Tuesday, November 06, 2012
News Links, November 7, 2012
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
ArcelorMittal CFO: Running 14 Out Of 25 European Blast Furnaces
"Steel titan ArcelorMittal (MT) shut another two blast furnaces during the third quarter in response to weak European steel demand, the company's chief financial officer said Wednesday."
ArcelorMittal CFO: Running 14 Out Of 25 European Blast Furnaces
"Steel titan ArcelorMittal (MT) shut another two blast furnaces during the third quarter in response to weak European steel demand, the company's chief financial officer said Wednesday."
The Next Perfect Storm for the World's Economy
"The perfect storm of the U.S fiscal cliff, Greece and Spain that threatens the worldwide economy in 2013 may be supplanted by a new one. The International Monetary Fund warned that France could have problems nearly as great as those in Italy, where trouble could drive it into a condition not unlike Spain's."
G20 carves out some more wiggle room on austerity plans
"The perfect storm of the U.S fiscal cliff, Greece and Spain that threatens the worldwide economy in 2013 may be supplanted by a new one. The International Monetary Fund warned that France could have problems nearly as great as those in Italy, where trouble could drive it into a condition not unlike Spain's."
G20 carves out some more wiggle room on austerity plans
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Britain could build up its military presence in the Gulf to counter Iran threat
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Hiring of Chinese miners in B.C. sends unions to court
## Energy/resources ##
World needs $700 bln in power grid upgrades
"The world's 16 largest power grids need to invest $700 billion over the next 10 years to cope with a rising share of renewable energy in mature economies and with soaring demand in emerging nations, French power grid RTE said."
"The world's 16 largest power grids need to invest $700 billion over the next 10 years to cope with a rising share of renewable energy in mature economies and with soaring demand in emerging nations, French power grid RTE said."
Austerity hits oil patch's capital spending budgets
"The capital spending drought in the Canadian oil patch looks headed for a second successive year, as weak commodity prices, shrinking cash flows and an uncertain future have oil executives set to tighten budgets again in 2013."
"The capital spending drought in the Canadian oil patch looks headed for a second successive year, as weak commodity prices, shrinking cash flows and an uncertain future have oil executives set to tighten budgets again in 2013."
Here we can see part of the mechanism that is relentlessly downsizing the industrial energy machine. -- RF
The Inevitable Decline of Russia's Energy Sector
The Inevitable Decline of Russia's Energy Sector
Chinese Firm to Build Coal-to-Liquids Plant in Wyoming
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Combating copper theft
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Combating copper theft
"Copper theft is a global issue: in the US alone the 'trade' is now a US$1 billion a year problem and it is potentially ten-fold that globally. Developing nations are especially susceptible to such theft. The South African government currently spends close to $28 million a year on simply replacing and repairing telecommunications equipment due to copper cable theft. Meanwhile in India there have been reports of criminals making off with up to 9,000 kg of copper wire in one raid."
That's good news. But record harvests unfortunately don't come every year. -- RF
Unhealthful food, unhealthful lifestyles, and eating too much all add up to a fat epidemic. -- RF
'We've Built Right Up to the Edge in the Most Foolish Way'
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Is Facebook "broken on purpose" to sell promoted posts?
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Is Facebook "broken on purpose" to sell promoted posts?
Gas on CraigsList? Shortages Lead to Desperate Measures
## Japan ##
Suzuki to Stop Selling Cars In U.S. After Three Decades
## Japan ##
Suzuki to Stop Selling Cars In U.S. After Three Decades
Child benefit could be limited to two children for all families
We need more windfarms to power electric cars, says David Cameron
We need more windfarms to power electric cars, says David Cameron
London finance jobs to hit 20-year low
## US ##
Electric power slowly returns to NYC, N.J.
Hard-Hit Long Island Awaits Power As Temps Drop
## US ##
Electric power slowly returns to NYC, N.J.
Hard-Hit Long Island Awaits Power As Temps Drop
