Tag Archives: employment

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. & South Korea have new military pact! North Korea is right, U.S. has been building up troops in violation of agreement!

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

The United States and Republic of Korea have signed a new military pact, giving South Korea the lead in any reaction to attack from North Korea.  The U.S. Forces Korea would act in a support role (and would involve U.S. Forces Japan and U.S. Pacific Command).

This comes after reports that the United States has been increasing military personnel in South Korea.  According to a 2008 agreement there are supposed to be only 28500 U.S. military personnel in ROK.  However, even the most recent U.S. Department of Defense documents show troop strength has actually been increased over the past few years, exactly as North Korea claims.

The 2012 Base Structure Report shows 37354 U.S. personnel in south Korea as of September 2011.  Some analysts think the increase is from the Iraq pullout, and have pointed out that such increases are being seen in Germany, Japan and even Kuwait.

This suggests that U.S. personnel pulled out of Iraq are not being sent home to the U.S., but are being held in reserve in Germany, Japan, Kuwait and South Korea for future planned wars.

 

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? New Cyprus bailout equals 40% tax on bank accounts! Russia calling European Union a bunch of thieves, yet happy about it? More reason to get your money out of the banks!

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

“The stealing of what has already been stolen continues…”-Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Prime Minister

Medvedev is referring to the latest bailout offer for Cyprus from the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, in a round-a-bout way saying the whole thing was a done deal from the beginning.

The previous offer, which was rejected by parliament, included up to 10% tax on bank accounts. This new one imposes up to 40% tax on accounts with $100000 or more, and does not require parliamentary approval!!!

Most of the big money depositors in Cyprus are foreigners, and they’re going to pullout all their money.  Guess where many of those depositors are going to put their money now?  In Russian banks!

That’s the real reason Russia didn’t really try to give Cyprus a bailout, and why Russia isn’t really that upset about Cypriot bank accounts being robbed by the ECB and IMF (despite what Western media analysts say).

The result of the foreign depositors pulling out their money, and the harsh austerity caused by the bailout (such as the 2nd largest bank of Cyprus will be shut down under the deal), will be the economic destruction of Cyprus (and the take over of the island county’s stake in the huge Leviathan petroleum field).

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: France invades CAR, backed up by United States! Will this lead to the first Pan-African War?

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

“The council has decided to suspend with immediate effect Central African Republic from all African Union activities and to impose sanctions, travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka’s leaders.”-Ramtane Lamamra, African Union peace and security chief

Did you already forget about the U.S./U.K. supported French invasion of Mali?  France is still slugging it out in that North West African country, and now they’ve invaded the Central African Republic (with U.S./U.K. help of course).

This is because rebel forces have taken over the country’s capital city of Bangui, and President Francois Bozize is now reported as missing.

Rebel leaders have already declared a new government. The African Union is refusing to recognize the new government.  France actually invaded over the weekend, reporting that they’ve captured (there were no rebel fighters there) the airport near the capital city.

A few days ago French officials had asked for a UN Security Council resolution to prevent the rebels from taking the capital city.  The United Nations now condemns the rebel take over of CAR.

South Africa, a member of the African Union, is reporting that 13 of their troops were killed and 27 wounded, as 2000 CAR rebels stormed the capital city.  One South African ‘peacekeeper’ is missing: “Our soldiers paid the ultimate price in the service of their country. Just over 200 of our soldiers fought bandits who wanted to cause harm…..”-Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa

South Africa still has military personnel in CAR, and at this point officials have decided to keep them in the fight.

While CAR has no significant petroleum deposits it is surrounded by countries that do, and European and U.S. companies have invested a lot of money into those countries.  The fear, as in Mali, is that the ‘extremists’ will spread into the oil rich U.S./European dominated countries.

 

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

World War 3: South Korea changes tune on recent cyber attacks. Now blaming United States!

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

A few days ago the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) National Police Agency (NPA) blamed a crippling cyber attack on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) via China.

Now ROK’s National Police Agency has changed its claim and is blaming Europe and the United States!!!

