Tag Archives: france

International, U.S.

World War 3, African Front: South Africa reneges and gets out of CAR! Re-deploys troops to surrounding countries! It’s all about money!

05 April 2013 (16:10 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We have taken a decision to withdraw our soldiers….Our mission was to help train the soldiers. Since the coup and the self-appointment of rebels, it was clear that the government is no longer there.”-Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

Remember the recent UN supported French invasion of Central African Republic?  I thought not.  South Africa already had ‘peacekeeping’ troops there, and they suffered loses as the rebels took control of the capital of CAR.

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) leaders initially stated they would not withdrawal from CAR.  Things change fast nowadays.  The one eighty by South Africa comes after an emergency summit of the African Union (AU).

South African (SA) military leaders said the withdrawal is being motivated by the fact that the rebels have heaver weapons than first thought.  Apparently the SA ‘peacekeepers’ are not equipped to counter those heavy weapons.

The AU refuses to recognize the new leaders of CAR.  Some opposition party members in the SA government are now questioning the reasons SA forces were sent to CAR back in 2007.

However, there are reports that SANDF is deploying troops to the countries surrounding CAR.  SA Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, refused to answer local media questions: “I won’t answer questions about the so called military build up because the question should not have been asked in the first place.”  

The South African Civil Society Information Service (SACSIS) said the pending pan-African war is all about money: “Research has revealed that ANC heavyweight insiders like Billy Masetlha, Joshua Nxumalo and Paul Langa were, or are involved in various business interests in the CAR. These interests are further linked to the ruling ANC through the increasingly notorious Chancellor House Trust, perceived to be involved in crony capitalism, as well as being a key funder of the ruling party.”

The SACSIS also accused governments of intentionally backing rouge regimes to justify war: “…the role of SANDF troops in CAR indicates a dangerous shift by South Africa towards supporting illegitimate regimes in order to protect economic interests with strong links to powerful domestic political networks…….South Africa is increasingly perceived not as much as a regional heavyweight but as a comprador for Western interests. ”

 

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: China says it will spread! Now a Class 5 Disease, influenza Command Center established! Proof that it spreads human to human!

04 April 2013 (12:29 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada l-Ula 1434/15 Farvardin 1392/24 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Officials in China’s capital, Beijing, say the new H7N9 will spread, because China is an international crossroads for migratory birds.

The massive city of Shanghai has begun killing off poultry. This after pigeons tested positive for the new virus.

Also, Shanghai’s Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission reporting that one of the new human cases is a person who was in contact with another person who died from H7N9.  The new patient now quarantined.

Taiwan’s Department of Health has classified H7N9 as Category 5 Notifiable Infectious Disease.  Taiwan is the first country to do so.  This means if someone dies in Taiwan, of H7N9, they must be cremated, and this includes tourists from other countries.   The island nation is also the first country to establish a Central Epidemic Command Center for H7N9 influenza.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Elitist & supposedly recession proof Louis Vuitton going down? Jacks up prices to save its ass!

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“Louis Vuitton has now broken the myth that it is one of the brands that is never influenced by an economic slump. But the sales drop occurred largely because the number of Japanese tourists, big fans of the brand, has decreased over the last year due to the yen’s depreciation against the won.”-unnamed source in South Korea

In the Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries, sales are crashing for the elitist French fashion company Louis Vuitton.  One report said sales were down at least 20% last year.  The Hyundai Department Store recently threw Louis Vuitton out of their Busan store, and replaced the outlet with Omega watches.

Slumping sales are also being reported in Japan and China.  Officials with Louis Vuitton have refused to answer questions from the Asian media.

You’d think the company would do something like drop their prices to increase sales, but no, they’ve actually raised their prices in the Asian, U.S. and European markets.  According to Bloomberg they’ve jacked up prices by 12% in Japan, and blame it on the dropping value of the yen. In other Asian countries prices are up 5% to 10%.  In the U.S. and U.K. prices are up 10%.

Despite slumping sales, Bank of America just upgraded Louis Vuitton stocks from neutral to buy.  But Societe Generale advises a hold  status, along with Deutsche Bank.  And Credit Suisse downgraded Louis Vuitton from outperform to neutral.

International, U.S.

World War 3: War in Africa expands as British Red Coats and Irish troops arrive in Mali! Operations planned by European Union back in December!

27 March 2013/15 Jumada l-Ula 1434/07 Farvardin 1391/16 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This will be the first occasion there has been a formal joint deployment under the UN mandate of mission involving our defence forces and the U.K.”-Alan Shatter, Republic of Ireland’s Minister of Defence

Reports that troops from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland have arrived in Mali, to help back up the ongoing French occupation of the West African country.

Irish media reporting that the whole invasion of Mali, by the French in January 2013, was part of European Union (EU) plans made in December 2012, which was called a “training mission” by the EU.  The use of British and Irish troops is also being officially called a UN mandated training mission!

The United States is establishing more drone bases throughout Africa, and France recently sent troops into the Central African country of Central African Republic.

International, U.S.

World War 3: France invades CAR, backed up by United States! Will this lead to the first Pan-African War?

