Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 30 January – 01 February 2013. Big Asian bank gives Afghanistan more money! More U.S. led home invasions! Women kidnapping & killing children!

01 February 2013

The German government has announced that they will keep German/NATO  troops in Afghanistan for at least 13 more months.

In Takhar Province, a man entered the university and started shooting. He killed two cops before being wounded. At this point it seems the man was upset about not being let onto the university compound.

In Faryab Province, two members of a government funded paramilitary group joined the Mujahideen.

In Uruzgan Province, seven Afghan government security personnel joined the Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen report that a Georgian/ISAF dismounted patrol stepped on a landmine, killing one and wounding two.

31 January 2013

In Nuristan Province, a school was set on fire.  Mujahideen say it was done by government forces and then blamed on Mujahideen.  In the past Mujahideen have always denied being involved with attacks on schools.  They pointed out that the latest school burning involved burning Qurans, which they would not do.

In Kunar Province, reports saying U.S./NATO troops shot and wounded three farmers as they were working in their fields.  Supposedly the U.S. led troops apologized.

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen say they repelled a U.S./NATO heliborne operation.  They then witnessed two medivacs called in to take out the casualties in Spirwan area of Panjwaee district.

In Herat Province, an 11 years old child was kidnapped, and then killed.  The child belonged to a wealthy family in the area.  Two women have been arrested in connection to the crime.

In Nangarhar Province, a civil servant was assassinated by gunshot.

In Helmand Province, a NATO convoy was ambushed in Anzar Shali Karez area of Nawzad district.  A two hour firefight then ensued, casualties unknown.

The Asian Development Bank is granting the Afghan government $300 million USD, supposedly for use in building the country’s infrastructure.

30 January 2013

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen said a U.S. led heliborne operation landed in a booby trap. It happened in Band Taimoor region of Maiwand district. Mujahideen say they detonated remote controlled bombs as the helicopters came in.  It took three more helicopters to medivac out the casualties.

In Kunduz Province, a U.S. led home invasion resulted in five people kidnapped.

In Ghazni Province, U.S. led home invasion forces kidnapped a local Imam.

In Nangarhar Province, reports of yet another U.S. led nighttime home invasion. Two people were killed and nine kidnapped.

In Faryab Province, one woman killed, 15 people wounded, after a motorcycle bomb went off in a market place.

In Khost Province, two children were killed when a bomb exploded near a shopping bazaar.  The bomb went off just as a police patrol went by.

A U.S. Army solider is being accused of being an unwitting propagandist for the Mujahideen. Last year he was trying to upload his helmet cam video to a private internet account, but it ended up on YouTube.  The two minute long video shows an U.S. soldier, seemingly separated from his unit, coming under fire, and calling for help after being shot.

In Paktika Province, an Afghan National Army commander, and two soldiers, joined the Mujahideen.  Also, reports that a U.S./NATO armored vehicle ran over a landmine, killing two and wounding three crewmen.

In Uruzgan Province, two Afghan government personnel joined the Mujahideen.  They then ambushed a patrol of Afghan government forces. Three killed, two wounded and one captured. One Mujahid killed.

The government of Denmark announced they will pull out their troops by the end of 2014.

 

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

What Economic Recovery? Idaho Heinz operation cutting 80 jobs! Par for the course for the city of Pocatello! T.G.I. Fridays going down?

“Following the discontinuation of its T.G.I. Friday’s frozen meals, Heinz conducted a thorough evaluation of the production needs at its Pocatello, Idaho factory. To ensure the number of employees is in line with production needs, Heinz has made the difficult but necessary decision to lay off 80 full-time, hourly team members, effective March 4, 2013.”-Heinz Frozen Food statement

On 05 February 2013, Heinz Frozen Food (a division of H.J. Heinz) announced that 80 of their Pocatello, Idaho, employees will be out-o-work by March.

