Saturday, April 30, 2011
News Links, May 1, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
Brazil to 'Play Tough' on Inflation, Rousseff Says in Speech
Warren Buffett: There's "No Question" The Dollar Will Keep Falling
Rising fuel costs drive Dubai inflation rate in Q1
Warren Buffett: There's "No Question" The Dollar Will Keep Falling
Rising fuel costs drive Dubai inflation rate in Q1
"Saudi Arabia tightened its control of the media on Friday, threatening fines and closure of publications that jeopardised its stability or offended clerics, state media reported."
Good overview of the current situation in 12 minutes. IEA says that crude production peaked in 2006. -- RF
New Brazil Policies May Not Prevent Rising Ethanol Prices, Analyst Says
New Brazil Policies May Not Prevent Rising Ethanol Prices, Analyst Says
More on the Saudi's slash of oil output (an interesting read)
Just skip down to the last paragraph. In other words, abiotic oil — even if it exists — won't make one iota of difference. And did I mention that Saudi Arabia has peaked? -- RF
It's either that or riots. -- RF
Just imagine the cost of building such facilities! If these costs were also included in the rates for electricity generated by nuclear power, it would be astronomically expensive. And in the beginning we were told that nuclear would be "too cheap to meter!" -- RF
Peak oil highlights need for a unified policy (Australia)
Pakistan's nuclear reactors are just white elephants
"Top physicists say the plants, providing only three per cent of the country's energy, are nothing more than toys."
Pakistan's nuclear reactors are just white elephants
"Top physicists say the plants, providing only three per cent of the country's energy, are nothing more than toys."
## Environment/health ##
New EU regulations on herbal medicines come into force
New EU regulations on herbal medicines come into force
## Japan ##
Industry minister calls on power companies to tighten belts
Japan LNG Imports to Increase as Energy Future Remains Unsure
Japan LNG Imports to Increase as Energy Future Remains Unsure
## China ##
CEC warns 30m-kW power shortage
CEC warns 30m-kW power shortage
"The China Electricity Council (CEC) issued a report Thursday forecasting the nation may face an electricity shortage of 30 million kW in the summer, according to a Sina.com report."
"Rising household incomes in China are contributing to the surge in housing prices, in addition to loose credit policies and the practice of local governments' fund raising through selling land, People's Daily reported Friday, quoting scholars."
## UK ##
Almost every school to shut as heads join strike
"Head teachers are set to join an unprecedented wave of strikes that will bring almost every school in England and Wales to a standstill."
Persistent drug shortages across the U.S. lead to medical errors
"Last year, more than 240 drugs were either in short supply or completely unavailable anywhere in the United States, and shortages continue for many of the products."
"Last year, more than 240 drugs were either in short supply or completely unavailable anywhere in the United States, and shortages continue for many of the products."
Excessive Leverage Helped Cause the Great Depression and the Current Crisis ... And Government Responds by Encouraging MORE Leverage
Americans Increased Spending in March as Gasoline, Grocery Prices Climbed
Americans Increased Spending in March as Gasoline, Grocery Prices Climbed
A Frightening Satellite Tour Of America's Foreclosure Wastelands
Wal-Mart to return firearms to some U.S. stores
Wal-Mart to return firearms to some U.S. stores
And finally... Man Dressed as Cow Steals 26 Gallons of Milk
Friday, April 29, 2011
News Links, April 30, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
Vietnam Raises Key Rates
Vietnam Raises Key Rates
"Central banks that were net sellers of gold a decade ago are buying the precious metal to reduce their reliance on the dollar as a reserve currency, signaling demand that may extend a record rally in prices."
"Belarus is facing a severe shortage of imported goods due to the acceleration of its currency devaluation."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
Power shortages and crumbling Soviet-era infrastructure are aggravating the problem. -- RF
Grim outlook for S. America war on drugs as submersibles multiply
Libyan War Creates Far-Reaching Refugee Crisis
Libyan War Creates Far-Reaching Refugee Crisis
Japan: Airspace border tensions soar / ASDF scrambled 386 times to ward off foreign aircraft in FY10
"The shutdown of Japanese and German nuclear power stations will also increase usage of gas power plants, which will result in an increase of natural gas prices."
## Got food? ##
Food Inflation Quickens to Three-Week High, Increasing Pressure on Rates (India)
Coffee May Rise 40% on Frost After Kraft, Smucker Raised Prices
Coffee May Rise 40% on Frost After Kraft, Smucker Raised Prices
## Japan ##
Industrial zone still rebuilding
"Despite progress in repairing industrial infrastructure damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Kashima coastal industrial zone in Ibaraki Prefecture has a long way to go before it will be completely back to normal."
