Thursday, November 01, 2012
News Links, November 2, 2012
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
"Deposit Wars" an Act of Desperation by Spanish Banks; Bankia Déjà Vu
Sweden pays jobless youth to move to Norway
## Airline Death Spiral ##
Cut those jobs, ground those planes! Lufthansa and Air France-KLM profit higher
Sweden pays jobless youth to move to Norway
This looks more like a set-up for a crash. -- RF
But the growth ideology says we're supposed to have more workers and more consumers. Go figure. -- RF
## Airline Death Spiral ##
Cut those jobs, ground those planes! Lufthansa and Air France-KLM profit higher
"The airlines are both in the process of cutting thousands of jobs to help restore their domestic operations to profitability, restructuring their airline subsidiaries, keeping aircraft on the ground rather than flying them empty, and looking at ways to capitalize on relatively robust demand on many long-haul routes."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Riyadh industrial building hit by explosion
"An industrial building in eastern Riyadh was almost entirely destroyed by a large explosion on Thursday, a Reuters witness said."
Riyadh industrial building hit by explosion
"An industrial building in eastern Riyadh was almost entirely destroyed by a large explosion on Thursday, a Reuters witness said."
Car explodes outside barracks in Turkey's Iskenderun port
## Energy/resources ##
The Unbreakable Bond between Crude and Steel
## Systemic breakdown ##
Getting lights back on can be maddeningly complex
Long road ahead for Sandy-battered areas despite signs of progress
## Japan ##
UK Commander: NATO Struggling to Deal With Afghan Green-on-Blue Attacks
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Lines grow, tempers flare at pumps as gas shortage grows after Sandy
"Motorists in New York and New Jersey exchanged words – and reportedly even shoves and punches – as they faced a second day of stressful, sometimes miles-long lines Thursday at the gas stations that still had both electricity and supplies after superstorm Sandy."
China struggles for solution to growing NIMBY movement
"Motorists in New York and New Jersey exchanged words – and reportedly even shoves and punches – as they faced a second day of stressful, sometimes miles-long lines Thursday at the gas stations that still had both electricity and supplies after superstorm Sandy."
China struggles for solution to growing NIMBY movement
## Energy/resources ##
The Unbreakable Bond between Crude and Steel
But as we have seen, technology does not equal energy. -- RF
Zambian Capital, Lusaka, Runs Out of Fuel
Zambian Capital, Lusaka, Runs Out of Fuel
Nuclear fusion is going to provide unbelievably cheap electricity, just as nuclear fission has. Remember? It was going to be "too cheap to meter." -- RF
Weekend DIY Project: How to Build a Cold Frame
## Environment/health ##
Did climate change play a role in Sandy's strength?
## Environment/health ##
Did climate change play a role in Sandy's strength?
Hurricane Sandy influenced by global warming, climate scientist says
Invasive plant sparks biofuel debate
Leaks Found in Earth's Protective Shield
New Yorkers brace for post-Hurricane Sandy 'ratpocalypse'
Invasive plant sparks biofuel debate
Leaks Found in Earth's Protective Shield
New Yorkers brace for post-Hurricane Sandy 'ratpocalypse'
Oil Spill Clean Ups Begin in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy's Destruction
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
DHS Secretary Napolitano Uses Hurricane Sandy to Hype Cyber Threat
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
DHS Secretary Napolitano Uses Hurricane Sandy to Hype Cyber Threat
How private are your phone calls?
Japan police launch centralized unit to respond to computer viruses
Japan police launch centralized unit to respond to computer viruses
## Systemic breakdown ##
Getting lights back on can be maddeningly complex
Long road ahead for Sandy-battered areas despite signs of progress
"Permanent restoration of the system to the full revenue service that was previously available could take more than two years."
Here's a preview of how such buildings will be uninhabitable in the future. Yea, condos! -- RF
In the era of cheap energy, being a "24-hour city" was a badge of progress and a mark of having an advanced economy and society. Already the clock is being turned back. -- RF
## Japan ##
Japan is in worse than a deflationary trap: One-time powerhouse, it's withdrawing from the stage
Sharp fears for future as Japan TV makers bleed
Sharp fears for future as Japan TV makers bleed
Idled reactors leave operators in the red
## China ##
Shanghai property sold for US$35,000 per square meter
## China ##
Shanghai property sold for US$35,000 per square meter
Hong Kong Taxing Homebuyers in Bubble Fight: Mortgages
## UK ##
Comet: more than 6,000 jobs at risk
"High-street electrical chain is estimated to have lost £35m in a year and could go into administration on Thursday"
## US ##
## UK ##
Comet: more than 6,000 jobs at risk
"High-street electrical chain is estimated to have lost £35m in a year and could go into administration on Thursday"
## US ##
Credit Managers Seeing Extremely Low Growth, Worry About Fiscal Cliff
Power Grid Vulnerability: Where Do We Go From Here?
Power Grid Vulnerability: Where Do We Go From Here?
Scarce Gas Leads to Long Lines at the Pump in NJ
More Power Problems: Thousands Out In Oakland County
More Power Problems: Thousands Out In Oakland County
About those car sales: GM Channel Stuffing Soars To Record
Ford Fails
"If the car sales market is still growing in the U.S., no one could tell from Ford's October sales."
"If the car sales market is still growing in the U.S., no one could tell from Ford's October sales."
And not a moment too soon. -- RF
And finally…
