Hi there, !
Today Fri 01/16/2009 Thu 01/15/2009 Wed 01/14/2009 Tue 01/13/2009 Mon 01/12/2009 Sun 01/11/2009 Sat 01/10/2009 Archives
Rantburg
533587 articles and 1861644 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 83 articles and 396 comments as of 11:39.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    WoT Background    Opinion    Local News    Politix   
Israelis Push to Edge of Gaza City
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 3: Non-WoT
14 00:00 Alaska Paul in Haines, AK [4] 
0 [2] 
3 00:00 ed [] 
3 00:00 JosephMendiola [4] 
22 00:00 Pheans Panda2611 [5] 
0 [1] 
1 00:00 Besoeker [1] 
1 00:00 bman [1] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
1 00:00 crosspatch [3]
11 00:00 mojo [8]
12 00:00 Bright Pebbles [2]
45 00:00 JosephMendiola [5]
7 00:00 Mike N. [1]
4 00:00 Mitch H. [1]
0 [1]
1 00:00 M. Murcek [2]
14 00:00 trailing wife [3]
1 00:00 JosephMendiola [3]
0 [1]
0 [4]
2 00:00 Odysseus [2]
0 []
0 [2]
1 00:00 Glenmore [1]
2 00:00 Alaska Paul in Haines, AK [5]
2 00:00 mhw [2]
14 00:00 Hupemble Big Foot7204 [2]
1 00:00 Greager Hupairong2197 [6]
0 [2]
2 00:00 bigjim-ky [10]
Page 2: WoT Background
6 00:00 CrazyFool [3]
2 00:00 crosspatch [2]
1 00:00 3dc [1]
2 00:00 Verlaine [5]
0 [5]
0 []
22 00:00 Skunky Glins 5*** [3]
7 00:00 Skunky Glins 5*** [5]
1 00:00 M. Murcek [1]
3 00:00 buwaya [1]
0 [2]
0 []
2 00:00 bigjim-ky [2]
1 00:00 Poison Reverse [2]
2 00:00 JosephMendiola [1]
2 00:00 mhw [1]
3 00:00 Mike N. [1]
5 00:00 Pappy [1]
1 00:00 Don Vito Sleating3087 [1]
4 00:00 JosephMendiola [2]
3 00:00 JosephMendiola []
4 00:00 trailing wife [2]
9 00:00 DMFD [3]
2 00:00 bigjim-ky []
6 00:00 Rambler in Virginia [1]
1 00:00 bigjim-ky [1]
5 00:00 Procopius2k [1]
3 00:00 Rambler in Virginia [2]
4 00:00 AlanC [1]
Page 4: Opinion
3 00:00 JosephMendiola []
10 00:00 DMFD [1]
6 00:00 Nimble Spemble [2]
3 00:00 JosephMendiola []
1 00:00 g(r)omgoru [2]
3 00:00 Rambler in Virginia []
2 00:00 Bright Pebbles [1]
4 00:00 Hupolump Ghibelline5327 [2]
Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
1 00:00 James Carville [3]
2 00:00 Glenmore [3]
0 []
8 00:00 Eric Jablow []
2 00:00 Besoeker [1]
4 00:00 GolfBravoUSMC []
11 00:00 Pappy [3]
22 00:00 Abu do you love [6]
6 00:00 European Conservative []
1 00:00 Unealet Dark Lord of the Apes4621, also known as Adriane [3]
19 00:00 3dc [1]
Page 6: Politix
1 00:00 DMFD [1]
4 00:00 bigjim-ky [1]
3 00:00 bigjim-ky [1]
7 00:00 trailing wife [2]
8 00:00 DarthVader [1]
-Short Attention Span Theater-
Amy Winehouse soon to be available
Well, she warned him that love is a losing game: Blake Fielder-Civil, the husband of the singer Amy Winehouse, is beginning divorce proceedings against her, his lawyer announced on Monday. The lawyer, Henri Brandman, said that Mr. Fielder-Civil would seek a divorce on the grounds of infidelity, The Associated Press reported.

The couple were married in May 2007, and both have had legal problems since then. Mr. Fielder-Civil was arrested in 2007 and later sent to jail for assaulting a man and offering him a bribe. Last week Ms. Winehouse dropped her appeal of a fine she paid in Norway for possession of what the police said was marijuana.

