Category Archives: International

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Japanese government collasping over tax increases! DPJ turning against their own Prime Minister!

02 July 2012, 52 members of Japan’s Diet (parliament) have resigned over the sales tax increases called for by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

The prime minister and the lawmakers who quit are part of the same political party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).  One of the lawmakers to resign is Ichiro Ozawa, who helped found the DPJ. He’s forming a new political party to challenge the government.

The members who left occupied positions in both houses of the Diet.  If the DPJ were to lose 55 members in the more powerful Lower House, then the DPJ would not be able to stop any recall of the prime minister.  The Lower House of the Diet appoints the Japanese prime minister, he is not elected by the general public.

Yoshihiko Noda is the sixth prime minister in the past six years.

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

Global Class War: Hungary taxes potato chips last year, now adds cell phone calls! Nebraska already suffering with highest cell phone tax rate in United States!

In September 2011, Hungary joined several countries placing extra taxes on snacks like potato chips.  Full of crap western news media said it was an effort to fight obesity, but a recent Japanese report straight up said it was a way for the Hungarian government to raise more money to pay its out of control debts!

In May 2012, Hungary also passed an extra tax on cell phones calls!  It’s called the voice-traffic levy.  The Hungarian government hopes the new phone tax will create at least $133.6 million USD this year.

NHK (nippon housou kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reporting that Hungary was forced to create the extra tax under demands from the European Union.  But some people have switched to using smartphones which can make calls through the internet.  Hungarian officials did not tax internet based calls.

Here in the U.S. state of Idaho, groceries are already taxed.  It’s fun to watch people from out of state go into shock when they find out they have to pay tax on groceries.

Idahoans are not happy about the decades old grocery tax.  Political leaders have tried to throw us a bone by allowing a grocery credit on the end of year tax filings.  But woe to them that try to add extra taxes on snacky foods in the name of forcing us to be healthy, when in reality they just want to steal more of our increasingly limited money.

But wait, there’s more!  According to a 2011 Money article, Nebraska leads the U.S. with the highest cell phone tax rates!  Combined federal, state and local cell phone tax rates amounted to 23.69% in 2011!!!

Idaho’s state and local tax rate was 2.2% (not counting federal taxes).

“Cellphone users are overtaxed relative to consumers of other goods, and at risk of double taxation. Additionally, the wide number of taxing authorities and the wide variety in rates makes tracking problematic and burdensome.” -Joseph Henchman, Tax Foundation Director of State Projects

The reason this is class warfare is that these kinds of taxes do not affect the elitist wealthy, they target the overwhelming majority of citizens who are not rich!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: Evil British Empire banks forced businesses to take on loan insurance, while they jacked up international interst rates! More proof the Too Big To Fails caused the economic crisis! More proof of Trilateral Commission operations!

29 June 2012, British news media reporting the LIBOR scandal isn’t over.  Not only was Barclays (and other British and U.S. banks) involved with manipulating international interest rates, but they also forced smaller businesses to buy loan insurance, “mis-selling” it as a way of protecting themselves from those high LIBOR interest rates!

Recently Barclays settled with the U.S. government over manipulation charges.  Barclays is the tip of the British banking empire LIBOR scandal iceberg, which dominates western economies.

Investigators say the LIBOR fixing took place from 2005 to 2009.  The scandal involved too big to fail banks in North America, Europe and Japan (the regional members of the Trilateral Commission).

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 23 June – 27 June. Oil starts flowing, Iran joins oil production, Uzbeistan interferes. More U.S. led troops die. Afghans accuse U.S. led troops of stealing their money, Israeli style. Cops poisoned. Cops join Mujahideen. More girls poisoned.

27 June 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stated that two U.S. led occupying personnel were killed by an explosion in eastern Afghanistan.

“It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”

iCasualties.org reports 217 occupying forces killed so far this year.

In Ghazni Province, local officials report gun battles between locals and supposed Mujahideen/Taliban. They believe the shootout was the result of people refusing to join a specific organization.

In Paktiya Province, local officials claim that 28 Mujahideen were killed in battles there. The battles were between Mujahideen and Afghan government forces backed up by U.S. led occupying forces.

ISAF claims 10 Mujahideen killed and 21 captured in battles in Ghazni, Logar, Nangarhar, Parwan and Wardak provinces.