Click the pic to make bigger

Heinz finally decided to put the T.G.I. Friday’s frozen food brand meals out of its misery. The company famous for ketchup will focus on T.G.I. Friday’s frozen snacks, as opposed to full meals.

Frozen foods have not been selling well in the United States. A report last month said that frozen meal (aka entree) sales have been falling for the past five years.  It’s not just Heinz that’s struggling, but other frozen entree makers like Con-Agra and Nestle.  These companies are coming up with new plans for their frozen food operations, including laying employees off.

It’s these plans that might have prompted Warren Buffet to buy into Heinz.  That’s right, investors like when companies layoff employees.  Heinz began shutting down T.G.I. Friday’s frozen single serve entree lines, as well as multi-serve entrees, in February 2012, so, this shutting down of the Pocatello, Idaho, production line is just par for the course.

What about the T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant chain? In 2011 sales were down, by only 1.5%, and company officials say 2012 sales are looking to be even better.  And the restaurant is doing fantastic in the United Kingdom.

Reports out of Britain say that business is so good that TGI Friday’s (they don’t use periods after the TGI in Merry Olde England) is about to hire 600 new employees by opening six new restaurants!

Despite the upbeat attitude of company officials, just last month a T.G.I. Friday’s was closed in Oakley Hyde Park Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio.  The reason was that the owners were not going to renew the lease. (this has become the new official reason for unAmerican Corporate America to close down stores)

 

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus update, 05 February 2013: No one knows why it happens! 200% increase! Blame no paid sick leave! Hospital not the place to be!

05 February 2013

In Manteca, California, the Saint Jude Care Center was given the OK by health officials, after a nearly two week long norovirus outbreak.   County health officials said restrictions are still in effect in other care centers throughout the county: “We always have outbreaks in the county every year. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we get reports this week or next month. It will be ongoing……It can happen anytime, but mostly in the winter. There’s no real explanation as to why.”-Ginger Wick, San Joaquin County Public Health Department

In Ontario, Canada, the Northumberland Hills Hospital has lifted visitation restrictions, now that they believe a recent norovirus outbreak is finished.

Officials with Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri, reporting a spike in stomach bug cases. They are seeing at least 15 new patients everyday.  Missouri media reporting that other hospitals have not given status reports on norovirus cases, as there is no regulation requiring them to do so.

For several weeks now schools in Arkansas are getting hit hard, with hundreds of students staying home sick every week.  Some schools have been forced to close.

Health officials in Maryland are warning that February and March are the peak months for norovirus infections in their state.  However they do not track cases, so there are no official numbers to report.

The vomiting bug continues to hammer Merry Olde England. Another hospital had to shut down several wards.  Maidstone Hospital in Kent is restricting visitors because of another outbreak.

04 February 2013

Again, in Merry Olde England, the Queen’s own hospital has been hit with vomiting bug. The Bristol Royal Infirmary has restricted visitation due to an outbreak.  It is one of four Bristol hospitals dealing with outbreaks.

03 February 2013

The new Medical Rescue Team South Authority in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, issued a warning: “Trending appears to show we are headed towards a 200% increase of symptoms similar to the norovirus for the first month of this year compared to last year.”-Jesse Siefert, paramedic

Health officials in Minnesota continue to warn that the new Sydney 2012 norovirus has arrived in the North Star State.

Reports out of Arkansas that people are going to work sick, because they do not have paid sick time, and can’t afford to miss work.

02 February 2013

Reports saying beds are filling up at the health center for Princeton University, New Jersey.

01 February 2013

Depending on which report you read, between 10 and 50 cases of norovirus were linked to a Concord, California, deli. The food shop was temporarily shut down after it catered an event where people started getting sick.  Local health officials blamed it on the employees.

