[Guardian] Authorities say a Canadian man was arrested while pulling a sled carrying more than 180 pounds of prescription pills across the border into the US.
The US attorney's office says 21-year-old Cedrik Bourgault-Morin was apprehended early on Wednesday after he crossed the border from Quebec along a railroad line into North Troy, Vermont.
Prosecutors say Bourgault-Morin was wearing white camouflage and border patrol agents were alerted to his presence when he triggered a sensor. Ground sensors. What will they think of next ?
[MYFOX8] A woman is facing several charges after going on a rampage at a Waffle House restaurant in Kennesaw, Ga., all while completely naked.
The incident happened Jan. 8 around 10:30 p.m. at the location on George Busbee Parkway.
According to police, the woman, identified as Jennifer Nicholson, stripped off her clothes, punched a woman in the face and then threw a plate at a window. She also threw several platters at patrons of the restaurant.
When police tried to subdue Nicholson, she fought back, scratching an officer.
The woman who was punched sustained a broken nose in the attack, according to police.
Nicholson is facing several assault and public indecency charges.
She's currently being held in the Cobb County Jail.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/15/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
I clicked through & saw what appears to be her mug shot. Her face resembles a waffle.
[Huffpoo] The rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran has quickly ballooned into the worst conflict in decades between the two countries.
The back-and-forth escalation quickly turned the simmering tension into an overt struggle for power in the Middle East. First, the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric prompted protestors to set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations and kicked out Iranian diplomatic personnel. Tehran banned Saudi goods from entering Iran. Worst of all, Iran blames Saudi Arabia for an airstrike that landed near its embassy in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia's Sunni allies in the Arabian Peninsula largely followed suit by downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran. However, recognizing the dire implications of a major conflict in the region, most of Saudi Arabia's Gulf State allies did not go as far as to entirely sever diplomatic relations, as Saudi Arabia did. Bahrain, the one nation most closely allied with Riyadh, was the only one to take such a step.
Many of them are concerned about a descent to further instability. Nations like Kuwait and Qatar have trade links with Iran, plus Shiite populations of their own. Crucially, Qatar also shares a maritime border with Iran as well as access to massive natural gas reserves in the Persian Gulf. These countries are trying to split the difference between the two belligerent nations in the Middle East. "The Saudis are on the phone lobbying countries very hard to break off ties with Iran but most Gulf states are trying to find some common ground," a diplomat from an Arab country told Reuters. "The problem is, common ground between everyone in this region is shrinking."
The effect from the brewing conflict on oil is murky, but for now it is not having a bullish impact. In the past, geopolitical tension in the Middle East, especially involving large oil producers, would add a few dollars to the price of oil. This risk premium captured the possibility of a supply disruption into the price of a barrel of crude. However, recent events barely registered in oil trading. That is because the global glut in oil supplies loom larger than any potential for a supply disruption. Oil dropped to nearly $30 per barrel on January 12 and oil speculators are not paying any attention to the tension in the Middle East.
#2
Cause they're sitting around with their fracking rigs just waiting for an opportunity to present itself.
What Procopius2k said. America still imports 40-60% of the oil we use. If we increase domestic supply, even without exporting, that much is freed up to supply the rest of the world, putting a significant damper on prices.
Is Russian production constrained by European sanctions? That would change quickly if Middle Eastern supplies are blocked.
#4
So what is the problem with that? It will be a price spike. The world gets off Saudi and Iranian oil. Russia gets back into the game. US oil production climbs, especially fracking, Nigeria does ok. Venezuela can't get it together whatever the price.
Saudi and Iran destroy each other. The world becomes a better place. What is the downside?
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
01/15/2016 18:25 Comments ||
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#5
You mean other than the entire global economy screeching to a halt then quickly keeling over dead with its little feet in the air when oil is sustained for long north of ~$150/bbl or so? Aside from that I suppose the downside would probably be limited.
[Iran Press TV] Azeri police have detained at least 55 people following a series of mass protests by supporters of opposition parties over price hikes and the collapse of national currency.
Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the protesters were detained during anti-government marches in Siyazan, in eastern Azerbaijan, and several other regions.
The statement added that the detainees have been charged with disobeying police and "committing antisocial acts."
