Indonesia hikes danger level for deadly tsunami volcano (Source AFP) Indonesia on Thursday raised the danger alert level for a volcano that sparked a killer tsunami at the weekend, after previously warning that fresh activity at the crater threatened to trigger another deadly wave.

Authorities also widened a no-go zone around Anak Krakatoa to five kilometres (three miles) — up from a previous two kilometres — and warned shell-shocked residents to stay away from the coast, after more than 400 were killed by Saturday night’s killer wave.

Plumes of ash burst into the sky as pyroclastic flows — hot gas and other volcanic material — flowed down the crater, raising the risk of rough seas for boats in the vicinity.

Authorities raised the crater’s status to high alert, the second-highest danger warning, while aviation officials ordered flights to be redirected away from the area.

“We’ve raised the status of (the volcano) since this morning because there’s been a change in the eruption pattern,” Kus Hendratno, a senior official at the Krakatoa observatory, told AFP Thursday. The new flows posed no immediate danger to area towns as the volcano sits in the middle of the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands.

But the status change sparked new fears with many local residents already scared and refusing to return to their communities over fears of another tsunami.

“This worries me,” said Ugi Sugiarti, a cook at the Augusta Hotel in hard-hit Carita. “I’ve already left.”

Sukma, a security guard at the shattered Mutiara Carita Cottages, added: “Just please pray for us and that everything will be okay.” A section of the crater — which emerged at the site of the Krakatoa volcano, whose massive 1883 eruption killed at least 36,000 people — collapsed after an eruption and slid into the ocean, triggering Saturday night’s killer wave. At least 430 people were killed, with 1,495 people injured and another 159 were missing.

Nearly 22,000 people have been evacuated and are living in shelters. Indonesia, a vast Southeast Asian archipelago, is one of the most disaster-hit nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

Ultra-swanky cruise ship, submarine included, is on Charleston’s port schedule (Source Post and Courier)

A sleek new cruise ship billed as one of the world’s most luxurious — complete with helicopters and a submarine for use by its pampered passengers — is scheduled to dock at the Port of Charleston next year.

The Scenic Eclipse will pull into Union Pier Terminal on Oct. 6 as part of a 10-day cruise that departs New York on Sept. 29 and winds up in Nassau in the Bahamas on Oct. 8.

The trip will “trace U.S. history from the arrival of the British through the American Revolution,” according to the cruise line’s website. Prices range from $6,995 to $27,695 per passenger.

The $230 million Eclipse was supposed to launch in January but delays at the Croatian shipyard where it’s being built have pushed the first sailing to April.

The Eclipse is designed to carry just 228 guests in 114 all-veranda suites with a 1-to-1 guest-to-staff ratio.

Dubbed a “luxury discovery yacht,” it will have two helicopters and a six-seater sub called Scenic Neptune, allowing passengers to get close-up views of submerged ruins in Greece, colorful reef life in the Caribbean and penguins, seals and walruses in clear polar waters, according to the cruise line.

 PUTIN OVERSEES FINAL HYPERSONIC MISSILE TEST BEFORE 2019 DEPLOYMENT  (Source Zero Hedge) The Russian Defence Ministry, on special orders from President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday conducted a successful final test launch of a new hypersonic glide missile system ahead of its official deployment in 2019, according to reports from Russian state media. The new weapon, called the Avangard, uses an intercontinental ballistic missile and a hypersonic glide vehicle and can travel 20 times the speed of sound.

In Wednesday’s field exercise, the hypersonic weapon was launched from the Dombarovsky Air Base in the southern Ural Mountains. Moscow said the missile successfully struck a designated practice target on the Kura Missile Test Range, more than 3,700 miles away.

“Putin arrived at the National Defense Control Center and gave the command to start the tests,” the Kremlin’s press office said, according to Russian media outlet Sputnik. “The launch was conducted by combat troops of the Strategic Missile Forces from the Dombarovsky launch facility.”

Kremlin’s press-service said: “Putin thanked the creators of Avangard, the test participants and the Ministry of Defense for their excellent work, adding that the hypersonic missile will be “put into service with the Strategic Missile Forces in due time.”

The capabilities of the winged glider allow it to bypass the coverage area of American and NATO missile defense systems. Putin introduced the Avangard, which was among a list of new technologies presented in March, saying the hypersonic missile cannot be intercepted. The Russian president said the Avangard has an intercontinental range and can fly in the atmosphere at 20 times the speed of sound. He said, “it heads to target like a meteorite, like a fireball.” The Russian Defense Ministry released footage of Wednesday’s missile launch which deployed the Avangard hypersonic glider during its final trial. The weapon will enter service next year.

