Saturday, December 30, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Russian Aircraft in West Papua of concern to Austr...
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Russian Aircraft in West Papua of concern to Austr...: Photo: Two Russian Ilyushin-76 transporters arrived in Indonesia on December 4. (Supplied: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federa...
Russian Aircraft in West Papua of concern to Australian Defence
(Kerry
reported this on December 4th but was ignored by all Australian
media!)
Exclusive by Defence reporter Andrew Greene
Updated yesterday at 1:59pmSat 30 Dec 2017, 1:59pm
Defence personnel in Darwin were operating at "increased
readiness" earlier this month as Russian strategic bombers conducted
navigation exercises close to Australia, flying out of an Indonesian military
base.
Key points:
·
RAAF Base Darwin placed on a
"short period" of heightened alert
·
Russian Ministry of Defence
claims it "carried out air alert mission over neutral waters of south
Pacific Ocean"
·
Defence Department would have
been concerned about Russian intelligence collection, defence expert says
The ABC can reveal RAAF Base Darwin was placed on a "short
period" of heightened alert, while over 100 Russian personnel and several
aircraft were stationed at the Biak Airbase in Indonesia's eastern Papua
province.
During the five-day stopover two nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers flew
their first ever patrol mission over the South Pacific, prompting concerns they
may have been collecting valuable intelligence.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claims its strategic bombers
"carried out air alert mission over neutral waters of south Pacific
Ocean" in a flight lasting more than eight hours.
In a statement to the ABC, Australia's Defence Department said "the
ADF maintains appropriate levels of readiness and posture to respond to
evolving circumstances," but did not specifically refer to the Russian
activity.
"There were no instances of
unalerted or unscheduled foreign aircraft operating in Australian airspace
during this period," the Department added.
Defence also insists RAAF Base Darwin was never in lockdown, but did
acknowledge "in early December there was a brief period of increased
readiness" at the facility.
Two Russian Ilyushin-76 transporters carrying 81 personnel arrived on
Biak island in Indonesian Papua on December 4, and were joined shortly after by
a pair of Tu-95 bombers, bringing the total number of deployed troops to 110.
Russian aircraft 'likely gathering Australian intelligence'
One of Australia's leading defence experts believes the Defence
Department would have been concerned about the ability of the long-range
Russian aircraft to collect intelligence during their visit to the region.
Executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Peter
Jennings said this month's deployment was a significant step by Moscow.
"For the Russians to send a couple of aircraft this far down south
I think is really proving it's got the capacity for that long-range
reach," he said.
"It doesn't surprise me in the least that our own military forces
raised their alert levels in response.
"I'm sure there would have been concerns about Russian intelligence
gathering because they wouldn't have come this far south without wanting to
look at the one significant [United States] allied presence in this part of the
world, which operates out of [RAAF Base] Darwin and RAAF Base Tindall a little
further south."
ABC News
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indone...
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indone...: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia 'Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pert...
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indone...
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indone...: Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia 'Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pert...
Johannes Nugroho: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia
'Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi' is a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua. (Photo courtesy of Johannes Nugroho)
"The US Embassy had officially informed the Indonesian government … an unspecified number of B-2 bombers flew from Darwin over to Ujung Pandang where the Indonesian Air Forced based Hawk 19s and F-16s …," "… the HMAS Stephenson launched two of its 20 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes directly into Kampung Mas Port, where the Indonesian warship KRI Yos Sudarso was anchored."
The dire-sounding passages come from Kerry B. Collison's latest political thriller "Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi," a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua, which will determine whether the two provinces remain in the unitary state of Indonesia or secede to form an independent country.
While the main storyline revolves around West Papuan activism, its leaders, Indonesian politics and international geopolitics, the book ─ like any good TV show today ─ incorporates a few sub-plots, one of which is the 1961 mysterious disappearance of Michael C. Rockefeller, heir to the family’s fortune, of the southern coast of Papua, hence the title.
The dire-sounding passages come from Kerry B. Collison's latest political thriller "Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi," a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua, which will determine whether the two provinces remain in the unitary state of Indonesia or secede to form an independent country.
While the main storyline revolves around West Papuan activism, its leaders, Indonesian politics and international geopolitics, the book ─ like any good TV show today ─ incorporates a few sub-plots, one of which is the 1961 mysterious disappearance of Michael C. Rockefeller, heir to the family’s fortune, of the southern coast of Papua, hence the title.
