Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

Egyptians want U.S. backed military leaders out

Egyptians want the Military leaders out of government.  The military took over after weeks of protest forced long time President Hosni Mubarak to leave.

It just so happened that Egyptian military leaders were in Washington D.C. at the time the protests started.  They helped convince Mubarak to leave, and quickly took over.

Many protesters say that the military rulers are refusing to prosecute Mubarak, and his supporters.  They also think the military is still working with the former government.  Strangely the military says these new protesters are those pro-Mubarak thugs that attacked the anti-Mubarak demonstrators back in February.

So far, in this latest protest, two people have been killed, and 11 wounded by the military and police.

International, U.S.

NATO shoots down Rebel MiG 23 over Libya

NATO admits they shot down a Libyan rebel MiG 23.  This is causing more problems between rebels and NATO.  NATO has bombed rebel ground troops several times now.

NATO says the downing of the rebel aircraft shows that they are enforcing the UN “no-fly zone”.  NATO says the no-fly zone applies to any Libyan aircraft.

The reason for NATO suddenly attacking a rebel aircraft, could be that the Libyan government has complained that rebel helicopters are being allowed to fly, despite the UN resolution stating that ALL military aircraft would be shot down by the coalition.

International, U.S.

African Union says Libyan government accepts ceasfire, African Union asks NATO to honor ceasfire

“We have completed our mission with the brother leader, and the brother leader’s delegation has accepted the road map as presented by us.”-South African President Jacob Zuma

African Union officials say Moammar Gadhafi accepted their “road map” for a cease-fire with rebels, and will meet with rebel leaders on Monday, April 11.

South African President Zuma also asked NATO to stop their airstrikes, to honor the ceasefire.  Details will not be released until after the Libyan government, and Libyan rebels meet.

Most member countries of the African Union opposed UNSCR 1973, and are upset that Western leaders did not consult with them about attacking one of their African Union members (Libya).

Business/Economics, International

Which tourists spend the most money in Japan? Hint; it’s not those from the United States

The Japan Tourism Agency released its 2010 survey about who spends the most vacation money in Japan. Guess what, tourists from the United States didn’t even make the top three (probably a sign of how bad our economy is).

The survey looked at foreign spenders as groups, and as individuals.

In the group category China came in first, followed by South Korea, then Taiwan.

In the individual category the French came in first, then the Russians. The Chinese and Indians tied for third.

In the case of the Chinese, 49% go to Japan just to shop.

What’s the most purchased item, by tourists?   Japanese confectioneries.

Business/Economics, Fukushima, International

Japan announces they need 70,000 temporary homes, for one Prefecture

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has told quake-hit Miyagi Prefecture that 70,000 temporary houses will be built ASAP.

The Prime Minister met with Miyagi officials on 10 April 2011. They expressed their concerns for how they were going to rebuild after the 11 March disasters. Kan said he’s putting together a panel to address that, and that the temporary housing was just the beginning.

Business/Economics, International, Technology

Iran says the Russians considered quakes when building their nuke plant

“The Russians have taken the existence of tectonic plates into consideration in designing the Bushehr nuclear plant.”-Nasser Rastkhah, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

Recently Russia helped Iran with loading of nuclear fuel rods into their plant. The Bushehr nuke plant is scheduled to power up by May.  ‘Sensitive phases of operation’ would be conducted between May 5 through May 10.

 

Business/Economics, International

Honey Bees dying in China, lack of water

It’s not only crops that are suffering in China, because of drought. Bee keepers say they’re losing their bees as well.

Honey production is down due to a decrease in flower pollen production, thanks to climate change. Bee keepers say it will also mean a decrease in bees, because pollen is their food.

China has the largest rapeseed field in the world. Rapeseed is used to make canola oil. Farmers there say drought keeps seed production too low for use in canola oil production. It also keeps rapeseed flower growth too low for the bees.