Tuesday, January 22, 2013
News Links, January 22-23, 2013
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Worldwide unemployment hits new high: report
"Five years after the global financial crisis hit, unemployment numbers continue to soar, with a record 202 million people worldwide expected to be officially jobless this year, the International Labour Organization said Tuesday."
"Five years after the global financial crisis hit, unemployment numbers continue to soar, with a record 202 million people worldwide expected to be officially jobless this year, the International Labour Organization said Tuesday."
20,000 Layoffs in Spanish Banks, 40% Pay Cuts, Pension Contributions Halted; Spanish Bank Unions Announce Strike; Protests Snowball; When's the Breaking Point?
U.K. Finance Industry to Cut 43,000 Jobs, CBI Survey Says
"The U.K.'s financial industry will lose 43,000 jobs in six months, according to a forecast from the Confederation of British Industry, as companies shrink and reduce costs."
U.K. Finance Industry to Cut 43,000 Jobs, CBI Survey Says
"The U.K.'s financial industry will lose 43,000 jobs in six months, according to a forecast from the Confederation of British Industry, as companies shrink and reduce costs."
Downsize, downsize, downsize; cut, cut, cut. -- RF
Great Lakes shipping cargo was down in 2012
Low water in Great Lakes means high costs for Canada: expert
"Steadily dropping water levels in the Great Lakes threaten to leave the Canadian economy high and dry as shipping routes evaporate and water dependent industries shut down, costing billions of dollars, according to one expert."
Low water in Great Lakes means high costs for Canada: expert
"Steadily dropping water levels in the Great Lakes threaten to leave the Canadian economy high and dry as shipping routes evaporate and water dependent industries shut down, costing billions of dollars, according to one expert."
Region struggles with shadow economy (Southeast Europe)
"A World Bank report released last year notes that the shadow economy of eastern European states ranges from 17 percent to 33 percent of GDP."
If you need a lesson on how to cut your own throat, this is it. Singapore is one of the last places I want to be when the excrement hits the fan. -- RF
## Airline Death Spiral ##
Troubled mainland airports seek help; 70% in the red (China)
"Faced with a lack of passenger traffic and struggling to stay afloat, the facilities are asking for state assistance to develop their flight networks"
"Faced with a lack of passenger traffic and struggling to stay afloat, the facilities are asking for state assistance to develop their flight networks"
AirAsia drops plan for new Singapore airline unit
"AirAsia, Asia's largest low-cost carrier, has scrapped plans for a Singapore joint venture due to high operating costs and lack of domestic market potential in the island republic."
"AirAsia, Asia's largest low-cost carrier, has scrapped plans for a Singapore joint venture due to high operating costs and lack of domestic market potential in the island republic."
Poland May Reallocate Airline Assets
"The Polish government is considering stripping its troubled LOT Polish Airlines of all assets and moving them to a smaller airline that it controls, a person familiar with the matter said Monday, a transition intended to salvage LOT's historic name."
"The Polish government is considering stripping its troubled LOT Polish Airlines of all assets and moving them to a smaller airline that it controls, a person familiar with the matter said Monday, a transition intended to salvage LOT's historic name."
If you want to board first on a Southwest Airlines flight, it will cost you
Aviation industry: Buffeted by ground realities (India)
Aviation industry: Buffeted by ground realities (India)
ANA to cancel 177 flights over 6 days (Japan)
"All Nippon Airways has announced it will cancel a total of 177 flights over six days from Wednesday due to difficulties finding aircraft to replace the suspended trouble-prone Boeing 787 Dreamliner."
"All Nippon Airways has announced it will cancel a total of 177 flights over six days from Wednesday due to difficulties finding aircraft to replace the suspended trouble-prone Boeing 787 Dreamliner."
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Triple suicide bomb attack targets Afghan government building
"A coordinated attack involving at least three suicide bombers and a powerful car bomb took aim at the headquarters of the Kabul traffic department on Monday, followed by a clash between at least one insurgent and security forces, police said."
Triple suicide bomb attack targets Afghan government building
"A coordinated attack involving at least three suicide bombers and a powerful car bomb took aim at the headquarters of the Kabul traffic department on Monday, followed by a clash between at least one insurgent and security forces, police said."
