Tag Archives: banks

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Incompetence: U.S. Navy collides with Japanese oil tanker in Persian Gulf

12 August 2012, on the same day that Japan announced it was sending minesweepers to join the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, a USN destroyer collides with a Japanese oil tanker.

It happened in the middle of the night, near the Hormuz Strait.  The USS Porter is badly damaged and must be repaired.  No injuries were reported. The USN is investigating why the crew of the USS Porter did not see the huge Japanese oil tanker.

There has been no word about damage to the tanker.

Japan had recently allowed the government backing of insurance for Japanese tankers carrying Iranian oil, as a way to get around U.S./European sanctions.  Japan also discussed with Iran the possibility of using Iranian insurance companies.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 Aug – 11 Aug. Seven U.S. Marines killed in one day! Cops killing cops. British government facing criminal charges over U.S. “kill list”. USAID now targeted. Battles increasing! Mujahideen weapons coming from Germany & United States!

11 August 2012

In Nimroz Province, an Afghan national cop killed 11 of his fellow policemen.  The provincial governor says the killer cop was recognized as a member of the Mujahideen, and was killed.

In Balkh Province, the principal of a girls’ school was assassinated.  She was shot in her house, her husband, and father in law, found her when they returned from the local Mosque.  Balkh Province is considered one of the more stable Afghan provinces.

The Afghan Defense Ministry says five Afghan soldiers were killed, 16 wounded, in battles with Mujahideen in the provinces of Kunar, Paktiya, Logar, Maidan Wardak and Herat.  Nine Mujahideen were captured.

In the United Kingdom, attorneys have petitioned the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding information given to the United States. That info was used to put together the infamous “kill list”, aka Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List (JIPTL): “Our client’s case suggests that the establishment and maintenance of the ‘killing list’ is not in line with the U.K.’s duties under international humanitarian law.”-Rosa Curling, attorney

10 August 2012

In Helmand Province, three U.S. Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) personnel were shot and killed by an Afghan employee working on the base they were stationed at.  Ignorant media referred to the Marines as Special Forces, which is normally the term used for U.S. Army Green Berets.  The shooter has been arrested.

Also in Helmand, earlier on the same day a local police commander invited four (U.S./British media says it was three) MARSOC personnel to his house to discuss security issues. Instead it was an ambush and the Marines were killed.  The police commander escaped.

Also in Helmand, British officials reported one of their occupying troops was shot and killed while on patrol.

Also in Helmand, six family members were killed, five wounded, after they drove over a mine.

Also in Helmand, ISAF claims to have captured a “leader”.

ISAF also reported: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Ghazni Province, two cops were killed, three wounded, after they drove over a mine.

09 August 2012

In Kunar Province, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officer was assassinated by suicide bombers.  Three other officials, and a civilian were also killed.  A U.S. State Department official was wounded.

In Laghman Province, an Afghan government soldier shot at occupying forces. He was killed when they returned fire.

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was wounded during a battle with Mujahideen: “The soldier received a gunshot wound to the lower left leg when the combined force element came under small-arms fire from insurgents.”– Australian defence statement

In Kunruz Province, local officials reported major battles between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen.  They did not give exact numbers but reported many killed and wounded. The battles actually started the day before.

08 August 2012

In Farah Province, three civilians killed, three wounded, after the mini-bus they were in drove over a mine.  Local officials say Mujahideen launched an attack right after the explosion, wounding a policeman.  Police claim they killed three Mujahideen and wounded two others.

ISAF stated: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also claims to have captured yet another “leader”, in Helmand Province.

In Maidan Wardak Province, local officials reported major battles.  Mujahideen attacked a security check post on Kabul-Bamiyan highway, as well as a NATO supply convoy.  No word on casualties.

In Kunar Province, suicide bombers attacked occupying NATO troops.  A local hospital official said at least one person was killed, three wounded.  Other reports say that at least three occupying personnel were killed.

A German newspaper, Express, reported that many weapons taken from Mujahideen are made in Germany.  Another report explained that Germany has been sending the Afghan government weapons for their military and police, however, at least 4,500 of those guns have disappeared from Afghan government control.  Not only that, but at least one third of the hundreds of thousands of U.S. weapons shipped to the Afghan government have disappeared!

While ISAF reported an 11% increase in Mujahideen attacks on occupying forces, the United Nations reports an overall 15% decrease in attacks upon civilians. However, the UN says that when looking at specifically attacks on civilians, that are blamed on Mujahideen, there is actually a 53% increase!

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Top 5 U.S. banks ordered to make living wills, two years ago! 9 Too Big to Fails now have living wills!

10 August 2012, Reuters published an exclusive report revealing that U.S. banks were ordered to make “living wills”, because of an expected economic collapse!