Health officials in Missouri confirming the new norovirus has arrived: “We’ve had four confirmed norovirus outbreaks in varies health care settings around the county, and then we’ve had three of four other outbreaks in health care facilities where the signs and symptoms have been consistent with the norovirus, but from a laboratory standpoint we were not able to prove that.”-Richard Knaup, Saint Louis County Health Department

Ohio doctors say they’re preparing for increases in norovirus cases.  They say that since the first cases of norovirus were documented (back in 1968) that the trend has been as influenza cases slack off norovirus cases pick up.

Did you know the first norovirus case occurred in 1968 in Norwalk, Ohio. This is why it is sometimes called the Norwalk virus. However, the 1968 outbreak was not confirmed until 1972, when researchers were finally able to identify the cause. Ever since then, year after year, there are more and more cases, and stronger and stronger versions of the virus.

Check my previous postings about norovirus.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 27-29 January 2013. Pakistan to train Afghan cops! Karzai implies United States interfering with peace process! Your tax money going to buy Iranian electricity!

29 January 2013

In Kapisa Province, a local police chief was assassinated.  He was shot outside his home. Five people were arrested.  Also, Mujahideen claim they ambushed a U.S./NATO patrol, killing one and wounding two.  They say the ambush lasted 30 minutes.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim they ambushed a U.S./NATO dismounted patrol.  They claim they killed four.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO dismount patrol was ambushed in Gilan district. No further info.

In Maidan Wardak Province (aka Wardak Province), Mujahideen claim they destroyed a U.S./NATO armored vehicle. They claim six personnel were killed.

In Kandahar Province, witnesses say a U.S./NATO vehicle ran over a landmine in Sharabad Godar area near Babrai hill of Kala Shamir region, Maiwand district.  All five of the crew were killed or wounded.

President Hamid Karzai implied the United States was interfering with the peace process by holding their own back room talks:  “Any effort to conduct peace talks individually is not an effort for peace but it’s a plot by the foreigners, aimed at weakening Afghanistan.”

According to western news sources, Afghanistan and Pakistan are about to sign a deal that would have the Pakistan army training Afghan forces.

28 January 2013

In Samangan Province, local government officials are accusing U.S./NATO personnel of intentionally ramming a bus with an armored vehicle!  Ten civilians were wounded.

In Helmand Province, a car ran over a landmine, three children wounded.  Also, Mujahideen reported a major battle after U.S./NATO personnel and Afghan National Army (ANA) troops were brought in by helicopters in Nawzad district’s Jakaw Karez area.  Mujahideen say several occupier troops were killed and wounded, while two Mujahideen were killed and one wounded.

In Kunar Province, a day long battle resulted in seven U.S./NATO personnel and three ANA troops killed.  Mujahideen say the battle started after the U.S./NATO personnel kidnapped five people.

Afghan officials announced a new deal to buy more electricity from Iran.  Iran will now supply Afghanistan with 164 mega watt of electricity per hour. Afghanistan will pay Iran $26 million USD.  And guess where the Afghan government gets most of its money?

On top of that, the capital city of Kabul will be running two generators producing 50 mega watts.  The emergency generators consume 18,000 liters of oil per hour.  The deal was made with Iran.

27 January 2013

In Logar Province, local government officials accuse U.S./NATO personnel of killing three civilians. Three brothers were riding one motorcycle, and U.S./NATO troops ambushed and gunned them down. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said they were Mujahideen.  President Karzai ordered an investigation.

In Kandahar Province, eight Afghan government personnel were killed when their truck was hit with a car bomb.  They had just detained suspected bomb planters.  The three suspects were also killed.

In Kapisa Province, locals say U.S. led forces conducted a home invasion and kidnapped a local Imam and three others.

In Parwan Province, reports say three children were killed, and five wounded, when they stepped on a landmine.

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Sears & Best Buy taking out more than one thousand jobs in Canada! Blame Right Sizing!

Canucks might have thought things were getting better, since Target announced plans to open 135 stores across the Great White North, but here comes Sears and Best Buy to shoot down that hope.

Sears Canada announced they will destroy 700 jobs this year! Company officials say they have to “right size” their struggling operations.