South Korean cops now say the cyber attack that shut down three major TV broadcasters and three major banks, and disabled 32000 computers, came from IP addresses in three European countries and the U.S.

ROK NPA investigators suspect other countries are involved.  The question now is why were U.S. and South Korean officials so quick to blame China and the DPRK?

International

What Democracy? Japan’s recent elections invalid & unconstitutional!

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

Japan continues to have problems with elections, after two previous elections were declared unconstitutional, yet another has been voided!

The Hiroshima High Court has ruled results in the Lower House elections in 2 constituencies in Hiroshima Prefecture invalid.  The elections took place in December 2012.

Two groups of attorneys filed a lawsuit over the elections, claiming there was massive voter disparities.  They claim the difference between densely and sparsely populated constituencies was as great as 2.43.  The size of such disparity has been growing since 2009, as has court rulings declaring the elections fraudulent!

In 2009, and again in 2011, elections for Lower House positions were voided for voter disparity.  Rules were changed by the Diet last year, but it turns out December’s elections were run under the old rules.

This latest court case was preceded by five other courts, all ruling the December elections unconstitutional.  Japan’s supposed elected officials will appeal all the way to the Supreme Court.

International, U.S.

Norovirus update 24 March 2013: Nora Virus? A huge unnecessary health care cost in the United States! Unnecessary and costly use of ambulances in United Kingdom! Connection to IBS & nutcracker esophagus?

In Oregon U.S.A., at least 15 people got sick, and one man died, after a state forestry committee meeting.  Lab tests have confirmed norovirus, but investigators have yet to find the source.  Unfortunately the local media is already blaming the food, or employees, at the restaurant, even though there have been many cases this season that did not involve food and has inspectors stumped. So far only the people attending the forestry meeting got sick, no other customers are sick, none of the employees are sick, which suggests it’s not the restaurant.  The restaurant owner is upset: “I prayed to God that we didn’t do anything bad. We’re so diligent about food safety.”-Maggie Pike

The U.S. CDC says the norovirus (first appearing in 1968) is now the number one cause of stomach problems in children.  It’s now blamed for most cases of gastroenteritis. Norovirus has become the leading cause because treatments for the other causes have greatly reduced their occurrence, there is no vaccine or treatment for norvirus. Between 2009-10 one million U.S. kids were sick with it, and it’s estimated that the virus is costing families and insurance companies $273 million per year.  When you realize that there is no treatment for the norovirus itself, and most people are well within 48 hours,  you’ll begin to realize that most of the health care costs associated with norovirus are unnecessary, as long as people drink enough fluids. The main reason for people being hospitalized is dehydration.

The Rhode Island (U.S.A.) Department of Health confirmed an outbreak at Brown University (is that a joke by god or what? Brown…norovirus).   Officials say it’s the first time in ten years. At least 49 students are sick.

In Sacramento County, California U.S.A., a restaurant is being investigated for a stomach bug outbreak back in February.  It’s based on the number of complaints county officials got at the end of February.  The restaurant had just passed its health inspection before the complaints.

In the world of bicycle racing, in South Africa both Topeak-Ergon teams ended their runs (pun) in the Cape Epic race. Some reasons included crashes, but other team members developed gastrointestinal infections.

In the world of Baseball, Roy Halliday, pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies, says he lost ten pounds in two days after getting sick with vomiting bug.  And the Texas Ranges are dealing with a player that keeps getting sick.  Derek Holland is recovering from a recent bout with stomach bug.  Holland was sick with stomach bug last year as well.  Humans do not build resistance to norovirus.

A United Kingdom doctor, Martin Scurr, responded to a question from a woman who began having trouble swallowing after two bouts of stomach bug infections. He said her nutcracker esophagus might be connected to “a type of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome.”

The Queen of England made her first public appearance after getting sick.  It was for the 150th anniversary of London’s “Tube” subway system.

In Whitehaven U.K., the North Cumbria University NHS Hospitals Trust had to move patients from the West Cumberland Hospital, 75 miles away to the Northumbrian hospital, because of ongoing infections.  There are so many sick people in the hospital, that new patients have to be transferred.

