Hurricane Patricia: The Dawn of a Disaster

Since the past week, meteorologists were continuously honking the sirens over Hurricane Patricia. and all for right reason , In the span of just 30 hours, an ordinary tropical storm had turned into the most powerful hurricane ever measured, with savage winds. the cyclone was bowling right toward Mexico's south west coast. The hurricane hit Mexico at around 7 pm on Friday, as a  Category 5 storm with winds reaching upward of 165 mph .

The center of  hurriane Patricia pushed inland on a track that spared Mexico's major cities from the worst damage, including the popular coastal  cities of Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta and the inland  of Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city.

Rainfall was heavy enough to have caused massive flooding and mudslides, including a slide in the state of Michoacán that took a section of roadway out with it, injuring two people whose vehicle fell into the slide. Only one Category 5 hurricane had ever previously been known to make landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast. That hurricane followed a path similar to that of Hurricane Patricia and struck near Puerto Vallarta in late October 1959, causing  1,800 deaths.

The good news is the core of strongest winds only occurred over a very small area near the center, with hurricane force winds that extended outward up to 30 miles from the center at landfall. Tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 175 miles at the time of landfall.

Following Patricia's upgrade to Category 5 status, the National Hurricane Center called the storm "potentially catastrophic"a source of criticism and praise from various media. Citing the relatively limited damage and loss of life, soe even aimed that the agency was over-hyping or over-blowing storm. Most outlets praised them for effectively communicating the dire threat and potentially saving lives from an exceptionally powerful hurricane

For the Mexican government of President Enrique Peña Nieto, it was a rare bit of good news in a year in where  mostly  everything wouldd go wrong, . Tens of thousands of people evacuated their homes. More than 1,200 shelters were set up.

Peña Nieto’s government as well as the state administration of Guerrero came under heavy fire after the storm, accused of not providing adequate warning to residents of Guerrero, or a decent evacuation effort. The state governor at the time, Angel Aguirre, was reported to be out partying rather than mustering the evacuation of residents in high-risk zones.

Patricia became the ft Category 5 hurricane to pose an imminent threat to land in North America since Hurricane Felix approached Nicaragua in September 2007. Like Patricia, Felix ultimately stayed a Category 5 all the way to landfall. The magnitude of Patricia's rapid intensification is among the fastest ever observed. In a 24-hour span, October 22–23, its central pressure fell by 100 mbar. tthis fell just short of the world-record intensification set by Typhoon Forrestin 1983, which featured an identical pressure drop in under 24 hours.Wiith winds of 165 mph (270 km/h), Patricia is the strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane on record.The previous record was 160 mph (260 km/h) set by the 1959 Mexico hurricane. A tentative reanalysis determined the 1959 storm to have been a Category 4 upon moving ashore, thereby making Patricia the only reliable Category 5 landfall on record in the basin.

It almost seems like Mexico has gauned a good handful of knowledge about tackling such situations from the past. With past experiences in mind, Mexico prepared for the worst as Patricia approached. Before and after the hurricane, warnings  on radio and television broadcasts across the region, and government pickup trucks with loudspeakers made their way through neighborhoods.
thousands of people along the coast were evacuated into shelters and out of the danger zone.
States of emergency were declared in Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco states, which include the tourist resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

Apart  from that , the military and police troops to had a major involvement in helping to overcome this situation . About 3,000 soldiers and more than 800 federal police officers were dispatched to the area. More than 1,200 shelters were set up, able to accommodate 240,000 people. Schools were closed and three airports shut down.

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The Microsoft HoloLens: A leap into the future

When we talk about the future, our minds overflow with thoughts like Teleportation, Flying cars, Robots with emotions and many such ideas. However, one cannot expect such great advancements any time soon. Or can one?

One of the all time great companies, Microsoft just launched the HoloLens in their recent event along with the Surface Pad and other gadgets. However this device stood out. Priced at $3000, this may be out of reach for the common man, but it is a leap into the future nevertheless.

Microsoft HoloLens is the first fully untethered, holographic computer, enabling high-definition holograms to integrate with your world. It makes the world an animated space where u can paint and make stuff in 3D without limitations. Microsoft is keeping tight-lipped about the hardware specs of its fledgling AR tech, but we can still infer a few juicy product details from the product’s presentation. The visor’s eyepiece comprises of “see-through holographic HD lenses”, according to project leader Alex Kipman.

Kipman’s wording implies that the display will either be 1080p – otherwise known as “Full HD” – or the less impressive, but still technically HD, 720p resolution. There’s also a  possibility that HoloLens will sport a 4K display, which would put it ahead of the competition – but you’d have thought Microsoft would have mentioned that in the presentation.

