China yesterday threw Zimbabwe's disintegrating economy a lifeline with energy and mining deals worth £700m. The largest deal will see China set up coal mines and build three coal-fired thermal power stations, providing relief for the state power company which cuts power for seven hours a day to factories, businesses and homes. Neither China nor Zimbabwe indicated how the investment would be repaid, but the deal will give Beijing access to Zimbabwe's wide variety of precious minerals, including the world's second largest deposits of platinum as well as gold, chrome, coal, nickel and diamonds.
In Zimbabwe's rapidly devaluing currency the new Chinese deals are worth Z$143 trillion (£700m) at the official rate of exchange or Z$310 trillion at the more realistic parallel (black market) exchange rate. The Chinese firm China Machine Building International has built thermal power plants in Nigeria and Sudan and has been involved in mining ventures in Gabon.
"It is a welcome investment for the Mugabe government but it will only begin to produce much-needed electrical power in several years time," said Harare economist John Robertson. "Until then we will remain in the dark." Another agreement will see a joint venture between Zimbabwe's state mining development corporation and China's Star Communications to mine chrome, with funding from the China Development Bank.
Zimbabwe also plans to import Chinese equipment for telecommunications, road-building, irrigation and farming. Robert Mugabe's government already relies on China for imports of aircraft and weapons that it can no longer buy from western countries because of international embargoes. Last year Zimbabwe bought three passenger planes, six military trainer jets and nearly 400 commuter buses from China.
Thirsty for oil and raw materials, China has invested billions into resource-rich African countries. China's trade with Africa jumped by 39% to $32.17bn (£17bn) in the first 10 months of last year, according to official Chinese trade statistics. Analysts said the surge was fuelled by China's increased imports of African oil. Africa is also buying almost as much in Chinese-made goods, the figures show. Highlighting China's dramatic economic expansion into Africa, the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, embarks today on a tour of seven African nations - Egypt, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Netherlands has said that all the conditions it had set for transferring the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, from Freetown to The Hague have been met. The Dutch announcement on Thursday followed London's announcement that it would allow Taylor to serve a potential jail sentence in Britain. Hannah Tijmes, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: "With the British offer to take Taylor to serve a possible sentence there, all conditions set by the Dutch government have been met. The next step is a UN Security Council resolution which I expect to be drawn up in the next few days."
Earlier, Britain offered to jail Taylor if he was convicted of war crimes over Sierra Leone's civil war. Margaret Beckett, the British foreign secretary, said London had agreed to a request by Kofi Annan, the UN secretary-general, who asked that Taylor, if convicted, serve his sentence in Britain.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/16/2006 00:00 ||
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Taylor trial to be held in The Hague
Gawd have mercy! the slowest cruelest and excruciatest punishment of all...
certain death by the endless Rustle of Black Robes.
(SomaliNet) At least 14 people have been wounded in a serious rebel attack in Burundis capital, the army said on Thursday, Reuters reported. According to Burundian army spokesman, Major Adolphe Manirakiza, "The rebels targeted the southern suburb of Musaga. In all, Forces for National Liberation (FNL) rebels fired 10 mortar shells, 14 people were injured and four houses damaged."
Meanwhile, witnesses said some mortar bombs hit military camps, however Manirakiza said he could not confirm it. A according to a local radio, five soldiers were killed last Sunday in a rebel ambush in the north western province of Cibitoke, but the army spokesman denied the toll and said the five soldiers were only injured in an ambush. This is the second attack since the rebels began peace talks with the in Tanzania's main city of Dar es Salaam, on May 29.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/16/2006 00:00 ||
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(SomaliNet) Zimbabwe's ruling body has revealed that there is an international effort to overthrow the current government of Zimbabwe. It warned that he is ready to protect the government of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe's president in case anything like that happens. "Having failed completely and repeatedly to topple the strong government of President Mugabe either by the ballot box at elections that are held regularly, or by acts of sabotaging the national economy, they are now resorting to the last card, a military coup," Zimbabwe's ruling party leader Shamuyarira said.
Zimbabwe's accusing finger is pointed at ICG, in Brussels. However, this organisation strongly denies the accusation of trying to topple the government of Zimbabwe. "Clearly as bad as this government is, we've never called for its violent overthrow. The text of the recent report makes that very clear," Andrew Stroehlein, the ICG's media director about the Zimbabwe's government accusation. The ICG claims that Zimbabwe's government is just scared.
ICG has started overthrowing governments? I suddenly have this picture in my mind of Rohan Gunaratna in cammies and a beret, waving his Uzi as 150 Fiji mercenaries erupt from the back of a C130...
Posted by: Fred ||
06/16/2006 00:00 ||
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its like a country ruled by children
Posted by: bk ||
06/16/2006 0:43 Comments ||
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RUSSIA > men tend to die between ages 40-50. That leaves the post-Middle Aged/Seniors vs. mostly female as Single-Joint Heads of Household to control emotionalist, headstrong youths whom comprise the majority of the normal population.
SECULAR ANDOR NON-SECULAR, SOCIALISTS SHARE THE SAME GENER PROB.
#6
ICG, in Brussels. However, this organisation strongly denies the accusation of trying to topple the government of Zimbabwe.
Smart thing to do would be to TAKE CREDIT and finish the JOB! But of course, it's a "democratically elected gummet of the people" designed and set up, and allowed to revert to tribal chaos by the west, right? How could we do such a thang?
#9
Zimbabwe's ruling body has revealed that there is an international effort to overthrow the current government of Zimbabwe. It warned that he is ready to protect the government of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe's president in case anything like that happens.
Note that "he" (the majority leader) is suddenly the entire gov't in how this is written. Very bad omen, indeed, Bobby.
Posted by: BA ||
06/16/2006 10:28 Comments ||
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Heh... Intervention.
Zimbabwe is but a future Venezuela or Nork in my eyes. The Socialist dream lives!
#12
#11, why would we bother? Zim is spiralling down into a Konradian Heart of Darkness scenario, and we are supposed to care? Why? The West had its chance in 1980-81 and blew it by letting this scumbag and his party setup a "one man, one vote, one time" state; do you think the liberals and socialists will let us do right by the local people, especially since it involves splattering large number of black African thugs and troops all over the countryside? Not hardly. The cries of racist and imperialist would start the moment ONE of Mugabe's thugs got toe-tagged.