In Norwich, England U.K., an academic teaching hospital imposed visitor restrictions. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital reported increased cases.  Also, in London the Lewisham Hospital relaxed visitor restrictions, however there were warnings that restrictions could be re-imposed because of the ongoing infections.

In Eastbourne, East Sussex U.K., the Eastbourne District General Hospital restricted visitation to three wards because of an outbreak.

In Lancashire U.K., the Lindum Hotel closed down for a second time, just five days after re-opening from another norovirus caused shutdown.  This time the hotel management decided to close after three guests became sick, saying they didn’t want to take any chances.

Also in U.K., Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is closed to new patients because an outbreak has filled all their beds with sick people (and not just sick in the head).  And, an ambulance service is asking people sick with stomach bug not to call.  The service is reporting a 16% increase in calls, mostly for people with vomiting bug.  Ambulance operators are asking people to call only in “real emergencies”.

In the Central American country of Belize, the Ministry of Health is reporting increased cases of norovirus, commonly and incorrectly being called stomach flu.  The Ministry of Health is for some reason calling it Nora Virus.

In Saskatchewan, Canada, visitor restrictions were lifted at Saint Paul’s Hospital.

In Wellington, New Zealand, reports that an outbreak at the Karori Normal School is spreading.  The school’s principal says the outbreak at the school is the result of infections already present in the community.  New Zealand is also dealing with outbreaks of cryptosporidium, and people are being told to stay out of swimming pools if they are sick.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 14 February 2013: Despite car makers reporting profits they just keep cutting jobs! More schools closing! More layoffs as companies expect no recovery in 2013!

Walker Manufacturing, in Virginia, laid off 30 employees. The factory makes exhaust system parts for the auto industry.  Company officials blame the layoffs on reduced orders.

Northrup Grumman just keeps letting people go. This time the defense contractor is laying of about 60 employees in Maryland and Virginia.

In Maryland, Freshii restaurant closed down. The owners said they need to focus on their other restaurants.

In New York, F. Stadtmuller Jewelers closed in Sayville. The store first opened in 1860!

Minnesota based Imation is already selling off its recently acquired Memorex and XtremeMac electronics businesses, plus laying off around 200 employees!  Apparently the company is losing money on those businesses.

Maryland based Forrester Research is laying off 30 employees, and predicting an economic slowdown for 2013.

In California, another hospital in trouble. Mendocino Coast District Hospital laid off 20 employees. The hospital went bankrupt last year.  Hospital officials say they’ve already lost $1.9 million for the first six months of the fiscal year!  In San Luis Obispo, Jim’s Campus Camera store closed down.  The owner of the 42 years old store blames the digital age.

In Chicago, Illinois, the school district is considering closing 129 schools!  Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials blame declining enrollment and lack of money.  However, members of the Austin Community Action Council actually accused the CPS of lying about the lack of money.

In Zanesville, Ohio, a Rite Aid closed down.

In Galva, Illinois, Music Forte music shop closed down. The owner said sales sucked.

The Holy Grounds Coffee Shop closed in Farmington, Missouri.   The shop was part of a Christian book store, but the coffee shop owner wants to pursue other interests.  The owners of the Christian book store are looking for a new business to fill the coffee shop space.

In Jacksonville, Florida, Piccadilly’s Westside cafeteria has closed.  There was little notice as customers tried to get in on the day it closed.  The restaurant chain went bankrupt last year and has been closing stores.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Another Pennsylvania Kmart going down! Lampert to remain as Sears Holdings CEO, for $1 per year!

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

The Shippensburg Kmart in Pennsylvania closing down by June.  Sears holdings says the lease was not renewed.  The new owners of the shopping center say they have plans to turn the Kmart space into three smaller stores.

Sears Holdings is keeping Eddie Lampert as CEO, for a yearly salary of $1 USD!  However, Lampert could be paid bonuses worth up to $2 million in cash and $4 million in stocks!

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), recently revealed Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart.