The Rockefeller theme offers the reader escapade into historical sleuthing as the book seeks to explain an event that remains a mystery of our time, simultaneously weaving it into the West Papuan narrative seamlessly. Collison's choice of subplot is interesting, given that there are a fair few conspiracy theories surrounding Rockefeller's presence in Papua and the subsequent gold and copper mining at Grasberg by the American mining giant Freeport McMoran.
On a personal level, the book follows the lives of characters like Bennie Tabuni, the de facto leader of the West Papua's government in exile, his name echoing that of Benny Wenda; Jules Heynneman, the half-Dutch Papuan who was raised alongside Bennie by the Tabunis. There is also Alice Heynneman, officially Jules' daughter but in fact the offspring of Bennie, whose character matures as the story unfolds.
On the Indonesian side, the country is governed by the democratically elected President Abdul Moewardi, whose libertarian political outlook on West Papua is reminiscent of Indonesia's fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid's, better known as Gus Dur. Abdul's daughter is married to Indonesian Military chief Gen. Sumantri, who harbors political ambitions for himself and his son — mercurial and egocentric Col. Didi Sumantri, who may have been partially inspired by the figure of Prabowo Subianto.
In the meantime, Collison has Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister John Gorton, a somewhat uninspiring figure who then surprises us with his decisiveness and a touch of ruthlessness, qualities which remind us of the former Prime Minister John Howard.
What is noteworthy, the author presents us with less colorful and more predictable characters on the Australian side. In doing so, he inadvertently highlights the difference between Indonesian and Australian democracies, the former still dependent on strong figures who dare cross boundaries that are taboo in more developed democracies.
Even though the storyline outlined in the book is undoubtedly fictional, it is by no means improbable. In an age where political and economic projections are constantly made, Collison's well-crafted scenarios do not strike as outlandish, given the right circumstances. As an ex intelligence officer and a former diplomat, he no doubt has the credentials and experience as both an insider as well as an observer.
Immensely readable, the book also makes us cognizant of the infinitely more complex geopolitical realities of today than those, for instance, when Timor Leste embarked on its path to independence. It takes into account the rise of China as a regional hegemon and an active player in international politics. China's new found assertiveness, Collison ably shows, also impacts and complicates the old alliances between Anglosphere nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
The book is also full of subtle warnings for Indonesia. It exposes the weaknesses in the country's dogged and "non-negotiable" stance on the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia ("NKRI Harga Mati") when geopolitical realities experience fluxes in real life. It also shows that the hyper-nationalism taught to all Indonesians from an early age could ultimately do disservice to the future of the nation.
More importantly, it shows us the irony of Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua, given that Indonesia was once a victim of colonialism. The atrocities committed by Indonesian military against local West Papuans and the exploitation of their natural resources are a potent reminder that, as in the case of East Timor, the West Papuan "problem" is too far gone for Jakarta to wish away.
Papuan "separatism" is no doubt one of the most current vexing questions in Indonesian international diplomacy. The recent questions at the United Nations General Assembly particularly by several Pacific nations, New Zealand and EU countries about the continued human rights transgressions in West Papua were another wake-up call for Jakarta that the "noise" may get louder in the future.
Kerry B. Collison's Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi is essentially an essay on how not to conduct international diplomacy on a thorny issue like West Papua. He is no stranger to Indonesian themes, having previously written a number of histo-fictional novels on Indonesia such as "Indonesian Gold" and "The Asian Trilogy: Jakarta, Merdeka Square" and "The Timor Man."
In exploring less than ideal scenarios between two neighbors like Indonesia and Australia, the author may well be suggesting that we can basically do better to foster trust between ourselves, and the futility in suppressing the yearning for freedom and human dignity.
Johannes Nugroho is a writer from Surabaya. He can be contacted at johannes@nonacris.com and on Twitter @Johannes_nos.
On a personal level, the book follows the lives of characters like Bennie Tabuni, the de facto leader of the West Papua's government in exile, his name echoing that of Benny Wenda; Jules Heynneman, the half-Dutch Papuan who was raised alongside Bennie by the Tabunis. There is also Alice Heynneman, officially Jules' daughter but in fact the offspring of Bennie, whose character matures as the story unfolds.
