Rational Review » RRND News

In SEC filing, China reveals vast US holdings

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:36:47 +0000

“China’s sovereign wealth fund has lifted the veil on its U.S. securities holdings, revealing more than $9.6 billion of holdings in about 60 U.S. companies. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday, China Investment Corp. said it had spread its investments among a wide variety of index funds and blue-chip companies such as Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Visa, Pfizer and Apple. It also disclosed a $713.8 million position in Wall Street investment firm BlackRock and a $498 million position in two types of shares in the Brazilian metals giant Vale.” (02/09/10)

Republicans may opt out of Obama “health care summit”

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:35:29 +0000

“Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they may decline to participate in President Obama’s proposed health-care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) expressed frustration about reports that Obama intends to put the Democratic bills on the table for discussion at the summit, which would be held Feb. 25.” (02/09/10)

Iraq: Nine killed, six wounded

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:34:59 +0000

“In Baghdad, one civilian was killed and three others were wounded during a blast on a bridge linking Jadiriya to Doura. A sticky bomb in Doura killed a man. In Mansour, a sticky bomb wounded a man. Security forces reported confiscating 198 containers filled with arms, including rockets. A forgery gang was arrested. Six gunmen were killed and one Iraqi soldier was wounded during clashes near Makhmour. The gunmen are suspected of ties to al-Qaeda. A bomb in Rawa wounded one civilian. In Mosul, no casualties were reported after a bomb exploded in front of a hospital. Joint Iraqi-U.S. forces killed a suspected gunman.” (02/08/10)

Afghanistan: Taliban members killed in NATO offensive

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:33:29 +0000

“At least 16 Taliban members were killed during an Afghan/NATO-led military operation in southern Afghanistan, a local official told CNN on Saturday. The operation started Friday night in Babji village of volatile Helmand province — the region where U.S. and British forces are gearing up for a major push against militants.” (02/06/10)

Feds respond to Firearms Freedom Act lawsuit

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:32:00 +0000

“The United States has made its first response to a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Missoula to test the Montana Firearms Freedom Act (MFFA), passed by the 2009 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Schweitzer. The MFFA declares that any firearms, ammunition or firearms accessories made and retained in Montana are not subject to federal regulation under the power given to Congress in the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce ‘among the several states.’” (02/08/10)

Shelby lifts hold on Obama nominees

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:31:09 +0000

“Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has lifted his controversial holds on more than 70 executive branch nominations, the senator’s office confirmed Monday night. With the announced release, the administration’s nominees no longer will face a politically difficult 60-vote threshold in order to be considered on the Senate floor. Shelby — who called for a near-blanket hold on the White House’s nominees late last week — had been frustrated by the lack in movement on Alabama-based projects he deemed necessary to national security. A spokesman for the senator said Monday that with attention brought to these two concerns, the political maneuver had ‘accomplished’ its goal and was no longer necessary.” (02/08/10)

Sri Lanka: Presidential loser faces court martial

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:29:21 +0000

“Sri Lanka’s former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka is to be court-martialled, officials said Tuesday, a day after he was hauled away from his office by armed troops. Hours before his dramatic arrest, Fonseka told reporters that he was willing to face any international probe into alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops in last year’s final stages of conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels. Fonseka has been moved to an undisclosed military establishment ahead of disciplinary proceedings, a military official said.” (02/09/10)

Poll: Obama approval rating sinks to 44%

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:28:06 +0000

“President Obama’s job approval rating has taken another dive, putting him underwater for the first time in the latest Marist poll. Just 44% of the country approve of the work Obama is doing, while 47% don’t like what they see.” (02/08/10)

CA: ACLU accuses instructor of religious lessons

Thomas L. Knapp — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:25:10 +0000

“The American Civil Liberties Union says a science instructor at a public community college in California is improperly teaching religious views on homosexuality and abortion as fact. ACLU staff attorney Elizabeth Gill sent a letter to Fresno City College officials on Monday about the introductory science class instructor, Bradley Lopez. Gill says Lopez’s teaching methods violate California laws protecting gays from discrimination and prohibiting religious indoctrination at public schools.” (02/08/10)

