Tag Archives: employment

International, U.S.

World War 3: Russia orders surprise war games!

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“These are large scale unannounced test exercises. The main goal is to check the readiness and cohesion of the various units…”-Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin

Putin issued the surprise war game order while flying back from the BRICS meeting in South Africa.  It involves 36 ships and 7000 personnel in the Black Sea.

Upon landing in Russia, Putin went immediately to the Black Sea to observe the war games.

One analyst thinks it’s about the U.S. backed Syrian insurgency: “It is flexing muscles and may have more to do with what is happening in the Mediterranean, around Syria, than in the Black Sea.”-Fyodor Lukyanov,  editor of Russia in Global Affairs

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Elitist & supposedly recession proof Louis Vuitton going down? Jacks up prices to save its ass!

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“Louis Vuitton has now broken the myth that it is one of the brands that is never influenced by an economic slump. But the sales drop occurred largely because the number of Japanese tourists, big fans of the brand, has decreased over the last year due to the yen’s depreciation against the won.”-unnamed source in South Korea

In the Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries, sales are crashing for the elitist French fashion company Louis Vuitton.  One report said sales were down at least 20% last year.  The Hyundai Department Store recently threw Louis Vuitton out of their Busan store, and replaced the outlet with Omega watches.

Slumping sales are also being reported in Japan and China.  Officials with Louis Vuitton have refused to answer questions from the Asian media.

You’d think the company would do something like drop their prices to increase sales, but no, they’ve actually raised their prices in the Asian, U.S. and European markets.  According to Bloomberg they’ve jacked up prices by 12% in Japan, and blame it on the dropping value of the yen. In other Asian countries prices are up 5% to 10%.  In the U.S. and U.K. prices are up 10%.

Despite slumping sales, Bank of America just upgraded Louis Vuitton stocks from neutral to buy.  But Societe Generale advises a hold  status, along with Deutsche Bank.  And Credit Suisse downgraded Louis Vuitton from outperform to neutral.

International, U.S.

Government Evil & World War 3: United States bypasses its own Congress on Gun Control, pushes UN for international Gun Control! Iran, Syria & North Korea vote no, but only because it’s not strict enough! Third World War to be between you & your government!

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Since last year the United Nations has been debating a U.S. sponsored international conventional Arms Trade Treaty (literally an international gun control law).  Yesterday the ban failed to be approved because Iran, Syria and North Korea voted against it, but only because they don’t think the ban is strict enough: “The achievement of such a treaty has been rendered out of reach due to many legal flaws and loopholes….One of those flaws was its failure to ban sales of weapons to groups that commit acts of aggression…”-Mohammad Khazaee, Iranian UN envoy

Now realize that yesterday the UN also created its first offensive combat unit, the Intervention Brigade, to invade the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other African countries.

Also, remember the North Carolina cop who went public at the beginning of January, and revealed that martial law was expected to be implemented in three to six months.

And how about the fact that recently it was revealed that not only did Obama fail to close down Guantanamo Bay torture facility, but he’s spending millions of U.S. tax dollars expanding it!  Currently there are about 166 people still held at Gitmo, so why the need to expand it?

And don’t forget NDAA 2013, where any U.S. citizen can be detained indefinitely without charge or trial, simply because they are ‘suspect’!

The Barack Obama supported UN weapons ban includes civilian ownership of guns, such as registration of the gun and the owner, to be maintained on record for 20 years.

The move to ban guns by the United Nations began in 2001, the same year as 9/11. It was called the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

At first the U.S. opposed it, but then in 2009 President Obama suddenly reversed the Bush administration’s position and said the U.S. would now support the Arms Trade Treaty.  The UN General Assembly will try another vote next week.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: United Nations approves yet another U.S./European led invasion of an African country! No more Peacekeepers, first ever overt combat UN force called Intervention Brigade! Will your country be next?

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The UN Security Council unanimously approved the creation of the Intervention Brigade, a 2500 troop unit planned for use against the Democratic Republic of Congo (not to be confused with the smaller Republic of Congo), and possibly other countries.

The UN action is unprecedented, as it authorizes the first ever use of offensive UN combat troops, rather than ‘peacekeepers’!

