Category Archives: Politics

USGS Reports Mag 4.2 Quake in North Korea

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Here’s possible confirmation of the nuclear test in North Korea, the USGS has a report of a magnitude 4.2 quake near Chongjin, North Korea. Capture of the map is below.

North Korean

Update 2014-09-30: Please note that the above links no longer work, thanks to Sharon Thornton (Research Coordinator at The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics) for pointing that out. Instead here is an alternative URL with information about the quake and also a PDF report on it from the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Bin Laden Dead ?

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The (Australian) ABC is publishing a Reuters story quoting a report in L’Est Republicain that the DGSE (the French intelligence agency) has briefed the French President and PM of Saudi Arabias belief that Bin Laden died of typhoid in August.

“The information gathered by the Saudis indicates that the head of Al Qaeda was a victim while he was in Pakistan on August 23, 2006, of a very serious case of typhoid, which led to a partial paralysis of his internal organs,” the document said.

The original article is in French, and the Google translation of the full paragraph says:

“According to a usually reliable source, the Saoudi services from now on would have acquired the conviction that Usama Bin Laden died. The elements collected by the Saoudis indicate that the chief of Al-Qaïda would have been victim, whereas it was in Pakistan on August 23, 2006, of a very strong crisis of typhoid having involved a paralysis partial of his lower limbs. Its geographical insulation, caused by a permanent escape, would have made impossible any medical care. On September 4, 2006, the Saoudi services of safety collected the first information making state of its death. They would wait, to obtain more details, and in particular the exact place of its burial, to announce the news officially”.

If it is true (and remember this is a report of a report of a report of a suspicion) then whilst being a significant moment it is unlikely to materially change the situation anywhere in the world. These groups tend to operate as lots of independent small cells with no central leadership, infrastructure or coordination and so whilst this might mean something philosophically to them it is unlikely to cause them any operational problems. 🙁

Read more via Google News.

Update: The ABC is reporting that the Saudi’s are denying the basis of the French DGSE report, saying:

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has no evidence to support recent media reports that Osama bin Laden is dead,” the Saudi Embassy in the US said.

FAA : Passengers Considered Harmful

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From that ever reputable source of news, The Onion:

Under the proposed reforms, the FAA would institute a strict ban on adult passengers, passengers 18 and under, international travelers, and domestic customers. A battery of questions and ID checks will be used to determine whether an individual is a pilot, flight attendant, or federal security officer—the only humans who will be allowed to board an aircraft flying within or headed for the U.S.

Sounds like someone’s finally done a root cause analysis and come up with the obvious solution, a sensible policy from the US at last!

“Frankly, we’ve tried everything else,” Blakey said. “We’ve put up more metal detectors, searched carry-on luggage, and prohibited passengers from traveling with sharp objects. Yet passengers still somehow continue to find ways to breach security. Clearly, the passengers have to go.”

Via the ever good Mikal.

Welcome to Australia, the Worlds Newest Police State

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Please leave your common sense in the rubbish bins provided or customs will confiscate it and fine you.

Mr Thomas will be required to stay in his house between midnight and 5am and will report to police three times a week.

Reminder, this is a man who was freed on appeal.. To quote the AG:

“The issue is about protecting the Australian community, not punishing a person for an offence proven beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.

So now the government can “control” anyone they deem to be a threat ?

“And if you work on the assumption that only those people who could be convicted of an offence could be the subject of a control order, you wouldn’t have control orders.”

Update: ABC has more details now..

He also will need written approval to make telephone calls. His lawyer, Rob Stary, says he also has to identify all of his telecommunications devices. “Which might include Internet facilities, mobile phones, home phones, things of that nature so that presumably they can be monitored,” he said.

Written permission to make telephone calls ?

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

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The BBC is reporting that the text of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been adopted by the UN.

Those countries that sign up to it will have to enact laws and other measures to improve disability rights and also agree to get rid of legislation, customs and practices that discriminate against disabled people.

The US has abstained from the treaty, claiming it has no need to sign up because they already have such legislation.

Fallout from the Israel/Hezbollah/Lebanon war ?

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Seeing that the 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon resulted in the creation of Hezbollah I’m now pondering what the result of the 2006 invasion will be.

Having watched tonights news on the ABC and seen what’s happening with people returning to the south of Lebanon to confront the devastation I’m wondering whether this will result in Hezbollah winning the next election in Lebanon ?

That would really put a cat amongst the pidgeons in the region, but given the results of Israels interventions in the West Bank and Gaza I wouldn’t be that suprised..

Israel Attacks UN Aid Convoy

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Israel says it was never authorised, the UN says it was.

Either way it is a breach of article 9 of the 1864 Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field to attack aid workers bearing the Red Cross symbol.

Art. 9. The personnel charged exclusively with the removal, transportation, and treatment of the sick and wounded, as well as with the administration of sanitary formations and establishments, and the chaplains attached to armies, shall be respected and protected under all circumstances. If they fall into the hands of the enemy they shall not be considered as prisoners of war.

Art. 20. The personnel protected in virtue of the first paragraph of Article 9, and Articles 10 and 11, will wear attached to the left arm a brassard bearing a red cross on a white ground, which will be issued and stamped by competent military authority, and accompanied by a certificate of identity in the case of persons attached to the sanitary service of armies who do not have military uniform.