One Big Obstacle To Japan's Recovery? Trash
"Despite progress in repairing industrial infrastructure damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Kashima coastal industrial zone in Ibaraki Prefecture has a long way to go before it will be completely back to normal."
One Big Obstacle To Japan's Recovery? Trash
Oil is four times as expensive as it was when rebuilding after the Kobe earthquake. Much of the money going to reconstruction will have to be spent on fuel for heavy machinery and trucks, leaving less for everything else. -- RF
Norinchukin Bank sets up Y1 tril quake aid package
"Norinchukin Bank has finalized an aid package totaling 1 trillion yen for farmers, fishermen and forestry workers in regions hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the ensuing nuclear disaster."
"Norinchukin Bank has finalized an aid package totaling 1 trillion yen for farmers, fishermen and forestry workers in regions hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the ensuing nuclear disaster."
Sounds great. But how many of the loans will be repaid? -- RF
"Some factories have been forced to halt production on certain days of the week. Although summer, the peak season for energy use, has not arrived, Zhejiang is facing its worst power shortage since 2004."
Daimler profits roar up on China's passion for Mercedes
"Daimler follows trend for growing confidence in car industry and doubles first-quarter profits as Chinese sales rise 82%."
"Daimler follows trend for growing confidence in car industry and doubles first-quarter profits as Chinese sales rise 82%."
"Police officers and protesters were injured today after further demonstrations against a Tesco store in a city centre turned violent."
## US ##
Death of the summer road trip
Death of the summer road trip
In the future, people will be drinking raw milk, if they have any milk to drink at all. -- RF
Cracks in the Pyramid Are Beginning to Show
"The divide between America's 'haves' and 'have-nots' is threatening to become a yawning gulf -- with great danger to society on the whole."
"The divide between America's 'haves' and 'have-nots' is threatening to become a yawning gulf -- with great danger to society on the whole."
"Here's the bad news about electric vehicles: They're going to be hell on the grid. The Utilities Telecom Council trade group reports that electric vehicles will require a 16-fold increase in power usage in the next decade, putting pressure on utilities to find out how to handle car charging as quickly as possible."
And finally... Superman considers giving up US citizenship
News Links, April 29, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
Includes video with outspoken Schiff.
"You are going to have to work harder and harder, for less and less to survive at a lower and lower standard of living. This will all be required to support the annual $9T debt bondage we have assumed as our politicos add additional 'stimulus' to a suffocating and debt saturated global economy."
Central banks pump £3 trillion into world economy
"The world's central banks have pumped £3 trillion into the global financial system since the crisis, the equivalent of 8pc of the world economy, according to new analysis by Fathom Consulting."
"The world's central banks have pumped £3 trillion into the global financial system since the crisis, the equivalent of 8pc of the world economy, according to new analysis by Fathom Consulting."
## Energy/resources ##
"Dozens of U.S. nuclear plants rely on batteries for emergency power. The NRC assumes those facilities will be able to access reliable power--either by reconnecting to the grid or jump-starting diesel generators--within four hours of losing power."
"POWER has been restored to 10,000 homes in Sydney's inner west after a major power fault this morning, and traffic delays into the CBD are starting to clear."
Kenya's rising food prices hurt both buyers and sellers
"Food price increases that have caused riots elsewhere in Africa have reached Kenya, and Nairobi residents don't know what to do."
"Food price increases that have caused riots elsewhere in Africa have reached Kenya, and Nairobi residents don't know what to do."
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Amazon's cloud crash destroyed many customers' data
"Expected cuts in air conditioning at companies this summer are expected to heighten the humiliation of ugly sweat stains as well as damp clothing clinging to uncomfortable spots on the body."
"Officials postponed a plan to ramp up efforts to cool nuclear fuel at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex amid concerns that the use of thousands of additional metric tons of water could result in dangerous leaks."
## China ##
China Real Estate: Government Moves To Curb Profits Of Developers
China Economic Growth Faces Risks From Property 'Shocks,' World Bank Says
"The power shortages happening ahead of peak usage time has hit many cities in south China since March, which highlights the contradiction between the supply and requirements for electricity resources, the China News Service reports."
