Umbrella Revolution

Source: AP

In 2010, a self-immolation of a street vendor in a provincial town of Sidi Bouzid sparked mass anti-government protests. Protests and uprising grew from Tunisia into neighbouring countries. That single event led to the Arab Spring movement, bringing down along with it several Arab regimes. Egypt, Lybia, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Bahrain, Syria and Jordan all fell victims to Arab Spring protests in varying degrees. The protests are a result of years of suppressed resentment of government. Rapid population growth led to high unemployment. Aging dictatorship and corruption added fuel to the already fragile situation. And the protest movement is spreading, to Asia. 

Lone Wolf Terrorism

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A news headline reads: “Oklahoma woman beheaded in workplace attack by man who had allegedly tried to convert co-workers to Islam; Update: No evidence of link to terror groups.”

Once again, a lone wolf brings the world to its knees. One deranged man, or one who has strong ideological inclinations, is enough to freeze a nation. There’s no need for a brigade of mad man to hold the world hostage. Yes that’s the power of one “crazy” man. If you are still not convinced that this is the case, just look around what governments are doing just to contain that one man. They are not worried about masses of crazy people who may create hideous harm. But they are all worried about what one man can do. 

The Weekend: Walking Lane for Phone Users

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The Verge – “It’s the first rule of phone-walking: the more you check your phone, the slower you’re going to walk. So last week, the Chinese city of Chongqing divided its sidewalks into two lanes: one for walking, and one for cellphones. If you’re going to stumble around while scrolling through Instagrams, you’ll have to do it on the left-hand side.”

Cancer – A death sentence

The prognosis of a person having cancer is tantamount to a judge pronouncing a death sentence. Cancer is a fearsome sickness. Mainstream medical science has no complete answer to this. Simultaneously, many other theories on the causes of cancer abound, alongside non-medical, non-invasive purported cures. According to reports, Body acidity is one main cause of providing an environment in the body for cancerous growth. Sugar does the reverse, promoting cancerous growth. There are advocates of taking baking soda to promote alkalinity in the body and counteract body acidity. Mayo Clinic stated “Sodium bicarbonate is also used to make the blood and urine more alkaline in certain conditions.” Take note that there is a qualification in the Mayo statement. 

God and Guns

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Some preachers are advocating the “thou shall not kill” command as not retaliating even when one is confronted with a situation of being raped or murdered. The premise is that God does not permit man to kill one another as espoused in one of the ten commandments. At first glance, the command appears to be a sacrosanct mandate. Then later on in history, the chosen people of Israel were commanded to annihilate other tribes. It is all so confusing. A relatively simple issue such as this has never failed to evoke controversies and has been vigorously attacked. The dictates of the God of creation, who is supposed to be the God of love and mercy, doesn’t add up at all. Could it have been that God is schizophrenic? 

Debt is GOOD?

Savings was a virtue taught to our fore-fathers. They worked hard, saved and invested for a better future and retirement. That was the principle of money management and investment philosophy. The core teaching was NOT to spend beyond the means. Children were given piggy banks (clay money boxes) to drop the savings into. Every dime was cherished. When the piggy-bank is filled up, it is broken and the contents counted and put in the bank for interest. Little by little, wealth is accumulated. Debt was taboo. In fact some cultures see debt as a shame. “Those were the days when debt was equated with evil and semi-bankruptcy.  People hesitated to take out a mortgage.  When mortgages were paid off, there were frequently mortgage parties.” (King World News)

World on Tenterhooks

The terror inflicted by ISIS in the region surrounding the Syrian Kurdish city of Kobani has pushed over 200,000 refugees flooding into Turkey in the last few days. “The assault on Kobani is energising Kurds throughout the region with 3,000 fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) based in Iraq’s Qandil mountains reported to be crossing from Iraq into Syria and heading for Kobani”, according to reports by The Independent. While there is a respite in Ukraine, the theater of warfare once again shifted to the Middle East. Now, USA and several Arab allies started bombing “the militants” in Syria. In effect, it is war against Syria (Respect Syria Sovereignty). Elsewhere around the world, there’s nothing but depressing news! All these happen during a time when the US President was conferred a Nobel Peace prize. How ironic!

America No More

The rate at which the USA is degenerating, both morally and economically lends credence to the demise of this once mighty nation of the twentieth century. Unfolding events point to USA heading for the abyss. American society is virtually lawless. Those in power are totally arrogant and corrupt. The scenario is set for the days prior to that of Noah when God says “enough is enough” and destruction must take place to eradicate the evil that is upon earth. 

Weekend Shock: Most Expensive Education

Overall cost:
Australia is the Winner

Cost of Living:
Singapore tops

Source: Business Insider

When it comes to education, Australia is the most expensive destination for international students, a global HSBC report has found. Surveying more than 4,500 parents in 15 countries, the research found an Australian education is more expensive than in the US and the UK. The cost of living is the highest in Singapore.

Peace & War

Biblical records narrated how a tiny tribe of people grew from the family of Israel (Jacob) into a kingdom, as a consequence of the Abramic promise.  Initially, this Israel tribe was under the direct headship of their God who liberated them from slavery in Egypt. However, Israel rejected God and moved from a theocracy into a secular democracy. After God acquiesced to their demands for a worldly king to govern them, Israel degenerated into a nation plagued with corrupt kings. What followed were epochs of peace and wars until the Babylonians conquered the kingdom under Zedekiah, the last king of Israel who ruled from 434-423 C.C. It was not until 1948 did Israel returned as a nation once again.