(SomaliNet) Liberia's ex president, Charles Taylor will finally be tried since the United Kingdom has decided to take up the burden of giving him room to serve his sentence after being tried in Netherlands. "I was delighted to be able to respond positively to the request of the United Nations Secretary General, that, should he be convicted, Charles Taylor serve his sentence in the UK," UK's foreign minister, Beckett said about Liberia's ex war lord. She added that the continued stay of Liberia's ex president in Sierra Leone is a signal for trouble and taking up the responsibility shows that the UK believes in peace.
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And where was Canada's Governer General? The Queen's Representative in Canada - did she attend, as is traditional, the Queen's birthday celebrations? Attend as it is part of her job? Nope. Often wiping away tears, the elegant Governor General sat in the gym of Lawrence Heights Middle School and watched the premiere of An Ode to Madame G.G., a play inspired by her life. Written by the school's drama teacher and performed by many of its Grade 7 and 8 students, it told of her early years in Haiti before persecution by dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier forced her family to flee to Canada when she was just 11.
A play all about her took precedence to a diplomatic presence at a function for the Queen - a big part of Canadian history. She couldn't go the next day either because she had "stuff to do".
She doesn't represent Canada. She represents the whining immigrant "oppressed", Quebec separatists and the leftest media a Lib could hope to find.
Good work Jean. Still representing Haiti, aren't you. The appointment wasn't meant to be a Miss World contest, but the search for an appropriate representative of Canada's values and history.
BEIJING, June 16 (UPI) -- The Himalayan Nathula Pass, the only land route linking China and India, is set to reopen 44 years after it was closed following the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
The reopening of the 14,400-foot pass, part of the famous Silk Road mapped by Britain to lead an invasion force to Tibet in 1904, marks a thaw between the two old enemies who now have become commercial rivals, reports The Times of London.
Since 1962, only a weekly mail run went across the pass to exchange letters written by Tibetan herders on both sides, The Times reported.
The decision to reopen the pass soon came after the Indian government, urged by Indian companies to find a land route to booming China, took up the issue with Beijing. The Chinese government finally agreed partly to boost the Tibetan economy, the report said.
Some experts think the decision could eventually lead to a rail link between Lhasa, capital of Tibet, to India's capital of New Delhi, the report said. In the 18th century, India and China together accounted for 57 per cent of global manufacturing output, in large part due to their trade with each other.
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06/16/2006 19:15 ||
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"Nathu La has long been one of the most heavily defended borders of India. It was here, in 1967, five years after the 1962 humiliation, that India signalled that it could stand up to China. When a party of Indian jawans, who were fencing the Nathu La pass, came under Chinese fire, India struck back, killing over 200 Chinese soldiers in six days of full-scale battle. The same strand of wire over which that battle was fought still separates two of the worlds major armies."
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 19:19 Comments ||
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1986 - The Sumdorong Chu Incident
Sumdorong Chu - referred to as Sangduoluo He in the Chinese media - is a rivulet flowing north-south in the Thag La triangle, bounded by Bhutan in the west and the Thag La ridge to the north.
In June of 1986, when a patrol from the 12th Assam Regiment returned to the area, it found a sizable number of Chinese already present, engaged in constructing permanent structures
Initial reports put the number of Chinese at 40 - some of them armed and in uniform - who were soon reinforced to a total strength of about 200 men. Statements by Indian ministers in the Parliament described the intrusion as being between 1-2 km deep as the crow flies, supplied by mules along a 7 km trail . By August the Chinese had constructed a helipad and began supplying their troops by air. Regarding the Chinese presence as a fait accompli and to prevent further 'nibbling', the Indian Army began aggressive patrolling across Arunachal Pradesh at other vulnerable areas. In September 86 while under pressure from both the public and opposition MPs to adopt a strong posture - the GoI sought a way out of the crisis by suggesting that if the Chinese withdrew in the coming winter, India would not re-occupy the area in the following summer. This offer was rejected by China whose troops were by now prepared to stay through the winter. By September-October, an entire Indian Army brigade of the 5th Mtn. Division was airlifted to Zimithang, a helipad very close to the S-C valley. Referred to as Operation Falcon , this involved the occupation of ridges overlooking the S-C valley, including Langrola and the Hathung La ridge across the Namka Chu rivulet. (These ridges are to the south of Thag La.)
In October, the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping warned N.Delhi that if it continued nibbling across the border, China would have to "teach India a lesson" . This threat identical to that made to Vietnam in 1979 - was conveyed by the US Defense Secretary during a stopover in N.Delhi from Beijing. The rise in tensions was not helped, when in December 1986, Arunachal Pradesh was made a full state of the Indian Union. This drew a chorus of protests from across the border and Indian reactions that any change in Arunachal Pradeshs administrative status was an internal matter. The spring and summer of 1987 saw media reports of heavy troop movements on both sides of the border and the very real possibility of a serious military clash . Deng Xiaoping's earlier warning was conveyed again on March - this time by the US Secretary of State. By spring '87, Indian and Chinese camps were right next to each other in the S-C valley .
China which has always had a large military presence in Tibet since its occupation was said to have moved in 20,000 troops from the "53rd Army Corps in Chengdu and the 13th Army in Lanzhou" by early 1987 along with heavy artillery and helicopters. By early April, it had moved 8 divisions to eastern Tibet as a prelude to possible belligerent action .
Troop reinforcements on the Indian side which had begun with Operation Falcon in late 1986 continued through early 87 under a massive air-land exercise. Titled Exercise Chequerboard, it involved 10 divisions of the Army and several squadrons of the IAF and redeployment of troops at several places in the North-East. The Indian Army moved 3 divisions to positions around Wangdung , where they were supplied and maintained solely by air. These troop reinforcements were over and above the 50,000 troops already present across Arunachal Pradesh.
