Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

World War 3: Big explosions in Afghanistan, conflicting reports

“When a suicide bomber tried to enter the district headquarters, he was stopped by the police but then he detonated his explosives, right at the gate. The explosion was so strong, there are casualties among police and civilians.”-Naser Ahmad Popul, inside the building at the time of the blast.

Big explosion in Herat Province on April 9, 2012. Afghan media reports 9 people killed, 22 wounded.

Afghan media said it was a suicide bomber using a Toyota 4×4, who blew himself up in front of a district office west of the city of Herat.

Another explosion took place in Helmand Province.

U.S. media reports four Afghan police were killed.  Three people wearing explosive vests attacked a police station. Police shot and killed one, but the other two exploded themselves.

Interestingly the Afghan media is not mentioning the Helmand incident, so far.  Also, the U.S. media says the “Taliban” have claimed responsibility for both attacks, yet Afghan media says no one is claiming responsibility.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Intelligence officers attacked, U.S. will continue night raids despite “deal”, South Carolina sends 500 troops, Mujahideen keeps out Al Qaeda

April 9, 2012, in Baghlan Province an explosion left seven people wounded.  Three are Afghan intelligence officers.

Officials say a bomb was placed in a culvert, and exploded as the vehicle carrying the intelligence officers drove over it.  Four civilians are wounded as well.

And it has been revealed that despite yesterday’s “deal” signing, U.S. led forces will still conduct night raids, and other special operations.

The deal supposedly gave the Afghan military the lead role in special operations. Even Afghanistan’s Defense Minister said night raids would be done by Afghan forces: “From now on only Afghan forces can search the homes and private properties as part of night operations.”-Abdul Rahim Wardak

Yet the deal allows Afghan military leaders to request that U.S. led forces still carry out such operations “as required or requested”.

The U.S. state of South Carolina is sending 500 members of their state militia to
Afghanistan.  The 169th Fighter Wing of South Carolina’s Air National Guard deployed on Easter Sunday.

The Christian Science Monitor has published an article that tries to explain who and what the “Taliban” Mujahideen groups are, and shows that they are not the same as al Qaeda, and in fact it is the Mujahideen (not the United States) that have prevented al Qaeda from gaining a foothold in Afghanistan:  “Such differences cause natural tensions between the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda has not been able to hijack the insurgency the way it did in Iraq.”– NATO intelligence officer

The Pashtuns (who make up the majority of Afghans) consider the Mujahideen “Taliban” to be their only legitimate political representatives: “One of the most important things to an Afghan, especially in the context of the last 30 years of open warfare, is personal security. The central government and to a degree NATO/Coalition forces have failed in this regard. The Taliban, in the view of ordinary Pashtuns, is the only entity able to impose law and order.”-Matthew DuPee, Afghan Affairs U.S. Naval Postgraduate School

 

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

Oil & Gas Prices: Egyptian pipeline blown up again, Natural Gas Glut results in 10 years low prices, U.S. investigates European oil companies in Libya, Iran reduces oil exports

According to Azerbaijani media, Iran’s Oil Ministry is confirming that their oil exports are dropping due to Western oil sanctions.

Iranian oil officials say Japan has made the biggest cut in oil purchases, despite recently getting an exemption from the United States.  Japan cut Iranian oil imports by 28% from January to April 2012.

However, Iran’s oil exports have also gone down due to their own oil embargo of the European Union.  The EU’s own oil sanctions go into effect on July 1.

Speaking of Japan, Tokyo Electric, the operator of the nuclear disaster reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, has been using oil to generate electricity, a lot more oil.

TEPCo reported that in March 2012 they used four times the amount of oil than in March 2011.  They also used the most natural gas since August 2011, and August was a record for gas use by TEPCo; 2.079 million tons.

Regarding natural gas, the United States is so full of it, that there is no where left to store the stuff.  Underground salt caverns, depleted oil fields and aquifers are being used but even they are rapidly filling.

The result is that drilling and pumping of the LNG will have to stop, natural gas prices are at ten year lows (we consumers like that).  Maybe this will mean an end to fracking and man made earthquakes?

But that might be bad news for places like Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  The town has seen an economic boom; their tax revenues have gone up more than 10% between 2006 and 2010, and 115 new business in and around Lycoming County have been created.

In Egypt, ever since the January 2011 Revolution their gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan keeps getting blown up.  April 9, 2012, it got blown up again, for the 14th time since the Revolution.

In Libya, U.S. officials are investigating oil deals made with Italy’s Eni, and France’s Total.  The companies are being investigated for their connections to Muammar Gaddafi.

Eni officials said certain payments made to Gaddafi might have violated the U.S. Foreign Corruption Practice Act.  The U.S. is helping the new Libyan government investigate many oil companies, and could result in huge fines being levied in favor of the new government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

International, Technology, U.S.

Terror Drones: April 2-8, U.S. to quadruple assassination drone attacks

The Washington Post reporting that the United States did indeed spy on Iran using UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, aka drones).

The report says the National Security Agency has at least three years worth of drone surveillance data on Iran. The program is being run by the Central Intelligence Agency’s Iran Operations Division (aka Persia House).

