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16 Jan 2010 10:50

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Tech, U.S., World: The U.S. takes Google’s claims on China super-seriously

  • They’re treating it as a foreign policy issue, not a business issue. Next week, in response to Google’s claims of a cyber-attack by China, the U.S. plans to submit a formal protest, according to the State Department. Among other things to note about the story: Google briefed the U.S. before posting its lengthy note (to no objections), and China has had a number of little annoyances like this from the U.S. of late. We just enjoy ticking the Chinese off with our talk of “free speech,” apparently. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jan 2010 10:39

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Biz, U.S.: Obama’s bank plan: Lots of money for the U.S., with perks!

  • $90 billion in bank taxes over the next ten years source
  • So what happens if the banks overpay the bailouts? Simple. The money goes back to the U.S. to help strengthen the financial position that was screwed up by the bailout crisis. Did someone say “win-win” situation, kids? The banks don’t think so, by the way, and angrily responded to the new charges like petulant children who didn’t get a Nintendo 64 for Christmas.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Jan 2010 20:29

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World: Everyone’s struggling to give Haiti the help they need

  • The problem is not the materials or the staff, but how to get it into place. The challenge is how to get our people and our resources into Port-au-Prince.
  • Doctors Without Borders emergency management expert Paul McPhun • On the logistical nightmare that is the Haiti earthquake. Many countries are trying to get their gear and people into place, including the U.S. and China. But with a death toll possibly in the hundreds of thousands, this could be really tough even for established countries to tackle. Our fingers are crossed for Haiti. Tightly. Oh yeah, the United States’ special envoy to Haiti is Bill Clinton, and he’s on his A game today. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jan 2010 09:38

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World: Iran’s blaming a nuclear scientist’s death on the U.S. Whatevah!

  • The U.S. calls the allegation “absurd” or something. The death of Massoud Ali Mohammadi, who was killed when a bomb on a motorcycle blew up outside his home, has Iran using fighting words. Mohammadi was a particle physics professor at top-ranked Tehran University. The attack was portrayed by one Iranian government official as “signs of evilness by the triangle of the Zionist regime, America and their mercenaries in Iran.” Which sounds like a really complicated way to say, “We hate the U.S.!” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jan 2010 10:07

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U.S., World: North Korea wants to make peace with the U.S. all of a sudden

  • peace The country wants to write up a new peace treaty with the U.S. – the first rewrite since the end of the Korean war nearly 60 years ago.
  • leverage The carrot – and stick – for the U.S.? If they sign it, North Korea will give up their nuclear weapons program. A plan too good to be true?
  • flipped? Unfortunately for North Korea, the U.S. wants them to get rid of the nukes first – then they’ll talk about rewriting the peace treaty. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Jan 2010 22:28

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U.S., World: If you fly to the U.S. from these 14 nations, it’s patdown time

  • Afghanistan • Algeria • Cuba • Iran • Iraq • Lebanon • Libya • Nigeria • PakistaN • Saudi Arabia • Somalia • Sudan • Syria • Yemen source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Jan 2010 10:41

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U.S., World: The U.S. and U.K. say “screw it,” close embassies in Yemen

  • There are indications that al-Qaeda is planning to carry out an attack against a target inside of Sanaa, possibly our embassy. And what we do is to take every measure possible to ensure the safety of our diplomats and citizens abroad, so the decision was made to close the embassy.
  • Assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism John Brennan • Regarding the government’s decision to close its Yemeni base. (Britain did the same, by the way.) The country, which is becoming a large hub for terrorism, has been the scene of a major battlefront in the war on al-Qaeda in the last few weeks, and the U.S. isn’t taking any chances. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

31 Dec 2009 11:20

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U.S., World: More Americans soldiers died in Afghanistan than last year

  • 155 soldiers died in Afghanistan in 2008, according to iCasualties
  • 319 died in 2009; more roadside bombs are to blame source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Dec 2009 21:06

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U.S., World: New Year’s fireworks: U.S. could strike back in Yemen. WHOO!

  • why? Because al-Qaeda’s new loft is in sunny Yemen, where the unemployment is high and the government is weak.
  • plans Right now, the U.S. is reportedly looking at targets, biding their time until Obama gives the OK. Get yo popcorn ready! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 Dec 2009 21:24

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World: Don’t turn away from Yemen, because that’s where the threat is

  • 29 reported al-Qaeda members were captured by Yemeni forces today
  • 30 more were reported killed after a raid in the country last week; the U.S. is paying for this
  • 30 more beyond that were killed in a raid Dec. 17; then the undie bomber stepped in source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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