Tag Archives: u.k.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: Geitner & Paulson knew of rate fixing! British banks confirm. More proof the Too Big to Fails destroyed the economy, and regulating officials went along with it!

“As much as $800 trillion in financial products are pegged to LIBOR, so any manipulation of this rate is of serious concern!”-U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer, House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

14 July 2012, current United States Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Franz Geithner, knew of illegal interest and currency manipulation by LIBOR while he was chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (a privately run bank).

According to recent reports, in 2008 a Barclays employee told Geitner “…we know that we’re not posting um, an honest…” rate. The unnamed employee then went on to explain that Barclays just wanted to “…fit in with the rest of the crowd.”

An interesting statement since Barclays is actually an international banking leader!

“I wish I could say I’m shocked, because it is shocking. But regulators have not been particularly effective or aggressive in the past two decades of finance.”-Frank Partnoy, University of San Diego School of Law

The latest reports say officials with the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank knew of such rate fixing back in 2007: “In the context of our market monitoring following the onset of the financial crisis in late 2007, involving thousands of calls and e-mails with market participants over a period of many months, we received occasional anecdotal reports from Barclays of problems with LIBOR.”-New York Federal Reserve Bank statement

In April 2008, a Barclays employee told the New York Federal Reserve: “…where I would be able to borrow without question it would be higher than the rate that I’m actually putting in.”

Geitner notified government officials, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury (then run by Hank Merritt “Hank” Paulson Jr under President George Bush Jr). Seemingly no one was concerned, because nothing was done to stop it.

On 13 July 2012, the Bank of England (BoE) admitted to getting a letter from Geitner, back in June 2008. The letter kindly asks the British controlled LIBOR to “…eliminate incentive to misreport.”

BoE responded simply by saying Geitner’s request “seem sensible”.

Since last year, the number of Too Big to Fail banks being investigated has grown to several dozen! The scandal involves banks in North America, Europe and Japan (the regional members of the Trilateral Commission).

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 July – 11 July. Deadliest day for NATO! Germans run over children! Despite billions in donations from other countries, the money is not helping average Afghans, only helps Corporations!

11 July 2012

“Unfortunately four of our brave local police were killed and two others injured in this cowardly attack.”-Hekmatullah Kochi, Zhari district police spokesman

In Kandahar Province, Afghan police turned on each other. Four people killed after two cops began shooting at other cops. Local officials are saying the Mujahideen infiltrated local police units.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says a U.S. led occupying soldier was killed by an explosion: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

At least 237 U.S. led occupying personnel have died in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year.

ISAF claims to have captured two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders.  The capture actually took place on 07 July 2012.

10 July 2012

In Kunduz Province, local police officials are reporting that German troops ran over children with their armored vehicle. They say one child was killed and two wounded.  The U.S. puppet German government has not commented.

While in Japan raising more international taxpayer money for his country, President Hamid Karzai told reporters that Mujahideen were involved with current peace talks.  However, Mujahideen groups around Afghanistan immediately denied that they were involved with peace talks with the Afghan government.

09 July 2012

In Paktiya and Nuristan provinces, local officials are reporting fire fights with Mujahideen. In Paktiya about 400 Mujahideen attacked a local government compound.  At least one cop and two Mujahideen were killed. In Nuristan, local officials claim residents repelled an attack by so called Mujahideen.

Afghan government officials are also claiming that residents in the provinces of Ghazni and Faryab repelled so called Mujahideen attacks.

In Kandahar Province, five people were killed.  Some reports say three of those killed were suicide bombers. Their car bomb went off too soon according to local police. The other two killed were children.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Mujahideen claim they killed five U.S. Marines.  Reports say NATO confirmed the attack, but not the identity of those killed.

What Economic Recovery? A 92 year old Afghan newspaper, Etifaq-e-Islam, has finally called it quits. This after surviving the Soviet occupation, Civil War and Taliban government.  Apparently working under U.S. occupation was too much financially.  The newspaper had been relying on subsidies from local supporters, but the last few financial backers called it quits.

