Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

25 Feb 2012 12:32

tags

World: Afghanistan protests: NATO recalls personnel at Kabul-based ministries

Police March Towards Protesters In Kabul

  • After five days of intense protesting across Afghanistan, NATO has recalled all personnel working in its Kabul ministries. The move comes on the heels of reports that two U.S. officials — allegedly one colonel and one major — were shot and killed at the Afghan Interior Ministry building this morning. A NATO spokeswoman would not confirm the rankings of the two servicemen, but did confirm that they were killed by someone who turned a weapon on them. She declined to comment when asked if the killer was a member of the Afghan military or police force. In an emailed statement to the press, the Afghan Taliban claimed credit for the killings, saying they were in retaliation for the burning of Korans at Bagram Air Base earlier this week. (image courtesy of Reuters/Ahmad Masood) source
Posted by Scott Craft • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2012 11:33

tags

World: Deadly Argentina train station crash kills dozens, injures hundreds

  • 40+ people reported killed in a train crash at Buenos Aries’ busy Once station, a major terminus
  • 550+ people reported injured in the crash, blamed on a brake failure which happened during rush hour source
  • » The second major crash in six months: In September, another major crash on Argentina’s rail lines killed seven and injured 214 as a train crashed into a bus. This crash sounds even worse, with word that many are still stuck in debris awaiting rescue. More as we get it.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Feb 2012 21:00

tags

World: Video: What the massive mortars hitting Syrian rebels look like

  • The largest mortars used by the U.S. military are 160mm. The bad boys shown in this video of a torn-apart building in Homs are a much-larger 240mm (according to Human Rights Watch), and can be fired from as far as 20 kilometers away. Where did they get these heavy mortar rounds from? Most likely Russia, which produces the “Tulip” weapons system that fires weapons of this nature. (The towed M240 might also be used in these attacks.) So, to put it simply, Syria is lobbing giant weapons in its fight against the rebel movement. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Feb 2012 00:58

tags

World: Massive Mexican prison riot: Not exactly what it seems?

  • whatIn a Mexican prison, 44 prisoners died in an early-morning riot Sunday. The riot, wich lasted around two hours, stemmed from a conflict between two cell blocks of around 750 prisoners each, many of whom were held without convictions. It was one of the deadliest prison riots since the Drug War gained steam.
  • why? Some rioters may have belonged to rival gang factions. Those rivals were normally separated within the prison, however, leading some to suspect that the guards used the fight as a cover to allow for a prison escape. The guards on duty at the time have been detained, along with their supervisors and the director of the prison. source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Feb 2012 15:09

tags

World: U.S. and British officials to Israel: Don’t get into a war with Iran

  • American General Martin Dempsey, who leads the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, regarding the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, that it’s “not prudent” at this time to attack in such a way, and “a strike at this time would be destabilizing.” Ya think?
  • British British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who recently warned of a renewed Cold War, agreed with Dempsey, saying Israel should  go along with the U.K.’s “very serious economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure, and the readiness to negotiate with Iran.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Feb 2012 12:46

tags

World: Amanda Knox’s jailhouse story scores major financial windfall

  • 4 years is how long Amanda Knox spent behind bars; the foreign-exchange student was released from an Italian jail after being acquitted of murdering her roommate late last year
  • $4 million how much publisher HarperCollins reportedly plans to pay for her story; Reports of the book deal, which includes world-wide publishing rights, point to an early 2013 release source
Posted by Scott Craft • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Feb 2012 12:07

tags

Tech, World: Audit proves the obvious: Foxconn not a fun place to work

  • Foxconn is cooperating fully with this audit and we will review and act on all findings and recommendations. This is a very professional and thorough review and any deficiencies the FLA might find in the implementation of customer or Foxconn policies will be addressed.
  • Electronic parts manufacturer Foxconn • In an emailed statement to Bloomberg, after reports surfaced that the Fair Labor Association auditors have found “tons of issues” during their investigation of Foxconn’s Shenzhen facility.  FLA Chief Executive Officer Auret van Heerden revealed the discovery during a phone interview, following a multi-day review of the facility, and reportedly while he headed to meet with Foxconn management and present the organization’s findings. A number of corporations, most notably Apple, outsource their manufacturing to Foxconn and a number of similar companies. source
Posted by Scott Craft • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

17 Feb 2012 13:35

tags

World: German president resigns amid political favors scandal

Christian Wulff, shown with his wife Bettina, had to resign amid allegations of offering political favors while the premier of Lower Saxony. He faced calls for his resignation for weeks, and may not have legal immunity for any crimes committed. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Feb 2012 14:09

tags

World: Many Honduran prisoners caught in fire weren’t charged or convicted

  • New revelations on Honduran prison fire: As we mentioned yesterday, the most lethal prison fire in the last century took place Tuesday in Honduras, at a prison in Comayagua. Since then some startling and grisly facts have come out, which speak to the sad state of legal affairs in Honduras, as well as to the staggering overcrowding and understaffing of their facilities – of the 800 or so inmates at Comayagua, 57% were being held without charge or were awaiting trial, most on suspicion of gang membership. During the fire, only six guards were on duty, just one of whom held the keys for every prison cell. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Feb 2012 20:39

tags

World: Syria’s Assad sets date for constitutional referendum

  • A plan for reform, or a play to credulity? Considering the Arab League deal Syria accepted then ignored, the complete lack of efficacy of the peace monitors they allowed the AL to send in, and the recent surge of violence (even in relative terms), it’s hard not to assume the latter. Bashar al-Assad has, nonetheless, set a date for a constitutional referendum, ostensibly for Syrians to approve a democratic system, and presidential term limits (of two, seven-year terms). The vote is scheduled for February 26th, but it begs the question; who would vote in an election if the integrity of it relies on Assad’s word alone? It would also force dissenters to publicly congregate at a place of the government’s choosing; not a welcome idea, we suspect. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
<< newer 
top tags
older >>