By now, Pastor Dennis Balcombe is a legend in China, and most of you know about him. Here is a short video we hacked up about some of his legendary work.

Watched this already? Fine. Have you checked the website? Here is the link to his international organization: Revival Chinese Ministries International …→

Keep scrolling – more cool stuff below!!

Ten years from now we will interact with the internet in completely different ways. Roger McNamee identifies six changes that are already transforming the ways we consume and create content.

Quote: The next big shift is now, and it’s not what you think: Facebook is the new Windows; Google must be sacrificed.

Since then, I have contacted several people within Sudan. It seems both sides are gearing up for war.

Links to help understand the issues:

NOTE: All links open a new tab or window.

Taiwan News: Imminent war in Sudan? Not exactly

Interesting Quote from TN: “The media have been warning of imminent war for some time. A quick Google search for “Sudan on the brink of war” returns dozens of stories over the past few years from The Washington Post, the Guardian, Time magazine, and the BBC, to name a few. Behind closed doors in Washington, discussions have been heated because many want President Obama’s special envoy, retired General Scott Gration, to stop being an impartial leader in the peace process and intervene quickly to stop impending disaster.”

Energy Publisher: Catholic bishops of Sudan cite little progress for peace

Interesting Quote from EP: “ANALYSIS: Agreement signed and hopes raised | When the CPA was signed amid great hope in 2005, a key element was that the unity of Sudan should be made attractive and given a chance by addressing the root causes of the conflicts in Sudan. | These root causes include: • Identity – Sudan is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, but in practice one entity still dominates and imposes itself on others in an oppressive manner, at every level.
• A highly centralised system of governance which marginalises those on the periphery. | Little progress …

New York Times: In Sudan, War Is Around the Corner

Interesting Quote from NYT: “If January comes and goes without a referendum, or if the results are manipulated, then fighting will break out. Both sides have been arming themselves since the peace agreement, so this iteration of north-south violence will be far worse than ever before. And if war resumes in the south, the conflict in Darfur, in western Sudan, will surely explode again.”

AFP: US, Britain, Norway ‘deeply concerned’ on Sudan

Interesting Quote from AFP: “While the tenuous peace deal holds in southern Sudan, the western Darfur region has been torn by a separate conflict since 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum and state-backed Arab militias.”

Guardian: Sudan on brink of war over oil

Interesting Quote from Gu: “South Sudan currently gets 98% of its income from oil revenues under the remit of the Khartoum government, as part of the CPA. It will be landlocked as an independent state, and completely dependent on the pipeline through the north to export its oil. But there has been no deal on how this might work.”

Video Links:

YouTube: Landmark Chad trip for wanted president Omar al-Bashir (Chad hiding al-Bashir, interesting since Chad and Sudan have severe problems with each other.)

YouTube / TimeMagazine: The Lord’s Resistance Army Hunts Children in Sudan

BBC: Southern Sudan holds landmark vote

Audio Links:

MP3: A referendum on independence for Southern Sudan is scheduled for January. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with correspondent Rebecca Hamilton in Khartoum. She says preparations for the vote are behind schedule, and a delay could trigger war.

Other Interesting Links:

The Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) is a multi-year research project administered by the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. Through the active generation and dissemination of timely empirical research, the project supports violence reduction initiatives.

The Hague Justice Portal: ICC issues genocide arrest warrant against Omar Al-Bashir

Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting: Sudan in Transition:

English Forum (based in France): The Sudan Tribune news and views from Sudan

Wikipedia: Links and Background on Sudan

http://www.30-days.net/muslims/

Important Documents (PDFs)

: Re-Engaging The Guarantors To The Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement http://www.refugeesinternational.org/sites/default/files/RenewingThePledge_UK_PRINT.pdf

Background:

A Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed between North and South Sudan January 9, 2005. The deal stated South Sudan would hold a Referendum — January 9th 2011. South Sudan is to vote on whether it will choose independence or be part of a united Sudan.

Officially North and South politicians claim they want a united Sudan, specifically they say they do not want war. South Sudan has much oil, but it is exported from North Sudan’s ports. North Sudan is under Sharia law and strict ideologies of Islam. South Sudan is “Christian” and animist (in fact, there are many Christians in government and areas of leadership and business).

Sudan has been torn with war for many years, both Religious and Cultural (tribal wars). There is little unity in Sudan, the largest country of Africa.

Another complication is Darfur which strains relationships with neighboring countries such as Chad. Although an international arrest warrant has been issued on Sudan’s (Muslim) president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, it has not stopped him traveling to neighboring countries who in turn get pressure from the International community. (Realistically the International community is also interested in the oil and is not pushing hard for Bashir’s arrest nor for renewed war.)