The order came from the privately run Federal Reserve Bank, and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  The 2010 order was targeted at five U.S. national banks: Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

Both the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government indicated that there was no way to save the banking industry in a full blown economic collapse: “…make no assumption of extraordinary support from the public sector…”

The Reuters’ report explained that living wills for corporations are not the same as bailouts/recovery plans.  In the living will the too big to fail bank is basically finished, but directs how any remaining assets shall be liquidated (sold off) in order to prevent a total collapse of the banking/finance system.

Already, nine international banks have submitted their living wills to the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Japan sends navy to Persian Gulf

12 August 2012, two Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) mine sweepers left for military exercises with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf.

The Uraga and Hachijo will join the USN for mine sweeping operations that begin on 16 September.  20 other navies will take part in the operation.

About 90% of Japan’s petroleum comes from the Persian Gulf area, through the Strait of Hormuz.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? 290 U.S. cities downgraded! Local tax revenues down, again!

“We expect downgrades to continue outpacing upgrades in the second half of 2012 as local governments navigate an increasingly difficult budgeting environment characterized by anemic revenue growth and significant expenditure pressure on wages and post employment benefits.”-Moody’s statement

09 August 2012, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the largest number of U.S. cities/school districts since 2000.

The latest downgrades mark 14 straight quarters in which municipal bond downgrades exceeded increases!

In another report by Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, tax revenues collected by local governments are down, for the sixth consecutive quarter!

The latest reports and downgrades only adds ammo to the “tip of the iceberg” bankruptcies filed by local governments.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: British bank official tells the United States to F Off, literally!!!

“You fucking Americans! Who are you to tell us, the rest of the World, that we’re not going to deal with Iranians?”-attributed to Richard Meddings, finance director of Standard Chartered Group

According to U.S. banking regulators, the above statement was made by the British banking official back in 2006 (under the Bush Jr administration), after being questioned about money laundering!

Now the New York State Department of Financial Services named United Kingdom’s Standard Chartered a “rogue” bank, and threatens to strip its New York banking license.  The reason is that Standard Charter refuses to go along with U.S., and even British, financial sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, international commentators are saying this is proof that the United States has lost significant influence over the rest of the World, including their evil ally the British empire!

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Report shows Romney’s Bain Capital was typical crony capitalism from the very start. Included investors accussed of murdering their fellow countrymen!

“Over the years, these Latin American friends have loyally rolled over investments in succeeding funds, actively participated in Bain Capital’s May investor meetings, and are still today one of the largest investor groups in Bain Capital.”-Harry Strachan, former Bain Capital partner

According to the latest reports, at least 40% of Bain Capital’s initial funding came from investors who were accused by the U.S. government of murdering their own people!  Mitt Romney personally appealed to those investors, who were living in Florida.

Also, many of Bain’s initial investors were corporations registered in Panama. By being registered in Panama they avoided paying taxes, and they were able to hide information, such as the details about how they were making their money.  These corporations are sometimes called “shell companies”, because they really don’t produce a product or service, they’re simply used to hide money from governments.

Regarding the investments from death squad overlords, the U.S. government accused many of the Florida investors of being directly related to El Salvadoran officials, and/or directly funding the brutal civil war and mass killings that took place in the Central American country from 1980 to 1992.

Harry Strachan, a one time partner in Bain Capital, stated that Romney, and others, knew where the money was coming from, and were initially “…terrified of bringing in Central Americans. They were afraid of drug money.” Strachan admits that he convinced Romney to take the money.

The names of at least three investors, accused of funding death squads, have been released by the U.S. Department of State.  Romney has even named several investors, but claims he investigated them for such crimes against humanity. Another investor, Orlando de Sola, is now in an El Salvador prison, convicted of fraud.  Interestingly, he says he did not make any money off his family’s investments into Bain Capital!

Romney is still getting money from many of these same elitist Central American families. In fact they are major supporters in his campaign for President of the United States!

The latest reports connecting Romney to death squads and warlords in Central America, can be found in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Boston Globe, Associated Press and others.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 01 Aug – 03 Aug. Pakistan blamed for more attacks. More examples that you can’t trust cops; police chief murdered civilians, signs of Civil War!

03 August 2012

At least three Italian occupiers were wounded in Badghis Province: “An armored vehicle of Italian troops were on their way to an American base in Bala Morghab district on Friday night and struck a roadside bomb.”-ISAF statement

In Kunar Province, local government officials say massive attacks by insurgents took place all day Friday.  At least two people killed, the targets were government facilities.  Afghan officials once again blame Pakistan: “All the attacks are carried out with the support of Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence. The attacks were carried out following cross border shelling by Pakistani army which paved the way for the coordinated attacks by militants.”-Fazlullah Wahidi, Governor of Kunar

Wahidi is now claiming that Pakistan has launched 30,000 rockets into Afghanistan!!!

