Sunday, January 08, 2012
News Links, January 9, 2012
## Global economic meltdown ##
Merkel, Sarkozy Return to Work on Euro Rescue With Meeting in Berlin Today
Merkel, Sarkozy Return to Work on Euro Rescue With Meeting in Berlin Today
"The eurozone's worsening problems are affecting the export-dominated economies of East Asia hard. The 17-nation zone contracted in Q4, and it will probably shrink this quarter as well. 'We expect a fall in GDP of about 1.0 per cent this year and an even sharper decline in 2013,' said Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics. Unemployment is at a record high, retail sales are falling, and consumer and business confidence is headed in the wrong direction."
"On current trends, the provincial treasury can't achieve a balanced budget by its 2017-2018 deadline. Without a course correction, Ontario risks a downgraded credit rating and ever higher servicing costs on a debt that will keep soaring over the next five years to well in excess of $300 billion."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/military ##
Iraq: A country in shambles
"Despite promises made for improvements, Iraq's economy and infrastructure are still a disaster."
"Despite promises made for improvements, Iraq's economy and infrastructure are still a disaster."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Second Tunisian man sets self on fire in 2 days
Armed protestors make their way to Bilawal House (Pakistan)
"PROTEST demonstrations in different parts of the country have become an order of the day but what happened in Karachi on Friday was very alarming. Furious people, many of them armed, clashed with the police during a protest rally that was making its way towards Bilawal House, which is considered to be seat of the power. Police resorted to tear gas shelling and put barriers to block the march during which exchange of fire also took place."
"PROTEST demonstrations in different parts of the country have become an order of the day but what happened in Karachi on Friday was very alarming. Furious people, many of them armed, clashed with the police during a protest rally that was making its way towards Bilawal House, which is considered to be seat of the power. Police resorted to tear gas shelling and put barriers to block the march during which exchange of fire also took place."
## Energy/resources ##
Oil Rises in New York on Iran Tension Amid Delays to Middle East Pipeline
Hugo Chavez has reason to smile
Hugo Chavez has reason to smile
U.S. families pay a record $4,200 for gasoline in 2011
China's hunger for coal leaves dent in Pennsylvania's supply
China's hunger for coal leaves dent in Pennsylvania's supply
DOE sees rationing as US acts vs Iran (Philippines)
## Environment/health ##
Damning New Letter from NY State Insider: 'Hydraulic Fracturing as It's Practiced Today Will Contaminate Our Aquifers'
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Hackers expose defence and intelligence officials in US and UK
Damning New Letter from NY State Insider: 'Hydraulic Fracturing as It's Practiced Today Will Contaminate Our Aquifers'
## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Hackers expose defence and intelligence officials in US and UK
"Thousands of British email addresses and encrypted passwords, including those of defence, intelligence and police officials as well as politicians and Nato advisers, have been revealed on the internet following a security breach by hackers."
## Japan ##
2 towns at risk of disappearing / Okuma, Futaba face uncertain future due to nearby crippled N-plant
"China's banks ratcheted up lending in the last month of 2011 on the back of stronger money supply, reinforcing perceptions that the central bank is gently easing policy to cushion the impact of the global economic slowdown."
China: The rise of the 'Precious Snowflakes'
"First there were the Little Emperors, the often chubby and spoiled first generation of children born under China's one-child policy. Now the Precious Snowflakes have emerged - a generation so coddled some cannot even tie their own shoelaces."
"First there were the Little Emperors, the often chubby and spoiled first generation of children born under China's one-child policy. Now the Precious Snowflakes have emerged - a generation so coddled some cannot even tie their own shoelaces."
For a long time I've been advising everyone to kiss "retirement" goodbye. It's all downhill from here. -- RF
## US ##
## US ##
Welcome the informant society, perhaps modeled on that of North Korea. -- RF
Natural gas, oil boom spurs sand mining in Midwest
Boeing shutdown will ripple across region
Natural gas, oil boom spurs sand mining in Midwest
Boeing shutdown will ripple across region
Soldiers on Lockdown After 'Sensitive' Military Equipment is Stolen from Washington Base
Occupy protesters in Vegas plan to take over foreclosed homes
Six arrested in latest Occupy Oakland march
Occupy protesters in Vegas plan to take over foreclosed homes
Six arrested in latest Occupy Oakland march
Here's A Look At America's Achievement Gap In Education
Moving evicted tenants is 'lucrative' business
"Property owners across the country bear a burden from the recession: paying a fortune in moving and storage costs to evict tenants who fail to pay their rent.
Moving evicted tenants is 'lucrative' business
"Property owners across the country bear a burden from the recession: paying a fortune in moving and storage costs to evict tenants who fail to pay their rent.
"But the owners' losses are a boon for the companies that clear out homes. Their business has skyrocketed, 'making money out of people's misery,' said David Robinson, an attorney for Legal Services NYC, which helps low-income New Yorkers navigate the eviction process."
