News Stories

[ganbaru]

U.S., India concerned over 13-year jail sentence for Maldives' ex-president Nasheed
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0M92D020150314

Its red shirts fading, Venezuela's oil giant embraces pragmatism
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0M90AW20150313

Originally Posted by Solace

I've never liked that phrase. It makes no sense. It's my cake, dammit!

Plus the fact than you can't keep a cake for a long time, even if put in a freezer .

[Anh_Minh]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Plus the fact than you can't keep a cake for a long time, even if put in a freezer .

Then eat your damn cake and don't complain you don't have a cake anymore afterward.

[ganbaru]

Has the Fed's 'patience' been exhausted?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0MB0A820150315

Iraqi Kurds say Islamic State used chlorine gas against them
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0MA0OT20150314

China threatens 'decisive' response after Myanmar bombing
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0MB03F20150315

[SaintessHeart]

Anonymous Releases 9,200 ISIS Supporter Twitter Accounts

Now to release their RL information......

[hawkeyesvn]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Anonymous Releases 9,200 ISIS Supporter Twitter Accounts

Now to release their RL information......

I really don't understand how some people can support a bunch of mass murderers, suicide bombers, culture terrorist,... Do they really want to see other people ( mostly innocent ) to suffer that much ? What's kind of twisted, f*cked up logic is running in their head ?

[Solace]

Originally Posted by hawkeyesvn

I really don't understand how some people can support a bunch of mass murderers, suicide bombers, culture terrorist,... Do they really want to see other people ( mostly innocent ) to suffer that much ? What's kind of twisted, f*cked up logic is running in their head ?

"We are just, and our cause is righteous."

[ganbaru]

Israelis vote as 'King Bibi's' reign hangs in the balance
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0MC2G620150317

Russia starts nationwide show of force
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0MC0JO20150316

Originally Posted by Solace

"We are just, and our cause is righteous."

The cause might not matter much, as religion, communism or even egality have worked in the past.

[SaintessHeart]

France, Germany and Italy to join China-led AIIB following Britain

Following Britain, major US allies such as France, Germany and Italy have agreed to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Financial Times reported, citing European officials.

In addition, Australia, a key US ally in the Asia Pacific region, is set to decide on joining the international bank next week. China's state-owned Xinhua news agency said South Korea, Switzerland and Luxembourg were also considering joining the AIIB.

The moves from the countries come as a severe blow to the Obama administration that was working hard to keep them out of the institution.

Britain has earlier announced its intention to become a founding member of the AIIB – a Chinese-led initiative that is expected to rival the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in the Asian region.

The move has angered Washington, which said it is wary of Britain's "constant accommodation" of China.

In October 2014, representatives of 21 Asian nations convened in Beijing to inaugurate the AIIB, which is focused on providing funding to infrastructure projects within Asia. The bank was initially capitalised with $50bn (£31bn, €39.5bn), half of which was funded by China.

Britain is the first major Western country to apply to become an AIIB member. It will meet other founding members in March to discuss governance and accountability arrangements.

George Osborne sees opportunities

"Joining the AIIB at the founding stage will create an unrivalled opportunity for the UK and Asia to invest and grow together," said Chancellor George Osborne.

"We are wary about a trend toward constant accommodation of China, which is not the best way to engage a rising power," a US official earlier told the Financial Times, expressing concern.

Subsequently, Australia indicated its desire to join the bank, with Prime Minister Tony Abbot saying Canberra was "looking very carefully at this and we'll make a decision in the next week or so".

Responding to the media reports, Washington's top diplomat for East Asia said the US concerns about the AIIB remained, but it was up to individual nations to decide on whether to join the bank.

"Every government can make its own decision about whether the way to achieve that goal is by joining before the articles of agreement are clarified or by waiting to see what the evidence looks like as the bank starts to operate," US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said in Seoul.

[JokerD]

Originally Posted by hawkeyesvn

I really don't understand how some people can support a bunch of mass murderers, suicide bombers, culture terrorist,... Do they really want to see other people ( mostly innocent ) to suffer that much ? What's kind of twisted, f*cked up logic is running in their head ?

"I wouldn't understand what you say, the Book has all I need to know"

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

France, Germany and Italy to join China-led AIIB following Britain

Following the money...

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by JokerD

Following the money...

That is what I thought too. More places for the rich to park their cash - made much easier by the lack of separation between business and state there. Wasn't exactly surprised that UK joined, they have 560% of their GDP overseas with a dubious ROE, the rich need more places to stash their cash after the tax collectors started hiring more sniffer dogs and informants.

US should just follow suit or start expanding World Bank loans to Vietnam and Myanmar.

Malaysia already screwed up their financial management, so I would like to see how much more money can China dump into that sink.

[AmeNoJaku]

The two ruling fascists parties are deadlocked in the Israeli elections... so we should expect more dead in Israel, and more barking around it... great, just like Germany back in the 30s.

