U.S. sold U.S. $ 66.3 billion in weapons in 2011, a record

The United States in 2011 exported more weapons than ever, with a total of 66.3 billion dollars in sales, said on Sunday newspaper The New York Times   from a report prepared by the Research Service of the U.S. Congress, an organization nonpartisan linked to the Library of Congress. The value is three times the total of 2010, when exports were $ 21.4 billion. U.S. exports accounted for almost 78% of the global arms market, which handled 85.3 billion dollars. The second biggest seller is Russia, which appears well behind the U.S. in the bustling value: $ 4.8 billion. The charges mainly made to U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf. The biggest clients were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, who bought especially missile systems and advanced next-generation aircraft. To justify the purchases, these countries argue that they need to defend against a possible attack from Iran.

Biggest deal Amid sales to Saudi Arabia, which totaled 33.4 billion dollars, is the largest agreement ever signed by the U.S. military. The country sold to the Arab nation 84 new combat aircraft F-15, upgraded another 70 aircraft and 178 helicopters provided, of three types: 70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Birds.The UAE bought 4.42 billion dollars in weapons, including 3.49 billion on a missile shield advanced and 939 million in 16 Chinook helicopters. Oman, in turn, bought 18 fighter aircraft F-16 by 1.4 billion, among other weapons. In addition to the transactions in the Middle East, the U.S. sold $ 4.1 billion in C-17 aircraft to India, and another 2 billion in Patriot missile batteries to Taiwan in a deal widely criticized by the Chinese government.

Population of New Orleans prepares for arrival of Hurricane Isaac

U.S. President Barack Obama warned on Tuesday to flooding and significant damage that can be caused by the Category 1 hurricane Isaac, asking people who are on their way to take seriously the phenomenon and follow the guidelines of the authorities. Isaac went on the afternoon of Tuesday the Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson five levels, approaching Louisiana (south), according to the National Hurricane Center (CNH). "Now is not the time to play with lucky ... They need to take this seriously," Obama said in a televised speech from the White House, just before the hurricane Isaac turn in their advance into the city of New Orleans, Louisiana (south). "We face a great storm, and may experience significant flooding and other damage in a large area," said the president. "I ask that all residents of the Gulf Coast (Mexico) stay tuned to the authorities and follow their guidelines, even if they say they should leave their homes," he added. "Right now, we have prepared equipment and materials to help communities that are in the path of the storm," he announced. "I will continue ensuring that the federal government is doing everything possible to help the American people to prepare and recover from this dangerous storm," the president said. Before the approach of Isaac, the population of New Orleans, Louisiana, prepared keeping in mind the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, which seven years ago that left 1800 dead. Obama undoubtedly aware of the management failures of his predecessor, Republican George W. Bush, in the tragedy of 2005, declared a state of emergency in Louisiana as a result of weather phenomenon. The emergency declaration allows the deployment of resources and federal aid to local authorities. Obama also spoke with local officials, as the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), Craig Fugate. Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi declared a state of emergency on Sunday. According to forecasts, the hurricane could cause waves over 3.5 meters high on the coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. The eye of the storm specifically points for New Orleans, which on August 29, 2005 was devastated by Katrina with winds that exceeded 178 km / h - Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson - who became the deadliest hurricane in the history of the United States, with 1,800 dead. The Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley ordered mandatory evacuations in Mobile and Baldwin on the Gulf coast. The governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, has recommended voluntary evacuations in the surveillance zone of the hurricane, and urged people to prepare for the worst. FEMA reported that the National Coordination Centre was activated and Response that will manage any requests for help from states hit. The Mississippi mobilized 1,500 National Guardsmen on Monday and issued orders for 4100 Louisiana soldiers were ready. About 78% of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is paralyzed: six refineries decided to stop their activities and 346 oil rigs evacuated their staff before the advance of Isaac. Before going through the United States, Isaac left 19 dead and six missing in Haiti and the Dominican Republic two dead.

Half naked and ... Michelle Obama's slave!

Various reactions have caused the Spanish magazine cover, which shows the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, half-naked. Certainly not a real snapshot but photomontage which has placed the person of the wife of the U.S. President in a portrait of 1800 «Portrait D'Une Négresse» in which the creator, Marie-Guillemine Benoist depicts a half-naked slave. magazine De Fuera de Serie wanted to send a message that Michelle Obama was also a slave granddaughter and great-grandfather and great-grandmother and they were slaves. The portrait was inspired because the country had abolished slavery six years ago and was considered a symbol of the rights of people of color. Operators argue that the magazine depicting a famous person differently. The truth is that the magazine is turning all eyes on. 

Syria: 12 dead and 48 wounded in a bombing at a funeral

A total of 12 people died exploded a car bomb  that targeted the funerals of two loyalists in the southeastern periphery Damascus , Syrian state television, denouncing a "terrorist" attack that also caused 48 injured, most seriously. The attack was carried out in Jaramana, a town populated mostly by Christians and Druze. The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH) confirmed the explosion. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of OSDH IDICO "numerous ambulances were seen at the site of the explosion."The attack took place at a time when the army began to expand its operations, initially concentrated in certain neighborhoods Damascus, to the suburbs of the capital, where they are entrenched elite brigades Free Syrian Army (ESL) rebel, a rebel commander said.