## US ##
"Increasingly, consumers are pumping gas and driving off without paying, stealing from other motorists and ripping off large quantities from municipalities and businesses."
As Price of Crude Rises, Thieves Target Fryer Grease
US economy slows sharply
"Growth for the first quarter stood at 1.8 percent, down from 3.1 percent in the last three months of 2010."
US economy slows sharply
"Growth for the first quarter stood at 1.8 percent, down from 3.1 percent in the last three months of 2010."
Student Loan Debt Hell: 21 Statistics That Will Make You Think Twice About Going To College
There Goes the Data: Major Cuts at EIA Washington
The 9 Places Where Inflation is Crushing Us
Soap is crusting up sewers, but it's not the clean kind
Earnings aren't as good as they seemThere Goes the Data: Major Cuts at EIA Washington
The 9 Places Where Inflation is Crushing Us
Soap is crusting up sewers, but it's not the clean kind
"Companies are reporting stellar results. But drill down in the numbers and you find those companies benefiting from temporary tax breaks and facing climbing costs."
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
News Links, April 28, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
"A group of the largest US banks and fund managers stepped up the pressure on Congress and the Obama administration to reach a deal to increase the country's debt limit, saying that even a short default could be devastating for the financial markets and economy."
"As in other countries, inflation is the biggest danger South Korea faces. Its consumer price index jumped nearly 5% in March, the fastest rate since late 2008. Consumer confidence sagged this month for the second month in a row on perceptions of the effects that higher prices are having on household budgets."
Growth sounds great, but now economic growth fuels deadly inflation, which governments must then tamp down aggressively. SKorea also has an acute power shortage which will very likely cause problems with the coming of hot weather. -- RF
Economic hardship drives Greeks into the ground
"The Greeks who years ago fled to cities for economic opportunity are now returning to the countryside for the same reason."
"The Greeks who years ago fled to cities for economic opportunity are now returning to the countryside for the same reason."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
Yemen unrest: Protesters 'shot dead' in Sanaa
Secret police detain more than 500 as Syria defies Western threats
Secret police detain more than 500 as Syria defies Western threats
"A pipeline carrying gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan has exploded after an attack by an armed gang in the north Sinai area of Egypt."
## Energy/resources ##
The Peak Oil Crisis: Dimming of the Globe (Tom Whipple)
Is Peak Coal Coming? (Jeff Rubin at Financial Sense)
National coal expert: 'Mining is a loser' in practically every way (US)
Russia: Gasoline shortages provoke furor
Russia: Gasoline shortages provoke furor
No Easy Solutions to the Coming Energy Crisis (Gail Tverberg)
"Everyone would like to fix the US energy policy, but doing so is almost impossible, in my view, primarily because we need to be planning for a much bigger change than most people can even imagine."
Tverberg's low-key delivery might not satisfy some. But the implications of her writing are huge. -- RF
Because it's just too expensive to build new ones. -- RF
Hail modern industrialized monoculture large-scale agriculture! -- RF
## Environment/health ##
In nuclear accident, risks extend beyond evacuation zone
'Neglected' current could keep Europe warm even if Gulf Stream stops
In nuclear accident, risks extend beyond evacuation zone
'Neglected' current could keep Europe warm even if Gulf Stream stops
Failing Health for BP Cleanup Crew
"Those who assisted in Gulf cleanup efforts are now suffering from memory loss, respiratory problems and other issues."
"Those who assisted in Gulf cleanup efforts are now suffering from memory loss, respiratory problems and other issues."
## Japan ##
Japan Rating Threat May Force Higher Taxes to Fund Rebuilding
Japan debt outlook cut to negative on rebuilding costs
Japan debt outlook cut to negative on rebuilding costs
"Japan's sovereign rating outlook has been cut to negative by Standard & Poor's (S&P) in the wake of the devastation caused by last month's earthquake and tsunami."
"Activists have found the cancer-causing, fibrous material in the air and debris collected from the devastated northeastern coast."
Makes great press. But do you think it'll actually happen? -- RF
China's super rich show doubt about country's economic future
"Some 60 percent of China's wealthiest are thinking of leaving - and many have already put money away offshore."
"Some 60 percent of China's wealthiest are thinking of leaving - and many have already put money away offshore."
## US ##
Must read: Wal-Mart: Our shoppers are 'running out of money'
Physical Silver Shortage Worsens Due To Mint Rationing and Surging Investment Demand
Public pensions, once off limits, face the axe
"Cities and state governments attempt to undo protections to balance budgets."
