Today, oil prices are up and stock markets down, so that can only mean that the Iran War is not easing into peace.  Saudi Arabia and the Houthis are attacking each other, opening up a second front and making oil passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait another choke point.  In the meantime, President Donald Trump indicated that there will be military strikes against Iran, but not before the mid-terms. About that Russian plague incident: Very little is official, but almost a week ago the Russian media reported a possible plague case with the death of a lab worker. This employee worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia. 28-year old Darya Shipilova was hospitalized for pneumonia and died on October 2. 200 others in contact with her were placed in quarantine.  Actually also the whole hospital.  But 90% of those held back have since been released. Yet, one other bit of contradictory alert is that 2000 people were in quarantine, for that graphic abo...

Nothing much, but here is what is happening around the world today: The U.S. is sending a third aircraft carrier fleet to the Middle East.  Not a good sign for peace before the mid-term elections. The national unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. The U.S. Supreme Court has begun a new term. From USA Today : 'Perfect storm': El Niño goes off the charts A record-high ocean temperature has been measured in a key El Niño region of the Pacific Ocean, and scientists say it likely hasn't reached its peak. Rachel became a hurricane on September 30, with a path towards Hawaii. Quickly strengthened into a Category 3 at 120 MPH yesterday, but dropped today to 110. All projections show continued weakening, while maintaining hurricane strength for the next few days. Still headed for Hawaii, but the extreme danger quotient looks low. In the West Pacific, Choi-Wan became a typhoon today south of Japan. Projections indicate a strengthening to Category 3 status, heading straight for Hon...

According to Google AI: The war between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran is currently in a severe economic stalemate after a temporary 60-day ceasefire expired in August 2026 . Direct military strikes have largely paused, and the conflict now centers on a naval blockade and heavy financial isolation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Current Situation Highlights Economic Warfare: President Trump announced a massive package of new sanctions, describing it as a "crushing economic operation" and an "economic D-Day" designed to completely isolate Iran's financial and digital assets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Strait of Hormuz Blockade: The U.S. Navy is enforcing a strict naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, having redirected dozens of commercial cargo ships. While Iran has discussed a limited, temporary shipping route with Oman, the main waterway remains restricted and heavily monitored by U.S. forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Stalled Diplomacy: Formal negotiations between Washington and Teh...

There is not much military activity diirectly related to the War with Iran today, but: Iran insists that the U.S. agrees to all concessions before opening the Strait of Hormuz. No serious peace talks are occurring. The Houthis continue to cause problems with Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected the U.S. proposal for the Gaza Strip. In other news: Todd Blanche was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. attorney general. Typhoon Dolphin made landfall over Okinawa at 101 MPH, causing damage, but, at this time, no known deaths.  Next, on to Zhejiang. While not threatening Hong Kong, this storm was deemed responsible for the record high temperature today of just about 98.5 F. As we are expecting to stop through Vancouver after our cruise ship docks in Montreal, I asked Google AI whether the latest British Columbia wild fire is also impacting this city: Yes, there are some active wildfires and smoke in British Columbia , including a small local fire in Metro V...