Thursday, December 06, 2012
News Links, December 6-7, 2012
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Serial Government Defaults In The Eurozone
Global Banking Under Siege as Nations Tighten Local Rules
Global Banking Under Siege as Nations Tighten Local Rules
Abu Dhabi set for hotel on the moon?
"A recent report forecast that Abu Dhabi may struggle to cope with the glut of hotel rooms flooding onto the market this year, but the emirate appears to be looking further afield for new hotel opportunities – to the moon even – if Virgin boss Richard Branson is to be believed."
"A recent report forecast that Abu Dhabi may struggle to cope with the glut of hotel rooms flooding onto the market this year, but the emirate appears to be looking further afield for new hotel opportunities – to the moon even – if Virgin boss Richard Branson is to be believed."
## Airline Death Spiral ##
CSA gets Korean and Qatari suitors
JetBlue to eliminate day flights at Bob Hope Airport
Air Canada Shops for Jets as Return to Profit Is Forecast
"Air Canada is considering purchases of mid-sized jets amid growing confidence the country's biggest carrier will be profitable next year after an anticipated fifth straight loss."
"Air Canada is considering purchases of mid-sized jets amid growing confidence the country's biggest carrier will be profitable next year after an anticipated fifth straight loss."
A Virgin deal makes no sense for Delta
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Britain and America Target DR Congo
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Britain and America Target DR Congo
U.S. warships moving to monitor North Korea's planned rocket launch
"The United States is shifting warships into position to track and possibly defend against a planned North Korean rocket launch while urging Pyongyang to cancel its second such attempt this year, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said on Thursday."
"The United States is shifting warships into position to track and possibly defend against a planned North Korean rocket launch while urging Pyongyang to cancel its second such attempt this year, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said on Thursday."
U.S. says in talks with Turkey over Iran gas-for-gold
Several fighter jet engines said snatched from air base in suspected inside job (Israel)
Several fighter jet engines said snatched from air base in suspected inside job (Israel)
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
60 wounded in clashes between Egypt president's supporters and opposition protesters
Tanks outside Egypt presidential palace, streets calm
Morsi opponents remain in tents in Tahrir Square (photos)
Morsi opponents remain in tents in Tahrir Square (photos)
Greek police clash with youths over 2008 shooting
"Greek police fired tear gas at youths hurling petrol bombs and stones in Athens on Thursday after a peaceful march to mark the 2008 police killing of a teenager that sparked the country's worst riots in decades."
"Greek police fired tear gas at youths hurling petrol bombs and stones in Athens on Thursday after a peaceful march to mark the 2008 police killing of a teenager that sparked the country's worst riots in decades."
## Energy/resources ##
Paris Faces Darkness as City of Light Set for Illumination Ban
"The French minister for energy and environment unveiled last week a proposal for lights in and outside shops, offices, and public buildings -- including the flagship Louis Vuitton store and the Lido cabaret house on Paris's Avenue des Champs Elysees -- to be turned off between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. starting in July. The plan, to be applied across French cities, towns and villages, is aimed at saving energy and money and showing 'sobriety,' Minister Delphine Batho said."
India Proposes 9 Gigawatts Solar Capacity to 2017
"The French minister for energy and environment unveiled last week a proposal for lights in and outside shops, offices, and public buildings -- including the flagship Louis Vuitton store and the Lido cabaret house on Paris's Avenue des Champs Elysees -- to be turned off between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. starting in July. The plan, to be applied across French cities, towns and villages, is aimed at saving energy and money and showing 'sobriety,' Minister Delphine Batho said."
India Proposes 9 Gigawatts Solar Capacity to 2017
China grabs Mideast oil as U.S. power dips
"China's muscling into Iraq's oil sector as Baghdad grapples with defections by international majors like Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Total."
"China's muscling into Iraq's oil sector as Baghdad grapples with defections by international majors like Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Total."
ENOC to cut Dubai fuel station opening hours
"Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) is set to reduce operating hours at some of its fuel stations as part of a cost cutting programme."
"Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) is set to reduce operating hours at some of its fuel stations as part of a cost cutting programme."
"'In a way, the last 24 hours have killed French nuclear finally because the cost makes it totally impossible to export and now you have one of the few partners actively withdrawing; it looks really bad,' said UBS analyst Per Lekander."
Saudis seek oil in Red Sea 'safe zone'
"Saudi Arabia's state oil company has launched major seismic studies in the Red Sea off the kingdom's west coast in a bid to boost production offshore."
"Saudi Arabia's state oil company has launched major seismic studies in the Red Sea off the kingdom's west coast in a bid to boost production offshore."
Brent Favored Over WTI Oil by U.S. for First Time
"Even the U.S. Energy Department no longer deems America's benchmark oil grade the best guide to global prices, as rising production swells national stockpiles.
