Feb 28, 2014: News Updates

China Currency Plunges Most In Over 5 Years, Biggest Weekly Loss Ever: Yuan Carry Traders Crushed

02/27/14
And just like that the Chinese yuan devaluation has shifted away from the merely "orderly."
In the past few hours of trading, China, which as we reported two days ago has started intervening aggressively in the Yuan market (for the reasons why, read this), has seen its currency crash by nearly 0.9%, which may not seem like much, but is in fact the largest drop since December of 2008, and at last check was trading at around 6.18, even as the PBOC fixed the CNY reference rate 0.02% higher from the last official close to 6.1214, erasing pivot support point at 6.1346 and 6.1408.  Naturally this means that the obverse, the CNYUSD, has crashed to as low as 0.1620. Should this move sustain without reverting, this will be the biggest weekly loss ever!

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-27/chinese-currency-plunges-most-over-5-years-biggest-weekly-loss-ever-yuan-carry-trade

China's central bank opens liquidity front in hot money war

SHANGHAI Fri Feb 28, 2014 5:27am EST
(Reuters) - China's central bank delivered two major surprises to investors this week: it engineered a sharp decline in the yuan against the dollar and at the same time relaxed its tight grip on money markets that had kept interest rates firm.
In effect, the central bank was playing bad cop with speculators in the foreign exchange market to try to shake out one-way appreciation bets, while making nice with money market traders.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-markets-china-bonds-analysis-idUSBREA1R0I420140228

Russian troops seize military airport in Crimea

Fri Feb 28, 2014 10:6AM GMT
Russian troops have taken control of a military airport in Ukraine's autonomous Crimea territory.
The troops have surrounded a military airport near the port of Sevastopol, where the Russian Black Sea fleet has a base. According to reports, the Russian troops have not entered the military base so far but are backed by armored personnel carriers.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/28/352622/russian-troops-seize-airport-in-crimea/

Gold Price "Manipulated For A Decade", Repeatedly Slammed Lower, Bloomberg Reports

02/28/2014
While the FT promptly retracted an article on precisely the topic of gold manipulation from earlier this week (recorded for posterity here), Bloomberg appears to not have had the same "editorial" concerns and pressures, and today released an article once again slamming the final conspiracy theory that while every other asset class is manipulated, gold is in a pristine class of its own, untouched by close-banging, price fixing traders or central bankers, and reports that "the London gold fix, the benchmark used by miners, jewelers and central banks to value the metal, may have been manipulated for a decade by the banks setting it, researchers say."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-28/gold-price-manipulated-decade-repeatedly-slammed-lower-bloomberg-reports

Ex-Murdoch British CEO Brooks paid official for Saddam anthrax story

LONDON Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:33pm GMT
(Reuters) - Rebekah Brooks, the ex-chief executive of News Corp.'s British newspaper arm, told a London court on Friday she had paid a public official for a story about former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein planning to attack Britain with the poison anthrax.
Brooks, who is on trial on charges of sanctioning such illegal payments, said she agreed to pay for the 1998 report when she was deputy editor of Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid because there was an "overwhelming public interest" to do so.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/uk-britain-hacking-idUKBREA1R12920140228

Bank of Ukraine imposes limits on foreign currency deposit withdrawal

February 28, 16:47 UTC+4
"For hryvnia deposits you may take as much as a million or two. Banks have liquidity," National Bank Chief Stepan Kubiv said
KIEV, February 28. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine's national bank has imposed temporary limits to withdraw money from foreign currency deposits to sums equivalent to no more than 15,000 hryvnias (about $1,500) a day, without any limits for hryvnia deposits, National Bank Chief Stepan Kubiv told a press conference.

http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/721415

China hits back at US on drone strikes, espionage in human rights report

Published: February 28, 2014
BEIJING: China on Friday issued a report on human rights in the US, denouncing it for foreign drone strikes, state-sponsored spying and “rampant” gun crime after Washington criticised its rights record.
Beijing said the US “concealed and avoided mentioning its own human rights problems”, such as a government-run intelligence programme known as PRISM which it said “seriously infringes on human rights”.
“The US is always making irresponsible remarks on the affairs of other countries but keeps silent on its own affairs,” he told reporters at a regular briefing. “This is a typical double standard.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/677285/china-hits-back-at-us-on-drone-strikes-espionage-in-human-rights-report/




 Feb. 28, 2014, 1:00 p.m. EST

Judge OKs J.P. Morgan $300M insurance settlement

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- A Miami judge has granted final approval to a $300 million settlement between J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. JPM +1.24% and homeowners who said they were ripped off by the bank when it bought property insurance policies for them. Judge Federico Moreno on Friday approved the settlement, in which the bank and the insurance company Assurant Inc. AIZ +1.37% could pay a combined $300 million out to about 760,000 homeowners. The homeowners can receive refunds for 12.5% of the premiums they paid on policies that J.P. Morgan "force-placed" on them. Some homeowners had protested the settlement, saying the sum isn't high enough. Similar cases against Bank of America Corp. BAC +0.79% and Wells Fargo & Co. WFC +1.26% are also pending in Miami. Earlier this month, Citigroup Inc. C +0.74% and Assurant agreed to pay a combined $110 million to homeowners in a case over force-placed insurance, though that settlement still needs a judge's approval.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/judge-oks-jp-morgan-300m-insurance-settlement-2014-02-28

Greece's Eurobank Posts $1.25 Billion Loss

Feb. 28, 2014 12:19 p.m. ET
ATHENS—Greece's Eurobank Ergasias SA, EUROB.AT -22.72% the country's fourth largest lender, reported a €913 million ($1.25 billion) loss in the last quarter as it implemented a government-backed restructuring scheme.
In a statement, the bank said it had taken €660 million in provisions for bad loans in the final three months of 2013, and wrote off another €563 million in restructuring and other charges.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304071004579411110910641206?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304071004579411110910641206.html

"RWE, Germany’s second biggest utility, is expected to declare a net loss of about €3bn for 2013, in the latest sign of the crisis gripping European power producers."