26 June 2012

In Helmand Province, five family members were assassinated.  The family had just accepted agricultural seeds from the local government.

In Takhar Province, a suicide bomber was captured before he blew himself up.  Afghan police say he is connected with the Jendullah Group of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

ISAF claims seven Mujahideen killed and six captured in Ghazni, Khost, Paktika and Wardak provinces.

25 June 2012

In Badghis Province, Mujahideen claim 15 local cops defected to them.  Local government officials admit cops did defect, but not that many.

In Logar Province, locals are complaining that U.S. led occupying forces are taking their money and government identification documents. It’s happening during night time raids on homes (Israeli style).  Some people also say the occupiers are taking electronic items like computers.

One unnamed occupying official said items, including money, are taken because U.S. led forces believe such things will be used against them (same excuse the Israelis use when they steal stuff from the Palestinians). ISAF Brigadier General, Carsten Jacobsen, claims that people are given paperwork which allows them to get their money/items back, but many Afghans say they are still waiting months later, with no response from ISAF.

In Uruzgan Province, at least six cops were killed by an explosion, three others were wounded after the explosion when Mujahideen open fired on them.

An Italian occupying troop was killed, two wounded, in eastern Afghanistan when a police shooting range was bombed.

Dozens of people killed when Afghan Mujahideen attacked Pakistani border patrol forces.  Mujahideen released a video of the beheading of 17 Pakistani soldiers (who says Pakistan isn’t doing enough for the United States?).

In Helmand Province, about 40 cops were poisoned. It happened at the police academy. The cops recovered.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, at least 90 Rahmatabad high school girls were poisoned. They have recovered.

Afghan security officials are claiming they have proof that Uzbekistan is trying to stop oil production in the Amu River basin.  China’s National Petroleum Corporation was awarded the oil extraction contract last December.

An unnamed security official said U.S. puppet General Abdul Rashid Dostum (accused of the Dasht-i-Leili massacre where hundreds of unarmed prisoners were murdered) has been hired by the Uzbek government to interfere with the Amu River oil project.

Iran announced a oil pipeline project between Iran and Afghanistan. The proposed pipeline will bring Afghanistan refined petroleum products.

24 June 2012

ISAF announced two U.S. led occupiers were killed in a traffic accident, in southern Afghanistan. Another occupier died from a non-combat incident in eastern Afghanistan.

In Ghazni Province, one person was killed, another wounded, after explosives planted on a “cycle” exploded.

In Bamiyan Province, local officials claim they captured a Mujahideen leader.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, extraction of oil from the Amu River Basin officially begins.

Afghan Attorney General officials announced investigations regarding General  Dostum’s interference in oil field production.

ISAF claims to have captured Mujahideen explosives expert in Paktiya Province.

23 June 2012

ISAF reports one U.S. led occupier killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, about 116 people, mostly girls, were poisoned at the Hazrat Imam Zada Yahya high school.

In Parwan Province, a Mujahideen leader, and a woman he was involved with,  were killed by fellow Mujahideen.  Mujahideen claim the leader and the woman were actually double agents for the Afghan government.

In Nangarhar Province, an explosion near a Hindu owned CD shop left two people dead, and two people wounded.

In Logar Province, a local police boss was assassinated.  Local cops say one body guard was killed, one wounded, and two Mujahideen killed in the attack.

In Kandahar Province, an Australian occupying force CH-47 Chinook helicopter force landed.  It happened while providing close support to ground troops. One crewman was injured: “One of the aircrew was injured and has been treated on site. All other personnel onboard underwent precautionary health checks following the incident.”-Major General Stuart Smith

In Uruzgan Province, three people killed, one wounded, when they drove over a mine.

In Faryab Province, a local cop and four members of his family were assassinated.

Afghan officials claim 11 Mujahideen killed, seven wounded and 51 captured, in battles in Kabul, Nangarhar, Baghlan, Balkh, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Khost, Paktia, and Ghazni provinces.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Operation al-Farouq! Saudi Arabia puts military on high alert, buying 800 top-o-the line Leopard tanks

A letter dated 27 June 2012, and signed by Saudi King Abdullah, shows that Saudi Arabia’s military was ordered on high alert.

The supposed top secret order is calling the operation al-Farouq.

