Prince of Blackwater heads to Africa
“Erik Prince, who made a fortune in Iraq thanks to his politically connected and controversial Blackwater military contractor, is leading a group of Chinese investors on a hunt for natural resources and investment opportunities in Africa.” Source:Prince of Blackwater heads to Africa – CSMonitor.com
Feds: Defense firm put untrained guards in Iraq
“The federal government has joined a whistleblower’s lawsuit against a major defense contractor in Iraq. The lawsuit claims Triple Canopy Inc. used hundreds of poorly trained security guards to protect the Al Asad Airbase. The suit also claims the Virginia-based company falsified documents to cover up its guards’ deficiencies in accurately shooting their AK-47 assault [...]
Trapwire: It’s Not the Surveillance, It’s the Sleaze
“And Stratfor did more than promote Trapwire in Burton’s writing, as independent journalist Ben Doernberg discovered as he sifted through the WikLeaked emails. In the late summer of 2009, Fred Burton was appointed as the Texas Department of Public Safety’s assistant director for intelligence. To Stratfor president Don Kuykendall, the convergence of the Trapwire contract and the [...]
Company formerly called Blackwater to pay sanctions fine
“The military contractor formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide agreed to pay a fine of $5 million to $7.5 million for trying to operate in Sudan in violation of trade sanctions and for other arms-trade breaches, according to documents unsealed on Tuesday.” Source: Company formerly called Blackwater to pay sanctions fine – CNBC
International Agriculture in Transition
World food prices, food import/export levels, and food security are becoming more predictable and organized thanks to worldwide improvements in reporting, increasing regional agricultural development, and heightened governmental attention. The stage is set for major improvements in the development of international agriculture. In 2011, world food policy and food security issues drew the attention of [...]
Google execs, director Cameron in space venture
“Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt and billionaire co-founder Larry Page have teamed up with “Avatar” director James Cameron and other investors to back an ambitious space exploration and natural resources venture, details of which will be unveiled next week. “ (Source: Google execs, director Cameron in space venture – Yahoo! News Canada.)
Simon Mann: A gun for hire, with conditions
“”We were the good guys!” he exclaims, leaning back with the sort of charming smile he adopted on the playing fields of Eton and the battlegrounds of African wars. Simon Mann wants people to know his days as a mercenary were about morality as well as money.” Source: Simon Mann: A gun for hire, with conditions [501808886] | TheAfricaReport.com
Militants attack Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan
“Militants on Monday blew up a gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula that transports fuel to neighboring Israel and Jordan, a senior Egyptian security official said.” (Source: Militants attack Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan – The Washington Post.)
Microsoft takes down ZeuS botnets
“A Microsoft-led operation resulted in the takedown of key servers associated with the infamous ZeuS and SpyEye banking Trojan botnets on Friday.” Source: Microsoft takes down ZeuS botnets • The Register
