Tag Archives: employment

International, U.S.

World War 3, African Front: South Africa reneges and gets out of CAR! Re-deploys troops to surrounding countries! It’s all about money!

05 April 2013 (16:10 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We have taken a decision to withdraw our soldiers….Our mission was to help train the soldiers. Since the coup and the self-appointment of rebels, it was clear that the government is no longer there.”-Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

Remember the recent UN supported French invasion of Central African Republic?  I thought not.  South Africa already had ‘peacekeeping’ troops there, and they suffered loses as the rebels took control of the capital of CAR.

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) leaders initially stated they would not withdrawal from CAR.  Things change fast nowadays.  The one eighty by South Africa comes after an emergency summit of the African Union (AU).

South African (SA) military leaders said the withdrawal is being motivated by the fact that the rebels have heaver weapons than first thought.  Apparently the SA ‘peacekeepers’ are not equipped to counter those heavy weapons.

The AU refuses to recognize the new leaders of CAR.  Some opposition party members in the SA government are now questioning the reasons SA forces were sent to CAR back in 2007.

However, there are reports that SANDF is deploying troops to the countries surrounding CAR.  SA Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, refused to answer local media questions: “I won’t answer questions about the so called military build up because the question should not have been asked in the first place.”  

The South African Civil Society Information Service (SACSIS) said the pending pan-African war is all about money: “Research has revealed that ANC heavyweight insiders like Billy Masetlha, Joshua Nxumalo and Paul Langa were, or are involved in various business interests in the CAR. These interests are further linked to the ruling ANC through the increasingly notorious Chancellor House Trust, perceived to be involved in crony capitalism, as well as being a key funder of the ruling party.”

The SACSIS also accused governments of intentionally backing rouge regimes to justify war: “…the role of SANDF troops in CAR indicates a dangerous shift by South Africa towards supporting illegitimate regimes in order to protect economic interests with strong links to powerful domestic political networks…….South Africa is increasingly perceived not as much as a regional heavyweight but as a comprador for Western interests. ”

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3, East Asian Front: Retired Communist, Fidel Castro, says Second Korean War “Absured” & Obama is “Sinister”!

05 April 2013 (14:15 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

A few days ago I mentioned the great challenges humanity is currently facing. Intelligent life emerged on our planet approximately 200,000 years ago, although new discoveries demonstrate something else.

This is not to confuse intelligent life with the existence of life which, from its elemental forms in our solar system, emerged millions of years ago.

A virtually infinite number of life forms exist. In the sophisticated work of the world’s most eminent scientists the idea has already been conceived of reproducing the sounds which followed the Big Bang, the great explosion which took place more than 13.7 billion years ago.

This introduction would be too extensive if it was not to explain the gravity of an event as unbelievable and absurd as the situation created in the Korean Peninsula, within a geographic area containing close to five billion of the seven billion persons currently inhabiting the planet.

This is about one of the most serious dangers of nuclear war since the October Crisis around Cuba in 1962, 50 years ago.

In 1950, a war was unleashed there [the Korean Peninsula] which cost millions of lives. It came barely five years after two atomic bombs were exploded over the defenseless cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which, in a matter of seconds, killed and irradiated hundreds of thousands of people.

[U.S.] General Douglas MacArthur wanted to utilize atomic weapons against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Not even Harry Truman allowed that.

It has been affirmed that the People’s Republic of China lost one million valiant soldiers in order to prevent the installation of an enemy army on that country’s border with its homeland. For its part, the Soviet army provided weapons, air support, technological and economic aid.

I had the honor of meeting Kim Il Sung, a historic figure, notably courageous and revolutionary.

If war breaks out there, the peoples of both parts of the Peninsula will be terribly sacrificed, without benefit to all or either of them. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was always friendly with Cuba, as Cuba has always been and will continue to be with her.

Now that the country has demonstrated its technical and scientific achievements, we remind her of her duties to the countries which have been her great friends, and it would be unjust to forget that such a war would particularly affect more than 70% of the population of the planet.

If a conflict of that nature should break out there, the government of Barack Obama in his second mandate would be buried in a deluge of images which would present him as the most sinister character in the history of the United States. The duty of avoiding war is also his and that of the people of the United States.

Fidel Castro Ruz, in the Cuban Communist Party paper Granma Interncional

International

World War 3: Russia, U.K. say North Korea asking foreign embassies to leave! 10 April key date!

