Canada PM Trudeau: evidence indicates Ukraine airplane in Tehran was shot down by Iranian surface to air missile; it may have been unintentional
- We have intelligence from multiple sources that Iran shot down the Ukraine jet
- Will push for in-depth investigation of crash
- Iran Foreign Min Zariff committed to a continuing dialogue with Canada
An Ultra-Luxe Private Island in Miami
Just off the shore from South Beach, Fisher Island offers total seclusion to roughly 800 families
Fisher Island is only 7 minutes by ferry from Miami, but the 216-acre island is worlds away from South Beach. Perhaps that is because its history is so unique. In 1905, to provide better seaport access, Miami cut through the barrier island that today is known as Miami Beach. This created an island that business tycoon Carl Fisher purchased in 1919 but traded to William K. Vanderbilt II in 1925 in exchange for Vanderbilt’s 265-foot yacht. After Vanderbilt died in 1944, the island—on which Vanderbilt had commissioned famed architect Maurice Fatio to build him a Mediterranean-style compound—changed hands until development began in the 1980s. Today, about 800 families from more than 40 different countries inhabit this uber-private oasis, where life revolves around the Fisher Island Club, which opened in 1987 on the site of the Vanderbilt Mansion. Residents—a mix of highflying CEOs and entrepreneurs—drive around in golf carts, send their children to the Fisher Island Day School (which offers Mandarin classes) and use amenities such as the community’s own medical clinic and safety department.
Event of the year
The Yacht Rendezvous, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, is one of the world’s biggest annual superyacht social gatherings. Each fall, guests spend three days participating in events such as yacht open houses and a silent auction. More than $30 million has been raised in its 32 years.
Advice for the buyer
Know what scenery you want: Residences facing the Atlantic Ocean have expansive vistas during the day but no view at night; city-facing units don’t look out at the ocean but they do enjoy a city skyline and a Biscayne Bay view.
Membership to have
Belonging to the Fisher Island Club isn’t a requirement for residents, but if you aren’t a member, you won’t have access to the club’s facilities, including a beach club with a private beach.
Notable stops
The Fisher Island Hotel and Resort
This 15 room boutique hotel is made up of courtyard villas, 1930s-era cottages and guesthouse suites that near the Vanderbilt Mansion.
PHOTO: STEPHANIE WAECHTER/LHW
The Fisher Island Aviary
William K. Vanderbilt II loved tropical birds, and this 800-square-foot sanctuary is an ode to his passion. It houses more than 15 exotic winged animals, ranging from cockatoos and cockatiels to macaws and Amazons.
The Vanderbilt Theater
The adaptable event space is a hub of activity, hosting everything from concerts to lectures to movie nights.
PHOTO: STEPHANIE WAECHTER/LHW
Victor Arsidi Observatory
On its own tiny island across a wooden bridge, this sky-viewing hideaway was built in 1990. The white stucco building has a custom silver Ash Dome and professional telescope equipment, including a 4-inch refractor scope and a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Listings
PHOTO: LENNY KAGAN SUPREME SCENE/ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
$5.7 million
At 3,690 square feet with South Beach views, this residence in a concierge building with 29 units. The master suite’s bathroom has two vanities and a separate tub and shower; the closet has built-ins. There are marble floors, Miele kitchen appliances, and Baccarat lighting. Outside, there is a terrace. The unit comes with two parking spaces, one golf cart, a golf cart space, and a large private storage unit. Agent: Elena Bluntzer, One Sotheby’s International Realty.
PHOTO: PDS DEVELOPMENT
$14.5 million
One of 50 units in a full-service building, this estate-style, ground floor residence has roughly 4,231 square feet of indoor space and 4,800 square feet outside with its own pool. It was designed by Italian architect and interior designer Augusto Busnelli and comes with a private elevator entry, two parking spaces, and golf cart parking. Agent: Dora Puig, Fisher Island Real Estate.
PHOTO: PDS DEVELOPMENT
$26.5 million
The interior of this penthouse is more than 6,600 square feet with 18 foot ceilings. Outside, across just over 5,000 square feet on two terraces, is a zero-edge pool, pergola, and Viking kitchen. Views are of Biscayne Bay, South Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean. Guest rooms look out at the Fisher Island Club golf course. In a luxury building with 43 units, the residence has two parking spaces and golf cart parking. Agent: Dora Puig, Fisher Island Real Estate.
Are We Living in a Simulated World?
Probably not, but the idea is just crazy enough to be worth taking seriously.