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/eee6dcbc-a051-11e3-a72c-00144feab7de.html#axzz2uddTpmID

Turkey 'frees key suspects in corruption probe'

AFP
53 minutes ago
Istanbul (AFP) - A Turkish court on Friday released five people, including the sons of two ministers, who were detained on corruption allegations in mid-December in a high-profile probe that has rocked the government, local media said.
The private NTV channel said that Baris Guler, the son of the former interior minister, as well as Kaan Caglayan, the son of the ex-economy minister, and Azerbaijani businessman Reza Zarrab, were among those freed.

http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-frees-key-suspects-corruption-probe-144233366.html

Mt. Gox files for bankruptcy, blames hackers for losses

TOKYO Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:10am EST
(Reuters) - Mt. Gox, once the world's biggest bitcoin exchange, filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan on Friday, saying it may have lost nearly half a billion dollars worth of the virtual coins due to hacking into its faulty computer system.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/us-bitcoin-mtgox-bankruptcy-idUSBREA1R0FX20140228

How the Government Manipulates Your Thoughts Online

Published on Feb 26, 2014
Abby Martin talks about journalist Glenn Greenwald's report regarding the intelligence community's use of subversive and manipulative online tactics to destroy the reputations of businesses and individuals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUWnGXAfabA

Crackdown on shares fraud yields 110 arrests in Europe, U.S

LONDON Fri Feb 28, 2014 2:33pm GMT
(Reuters) - Anti-fraud police have arrested 110 people in Europe and the United States in an international crackdown on gangs selling bogus shares that cost some investors their life savings, British authorities said on Friday.
City of London Police, responsible for law enforcement in the British capital's financial district, said the arrests, made in a series of raids this week, arose out of a two-year investigation into "boiler room" operations believed responsible for millions of pounds of investment fraud.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/uk-britain-crime-shares-idUKBREA1R10I20140228

RBS seeks to regain trust after post-crisis losses hit 46 billion pounds

By Matt Scuffham and Steve Slater

LONDON Thu Feb 27, 2014 5:04pm GMT
The bank, which is 81-percent owned by the government, on Thursday posted an 8.2 billion pound pre-tax loss for 2013 due to restructuring costs and misconduct charges.
That brings the total RBS has lost since it was bailed out in 2008 to 46 billion pounds - just above the amount taxpayers paid for its rescue during the financial crisis.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/uk-rbs-earnings-idUKBREA1Q0ED20140227

 Venezuela protests continue despite holiday

Cities in South America's largest oil exporting nation witness more anti-government protests amid carnival celebrations.
Last updated: 28 Feb 2014 08:00
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/venezuela-protests-continue-despite-holiday-20142284192264849.html

 Indian billionaire Subrata Roy arrested

Chief of Sahara group is taken into custody after surrendering in case relating to non-refund of investors' money.
Last updated: 28 Feb 2014 09:01
Subrata Roy, the chairman of India's Sahara group, has been arrested after a top court issued an arrest warrant against him for failing to appear in court, local media reports.
Roy surrendered to the police before being taken into custody on Friday, saying he was "not absconding" and pleading to be allowed to remain under house arrest until he is next due to appear in court in March 4.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/02/indian-billionaire-subrata-roy-arrested-20142285492720972.html

Updated: First Nations cancel meeting with health officials

Feb 26/14
EDMONTON - The Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations have cancelled a meeting in Fort Chipewyan on Thursday with officials from Alberta Health Services who planned to release new cancer statistics in the northern community.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/touch/story.html?id=9550883

 Alberta doctor tells U.S.: Canada is ‘lying’ about tar sands’ health effects

American Senators told that oil sands are linked to a huge spike in cancer, despite Canadian government claims
Posted: Feb 26th, 2014
A northern Alberta doctor warned U.S. Senators on what he says have been the devastating health impacts of the tar sands on families – effects, he says, that have been willfully “ignored” by the Canadian and Alberta governments.

“I appeal to you to keep up the pressure – this is an ongoing tragedy.  A total disgrace,” said Dr. John O’Connor, Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/alberta-doctor-tells-us-canada-%E2%80%98lying%E2%80%99-about-tar-sands%E2%80%99-health-effects

Hundreds of babies rescued as Chinese police smash four child-trafficking rings

Feb 28/2014
Chinese police have detained 1,094 people and rescued 382 infants in a nationwide crackdown on four online baby-trafficking rings.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/chinese-police-child-trafficking-baby-rings

No one is tracking unregulated daycare deaths in Ontario

Four baby deaths in unlicensed daycare in seven months seems high, but no one at Queen’s Park knows for sure because daycare deaths aren't tracked.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/02/28/no_one_is_tracking_unregulated_daycare_deaths_in_ontario.html

Everything Petroleum Does, Hemp Does Better

bodymindsoulspirit | February 25, 2014 | 0Extracting fossil fuels are harmful to the environment and to human health. Petroleum extracting and processing is a chemical-intensive, expensive process. Hemp oil for fuel is simply a matter of growing, harvesting, and processing.

Petroleum-based plastics are not biodegradable. Hemp-based plastics are recyclable and biodegradable.

Fuel for transportation can be replaced with hemp-based biofuels. Hemp fuel is clean, efficient, and…if it spills it does not harm the environment, it is more like a fertilizer.

