Tag Archives: war

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: IMF admits bailouts & austerity not working!

11 April 2013 (23:05 UTC-07 Tango 10 April 2013)/30 Jumada l-Ula 1434/22 Farvardin 1391/02 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“….we do not expect global growth to be much higher this year than last. We are seeing new risks as well as old risks. In far too many countries, improvements in financial markets have not translated into improvements in the real economy, and in the lives of people.”-Christine Lagarde, International Monetary Fund

At a meeting of the Economic Club of New York, Lagarde divided up the World into three ‘speeds’ of recovery.

Emerging economies are recovering fastest: First Speed.

The United States is in the Second Speed category, but Lagarde warns “…an outstanding issue is that public finances appear unbalanced. Adjustment is too aggressive in the short term, and too timid in the medium term. This adds to uncertainty and casts a shadow on the recovery.”

Apparently Europe and Japan are in the worst Third Speed category.  It is interesting to note that the IMF is behind many of the European bailouts and austerity measures.

 

 

 

 

Fukushima

Cesium levels drop in children, it pays to watch what you eat!

11 April 2013 (22:42 UTC-07 Tango 10 April 2013)/30 Jumada l-Ula 1434/22 Farvardin 1392/02 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Researchers at the University of Tokyo, Japan, have been tracking about 1400 grade school kids in Fukushima Prefecture.  They want to track radiation contamination as a result of the melt downs at the GE designed Fukushima Daiichi reactors.

Two years later the researchers report cesium levels in children have dropped, but not because of efforts to contain the disaster reactors, but because the residents have been careful about what they eat.

Almost a year after the nuke melt down, a system was in place for Japanese food sellers to test and report radiation contamination of food.  This came at the grass roots level, not at the national government level.  It was pushed by consumers demanding to know if the food they were buying was safe.  Local governments, and even grocery store chains obliged, and it was discovered that indeed many sources of food stuffs were contaminated, despite the national government telling people everything was OK.

The researchers at the University of Tokyo credit the grass roots efforts to identify and avoid contaminated food to the drop in cesium levels in children still living in Miharumachi, which is only 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Fukushima Daiichi.

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: North Korea playing mind games with missiles? Travel agencies cancel trips!

11 April 2013 (22:26 UTC-07 Tango 10 April 2013)/30 Jumada l-Ula 1434/22 Farvardin 1391/02 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“Because of the situation in North Korea, all tours are canceled from now. We will announce when tours begin again as soon as we get official information from North Korea.”-China based travel agency Explore North Korea statement

“We are in constant contact with our partners in North Korea, and they have told us that the North remains open to tourists and have encouraged us to run our scheduled tours.”-U.S. based travel agency Uri Tours statement

ROK and USFK upped security status to Watchcon 2, the second highest level.  However, some analysts in South Korea think the DPRK is playing mind games with their ICBMs: “…the North has been repeatedly moving its missiles in and out of a shed….”

It now appears that North Korea is purposely moving mobile ICBM systems all along their east coast.  One ROK analyst says the DPRK is trying to “fatigue” intelligence gatherers for South Korea and United States.

International, U.S.

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 10 April 2013.

10 April 2013/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

In Ghor Province, an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier shot and wounded two Lithuanian/ISAF troops, using an RPG.  Government officials said the ANA was conducting a roadblock, and a Lithuanian/ISAF convoy refused to stop.  The ANA soldier fired an RPG destroying an ISAF armored vehicle, wounding two people inside.

In Herat Province, U.S. forces attacked a bus, killing two people and wounding another.  U.S. forces claim the bus got too close to their convoy.  Independent reports say the bus was behind the U.S. convoy, when it was attacked.

In Helmand Province, local government officials say a bomb exploded killing at least five people, and wounding five others.

09 April 2013/28 Jumada l-Ula 1434/20 Farvardin 1391/29 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO/ISAF helicopter crashed and killed two crewmen. Mujahideen claim to have shot it down.  Witnesses say the helicopter suddenly dropped from the sky.

In Kandahar Province, Panjwaee District, Mujahideen say the launched four hit and run attacks on a U.S. patrol. They say that in frustration the U.S. forces fired indiscriminately, wounding a Mujahid, and seven children.

In Kunar Province, Manugi District, local Mujahideen say they attacked Afghan government forces who had just kidnapped two people from a local village.  One Afghan government personnel killed, two wounded. No word on the kidnap victims.

In Nuristan Province, Mujahideen overran the main police checkpoint in Paron District. At least two Afghan National Police killed.

The last group of Red Coat British Royal Marine commandos left Helmand Province.  The unit had been deployed 12 times to Helmand.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: California makes deal with China!