The king claims the move is to prevent “foreign or terrorist attacks.”  For some reason the U.S. main stream news media are ignoring the developments.

Speculation that this could be a move to defend against the growing revolutionary movement calling for the end of the U.S./U.K. puppet Al Saud Royalist regime.

Also, there are problems with the royal family in that heirs are dying off, and there is infighting over who will become the next ruler.

This news comes as a Reuters report revealed that Saudi Arabia has increased its order for German made Leopard 2A7 tanks, to 800!  The original order was for 300, and some in Germany’s parliament tried to stop the sale on grounds that it violated the German constitution.

Reuters was citing a German newspaper: “The Saudi order could secure the future of German tank-makers Krauss-Maffei Wegman and Rheinmetall, which urgently need new markets because of the restructuring of the German army.”-Bild am Sonntag

It’s interesting that last year German officials originally denied such a military sale was being made!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: More proof the Evil British Empire controls unAmerican Corporate America & the Western Capitalist World, and more proof the too big to fails are to blame!

27 June 2012, a major bank in the United Kingdom, Barclays, settled with U.S. and U.K. regulators, over charges it was manipulating key international interest rates, specifically the LIBOR.

The settlement is for $451 million USD, which is a pittance when you consider the havoc Barclays wreaked on economies throughout the western world. Barclays is the forth largest bank in the world.

Barclays is a major player in the setting of the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate).  This is an interest rate charged to other banks, and is done on behalf of the British Bankers’ Association in London, England.  As of 2008 there were 60 international banks beholden to the LIBOR.

U.S. and U.K. investigations have revealed that not only are British too big to fail banks involved in manipulating interest rates, but so are U.S. banks. It’s not just interest rates, but currency valuations as well.

Besides Barclays the following banks are also being investigated for market manipulation: Citigroup Inc. (C), Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, UBS AG (UBSN), ICAP Plc (IAP), Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY) and Deutsche Bank AG are part of at least 18 possibly criminal banks being accused.

Swiss based UBS decided to cooperate with investigators in exchange for legal immunity!

And don’t think this settlement means Barclays, or any other bank, will straighten up and do the right thing, as one law professor said: “It’s [settlements for breaking laws & regulations] become the cost of doing business.”-Jerry W. Markham, former U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Cyprus joins growing list of European countries asking for a bailout!

25 June 2012, the small island country of Cyrus has asked the European Union (EU) for a bailout.  It’s the fifth country to do so, after Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal.

The economy of Cyprus is directly tied to Greece, and the economic disaster there has dragged down banks in Cyprus.

Fitch just downgraded the Cyprus’s sovereign credit (bonds) grade by one notch to a junk status of BB+.  Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s also rank Cyprus at junk level.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Article 5; an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all! Open War with Syria and U.S. led NATO! Syria shoots down Turkish F-4, Turkey admits it was in Syrian airspace!

“The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all, and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually, and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.  Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the [United Nations] Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.”-Article 5, North Atlantic Treaty creating NATO,  4 April 1949

On 22 June 2012, Syrian government officials announced they had shot down a Turkish F-4 Phantom 2, because it had violated their airspace.

On 23 June 2012, Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, admitted the F-4 had violated Syrian airspace: “It is routine for jet fighters to sometimes fly in and out over borders…when you consider their speed over the sea.”

Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, admitted the same thing, but added that it was not for very long, and had no hostile intentions: “The plane did not show any sign of hostility toward Syria and was shot down about 15 minutes after having momentarily violated Syrian airspace.”

24 June 2012, NATO officials announced they will meet on 26 June to discuss the issue, because Turkey has invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.  Turkey is a member of NATO.

The last time Article 4 was invoked was in 2003, by Turkey as well.  Guess what happened after that? The U.S. led invasion of Iraq.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: China & Mitsubishi increase oil orders from Iran!

22 June 2012, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation has just renewed its yearly orders of Iranian oil.  The decision comes after the United States exempted Japan from the oil sanctions, and the Japanese government agreed to provide shipping insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil.

It was also revealed that while Japan’s Showa Shell Sekiyu, and JX Nippon Oil & Energy, had officially cut back on oil purchases in past months, Mitsubishi was actually picking up those companies’ barrels of oil under the Mitsubishi banner.  So a slight of hand on the part of the Japanese before they got the exemption!

