17 March 2013/05 Jumada l-Ula 1434/27 Esfand 1391/06 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
One of DPRK’s media outlets, Rodong Sinmun, published statements making threats of war with Japan.
Japan has been calling for more sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Japanese media say their military officials estimate that North Korea has 200 missiles aimed at Japan.
The commentary from Rodong Sinmun says that if North Korea is pushed to launch a nuclear strike, Japan will not be spared.
17 March 2013/05 Jumada l-Ula 1434/27 Esfand 1391/06 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
Photos taken by Saudi Arabian activists show that the buildings surrounding the Ka’aba are being torn down, specifically those built during Ottoman and Abassid eras.
The demolition is reportedly being performed by the Saudi Binladin Group (a company started by the father of Osama bin Laden). In the past the SBG was involved in restoring holy sites.
It’s also reported that one of the sites razed is the spot where Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim (aka Muhammad) began his night journey to Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Saudi officials claim the demolition is necessary to make room for the exponentially increasing Muslim pilgrims. (this might be true as Islam is the fastest growing religion in the World, despite the U.S. led War on Terror)
Critics point out that the Saudi leadership is Wahhabi. In the past Wahhabist clerics have called for the destruction of Mecca.
In 1979, Wahhabi extremists (who might now be called al-Qaeda) took over Mecca. Western media ignored it because they were obsessed with the Iranian Revolution. The Grand Mosque Seizure ended when Saudi troops, and a Pakistani commando unit, took it back by force after two weeks of fighting. 255 people were killed, at least 560 wounded. The surviving 67 extremists were publicly beheaded. Iranian officials said the takeover by extremists was backed by the United States.
During the early years of Islam the arrogant elites of Mecca saved their lives by making a deal with Muhammad. They would accept the new religion and throw out the idols if their lives were spared and they were allowed to maintain their control over Mecca. (you see all these ‘holy sites’ of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others, are just money making schemes, most being located on important cross roads of the ancient Silk Road)
Do you think Muhammad did the right thing by sparing the elites’ lives? On one hand I don’t like seeing historical sites destroyed, on the other I don’t like seeing historical sites being turned into money making idols unto themselves by being declared ‘holy’. (this is the main reason Jesus of Nazareth threw the money changers out of the Temple of David!)
On 12 March 2013/29 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/22 Esfand 1391/01 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy met with Iraq’s acting defense minister, chief of staff of the army and Navy commander during a four-day visit.
Fadavi also toured the Iraqi Navy’s operation center and Academy of Naval Sciences. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss joint Persian Gulf defenses by Iran and Iraq.
Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, and Iraq’s Vice Admiral Ali Hussain Ali, signed an agreement to expand cooperation between Iraqi and Iranian naval forces.
Iran’s commander of the Kermanshah Cavalry Division, General Ali Hajilou, claims that in the past three months his forces have captured U.S. supported al-Qaeda militants trying to cross into Iran from Iraq.
He says his troops’ actions prove the borders of Iran are secure.
17 March 2013/05 Jumada l-Ula 1434/27 Esfand 1391/06 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
Iranian Navy officials say an Australian ASW (anti-submarine/ship warfare) aircraft approached an Iranian helicopter carrier and a destroyer while they were off the coast of Sri Lanka.
“The Navy’s 24th fleet of warships, comprised of Khark chopper carrier and Sabalan destroyer, which was nearing Sri Lanka’s coasts after leaving Zhangjigang port of China and crossing the line of the Equator.…The reconnaissance plane changed its flight route immediately after receiving the warships’ warning but dropped some subsurface units detection devices…..all the dropped devices were hunted skillfully and by the timely action of the Iranian Navy forces.”-Admiral Siyavash Jarreh, Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN)
16 March 2013/04 Jumada l-Ula 1434/26 Esfand 1391/05 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
DPRK media sources have indicated that the disputed island of Yeonpyeong might be the first target of their war for reunification. They specifically name the ROK Marine Corps commander in charge of the island defenses, and say he’s ignorant of what’s coming his way; “showers of fire”.