Turkish forces kill four Kurdish militants as clashes rage on
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
South Africa protesters burn tyres, loot shops
"Thousands of South Africans burnt tyres and vehicles, barricaded streets and looted shops in the industrial town of Sasolburg near Johannesburg on Monday, the worst social unrest this year around the commercial hub of Africa's biggest economy."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
South Africa protesters burn tyres, loot shops
"Thousands of South Africans burnt tyres and vehicles, barricaded streets and looted shops in the industrial town of Sasolburg near Johannesburg on Monday, the worst social unrest this year around the commercial hub of Africa's biggest economy."
Chinese workers revolt over 2-minute toilet breaks
"Hundreds of Chinese factory workers angry about strictly timed bathroom breaks and fines for starting work late held their Japanese and Chinese managers hostage for a day and a half before police broke up the strike."
"Hundreds of Chinese factory workers angry about strictly timed bathroom breaks and fines for starting work late held their Japanese and Chinese managers hostage for a day and a half before police broke up the strike."
## Energy/resources ##
Systemic decline in action, and it ain't pretty. -- RF
Ukraine continuing gas imports via Poland
"Ukraine continues to import European natural gas via Poland as it seeks to break the stranglehold of Russian supplies, Kiev's energy minister says."
Ukraine continuing gas imports via Poland
"Ukraine continues to import European natural gas via Poland as it seeks to break the stranglehold of Russian supplies, Kiev's energy minister says."
It doesn't matter in the long run because any system on the current scale of hunreds of millions of vehicles is unsustainable no matter what energy source is used. -- RF
"Germany desperately needs to upgrade its dilapidated grid system, which currently funnels renewable energy from north to south through third countries such as Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic."
Getting oil and gas out of shale formations on Earth is a money-loser, so how economical will this be? -- RF
Political transformation in the age of energy scarcity
Daily Rate for Supertankers Falls as Demand Weakens in the Persian Gulf
Some readers will recall this article from last month. -- RF
Daily Rate for Supertankers Falls as Demand Weakens in the Persian Gulf
Some readers will recall this article from last month. -- RF
One more important thing to remember is that GMO-dependent agriculture is industrial agriculture, and industrial agriculture is doomed. -- RF
Another way to enjoy carrots in the winter if your ground freezes (I've tested and confirmed this) is to harvest them before the ground freezes and bury them in a container full of sand. Keep the container in a cold place (near freezing if possible), and you can enjoy fresh carrots all winter. -- RF
## Lifestyle Solutions ##
How To Live Without A Credit Card
## Environment/health ##
Brazil city Campo Grande fights dengue fever outbreak
Humans are plague on Earth – Attenborough
"Humans are a plague on the Earth that need to be controlled by limiting population growth, according to Sir David Attenborough."
"Humans are a plague on the Earth that need to be controlled by limiting population growth, according to Sir David Attenborough."
The next pandemic could trigger global recession
Garbage crisis looms larger due to disposal price dispute (SKorea)
South Pacific Garbage Patch
Garbage crisis looms larger due to disposal price dispute (SKorea)
South Pacific Garbage Patch
Fossil Fuel Projects from U.S. to China Raise CO2 by 20%
## Intelligence/propaganda/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Will Oil Majors Pull out of Algeria after its Security Reputation is Shattered?
## Intelligence/propaganda/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Will Oil Majors Pull out of Algeria after its Security Reputation is Shattered?
As currently conceived, the glasses require a battery power source, but according to a Japanese media report, the inventor wants to remake them to require only ambient light, and also make clip-on types for people who already wear glasses. -- RF
Uncertain State Of Cyber War
"Military agencies worldwide are right in the middle of figuring out the tactics and capabilities that will be critical in any future cyber war. So far, any conflicts are playing out behind the scenes, with only the rare accusation or public request for technology giving a glimpse into what offensive attacks between countries might look like."
"Military agencies worldwide are right in the middle of figuring out the tactics and capabilities that will be critical in any future cyber war. So far, any conflicts are playing out behind the scenes, with only the rare accusation or public request for technology giving a glimpse into what offensive attacks between countries might look like."
