U.S Supreme Court has upheld Obama's healthcare bill

The U.S Supreme Court has voted to uphold President Obama's controversial 'Affordable Care Act', the healthcare bill that promises medical care for every American, likened to Britain's NHS. CNN

The U.S Supreme Court

I asked American student Aazam what the pro's and negatives of the bill mean for him. The positives? It will "make it easier for me to find affordable healthcare and not to default when in need of affordable medical care" and the negatives? "I feel that those in the higher tax bracket will be affected".

In fact many argue that it's hard to see a bad thing about the bill. As Aazam pointed out some of America's wealthy are less inclined to support what is essentially "universal healthcare". Within hours after the President signed the measure the first lawsuits challenging the healthcare overhaul began.

U.S health care reform Q&A on The Guardian.

CNN and Fox news caught reporting the verdict before the verdict....
The Telegraph

"U.S faces deadline to sanction China over Iran"

The Strait of Hormuz

China continues to support the Iranian regime by buying their oil where others don't or can't. The United States has to make a choice either to issue a waiver to China and other purchasers or sever them from the U.S financial system. CNN


This week South Korea announced that it will stop buying Iranian oil, the first Asian nation to do so. Iran has subsequently threatened to halt South Korean imports. UPI ASIA










LATEST NEWS
The U.S grants China six-month Iran oil sanction reprieve
BBC

Turkish PM rages

Last week a Turkish airforce training jet was shot down by the Syrian military. Where the jet was shot down is disputed by Syria and Turkey. Syria has been locked in internal strife arguably since the 1970's. In mid 2011 areas of Syria began an attempt at toppling the al-Assad dynasty, since then thousands of Syrian's have been killed in a conflict that many argue bears the hallmarks of civil war. 

Erdogan's patience with the Syrian regime appears to be wearing thin. Turkey has accepted waves of Syrian refugees as a result of the conflict. Turkey being a NATO member can call on the alliance if things get increasingly messy between the two. Some NATO members are less keen to get involved in yet another scrap. This week the Turkish PM called on the alliance for an emergency meeting because of the recent escalation.

Today Erdogan announced that the Turkish military is changing it's rules of engagement saying that Syria has become an "open threat".BBC, Turkish PM issues Syria border warning

LATEST NEWS
Turkey preparing for boiling point of violence in Syria?
CNN
Syrian tanks 'amass on border' with Turkey
The Telegraph

Syrian military helicopters neared Turkey, Turkey scrambled F-16's to border with Syria
BBC
Syria-Turkey tension, Assad regrets downing of Turkish jet
BBC

Stephen Hawking gets 'hacked'

"We'd like to find a way to bypass his body, pretty much hack his brain," said Prof Low.
The Telegraph article.

Hawking experiencing weightlessness 

Hawking's brainwaves translated to speech
BBC

Is Russia turning a new page?

Clever Bear

"We must acknowledge at this point that Russia's image abroad is mostly shaped by others, not us. Therefore, it is distorted and does not reflect the actual situation in the country, or its role in global civilization, science and culture," Putin said.


Russia shifts from resource nationalism to globalism.


Why Putin Needs Higher Oil Prices


"Iranian export ban forces buyers to line up for Russian crude"
Russia Today



'Foreign policy does not imply isolationism' - Putin

China seeking to make an effective fighting force

For years China's military has been dismissed as ineffective due to corruption.
Military officers to report personal assets, CHINA DAILY

PLA's first helicopter assault 

Chinese military rampant with corruption
TheEpochTimes


LATEST NEWS

China OK's private investment for defence
CHINA DAILY

Bo Xilai & Heywood - DAILY UPDATES

Neil Heywood

Patrick Devilliers, a friend of Neil Heywood a British man that was found dead in Chongqing last year, has been found in Cambodia. The Chinese government wanted him extradited from Cambodia, the French government have warned the Cambodians not to do so without evidence. 
The Cambodian government has told China that Patrick will not be extradited anywhere without compelling evidence.BBC, Cambodia holds on to French suspect.


Patrick Devilliers is thought to be connected to the Bo Xilai scandal which "gravely damaged China's reputation". Though it is not known how Mr Devilliers is involved, his close relationship to Gu Xilai is  being investigated. 

Daniel Craig as 007

Speculations as to why Mr Heywood was murdered continue. See a shortened version of popular theories published by The Independent.Heywood murder theories.