More impressive, if a little less practical, is the Martian exploration experience. Developed in conjunction with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the demo allows users to explore and mark points on a virtual recreation of the surface of Mars, created with actual photos taken by the Curiosity rover. This hints towards full-blown VR experiences on the HoloLens, too.

During Microsoft’s HoloLens update it also alluded to a compatible HoloLens controller so you can more clearly interact with the virtual world around you. While it didn’t specifically highlight the new handset, in a demo of an exciting new “mixed-reality” game known as “Project X-Ray” the demonstration player was seen holding something that turned into a “wearable hologram”. Another advantage of the HoloLens is that whatever is made using the software, it can be easily 3D printed!

This technology could help the fields of engineering and medicine to excel leaps and bounds.

The video below shows the punch that this amazing piece of technology packs.

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In Search of Humanity: The faction between Putin and ISIS

In this World where we observe ample lots of casualties from global leaders to enhance and provide complete disarmament we have a “ HERO” Mr. Vladimir Putin , President of the World’s Largest Country- The Russian Federation who has marked its credibility as a Global Stake Holder by deploying a Special Military Task Force Team to bust out the Islamic State at whole.
Mr. Putin has strategized a special task force with its Military Chief and have thrashed in over 5000 troops to Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic to whitewash the “evil” jihadist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria who have a selfish motive to establish an Islamic Caliphate all over the World .The Russian Federation have worked efficiently on preventing the serious Human Rights Abuses as reported by the Amnesty International. The Islamic State has been taking support through the Social Networking Sites and carrying on torturous approach as their way of working and putting up violent and brutal killings of the reserved civilians. Russia has struck over 110 ISIS targets in Syria in just two weeks. Over 40% of the Islamic State’s infrastructure has reportedly been destroyed already. The U.S. allegedly has been bombing ISIS targets in Syria for more than a year, yet failed to weaken ISIS at all. Military experts report that most U.S. bombers that went out on missions in Syria came back with their arsenals intact as ordered by the Commander-in-Chief. In short, the airstrikes were all for show. Russia began its air campaign in Syria on September 30 after the US-led coalition struggled to dislodge ISIS militants for over a year. Now it has come to a conclusion that the US led collated Airstrikes were “vague” enough but  harmed the other side of the conflict killing the civilians of the sovereign nation itself.
It has come to a Notice through a legal report that the United States have led the foundations for the rise of the ISIS , after they intervened into Iraq in 2003. Its not about the “Blame Game” but a simple need of Diplomatic Negotiations by both the counterparts to be discussed and not compromising the grass root reasons of these uprising issues. Russian ships in the Caspian Sea have also fired cruise missiles over Iran and Iraq to strike Raqqa and Aleppo provinces.
This is an ultimatum mission of Mrs. Putin , who’s leading towards a Change and bring in a hope for Peace and Global Disarmament. I hope that this exquisite planning to whitewash the Abu Bakr Al Bagdadi led ISIS gives this World a positive conclusion with Peace and Integrity and the downfall of the Evil Extremist Group.

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Khamenei: The Emerging Winner

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has conditionally endorsed the nuclear deal signed between the P5+1. In my personal opinion the supreme leader maybe wanted a deal not to be reached and has been a vocal critic of the nuclear deal. He has threatened that Iran will consider the deal void if any new sanctions are imposed on the country in any form, it will become a reality if the sanctions committee of UNSC decides to take action against Iran for violating UNSC resolutions by carrying out a ballistic missile test. The deal has already been diplomatically tested since it has been reached. Iran does need to check its condescending tone against the west as it has more to loose than gain if the deal is scrapped by any of the two parties. Iran’s oil exports will be hurt as well as it will have to go back to a country, which is ostracized. The deal is ever closer to come into effect once it is passed by the congress (USA) and the parliament of Iran.

Barrack Obama might claim that the nuclear deal enhances the security of the region but the question is if it really does enhance security why has the US government offered its gulf partners a huge security package, shouldn’t the security spending go-down if it helps enhance security and promote regional stability? . The American administration has stated that the nuclear deal is a peaceful solution, which will help, in regional stability but the fact is that will the American’s be open to any other gulf state carrying out nuclear tests citing thereat from Iran?

Coming back to Iran the supreme leaders contradicting stand is seen hardline to appease many who see this deal as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty. The US and EU have also been silent on as to what they will do if Iran uses its freedom to carry out mass transaction of money to terror groups or rebels or carry out weapons transfer. US has promised that if Iran does violate the norms it will re-impose sanctions but at what cost? . The sanctions against DPRK or Iran haven’t worked because they have still obtained nuclear weapons, so a better policy will be to obviously engage both the nations. With Iran’s involvement in Yemen and Saudi Arabia looking to USA for support against Iran in its proxy war against Iran poses a certain threat to the relationship between Saudi Arabia and America. Whatever happens Iranian nuclear deal is here to stay.

