Roberto Abraham Scaruffi: November 2008

Sunday 30 November 2008

Tearing down the walls in Japan

The chief economist at Barclays Capital says a key problem in Japan is the high level of share ownership by the banks and argues that the country needs to open up to foreign capital and labour.

India's 9/11. Who was Behind the Mumbai Attacks?

Washington is Fostering Political Divisions between India and Pakistan

Gaza Terrorists Upgrade Mortars

by Hana Levi Julian

Là où la crise n'existe pas

Là où la crise n'existe pas

Jusqu'à dimanche, les ultras riches feront leurs emplettes au salon «Millionaire Fair» de Moscou. Un vrai pied de nez à la crise. 

Inquiets, les Japonais ne consomment plus

Inquiets, les Japonais ne consomment plus

India Faces Reckoning as Terror Toll Eclipses 170

By SOMINI SENGUPTA and KEITH BRADSHER
As bodies were recovered, questions arose on whether the authorities could have anticipated the attack and improved security.

India: querían matar a 5000 personas

Sobre la base de los interrogatorios a uno de los detenidos, se supo que el comando atacante pretendía volar el hotel Taj Mahal 

Riots 'kill hundreds in Nigeria'

Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed during religious clashes in the central Nigerian town of Jos.

Indian allegations alarm Pakistan

Pakistan expresses concern about tension with India after reports that gunmen who killed 200 in Mumbai had Pakistani links.

Saturday 29 November 2008

Sicherheitskräfte beenden Terror-Serie in Bombay

Sicherheitskräfte beenden Terror-Serie in Bombay

A complex terrorist situation

Guardian: An assessment of the security situation in India and the possible political fallout 

La tension monte à Bangkok

La tension monte à Bangkok

Au sixième jour du siège des deux aéroports de la capitale thaïlandaise, des manifestants ont érigé des barricades et forcé un barrage. Le Premier ministre semble contesté jusque dans les rangs de l'armée. L'Union européenne et les Etats-Unis ont demandé aux manifestants d'évacuer l'aéroport.

Berlusconi se inventa una 'pornotasa' contra la crisis

Berlusconi se inventa una 'pornotasa' contra la crisis

Los terroristas querían derribar los hoteles y perpetrar un 11-S indio

Los terroristas querían derribar los hoteles y perpetrar un 11-S indio

Así fue el asalto a Bombay: terroristas adiestrados como soldados de élite

Así fue el asalto a Bombay: terroristas adiestrados como soldados de élite

Fin des opérations à Bombay

Fin des opérations à Bombay

Massacre in Mumbai

MANY THINGS about the savage terrorist attacks on hotels, restaurants and other "soft targets" in Mumbai are not fully known: the group or groups responsible; their links, if any, to Pakistan or other outside forces such as al-Qaeda. But morally, the relevant facts are perfectly clear. The assaul... 
(The Washington Post)

Ethiopia to Pull Its Troops From Somalia by End of the Year

(By Mohamed Olad Hassan, The Washington Post)

Calderón Defends War on Cartels

Mexican President's Administration Concedes That Many Police Are Unqualified 
(By William Booth, The Washington Post)

China Abruptly Executes Convicted Spy

BEIJING, Nov. 28 -- China on Friday executed a man convicted of passing sensitive military and political information to Taiwan a day after notifying his relatives through diplomatic channels that they would have a second chance to visit him, his daughter said. 
(By Lauren Keane, The Washington Post)

What They Hate About Mumbai

By SUKETU MEHTA
Mumbai, India stands for lucre, profane dreams and an indiscriminate openness. And this way of life appalls religious extremists.

U.S. Intelligence Focuses on Pakistani Group

By MARK MAZZETTI and SALMAN MASOOD 
U.S. officials were finding evidence that Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group, was responsible for the Mumbai attacks.  

Armed Teams Sowed Chaos With Precision

By KEITH BRADSHER
The attacks seemed to be coordinated meticulously, suggesting a high level of training and preparation.

Mumbai Terrorist Siege Over, India Says

By SOMINI SENGUPTA and KEITH BRADSHER
Indian commandos took control of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai after a lengthy assault, the head of the commando unit said in a news conference.