North Korea’s media also said they are waiting for any mistake made by U.S. led forces during their Key Resolve war games. It appears DPRK leaders will use any mistake, like live fire crossing into North Korea, as an excuse to launch their reunification offensive.
China has increased border business trade with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. A new bridge will be built across the Apnok (Yalu) River. Also, a Chinese company has secured the use of a dock which will allow for greater coal shipments from North Korea.
There are reports that truck transports have increased along the Hunchun-Rajin-Sonbong route.
DPRK has created a special economic zone in Rajin-Sonbong. Chinese reports say the economic zone is powered by wind mills, and lights can be seen at night where there were none before. Also, all visible DPRK military units have moved out of that area. Koreans are being encouraged to move into the area with low commercial property rents. China has been invited to help develop the economic zone.
Other Chinese reports say that the increased trade is partly the result of North Korea easing up on their cash only policy.
On 13 March 2013, China and the DPRK began joint construction of an industrial park on Hwanggumpyong Island, in the lower reaches of the Duman (Tumen) River. China is also in the process of laying a bullet train railway to the border with North Korea. They hope to have it finished by 2015.
China voted for the latest UN sanctions against the DPRK, but the increased business activities suggest they have no intention of enforcing those sanctions.
And yesterday, officials from Cuba began meetings with North Korea’s Committee for Solidarity with Cuba. The officials are planning their actions for the next year.
15 March 2013/03 Jumada l-Ula 1434/25 Esfand 1391/04 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
Japan’s Environment Ministry says the main part of the mass of tsunami debris, from the 11 March 2011 earthquake caused tsunamis, will begin hitting the Pacific coast of North America by April.
Using computer models they predict about 220000 tons of debris could come ashore. Japan has already paid Canada and the United States $6 million USD to help clean it up.
Following behind the tsunami debris could be radioactive debris from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear melt downs.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology are following radioactive contamination of the Pacific Ocean. They say the water near the GE designed reactors is still showing 100 becquerels per liter of cesium 137, far higher than Japanese safe limits.
They added that in the 12 months following June 2011 (when they started tracking it) that 16.1 trillion becquerels of cesium 137 was poured into the Pacific Ocean! The main ocean current is bringing that contamination towards North America.
The University researchers also concluded that most of the contaminated water is coming from underground sources, not from rainwater runoff as first claimed by Tokyo Electric (TEPCo), the operator of Fukushima Daiichi. TEPCo officials now agree that the contaminated water is not from rain runoff, and admit they have yet to find the source.
For two years now, radioactive contamination has been pouring into the Pacific Ocean!
I’ve seen several war ‘experts’ interviewed on U.S. and U.K. main streamer TV news programs. Basically they believe the DPRK threats of war are rhetoric, as in the past, and that the East Asian country is years away from having enough nukes to back up those threats.
The officials of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must be watching those Western news programs because this is how they responded on 14 March 2013/02 Jumada l-Ula 1434/24 Esfand 1391/3 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711.
“….the army and people of the DPRK have taken positions for a final attack for national reunification and all sophisticated strike means including nuclear strike means are waiting for an order to hit the targets.”
“All legal mechanisms for preventing military conflicts have become defunct in this land due to the unprecedented moves of the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces to stifle the DPRK and their endless provocations, pushing the grave situation beyond control.”
“They are sadly mistaken if they misinterpret the present grave situation as a verbal confrontation just as they did in the past.”
Also, on 15 March 2013/03 Jumada l-Ula 1434/25 Esfand 1391/04 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711, DPRK forces launched new versions of a Soviet era short range ballistic missile. They landed in the Sea of Japan. The KN-02 missile has an estimated range of 120 kilometers (74.5 miles). It can be used as a tactical nuke missile.