Rising tensions were lowered after a visit to China by the Indian External Affairs Minister in May 1987, where both sides reaffirmed their desire to continue talks on the border issue and to cool things down on the border. In August '87, Indian and Chinese troops moved their respective posts slightly apart in the S-C valley, after a meeting of the field commanders. During the 8th round of border talks on November '87, it was decided to upgrade the talks from the bureaucratic to the political level. Following Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China in 1988, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was set up to discuss, among other things, the alignment of the LAC . In 1993, an agreement was inked between the foreign ministers of the two countries on the reduction of troops along the LAC. It was decided to pull back from respective forward check posts in the S-C valley from a situation of "close confrontation" and in 1994, the Indian MEA described the situation as one of "close proximity" where the respective posts were 50-100 yards apart . Following the JWG meeting on April 1995, the two sides agreed to a simultaneous withdrawal of their troops from the four border posts - two Indian and two Chinese - in the S-C valley . As of June 1999, the valley was unoccupied by either army, and their respective posts in the area were close to a kilometre apart .
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 19:42 Comments ||
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Apparently it was the rapid deployment of 13 divisions by the Indian army that convinced the Chinese that fighting over the border region would be too costly.
Current exercises seem to have reinforced that perception..
"A Chinese newspaper, for example, commented that in one two-month period early in 2004 New Delhi conducted seven consecutive and quite effective combined exercises: The scale, scope, subjects and goals of the exercises are unprecedented and have attracted extensive concern from the international community. That instance was not unique; the Indian Navy conducted simultaneous combined exercises with Singapore in the South China Sea and with France in the Arabian Sea in late February and early March 2005. All this was followed immediately by a multiservice, combined planning exercise with the United Kingdom in Hyderabad; a naval exercise with South Africa and a port call by warships in Vietnam in June; and the deployment of a large flotilla to Southeast Asian waters in July. The agenda for late 2005 included naval maneuvers with the United States in the Arabian Sea in September, with Russia in the Bay of Bengal in October, and with France in the Gulf of Aden in November. In addition, New Delhi partnered with Russia in a combined air-land exercise near the Pakistan border in October, and with the United States in November in a Cope India air exercise (that latter in a location that clearly suggests mutual strategic concern about China). New Delhi, moreover, is expecting the advent of combined exercises with Japans navy in the Sea of Japan and the Bay of Bengal in the not-too-distant future
These maneuvers underscore the new flexibility and reach of Indian military forces."
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 20:12 Comments ||
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This is pretty much the end of Western Civilization in the UK. Can some of the British Rantburgers around here fill us in? Are knives longer than the 3" referenced in the article and axes, etc., going to have to be registered?
Over 17,700 weapons were handed in during the first week of the national knives amnesty, the Home Office said. Machetes, meat cleavers and axes as well as knives were among the haul of 17,715 surrendered to the 43 police forces across England and Wales. Home office minister Vernon Coaker said the results were "encouraging". The five-week amnesty, running until 30 June, allows people to surrender knives at police stations without fear of punishment. Mr Coaker urged those who had not yet handed in their weapons to do so. "The initial figures for the first week of that campaign are very encouraging, " he said. "That is 17,715 fewer weapons that can be used in a crime against ordinary, law-abiding citizens. "If you carry a knife out of self-defence, you run the risk of having it turned on you. Carrying a knife is illegal and will not be tolerated. It could land you four years in prison"
#1
Do you all have to eat baby food now? How do you slice your Roast Beef? Or has that been banned by your food Nazis.
Man the Jolly Olde has turned into a nation of pussies and Islamo-fascists. Why don't you remaining rugged folk come on over? Hell probably could fit you all in one 747, with lots of room left over at this rate.
#2
They started a gun buyback up here in Boston. Mayor Menino says turn in your piece for a $200 Target gift card. He says you should do it because it's no questions asked, completely "enormous", so nobody will know who you are...
#5
I don't get it. What good does it do to collect knives and meat cleavers when a kitchen knife or any sharp object would have the same effect? Is it a special kind of knife they are collecting?
#6
The low level thugs in the UK carry knives rather than guns. This is just libral, whiney, look good for the newspaper's try and look to be stopping crime blah! blah!
#2
Turkey will continue to have problems with this because the pashas are not too interested in EU meddling--meddling which should finally force a democracy.
Additionaly, Washington has dissed the AKP government altogether. Erdogan had requested an urgent visit to DC, ostensibly to discuss Iraq, Palestine, Israel and Iran, but the White House has not yet extended the official invitation. The speculation is that Erdogan will not be permitted an audience until late fall, at the earliest. Given that elections are normally scheduled for next year, we might as well consider AKP as a lame duck.
This means that Condi seems to have hit it off well with the pashas. It also tends to lend credence to the suspicion that she approved the massive build-up of Turkish forces along the "Iraq" border.
Yasar Buyukanit is scheduled to take over for Hilmi Ozkok, in August, as head of the TSK Chief of Staff, months before Erdogan can think of coming to DC.
Continued US-backing of the military will give the pashas wiggle room over EU reforms. Thus the haggling will continue until the new power in Turkey, Buyukanit, takes over.
Posted by: Azad ||
06/16/2006 13:20 Comments ||
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Azad, many thanks for the insight;
Posted by: Mike N. ||
06/16/2006 14:35 Comments ||
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No problem.
I just saw that Pravda is reporting that Abdullah Gul (foreign minister) will visit DC in July. This is supposed to be to discuss the strategic vision document that was discussed during condi's visit at the end of April.
This strategic vision document was mentioned in another Russian article, from the first part of May. This article was the best commentary and analysis I have read about recent events in Turkey.
Bear in mind that if Gul does go to DC, he will be going for the pashas, because something like a strategic vision document is too important for pashas to leave to lesser mortals. . . like civilian politicians. Gul will be given his orders by the pashas, and if Erdogan goes in late fall, he will bring whatever confirmations Buyukanit and Washington have decided on.
Turkish politicians are errand boys, nothing more. Never forget that.
Posted by: Azad ||
06/16/2006 23:30 Comments ||
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Hmm . . . the Greeks are also reporting on Gul's visit.
Posted by: Azad ||
06/16/2006 23:37 Comments ||
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If you're simply shallow, here's a slogan: Vote for the beauty, not for the beast
If you look at her politics, and see where she stands on the issues, she's the kind of person the nation needs in Congress.