1. Passion and betrayal theory? Heywood was involved in a romantic relationship with Bo Xilai's wife Gu whilst working as business partner.
2. Blackmail? The Chinese "authorised" version is that Heywood was involved in moving the Xilai's amassed wealth overseas, he asked for a bigger share which subsequently got him killed. 
3. A political conspiracy? Perhaps Heywood was never murdered, his "murder" suits the central government as an opportunity to remove competition. Bo had links with supporters of the former  president Jiang Zemin and the old guard.
4. Espionage? Was Heywood involved in government activities? William Hague dismissed this although it would be unlikely that he would confirm this. Heywood had worked for British Consultancy firm Hakluyt & Co that was founded by ex-secret service members. He drove a silver Jaguar with the registered plate "007". Heywood had asked for this plate because he was a "fan" of the movies. (007 translated in to Chinese is ling ling qī. The number 7 symbolises "togetherness" and is one of few numbers that is considered lucky in both China and the West. Seven is also associated with ghosts and spirits, the seventh month in China is also called the "ghost month". Numbers in China are very important.)
5. Corporate theory? Bo Xilai apparently concluded a deal with Royal Dutch Shell at a meeting in London, 2004. Shell is said to be a reliable client of Hakluyt & Co.Shell link.

Wen Jiabao

Bo Xilai

A foreign businessman in China who knew Heywood through business in China concluded "poor Heywood was murdered because he flew too close to the sun in Chongqing." 

One common factor contained in all theories regarding the death of Neil Heywood is corruption. The Chinese government will want to be seen as resolving the Bo scandal, corruption being something Bo reportedly took a personal vendetta against. 

LATEST UPDATES 

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports that Gu has "confessed" to killing Heywood.

Daily Mail, Gu's "confession"
 Insight - Children of Mao's wrath vie for power in China
Reuters

CCP Examines Bo's links to Heywood murder
NTDTV, Asahi Shimbun report "intentionally disclosed to foreign media".
Bo denies knowing anything about the death of Heywood
Telegraph article

"US forensic expert linked to China death inquiry"
Daily Bulletin
Patrick Devilliers detained because of financial links to Bo Xilai case
euronews

Chinese lawyers snub case, "no one wants to get involved."

The Independent
Bo family bought luxury London flats
The Financial Times
Patrick Devilliers 'holding funds' for Bo
The Telegraph
UK's PM given assurances
PoliticsHome
Chinese blogger who mocked Bo Xilai wins court case
The Guardian
Bo Xilai: Inside The Scandal, documentary
Wall Street Journal
Wang Lijun, police chief resigns
AP
Conflicting news of Bo's immunity
CHINA DAILY MAIL
Did Bo Xilai pay actress for sex?
BUSINESS INSIDER
Bo plotted 3 ways to kill police chief
The Telegraph
China holds colleagues close to Wang Lijun
New York Times
Bo's Banksy, Birthday well-wisher
CHINA DIGITAL TIMES
New Zealand millionaire linked to Bo Xilai
Want China Times
Patrick Devilliers offered immunity by China
The Telegraph
Bo driven to become an 'emperor'
The Asahi Shimbun
Bo Xilai 'incident' has affected investment in Chongqing
Bloomberg
Patrick Devilliers travels to China
BBC
Patrick Devilliers is held in China
WSJ
Gu Xilai charged with the murder of Heywood
The Telegraph
Gu Xilai to go on trial next Thursday
BBC

Good cop, bad cop?

Iranian soldiers on parade

"The Iranian news agency Fars reported that 90,000 troops and hundreds of ships, tanks and warplanes from the four countries would take part in a land and sea drill in Syria soon."
CHINA DAILY 

China denies the claims as does Russia and Syria. 

War of the "Words"

A battle of truth and justice involving one man and his Wikileaks. The public confused over whose word to believe. Russia Today (RT) versus TIME & CNN.

Russia Today during the entire Assange debacle has stood firm next to him, granting him plenty of interviews including alongside the condemned Rupert Murdoch. Russia Today's almost cult following worldwide boasts roughly 700 million followers. It has close links with the Russian Government and continually publishes "soft propaganda". However soft, it has had a penetrating effect in the U.S.

The last two weeks has seen conflicting news stories between U.S. media and Russia Today. The first instance of this was when Hilary Clinton talked of an arms shipment from Russia via UK waters to Syria's civil war. See CNN's article, U.S. says Russian helicopters being shipped to Syria.

Contrast that article with what Russia Today published in the following days.'Russia does not sell combat helicopters to Syria' said Sergey Larov, Russia's Foreign Minister. 

The UK was asked by the U.S to intercept this cargo, UK media then reported this. British stop Russian ship carrying attack helicopters to Syria. We now know that this ship was carrying attack helicopters, whether they be new or not. 


See both CNN and RT's explanation of the above, take note that at first RT attempted to make a spin on words purporting that Western media had made up a varient of attack helicopter saying "Curiously, the media mention a model of chopper which does not exist.". You will not find the exact article as it was on the day, the editors have been busy. I was still able to copy and paste that snippet from RT's front page dated the 18th of June. A little research will find that the Peruvian Air force also sports the Mil Mi-25. RT's edited explanation versus CNN's version of event's. 