Yes, the Congo is rich with oil, and yes rebels (aka March 23 Movement, aka M23) are about to win their revolution against the western backed government!  (remember Mali, and more recently Central African Republic?)

This unprecedented UN resolution also allows for military action against rebel groups in Rwanda and Uganda!

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said the resolution was necessary for the support of established western backed governments in the face of growing rebellion in Africa.  The resolution was pushed by the United States and France.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 27 – 28 March 2013. U.S. soldier killed by boy with knife! U.S. troops respond by kidnapping hundreds of villagers! Russia willing to take over after U.S. pullout! Proof the U.S. has not improved the quality of life in Afghanistan: Poor man sells off twin new borns!

28 March 2013/16 Jumada l-Ula 1434/08 Farvardin 1391/17 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Nangarhar Province, Ghani Khel District, reports that a U.S. Army foot patrol stopped in a village to play football (soccer) with kids.  A 14 years old boy then stabbed a soldier in the neck as he sat watching the game.  The soldier died after being medivaced out. The boy ran away, and Mujahideen claim they are giving him sanctuary. However, villagers report the U.S. troops then went on a rampage rounding up and detaining as many as 200 people, including children.  Some of the reports came from the district’s governor, Haji Zalmai Khan.  He said local police are helping U.S. personnel search for the attacker.

Russian officials are expressing a desire to keep military units in Afghanistan after the U.S./ISAF withdrawal.  They say the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan has left the country too unstable: “We cannot fail to be concerned by the danger of the restoration of a regime on Afghan territory that would foster the spread of terrorism, drug trafficking and instability.”-Sergei Koshelev, Russian Defense Ministry’s Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation

27 March 2013/15 Jumada l-Ula 1434/07 Farvardin 1391/16 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service member died following an attack in eastern Afghanistan…”

In Logar Province, in Barak-e Barak District, Sajawon village, people say a joint U.S./Afghan offensive resulted in 23 people killed, 26 wounded, including women and children. The U.S. led operation lasted two days. ISAF claims all killed were Mujahideen, and added they captured (kidnapped) 40 people. This is not the first time the U.S. led forces have attacked this district.  In October 2012 a similar offensive was launched with similar results.  ISAF eventually admitted that U.S. led troops killed civilians in that attack.  ISAF considers that area of Logar Province to be a haven for Mujahideen.

In Badakhshan Province, Wardoj/Wardaj district, battles have been raging for the past week. The latest report from government officials is that 10 Mujahideen were killed, four wounded.  Two cops were killed.

In Kabul City, and explosion in the 15th District wounded two people. Police say someone attached a bomb to a police vehicle.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry cancelled upcoming visits with the Pakistani army, because they claim Pakistan has launched 50 new artillery strikes: “This visit will no longer take place due to the resumption of unacceptable Pakistani artillery shelling against different parts of Kunar Province.”-Afghan government statement

In Baghlan Province, a poor man sold off his twin new born girls, after their mother died giving birth.  Provincial hospital officials said the mother had health issues that could have been taken care of if only the family had the money to pay for it.  Provincial officials say this is the first know case of a man selling his newborns in their province, similar cases have been reported in other provinces.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. B-2 bombers fly dry/cold runs over South Korea, North Korea responds by putting artillery rockets on standby! North Korea tells China there will be no war?

29 March 2013/17 Jumada l-Ula 1434/09 Farvardin 1391/18 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“He [Kim Jong-un] finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets, ordering them to be on standby to fire so that they may strike any time the U.S. mainland, its military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in South Korea.”-announcement made in English by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency

U.S. B-2 bombers have joined aging B-52s in a demonstration of force against the Democratic People’s republic of Korea.  Kim Jong-un responded by putting on standby the DPRK’s Strategic Rocket Force.

On Thursday the B-2 bombers made attack runs with dummy bombs on the Jik Islet off Gunsan, after flying non-stop from continental United States.  North Korea put their rocket force on standby at 30 minutes after midnight Friday.

