Tag Archives: disaster

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: Too Big to Fail interest rate fixing investigation focusing on Japan’s TIBOR. EU officials been investigating quitely since last year! Bigger than first told, ever hear of EURIBOR? More proof the bad economy is the fault of the Too Big to Fails!

 “The story is quite shocking and brings us back to the banking industry’s most irresponsible behavior of the past!”– Joaquin Almunia, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Commissioner responsible for competition

14 July 2012, a top European Union official has admitted that the recent LIBOR scandal involving top British & U.S. banks, also involves top Japaneses and European banks, and government officials knew about it.

LIBOR, or London Interbank Offered Rate, is an interest rate charged to other banks, and is done on behalf of the British Bankers’ Association in London, England, U.K.

As of 2008 there were 60 international banks, including U.S. banks, beholden to the LIBOR.

Japan has their own version called TIBOR (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate). The European Union has their version called EURIBOR (Euro Interbank Offered Rate).

EURIBOR is based in Belgium and involves at least 43 international banks.

EU Vice President, Joaquin Almunia, says his investigation into international interest rate fixing, as well as currency value fixing, began last year. It’s starting to look like the Too Big to Fails formed illegal cartels to favor a few and screw over the rest of us: “The alleged rate rigging is a major competition concern. This is why we started investigating a number of banks last year for their possible concerted manipulation of (interest rate) benchmarks such as LIBOR, EURIBOR and TIBOR, the Tokyo rate, for several currencies. The investigations have top priority because this sort of collusion can seriously harm competition worldwide and on our continent, in particular.”

In Japan the TIBOR scandal is making waves.  On 06 July 2012, it was revealed that in June the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) pulled out of TIBOR.  RBS is one of the banks under investigation.

UBS and Citigroup also withdrew from TIBOR earlier this year. They are also suspects.  As of 06 July there were three non-Japanese banks still involved with TIBOR; JP Morgan, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank.

On 13 July, it was reported in the Japanese news media that the Japanese Bankers Association began investigating how interest rates and currency manipulations are arrived at by TIBOR.

It was also revealed that Japan’s Financial Services Agency fined Citigroup and UBS for such manipulations, last year!  Japanese officials are saying that there’s no proof (so far) that Japanese banks were directly involved in illegal activities.

However, a top Japanese bank has put their London, U.K., employees on notice.  Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ has essentially put its two currency traders in London under house arrest!  The reason is that they are suspected of involvement in the British based LIBOR scandal.

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).

Check my blog for other LIBOR reports.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Idaho, Technology

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: Maintenance day for Skycrane fire fighter @ Pocatello Airport

Image

Photos by AAron B. Hutchins. Pics get bigger when you click on them:

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRES 2012: CURRENT FIRES FOR 12 JULY

BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

SIKORSKY SKYCRANE LEAVES POCATELLO AIRPORT FOR COX’S WELL FIRE

Idaho, U.S.

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: Current fires for 12 July

The following is a list of fires burning on 12 July 2012, from the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (EIIFC);

Butte City #2 Fire: 186 acres, began 11 July, 70% containment.

Midway Fire: Southeast of Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1). 8,900 acres, 25% containment.  Began 10 July.  One of my co-workers had to detour to Idaho Falls, as the fire shut down Highway 26 to Blackfoot.

Cedar Butte WSA Fire: 1,200 acres, began 11 July, 30% containment.

Ross Fire: Began 12 July, contained, less than one acre burned.

Rooster Rock Fire: Southwest of Pocatello, 2,500 acres, began 11 July, 90% contained.

Knox Canyon Fire: 600 acres, began 11 July, 35% contained.

However, I saw smoke from several fires, some maybe not mentioned in the EIIFC report.

12 July, smoke (from Knox Canyon Fire?) seen west of Pocatello Century High School (you know, the new one that looks like a prison). The hill in the foreground was burned during the 28 June 2012 Charlotte Fire.

12 July, smoke seen rising (hard to see in this pic) north of Simplot Don Plant (Cedar Butte WSA Fire?).

12 July, smoke seen rising about ten miles southwest of Pocatello Airport (Rooster Rock Fire?).

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRE 2012: BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

Idaho, Technology

East Idaho Wildfire 2012: Busy 30 minutes at Pocatello Airport, as fire fighting aircraft fly into action

Image

The following pics (which you can make bigger by clicking on them) were taken by AAron B. Hutchins, within a thirty minutes period, at the Pocatello Regional Airport (USFS Air Tanker Base), on 12JUL2012, between 11:30 hours and 12:00 hours.