DPRK officials also say they’ve detected large scale cyber attacks from the United States and Republic of Korea (ROK), and warned they will respond in kind.
In Harrisonburg, Virginia, Dave’s Taverna bankrupt. The owner blamed lack of adequate parking in the downtown area (gee many businesses located in the old downtown Pocatello, Idaho, area complain of the same thing).
The National Beef Packing Company will layoff 433 people by the end of April! It will affect operations in Pennsylvania and Georgia. There are rumors that the company could drastically reduce its size, as its major buyer, Walmart, canceled their contract.
FreightCar America is possibly going to end operations in Illinois. Employees received letters saying changes were coming that could be “permanent”. Company officials blame the crashing coal market. They make coal cars for railroad companies. However, FreightCar America has been laying off hundreds of people almost every year since 2007. Also, the Mygofer store closed in Joliet. The store was an experiment of Sears Holdings, but it failed.
In New Jersey, Daiichi Sankyo pharmaceutical company, laying off at least 75 U.S. employees, as part of its Worldwide layoffs. Company officials blamed “anticipated, near-term business challenges”.
In Massachusetts, the Inn at Harvard College will close by summer. 95 people will become unemployed. The University wants to convert it to student housing. Not a good idea, Idaho State University did that several years ago, buying out several motels next to the school and turning them into student housing. They’re losing money big time because right after that several privately run student housing landlords moved in and built new student apartment buildings and are charging less than what the University is charging.
In North Carolina, Nice Price Books closing its Carrboro store. Owners blame crashing sales at the 26 years old store.
In Connecticut the theme restaurant, Rainforest, closed down without notice. Texas based company officials said the lease expired. It was probably too expensive to operate as it involved rainstorms and robotic animals. Employees said they never saw it coming: “We didn’t know, it was a surprise to us. We are all looking for jobs.”-unnamed former employee
In DeWitt, New York, the 137 years old Oberdorfer foundry will close by the beginning of May. Company officials blamed the bad economy, 86 employees will be out-o-work. East Meadow’s 35 years old grocery store, Pathmark, closing in May. The manager said all he knew was that company officials wanted to shut it down. The Hallmark store in Auburn’s Fingerlakes Mall, closed. The mall owners wanted to jack up the rent.
Former location of KB Toys, which then became a Hallmark which didn't last long, in the Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck, Idaho
Des Moines, Iowa, laying off five Housing Services employees. City officials blame lack of funding.
In Wisconsin, the Lutheran Social Services is closing seven of its care centers by the end of April! At least 44 employees will become unemployed. Church officials said it was because they are not making enough money to support their operations.
East Cleveland, Ohio, laid off 21 of their police department employees. City officials say the city is broke.
In Hazelwood, Missouri, Missouri Mercantile going bust. The owner is confused, back in 2008 he blamed his crashing sales on the economy, but so many economic ‘experts’ have been saying the economy is doing much better now that he doesn’t know what to think, because his sales have not improved.
In Texas lending company, Homeward Residential, laying off 325 employees by the end of April! The company was taken over by Ocwen last year. The U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating Ocwen for possible fraud in the mortgage modification program.
In California, Florida based Gargiulo to end its tomato farm operations in Somis, by April. 677 people out-o-work! Company officials did not give a reason, but a Ventura County Farm Bureau rep said it could be due to a 25% decrease in cheap migrant farm workers from south of the border, which his being caused by increased anti-immigrant policies of the U.S. government. Also, mom-n-pop musical instrument store, Rockit Music, closed down in Brea. The owner blamed his crashing sales on competition from internet businesses.
14 March 2013/02 Jumada l-Ula 1434/24 Esfand 1391/3 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
Scott's Ski & Sports going out-o-business! This used to be an appliance/electronics store a while back. Scott's moved in from another location a few years ago.
Long time winter sports equipment supplier (as well as bikes and other sporting stuff) in Pocatello, Idaho, going out of business. There’s currently no mention on their website, and so far no mention in the local media.