elecampane


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Elecampane has a multitude of medicinal benefits. Traditional medicine employs this flowering herb as a remedy for advanced lung diseases like tuberculosis, although it is also used for more common respiratory ailments. In traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic practice, it is often prescribed for asthma and bronchitis.

How it works: Elecampane roots contain sesquiterpene lactones which have antiseptic and soothing benefits. By eliminating the cause of respiratory infection and relieving irritated airways and lungs, it can effectively treat coughs and colds. Elecampane also functions to eliminate toxins from the respiratory tract, which is why it is used to treat tuberculosis, asthma, and emphysema. Furthermore, the herb contains inulin which, apart from soothing irritated passages, acts as an expectorant and expels mucus.

How to cleanse your lungs: Ground elecampane roots and add a teaspoon to a cup of water. The roots must be acquired from a plant not older than two or three years to detoxify your lungs. For non-threatening respiratory ailments like flu, coughs, and colds, drink it as tea 3 times a day until symptoms subside. If you have a more serious condition like tuberculosis, you can drink elecampane tea for up to 3 months. To relieve congestion, boil the roots and inhale its vapor for a few minutes. Elecampane roots have an odor similar to camphor â€" a known remedy for nasal congestion.

8. Indian Tobacco


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

It’s not really tobacco but rather, a common name for a flowering plant that is now used for lung cleansing. Also known as Lobelia Inflata, the herb grows only once or twice a year in its native territory â€" North America. Native Americans are no stranger to the medicinal benefits of this attractive herb. They have used it to treat respiratory diseases and other illnesses long before we started using it to detoxify our lungs.

How it works: Lobeline is an alkaloid and the main component behind the Indian tobacco’s lung benefits. It promotes the expulsion of phlegm by loosening and thinning mucus found in the lungs and air passages. Lobeline opens up the airways since it is a bronchodilator. The herb stimulates the release of epinephrine which promotes easier breathing.

Lobelia Inflata is especially useful for asthma, bronchitis, and other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPDs). But its antispasmodic effects make it an effective remedy for croup and laryngitis. It is also commonly used as a cold remedy. Ironically, Indian tobacco may be used to prevent tobacco withdrawal in people who want to quit smoking.

How to cleanse your lungs: Add 5 to 10 leaves of Indian tobacco in boiling water. Inhale the steam for at least 10 minutes, twice a day to cleanse your lungs.

7. Coltsfoot


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Don’t let its toxicity scare you. When taken properly, this perennial herb can do wonders for your lungs. Coltsfoot leaves were used in ancient times as a treatment for colds, flu, cough, and other respiratory problems. It has been a part of Ancient Greek, Native American, and traditional Austrian medicine long before people started using it to cleanse their lungs.

Coltsfoot is also an effective treatment for the smoker’s lungs.

How it works: Coltsfoot assists in the recovery from smoker’s lungs by removing accumulated tar. For everyone else, it loosens up mucus and acts as an expectorant, clearing the lungs and air passages and easing congestion. Coltsfoot also has soothing effects because of its mucilage, which makes it excellent for the relief of sore throat and dry cough. It can be used as a remedy for asthma, bronchitis, pertussis, flu, coughs, colds, and pneumonia.

How to cleanse your lungs: Coltsfoot leaves are the typical choice for lung cleansing. However, its flowers are more potent. You can use both the leaves and flowers of this plant to create a tea that will detoxify your lungs. For best results, mix 1 part of coltsfoot leaves and/or flowers with 2 parts mullein and 1 part uva ursi. Add 1 tsp. of this mixture to a cup of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes before drinking. Drink the tea at least once a day.

6. Thyme


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Surprised? Thyme may be a common kitchen herb, but like Oregano, it can detoxify your lungs. The evergreen plant has had many uses since ancient times, although its lung cleansing effects weren’t discovered until recently.

How it works: Thyme leaves contain a potent detoxifying agent known as thymol â€" a naturally occurring substance with antiseptic effects. Thymol is so good at fighting microbes that it is commonly the active ingredient in mouthwashes. Thyme cleanses the lungs and airways by removing bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This makes it particularly useful against respiratory infections including pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, and the usual coughs and colds. Additionally, thyme may be used to remedy nasal and lung congestion. That’s because it thins out phlegm for effortless expulsion.

How to cleanse your lungs: Add fresh or dried thyme leaves to a pot of boiling water. Let it sit for two minutes and drink as tea. You can have at least 2 to 3 cups of thyme tea for lung detox. But if you’re fighting a respiratory infection, it is advised that you drink a cup for every hour until you are fully recovered. Inhaling the steam from freshly boiled thyme leaves is also beneficial for relieving congestion.

5. Licorice Root


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

We’re not talking about licorice sticks. You know â€" that sweet candy we love to snack on. We’re talking about licorice, the plant from which this delectable treat is sourced from. You see, licorice root is not just an ingredient used to make sweets. It’s also one of the best herbs for lung detoxification.

How it works: Licorice root is well-known for its sweet flavor. While most herbs on this list rely on a minty flavor to provide relief, licorice root gives a similar effect behind a sweet punch! This herb effectively relieves throat and lung irritation caused by ailments like sore throat, dry cough, and allergen exposure.