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EU Refugee Crisis :People treated like Animals

Some in EU might say that it is not the responsibility of Europe but the international community as a whole but the fact is refugees are on their way to Europe. The problem is Europe is treating it more of a problem than fate, with the Hungarian PM ‘ Christian Europe will now be turned into a Muslim Europe’.

Also countries like Hungary need to realize that most of the refugees want to settle in countries like Germany and Austria and not Hungary itself, with Hungary receiving less than 300 asylum applications it needs to open its borders so that refugees might make way to Germany and other rich European countries.

Also the German chancellor Angela Merkel has been applauded for upholding the basic tenets of humanity but getting into the technicalities of refugee influx a growing concern for Islam-phobia has arisen with the left wing gaining ground in Germany.

This problem also challenges the existing policies of EU based on asylum grants, as clearly we can see the system is failing every day with humanity questioned too.

The EU in recent days has also struck a deal with turkey regarding stopping of migrant boats. In 2011 there was a deal struck between EU and Libya but after the dethronement of Muammar Gaddafi the problem again started.

EU has promised to crack down on illegal smugglers but as of now there are all words and they are as good as welfare schemes in Orissa as they are only on paper and not implemented in reality.

In refugee camps areas there are thousands fighting for a packet of food and a water bottle, it has also been reported that food packets have been thrown justifying animal treatment of refugees. We need to remember that world didn’t   invent human rights but human rights invented the world.

With the bankrupt Greece economy and overflowing of refugees into the Greek island of lesbos EU needs to think fast and adapt a proactive approach.

EU member states need to also agree on the quota system that will distribute and relocate the refugees within the EU.

What EU needs to do now is accept that they have a situation at hand and not be delirious or intentionally be negligent, they need to accept something’s before we can move on and counter the crisis. A political is the only solution as one cannot have the whole Middle East making its way to Europe. It’s up to the leaders to uphold human rights and make coherent policies to effectively tackle the crisis.

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Euthanasia: Mercy Killing or Killing the Mercy

Let us start by stating a simple fact. Euthanasia is most definitely not a remote country in Africa. Infact its literal meaning is good death. Its modern usage however has come to mean the intentional killing, by act or omission, of a person whose life is felt, by themselves or by others, to be not worth living. "Not worth.”  Who are we to judge?

But in some cases, death does seem like a better haven than to suffer. Terminally ill and incurably disabled people are those most at risk of having their lives deemed "not worth These are the people who can supposedly benefit from the legalization of euthanasia. Emotional and psychological pressures could become overpowering for depressed or dependent people. Financial considerations, added to the concern about "being a burden' could serve as powerful forces that would lead a person to supposedly opt for euthanasia

There will come a time when society would need to face the end of the voluntary euthanasia debate: Those cases would challenge most people's support for the issue, the circumstances which constitute the untrodden ground. To understand the debate for and against euthanasia, people must first understand the various t forms of euthanasia that include passive, active, voluntary and involuntary. Passive euthanasia is the withholding of respirators and other life-sustaining equipment, procedures, or treatment and is not typically objected to bylaw or most religions.

Active euthanasia is intentionally causing the death of another person through specific actions voluntary euthanasia in this case the person makes his/her wish to die known and he /she may also request for or act in ways to end their lives. Involuntary euthanasia refers to a scenario where the person wishes to live but is killed. Normally this would be termed as murder but not always.

Advances in medical technology today now mean that people can live longer and all those suffering for long periods of time due to illnesses can too yes, this does often mean an agonizingly slow death. Suicide and assisted suicide is often viewed as the most logical choice when faced with these circumstances. As far back as the 16th Century, people have been arguing for the terminally ill to be aided in ending life by physicians who should not be held morally or legally to blame for assisting the individual. The beginning of the 21st Century saw many bills supporting the use of euthanasia proposed in many legislatures but with little to no success. The fact is that everyone is going to die; the only question that remains to be answered is when, how, and under what conditions.  Believers in anti-euthanasia argue that the desire to die is caused by depression, and as such is fully treatable. While it is true that illnesses and terminal conditions cause depression this is not just common but also expected. However, no degree of depression treatment can change the circumstances of a patient's condition: terminally sick is terminally sick. There is no other way apart from death that can change these circumstances.

