Category Archives: International

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Spanish teachers and students protesting in the thousands

“Since the democratic transition in Spain, we have not seen such a hard attack on social services and essential public services. This is an attack by Madrid’s regional government against employment and public education.”-Cayo Lara

Spain’s attempts to pay down its debt has seen huge cuts to education spending, at least 13,000 temporary teachers will lose their jobs.

The public school system in Spain has never had a good track record: One of Europe’s highest dropout rates with nearly 30% of students under the age of 16.

More education strikes are planned for September 20 & 21.

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Italians fighting with police, going down the debt tubes with Greece

September 15, scores of protesters hurled smoke bombs and other objects, even a cow’s lung, at the police.

The riots took place outside the Italian Parliament.  Italian politicians are trying to come up with a new debt reduction plan.  The plan will be similar to the Greek plan, meaning Italian taxpayers, and the unemployed are going to suffer.

The Italian government is trillions in debt. The latest debt reduction plan hopes to have the debt paid off by 2013.  It can only be done with drastic tax increases and cuts to taxpayer funded government services (which will mean more people getting laid off).

International, U.S.

World War 3: Venezuela, and 9 other countries, join Syria, take stand against the ‘west’

“We came to Syria to express our support and solidarity with the Syrian people, and to express our resentment of the media war against Syria.”– Temir Porras, Deputy Foreign Minister of Venezuela

The South American country, who is a major oil supplier to the east coast of the U.S., said they support the current government of Syria.  It’s not just Venezuela, but nine other South American and Caribbean countries who’re expressing support for Syria.

The organization is called ALBA, or Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América.  It’s members are Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela.

International

World War 3: Israel warns of war (again) if Palestine is recognized as a member of the UN

“The moment has not yet come to give details of what will happen. What I can say with the greatest confidence is that from the moment they pass a unilateral decision there will be harsh and grave consequences.”-Avigdor Lieberman,  Foreign Minister of Israel

For the second time, Israel has officially hinted at major confrontations if Palestine is recognized by the United Nations.

Back in August, Israeli officials threatened war with Syria, if Palestine became a UN member.  Now they are directly threatening the Palestinians.

Business/Economics, International

No Economic Recovery with Government Incompetence: Greek tax collectors join anti-government protests

“The participation rate in the strike is over 90%. The workers are striking to protest the looting of their income.”-Yiannis Grivas, head of the tax collectors’ union

You know things are bad when the government’s own tax collectors join the protestors.  Not just tax collectors, but Customs officers joined the latest protests of the Greek government’s debt repayment plan.

The plan places the burden on the taxpayers of Greece, many are unemployed.  The government’s plan will add to the unemployment by cutting government jobs, and cutting government pay: “We are talking about cuts to our income of 60% over the past one and a half years, 30% last year and 30% this year with the new wage structure. Of course we are obliged to protest.”-Yiannis Grivas, head of the tax collectors’ union

If you think about it, the Greek plan isn’t about building a good economy, but totally about paying down government debt by raising taxes on those few who still have jobs, and cutting services for everyone!

“The biggest single concern is that we may face a outright tax revolt. Those who have been paying taxes are now being asked to pay again, and there is a fear they won’t be able to pay any more.”-Unnamed Greek official

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Not everyone in China is doing well economically, restaurants forced to use ‘gutter’ oil for cooking, blame inflation

At least 32 people are on trial in China, for collecting used cooking oil from street gutters, then selling it back to restaurants.

A company that was supposed to be creating biodiesel from used oil, instead found it cheaper to simply strain the used cooking oil and sell it back to restaurants.

Also, according to local police, the company was using a “white substance” to remove the nasty smell from the used cooking oil.  Some local media speculate that it causes cancer.

China’s fast booming economy is causing rapid inflation, many individuals, and mom & pop businesses can’t keep up.  Buying recycled cooking oil is a cheap alternative.  One report said the price of new cooking oil in China is about 10,000 yuan, or $1,560 a ton, while ‘gutter’ oil sells for around 8,000 yuan to 9,000 yuan.

This is not the first scandal relating to food safety in China.  Scandals have included melamine tainted infant formula, and pork tainted with the chemical clenbuterol.   Melamine gives false increased protein levels in dairy products.  Clenbuterol helps make meat leaner.  The Chinese government says both can be harmful to humans.