05 April 2013 (06:38 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“A representative of the North Korean Foreign Ministry suggested that the Russian side examine the question of evacuating the employees of the Russian embassy.”-Denis Samsonov, Russian Embassy spokesman

“We can confirm that the British embassy in Pyongyang received a communication from the North Korean government this morning.  It said that the North Korean government would be unable to guarantee the safety of embassies and international organisations in the country in the event of conflict from April 10.”-United Kingdom Foreign Office statement

Reports emerging, saying foreign embassies in North Korea are being asked by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to consider leaving, and that they should do so prior to 10 April.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Second Korean War could destroy capitalist U.S. car industry?

05 April 2013 (05:05 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“If there were something to happen in Korea, it’s going to effect our entire industry, not just General Motors.”-Dan Akerson, GM CEO

In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, it was revealed that GM is considering alternative plans to its Korean operations, like getting out.

General Motors makes 145000 cars in South Korea.  Both Ford and GM invested big in the hopes that South Korea will be a major market for their new electric cars.

International

World War 3: United Kingdom say North Korea can strike Europe!

05 April 2013 (04:40 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In an announcement that is initially surprising to many analysts, The U.K.’s Prime Minister David Cameron said the DPRK can hit Britain with nukes: “North Korea does now have missile technology that is able to reach, as they put it, the whole of the United States and if they are able to reach the whole of the United States they can reach Europe too. They can reach us too, so that is a real concern.”

Cameron is coming under criticism for the statement, but he’s correct.

I looked at flight distance, the routes airliners use to fly from Korea to England.  Estimate flight duration is 8891 kilometers (5527 miles).  This is within the range of the DRPK’s new KN-08 ICBM, which North Korea claims can reach 10000km (6213.7 miles).  This means most of Europe is within range.

U.S. analysts doubt the DPRK’s claims about their new KN-08 ICBM.

International

H7N9 update: Japan scrambles to create new vaccine!

05 April 2013 (04:23 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases is now focusing on making a vaccine to fight the new H7N9 flu.

A sixth person has been confirmed to die from H7N9.  And a teenager has died from unexplained pneumonia, but tests have failed to find H7N9 virus.

China will send the latest virus samples to Japan.  Japanese researchers will also investigate the defectiveness of anti-virals on the new strain.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 01 – 04 April 2013. U.S. Guard units shifted from Afghanistan to Africa? Thousands of ANA quit! Several U.S. planes down! Blue on Green attacks! Mujahideen increase attacks! Major offensive finally ends?

04 April 2013/23 Jumada l-Ula 1434/15 Farvardin 1391/24 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Officials with the U.S. states of Oregon and Georgia, say their National Guard units are still on standby to be deployed to Afghanistan in 2014! The state military officials were responding to local media questions regarding rumors the state militias were told they’ve been “off-ramped” from deployment.  The rumors were started because the Indiana National Guard was told, for the third time in three years, that they’ve been off-ramped for Afghanistan deployment.  There have been reports that more RA and Guard units are being sent to Somalia.

A U.S. Air force pilot was killed when his F-16 Falcon/Viper crashed.  ISAF mentioned only that the F-16 was on a night mission.

In Kabul Province, Deh Sabz District, Mujahideen claim they shot down a U.S./NATO aircraft.  They say the plane broke apart as it came down. U.S./NATO helicopters came in afterward and bombed the wreckage in order to prevent Mujahideen collecting any weapons or sensitive items.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials say the U.S./NATO conducted a Blue on Green airstrike.  They say U.S./NATO aircraft bombed local policemen in Deh-Yak district: “A number of the Afghan local police officers were patrolling when they were attacked by NATO aircrafts, killing four police officers along with two civilians.”-Fazal Ahmad, District governor

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen attacked the U.S. Bagram air base.  Ten U.S. military vehicles, and a contracted fueler, were destroyed. Mujahideen say they attacked a fuel terminal near the base.  However, local government officials say the vehicles were destroyed when a single gas cylinder accidentally exploded.

In Maidan Wardak Province, home invasions continue despite the U.S. SOF forces supposedly pulling out.  The house of Sultan Muhammad in Syed Abad district was invaded, and one of his cousins, and two of his employees were kidnapped.

In Kapisa Province, after an all day battle with Mujahideen, in which locals say the Mujahideen won, U.S. led forces then began raiding homes in Tagab District.  Locals say 50 people were kidnapped, and two people were beaten unconscious.

03 April 2013/22 Jumada l-Ula 1434/14 Farvardin 1391/23 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Farah Province, Mujahideen launched a massive attack against the provincial government compound.  At least 56 cops, soldiers and civil servants killed, 100 wounded.  The provincial governor said the attack was carried out by only eight Mujahideen.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Mujahideen shot down a recon drone (UAV) in Nirkh district.  They say they recovered the camera system.