On the Indonesian side, the country is governed by the democratically elected President Abdul Moewardi, whose libertarian political outlook on West Papua is reminiscent of Indonesia's fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid's, better known as Gus Dur. Abdul's daughter is married to Indonesian Military chief Gen. Sumantri, who harbors political ambitions for himself and his son — mercurial and egocentric Col. Didi Sumantri, who may have been partially inspired by the figure of Prabowo Subianto.
In the meantime, Collison has Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister John Gorton, a somewhat uninspiring figure who then surprises us with his decisiveness and a touch of ruthlessness, qualities which remind us of the former Prime Minister John Howard.
What is noteworthy, the author presents us with less colorful and more predictable characters on the Australian side. In doing so, he inadvertently highlights the difference between Indonesian and Australian democracies, the former still dependent on strong figures who dare cross boundaries that are taboo in more developed democracies.
Even though the storyline outlined in the book is undoubtedly fictional, it is by no means improbable. In an age where political and economic projections are constantly made, Collison's well-crafted scenarios do not strike as outlandish, given the right circumstances. As an ex intelligence officer and a former diplomat, he no doubt has the credentials and experience as both an insider as well as an observer.
Immensely readable, the book also makes us cognizant of the infinitely more complex geopolitical realities of today than those, for instance, when Timor Leste embarked on its path to independence. It takes into account the rise of China as a regional hegemon and an active player in international politics. China's new found assertiveness, Collison ably shows, also impacts and complicates the old alliances between Anglosphere nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
The book is also full of subtle warnings for Indonesia. It exposes the weaknesses in the country's dogged and "non-negotiable" stance on the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia ("NKRI Harga Mati") when geopolitical realities experience fluxes in real life. It also shows that the hyper-nationalism taught to all Indonesians from an early age could ultimately do disservice to the future of the nation.
More importantly, it shows us the irony of Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua, given that Indonesia was once a victim of colonialism. The atrocities committed by Indonesian military against local West Papuans and the exploitation of their natural resources are a potent reminder that, as in the case of East Timor, the West Papuan "problem" is too far gone for Jakarta to wish away.
Papuan "separatism" is no doubt one of the most current vexing questions in Indonesian international diplomacy. The recent questions at the United Nations General Assembly particularly by several Pacific nations, New Zealand and EU countries about the continued human rights transgressions in West Papua were another wake-up call for Jakarta that the "noise" may get louder in the future.
Kerry B. Collison's Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi is essentially an essay on how not to conduct international diplomacy on a thorny issue like West Papua. He is no stranger to Indonesian themes, having previously written a number of histo-fictional novels on Indonesia such as "Indonesian Gold" and "The Asian Trilogy: Jakarta, Merdeka Square" and "The Timor Man."
In exploring less than ideal scenarios between two neighbors like Indonesia and Australia, the author may well be suggesting that we can basically do better to foster trust between ourselves, and the futility in suppressing the yearning for freedom and human dignity.
Johannes Nugroho is a writer from Surabaya. He can be contacted at johannes@nonacris.com and on Twitter @Johannes_nos.
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia: The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia 'Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi' is a histo...
The Fictional War Between Indonesia and Australia
'Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi' is a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua. (Photo courtesy of Johannes Nugroho)
"The US Embassy had officially informed the Indonesian government … an unspecified number of B-2 bombers flew from Darwin over to Ujung Pandang where the Indonesian Air Forced based Hawk 19s and F-16s …," "… the HMAS Stephenson launched two of its 20 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes directly into Kampung Mas Port, where the Indonesian warship KRI Yos Sudarso was anchored."
The dire-sounding passages come from Kerry B. Collison's latest political thriller "Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi," a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua, which will determine whether the two provinces remain in the unitary state of Indonesia or secede to form an independent country.
While the main storyline revolves around West Papuan activism, its leaders, Indonesian politics and international geopolitics, the book ─ like any good TV show today ─ incorporates a few sub-plots, one of which is the 1961 mysterious disappearance of Michael C. Rockefeller, heir to the family’s fortune, of the southern coast of Papua, hence the title.
The dire-sounding passages come from Kerry B. Collison's latest political thriller "Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi," a history-based fictional account of how Australia and Indonesia come to blows over the question of a UN-sponsored referendum in West Papua and Papua, which will determine whether the two provinces remain in the unitary state of Indonesia or secede to form an independent country.
While the main storyline revolves around West Papuan activism, its leaders, Indonesian politics and international geopolitics, the book ─ like any good TV show today ─ incorporates a few sub-plots, one of which is the 1961 mysterious disappearance of Michael C. Rockefeller, heir to the family’s fortune, of the southern coast of Papua, hence the title.
