United States
US Debt Ceiling
- Political posturing continues as we approach the August 2nd deadline to raise the debt ceiling.
- The 'Gang of 6' has proposed a plan that has received fairly widespread acceptance, but it remains unclear if they can turn the proposal into legislation and have the votes to get it passed by the deadline.
- Major ratings agencies S&P and Moodys have threatened to downgrade the credit rating of the US unless the ceiling is raised and a credible long term debt reduction plan is implemented.
- Even Washington insiders have expressed their disbelief and shock at how this scenario has shown at how incompetent the current crop of congressional members and leaders can be. A lot of blame has been put on the freshmen class of Tea Party House members as they view their political dogma as more important than being pragmatic or getting anything done.
Military Aid to Pakistan Gets Cut
- The US has cut (suspended) part of the military aid it sends to Pakistan as the tensions between the US and Pakistan remained heightened after the Osama fiasco. The amount suspended is $800m, which is 40% of the military aid we send them annually.
- It was proposed to cut the aid completely off in a congressional committee, but that proposal was quickly shot down as that would essentially destroy all relations with the country.
US Execution of Mexican National (kinda)
- Texas executed a Mexican national (who had lived in the US since he was 2) after he was convicted of raping and murdering a 16 year old girl.
- According to international rules and those imposed by the International Court of Justice, the execution violated international rules that state foreign nationals must be granted access to advice from the consulate of the home country, which was denied to this guy.
International
Mumbai Bombings
- Coordinated terrorist bombs hit Mumbai, India during rush hour on the 13th. Over 21 people here killed as the bombs hit busy centers throughout the city.
Oslo Explosion
- This morning a large explosion rocked the center of Oslo, Norway, and damaged government buildings and a newspaper building. At least two people are confirmed dead at this point, but it happened less than an hour ago.
- The Prime Minister's office is close to the explosion, but he is safe and was not in the building at the time.
- Authorities have just confirmed that the cause was a bomb.
Somalia Drought
- A severe drought has hit Somalia quite hard and thousands of refugees are fleeing as they cannot get enough food or water to support their families.
- A UN agency has said at least $300M is needed in aid soon or there will be a humanitarian crisis.
- One would have thought people would have already fled the shitbox after decades of civil war and the complete lack of a central government.
Murdoch Scandal
- Rupert Murdoch and his son, James Murdoch, testified in front of a British Parliamentary committee investigated the phone hacking scandal.
- A protestor was able to get in the hearing and attempted (unsuccessfully) to hit Rupert with a shaving cream pie.
Hugo Chavez
- The anti-American president of Venezuela is in Cuba for ongoing treatment and surgery for cancer.
As reported by Jason Van Thiel.
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