[Pak Daily Times] A crowd angry about a programme they deemed insulting to some members of Kuwait's ruling family stormed a Kuwaiti private television station on Sunday, ransacking its offices, station officials said. "Some of them were armed with pistols and knives. They attacked the studio and damaged it and beat up the workers. About 10 were injured," Scope TV Executive Manager Muhammad Talal al Saeed, told Rooters. Owner of the station Fajr al Saeed, said she had received threats to her life after the talk show "Zain wa Shain" ("Good and Bad") was aired on Saturday. Kuwaiti newspapers have said the Information Ministry has accused Fajr al-Saeed of attempting to overthrow the government with Scope's satirical comedy show "Sawtak Wasal" ("Your Voice Has Been Heard"). Fajr al-Saeed said the presenter of Saturday's talk show had appeared to accuse a member of the ruling family, who is a senior Information Ministry official, of being behind the accusation.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/18/2010 00:00 ||
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If your government is so precarious that a comedy TV can overthrow it, you've got other problems.
Posted by: Formerly Dan ||
10/18/2010 7:38 Comments ||
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f*ck'em if they can't take a joke I always say...
[Iran Press TV] A group of Haitian protesters have clashed with UN troops in the capital Port-au-Prince over "the lack of foreign aid and continuing foreign military presence."
Around a hundred protesters blocked the entrance to the main UN base around Port-au-Prince's airport on Friday and shouted anti-UN slogans. They were met with UN soldiers who fired warning shots and used force to disperse the crowd, reports say.
The protesters say they want "real assistance, not the renewal of ... an occupying military force."
The angry Haitians were protesting the annual renewal of the UN's 12,000-member military and police force in the Caribbean nation, AP reported.
The UN Security Council voted on Thursday to renew the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, which has been in place since the 2004 ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Poverty-stricken Haitians, however, have been demanding international assistance particularly after the country's devastating 2010 earthquake which left trails of deaths and destructions. They say foreign forces under the UN mandate have only occupied the Caribbean nation without engaging in serious relief or aid efforts.
An investigation by The News Agency that Dare Not be Named has determined that none of the $1.15bn in rebuilding funding promised by the US has arrived.
There have also been reports of a rise in drug trafficking and criminal-gang activities in the country.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/18/2010 00:00 ||
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Wow. A whole hunbdred protesters? Must be a slow news day in Teheran!
"Just give us the our money and leave! We don't need any strings attached!"
Posted by: Bobby ||
10/18/2010 6:01 Comments ||
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Hundred. I looked it over and it looked OK, so I hit submit. As the screen changed, I said, "Waitaminute. Did I mispell hundred?"
Posted by: Bobby ||
10/18/2010 6:03 Comments ||
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There have also been reports of a rise in drug trafficking and criminal-gang activities in the country.
Pro-Former Soviet or Chinese dictator needed pronto!
#2
DRUDGEREPORT > {Bloomberg] GORBACHEV: RUSSIA RISKS MASS UNREST UNDER CURRENT REGIME.
ARTIC > ...
To wit,
* Gorby says VLADVEDEV + BOYZ are not True Leaders yet.
* Post Cold-War/1991 Russia is not even 1/2 the way on the Road to Freedom as Gorby desired.
* Russia needs MORE + EXPANDED MODERNIZATION OF ITS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.
* MOSCOW = RUSS still fears its own Citizens.
* Believes his own People should laud him, not criticize him, for giving Cold War East Germany back to the Germans, Poland back to the Poles, ...@etc.
Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, provided on-site guidance to the newly built Special Dish House of Okryu Restaurant. This tree bark is overcooked, comrade. Shoot the chef.
The special dish house is another gift presented by Kim Jong Il to the Pyongyangites and all other people with his loving care as he always thinks of how to improve the people's diet. Try the bugs in muddy water soup, comrades. The secret ingredient is "love".
With the appearance of the house which has a total floor space of more than 6 000 square meters and is capable of accommodating thousands of visitors, the area of Okryu Restaurant has turned into a street of catering facilities built in a peculiar Korean architectural style to be proud of. Welcome to Kim Jong Il's Food Hanger...