You can very well expect licorice root to act as an expectorant during lung cleansing. It loosens up phlegm so it is easier to expel. It even has antibiotic properties, killing bacteria and viruses and preventing respiratory infection. Licorice root is also bronchodilator; meaning it makes breathing easier for people experiencing difficulties. Thus, it may be used to treat asthma and bronchitis.

How to cleanse your lungs: Licorice tea is very soothing. You can make some by adding 1 tsp. of crushed licorice root to a cup of boiling water and letting it steep. Drink the tea at least 3 times a day.

4. Lungwort


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Also known as pulmonaria, this herb couldn’t be any more obvious on its lung cleansing benefits. It is a flowering plant that resembles lung tissue, hence its name. Lungwort has been used as a remedy for respiratory problems since the 1600s â€" a practice that persists today.

How it works: Lungwort acts by increasing the production of serous mucus in the air passages. This thins out phlegm and makes it easier to expectorate. Besides clearing out mucus, lungwort is known to remove accumulated tar from the lungs, throat, and airways. Smokers who want to quit smoking would greatly benefit from this herb. People suffering from bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory diseases that constrict the airways can benefit from lungwort as well due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Studies have shown that the herb is equally beneficial for relieving irritated air passages. Further research proves that it helps fight bacteria and viruses which may cause respiratory infection. The protective qualities of lungwort can be attributed to its high levels of antioxidants, namely phenolic compounds.

How to cleanse your lungs: Lungwort is best taken as tea. You can prepare your own by mixing 1 to 2 tsps. of dried lungwort leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Let the infusion sit for a couple of minutes. Drink 1 cup three times a day to cleanse your lungs.

3. Osha Root


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Osha is a plant you rarely get to hear about, yet it is one of the most powerful lung detoxifiers you can imagine. It grows on the high mountains of northwest Mexico and the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Native Americans living in these areas were among the first to discover its medicinal properties. They used it for treating colds, cough, and other respiratory problems. In modern day, its roots are common ingredients in cough drops and lozenges because of their soothing effects.

How it works: Osha root contains oils that are essential for lung cleansing. Among its detoxifying ingredients are camphor, terpenes, saponins, phytosterols, and ferulic acid. Osha root promotes the expectoration of mucus from the lungs and sinuses while protecting you from respiratory infections. It also increases blood flow in the lungs which improves their overall health function. Osha root has antihistamine properties which are useful against asthma and other respiratory problems triggered by allergen exposure. If you have irritated airways or a sore throat, this herb can give you relief.

How to cleanse your lungs: Prepare an infusion by adding 1 to 2 tsps. of cut or crushed Osha root to 1 cup of boiling water. Steam for at least 25 minutes and drink as tea.

2. Mullein


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

The flowering plant has long been employed as an herbal remedy for respiratory ailments including asthma, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Austrians traditionally took it as tea or added it to ointments and baths for external use. Today, extracts are often derived from its flowers and leaves to create herbal medicine. But you can still use mullein in more practical ways to cleanse your lungs.

How it works: Mullein is a natural expectorant. It contains saponins which break down mucus in the lungs and airways and reduces nasal congestion. The demulcent effects of the plant are also noteworthy. It has soothing properties which effectively calm irritated lungs and airways caused by exposure to air impurities.

How to cleanse your lungs: Prepare mullein as tea by adding 1 to 2 tsps. of dried flowers and/or leaves to a cup of boiling water. Steam the herb for 10 minutes then strain before drinking. It is also recommended that you inhale the steam once tea has been prepared, as this can help with nasal congestion. Another way to use mullein for lung cleansing is to smoke it. While smoking is usually bad for the lungs, this herb is an exception â€" it soothes and stops coughs.

1. Oregano


Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Oregano is a popular herb used for cooking. It belongs to the mint family and has this minty flavor and aroma that goes well with certain foods.

How it works: Whenever dust, molds, pollen, and toxic gases get into your lungs, your body releases histamine to prevent them from doing any more damage. But as a result, your body develops either allergies or allergy-like symptoms. You start sneezing and coughing, produce more mucus than usual, develop nasal congestion, and have difficulty breathing. Oregano can help reduce the severity of these symptoms because it has rosmarinic acid â€" a natural antihistamine. The herb also contains thymol, terpenes, and carvacrol which can effectively eradicate fungi and different types of bacteria from your lungs.

In addition to its antihistamine, antibacterial, and fungicidal benefits, oregano is a natural decongestant. Research by the ENT Department of the Israel Institute of Technology discovered that oregano â€" along with other aromatic herbs â€" improved airflow along the nasal passages. Oregano can therefore assist in clearing out your lungs of any excess mucus.

How to cleanse your lungs: Cook oregano with food. The aroma it gives off while cooking acts as a decongestant. Oregano can be prepared fresh or dry depending on your taste. You can also add a few drops of oregano oil in your milk, tea, or juice at least once a day to detoxify your lungs.

The 10 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing

February 10, 2015

Our lungs are capable of incredible feats. After all, they are vital body parts. The average adult can take in as much as 6 litres of air and breathe a total of 11,000 litres every day. Besides being able to inflate and deflate like balloons, the internal surface of the lungs can stretch up to 100 square meters when fully expanded. Fun facts aside, the lungs function to absorb oxygen from the air we breathe so that our body could make use of it. Without oxygen, we couldn’t possibly survive!