In separate interviews with the British newspaper News of the World, Mr. Fielder-Civil has said he blamed himself for his wife's drug problems, and Ms. Winehouse, 25, who was hospitalized several times last year, has said she was off drugs and in love with a 21-year-old man she met on vacation in St. Lucia.
Posted by: Fred || 01/13/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  will they get joint custody of the STDs?
Posted by: Frank G || 01/13/2009 0:30 Comments || Top||

#2  joint custody of the STDs?

LOL --- that is Brutal.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 01/13/2009 0:38 Comments || Top||

#3  ...Is it just me, or am I the only one who's never actually heard a song by this lady?


Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 01/13/2009 6:12 Comments || Top||

#4  Give thanks to whatever dity you worship, Kozlowski (wife likes her).
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/13/2009 6:15 Comments || Top||

#5  Me too, Mike.
Posted by: Gladys || 01/13/2009 6:29 Comments || Top||

#6  her hit was rehab, i think she needs too give it a try
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 01/13/2009 7:11 Comments || Top||

#7  I think "lady" is the wrong word, Mike.
Posted by: Spot || 01/13/2009 8:07 Comments || Top||

#8  Mike: Rehab was more 'pop', and the easiest one of her songs to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD5sahXoj0U

But she "ain't no oil painting", that's for sure. The rest of her music is a lot more downbeat.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/13/2009 10:47 Comments || Top||

#9  Actually she has an amazing voice and the quality of her music is ethereal, hence all the publicity, she's a prodigy, totally drunk and stoned, but still, a prodegy.
Posted by: Hupolump Ghibelline5327 || 01/13/2009 10:51 Comments || Top||

#10  Never heard her either.
I'm sure it sounds like someone tuning a bobcat.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 01/13/2009 10:53 Comments || Top||

#11  Who?
Posted by: swksvolFF || 01/13/2009 11:13 Comments || Top||

#12  Hum, wasn't she diagnosticated with an emphysem or something all while ago, that was either due to 1) a rare genetic condition, or 2) smoking heroin and/or crack?
Don't know if her voice would still be amazing with that.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 01/13/2009 13:05 Comments || Top||

#13  it was crack and meth, they have a vid of that too
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 01/13/2009 13:25 Comments || Top||

#14 

You talking to me?
Posted by: KBK || 01/13/2009 13:53 Comments || Top||

#15  What do you think she feeds the wolverine she has on her head?
Posted by: remoteman || 01/13/2009 14:12 Comments || Top||

#16  Same thing she feeds the other one.
Posted by: KBK || 01/13/2009 14:14 Comments || Top||

#17  So how much is she getting for her virginity?
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/13/2009 16:44 Comments || Top||

#18  I feel so sorry for her grandparents.
Posted by: 3dc || 01/13/2009 19:54 Comments || Top||

#19  Never heard her either. I'm sure it sounds like someone tuning a bobcat.

That is exactly how it sounds like! How did you guess?
Posted by: Spike Uniter || 01/13/2009 22:19 Comments || Top||

#20  Man! A look at this gal makes you want to chip off all the layers of paint on the SF Bay Bridge, yecchhhhhhh!
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Haines, AK || 01/13/2009 22:57 Comments || Top||

#21  She is skankalicious!
Posted by: Pheans Panda2611 || 01/13/2009 23:24 Comments || Top||

#22  Same thing she feeds the other one.

I laughed so hard at that I crapped my pants!
Posted by: Pheans Panda2611 || 01/13/2009 23:26 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
S. African Court Says Zuma Can Face Corruption Trial
African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma suffered a legal defeat Monday that could force him to divide his time between a corruption trial and a presidential campaign...
Posted by: Fred || 01/13/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Zuma promised massive public spending to create jobs and a stronger social safety net, and more government intervention in the economy.

Has a familiar ring to it.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/13/2009 7:43 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Stashed kickbacks may go way beyond $200m
A foreign delegation flew into Bangladesh on Sunday to identify the persons involved in laundering $200 million dollar to Singapore, and to help Bangladesh recover the money.
Posted by: Fred || 01/13/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan enacts law restricting religious activities
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has signed a controversial bill on the activities and registration of religious groups, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. The legislation has been criticized by international human rights groups, who believe it would restrict the activities of religious organizations.