## Japan ##
Caldicott: Terribly alarming what's happening in Japan — Signs of radiation sickness reported in children after 3/11 — Lies are being fed to the people
Whither Japan Stocks and Bonds: Are Kyle Bass and Martin Feldstein Right? Is Market Collapse Ahead?
Whither Japan Stocks and Bonds: Are Kyle Bass and Martin Feldstein Right? Is Market Collapse Ahead?
From the mouths of the filthy rich, who don't need pensions or medical care aid. -- RF
BoJ Gov.: Drastic efforts required
"Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said Tuesday drastic efforts will be necessary for Japan to realize 2 percent inflation as targeted by the central bank."
"Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said Tuesday drastic efforts will be necessary for Japan to realize 2 percent inflation as targeted by the central bank."
Keidanren suggests freeze or delay for regular pay hikes
"The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, on Monday suggested a freeze or delay for regular pay increases in an annual pay policy report for the second straight year."
"The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, on Monday suggested a freeze or delay for regular pay increases in an annual pay policy report for the second straight year."
Domestic Shipments Of Flat-Panel TVs Plunged 67% In '12
"The Japanese television market contracted dramatically for the second straight year in 2012, with domestic shipments of flat-panel televisions tumbling a record 67.5% to 6.45 million units."
"The Japanese television market contracted dramatically for the second straight year in 2012, with domestic shipments of flat-panel televisions tumbling a record 67.5% to 6.45 million units."
Algeria siege fuels calls for greater SDF role in protecting Japanese overseas
"The ruling coalition is to consider deploying Self-Defense Forces personnel more actively overseas to protect Japanese nationals in situations such as the deadly siege last week at a gas plant in Algeria."
"The ruling coalition is to consider deploying Self-Defense Forces personnel more actively overseas to protect Japanese nationals in situations such as the deadly siege last week at a gas plant in Algeria."
Survey Reveals 24% of Workers in Japan Have Less Than $2.84 to Spend on Lunch
## China ##
Beijing Smog Rules Would Shut Factories When Pollution Rises
## China ##
Beijing Smog Rules Would Shut Factories When Pollution Rises
Chinese Billionaire's Mining Machinery Arm Says Profit Down 34% In '12
China December LNG Imports Rise 21% to a Record on Heating Need
China December LNG Imports Rise 21% to a Record on Heating Need
## UK ##
Fraud on the rise as financial pressures bite, says KPMG
"Personal pressures at work and at home are driving more people to commit fraud, a survey by KPMG has suggested."
Are we heading for a new housing bubble?
Fraud on the rise as financial pressures bite, says KPMG
"Personal pressures at work and at home are driving more people to commit fraud, a survey by KPMG has suggested."
Are we heading for a new housing bubble?
Powers to enter home to check on pot plants and fridges still in place despite pledge to cut snooping
"Town halls and other public bodies still have up to 1,400 different powers to enter a private home despite a Coalition move to curb snooping."
"Town halls and other public bodies still have up to 1,400 different powers to enter a private home despite a Coalition move to curb snooping."
## US ##
America Should Declare Bankruptcy: Doug Casey (Yahoo Finance video)
"Two former U.S. government officials put the federal government's actual liabilities in excess of $86.8 trillion, or 550% of GDP, in a Wall Street Journal Op-Ed. Casey argues we're talking of upwards of $100 trillion when you also factor in the liability of promises such as FDIC deposit insurance. 'This is far more than can conceivably be repaid, so the debt is going to be defaulted on, it's simply a question of how,' he says."
Most food service workers get no sick days
"Nearly 80 percent of U.S. food service and hotel workers don't have any paid sick days and many go to work ill, a non-profit group says."
Atari U.S. Operations File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
"Nearly 80 percent of U.S. food service and hotel workers don't have any paid sick days and many go to work ill, a non-profit group says."
Atari U.S. Operations File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Pump, baby, pump! -- RF
Dish to close 300 Blockbuster stores
"Dish Network Corp. said it would close 300 out of 800 U.S. Blockbuster stores at the loss of about 3,000 jobs."
"Dish Network Corp. said it would close 300 out of 800 U.S. Blockbuster stores at the loss of about 3,000 jobs."