From her website:
Make sure your friends are informed this year, help spread Diana's message of low taxes, decreased government spending and strong national security.
Remember to put your money where your mouth is: There is a dontaion link on the main web page.
I challenge any and all veterans who are fed up with Murtha's cowardly craven political acts to pony up money for his opponent.
It does not have to be much - money at this point has a lot of leverage - and we can always toss more later. $20 helps, $50 helps - that can pay for a phone line for a month, to help buy an ad in the paper, or defray office expenses, etc. Stuff that keeps a campaign rolling. And we can throw more "poker money" to sweeten the pot later.
Stack a few of those together, and you can get radio ads. Put a hundred of us together and she can put his ugly words and face on TV across his district to show the voters exactly who Murtha has morphed into. Put a couple hundred of us together, and she can put TV ads and billboards that tell her district who she is and why they should vote for her.
#6
Go read her interview at Free Republic - I'd vote for ANY politician with here stnaces on terror, border, taxes, guns and family issues.
And think, she'd be an ideal candidate for Sanator in a few years too, after she proves herself in the House - IF she can get elected now. I'm really motivated to contribute after reading what she sys, where here philosophical center is. Why can't the Republican party come up with more strong candidates like this nation wide?
On Murtha and the Marines:
"Marines are innocent until proven guilty"
"Murtha has lost his way"
Her reply to "What are your priorities" (On Free Republic)
1. Win the War on Terror.
2. Secure our borders, and address the illegal immigration problem.
3. Reform our cumbersome tax code.
Plus she's not araid to scrap:
Q: The GOP has been very weak in getting [its] message out in a timely manner, often resulting in the media or the Democrats controlling public perception. What would you do/request that would help this marketing/public relations gap on our side?
Her reply?
I think often times Republicans are afraid of stating the facts surrounding an issue. I would simply encourage other Republicans to not be afraid of the fight.
Damn - she's a home run candidate!
We have GOT to get more like her elected to represent the in Congress. And the bonus is that we get rid of a shitbird, Murtha.
#9
There is very little chance she will be elected. Look at a map of Murtha's district. It's a custom designed safe seat. That's why a cluck like him has been quietly re-elected for 32 years.
This is a year of throwing the bums out in Pennsylvania and I hope Irey benefits from the trend. But I wouldn't be too surprised if Son-of-Tip wins re-election.
#12
He's been relected those tiems because he hasn't been an outrageous traitor int he middle of a way those 32 years - and hasn't had a serious and wellfunded challenger.
Plus its not nearly as safe as you make it out to be. It was 51-49 last time, and there are many "Sam Nunn" democrats who will vote against Murtha for his foolishness with the war. And its still split - remember Murtha is allegedly pro-life, pro-gun, so that paints a fairly non-liberal district. So Irey is not that far away from the voter base there - and that she and the district are so well aligned means she doenst have to concentrate on defending her 2nd amendment stance, nor family stance. It will all fall to jobs, taxes, border and the war. ALL of those are places where Murtha is WEAK and her position is quite strong.
Right now, there is plenty of time to drive Murtha's negatives way up - he's doing a good job of it himself every time he opens his yap on national TV he pisses off even more veterans and those in middle america who truly support the troops and are angered by scurrious remarks like those Murtha makes. The national republican party should do what they did in S Dakota, and target him with a flood of negative advertising - his meetings with Code Pink and thier monetary association with terrorists ($650,000 to Terrorist grousp in Fallujah while Mareins were fighting there), and other things like that, maybe Cindy Shithands. It will be cake to drive his negatives sky high given his public remarks, pandering to the left and his voting record that can be parsed for goodies like bad pork votes, etc.
Then introduce Diana Irey as an alternative. Same values as the people in the district, time for a new face, play on the "throw the bastards out" meme after painting Murtha as one of "the bastards". Play up her as fresh for the challenges against the same old stale and worn-out politics-as-usual reperesented by Jack Murtha. He's had a quarter of a centruy in Congress, time for a change!
Then, as the war and the Haditha cases turn agaisnt Murtha, and his political antics inside the Dem party turn even the local editorial boards against him, even a "safe" incumbent can be tossed out on his ass.
Think on this scenario: Murtha is summoned and forced to go on the stand under questiong formthe defense in several of the the Haditha trials - right in the middle of the campaign! The troops are found not-guilty - and where does that leave Jack Murtha? Biggest fool in the public arena.
Once he appears side-by-side and engages in debates, Mrs Irey's energy will be a huge contrast with his sodden sullen jowly manner. Yeah shallow, but telegenic is one of the requirements in modern day media. And her being female and petite willplay against any "hard" talk Murtha tries in person, and anything he does to soften it up can be spun as "out of touch condescending sexist coddling" - that is, she can make the debates a No Win for Murtha if she pays it smart - be nice, dont be a hurt little girl, dont be Ann Coulter and a bitch, just be whatyou are - a profession, a wife and a concerned citizen who thinks Jack Murtha has become someone way different from the opriginal one that went to DC, and its time for him to go because he is wrong on defense, wrong on taxes, wrong on jobs, wrong on border security, wrong on immigration, wrong on the war on terror, and wrong for this district. You're not the Jack Murtha we knew - you're now some creature of Washington DC, not PA. No way he can aswer that without appearing either as an overbearing asshole or a condescending asshole - either way he comes off as an asshole.
He's been re-elected all those times because he hasn't been an outrageous traitor and advocatiiong sedition, cowardice and cut-n-run in the middle of a war! This is a unique circumstance.He also hasn't had a serious and wellfunded challenger.
#14
Oh and you miught want to host these pix locally after resizing them,I hate to be a bandwidth bandit to Vets4Irey. The Murth-CodePink picture with flowers might make a good logo for jackjaw Jack Murtha.
#15
Correction - that's a VFW hat - so she's with the VFW on memorial day in that photo if I am correct (just looked in the closet at my VFW and Legion stuff)
The reason I referenced President Abraham Lincoln earlier in my remarks is because our 16th president once said...