"Protesters on Wednesday used force against representatives of the law enforcement agencies during an unsanctioned march in Siazan district" the statement said, adding, "Police forces have restored public order."
"Similar events took place in [the] Lenkaran, Fizuli, Agdjabedi and Agsu districts of Azerbaijan during protests organized by the [opposition] Popular Front and Musavat parties," the ministry noted.
Security sources say riot police used tear gas to disperse anti-government rallies across the country hit hard by falling oil prices.
Meanwhile, ...back at the desert island, Bert was realizing to his horror that he'd had only one bottle for one message, and he'd forgotten to include a return address... Azerbaijan Prosecutor General's office said several copperswere maimed and some police vehicles damaged in the violence during mass protests in Siazan district, located about 100 kilometers (about 60 miles) north of the capital, Baku.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/15/2016 00:00 ||
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She knew this was coming, but delayed the announcement so as to not tarnish the SOTU message of "America now has the strongest most durable economy in the world." (Cleanest dirty shirt?).
Surprised the announcement was not delayed until after midnight tonight.
#9
The article I read said most are in Brazil. Funny, I can't find it now.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
01/15/2016 14:16 Comments ||
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#10
[T]he company is closing 115 stores outside the United States. This includes 60 recently-closed, loss-making stores in Brazil, which represents only 5 percent of sales in that market. The remaining 55 stores are primarily small, loss-making stores in other Latin American markets.
#11
WalMart also plans to open more branches this year than this announcement states it will be closing. Net result will be that one year from now there will more MORE Walmarts & Sams Clubs open than are now open at the moment. Effect on net employment has not been stated. This is crappy news reporting.
#12
IMNSHO there are far more retail establishments open than the economy can reasonably be expected to support. The gubmint's ZIRP policy and propping up the banking system are to blame for that. I expect many more retail outlets to close permanently over the next 10 years, regardless of who's in the Oval Office and sits in Congress.
The retailer will open more than 300 stores globally next year, he said, though Wal-Mart is slowing its new-stores growth in the U.S. where it operates about 4,600 stores.
However WSJ did not give the numbers on new-stores growth, nor did it deign to mention the grand total of Walmart stores the company has closed in its entire history: I see a lot of vacant store fronts scattered all over the USA which once were run as Walmarts.
Zero Hedge pointed out the direct correlation between WalMart's voluntary and celebrated increase of their basic wage to above the minimum, and the subsequent layoff of the 10,000... exactly as predicted by conservatives and mocked by liberals. I'd say a Q.E.D. is in order.
In Oakland, employees and city officials expressed shock, and some speculated that the city’s minimum wage law played a part in the decision to shutter the store there.
Yeah... don't make a profit store goes bye bye. Welcome to economics 101.
#21
You're welcome, dear Blossom Unains5562. It's a topic I've discussed a number of times with people who ought to understand the principle.
But this evening I discussed WalMart with Mr. Wife, my in-house businessman/engineer, who recalled that the company will be opening stores this year as well as closing stores. In fact, they'll be opening a bunch. So I found the same corporate news release in which the closings was announced, wherein I read the following:
Walmart will continue to invest in its future, with plans to open stores worldwide in the coming fiscal year. Domestically, Walmart intends to open 50 to 60 Supercenters and 85 to 95 Neighborhood Markets in Fiscal 2017, which begins Feb. 1. In the same period, Sam’s Club plans to open in seven to 10 new locations. Internationally, Walmart intends to open between 200 and 240 stores during the coming year.
So it looks like the picture is more complicated than originally appeared.
[Rooters] Warren Buffett is expanding his bet on the oil industry, slowly adding to his already large stake in oil refiner Phillips 66 (PSX.N) even as crude oil prices have sunk to a 12-year low.
From Jan. 4 to Jan. 11, Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), which Buffett has run since 1965, paid about $390 million for an additional 5.1 million shares of Phillips 66, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The purchases boosted Berkshire's investment in Phillips 66 to 65.68 million shares, or about 12.3 percent of those outstanding, worth $5.21 billion as of Thursday's market close.
Phillips 66 shares closed up $4.03, or 5.4 percent, at $79.28 on the New York Stock Exchange.
#1
Last dividend was what, 2.4% ? Refiners make about a penny per gallon. I don't think that it depends on the feedstock price. Exxon pays a dividend also.