"The Energy Information Administration in Washington dispensed with West Texas Intermediate for its price forecasts in its Annual Energy Outlook 2013 released yesterday, adopting North Sea Brent crude instead. It's the first time the department has used Brent, reflecting "a growing discrepancy" between WTI and global crude prices, it said."
"Even the U.S. Energy Department no longer deems America's benchmark oil grade the best guide to global prices, as rising production swells national stockpiles.
"The Energy Information Administration in Washington dispensed with West Texas Intermediate for its price forecasts in its Annual Energy Outlook 2013 released yesterday, adopting North Sea Brent crude instead. It's the first time the department has used Brent, reflecting "a growing discrepancy" between WTI and global crude prices, it said."
It's 2,583 m (1.6 miles) deep. -- RF
Tourists desert Thai islands due to power blackout
Indonesia needs to solve power shortage for sustainable development
## Got food? ##
Indonesia needs to solve power shortage for sustainable development
## Got food? ##
Taking Stock: World Fish Catch Falls to 90 Million Tons in 2012
"The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that the world's wild fish harvest will fall to 90 million tons in 2012, down 2 percent from 2011. This is close to 4 percent below the all-time peak haul of nearly 94 million tons in 1996. The wild fish catch per person has dropped even more dramatically, from 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) per person at its height in 1988 to 13 kilograms in 2012—a 37-year low."
EU Corn imports may hit second highest on record
How severe weather impacts global food supply
"The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that the world's wild fish harvest will fall to 90 million tons in 2012, down 2 percent from 2011. This is close to 4 percent below the all-time peak haul of nearly 94 million tons in 1996. The wild fish catch per person has dropped even more dramatically, from 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) per person at its height in 1988 to 13 kilograms in 2012—a 37-year low."
EU Corn imports may hit second highest on record
How severe weather impacts global food supply
## Environment/health ##
Doha: Talks on brink of collapse as anger rises against Qatari hosts
Sperm Quality Sags in France, Raising Fertility Concern
Sperm Quality Sags in France, Raising Fertility Concern
When a Green Revolution Runs Out of Water
Plant-based plastics 'no panacea', Greens warn
"The world's largest drinks companies, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have laid down ambitious plans to roll out 100% plant-based plastic bottles across the globe, triggering warnings from environmentalists who see a parallel with the ongoing controversy over biofuels."
Plant-based plastics 'no panacea', Greens warn
"The world's largest drinks companies, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have laid down ambitious plans to roll out 100% plant-based plastic bottles across the globe, triggering warnings from environmentalists who see a parallel with the ongoing controversy over biofuels."
## Intelligence/propaganda/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Newly Released Drone Records Reveal Extensive Military Flights in US
Cutting bonuses is a serious issue in Japan. The "bonus" is actually a vital part of employees' pay, and Japanese households depend on bonuses to round out their income, pay off debts, and help build their nest eggs. Thus no bonus, or a significantly reduced amount, is a serious financial blow. This has serious implications for the economy. -- RF
Japan scientists took utility money
"Influential Japanese scientists who help set national radiation exposure limits have for years had trips paid for by the country's nuclear plant operators to attend overseas meetings of the world's top academic group on radiation safety."
"Influential Japanese scientists who help set national radiation exposure limits have for years had trips paid for by the country's nuclear plant operators to attend overseas meetings of the world's top academic group on radiation safety."
## China ##
Phishing websites rise at furious pace this year
Chinese oil giants fail to win in shale gas auction
## UK ##
Osborne tries to sweeten pill for austerity in Britain
"More austerity looks certain when British finance minister George Osborne presents a half-yearly budget statement on Wednesday, even if he tries to juggle some spending around to ease the pain."
Warwickshire street lights switched-off over night
"More austerity looks certain when British finance minister George Osborne presents a half-yearly budget statement on Wednesday, even if he tries to juggle some spending around to ease the pain."
Warwickshire street lights switched-off over night
North Sea may see short energy boom
"A Scottish university report says oil and natural gas production in the North Sea could increase dramatically but not as much as the government expects."
"A Scottish university report says oil and natural gas production in the North Sea could increase dramatically but not as much as the government expects."
Catastrophic storms' costs put cloud over federal budgets
"The three states hardest hit by super-storm Sandy in October are requesting $80 billion in emergency funding, raising long-term questions about the federal government's planning for seemingly ever-more expensive disaster spending."
"The three states hardest hit by super-storm Sandy in October are requesting $80 billion in emergency funding, raising long-term questions about the federal government's planning for seemingly ever-more expensive disaster spending."
Detroit opens police mini-stations
"Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has announced the opening of police mini-stations in an effort to bring down the city's staggering homicide rate."
"Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has announced the opening of police mini-stations in an effort to bring down the city's staggering homicide rate."