Physical Silver Shortage Worsens Due To Mint Rationing and Surging Investment Demand
Public pensions, once off limits, face the axe
"Cities and state governments attempt to undo protections to balance budgets."
Why more people are rejecting their credit cards
"Financial experts say people who live a cash-only life usually spend less."
U.S. employers shift to temp workers"Financial experts say people who live a cash-only life usually spend less."
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
News Links, April 27, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
2008 crash deja vu: We'll relive it, and soon: New bubble is hotter, bigger than the last one (Paul Farrell)
2008 crash deja vu: We'll relive it, and soon: New bubble is hotter, bigger than the last one (Paul Farrell)
China creeps toward a crisis
"By taking a weak stance on inflation, China is inviting political unrest. That sets it on a dangerous course of greater political repression and even less action on inflation."
"By taking a weak stance on inflation, China is inviting political unrest. That sets it on a dangerous course of greater political repression and even less action on inflation."
As in Japan, it will be impossible to rebuild everything. -- RF
Gross World Product Will Not Grow at 4%+ for Five Years
Indebted Nakheel halts property sales in Dubai
Indebted Nakheel halts property sales in Dubai
Buy gold (MarketWatch)
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
Thai-Cambodia clashes spread east to Preah Vihear
Thai-Cambodia clashes spread east to Preah Vihear
"Iraq has approved an ambitious $37-billion programme to upgrade Iraq's collapsing infrastructure, which has fallen victim to three decades of war and sanctions, a government spokesman said on Tuesday."
## Energy/resources ##
China Coal-Prices climb again, Indonesian imports boosted
Saudi Uneasy With High Oil Price, Worried About Economy
Saudi Uneasy With High Oil Price, Worried About Economy
Jeremy Has Spoken (But Rest Assured, Pro Money Management Isn't Listening) (Gregor Macdonald)
## Environment/health ##
Chernobyl disaster: four ways it continues to have an impact
Chernobyl disaster: four ways it continues to have an impact
Mega-technology: It's the gift that keeps on giving. -- RF
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
PlayStation Network will be down longer than six days
PlayStation Network will be down longer than six days
Network issues cause police comms crash (New Zealand)
"A network failure has crashed normal communications at 130 police stations around the country, three communications centres and Police National Headquarters."
"The meager ticket sales to China's growing urban professional class (which would also be the targeted demographic in the United States) can't even cover interest on the construction debt, let alone operating costs and ongoing capital costs related to expansion and maintenance."
Much of the disaster-hit region was already economically depressed, and many towns will not be rebuilt, at least not in the modern sense. -- RF
"But the survey also shows that at many companies, supply chains will not fully recover until autumn at the earliest."
16 prefectures' pastures face radioactivity checks
"The government plans to check for radioactive contamination in grass for livestock in the eastern half of Honshu to prevent contaminated beef or milk from entering the market amid the continuing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, officials said Tuesday."
"The government plans to check for radioactive contamination in grass for livestock in the eastern half of Honshu to prevent contaminated beef or milk from entering the market amid the continuing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, officials said Tuesday."
"China could see a sharp fall in its export growth rate this year while imports could jump, the government said."
Summer power shortage warning (Shanghai)
"SHANGHAI residents face the prospect of power shortages this summer as the city's supply cannot keep pace with soaring demand, the energy supplier warned yesterday."
"A blackout knocked out power to a BP refinery -- the third-largest gasoline refinery in the country -- as well as facilities operated by Marathon and Valero in Texas City, Texas on Tuesday."
It's not a double-dip, just a continuation of the overall downward trend. -- RF
One-third of U.S. households own gunsExplosive found on Texas road near Mexico border
"While a great debate rages in states across the country about benefits and pensions for state workers, existing pensions continue to fall short of their funding needs. State pension deficits increased 26% to $1.26 trillion in 2009, according to the Pew Center."
"State pension systems face a tough road to recovery after being battered by the recession, experts said Tuesday, with one saying it will take nearly a decade to get assets back to where they were in 2000."
"Despite increasing signs of a stabilizing U.S. economy, 19 percent of Americans -- including 17 percent of full-time workers -- have been compelled to take money from their retirement savings in the last year to cover urgent financial needs, the Financial Security Index found."