North Korean officials say the sudden and open demonstration by the U.S. of it’s B-2 bombers in South Korean war games is an intentional ramping up of tensions by the U.S.   This is apparently the first time B-2s were used in the joint war games in Republic of Korea.

In a confusing development, Korean media reporting that the DPRK’s General Bureau of Tourism recently told Chinese travel agencies “Don’t worry. There will be no war on the Korean Peninsula, so send as many tourists as possible.”

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 15-16 February 2013: A famous diabetic supply company accused of ripping off taxpayers! Travel agencies losing millions! Main stream media cutting jobs!

“The way it works is these holding companies come in, strip the company bare and leave us out in the cold. We went through bankruptcies in 2005 and again last May. Each time our pay gets cut……More and more they swoop into companies like this, take everything that’s valuable and shut it down.”-former Awrey Bakery employee

Awrey Bakeries closed down their Michigan factory and laid off all 200 employees. Company officials hope it’s temporary as they are trying to work a deal to restart production.  In 1995 the factory employed 650 people.

Liberty Medical bankrupt. Liberty filed for bankruptcy protection after Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began seizing their revenue.  Medicare/Medicaid says Liberty Medical has been ripping off the taxpayers.

In Washington, the Spokane Public Health Clinic closed down. District officials said they were short $275000 USD.

The Mayo Clinic closing its Healthy Living store in the Mall of America, in Minnesota.  They did not want to renew the lease.

Mid America Brick & Structural Clay Products bankrupt. Company officials blame a bad housing market (despite recent main streamer media saying the housing market has improved).  The company actually stopped production from December through January.

Media outlet, Washington Post, announced it laid off at least 40 employees. Company officials blame declining advertisers and sales.

In Utah, The Daily Herald of Provo lays off 10 people, including the executive editor. Company officials said they do not make public comment on Human Resource issues.  There are reports that the Iowa based owner is losing money from declining advertising and sales.

In Louisiana, the St. Tammany News stopped publishing The News Banner and the Slidell Sentry News. At least 24 people out-o-work.  Company officials blame the bad economy on declining advertising revenue, and they blame the changing demographics of New Orleans: “Since Hurricane Katrina there has been a fundamental change in the parish population and the residents’ desire for community news.”-Joy Kennon, publisher

In Wappingers Falls, New York, Cablevision laid off about 11 people, including news reporters and anchors, after merging two departments.  Also,  Kayex closing their North Chili factory in May. 57 jobs lost. They blame the declining solar power industry.

In Maine, the Marden’s surplus/salvage chain store layoffs 24 employees.  Company officials the layoffs are normal, as they are mostly end of year holiday temp hires.

Illinois based Orbitz Worldwide travel agency laying off about 70 people.  Orbitz has been losing millions of U.S. dollars, and company officials say the layoffs are part of efforts to become more efficient as part of a travel booking deal with American Express.

In Tennessee, Christian Bethel University admitted to laying off 19 people.  This after an interview with the local media. University officials said it’s all about being efficient.

Connecticut based Affinion Group Holdings laid off more than 50 employees.  The company is connected with Too Big to Jail banking scandals.

In Georgia, the Bibb County School District plans to layoff 53 people. School officials said most of those jobs were funded with grants that will not be available next school year.

The Paradise Unified School District, in California, planning to end 14 to 15 jobs.  School officials blame the state’s education code, and shrinking state funding.

Also in California, the Automobile Association of America closed their Express office in El Cerrito Plaza. AAA blames lack of business. And in Fremont, yet another Hooters restaurant closed down. Owners blame it on the bad economy, however, Hooters are being shut down all over the U.S., including those that some local media have shown are actually making money.

In New Jersey, 384 people losing their jobs with Hudson City Savings! It’s the result of the takeover by M&T Bank.

Despite increase demand for childcare, the iCare Childcare Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota closed down.  Owners would only say it was a “personal” issue.

In Pennsylvania, Ames True Temper announced it will close its lawn and garden product factory in Union City in Autumn. 30 jobs lost.  The company plans to close other factories around the country.

After almost 70 years the Hodges Jewel Box in Virginia, out-o-business. The long time owner says the bad economy is a sign it’s time to retire.

