Tuesday, January 29, 2013
News Links, January 29-30, 2013
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Zimbabwe's Total Cash On Hand: $217.00
NZ Post wants cut in delivery days
"New Zealand Post wants to cut the number of days it is required to deliver mail to most addresses from six to three days a week."
NZ Post wants cut in delivery days
"New Zealand Post wants to cut the number of days it is required to deliver mail to most addresses from six to three days a week."
Yes, the crisis is obviously over in Europe! -- RF
COSCO Faces 3th Straight Year of Losses
"The world's largest bulk shipper, China COSCO, now faces the risk of delisting for its Shanghai A-shares if it fails to turn around in 2013."
"The world's largest bulk shipper, China COSCO, now faces the risk of delisting for its Shanghai A-shares if it fails to turn around in 2013."
North America's New Aristocracy grows by leaps and bounds. -- RF
No escape from austerity for Club Med countries
Dubai Suitcases of Cash Circumvent Loan Rules: Mortgages
Myanmar Clears ADB, World Bank Overdue Debt With Japan Help
Dubai Suitcases of Cash Circumvent Loan Rules: Mortgages
Myanmar Clears ADB, World Bank Overdue Debt With Japan Help
Manufacturers threaten to quit New Zealand
"More leading export companies are on the verge of moving overseas due to the high dollar, Opposition MPs were told yesterday by manufacturers, who challenged the Government to do more to control the exchange rate."
"More leading export companies are on the verge of moving overseas due to the high dollar, Opposition MPs were told yesterday by manufacturers, who challenged the Government to do more to control the exchange rate."
Russia Arctic Natural Gas Shipping Route to Asia 10 Years Away
"Tanker transport of Russian Arctic gas through the Bering Strait to Asian buyers is at least 10 years away because of ageing infrastructure, vessel shortages and growing disputes over waterway rights."
"Tanker transport of Russian Arctic gas through the Bering Strait to Asian buyers is at least 10 years away because of ageing infrastructure, vessel shortages and growing disputes over waterway rights."
## Airline Death Spiral ##
Japan eased safety standards ahead of Boeing 787 rollout
Lithium Ion Batteries Causing Big Problems for Aviation Industry
Lithium Ion Batteries Causing Big Problems for Aviation Industry
United offers airport-to-doorstep baggage delivery -- for a price
Etihad set to buy 24% in Jet Airways for $300 mn
Etihad set to buy 24% in Jet Airways for $300 mn
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
US military plans to set up drone base in northwest Africa
Iran denies explosion at underground uranium facility
Iran denies explosion at underground uranium facility
France tells nationals to leave northern Nigeria
"France has asked its citizens to leave northern Nigeria and areas around the capital Abuja after threats due to its military intervention in Mali, a diplomatic source said on Monday."
"France has asked its citizens to leave northern Nigeria and areas around the capital Abuja after threats due to its military intervention in Mali, a diplomatic source said on Monday."
Chinese officials may visit N. Korea
"Chinese officials may travel to North Korea to stop it from conducting another nuclear test, a diplomatic source in Beijing told the Chosun Ilbo."
"Chinese officials may travel to North Korea to stop it from conducting another nuclear test, a diplomatic source in Beijing told the Chosun Ilbo."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Greek Workers Strikes Spreading
"Only days after riot police broke up a Metro strike, a new transport strike has shut down buses and trains for Jan. 28-29 and more work stoppages are being planned by doctors, health centers, ambulance drivers and utility workers. Trolley workers suspended their plans to strike."
Israel using deadly force on unarmed protesters, watchdog says
"Only days after riot police broke up a Metro strike, a new transport strike has shut down buses and trains for Jan. 28-29 and more work stoppages are being planned by doctors, health centers, ambulance drivers and utility workers. Trolley workers suspended their plans to strike."
Israel using deadly force on unarmed protesters, watchdog says
Sunni discontent and Syria fears feed Iraqi unrest
"Across Iraq's western desert, thousands of Sunni Muslims block highways, chant and pray in protests against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that grow more defiant by the day."
"Across Iraq's western desert, thousands of Sunni Muslims block highways, chant and pray in protests against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that grow more defiant by the day."
## Energy/resources ##
I told you so I told you so I told you so… -- RF
Crisis-hit Greeks chop up forests to stay warm
Crisis-hit Greeks chop up forests to stay warm
So much precious forest will be lost worldwide because of idiotic politicians, economists, and "experts" who promoted infinite growth and never saw the inevitable energy crisis coming. -- RF
Tanker Glut Worsening as OPEC Cuts Most Since Recession: Freight
"OPEC's deepest output cut since the global recession in 2008 is creating the biggest surplus of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in at least three years and lowering earnings for Frontline Ltd. and other ship owners."
"OPEC's deepest output cut since the global recession in 2008 is creating the biggest surplus of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in at least three years and lowering earnings for Frontline Ltd. and other ship owners."
Europe's offshore wind installations fall behind target
"The number of wind turbines built in European waters is lagging behind targets by nearly 1,000 megawatts (MW), the equivalent of around 330 turbines, an industry report showed on Sunday."
"The number of wind turbines built in European waters is lagging behind targets by nearly 1,000 megawatts (MW), the equivalent of around 330 turbines, an industry report showed on Sunday."