It’s quite unfortunate that our lungs are so easily abused. Smokers expose their lungs to tar and thousands of toxic chemicals with their bad habit. Even people who don’t smoke unknowingly inhale poisonous fumes, radioactive gases, and other pollutants. Lucky for you, there are natural ways to undo damage done to your lungs and restore them to a healthier state.

Here are the 10 best herbs for lung cleansing.

Turmeric and Gram Flour Mask for Oily Skin

Turmeric is beneficial for oily skin as it regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands.

1 tablespoon of gram flour
½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
Water

Mix turmeric powder and gram flour. Add a little water to the mixture for preparing a paste. Make sure that the consistency of the paste is not drippy. Apply to skin.

yahoo.com

Turmeric Face Pack for Acne Breakouts and Blackheads

Turmeric made into a paste and applied to acne-prone areas can destroy the bacteria that cause inflammation and remove excessive oil from the skin. Turmeric possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are both beneficial in treating acne.

¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 tablespoon of honey
½ teaspoon of lemon juice

Mix ingredients in a bowl. Cleanse the face before applying this pack. On clean skin, apply this pack evenly. Allow it to rest on the skin for 15 minutes and then wash off. Rinse off and pat dry with a clean towel.

But if you’d rather DIY your turmeric beauty treatments, here are three face mask recipes from Scholten to compliment your morning turmeric milk drink:

Turmeric Wrinkle Reducer and Radiant Skin Mask

Turmeric powder may be used to brighten skin tone, but it’s main ingredient â€" curcumin â€" works to suppress excess melanin production caused by sunlight. This turmeric face mask will make any dull skin super radiant!

¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of yogurt

Mix turmeric and yogurt into a smooth paste. Apply it on a cleansed face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the mask.

So, if you’re looking for beauty treatments with turmeric, there are currently a few available on the market. The Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Cleansing Butter ($55) contains kasturi turmeric for its anti-inflammatory purposes, which makes the rich cleanser ideal for winter dryness. It comes with a konjac sponge for gentle scrubbing, but if you want even more turmeric in your cleansing routine, the Daily Concepts Turmeric Konjac Sponge ($18) is infused with the spice. (The Origins Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Mask ($38) is highly rated for its soothing properties, especially if you’re prone to redness and breaking out. And Brooklyn-based S.W. Basics’ Oil Serum ($29) contains turmeric oil for the most extreme needs for hydration. But the OG turmeric beauty product â€" and possibly the most effective and cheapest one â€" is Vicco Turmeric Skin Cream ($7), an ayurvedic medicine that Shah recommends for a few of her patients on top of Western treatments and medications. Vicco was founded in 1952 with production facilities in Dombivli, Nagpur, and Goa, and it contains sandalwood oil, which is an astringent. Refinery29 writer Kelsey Miller credits the cream for deep cleaning her skin.


Vicco Turmeric Skin Cream, made of sandalwood oil and turmeric powder. (Photo: Courtesy of Vicco)

Heather Scholten, co-founder of spice company Spiceologist explains that turmeric is gentle for both ingestion and topical application â€" which is rare for many spices (remember the skin burning controversy from the French beauty blogger who made a mask out of cinnamon?). “When ingested, turmeric has been used to heal stomach and liver ailments. Those who consume turmeric on a regular basis report a reduction in arthritis pain, heartburn, sensitive stomachs, headaches, colds, and menstrual cramps,” she says. Not surprisingly, Hum Nutrition’s Turn Back Time Supplements ($40) contain turmeric for its healing properties.


Even luxury beauty products contain turmeric. The Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Cleansing Butter uses turmeric for its soothing properties. (Photo: Peter Thomas Roth)

In May 2015, Quantico star Priyanka Chopra told Into the Gloss that she sometimes mixes turmeric powder with cream or yogurt to make a scrub. “You’d be amazed at what it can take off your skin,” she said. Shah notes that the powder itself isn’t an exfoliator. “I know people say it’s like an exfoliating agent, but in Indian culture, it’s mixed with chickpea powder, which actually exfoliates,” she explains. “It’s not irritating by itself, which is why it’s good for all skin types.” Shah likes making a mask out of turmeric powder, milk, honey and a bit of almond oil. Shah notes that many of the claims about turmeric still need to be studied further, but so far the studies have demonstrated efficacy.

“Turmeric has really strong antioxidant properties and can reduce inflammation due to its active agent, curcumin,” Manhattan-based dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, tells Yahoo Beauty. “There are a lot of conditions it can help improve because so many ailments have a condition of inflammation.” Shah comes from an Indian family and recalls watching her mother drink a mixture called “turmeric milk” every morning: “Plain turmeric is difficult to drink or eat; it’s really the constellation of spices that make it good. My mom does half milk, half water, puts turmeric in it, and boils the mixture.” As part of the Indian wedding ceremony, there is traditionally an event called turmeric ceremony, in which a paste made of the spice is applied to the groom and bride’s bodies. “It’s applied to beautify the skin,” Shah explains. “It has skin-brightening properties. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and possibly antioxidant properties. People also say it can regulate oil production.”

Turmeric is a Breakthrough Beauty Superfood

By Noël Duan
23 November 2015


Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, has powerful beauty and health benefits. (Photo: Getty Images)

Science and technology have helped develop some of the most revolutionary beauty innovations in the past 30 years, from Botox to microcurrents to the importance of wearing sunscreen (goodbye, foil screens!) â€" but one of the biggest breakthroughs in beauty this year has been used for thousands of years. We just didn’t have any clinical studies to demonstrate its properties until now. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, but it doesn’t have the zesty zing of its flavorful cousin. It does, however, pack a punch with its health benefits and its earthy orange color, which can stain your skin and clothing. Unlike many beauty breakthroughs though, you can actually DIY turmeric treatments on your own, in addition to using products containing turmeric on the shelves.