The Rockefeller theme offers the reader escapade into historical sleuthing as the book seeks to explain an event that remains a mystery of our time, simultaneously weaving it into the West Papuan narrative seamlessly. Collison's choice of subplot is interesting, given that there are a fair few conspiracy theories surrounding Rockefeller's presence in Papua and the subsequent gold and copper mining at Grasberg by the American mining giant Freeport McMoran.
On a personal level, the book follows the lives of characters like Bennie Tabuni, the de facto leader of the West Papua's government in exile, his name echoing that of Benny Wenda; Jules Heynneman, the half-Dutch Papuan who was raised alongside Bennie by the Tabunis. There is also Alice Heynneman, officially Jules' daughter but in fact the offspring of Bennie, whose character matures as the story unfolds.
On the Indonesian side, the country is governed by the democratically elected President Abdul Moewardi, whose libertarian political outlook on West Papua is reminiscent of Indonesia's fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid's, better known as Gus Dur. Abdul's daughter is married to Indonesian Military chief Gen. Sumantri, who harbors political ambitions for himself and his son — mercurial and egocentric Col. Didi Sumantri, who may have been partially inspired by the figure of Prabowo Subianto.
In the meantime, Collison has Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister John Gorton, a somewhat uninspiring figure who then surprises us with his decisiveness and a touch of ruthlessness, qualities which remind us of the former Prime Minister John Howard.
What is noteworthy, the author presents us with less colorful and more predictable characters on the Australian side. In doing so, he inadvertently highlights the difference between Indonesian and Australian democracies, the former still dependent on strong figures who dare cross boundaries that are taboo in more developed democracies.
Even though the storyline outlined in the book is undoubtedly fictional, it is by no means improbable. In an age where political and economic projections are constantly made, Collison's well-crafted scenarios do not strike as outlandish, given the right circumstances. As an ex intelligence officer and a former diplomat, he no doubt has the credentials and experience as both an insider as well as an observer.
Immensely readable, the book also makes us cognizant of the infinitely more complex geopolitical realities of today than those, for instance, when Timor Leste embarked on its path to independence. It takes into account the rise of China as a regional hegemon and an active player in international politics. China's new found assertiveness, Collison ably shows, also impacts and complicates the old alliances between Anglosphere nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
The book is also full of subtle warnings for Indonesia. It exposes the weaknesses in the country's dogged and "non-negotiable" stance on the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia ("NKRI Harga Mati") when geopolitical realities experience fluxes in real life. It also shows that the hyper-nationalism taught to all Indonesians from an early age could ultimately do disservice to the future of the nation.
More importantly, it shows us the irony of Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua, given that Indonesia was once a victim of colonialism. The atrocities committed by Indonesian military against local West Papuans and the exploitation of their natural resources are a potent reminder that, as in the case of East Timor, the West Papuan "problem" is too far gone for Jakarta to wish away.
Papuan "separatism" is no doubt one of the most current vexing questions in Indonesian international diplomacy. The recent questions at the United Nations General Assembly particularly by several Pacific nations, New Zealand and EU countries about the continued human rights transgressions in West Papua were another wake-up call for Jakarta that the "noise" may get louder in the future.
Kerry B. Collison's Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi is essentially an essay on how not to conduct international diplomacy on a thorny issue like West Papua. He is no stranger to Indonesian themes, having previously written a number of histo-fictional novels on Indonesia such as "Indonesian Gold" and "The Asian Trilogy: Jakarta, Merdeka Square" and "The Timor Man."
In exploring less than ideal scenarios between two neighbors like Indonesia and Australia, the author may well be suggesting that we can basically do better to foster trust between ourselves, and the futility in suppressing the yearning for freedom and human dignity.
Johannes Nugroho is a writer from Surabaya. He can be contacted at johannes@nonacris.com and on Twitter @Johannes_nos.
On a personal level, the book follows the lives of characters like Bennie Tabuni, the de facto leader of the West Papua's government in exile, his name echoing that of Benny Wenda; Jules Heynneman, the half-Dutch Papuan who was raised alongside Bennie by the Tabunis. There is also Alice Heynneman, officially Jules' daughter but in fact the offspring of Bennie, whose character matures as the story unfolds.
