24 October 2012, Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has pardoned 290 non-violent prisoners, like those who committed crimes such as theft, forgery and military desertion.
This is not the first time prisoners have been pardoned. Since the start of the Syrian Civil War, about one thousand non-violent prisoners have been set free.
Those prisoners not being let go are those who have killed, or have smuggled weapons and drugs.
“Economic growth in 2012 has slowed to a trickle, and that has spooked a lot of people.”-Jake Dollarhide, Longbow Asset Management
“Our low cost feedstock [natural gas] advantage enabled us to deliver volume growth, despite weakening demand. These difficult conditions [bad economy] may have extended staying power, as the new reality is that we are operating in a slow growth and volatile world.”-Andrew Liveris, Dow Chemical CEO
On 24 October 2012, Liveris explained the 2,400 job cuts (inadvertently announced the day before) as being necessary because Dow officials see the world economy getting worse.
Some analysts were surprised by the elimination of jobs and 20 factories: “Dow had very strong volumes in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. When I heard the announcement they were cutting jobs, I thought they had a really bad quarter, but it seems that business is A-OK.”-Hassan Ahmed, Alembic Global Advisors
Stock market investors are overjoyed at the announcement of the elimination of jobs (as they always are), and Dow Chemical stock values shot up 5 to 6% the morning after the job cuts were announced.
Dow reported net revenue for this past quarter at $582 million USD. But that’s down from the same quarter last year, when they reported $900 million. (note: various U.S. media sources are reporting slightly different revenue numbers) Dow officials say their sales are down across the board. The only area they see possible increase in sales is in their plastics made from cheap natural gas.
Their natural gas supplies come from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations, and Saudi Arabia. Dow has no plans for cutting workers from those operations. About 1,500 of the job losses will come from Dow’s paint and solar cell factories.
20 factories in Japan, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and the United States will be closed. Bloomberg reports that Dow did not want to make the layoffs public, but mistakenly emailed the announcement to some media outlets!
Despite stock investors buying up Dow stock, the chemical company said it will also cut $500 million from their own investing and capital spending. That’s the exact opposite of what U.S. President Barack Obama has been saying is needed to revive the economy. Obama has been stressing that unAmerican Corporate America needs to increase spending on investments and capital.
24 October 2012, oil rich Sudan says four Israeli warplanes bombed a factory in their capitol city of Khartoum.
So far no comment from Israel.
The attack took place late Tuesday night setting the factory on fire, the fire is just now under control. The Yarmouk Military Industrial Complex makes ammo and weapons for the Sudanese military.
Fox News, National Public Radio (NPR) and The Associated Press all reported: “They did not say what caused the blast.”
However, the Israeli media itself reports that the Sudanese government says the factory explosions and fire were caused by four Israeli aircraft: “Four military planes attacked the Yarmouk plant.”-Ahmed Bilal Osman, Culture and Information Minister for Sudan
Australian media reports that Sudan will retaliate: “We think Israel did the bombing. We reserve the right to react at a place and time we choose.”-Ahmed Bilal Osman, Culture and Information Minister for Sudan
Why are the U.S. and British controlled media trying to downplay this? (elections)
21 October 2012
In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was killed: “The soldier was clearing the compound when an IED detonated, killing him instantly.”-David Hurley, Australian Defence Force
In in the northern provinces of Faryab and Sar-e-Pul, China’s National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) began pumping out oil in the Amu Darya basin. China has a 25 years contract for oil mining in Afghanistan, thanks in part to the U.S. led occupation of the Central Asian country. CNPC expects to pump out 1,950 barrels per day.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry announced that no peace deal can be made with Mujahideen unless they are given immunity. One problem is that many Mujahideen leaders are currently not allowed to take part in peace talks, under United Nations rules.
In Logar Province, local government officials say a U.S./NATO rocket attack killed four children, and wounded two as they walked to school. Mujahideen report that it was mortar rounds from a U.S./NATO base, called Kizr, that landed on a house, killing all six children.
20 October 2012
French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, revealed that French troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of December 2012!
In Helmand Province, six local cops were killed by two of their co-workers! Also, a bicycle bomb went off near the governor’s office, no details on casualties.
In Paktia Province, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter working for U.S./NATO/ISAF, was shot at. No one was hurt, four bullet holes were found in the fuselage.
19 October 2012
In Khost Province, Afghan government forces turned on each other, killing three and wounding one. Reports say Afghan border police, National Army and National Police shot at each other. Government officials say it was caused by a “personal issue”.