The law increases the number of people needed to officially register a religious organization from 10 people to 200 people, bans children from being involved in religious organizations, and prohibits people from proselytizing. It also forbids the distribution of religious materials in public places, children's institutions, schools, and people from giving out such materials from house to house. The new law includes new rules for the registration and annulment of religious organizations.

The legislation was supported by the Muslim Spiritual Council and the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan, but was criticized by many Kyrgyz and international organizations concerned with human rights.
Posted by: ryuge || 01/13/2009 05:37 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  a step in the right direction, good job
Posted by: Hupolump Ghibelline5327 || 01/13/2009 10:45 Comments || Top||

#2  An interesting social experiment, I'll be curious to see how it turns out.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 01/13/2009 10:49 Comments || Top||

#3  It's designed to prevent (primarily Protestant) sects from attracting converts. Russia did something similar several years ago.
Posted by: ed || 01/13/2009 11:05 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
SOLDIER MISSING IN ACTION FROM KOREAN WAR IS IDENTIFIED
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Sgt. Dougall H. Espey, Jr., U.S. Army, of Mount Laurel, N.J. He will be buried April 3 in Elmira, N.Y. Representatives from the Army's Mortuary Office met with Espey's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

Espey was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On Nov. 1, 1950, the 8th Cavalry was occupying a defensive position near Unsan, North Korea in an area known as the "Camel's Head," when elements of two Chinese Communist Forces divisions struck the 1st Cavalry Division's lines, collapsing the perimeter and forcing a withdrawal. The 3rd Battalion was surrounded and effectively ceased to exist as a fighting unit. Espey was one of the more than 350 servicemen unaccounted-for from the battle at Unsan.

Between 1991-94, North Korea turned over to the U.S. 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. North Korean documents turned over with several boxes in 1993 indicated that the remains from those boxes were exhumed near Chonsung-Ri, Unsan County. This location correlates with Espey's last known location.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 01/13/2009 02:58 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Rest easy, soldier. Well done.
Posted by: crosspatch || 01/13/2009 3:48 Comments || Top||

#2  An elderly veteran of the battle told me once that the 8th literally ran out of bullets, grenades and arty shells, etc. shooting into the Chicom human waves. Also refused to believe that the 8th faced only two CCCC enemy divisions, and instead believed it faced several.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 01/13/2009 22:49 Comments || Top||

#3  ION KOREAS, WORLD MIL FORUM > NORTH KOREA OFFERS TO ABANDON ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS IFF THE USA GIVES UP ITS NUCLEAR DEFENSE UMBRELLA OVER SOUTH KOREA + US REPORT: NORTH KOREA IS A NUCLEAR POWER [has warheads + delivery systems] + TOKYO GOVERNOR SHINTARO ISHIHARA: A SOVEREIGN MERGER OF NORTH KOREA INTO COMMUNIST CHINA WOULD BE THE SIMPLEST OR MOST CONVENIENT WAY [espec for US + SK] TO RESOLVE NORTH KOREA'S SEVERE NATIONAL PROBLEMS AND END ITS TOTALITARIAN RULE.

Also, SAME > FORMER VP OF JUDICIARY: TAIWAN UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW IS STILL TECHNICALLY UNDER US MILITARY GOVERNMENT JURISDICTION SINCE ITS SURRENDER BY JAPAN TO THE USA DURING WW2 - IT IS LEGALLY A US UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY AND ONE OF SIX SUCH POSSESSIONS FROM WW2. THE US SUPREME COURT MUST VERIFY THE STATUS OF TAIWAN, AND EITHER GIVE THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN US CITIZENSHIP, RESIDENCY RIGHTS, AND US PASSPORTS, OR ORDER THE USGOVT TO GIVE TAIWAN FULL INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY AS A SEPARATE NATION.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 01/13/2009 23:06 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
US Establishes Arctic Policy
Posted by: 3dc || 01/13/2009 13:45 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
Ruling Thai Coalition Wins Key Elections
Thailand's ruling coalition won a number of key by-elections Sunday, bolstering its claim to power and reducing the threat of more political turmoil...
Posted by: Fred || 01/13/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The article doesn't say whether the new coalition will defend Thailand against the insurgents, or what its' policies will be towards US strategic help.
Posted by: bman || 01/13/2009 10:43 Comments || Top||


Home Front Economy
International Trade Comes To A Halt
Freight rates for containers shipped from Asia to Europe have fallen to zero for the first time since records began, underscoring the dramatic collapse in trade since the world economy buckled in October.