On the Indonesian side, the country is governed by the democratically elected President Abdul Moewardi, whose libertarian political outlook on West Papua is reminiscent of Indonesia's fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid's, better known as Gus Dur. Abdul's daughter is married to Indonesian Military chief Gen. Sumantri, who harbors political ambitions for himself and his son — mercurial and egocentric Col. Didi Sumantri, who may have been partially inspired by the figure of Prabowo Subianto.
In the meantime, Collison has Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister John Gorton, a somewhat uninspiring figure who then surprises us with his decisiveness and a touch of ruthlessness, qualities which remind us of the former Prime Minister John Howard.
What is noteworthy, the author presents us with less colorful and more predictable characters on the Australian side. In doing so, he inadvertently highlights the difference between Indonesian and Australian democracies, the former still dependent on strong figures who dare cross boundaries that are taboo in more developed democracies.
Even though the storyline outlined in the book is undoubtedly fictional, it is by no means improbable. In an age where political and economic projections are constantly made, Collison's well-crafted scenarios do not strike as outlandish, given the right circumstances. As an ex intelligence officer and a former diplomat, he no doubt has the credentials and experience as both an insider as well as an observer.
Immensely readable, the book also makes us cognizant of the infinitely more complex geopolitical realities of today than those, for instance, when Timor Leste embarked on its path to independence. It takes into account the rise of China as a regional hegemon and an active player in international politics. China's new found assertiveness, Collison ably shows, also impacts and complicates the old alliances between Anglosphere nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
The book is also full of subtle warnings for Indonesia. It exposes the weaknesses in the country's dogged and "non-negotiable" stance on the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia ("NKRI Harga Mati") when geopolitical realities experience fluxes in real life. It also shows that the hyper-nationalism taught to all Indonesians from an early age could ultimately do disservice to the future of the nation.
More importantly, it shows us the irony of Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua, given that Indonesia was once a victim of colonialism. The atrocities committed by Indonesian military against local West Papuans and the exploitation of their natural resources are a potent reminder that, as in the case of East Timor, the West Papuan "problem" is too far gone for Jakarta to wish away.
Papuan "separatism" is no doubt one of the most current vexing questions in Indonesian international diplomacy. The recent questions at the United Nations General Assembly particularly by several Pacific nations, New Zealand and EU countries about the continued human rights transgressions in West Papua were another wake-up call for Jakarta that the "noise" may get louder in the future.
Kerry B. Collison's Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi is essentially an essay on how not to conduct international diplomacy on a thorny issue like West Papua. He is no stranger to Indonesian themes, having previously written a number of histo-fictional novels on Indonesia such as "Indonesian Gold" and "The Asian Trilogy: Jakarta, Merdeka Square" and "The Timor Man."
In exploring less than ideal scenarios between two neighbors like Indonesia and Australia, the author may well be suggesting that we can basically do better to foster trust between ourselves, and the futility in suppressing the yearning for freedom and human dignity.
Johannes Nugroho is a writer from Surabaya. He can be contacted at johannes@nonacris.com and on Twitter @Johannes_nos.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Before you travel to Bali:
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Before you travel to Bali:: Before you travel to Bali: ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance and check whether any restrictions apply contact your airl...
Before you travel to Bali:
Before you travel to Bali:
- ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance and check whether any restrictions apply
- contact your airline or tour operator to confirm flight schedules and whether they are offering alternative destinations
- speak to your accommodation provider about contingency arrangements they are making
- make contingency plans in case your travel plans are disrupted and make sure you have access to additional money and other necessities, including medication
- register your travel and contact details at Smartraveller.gov.au
- subscribe to our travel advice for Indonesia to receive free email updates each time the travel advice reissued
- follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
If you're in Bali
- stay outside the exclusion zone around the crater
- plan for the possibility that you won't be able to depart Bali on your scheduled flight and any impact this may have on your other personal commitments. Ensure you have ongoing access to accommodation, funds and other necessities, including medication, beyond your original date of departure from Bali
- speak to your accommodation provider about contingency arrangements they're making
- you're responsible for ensuring that you meet the conditions of your visa. If you have concerns about your visa or have overstayed, consult the Indonesian immigration authorities well in advance of your scheduled departure. The Indonesia immigration office in Jimbaran is at:
Jl. Perum Taman Jimbaran No. 1 Mumbul, Kuta Selatan – Bali
Tel: +62-361-9351038
Fax: +62-361-9357011
Email: wasdakngr@gmail.com
- contact family and friends in Australia with regular updates about your welfare and whereabouts
- closely monitor the media and other sources of information, such Magma Indonesia, Indonesia's Disaster Management Authority , the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Volcanic Ash Advisory and the Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (Bahasa Indonesia)
- digital pamphlets published by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN) provide information on the potential health hazards of volcanic ash, and advice on how to prepare and respond to ash fall
- expect delays and disruptions to transport and tourism services
- if you wish to leave Bali and are unable to do so on your scheduled flight, consider contacting a local tour operator or travel agent about bus and ferry options to other regional airports
- follow the instructions and advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. Take official warnings seriously.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Mount Agung in Bali erupts again hours after Indon...