In Helmand Province, five people killed, 13 wounded, when a motorcycle bomb exploded: “An explosive laden motorbike was detonated through a remote control device near an Afghan Local Police checkpoint in Mirmandab area of Gereshk district Sunday evening, as a result two ALP policemen and three civilians lost their lives.”-Daud Ahmadi, local government spokesman

A former Chicago State University professor, who specializes in studying Afghanistan, Mohammed Duad Miraki, says the majority of the billions of USD in aid money does not go to the Afghan government. Regarding some $60 billion USD in aid, only 23% made it to the Afghan government, “…the rest has been used by international corporations and donors and over priced experts.”

Miraki added: “None of the $60 billion that have come to Afghanistan in any shape and form has affected the Afghan people in a positive way.”

Recently the international community, led by the U.S., has agreed to give Afghanistan another $16 billion USD, and of course it’s coming from taxpayers!

In Samangan Province, a traffic accident involving Afghan soldiers who just completed basic training, left 11 dead and 19 injured. It took place on Kabul-Mazar-e-Sharif highway. Local officials say reckless driving is to blame. This comes as the Afghan government recently admitted that many deadly traffic accidents are being caused by reckless driving by police!

In Kandahar Province, a series of coordinated explosions killed three people, and wounded two children.

ISAF claims to have captured another leader, along with several suspects, this time in Khost Province.

08 July 2012

70 countries pledged $16 billion USD to Afghanistan at the Tokyo Conference.

In Ghazni Province, the provincial prosecutor was assassinated.  He was shot, and no one claims responsibility.

In Kandahar Province: “This morning a tractor and small truck hit roadside bombs in Arghistan district, killing 14 people and wounding three.”-Abdul Raziq, local police chief

In Helmand Province, local officials say Mujahideen attacked and killed five cops.  Local police say they killed 22 Mujahideen.

ISAF reports eight U.S. led NATO occupying troops killed by a Mujahideen attack.  The attack took place on 07 July.

An unnamed U.S. official confirmed the ISAF/NATO report, and added that six of the occupying personnel killed in southern Afghanistan were U.S. troops.

NATO also reported that two other occupying troops were killed on 07 July, but their nationality has not been released.  This makes 07 July 2012 the deadliest day for NATO, so far.

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 03 July – 07 July. More proof of U.S. led War OF Terror. Clinton calls Afghanistan greatest ally, while Karzai continues to say ‘Yankee Go Home’! German & Italians attacked. Courts free ‘terrorists’ because of lack of proof!

07 July 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reports at least one U.S. led occupation soldier killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

In Uruzgan Province, six civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

In Helmand Province, four children were killed, three wounded by explosions in separate incidents.

In Farah Province, one person killed, 28 wounded after Mujahideen attacked the provincial governor’s compound.  The attack began with three rockets targeting the compound’s main gate.

In more proof that the U.S. led War on Terror is really a U.S. led War of Terror, there is now video of U.S. air crewman singing American Pie as Afghans on the ground are being killed.

In Herat Province, local government officials are reporting infighting between Mujahideen. The fighting actually began on 06 July, over the distribution of money. At least four people were killed, three wounded.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, and declared: “….President Obama has officially designated Afghanistan as what’s called a major non-NATO ally of the United States.”

This as the day before Afghan President Hamid Karzai denounced the United States, at the end of the National Youth Peace Jirga in Kabul, saying: “Accusing the Afghan government of corruption and incompetence in establishing an authoritative government is a psychological war that has been waged against us, but we understand what they do.”

06 July 2012

U.S. Department of Defense says attacks by Afghan government forces against U.S. occupying forces have increased in the past few weeks: “We continue to be deeply concerned about the insider threat.”-Captain John Kirby, USN

So far this year there have been 19 attacks by Afghan personnel against U.S. forces. In all of 2011 there were 21.

In Maidan Wardak Province, local government officials claim they killed three Mujahideen.   Three were wounded and three captured.  A U.S./NATO airstrike was called in on suspected mine planters.

ISAF claims to have killed another leader, this time in Kunar Province. The killing actually took place on 29 June, but ISAF waited to make the announcement until they felt sure they got their man.

05 July 2012

In Kunduz Province, reports saying at least two German occupying troops were wounded when Mujahideen attacked their convoy.  Mujahideen claim several Germans were killed.

In Herat Province, Italian occupying troops drove over a mine.  No causalities reported.

ISAF claims eight Mujahideen killed in battles in several provinces.

