Sunday, October 31, 2010
News Links, November 1, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
Hungary to Cut Thousands of State Jobs to Narrow 2011 Budget Deficit Under 3% of GDP
Hungary to Cut Thousands of State Jobs to Narrow 2011 Budget Deficit Under 3% of GDP
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
U.S. eyeing Saudi-born bombmaker in parcel bomb plot
U.S. eyeing Saudi-born bombmaker in parcel bomb plot
"The package in Britain contained a printer toner cartridge rigged with wires and accompanied by a white powder, although officials later said results from explosives tests were negative."
Ouch! Why your utility bills are soaring (Australia)
More homeowners are choosing to just walk away
Why Commercial Real Estate Isn't Swamped with Foreclosures: "extend and pretend"
Why Commercial Real Estate Isn't Swamped with Foreclosures: "extend and pretend"
Pfizer recalls Lipitor for a third time since August due to moldy smell
WashPost: War with Iran would rescue economy
WashPost: War with Iran would rescue economy
Seniors going destitute because of credit card bills
Credit. College. Mortgage: Is Crushing Debt Our 21st Century Slavery?
Pension pain off the charts
Credit. College. Mortgage: Is Crushing Debt Our 21st Century Slavery?
Pension pain off the charts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
News Links, October 31, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
A Gold Bull and His Prediction: $10,000 an Ounce
A Gold Bull and His Prediction: $10,000 an Ounce
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
Mexico caught in bloody anti-drugs war
Mexico caught in bloody anti-drugs war
"At a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said it sees Russia as a 'factor of stability' in the region."
-- Cargo plane bomb plot --
Cargo plane bomb plot: Yemen doubts its link to the plot
"The government of Yemen has expressed astonishment at the cargo plane bomb plots, claiming there were no UPS cargo planes that had taken off from Yemen."
"The government of Yemen has expressed astonishment at the cargo plane bomb plots, claiming there were no UPS cargo planes that had taken off from Yemen."
Saudi Arabia credited with tip that stopped U.S.-bound bombs
Terror bombs were primed to down cargo planes in mid-air
Terror bombs were primed to down cargo planes in mid-air
The peak oil debate is over (James Schlesinger)
-- Got food? --
5 Dangers to Global Crops That Could Dramatically Reduce the World Food Supply
North Korea Faces 'Alarming' Drought, Declining Food Aid: U.N.
North Korea Faces 'Alarming' Drought, Declining Food Aid: U.N.
-- Environment/health --
U.S. may end patents on DNA: report
U.S. may end patents on DNA: report
-- US --
Pre-Election Bomb Plot a Political Boost for Obama
Citi: Don't Make The Common Mistake Of Thinking Housing Matters Like It Used To
Citi: Don't Make The Common Mistake Of Thinking Housing Matters Like It Used To
"Now, with QE2 being largely priced in, anything less than $1 trillion from the Fed would disappoint the markets and may trigger a correction in U.S. stocks, which could result in more quantitative easing."
Friday, October 29, 2010
News Links, October 30, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
Tax Shortfalls Spur New Fear on Europe's Recovery
Tax Shortfalls Spur New Fear on Europe's Recovery
*This is the third round of "budget screening." Cut, cut, cut.
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
Japanese destroyer shoots down mid-range ballistic missile in test with US off Hawaii
Japanese destroyer shoots down mid-range ballistic missile in test with US off Hawaii
Source: Moscow won't negotiate Medvedev's trip to Kurils with Tokyo
U.S., Japan Push for Maritime Code as Encounters With China Fan Tensions
U.S., Japan Push for Maritime Code as Encounters With China Fan Tensions
-- Energy/resources --
Officials Claim Chinese Rare Earth Metals Embargo Expands to Include to U.S. and Europe
Officials Claim Chinese Rare Earth Metals Embargo Expands to Include to U.S. and Europe
-- Environment/health --
Fishermen Report Louisiana Bays Filled With Oil
Fishermen Report Louisiana Bays Filled With Oil
-- Intelligence/security/internet --
Obama Says Explosives Found In Packages From Yemen Bound For US
Obama Says Explosives Found In Packages From Yemen Bound For US
-- US --
The Federal Reserve Stirs Poltergeist of Hyperinflation, Weimar Collapse
QE2 and the Upcoming Second American Revolution
The Federal Reserve Stirs Poltergeist of Hyperinflation, Weimar Collapse
QE2 and the Upcoming Second American Revolution
Thursday, October 28, 2010
News Links, October 29, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
Ireland Doubles Budget Savings Target to 15 Billion Euros
Ireland Doubles Budget Savings Target to 15 Billion Euros
Is hard currency on its way out? Introducing the new virtual world currency.