The idea that the world we experience is an illusion being fed to us by powerful computers, popularized by the “Matrix” movies, is just crazy enough to be worth taking seriously. But if we’re going to be serious, it is important to distinguish between two very different questions. First: Could there be a richly experienced mental world that is not made of matter, as it appears to be, but of abstract data? And second: Is the world we actually experience—the universe as described by the laws of physics and the facts of cosmology—such a world?
The answer to the first question is pretty surely yes. In fact, humans occupy self-generated mind-worlds for an hour or two each day, when we dream during REM sleep. The objects we see in dreams are just patterns of electrical excitation in our brains. Analogously, virtual reality tunes us into data streams that we perceive as objects.
Dreams are transient, and at present virtual reality is not an all-encompassing experience. We humans still live the bulk of our lives in a shared reality, where we do things like eat, drink and get older. But many experts think that one day it will be possible to build artificial minds, wholly based on electronic circuitry, that will simulate human thought processes, including self-awareness. Such artificial minds, inhabiting programmed worlds, could well be oblivious to physical reality, despite being embedded within it.
To our second question—is our own perceived world manufactured, in fact, from such abstract data—the best answer is pretty surely no. First of all, the idea that the physical world we experience is a computer simulation begs a basic question: What is the computer made of?
Leaving that detail aside, there are many aspects of physics in our world that do not look like the product of an efficient world-simulator. For example, our most accurate formulation of the laws of physics depends on the idea that space and time are smooth and continuous. When you work with continuous numbers, instead of 0s and 1s, it becomes much more difficult, in a simulation, to maintain precision.
More generally, our world contains a lot of hidden complexity. We can calculate a proton’s properties based on fundamental laws, but those calculations are extremely complicated. It would be a poor strategy to build a simulated world out of such hard-to-compute ingredients.
The basic “Matrix” fantasy isn’t new. It is a computer-age variation on the philosophical notion of idealism, according to which so-called physical reality is at base mental, not material. According to the 18th-century philosopher Bishop Berkeley, the world reflects activity in the mind of God. But Samuel Johnson was not impressed with this theory, as a story told by his biographer James Boswell relates:
“We stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley’s ingenious sophistry to prove the nonexistence of matter and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal.… I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it—‘I refute it thus.’”
That kick is worth a thousand words. It is quite possible to imagine a simulated world. But if ours is such a world, then the mind that creates it, made of God knows what, works in very mysterious ways.
Nato reluctance to increase troops in Middle East sets up US clash
Military alliance says it favours training role over deployment of combat soldiers
Nato’s chief has warned the military alliance is unlikely to deploy extra combat troops to the Middle East, setting up a potential clash with the US over demands that it do more in the region.
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary-general, welcomed Washington’s push for greater action against international terrorism but said the best way to do this was by training local forces rather than deploying alliance troops to fight.
His remarks came after Donald Trump this week demanded the 29 member-alliance expand its role in Middle East conflict zones, creating a possible new US flashpoint with European partners that are reluctant to make such a move.
“I strongly believe that the best way we can fight international terrorism is not always by deploying Nato troops . . . in combat operations,” the secretary-general told reporters in Brussels on Thursday. “Sometimes we have to do that, but the best way is to enable local forces to fight terrorism themselves.”
Mr Stoltenberg sought to respond positively to many of Mr Trump’s concerns saying he agreed with the US president that Nato could contribute more to regional stability and the fight against international terrorism.
He suggested the transatlantic alliance could build on work it was already doing on training, advising and assisting countries to fight terrorist groups in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
“For me it’s no surprise that the United States is calling for Nato to do more, because that has actually been the message from the United States for a long time,” Mr Stoltenberg said, adding that consultations with allies and Middle East partner countries on Mr Trump’s demand would take “some time”. “We are looking into what more we can do.”
Mr Trump is yet to give further details of what he meant when he said he would soon ask Nato “to become much more involved in the Middle East process”. In a phone call with Mr Stoltenberg on Wednesday, the president “emphasised the value of Nato increasing its role in preventing conflict and preserving peace in the Middle East”, according to a White House summary of the conversation.
Nato members may discuss Mr Trump’s demand as early as next week. Possible options include expanding the 430-strong training mission for Iraqi forces, which is temporarily suspended because of the Iran crisis. Another potential move would be a “rebadging” to bring some training activities of the international coalition against Isis under Nato command.
Asking European allies to send troops to fight in Iraq — where Nato has never had a combat mission — would be much more contentious. Other options, including replacing some of the US airlift and force protection capabilities for the Nato Iraq training mission, could also be a stretch for European allies, many of whom face other commitments such as the French antiterrorism operation in Africa’s Sahel region.