On 21 June 2012, it was revealed by Customs data that China has actually increased the amount of oil it gets from Iran.

China added 133,902 barrels per day to its crude shipments from Iran in May, a 34.5% increase.  A Reuters report said China was trying to offset the cuts they made earlier in the year.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 19 June – 22 June. Dozens killed in hotel attack! Increased attacks on women & children! Increased attacks on Afghan forces! U.S. troops killed! So much for the U.S. occupation stabilizing Afghanistan!

22 June 2012

Afghan Mujahideen attack the Spozhmai Hotel in Kabul city, at least 12 people killed (six cops and six civilians).

Kabul police say the attack began late night, 21 June 2012.  They claim they rescued 20 hostages, but there are dozens more inside: “It would be very easy for police to kill them, but we are afraid because there are civilians, including women and children, trapped inside. We are waiting for daylight.”-General Mohammad Zahir, Kabul police

Mujahideen claim they attacked two hotels, killing at least 25 people including 14 “high profile” elitist Afghans.

21 June 2012

ISAF admits a U.S./NATO helicopter went down in eastern Afghanistan, calling it an emergency landing.  However, reports out of Khost Province say a U.S. helicopter crashed and burst into flames.

Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, says Mujahideen attacks on Afghan troops have increased: “Every day we have at least 20 to 25 casualties, every day at least 20 to 25 of our youths are making the sacrifice for this country and are being killed!”

A United Nations article says that official documentation of women and children, who suffer from violence, show an increase in violence.  However, there is no baseline because official documentation of such violence was started only a few years ago.

The UN article does say that the ongoing war (should read U.S. occupation) is actually making things worse for women and children.

The UN article was published last week.  Today, 21 June 2012, the Afghan government reports several violent domestic crimes in the past few days.  They include the violent rape of an 8 year old, the rape of a 7 year old, and the torturing of a 6 month old and the mother, apparently all in the same province.

20 June 2012 

A suicide bomber kills at least 21 people. Major Martyn Crighton, of NATO, said the attack was against a U.S./NATO checkpoint in the city of Khost.  The U.S. embassy confirmed that three of those killed were U.S. personnel.

It was the third day in a row that U.S. forces were targeted.  According to iCasualties.org, 208 U.S. led occupation personnel have been killed so far this year, 152 being U.S. personnel.

While the city of Khost was attacked, another explosion hit eastern Khost Province. A suicide bomber attacked a U.S./NATO convoy.  Local hospital officials say at least 18 people were killed and 36 wounded.

At least eight people were killed, four wounded, in Logar Province, after a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle blew up. Local officials believe the bomber was attempting to join the attack on the U.S./NATO convoy in Khost Province.

In Kunar Province, local officials claim a U.S./NATO airstrike killed at least 21 people.

In Faryab Province, local officials say they stopped four suicide bombers from carrying out their attacks.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) claim they captured yet another “leader”, this time in Paktiya Province.  ISAF also claims to have captured a “leader” from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, in Badakhshan Province.  A “facilitator” was arrested in Kandahar Province.

19 June 2012

ISAF reports a U.S. led occupation troop was killed in southern Afghanistan: “Initial reports indicate that seven insurgents launched an attack on a NATO installation and initially were successful in breaching the outer security perimeter.”

Provincal officials from Kandahar say Mujahideen attacked a U.S. base in Kandahar, wounding at least 10 U.S. personnel.  Mujahideen claim they killed or wounded 40 U.S. personnel, and that 17 Mujahideen were wounded in the attack.

Also in Kandahar Province, a Afghan military checkpoint was attacked by men wearing Afghan police uniforms.  At least seven people were killed.

In Kunar Province, a U.S. assassination drone crashed while providing air support to Afghan and U.S. forces on the ground.

In Helmand Province at least 8 people were killed, five wounded, when they drove over a mine.

In Bamiyan Province, 46 school girls were poisoned.

ISAF says more “leaders” captured in Helmand and Paktia provinces.

President Karzai fires the boss of the Academy of Science, and the boss of Social Affairs and Human Science Department, after they tried to publish a book that was racially slanted against non-Pashtuns.  One ethnic group was actually labeled as being thieves and liars, and a threat to Islam.  Pashtuns are the dominant ethnic group of Afghanistan.