In Parwan Province, reports that Bagram airbase was attacked by Mujahideen. This time a food warehouse operated by a military contractor was hit with machine gun fire, and rocket propelled grenades. The contractor says the warehouse caught fire and burned into Saturday.
In Balkh Province, 15 people were killed, 18 wounded, after the mini-bus they were in ran over a landmine.
In Herat Province, Mujahideen report that a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed at Shindand airbase. They say the copter went down due to mechanical problems.
18 October 2012
In Parwan Province, another U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Local police say Mujahideen managed to put a bomb on one of the fuelers, which exploded. However, Mujahideen say they blew up the fueler with a remote controlled landmine. The driver was killed.
In Zabul Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed four vehicles in a U.S./NATO convoy, killing or wounding eight people.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) admitted that hundreds of Afghan government troops are sacrificing themselves for the United States! The ISAF report stated that, so far for 2012, Afghan National Army (ANA) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 243 per month! ISAF reported that Afghan National Police (ANP) troops are dying or being wounded at the rate of 292 per month! That’s more than 500 Afghan government personnel killed or wounded per month, fighting for empire of the United States!
ISAF also said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in eastern Afghanistan.”
Officials with the U.S. created North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) made a surprise visit to Kabul: “My clear message is that the whole international community will stay committed to helping Afghanistan in the future…”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General
Amnesty International claims a 20 years old woman was beheaded by her mother-in-law, for refusing to be a prostitute. Most reports of violence against women focus on men, but in this case it was the woman’s mother-in-law that was forcing her to engage in prostitution, and when she refused the mother-in-law paid a man to kill her.
People in the region of North Waziristan, Pakistan, reported that four mortar rounds impacted in their area. The mortar fire came from Afghanistan.
Yet another U.S. based private security company (Jorge Scientific) is in trouble after a video showed their employees behaving like total retards! American Broadcasting Company revealed the video, which came from two former employees who quit because of rampant drug and alcohol abuse by co-workers.
In Nanagarhar Province, several cops joined the Mujahideen. Mujahideen made their names public.
17 October 2012
Major battles in Paktia Province. Mujahideen claim to have shot down two U.S./NATO helicopters. Reports say this happened as the copters were about to land to pick up wounded ANA troops. At least 53 people were wounded, including 45 Afghan government personnel, after a mini bus packed with explosive went off. A 14 years old girl was killed. The mini bus driver was trying to target a U.S./NATO base.
In Badghis Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed a U.S./NATO minesweeping tank. They say the two crewman were killed.
In Helmand Province, four U.S./NATO supply trucks were destroyed, and two drivers killed by Mujahideen.
In Uruzgan Province, a local cop joined the Mujahideen.
In Nangarhar Province, seven ANA personnel joined the Mujahideen.
16 October 2012
U.S./NATO officials admitted that a recent airstrike killed children, and not Mujahideen! ISAF said: “During an operation in Helmand province Sunday against suspected insurgents laying IEDs, ISAF forces may have accidentally killed three innocent Afghan civilians.”
This comes as U.S./NATO forces called in an airstrike in Gahzni Province. At least 17 people were killed. Afghan government officials claim most of those killed were from Pakistan.
In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Bagram airbase.
In Nanagarhar Province, Mujahideen claim to have fired more artillery rockets at Jalalabad airbase.
In Zabul and Kandahar provinces, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed several U.S./NATO convoy vehicles, and captured an Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a “hatchback” along with other military equipment.
19 October 2012, four years later and still losing money, electronics giant Sony says it’s forced to push 2,000 Japanese employees into early retirement.
This means those employees will have much less retirement money coming to them, with reduced or no benefits. That means people not able to spend as much money as they planned, pushing the consumer driven economy further down.
The new announcement could be part of the already planned layoffs of 10,000 employees worldwide. Even so, Sony admits the job cuts will have limited impact on revenue. That’s because of all the people who’s incomes have dropped, or ceased all together (no thanks to the too Big to Fail Corporations/Banks), who can no longer buy the latest high tech electronic devices!
Sony is also closing a Japanese factory that makes lenses for digital cameras.
17 October 2012, despite reports indicating crop destruction worldwide, and within the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports (in their newly released October 2012 report) that overall crop production in the United States is way up (if you throw out corn & soybeans).
A major indicator of crop destruction is the announcement by Farm Credit Service of America (FCSA) that insurance payouts, to U.S. farmers who’ve lost crops, will be at least $25 billion USD, but could hit $40 billion for 2012.