France Rejects America—and Empowers Germany! (Source thetrumpet.com) President Macron visited Berlin on Nov. 18, 2018. One week earlier he had hosted leaders around the world and used the occasion to be openly hostile to the United States. But during his trip to Germany on November 18, there were no harsh words or criticisms. “If you do not understand the words from France, remember that France loves you,” he told the German parliament. Macron has never said anything like that to Britain or America. Instead, he has called for a “true European army” to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.” France certainly does not love the United States. 10 powerful European nations will combine their forces.” The European unification project is going to consolidate to 10 nations that Germany can really dominate. You can read about this power in Daniel 2 and 7, and Revelation 13 and 17. In Revelation 9:7-9, John saw these weapons in vision and wasn’t familiar with what he was seeing. He had never seen mechanized vehicles or modern technology. He described what he saw using terms he was familiar with, such as “locusts,” war horses and lions. “The sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle,” says verse 9. This is talking about airplanes, jet fighters and helicopters that can go all directions and inflict punishing destruction! If you look back in European history, you will see previous instances when people tried to establish an empire in Europe: Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, Charlemagne and others. Those were all terrifyingly bloody times in Europe! That was the tyranny of the Holy Roman Empire! In World Wars i and ii, America helped to set France free from the empire. But instead of showing gratitude, France is now helping to raise it right back up!

Across France, hundreds of thousands have marched, blockaded roads, and destroyed property, demanding change from the government. Paris was shut down for weeks on end as rioters burned cars, smashed windows, and clashed with police. The riots were sparked by anger at a rise in fuel taxes (to pay for Macron’s war on climate change), but it is clear that the people are angry about much more than that. “The demands of the protesters have grown more radical as the weeks have passed,” wrote the Times. “Many are calling for the overthrow of Mr. Macron and a new political system to be introduced”. This is a game-changing trend for France and Europe. Many people in France are tired of democracy and want a whole new political system—and Bible prophecy shows that they will get it! On Dec. 13, 2018, the American Conservative published an article by James Pinkerton that addressed the protests in France and pointed out that the European Union is fundamentally not a democratic project. In general, voters don’t want to hand over power to a superstate. Every time they have been asked in referenda, they have issued a clear “No!” However, as Pinkerton pointed out, “[T]he dream of a united Europe will always endure, at least in the minds of would-be Charlemagnes.” French President Macron is clearly a would-be Charlemagne! But Pinkerton went on to write, “Of course, such an imperium requires a fist—the more mailed, the better.” To create such an empire in Europe, you must use an iron fist! That is the only way it has been achieved in the past.

Worst December for stocks since 1931 gets worse as rate hikes spook investors (Source usatoday.com)

The worst December for stocks since 1931 keeps getting worse. The Dow remained under pressure and closed sharply lower again Thursday amid a negative reaction to the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike and suggestion that two more increases are coming next year. Investors fear the continued rise in borrowing costs will cause the economy to slow. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 464 points, or 2 percent, to a 14-month low of 22,860. The technology-packed Nasdaq composite briefly slipped into bear market territory after dipping more than 20 percent from its late August peak. And the broad Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, which tumbled 1.6 percent, is now down 10.6 percent from the end of September, which marks its worst start to December since the Great Depression, according to Bespoke Investment Group. The large-company stock index fell 14.53 percent in December 1931, according to data from S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Abortions by Mail Now Available in U.S. (Source thetrumpet.com)

Thanks to a new online company, Aid Access, do-it-yourself abortions are trending. For a fee, American women can receive medical abortion pills mailed to their doorstep.

Dutch doctor and abortion activist Rebecca Gomperts initiated the service eight months ago to facilitate what she sees as a growing demand among American women. According to the Atlantic, Gomperts has filled 600 prescriptions so far. To accept a prescription, she requires that applicants be less than 10 weeks pregnant, live an hour from a hospital, and be in general good health. Then for $95 (less, if the applicant requires financial assistance), the lethal concoction can arrive in the mail and be administered in the woman’s own home.

The drugs are processed in an Indian pharmacy and contain mifepristone and misoprostol. These pharmaceuticals work in tandem to rip the implanted embryo from the uterine lining and expel it. While simple and effective, it is not necessarily safe, and not exactly legal.

Because the drugs are manufactured in India, United States health regulators have no oversight of their production. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement on Aid Access, “Mifepristone, including Mifeprex, for termination of pregnancy is not legally available over the Internet. The agency takes the allegations related to the sale of mifepristone in the U.S. through online distribution channels very seriously and is evaluating the allegations to assess potential violations of U.S. law.” Self-managed abortions are also illegal in seven states.

As world turns away from US dollar, role of Russian ruble is growing – Putin (Source RT) The reserve currency position of the Russian ruble is strengthening as countries turn away from the dollar due to US financial restrictions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during his annual Q&A session.

The role of Russia’s national currency will continue to grow, especially in payments between members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Putin told journalists. The Russian president gave an example of cross-border payments between EEU members Russia and Belarus, nearly 70 percent of which are in rubles. “The role of the ruble as a reserve currency used in payments is increasing. It will strengthen in this segment as it is not associated with costs of dollar payments and is more reliable,” the Russian leader told journalists.