And I quote:
"Congressmen who wilfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arressted, exiled, or hanged."
While I am not suggesting such extreme actions be taken.... Congressman Murtha must at the very least apologize to these Marines, their families, And all of our military serving abroad who he has recklessly put in greater danger.
#17
And before Dave or someone else slips their leash, yes she is a babe, she's "Hawt". Feel free to post up about her looks - I am declarign this to be a PC-Free, old-goat chauvinist zone.
Whatever.
But what I find most attractive is that she's gutsy and RIGHT!
#20
You do realize that if the Marines are as innocent as we believe they are, Murtha is dog meat. He condemned them before the facts were in, and Americans won't except that kind of shithead in Congress unless he's black.
WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Army service uniforms will be streamlined to one blue Army Service Uniform, the Army announced today. World-class Soldiers deserve a simplified, quality uniform. The blue Army Service Uniform is a traditional uniform that is consistent with the Armys most honored traditions, said Sgt. Maj. Of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. We have all of these variations of uniforms green, blue and white, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. It makes sense for us to go to one traditional uniform that is really sharp and high quality and which Soldiers will be very proud to wear. And thats what weve done by adopting this blue Army Service Uniform that reflects simplicity, quality, utility and tradition.
Many Soldiers already own an Army blue uniform (now to be called the Army Service Uniform) and may continue to wear it. Improvements will be made to the fabric and fit. Reduction of the number of uniforms will reduce the burden on Soldiers for purchases and alteration cost. Introduction in the Army Military Clothing Sales Stores should begin in fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007. Introduction in the Clothing Bag should begin first quarter 2009. The Mandatory Possession Date is expected to be fourth quarter fiscal year 2011.
A wear-out date for the Army Green Class A and White dress uniforms will be determined at a later date.
The consolidation of Army service uniforms is part of a streamlining process. In 2004, the Army reduced the number of battle dress uniforms from three to one when it adopted the Army Combat Uniform in place of the Woodland Green Battle Dress Uniform (winter and summer versions) and the Desert Combat Uniform. That uniform consolidation has been a resounding success in terms of Soldier acceptance and reducing the variety of combat uniforms with which they must deal.
Posted by: Steve ||
06/16/2006 14:56 ||
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Darn. When I saw the headline, I assumed it meant that the Army was telling the environmentalists to go pound sand.
Posted by: DanNY ||
06/16/2006 16:11 Comments ||
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So I gather it will be the US Grant, Civil War blues. That is an honorable uniform. "The bluecoats."
I always liked its cut better than the 'greens', though they had about perfected summer khakis to look good even in sweltering hot and humid conditions.
Whites were the distinction for those who had served "down South", and were always worn proudly.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/16/2006 16:38 Comments ||
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#6
They need to change the headgear to black slouch hats for the full-on Iron Brigade look.
Posted by: Mike ||
06/16/2006 16:47 Comments ||
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#7
We never really got rid of them, Barbara, except during WWII. You've seen them on the soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at state funerals, you just might not have known that you were looking at Army troops. Every officer and NCO over staff sergeant is required to have one.
The greens are actually the aberration, not the blues. The greens started out as the combat uniform of their day and gradually mutated into the ugly mess you see today. The Marines' dress greens had a similar evolution (tho' they look much better). It only took us 60 years, but we finally got away from having an "intermediate" uniform between the dress blues and the combat uniform.
At a time when the Indian Army is facing a serious shortage of officers and the recruitment of women is at an all-time high, its Vice-Chief Lieutenant General S Pattabhiraman says the force can well do without its women officers.
Ideally, we would like to have gentlemen officers and not lady officers at the unit level, Pattabhiraman told HT. Feedback from lower formations suggests that comfort levels with lady officers are low. We can do without them.
The army began inducting women in 1993-94 and has about 1,000 women officers serving in non-combat roles.
It has received bad publicity after a series of incidents in which women officers levelled serious allegations ranging from molestation to harassment against their superiors. The suicide of a woman officer in Udhampur on Thursday attributed to work-related depression has added to this.
Of course, because of the shortage of officers, the army is not planning to reduce the intake of women.
The right kind of male candidates are not stepping forward. Weve to turn to suitably qualified women. The challenge is how best to utilise their services without compromising the armys character and ethos, said Pattabhiraman.
The Vice-Chief also said the tendency among women officers to plan marriage soon after getting commissioned was causing problems.
The army is, however, making an attempt to address the well-being of women. Pattabhiraman said instructions had been issued to the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, to devise a new capsule for women officers to condition them to the army environment.
There is also a move to assign women to artillery and armoured corps in non-combat roles, but that proposal has met with stiff opposition.
Pattabhiraman said command headquarters and lower formations had been asked to ensure women were treated compassionately, within the framework of army rules. Well leave no scope for misbehaviour by male officers. Similarly, lady officers shouldnt take advantage of their proximity to senior officers.
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 18:14 ||
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Nepal will form a new interim government that will include communist rebels, who have waged a decade-long insurgency that has killed 13,000 people in this Himalayan nation, the elusive rebel leader said Friday after meeting with the prime minister.
The interim government will be formed within a month, rebel leader Prachanda said, announcing an agreement between the Maoists and the nascent democratic government. "This is a historic decision and will move the country in a new direction," he said after an unprecedented daylong meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and leaders of all seven political parties in the ruling alliance.
He said, rubbing his hands in glee.
The interim government, which will eventually create a new permanent constitution, will replace the current national parliament as well as the Maoists' "people's government," which rules the territory they control. The agreement also calls for the creation of an interim constitution and United Nations oversight of both the Nepalese soldiers and Maoist fighters. It made no mention, however, of disarmament.
Commies never disarm.
It was the first time Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, had met Nepal's top leadership since the insurgency began in For years, he was hardly seen at all, appearing only occasionally in remote villages controlled by the rebels. For a decade, Prachanda has been Nepal's most elusive figure, the son of a farmer and a schoolteacher whose rebel movement had taken control of wide swaths of rural Nepal, one of the world's poorest nations, during a war to create a communist nation.
The meeting came after government and rebel negotiators met Thursday for their second round of peace talks, agreeing to form a monitoring committee of peace activists and human rights workers with help from the United Nations.