In Helmand Province, U.S. occupying troops killed at least two civilians. Reports say the U.S. forces were wantonly shooting into the village.  Two men tried to escape the bullets by getting onto the roof of their house. They were sniped.

 04 July 2012

Afghan courts have freed 79 prisoners, who’re accused of being terrorists, because (despite U.S. claims) there was no proof of terrorist crimes.  Some of the men had been in prison, without trial, for as long as four years!!!

The U.S. has transferred about 2,200 prisoners to Afghan government control, under a recent agreement.  There are still 3,200 Afghans being held indefinitely  in U.S. run prisons!

In Helmand Province, one person killed,  four wounded, when they drove over a mine.

In Maidan Wardak Province, an Afghan soldier shot and wounded five U.S. occupying troops.  Deputy Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman, Dawlat Waziri, said the attack actually took place the night before.

In Kabul Province, fuelers were attacked, again. The resulting explosions and fires wounded at least 36 people. One report said eight people were killed and 155 wounded!  Spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, Sediq Sediqi, confirmed heavy casualties and destruction to buildings.

 03 July 2012

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian occupying troop was shot and killed.  Australian defence officials confirmed the death, saying the Digger was a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment, and on his seventh tour in Afghanistan.  He was killed in a firefight with Mujahideen.

In Kabul Province, an explosion set numerous buildings on fire in Kabul City.  One report says a gas cylinder exploded, another report says the explosion was targeting a hotel.

ISAF claims an al Qaeda leader was killed in Kunar Province. He was from the U.S. ally Saudi Arabia (by the way those are the people that attacked the U.S. on 11 September 2001, not the Afghans or Iraqis!).

 

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. GDP lags behind its puppet state Afghanistan

“The global growth outlook will be somewhat less than we anticipated just three months ago. Many indicators of economic activity, investment, employment, and manufacturing, have deteriorated. And not just in Europe or the United States.”-Christine Lagarde, International Monetary Fund, 03 July 2012

In June 2012, the World Bank issued GDP growth projections for the next year.

GDP growth for the United States will stagnate at 1.9%, while the war torn country of Afghanistan will actually grow at 4.9%!!!

Is this because of the billions and billions of USD pledged to the Afghan government by the international community?

The U.S. economy will continue to stagnate partly because the government is spending billions of tax dollars on occupying countries like Afghanistan?

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 28 June – 02 July. U.S. attacks Afghan forces. Afghan cop kills U.S./NATO troops. U.S. forces kill more civilians, if you’re a farmer you’re a terrorist! Children are terrorists! M1 Abrams Assault Breacher used to destroy homes.

02 July 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a man wearing a police uniform shot and killed three U.S./NATO occupying troops: “An individual wearing an Afghan National Civil Order Police uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in southern Afghanistan today, killing three service members.”

As is ISAF SOP no further details were given.  223 occupying personnel have been killed since January 2012.

In Logar Province, local officials claim another U.S. occupying force airstrike has killed at least five civilians.  Two children and three adults were killed as they were working their farm.  Four others were wounded.   U.S. officials claim the farmers were Mujahideen/Taliban terrorists.

In Kandahar Province, at least seven people killed, 23 wounded by an explosion outside the University.  The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber driving a car full of explosives.

In Kabul Province, two groups of “land traders” (real estate agents?) blasted each other over a trade dispute. One person was wounded in the gun battle.  The fight took place near the Afghan-Korea vocational institute in Kabul city.

01 July 2012

ISAF claims to have captured yet another “leader”, this time in Wardak Province.  They say two other Mujahideen were captured, and one killed.

In Ghazni Province, five people were killed, 11 wounded, when a bus drove over a mine.  Local hospital staff said the death toll could rise.

In Paktia Province, two cops were killed, and 10 civilians wounded, after a motorcycle rigged with explosives blew up.

30 June 2012

ISAF occupying forces announced they are now detaining children!  Three kids ranging in ages 8 to 17 were arrested in Kandahar Province.  ISAF claims they were acting as “facilitators” for Mujahideen, by carrying explosives.

Hello! If even the children hate you so much that they would risk arrest or death to help fight your occupation, then maybe it’s time to leave, you dip shits!!!