Mr Trump’s call for Nato to expand its role in the Middle East is the latest in a series of demands he has made of the military alliance, such as a request for European members to spend more and for the alliance to focus more on terrorism and China.
Analysts and diplomats say Nato has tended to respond in ways that show some regard for Mr Trump’s complaints, while not making huge changes to the way it operates.
Claudia Major, a defence analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said she expected to see Nato come up with a “diplomatic formula that leaves everybody happy”. Most allies have little appetite for greater involvement in the Middle East and see practical obstacles to any significant expansion their role, she added.
“Nato, with its tools as a defence alliance, is not well equipped to deal with the challenges in the Middle East and north Africa region, which are often of a social, political and economic nature,” Ms Major said. “There is no agreement among allies on what is happening there, or what to do as an answer — or even whether Nato should be there at all.”
From: elaumann@oscargruss.com At: 01/09/20 20:32:47
To: lanreder@oscargruss.com, elaumann@oscargruss.comSubject: S-TMUS –OG Risk Arb comments on the post trial submissions by the parties 1-9-20
DISCLAIMER This information represents neither an offer to buy or sell any security nor, because it does not take into account the differing needs of individual clients, investment advice. Those seeking investment advice specific to their financial profiles and goals should contact their Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated sales representative. Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated believes this information to be reliable, but no representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. This information does not analyze every material fact concerning a company, industry, or security. Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated assumes that this information will be read in conjunction with other publicly available data. Matters discussed here are subject to change without notice. There can be no assurance that reliance on the information contained here will produce profitable results. A security denominated in a foreign currency is subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may have an adverse effect on the value of the security upon the conversion into local currency of dividends, interest, or sales proceeds. The value of securities and depositary receipts of foreign issuers that are denominated in United States dollars are also influenced by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. © 2019 Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Eric K. Laumann
Head of North American Risk Arbitrage Research
Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated
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Ph: 212-419-4018
DISCLAIMER This information represents neither an offer to buy or sell any security nor, because it does not take into account the differing needs of individual clients, investment advice. Those seeking investment advice specific to their financial profiles and goals should contact their Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated sales representative. Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated believes this information to be reliable, but no representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. This information does not analyze every material fact concerning a company, industry, or security. Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated assumes that this information will be read in conjunction with other publicly available data. Matters discussed here are subject to change without notice. There can be no assurance that reliance on the information contained here will produce profitable results. A security denominated in a foreign currency is subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may have an adverse effect on the value of the security upon the conversion into local currency of dividends, interest, or sales proceeds. The value of securities and depositary receipts of foreign issuers that are denominated in United States dollars are also influenced by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. © 2019 Oscar Gruss & Son Incorporated. All rights reserved.
IRANIAN MISSILE SYSTEM SHOT DOWN UKRAINE FLIGHT, PROBABLY BY MISTAKE, SOURCES SAY - http://bit.ly/2TeqtgJ
The Ukrainian flight that crashed just outside the Iranian capital of Tehran was struck by an anti-aircraft missile system, a Pentagon official, a senior U.S. intelligence official and an Iraqi intelligence official told Newsweek.
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, a Boeing 737–800 en route from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airpot to Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport, stopped transmitting data Tuesday just minutes after takeoff and not long after Iran launched missiles at military bases housing U.S. and allied forces in neighboring Iraq. The aircraft is believed to have been struck by a Russia-built Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile system, known to NATO as Gauntlet, the three officials told Newsweek.
Two Pentagon officials assess that the incident was accidental. Iran's anti-aircraft were likely active following the country's missile attack, which came in response to the U.S. killing last week of Revolutionary Guard Quds Force commander Major General Qassem Soleimani, sources said.
U.S. Central Command declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Newsweek.
Rescue teams work amidst debris after a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 people crashed near Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning on January 8, killing everyone on board.AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The incident was first reported by Iranian semi-official media outlets, which cited the country's Red Crescent Society as assessing that the initial cause appeared to be mechanical failure. The Ukrainian embassy in Tehran shared this view in a statement, but later retracted it, with Kyiv warning against any preliminary assessments.
Images began to circulate Wednesday of what appeared to be fragments of a Tor M-1 missile said to have been found in a suburb southwest of Tehran. Ukraine Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov said Thursday in a statement that contact with a Tor M-1 system was among the potential causes for the plane's destruction that his country was looking into.
Other potential scenarios involved a collision with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or another flying object, technical malfunction and a terrorist attack.