Oh they'll be a big help.
Nepal's new government took office after King Gyanendra agreed to relinquish control in April following weeks of anti-monarchy protests and a general strike. The unrest was organized largely by the politicians now in power and backed by the rebels _ a bond that smoothed the way for the peace dialogue.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/16/2006 12:40 ||
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#1
Mr. Prachanda also spoke about the future of the Nepali army and said his party was in favour of a small army. "Why do we need a big army of 90,000? At most, it should not exceed 20,000 and the surplus resources that otherwise go to the army should be used in tackling the poverty in the country."
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 22:24 Comments ||
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#2
The Ministers present there chose not to respond. Koirala perhaps sensed the likely embarrassment when he excused himself from sharing the dais with the Maoists chief. We will manage the country with just about 20,000 Army instead of the 90,000 at present. Can this army face Indian or Chinese army in case of war? he asked, adding but we can train 25 million Nepalese as militias, and they can defeat Indians or Americans if they come aggressively.
Posted by: john ||
06/16/2006 22:48 Comments ||
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The Bhanushali and Mohammed families met in the coldest place possible, but struck the warmest bond. Driven to despair by kidney failure in their families, they met in the dialysis room, swapped stories and then decided to swap kidneys too.
In what is perhaps India's first successful kidney swap, these Mumbai families found an unusual way to emerge victorious from a medical crisis. On June 8, Gujarati businessman Dayal Bhanushali, a Vashi resident, got a kidney from Navy employee Sayeed Mohammed but with a friendly rider that Dayals wife Damayanti would donate one of her kidneys to his wife Shameen.
This Hindu-Muslim swap story is India's second attempt at cross-kidney donation. The earlier attempt in Chandigarh in April 2004 ended in tragedy, with the recipients failing to make it.
The four operations two retrievals and two transplants took place back to back in Jaslok Hospital on June 8.
A week later, the foursome was euphoric. "This is a new life for me and my family," gushed Shameem. "I have never felt better," said Dayal.
#1
This Hindu-Muslim swap story is India's second attempt at cross-kidney donation. The earlier attempt in Chandigarh in April 2004 ended in tragedy, with the recipients failing to make it.
A little shaky on the wisdom of cross-matching? Medically, transplants require more than a handshake to determine suitability.
ISLAMABAD: Several sections of the Hudood Ordinance have been challenged in the Federal Shariat Court as "repugnant to Islamic injunctions and defaming Islam at the national and international level". The petition was filed on Thursday by Dr Aslam Khaki. The petition seeks the amendment or repeal of Sections 2(d), 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the ordinance, which deal with the offences of rape, adultery, theft, kidnapping and prostitution.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/16/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Well, if it's both repugnant and defaming, this certainly is a humiliation of greatest magnitutde. Let the seething begin. Frothing at the mouth to follow shortly.
Secretary General Kofi Annan said today he thought the United Nations would avoid a threatened budget showdown the end of this month, but he warned against threats to "pull the plug" on the organization if it didn't meet some countries' expectations.
"The cap on the budget will be lifted, there will be no crisis, as far as I can see, this month," Mr. Annan told a press conference.
Led by the United States, the major contributors to the United Nations in December obtained a six-month cap on the current budget that links disbursement of money after June 30 to progress in management reforms.
In addition, John R. Bolton, the American ambassador, periodically hinted that if there weren't sufficient changes, the United States Congress would move to withhold United Nations dues.
Mr. Annan predicted enough movement on reform to forestall a crisis, but he added that the tactic pressed by the United States had provoked a strong counterreaction from many nations.
"For someone to say that because you have not reformed to my satisfaction, I am going to pull the plug and stop all the activities is going to be a very hard sell for other member states to swallow and rightly so," he said.
offers cough drops for those sore throats
Mr. Bolton said that the United States and its allies had consulted extensively with the so-called Group of 77 that represents developing nations and that he hoped the talks would yield results in time.
"We hope we can agree on a consensus decision with respect to the expenditure cap which the United States, the European Union and Japan all said should be based on substantial movement on the reform question by June 30 and a roadmap through the end of the year," he said.
Mr. Bolton said the group was adopting a "flexible, accommodating position" but needed to achieve progress in increasing accountability, measures to toughen oversight and action to start eliminating committees with expired mandates.
"What we'd like to see is substantial progress in some combination in all three of those areas, but we have not said, 'This is a prerequisite or that is an absolute prerequisite,'" he said.
Relations between Mr. Annan and Mr. Bolton remained strained in the aftermath of a speech by Mark Malloch Brown, the deputy secretary general, last week asserting that the United States failed to stand up for the United Nations or acknowledge its value to American policy makers, letting its harshest American detractors dominate debate.
Mr. Bolton unsuccessfully sought a repudiation of the remarks from Mr. Annan, and he complained that they represented a patronizing attack on American public opinion. He added that they would set back the cause of reform. Mr. Annan disagreed with that thinking today, saying that a "poisonous" atmosphere that had arisen between the wealthy and developing nations was subsiding and that he trusted Americans to understand the speech.
"I do not think they will read the Mark Malloch Brown statement as insulting, condescending or rude," he said.
But Mr. Bolton was unrelenting. "I can tell you that criticism of the intelligence of the American people is never a smart thing to do politically," he said.
"And I do believe that the comments have had a negative impact politically and that impact continues," he said. "I'm not trying to dwell on it, I just think it's a fact of life, and if you don't realize it, you're blinking reality in Washington."
#3
Man, I'll bet Kofi can't wait to get out in December. 100G's a speaking engagement, rip the shit out of the US with no consequences, all expenses paid. Kinda like the gig he's got now, but with no pressure...
#4
"For someone to say that because you have not reformed to my satisfaction, I am going to pull the plug and stop all the activities is going to be a very hard sell for other member states to swallow and rightly so," he said.
Well then they can feel free to take up the slack and pay more couldn't they? Good luck with that!
#12
Eric Shawn's book The UN Exposed sould be required reading for them all before they demand more money from the American taxpayers. Kofi should be worried he isn't tar-and-feathered before he makes it to retirement.
