Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced that Italy will now take part in air strikes against Libya. He says the order came from U.S. President Obama.
Italy previously said it would not join bombing raids, because of its “friendly” relationship with its former colony. But Obama, in a phone call, convinced Berlusconi to take military action. What was that Obama said about this NOT being a U.S. led operation?
Iran will be hosting its second classic car show. The show will open April 28, in Tehran.
It’s not that big, only about 80 classic cars, but for the second effort by Iranian car collectors, it’s good enough. “Most of the cars are being displayed for the first time. Some have never even been used before.”-Fariborz Ensafi, Touring and Automobile Club
Private collectors will show off German, French and, of course, American automobiles. Motorcycles and bicycles will also be on display. The show will run until May 2.
Last week reactor 1 of Plant Vogtle nuclear plant, near Waynesboro, Georgia, shut down, on 20 April 2011, without explanation. Company officials say they are replacing a breaker and other electronic equipment. They don’t know why the equipment failed.
In Delaware, on 21 April 2011, the Salem 1 nuclear reactor was shut down because of grass. The Salem plant is along the Delaware river, and plants periodically grow over the water intakes of the nuke plant. Salem 1 had to be shut down because the plant growth was blocking cooling water from coming into the reactor. Officials say it’s back on line now.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says unexpected shutdowns of nuclear reactors happen every year.
“Americans occupied our country and started corruption in here and ruined whatever was left by Saddam, therefore after 7 years and based on the security agreement (between Iraq and the U.S.), all the U.S. forces should leave Iraq at the end of 2011. The extended mission of the infidel occupiers in Iraq even for one single day after the mentioned date (as cited in the security agreement) is haram (religiously forbidden).”-Senior Iraqi Shiite Grand Ayatollah Kazzem al-Hosseini al-Haeri
Ever since officials from the Obama administration made statements about staying in Iraq passed the 2011 withdrawal date, the Iraqis have been really upset. Not only protests, but attacking U.S. bases.
According to some reports a U.S. base was attacked on April 23. Three rockets hit the Echo Army base near the city of Diwaniyah, in southern Iraq. This makes the fourth time the base has been attacked in the past few weeks. On April 22, two U.S. soldiers were killed, patrolling in southern Iraq. No details were given by U.S. officials. So far for April nine U.S. personnel have been killed.
New York City’s Economic Development Corporation is hosting a weeklong program, trying to sell property to Chinese companies.
It’s another sign that the economy is not recovering. Real estate agents can’t sell enough property to U.S. companies, so they’re trying to get the rich Chinese to buy it.
Several Chinese businesses have already opened New York City offices, include the apparel company Li & Wang, and several banks and investment firms.
Several banking officials in China, have stated that they Chinese government needs to “reduce” and “diversify” their foreign currency holdings.
Tang Shuangning, chairman of China Everbright Group said China must reduce its excessive foreign exchange reserves and further diversify its holdings.
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of China’s central bank, said that China’s foreign exchange reserves “exceed our reasonable requirement”.
Xia Bin, a member of the monetary policy committee of the central bank, said China should further diversify its foreign exchange holdings.
According to western media reports, most of China’s foreign currency holdings are in U.S. dollars. This is part of why the value of the U.S. dollar hasn’t dropped as far as it should have. But if the Chinese government listens to its bankers, then the dollar could crash.
When the Chinese bankers say China must reduce its current foreign currency holdings they’re talking about U.S. dollars. They’re saying the Chinese government has too many, based on how bad the U.S. economy is.
When the Chinese bankers say they want the Chinese government to diversify foreign currency holdings, they mean they want to get rid of U.S. dollars and buy money from countries that have good economies, like Russia, India, South Africa and several South American countries.
Russian media reporting that a NATO helicopter was shot down in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.
Zabiullah Mojahid, a Taliban representative, confirms that the helicopter was shot down with a guided missile. Mojahid claims he does not know how they got the missile.
The United States, the Europeans, even the United Nations, ignored the African Union when they expressed concerns about military action being taken against one of their own; Libya. Now, the U.S. wants the AU’s help.
“In addition, we seek the African Union’s assistance in arriving at a political solution in Libya.”-Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State
So now the Obama administration wants a political solution to Libya? Why didn’t they do that to begin with! Is this just part of the U.S. plan to move on to attacking Syria?
“This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now.”-President Barack Obama, referring to Syria, April 22, 2011
Compare that to what Obama said to Libya before attacking them.
“The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters and further punish the people of Libya. These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop.”-President Barack Obama, referring to Libya, February 23, 2011
Basically Obama’s statement to Syria is just a condensed version of what he said to Libya.
The United Nations is already calling for investigations of protesters being killed in Syria. France is expressing concern, and remember, they were the ones that did all the dirty work to get the United Nations to approve war with Libya. President Obama is also accusing Iran of taking part in the violence in Syria.