April 7, Yemen military officials say a U.S. drone strike killed 24 anti-government Mujahideen in two locations.  They say some of those killed were foreign Arabs.

There are several anti-government groups in Yemen, two are called Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and Partisans of Sharia.

Reports this past week say that the continued use of drones in Yemen could draw the U.S. into a full blown civil war: ”The more the U.S. applies its current policy, the stronger Al Qaeda seems to get.”–Charles Schmitz, American Institute of Yemen Studies

“Drones are a weapon of terror in many ways, and the kind of hostility this is going to breed may not be worth the counter-terrorism gains.”-Barbara Bodine, former U.S. ambassador to Yemen

“Heavily armed American soldiers have begun appearing in large numbers at the Sheraton Hotel in the capital, Sana, a Yemeni official said.“-Los Angeles Times

Also on April 7, Israeli forces attacked Gaza Strip with drones. Israeli officials said they targeted two men on a motorcycle in the town of Rafah: “Aircraft thwarted a rocket launch in the southern Gaza Strip.”-IDF statement

Despite claiming to have “thwarted” a rocket launch by Palestinians, two rockets were launched at Israel the next morning, April 8.

April 6, “An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in northern Afghanistan…”-ISAF statement

No further details were presented.  Some reports also said a NATO helicopter crashed in the same area, but it might be witnesses confusing the rotary wing drone for a manned helicopter.

There are conflicting reports about drone operations ending in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Most reports say drone operations will end after 2014, but there is a report that says assassination drones (aka MQ 9 Reapers) will actually quadruple their terror activity until 2016!

The report says the Reapers will operate from Australia’s Cocos Islands: “But don’t expect the worldwide drone war now being waged in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen to wind down. To the contrary, an Air Force announcement posted online this week indicates the Pentagon anticipates more than quadrupling the size of the global drone war over the next four years.”-Salon, Air Force ramps up drone war

April 5, the U.S. puppet government of Somalia stated to the United Nations that they have given the U.S. permission to use drones against their own people.

“I’m not going to get into matters that relate to intelligence. I will say that the United States has been and remains extremely focused-as do all members of the international community-on combating the terrorist threat that Al Shabaab poses, as an active threat not only to Somali but to the people of the region and beyond, in particular, given its active affiliation with Al Qaeda.“-Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the UN

April 3, a U.S. drone crashed and exploded in Somalia.  The drone went down near the town of El-Bur, which is considered a stronghold of the anti-Western government Mujahidden group called al-Shabaab.  However, the residents of the town say al-Shabaab fighters left the town on March 24.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. signs deal to let Afghan forces take lead in Special Operations, Afghan forces claim progress againt Mujahideen, yet more drugs & “leaders” captured

April 8, 2012, Afghan Interior Affairs Ministry officials say in the past 24 hours Afghan military and police forces killed 16 Mujahideen, and captured 26.

The battles took place in Nangarhar, Faryab, Farah, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktika provinces.  They also seized 2,090 kilograms (4,607.7 pounds) of drugs.

In Baghlan Province, Afghan officials claim to have captured two “prominent Taliban leaders”. Officials believe the “leaders” were responsible for the assassination of a police chief in Kunduz Province.

“Taliban” spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the two “leaders” are not connected to his group.

Afghan police said one of their vehicles hit a mine in Baghlan Province, but no one was hurt.

USMC General John R. Allen signed a deal with Afghan Minister for Defense Abdul Rahim Wardak.  The deal turns over to the Afghan government forces, the lead role in Special Military Operations, such as night time raids.

“The Afghan Special Operations Units have developed at extraordinary speed and are manned by courageous and capable operators.  In large measure, this MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] is a result of the professionalism of the National Directorate of Security and the Afghan National Security Forces. We also recognize the growing capacity of the Afghan judicial system which will play a vital part not only in the implementation of this agreement but also in the lives of Afghan citizens.”-General John R. Allen, U.S. Marine Corps

 

 

International, U.S.

Evil U.S.A.: Videos prove that U.S. taxpayer dollars support murderers and sadists, representing the United States in the so called War on Terror! Who’s the real terrorist? Not Iraqis! Not Afghans!

There is a video series just released. It was made by employees of the U.S. taxpayer funded Blackwater private security corporation operating in Iraq.

The videos show that Blackwater employees randomly targeted Iraqi civilians, by shooting into passing vehicles, sometimes at point blank range, and by running over people.  They also swerved into Iraqi cars to intentionally hit them.

You can also hear Blackwater employees talking about killing Iraqis, for no specific reason.

Blackwater tried to escape media scrutiny by changing its name to Xe Services.  They changed their name again, and are now known as Academi.

Despite the fact that the U.S. Army has even documented Blackwater’s evil doings, the U.S. government still uses them, in fact Academi is the largest military security contractor currently working for the Department of Defense.

