Category Archives: U.S.

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

World War 3, Economic Front: Walmart & Sears end portrait studios!

08 April 2013 (15:01 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In what is old news to me, the main streamer U.S. media has finally realized that portrait studios in Walmart and Sears have disappeared.

The portrait studio at the Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart quietly shut down months ago, no mention in the local media.

According to a report out of Florida, the company that operated those studios, Canadian based CPI, is out-o-business.  The report says CPI was done in by the digital camera age, because more people are doing their own family portraits using digital cameras and their computers.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Africa Front: France launches new offensive in Mali! Now wants troops to stay permanently! South Africa deploying troops to DRC!

08 April 2013 (13:00 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

After basically declaring victory after their January invasion of Mali, France now launching a major offensive called Operation Gustav.

This comes after the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland began sending troops to Mali, and after the United States revealed they are increasing drone (UAV) operations in Africa.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, wants to keep a permanent French force in Mali, on the pretense of ‘peacekeeping’.

After pulling their troops out of Central African Republic, South Africa says it will now send troops to Democratic Republic of Congo (not to be confused with Republic of Congo).

This comes after the United Nations created the first ever UN aggressor unit called Intervention Brigade, created just to invade DRC and some surrounding countries.

The South African troops will be part of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO), which will act as the support unit for the Intervention Brigade.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 07 – 08 April 2013. U.S./NATO kills children and one of their own! Afghans fighting against U.S. insurgents in Syria! Surge in U.S. funded cops joining Mujahideen!

08 April 2013/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

A French photographer, kidnapped three months ago, was released today.  He was kidnapped by what the government calls unknown gunmen in Kabul city.  He was taken to volatile Maidan Wardak Province.  Afghan government officials say they still don’t know who kidnapped him, and they don’t know why he was released.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a bus was blown up killing nine people and wounding 22.  Police blame Mujahideen, although Mujahideen do not claim responsibility.

In Farah Province a rocket attack against President Hamid Karzai.  The rocket missed the target, and no one was hurt.  Karzai was meeting with victims of a major suicide attack that took place last week.

In Faryab Province, Qisar District, three cops joined the Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, Arghasan District, Shan Nari Village, three cops joined the Mujahideen.

In Zabul Province, Arghandab District, a local cop joined the Mujahideen, bringing radio equipment with him.

U.S. supported insurgents in Syria say Afghans have been fighting for the Syrian government.  The Afghan government says they are investigating the claim.

07 April 2013/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Kunar Province, Shegal District, U.S./NATO airstrike killed 11 children and a U.S. adviser during a major battle.  Provincial government officials say 12 civilians killed, 11 Mujahideen killed and the U.S./NATO airstrike even killed a U.S. military adviser. A district official says the children range in age from one year to eight years old.  Government sources also say 10 Mujahideen wounded, seven cops wounded and six civilian women wounded. Mujahideen claim none of the people killed were Mujahideen. Karzai demands an investigation.

In Ghazni Province, Mujahideen ambushed a patrol of Afghan National Army and Police (ANA, ANP). A battle took place for the rest of the day. 20 ANA/ANP killed, dozens wounded. Mujahideen claim only two of their own wounded.  Six civilians wounded.

In Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad City, Mujaideen attacked and destroyed a tank transporter loaded with two armored vehicles.  The driver was killed, a security guard wounded.

In Samangan Province, the home of a senator was blown up by suicide bomber.  The governor said the senator was not home at the time, the only person hurt was the bomber, he lost his leg.

In Kunduz Province, A provincial council member from Paktia Province was assassinated.  He was shot while on his way home.

In Badghis Province, Maqur District, 14 cops joined the Mujahideen.  They brought with them lots of weapons, radio equipment and three motorcycles (all probably paid for with U.S./European tax money).

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Australia, New Zealand give up U.S. Dollar! Join China!

08 April 2013 (11:40 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This is a huge advantage for Australia not only for our big businesses, but also for our small and medium enterprises that want to do business here.”-Julia Gillard, Australia’s Prime Minister

China and Australia have given up using the U.S. dollar to conduct business between themselves.

The major banks of Australia, New Zealand and China have agreed to use their own money; the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan/renminbi.

Bank officials blame the U.S. dollar for the high cost of doing international business, avoiding it will save them money: “It certainly improves convenience for our customers and takes cost out for our customers to have the direct convertibility between the Australian dollar and the Chinese renminbi.”-Gail Kelly, Australia’s Westpac Bank

The ANZ bank is also taking part.  ANZ stands for Australia and New Zealand.

