Rice Farmer

## Global economic meltdown ##
World lacks enough food, fuel as population soars: U.N.
"The world is running out of time to make sure there is enough food, water and energy to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population and to avoid sending up to 3 billion people into poverty, a U.N. report warned on Monday."

Dubai hotel owners look to listing sites to offload assets
"Dubai hotel owners are increasingly turning to listings websites to source potential buyers for their properties as they struggle to offload assets in the city's glutted hospitality market."

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Activists: Assad's forces regain Damascus suburbs

Saudis may seek nuclear deterrent
"The arrival yesterday of a senior United Nations team in Tehran has raised hopes that Iran may be in the mood to talk about its nuclear program. But should the Islamic republic develop a nuclear weapon, there are growing fears that neighbouring Saudi Arabia will turn to Pakistan for its own bomb."

"Critics point to an imbalance in what they see as the new 'Scramble for Africa'. But the prospect of growing Chinese economic influence is welcomed by African leaders, who see Beijing as a partner to help build their economies at a time when Europe and the United States are mired in economic turmoil."

"As part of its 'Look East' policy, India has been increasing strategic ties with countries such as Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Occupy London Moves Into Iraqi Rafidain Bank After UBS Eviction

Truckers to protest over diesel and fuel prices (Ireland)

## Energy/resources ##

China, Japan scramble for oil as Sudan shuts fields
"The shutdown in Sudanese oil supply could drive up already record premiums on spot crude markets as top Sudan customers China and Japan scramble for alternatives even as they weigh the impact on oil flows of international sanctions on Iran."

"Several Asian countries are expressing an unwillingness to join the United States and Europe Union in blocking oil imports from Iran in order to pressure Tehran over its disputed nuclear program."

Saudi to lead rental power generation
"Saudi Arabia will lead the Middle East in the demand for rental power generators, a generator manufacturer has said, as it predicted a 20 per cent growth for the industry in 2012."
This will create still more upward pressure on diesel fuel prices. -- RF

Global Oil Production Update: A Strange Future Has Arrived (Gregor Macdonald)

The only way nuclear could be "cheaper" is by leaving out the astronomical backend costs. -- RF

Europe's refiners fall on hard times (FT)

PSALM to start bidding out four power barges (Philippines)

They're diesel-powered! -- RF
South Africa Says 2012 Is Peak For Energy Shortage Risks

## Got food? ##
Extreme Heat Hurts Wheat Yields As World Warms: Study

## Environment/health ##
Could mysterious nodding disease in Africa have global implications?

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##

Hey Judicial Watch, give it a rest. This drama has been Theater of the Absurd from the get-go. OBL suffered long from kidney failure, and the former head of the Pakistani ISI has stated that OBL died of illness years ago. The compound where OBL supposedly lived included nothing among its meds for someone with kidney failure, and there was no dialysis machine. The most absurd claim of all is that OBL lived in the village for years without anyone knowing. What a laugh! Anyone who has lived in a village society knows that in such a society anonymity and secrets are impossible. -- RF
Airline passengers hit by computer crash

Say NO to ACTA (video)

## Japan ##
Japan's population faces dramatic decline

A 30% decline by 2060... but economic collapse and mass starvation will come long before that. -- RF

"Southern Japan utility Kyushu Electric Power Co said on Monday it would restart an oil-powered unit that it had planned to scrap, to help cover the closure of its nuclear capacity for maintenance."

Oil-fired plants run on fuel oil, but note that the utility is also going to install diesel generators. Add this to the quickly growing diesel-fueled "rental power" throughout the world. -- RF

## China ##
Funds face tougher conditions in 2012
China fuel prices hit trigger point for a hike
"The increase in crude oil prices that China's gasoline and diesel prices are based on has topped a trigger point of 4 percent, an industry estimate showed, suggesting Beijing may consider raising fuel prices after its last hike in April."
Chinese Buying Gold "Like Cheap Cabbage"

China premier downplays debt woes
"China's government debt is under control and remains at safe levels, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments released Monday, even as the National Audit Office highlighted potential risks for financial sectors this year."

## UK ##
Missiles, spy drones and warships: Here come the London Olympics

## US ##

"Unit 2 at the Byron plant, about two hours northwest of Chicago, shut down automatically after a 'loss of offsite power' at 10:18 a.m. CT (11:18 ET), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reported. Unit 1 continues to operate at full power, with diesel generators providing electricity to the plant's equipment."

USW tells U.S. refinery workers to prepare for strike
"The United Steelworkers union told U.S. refinery workers to prepare to offer safe and orderly refinery shutdowns prior to a strike that could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, sources familiar with the union's preparations said on Sunday."
Why the American dream could come to an end

"Young American workers are not expecting Social Security or traditional corporate pensions to provide for their retirement."

Most Metra riders will pay 30% more starting Wednesday (Chicago)