"They have already hit zero," said Charles de Trenck, a broker at Transport Trackers in Hong Kong. "We have seen trade activity fall off a cliff. Asia-Europe is an unmit­igated disaster."

Shipping journal Lloyd's List said brokers in Singapore are now waiving fees for containers travelling from South China, charging only for the minimal "bunker" costs. Container fees from North Asia have dropped $200, taking them below operating cost.

Industry sources said they have never seen rates fall so low. "This is a whole new ball game," said one trader.

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) which measures freight rates for bulk commodities such as iron ore and grains crashed several months ago, falling 96pc. The BDI – though a useful early-warning index – is highly volatile and exaggerates apparent ups and downs in trade. However, the latest phase of the shipping crisis is different. It has spread to core trade of finished industrial goods, the lifeblood of the world economy.

Trade data from Asia's export tigers has been disastrous over recent weeks, reflecting the collapse in US, UK and European markets.

Korea's exports fell 30pc in January compared to a year earlier. Exports have slumped 42pc in Taiwan and 27pc in Japan, according to the most recent monthly data. Even China has now started to see an outright contraction in shipments, led by steel, electronics and textiles.

A report by ING yesterday said shipping activity at US ports has suddenly dived. Outbound traffic from Long Beach and Los Angeles, America's two top ports, has fallen by 18pc year-on-year, a far more serious decline than anything seen in recent recessions.

"This is no regular cycle slowdown, but a complete collapse in foreign demand," said Lindsay Coburn, ING's trade consultant.

Idle ships are now stretched in rows outside Singapore's harbour, creating an eerie silhouette like a vast naval fleet at anchor. Shipping experts note the number of vessels moving around seem unusually high in the water, indicating low cargoes.

It became difficult for the shippers to obtain routine letters of credit at the height of financial crisis over the autumn, causing goods to pile up at ports even though there was a willing buyer at the other end. Analysts say this problem has been resolved, but the shipping industry has since been swamped by the global trade contraction.

The World Bank caused shockwaves with a warning last month that global trade may decline this year for the first time since the Second World War. This appears increasingly certain with each new batch of data.

Mr de Trenck predicts Asian trade to the US will fall 7pc this year. To Europe he estimates a drop of 9pc – possibly 12pc. Trade flows grow 8pc in an average year.

He said it was "illogical" for shippers to offer zero rates, but they do whatever they can to survive in a highly cyclical market.

Offering slots for free is akin to an airline giving away spare seats for nothing in the hope of making something from meals and fees.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/13/2009 15:58 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This is why I believe this downturn will be a full blown depression in most parts of the world rather than a "deep" rescission. The raw and base manufacturing supply lines are shutting down.
Posted by: DarthVader || 01/13/2009 16:17 Comments || Top||

#2  The problem is that while the interbank market has been thawed, the letter of credit market is still frozen. People want to trade, but they can't be assured of payment so they aren't shipping. So Darth is right, this will be a depression, including in the US, though the greatest political repercussions should be in China
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 01/13/2009 16:25 Comments || Top||

#3  America gets the flu, the world gets pneumonia. Remember the line about all our trade being dependent upon each other - well, all lines lead to America. They been far more dependent upon us than us on them.

Han Solo: You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake, well, this could be it, sweetheart.
Princess Leia: I take it back.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 01/13/2009 17:09 Comments || Top||

#4  I disagree with depression outlook. Some of the top economists that saw this coming see it as a L-shaped recession rather than U-shaped recession or depression.

Don't get happy. A L-shaped recession that lasts 3-5 years is really really bad. But your checking and savings are safe in a FDIC insured bank. T-Bonds are also safe.