Best Buy announced plans to destroy 900 jobs!  It’s part of the same plan that’s destroying Best Buy jobs in Yankee Land; they are transitioning to much smaller stores and internet operations.

Total Sears Canada and Best Buy jobs to be destroyed this year is 1,600!

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?

International, U.S.

World War 3: Iran says it will continue supporting Syria, says Israel has made itself a target! Main U.S./Israeli supported rebel group going over to Russia & Iran?

On 02 February 2013, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, arrived in Damascus, Syria.  There he told the public that Iran will continue supporting Syria against whoever is behind the attempted destruction of al-Sham.

Also, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said the recent Israeli air raids almost certainly guarantees action against the Zionist state: “Any violation of a country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity committed by the Zionist regime must be dealt with.”

Israeli media reporting that computers are being hacked into.  A group calling itself  the Syrian Electronic Army, claimed: “We have hacked into 50 central Israeli websites.”

A Syrian ambassador stated there could be a surprise retaliatory attack: “The Israelis, and the United States behind them, along with their Arab and regional accomplices, realize that Syria, which defends its sovereignty and territory, may decide to respond by surprise to this aggression.”-Ali Abdel Karim Ali, Syrian ambassador to Lebanon

And out of Germany comes a Rueters report, saying the main U.S./Israeli rebel group Syrian National Coalition (SNC) are in discussion in Munich, Germany, with Iranian officials: “The talks about Syria are intensifying and the Iranians have been drawn in. Let’s see how it all ends.”-unnamed German source

The Reuters report also said the SNC had already met with Russian officials, and they reported discussions that could lead to the end of the western backed insurgency.

According to an Israeli media source, the United States was also behind the recent air strikes on Syria. On 22 January President Obama was briefed of the attack by an Israeli AMAN commander.  Obama approved.  As well, the Russian’s were told by the Israeli ambassador in Moscow.  The Russians were opposed.

Also on 02 February 2013, U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, told the media in Munich, Germany, that the official stance of the U.S. government towards Iran, is that Iran is not serious and the U.S. will not open diplomatic channels until they believe Iranian leaders are acting seriously.

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology

World War 3: Iran unveils new stealth fighter, 3rd generation indigenous design

02 February 2013, Iran has revealed a third generation indigenously designed stealth fighter.

It’s called Qaher-313 (Conqueror-313), and despite earlier reports that it’s nothing more than a redesigned U.S. F-5, or copy of F/A-18, it actually looks like a small combined version of the U.S. F-22 and controversial F-35.

Video has been posted on video sharing sites.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 24-26 January 2013. UN going after drone strikes! Mujahideen attacks more effective! More games with your tax money! Yet another report says thousands of Afghans being sacrificed for the United States!

26 January 2013

In Herat Province, Mujahideen claim they captured a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle/drone) in the Nawa area of Adraskan district.

In Balk Province, reports that a U.S. led NATO/ISAF military vehicle ran over and killed a man riding a motorcycle. Local police say they stopped the NATO/ISAF vehicle and detained the occupants. No comment from ISAF.

In Ghazni Province, Mujahideen claim to have killed another Polish/NATO troop. They say a bomb killed one, and wounded two others.  Also, a suicide bomber blew himself up in Ghazni City, killing three people and wounding eight.

In Kunduz Province, a suicide bombing has killed ten government security personnel, including the local counter-terrorism chief.

A Wall Street Journal article says U.S. military officials accuse Kam Air of smuggling Afghan opium.  The Afghan airlines responded: “These allegations have hurt the prestige of Kam Air as the best and most reliable Afghan private airline, we will demand clarification and compensation if the charges brought against us are not proved.”-Zamarai Kamgar, Kamir Air

25 January 2013

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen claim they assassinated a National Directorate of Security (NDS) agent in front of a local bank.  Another NDS agent, and known U.S. paid contractor on Kandahar airbase, was assassinated near the Girls’ School in Mirza Ahmad Kalachi area

USMC General john Allen is outraged that the Mujahideen could have launched such a devastating attack on U.S. forces.  The car bomb attack happened in Kapisa Province, and killed 12 U.S./NATO personnel and destroyed two armored vehicles!   Five civilians were also killed, and 20 wounded. The suicide bombing might be in retaliation for a U.S. led home invasion the night before.