Earlier this month, an anxious China went so far as sabotaging a high-level talk among regional defence ministers, the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting-Plus, by refusing to sign up to a joint statement that would have covered the South China Sea disputes.

Yet, to China's dismay, the recently concluded ASEAN summit saw Southeast Asian foreign ministers pushing for a legally binding "code of conduct" in the South China Sea as a way to constraint China's territorial assertiveness in the area.

Without a doubt, China is expected to stand its ground and further consolidate its territorial claims in adjacent waters. But it is also clear that Beijing is no longer seen as a fully benign, peacefully rising power by many of its neighbours, who have increasingly gravitated towards the US as the supposed guarantor of regional security in Asia.

Richard Javad Heydarian is a specialist in Asian geopolitical/economic affairs and author of "Asia's New Battlefield: US, China, and the Struggle for Western Pacific"

aljazeera.com

Regional pushback

Vietnam, another maritime rival of China, also signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Philippines, which deepens diplomatic, legal, and naval cooperation between the two Southeast Asian countries against China. The new agreement was meant to signal to Beijing that its rivals in the South China Sea were forming a counter-alliance.

The Philippines signed a new military deal with Japan as well, another regional power that has been perturbed by China's maritime assertiveness. Under the latest deal, the Philippines is expected to benefit from greater military aid from and more regular joint naval exercises with Tokyo.

Other regional powers such as Australia, South Korea and even Russia, offered greater military assistance to the Philippines, which has been caught in a precarious maritime dispute with China.

Allies chip-in

After all, Xi's visit would mark his first to the Southeast Asian country, potentially paving the way for the resuscitation of long-frozen high-level contacts between the two countries. As the leader of the second biggest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, Xi's presence was considered as essential to a successful APEC summit.

Though China managed to block any discussion of the disputes in the APEC's main statements, the Philippines did bring the issue to the fore in its bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the summit.

Shortly after landing in Manila, US President Barack Obama made a highly symbolic visit to the Philippines' flagship naval vessel BRP Gregorio del Pilar. He reiterated the United States' "ironclad commitment" to its alliance with the Philippines, pledging to donate two vessels and an increase in overall maritime security assistance to the country.

Both countries emphasised the centrality of freedom of navigation to regional security. For the US and its allies, China's massive reclamation activities and increased military presence across the South China Sea poses threats to freedom of navigation in one of the world's most important sea lines of communications.

Fearful that the Philippines, this year's APEC host and China's rival claimant state, would use the event to diplomatically confront Beijing, Xi refused to confirm his participation until the 11th hour, and making it conditional on the host's agreement to brush aside the maritime disputes during the APEC summit.

Before Xi's highly anticipated visit, China dispatched Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Manila to warn the Philippines against embarrassing his boss. In effect, Beijing tried to influence the summit's agenda so that no dark shadow would be cast on its image.

To secure Xi's participation, and to bolster its credentials as a magnanimous host, Manila promised not to mention the disputes in the main agenda of APEC, and extended a warm welcome to the Chinese leader.

The elephant in the room

China's weakened regional position was evident during the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits.

Without a doubt, China is expected to stand its ground and further consolidate its territorial claims in adjacent waters. But it is also clear that Beijing is no longer seen as a fully benign, peacefully rising power by many of its neighbours.

Confronting criticism over its territorial assertiveness in adjacent waters, China desperately sought to eliminate any multilateral discussion of the South China Sea disputes.

Conscious of growing worries over China's economic health, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech during the APEC summit, was adamant that his country's economy is strong, resilient, and dynamic.

All of a sudden, China has been on the diplomatic back foot, while the US and its allies have been confidently pushing for greater regional unity to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region.

No wonder then, that leading naval experts such as James Holmes have described China as "a near-peer [military] competitor vis-a-vis the United States" in East Asia.

And yet, one can't escape the impression that China is suffering increasing diplomatic isolation due to its aggressive manoeuvres across contested waters such as the South China Sea.

Not to mention that China's recent economic troubles, ranging from massive stock market crashes to declining manufacturing exports, have chipped away at its long-held image as a beacon of capitalist success.

China's regional isolation

The Asian giant is suffering increasing diplomatic isolation due to its aggressive manoeuvres across contested waters.

23 Nov 2015

Richard Javad Heydarian
Richard Javad Heydarian is a specialist in Asian geopolitical/economic affairs.


ASEAN summit saw member countries pushing for a legally binding 'code of conduct' in the South China Sea as a way to constraint China's territorial assertiveness in the area, writes Heydarian [AP]

On the surface, China looks nothing short of an Asian juggernaut. It boasts Asia's biggest economy, having eclipsed Japan in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, and is poised to become the world's biggest in the near future.

It is already the world's largest trading power, having overtaken the United States in 2013. And within a relatively short period, China has emerged as a leading investor, particularly in the realm of infrastructure development, across the global south and beyond.