Finally this brings me to question Julian Assange, with Russia Today versus TIME magazine. You really have to read RT to get an idea of the extent to which they support him, it would seem that not a day goes by without some mention of him. Julian Assange and Ecuador. And TIME's version here Ecuador and Julian Assange. 

"Jump Tony"

Rupert Murdoch 'pressured Blair on timing of Iraq war'.
Telegraph

WOMEN

Since civilisations began this has been a 'mans world' with very few exceptions. In ancient Athens male citizens had rights to full civic participation whilst a woman's movement was restricted. Athens is regarded as the cradle of Western democracy. What's interesting is that at the same time in history Sparta, a militaristic Greek state ended up offering women more freedom and financial independence than any other city-state.

Spartan's had to serve in the military machine regardless of gender, this perhaps opened a door of mutual respect.
A woman from Attica (Athens) asked Gorgo the daughter of the Spartan King Cleomenes 'why are you Spartan women the only ones who rule over their husbands", she answered,"Because only we are the mothers of men". The Spartan society although hardcore had realised the necessity of empowering women.
This cooperative approach understood the need for strong children that only good mothers could provide. This was not objectifying women, this was allowing a society to cohesively work on the basis of equality.

The machines that men built to better their professions, ironically will leave man increasingly with less work to do.

Spartan women wrestling with men

NASA's humanoid robot

One of largest problems humanity faces today is overpopulation, some will argue that you could fit the worlds entire population into an area the size of Texas. Indeed you could, if we were all prepared to live in shoeboxes. The overpopulation myth lobby conveniently fails to mention that with a rise in population also comes a rise in consumption of resources. Some will respond, we have the technology to overcome that and if not now then quite possibly we may do soon.

Modern medicine and vaccines have helped extend our life expectancy and wipe out viruses and diseases that would have otherwise killed large numbers of the world's population.

Organisations like the Media and the UN have prevented the fifty year itch of large scale war, they encourage compulsory jaw not war.

Where do women come into this you may ask? Well, numerous studies have found that by empowering women not only do you promote equality but birth rates drop. As women become more independent and financially stable they also have more choices. When to have a child or whether to have a child.

This trend is not happening forcibly but naturally.

It's your fault, China blames Britain for meeting the Dalai Lama

"UK to blame for damaged relations with China"                   

The recent visit by the Dalai Lama to the United Kingdom was not without karma.

The Chinese government was right to be angered. The UK government was right to meet with who they choose to.

Since May 2012, China has "indefinitely suspended minister-level meetings with Britain" reports the Telegraph.

Telegraph article

Falkland Islands to hold referendum on political future

Falklands to vote on political status

The Falkland Island's government is to opt for democracy in resolving a territory dispute between Buenos Aires and London.

China, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

                     China, human rights and an 'action plan'

                      

Russian police search opposition leaders' homes

Homes raided ahead of protest.

20 years on from the 1989 Tiananmen taboo is China democratic?

As a self confessed 'China watcher' I can bluntly say no, China is not democratic. 23 Years ago Chinese students gathered in Tiananmen Square demanding that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) steps down with chants like "purge the evil".
   
The democracy movement in Tiananmen was crushed, roughly 1-2 thousand people were murdered under the orders of Deng Xiaoping the then Chinese Communist Party ruler.
     At the time China was in a state of financial difficulty, it was on the brink of selecting its next generation of leaders for the politburo. The government accused the protestors of being 'capitalist roaders' or counter revolutionaries.

Tiananmen Square, Beijing 1989

On May 13th 1989 hundreds of Chinese students from more than 40 universities gathered in Tiananmen and commenced a hunger strike. By June 3rd the the PLA had received orders to reclaim the square at whatever cost. 10pm, the Army had begun opening fire on those who obstructed, vocally objected and on those simply watching the scene unfold. In the early hours of the following morning at around 5am thousands of Chinese intellectuals and students were escorted off Tiananmen at gun point.
     
Most foreign media attention was fixed on Tiananmen Square. This was inaccurate as the real massacre was on Fuxingmen Avenue and other approaching roads. Where the massacre that took place was not of students but of ordinary 'Beijingese', workers and residents - "precisely the target the Chinese government had intended" argues George Black and Robin Munro authors of 'Black Hands of Beijing'.
    
