Category Archives: International

Business/Economics, International, Technology

Corporate Incompetence: Home juicing machines & soy milking machines contain carcinogens

A report out of China says that home juicing machines, and soybean milking machines, are being manufactured with lubricants that are known to cause cancer.

Inspectors working for the Germany company Fuchs Petrolub, discovered the malpractice: “Manufacturers of soybean milk machines, including Joyoung and Midea, are well aware that the lubricant for production is for industrial use.  It is only during product examinations from outside agencies that they purchase lubricant for food.”

Products intended for food production should use food grade lubricants, but it was revealed that the home juicing machines were put together using standard industrial grade lubricants.

However, there is apparently no law in China requiring the use of food grade lubricants for food production machines.  Staff with Fuchs Petrolub say the Chinese companies use industrial grade lubricants, for food machines, because they’re cheaper.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology

Global Economic War: China accuses Europe & Japan of dumping steel products

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce is investigating claims that Europe and Japan are dumping steel tubes in China.

“Dumping can force established domestic producers out of a market and lead to monopolistic positions by the exporting nation.”-Wikipedia

China will look into the matter of “certain high-performance stainless steel seamless tubes” and calculate the loss suffered by domestic companies.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: Nike rips off Chinese customers, sells them downgraded shoes at higher prices than in the United States

Nike has admitted to false advertising in China.  This after a Chinese customer, who just happens to be a counterfeit products investigator, discovered that Nike was selling downgraded versions of their Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011.

The shoe sells in the United States for around $125.00, and has two air cushions in each shoe.  According to the Chinese man who filed the complaint against Nike, the Chinese versions sell for $78.00 more than the U.S. version, and have only one air cushion per shoe.

International, U.S.

More evil in the U.S. War on Terror: British Man cleared by Bush Jr still detained and tortured at GITMO

“Inhumane treatment is taking place at the hospital among other areas, especially affecting the sick and those who are on (hunger) strike and our deprivation of real treatment, health, diet and appropriate clothing which are not provided to us, nor we are allowed to provide them for ourselves.”-Shaker Aamer, statement obtained by BBC Radio 5 live’s Victoria Derbyshire program

Shaker Aamer, a resident of the United Kingdom, was sent to Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) prison in 2002.  In 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush admitted there was no evidence against Aamer, and cleared him for release.  September 10, 2011, Aamer is still being held at GITMO!!!

Aamer has a wife and two children waiting for him in London.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Bank of America announces more layoffs, 40,000+

“You’re definitely going to see decreased service levels for consumers. They’re talking about either closing branches or reducing the head count in the branches.”-Christopher Whalen, Institutional Risk Analytics.

The largest bank in the United States will make it official, they will layoff 40,000 or more employees, over the next couple of years.  The official announcement is expected to take place on September 12.

Bank of America is struggling with the slow U.S. economy, and major lawsuits, including a lawsuit by the Federal government, relating to dodgy mortgage-backed securities issued by its subsidiaries, Countrywide Financial and Merrill Lynch.

B of A claims it lost $9 billion during the second quarter of this year, and is selling half of its stock in the China Construction Bank to raise about $8.3 billion in cash.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. citizens moving to Europe, say there’s no more opportunities in the United States

“I’m doing it as an exit strategy of sorts. I like knowing that I have another place to go if things get even worse here, or if I just get tired of running on the American mouse wheel.”-Amber Alfano

According to a Florida media source, the number of U.S. citizens who want to move to Europe has skyrocketed. The number one reason is economic: “With an EU passport, I can live and work in 27 countries. With a U.S. passport, I can live and work in one.”-Suzanne Mulvehill

Many U.S. citizens can qualify for European citizenship, if a parent or grand parent was a European national.  It’s estimated that more than 40 million U.S. citizens are eligible for dual citizenship.

“It’s definitely a really good thing to have on your résumé with business going so global. I probably never would have done it if it wasn’t for the EU, but at the same time I’ve always been extremely proud of my Greek heritage.”-Lauren Berg

“I understand the impulse: You can get a better deal over there.”-Stanley Renshon, City University of New York

Attorney’s say the number of people wanting legal help moving to another country has definitely gone up: “I have to say that over the past few years, calls I never would have received before have been made to the office. It’s not like a tidal wave, but it’s certainly more substantial, and it’s remarkable.”-Sam Levine, immigration attorney

“My dad was actually the one who put a bug in my ear about the whole citizenship thing. He said that Europeans are more interested in the quality of life than the quantity, and that it was a good place to have and raise children because of the way their social systems work. I don’t care much about the child-rearing part, but I would gladly trade in some of my material possessions for a little flat, a scooter and more vacation.”-Amber Alfano

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Despite Mexican Civil War, Mexico is the number one destination of U.S. citizens escaping the United States

“We’ve seen an increase of almost 40% in the number of American citizens making inquiries about the requirements for moving to Mexico. There are definitely more Americans emigrating to Mexico…”-Mexican Consulate in New York

In 2009, Mexico became the number one country of choice for U.S. citizens trying to escape the economic and political madness of the United States.

In the Fall of 2008 the one millionth U.S. citizen established residency in Mexico.  There are more U.S. citizens living in Mexico, than in Canada or the United Kingdom.

Foremost are the retirees, who can have a higher standard of living in Mexico than they could in the U.S.

Then there were the professionals who were sent here by their companies or were here on business.

Now there are people looking to live the ‘American Dream’ in Mexico: “My wife and I are both self-employed, so while we don’t make as much money as some of our peers, one of our currencies is freedom and the ability to work anywhere. We keep the focus on results with our clients, not where or how the work gets done. Two recurring themes from all the expatriates we meet here are opportunity and reinvention.”-John and Nicole Larson from Minnesota

A New York couple moved to Mexico just to have a baby, because of Mexico’s socialized health care system: “Top of the list is that the economic benefits of being here allow us both to spend far more time with our son Johnny than we would be allowed if we lived the same style of life back in New York.  We would both have to work full time and our child would be raised with home help and daycare. To be able to personally care for him and watch his daily development is a luxury that we fully appreciate, and it seems a more natural and beneficial way to live.”-John Rogers, moved to Merida, Mexico

It’s not just U.S. citizens, but Canadians and English speaking Europeans who are moving to Mexico, so much so that the Merida Literary Salon has been established, as well as the Merida English Language Library.

International

Global Economic Class War: Greeks rioting, armed with guns, Greek government close to default

September 10, tens of thousands of Greek protestors turned violent when they confronted Prime Minister George Papandreou at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair.

Greek police say the protestors are armed with sticks, stones and guns.  Six thousand police are guarding the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

There have been several reports out of Europe that say Greece has no choice but to default on its debts, this is because the latest bailout loan is still awaiting final approval.  If Greece doesn’t get the loan within days it will default.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Egyptian military rejects interim government’s resignation, thousands of Egyptians wounded, Israel says it will honor peace treaty

Egypt’s Supreme Council of Armed Forces has rejected the resignations of the interim government officials.  The officials offered their resignations after Egyptians took over the Israeli embassy.

At least 1,000 Egyptians were wounded in clashes with Egyptian security forces after the embassy takeover.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will adhere to its peace treaty with Egypt.  This is because the pro-U.S. military government of Egypt managed to take back the Israeli embassy from the people of Egypt.