Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN approves military ground mission to Libya

On September 16, the United Nations Security Council approved a ground mission for Libya.  The mission, called Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), is expected to last three months.

Unlike previous UN peacekeeping missions, the key element of the UNSMIL lies in its political nature.

UNSMIL is to assist and support Libyan national efforts in restoring public security and order and promoting the rule of law; undertaking inclusive political dialogue, promoting national reconciliation and embarking upon the constitution-making and electoral process; restoring public service; promoting and protecting human rights; taking the immediate steps required to initiate economic recovery as well as coordinating supports that may be requested from other multilateral and bilateral actors.

UNSMIL will include an estimated 200 political advisers.


 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Greek businessman sets himself on fire, Greek Prime Minister cancels trip to U.S.

On September 16, in a scene reminiscent of what sparked the recent Tunisian Revolution, a Greek man who lost his business set himself on fire.  Police put out the fire and the man is in the hospital.

On September 17, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, suddenly canceled his trip to the United States.  He claims it’s to ensure that all of Greece’s bailout loan commitments are fulfilled.  That doesn’t make sense because those loans just didn’t suddenly materialize, they’ve been in the works for awhile now.  So why the sudden cancellation of his trip to the U.S.?

Some analysts think it’s because Greece is too close to default now: “It’s a sign that things are very tight. Papandreou’s presence is crucial to make sure there are no setbacks with issues that need to be resolved.”-Theodore Krintas, Attica Bank.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Anti Wall Street Demostrations blocked by Police, part of International Day of Rage, the Poles are putting to shame any U.S. protest movement

“You need a scorecard to keep track of all the things that corporations have done that are bad for this country.”-Bill Steyert, 68, Queens, New York

New York Times reporting that Day of Action Against Global Capital (aka Occupy Wall Street) demonstrators are finding some of the routes blocked.

New York City officials decided to block off sections of Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall.

“When you idealize financial markets as salvific you embrace the idea that profit is all that matters. You start thinking only as yourself.”-Dave Woessner, 31, Harvard Divinity School

Protestors are being threatened with arrest, simply because no permits to hold a public demonstration were acquired.

“If you look at history and you look at recent history, ancient history, even the middle road, this is what creates revolution and this is what causes everything.”-Anna Lekas Miller, freelance writer

September 17 was supposed to be marked by protests in the United States and Europe.  Some foreign media are reporting thousands of people across the U.S. are protesting, but most U.S. media is reporting only hundreds (Business Week claims at least 1,000 people around Wall Street).

The people of Poland are putting to shame any U.S. protests; the Washington Post reports that 50,000 people are peacefully protesting in the streets of Wrocław.

 

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

Global Economic War: Bolivia wants Iranian made Farm equipment

The South American country of Bolivia has sent a trade delegation to Iran.  They want the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company to set up shop in Bolivia.

Bolivian officials say they’re impressed with Iran’s industrial advancements, despite all the decades of sanctions from the United States and Europe.

The building of an Iranian tractor factory in Bolivia, is part of the South American country’s agriculture modernization program.

Iran has economic agreements with numerous Latin American countries, like Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Brazil and Ecuador.

Business/Economics, International

Global Economic War: Europe raises tariffs on Chinese products, again & again & again, now as high as 69.7%

Chinese officials say the latest round of tariff increases in Europe have essentially closed off the European market to Chinese businesses.

On September 15, the EU placed tariffs on Chinese flooring tile, as high as 69.7%!  This will directly affect more than 1,000 Chinese businesses!

Chinese officials say the Europeans are raising their tariff rates to protect European tile makers, who’ve seen a 40% drop in sales since the debt crisis began.  Europeans says it’s to make up for ‘dumping’ of Chinese products on European markets.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. & Australia to join forces in countering cyber attacks from China

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and defense chief Stephen Smith in San Francisco, California, for talks on September 15.

The subject was cyber attacks. Panetta called cyberspace the battlefield of the future, and most of the intensive cyber attacks in the past year are believed to have originated in China.

The new cyber war policy involves putting U.S. troops in Australia, for training purposes.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Out of desperation the European Central Bank will start using U.S. dollars

Starting with the October 12, and then the November 9 and December 7 loan tenders, the European Central Bank will make U.S. dollars available for three-month loans.

The Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank made similar announcements.  This is being done in coordination with the U.S. Federal Reserve (the privately run central bank for the United States).

The European banks will trade their money (Euros, Pounds, Yen and Swiss Francs) for U.S. dollars, for a fixed exchange rate.  This is an attempt to prevent money markets in Europe and Japan from locking up.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Corporate Incompetence: Bridgestone bribed government officials, got caught

The U.S. Department of Justice says Japanese tire maker Bridgestone has agreed to plead guilty to bid rigging, and bribing Latin American governments.

It involves giant hoses used to transfer oil from oil tankers to storage facilities.

The illegal practice of bribing and bid rigging went on for ten years, from 1997-2007.  Bridgestone admitted that it bribed government officials in Mexico and other Latin American countries to secure deals.  They are facing a fine of only $28 million.