Unlike Japan, China is a comprehensive power, which isn't bedevilled by constitutional restrictions on the development of its offensive military capabilities. Flushed with cash and ambition, China has rapidly caught up with leading military powers, now boasting two operational fifth-generation jet fighters, an aircraft carrier, and sophisticated asymmetrical area-denial/anti-access (A2/AD) capabilities.

contemplating suicide?  argh.

the doggie, hands down.

A combination picture shows portraits of victims displayed on various sites of last week's Paris attacks, France, November 22, 2015. (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann)

Belgian soldiers patrol Brussels' Grand Place on November 22, 2015, after security was tightened in Belgium following the fatal attacks in Paris. Belgium widened its search on Sunday for armed Islamist extremists whose presence has put Brussels on maximum alert, with officials saying more than one militant was at large in the city. (REUTERS/Yves Herman)

Diesel


Dobrynya


People in France reacted very warmly to a gesture of friendship on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs when it sent a puppy, named Dobrynya, to French police.

After the tragic death of Diesel, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, which was a member of a French anti-terrorist police unit, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs sent Dobrynya to show solidarity with the French people and their police in the fight against terrorism.

sputniknews.com

best reply, wardz!

"France haughtily began executing air strikes against the Khilafah (Caliphate). Like Russia, it was blinded by hubris (arrogance) thinking its geographical distance from the lands of the Khilafah would protect it," the magazine says in its lead article.

"Islamic State dispatched its brave knights to wage war in the homelands of the wicked crusaders, leaving Paris and its residents shocked and awed. The eight knights brought Paris down on its knees," it adds.

The 'Dabiq' boasts that 'only eight of our knights armed with just assault rifles and explosive belts' have managed to force France declare a state of emergency.

The magazine carries pictures of what it claims to be the bomb that was planted on the Russian airliner that crashed in Egypt's Sinai desert.

bdnews24.com

The 'Dabiq' article pulls up the "secular government of Awami League" and claims it has "twisted facts and played a blame game".

That perhaps refers to the claims by the Bangladesh government that there was no Islamic State presence in the country and that elements out to destabilise the nation were behind the murders of Tavella and Hoshi.

The US monitoring group SITE had earlier said that the Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the murders of Tavella and Hoshi.

The latest issue of 'Dabiq' is full of praise for the attackers of Paris and those who planted the bomb that brought down the Russian airliner in Sinai.

"A security cell belonging to the soldiers of the Khilafah in Bengal assassinated an Italian 'crusader' named Cesare Tavella on the streets of Gulshan in the city of Dhaka ... only days later another security cell targeted a Japanese citizen in the northern region of Rangpur," the 'Dabiq' article said.

It claimed that the "back-to-back attacks have caused havoc among the citizens of the crusader nations and their allies living in Bengal and forced their diplomats, tourists and expats to limit their movement and live in a constant state of fear."

Throughout the article, Bangladesh is referred to as Bengal.

But the article does not claim responsibility for the bombing of a Shia procession in Old Dhaka that followed the two murders.

Islamic State threatens more attacks in 'Bengal', meaning Bangladesh

Special Correspondent,  bdnews24.com
2015-11-21


An Islamic State militant holds a flag with the group's insignia. Reuters

Radical group Islamic State has threatened more attacks in "Bengal", meaning Bangladesh.

In the latest issue of its magazine 'Dabiq', the group has a full article titled "The Revival of Jihad in Bengal".

"The soldiers of the Khilafah will continue to rise and expand in Bengal and their actions will continue," the article warns.

The article claimed responsibility for the murders of Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella and Japanese national Kunio Hoshi.

hinaot mga gwapo/gwapa ang mga judges.  labi na gyod ang organizer.

Police said they were having trouble tracking down saboteurs as they were using these social media apps to communicate.

After the recent killing of two foreign nationals and attacks on police checkposts, the prime minister on Nov 8 said the perpetrators were taking advantage of internet-based applications to communicate. They were thus evading detection by the security agencies.

The prime minister hinted then at closing down some mobile apps to cut off the militants’ communication and funding.

bdnews24.com

This graph by Dyn Research site captures the internet blackout in Bangladesh for nearly 90 minutes on Wednesday. The time shown here is UTC, and six hours need to be added to it to get Bangladesh Standard Time.

Tarana Halim, briefing reporters at the Secretariat, urged the people to accept the situation in the greater interest of the nation. “You’ll (users) have to wait until further notice about when the closed apps will resume working.”

She said the government was keeping an eye on Twitter, Tango, imo and several other social networking and messaging applications.

The government had blocked some popular calling and messaging services such as WhatsApp and Viber for several days during the three-month agitation of the BNP-led alliance early this year.

 
This came two hours after the Supreme Court scrapped the review petitions and upheld the death sentences of war criminals Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid.

The government move came in the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s hint last week at clamping restrictions on the internet.

Users across the country were unable to access the World Wide Web between 1:15pm and 2:30pm.

But business returned to normal in the afternoon. However, some social media networking sites are still inaccessible and some mobile phone apps are not yet working.

Social networking sites closed for security reasons, says Minister Tarana Halim

Senior Correspondent,  bdnews24.com
2015-11-18


State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim at a meeting with the officials of state-run mobile-phone operator Teletalk at its Gulshan office on Wednesday. Photo: mostafigur rahman

The state minister for posts and telecommunications has said that the social networking site Facebook and the instant messaging applications Facebook Messenger, Viber and WhatsApp were shut down ‘in the interest of national security’.