Dubai property prices 'to go down substantially' – Prince Alwaleed
Dubai property prices 'to go down substantially' – Prince Alwaleed
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
E.U. rules let Iran import, export oil, creating possible split from U.S. policy
Five years after riots, Paris suburb is a neglected powder keg
Five years after riots, Paris suburb is a neglected powder keg
How much is Arctic security worth? (Canada)
-- Energy/resources --
Shale Gas—Abundance or Mirage? Why The Marcellus Shale Will Disappoint Expectations
Even If Solar Grows 30X, It Will Only Be 4% Of America's Power Capacity
Even If Solar Grows 30X, It Will Only Be 4% Of America's Power Capacity
-- Got food? --
"If you think your grocery bill is already high, you ain't seen nothing yet. In fact, we could be just one supply shock away from a full-blown food crisis that would make the price spikes of 2008 look like a happy memory."
-- Environment/health --
Reminders Of BP's Oil Spill Linger Along Gulf Coast
Reminders Of BP's Oil Spill Linger Along Gulf Coast
"More than three months since BP stopped its underwater gusher, crews are working to clean hundreds of miles of oiled shoreline from Louisiana to the Florida panhandle."
-- UK --
Number facing fuel poverty up 20%
Councils accused of putting lives at risk by turning off street lights in drive to save cash
"Britain's 7.5 million street lights cost about £500million a year to operate. In the largest switch-off to date, Essex County Council has turned off 18,000 of its 220,000, saving about £1.25million a year.
Councils accused of putting lives at risk by turning off street lights in drive to save cash
"Britain's 7.5 million street lights cost about £500million a year to operate. In the largest switch-off to date, Essex County Council has turned off 18,000 of its 220,000, saving about £1.25million a year.
-- US --
Imminent big bank death spiral
Imminent big bank death spiral
Gold vs. the Fed -- the record is clear (WSJ via GATA)
And finally... Mohammed, Britain's Most Popular Boy's Name In 2009
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
News Links, October 28, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
Greece Caught Lying By Eurostat Again, As Budget Deficit Revised From 3% Initially To Over 15% Of GDP
Dip in air cargo reflects slowing global recovery
Dip in air cargo reflects slowing global recovery
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
All night march over waste dump in Italy
All night march over waste dump in Italy
"Among the top items on Prince Khalid bin Sultan's agenda are discussions to purchase 'more than 200' tanks for Saudi Arabia."
-- Energy/resources --
Alaska's untapped oil reserves estimate lowered by about 90 percent
Soaring coal prices set to hit power generators (China)
Soaring coal prices set to hit power generators (China)
"Many of the State-owned power companies are suffering a 50 percent loss this year."
-- Got food? --
Rice Sales Halted by Thailand, Biggest Exporter, as Floods Damage Output
N.Korea's Food Shortage Estimated at 1 Million Tons
N.Korea's Food Shortage Estimated at 1 Million Tons
-- Environment/health --
New superbug hits mainland China
New superbug hits mainland China
BP dispersants 'causing sickness' (gruesome Al Jazeera investigation)
"The sky erupts. Cities darken, food spoils and homes fall silent. Civilization collapses."
-- US --
Fiscal disaster set to explode: States' unemployment bill has come due
Haunting Images Of Post-Boom Las Vegas
New EPA rules will erode power grid reliability, report finds
Haunting Images Of Post-Boom Las Vegas
New EPA rules will erode power grid reliability, report finds
"Fiat money in the US is in an advanced stage of decomposition."