There are many reasons war might break out in Sudan now, it is a complex situation. But the real eye-opener is to read the forums where open hatred is spewed between North and South Sudanese.It seems that ordinary Sudanese sitting at home on their computers want revenge for past atrocities and bloodshed. The mood of the forums is that these computer users are ready and willing to go to the killing fields.

Forum Quotes

These are in some of the popular forums in Sudan:

• “Show me a southerner who ever said I am a Sudanese … they always take pride in being Southern and never Sudanese.” [In a showdown with a post from a north Sudanese writer.]
• “Neither do we care about being Arabs or not, but you can see the barrage of hatred here.” [A southerner observing the comments on a Sudanese newspaper site.]
• “Yeah war is not yet over! All Sudanese must taste the killing including the North Sudan.” [On whether war will come if independence comes. One of many, many entries where both north and south Sudanese show they are ready if not committed to a new war!]
• “Therefore, I call upon all South Sudanese people as we approach referendum to decide our fate and total independence from north, let us desist from Arab and Islamic culture and to abide to our unique African and Christian culture to differentiate us from radical Arab and Islamic culture, which I know will take years and years to overcome it in our South Sudan society but have we forgotten our African and Christian cultures!” [Commentary from a Southerner about the "Arabization" of South Sudan.]
• “However, after an Islamic legal code was introduced on a national level, the ruling National Congress (NCP) established themselves as the sole political party in the state and has since supported the use of recruited Arab militias in guerrilla warfare, such as in the ongoing conflict in Darfur.” [The history of Sudan.]
• “Program of “Arabization” in process.” [Sudanese newspaper article.]
• “A generation drenched in hate.” [A comment observing the mood of of a forum where both north and south Sudanese flame each other.]
• “Sudan’s independent history has been dominated by chronic, exceptionally cruel warfare that has starkly divided the country on racial, religious, and regional grounds; displaced an estimated four million people (of a total estimated population of thirty-two million); and killed an estimated two million people.” [Wikipedia entry on Sudan.]

Prayer Points:

• Pray that the Christian leaders of South Sudan can hear clearly the Lord’s will regarding Sudan’s future.
• Pray that grass-roots reconciliation can become widespread between the tribes of Sudan and the many hurt people within this vast country.
• Pray the surrounding countries will stay out of Sudan and stay out of this complicated referendum.
• Pray for the various people groups / tribes of Sudan (we have several listed on site).
• Pray that there would be a fair and comprehensive deal for both South and North on the splitting of the oil wealth.
• Just imagine getting to heaven and the Lord says, “Well done, you helped stop a war in Sudan.”

Salam Sudan from World Relief NEXT on Vimeo.

The software giant Microsoft has a good idea, it is software teachers can use to help keep the students engaged should they indeed have to stay home.

And with the recent news that vaccines are in much shorter supply (both quantity and later than expected, it seems likely that many schools and universities will indeed be closing the doors.

The World Health Organization is warning that the annual production of H1N1 vaccines is expected to fall short of the 4.9 billion doses that it had earlier forecast would be made.

WHO writes on their website, “Current supplies of pandemic vaccine are inadequate for a world population in which virtually everyone is susceptible to infection by a new and readily contagious virus.

Given that current demand outstrips supply, these donations, together with the doses pledged by manufacturers, will help increase supplies of pandemic vaccines to populations that would otherwise not have access.”

[Link: who.int/mediacentre/]

Below is a link to the Microsoft idea which is a good idea from Microsoft for a few reasons. For example, it is a very practical idea for both teachers and students. It gives both some time and strategy to think though the process of teaching during possible closures to schools. An added benefit: parents are relieved at the idea their kids have something practical to do when they are stuck at home.

From a marketing idea, since the concept is of course to use Microsoft software to implement the teaching, it is really good. Not everyone is going to rush out to buy software from Microsoft, but what with anger over Vista and new Office which certainly hurt Microsofts image, this plan is a step in the right direction, at least for countries / teachers / students with the money to have a computer and be online.

“We’re concerned for the students and families impacted by the H1N1 virus and understand this could be a difficult time for students worried about their health and that they could fall behind in their studies,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president of Worldwide Public Sector Education at Microsoft. “We are happy to be able to provide affordable and accessible technology solutions that educators and students can use to mitigate any disruptions in the classroom due to a possible outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus.”

More information is available at microsoft.com/education/h1n1. (and microsoft.com/press)

YouTube H1N1 vaccine shortages expected:

Masks come in various types based on efficiency. Following are general facts about face masks, respirators, types of masks, classifications, recommendations, about face masks and the influenza virus, stockpiling information and the sources.

Here are some key issues about respirators and face masks followed by more technical information.