Everything, EVERYTHING, that petroleum does, hemp does. So, why are we feeling this pain from fossil fuels?

http://bodymindsoulspirit.com/everything-petroleum-does-hemp-does-better/

 Azodicarbonamide yoga mat chemical confirmed in 500+ everyday foods and grocery items

http://www.naturalnews.com/044092_azodicarbonamide_yoga_mat_chemical_groceries.html

Thousands  of people in Paris and around France protest- Feb 27, 2014

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/emploi/des-milliers-d-intermittents-mobilises-contre-les-propositions-du-medef_540605.html

Feb 18, 2014: News Updates

Man leaps to death from JP Morgan’s headquarters in Central

PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 18 February, 2014, 4:49pm

A man on Tuesday jumped to his death from the top of Chater House in Central, where Wall Street bank JP Morgan has its Asia headquarters, witnesses told the South China Morning Post.....
...According to several JP Morgan employees, the man was a forex trader with the company.

http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1430296/man-leaps-death-jp-morgans-headquarters-central

Thousands of Thai protesters surround govt HQ in Bangkok

17 February, 2014 12:02 PM

http://rt.com/in-vision/thailand-protest-surround-government/

Bank Runs Spread To Thailand

feb 18 2014
Thailand's Government Savings Bank (GSB) president admitted that clients withdrew 30bn Baht (around $1bn) in a single-day last week and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), although of a much smaller magnitude, have also seen withdrawal spikes of similar magnitude according to The Bangkok Post. The 'bank run' comes after speculation that cash at the state-run banks are being used by the government (which is in turmoil) to fund farmers (who have not received their 'promised' rice subsidies of over 130 bn Baht). Withdrawal requests are met with banks warning that there were insufficient funds at the time due to many depositors withdrawing cash. One depositor, rather ironically summed it up, "I started to feel concerned that my money may become only paper."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-18/bank-runs-spread-thailand

Deposit flight hits state-run bank Panicked by rumours of rice scheme lending, GSB customers are pulling out their money in droves. Published: 18 Feb 2014 at 23.57

Customers are stampeding to yank their deposits out of banks perceived as having extended loans to fund the cash-strapped rice pledging scheme.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/395554/deposit-flight-hits-state-run-bank

Fed Voting on Rules to Regulate Foreign Banks in the U.S.

Fed to Consider Risk Management Requirements for Large U.S., Foreign Banks
Feb. 18, 2014 3:03 p.m. ET
The Federal Reserve was set to vote Tuesday to impose new rules on the global banking system, bringing large foreign banks under U.S. supervision. 9:03 PM

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303945704579391244050104458?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303945704579391244050104458.html%3Fmod%3DWSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

USS Taylor being inspected after running aground off Turkey

Stars and Stripes 3 hrs ago
Published: February 18, 2014
The guided-missile frigate USS Taylor, one of two ships on deployment in the Black Sea, is being inspected for damage after running aground last week as it was preparing to moor in Samsun, Turkey, a spokesman for the U.S. 6th Fleet said Tuesday....
The incident, which occurred on Feb. 12, is under further investigation, Eklund said.

http://www.stripes.com/news/uss-taylor-being-inspected-after-running-aground-off-turkey-1.268360

Protesters flood streets as Venezuela opposition leader arrested

CARACAS Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:09pm EST
(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Venezuela's capital on Tuesday after troops arrested opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on charges of fomenting unrest against the government and violence that has killed at least four people.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1H0WU20140218

Libyan militias call on parliament to hand over power in five hours

Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:49pm EST

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Two armed Libyan militia groups called on the country's parliament to hand over power in five hours on Tuesday, according to a statement read out on television that added to tensions in the volatile OPEC producer.

Libya is facing turmoil as the government of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan is struggling to control armed militias who helped overthrow the former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and have retained their weapons to make financial and political demands.

www.ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABREA1H1KD20140218

At least nine die on worst day of Ukraine protest violence

KIEV Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:08pm EST
(Reuters) - Ukrainian protesters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and stones at riot police on the edge of Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday, and nine people died in the worst day of violence since demonstrations erupted against President Viktor Yanukovich.
Western powers warned Yanukovich against trying to smash the 12 week-old pro-European demonstrations and opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko, fearing an assault, urged women and children to leave the central square - also known as Maidan - "to avoid further victims".
A police spokeswoman said seven civilians and two policemen had died in Tuesday's clashes.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140218

Uproar over Nigeria's missing oil millions (2:03)

Feb. 17 - Suspicions of massive fraud at the heart of one of the world's most opaque state oil companies has put pressure on Nigeria's President a year ahead of elections. As Sonia Legg reports he was already facing criticism for failing to quell a northern Islamist insurgency.

http://uk.reuters.com/video/2014/02/17/row-over-nigerias-missing-oil-millions?videoId=278859587&videoChannel=78

U.S. opens border checkpoint in UAE

Overseas base, part of a push to combat terror threats, will also fast-track travellers through entry process.
 Tue Feb 18 2014
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — A U.S. border checkpoint located a day’s flight from New York in the Arabian desert promises to become an oasis for weary travellers heading for the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened an Abu Dhabi base on Jan. 24, the first in the Middle East and the second outside the Americas after Ireland.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/02/18/us_opens_border_checkpoint_in_uae.html

Canada scraps millionaire visa scheme, ‘dumps 46,000 Chinese applications’

Tens of thousands of Chinese millionaires in the queue will have their applications scrapped and their application fees returned
Tens of thousands of Chinese millionaires face an uncertain future after Canada's government moved to scrap its controversial investor visa scheme, which has allowed waves of rich Hongkongers and mainland Chinese to immigrate since 1986.
The surprise announcement was made in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's budget, delivered to parliament in Ottawa on Tuesday. An estimated 45,500 mainland Chinese in the queue for visas in Hong Kong will have their applications "eliminated" and their fees returned

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1426368/canada-scraps-millionaire-visa-scheme-dumps-46000-chinese-applications

UBS helped set up offshore firm for wife, daughter of corrupt railways official, database shows

Feb 17 2014

Swiss bank helped set up secretive offshore company for wife and daughter of convicted railways ministry official, says US group
Swiss bank UBS is at the centre of embarrassing revelations that it helped to set up a secretive offshore firm for the wife and daughter of a former senior Chinese official who has since been convicted of corruption.

http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1429461/ubs-helped-set-offshore-firm-wife-daughter-corrupt-railways

Bank Of America Warns "The US Dollar Is In Trouble"

Feb 17 2014
Global financial and commodity markets are warning that the US Dollar is in for a bout of trouble, warns BofAML's Macneil Curry. Across asset classes, Curry points out that Gold was the first to make its low against the US Dollar, doing so back on Dec-15. The second market to turn against the US Dollar was US Treasuries, with Ten year note futures turning bullish back on Dec-26. Currently, the FX market - most specifically GBP - is breaking out and pressuring the US Dollar. Finally, the Japanese stock market continues to suffer, putting downward pressure on USDJPY and thus US Dollar weakness.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-16/bank-america-warns-us-dollar-trouble