Essential drugs running low across the USTuesday, October 26, 2010
News Links, October 27, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
Oil and The Death of Globalization (Jeff Rubin video)
Oil and The Death of Globalization (Jeff Rubin video)
-- Energy/resources --
IEA: Unclear If Oil Reserve Growth Will Contribute to Future Supply
Pakistan's donors seek 200% hike in power prices
Pakistan's donors seek 200% hike in power prices
*Another episode in the saga of the declining renewable energy industry.
Communications Dropped to 50 Nuke Missiles in ICBM SNAFU (US)
U.S. Legislators Debate Internet 'Kill Switch' for President
U.S. Legislators Debate Internet 'Kill Switch' for President
-- US --
Economists: Are we headed for civil war?
"Could recession really lead to armed warfare? 'Zero Hedge' expects a civil war, does TIME agree?"
Insider Selling Volume at Highest Level Ever Tracked
Mexican cartel's founding members trained at Fort Bragg: report
Mexican cartel's founding members trained at Fort Bragg: report
Jeremy Grantham's Latest Is Out, And It Stars Bernanke As A Zombie Hellbent On Destroying The Economy (the graphic is a scream)
In US, a job means less than it used to, more emphasis on home and family
In US, a job means less than it used to, more emphasis on home and family
Army Copters to Start 'Flying Over Your Neighborhood'
"Most importantly, new communications equipment gets the Lakota talking with the police patrol car below."
Making Do With Less is the 'New Retirement'"Most importantly, new communications equipment gets the Lakota talking with the police patrol car below."
Calif. Borrows $6.7 Billion Cash From JPMorgan-Led Group
Alaska and energy (a grim assessment by Richard Heinberg)
Alaska and energy (a grim assessment by Richard Heinberg)
Want to get away with murder? Become a bank. (CNN-Fortune)
Monday, October 25, 2010
News Links, October 26, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
"Supertanker owners are facing the longest stretch of unprofitable rates in 17 years as the supply of new vessels increases nine times faster than demand for oil."
PIMCO's El-Erian: Greece Will Default In 3 Years
Massive Inflation in China, US Inflation Nonexistent
Massive Inflation in China, US Inflation Nonexistent
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
Kyrgyzstan's uncertain future looms over fate of U.S. air base
Kyrgyzstan's uncertain future looms over fate of U.S. air base
-- Energy/resources --
Spain To Up Biofuel Mix In Fuels To 6.1 Pct By 2013
Spain To Up Biofuel Mix In Fuels To 6.1 Pct By 2013
-- Oil disaster --
-- UK --
More than six out of 10 households are worried about the cost of their energy bills this winter
Police raid homes in copper theft crackdown
Police raid homes in copper theft crackdown
U.S. "Falling Into the Chasm" as Politicians Ignore $1.3T Elephant in the Room
Economy could cause population drop (Nevada; and where will they go?)
Economy could cause population drop (Nevada; and where will they go?)
"At least insiders continue to benefit from ever more irrational prices in stocks from which they can bail at increasingly loftier levels."
"In some respects, the head of the Federal Reserve can be viewed as a sort of Witch Doctor, or Shaman. When the Shaman's powers are perceived as strong, all is well."
Sunday, October 24, 2010
News Links, October 25, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
More Chinese power and wealth if Geithner gets his way
More Chinese power and wealth if Geithner gets his way
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
Afghan warlords prepare to rearm as Taliban arrive for peace talks in Kabul
Afghan warlords prepare to rearm as Taliban arrive for peace talks in Kabul
-- Energy/resources --
Is the 'bidding game' on for oil reserves estimates? (Read in conjunction with following item.)
OPEC Will Never Run Out Of Oil
OPEC Will Never Run Out Of Oil
-- Oil disaster --
-- Environment/health --
Sorry, New York Times: The bee die-off case is not closed
Sorry, New York Times: The bee die-off case is not closed
-- Intelligence/security/internet --
Official says US government is helpless against fake security certifications
Official says US government is helpless against fake security certifications
"More than 200,000 may leave capital in 'social cleansing'"
-- US --
Goldman: The Fed Needs To Print $4 Trillion In New Money
Lawsuit Alleges that MERS Owes California a Potential $60-120 Billion in Unpaid Land-Recording Fees
Fannie, Freddie bailout may cost $363B
Lawsuit Alleges that MERS Owes California a Potential $60-120 Billion in Unpaid Land-Recording Fees
Fannie, Freddie bailout may cost $363B
Home Prices Double Dip in "Sudden Dramatic Drop"; 20% More to Come says Gary Shilling
The US Equity Market Is Dead And Only The Taxpayer Is Still Buying
"The risks intrinsic to a corrupted market have been shifted to the taxpayers, while the criminals who profited from the fraud and embezzlement got away scot-free."