The spread of viruses can be restricted by using respirators or face masks as the SARS experience proved. There are several types of faces masks on the market but the shelf-life of masks and or filters is limited. There are three categories of effectiveness which are listed below. Please note:

• * The face mask must fit well: the nose clip, head tapes or elastic and edges must seal.
• * Beards hamper effectiveness: particle-filtering half-masks are impaired by beards. People with beards are recommended to remove them.
• * Particle-filtering face masks should not generally be worn for longer than 8 hours in total. Surgical masks should not generally be worn for longer than 2 to 3 hours in total.
• * Other masks, if used carefully (avoiding contamination of the inner surface when removing the mask), can be worn several times by the same person.
• * The face mask must be changed in the following situations:

1. If a particle-filtering mask has been worn for 8 hours in total (2 to 3 hours for surgical masks)
2. If the face mask has come into direct contact with secretions containing pathogens (the virus)
3. If the face mask has visible defects
4. If breathing resistance is increased due to moisture

• * Face masks must be kept in a clean place protected from dust and moisture.
• * You must have a plan to properly dispose of used or contaminated masks otherwise they become a health risk in themselves.
• * The manufacturers of face masks can be contacted for information on their shelf-life.
• * It has not been demonstrated unequivocally that face masks protect against infections in general since no well-founded efficacy tests have been carried out with live or inactivated germs. However, experience with SARS suggests that the spread of viruses can be restricted by face masks.
• * There is the question of the psychological value of masks for the population during a pandemic.

Types of Masks

There are several types of respirators and face masks available which offer various levels of protection. The simplest way of protecting against droplet-borne germs is to use surgical masks. These can reduce the spread of germs in the exhaled air of sick people. The type of mask attached to the wearer’s head by an elastic head band is recommended since it is easy to use and stays in place well. Only surgical masks (or those with an elastic band) of type II, or, if possible type IIR (the letter R indicates greater splash resistance) which comply with national standards are recommended. Surgical masks become soaked with moisture after about 2 to 3 hours, which causes them to lose their efficacy.
Classifications

In the USA, N-95 and N-99 filter masks offer a greater degree of protection. The European standard is EN149. Masks come in three classes, FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.
The filter classification is based on the protection conferred against particles (max. 0.6 mm). The filtration efficiency is at least 95% for FFP2 masks and at least 99% for FFP3 masks. The filtration effect of the masks is achieved by electrostatically charged fibers, the efficiency of which decreases with age and at an ambient humidity level over 80%. FFP masks are soaked through after about 8 hours.

Recommendations

During the SARS epidemic there was some evidence that FFP masks and surgical masks may have been of benefit. The WHO (World Health Organization) does not state that wearing face masks in public is an effective way of protecting the population against infection and thus preventing the spread of the pandemic; however, the organization leaves it to each country to decide whether or not to take this approach. (See Video below)

The Influenza Virus

The influenza virus is transmitted primarily by droplets. It may also spread by hand-to-face contact if a non-infected person touches a person or surface contaminated with infected droplets. It is not certain whether the virus can be spread in the air. Since the potential pandemic virus and its mode of transmission are not yet known, the possibility that it can spread in the air (aerosol-borne) cannot be excluded. The reader’s attention is drawn explicitly to the fact these recommendations are based only on the preliminary findings currently available. Further research is required to provide evidence-based support for the recommendations. The recommendations issued by the WHO and national health organization will be adapted to reflect as accurately as possible current knowledge of the virus’s mode of transmission.

Masks should have a bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of “92%, breathing resistance < 5.0 mm water/cm2 and splash resistance 120 mm Hg”. (Total leakage from the masks is generally around the same as FFP1 masks.)

The Food and Drug Administration has approved types of respirators to help reduce exposure during a flu pandemic: 3M respirators models 8612F and 8670F, and Pasture Pharma respirator models F550G and A520G.

Stockpiling Face Masks

Stockpiling of FFP masks is only possible to a certain extent because of their limited shelf-life of 3 years (see above). Surgical masks do not have a limited shelf-life. Although many federal governments will stockpile a certain number of masks, Healthy members of the general population will be expected to obtain their own surgical masks.

Video (via YouTube): CDC General Instructions for Disposable Respirators

References

* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan. 2005; 233.
* World Health Organization. WHO global influenza preparedness plan. 2005; 42f.
* BVet. Empfehlungen zum Schutz des zur Bek?pfung der klassischen Gefluelpest eingesetzten Personals. 2005.
* Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., Berlin, Operationsmasken “ Anforderungen und Präverfahren, Deutsche Fassung prEN 14683. 2003; 1-15.
* Lange JH. Use of disposable face masks for public health protection against SARS. J Epidemiol Comm Health 2004; 85: 434.

Poll results: Our Quick Poll for January asked “Would you were a face mask?” (in the event of an outbreak)
Yes: 82.4 %
No: 11.8%
Unsure: 5.9%
These percentages were from some 1900 votes from various countries.