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: UN turns against U.S. and Israel! United States only country to vote for Israel!

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

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted almost unanimously against Israel.  Five new resolutions were passed, with the United States being the only country voting against the resolutions.   Israel refused to take part in the voting.

The UN is demanding Israel stop stealing Palestinian land and stop zionist settlements.  The UN is also demanding Israelis to get out of West Bank.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 18 – 21 March 2013. More Green on Blue! Danes getting out early! U.S. agrees to pullout SOF! World Bank giving Afghanistan even more money! Cop impersonator arrested for desecrating Qur’an!

21 March 2013/09 Jumada l-Ula 1434/01 Farvardin 1391/10 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Ghazni Province, contracted security/mercenaries (Arbakis) tortured and killed two people. The bodies were found three days after they were kidnapped in Muqur district. Their eyes were gouged out, several bones broken. A third person was released after a ransom was paid, but they suffered three days of torture as well.

In Helmand Province, local police say a suicide bomber training class went wrong when the bomb laden vest went off on accident. Five potential suicide bombers were killed, six wounded.

In Takhar Province, a district governor was killed along with his two body guards, and two others wounded, after they drove over a landmine.

20 March 2013/08 Jumada l-Ula 1434/30 Esfand 1391/09 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

U.S./NATO agreed to get their SOF personnel out of Maidan Wardak province within the next few days.  This comes after President Karzai ordered the U.S. forces out, because of growing reports of torture and killings of innocent people by SOF forces.

In Paktika Province,  Afghan National Army troops shot and killed a U.S. led troop.  The official report says ANA troops said it was an accident as they mistook the occupier as Mujahideen.  However, there are independent reports that say six U.S. personnel were killed and several wounded, and it was deliberate. The ANA troop who open fired was shot and killed.

In Ghazni Province, a Polish NATO soldier was killed, another wounded after the armored vehicle they were in drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, at least four people were killed, seven wounded, during protests following the desecration of a Qur’an supposedly by a Afghan National Policeman.  However, police say they’ve arrested a man who dressed as a cop then entered the local Mosque to deliberately destroy a Qur’an.  Also, police say the shooting at the protest was started by people in the crowd who claimed to be Mujahideen.  Two cops were wounded.  Sounds like a set up, probably by occupying troops.

Germany being sued for killing Afghans!  In Bonn, Germany, a trial has begun to determine if German troops knowingly killed civilians in Kunduz Province.  It happened in 2009, and involved German troops calling U.S. airstrikes on two fuel trucks that were surrounded by civilians.  The families are suing for $4.3 million USD.

The United Nations has unanimously approved the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for at least one more year.  That would mean the UNAMA mission would end in March 2014.

The World Bank announced yet another grant for Afghanistan.  This time $55 million for teaching Afghan youths more skills.

19 March 2013/07 Jumada l-Ula 1434/29 Esfand 1391/08 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, an Afghan border cop open fired on his fellow cops, killing three, including his commander.  He then joined the Mujahideen.  Also, Mujahideen claim to have launched rockets into Kandahar airbase.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen shot down a small recon drone. It took place in Marjah district, which has seen sporadic battles ever since U.S./NATO led troops were brought in by helicopter several days ago, after another drone was shot down.

Denmark announced it will pullout troops early! Originally the Danes were to leave at the end of 2014, but Danish media are reporting that all of their personnel will be out by the end of this summer.

18 March 2013/06 Jumada l-Ula 1434/28 Esfand 1391/07 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In Paktika Province,  Mujahideen claim they ambushed a U.S./NATO patrol foot patrol in Khair Kot district. A 30 minute firefight took place, one U.S./NATO troop killed.

In Kandahar Province, the people of Zandi village say they were hit by a U.S. led airstrike. One person was killed.  Also, in Panjwaee district a U.S. led patrol was ambushed twice, no more details.  And another U.S. led foot patrol encountered a landmine, which reportedly killed two troops.

In Helmand Province, in Marjah district, where battles have been ongoing for the past several days, there are reports that U.S. led troops open fired on civilians. Four people killed, two wounded.