Kim Jong Il looked round for hours the inside and outside of the elegant, magnificent and exquisite house, a good combination of national, classical and contemporary architectural styles, to learn in detail about its construction. After acquainting himself in detail not only with the architectural style and substance of the house but with cooking utensils and furnishings in the dining rooms, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that soldier-builders built the house at the highest level as required by the architectural beauty of the new century by fully displaying the revolutionary soldier spirit. The house not only has good inner structure but it was constructed at a high level and it is flawless in its architectural substance and style, he said, extending high appreciation and thanks to the soldier-builders for having done good things for the sake of the people. Noting that it is an astonishing miracle that they completed in a matter of half a year the modern special dish house, which will remain impeccable even in the distant future, he stressed that this eye-opening success is a striking demonstration of the inexhaustible mental power of the servicepersons, the creators of the revolutionary soldier spirit.
He was greatly pleased that the appearance of the best special dish house as an annex to Okryu Restaurant, the catering centre for the people, which has long earned its fame as an icon of Korea standing on the picturesque bank of the River Taedong, made it possible for the restaurant for the people to shed its rays as a precious treasure of the Korean nation and the world's leading restaurant both in name and reality. Okryu...
Hi. Can I put in an order and pick it up?
Sure. Six month. You on list.
Gigantic structures are now springing up one after another in various parts of the country and the wealth of the country is on the steady increase, enabling the Korean people to enjoy pleasure after undergoing pain, he noted, adding that the stirring reality of a thriving nation is on the horizon thanks to the inexhaustible mental power of the heroic Korean people who bravely weathered out all sorts of difficulties and trials.
Noting that Okryu Restaurant is a crystal of the great love, an embodiment of President Kim Il Sung's idea of believing in people as in Heaven, he said that it is the sacred duty and noble moral obligation to add shine to this valuable heritage generation after generation.
Okryu Restaurant has an important role to play in improving the people's diet and giving fuller play to the advantages of Korean-style socialism, he said, setting forth important tasks to be carried out to manage and operate the restaurant.
It is the intention and ideal of the Party to bring the level of the people's diet and food culture to the highest level as they will live in a thriving nation, he noted, underscoring the need for the special dish house of the restaurant to play the role as a pedigree eating house for the development of the country's culinary art. Yeah, I'll bet that's a real growth industry in North Korea...
He stressed the need for the special dish house to serve not only Korean national dishes but a variety of dishes including turtle, salmon, sturgeon, quail and bullfrog dishes. So what's the special tonight, comrade?
Rat. If we catch one... It ain't like the bullfrogs are jumping ...
When the house serves national and world famous dishes well, Okryu Restaurant will be more crowded with visitors and then famous dishes will spread across the country from here, he noted. So, comrade, did you enjoy your dish?
It was kinda crunchy. Think I'll go with the paper next time.
He stressed that if this modern house is to pay off profusely, it is necessary to steadily raise the technical skills of the cookers, make a sufficient supply of foodstuffs and other things, ensure the hygienic safety at the restaurant and also pay deep attention to the management of the facilities. Sounds like a job for Fredo if they can get him outta the casinos in Macau...
He together with the leading officials who accompanied him tasted Pyongyang cold noodle prepared by employees of the restaurant and appreciated it, saying that the original taste and tradition were preserved well in the noodle. Mmmmmmmmmm...this noodle is great! Got any more?
No...
He then expressed expectation that the restaurant would faithfully fulfill its duty as a catering establishment. ...or else.
#1
There is a video blog of a reporters visit to North Korea and every time they went to a "Restaurant" they just happen to have the exact number of place settings for the tour group. At the restaurant they had 6-7 people in the group but there was enough food for 20. He opined that this was to give the illusion of plentiful food. I bet the locals ate good after the foreigners left.
#2
"I bet the locals ate good after the foreigners left."
They were probably required to send the leftovers to Kimmie, CS. Or at least send them to the closest Army base. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/18/2010 15:11 Comments ||
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I saw that video report. I seem to recall that the food was kind of bland tasting and that it (especially the unused dishes) was whisked away as soon as the eating was complete -- the person speculated that it was to be stored away for the next tour group.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
10/18/2010 19:18 Comments ||
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The Chinese tradition is to serve far too much food, it means you're prosperous. Tourists can certainly overpay for this sort of service.