#13
His tranzi buddies will get him some lucrative engagements at first to fill his accounts and to say thanks for a job well done. After a year or so, the tranzi elites will forget him and he'll drop to his true market value, whatever that is. Of course there'll always be some dictator or arms dealer willing to pay top dollar for a name like Kofi's.
#15
The USA should go to the Security Council with a declaration of serious sanctions followed by War if Iran doesn't comply with Weapons inspectors 100%. We should let it be known that this is not just a vote on action about Iran but about the future of the UN.
If the vote goes against us we should leave the UN and tell them they have x amount of time to relocate from US territory.
The budget crisis would appear insignificant after that.
#16
"Annan Says U.N. Budget Showdown Can Be Avoided"
Sure it can, Coffee.
We just won't give you ANY more money to piss away.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/16/2006 16:20 Comments ||
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#17
Little problem with that, that everybody keeps forgetting, It's NOT US territory.
It belongs to the United Nations "In Perpetuity" and is not subject to amy nation's Laws (That means us) It would be the samr thing as invading a foreign country.
Bad decision way back when? Hell yes.
We CANNOT tell them to "Get Out" it's not ours.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
06/16/2006 16:29 Comments ||
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#18
Redneck Jim, you may be technically correct, but I think the streets surrounding said property is owned by the US so unless they can teleport in we do have some say. I think trash services are also run by NY. Same with water and power. The US could make it difficult for Americans to work at the UN and it could make it difficult for UN Ambassadors to get housing in the USA.
There are many things that we could do and if we stopped paying I'm pretty sure the UN would be ready to leave the United States and rent out the property in Manhattan to get some income back.
#19
As long as they are paying their utility bills, nope, "we" can't do anything about shutting off their trash service, power and water.
If the government tried to make it harder for them to get housing, you could run afoul of fair housing laws, especially the parts referring to denying a person lodging because of national origin. They already try to hire as few Americans as possible, so that's not going to work either.
Cutting off the money supply to make paying bills much harder, on the other hand.....yeah, we can do that. They know we can, too. We've done it before, at least partially, and they know there was absolutely no political price to be paid by our elected officials when they did that. They can whine, bitch and moan, but the .05% of Americans who might get really pissed about cutting off the money to the UN will be outweighed by all the unsophisticated rubes that Malloch Brown dissed last week.
They're not going to leave, even if we do that. There's too much for some of their human-rights abusing members to gain by staying here (if you think the North Koreans, Cubans, and others we officially have no contact with are going to leave their posts, you're nuts....besides, the food is MUCH better than they get back home...).
We're stuck with 'em, but that doesn't mean we gotta give them walking around money. Cut off the funding, keep Bolton there to piss them off, and you have the best of all possible solutions.
#20
well with the KELO decision, we can declare the area blighted, pay them an estimated value based on their outrageous demands for rehabilitation money, basically using their statements against them to run down the appraisal value. Send em packing with a couple million bucks (value less demolition and mitigation value). Cut off their lights, water, and power (yes, we can do that) and revoke their diplomatic status....the millions we pay should be recouped in towing/storage/auction value of the limos illegally parked in about a week
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/16/2006 19:45 Comments ||
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#21
"a strong counterreaction from many nations"
It doesn't count, Kofi, unless it means they're chipping in more money -- a lot more. Don't hold your breath. On second thought, do hold your breath.
This has the potential to go the way of the Palestinian parliament: imagine unpaid Secretariat employees storming the General Assembly and pelting the delegates with Perrier bottles.
#22
imagine them storming the inhouse restaurants, stripping ithem of silverware and any food and alcohol...oh wait..it ALREADY HAPPENED. Third world thugs and thieves
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/16/2006 21:08 Comments ||
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#23
#21: "On second thought, do hold your breath."
ROFL!
You go, Darrell! ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/16/2006 21:35 Comments ||
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#24
You guys are crackign me up - visions of Eurotrash diplos and 3rd world kelptos trying to argue an eviction notice with a bunch of NYPD cops. TV's NYPD Blue's "Sipowitz" comes to mind.
#1
Even Here in tropical/equatorial Guam, the old academic texts on the history and culture of Guam report that it can and does occasionally snow on Guam, i.e. sleet and flurries. Tornadoes on land also, but not as frequent as the more awesome WATERSPOUTS. I've seen all, espec humongous Pacific waterspouts that can rival any Tornado smashing its way thru the Amer heartland.
#2
There was one point made yesterday that I strongly disagreed with. While the mechanisms that regulate the earth's climate are poorly understood at best, the Global Warming debate comes down to - Is it warming or not? And note GW is a process that must continue, in order for it to be true today.
Anyone can look at the data and easily ascertain whether warming is in fact occuring over whatever timescale they choose. I look at the data and recent data (say the last 5 to 10 years) proves categorically climate warming aint happening. It's not possible to argue that GW is occuring except by disputing the data.
#8
Last night was the coldest temperatures ever recorded in Perth. Every location I checked the records of has had a record low. The airport went to -3.7C (previous record -1.1C). Records go back 160 years.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/16/2006 21:37 Comments ||
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#11
#8: "The airport went to -3.7C (previous record -1.1C)."
What's that in real temperature measurement, phil_b? ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
06/16/2006 21:38 Comments ||
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#12
below freezing in Americano
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/16/2006 22:07 Comments ||
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#13
"We don't really know if it's Global Warming or Cooling, but we do know it's going to cost a LOT of money - and the climate has to want to change."
A water desalination system using carbon nanotube-based membranes could significantly reduce the cost of purifying water from the ocean. The technology could potentially provide a solution to water shortages both in the United States, where populations are expected to soar in areas with few freshwater sources, and worldwide, where a lack of clean water is a major cause of disease.
The new membranes, developed by researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), could reduce the cost of desalination by 75 percent, compared to reverse osmosis methods used today, the researchers say. The membranes, which sort molecules by size and with electrostatic forces, could also separate various gases, perhaps leading to economical ways to capture carbon dioxide emitted from power plants, to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
The carbon nanotubes used by the researchers are sheets of carbon atoms rolled so tightly that only seven water molecules can fit across their diameter. Their small size makes them good candidates for separating molecules. And, despite their diminutive dimensions, these nanopores allow water to flow at the same rate as pores considerably larger, reducing the amount of pressure needed to force water through, and potentially saving energy and costs compared to reverse osmosis using conventional membranes.