FCSA blames the insurance claims for most of the U.S. crop losses on drought. Even the USDA reported that the entire state of South Dakota is suffering severe to exceptional drought. South Dakota farmers, alone, have filed more $149 million in insurance claims.
Some states are now experiencing corn crop destruction because of early freezing temps. So, in states like Arkansas and Kentucky, not only have drought and cold weather hurt corn production, but the October/Halloween corn mazes aren’t happening because the stalks are too short. The result is that revenue from agritourism is going down (the USDA does agritourism surveys every five years, the last one in 2007).
It’s so bad that corn crops from the Midwestern states are considered destroyed (U.S. corn production is at its lowest point since 1995). The result is corn prices are soaring. By 15 October, corn commodity prices increased 5% at the Chicago board of trade.
Last year U.S. corn prices averaged $6.22 per bushel, this year the average is now $7.80! Some analysts say it’ll hit $8.25 before the end of the year.
The U.S. corn crop destruction is part of a worldwide decline in corn crops. Currently international corn stockpiles are 14 million metric tons below what was expected! (keep that in mind; “what was expected”, research UN data and you’ll learn that there’s still a lot of corn out there)
Apples are down as well. My own apple tree (here in Idaho), as well as my neighbors’ apple trees, have produce only a fraction of what they normally put out. In the state of Michigan apple farmers are reporting the same thing, saying their trees produced only 10% of normal output! An apple farmer in Michigan reports his agritourism revenues way down at his U-Pick apple farm.
In Indiana, apple farmers report getting only 25% of their normal apple harvest. The Washington Growers Clearing House reports that apple commodity prices are 13% higher than last year. But that’s good news for Washington state apple farmers; they’re reporting a record harvest.
Even with their record harvest, apple growers in Washington can not make up for crop loses in the rest of the U.S. As a result, with the high commodity prices for apples, Washington apple farmers could see a record $7 billion in revenue for 2012! By the way, if your willing to pick apples reports say Washington apple farmers are unable to fill 700 apple picking jobs.
Why the decrease in apples in the rest of the country? Some states are blaming earlier than normal freezing temps, but several states are reporting a plague of red squirrels. In Vermont some apple farmers report the squirrels ate half their crop. In South Carolina, squirrels are blamed for killing more than 100 apple trees.
While biologists suggest that warmer than normal temps caused an increase in squirrel populations (causing an increase in food sources), they admit no one could have predicted this year’s huge numbers of squirrels. The squirrels are now devouring apples because their normal food source, acorns and beechnuts, are way down this year.
Around the world, in Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Korea (north), India, Pakistan, and in African countries, crops have been destroyed by drought, or other extreme weather events like flooding.
In Japan, domestic agriculture has not only been affected by weather but by the ongoing nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.
In Afghanistan, farmers report hundreds of acres of crops destroyed by disease.
In Zimbabwe, farmers who couldn’t pay their electric bills had the power cut off to their irrigation pumps. A farmer said the power was cut without warning, even thought they tried to make payment arraignments with the utility company: “We admit we owe ZESA a debt of $3,000 but they should not have disconnected us without discussing our payment arrangements which we had submitted. The farmers were willing to settle their debts after harvesting their crop during the first week of November.”-Newton Gwetu
In India it’s not just weather, but animals. Farmers are reporting that their crops are being destroyed by rampaging wild boars and elephants. Elephant rampages have been reported since August.
It’s not just elephants in India, but elephants in African countries are also rampaging. In Tanzania, officials report elephants have destroyed villages and crops: “Up to now people are helpless and TANAPA [Tanzania National Park] rangers are just watching the destruction without taking any action.”-Jumanne Kwiro, Serengeti District Council
In Australia, the climate change is being blamed for driving feral pigs to eating farmers’ crops: “We’re seeing enterprises being destroyed, also pressure in grazing lands that we haven’t seen before. Going into drier seasons we’re really looking at grazing problems as well as destruction of crops.”-Rachel Pratt, Queensland’s AgForce
Australian ag officials are also concerned the exploding feral pig population will affect cattle: “Pigs carry diseases like bruscellosis, leptospirosis and paracites and also they can also carry potentially exotic diseases like foot and mouth.”-Ben Gardiner, Australian Veterinary Association
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) recently reported that corn and wheat crops in Central America are expected to continue their downward trend, averaging a loss of $120 million per year by 2020: “Even with our most conservative estimates, it’s clear that climate change could transform the agricultural landscape across Central America.”-Anton Eitzinger, CIAT
One activist said farmers need to be more adaptable to radical changes in climate: “Extension services across the region need to be reinvigorated to train small farmers in soil and water management. And governments need to lead, they have the ability to make a real difference through setting climate-smart agricultural policies.”-Paul Hicks, Catholic Relief Services
War can be blamed for crop destruction as well. Not just the obvious destruction by bombing and gunfire, but illegal Israeli settlers, in Palestinian territory, have been actively destroying Palestinian olive trees. More than 500 Palestinian olive trees destroyed by illegal Israeli settlers, so far in 2012!