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: Mount Agung in Bali erupts again hours after Indon...: Mount Agung in Bali erupts again hours after Indonesian President Joko orders the removal of Mount Agung`s emergency so the target numbe...
Mount Agung in Bali erupts again hours after Indonesian President Joko orders the removal of Mount Agung`s emergency so the target number of tourists would fill Bali quotas
Mount Agung in Bali erupts again hours after Indonesian President Joko orders the
removal of Mount Agung`s emergency so the target number of tourists would fill
Bali quotas
Mount Agung in Bali
erupted again on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash up to a height of 2,500 meters
just hours after the Indonesian President ordered the removal of emergency
orders to that tourists to hotels in Bali would be encouraged to stay.
An official from the
Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Devy Syahbana, noted
here that the eruption took place at 11:57 am Central Indonesia Time (3:57 am
GMT).
He said the volcanic ash cloud drifted in the northeastward direction following the wind that blew softly toward the east and northeast.
The column of smoke was visible from the main monitoring center in Tansh Ampo located some 22 kilometers away.
He said the volcanic ash cloud drifted in the northeastward direction following the wind that blew softly toward the east and northeast.
The column of smoke was visible from the main monitoring center in Tansh Ampo located some 22 kilometers away.
Friday, December 22, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: The assault on New Guinea East and West
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: The assault on New Guinea East and West: In 2015, the world lost enough trees to blanket 198,295 square kilometres, an area around the size of Uganda. On the plus side, this...
The assault on New Guinea East and West
In 2015, the world lost enough trees to blanket 198,295 square kilometres, an area around the size of Uganda. On the plus side, this was a slight dip from the year before. But it still represented a worldwide trend of rising deforestation since GFW started tracking tree loss in 2001 – even as governments and corporations (increasingly and repeatedly) pledged to do something about it.
Arguably, the most shocking data in 2015 came from the island of New Guinea, which is considered the third largest block of intact rainforest on the planet, after the increasingly fractured Amazon and the Congo. Deforestation on the island jumped an astounding 70% in 2015, threatening the island’s thousands of species found no-where else – think birds of paradise and tree kangaroos – and its local people who have lived closely tied to the forests around them for millennia.
The island of New Guinea is split into two distinct political entities. The western half is a remote – but large and rich in natural resources – region of Indonesia, governed by faraway Jakarta. The eastern half of the island is its own country, Papua New Guinea. Both areas, however, saw significant jumps in forest loss beginning in 2015.
“Visual inspection of the data shows that industrial agriculture and logging are the major players in Papua,” Mikaela Weisse, a Research Analyst with GFW, said. “Data from Greenpeace Indonesia shows that 48 palm oil companies have permits in Indonesian Papua, some as large as 45,000 hectares.”
The satellite imagery shows what many have long warned: that the island of New Guinea has become the newest frontier for forest destruction. Logging and palm oil companies, among others, are infiltrating the island, viewing it as a lucrative place to expand operations in an increasingly resource-scarce planet.
The numbers in 2016 were hardly any better for New Guinea. Tree loss dipped slightly in Papua New Guinea but rose in Indonesian Papua – potentially pointing to a new trend of high deforestation across one of the most intact tropical forests we have left.
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: MENTAL HEALTH THE TERRORIST’S NEW REFUGE
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: MENTAL HEALTH THE TERRORIST’S NEW REFUGE: MENTAL HEALTH THE TERRORIST’S NEW REFUGE The “get out of jail free” card of mental health is also used widely in sport where popular ...
