Sunday, January 01, 2012
News Links, January 2, 2012
## Global economic meltdown ##
Singapore GDP Slowed to 4.8% as Lee Predicts 'Difficult' Global Conditions
"Singapore's growth will weaken further this year after slowing in 2011, constrained by a 'difficult' global environment and government efforts to cut foreign-worker inflow, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said."
"Singapore's growth will weaken further this year after slowing in 2011, constrained by a 'difficult' global environment and government efforts to cut foreign-worker inflow, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
Iran says it has made its first nuclear fuel rod
Iran says it has made its first nuclear fuel rod
US Imposes Sanctions on Iran, But With Some Exemptions
"President Barack Obama signed into law on Saturday a defense funding bill that imposes sanctions on financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank, while allowing for exemptions to avoid upsetting energy markets."
"President Barack Obama signed into law on Saturday a defense funding bill that imposes sanctions on financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank, while allowing for exemptions to avoid upsetting energy markets."
Gaddafi supporters 'try to blow up Tripoli power grid'
"A Libyan militia chief said on Sunday his fighters had captured nine supporters of otherthrown leader Muammar Gaddafi who had been plotting to blow up Tripoli's power grid on New Year's Eve."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people ##
Surging Back Into Zuccotti Park, Protesters Clash With Police
"A Libyan militia chief said on Sunday his fighters had captured nine supporters of otherthrown leader Muammar Gaddafi who had been plotting to blow up Tripoli's power grid on New Year's Eve."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people ##
Surging Back Into Zuccotti Park, Protesters Clash With Police
## Energy/resources ##
Natgas price plunge puts heat on producers
"A steep drop in natural gas prices is squeezing the profits of producers such as Southwestern Gas Corp., EXCO Resources and Quicksilver Resources, which may need to shut wells, raise cash, cut staff or seek merger partners in the coming year."
Power outage hits parts of Midtown Detroit
"A steep drop in natural gas prices is squeezing the profits of producers such as Southwestern Gas Corp., EXCO Resources and Quicksilver Resources, which may need to shut wells, raise cash, cut staff or seek merger partners in the coming year."
Power outage hits parts of Midtown Detroit
Venezuela to Invest $5 Billion in Orinoco Oil Belt, Chavez Says
Gas prices rise 30 percent in Myanmar for new year
Gas prices rise 30 percent in Myanmar for new year
## Got food? ##
New England Cod Crisis Has No Easy Answers
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Insight: West in political crisis has echoes of 1930s
"Dysfunctional politics threatens to deliver a protracted period of slow global growth, possibly lasting well beyond 2012, which will only deepen the political and economic problems for the West."
Peak oil and peak complexity are taking their toll. Systemic breakdown accelerates from here. -- RF
Presenting NSSM 200: "Implications of Worldwide Population Growth For U.S. Security and Overseas Interests"
## Japan ##
In Tsunami Aftermath, 'Road to Future' Unsettles a Village
## Japan ##
In Tsunami Aftermath, 'Road to Future' Unsettles a Village
## China ##
China's Jade Cargo grounds planes on weak demand
"China's Jade Cargo International Company Ltd. said Saturday that it had temporarily grounded its fleet of six Boeing 747 freighter planes because of weak demand."
PLA's January Surprises
"China's Jade Cargo International Company Ltd. said Saturday that it had temporarily grounded its fleet of six Boeing 747 freighter planes because of weak demand."
PLA's January Surprises
China Manufacturing Sector Narrowly Avoids Contraction
## UK ##
Housing benefit cuts will put 800,000 homes out of reach, according to study
"Chartered Institute of Housing says families face choice of cutting food bills to pay rent or moving out"
Year's end brings fresh job fears for high-street workers
## UK ##
Housing benefit cuts will put 800,000 homes out of reach, according to study
"Chartered Institute of Housing says families face choice of cutting food bills to pay rent or moving out"
Year's end brings fresh job fears for high-street workers
## US ##
SPX Update: Is Your 401(k) Ready for a 70% Haircut?
Shortage of ADHD drug Adderall seen persisting in 2012
Earthquake Strikes Near Ohio Fracking Site
"Officials said Saturday they believe the latest earthquake activity in northeast Ohio is related to the injection of wastewater into the ground near a fault line, creating enough pressure to cause seismic activity."
SPX Update: Is Your 401(k) Ready for a 70% Haircut?
Shortage of ADHD drug Adderall seen persisting in 2012
Earthquake Strikes Near Ohio Fracking Site
"Officials said Saturday they believe the latest earthquake activity in northeast Ohio is related to the injection of wastewater into the ground near a fault line, creating enough pressure to cause seismic activity."
AES Coal Power Plants in New York State File for Bankruptcy
"AES Corp. (AES) units that either own or lease six coal-fired power plants in New York state sought bankruptcy court protection, citing the depressed economic environment for the electric power industry."
"AES Corp. (AES) units that either own or lease six coal-fired power plants in New York state sought bankruptcy court protection, citing the depressed economic environment for the electric power industry."
Catherine Austin Fitts on Wall Street's Corruption, the Austrian School and Who's 'Really' in Charge (Daily Bell)