According to UNICEF (United Nations International Children Education Fund), as a direct result of the U.S. occupation 1,750 children were killed or wounded in 2011 alone!!!

Internet video of USMC M1 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV), and other vehicles, shows the  destruction of homes and villages.  U.S. officials have always said the vehicles were used to clear road side bombs, but the latest video shows the combat engineer vehicles blasting right though villages.

29 June 2012

ISAF claims to killed another “leader”, this time in Logar Province. He was killed in a “precision airstrike” (drone strike).

In Nuristan Province, Mujahideen attacked a government military base. The battle lasted several hours. At least 10 people were killed.

In Parwan Province, a U.S. airstrike wounds three Afghan government troops. Afghan government forces were in a heated battle with Mujahideen.  U.S. officials say their pilots mistook the government troops for Mujahideen (that’s funny government troops wear standard uniforms, while Mujahideen wear traditional Afghan civilian clothing). The battle resulted in as many as 17 people killed.

28 June 2012

In Jowzjan Province, the governor, and his wife and daughter, were assassinated. One of his bodyguards was arrested on suspicion of being involved.

ISAF said two occupying troops were killed by an explosion in eastern Afghanistan.  The explosion took place the day before the announcement:  “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan June 27.”

In Takhar Province, an Afghan government helicopter crashed.  The helicopter was being used to bring aid to flood victims.  Officials say no one was hurt in the crash.

In Baghlan Province, a convoy of U.S./NATO oil tankers exploded. A suicide bomber attacked the convoy, at least one person dead, four wounded.  The resulting fire destroyed civilian vehicles and businesses.

In Logar Province, another U.S./NATO convoy was attacked. ISAF claims one vehicle damaged, but no casualties.

ISAF claiming more “leaders” captured. One leader captured in Khost Province, another captured in Kandahar Province.

An attempt to capture a leader in Helmand Province resulted in yet another big drug bust.  More than 450 kilograms (1,000 pounds) of opium!

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Incompetence & What Economic Recovery? Japan & U.S. want mo money for Afghanistan, another $15 billion!!!

On Sunday, 08 July 2012, Japan will host a conference that is pushing for the international community (ie; governments who’ll squeeze their tax payers) to come up with at least $15 billion USD for Afghanistan.  That’s in addition to what’s already been pledged in the past year!

Attendies to the conference will include Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Karzai has already announced that he wants another $3.9 billion USD for more “reconstruction”!

How can there be any economic recovery in the western countries when their governments are getting deeper in debt by giving away money they don’t have?

On 28 June 2012, Norway joined dozens of countries in pledging money in a military pact with Afghanistan. The pact will be officially signed in September.

Also on 28 June 2012, India hosted an international conference on private investment into Afghanistan.   Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Zalmai Rassoul, said investors will get a big return on their investment because: “While it is true that there are certain areas in Afghanistan where the security situation is not ideal, we should remember that these areas represent a small part of the country.”

Yeah right! Read my U.S. occupation of Afghanistan updates to know that’s a lie.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Chock Full o’Crap Western News Media: United States caves to Pakistan’s demands for mo money to open NATO occupation supply routes! $9 million for starters!

“We can seize any item, anything that be, if it is not mentioned in the agreements between Pakistan and Afghanistan and Pakistan and NATO.”-Qamar Thalho, Customs official

The full o’crap western news media has been reporting that Pakistan re-opened U.S./NATO supply routes into Afghanistan, because U.S. officials apologized for last year’s killing of Pakistani soldiers.  Wrong! It’s all about the money.

What the western media is not telling the tax payers of the U.S. and other NATO affiliated countries, is that Pakistan is now being paid about $6,000 for every U.S./NATO occupying force supply truck that crosses the Pakistani border into Afghanistan.

There are currently 1,500 trucks waiting to go through, that’s $9 million USD!!!  Pakistani news media said U.S. officials agreed to the higher fee because the alternate supply routes through other countries costs even more money!

Example: The Pentagon says its costs $100 million per month to take supplies through Central Asia, Russia and the Caucasus!!!

Question: Is this bull shit War on Terror in Afghanistan (a country where not one of the residents were involved with the 11 September 2001 attacks on the U.S.) really worth it?