But there was no directive to shut down the internet as a whole, says Tarana Halim, adding that the problem could have occurred when these apps were being shut down.

For the first time in Bangladesh, millions of users were shut out of the internet for about 90 minutes on Wednesday.

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury

Better known as Saqa, he was eldest son of the late Muslim League and Chittagong-based leader Fazlul Quader Chowdhury

His father was the speaker of the National Assembly of undivided Pakistan in 1965 and campaigned for a united Pakistan

Complained that the tribunal's verdict had come "from the [law] ministry", saying it was on the internet before it was announced in court



Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid

A student leader in 1971, he supported Bangladesh remaining part of Pakistan

Went into hiding soon after independence, but resurfaced after Gen Ziaur
Rahman came to power in a military coup in 1977

Was social welfare minister in the BNP-led government from 2001-2006 and was highly regarded for his organisational skills and oratory

BBC

Mujahid was the secretary-general of Jamaat-e-Islami. He was sentenced to death in July 2013.

He was accused of responsibility for the killings of a number of pro-independence Bangladeshi leaders and intellectuals.

The tribunal found him guilty of five charges, including abduction and murder.

Bangladesh's government says the war crimes trials are necessary to bring murderers to justice.

But the opposition says they have been used to persecute them and human rights groups have said the tribunal does not meet international standards.

BBC

The Supreme Court upheld their sentences earlier this month.

Chowdhury was the most senior leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to be sentenced for crimes against humanity.

Two years ago, a special war crimes tribunal found him guilty of nine out of 23 charges including genocide, arson and persecuting people on religious and political grounds.

The prosecution said that his father's residence in Chittagong was turned into a torture cell during the war.

Bangladesh hangs Chowdhury and Mujahid over 1971 war crimes

22 November 2015


AFP
Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid (pictured, left) and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury have been executed

Two Bangladesh opposition leaders have been executed for war crimes committed during the 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan.
Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were hanged in Dhaka's central jail.

They were convicted of genocide and rape - charges they denied.

Chowdhury has been an influential politician - he was elected MP six times. Mujahid was a top leader of Bangladesh's largest Islamist party.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said they were hanged after President Abdul Hamid rejected appeals for clemency by the two men.

However, family members have dismissed reports that the men had made any such appeals, which would have also required admissions of guilt.

"My father said he did not seek any mercy," Chowdhury's son, Humam Qauder Chowdhury, told AFP news agency, after meeting his father for the last time hours before his execution. "He has always said he's innocent."

please give us a happy ending for this sometime soon.

"If there is something that should stop, it is the United States should stop playing up the South China Sea issue, stop heightening tensions in the South China Sea," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in Beijing.

APEC members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have rival claims to parts of the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas resources.


U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks after touring the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar at Manila Harbor in Manila, Philippines, November 17, 2015.

Obama and many Southeast Asia nations attending the Manila trade talks will proceed on to Malaysia for a regional summit.

The South China Sea row, the spectre of terrorism and the US-led Trans Pacific Partnership free trade pact are likely to again be the main subjects of discussion in Malaysia.

yahoo.com
images, various online sources

Vietnam also signed a strategic partnership this week in Manila with the Philippines, deepening security ties partly in response to Chinese assertiveness in the sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has studiously avoided bringing up the dispute at the talks in Manila.

But officials in Beijing reacted with anger to Obama's efforts to bolster US allies, while insisting China's construction work in the contested areas was "lawful, justified and reasonable".


Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Philippines President Benigno Aquino III listen during a ABAC dialogue at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The meeting's official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus. (AP Photo/Wally Santana,Pool)

But those hopes were dashed when US president Barack Obama flew into Manila on Tuesday and announced more than $250 million in maritime aid for those Southeast Asian allies.

He also offered a warship to the Philippines, one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the dispute.

On Wednesday, shortly before the trade talks got underway, Obama repeated Washington's demand that China halt any further land reclamation and militarisation.

"We discussed the impact of China’s land reclamation and construction activities on regional stability," Obama told reporters after meeting Philippine President Benigno Aquino.

"We agree on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction, and militarisation of disputed areas in the South China Sea."


Chinese President Xi Jingping (R) walks past US President Barack Obama as leaders gather for a photo before a dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila on November 18, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ted Aljibe)

Smaller nations with overlapping claims, including summit host the Philippines, are rattled by China's increasing assertiveness in the sea.

These actions have included a spate of island building on disputed reefs and shoals, and many Asian nations are looking to Washington for support.

China had been hoping that the long festering territorial dispute would not surface at the trade gathering.


Heads of state and other attendees join in a toast by Philippine President Benigno Aquino (not pictured) at a welcome dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila on November 18, 2015 (AFP Photo/Noel Celis)

Final day of Asia-Pacific talks sidetracked by sea dispute

AFP
19 November 2015


President Xi Jinping of China speaks November 18, 2015 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila, the Philippines as China's assertions of South China Sea sovereignty added to tensions among leaders gathered there (AFP Photo/PCOO-MALACANANG)

Manila (AFP) - Asia-Pacific leaders will on Thursday wrap up two days of talks in Manila that have been overshadowed by an arm-wrestle for regional influence between the United States and China.

The annual 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering -- hosted this year by the Philippines -- is meant to forge trade unity but often finds itself sidetracked by other events.