In Florida, after 100 years J.C. Harris men’s clothing store closing.  The owners blame the bad economy and the crashing interest in men’s ‘classic’ clothing: “It’s been a struggle the last couple of years. We wanted to make it to 100 years.”-Bob Harris

All you can eat Crystal’s Pizza & Spaghetti buffet closed in Texas.  The Roaring 20s themed restaurant, with video games and theater, began auctioning off its unique signs, lights and art nouveau statuettes.  Reports say it’s the last of the chain restaurants started 35 years ago.  So far I can’t find an official reason why, but many fans have admitted the quality of the food was going downhill, so maybe the company just couldn’t maintain profits off increasing supply costs?

International, U.S.

World War 3: War in Africa expands as British Red Coats and Irish troops arrive in Mali! Operations planned by European Union back in December!

27 March 2013/15 Jumada l-Ula 1434/07 Farvardin 1391/16 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This will be the first occasion there has been a formal joint deployment under the UN mandate of mission involving our defence forces and the U.K.”-Alan Shatter, Republic of Ireland’s Minister of Defence

Reports that troops from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland have arrived in Mali, to help back up the ongoing French occupation of the West African country.

Irish media reporting that the whole invasion of Mali, by the French in January 2013, was part of European Union (EU) plans made in December 2012, which was called a “training mission” by the EU.  The use of British and Irish troops is also being officially called a UN mandated training mission!

The United States is establishing more drone bases throughout Africa, and France recently sent troops into the Central African country of Central African Republic.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: North Korea cuts off remaining phone lines, Kim Jong Un issues never before heard order, tells UN that South Korea will be nuked!

27 March 2013/15 Jumada l-Ula 1434/07 Farvardin 1391/16 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea cutoff the last phone line to the Republic of Korea.  It was a line used to coordinate the movement of workers from South Korea to an industrial complex in North Korea.

DPRK officials said they will have no more communications with ROK or the U.S.  It also indicates they are willing to end the industrial/economic agreement with ROK.

Yesterday,  Kim Jong Un issued a “combat duty posture number one” order, saying military units needed to be ready to strike.  U.S. officials blew it off as rhetoric.  South Korean analysts say they’ve never heard of such an order from North Korea, so they are a little concerned.

To add to that the DPRK sent the UN Security Council a message saying the whole thing is the fault of the United States, and that if it came to war the North would definitely nuke the South: “….The DPRK has its own powerful precision means for nuclear attack and nuclear war methods.  The south Korean puppets who are behaving recklessly under their master’s nuclear umbrella will experience a sound by-blow of a nuclear attack when a war breaks out between the DPRK and the U.S…….the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK openly informs the UN Security Council that the Korean Peninsula is now in a touch-and-go situation due to the nuclear war provocation moves of the U.S. and south Korean puppets.  The DPRK army and people that have become one with the Supreme Command are entering the final stage of the all-out showdown with the U.S…..”

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 22 – 26 March 2013. Co-ordinated attacks by Mujahideen! More U.S./U.K. troops killed! Aussies getting out! U.S. finally hands over Bagram prison! Proof the U.S. has been negotiating with Mujahideen!

26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reports a soldier died from wounds he received earlier this month.

In Kandahar Province, reports of a major battle in Najibyano area of Zangawat region, Panjwai (aka Panjwaye, Panjwaii, Panjway or Panjwaee) district.  Reports that two medivac helicopters were brought in.

In Helmand Province, a major attack against a U.K./NATO base.  60 people killed or wounded, including 10 British Red Coats. Mujahideen say it was launched using a truck bomb blowing open the gates and then individuals invading the base in Nad Ali district.   Also, reports that U.S./U.K. led force conducted home invasions in Yakhchal area of Nahr Siraj region, Gerishk district, kidnapping two people.

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen have successfully counter attacked an Afghan government offensive in Wardoj/Wardaj district (see below).   Mujahideen say they re-captured several check points and killed 15 government troops.