Troops battle to end Mumbai siege

Indian special forces in Mumbai attempt to flush the last gunmen out of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, more than two days after militants launched co-ordinated attacks.

Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia

All Ethiopian troops will leave Somalia by the end of the year, the country's foreign ministry announces.

'Taiwan spy' executed by Beijing

China executes a scientist accused of spying for Taiwan, despite appeals from his daughters for clemency.

Friday 28 November 2008

China slashes interest rates as panic spreads

The People's Bank of China cut interest rates by more than 1pc point as the economy crumbles and millions of jobs are predicted to go ahead of Christmas.

Obama's "New" National Security Team Is Not Very New

The Custodians Of Empire 
By Tom Engelhardt 
The next secretary of state looks to be Hillary Clinton, a hawk on the Middle East. During the campaign, she spoke of our ability to "totally obliterate" Iran, should that country carry out a nuclear strike against Israel. She will evidently be allowed to bring her own (hawkish) subordinates into the State Department with her. Her prospective appointment is now being praised by the likes of Newt Gingrich and Henry Kissinger. 

Kafka and Uighurs at Guantánamo

By Ray McGovern 
I would add the suggestion that we as a country make an open apology and ask the rest of the world for forgiveness for our straying so far from the ideals upon which our country was founded. Then there can be true thanksgiving for real closure, and an end to a particularly disgraceful chapter in our country's history. 

Iraqi Academics Assassinated During the US-Led Occupation

By Michel Chossudovsky 
The objective of these targeted assassinations is to "kill a nation", the destroy Iraq's ability to educate its people, to undermine its research and scientific capabilities in literally all fields of endeavor, to transform a nation into a territory, and ultmately to destroy civilization. 

US is Funding Terrorism

Deepak Chopra Blames Washington For Mumbai Terrorist Attacks 
Video and Text 
Chopra: What we have seen in Mumbai has been brewing for a long time, and the war on terrorism and the attack on Iraq compounded the situation. What we call "collateral damage" and going after the wrong people actually turns moderates into extremists, and that inflammation then gets organized and appears as this disaster in Bombay. 

Terror in India: Struggling for Control in the Mumbai War Zone

Since Wednesday evening, war has been raging in downtown Mumbai. Even as a number of hostages have been freed, ongoing violence has the population wary and afraid. And nobody knows how it will end.

Indian Commandos Storm Jewish Center

By SOMINI SENGUPTA and KEITH BRADSHER
It was not known how many hostages were being held inside Nariman House, home to the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad Lubavitch.

Terrorists Paralyze India's Business Capital

Mumbai was brought to a standstill as army and police fought suspected Islamic militants in the heart of the metropolis, marking a dramatic escalation of radical Islam's war against the world's largest democracy.

China fears unrest amid slowdown

The accelerating economic slowdown in China will lead to huge unemployment and could fuel social unrest, China's top planner has said.

Indian markets shut after attacks

Financial markets in India have been closed after the attacks in Mumbai, India's business capital.

Sharp drop in Afghan poppy crop

There is a sharp decrease in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, according to the latest report by UN.

Jewish centre seized in Mumbai

Police surround a Jewish centre in the Indian city of Mumbai where a rabbi is thought to have been taken hostage.

Livni urges Olmert to step down

The leader of Israel's governing Kadima Party, Tzipi Livni, calls on PM Ehud Olmert to quit after the attorney-general says he may charge him.

Medvedev in Cuba to improve ties

President Dmitry Medvedev is in Cuba on the last stop of a Latin American tour to strengthen Russian regional influence.

European nations urged to start spending

European nations urged to start spending
Paola Totaro, London 12:00AM
Europe asked to follow Britain's and begin a huge bout of spending to boost stagnant economies.

RED ALERT - Possible Geopolitical Consequences of the Mumbai Attacks

RED ALERT - Possible Geopolitical Consequences of the Mumbai Attacks

America's Most Wanted: 'The Most Dangerous Woman in the World'

Aafia Siddiqui was once considered a brilliant scientist. Then the US government called her the new face of al-Qaida -- a Pakistani woman who ranked among America's top terrorism suspects. Now the MIT-educated mother of three is in custody, claiming her long disappearance was a wrongful abduction by the CIA.