But what about crops that we don’t eat? The clothes on your back could be threatened as well. Cotton crops in Pakistan and India have been destroyed by recent floods. However, Indian officials have stated that many cotton farms that survived the floods will actually produce bumper yields. (also, cotton production in the U.S. is up, according to the October 2012 USDA report)
Again, those areas that are not suffering from crop destruction tend to be enjoying bumper crop yields, which means those farmers will also enjoy the higher revenue due to the higher commodity prices, created by speculators supposedly fearful of crop destruction.
While researching Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) I noticed that their most recent graph of global food production shows a steady increase, year after year. Yet back in August, the UN actually asked the United States to stop bio-fuel production so those crops could be used for food!
The problem isn’t a lack of crops, the problem is the increasing cost to people who need to eat those crops.
There are several examples from the 1990s, such as U.S. rice rotting on Haitian docks because Haitians couldn’t afford to buy it, and African tomato farmers who left their crops to rot in the field because forced competition from Italian companies drove down tomato prices so low it wasn’t worth harvesting the fruits.
Is that what’s happening now, but on a global scale? Is this what our leaders mean by leveling the playing field of globalization?
I live in a state that is experiencing bumper crops: Idaho.
Idaho’s dry bean production is up 61% from 2011 (in fact bean production for the entire U.S. is expected to be 56% more than last year). Despite bean production being so high, speculators are also keeping prices for beans high. Commodity prices for beans are currently about 40 cents per pound, some bean prices are down from last year but they’re still near record highs: “That’s still the best price I’ve ever got myself! I’m not going to complain.”-Dana Rasmussen, Idaho bean farmer
The USDA says Idaho’s canola production has doubled from last year (canola production is also up in Washington & Oregon). Ag officials attribute this directly to higher commodity prices driven by speculators: “The number one reason for this increase is there have been excellent and very competitive prices available for farmers.”-Jack Brown, University of Idaho
Idaho’s alfalfa production was down 7%, but that reflects those hay farmers who do not have irrigated fields. Idaho hay farmers with irrigation actually saw bumper alfalfa yields: “I would say our yields were up a half to a ton per acre. It was a warm summer, and alfalfa loves heat and water.”– Will Ricks, Idaho Hay and Forage Association
Even though Idaho hay farmers with irrigation had bumper crops, the demand for those crops far exceeded supply: “Hay producers were getting calls from dairies in the Midwest. They were willing to pay $300 per ton plus shipping, but nobody had any hay to sell.”-Glenn Shewmaker, University of Idaho
Ag Officials from other states are lamenting just how much Idaho’s ag industry has grown: “Idaho has increased in just two years the equivalent of the entire state of Maine’s production. The July 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop production report showed Oregon at 41,000 acres, Colorado at 55,000, Michigan at 46,000, Minnesota at 51,000, Maine at 59,000, New York at 17,000 and Wisconsin at 63,000 acres.”-Bob Davis, Maine Farmers Exchange
What is Bob Davis talking about? Idaho’s farming acreage has grown, in just two years, to 345,000. That’s 13,000 more than Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New York and Wisconsin combined!!!
You might say Idaho’s ag industry is good for the economy, providing jobs for Idahoans. But that ain’t so. Most ag workers are migrants, and even though there’s a shortage of migrant workers many Idaho farmers complain that Idahoans aren’t willing to work for the peanuts they pay.
Idaho law states that farm workers must be paid minimum wage (currently $7.25 per hour in Idaho), however, if a farm laborer is “contracted” that’s a different story: “When I first talked to the farmer about work, he told me that he would pay me $14 per acre. I worked nine hours every day for over a week, but the work was so hard I was only able to do three acres a day. On payday, my boss made up all kinds of excuses and ended up paying me just $11 per acre, which comes out to about $3.60 an hour…. I didn’t know what to do. I have two children to feed.”–Gloria Paniagua, Cassia County, Idaho
Being a contracted farm worker is similar to being on salary, a really bad salary.