In Nangarhar Province, a Afghan police headquarters in Jalalabad was attacked by suicide bombers.  At least five cops killed, four wounded.  Police say a car bomber started the attack, then two or three others wearing explosive vests exploded themselves and the rest were shot and killed in a firefight. Mujahideen claim one U.S. led police trainer was also killed (they say the trainer was actually from Israel), along with claiming as many as 55 people killed or wounded.

In Ghor Province, residents of Ghujorak village say contracted security forces set fire to their homes. They also say the private security forces burned Qur’ans.

Stephen Smith, Australian Defence Minister, said 1000 Diggers will be withdrawn by the end of 2013, once an international military base is closed in Uruzgan Province.

25 March 2013/13 Jumada l-Ula 1434/05 Farvardin 1391/14 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen claim to have captured ten Afghan National Army (ANA) troops and one doctor.  This is the latest incident in Badakhshan Province since the beginning of March (see below).  Government officials say they launched an all out offensive against Mujahideen this month, but it looks like they’re losing their asses because several dozens of ANA troops have been killed or captured. One of those captured is a German NGO aid worker.  ANA forces freed the German during a military operation.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Mujahideen have launched an offensive, seeking vengeance for the crimes of U.S. led SOF forces. In Syed Abad district they ambushed a military convoy, then a firefight that lasted one hour. Mujahideen say they also hit two armored vehicles with remote detonated bombs, killing or wounding the crews.

After months of delays, the United States has finally handed over the infamous Bagram prison (aka Parwan Detention Facility).  However, at least 100 prisoners are still under U.S. control.  Afghan officials immediately released 26 prisoners.  Most prisoners, put there by U.S. forces, have never been charged or even accused of any crimes, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happen to be males of ‘military age’ (a standard Israeli tactic used on Palestinians). But U.S. taxpayers should be happy, because their tax dollars will continue funding the prison even after the U.S. gets out!   (reports say the U.S. has promised $39 million USD to keep the prison running)

24 March 2013/12 Jumada l-Ula 1434/04 Farvardin 1391/13 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, four children were killed and two wounded when they stepped on a landmine.

In Herat Province, Shindand district, a private security guard shot and killed a 12 years old boy.  Residents of Siyah Sar village then went on protest, shutting down the local highway for two hours before more private security guards came out and began shooting into the crowd. At least seven people wounded.

After U.S. officials denied President Hamid Karzai’s claim that the U.S. and Mujahideen were going behind the Afghan government’s back and negotiating in Qatar, guess who’s just been invited to those secret meetings?  Karzai!  Karzai has been complaining that the establishment of the Mujahideen/Taliban office in Qatar (with the approval of the U.S. government) was an insult to Afghanistan because the Afghan government was not involved. Now there are reports that Karzai will be able to hold direct talks with Mujahideen in Qatar.  Keep in mind that many Mujahideen do not recognize the “Taliban Liaison Office” in Qatar, as they see it as a tool of the United States.

23 March 2013/11 Jumada l-Ula 1434/03 Farvardin 1391/12 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Paktika Province, Jani Khel district, four government personnel joined the Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, Panjwaee district, Mujahideen shot down a U.S./NATO/ISAF recon balloon.

In Badakhshan Province, a major offensive rages on (see below). In Wardoj/Wardaj district 49 government forces killed, dozens wounded.  Mujahideen say they’ve captured 57 U.S. supplied weapons, including rockets and two vehicles. The Afghan government claims they called in airstrikes and killed at least 40 Mujahideen.  At least three Mujahideen wounded.

22 March 2013/10 Jumada l-Ula 1434/02 Farvardin 1391/11 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Kunar Province, a U.S. led Counter Terrorism Pursuit Team (CTPT) launched an offensive in Narang district. Reports say fighting lasted five hours. Mujahideen claim they killed three U.S. personnel and three Afghan government personnel.  One Mujahid killed, one wounded.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan…”

In Badghis Province, a local cop turned on his comrades, killing five of them.  Police officials say he did it with help from Mujahideen.

In Laghman Province, in Alingar district, two children were killed, one wounded, when two U.S./NATO mortar rounds hit their house.

In Badakhshan Province, government officials in Wardoj district claim they’ve taken back check points that were captured by Mujahideen last week.  They claimed they killed 43 Mujahideen.