Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 05 – 06 April 2013. Mujahideen Spring Offensive escalating! U.S. Congress frees U.S. citizen arrested for corruption! Former Soviet soldier refuses to return to birth place!

06 April 2013/25 Jumada l-Ula 1434/17 Farvardin 1391/26 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

U.S. led NATO troops and contractors killed. ISAF said: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members and two coalition civilians died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Zabul Province, a suicide bomber targeted a U.S. led provincial reconstruction team (PRT), and the local provincial governor.  The governor was not hurt, but his doctor, and at least three U.S. personnel and two foreign contractors were killed.  Five afghans wounded.  Later in the day U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, said a U.S. State Department female employee was among those killed: “I wish everyone in our country could see first-hand the devotion, loyalty and amazingly hard and hazardous work our diplomats do on the front lines in the world’s most dangerous places.”

In Helmand Province, Musa Kala District, 80 local cops/militia men joined the Mujahideen. The men went AWOL from their posts and approached the local Mujahideen for membership.  Their names were publicized.

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

In Balkh Province, Akhcha District, locals say U.S. forces kidnapped nine tribal elders in a daring helicopter raid. They said the elders were driving to a meeting in Shubr Ghan District when several helicopters landed around their vehicle.

In Logar Province, Baraki Barak District, Mujahideen ambushed a U.S./NATO led foot patrol.   Mujahideen retreated when attack helicopters showed up.

In Kunar Province, Noorgal District, Mujahideen ambushed a U.S.-NATO/Afghan patrol. Another U.S.-NATO/Afghan unit arrived to join the fight. One U.S.-NATO troop killed. One Afghan National Army (ANA) troop killed. One Mujahid wounded.

In Kandahar, Panjwai District, Mujahideen say they led a U.S./NATO unit into a booby trapped compound near a cemetary. They say after the explosions three medivac helicopters were seen rescuing the occupying troops.

In Uruzgan Province, Char Chino District, three ANA officers joined the Mujahideen.

In Nangarhar Province, Khogiyani District, five policemen were killed or wounded while they were trying to diffuse a landmine.

Afghan police arrested a U.S. citizen on corruption charges.  U.S. Congressmen intervened and got the guy freed.  The corrupt U.S. Congressmen now want legal action against cops who arrested him: “Those who unlawfully detained him need to be held accountable, especially given that this occurred at the hands of those who are supposed to be our ally.”-Scott Rigell, U.S. Representative from Virginia

Study after study (including those being done by the U.S. government) shows the majority of corruption is being done by the hands of U.S. military and contractors. More than 100 U.S. citizens have been quietly prosecuted by the United States.

Recently a former Soviet soldier, missing in action for 33 years was found.  Now the Warriors-Internationalists Affairs Committee says they’ve tried to help him return to his native Uzbekistan, but he refuses (even though he cried when he heard his brother’s voice on a recorded greeting).  He says he was rescued by Afghans after his Soviet unit was ambushed and he was wounded.  A local village took care of him and he decided to stay. He says he’s been treated better by Afghans: “I have spent most of my life here, there’s nothing to talk about.”

Deputy U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, Hugo Lawrence, told the local media that an “important decision” regarding the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan will be made, but added “United States of America will remain committed towards the security pact between Kabul and Washington and we emphasize that the pact will prove better for the national interest of the two nations.”

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 17-18 February 2013: Reader’s Digest busted! Thousands more laid off! No final paychecks for Idaho employees! Even Obama can’t save famous Burger joint!

Reader’s Digest bankrupt. RDA Holding, the company that owns the little magazine, blames the bankruptcy on lost sales due to internet media.

YMCA in South Brunswick, New Jersey,  bankrupt: “Like so many businesses and organizations in our area, the South Brunswick Family YMCA has been adversely affected by the economic recession.”

In Virginia, Arlington County is warning that they could layoff 20 county employees.  They blame a $50 million USD budget shortfall.

In Washington DC, Ray’s Hell-Burger and Ray’s Hell-Burger Too restaurants closed down. This is the joint where President Obama had a photo op in.  The restaurants were closed for failing to pay rent.  The Restaurant owner did not comment to media.

Granite City Elementary School, Illinois, shut down. The school was opened in 1928. The school district said the old building became too expensive to maintain.

Conotton Valley Union Local Schools District, Ohio, might have to shut down an elementary school. They say they’re $400000 in debt.

United Technologies to layoff 3000 more employees in 2013!  United Technologies has already been selling off divisions. Their announcement did not specify the locations of the factory closings and layoffs. Company officials blame “…the demands of the prevailing market conditions.”