MENTAL HEALTH THE TERRORIST’S NEW REFUGE
MENTAL HEALTH THE TERRORIST’S NEW REFUGE
The “get out of jail free” card of mental health is also used widely in
sport where popular AFL and NRL icons can opt for a short period of mental
recuperation rather than years out of the sport on drug charges.
The Muslim jihadist has twigged to the same scam as he freely mows down
pedestrians without a bomb vest and with no intention to commit suicide. It
seems martyrdom is not as attractive, or indeed as necessary, as it once was
under a highly successful caliphate.
That caliphate with its sex slaves and other exciting attractions such
as beheadings no longer exists but the psycho cult’s firm belief that all non
Muslims must be eradicated lives on. It’s easy to kill the jihadist but his
idea of global supremacy is much harder… and he and his family are much
smarter.
Burke St Mall multiple murderer, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, is also
claiming mental health problems
Was yesterday’s atrocity a mere vehicle incident because this Afghan
germ claims he hears voices as did the earlier Middle Eastern Burke Street
bastard?
What illegal jihadist immigrant doesn't have mental health problems?
Any other murderous scumbag with a clear mind would get life, but not
this latest lot of maniacal Muslims where judges find themselves crying over
the poor little things as they send them off for further mental appraisal. No
doubt they will be afforded the best of mental care until they are released to
find new ways to achieve their insane aims.
We are now reaping the “rewards” for accepting Afghans, Syrians and
Iraqis from war-torn Islamic States and we now have to deal with second and
third generations of these mad men.
The jihadist credo lives on through the family as sure as Catholicism
does. The imbued hatred of their host does not diminish with generations, it
festers and exacerbates.
We can never expect our judicial prigs with their shiny bums and stupid
wigs to rid us of this imported disease. They are too well-fed, safe, and
thriving in their Green leafy suburbs.
Our stuttering police force explains it is not terrorism if the culprit
hears voices, it immediately becomes a "vehicle incident". Really? If
only our police, our politicians, judiciary and ASIO were as smart as the
Muslim terrorist.
Yep, PC reigns supreme when it comes to an excuse for clear and present
terrorism. We are told not to be concerned and to carry on as usual as we are,
“more likely to be killed by a shark or a crocodile”.
Well, the only reason we will be killed by a shark or a crocodile is
that, like Muslims, we invite them to kill us. The sound of an outboard engine
once sent crocodiles scattering in all directions. Now, they swarm toward the
sound of an outboard motor because they know it is a profitable Aboriginal tourist
boat with lumps of meat on sticks they are prepared to jump for.
The link between food and people is now set in conservationist concrete.
Willing people are dropped into shark cages in waters crammed with
bloody chum and tuna heads and we wonder why
shark attacks are becoming more prevalent.
Artificially feeding dangerous species does not endear them to you… you
simply become part of their food chain.
When this sort of tourist madness is stopped we might get around to
recognising that the Islamic menace is no different.
Feed it, nurture it, allow it to build more mosques, provide it with
welfare and you simply become an easier, softer, and a more readily available
target.
Our Mr Turnbull? Well, he can always repeat, “Our thoughts and prayers
go out to blah, blah, blah.”
Fool!
Larry Pickering
Four-time Walkley Award winning political commentator and Churchill
Fellow, has returned to the fray over concern that the integrity of news
dissemination is continually being threatened by a partisan media.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: A talk by the Head of Daimler Benz
Kerry B. Collison Asia News: A talk by the Head of Daimler Benz: A talk by the Head of Daimler Benz In a recent interview, the Head of Daimler Benz (Mercedes Benz) said their competitors are no lon...
A talk by the Head of Daimler Benz
A talk by the Head
of Daimler Benz
In a recent interview, the Head of Daimler Benz (Mercedes Benz) said their competitors are no longer other car companies, but Tesla (obviously), and now, Google, Apple, Amazon 'et al' are……
Software will disrupt most traditional industries in the next 5-10 years.
Uber is just a software tool, they don't own any cars, and are now the biggest taxi company in the world..
Airbnb is now the biggest hotel company in the world, although they don't own any properties.
Artificial Intelligence: Computers become exponentially better in understanding the world. This year, a computer beat the best Go player in the world, 10 years earlier than expected.
In the U.S., young lawyers already can't get jobs. Because of IBM Watson, you can get legal advice (so far for more or less basic stuff) within seconds, with 90% accuracy compared with 70% accuracy when done by humans.
So, if you study law, stop immediately. There will be 90% less lawyers in the future, only specialists will remain.