Here in the United States the FDA has approved the use of clenbuterol in animals, but not in humans.  However, the FDA is out on melamine.  Their latest studies showed that melamine was dangerous only when combined with other chemicals.  One study showed cats had kidney failure after eating 32 parts per million of cyanuric acid and 32 parts per million of melamine.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? China says you created the economic problem, you fix it!

“Countries must first put their own houses in order. Developed countries must draw up responsible fiscal and monetary policies.”-Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of China

Despite China becoming the biggest foreign investor in the United States, they say future investments depends on how the U.S. handles economic recovery.  The same goes for Europe: “European countries are facing sovereign debt problems and we’ve expressed our willingness to give a helping hand many times. We will continue to expand our investment there…Europe and the U.S. must adopt responsible and effective fiscal and monetary policies in a bid to reduce debt pressures.”-Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of China

Analysts from Citigroup agreed: “What he is basically saying is China wants to help, they want to invest, but we can’t help you take the proper measures to control the debt crisis, you’ve got to do that on your own.”-William Rhodes

Another analysts says the EU and U.S. must stop paying for debt with debt: “Politicians have been paying their budget deficits by selling bonds, in other words mortgaging, or charging the future. Sooner or later that catches up with you, and 2011 is the year that the debt finally catches up with several European countries like Greece and Italy. So they have got to put their houses in order. They have to spend what they have, but not spend more than they have.”-Francis Lun, Lyncean Holdings

International, U.S.

World War 3: Syrian internet hackers find documents showing plans by Turkey, Britain, France & the U.S. to attack Syria

Unconfirmed report that the Arabic language website Syria Steps says hackers (known as Syrian Cyber Army) found documents that show that France and Britain have grand ambitions of retaking their former mandates of Syria, Lebanon, and Israel/Palestine.   I wonder if this has anything to do with the new oil and gas fields discovered off the Lebanese coast?

Apparently the French have offered Turkey guaranteed membership in the European Union, and ensure that Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, remains in power for along time.  In exchange Turkey will help topple the Syrian government.

The documents go on to detail how the region would be split up between France, United Kingdom and United States.  Basically France and the U.K. would regain control of their old post World War 1 mandates, and the U.S. would get bases in the eastern area of Syria known as Deir ez-Zor.

The report also claims that Turkey will allow Israel to do what it wants.  This makes the report suspicious given the current relations between Turkey and Israel.  However, if the report is true it suggests that Turkey is putting on a big front acting like it’s ready to go to war with Israel, which could be a red herring operation.

 

International

World War 3: Israel says it will support Kurdish Rebels in coming war with Turkey, then changes its mind

The Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported on September 9 that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced plans to support the PKK  “in every possible area” to fight against Turkey.

Turkish officials responded by warning Israel, and warning the rebel Kurdish PKK organization: “Every time someone wants to bother Turkey he uses the PKK.  It is important that our Kurdish brothers pay attention to this.”-Ahmed Davutoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister

Now Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is denying everything.  In an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2, Lieberman said no such issues such as helping the PKK were discussed.  Can you trust them?


Business/Economics, International

World War 3: Israel to go ahead with oil drilling off Lebanon, claims ignorance when telling lies

Israeli Energy Minister Uzi Landau, threatened that Israel will go ahead and establish oil rigs off the coast of Lebanon. Turkey has already said it would help Lebanon protect its territorial water.

Uzi Landau blatantly lied about who has rights to the area: “It hasn’t been claimed even by Lebanon, and the Turks too…”

Lebanon made it known in August 2010, where their territorial maritime boundaries are.  Israel ignored those boundaries and drew up their own Mediterranean borders, which conveniently angled the northern Israeli maritime boundary past Lebanon’s ground borders into the recently discovered oil/gas fields off Lebonon’s coast.

On September 5, Lebanon issued a statement with the United Nations: “The Israeli claim infringes on Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic (sea) Zone. This is a clear violation of Lebanon’s rights… over an area of some 860 square kilometers, and puts international peace and security at risk.”

Also, Turkey has already stated that it would help Lebanon defend that area of the Mediterranean from Israeli oil operations.

So, Israeli Energy Minister Uzi Landau’s claim that know one has claimed the maritime territory off Lebanon’s coast is typical of Israeli lies cloaked in ignorance.