Category Archives: International

International, Opinion

Government Incompetence: Germany gets it wrong with deadly E Coli. Could it be a modern day Typhoid Mary?

First Germany blamed Spanish cucumbers; wrong!  Then Germany blamed locally grown sprouts; wrong!  Now Germany is facing a lawsuit by Spain, and German vegetable growers are tossing tons of fresh produce in the trash.  On top of that people are still dying!

By June 8, 25 people in Germany, and one person in Sweden had died.  More than 2,600 people in Germany are sick.

A new twist; back to cucumbers.  This time German health officials say they’ve found traces of the new strain (similar to 0104:H4) on cucumber leftovers belonging to a family that was among the first to get sick.

Here’s an issue: E. Coli (Escherichia coli) does not originate on vegetables!  It comes from the intestines of animals (humans included).  Vegetables would only get infected if they came into contact with infected fecal matter (i.e. crap).

Some possibilities:  Vegetables were for some reason being shipped along side products containing infected fecal matter?  Some Fertilizers used on crops contained infected fecal matter?  How about someone infected didn’t do a good job of cleaning themselves up after taking care of business, and, didn’t wash their hands thus spreading their particular strain of E-Coli to others, by handling produce being eaten by a lot of people (a modern day Typhoid Mary)?  Maybe German officials should be looking at people who handle fresh produce prior to it being sold to consumers (specifically someone who handled cucumbers)?

International, U.S.

U.S. to stay in Afghanistan until 2017

“We won’t complete doing what we need to do until about 2016, 2017.”-USA Lieutenant General William Caldwell

General Caldwell made his statement at the Brookings Institute on June 6.  His reasons are that only one in six Afghans, who join the Afghan government forces, can read and write.  Caldwell says that means it will take longer than expected for the U.S. military to train up Afghan troops to a level U.S. officials will feel secure with.

International

Pacific Ring of Fire: Chile Volcano continues to erupt

The pictures are impressive, of ash columns rocketing into the sky, surrounded by lightning strikes.  Believe or not it’s considered a moderate eruption.  It’s enough to spread enough ash to shut down airports in Argentina and Chile.

The Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano complex erupted on Saturday, June 4, causing thousands of people to evacuate.  Chile is home to hundreds of active volcanoes that periodically make themselves known, and most people know when it’s time to leave.

Vulcanologist say eruptions could continue for several weeks.

 

Business/Economics, International

Government Incompetence: Greece has been paying thousands of dead people money

The insolvent government of Greece has just discovered that 4,500 dead people have been receiving government retirement pay, for years.

The government is now investigating whether there was a slip up on their side, or the families never filed notifications of death.  At least $23 million was paid out to dead people.

The Greek government is also investigating another 9,000 possible dead recipients of retirement money.

Business/Economics, International

Corporate Incompetence: Strange Japanese Rules

Women in Japan were asked to post online, strange rules that their employers have.

“In our company, women are forbidden from putting on makeup. On top of that, the only underwear we are allowed to wear is white or beige. We are also not allowed to date guys under 23. If they catch us doing so, they cut our monthly pay and ask us to write and submit an official self-reflection letter. When we eventually find a marriage partner, we have to introduce him to the boss and ask for his blessings.”

“When we get to work, we are required to greet the boss’ dog. This should happen before we greet our colleagues or even the boss himself. In cases where someone has forgotten, they are given a lecture on morals by the boss.”

“Every morning when we arrive at the office, the first thing we are supposed to do is greet our company’s ‘special’ female coworker. We never know why we are forced to do so, because her status is not above ours. In fact, we don’t know what her status is. We are also not allowed to leave before her. If this happens, we are called to publicly apologize in front of everyone at work.”

“Our boss has a bell on his desk, which he uses to summon us. He never pronounces our names. When the bell rings, we know what to ask: “Coffee or tea, sir?” His desk is just two meters away from ours. It’s not that far, but maybe he doesn’t like calling people by their names.”

“When I was working at a department store as an elevator girl, we all had to keep our possessions in a bag that was specifically for work. While this is common for some types of jobs, what was strange in our case was that full time employees had a Chanel bag, contract employees had a Louis Vuitton, and part-timers had no-brand bags. That was the unspoken rule. Also, when we are in the restroom, we can’t leave before any full time employees do. In fact, we have to hold the door for them.”

It makes you wonder why they don’t revolt?


Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Mazda will stop U.S. production, moving to Japan & Mexico

Mazda announced that it will stop production of its Mazda6, at a Ford plant in Michigan.  Mazda will move production of the Mazda6 back to Japan.

The Michigan plant is a joint venture between Ford and Mazda, known as AutoAlliance International.  The joint venture has been losing money ever since the ‘credit crisis’.

Mazda also plans to build cars in Mexico, mainly for the booming Latin American car market.  Some Mexican built Mazdas will be sold in the United States.  Rumors are that Mazda wants out of its joint venture with Ford.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Food Crisis: Deadly E-coli hits United States, FDA can’t inspect for new strain

“We usually consider that a rare complication, and to have 470 is absolutely extraordinary. This is a new public health problem.”-Robert Tauxe, CDC

Center for Disease Control believes three people in the U.S. have picked up the latest deadliest form of e-coli.  They had returned from Germany.

Michael Osterholm, at the University of Minnesota, says the e-coli outbreak in Europe is the deadliest on record.  1,624 cases are being reported by hospitals, but the actual number of infected people could be ten times higher.

Chinese scientist, working with German scientist, says the new e-coli strain is not only “super toxic”, but is resistant to treatment.  The strain is similar to the 0104:H4 strain, except for its resistance to antibiotics, which is why scientists think this is a new strain.

Earlier the Food and Drug Administration said it was inspecting vegetables from Europe for e-coli, but it’s been reveled that the FDA can not test for the new strain.  The FDA tests for e-coli 0157 strain (which is also deadly).

 

 

International

Former Israeli Mossad boss says attacking Iran a mistake

“An attack on Iran would mean regional war…consider all options and not to run straight for the war option.”-Meir Dagan, former Mossad Chief

Dagan said the only reason Israel should go to war, is if it was attacked first.

He downplayed the U.S. rhetoric against Iran’s nuclear program as sabre rattling: “We do not have the ability to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In the best case scenario we can push it off a bit.”

Dagan is also advising the Israeli government to make war plans that would take into account attacking several countries at the same time.