"The risks intrinsic to a corrupted market have been shifted to the taxpayers, while the criminals who profited from the fraud and embezzlement got away scot-free."
Making al-Qaida 'look tame': Mexico's 'war next door' linked directly to United States
"Federal authorities say Mexican traffickers are now entrenched in at least 270 American cities, running sophisticated and disciplined networks that not only bring the drugs in, but also ship truckloads of cash back to Mexico."
Study: Surgery on wrong patients, body parts persists (Another sign of systemic breakdown)
Related item from August 17: Drug recalls surge
The New York Times Torture Euphemism Generator!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
News Links, October 25, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
One in five in Spain live in poverty
One in five in Spain live in poverty
The Return of Globalization (Foreign Policy)
"The foundations of globalization are at risk." (Gasp!)
"Some 17 percent of the property around the Twin Towers is estimated to be vacant."
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
New Rules for Tapping Africa's Abundant Oil
"The oil fields are tempting, the governments hard to deal with."
"The oil fields are tempting, the governments hard to deal with."
-- Environment/health --
-- Oil disaster --
-- Intelligence/security/internet --
Chemical Weapons, Iranian Agents and Massive Death Tolls Exposed in WikiLeaks' Iraq Docs
Five bombshells from WikiLeaks' Iraq war documents
Friday, October 22, 2010
News Links, October 23, 2010
-- Global economic meltdown --
G-20 Unlikely to End Talk of 'Currency Wars'
G-20 Unlikely to End Talk of 'Currency Wars'
Here's Why China Loses Whether The Dollar Strengthens Or Weakens
In Major Reversal, Japan Now 'Firmly on Board' with US Economic Proposal
In Major Reversal, Japan Now 'Firmly on Board' with US Economic Proposal
"The US economy is swimming in debt and the total obligations (including social security, Medicare and Medicaid) now come in at around 800% of GDP!"
-- Fault lines/flashpoints/military --
U.S. officials, experts: No high-level Afghan peace talks under way
U.S. officials, experts: No high-level Afghan peace talks under way
Afghan insurgents dismiss peace talks, NATO upbeat
More Tibetan students 'take to streets over reforms'
More Tibetan students 'take to streets over reforms'
-- Energy/resources --
Honey, I Shrunk the Renaissance: Nuclear Revival, Climate Change & Reality
Honey, I Shrunk the Renaissance: Nuclear Revival, Climate Change & Reality
"Land purchases by foreign investors in poor countries and the growing use of biofuels are boosting pressures on agricultural farmland and helping make 500 million small farmers hungry."
-- Environment/health --
Horror rotting disease hits Uganda
Horror rotting disease hits Uganda
WikiLeaks' 400,000 Iraq War Documents Reveal Torture, Civilian Deaths
China activists plan WikiLeaks-style site
China activists plan WikiLeaks-style site
-- US --
Republican congressional candidate says violent overthrow of government is 'on the table'
Will Fed buy Treasuries for an extended period?
"One hundred billion here, one hundred billion there. Pretty soon we're talking real money."
1.2 Million Will Lose Benefits By Year's End Unless Congress Acts
Will Fed buy Treasuries for an extended period?
"One hundred billion here, one hundred billion there. Pretty soon we're talking real money."
1.2 Million Will Lose Benefits By Year's End Unless Congress Acts
Big public works projects a hard sell in U.S.
"Infrastructure spending stands at half of what it was in 1960."
"Infrastructure spending stands at half of what it was in 1960."
"Without housing the financial system is essentially toast. The size of the mortgage market is around $10 trillion according to the last figures I saw which is close to 100% of our annual GDP."
Bank Failures Hit Florida, Georgia; total for year is 135