Obama's TPP negotiators received huge bonuses from big banks

Published time: February 18, 2014 17:12
A controversial trade deal being touted by the White House is expected to give American corporations broad new authority if approved. Now according to newly released documents, big banks gave millions to the execs that are now orchestrating the agreement.
Investigative journalist Lee Fang wrote for Republic Report on Tuesday this week that two former well-placed individuals within the ranks of Bank of America and CitiGroup were awarded millions of dollars in bonuses before jumping ship to work on the Trans-Pacific Partnership on behalf of the White House.

http://rt.com/usa/tpp-fang-big-banks-577/

Spain’s biggest lender Santander fined €16.9 mn for mis-selling

Published time: February 18, 2014 13:57
Spanish banking has suffered another blow, after its biggest lender Banco Santander was fined €16.9 million for not revealing to some bond buyers “necessary information” ahead of the financial crisis.
The bank, also the Euro zone's biggest by market value, had committed a “very grave infraction” while selling its so-called Valores bonds, said the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), the country’s stock market regulator.

http://rt.com/business/santander-spain-banking-fine-553/

China Sold Second-Largest Amount Ever Of US Treasurys In December: And Guess Who Comes To The Rescue

Feb 18 2014
While we will have more to say about the disastrous December TIC data shortly, which was released early today, and which showed a dramatic plunge in foreign purchases of US securities in December - the month when the S&P soared to all time highs and when everyone was panicking about the 3% barrier in the 10 Year being breached and resulting in a selloff in Tsy paper - one thing stands out. The chart below shows holdings of Chinese Treasurys (pending revision of course, as the Treasury department is quite fond of ajdusting this data series with annual regularity): in a nutshell, Chinese Treasury holdings plunged by the most in two years, after China offloaded some $48 billion in paper, bringing its total to only $1268.9 billion, down from $1316.7 billion, and back to a level last seen in March 2013!

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-18/china-sells-second-largest-amount-us-treasurys-december-and-guess-who-comes-rescue

Beijing giving foreign economists the cold shoulder

Foreign economists given the cold shoulder as government officials become more sceptical of research reports analysing scale of problem
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 18 February, 2014,
Chinese government officials have quietly become more sceptical about foreign banks' research reports and are avoiding senior economists at global banks, partly because of growing mutual distrust over the scale and seriousness of the country's debt problems.
Economic researchers and people working for state-owned media told the South China Morning Post that the central government's propaganda department had instructed senior editors at major official media outlets to be cautious about whom they invite to talk about China's economy and what they might say about the problems and challenges it faces after its long run of supercharged growth.

http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1430072/beijing-giving-foreign-economists-cold-shoulder

Student Loans Hit Record $1.08 Trillion; Delinquent Student Debt Rises To All Time High

Feb 18,2014
While the bulk of the quantity data contained in the Fed's quarterly Household Debt and Credit Report is known in advance courtesy of the Fed's monthly tracking of household revolving and non-revolving debt, the quality components always provide a welcome insight into the state of the US household. It is there that we find that the most disturbing trend in recent years: the encumbering of students with record amounts of loans continues. In fact, as of December 31, the total amount of non-dischargeable (for now) student loans hit a new all time high of $1.08 trillion an increase of $53 billion in the quarter. By comparison, total credit card debt as of the same period was "only" $683 billion. At this rate, total student loans will be double the size of all credit card debt within 2-3 years.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-18/student-loans-hit-record-108-trillion-delinquent-student-debt-rises-all-time-high

Scots to lose UK pension after autonomy: Gordon Brown

Tue Feb 18, 2014 5:33PM GMT
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned the Scottish people that a vote for independence from the United Kingdom would mean losing their state pensions.
“You are expecting, quite rightly, that you will get a British pension – but if there is independence, the British pension stops, the national insurance fund that you're paying into is broken up,” Brown said during a speech in Fife.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/18/351262/scots-to-lose-uk-pension-after-autonomy/

Wall Street slightly higher as Tesla lifts Nasdaq

By Angela Moon
NEW YORK Tue Feb 18, 2014
(Reuters) - Stocks were slightly higher on Tuesday after Wall Street's biggest gain of the year, boosted by Tesla shares which hit an all-time high, giving a lift to the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

Economic reports were disappointing. U.S. homebuilder confidence suffered its largest one-month drop ever in February, and the New York Federal Reserve's gauge of manufacturing showing weaker-than-expected reading, but investors quickly shifted focus to more market-positive news in mergers and acquisitions.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/us-markets-stocks-idUSBREA080LL20140218

Tesla catches fire in Toronto garage

Tesla officials investigating incident that occurred after owner returned from a drive
Published February 18, 2014
Another Tesla Model S has caught fire, this one in Toronto.
Unlike several previous situations where the EV ignited after striking an object while driving, this Model S caught on fire while sitting in its owner’s garage. It was unplugged from its charging unit.

http://www.wheels.ca/news/tesla-catches-fire-in-toronto-garage/

BREAKING: WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATORS PASS HEMP NULLIFICATION BILL

Posted on February 18, 2014   
Olympia, Wa., February 17, 2014– State legislators in the Washington House of Representatives just voted unanimously (97:0) to approve HB1888, which effectively nullifies the federal ban on hemp within the state of Washington.

http://truthseeker1313.com/2014/02/18/breaking-washington-state-legislators-pass-hemp-nullification-bill/

Hong Kong socialite Sandra d'Auriol plunges to her death at plastic surgery clinic

Sandra d'Auriol was listed among Hong Kong Tatler's list of top 500 people in the city
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 29 January, 2014

A Hong Kong socialite and jewellery designer has plunged to her death from the top floor of a prestigious Californian medical clinic where she had just received treatment.
D'Auriol was born in India to British parents and was married to Frenchman Yan d'Auriol, a former L'Oreal executive and a founding partner of Hong Kong private equity firm Leitmotiv.
She was a director of the Child Welfare Scheme and was trained by Asprey, jewellers to the British Royal family.