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: South Korea says North about to undertake 4th nuke test! Medical team leaves Kaesŏng! Capitalists admit the communist blockade of KIR hurts them more than the North! North Korea says prepare for anything!

08 April 2013 (01:00 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“Given economic conditions, it’s hard to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Park once it is closed down. Closure of the Kaesong park will inevitably lead to economic damage to South Korea….”-Hwang Woo-yea, of South Korea’s ruling political party Saenuri

Republic of Korea’s Unification Minister, Ryoo Kihl-jae, believes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is about to conduct a forth nuclear weapons test. He refused to explain to South Korean media why he thinks that.

ROK Ministry of Defense downplayed the claim by Ryoo, saying their intelligence shows no movement in the area where the last nuke test took place.

However, a South Korean media source said there was increased activity at a test site in the northeast part of North Korea.

A ROK medic team based at the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR) has left the area.  The DPRK continues its blockade of the KIR, several South Korean capitalist companies have ceased operations as a result.

A representative of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), Kim Yang-gon, visited KIR and told communist workers to prepare for all possibilities.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 20 February 2013: More health care cuts! Tens of thousands more laid off! More cuts for California!

The U.S. Army announced it will layoff 122063 civilian workers!!! Most of those layoffs will affect the states of Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania and California.

In Florida, the Army Navy Surplus Market in Tampa closed down. The store had been in business for 75 years. The owner retired.  In Jacksonville, Beaches Wings and Grill closed own, without notice and without explanation.

In Oregon, the Silverton Hospital laid off nine employees in their new cath lab: “People aren’t really using cath labs anymore because there are really good medications you can take, or insurance are now requiring that a patient take those medications prior to having a stent or going to the cath lab.”

In Maine, Franklin Memorial Hospital laid off 40 employees. They blame it on the fact the hospital is losing money.

In New York, 230 people were told they are about to lose their jobs! The Journal Register owns several newspapers that are about to be put out of print because of a takeover by 21st Century CMH Acquisition.  In Auburn, the Daikin McQuay heating and air conditioner factory announced they will shut down in 2014. 352 employees affected! The company is moving operations to Tennessee. New Hampshire based Vette Thermal to layoff 84 people in Ontario. They want to move operations to New Hampshire.

In Texas, NRG let go a total of 116 people in Houston! It’s the result of their merger with GenOn.  Between the two companies at least 500 people will be laid off!  Also in Houston, Sawyer Park sports bar closed. Local media say the bar lost business after fighting incidents and claims of racism.

Semiconductor maker Intersil laying off at least 18% of its employees.  Company officials said they needed to make their “customers” happy.   They probably mean their stockholders.

In Ohio, the Upper Arlington school district needs to cut $3 million USD from its budget, so that means layoffs. At least 52 employees will be affected.

In California, the Paradise Unified School District laying off nearly 15 employees. Declining enrollment and funding being blamed. In Rosemead, Bahooka tiki themed restaurant closed down. Apparently the new owner didn’t like the tiki theme. And the Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch closed down due to lack of funding.

Mexican owned DAK Americas closing its North Carolina factory.  600 employees affected!  Apparently the monomer, resin and fiber maker does not want to pay to upgrade the aging factory.

In Illinois, Helix Camera closed down after 49 years in business. The owner said his wife threatened him with divorce if he didn’t retire.  He also blamed the digital age.

Texas based CiCi’s Pizza closing their Cedar Rapids, Iowa, restaurant.  The owner of the franchise quit.

The Card Party store in Wayzata, Minnesota, closed down.  After seven years the owners says “It’s just not working out financially.”

Cheli’s Chili Bar of Dearborn, Michigan, closed down. The owners didn’t give an explanation.

Whitley Products laying off 86 people in Plymouth, Indiana. The company wants to close down their factory by May. In Evansville, the Showplace South second run movie theater out-o-business. The owners say they can’t afford to upgrade to digital.

In Charlottesville, Virginia, the Blue Ridge Eco Shop closed down. The owner said he could not renew the mall lease.

In Utah, the Dillard’s anchor store at the Cache Valley Mall gone for good.   Company officials told local media that they’re closing stores across the country because of crashing sales.

In Montana, another closing that the Christian god can’t stop. The Saint Paul Infant Center closed after 35 years of operations. Local media failed to explain why the Lutheran care center was closing.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: U.S. Forces Korea on high alert! South Korean officials cancel trip to Washington DC! China warns North Korea!

08 April 2013 (19:55 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“….He has asked the Senate Armed Services Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee-Defense to excuse his absence until he can testify at a later date….”-USFK statement

U.S. Army General James Thurman, canceled his trip to testify before Congress, citing the fact that his U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) have been put on high alert.