Terror in India: Obama's First Test

The series of terror attacks in Mumbai comes at a sensitive time for the US. President Bush is no longer in a position to lead, and President-elect Barack Obama has not yet been given the reins. Still, the attacks represent Obama's first foreign policy test.

Thursday 27 November 2008

Israel Prepares to Indict Its Premier in Double-Billing

By ISABEL KERSHNER 
Israel’s attorney general is preparing to charge the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, with crimes including fraud and breach of trust over accusations of double-billing for flights. 

Indian Forces Race To Rescue Hostages

Indian Forces Race To Rescue Hostages

More Than 100 Killed, 300 Wounded In Organized Attacks On Mumbai; At Least 3 Americans Hurt

New York Times: The European Commission proposed a €200 billion (£168 billion, $258 billion) rescue package and China cut interest rates by 108 basis

Economic gloom deepens

Economic gloom deepens

Workplace Violence: Myths and Mitigation

Workplace Violence: Myths and Mitigation

Apikoros

Alter kockers

Alrightnik

Aidel

A Klog is mir

Zuninkeh!

Zorg zich nit!

Zolstu azoy laiben!

Zolst zein vi a lomp-am tug sollst di hangen, in der nacht sollst di brennen

Zolst es shtipin in toches!

Zolst nit vissen fun kain shlechts.

Zolst ligen in drerd!

India: conmoción por múltiples atentados terroristas que provocaron al menos 18 muertos

Hay al menos dieciocho muertos y veinticinco heridos; varios tiroteos y explosiones se produjeron en siete puntos estratégicos de Bombay que incluyen dos hoteles de lujo, un cine y una estación de tren
Exterior | 16:52

Obama Confirms He Will Close Guantanamo Prison

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has confirmed he will close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and "make sure we don't torture," calling those steps necessary "to regain America's moral stature in the world." The closure of Guantanamo would end one of the most controversial chapters in U.S. President George W. Bush's war on terror. More

Pakistan Tries To Clean Up ISI Image By Shutting Down Political Wing

Pakistan Tries To Clean Up ISI Image By Shutting Down Political Wing

La Chine annule un sommet pour dénoncer une rencontre Sarkozy - Dalaï lama

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Mandelson to force banks to open their coffers

Mandelson to force banks to open their coffers

Banks who fail to abide by a new code of practice on lending will face legal action in an attempt to end the credit squeeze 

Financial Meltdown: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

Weapons Come Second

Can Obama Take on the Pentagon?
By Frida Berrigan

"What Next? The Elections, the Economy, and the World"

By Noam Chomsky 
Question is what is a democracy supposed to be? - The ignorant and meddlesome outsiders have a function and namely to watch what's going on. And to push a lever every once in a while and then go home. 

'Worst Crisis since World War II': German Auto Industry Facing the Abyss

More than 1.5 million workers in Germany depend on the automobile
industry for their jobs. But that industry is now facing one of its
worst crises ever. Respected giants BMW and Mercedes are particularly
exposed as sales plummet.

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Kurdish Islamist Groups in Northern Iraq

By Fadhil Ali

India’s Troubled Northeast Region: The Resurgence of Ethno-Islamist Terrorism

By Animesh Roul

Going to “Plan B”: Negotiations with Taliban May Shape a New Afghanistan

 By Chris Zambelis

Débâcle financière, crise systémique: réponses illusoires et réponses nécessaires

Mondialisation.ca, Le 24 novembre 2008

Barak: Hizbullah is 3x Stronger

by Hillel Fendel

Russia's Medvedev's Tough Guy Act

Russia's Medvedev's Tough Guy Act

CBS News: New Russian President Seems To Be Reviving Adversarial Relations With The U.S.