According to a report by Idaho Community Action Network, and the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, the average wage earned by farm workers in Idaho is $5.97 per hour, working ten hours per day, six days per week.
So what’s the point of all this? There is no food shortage! Reports show that while there are massive crop losses, those farms still producing are producing record yields! UN agencies (FAO) report record global ag production almost year after year! Crony capitalist speculators (who’re probably working for the corporate farms) are driving up food prices, even when there is no shortage of the resources! Farmers with crops to sell are making big money because of the increased commodity prices and because of the dirt wages they pay their workers! Don’t forget to add in escalating transportation costs! The net result is everyone is going to pay unjustifiably more for their food at the grocery store or restaurant!
Did you get a pay raise?
15 October 2012
In Herat Province, a doctor, two nurses, and their driver were kidnapped. They all worked for the International Red Crescent. So far, no one knows why they were kidnapped, or by whom.
In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed six security guards and destroyed three fuelers.
In Khost Province, a Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.
In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed security guards and destroyed one tanker truck.
A former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Force, Fatima Khazarpoor, claims that Iranian government officials have been holding secret talks with Mujahideen. The talks concern a variety of issues including what will happen post U.S./NATO pullout. She says Iranian officials have been meeting with Pakistani officials as well. Khazarpoor now lives in Afghanistan and says she and her family have been threatened by Iranian agents. Is this just another scam to justify keeping U.S./NATO troops in Afghanistan?
Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, paid a visit to Afghanistan, over increased Green on Blue attacks: “I spoke to President Karzai about our concern about insider attacks and sought an assurance from him that everything that can be done is being done.”
14 October 2012
In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked the convoy of Afghanistan’s Second Vice President, Karim Khalili. Mujahideen say they killed eight security guards, wounded several more, but are not sure if they were successful in assassinating the Second Vice President.
Five of the seven Red Coat Royal Marines, arrested a few days ago, have been officially charged with murdering an Afghan man.
In Farah Province, reports that local police tortured a man to death, then hid his body in a pile of garbage.
In Helmand Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike killed three children and two adults collecting firewood. U.S./NATO claims the victims were Mujahideen planting mines.
In Bamiyan Province, a United Nations helicopter made an emergency landing. UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan officials say it was due to mechanical problems.
In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen claim they repelled several airborne assaults by U.S./NATO forces.
13 October 2012
In Herat Province, Mujahideen say they used a “sticky bomb” to blow up a police car. The bomb, similar to a Limpet Mine, was attached to the side of the vehicle.
ISAF said: “One coalition forces service member and one coalition forces civilian died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.” Independent reports say the deaths were the result of multiple bomb attacks in Kandahar Province. Besides the ISAF personnel killed there were four Afghan intelligence agents killed, and three wounded as well.
Also in Kandahar Province, two local police joined the Mujahideen in Panjwaee.
In Zabul Province, co-ordinated explosions killed two people and wounded three. Also, Mujahideen claim a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed and caught fire. Mujahideen say the helicopter was having mechanical problems and that they did not shoot it down.
In Baghlan Province, Mujahideen claim to have set two U.S./NATO supply trucks on fire.
“….the agreement will see Scotland take an important step toward independence, and the means to create a fairer and more prosperous Scotland!”-Alex Salmond, Scottish First Minister
15 October 2012, United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron, has signed an agreement with Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.
The agreement allows the people of Scotland to hold elections in 2014 (to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn), to decide their possible independence from the British Empire.
One reason that some Scottish want independence is that they pay more to the British Empire in taxes than what they get back in British government services (similar to some states in the U.S. who pay more in taxes than what they get back from the federal government).
The people of Scotland should not be fooled, as history is full of examples of the British Empire reneging on its promises. Even David Cameron stated: “…I passionately hope and believe that they will vote to keep the United Kingdom together. We are better off together, we are stronger together, we are safer together.”
The British Empire could lose its bases for its nuclear submarines, but it should be noted that Scotland has lots of oil (Alex Salmond is a former oil economist), would the British Empire really want to lose that?
So far, most polls have shown about 40% of Scottish support independence, for the next two years there will be intense political campaigns to influence the voters.
12 October 2012
In Farah Province, a NATO heavy transport, carrying a armored fighting vehicle (AFV), was ambushed by Mujahideen. Both the transport and AFV were destroyed.
In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO nighttime airstrike killed 14 people. ISAF says the airstrike killed Mujahideen. The United States must now consider children and mothers Mujahideen, because three children and their mother were among those killed.
