Scientists Say They Have Found A Way To Fight SARS And MERS

From Business Insider:

An international team of scientists say they have identified a compound that can fight coronaviruses, responsible for the SARS and MERS outbreaks, which currently have no cure. 

Coronaviruses affected the upper and lower respiratory tracts in humans. They are the reason for up to a third of common colds. 

A more severe strain of the virus, thought to have come from bats, triggered the global SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic in 2002 that killed nearly 800 people. 

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a new strain discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and thought to have originated in camels. More deadly but less contagious, it has so far killed 193 people across 636 confirmed cases. 

But now a team of scientists led by Edward Trybala from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and Volker Thiel from the University of Bern have discovered a compound called K22, which appears to block the ability of the virus to spread in humans.

The Islamic Pieta

Apostasy woman in Sudan sentenced to death forced to give birth 'with her legs chained'

Percy Sledge

When A Man Loves A Woman

The Dark End Of The Street

Belgium Terror Attack Could Be Linked to Hezbollah

“Belgian authorities are investigating whether the terrorist who murdered four people Saturday at the Brussels Jewish Museum is tied to the Lebanese Hezbollah terror organization.
Israel’s Channel 10 television news reported Tuesday that Belgian intelligence is looking at the date of the shooting – May 24 – and the official date of Israel’s military withdrawal from southern Lebanon: May 24, 2000.”

*****

‘Did a French Comedian Inspire the Killings at the Jewish Museum in Brussels?’

*****
via: Times Of Israel
Belgian Jewish activist says he received death threat

“Belgian Jewish activist Joel Rubinfeld said he received an online death threat for speaking about the Brussels Jewish museum killings. “…”We absolutely need to shut Joël Rubintrickmachine’s fat mouth,” read the text, which was posted on the LBCA Facebook page. “His defamations, his grotesque generalizations make me want to commit murder.”
Rubinfeld said he would file a formal police complaint about the posting, which appears to have been spurred by his many media appearances following the slaying of four Jews on Saturday at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in central Brussels. Rubinfeld has called on Belgian authorities to take a firmer stance against minor and major incidents of anti-Semitism, referring to the French government as a role model.”

*****
via: JTA.org

link

”…the museum attack’s victims — Emanuel and Miriam Riva, a married couple in their 50s from Tel Aviv; Alexandre Strens, an employee of the museum in his 20s; and Dominique Sabrier, a French volunteer at the museum. . .”

. . .

”Security camera footage from the museum showed the killer approaching the entrance to the museum quickly but calmly while carrying two bags and wearing a baseball cap that obscured his eyes from the lens. Placing one bag on the ground, he produced an automatic rifle and entered the museum for approximately one minute. Inside, he opened fire, hitting his victims in their heads and necks, before making his escape. Counterterrorism experts said the man’s apparent calm, quick getaway and selection of target — the museum is one of the few Jewish institutions in Brussels that is not under permanent police protection — suggest meticulous preparations and perhaps some training.

Directive outlines Obama’s plan to use the military against citizens

Directive outlines Obama’s plan to use the military against citizens

From Will at THE OTHER NEWS:

Directive outlines Obama’s plan to use the military against citizens.(WT)

A 2010 Pentagon directive on military support to civilian authorities details what critics say is a troubling policy that envisions the Obama administration’s potential use of military force against Americans.

The directive contains noncontroversial provisions on support to civilian fire and emergency services, special events and the domestic use of the Army Corps of Engineers

The troubling aspect of the directive Outlines presidential authority for the use of military arms and forces, including unarmed drones, in operations against domestic unrest..

A 2010 Pentagon directive on military support to civilian authorities details what critics say is a troubling policy that envisions the Obama administration’s potential use of military force against Americans.

The directive contains noncontroversial provisions on support to civilian fire and emergency services, special events and the domestic use of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The troubling aspect of the directive outlines presidential authority for the use of military arms and forces, including unarmed drones, in operations against domestic unrest.Read the full story here.

U.S. military lists North Korea, Iran as major threats of missile strike

U.S. military lists North Korea, Iran as major threats of missile strike

From Will at THE OTHER NEWS:

U.S. military lists North Korea, Iran as major threats of missile strike.(NCRI).

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military identified the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran as the leading threats of a missile attack to the United States in future, a high-ranking U.S. military officer said Wednesday.

Speaking at the annual global missile defense conference held at the Atlantic Council's Center on International Security, James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the assessment was based on the fact that both the DPRK and Iran boast nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The United States has to take such threat seriously,"even though neither nation yet has a mature capability," the senior officer said.