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
01/15/2016 7:10 Comments ||
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#2
WB has always been a "buy in when they're down" kinda guy. BNSF, Dairy Queen, etc.
That's how you aquire equity.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
01/15/2016 8:16 Comments ||
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#3
Buffet at his best was a yield chasing investor in straightforward sectors.
Lower prices tend to mean higher yields.
[DAWN] The alleged teenage gangrape victim girl told a female judicial magistrate on Wednesday that she had friendship with the prime suspect and had gone out with him to receive a birthday gift on the day of incident.
Recording her first statement under section 164 of CrPC before magistrate Tabinda Batool, the alleged victim (name withheld) said that she was not raped but sodomised. She was accompanied with her counsel, mother and other family members in the magistrate's chamber.
She stated that she left her house on the pretext of visiting her tailor but went to a hotel on The Mall with the suspect in a car. She said while traveling to the hotel the suspect stopped at a point to buy a birthday gift for her. Another suspect received them at the hotel, she said, adding that in the room, she was offered drink that made her unconscious.
The victim said she felt during the unconsciousness that the suspects had undressed her and forced her to dance. The girl said she believed that the suspects subjected her to sodomy.
Defending delay in recording the statement, she said she had been unable to talk and understand things for many days after consuming the drink spiked with intoxicants and mistreatment at the hotel.
After the proceeding, the girl talked to news hounds and denied having any knowledge about relation of the prime suspect with Punjab 1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots.... Education Minister Rana Mashhood Khan.
Her mother told news hounds that her daughter had suffered an act of brutality and needed justice. She said they would knock every door of justice till the perpetrators were brought to justice.
The brother in-law of the alleged victim said the family had been facing immense pressure from different quarters since the gruesome incident occurred. He appealed to the Punjab chief minister to ensure their protection.
Racecourse police had tossed in the clink Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! the prime suspect, a former office-bearer of the PML-N Youth Wing, and seven others for allegedly gang-raping the teenage girl.
They allegedly kidnapped the girl from Multan Road and took her to a guest house on The Mall. They left the girl unconscious in a room of the hotel and informed her family through a text message.
Also, a sessions' court admonished the station house officer of the Racecourse police for not producing the record of the case on bail petitions by the suspects. The court directed the SHO to produce the record on next hearing.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/15/2016 00:00 ||
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Vietnam is negotiating with American and European manufacturers to purchase new warplanes—including fighters, maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned aircraft. The move comes as part of Hanoi’s strategy to lessen its dependence on Russian hardware and to counter China’s growing power.
Vietnam has been in talks with contractors who build the Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen NG, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. It’s also taken a hard look at Korea’s F/A-50 lightweight fighter—which was developed in cooperation with Lockheed.
Assuming Hanoi can reach a deal, Vietnam could buy up to a hundred combat aircraft to replace its antiquated fleet of 144 Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbeds and thirty-eight Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter strike aircraft. The new aircraft would supplement Vietnam’s existing fleet of Russian-made Flanker air superiority fighters. Hanoi operates about a dozen original model Sukhoi Su-27 Flankers and thirty-two more modern Su-30MK2 Flankers with four more on order.
While Washington and Hanoi have been on better terms in recent years, with the U.S. defense secretary visiting the nation as recently as last June, buying an American combat aircraft might still be a bridge too far for Vietnam. The memories of the Vietnam War—which was much more devastating for Vietnam than for the United States—might mean that Hanoi will have reservations about dealing with American contractors. As such, a European warplane might have an edge. Indeed, Vietnam is known to have held fairly advanced discussions to buy the Typhoon, according to Reuters.
But Hanoi needs more than just fighters. Given its maritime disputes with Beijing, Vietnam needs maritime patrol aircraft and surveillance capabilities. The country has been talking to the Swedes about maritime patrol and airborne early warning variants of the Saab 340 or 2000 twin-engine turboprops, according to Reuters.
Vietnam has also discussed purchasing a maritime patrol version of the Airbus C-295, Lockheed’s Sea Hercules variant of the C-130 transport and a Boeing offering of a business jet fitted with much of the surveillance suite from the P-8 Poseidon. The Boeing offering would not include anti-submarine warfare capabilities however.