Republic of Korea (ROK) Army General Jung Seung-jo, also canceled his trip to Washington DC, for similar reasons.

The Chinese President Xi Jinping, warned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not “…to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos…”

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that China “…does not allow any troublemaking on China’s doorstep.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

H7N9 update: Economic domino effect of poultry ban hits United States!

07 April 2013 (14:54 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This is a liquidating market until we run into a crop problem.”-Rich Feltes, R.J. O’Brien & Associates

Already tens of thousands of poultry have been killed off in China, to prevent the spread of the new deadly virus. Poultry markets are being shut down.  Not only does this directly affect the economy of China, it’s affecting farmers in the United States.

Commodity prices, mainly for U.S. soybeans, are dropping, because China is a major market for those U.S. crops.  The reasoning goes that if there’s no chickens to cook, then people won’t need the soybean oil to cook them in.

Up ’till now most cooking oil prices have been going up because of increased demand, and in some areas reduced supply.  China is the number one importer of soybeans, making up about 60% of the world market, so imagine what happens to soybean prices if they greatly reduce their purchases! (good for retail consumers, bad for farmers)

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: China warns North Korea!

07 April 2013 (01:33 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

China is warning Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take care of Chinese embassy personnel.  This after North Korea suggested that various countries should get their embassy personnel out of the DPRK, in case of war.

The DPRK mentioned the date of 10 April in their suggestion.

International, U.S.

Norovirus update 07 April 2013: Schools hit hard! Man’s best friend being blamed! Stomach bug being confused with meningitis, with deadly results! Resistant lice?

Alaska U.S.A., reporting norovirus outbreak in several high schools.  One school reported 140 students out sick in one day.

Stark County, Ohio U.S.A., reporting outbreaks: “We are seeing a large increase of individuals going in for vomiting. We know that we had a confirmed outbreak of norovirus in our county. Those residents were on the eastern end of our county. I don’t know off the top of my head how many we had.”-Christina Henning, Canton Health Department

Mitchell College, in Connecticut U.S.A., hit with outbreak: “Just started throwing up constantly for about four hours.”-John Kaczkowski

“It was only like 24 hours when I got it. It went by pretty fast. Some people had it longer like two or three days.”-Zenoba Howard

Schools in Wake County, North Carolina U.S.A., reporting outbreaks.

Schools in Maine U.S.A., say 28% of all absences are caused by norovirus.

The Southwest Public Health District, in Georgia U.S.A., reporting outbreaks in nursing homes, childcare centers, schools and restaurants.

Montana U.S.A., Richland County Health Department warning residents of norovirus, after three people came down with it in the sparsely populated county.

Regency Park Assisted Living Center, in Oregon U.S.A., hit with outbreak: “We immediately went into action because it spreads so quickly. We did everything that we had to do.”-Pat Holahan, director

Health officials in Muskegon County, Michigan U.S.A., say they’re still dealing with outbreaks.  At least five group care homes have reported outbreaks: “It’s still moving rapidly throughout the community. It just rolls through and it’s easily transmissible.”-Ken Kraus, Public Health

Several other counties, in Michigan U.S.A., are reporting spikes in cases. And schools are reporting two types of outbreaks; lice and norovirus. Several public and private schools being hit hard.  Of note: School officials and parents are reporting that off the shelf lice treatments are not having any effect on this year’s lice.

In California U.S.A., Marin County health officials declared the outbreak at Deer Park Retirement Residence, finished.  Also, Nevada County health officials reporting an outbreak in a local nursing home.

In Illinois U.S.A., nine people from Scandinavian countries arrived at the O’Hare airport sick with possible norovirus.

A new study blows away what doctors used to think, that norovirus was specific to humans.  A study at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, says your dog might be the cause: “Our results suggest that HuNoVs can survive in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Whether these viruses can replicate in dogs remains unresolved, but an association of pet dogs playing a role in transmission of NoVs that infect humans is obvious.”

A British newspaper reported an increase in stomach illness in March.  The article implied there was a connection to the coldest March in the past 50 years.

In Reading, United Kingdom, the Royal Berkshire hospital imposed visitor restrictions because of an outbreak.  This is the third time this year.

In Bristol, United Kingdom, an investigation is underway after a five years old girl died.  She died of meningitis, but had been diagnosed and treated for viral gastroenteritis.

Regional Public Health in Wellington, New Zealand, are trying to determine if an outbreak of gastroenteritis at the Karori Normal School was caused by norovirus.