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1416223/socialite-sandra-dauriol-plunges-her-death-californian-clinic

Feb 17, 2014: News Updates

*Possible radiation leak at New Mexico military nuclear waste site

Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:34am EST
(Reuters) - Unusually high levels of radioactive particles were found at an underground nuclear waste site in New Mexico on Saturday in what a spokesman said looked like the first real alarm since the plant opened in 1999.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/16/us-radiation-leak-newmexico-idUSBREA1F06Y20140216

Further info: http://removingtheshackles.blogspot.com/2014/02/radiation-leak-carlsbad-nm-nuclear.html

 Georgia jails former PM for corruption

Vano Merabishvili sentenced to five and half years in prison in a verdict that opposition dubs as government witch-hunt.
Last updated: 17 Feb 2014 14:22

A Georgian court has sentenced a former prime minister to five and a half years in prison for corruption in a verdict that opposition politicians branded as part of a government witch-hunt against its foes.

Vano Merabishvili was convicted on Monday of abuse of power and other crimes at the trial in the western city of Kutaisi, according to the Reuters news agency.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/georgia-jails-former-pm-corruption-2014217125232299241.html

"Off The Charts" How China Fooled The World

02/16/2014
China is now the second largest economy in the world and for the last 30 years China's economy has been growing at an astonishing rate, wowing the world, as spending and investment has been undertaken on a scale never seen before in human history - 30 new airports, 26,000 miles of motorways and a new skyscraper every five days have been built in China in the last five years. But as we (and Michael Pettis, George Soros, and Jim Chanos - among many others) have warned, it is all eerily reminiscent of what happened in the West... the vast majority of it has been built on credit. This has now left the Chinese economy with huge debts and questions over whether much of the money can ever be paid back (spoiler alert: it can't and it won't).

The BBC's Robert Peston travels to China to investigate how this mighty economic giant could actually be in serious trouble.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-16/charts-how-china-fooled-world

Ex-Barclays bankers charged with Libor rigging

By Mark Thompson  @MarkThompsonCNN February 17, 2014:
Prosecutors have charged three former Barclays bankers in connection with the rigging of global interest rates.

The U.K.'s Serious Fraud Office, which prosecutes complex cases of fraud, said Monday that it's started criminal proceedings against Peter Charles Johnson, Jonathan James Mathew and Stylianos Contogoulas in connection with manipulating the London interbank offered rate, or Libor.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/17/news/libor-barclays-charges/index.html?iid=SF_BN_Lead&hpt=hp_bn1

NATO seeks to capitalize power vacuum in CAR: Analyst

Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:40PM GMT
A political analyst says a huge power vacuum in the mineral rich Central African Republic is the root cause of many problems, warning that NATO seeks to capitalize mineral riches in the crisis-hit country.
“The country has uranium; they have gold; they have diamonds and they have other strategic minerals that are indispensable to the overall world economic system. And the US of course with their allies in NATO wants to control those resources in alliance with their partners on the African continent,” Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of Pan African News Wire, Detroit,

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/17/351132/nato-capitalizes-car-power-vacuum/





Feb. 16, 2014, 9:45 p.m. EST

Australian bourse set to offer yuan payments

MELBOURNE, Australia--Australia's securities exchange will offer a service settling trade in yuan as part of a venture with Bank of China Ltd., a further push by financial companies Down Under to tap rising capital flows between Australia and its biggest trading partner.
The settlement service will allow Australian companies to take or make payments with Chinese investment and trading partners through ASX Ltd.'s (ASX.AU) Austraclear market infrastructure.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/australian-bourse-set-to-offer-yuan-payments-2014-02-16-214854449?dist=markets

"Money Launderer Until Proven Innocent" - Italy Imposes 20% Tax Withholding On All Inbound Money Transfers

02/16/2014
While the propaganda surrounding Europe's "recovery" has reached deafening levels, what is going on behind the scenes is quite the opposite, and in the latest example that Europe is increasingly formalizing a regime of implicit capital controls, we learn that Italy has just ordered banks to withhold a 20% tax on all inbound wire transfers: a decree which on to of everything will apply retroactively to February 1. As Il Sole reports, "the deductions will be automatic (unless prior request for exclusion), and then it will be up to the taxpayer to prove that the money is not in the nature of compensation "income." In other words, as of this moment, but really starting two weeks ago, all Italians are money launderers unless proven innocent.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-16/money-launderer-until-proven-innocent-italy-imposes-20-tax-withholding-all-inbound-m




 Feb. 17, 2014, 12:55 a.m. EST

China's Goldleaf eyes Texas energy company

02/17/2014
SHANGHAI--A Chinese gold retailer said it plans to acquire a Texas-based oil and gas operator for at least $665 million, part of a strategy to diversify into overseas energy markets.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chinas-goldleaf-eyes-texas-energy-company-2014-02-17-04855519?dist=countdown

Venezuela’s Maduro expels 3 US consular officials, alleging conspiracy

Published time: February 17, 2014 10:59
After days of protests led by students and opposition forces, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the expulsion of three US consular officials whom he accused of conspiracy and meeting students involved in anti-government protests.

http://rt.com/news/maduro-expels-conspiring-opposition-358/

Venezuela opposition leader on run amid rallies

Sun Feb 16, 2014 2:20AM GMT
Venezuelan opposition leader wanted for vandalism has been on the run as pro and anti-government rallies continue in the South American country.
Addressing thousands of supporters during a demonstration in the capital Caracas on Saturday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said a police operation is underway to arrest opposition leader Leopaldo Lopez.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/16/350895/venezuela-opp-leader-on-run/




 17 February 2014 Last updated at 18:35

Scottish independence: Currency union block could hurt firms, says Alex Salmond

Blocking an independent Scotland's ability to share the pound could damage business in the rest of the UK, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Mr Salmond said the UK Treasury could impose "hundreds of millions of pounds" in costs on firms if plans for a post-Yes currency union were rejected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26220638

Matteo Renzi asked to form new government by Italian president

If mayor of Florence creates coalition that wins parliament's backing, he will become Italy's youngest prime minister
 Monday 17 February 2014 12.45 GMT

The Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, asked the mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, to form a new government on Monday – the economically troubled country's third in two years.

If he can pull together a coalition that wins the backing of parliament, Renzi, 39, will become Italy's youngest ever prime minister.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/17/italian-president-matteo-renzi-mayor-florence-new-government

Harper drags Ottawa into political mud: Analyst

Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:42PM GMT
In an article published by Press TV on Monday, Eric Walberg criticized the Harper administration for granting a new identity and passport to an agent of the Israeli spying agency Mossad who had been involved in an assassination plot in 2010.
According to the analyst, “Issuing a fugitive Mossad assassin a new identity on a shiny new Canadian passport” is the latest “in a string of humiliating, criminal coincidences” happening in Canada during Haper’s term in office.   

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/17/351133/haper-policies-taint-canada-diplomacy/

Mt. Gox set to restart bitcoin withdrawals as price tumbles

February 17, 2014, 8:13 AM
Withdrawals from Mt. Gox should restart soon, the troubled bitcoin exchange said Monday, as the price of the virtual currency tumbled to fresh lows on the exchange.

That follows an announcement from Slovenia-based bitcoin exchange Bitstamp, which over the weekend said it had restored automatic withdrawals. It suspended moves last Tuesday due to a transaction malleability bug, which allowed hackers to create false transaction data.

The same flaw led to a halt of withdrawals at Mt. Gox site a week ago, kicking off a wave of fresh jitters over the virtual currency. Silk Road 2 was also hit by the bug, which cleaned out the Dark Internet site’s entire store of bitcoin, valued at $2.7 million.

http://blogs.marketwatch.com/thetell/2014/02/17/mt-gox-set-to-restart-bitcoin-withdrawals-as-price-tumbles/




Published time: February 17, 2014 12:18

Thai demonstrators cement gates of Government House

More than 10,000 opposition demonstrators encircled Government House on Monday to prevent the Thai prime minister from resuming her work. They cemented concrete blocks in front of one gate and blockaded the other with cemented sandbags, having heard that Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra intended to move back to the building. She has been forced to use a temporary office on the outskirts of Bangkok since anti-government protesters began an attempt to oust her late last year.

http://rt.com/in-motion/thailand-government-house-cemented-364/




Published time: February 16, 2014 15:58

Hundreds of Mexican women dance to protest violence

Hundreds of women danced in Mexico City's central square Saturday as part of the global "One Billion Rising for Justice" campaign, which aims to end violence against women. In Mexico, four in five women have experienced domestic violence, according to Andres Naime, who is coordinating the Mexico One Billion Rising for Justice campaign. According to its website, people from more than 200 countries have taken part in the campaign.

http://rt.com/in-motion/mexico-dance-women-campaign-268/




 14 February 2014 Last updated at 17:07

A Point of View: Why every household should have its own currency

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26169411

India To "Look Into" Easing Gold Price Controls

02/17/2014

Two weeks ago, gold jumped to a then-2014 high, following reports out of India that the head of India's Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi was pushing the government to cut its duty on gold and other restrictions. Today, now that the upward move in gold has finally resumed, it appears that the nation with the world's most draconian gold capital controls, is finally starting to crack under pressure from the people, as well as a surge in gold smuggling via illegal channels to unprecedented levels. Reuters reports that India "will look into relaxing gold imports curbs, but won't let its current account deficit (CAD) balloon, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said on Monday."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-17/india-look-easing-gold-price-controls

Merkel's mirage: ‘This new old idea of a Schengen net is basically a step back’

Published time: February 17, 2014 14:50
The idea of the internet with borders means that national states will be able to put much more mass surveillance on their own people, Bruno Kramm from the Pirate Party told RT.
RT: What kind of future do you see for this proposal of Angela Merkel to create a pan-European communications network that would prevent private data from leaking across the Atlantic?

http://rt.com/op-edge/schengen-net-is-step-back-400/

Free Syrian Army fires military chief Selim Idriss as influence wanes

Western-backed forces blame Idriss for logistical failings as opposition rapidly loses ground to rival Islamist groups- Monday 17 February 2014 02.00 GMT 
 
The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) said on Sunday it had fired Selim Idriss as its military chief, citing the “difficulties faced by the Syrian revolution” in its battle with the regime.

In a video broadcast on the internet, the rebel coalition said its military council had decided to replace Idriss with Brigadier General Abdel al-Ilah al-Bachir.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/17/free-syrian-army-fires-military-chief-selim-idriss

"Soros Put" Hits Record As Billionaire's Downside Hedge Rises By 154% in Q4 To $1.3 Billion

02/17/2014
A curious finding emerged in the latest 13F by Soros Fund Management, the family office investment vehicle managing the personal wealth of George Soros.

Actually, two curious findings: the first was that the disclosed Assets Under Management as of December 31, 2013 rose to a record $11.8 billion (this excludes netting and margin, and whatever one-time positions Soros may have gotten an SEC exemption to not disclose: for a recent instance of this, see Greenlight Capital's Micron fiasco, and the subsequent lawsuit of Seeking Alpha which led to the breach of David Einhorn's holdings confidentiality).

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-17/soros-put-hits-record-billionaires-downside-hedge-rises-154-q4-13-billion

91 million Americans aren't looking for jobs

By Annalyn Kurtz    February 10, 2014: 2:20 PM ET
The unemployment rate isn't always the best measure of the job market, because it only includes people who have actively searched for work within the last four weeks. Many Americans just aren't looking for jobs.
In fact, about 91 million adult Americans don't work, and aren't looking for jobs. They make up 37% of the population -- the highest level on record since 1978.

http://economy.money.cnn.com/2014/02/10/91-million-americans-arent-looking-for-jobs/?iid=HP_River

"Germany: About 15 million unemployed!

translation:
First, there are those who are in their first year of unemployment and therefore entitled to unemployment compensation: These are about 850 000 people. Approximately 4.4 million receive Hartz IV and about 1.7 million Social money. These are together almost exactly 7 million beneficiaries.

As the institution from this number the fabrications makes 2.8 million, that is - well, let's say, a bit strange.

But the other 7 million beneficiaries are still not nearly all the unemployed.
If we move further to the truth. Since there are still namely those related housing allowance, child allowance, basic security in old age and / or social assistance. The numbers are the institution not known, but it must also talk about millions be. If we count once for simplicity 1 million in that category, then so are the 8 million beneficiaries.
But that's not the whole truth. 3.8 million are "under-employed", according to information provided by the institution and because there are a different number of those who remained outside of the count: magnitude Moderately 800 thousand are housed in "action," so they do not pollute the unemployment figures.
So this brings us to a total of 12.6 million, which is wholly or substantially unemployed and receive benefits.
But there are also another category that can only be estimated, These are, as mentioned above, those who apply out of fear or shame, no benefits. The are (IAB) estimated to be about another 3.1 to 4.9 million people, according to the Institute for Labour Market and Occupational Research.
Thus we have a total number of unemployed in Germany from 15.7 to 17.5 million people speaking.
...If we count the total number of people in Germany with 80 million, so we have 19.6 to 21.9% unemployment. Actually, you should only count the working age population, which are only about 60 million, it is the percentage of unemployed in Germany 26 to 29%!

http://www.karl-weiss-journalismus.de/?p=1863

Qatar World Cup toll: ‘Hundreds’ of Indian migrant workers dead in two years

Published time: February 17, 2014 16:18

More than 450 Indian migrant workers in Qatar have died in the last two years, media revealed on Monday. Another upcoming report will show that 400 Nepalese have lost their lives scrambling to get the Gulf state ready for the 2022 World cup.

http://rt.com/news/qatar-world-cup-deaths-india-406/

Innu elder on last trek denied access to traditional lands

Respected activist Elizabeth Penashue not allowed to enter Muskrat Falls due to Nalcor work
CBC News Posted: Feb 17, 2014 2:34 PM ET Last Updated: Feb 17, 2014 2:34 PM ET

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/innu-elder-on-last-trek-denied-access-to-traditional-lands-1.2538823

Feb 15, 2014: News Updates

 Feb. 14, 2014, 5:12 p.m. EST

Soros buys J.P. Morgan, Citi; ups GM stake

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Soros Fund Management, founded by hedge-fund legend George Soros, took stakes in J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. JPM +0.21% and Citigroup Inc. C -0.68% in the fourth quarter and boosted holdings of General Motors Co. GM +2.13% , the fund revealed Friday in its quarterly 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Soros held more than 2.28 million shares of Citigroup as of Dec. 31 and more than 2.8 million shares of J.P. Morgan Chase, the filing said. Soros held no shares in either bank at the end of the third quarter.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/soros-buys-jp-morgan-citi-ups-gm-stake-2014-02-14

Treasury says it’s dope for banks to take marijuana money

February 14, 2014, 3:50 PM

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has given banks the green light to work with marijuana-related businesses.

That’s what the FIN-2014-G001 memo says, at least. To be sure, marijuana is not legal in most U.S. states. But what about in Colorado and Washington, or the states where medical marijuana is legal?

http://blogs.marketwatch.com/capitolreport/2014/02/14/treasury-says-its-dope-for-banks-to-take-marijuana-money/




 Feb. 14, 2014, 11:57 a.m. EST

Trina Solar buys mainland China solar-cell maker

Shares decline; company looking to expand capacity at lower cost
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Chinese solar-cell manufacturer Trina Solar Ltd. said Friday it is buying a majority stake in a mainland China solar-cell maker, as it seeks to expand capacity.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trina-solar-buys-mainland-china-solar-cell-maker-2014-02-14

Turkish lawmakers brawl, then pass law

By Gul Tuysuz, CNN
February 15, 2014 -
Istanbul (CNN) -- After a hard-fought battle -- one that landed a lawmaker in the hospital -- Turkey's parliament in Ankara voted Saturday to approve changes to the administrative body that oversees judges and prosecutors.

The approval, by a vote of 210-28, came a day after parliament erupted in a brawl during debate about the proposed changes.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/15/world/europe/turkey-corruption-brawl/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

20 Signs That The Global Economic Crisis Is Starting To Catch Fire

By Michael Snyder, on February 13th, 2014

#1 The unemployment rate in Greece has hit a brand new record high of 28 percent.

#2 The youth unemployment rate in Greece has hit a brand new record high of 64.1 percent.

#3 The percentage of bad loans in Italy is at an all-time record high.

#4 Italian industrial output declined again in December, and the Italian government is on the verge of collapse.

#5 The number of jobseekers in France has risen for 30 of the last 32 months, and at this point it has climbed to a new all-time record high.

#6 The total number of business failures in France in 2013 was even higher than in any year during the last financial crisis.

#7 It is being projected that housing prices in Spain will fall another 10 to 15 percent as their economic depression deepens.

#8 The economic and political turmoil in Turkey is spinning out of control.  The government has resorted to blasting protesters with pepper spray and water cannons in a desperate attempt to restore order.

#9 It is being estimated that the inflation rate in Argentina is now over 40 percent, and the peso is absolutely collapsing.

#10 Gangs of armed bandits are roaming the streets in Venezuela as the economic chaos in that troubled nation continues to escalate.

#11 China appears to be very serious about deleveraging.  The deflationary effects of this are going to be felt all over the planet. The following is an excerpt from Ambrose Evans-Pritchard's recent article entitled "World asleep as China tightens deflationary vice"...

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/20-signs-that-the-global-economic-crisis-is-starting-to-catch-fire

Western Banks And China: "Interesting Times" Are Coming

02/15/2014
Submitted by Pater Tenebrarum of Acting-Man blog,
Western Bank Exposure to Mainland China Explodes Higher – Australia Vulnerable
...In the course of this year, some $800bn. of debt issued by 'wealth management products' is coming due in China, and Mr. Darby notes in this context that the potential knock-on effects on Western banks from an increase in non-performing loans in China are probably not properly appreciated at this juncture.
Especially UK banks with a huge $193 bn. in total exposure, as well as Hong Kong banks (approximately $150 bn. in net claims) and Australia's 'big four' banks seem to be in the line of fire here.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-14/western-banks-and-china-interesting-times-are-coming

The Merger of State and Commerce- feb 15 2014

The Leviathan’s Thumb
Many observers of the US economy have come to the realization there are now few truly free markets left within 21st Century Western capitalism.
It seems all investments today are controlled to unfair advantage in some large way by the governments and financial firms operating the markets, especially the market in money itself.  The newly-invented powers of the central banks to buy anything, to fund any bailout, can reach into any area of the economy, either to grant large favors or to inflict great pain, typically with the cooperation of the too-big-to-jail banks that own the Federal Reserve and its policies.
The precious metals market is a good example of the Fed and its henchmen inflicting pain.  The Western paper gold market has been the long-used tool of Leviathan to bludgeon the world’s only true money.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-15/guest-post-merger-state-and-commerce

Germany, France to discuss EU communications avoiding US

German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to discuss building an anti-NSA European communication network with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday during her visit to France, she said. "Above all, we'll talk about European providers that offer security for our citizens, so that one shouldn't have to send emails and other information across the Atlantic. Rather, one could build up a communication network inside Europe," Merkel said. Holande confirmed that the two countries have been negotiating on the issue. Merkel has been calling for strengthening data protection in Europe following the revelations made by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden regarding US mass surveillance in Europe.

http://rt.com/news/line/2014-02-15/#55285

Montenegro police clash with anti-government protesters in Montenegro-

The Associated Press February 15, 2014

Police in Montenegro fired tear gas and stun grenades Saturday to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters who were blaming the government for high unemployment, economic mismanagement and alleged corruption, and demanding its resignation.

The protests were called by an informal Facebook group that asked Montenegrins to voice solidarity with Bosnian anti-government protesters who earlier this month stormed into the country's presidency and other government buildings in Sarajevo and set them ablaze over similar demands.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Montenegro+police+clash+with+antigovernment+protesters/9513026/story.html

Protests, violence continue in Venezuela

By Radina Gigova, CNN-February 15, 2014
(CNN) -- Young Venezuelans unhappy with the ravaged economy, shortages and rising crime clashed again Friday with security forces who fired tear gas and water cannons.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters blocked traffic on a major highway in Caracas, days after three Caracas protesters died in violence.

The clashes, which have left dozens more injured or detained across the country, have exacerbated an already tense situation.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/14/world/americas/venezuela-protests/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

EU 'very concerned' by Spanish police use of rubber bullets to deter migrants

Published time: February 15, 2014 12:03
The European Commission wants Spain to account for the drowning of 13 migrants who recently failed to swim to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Spain earlier admitted that rubber bullets were fired at them, but claimed no one was injured.

http://rt.com/news/spain-rubber-bullets-migrants-184/

Uganda's president to sign bill that would allow life sentences for some homosexual acts

By Rodney Muhumuza, The Associated Press February 14, 2014
KAMPALA, Uganda - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni plans to sign a bill into law that prescribes life imprisonment for some homosexual acts, officials said Friday, alarming rights activists who have condemned the bill as draconian in a country where homosexuality already has been criminalized.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Official+Ugandas+president+sign+bill+that+would+allow+life/9509479/story.html




 Feb. 15, 2014, 1:56 p.m. EST

Obama wants $1 billion in Jordan loan guarantees

Ally needs funds to contend with flood of Syrian refugees, president says

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — President Barack Obama wants the U.S. to grant $1 billion in loan guarantees to a Middle East ally, Jordan, as that nation struggles to contend with the flood of refugees fleeing civil war-torn Syria.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/obama-wants-1-billion-in-jordan-loan-guarantees-2014-02-15

British PM reneges on pledge to let voters sack MPs

Feb 15/2014
British Prime Minister David Cameron has reneged on his pledge to let voters recall disgraced parliamentarians, sparking a furious coalition row.

As part of the coalition agreement of 2010, the prime minister had vowed to bring in "early legislation" to allow voters to force a by-election, in an attempt to deal with voter anger over the expenses scandal.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/15/350848/uk-pm-ditches-vow-over-mp-recall-bid/

Nigerian president sacks ministers in new shake-up

Wednesday 12 February 2014 20:18
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sacked four cabinet members including aviation minister Stella Oduah, a close ally, in the latest of a wave of government changes ahead of elections next year.
  
Jonathan also dismissed minister of police affairs Caleb Olubolade, minister of the Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe and deputy finance minister Yerima Ngama,

http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/75662f8042e7f796bb96bf895990ad13/Nigerian-president-sacks-ministers-in-new-shake-up

PBS returns millions to anti-pension crusader who funded TV series

Published time: February 15, 2014 04:01
A member station within the Public Broadcasting Service announced Friday that it would return a $3.5 million grant to a former Enron executive who first provided the money to fund an anti-pension series.
WNET, the New York City affiliate of PBS, said production on the planned series, dubbed “Pension Peril,” would be suspended indefinitely after journalist David Sirota of PandoDaily revealed the money was coming from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation.
John Arnold, a former executive at the disgraced Enron before who became one of the youngest billionaires in the US, was once the leading financial backer of a political movement to slash retirement benefits for firefighters, teacher, police officers, and other public-sector workers.

http://rt.com/usa/pbs-anti-pension-billionaire-show-136/

19 Statistics About The Drugging Of America That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe

Feb 15 2014

The American people are the most drugged people in the history of the planet.  Illegal drugs get most of the headlines, but the truth is that the number of Americans that are addicted to legal drugs is far greater than the number of Americans that are addicted to illegal drugs.  As you will see below, close to 70 percent of all Americans are currently on at least one prescription drug.  In addition, there are 60 million Americans that “abuse alcohol” and 22 million Americans that use illegal drugs.  What that means is that almost everyone that you meet is going to be on something.  That sounds absolutely crazy but it is true.

http://iinformedparenting.blogspot.com/2014/02/19-statistics-about-drugging-of-america.html