ISAF claims to have arrested a Mujahideen financier, in Paktiya Province.

In Uruzgan Province, local government officials arrested a police commander. They say he is responsible for the murders of at least 17 civilians. The police commander was actually from neighboring Ghazni Province. He claims he did it for revenge after two of his police officers were assassinated.  The people he killed included children.

In Nangarhar Province, a Mosque was blown up, wounding 30 people.

02 August 2012

ISAF says two U.S. led occupiers were killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

Officials investigating corruption within the Afghan government are recommending that Finance Minister, Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, be replaced.  Afghan investigators implied that Zakhilwal is interfering in the investigation, and they are suspicious of a $1 million USD transfer made to his bank account.

Officials with the Afghan National Directorate of Security have arrested 15 government employees.  They are accused of spying for Pakistan and Iran.

In Logar Province, two cops and three civilians were killed, two cops and two civilians wounded, after a bomb planted near a water pipe exploded.  Local police say they have arrested the man who did it.

In Kabul Province, seven Mujahideen were killed by local police. Police claim the men were about to launch an attack: “A group of insurgents armed with suicide vests, rockets and machine guns planned to seize a tall building in Kabul’s Shar-i-Naw area.”-Lutfullah Mahsal, National Directorate of Security spokesman

ISAF claims to have arrested an explosives expert in Baghlan Province.  They say he specialized in explosive vests.

In Helmand Province, a local police chief and his two bodyguards were assassinated.

 01 August 2012

The Afghan National Directorate for Security (NDS) accuses Pakistan of creating safe havens for Afghan Mujahideen.  The NDS also claims that Pakistani troops have invaded areas of Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar and Paktia provinces.

In related news, the Afghan House of Representatives has called interior, defense, foreign affairs and intelligence officials to explain why Pakistan is seemingly attacking Afghanistan.

ISAF says two occupying troops died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan, their interpreter was also killed. And two more occupying troops were killed in southern Afghanistan.

ISAF claims they captured a “leader” in Zabul Province.

At Kabul’s polytechnic university a firefight brook out among students. No one knows why.

In Maidan Wardak Province, local government officials say a NATO airstrike killed four people suspected of planting mines.  Also, four people who wanted to join the police were assassinated. A fifth person was kidnapped.

Recent fighting on the border with Tajikistan is being blamed on the United States and United Kingdom. According to members of Afghanistan’s National Congress Party, it’s all part of plans to create a new independent country in northeastern Afghanistan, and its adjacent parts in Tajikistan, for the Ismaelite Muslims.

 

 

 

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

What Economic Recovery? Hewlett Packard to layoff 300 British employees, government officials calling it a “quarterly cull”! HP has too much debt, turns to GE for help!

“This is not part of the global program, it’s just a quarterly cull.”-unnamed government source

03 August 2012, news media in the United Kingdom have discovered that Hewlett Packard (HP) has told the British government they will let go at least 268 employees.

British law requires companies that are laying off more than 20 employees to notify the government.

Despite the unnamed government official’s statement, some analysts believe this is part of the planed layoff of 27,000 HP employees by October 2014.

HP officials in France and Germany said they’re planing to cut their workforce by 10%.  In Sweden it could be as high as 14%.  Italy and Spain are still awaiting HP’s layoff estimates.  Even the announced 268 layoffs in the U.K. are not considered the final cut.

Unions in Britain are claiming that HP will end up laying off at least 1,600 employees.  CEO Meg Whitman, refused to answer British media questions.

On 30 July 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that HP was finding it harder and harder to get credit default swaps on its debt.  The cost of such swaps has quadrupled for HP since last year.  That’s because more and more investors are worried that HP will end up busted.

Also, HP’s debt load is now at $21 million USD, no thanks to its recent purchase of a company called Autonomy.

As a result HP has turned to General Electric (GE) for financial help.

On 02 August 2012, GE Capital announced they will offer credit to HP resellers. The offer includes 60 days of no interest re-payments: “Resellers of any size can view this kind of financing as working capital that they can use to help grow their markets and expand their businesses. We’re pleased to be working with HP to support its resellers.”-Mike Marcolina, GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 23 July – 28 July. More claims that Pakistan is attacking Afghanistan. Teenager stabbed to death by U.S. forces. Australians blamed for police defections to Mujahideen! Mystery U.S. civilian assassinated.

28 July 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) announced: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also said a U.S. occupier died from a non-combat incident, in northern Afghanistan.

In Paktiya Province, local Afghan government military leaders claim they fought battles with militants from Pakistan.  They claim they killed 30 to 40 Pakistanis: “Dozens of militants crossed the Afghan-Pakistan border and stormed Afghan border police check posts in Nahmat Abad area of the Gomal district at about 2 am local time Saturday and the police repelled the attack. As a result 40 militants were killed and 14 injured.”-official statement

In Herat Province, Mujahideen attacked and killed two cops, and wounded three others.  Mujahideen also attacked a cell phone tower.