This year the summit has heard intense rhetoric over the South China Sea, a strategically vital body of water claimed almost in its entirety by China.

tingali ang solusyon ani magpuyo na lang siya ug iyang potential bana ug balay nga way jalousie.  better still, way sira ang bintana.

mahapak gihapon ang bana ug jalousie kun mahubog, hahaha!

Canada vs Mexico vs the Philippines



Disney princes, they say

Share of government ministers that are women:  20%


BBC
more at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-34808717

There are more female than male senior officials, managers and legislators.

Women: 57%          Men: 43%


Only in Colombia, Fiji and the Philippines do more women than men occupy these roles.

Proportion of university graduates that are women:  57%

Proportion of women and men in, or looking for, work:  53% Women; 81% Men


Did you know that out of 145 countries, the only four where more women than men are in work are in Africa? These are Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Burundi.

Top ranking

1.   Iceland
2.   Norway
3.   Finland
4.   Sweden
5.   Ireland
6.   Rwanda
7.   Philippines
8.   Switzerland
9.   Slovenia
10.   New Zealand


Bottom ranking

145.   Yemen
144.   Pakistan
143.   Syria
142.   Chad
141.   Iran
140.   Jordan
139.   Morocco
138.   Lebanon
137.   Mali
136.   Egypt

Your country is among the most gender equal in the world.

It ranks 7/145

Help each other


Getty Images

The chances of being caught up in a major attack are still low. But if it does happen, co-operating with others can increase people's chance of survival, says Chris Cocking, social psychologist and expert in crowd behaviour.

After the 7/7 London attacks, Cocking helped interview dozens of people involved and concluded that the quickest and most efficient way for a group to evacuate is for people to work together.

This is the only way to avoid situations such as a crowd getting jammed at a fire escape. Cocking says that most people are likely to try to help each other even in extreme situations. "There's an assumption that it's everybody for themselves but that just doesn't happen," he says.

BBC Magazine

After the escape

Once someone has managed to escape the situation it's important for them to remain vigilant. "Get as far away as possible, behind as much hard cover as possible and go to the nearest authority figures for help," says Reed.

It can be dangerous to join big groups nearby and to take public transport. "Always assume that there's going to be a secondary device or action," adds Reed. The key is to take advice from police officers or other officials, as they may have better knowledge of the situation.

Fighting back

Rushing a gunman has worked in some situations. In August, a train attack was foiled in France after passengers overpowered the lone gunman. But of the four passengers involved in subduing him, one was in the Air Force and another in the National Guard. The men only made the attempt after the shooter's weapon jammed.


Getty Images
Three American men confronted a gunman on a train in France

Reed says that it's not a good idea to take on an assailant without training. "It's just risking your life," he adds. It's important to remember that many attackers will be working in teams. Some will be wearing body armour and others could be carrying explosives.

Adel Termos is thought to have saved dozens of lives in Beirut last week after he tackled a bomber from behind. But the suicide vest exploded and both Termos and the bomber died in the blast.

Despite the dangers, some people argue that it's important to be ready to fight if necessary. Members of the Islamic State group are not motivated by taking hostages, says James Alvarez, psychologist and hostage negotiator. "There's nobody to negotiate with. Your value lies in you being dead. If I know that I'm going to be shot, I'd like to think that I'm not going to go down quietly."


Le Monde
One man helped a pregnant woman who hung from a window

Many survivors in Paris did this instinctively - turning tables over to use as makeshift shelters or hiding behind speakers in the concert hall. But the lack of cover on the main floor of the Bataclan meant not everyone there was able to hide.

An Irish couple survived by playing dead. Another survivor, Theresa Cede, told the BBC: "One guy was badly hurt, and moaning, so we tried to say: 'Shh, be quiet, stay alive and don't move,' because every time there was movement somewhere, there were more gunshots."

"They are looking for movement - it will catch their eye," explains Reed. This is especially true if it's dark. Some people in the Bataclan did run for the exit when the attackers paused to reload. This can be risky, but in some scenarios running away is a good idea. According to eyewitnesses on Friday, several people chose to stay hidden in offices and toilets until help arrived.

Lassana Bathily: "I switched off the fridge... and told customers to stay calm"

In January, 24-year-old Lassana Bathily was hailed a hero after hiding Jewish shoppers in a basement cold store during an attack by an Islamist gunman. He switched off the fridge and the lights and ran to get help. All of those he hid survived.

Make yourself a smaller target

"Where there's cover from sight, there's cover from fire," advises Ian Reed, a former British soldier, military instructor and chief executive of the Formative Group security firm. The first thing is to try to get out of the way and make yourself a smaller target. This can involve simply dropping to the ground but ideally means getting behind some sort of cover.

Hard cover such as a concrete wall is the best option. "Obviously, Hollywood has portrayed cars as being bulletproof but that's not necessarily the case," says Reed. Despite this, even a car is better than nothing at all.

When an attack happens in a tightly packed space, a single bullet can end up injuring several people. Keeping out of sight reduces the risk that you can be targeted deliberately and also the chances of being hit by someone simply spraying the room with fire.

Philonenko Gregoire says his prosthetic leg "fooled" the gunman who was checking people on the ground for movement

React quickly


Getty Images

The vast majority of people will be too confused to do anything during an attack. Leach has looked at life-threatening situations around the world and has found that only 15% of people will respond in a way that helps them survive. Up to 75% will just be too bewildered by what is happening around them to react at all. The other 10% will react in ways that reduce their chances of survival and get in the way of other people, he says.