Hanoi is also looking for unmanned surveillance aircraft to help patrol its vast shoreline. However, no details are available on exactly what aircraft the country wants to buy. But as tensions with China look to continue unabated, Hanoi is almost certain to explore is options and, in doing so, start moving closer to Washington.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/15/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
VN could also use Nuke-capable SLCMS for its fleet of KILO-subs.
The Philippines is set to offer the US military use of eight bases, a military spokesman said Wednesday, after the country's supreme court upheld a security agreement with Washington forged in the face of rising tensions with China. The facilities include the former US Clark airbase and air and naval facilities on the southwestern island of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea, the focus of territorial disputes with China.
Military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla said the facilities would be used to store equipment and supplies. He added that the offer had still to be finalized after the Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a 10-year security accord.
The decision allows for the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014 but not implemented due to legal challenges from groups opposed to US military involvement in the Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946.
If a significant proportion of the Philippine population doesn't want us I'd pass on the opportunity and wait for them to come around. We have a complicated history in that sad country and don't need to be seen as "re-colonizing" the place...
It will see more US troops rotate through the Philippines for war games and help Manila build military facilities.
"We have resumed talks now that there is a go-signal that EDCA is constitutional," Padilla said.
"We are continuing talks and we will finalize the agreement on the locations," he said without giving a timetable when the decision would be reached.
The Philippines hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992, when the senate voted to end their leases, a decision influenced by anti-US sentiment.
The new pact does not authorize a return of US bases.
China and the Philippines — as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan — have conflicting claims to the South China Sea, which is a major shipping lane, rich fishing ground and potential source of mineral resources. In April 2012, after a tense stand-off with Philippine ships, Chinese vessels took control of a shoal just 220 kilometers (135 miles) off the main Philippine island of Luzon.
The Philippines has been seeking closer defense ties with the United States, accusing China of increased aggressiveness in the South China Sea. Philippine President Benigno Aquino negotiated the EDCA to help the Philippines improve its military capabilities and draw the United States closer, partly to counter China's increasing presence.
So what's in this for us? The Philippines get a measure of security (maybe). What do we get?
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/15/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
Left out is the fact the the Philippines was a Japanese colony from 1942-1945.
#3
...Keep in mind too that the PI, for all their apparent generosity in offering the use of those bases, hasn't yet presented us with the bill for what they think is fair use. It'll be a doozy.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
01/15/2016 5:15 Comments ||
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#4
Philippines - if you thought our Beltway or Mexico was corrupt, you haven't seen anything yet.
Best us terrible imperialists stay home this time.
#6
What comes with the PI is the upcoming confrontation about the Spratleys and whats under them. Not a huge issue immediately as the world is awash in oil, but not that far off, it again becomes a critical asset for the PI and its future. Are we prepared for what a commitment brings, and if so, those who benefit also must bear the risk and cost. So if the PI sees this as a cash cow, pass.
#8
By most accounts Beijing isn't happy at all about the US =retenchment from the South China Sea to East China Sea to Guam-WESTPAC, e.g. Japan's warning or threat to counter the China CG's use of heavier-armed patrol vessels in waters near the Senkakus = Diaoyus wid JMSDF Naval + other armed military assets. China has voed to continue its patrols and match Japan's response tit-for-tat [iff not higher].
AS PER LUCIANNE + TOPIX ARTICS, POTUS OBAMA'S LAST FULL YEAR IN OFFICE COULD BE A DANGEROUS TIME FOR HIS ADMIN + ENTIRE US, VIA MILPOL CONFORNTAIONS AGZ AMERIKA'S OWG CO-SUPERPOWER SIBLINGS CHINA, IRAN, + RUSSIA WHOM ARE OUT TO EXPAND THEIR "SOLE" SPHERE(S) OF INTEREST AS BEFITTING THIER "US-STYLE/PAR", "CO-SUPERPOWER" STATUS.
Lest we fergit, MILPOL OR GEOPOL "PARITY" AGZ THE [EX?] "SOLE" SUPERPOWER = CO-SUPERPOWER US, NOT "INFERIORTY" TO SAME.
Ala US-LED ANTI-LED OWG-NWO + GLOBALISM WHERE THE US DIRECTLY ANDOR INDIRECTLY HELPS ITS RIVALS AND WANNABES BECOME MILPOL OR GEOPOL STRONGER RELATIVE TO THE US ITSELF.