He added the DPRK is closer than any other adversary to being able to reach such a threshold, as Pyongyang could test a missile capable of reaching the U.S. homeland at any time.

However, Winnefeld warned that if either the DPRK or Iran launches a missile attack at the United States in future, it will be met with an "overwhelming response."

He said that the U.S. priority of missile defense is deploying ground-based interceptors that aim to take out incoming missiles as part of its expanding missile defense system.

Moreover, the United States places an emphasis on building regional missile defense, by closely cooperating with a number of key partners in different regions, he noted.

Winnefeld also urged Russia and China to persuade the DPRK and Iran to drop their ballistic missile programs.

At the same, the general noted that the United States is making progress in investing in promising technology programs" to ensure the missile defense program will be fully capable of defeating complex threats we expect to see in the future."

This Week On The Gathering Storm

Listen to The Gathering Storm Radio Show, hosted by WC and Always On Watch.

The show broadcasts live for 30 minutes every Friday beginning at noon, Pacific Time.

The call-in number is 646-915-9870. Callers welcome!

Our scheduled guest this week is Mr. Ducky.

Listen to the May 30, 2014 edition of The Gathering Storm Radio Show, live or later, by CLICKING HERE.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

How big is the footprint of the fire that's been keeping me awake for the last week or so?



So if it had happened to a major city instead of scaring the bejesus out of the residents of Southcentral Alaska...

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn, the Bronx, Hoboken, Manhattan, Newark and everywhere in between



LONDON -- All of London

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Say goodbye to the Beltway...

more cities here

Humpday Blues

Buddy Guy

Live At Red Rocks

 

The Muslim Brotherhood in North America (Canada/USA)”

The Muslim Brotherhood in North America (Canada/USA)”

From Will at THE OTHER NEWS:

The Muslim Brotherhood in North America (Canada/USA)” HT: GMBR.

By gmbwatch

Terrorism analyst Tom Quiggin has published a new and comprehensive report on the Muslim Brotherhood in North America with an emphasis on Canada. The report concludes:

• Canada has a significant presence of Muslim Brotherhood adherent individuals and organizations. Their values and actions are frequently the antithesis of the Canadian Constitution, values and law.  Despite statements to the contrary, the Muslim Brotherhood considers itself above local laws and national constitutions.

• The Muslim Brotherhood’s use of settlement and the ‘process of civilization jihad’ has proven effective.  The long term aim is to globally impose a virulent form of political Islam to the exclusion of other faiths or systems.

• Internationally, the Muslim Brotherhood is realigning under pressure as old alliances crumble and opportunities arise. An aggressive posture is re-emerging which has used extensive political violence in the past. 

• The policy and process of denial is deeply rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood.

• Muslim Brotherhood adherent groups should not be given governmental accreditation, access to public grants nor should they have charity status.

• Canada’s stance against Muslim Brotherhood adherent organizations in recent years has been more aggressive than the USA, especially in financial areas.”

The GMBDW welcomes this highly useful report which, among other things, draws from the Hudson reporton the US Muslim Brotherhood written by the GMBDW editor.

China Has Mass Sentencing of Islamist Separatists in Football Stadium

That's the way you do it!

A spectacle designed to show their resolve against terrorism, Chinese authorities held a public sentencing in a football stadium in the northwestern Xinjiang region of 55 people convicted of violent crimes. 

More than 7,000 people filled the stadium stands in Yili prefecture during Tuesday’s sentencing and videos were distributed by police Wednesday to Chinese media. 

It was an unusually public display in a country where court proceedings are normally closed to the public.

MTV Partners With CAIR To Fight “Discrimination”

I wasn't aware MTV even existed anymore, but ok ...

MTV is including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a U.S. Muslim Brotherhood entity with a history of radicalism, in its “world-class coalition of expert partners” for a campaign to combat discrimination and inequality. 

CAIR has a history of tarring its opponents by calling them “anti-Muslim” or “Islamophobes.” 

The multi-year “Look Different” campaign will use celebrity activism, television shows and social media to influence the over 500 million households that MTV is available in. 

While well-intentioned, MTV unfortunately chose to include CAIR, an organization with an extremist history that tars every opponent as an anti-Muslim bigot. 

The Justice Department designated CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism-financing trial in U.S. history. 