Huawei Launches the Evolution Strategy for 5G-oriented Wireless Target Network (Source globalresearch.ca)
The following article confirms HuaWei’s lead in 5G telecommunications technology. In this regard, the campaign against Huawei including the arrest of CFO Meng Wanzhou is intent upon undermining China’s  strategic lead in 5G including Huawei’s “All Bands Go to 5G.

At Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2018, Huawei released the “All Bands Go to 5G” strategy for the evolution towards a 5G-oriented wireless target network. This strategy provides suggestions for future development of the wireless network in three key aspects: simplified site, simplified network, and automation. China is not only the largest producer of cellphones Worldwide, it is a leader in wireless technology. According to an August 2018 report by Deloitte Consulting: “China is winning the race against the United States to build a faster nationwide wireless network that uses 5G technology” The US dirty tricks campaign (supported by Canada) indelibly seeks to prevent China from taking the lead: Unless the U.S. moves more quickly, it will be at a major disadvantage when it comes to creating dominant new companies in the emerging space….

Accordingly, countries that adopt 5G first are expected to experience disproportionate gains in macroeconomic impact compared to those that lag,” the report’s authors said.

Catholic Dads Must Go to Church to Prevent Sex Abuse By Clergy (Source Yahoo)

The Catholic community, in America and abroad, is grappling with the horrific details put forth in a new report from the Illinois Attorney General claiming that church officials covered up for over 500 priests accused of abuse, releasing a public document with 185 names on it after compiling a list of 690 priests. The Illinois report followed on the heals of a Pennsylvania grand jury report claiming over 1,000 victims of rape and sexual predation were ignored or actively silenced by church leaders, many of whom sheltered the perpetrators of awful crimes. Though both reports are devastating in their details, neither is shocking. Catholic clergy have a history of raping kids and the church has a history of covering it up.

The practical question the report forces Catholic parents of young children to answer is one parents in the church have faced before: Does my family’s participation in church life jeopardize the safety of my kids? Given that the reports out of Illinois and Pittsburgh follow revelations of a similar nature in Boston, Ireland, Kenya, the Philippines, and Croatia, we must entertain the notion that the answer is “yes.” As such, many Catholic parents like myself are reconsidering how they engage with churches and religious institutions. Some will walk away. I will not. Instead, I will double down on my involvement in church matters because I’m aware that the presence of a father tremendously diminishes the likelihood of harm befalling a children.

The First Step Act will offer a fairer deal to prison inmates (Source The Washington Post)

The significance of the First Step Act, the criminal-justice-reform bill that senators passed Tuesday, should not be understated. It is the greatest reevaluation yet of the nation’s outmoded get-tough-on-crime policies that have contributed to its massive prison population, and an acknowledgment that in some cases rehabilitation and training are preferable to long-term human warehousing. We wish we could say this more often: Credit to Republicans, including President Trump, for finally shepherding a compromise reform package through the Senate. The bill would help prisoners earn good-time credits so they could reduce their sentences for good behavior. It would offer them more training and work opportunities, as well as the chance to earn money that would go into escrow accounts to pay for post-release expenses. It would bolster programs to help prisoners reintegrate into society after release. It would ban shackling of pregnant women. The legislation would relax some mandatory-minimum sentences, mainly on drug charges, and give judges more discretion to sentence people to less than the mandatory amount of time if they are convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. It would also address the ongoing outrage that more than 2,000 people have languished behind bars because of an unjust disparity in sentencing rules between charges for crack and powder cocaine offenses, a distinction that disproportionately hit African Americans. In all, if the House approves the legislation, thousands of current inmates, and many more in the future, would get a fairer deal.

Putin Announces Advanced Hypersonic Weapons; Russian Military Plans For Base In Caribbean; Warns Nuclear War Shouldn’t Be Underestimated (Source activistpost.com)

Putin recently stated that the threat of nuclear war should not be underestimated as tensions have risen between NATO countries and Russia within the past few months. Putin added that U.S. withdrawal from the treaty could spur “global catastrophe” and that he hopes “common sense will prevail.”

Russia appears to be making preparations for potential war. In April earlier this year a Russian state-owned television station warned that some Americans are preparing for a coming war with Moscow, explaining to the country’s residents how to stock their bunkers with water and basic necessities in case a war breaks out. This is visibly seen by Russia’s suggesting that it will build bases on the Caribbean and build up its existing Arctic strongholds. “We’ll finish building infrastructure in 2019 to accommodate air defense radar units and aviation guidance points on the Sredny and Wrangel Islands, and on Cape Schmidt” in the Russian Arctic, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said according to France 24.

The report noted that NATO held its biggest military exercises since the end of the Cold War near Russia’s Arctic border with Norway earlier this year. As for the Caribbean, in combination with the socialist nation of Venezuela which also has sanctions against it by the U.S. government, Russia plans to build a base and a military presence presumably in response to the U.S. suggesting it will pull out of the INF treaty, in La Orchila, Venezuela according to TASS.