Update for May 20th

I have been dealing with a virus infection for the past three weeks that has left me incapable of writing and publishing to the blog. Fortunately the illness can be treated with medication and I am hoping for a full recovery within the next week or so. I am anxious to interact with my regular readers and visitors on a variety of news events and international issues that have transpired during my absence from the Sphere.

The tragic loss of life and property affecting millions of people in China and Burma has not only captured the world's attention but has also captured our hearts and sympathies. I am especially concerned about the inability of international disaster recovery teams to provide urgent assistance to the millions of destitute, desperate storm survivors in Burma. We can only hope and pray that the military junta that has ruled over this country for 46 years will be persuaded by their ASEAN neighbors and international institutions and governments to allow assistance to reach the people of the Irrawaddy Delta and Rangoon before it is too late.