Poll: Most Americans think a nuclear accident likely here
Pimco's Observations As The US "Reaches The Keynesian Endpoint" - The QE2 Ponzi Scheme Is "Nothing But A Profit Illusion"
Biggest US airlines have combined 1Q loss over $1B
Pimco's Observations As The US "Reaches The Keynesian Endpoint" - The QE2 Ponzi Scheme Is "Nothing But A Profit Illusion"
Biggest US airlines have combined 1Q loss over $1B
Monday, April 25, 2011
News Links, April 26, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
China May Start New Sovereign Funds to Invest in Oil, Gold: Reports
China May Start New Sovereign Funds to Invest in Oil, Gold: Reports
"(Reuters) - Japan's largest companies are likely to paint a bleak picture for this year's profits when they start announcing earnings this week, if they offer any guidance at all."
IMF bombshell: Age of America nears end (MarketWatch)
Syria's military shows signs of division amid crackdown
"Some soldiers reportedly refused to open fire against civilians in Deraa today, sparking clashes between units. A divided military could prove the undoing of Assad's regime."
"Some soldiers reportedly refused to open fire against civilians in Deraa today, sparking clashes between units. A divided military could prove the undoing of Assad's regime."
"Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to enhance their ties at a time when the Arab world remains concerned about Iran, sources told Dawn newspaper."
## Energy/resources ##
"The problem is that the only spare capacity in the Middle East is sour."
Iraq Tackles Its Next Oil Bottleneck
Iraq Tackles Its Next Oil Bottleneck
"Ravaged by years of war and international sanctions, the crumbling infrastructure in the south of Iraq is proving inadequate to service rising production from Iraq's southern fields."
Despite the initial graph (which shows rising production through October 2010), the author's assessment of the near-term future trend is rather grim. -- RF
"The United States simply doesn't have enough oil to move world markets."
## Got food? ##
Soaring food prices: The world's poor grow hungrier
Soaring food prices: The world's poor grow hungrier
The New Geopolitics of Food (Lester Brown at Foreign Policy)
## Environment/health ##
Losing, But Slowly, In Struggle To Fight Back The Sea
Losing, But Slowly, In Struggle To Fight Back The Sea
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Amazon cloud crash endangers federal websites
## Japan ##
"Many reactors still effectively have no alternative power source should emergency diesel generators fail to work, as was the case at the Fukushima plant after it was hit by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami on March 11."
This Kyodo News story was front page top in today's newspaper here. And very likely this potentially catastrophic situation applies equally to many other nuclear power plants around the world. Power grids around the world are beginning to fail. Now is the time to start working on cold shutdown, before more reactors are left to overheat when external power fails. -- RF
Not mentioned in the article is the role of expensive fuel in weakening the industry. -- RF
"Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Monday his administration will issue new government bonds to fund a planned second extra budget to rebuild quake-hit areas, adding to the nation's already huge public debt."
"According to a South Korean governmental organization, exports to Japan were 50 percent higher than the same period last year. Some manufacturers are trying to meet the phenomenal demand by operating their factories 24 hours a day."
"China's five southern provinces will face power shortages of up to six gigawatts in the second quarter due to robust demand, the grid operator in the region said over the weekend."
## UK ##
Rail companies 'should be able to increase fares'
"Rail companies should be allowed to introduce 'airline-style fares' that could see them charging hundreds of pounds for tickets during peak times and banning passengers without pre-booked seats from travelling, a Government review is set to recommend."
## US ##
Military patrols start Friday night in downtown Columbus
More cities declare water shortage (Texas)
Rising gas prices, parts shortage fuel rush for smaller cars
More cities declare water shortage (Texas)
Rising gas prices, parts shortage fuel rush for smaller cars
Sunday, April 24, 2011
News Links, April 25, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
Australia Shouldn't Expect 'Rivers of Gold' From Resources Boom, Swan Says
Australia Shouldn't Expect 'Rivers of Gold' From Resources Boom, Swan Says
"Australia needs to cut spending because there won't be any repeat of the windfall tax revenue generated between 2004 and 2007 by the mining industry's previous expansion, Treasurer Wayne Swan said."
Nicole Foss- Preparing for the next Tsunami (Financial Sense)
"The peaking of oil prices and the coming Depression. Resource Wars to follow."
"The peaking of oil prices and the coming Depression. Resource Wars to follow."
"Hong Kong stocks and property prices — among the first to recover from the financial crisis — could be among the worst performers as global tightening gathers pace, according to analysts who cautioned of big changes."
"The main supply route for NATO troops in Afghanistan was temporarily closed on Sunday after thousands of people blocked a key highway in Pakistan to protest against U.S. drone strikes, officials said."