A Harper’s Magazine report revealed just how evil the U.S. War on Terror really is: “A woman in a black full-length burqa began to cross the street. The vehicle struck the woman and knocked her unconscious body into the gutter. The cars slowed for a moment, but did not stop, nor did they even determine whether the victim was dead or alive. A voice in the car taking the video said, ‘Oh, my God!’ Yet no one was heard on the radio requesting help for her.”-Charles Glass, Harper’s Magazine

You can see the videos here.   No Iraqi ever attacked the United States!  No Afghan ever attacked the United States!  Who’s the real terrorist?

International

One Year Later: 1.5 million tons of tsunami flotsam still heading for North America, USCG sinks Japanese fishing boat

The U.S. Coast Guard took advantage of a Japanese tsunami ghost ship to get some target practice in.

Pictures show the fishing trawler pock marked with holes after being hit by cannon fire.  The USCG declared it a shipping hazard.

This is just the beginning wave of flotsam from March 11, 2011’s major tsunami that hit Japan.  An estimated 1.5 million tons of houses, boats, cars, bodies and other debris are slowly making their way to North America.

Some analysts from Kyoto University think 90% will hit the North American coast line by October 2012.  More than 40 thousand tons will arrive by February 2013.

Of course it all depends on the ocean currents, winds and storms.

 

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

One Year Later: More radioactive shrooms, shoots & beef

Not even a week after Japan set tougher limits on radioactive cesium in food, but more mushroom farms are found to be contaminated.

In a town 300 kilometers (186.4 miles) from Fukishima Daiichi, a farm in Kanagawa Prefecture discovered their mushrooms contain 141 becquerels of radioactive cesium per kilogram.

The new safe limits are 100 becquerels (prior to that the government was allowing food with 500 becquerels to be sold!).

Bamboo shoot farms in Chiba Prefecture have also turned up contaminated.

Ibaraki Prefecture also reporting that bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms are contaminated.

In Gunma Prefecture, beef is contaminated with 106 becquerels of radioactive cesium, although the new safe limits for beef don’t go into effect until October!  Gunma officials say they are still asking cattle ranchers not to ship the beef.

ONE YEAR LATER: SOME FUKUSHIMA FARM ANIMALS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LIVE

International, U.S.

World War 3: Mujahideen Spring Offensive April 7, 2012

Three Afghan army soldiers were wounded in Helmand Province, while conducting seek and destroy operations.

Afghan army and police claim to have killed dozens of Mujahideen in battles, as well as captured anti-government militants and weapons, in the past 24 hours.  The battles took place in the following provinces: Gahzni, Nangarhar, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Kunar, Helmand, Nanagahar, Paktia and Zabul.

Three private security guards were killed, one wounded, when their vehicle hit a mine in Khost Province.

Two Afghan cops were wounded after a bomb went off in Gardez city, in Paktia Province.

Two civilians were killed, and four wounded, after a battle between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen in Kapisa Province.

In Faryab Province more Uzbekistani Mujahideen were capture and killed.  International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says they are part of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.  They are calling those captured “facilitators”, meaning they might not be part of the organization, but are helping them in some way (money, guns, ammo, food).

ISAF says there was a firefight, in which several Uzbek militants were killed.

ISAF and Afghan forces conducted several operations to capture Mujahideen “leaders” in Kandahar and Khost provinces. ISAF did not say if they were successful.

 

 

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

What Economic Recovery? Good and Bad news for Idaho’s Hoku Materials

On March 22, 2012, Hoku Solar (a subsidiary of Hoku Corporation, in turn majority owned by China’s Tianwei New Energy) was selected to build a 7.2 megawatt solar farm in Kaua’i, Hawaii.

In December 2011, Hoku Solar actually delivered a 1.18 megawatt solar energy facility, the largest solar power plant in O’ahu, Hawaii.

After the announcement of the 7.2 megawatt solar farm contract, Hoku Corp stock went up 11%.

Now the bad news, another subsidiary of Hoku Corporation, Hoku Materials, is getting hit again by the construction contractor in charge of completing the southeastern Idaho polysilicon factory.

There are reports that once again Hoku has not fully paid its contractor JH Kelly.  This has happened before, and is part of the main cause for many construction delays in the past.  JH Kelly officials say they are taking “action” against Hoku.

Hoku Materials has also played the same game with electricity supplier Idaho Power.  Their latest battle was settled by an Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) decision.

According to an 15 March 2012 IPUC statement, Hoku got a new electricity contract which: “… reduces Hoku’s monthly minimum payment to about $800,000 for up to 18 months through June 2013.  To protect customers and the company from the lost revenue from the lower minimum payment, Hoku will reimburse the difference between the current and the revised minimum charge in payments spread through November 2014, plus 6 percent interest.  Hoku will also make an initial payment of $3.8 million, with $2 million of that coming from a $4 million deposit already provided by Hoku. The remaining $1.8 million will be paid over the next 18 months at $100,000 per month.  Hoku must give Idaho Power 30 days’ notice when it plans to exceed 10 MW and six-months’ notice when it plans to exceed 20 MW.”  

HOKU MATERIALS’ CUSTOMERS WHO ‘PREPAID’ ARE GETTING IMPATIENT!