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“The council has decided to suspend with immediate effect Central African Republic from all African Union activities and to impose sanctions, travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka’s leaders.”-Ramtane Lamamra, African Union peace and security chief

Did you already forget about the U.S./U.K. supported French invasion of Mali?  France is still slugging it out in that North West African country, and now they’ve invaded the Central African Republic (with U.S./U.K. help of course).

This is because rebel forces have taken over the country’s capital city of Bangui, and President Francois Bozize is now reported as missing.

Rebel leaders have already declared a new government. The African Union is refusing to recognize the new government.  France actually invaded over the weekend, reporting that they’ve captured (there were no rebel fighters there) the airport near the capital city.

A few days ago French officials had asked for a UN Security Council resolution to prevent the rebels from taking the capital city.  The United Nations now condemns the rebel take over of CAR.

South Africa, a member of the African Union, is reporting that 13 of their troops were killed and 27 wounded, as 2000 CAR rebels stormed the capital city.  One South African ‘peacekeeper’ is missing: “Our soldiers paid the ultimate price in the service of their country. Just over 200 of our soldiers fought bandits who wanted to cause harm…..”-Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

South Africa still has military personnel in CAR, and at this point officials have decided to keep them in the fight.

While CAR has no significant petroleum deposits it is surrounded by countries that do, and European and U.S. companies have invested a lot of money into those countries.  The fear, as in Mali, is that the ‘extremists’ will spread into the oil rich U.S./European dominated countries.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: More proof the U.S. is behind WMD attack in Syria, they’re delaying the UN investigation! U.S. puppet agents say no Syrian soldiers reported killed, that’s a lie!

21 March 2013/09 Jumada l-Ula 1434/01 Farvardin 1391/10 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

On 20 March the Syrian government demanded a United Nations investigation into the supposed gas attacks in Aleppo Province, and possibly in the city of Damascus.

Now the United States, France and United Kingdom (all backers of the insurgency) are working hard to delay the UN investigation.  Why?  If it turns out that a gas attack was launched by the Syrian government wouldn’t that play into their ‘red line’ threat of all out war?

Also, in a U.S. News & World Report article Maher Nana, co-founder of Syrian Support Group in Florida, said the Syrian government did not report any soldiers killed in the WMD attacks.  A bold face lie as the Syrian government reported at least 10 of their soldiers killed in the Aleppo Province attack!  Nana was using the bogus claim as a way to prove the gas attacks came from the Syrian government.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Proof the U.S. behind WMD attack in Syria? U.S. officials deny such an attack took place! Remember the Red Line the Obama Administration drew?

20 March 2013/08 Jumada l-Ula 1434/30 Esfand 1391/09 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Officials with the U.S. government first denied a gas attack took place in Syria, saying there was no evidence, then said if WMD attack took place it was from the Syrian government.

But U.S. News & World Report says they have evidence the WMD attack was from a Syrian government Scud missile that missed its target.  They also say there was a second gas attack in Damascus.

If you remember, last year the Obama administration said if the Syrian government used WMDs then the U.S. would go to war: “This is a red line for the United States. I am not going to telegraph in any specifics what we would do in the event of credible evidence that the Assad regime has resorted to using chemical weapons against their own people. But suffice it to say, we are certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur.”-Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State at the end of 2012

Notice the choice of words Hillary used: “eventuality”.  The Obama administration was pretty sure WMDs were going to be used.

Isn’t it interesting that the gas attack took place on the day Obama went to Israel?  And where are the cries for action from the Israelis, who in the recent past have been all whiny about the Syrian ‘civil war’ (they even shot and killed Syrians trying to cross the border, and bombed Syrian military convoys near the Lebanese border)?  Now everyone is being extra cautious in their statements, or not commenting at all.

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Long time Boeing customer switches to Airbus!

18 March 2013/06 Jumada l-Ula 1434/28 Esfand 1391/07 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Indonesia’s Lion Air has always been a big customer of the U.S. company Boeing, but not anymore.

With the ongoing problems with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, Lion Air has just signed a huge contract with Europe’s Airbus.  Lion Air just bought 234 A320 airliners, they could have been Boeing 787s!

The deal with Airbus is the largest ever for Lion Air.  It’s estimated to be worth 18.4 billion euros ($23.8 billion USD)!  It’s good news for France as 5,000 jobs will be created.

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, U.S.

Norovirus update 16 March 2013: Elton John down! Save some money and stay away from the ER! Pesticides spreading the disease, more reasons to avoid veggies! No room at the Hospital, tents set up for dozens of sick students! Queen out-a-the hospital but not out-a-the woods! Elitist eateries making people sick!

Elton John canceled a Friday night U.S. concert at the last minute, because he’s sick with stomach bug!

In Warwickshire, England U.K., the Red Cross was called out to deal with two bus loads of 90 French exchange students sick, possibly with norovirus. The buses were at the Warwick Hospital.  After admitting four of the students, the hospital staff realized there would be no room at the inn because so many were sick, so they called in the Red Cross to set up tents and provide camp-beds,  blankets, inflatable pillows and hygiene packs.