Remember, these pics were taken within a 30 minute period.

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRES 2012: MORE NEW FIRES ON 11 JULY, FIRE NEAR NUKE REACTOR, CRATERS OF THE MOON

Crews preping S-64 Skycrane to join in battle against Cox’s Well Fire. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 10JUL2012.

SIKORSKY SKYCRANE LEAVES POCATELLO AIRPORT FOR COX’S WELL FIRE

Idaho, U.S.

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: More new fires on 11 July, fire near nuke reactor, Craters of the Moon

11 July 2012, yesterday’s Cox’s Well Fire, near Springfield (east of Craters of the Moon National Monument), is supposedly 100% contained, although the EIIFC website is still showing 70% containment. Lightning is blamed.

But now several other fires have sprung up, because of lightning. Reports said there was a fire southwest of Atomic City, and a fire near the EBR-1 nuclear reactor.

EBR-1, ancient nuclear reactor in the middle of nowhere eastern Idaho. Near Midway Fire, which started on 10 July.

New fires reported on 11 July, by the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (EIIFC), are;

Old Grade Fire: Near Arco, they expect to have it controlled by 20:00 hours.

Butte City #2 Fire: 186 acres, no estimate on containment.

Cedar Butte WSA Fire: 1,200 acres, no estimate on containment.

Knox Canyon Fire: 600 acres, no further info.

Smoke from Knox Canyon Fire. Pic taken about 8 miles south of Arimo, on the north side of the Malad Pass, facing west.

Rooster Rock Fire: Southwest of Pocatello, 2,500 acres, extra fire fighting help has been called in.

Power County Assist #2 Fire: Power County Fire Department on scene.

Massacre Fire: Southwest of American Falls, 475 acres, 3 buildings destroyed, now contained.

Air Tractor fire fighter takes off from Pocatello Airport, as Skycrane undergoes maintenance after a busy day, 11 July 2012.

There are still fires burning from days ago;

Midway Fire: Southeast of Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1). 5,000 acres, no estimation on containment.  Began 10 July.

Box Canyon Fire: 380 acres, 50% containment, northwest of EBR-1. Started 09 July.

 

 

 

Influenza

Pale Green Horse & Medical Incompetence: Mystery illness in Cambodia & Vietnam solved?

11 July 2012, reports out of Cambodia say international health experts have solved the mystery illness that’s killed more than 60 children.

The UN’s World Health Organization, and Cambodian health officials, concluded that Mother Earth is ganging up on children.  Kids are being hit by multiple diseases at the same time, such as enterovirus 71 (EV-71) and streptococcus suis.

In the case of EV-71 the mystery continues: “As far as I’m aware, EV-71 was not identified as a virus in Cambodia before.”-Nima Asgari, UN WHO

To make matters worse, the children were given inappropriate amounts of steroids, which can destroy your immune system.  Steroids also interferes with symptoms of diseases, making it harder for doctors to figure out what’s going on.

Health officials are also blaming EV-71, and streptococcus suis, for what’s been happening in Vietnam.  The strange thing is that most cases in Vietnam are occurring in areas that have recently (past couple of years) begun using Kanup/Roundup. These areas also have no experience with prior use of herbicides.

I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him.  They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

PALE GREEN HORSE & H5N1: KOREA HIT BY BIRD FLU, WILD BIRDS DIE IN HONG KONG, MORE CASES IN VIETNAM, MORE HUMAN DEATHS IN INDONESIA, CAN BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH YOUR EYE

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Mitsubishi desperate to sell off European factory, for only one Euro!!!

11 July 2012, NHK (nippon housou kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reporting that Mitsubishi Motors is so desperate to dump its factory in Netherlands, that it’s willing to take only one euro (currently equal to $1.22 USD)!

A Dutch company, VDL, wants to buy it and build licensed BMWs. The factory employes 1,500 people, and Mitsubishi wants to make sure they all keep their jobs with the new owners, so, they’ve made a deal to sell the factory for only one euro with a guarantee from VDL that no one loses their job.

 

Idaho, Technology

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: Sikorsky Skycrane leaves Pocatello Airport for Cox’s Well Fire

Image

Click on pics (by AAron B. Hutchins) to make them bigger:

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!).