Tag Archives: unemployment

International, U.S.

U.S. supported corruption in Afghanistan, Courts convict 60 Afghan judges, another 1,000 suspects

March 1, 2012, the Supreme Court of Afghanistan announced that 60 former judges were convicted on corruption charges.  The majority worked in Kabul, and took bribes.

Another 1,000 people are under investigation for corruption! Those people do not work for the Afghan court system, but they acted as go betweens for the bribing of judges.

In 2011, several U.S. court cases showed that most of the corruption in Afghanistan, involving contractors, was instigated by U.S. forces who oversaw the funding of those contractors.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Firefight between Afghan & U.S. forces in Kandahar!

March 1, 2012, Afghan media reports say the attack on a U.S./NATO/ISAF base in Kandahar was a full blown firefight!

Quoting local officials, Afghan media says the battle started at 03:00 (that’s 3am for those who don’t understand 24 hour time clocks), in Zherai district.

According to Zherai district official, Niyaz Mohammad Sarhadi, not only were two U.S. troops killed, but two Afghan soldiers were killed, and another wounded.

The attack seemed to be spontaneously started when one Afghan soldier started shooting at U.S. troops.  Other Afghans joined in.  U.S./NATO/ISAF forces fired back.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghan police and civilians killed in bombing, new “Taliban” actually from Central Asia

February 29, 2012, in northern Faryab Province, at least two Afghan police and three civilians were killed in an explosion.

Local officials blame “Taliban”, but so far no comment from Taliban sources (which is not normal, they usually claim responsibility right away, if they did it).

In January 2011, Afghan government forces claimed they gained control of Faryab Province.  Recently a report said that many of the insurgent “Taliban”, in northern Afghanistan, were actually people from Central Asian countries!

In Takhar Province, U.S./NATO/ISAF officials said the insurgent “Taliban” there were actually part of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan group.

On March 1, 2012, in Panjshir Province 13 Afghan police were wounded when a gas cylinder exploded.

International, U.S.

World War 3: An Afghan soldier, and an Afghan teacher kill 2 more U.S. troops

March 1, 2012, yet another Afghan government soldier took part in attacking U.S./NATO/ISAF forces.  An Afghan in civilians clothes also took part in the attack.  The attack took place inside a U.S./NATO/ISAF base in Kandahar Province.

Two NATO troops are confirmed dead.  British media say the two who were killed are U.S. soldiers.  Afghan’s said the attack was vengeance for the U.S. burning of dozens of Qur’ans!

Just hours before the NATO troops were attacked, a NATO official said the Afghan uprising was a temporary setback, that would be overcome.

As usual there is conflicting reports about this attack:  British media say it was an Afghan soldier and a civilian who attacked the NATO forces.  Locals say it was a lone gunman, who was also a teacher at a school inside the base.  The Afghan Army says two people attacked one of the guard towers, took the tower over, then used it to attack the NATO troops.  Afghan Army officials say they killed the attackers.

According to officials at the U.S. Pentagon, there have been 42 “insider” attacks on U.S./NATO/ISAF forces since 2007.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Day 9 Afghan riots, Taliban killed attacking U.S. base, U.S. forces hit by car bomb, confusing reports

In eastern Nangarhar Province, at least six people, described as “Taliban” were killed when a U.S./NATO/ISAF base was attacked.

The governor of the province said the base was attacked by armed militants.  Taliban sources say ten troops of the U.S. led forces were killed.

In the southern province of Helmand, reports of a suicide car bomb ripping through a U.S./NATO/ISAF convoy.   However, other reports say the car bomb hit civilians only.  The Voice of America says local police officials said the bomber was attacking U.S. troops, but Chinese media said the same police official said only civilians were targeted.

So far, no “Taliban” source has commented on the suicide car bombing. Usually the Taliban are quick to claim responsibility for attacks they undertake, which indicates the suicide car bomb was not a “Taliban” attack.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Argentina sanctions Britain, U.K. demands explanation, Pink Floyd says give Falklands back to Argentina

“Falklands should be Argentinian.”-Roger Waters, Pink Floyd alumni

Argentina’s Industry Minister, Debora Giorgi, has asked Argentine businesses to voluntarily sanction U.K. businesses. At least 20 major companies in Argentina, have been asked to stop buying products from the United Kingdom.

Giorgi reportedly said Argentina no longer wants to do business with “colonial” powers.

The move is significant, because Argentina now accounts for U.S. $642 million worth of exports from Britain. The U.K. is also the sixth largest investor in Argentina. In other words, Argentina is hitting the British in their money belt.

Of course, the U.K.’s Foreign Office summoned Argentina’s charge d’affaires for “an explanation”.   And yes, this has everything to do with the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, where a potentially huge oil deposit was discovered (and U.S. oil companies want a piece of the action).

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Conspiracy to Privatize: Too Big to Fail European Banks get huge cheap loans as Greece is hung out to dry

While European and IMF officials continue to string Greece along, regarding bailout loans, Europe’s too big to fail banks get billions in easy money!

The European Central Bank (ECB) has just issued the equivalent of U.S. $712.4 billion in cheap loans!  ECB officials said it is to help improve liquidity in the markets.  But the same would happen if Greece was given bailout loans!

This is the second time the ECB has issued cheap loans to too big to fail banks!  In December 2011, the ECB issued U.S. $657.9 billion at 1% interest.  Again, this while the ECB and the U.S. based IMF strung Greece along.

Many Greeks now believe what’s happening to their country is a conspiracy to force total privatization upon them.

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

World War 3: Japan threatens to cancel U.S. F-35 deal!

The controversial U.S. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is once again causing problems.  This time Japan’s Defense Minister, Naoki Tanaka, said no deal if there were anymore cost overruns, or delays in the F-35 project.

Japan had tentatively agreed to purchase four of the multi-million dollar aircraft.  Currently each F-35 cost $123 million!

But, recently the Obama administration suggested that, in order to cut the Defense budget, development and production of the F-35 should be delayed.  The F-35 has already see numerous delays over the past decade, and seen costs skyrocket.

Japan has yet to sign a contract to buy the F-35, but officials said if the price of the F-35 goes up, or it’s delivery date is delayed, they will not sign any deal to buy it.

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

World War 3: USAF cancels deal with Brazil, over new trainer/COIN aircraft. Will award contract to company that didn’t even take part in the competition!

The U.S. Air Force has canceled a contract with the winner of a competition for the USAF’s new trainer aircraft.

Brazil’s Embraer Defense and Security, along with U.S. company Sierra Nevada, won the contract for the counter insurgency (COIN) aircraft deal in December 2011, for the A-29 Super Tucano.

There are rumors that a company that did not take part in the bidding could get the contract.  Hawker Beechcraft has filed a lawsuit over the whole issue.

The decision to cancel the contract with Brazil could be more about the growing power of the South American country, and its membership in CELAC.

Don’t think awarding the contract to Hawker Beechcraft would create more U.S. jobs. Officials with Sierra Nevada said the contract would have allowed them to hire 1,200 people in Florida, compared to 1,400 with Hawker Beechcraft.