El Pentágono potencia su unidad de videojuegos de adiestramiento

El Pentágono potencia su unidad de videojuegos de adiestramiento

Zapatero: 'Descreo en el proteccionismo; es un elemento de retroceso'

Zapatero: 'Descreo en el proteccionismo; es un elemento de retroceso'

Saviano : «La mafia prospère partout où il n'y a plus d'État»

Saviano : «La mafia prospère partout où il n'y a plus d'État»

Colossal Financial Collapse: The Truth behind the Citigroup Bank "Nationalization"

Barack Obama: Une victoire programmée par le Nouvel Ordre Mondial?

Iran's Power Structure

Iran's Power Structure

November 13 -- A prominent dissident and journalist tells Radio Farda that, because Iran's Supreme Leader ultimately controls the judiciary and police, even a reform-minded President would be unable to establish democracy in Iran. He also calls for a boycott of the upcoming presidential elections. [Read more in Persian]

Iran's Economic Crisis and Nuclear Policy

Iran's Economic Crisis and Nuclear Policy

November 13 -- An expert on Iran's nuclear program tells Radio Farda that Iran's leaders may be willing to strike a deal with the U.S. and international community over the nuclear issue in order to get some economic relief. [Read more in Persian]

Iran's Housing Crisis

Iran's Housing Crisis

November 18 -- In a special report on Iran's housing crisis, one Radio Farda listener asks, "How can one buy a house in Iran with skyrocketing prices and meager incomes?" Ahmad Alavi, a professor of economics, adds that the situation will likely get worse: "Plummeting oil revenues are likely to drive up housing prices," he says. [Read more in Persian]

Obama presentó su gabinete económico y pidió al Congreso que apruebe las medidas anticrisis

Tim Geithner, actual presidente de la Fed de Nueva York, será su secretario del Tesoro y Larry Summers, el jefe del Consejo Económico Nacional; "Necesitamos un amplio programa de estímulos para poner a la economía nuevamente en condiciones", señaló el mandatario electo de Estados Unidos
Exterior | 08:54

Beijing's Stimulus Plan: Preemptive Crisis Management

By Willy Lam 

America's Hidden War in Somalia

"Nobody Is Watching " 
By Paul Salopek 
It is a standoff war in which the Pentagon lobs million-dollar cruise missiles into a famine-haunted African wasteland the size of Texas, hoping to kill lone terror suspects who might be dozing in candlelit huts. 

CHINA'S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH LATIN AMERICA

 CHINA'S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH LATIN AMERICA

'Year of Bad News': Economic Doom and Gloom from Berlin

'Year of Bad News': Economic Doom and Gloom from Berlin Whither the German economy? Nobody really knows. That, at least, seems to be the message from Chancellor Angela Merkel's government this week. Next year, she said, will be full of bad news. Still, not all indicators are bleak. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,592295,00.html

Duel at the Suez Canal: World Scrambles to Deal with Pirate Threat

Duel at the Suez Canal: World Scrambles to Deal with Pirate Threat In their inflatable speedboats and armed with bazookas, Somalia's barefoot pirates are posing a threat to world trade. Now that they have hijacked a supertanker, Europe is deploying warships in the region, while private security firms are offering their services to shipping companies. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,592433,00.html

SPIEGEL Interview with George Soros: 'The Economy Fell off the Cliff'

George Soros, 78, has made billions as a hedge-fund manager and investor. SPIEGEL spoke with him about the current financial crisis, how he expects President-elect Barack Obama to respond to the economic disaster and the responsibilities borne by speculators.

Obama: First Moves

Obama: First Moves

Sunday 23 November 2008

"We killed her... that will be with me the rest of my life"

Lawrence Wilkerson's Lessons of War and Truth
By Nick Turse

La cúpula militar israelí aboga por prepararse para atacar Irán

11:54 - domingo, 23 de noviembre de 2008

Kurds in N. Iraq Receive Arms From Bulgaria

BAGHDAD -- Kurdish officials this fall took delivery of three planeloads of small arms and ammunition imported from Bulgaria, three U.S. military officials said, an acquisition that occurred outside the weapons procurement procedures of Iraq's central government. 
(By Ernesto Londoño, The Washington Post)

Obama Vows Swift Action on Vast Economic Stimulus Plan

By JACKIE CALMES and JEFF ZELENY
Barack Obama offered the outlines of a plan to create or save 2.5 million jobs by investing in public works and alternative energy.