Water shortage to hit Taiwan by 2030: minister
"A shortage of water will hit Taiwan by 2030 due to serious buildup of silt in the country's reservoirs, Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan said Monday."
"A shortage of water will hit Taiwan by 2030 due to serious buildup of silt in the country's reservoirs, Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan said Monday."
Tunisia deploys special combat units to protect oil and gas fields
"Tunisia has sent special combat units to its borders with Algeria and Libya to protect its oil and gas installations against potential attacks from Islamist militants, the state news agency said on Tuesday."
"Tunisia has sent special combat units to its borders with Algeria and Libya to protect its oil and gas installations against potential attacks from Islamist militants, the state news agency said on Tuesday."
Germany coping with power supply swings - operators
"Germany can cope with high wind power supply in coming days which will stress transmission grids already struggling with peak winter demand, power industry firms said on Monday."
"Germany can cope with high wind power supply in coming days which will stress transmission grids already struggling with peak winter demand, power industry firms said on Monday."
## Environment/health ##
Special report Livestock falling ill in fracking regions, raising concerns about food (Ecologist)
"In the midst of the US domestic energy boom, livestock on farms near oil-and-gas drilling operations nationwide have been quietly falling sick and dying."
Study: City heat can affect global climate
"In the midst of the US domestic energy boom, livestock on farms near oil-and-gas drilling operations nationwide have been quietly falling sick and dying."
Study: City heat can affect global climate
Unseen, all-out cyber war on the U.S. has begun
Technology's president fears espionage - from a swarm of tiny drones (Norway)
Technology's president fears espionage - from a swarm of tiny drones (Norway)
LAPD Uses Anti-Terrorism Devise to Track Cellphone Users
"The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is using an anti-terrorism device that indiscriminately sweeps up cellphone communications of innocent bystanders during burglary, drug and murder investigations."
"The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is using an anti-terrorism device that indiscriminately sweeps up cellphone communications of innocent bystanders during burglary, drug and murder investigations."
Who's Faking It? Pentagon "Cyber-Warriors" Planting "False Information on Facebook"
FBI, Department of Homeland Security to team up to collect iris biometrics
FBI, Department of Homeland Security to team up to collect iris biometrics
## Systemic breakdown ##
Egypt army chief warns of 'state collapse' amid crisis
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and the Decline of Innovation
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and the Decline of Innovation
Chernobyl's Role in the Fall of the Soviet Union
## Japan ##
Fault line under Tsuruga nuclear plant almost certainly active, facility most likely to be scrapped
## Japan ##
Fault line under Tsuruga nuclear plant almost certainly active, facility most likely to be scrapped
Japan to cut planned bond sales
"Faced with balancing aggressive spending plans on a mountain of debt, Japan's government said it would cut overall planned bond issuance in the coming fiscal year. But investors are likely to see some of the plan's one-off issuance reduction tactics as little more than a temporary fix to an escalating problem."
"Faced with balancing aggressive spending plans on a mountain of debt, Japan's government said it would cut overall planned bond issuance in the coming fiscal year. But investors are likely to see some of the plan's one-off issuance reduction tactics as little more than a temporary fix to an escalating problem."
But bonds will nevertheless account for nearly half of government spending. That's a solution? -- RF
This is insignificant compared to what is coming. -- RF
## China ##
I guess this is supposed to sound good, but in fact many of the "assets" held by banks around the world are actually liabilities, or just plain junk. -- RF
Buildings collapse after subsidence in S China
China appoints new Tibet governor, hardline policies to remain
China appoints new Tibet governor, hardline policies to remain
## UK ##
Pension scheme closures speed up
"The closure of private sector pension schemes accelerated in 2012, says the National Association of Pension Funds."
Potholes getting bigger because of cheap repairs
"Potholes are getting bigger because of shortcuts taken when repairing the road surface over the past years, it has been claimed."
"The closure of private sector pension schemes accelerated in 2012, says the National Association of Pension Funds."
Potholes getting bigger because of cheap repairs
"Potholes are getting bigger because of shortcuts taken when repairing the road surface over the past years, it has been claimed."
Empty nest syndrome? If only, say stressed middle aged
"'Empty nest syndrome' is becoming a thing of the past as increasing numbers of households have three generations living under the same roof, a study suggests."
"'Empty nest syndrome' is becoming a thing of the past as increasing numbers of households have three generations living under the same roof, a study suggests."
A&E patients 'wait half day for bed'
"Seriously ill A&E patients at a hospital are waiting more than half a day for a bed, it has emerged."
"Seriously ill A&E patients at a hospital are waiting more than half a day for a bed, it has emerged."
## US ##
Critical Warning No. 7: Banks crash economy again — Time to jail the bankers
Barnes & Noble plans to reduce outlets over the decade
Aging America: Elder abuse on the rise
Barnes & Noble plans to reduce outlets over the decade
Aging America: Elder abuse on the rise
Hey, what happened to Dubya's "ownership society"? -- RF
"Never depend on the government. You must depend on yourself."
And finally…
Top 8 greatest lip-syncing fails (video)
Fox News paid Palin over $15 per word, including 111 'amens'America Up for Sale on Japanese Auction Site! Bid Now!!
At the time of the screen shot, bidding was up to ¥6,000 (US$66).