In Emmett, Idaho, the Emerald Forest Products lumber mill shut down without notice, and some reports said without paying employees final paychecks (I experienced that back in September 2012, when Metro Couriers went bust without notice, and no help from Idaho Job Service).  According to signs on the company’s gate Emerald Forest Products was getting money from U.S. taxpayers ($4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Media reports did not explain why the mill closed, but gave the impression lumber mills in Idaho could only operate profitably with tax payer subsidies. (so much for Idaho being a Republican Right Wing Conservative state)

In San Diego, California, Pfizer shut down its CovX operation. 100 people out-o-work!  Basically Pfizer decided the CovX operation wasn’t worth it.

In Georgia, Formal Elegance women’s clothing stores being closed in Columbus. The owner said “…I can no longer support the Columbus Consolidated Government with my tax dollars.”  Also in Columbia County, three KFC restaurants closed down.  The owner said “It was just impossible to make any money.” 75 employees lost their jobs. And in North Augusta, Al’s Family Restaurant shut down.  The owner said “The economy bites the bullet on another one.”

In Liberty, New York, Liberty Lanes bowling alley shut down.  The owners said they could no longer make the property tax payments because the local government keeps raising them even though the economy sucks.

In Wisconsin, after 90 years in business E.J. Salentine Buick dealer closed down in Muskego.  The owners blamed GM on cancelling the production of Pontiacs, which was the dealer’s bread and butter brand.  Apparently most people in their area don’t want Buicks. In Brookfield, Maroon Bells of Colorado closed down. Owners did not explain why. Planned Parenthood closes four clinics. The state ended taxpayer funding.

In Iowa, all Blockbuster video stores closed down!

The music store, Whyevernot, closed in Mystic, Connecticut. The owner retired.

In Texas, Fratelli’s Authentic Italian Cuisine Restaurant closed down.  The owners said they were not able to renew their lease.

In Maryland, distributor of snacks, candy and tobacco products, Marley Neck, ending operations in Baltimore.  200 employees out-o-work!  Company officials say they lost a major customer.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: North Korea ordered factories into Total War mode on 17 March!

06 April 2013 (00:36 UTC-07 Tango)/25 Jumada l-Ula 1434/17 Farvardin 1391/26 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The Yonhap News Agency reporting that the DPRK’s Korean Central TV Broadcasting just aired a report on a meeting of industrial workers, which took place on 17 March.

Kim Jong-un is heard telling the factory workers “Once the war breaks out, we have to destroy the enemies’ key military locations and government institutions with a quick and sudden strike. We must absolutely guarantee the quality of our artillery and shells to ensure a rapid pre-emptive attack on our enemies.”

Business/Economics, International

H7N9 update: Possible case in Hong Kong! Chickens test positive in Shanghai!

05 April 2013 (16:57 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Hong Kong, health officials at Queen Elizabeth Hospital reporting a seven years old girl being admitted with possible H7N9 symptoms.  She was in close contact with poultry when she traveled to Shanghai, hospital officials hope to have test results by tonight.

In Shanghai, health officials have been busy killing more than 20000 chickens at a poultry market.  At this points they say at least seven chickens have tested positive for H7N9.  Samples taken from two other markets are positive as well. Officials say the gene sequence matches samples taken from pigeons earlier in the week.

Shanghai has banned imports of live poultry.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: North Korea refuses direct talks! China postpones meeting between South Korea & Japan!

05 April 2013 (16:40 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Several analysts have stated that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is refusing direct peace talks, especially any involving nukes.

“U.S. message saying the door is still open for talks does not work with North Korea. The North has made up its mind to keep raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula so such an unclear message is not a solution.”-Chang Yong-seok, Seoul National University

“The United States….has attempted to engage directly, and has generally been rebuffed.”-Kurt Campbell, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, helped Obama administration create policy towards Korea

Campbell has also stated that it’s China who has the most influence.  China has just canceled planned economic summit meetings with Republic of Korea and Japan.

The three countries have been meeting at the end of May, ever since 2008.  But the cancellation is not over a possible Second Korean War, but the dispute with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Chinese officials say that relations with Japan will be unstable as long as Japan claims the islands for themselves.  The island country of Taiwan (a U.S. ally) has expressed similar sentiment.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Second Korean War could destroy capitalist U.S. car industry?

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

“If there were something to happen in Korea, it’s going to effect our entire industry, not just General Motors.”-Dan Akerson, GM CEO

In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, it was revealed that GM is considering alternative plans to its Korean operations, like getting out.

General Motors makes 145000 cars in South Korea.  Both Ford and GM invested big in the hopes that South Korea will be a major market for their new electric cars.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3: 53000 North Koreans refuse to show up for work at KIR! South Korea refuses to evacuate KIR workers! North Korea prepares two ballistic missiles for launch!