To top it off, the new U.S./NATO supply agreement allows the Pakistani Customs officials to seize any truck that’s carrying “lethal” supplies!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Chock Full o’Crap Western News Media: Korea South caves to Iran’s growing Purchasing Power!

“Iran is one of the major importers of Korean products. And in the eventuality that the policy of sanctioning Iranian oil is implemented, then that nation will suffer.”-Rostam Qasemi, Iranian Oil Minister

On 02 July 2012, I posted how Korea South (a U.S. ally/puppet) was getting around oil sanctions against Iran, by using Iranian tanker ships.

On 03 July 2012, Iranian media revealed the reason Korea South went against its master’s (United States) wishes: Iran has more purchasing power than the United States!

On 26 June 2012, Korea South announced they would stop oil shipments from Iran.  Iranian diplomats quickly threatened the embargo of all products made in Korea South.  Officials in the southern half of Korea did the math and decided it was not economically sound to go along with the puppet master’s (U.S.) oil embargo against Iran.

Just how much does Korea South rely on Iran for trade?

In 2007 Korea South signed a trade agreement with Iran.  According to the Korea International Trade Association, exports to Iran have increased 32%, while imports of Iranian goods increased 63.7% (the way the data was presented wasn’t clear, the percentages could be 32% for imports and 63.7% for exports)!

“Korea’s shipments to Iran amounted to $6 billion [USD] last year.”-Korea Times

The Korean Times reported that the threat by Iran, to embargo all southern Korean products, would slam 2,900 companies!

There are at least two petroleum companies from southern Korea working in Iran, and they have backing from U.S. investors!  In fact U.S. companies are involved with at least $1.4 billion USD worth of North American investments into Iran!

Here’s the bottom line; Iran is a big spender, and they pay in cash or trade!  The United States is broke, and they pay with credit, or steal it from you with bogus War on Terror tactics.  Who’s gonna get the World’s business in the long run?

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: U.K. orders new investigation! Top three Japanese banks involved in international rate fixing! Bank governor admits banks are “deceitful”! More proof of Trilateral policies, & that the Too Big to Fails caused the economic mess!

“Your working hypothesis should be that every bank in the industry did some version of this same thing. There will be more to come.”-unnamed banking official in letter to British news media

02 July 2012, Marcus Agius, a chairman of evil British Empire’s Barclays has resigned.  Barclays recently settled with U.S. and U.K. regulators over the LIBOR scandal. The settlement was a pittance compared to the damage Barclays, and other banks caused.

The general public in Britain has been calling for Barclays boss, Bob Diamond, to resign as well.  Public officials are calling for criminal charges: “…when we’re setting up the National Crime Agency we should look at the record of the Serious Fraud Office. I suspect financial crime is easier to get away with in this country than practically any other sort of crime.”-Ken Clarke, Justice Secretary of United Kingdom

Barclays “systematically” falsified data to set the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR.  Regulators from Switzerland and U.K., are investigating at least 20 banks, including the top three banks in Japan (for fraudulent Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate or TIBOR), banks in Canada, U.S. and European Union!  Elites from Japan, North America and Europe are members of the private organization Trilateral Commission.

Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, said LIBOR “is now dead”, and even called the very banking system he represents “deceitful”!  Now the British government is calling for a new independent investigation into the British banking system and LIBOR.

The amount of money manipulated by the LIBOR (and now TIBOR) scandal is estimated at more than $361 trillion USD!!!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? European unemployment rate holds on to record highs! Austerity policies to blame! Trilateral policies in motion!

02 July 2012, the European Union (EU) statistical office released unemployment data from its member countries.  Record high rates persist.

For the month of May, Spain set a new record of 24.6%! Unemployment for Spanish people under 25 years of age hit 52.1%!  For perspective, that’s more than 5.6 million people out of work in a country with a population of 46 million people!

Portugal at 15.2%, Italy at 10.1%.  In total, the number of people unemployed in the EU reached 17.6 million, an increase of 88,000 from April to May 2012!

Greek numbers are months behind, but their report for March shows an increase in unemployment, to 21.9%!  Unemployed Greek youths are also at 52.1%!

EU officials noted that the greatest increase in unemployment are in member countries that have harsh austerity policies (cut spending, increase taxes, which are publicly stated policies of the Trilateral Commission).