 "The students were not the problem. Indeed, the Party's line never varied after Deng Xiaoping first defined it for the April 26 People's Daily editorial. "Emotionally excited young students" were never the issue. The official conspiracy theory demanded other threats and other scapegoats - "outside elements" with "ulterior motives." This meant dissident intellectuals and workers. After their ruthless repression under Mao, the intelligentsia had been granted a kind of historic compromise by Deng. But by the spring of 1989, they had come to be seen as the agents of bourgeois liberalisation, of China's "peaceful evolution" toward Western-style pluralism. After Tiananmen, they would be singled out for punishment. The working class, meanwhile, had become the carrier of an even more dangerous virus - the Polish disease.
       

The Beijing Workers Autonomous Federation, tiny though it may have been, was the "cancer cell" the authorities feared. The Goddess of Democracy represented the arrogant intrusion of decadent Western values into the symbolic heart of Chinese Communism, rupturing the sacred cosmology, the feng shui of the great square. But the crude red and black banner of the BWAF, less than a hundred yards away, signified the more terrifying power of the workers awakened". The book goes on to say that the bold actions of students had initiated the protests at Tiananmen and that their actions were to be dwarfed by the "intervention of much broader social forces". 

Hu Jintao delivers a speech at the CPC Anniversary gathering

The layered cake of communism in China was crumbling. Those at the bottom, the laobaixing the ordinary people had experienced a jolt of human sympathy. The second tier was "the ideological defection of the Party apparatus itself". The Chinese media and press had rallied to the cause of democracy and freedom. The backbone of the dictatorship had begun to break free from the Party's grip. So what about the top tier you may ask? Those at the top, the apex of power sought to crush any hope of repeat. "The specter of organized popular unrest had to be exorcised not for a year or two, but for an entire generation".
     
Those that attended the rallies were facing at least 17 years imprisonment. Their families complaints silenced. The hounding of generations linked to Tiananmen continues to this day whilst the Party's elite masquerade as the transition to democracy and reform. In 2009 a Chinese soldier who had taken part in the military operation which cleared Tiananmen Square wrote a public letter to the then President Hu Jintao. The 40 year old Zhang Shijun urged the government and Party to reconsider its condemnation of the demonstration of 1989. He was swiftly taken from his home at 2am and detained at his local police station.  In an interview with AP Zhang said, "back then, we thought it would all be addressed in the near future. But democracy just seems further and further away". Chinese detain Zhang Shijun

Chinese tanks in Tiananmen

The world had hoped for the same. More recently on June 7th 2012, Li Wangyang 62 a prominent voice of dissent in China was found "hanged" in the morning under suspicious circumstances while he was in hospital. Li had spent 21 years in prison for his involvement in the Tiananmen Square protests.  According to his family he suffered systematic torture whilst imprisoned resulting in his becoming blind and bedridden. 


Zhu Chengzhi activist and school friend of Li visited him on June 4th."We talked a little, although he was not in good health. He had to be hospitalised but was optimistic. I do not think it is suicide because he is the kind of man who does not kill anything, not even with a knife to his neck" said Zhu. The family of Li say they had not received a proper autopsy or time of death, they were also prevented from photographing the body and were subsequently thrown out of the hospital by force.
 Li Wangyang found dead.


One interesting point I should make is the Communist Party's spin on words. In 1989 they referred to the protests as "counter revolutionary" today the euphemism used is "counter-insurgency". Revolution is a word associated with a moral uprising against a power or system that is perceived to be corrupt and dysfunctional by the people. Whilst insurgency is a word often used by the U.S to describe areas gripped by 'insurgents', the polite term for you're a terrorist. 


The very mention of the 'Tiananmen Square Massacre' in China has been socially doctored as a taboo.  Much like the 'Hama Massacre' in Syria  which occurred in 1982 under Hafez al-Assad. Up to 40,000 people were killed in Hama by Bashar al-Assad's father, socially it is only spoken of as the 'incident'. 

 Hong Kong vigil for the victims of the 'Tiananmen Massacre', 2012

China's sophisticated 'Great Firewall of China' and other mechanisms to control  and censor speech on the internet has seen words like "black," "today," and "vigil" being erased from the blogosphere.


Today, June 8th we learn of a new massacre in Hama that has left hundreds dead. This time by the hand of Bashar. The Chinese foreign ministry issued a strong but rare statement concerning the latest blood bath in Syria. Beijing "strongly condemns" the deaths of innocent civilians and called for the "murderers" to be punished. 
China will be better off admitting to her people that this was no 'incident' and then a more caring China will emerge.

China's Game of Thrones

A look at why Bo Xilai is such a hot potato

Is there a larger political crisis waiting in the long grass? The Bo scandal puts the spotlight on government corruption.


Zhang Dejiang, Bo's replacement has said that the scandal "gravely damaged" China's image. The Communist Party is to make a leadership change in October.
BBC, China's damaged 'reputation'