Iraq: Protests held amid row over election ban

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:50:42 +0000

“Hundreds of protesters denounced Iraqis still loyal to Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party on Sunday as tensions soared over the decision to blacklist suspected Baathists from next month’s election. Protesters chanted and carried signs that said, ‘No, No to Baath Party!’ and ‘The return of the Baath Party is a return to mass graves.’” (02/07/10)

Obama regime forming new climate change agency

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:48:02 +0000

“President Barack Obama’s administration is forming a new agency to study and report on the changing climate. Climate change has drawn widespread concern in recent years as temperatures around the world rise, threatening to harm crops, spread disease, increase sea levels, change storm and drought patterns and cause polar melting.” (02/08/10)

NATO says Afghans to play big role in offensive

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:46:16 +0000

“Thousands of Afghan soldiers and police will join U.S. and NATO troops in an upcoming offensive in southern Afghanistan, playing their biggest role in any joint operation of the Afghan war. The pending attack on the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Helmand province will be a crucial test for the NATO strategy of transferring more responsibility to the Afghans so foreign troops can go home.” (02/08/10)

US to commit $78.5 million to try to halt Asian carp

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:44:17 +0000

“Navigational locks and gates in Chicago area waterways crucial for shipping may be opened less frequently than usual under a $78.5 million campaign to prevent Asian carp from overrunning the Great Lakes, officials said Monday. The plan falls short of closing the navigational structures entirely, as demanded by Michigan and five other Great Lakes states.” (02/08/10)

Astronauts inspect shuttle on way to space station

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:41:41 +0000

“Astronauts are inspecting space shuttle Endeavour for launch damage as they race toward a 200-mile high rendezvous with the International Space Station. The crew was using a 100-foot, laser-tipped boom early Tuesday to check the thermal shielding on the wings and nose.” (02/08/10)

Palestinian Arabs ask US to clarify restartt plan

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:39:31 +0000

“The Palestinians have asked the Obama administration to clarify a U.S. envoy’s proposal to restart long-stalled peace talks with Israel indirectly by shuttling between the two sides, the Palestinian president said Saturday. The talks collapsed a year ago during Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.” (02/07/10)

CT: Investigators barred from site of deadly power plant explosion

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:26:56 +0000

“Federal investigators attempted Monday to launch an investigation into an explosion that tore apart a power plant under construction here Sunday, killing five people and injuring 12, but were rebuffed by local authorities. Middletown police and the fire marshal blocked the Chemical Safety Board team from entering the blast site, and lead investigator Don Holmstrom was barred from interviewing witnesses, board public affairs director Daniel Horowitz said.” (02/08/10)

John Murtha, 1932-2010

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:15:46 +0000

“John Murtha, the Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania and decorated former Marine whose fierce opposition to the Iraq war helped catalyze public sentiment against the conflict, died Monday. He was 77. Murtha died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., surrounded by his family, his office announced.” (02/08/10)

Pakistan: Army captures Taliban stronghold

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:12:00 +0000

“Pakistani security forces have seized a key Taliban stronghold in a northwestern area that the government had declared free of militants a year ago after a military offensive but has experienced periodic violence since then. The army captured Damadola on Saturday as part of an operation launched in late January to quell the persistent violence in the Bajur tribal area.” (02/08/10)

Costa Rica elects first woman president in landslide

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:09:40 +0000

“Costa Ricans have elected their first woman president as the ruling party candidate won in a landslide after campaigning to continue free market policies in Central America’s most stable nation. With most of the votes from Sunday’s election counted, Laura Chinchilla held a 22-point lead over her closest rival. Her 47 percent share of the vote was well beyond the 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off.” (02/08/10)

Iran moves closer to nuke warhead capacity

R. Lee Wrights — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:07:58 +0000

“Iran pressed ahead Monday with plans that will increase its ability to make nuclear weapons as it formally informed the U.N. nuclear agency of its intention to enrich uranium to higher levels. Alarmed world powers questioned the rationale behind the move and warned the country it could face more U.N. sanctions if it made good on its intentions.” (02/08/10)