Acting decisively might make survival more likely. But it's also human nature to wait for other people to act first. In a classic experiment, psychologists put people in a room and filled it with smoke to see how they would react. People who were on their own were more likely to take action than those who were with other people.

Be prepared

Many survivors of the Paris attacks have said that they mistook the first gunshots for fireworks. This is typical, says John Leach, survival psychologist and military survival instructor.

People who are not expecting gunshots will assume that they are something else because it does not fit in with their expectations. "We respond to the model in our head and we don't respond directly to the environment and that is what makes us vulnerable," he says.


AFP/Getty Images
Fans at the Eagles of Death Metal gig did not expect to hear gunfire

The time it can take to understand what is happening can be lethal. But if someone has already thought through a few worst-case scenarios then this process will be quicker. "All you need to ask is - if anything goes wrong, what is my first response going to be?" explains Leach.

It's easy to sit in a restaurant or cinema without paying any attention to the emergency exits. But knowing where they are can save lives. In the attack on the Bataclan concert hall on Friday, a security guard led a group of people to safety through the fire exit on the left of the stage.

What should you do in an attack?

By Camila Ruz
BBC News Magazine
18 November 2015


Rex Features

Attacks of the magnitude of those that took place in Paris, killing 129 people and injuring more than 400, are extremely rare. The authorities do prepare for these emergencies but what advice is there for ordinary people?

Prof Laura Piddock, from the campaign group Antibiotic Action, said the same antibiotics "should not be used in veterinary and human medicine".

She told the BBC News website: "Hopefully the post-antibiotic era is not upon us yet. However, this is a wake-up call to the world."

She argued the dawning of the post-antibiotic era "really depends on the infection, the patient and whether there are alternative treatment options available" as combinations of antibiotics may still be effective.

A commentary in the Lancet concluded the "implications [of this study] are enormous" and unless something significant changes, doctors would "face increasing numbers of patients for whom we will need to say, 'Sorry, there is nothing I can do to cure your infection.'"

BBC

'Untreatable'

The concern is that the new resistance gene will hook up with others plaguing hospitals, leading to bacteria resistant to all treatment - what is known as pan-resistance.

Prof Wilcox told the BBC News website: "Do I fear we'll get to an untreatable organism situation? Ultimately yes.

"Whether that happens this year, or next year, or the year after, it's very hard to say."

Early indications suggest the Chinese government is moving swiftly to address the problem.

Prof Walsh is meeting both the agricultural and health ministries this weekend to discuss whether colistin should be banned for agricultural use.


Thinkstock

Resistance to colistin has emerged before.

However, the crucial difference this time is the mutation has arisen in a way that is very easily shared between bacteria.

"The transfer rate of this resistance gene is ridiculously high, that doesn't look good," said Prof Mark Wilcox, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

His hospital is now dealing with multiple cases "where we're struggling to find an antibiotic" every month - an event he describes as being as "rare as hens' teeth" five years ago.

He said there was no single event that would mark the start of the antibiotic apocalypse, but it was clear "we're losing the battle".

And the resistance had spread between a range of bacterial strains and species, including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
There is also evidence that it has spread to Laos and Malaysia.

Prof Timothy Walsh, who collaborated on the study, from the University of Cardiff, told the BBC News website: "All the key players are now in place to make the post-antibiotic world a reality.

"If MRC-1 becomes global, which is a case of when not if, and the gene aligns itself with other antibiotic resistance genes, which is inevitable, then we will have very likely reached the start of the post-antibiotic era.
"At that point if a patient is seriously ill, say with E. coli, then there is virtually nothing you can do."


Thinkstock

Bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment - also known as the antibiotic apocalypse - could plunge medicine back into the dark ages.

Common infections would kill once again, while surgery and cancer therapies, which are reliant on antibiotics, would be under threat.

Key players

Chinese scientists identified a new mutation, dubbed the MCR-1 gene, that prevented colistin from killing bacteria.

It was found in a fifth of animals tested, 15% of raw meat samples and in 16 patients.


Getty Images
The resistance was discovered in pigs, which are routinely given the drugs in China.

Antibiotic resistance: World on cusp of 'post-antibiotic era'

By James Gallagher
Health editor, BBC News
19 Nvember 2015


Thinkstock

The world is on the cusp of a "post-antibiotic era", scientists have warned after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed.

Their report, in the Lancet, identifies bacteria able to shrug off colistin in patients and livestock in China.

They said that resistance would spread around the world and raised the spectre of untreatable infections.

Experts said the worrying development needed to act as a global wake-up call.

tsk, tsk, kinahanglan ning maestraha ug anger management training, di lang classroom training.  lisod gyod tuod ning tingsapot for whatever reason unya naay kapahungawan nga di tawon mobawos.  mahinaykan. 

pero, hay inday, ayaw na lang pag-maestra kun di ka kapugong sa imong sungay.  pag-GRO na lang.  at least, ang mahapak nimo ug jalousie, hubog lang.

hubagian rhapsody

angel kitten

in a devastated area of paris, after the recent multiple attacks

background:



http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/619540/Kay-Burley-mocked-on-Twitter-tweet-of-dog-after-Paris-terror-attacks

but what is insensitive about her post?  couldn't a dog mourn if the humans around him are devastated?