* ANTI-US US OWG GLOBALIST POTUS OBAMA + GLOBIES, ETAL. ALIGNED = "ITS POLITICS, NOT TREASON", ERGO UNDER US LAW POTUS OBAMA CANNOT + WILL NOT BE IMPEACHED + REMOVED FROM OFFICE JUST FOR "POLITICS".
Pragmatically, IMO its highly doubtful or unlikely that beijing + PLA are going to wait to accomplish its agenda while JAPAN + OTHER US EAST ASIA ALLIES become Militarily stronger or Nukulaar relative to Mainland China - IT BEHOOVES BEIJING [Iran? Russia? Other?] TO MAKE THEIR MOVES WHILE A DEDICATED ANTI-US US POTUS, I.E. THE "WORST/WEAKEST" POTUS IN US HISTORY OR SINCE POTUS JIMMY CARTER, STILL OCCUPIES THE OVAL OFFICE AND HEADS THE US NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY.
Pray hard + keep your fingers crossed, because Not-Amerika America + Nippon AMb. Sweet Caroline Kennedy is going to need it.
To paraph the late FRED THOMPSON in "Hunt for Red October", A US-CHINA WAR IN EAST ASIA-PACIFIC CAN EASILY "GET OUT OF CONTROL AND WE'LL ALL JUST BE LUCKY TO JUST LIVE THROUGH IT"!
#9
More Net News from thia Saturday AM + Thursday ...
* GLOBALTIMES@TWITTER > CHINA THREATENS TO DEPLOY WARSHIPS WIDIN 12-NMS OF SENKAKUS; JAPAN THREATENS EAST CHINA SEA STABILITY, TOKYO TO USE MILITARY VESSELS TO DRIVE AWAY CINESE VESSELS - GLOBAL TIMES.
* Also from GLOBAL TIMES = ...
> SHIPS DISPATCHED TO PATROL DIAOYU ISLANDS AMID JAPAN'S WARNINGS - AGENCY.
> CHINA DETERMINED TO SAFEGUARD SOVEREIGNTY OVER DAOYU ISLANDS.
* DEFENSE NEWS > PH SEEKS JOINT PATROLS WID US IN SOUTH CHINA SEA.
Sorry, PH = Manila, I hope I'm wrong but I don't see Anti-US US OWG POTUS Obama doing that.
* GLOBALNATION.PH > US WON'T ALLOW CHINA TO CONTROL VITAL SEA [SCS].
* SAME > PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS THANK US SENATORS FOR ATTENTION TO ASIA-PACIFIC.
Ya mean the same US Senate that backs up Obama + gives him everyting he wants???
Japan Foreign Minstry = "...If China claims 'Innocent Passage', it will seem as iff China is recognizing Japan's sovereignty over the Senkakus [China = Diaoyu Islands]".
SO IOW, JAPAN CAN'T OR WON'T DO WHAT POTUS OBAMA + USS "LASSEN" DID IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA???
* JAPANTIMES@TWITTER > US MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REGAIN ["Sole" Superpower?]GLOBAL LEADERSHIP.
* SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION USA [Twitter] REPORT ROLL OUT: US BASES IN OKINAWA - WHAT CAN BE DONE?
US, JAPAN HAVE COMMITMENT TO PREVENT CHINA FROM FORCIBLY TAKING OVER TAIWAN AND SENKAKUS FROM JAPAN - USN ADM. DENNIS J. BLAIR.
Yokay, but in 2016 + until Jan 2017 its still Anti-US US OWG Globalist POTUS Obama, NOT JAPAN = TOKYO, that is charge of the USDOD + US National Command Authority, hence in charge of any each + all Direct US Mil Response(s) to any World Crisis or Crises, OR IN ALTERNATE THE LACK OF SAME.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[MYFOX8] A woman is facing several charges after going on a rampage at a Waffle House restaurant in Kennesaw, Ga., all while completely naked.
[Rooters] Warren Buffett is expanding his bet on the oil industry, slowly adding to his already large stake in oil refiner Phillips 66 (PSX.N) even as crude oil prices have sunk to a 12-year low.