Medication and counseling for depression are not going to give back one's self-worth, satisfaction, or ease suffering when presented with the inevitable. This is not an argument about how some cases can benefit from euthanasia, but how can those cases be conducted in an ethical manner. The discussion over human euthanasia evokes strong emotions on both sides of the debate. Convincing justifications are found for both viewpoints. Doubtless, at times a need exists for euthanasia, be that in active, passive, involuntary, or voluntary form, and some forms of euthanasia do exist; however, society must ask what the cost of life and death is.

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Look who just sneaked in: Russian Hackers Breach Dow Jones for Trading Tips

In this fast paced world where resources have been a remedy to mankind’s afflictions and adversities, getting the best out of them is the parameter of a satisfactory life. Well the ways to get these resources have always been a great concern for mankind and not having them has often left him prone and vulnerable to take illegal decisions. Russia in this case is no contradiction.

In a world where trade and commerce are a lucid part of a country’s economy, information to trade tips is what some Russian hackers have been looking for. According to an article published by the Bloomberg: A group of Russian hackers had infiltrated the servers of Dow Jones& Co., the owner of the Wall Street journal and several other publications and stole information to trade.

Well this certainly gained a lot of attention as it compelled The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, and Exchange commission to enter this volatile issue.

Certainly as described by Dow Jones, the breach was far more serious than a lower grade intrusion. Making good arrangements of Cyber Security, the company found out those hackers had sought out contact and payment information to more than 3500 customers.

After some great amount of investigation and analysis by the FBI and the Secret Service, the real reason behind this activity could be interpreted. Information embargoed by companies and the government for release at a later time could be valuable to traders looking to gain an edge over the market with advanced trading facilities and mechanisms.

Analyzing Consequences:

This case clearly depicts how cybercrime is exploited to a great extent to get an insight of what today is known as commercial trade. Market moving and using non-public information used to trade hands in secret meetings. Hackers have gone on record to steal information and sell it to traders, thus making a more impactful erratic profit. Usually rich business journalists and data providers are a big target.

Data being held for public release at a specified time can also be an extremely profitable resource in markets where legal trade is certainly overlooked.

How did they make it?

Well many other companies who witnessed this issue were stunned and afraid and thus started figuring out how they made it after such high security. US authorities are ramping up their pursuit of hackers after a series of high profile attacks.

Those hackers who broke into servers have allegedly made more than $100 million in trades using this crime and broke into the accounts of many renowned companies through retail brokerage accounts.

This clearly means that globalisation has taken a toll on mankind and though it has connected us with the contemporaries, it certainly has made us vulnerable to a number of illegal practices

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When a Monkey wants a #Selfie Photoshoot

The "Monkey Selfies"

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word selfie is defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.”

However it turns out humans are not the only animals that are obsessed with this new form of photography.  Cats, monkeys, elephants, sloths and even kangaroos have tried to take a snap of themselves. However, when a female Celebes crested macaque decided to join the party, things took a wrong turn.

In 2011, a nature photographer named David Slater travelled to the country of Indonesia to take some pictures and study the habitat of these Macaques. He deliberately set up his camera on a tripod stand and kept the trigger of the camera clear and visible to the monkeys. Most of them were scared by the alien object. However, one curious female came close to the camera and intrigued by the trigger eventually pressed it. Though most of the snaps were unusable, a few were exceptional, just as a human would like his photo to be. Slater licensed the image to the Caters News Agency, under the presumption that he held copyright to the photo; Slater claimed that he had "engineered" the shot, and that "it was artistry and idea to leave them to play with the camera and it was all in my eyesight. I knew the monkeys were very likely to do this and I predicted it. I knew there was a chance of a photo being taken."

This is very things got out of hand. Slater's copyright claim was questioned by many, who argued that the photograph was in the domain because the monkey was not a legal person capable of holding a copyright, and Slater could not hold copyright to the photo because he was not involved in its creation.

Slater told BBC News that he had suffered financial loss as a result of the pictures being available on Wikimedia Commons, "I made £2,000 [for that picture] in the first year after it was taken. After it went on Wikipedia all interest in buying it went. It's hard to put a figure on it but I reckon I've lost £10,000 or more in income. It's killing my business." Slater was saying, "What they don't realize is that it needs a court to decide [the copyright]."

American and British lawyers Mary M. Luria and Charles Swan said that because the creator of the photograph is an animal and not a person, there is no copyright on the photograph, regardless of who owns the equipment with which the photograph was created. However, British media lawyer Christina Michalos said that on the basis of British law on computer-generated art, it is arguable that the photographer may own copyrights on the photograph, because he owned and presumably had set up the camera.

On December 22, 2014, the United States Copyright Office clarified its practices, explicitly stating that works created by a non-human are not subject to copyright, and lists in their examples a "photograph taken by a monkey”. On September 22, 2015, PETA filed a suit in the US to request that the monkey be assigned copyright.

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