If the FDIC did not exist, I would agree with the depression theory.
Posted by: Poison Reverse || 01/13/2009 18:03 Comments || Top||

#5  has fallen by 18pc year-on-year

Epik collapse? 18% few big screen, damn, how can we continue to function?
Posted by: .5MT || 01/13/2009 18:05 Comments || Top||

#6  Does this mean that the cargo container nuke scenario can now go from Pakistan to Europe free of charge?
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats || 01/13/2009 18:10 Comments || Top||

#7  There is something going on here beyond what we are being told. This smells like manipulation more than just an economic collapse.

Posted by: crosspatch || 01/13/2009 18:28 Comments || Top||

#8  Yup, the stores are still full of sh*t. When the shelves are bare, I'll believe that intl. trade has come to a halt.
I'd say shippers want the govt. to subsidize their business too. They see all the handouts and figure they'll give it a try.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 01/13/2009 18:38 Comments || Top||

#9  International trade has not come to a halt. It has slowed. I work for a company that trades internationally. 3 weeks ago orders were almost nil, but the last 2 weeks have seen a marked increase in overseas orders. Nothing like back in the Spring or Summer but still positive.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 01/13/2009 20:16 Comments || Top||

#10  bigjim-ky, this is something I'm trying to remember from 20 (twenty) years ago, but shipping trade has a lag of 3 to 6 months before it hits the shelves. In other words, if it's true then we won't see it until April or July at latest.
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 || 01/13/2009 20:29 Comments || Top||

#11  Poison Reverse: Don't count on the FDIC. Just yesterday it was let slip that the Schumer-caused failure of Indy-Mac bank in California, actually has outstanding debts $10B greater than known. They had been foisting bad loans off onto Freddy Mac.

But the FDIC is now on the hook for that extra $10B, and they only have about $35B in reserves, total.

Though the FDIC can directly tap into the Treasury, the assumption has long been that there would be something in the Treasury for them to tap into. And this may no longer be the case.

Once that now $25B is committed, the FDIC will likely be unable to insure accounts for even $1, much less a quarter million dollars each. That they just raised from $100k.

This does not look good.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 01/13/2009 21:23 Comments || Top||

#12  I thought Soros just bought Indy-Mac a few days ago?
Posted by: 3dc || 01/13/2009 21:43 Comments || Top||

#13  I'm sorry, but if shipping is down 9 percent in one part of the world and 12 in another etc. That's a long ass way from a grinfing halt. And the low rates are an obvious result of over capacity. Some shippers are going to have to fold. Big friggin deal.

I honestly hope this recession is worse than I think it will be. The worse it is, the harder it is on China and our other enemies.

Never thought I'd say this, but we might have to thank our donk friends for crippling our enemies.
Posted by: Mike N. || 01/13/2009 22:55 Comments || Top||

#14  That may be true, Mike N., but coming in second does not mean we are off the hook.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Haines, AK || 01/13/2009 23:04 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
53[untagged]
16Hamas
4Iraqi Insurgency
3Govt of Pakistan
2TTP
1al-Qaeda
1Pirates
1Taliban
1Lashkar e-Taiba
1al-Qaeda in Pakistan

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Tue 2009-01-13
  Israelis Push to Edge of Gaza City
Mon 2009-01-12
  Israeli reservists swarm into Gaza
Sun 2009-01-11
  Hamas rejects international observers in Gaza
Sat 2009-01-10
  Israel to continue offensive despite UN resolution
Fri 2009-01-09
  New Year's Missile Strike Killed Top Al-Qaeda Operatives
Thu 2009-01-08
  Katyusha rockets falling in Israel's North on the town of Nahariya
Wed 2009-01-07
  Screech urges Muslims to attack Israeli and Western targets over Gaza op
Tue 2009-01-06
  First major Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza City
Mon 2009-01-05
  Battles begin in N Gaza; many hamas operatives captured
Sun 2009-01-04
  IDF moves to bisect Gaza
Sat 2009-01-03
  Sri Lankan troops capture Kilinochchi
Fri 2009-01-02
  Girls to marry militants, orders Taliban
Thu 2009-01-01
  Senior Hamas leader killed in IAF air strike in Gaza Strip
Wed 2008-12-31
  Iranian 'students' attack Jordan, UK embassies, Saudi air office; threaten Egypt; burn Benneton store ...
Tue 2008-12-30
  Death toll in Gaza rises to 350; over 1,600 injured


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.
3.128.79.88
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (22)    WoT Background (29)    Opinion (8)    Local News (11)    Politix (5)