In Helmand Province, ISAF confirmed three Georgian ISAF troops were wounded. Two were ambushed and a third stepped on a landmine.  Mujahideen also claimed to have destroyed two Georgian armored vehicles.

Yet another report confirms what the Afghan government has been saying, that for the last six months of Gregorian year 2012, at least 1,100 Afghan government forces gave their lives fighting for the United States! A British newspaper said that info comes directly from U.S./NATO/ISAF sources.

24 January 2013

In Kapisa Province, villagers say a home was invaded during the night by Afghan and U.S. forces. They shot a woman dead. Local cops claim that shots were being fired from the home. Apparently the woman was the only one in the home.

In Herat Province, locals say government supported paramilitaries assaulted four people and killed one in Karez Zaman area of Khushk Kohna district.  Apparently the motive was robbery.

In Balk Province, a local cop is barely alive after trying to get rid of a bomb. Local police officials say the cop picked up something suspicious, then threw it when he realized it was a bomb. It exploded when he threw it away.

In Nimruz Province, two local cops were killed when they drove over a landmine.  Two women bystanders were wounded.

In Kandahar Province, three local cops, from Arghasan district, joined the Mujahideen.  Also, Mujahideen say they recovered a crashed U.S./NATO/ISAF drone. It came down in the Sozak area of Shahwalikot district.

U.S. military officials claim they will turn over control of Jalalabad airbase to the Afghan government.  It will then be returned to civilian use.

The U.S. military is also playing games with taxpayer money regarding more aircraft for the Afghan air force.  The USAF is delaying the purchase of 20 light attack aircraft.  It’s all because of disputes over the selection of a new plane; either the AT-6 Texan 2 or the A-29 Super Tucano.

Russia is investigating the possibility that a Russian airliner was in danger of being shot down by U.S./NATO aircraft over Afghanistan.  The incident was reported the day before.  The collision warning system in a Nordwind Airlines plane went off.  The crew say they saw what looked like a military plane on an intercept course with them. Afghanistan currently does not have interceptor aircraft, only U.S. and NATO forces operate such planes in Afghanistan.

The United Nations announced they will investigate U.K. Red Coat and U.S. Yankee drone strikes around the world, including Afghanistan. About 30 incidents will be investigated, specifically cases of double tap strikes where missiles were launched against rescue parties after the first missile struck.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Italian Supreme Court finds 26 evil ‘Mericans guilty of War Crimes!!!

On 01 February 2013, the Italian appeals Court ruled that three CIA employees are guilty of war crimes!  That brings the total to 26 U.S. citizens found guilty in Italian courts since 2009!

Italian prosecutors said all but one works for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.  They were tried in absentia, and found guilty of kidnapping an Egyptian in 2003 on the orders of U.S. President George W. Bush “Jr”.

U.S. officials claimed he was a terrorists, but after several years of being transferred to different prisons in Germany, Italy, then Egypt, and being tortured, he was let go in 2007.  An Egyptian court ruled there wasn’t any evidence to prove he was a terrorist.

The Italian court ruling means that if any of the U.S. citizens found guilty set foot in Europe they can be imprisoned.  Italian prosecutors say they will also consider extradition orders against the United States!

According to some reports, the Obama Administration refused to provide legal help for the CIA agents.

July 2012: BUSH, CHENEY, RUMSFELD, U.S. GENERALS, AND EVEN OBAMA FACING INVESTIGATION AND WAR CRIMES TRIALS BY INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS