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Archive for March 11th, 2013

US Drones bombing Africa operated from RAF bases in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside

Posted in foreign policy, government, military, tagged , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


 

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An RAF base in Britain is being used by America in its controversial drone warfare campaign, it was claimed last night.

Documents seen by The Mail on Sunday reveal that the United States has established a drone ‘operations centre’ in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside which could be used to co-ordinate attacks in the Middle East and Africa.

Last night, the revelation sparked claims of British complicity in the US Airforce (USAF) assassination programme which is being investigated by the United Nations.

Deadly: An RAF base in Britain is being used by America in its drone warfare campaign. One document requests US security-cleared staff to work at RAF Waddington on this drone, the Predator which has killed scores of militant suspects (Artists impression)Deadly: An RAF base in Britain is being used by America in its drone warfare campaign. One document requests US security-cleared staff to work at RAF Waddington on this drone, the Predator, which has killed scores of militant suspects (Artists impression)

One document requests US security-cleared staff to work at RAF Waddington on a USAF drone called the Predator. The weapon has killed hundreds of people in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen.

A second document describes a role for a communications technician at the same base ‘supporting 24/7 operations of critical real-time USAF/ANG [Air National Guard] mission operations’.

Bosh Global Services, the US company recruiting personnel, designs and maintains key drone equipment for the American military and has established a base in Lincolnshire, believed to be at RAF Waddington.

The site has been designated Britain’s first drone centre and will have five fully armed Reapers from next year.

Data War: How the super-fast telecommunications link between Britain and the Pentagon drone base Djibouti in East Africa worksData War: How the super-fast telecommunications link between Britain and the Pentagon drone base Djibouti in East Africa works

Politicians and human rights groups have demanded to know the extent of America’s use of British bases to  support its operations.

Clive Stafford Smith, the head of legal charity Reprieve, said: ‘The US drones programme operates from secret bases without regard to law.

‘The evidence that UK bases, subject to RAF oversight, are supporting US drones appears to implicate the UK in terrorisation and destruction.’

Professor Noel Sharkey, of the University of Sheffield and Britain’s foremost expert on drones, said the documents demanded an explanation from the UK and US military.

Control: A United States Airman operates a sensor control station for an unmanned weapon (file picture)Control: A United States Airman operates a sensor control station for an unmanned Reaper weapon (file picture)

He said: ‘It is very important the British public know what foreign strikes are being delivered from UK soil.

‘Current operation of the US Predator drones in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa is conducted from the US, which requires a communications link between the US base station and Europe and can cause control delays.

‘These delays could be minimised by controlling the Predators from the UK, which has excellent satellite coverage of all of the conflict zones.’

Complicit: Royal Air Force Waddington in Lincolnshire could be helping in the control of the unmanned dronesComplicit: Royal Air Force Waddington in Lincolnshire could be helping in the control of the unmanned drones

Baroness Sarah Ludford, the Liberal  Democrat MEP for London, said: ‘Assassinations even of suspected terrorists outside a recognised framework of war breach long-established norms of international law.

‘Not only must Britain refuse to co-operate with illegal targeted killings, it must publicly  challenge American attempts to move the legal goalposts.’

The wider claim of UK complicity in US drone missions is supported by evidence of a deal between the US military and British Telecom.

It has been paid by Washington to link a second RAF base to the Pentagon’s drone headquarters in Djibouti, East Africa.

Redacted documents seen by The Mail on Sunday show that the US-run former bomber station at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire has been fitted with equipment capable of supplying secret data to the drone centre in Africa where American unmanned aircraft have killed scores of civilians and extremist militant suspects.

The BT document, obtained under America’s Freedom of Information laws, is a contract with the US military for a link which can  provide a secure route for passing intelligence between the two bases.

Catherine Gilfedder, a lawyer for Reprieve, which obtained the contract, said: ‘In facilitating communications between US forces in  the UK and Djibouti, BT is profiting from  this campaign of death.’

The contract, which names Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and RAF Croughton, specifies that the communications link must avoid any connections to Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

In a letter, Mr Stafford Smith asked the telecoms giant to explain why it was supporting the drone programme.

Contract: The US-run former bomber station at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire has a communications link to a drone centre in AfricaContract: The US-run former bomber station at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire has a communications link to a drone centre in Africa

Last night, the company said: ‘BT provides telephony and communications which link up governments and organisations all over the world.

‘Whether it’s a government organisation, bank or manufacturing firm their work is confidential.’

A US Embassy spokeswoman said that it did not discuss communications infrastructure linked to its military bases.

The Ministry of Defence added: ‘There are no circumstances under which UK military assets, including bases made available to the US, could be used by the US without the agreement of the Government.’

Link: Documents have shown that RAF Croughton has been fitted with equipment capable of supplying data to the Pentagon drone base Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, East AfricaLink: Documents have shown that RAF Croughton has been fitted with equipment capable of supplying data to the Pentagon drone base Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, East Africa

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WARREN: ‘How Many Billions Have To Be Laundered For Drug Lords Before We Consider Shutting Down A Bank?’

Posted in criminal justice system, economics, government, law, tagged , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


Elizabeth Warren is still waiting for an answer.

In Senate testimony Thursday, Liz Warren asks how much drug-laundered money it takes before banking regulators consider shutting down a bank.  Hilarity ensues.  And no one ever answers the question.

Witnesses were:

  1. David Cohen, Sec. for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, U.S. Treasury
  2. Thomas Curry, Comptroller, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
  3. Jerome H. Powell, Governor, Federal Reserve System

—

Transcript

WARREN: As Senator Reed just pointed out, the United States government takes money laundering very seriously for a very good reason.

Now in December, HSBC admitted to money laundering. To laundering $881 million that we know of for Mexican and Colombian drug cartels. And also admitted to violating our sanctions for Iran, Libya, Cuba, Burma, the Sudan. And they didn’t do it just one time. It wasn’t like a mistake. They did it over and over and over again across a period of years. And they were caught doing it. Warned not to do it. And kept right on doing it. And evidently making profits doing it.

Now HSBC paid a fine, but no one individual went to trial. No individual was banned from banking. And there was no hearing to consider shutting down HSBC’s activities here in the United States. So what I’d like is, you’re the experts on money laundering. I’d like your opinion. What does it take? How many billions of dollars do you have to launder for drug lords and how many economic sanctions do you have to violate before someone will consider shutting down a financial institution like this? Mr. Cohen, can we start with you?

COHEN: Certainly Senator. No question the activity that was the subject of the enforcement action against HSBC was egregious.

WARREN: But let me just move you along here on the point Mr. Cohen. My question is, given that this is what you did, what does it take to get you to move towards even a hearing? Even considering shutting down banking operations for money laundering?

COHEN: Senator, we at the Treasury Department under OFAC and (ph) authority, we don’t have the authority to shut down a financial institution.

WARREN: I understand that. I’m asking, in your opinion, you are the ones who are supposed to be the experts on money laundering. You work with everyone else, including the Department of Justice. In your opinion, how many billions of dollars do you have to launder for drug lords, before somebody says, we’re shutting you down?

WARREN: And I’m asking, what does it take, even to say, here’s where the line is. We’re going to draw a line here, and if you cross that line, you’re at risk for having your bank closed?

COHEN: But I’m not going to get into some hypothetical line drawing exercise.

WARREN: Well it’s somewhere beyond $881 million of drug money.

COHEN: Well Senator the actions, and I’m sure the regulators can address this issue. The actions that we took in the HSBC case, we thought were appropriate in that instance.

WARREN: So what you’re saying to me is you are responsible for these banks, and again, I read your testimony and you talk about the importance of vigorous enforcement here. But you’re telling me you have no view when it’s appropriate to consider even a hearing to raise the question of whether or not these banks should have to close their operations when they engage in money laundering for drug cartels?

WARREN: I understand that I’m over my time.  And I’ll just say here, if you’re caught with an ounce of cocaine, the chances are good you’re going to go to jail.  If it happens repeatedly you may go to jail for the rest of your life.  But evidently, if you launder nearly a billion dollars for drug cartels and violate our international sanctions, your company pays a fine and you go home and sleep in your own bed at night.  Every single individual associated with this.  I just, I think that’s fundamentally wrong.

“How would you explain this to your neighbor?” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) asked, noting that the fine slapped on HSBC amounted to about one percent of its profits over 10 years. “Does that really send a message?”

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Bee Venom Kills HIV: Nanoparticles Carrying Toxin Shown To Destroy Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Posted in education, health, tagged , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


A new study has shown that bee venom can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated that a toxin called melittin found in bee venom can destroy HIV by poking holes in the envelope surrounding the virus, according to a news release sent out by Washington University.

Visit Washington University’s website to read more about the study.

Nanoparticles smaller than HIV were infused with the bee venom toxin, explains U.S. News & World Report. A “protective bumper” was added to the nanoparticle’s surface, allowing it to bounce off normal cells and leave them intact. Normal cells are larger than HIV, so the nanoparticles target HIV, which is so small it fits between the bumpers.

“Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope,” said research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, via the news release. “The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus.” Adding, “We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”

This revelation can lead to the development of a vaginal gel to prevent the spread of HIV and, it seems, an intravenous treatment to help those already infected. “Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection,” said Hood.

The bee venom HIV study was published on Thursday in the journal Antiviral Therapy, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This study comes on the heels of news that a Mississippi baby with HIV has apparently been cured. The mother was diagnosed with HIV during labor and the baby received a three-drug treatment just 30 hours after birth, before tests confirmed the infant was infected. The child, now 2 years old, has been off medication for about a year and shows no sign of infection.

More than 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, according to amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Of these, 3.3 million are under the age of 15 years old. Each day, almost 7,000 people contract HIV around the globe.

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Warning: Major Supplements Openly Contain GMO Vitamin Sources

Posted in health, tagged , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


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Genetically modified organisms have permeated much of the crop industry, absolutely infesting the processed food market, but are many ‘health’ supplements free from the presence of GMOs? As it turns out, major supplement producers actually will openly admit that they derive many of their formulas from GMO crops — consumers just aren’t really paying attention!

If you know much about Monsanto or the prevalence of GMOs, you are likely aware that a large majority of corn (about 80-95% of the entire crop in the US, if not more, depending on what research you follow) is genetically modified. Being responsible for 90% of the US GM seed market, Monsanto has done its very best to create a genetically altered monopoly on the food supply. This is where the supplement factor comes in.

As you may or may not be aware, wildly popular substances like vitamin C are usually extracted from corn — one of the leading GMO crops in the US. It is from this that the question immediately comes into focus: could supplement makers be using GMO corn to create vitamin C supplements? What about the countless other formulas that can extract from GM foods as a source. And when you consider GMO-containing ‘food’ can legally be labeled as ‘natural’ under current regulations, what ‘natural’ supplements could be based on Monsanto’s GMO crops?

As it turns out, this is indeed the case. While it is impossible to compile a full list without a large amount of financial investment for testing every brand, what we do know is that major producers have explained how they usually will list ‘Non-GMO’ on their GMO-free options. In other words, chances are vitamin C may be extracted from GMO corn unless it is stated to be organic, non-GMO, or specifically not extracted from a non-GMO source. In reality, many reputable supplement companies have already begun listing their high quality products with the ‘GMO-free’ label and other quality re-assurances.

Some, however, continue to source GMO or ‘potentially GMO’ corn. If you’re like me, this is a gamble that you are not willing to take.

NOW Company: ‘Our Vitamin C Derived From Standard Corn, Many Products Contain GMO Derivatives’ 

An investigator researching for this piece actually got in contact with NOW, a leading supplement producer. They asked about how they extract their vitamin C products when considering the high percentage of GM corn that currently supplies the industry. Concerned for their health and the health of consumers, worldwide, they wanted to know if they were swallowing GMOs — or at least vitamins derived from GMOs. In response to their inquiry, a NOW team member replied:

“All of our C is derived from standard corn not certified to be non-GMO… Many products [in the industry at large] contain soy or corn derivatives which are generally GMO’d. We are motivated towards non-GMO-sourced products.”

The NOW Science & Nutrition Group rep then included some information from their Technical Director Michael Lelah, which talks about how NOW is generally opposed to genetic manipulation of the food supply but does not specifically use non-GMO sources for all of their products. The excerpt from Lelah which the rep said was copied from a blog ‘Natural Is Better’, reads:

“Genetic Modification: NOW is opposed to genetic modification, because there are real and unknown harmful effects. Unfortunately, much of the world’s supply of corn and soybeans is genetically modified which is why we continue to offer more products that are certified GMO-free.”

An interesting statement when also considering that NOW sites on the council for the Non-GMO Project. But what does this mean for the industry? NOW products are taken by thousands (or more likely millions) of health conscious individuals worldwide, and are considered to be of higher quality than many other brands. Now, to be clear, I am not bashing NOW and ignoring other brands. I really have nothing against NOW in particular, but their openness to GMOs within their products is truly problematic. Just imagine the quality of sourcing for pharmacy vitamin C brands that contain more fillers and additives than imaginable.

But what do we do with this information? What do we do about it? Quite simply, it’s time to raise the standard. It’s time to let people know that their supplements are being sourced from GMOs, and it’s time to change that. This article is going to make a lot of manufacturers mad, possibly to the point of threats and exile, but this issue is more important than hurt feelings. We can’t sit idle while Monsanto creeps its way into the supplement industry, relishing as many health conscious consumers think they are aiding their bodies.

Raising the Standard | GMO-Free Supplements A Necessity

The answer to the GMO sourcing within the supplement industry is a consumer-mandated shift towards non-GMO alternatives. Not ‘natural’ or ‘potentially GMO-free’ alternatives, but certified non-GMO, preferably organic-containing, health products. Sure, non-GMO certifications have room for error. It’s possible that some sketchy businesses can even slip past the regulations (particularly when considering cheap Chinese certifications), but it’s a start to progress the process forward as well. We are not even at the point where we can further accelerate the validity of GMO-free certifications when people aren’t even aware that they are consuming them in the first place.

So how is this done?

First, we need to blast this information out and E-mail every major supplement brand and ask if they ever source from GMO crops. Ask them point blank, and post the result in the comments, your blog, Facebook, Twitter, everywhere. Blast it out, get it out there. Force them to change or lose sales. Force them to begin sourcing 100% non-GMO or face massive customer loyalty changes. We’ve seen this work time and time again, which companies removing everything from BPA to high-fructose corn syrup in a bid to retain customers. We’ve even seen this with civil liberties issues going public and turning into a demand for answers from government officials.

It’s an aggressive way of raising the bar, but it’s also essential to eliminating GMOs from this fairly new arena that virtually no one is talking about. It’s possible to cut this issue at the root as long as we make it a big deal. Monsanto’s GMO contamination has no place in our supplements, food, or really anything else.

About Anthony Gucciardi:
1.thumbnail Warning: Major Supplements Openly Contain GMO Vitamin Sources Google Plus Profile Anthony is an accomplished investigative journalist whose articles have appeared on top news sites and have been read by millions worldwide. Anthony’s articles have been featured on top health & political websites such as Reuters, Yahoo News, MSNBC, and Bloomberg. Anthony is also a founding member of Natural Attitude, a leading developer of super high quality spagyric formulations.

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Fukushima forests found to be radioactive

Posted in enviroment, science, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


Fukushima forests found to be radioactive –Forests covering 70 percent of Japanese prefecture found to have radiation two years after nuclear disaster 10 Mar 2013 Two years after the nuclear disaster ravaged Japan’s northeastern Pacific coast, forests that cover 70 percent of the Fukushima Prefecture have been found to contain high concentrations of radioactive cesium. With traces revealed not only in the fallen leaves and soil, but in the trees themselves, the findings suggest that radiation has permanently found its way into the ecosystem. Scientists suggest cutting down the trees as soon as possible, because the cesium will gradually be transferred to the earth itself

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Number of Natives in Canada’s Prisons Alarming: Officials

Posted in criminal justice system, tagged , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


Canadian aboriginals (file photo)

A Canadian official says the number of aboriginals including Métis and Inuit in Canada’s prisons is increasing at ‘an alarming rate’.

According to a statement issued by the Correctional Investigator of Canada Howard Sapers on Thursday, “There are just over 3,400 aboriginal men and women making up 23 percent of the country’s federal prison inmate population.”

“In other words, while aboriginal people in Canada comprise just four percent of the population, in federal prisons nearly one in four is Métis, Inuit, or First Nations,” he added.

He went on to say that “the over-representation of aboriginal people in federal corrections and the lack of progress to improve the disparity in correctional outcomes continues to cloud Canada’s domestic human rights record.”

Meanwhile, Canada’s official opposition party, the New Democrats, issued a statement saying “What we find in this report is a shocking indictment of how… (Ottawa) has failed aboriginal Canadians.”

Also, former Supreme Court Justice Frank Lacobucci has revealed in a study that the aboriginal youths are treated more harshly by the justice system than other groups.

Lacobucci showed in a study that about one quarter of young native offenders were sent to jail for assault, in contrast to less than 15 percent of non-aboriginal youth.

He severely criticized the Canadian judicial system for “systemic racism” and stated that the jailing of aboriginals is a “serious crisis.”

In 2012, the United Nations called on Canada to take “urgent measures” to reduce the overrepresentation of aboriginals and blacks in the criminal justice system and out-of-home care.

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US Spending Hundreds of Millions on Secret Israeli Bunkers

Posted in economics, foreign policy, government, military, tagged , , , , , , on March 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »


US Spending Hundreds of Millions on Secret Israeli Bunkers –The Washington Post fleshed out the original Construction Project in Israel, called ‘Site 911,’ in November. 09 Mar 2013 Last year, it was announced the U.S. was looking to build a secret underground complex in Israel. On February 13, a contract was awarded to Conti Corp Federal Services in Edison, NJ to complete the project. Their bid of almost $63 million came in well below the possible $100 million set aside for the project. Conti’s bid went toward building five underground levels and six above ground buildings that they have 900 days from February 13 to complete. The U.S. government then issued another request for proposal December 28 to construct Site 81 Phase II. Also in Israel, also partially underground, this project calls for up to $100,000,000 to refinish six underground facilities and some currently occupied surface buildings.

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