## Energy/resources ##
Oil Trades Near Two-Week High After Saudi Arabia Denies Capacity Increase
Bihar town erupts into protests over power shortage (India)
Bihar town erupts into protests over power shortage (India)
"The protesters… blockaded roads, burnt tyres and even attacked government vehicles and offices, a police officer said."
"The energy shortfall in the country is on the rise with the onset of summer as Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) increased loadshedding in cities to 14 hours a day while villages face up to 20 hours of power outages per day."
"Thermal coal may outpace oil and gas this year, rising more than 30 per cent to a record, as demand from China and India accelerates and Japan boosts imports to make up for nuclear power lost after the March earthquake."
This will be the Arab world's next battle
"Population growth and water supply are on a collision course. Hunger is set to become the main issue"
"Population growth and water supply are on a collision course. Hunger is set to become the main issue"
Radiation Expert: "Sr-90 and Uranium and Particulates Will Be Building Up in the USA and Europe ... For Now I Think It Prudent To Stop Drinking Milk"
South African Govt Places Moratorium on Fracking
South African Govt Places Moratorium on Fracking
Vodafone customer fury with network failure (Australia)
"Mistrust of the media has surged among the people of Fukushima Prefecture. In part this is due to reports filed by mainstream journalists who are unwilling to visit the area near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. But above all it is the result of contradictory reports released by the media, TEPCO and the government."
"Japan's public pension fund is planning to withdraw about 6.4 trillion yen ($78 billion) from its assets in this financial year to cover a shortfall in pension payouts, the Nikkei business daily reported on Sunday."
"Concessions by Shanghai authorities failed to end wildcat work stoppages by truck drivers who have disrupted the city's container ports, the world's busiest, in protests over rising fees. The industrial action has brought to a head tensions over rising inflation that have been simmering across the country."
"The future of car making in the UK could be in danger if the industry fails to develop a British-based supply chain, the boss of Vauxhall has said."
Globalization goes into reverse. -- RF
## US ##
Sales of new homes glacially slow
"Fewer new single-family houses are being sold in the United States than at any point since 1963, statistics show."
New York's rat population out of control (BBC video)
"New York City is giving away 55-gallon rain barrels to homeowners to help conserve water and reduce pressure on the city's sewer system, which is often overwhelmed during heavy storms."
And finally... Philosophy Referee Hand Signals
Saturday, April 23, 2011
News Links, April 24, 2011
## Global economic meltdown ##
Dollar's Decline Speeds Up, With Risks for U.S. (WSJ)
Dollar's Decline Speeds Up, With Risks for U.S. (WSJ)
Axel Merk: Why Is Anyone Still Waiting to Sell the Dollar? (Chris Martenson)
US gets debt wake-up call but vital reforms unlikely (Irish Times)
Shocking statistics on unemployment (Saudi Arabia)
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
As Arab Spring Turns Violent, Democracy Advocates Face Big Challenges
Nato airstrike hits Gaddafi compound
Nato airstrike hits Gaddafi compound
"Hundreds of followers of anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets of Baghdad on Saturday, trampling U.S. flags and vowing to escalate military resistance if U.S. troops fail to leave Iraq this year."
## Energy/resources ##
"IEA analysts said the world needs another 50 million barrels of oil from new fields by 2035 in order to meet expected demand. Crude oil production from existing fields, meanwhile, is expected to decline from the 68-million-barrel-per-day mark in 2009 to just 16 million bpd by 2035."
"If they are not making money now, I don't see how they are going to make money for the next three or four months."
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Amazon's Trouble Raises Cloud Computing Doubts
"The most advanced processors now have transistors only 100 to 150 atoms across. Designing such a microchip takes hundreds of man-years of work and soon may not be financially worthwhile."
## Japan ##
Reactor Team Let Pressure Soar
Reactor Team Let Pressure Soar
"Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, which together reportedly consume 10 times more power than the Tokyo Dome baseball stadium, are struggling under pressure to reduce their power consumption and generate power on their own."
"The 83-year-old man spoke with tears in his eyes. 'It's all over. It is better to just die.'"
## China ##
"A huge 'go-slow' protest over the cost of fuel is set to bring motorway traffic to a halt across Greater Manchester. Up to 1,000 vehicles will be involved in the protest on Sunday, May 8, say organisers."
## US ##
America's ever-expanding welfare empire (Forbes)
More college graduates are delinquent on repaying student loans
And finally...