Continued on Page 49
Indeed, the LLNL team measures water flow rates up to 10,000 times faster than would be predicted by classical equations, which suggest that flow rates through a pore will slow to a crawl as the diameter drops. "It's something that is quite counter-intuitive," says LLNL chemical engineer Jason Holt, whose findings appeared in the 19 May issue of Science. "As you shrink the pore size, there is a huge enhancement in flow rate."
#6
For years, there has been such a crying need for de-salinization for "new" water, that there has been a neglect of "existing" water. That is, across the US, many cities now have recycled effluent water that while technically potable, is tasting worse and worse.
So think of large scale use of this technology not only to purify vast amounts of water to be pipelined inland, but also used to purify the water we already have, even prior to pumping it back underground to replenish depleted water tables.
#7
This is great news! Besides our water problems, especially in the fast-growing and drought-stricken West, Israel could use a secure supply in case someone cuts it off upstream, too. It would be a valuable resource for Jordan, and a plant at Aqaba could serve the greater region. Also, deuterium in seawater could maybe be extracted for fusion. American ingenuity to the rescue once again.
#9
Helium-3 could be extracted for the fusion plants which will power our thousands of tiny flyin woof! woof! grrrrrr grrrrrrrrr, get away from me Hatfield, back off. Which will power our thousands of tiny flying owwwwwwww!
#10
Remember, it's Allen who decides whether each of those H2O molecules makes it through those pores. If he wants to, he could stop it just like that to piss off those arrogant kafirs. That explains cold fusion.
On a more serious note, its interesting to note that they used photolithographic techniques derived from the semiconductor industry to grow and encapsulates these babies.
A project to identify fault lines will be implemented by producing an artificial earthquake in Tehran in summertime, Crisis Management and Prevention Organization Director Maziar Hosseini said here on Friday. The project will be conducted jointly by the Tehran Crisis Management Center, Iranian Oil Exploration Operations Company, and the International Earthquake Engineering Research Center. The plan aims to create an up-to-date map of faults as the current map is not suitable for crisis management, he noted.
Once we have created the new map we will be able to spot the buildings which are located on the fault lines to strengthen and upgrade them, he said. Tehran is a quake-prone city and the team implementing the project will observe all safety standards to prevent any possible damage, he added.
Current Drudge Flash (link will die eventually)
PITT/JOLIE/TIMEWARNER CHECKBOOK JOURNALISM EXTENDS TO CNN?
Fri Jun 16 2006 16:21:17 ET
There's loud chatter among industry insiders that the $4 million deal PEOPLE Mag's editor Larry Hackett cut with Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt for their baby pictures extended to CNN, also part of the TIME WARNER family.
Insiders say this was a "package deal" done in conjunction with CNN, which is how Anderson Cooper "secured" the first interview with Jolie [set to air next week.]
News executives are scratching their heads over CNN practicing checkbook journalism.
Developing...
Doesn't seem so mysterious. Rather just a continuation of the sort of deals CNN made with Saddam (and probably is or will be making with Iran).
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.
China yesterday threw Zimbabwe's disintegrating economy a lifeline with energy and mining deals worth £700m. The largest deal will see China set up coal mines and build three coal-fired thermal power stations, providing relief for the state power company which cuts power for seven hours a day to factories, businesses and homes. Neither China nor Zimbabwe indicated how the investment would be repaid, but the deal will give Beijing access to Zimbabwe's wide variety of precious minerals, including the world's second largest deposits of platinum as well as gold, chrome, coal, nickel and diamonds. 
The Netherlands has said that all the conditions it had set for transferring the war crimes trial of 
(SomaliNet) At least 14 people have been wounded in a serious rebel attack in Burundis capital, the army said on Thursday, Reuters reported. According to Burundian army spokesman, Major Adolphe Manirakiza, "The rebels targeted the southern suburb of Musaga. In all, Forces for National Liberation (FNL) rebels fired 10 mortar shells, 14 people were injured and four houses damaged." 
(SomaliNet) Zimbabwe's ruling body has revealed that there is an international effort to overthrow the current government of Zimbabwe. It warned that he is ready to protect the government of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe's president in case anything like that happens. "Having failed completely and repeatedly to topple the strong government of President Mugabe either by the ballot box at elections that are held regularly, or by acts of sabotaging the national economy, they are now resorting to the last card, a military coup," Zimbabwe's ruling party leader Shamuyarira said. 
(SomaliNet) Liberia's ex president, Charles Taylor will finally be tried since the United Kingdom has decided to take up the burden of giving him room to serve his sentence after being tried in Netherlands. "I was delighted to be able to respond positively to the request of the United Nations Secretary General, that, should he be convicted, Charles Taylor serve his sentence in the UK," UK's foreign minister, Beckett said about Liberia's ex war lord. She added that the continued stay of Liberia's ex president in Sierra Leone is a signal for trouble and taking up the responsibility shows that the UK believes in peace.
Nepal will form a new interim government that will include communist rebels, who have waged a decade-long insurgency that has killed 13,000 people in this Himalayan nation, the elusive rebel leader said Friday after meeting with the prime minister. 
ISLAMABAD: Several sections of the Hudood Ordinance have been challenged in the Federal Shariat Court as "repugnant to Islamic injunctions and defaming Islam at the national and international level". The petition was filed on Thursday by Dr Aslam Khaki. The petition seeks the amendment or repeal of Sections 2(d), 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the ordinance, which deal with the offences of rape, adultery, theft, kidnapping and prostitution.
A project to identify fault lines will be implemented by producing an artificial earthquake in Tehran in summertime, Crisis Management and Prevention Organization Director Maziar Hosseini said here on Friday. The project will be conducted jointly by the Tehran Crisis Management Center, Iranian Oil Exploration Operations Company, and the International Earthquake Engineering Research Center. The plan aims to create an up-to-date map of faults as the current map is not suitable for crisis management, he noted.