Watson already helps nurses diagnosing cancer, 4 times more accurate than human nurses. Facebook now has a pattern recognition software that can recognize faces better than humans. In 2030, computers will become more intelligent than humans.
Autonomous cars: In 2018 the first self-driving cars will appear for the public. Around 2020, the complete industry will start to be disrupted. You don't want to own a car anymore. You will call a car with your phone, it will show up at your location and drive you to your destination. You will not need to park it, you only pay for the driven distance and you can be productive while driving. Our kids will never get a driver's license and will never own a car.
It will change the cities, because we will need 90-95% less cars for that. We can transform former parking spaces into parks.
1.2 million people die each year in car accidents worldwide. We now have one accident every 60,000 miles (100,000 km), with autonomous driving that will drop to one accident in 6 million miles (10 million km). That will save a million lives each year.
Most car companies will probably go bankrupt. Traditional car companies will try the traditional approach and try to build a better car, while tech companies (Tesla, Apple, Google) will take the revolutionary approach and build a computer on wheels.
Many engineers from Volkswagen and Audi are completely terrified of Tesla.
Auto Insurance companies will have massive trouble because without accidents, car insurance will become much cheaper. Their car insurance business model will slowly disappear.
Real estate will change. Because if you can work while you commute, people will move further away to live in a more beautiful neighborhood.
Electric cars will become mainstream about 2020. Cities will be less noisy because all new cars will run on electricity. Electricity will become incredibly cheap and clean: Solar production has been on an exponential curve for 30 years, and now you can now see the burgeoning impact.
Last year, more solar energy was installed worldwide than fossil. Energy companies are desperately trying to limit access to the grid to prevent competition from home solar installations, but that can't last. Technology will take care of that strategy.
With cheap electricity comes cheap and abundant water. Desalination of salt water now only needs 2kwh per cubic meter (@ 0.25 cents). We don't have scarce water in most places, we only have scarce drinking water. Imagine what will be possible if anyone can have as much clean water as he wants, for nearly no cost.
Health innovations: The Tricorder X price will be announced this year. There are companies who will build a medical device (called the "Tricorder" from Star Trek) that works with your phone, which takes your retina scan, your blood sample, and you can breath into it.
It then analyses 54 biomarkers that will identify nearly any disease. It will be cheap, so in a few years everyone on this planet will have access to world class medical analysis, nearly for free. Goodbye, medical establishment.
3D printing: The price of the cheapest 3D printer came down from $18,000 to $400 within 10 years. In the same time, it became 100 times faster. All major shoe companies have already started 3D printing shoes.
Some common spare airplane parts are already 3D printed in remote airports. The space station now has a printer that eliminates the need for the large amount of spare parts they used to keep in the past.
At the end of this year, new smart phones will have 3D scanning possibilities. You can then 3D scan your feet and print your perfect shoes at home.
In China, they already 3D printed and built a complete 6-storey office building.. By 2027, 10% of everything that's being produced will be 3D printed.
Business opportunities: If you think of a niche you want to go in, ask yourself: "In the future, do you think we will have that?", and if the answer is yes, how can you make that happen sooner?
If it doesn't work with your phone, forget the idea. And any idea designed for success in the 20th century is doomed to failure in the 21st century.
Work: 70-80% of jobs will disappear in the next 20 years. There will be a lot of new jobs, but it is not clear if there will be enough new jobs in such a small time.
Agriculture: There will be a $100 agricultural robot in the future. Farmers in 3rd world countries can then become managers of their field instead of working all day on their fields.
Aeroponics will need much less water. The first Petri dish that produced veal is now available and will be cheaper than cow produced veal in 2018. Right now, 30% of all agricultural surfaces is used for cows. Imagine if we don't need that space anymore.
There are several startups who will bring insect protein to the market shortly. It contains more protein than meat. It will be labeled as "alternative protein source" (because most people still reject the idea of eating insects).
There is an app called "moodies" which can already tell in which mood you're in. By 2020 there will be apps that can tell by your facial expressions, if you are lying. Imagine a political debate where it's being displayed when they're telling the truth and when they're not.
Bitcoin may even become the default reserve currency ... Of the world!
Longevity: Right now, the average life span increases by 3 months per year. Four years ago, the life span used to be 79 years, now it's 80 years. The increase itself is increasing and by 2036, there will be more than one year increase per year. So, we all might live for a long time, probably way more than 100.