02 April 2013/21 Jumada l-Ula 1434/13 Farvardin 1391/22 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Bakhshan Province, the Afghan government has declared a major military offensive in Wardoj/Wardaj District over. The offensive apparently started on 22 March (see my recent postings), however local officials claim it was only a three day operation.  Government officials admit they attacked 43 villages, killing 80 people and wounding more than 110 in the last three days.

In Parwan Province, Bagram District, Mujahideen claim they shot down a recon drone.

Afghan security officials say this year they are expecting an 85% increase in attacks against Kabul city, by Mujahideen.

Remember Mullah Mohammad Omar?  He’s the guy that the U.S. government and media have reported as being killed, several times in the past.  He’s now running for President of Afghanistan!

01 April 2013/20 Jumada l-Ula 1434/12 Farvardin 1391/21 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Faryab Province, local government officials say a local police chief was assassinated by his subordinates, who then joined the Mujahideen.

In Uruzgan Province, Dehrawod District, 16 cops joined the Mujahideen.  Their names were publicized.

NATO claims that the Afghan National Army (ANA) is losing 5000 troops every month.  Not to battle, to desertion.  According to the study, when you include death, captures and firings the ANA lost 63000 troops last year!

The Scottish media reporting that the U.K. Ministry of Defence has drastically increased the removal of military forces and equipment from Afghanistan.  The biggest increase is in equipment considered ATCO (Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organizations).

International, U.S.

World War 3: Australia backs South Korea! U.S. lies to Aussie media about North Korean missile range!

05 April 2013 (03:02 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We’re not aware of any capability by North Korea, even with weapons they’ve identified…being able to conduct a strike in Australia.”-Jeffry Bleich, U.S. Ambassador to Australia

The U.S. is lying to Aussies, because Australia is closer to Korea than North America, and the DPRK’s KN-08 ICBM can reach the west coast of North America!

Sydney, Australia is approximately 8304 kilometers (5160 miles) from Korea.  The KN-08 has an estimated range of 10000 kilometers (6213.7 miles).

The KN-08 is a new ICBM, unveiled in 2012.  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea claims the ICBM has a 10000km range.  U.S. officials, and even the U.S. media have claimed the missile is a fake.  Some U.S. sources say if the missile is real the range is about 6000 to 8000km, which means the ICBM could still hit the northern end of Auz Down Under.

Here’s the rub; North Korea has been successfully developing their own missiles systems for the past two decades, so why can’t the KN-08 be for real?

Australia’s Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, called the new dictator of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, and expressed support for the Republic of Korea.   Gillard promised to continue political pressure on North Korea.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3: 53000 North Koreans refuse to show up for work at KIR! South Korea refuses to evacuate KIR workers! North Korea prepares two ballistic missiles for launch!

05 April 2013 (02:28 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

An estimated 53000 DPRK workers have not shown up for work at the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).  Some analysts say it might be because of a North Korean holiday, however, they also said it was common for the capitalist ROK corporations to ask DPRK workers to work on holidays.

To show how important the cheap North Korean labor is to South Korean capitalists, South Korean media got this reaction from an unnamed manager of one of those companies: “Without the arrival of new parts and materials, and the need to make full use of trucks that cannot return if they cross over the DMZ [De-Militarized Zone], companies must pace their production schedules….At most, the food will probably run out in a week, which would make it hard for South Korean workers to stay at Kaesong.”

Even with the threat of starvation officials in Republic of Korea say they do not see any reason to evacuate ROK workers from KIR as demanded by the DPRK: “When the situation requires, the withdrawal should be carried out for the safety of workers there, therefore (the government) is not considering withdrawal.”-Ryoo Kihl-jae, ROK Unification Minister

Also, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reporting that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is preparing two medium range ballistic missiles for launch.

Yonhap cites South Korean and U.S. military sources.  They say that two BM25 Musudan have been loaded on their mobile launchers (aka TEL, transporter-erector-launcher), after being shipped to the east coast, along the coast with the Sea of Japan (facing the Pacific).   Earlier reports had said that one BM25 Musdan was being moved to the east coast.

The U.S. and ROK sources say the TELs have now been hidden.

 

International

H7N9 update: 6th person dies! And a new Unexplained pneumonia death!

05 April 2013 (01:55 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Jumada l-Ula 1434/16 Farvardin 1391/25 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

A Chinese farmer has died only one day after being brought to hospital.  He’s the sixth person in China to die since the end of March.

The farmer lived in Zhejiang Province, which borders Shanghai.  Four of the six deaths were in Shanghai.

A 14 year old tourist from Thailand also died, from unexplained pneumonia.  However, Chinese health officials say the H7N9 test was negative.  The teenager was part of a group of 119 tourists who arrived in Yunnan Province.

All provincial health officials have been ordered to investigate unexplained pneumonia cases, as it seems to be the only sign of H7N9 infection.