10 April 2013 (15:00 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“California could get new investment worth hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars from China by the end of 2020.”-Wang Chao, China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce

The city of Shanghai, and the provinces of Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong and Chongqing have signed a $1.4 billion USD trade deal with the U.S. state of California.

It’s the biggest trade deal with any U.S. state.  It involves more than 70 California companies and at least 100 Chinese entrepreneurs.

 

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: South Korean TV broadcaster knocked off the internet!

10 April 2013 (14:40 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

ROK TV broadcaster, KBS, reporting that their website went offline, three times today. They do not know why.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: South Korean bank paralized!

10 April 2013 (14:35 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The ROK bank, NongHyup Bank, reporting that its internet banking service is paralyzed.  They do not know why.  Technicians are working at their operating system location in Anseong, they hope to have it solved before tomorrow.

Fukushima

Corporate Incompetence: Leaking inground ponds at Fukushima Daiichi versus above ground sealed tanks

10 April 2013 (02:13 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1392/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Tokyo Electric Power Company has been ordered to stop using in-ground waste water ponds to store radiative water.  Three ponds are now leaking (several hundreds of tons so far) and some of the contamination includes strontium.

TEPCo said they used the in-ground ponds because they are not enough above ground steel tanks available to hold the massive amount of contaminated water coming from the damaged GE designed reactors.

TEPCo hopes to have new steel tanks delivered in the next few days.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: U.S. job losses & store closings 22 February 2013.

Hawaii’s Schofield Barracks furloughs 100 shipyard workers, pending federal government budget cuts. Also, the Pearl Harbor shipyard threatening to layoff 350 employees!

12 firefighters in Lorain, Ohio, now unemployed.  City officials blamed the expiration of a federal grant.

Giant City School District, in Illinois,  laid off 14 employees. School officials blame massive state funding cuts.  And after 30 years, Chiasso furniture store closed down in Chicago.  The owner blamed the bad economy.  Also, Chicago Public Schools wants to close two charter high schools. School officials say their budget is short $1 billion USD!

In New Hampshire, cable company MetroCast laid off 16 employees. The company will outsource (contract out) its installer positions, in an effort to make bigger profits.  And Hubbingtons Furniture closed their Hampton store. Operators blamed the property manager for making it not worth renewing the lease.

In Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University refused to renew contracts for 13 teachers.  School officials blame declining graduate student enrollment.

In Plano, Texas, J.C. Penny laid off 300 more employees!  More layoffs are expected. Company officials refused to talk to local media.

In California, Abbott Vascular laid off another 450 employees! The cardiac and vascular care product maker laid off workers at their Temecula factory, and their French Valley distribution center. In 2012 they laid off almost 500 employees.  Company officials will only say they are trying to make the company more efficient. Also, the Fresno County Assessor’s office lays off 14 people, due to lack of funds.  In Mill Valley/Strawberry, the Ethan Allen furniture store closed down.

In North Carolina, recumbent bike retailer, Neighborhood Transportation, closed down.  The owner blamed health reasons.

After 23 years, Bonnie’s Place restaurant closed down in Michigan. The owners blame road/bridge construction for destroying 90% of their business.

In New York, the Wappingers Central School District says they must close down an elementary school.  School officials blame declining enrollment.

In Georgia, the Unity Elementary School in LaGrange could close. School officials say they need to save $4 million!

In Pennsylvania, Caterpillar tractors could close its York Distribution Center in Springettsbury Township.  250 employees would be affected!

Wausau Paper closing their Brainerd, Minnesota, factory. 130 employees affected! Company officials say the toilet paper competition is fierce.

Supermarket Marsh closing stores in Columbus and Marion, Indiana.  Company officials don’t want to renew the leases.

In Virginia, Weiman’s Bakery closed down in Richmond, with little notice.  The bakery supplied many restaurants, and many were left scrambling to find a new source of bread.  Local media said no reason was given for the closing.

Bay Hills Card and Gift Hallmark store closed in Maryland.  The owner opened the store in 1987, he says the bad economy did him in.

In Helena, Montana, Pet Town closed down after 30 years of operations. Local media said regular customers cried as animals in the store were shipped off.  The owner blamed the bad economy: “The last four years were just brutal!”-Dana Coil

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: China closes border! Multiple Missiles ready for launch!

10 April 2013 (00:29 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

China has closed a border crossing with North Korea: “Travel agencies are not allowed to take tourist groups to go there, since the North Korean government is now asking foreign people to leave.”-unnamed official with the Dandong Border Office

South Korean media reporting that military satellite imagery shows multiple ICBMs ready for launch in North Korea.  The missiles include short range Scud, medium range Nodong as well as the BM25 Musudan: “There are clear signs that the North could simultaneously fire off Musudan, Scud and Nodong missiles.”-unnamed ROK spokesman