05 April 2013 (02:28 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

An estimated 53000 DPRK workers have not shown up for work at the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).  Some analysts say it might be because of a North Korean holiday, however, they also said it was common for the capitalist ROK corporations to ask DPRK workers to work on holidays.

To show how important the cheap North Korean labor is to South Korean capitalists, South Korean media got this reaction from an unnamed manager of one of those companies: “Without the arrival of new parts and materials, and the need to make full use of trucks that cannot return if they cross over the DMZ [De-Militarized Zone], companies must pace their production schedules….At most, the food will probably run out in a week, which would make it hard for South Korean workers to stay at Kaesong.”

Even with the threat of starvation officials in Republic of Korea say they do not see any reason to evacuate ROK workers from KIR as demanded by the DPRK: “When the situation requires, the withdrawal should be carried out for the safety of workers there, therefore (the government) is not considering withdrawal.”-Ryoo Kihl-jae, ROK Unification Minister

Also, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reporting that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is preparing two medium range ballistic missiles for launch.

Yonhap cites South Korean and U.S. military sources.  They say that two BM25 Musudan have been loaded on their mobile launchers (aka TEL, transporter-erector-launcher), after being shipped to the east coast, along the coast with the Sea of Japan (facing the Pacific).   Earlier reports had said that one BM25 Musdan was being moved to the east coast.

The U.S. and ROK sources say the TELs have now been hidden.

 

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

What Economic Recovery? BP to abandon Wind Power operations in Idaho!

04 April 2013 (15:40 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada l-Ula 1434/15 Farvardin 1391/24 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

British Petroleum (the company behind the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon disaster) is getting out of the wind power business, including its eastern Idaho U.S.A. Goshen North operation near Idaho Falls.

BP will also abandon wind farms in California, Texas, Kansas, South Dakota, Colorado, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Company officials said it just wasn’t worth it, and they will now focusing solely on petroleum.  BP claims to have invested $55 billion USD into wind power, and analysts think that after the sale of their wind farms BP will end up losing most of that investment.

BP is also abandoning its solar power operations!

Business/Economics, International

World War 3: POVs to be confiscated in event of Second Korean War!

04 April 2013 (13:56 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada l-Ula 1434/15 Farvardin 1391/24 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We can’t tell you for sure the models or the number of the cars to be mobilized. That’s confidential.”-unnamed government official

POV, Privately Owned Vehicle (aka car, truck, SUV, mini-van), could become property of the government if full blown Second Korean War were declared.

The revaluation has South Koreans pissed: “The car dealer never told me about this. If the government takes away cars of a specific model, I think it’s unfair.”

Another man pointed out “I would need my car to move away with my family. The government taking away civilian cars is too much of a burden on people.”

Oh, but if you don’t comply you’ll pay a $18000 USD fine and/or go to prison for seven years!

As I’ve reported, the U.S. backed Republic of Korea is not a true democracy, it is a authoritarian regime that’s been under martial law since 1972.

If you study the history of the (First) Korean War you should find evidence that the capitalist South Korea government treated Koreans far worse than communist North Korea, and the United States just looked the other way.

Under the Emergency Resource Management Law in South Korea, computers will pick at random which POVs will be pressed into military service.

However, the age of the car owner and the car, and the location of the car, will be prime factors: “Gyeonggi and Gangwon Province residents may be high on the list, since those are the places bordering North Korea. And the younger the car owner is, the more likely they have to give up their car.”-unnamed government official

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: China admits military build up along Korean border, since 2009! Final War between eastern workers and western capitalists!

04 April 2013 (13:35 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada l-Ula 1434/15 Farvardin 1391/24 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

After days of reports that China was building up forces near the Korean border, and after a Chinese official denied such reports, we now get a better explanation; China has been building up forces since 2009: “Whenever the crisis deepened on the Korean Peninsula, since the North’s second nuclear test in 2009, China has reinforced its troops along the border. Amid escalating threats from North Korea, it’s highly likely that Army has moved troops from the Shenyang Military Region.”-unnamed Chinese official

So the official that said there was no ‘new’ troop build up was correct. The build up has been taking place since 2009.

2009 is the year that tensions began escalating.  Western media won’t tell you this, it started because North Korea wanted better pay and treatment of DPRK workers at the capitalist run Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).

The DPRK responded to western capitalists with its second nuke test.  Then, in 2012, the DPRK wanted the capitalist corporations to pay their fare share in taxes.  The negative response from the capitalists resulted in North Korea’s third nuke test.  Keep in mind that the western capitalist main streamer media always reported these nuke test as if they made no sense, that they were not justified nor provocated.

This is a final war between the workers and the capitalists!