Mujahideen attacks and explosions killed five Afghan soldiers, and wounded four others.  The attacks took place in Kandahar, Kunar, Maidan Wardak and Logar provinces.

Germany announced they will consider sending their own armed UAV (drones) to Afghanistan.  Germany currently uses drones for recon purposes, in Afghanistan.

27 July 2012

In Paktika Province, Afghan government officials claim to have killed 18 Mujahideen.

Despite earlier claims, by U.S. led occupiers, that attacks are down, a new ISAF report says attacks are up by 11%, compared to last year.

ISAF says a U.S. led occupier was killed by explosion in eastern Afghanistan.

26 July 2012

ISAF says two U.S. led occupiers were killed by explosion in southern Afghanistan.

In Herat Province, U.S. led forces stormed a house during a midnight raid.  Local police say the U.S. forces harassed and then stabbed to death a 19 year old in the house.

The former boss of the central bank of Afghanistan (Pashtany Bank) has been sentenced to 20 years for stealing $26 million USD.  At least 15 other bank officials have been sentenced to between five and eight years in prison for corruption.

Germany’s defense minister paid a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, and hinted that Germany could be there past 2015.

ISAF claims they arrest an explosives expert in Khost Province.

ISAF condemns supposed artillery attacks on Afghanistan by Pakistan.

25 July 2012

President Hamid Karzai orders an investigation into the possibility that Afghan Mujahideen are involved in the growing unrest in the country of Tajikistan.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Mujahideen launched several attacks on Afghan army troops, as well as on U.S. led occupying troops.  Occupying troops had to call in airstrikes by helicopters.  So far there is only info saying several Afghan troops wounded, and at least four kidnapped.

In Uruzgan Province, at least 20 cops announced they were joining the Mujahideen.  Local police officials blame it on the way Australian occupying Diggers are treating local cops: “The Australian soldiers beat the Afghan guards after some verbal disputes in a military camp in Charchino district of Uruzgan province.”-Wali Dad, local police chief

24 July 2012

ISAF reported: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Farah Province, local government officials announced that at least 13 cops defected to the Mujahideen.  The defections include the local police commander, who took his police vehicles and weapons with him!  Mujahideen claim it was 40 cops who defected.

The U.S. Army says one of their occupiers was killed during a Mujahideen attack  in western Afghanistan.

In Kunduz Province, ISAF claims they killed a leader from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

In Ghor Province, seven children were killed when they found a bomb: “As they pulled a wire attached to the weaponry, the explosion went off killing seven children.”-Abdul Hai Khatibi, local official

In Maidan Wardak Province, battles raged. Government officials claim they killed 15 Mujahideen.

23 July 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.“

In Nuristan Province, an Education Ministry official and a student were killed by U.S. drone strike.  Local government officials say the victims were traveling in a car when the U.S. missile hit.

In Bamyan Province, several students were murdered.

In Parwan Province, a mysterious U.S. civilian was assassinated, along with his driver and a friend: “He along with two Afghans were driving in a mini-van. Along the road they were chased by two or three insurgents for about half an hour. When they got to a certain area… they were shot at from the [chasing] car.”-unnamed Afghan official

U.S. embassy officials confirm: “We can confirm that a U.S. citizen was killed in Parwan Province on Monday.”  Mujahideen have claimed they did it.  However, no one is giving out details about the U.S. civilian, other than he was an engineer who had been working in Afghanistan for at least 30 years.  That would mean he had been there since the Soviet occupation in the 1980s! Local police say the U.S. citizen was dressed as an Afghan.

In Faryab Province, an Afghan soldier shot and wounded two U.S. occupiers: “An Afghan army soldier opened fire on U.S. soldiers inside a military base… and injured two U.S. soldiers. The attacker was killed in return fire.”-Abdul Satar Barez, deputy provincial governor

In Nuristan Province, ISAF claims to have killed four “leaders” with NATO airstrikes.

In Samangan Province, locals caught a Muslim cleric raping a ten year old girl.  He’s now in jail awaiting trial.

In Kunar Province, local officials claim Pakistan is still launching artillery strikes into Afghanistan.  They say at least 100 rounds landed in Afghanistan’s territory.  Afghan officials now claim that more than 2,000 have been fired from Pakistan in the past two months!  Pakistan is denouncing such claims saying: “Pakistani troops only respond to and engage militants from where they are attacked/fired upon.”

In Helmand Province, local officials say in the past two months of fighting 81 civilians have been killed, and 110 wounded! Local government officials also claim they’ve killed 154 Mujahideen!