Speaking of England, the Queen is out of the hospital but that doesn’t mean she’s out-a-the woods: “The queen continues to make a good recovery following her recent illness, and today she presented the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and held a series of audiences.  However, regrettably, she will no longer attend the Tech City engagement planned for tomorrow, or the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scriptures Association Service at the Guards Chapel on Thursday…..The queen hopes to resume her program of official engagements next week.”

Also, a British boxer almost canceled a fight, but like many ‘mericans he went to work sick: “It was horrendous. I was not well in the build-up, I picked up a stomach bug the day before the fight and I spent most of the day of the fight on the toilet……I had sold a lot of tickets and had a lot of people to please and didn’t want to let them down.”-Dan Woodgate, he won the fight

On 12 March in the United States, Texas Ranger outfielder, Craig Gentry, was taken off the lineup because of stomach bug.

Around the World, many Football clubs (that’s soccer in the U.S.) are dealing with sick players.

In Netherlands, a new study says norovirus can survive pesticides, and is probably even spread by the bug poison!  The study was inspired by other studies that showed a strong connection between norovirus and vegetables (one U.S. study says 50% of produce have norovirus!).  The Dutch researchers diluted norovirus in eight different types of pesticides, the virus survived in all eight.  The study, published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, concludes that the possible source of norovirus on vegetables is coming from the pesticides that are routinely sprayed on industrial scale crops!

In Oregon U.S.A., an upscale restaurant (most dinners starting out at $18 per person) has been hit with norovirus, for the second time in 11 months. Amazingly the owners of Adina Restaurant did not know about the April 2012 outbreak linked to their eatery! County health officials say this latest outbreak began the 1st of March, and so far involves 27 people reporting illness.  On Monday, 11 March, the owners were ordered by the county to get an additional refrigerator, because it turns out the employees were storing cooked meats with raw meats due to a lack of refrigerators! Last year the upscale restaurant was warned about their refrigerator being too warm to prevent bacterial growth.

In an update on another upscale restaurant, Noma in Denmark, it turns out that restaurant staff and owners possibly ignored emailed warnings from the local health inspectors. Health officials are blaming the outbreak, in the restaurant with the longest reservation waiting list in the world, on an employee. Between 63 and 67 people reported getting sick back in February. The employee is considered a carrier of norovirus, which means they show no symptoms of the disease.

In Indiana U.S.A., parents are being warned after an increase in sick children at the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, mainly with dehydration: “We’re seeing a fair amount of kids over the past month or so.”-David Zipes

More than 25% of the residents at Carillon at Boulder Creek retirement community, in Colorado U.S.A., are sick.  14 employees are sick as well: “Since Friday, they’ve been implementing control measures to stop the spread of the illness. The facility has been handling it appropriately….”-Carol Helwig, Boulder County health official

In Danville, Virginia U.S.A., medical personnel report a 10% increase in reported cases in the past week.

More cruise ships getting hit with stomach bug.  Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess in the Caribbean, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth in the Pacific are the latest to report sick passengers.

In Scotland U.K., yet another hospital closing its doors to visitors.  The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has closed six wards.  At least 100 patients sick, along with an undisclosed number of employees.

In Canada, provincial health officials have confirmed vomiting bug outbreak across Prince Edward Island (PEI), possibly linked to the Rodd Mill River Resort.  Health officials don’t blame the resort, they suspect that the first people to get sick were actually sick before they arrived, and spread it to others.

I have some advise for anyone sick with the vomiting bug: Unless you’re at deaths door don’t go to your local hospital ER. One of my daughters was recently sick with stomach bug, and she went to a hospital in Boise, Idaho U.S.A.  She wasn’t sick enough to be admitted, but sat in the ER for six hours. She just received the bill; $3000 USD!!!  (yes, despite Obama/Romney Care we in the U.S. must still fork out big bucks for even the piddliest health care)

I’ll say again what I’ve posted in earlier reports, and what I tried to explain to my daughter:  There is no treatment for norovirus, there is no cure for norovirus, there is no vaccination for norovirus! Most people who go to hospital with norovirus are treated for dehydration.  Why spend thousands of dollars for that?

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: France reveals plans to occupy Mali! Just another hole your leaders are going to throw your tax money down!

“There is still a whole part of the north that remains unconquered….There are terrorist elements concentrated in some areas of the country, others who are dispersed. There are risks of terrorism. So, we have not yet finished our mission.”-Francois Hollande, President of France

03 February 2013, President Francois Hollande revealed that his country has no intentions of leaving Mali, after they invaded on the pretext of going after al-Qaeda linked insurgents.

Mali is a former colony of French imperialism. Apparently it is again. The United States (once an anti-imperialist country) and the European Union are supporting France.

Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) are also helping France regain her old colony.  They are planning to send 8,000 ECOWAS troops to help the French. Of course you’re paying for it!

The chairman of ECOWAS (Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara) told Radio France Internationale (RFI) that Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan (Trilateral Commission countries) have promised ECOWAS $949 million USD so far, and they’ve already paid up $454 million of it!

Think about this; your leaders keep cutting social programs supposedly because there’s no money, yet they keep shelling out hundreds of millions and billions of your tax money to fight never ending wars?