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Netanyahu's shock re-election leaves Israel's pollsters red-faced
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0ME1E520150318

Well, apparently the ruling neo-nazi was way ahead the traditional neo-nazi in Israel... and I am being literal here, the state of Israel, not Jews in general, are the definition of nazism revival, ironically... and as we all very well know this will only lead into more bloodshed for them, and even more for those around them... great stuff

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Anonymous Releases 9,200 ISIS Supporter Twitter Accounts

Now to release their RL information......

Originally Posted by hawkeyesvn

I really don't understand how some people can support a bunch of mass murderers, suicide bombers, culture terrorist,... Do they really want to see other people ( mostly innocent ) to suffer that much ? What's kind of twisted, f*cked up logic is running in their head ?

Cool move, and ideologically consistent with exposing those that created them.

[risingstar3110]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

France, Germany and Italy to join China-led AIIB following Britain

Is it going to be something to rival the IMF and World Bank?

[AmeNoJaku]

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

Is it going to be something to rival the IMF and World Bank?

Or show how useless are little English conservatives and nazi populists, that rule them and their colonies since Thatcher are

[Seitsuki]

Everything about that sounded like a game of Civ.

'You traded with our enemies!'

United States is now Cautious

[Ithekro]

The term fascist is being thrown around a lot this last year. Would someone like to explain why this is?

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

Is it going to be something to rival the IMF and World Bank?

On paper, yes. Considering how the money flows through the pockets of those in power, I doubt the "development" funds will trickle down.

Western institutions are bogged down by endless debates and bureaucracy. Eastern institutions are tied down by connections and corruption. I don't know which is worse.

Originally Posted by Ithekro

The term fascist is being thrown around a lot this last year. Would someone like to explain why this is?

Name calling given the state of world affairs. As Obama seems to be rather dovish on foreign policy, everyone is up for a power grab for regional influence.

Dicks, pussies and assholes. All in the same blue marble we will soon lose.

[AmeNoJaku]

Originally Posted by Ithekro

The term fascist is being thrown around a lot this last year. Would someone like to explain why this is?

It's not lately, this criticism is present since the '50s, but lately it can be more widely heard and understood... plus:

Because most media use fictional and/or romantic nationalistic narratives in Europe and Asia (and anti-Semitic/Arabic or religious in the Middle East) to justify oppressive policies of the groups they support... is one reason.

Also for the majority of voters/supporters, it is easier to believe an oversimplification, instead of a thorough analysis of a situation.

Many ruling politicians are inspired by or have adopted practises that were very successful in bringing them to or maintaining power from WW2 Germany and Italy. Israel's Likud, ISIS, North Korea, Putin, both of USA's ruling parties, CSU in Bavaria (not CDU in Germany yet), the National Front in France, UKIP and Torries in Little England, and many more.

[SaintessHeart]

Mr Lee Kuan Yew remains critically ill, has deteriorated further: PMO

SINGAPORE — Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew remains critically ill in the intensive care unit (ICU) and has deteriorated further, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today (March 18).

Yesterday, the PMO said that Mr Lee’s condition had taken a turn for the worse because of an infection. The PMO said yesterday that Mr Lee is on antibiotics and doctors are closely monitoring his condition.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean today posted on social media: “Get well soon Mr Lee. Our residents of Pasir Ris-Punggol join in fervent prayers and wishes for your recovery and good health.” Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin posted on social media yesterday: “Let’s continue to keep Mr Lee Kuan Yew in our thoughts and prayers.”

Well wishes have poured in for Mr Lee, 91, since he was warded at Singapore General Hospital on Feb 5 after coming down with severe pneumonia. Mr Lee was admitted to the ICU and was placed on mechanical ventilation to help him breathe. In an update on Feb 28, the PMO said Mr Lee’s condition had improved slightly but he remained sedated and on mechanical ventilation. Last Friday, the PMO said Mr Lee’s condition was “largely unchanged” from previous updates.

[ganbaru]

Netanyahu's shock re-election leaves Israel's pollsters red-faced
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0ME1E520150318

Microsoft tackles China piracy with free upgrade to Windows 10
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0ME06A20150318

Palestinians want world pressure on Israel after Netanyahu win
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0ME1JS20150318

[SeijiSensei]

Japanese Police Investigate Death Threats Against Ambassador Caroline Kennedy

The Kennedys are obviously no strangers to assassinations and death threats, but this seems a bit extreme. On the other hand, after the attack on the American ambassador to South Korea, it must be taken seriously. The article notes that Ms. Kennedy has publicly objected to the annual dolphin hunt and the visit to the shrine by Abe, though whether either of those had anything to do with the threats is anyone's guess.

Strangely enough the threats were phoned in by an "English speaker," though the article doesn't say whether the speaker had an accent.