Also note that only the ordinary people in NK starve. The important folks like army and hard currency earners (tourist service) get regular houses and decent food.
The international stand-off between China and Japan over the Diaoyutai or Senkaku Islands was supposedly over once the Japanese returned the captain of the ship that had allegedly rammed two Japanese destroyers near the disputed island chain, but a series of protests in Tokyo and across China demonstrate the passion that consumes both nations whenever they are involved in a conflict. Following Japanese protests that took place yesterday morning, Chinese netizens organized three major protests, in Xi'an, Zhengzhou in Henan Province and Chengdu, that saw many thousands of people -- 35,000 estimated in Chengdu -- march through the center of town chanting anti-Japan slogans, waving Chinese flags, struggling with police and throwing stones and bottles. According to the New York Times, China is still blocking exports of rare earth materials to Japan, materials needed for electronics and after these protests, the conflict which had simmered down is set to explode again.
A flyer promoting the demonstration, including starting location, marching route and slogans
Over the course of an otherwise ordinary Saturday afternoon, tens of thousands of irate citizens gathered in downtown Chengdu to protest Japans claim to the Diaoyu islands. This is the small island chain between China and Japan that have been hotly contested since Japan seized a Chinese fishing vessel in the area just six weeks ago. But Chengdu's anti-Japan protest didn't seem to be only about this single issue; the ideological and nationalist rift that separates the two Asian giants runs tragically deep.
I didn't have too much of an idea of what to expect since I didn't attend the last rally directed towards China's mortal rival: but this one was raw, gritty and highly emotional. Fortunately I caught some smiles and friendly faces in between finding myself amidst a sea of Chinese people and under the harsh gaze of hundreds of riot police. These are the photos which tell the story as I saw it.
#1
See also WORLD NEWS > [Examiner.com]JAPAN-CHINA TENSION OVER SENKAKUS SENDS WAKE-UP CALL TO WORLD. Rising China refuses to engage in Prim-N-Proper Multilateralism.
IMO ARTIC read, CHINA REFUSES TO FORGET THE PAST???
SUB-READ, CHINA = NO RETURN IN THE 21ST CENTURY BY TO BEING "THE SICK MAN OF ASIA" - EVAR!
and
* FREEREPUBLIC/WMF > GUAM THE MISSLE MAGNET BUILDS [anti-DPRK "Musudan" BMS?]BUNKERS, + US GLOBAL HAWKS ON GUAM BASE TO MONITOR CHINA'S ACTIVITIES ALL ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF ASIA-PACIFIC.
#4
Annoymoose Hey, I love the way you think at times. You are correct. Japan would scare the pants off the Chinese. Historically China has always done poorly in what I have read. They do as Saddam did when putting people in key positions of power. Japan is a sleeping giant. Germany was a small country to do as they did. We built factories, mobilized and full employment. Many Vets have told me WW11 was a close call for us. Your RX moose is spot on.
#5
Unfortunately Japan is undergoing a demographic collapse, too many old people, not many young people. China is in a much different position. Only 20 years from now things will look even worse in that regard. But China has its own problems.
#7
Yes, the Chinese make many things but their own people are complaining of the poor quality. They are going the cheap route as Japan did. Graft and greed have taken hold. Rare earth materials are now supplied by others they are not the only source. We all know the effect of nationalism on a people and China is stokeing the fire.
#8
The Chinese need to be very careful with this sabre-rattling : their history is one replete with xenophobia and overt racism to non-Chinese. If the Chinese push hard enough, the Japanese will rearm - because they will see it as a pincer move. North Korea is viewed as China's yapping lapdog in Japan, and North Korea is getting pushy; if China does the same with Zero in office, the Japanese will do what it takes to defend the home islands. And they can be a nuke power in nothing flat, if they so wish.
#9
So where is the Kwangtung Army when you really need it? We backed Chiang who begat Mao, who was the greatest mass murderer in history. And no, Nanking massacre and Unit 731 do not even compare in their evilness...