In Maidan Wardak Province, a Canadian man and U.S. woman were kidnapped. No word on what the two civilians were doing in the province.
Seven U.K. Red Coat Royal Marines were arrested for violating British Rules of Engagement (RoE). One Red Coat Marine confessed that an Afghan was killed in violation of the RoE. The incident took place in Helmand Province last year, no further details.
In Nangarhar Province, reports saying that U.S./NATO forces at Jalalabad airport have been hit with at least ten artillery rockets.
In Kandahar Province, local government police are reporting that religious leaders are now openly condemning the Karzai government. Police officials also claim the religious leaders are actually from Pakistan and Iran. Also, Mujahideen claim they fired artillery rockets at several U.S./NATO bases.
In Paktia Province, a security guard/local militiaman joined the Mujahideen.
11 October 2012
In Kandahar Province, an 88 years old man shot at U.S./NATO personnel, who were conducting reckless searches of homes, destroying property. He hit three of them before being killed by return fire.
In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched artillery rockets, and fired mortar rounds at two U.S./NATO bases.
ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.” It might be a Georgian soldier, as the government of Georgia also reported: “Corporal Abashidze died while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.” Soldiers from Georgia are operating alongside U.S. Marines in Helmand Province.
In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S./NATO armored personnel carrier (APC) in the middle of the night. They say that at 03:00 hours they climbed on top of the APC, dropping two grenades into it. The explosions killed the crew, and the Mujahideen captured a U.S./NATO machine gun. Also, Mujahideen in Maktab area of Helmand, claim that U.S./NATO forces have been seen abandoning their outposts.
Near Kabul city construction of the Afghan National Military Academy was begun. The academy is being paid for by United Kingdom, at a cost to the British taxpayer of about $42 million USD. The academy is being model on the British Sandhurst military school, and it will be staffed with 120 trainers from the British Empire. This is just a sneaky way the United Kingdom will maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.
In Kabul Province, a security chief in charge of Bagram Prison was possibly wounded by an explosion. Reports are confusing, but the prison boss and two other security guards were attending a ceremony when an explosion took place. Some reports say all three men were wounded, other reports say the prison boss was not hurt.
In Balkh Province, a security chief and his bodyguard were killed by an explosion. Five other security officials were wounded.
10 October 2012
In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. Two supply trucks were burned, no word on casualties.
In Pakistan, Imran Khan, the current boss of the Pakistani Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), said the war being fought by Mujahideen against the U.S. led occupiers in Afghanistan, is justified.
U.S. President, Barack Obama, nominated USMC General Joseph Dunford to lead the war effort in Afghanistan and oversee plans to withdraw most of America’s combat forces by the end of 2014.
NATO has revealed plans to stay beyond the 2014 pull out date. They call it a “post combat mission”.
ISAF said: “Afghan and coalition forces killed Haqqani leader, Nasrullah, in an operation in Paktiya Province…”
In Kandahar Province, people of Muhammad Khelo village say U.S./NATO personnel conducted an illegal night time raid. Seven family members were arrested and one was killed.
In Paktika Province, hundreds of people protested against the continued illegal night raids by U.S./NATO forces.
In Helmand Province, seven cops were killed when a car bomb went off (some reports say it was a roadside bomb).
09 October 2012
In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three supply trucks were destroyed, and several security guards killed.
In Helmand Province, local people say a U.S./NATO drone crashed. Mujahideen say a “large” aircraft crashed in their area. Also, one cop was killed and two other cops were wounded when they failed to defuse a bomb. Also, three civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.
UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Jan Kubiš, said the United Nations will not let the puppet government of Afghanistan fall, after the 2014 pull out date: “The International Community stands shoulder by shoulder with Afghanistan and will not allow any crisis in Afghanistan which have been predicted by various groups.”
Afghan Defense Ministry officials announced three Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel killed, 14 wounded in battles with Mujahideen. ANA claims to have killed seven Mujahideen, wounding nine and capturing ten. The battels took place in Khost, Paktiya, Ghazni, Zabul, Nimroz and Kunar provinces.
Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith, said: “Australian and ISAF commanders continue to be confident that we are on track to transfer to Afghan-led security in Uruzgan over the next 12 to 18 months.”
In Uruzgan Province, a senior religious leader was assassinated. He was shot. The gunmen got away.
In Kandahar Province, people of Nasiro village say a U.S./NATO airstrike hit one of their homes killing one person.