Saturday 22 November 2008

Bush Spurns Protectionism At APEC Summit



Muslim Religious Leaders in Australia Blamed for Not Protecting Women Audio Clip Available

Leaders in state of Victoria accused of condoning rape within marriage, domestic violence and polygamy according to new report on training of imams

Protests in Baghdad on U.S. Pact

By STEPHEN FARRELL 
More than 10,000 supporters of Moktada al-Sadr gathered to protest the Iraqi plan to sign the security agreement.  

Flux in Latin America Affects Russia’s Diplomacy

By SIMON ROMERO, MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ and ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO 
In a rapidly changing landscape, most Latin American countries are recalibrating their political interests, frustrating Russia’s efforts to deepen regional ties. 

Tibetan Exiles Agree to Pursue Compromise with China

Delegates from around world end week-long meeting in Dharamsala, saying they will try to achieve autonomy for region, rather than independence

Russian, Chinese Workers Feel Pain of Global Crisis

Chinese officials said unemployment has worsened and conditions will deteriorate until the second quarter of 2009.

Friday 21 November 2008

Jobless claims hit highest level since 1992

Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press 
With the number of new claims for U.S. jobless benefits hitting a 16-year high, some economists warn of further waves of layoffs in the months ahead. Even already battered industries such as construction and...

Chinese equity in Kazakh uranium mines confirmed

New agreements between Kazatomprom and both major Chinese nuclear companies establish cooperation in uranium mining, fabrication of nuclear fuel for power reactors, long-term trade of natural uranium, generation of nuclear electricity and construction of nuclear power facilities. In uranium mining, CGNPC through its subsidiary, Sino-Kazakhstan Uranium Resources Investment Co, is to become a 49% joint venture partner in two mines: Irkol and Semizbay, while CNNC becomes a 49% joint venture partner in Zhalpak, following approval from China's high-level National Development and Reform Commission. Eventually the uranium from Kazakhstan will be supplied to China as fabricated fuel. Areva, Cameco, Uranium One, Russia's ARMZ and Japanese companies all have some equity in Kazakh uranium mines.

Le procès Politkovskaïa tourne

Le procès Politkovskaïa tourne à la farce

Au moment où le congrès de Russie unie, le parti de Medvedev et Poutine, s'ouvre, le jury du procès de la journaliste assassinée se rebelle et dénonce un mensonge du tribunal qui lui attribuait le souhait du huis clos.

Rocket Attack on Ashkelon

by Hana Levi Julian

Fewer Mexicans leaving homeland

Mexican emigration has dropped 42 percent over the last two years, the government said Thursday. America has become less appealing amid a sour economy and tougher action against illegal migrants.

Putin Vows to Fight Economic Collapse in Russia

By CLIFFORD J. LEVY 
In a keynote speech to the ruling party congress, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin announced tax cuts to spur the economy and increased spending on social programs. 

Thousands of Iraqis protest U.S. pact

Thousands of followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr converged on a central Baghdad square Friday for a mass prayer to protest a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security pact.

Attorney General Mukasey collapses

U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, the no-nonsense ally in President George W. Bush's war on terror, was hospitalized Thursday after he collapsed during a late-night speech and lost consciousness.

Report predicts U.S. decline, Russia rise

Global warming could be a boon to Russia while the U.S. could further decline in importance during the next two decades, says a U.S. intelligence report with predictions for the world in 2025.

Israel Demands World Stop Ignoring Attacks from Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni demanded in a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday that the world stop ignoring attacks on Israel by Gaza militants. Livni "demanded that the international community stop applying a policy of ignoring acts of terror aimed at hurting innocent people," her office said in a statement. "There is no way where the rocket fire against Israeli citizens can continue without retaliation from the Israeli government," Livni said. (AFP)

Internet soll Wirtschaft auf die Beine helfen

Internet soll Wirtschaft auf die Beine helfen