#3
Australia has a goodly number of immigrants from the ongoing culture wars in Zimbabwe and South Africa. These are people who have watched their fortunes disappear through taxes, their street names changed, their schools closed, jobs and opportunities blocked because of race, their farms and property seized by the government and given to ANC politcal party supporters. On day number one of the his presidency, Obama removed the bust of Winston Churchill in the White House oval office and replaced it with that of a black man. This was more than symbology, it was a message, a foretelling of things to come.
#4
Hello Besoeker! As the fellow from Australia says Spot on. I have found that the one who screams a crime many times is the perpetrator. When confronted is the most outspoken in denial. The breadbasket of Africa is gone. Those who don't fit their template are gone. Other races have moved to DC because they see the power the minority now has. What they don't know is they are not inclusive with other peoples. Why is C. Rice so agreeable to O as well as Powell. Why are the votes so unbalanced. Judge by what they do rather than what they say. The riots taught me this. They will leave the poor of their own behind but will use them when it is to their advantage.
#5
With a few very brave exceptions like LTC(Ret) Allen West and others, the democraphics of the American Tea Party movement is universal and quite telling. They are the businessmen, employees, the providers, builders, and paid-up pensioners....not the PAYEES! They and people like them are UNDER ATTACK and the attack is growing. Subtle sometimes, hidden just below the surface, but other times blatant and disrespectful. The left is angry, very angry. Their messiah of Hope & Change is callapsing under the weight of his own Harvardian arrogance, bigotry, and lack of American understanding. He and his socialist coharts have finally been revealed. The left and the entitlement payee crowd will grow more and more angry and resentful. It may get quite ugly but the culture war must be fought. We will not cower away to some remote Oriana-lite English speaking, agrarian existance. Nor will we long for some separatist conservative utopian state. America remains the last bastian of real hope and freedom. Together, whites, Asians, blacks, Latins, coloured, we must mend what is broken, learn from our errors, rebuild, and continue on.
[Iran Press TV] US regulators have shut down three more lenders in the states of Missouri and Kansas, bringing the number of failed banks to 132 so far this year.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) reported the closure of Premier Bank of Jefferson City, Mo., WestBridge Bank and Trust Co. of Chesterfield, Mo. and Security Savings Bank, based in Olathe, Kan., Bloomberg reported.
The failures cost the regulatory agency over USD 500 million. Experts say the bank failures are directly linked to the current real estate crisis.
The US banks are closing at a record pace this year. According to the FDIC, there are more than 800 "problem banks" in the country. These institutions hold more than USD 400 billion in assets.
FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair has said that the agency expects that the number of failures this year will exceed the 2009 total of 140, but that total assets of this year's failures will probably be lower.
During the financial crisis, the US set up a USD 700 billion relief program to bailout its ailing financial centers.
But the Troubled Asset Relief Program has failed to bring the financial meltdown to an end or even stabilize the US reeling financial system.
Since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2007, 300 banks have been taken over by FDIC in the United States.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/18/2010 00:00 ||
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As long as the big banks don't fail, it's all good.
#2
Citigroup Reports $2.2 Billion Profit
Not bad for an insolvent enterprise. Citibank is 12% owned by the US Govt. You can bet the bonuses paid will not go to the US Govt. Feel richer, everyone?
#3
The big banks in deep trouble should have been dealt with early, with gentle, firm, but orderly bust-ups, back when the expression "too big to fail" was being bandied about.
They are to blame for a lot of this speculative nonsense, which smaller institutions had no real part in. Had they been busted up earlier, only shifty hedge funds run by con artists like Madoff, would have been at risk. And if they went belly up, no one would care.
MULTAN: A 23-year-old Pakistani man plans to marry two women in 24 hours, gaining national attention for his novel solution to a dilemma over wedding the woman he loves or going ahead with the marriage his family arranged.
* WAFF > {StrategyPage] THE GREAT EAST ASIAN ANTI-CHINESE ALLIANCE, espec as per Vietnam.
ARTIC = VIETNAM is dev an impressive list of INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR-ARMED ALLIES as hedge agz China, e.g. INDIA + RUSSIA + FRANCE as per Arms Sales + various Bilateral Cooperation, wid more partners likely.
* Also from WAFF > US BELIEVES CHINESE COMPANIES [+ Banks] ARE HELPING IRAN DEVELOP NUKES, via bypassing of UN Sanctions agz Iran's NucProgs.
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.