The government listed CAIR as an entity of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood, specifically its secret Palestine Committee; a body set up to covertly support the Hamas terrorist group. 

The designation was upheld by a federal judge in 2009 because of “ample” evidence to show that CAIR is part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s pro-Hamas network in America. After the designation, the FBI formally ended its use of CAIR as an outreach partner “until we can resolve whether there continues to be a relationship between CAIR or its executives with Hamas.” 

In 2004, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said in an interview with Al-Jazeera that CAIR does not consider Hamas and Hezbollah to be terrorist organizations. He said, “We do not and will not condemn any liberation movement inside Palestine or Lebanon.”

The Shahada

Funny River Wildfire

The situation has improved for homeowners, but fire crews still face a major challenge with the 182,000-acre blaze -- now the nation’s No. 1 priority wildfire -- at more than 180,000 acres.

All evacuations have been lifted -- people and families evacuated from over 1,000 homes can now return home. Most evacuation readiness advisories have been lifted although not all and ALL residents are told to remain alert and vigilant just in case. This isn't over by any stretch but they are getting a handle on it.

Governor Parnell visited the area yesterday and stayed in Soldotna overnight to attend this evening's residents meeting and show his support for the community.

Haven't heard from my kid for over a day now. Which doesn't surprise me if the danger has subsided (at least for now).

Raise a glass to the crews who backburned dozed and used shovel and pick to build the containment lines that saved the communities of Soldotna Sterling Kasilof Skilak Lake Pollard Loop and others.

And who found a wolf den on a dozer line and rescued five pups.

 

Light rain has helped dampen grasses and raise humidity. None of which will put the fire put but it does help crews fight it. 



So this thing is a long way from over contained or secure BUT the situation is a good bit less desperate than it was 36 hours ago.

Please keep the residents and fire crews in your thoughts and prayers.

Brussels/Belgium: A Look At The List of City Councillors In The Capital Of The European Union

And this is just the beginning. Just think how will this list look like in, let's say, ten years...

PS (Socialist Party)

• Yvan Mayeur, Mayor
• Faouzia Hariche, Alderwoman
• Karine Lalieux, Alderwoman
• Philippe Close, Alderman
• Mohamed Ouriaghli, Alderman
• Ahmed El Ktibi, Alderman
• Pascale Peraïta, City councillor
• Fatima Abid, City councillor
• Mohammed Boukantar, City councillor
• Sevket Temiz, City councillor
• Mounia Mejbar, City councillor
• Mustapha Amrani, City councillor
• Jean-Marie Amand, City councillor
• Rebecca Overloop, City councillor
• Khalid Zian, City councillor
• Naima Maati, City councillor

cdH (Humanist Democratic Centre)

• Bertin Mampaka Mankamba, City councillor
• Said El Hammoudi, City councillor
• Christian Ceux, City councillor
• Joëlle Milquet, City councillor
• Hamza Fassi-Fihri, City councillor
• Mohamed El Hamrouni, City councillor
• Didier Wauters, City councillor
• Fatima Moussaoui, City councillor
• Yusuf Ergen,City councillor

MR (Reformist Movement)

• Alain Courtois, First Alderman
• Marion Lemesre, Alderwoman
• Geoffroy Coomans de Brachène, Alderman
• Alain Nimegeers, City councillor
• Jacques Oberwoits, City councillor
• Frédérique Ries, City councillor
• Céline Vivier, City councillor
• David Weytsman, City councillor
• Clémentine Barzin, City councillor

ECOLO (Francophone Greens)

• Marie Nagy Patino, City councillor
• Zoubida Jellab, City councillor
• Catherine Lemaitre, City councillor
• Liesbet Temmerman, City councillor
• Michaël François, City councillor

FDF (Francophone Federalist Democrats)

• Fabian Maingain, City councillor
• Amina Derbaki Sbaï, City councillor

Groen (Flemish Ecologists)

• Bart Dhondt, City councillor
• Malika Abbad, City councillor

Open VLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

• Els Ampe, Alderwoman
• Dominique De Backer, City councillor

sp.a (Flemish Social Democratic Party)

• Ans Persoons, Alderwoman
• Pascal Smet, City councillor

CD&V (Flemish Christian Democrats)

• Bianca Debaets, City councillor

N-VA (New Flemish Alliance)

• Johan Van den Driessche, City councillor

...anyone still think the Brussels Jewish Museum shooter(s) will be located - despite eye witnesses, video evidence and obtaining the getaway vehicle - will they ever be brought to traditional Western justice?