Sunday, February 17, 2013
News Links, February 16-18, 2013
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
India economic slowdown is 'lot grimmer than expected'
Commerzbank CEO to Forgo Bonus
The financial crash will not bring about 'globalisation on steroids'
Commerzbank CEO to Forgo Bonus
The financial crash will not bring about 'globalisation on steroids'
"A report by the U.N. Industrial Development Organization in Vienna said that world manufacturing grew by 2.2 percent in 2012, a sharp drop from the 3.1 percent that was expected as of mid-year."
Race to Debase
"The 'race to debase' is on and the majority of nations are now involved in competitive currency devaluations. For instance, in addition to America, Euro zone and Switzerland, even Japan has now affirmed that it wants to weaken its currency. Furthermore, almost every country in the developing world is also expanding its monetary stock. Consequently, the world is being flooded with currency units and unless the monetary system changes, it is likely that this policy will continue."
"The 'race to debase' is on and the majority of nations are now involved in competitive currency devaluations. For instance, in addition to America, Euro zone and Switzerland, even Japan has now affirmed that it wants to weaken its currency. Furthermore, almost every country in the developing world is also expanding its monetary stock. Consequently, the world is being flooded with currency units and unless the monetary system changes, it is likely that this policy will continue."
Major Losses for Croatia Airlines
Lot on: losses and layoffs add to privatisation plan for Polish airline
Lot on: losses and layoffs add to privatisation plan for Polish airline
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Big powers to offer easing gold sanctions at Iran nuclear talks
"Major powers plan to offer to ease sanctions barring trade in gold and other precious metals with Iran in return for Iranian steps to shut down the nation's newly expanded Fordow uranium enrichment plant, Western officials said on Friday."
France's Mali job "not nearly finished": Tuareg officer
Iraq's oil rift deepens over Exxon move
"Exxon Mobil is pushing ahead with its drive to develop oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish enclave despite fierce opposition from Iraq's central government in Baghdad."
Iraq's oil rift deepens over Exxon move
"Exxon Mobil is pushing ahead with its drive to develop oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish enclave despite fierce opposition from Iraq's central government in Baghdad."
Russian nuclear bombers intercepted near Guam
"U.S. military officials tell NBC News that two Russian bombers, capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles, circled the U.S. island of Guam in the Western Pacific this week. U.S. Air Force F-15 jets scrambled from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam to intercept the bombers."
"U.S. military officials tell NBC News that two Russian bombers, capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles, circled the U.S. island of Guam in the Western Pacific this week. U.S. Air Force F-15 jets scrambled from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam to intercept the bombers."
NATO forces to comply with Karzai decree
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai's request that Afghan forces stop requesting international airstrikes in residential areas will be honored, U.S. officials said."
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai's request that Afghan forces stop requesting international airstrikes in residential areas will be honored, U.S. officials said."
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Northwest Pakistan violence takes big toll
Here we can catch a glimpse of the forces that will pull Singapore apart. -- RF
Clashes erupt between protesters, police (Colombia)
## Energy/resources ##
Why, Despite the Boom in Oil Production, are Gasoline Prices Still High?
"We are now drilling 25,000 wells per year just to bring production back to the levels of the year 2000, when we were drilling only 5,000 wells per year."
The arrival of peak oil is as plain as the nose on your face. And yet many "experts" nevertheless keep insisting that peak oil is a lot of Chicken Little worrying about nothing. Smart people will make energy-crash preparations now. -- RF
"The full set of supply figures for North Sea oil (Brent basis) for 2012 was released by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and these show the country's production averaging 1.91 million barrels daily of oil and oil equivalents over the year. That figure stands at historic lows and 13% below the country's own production expectations for the year."
Fracking bust: Natural gas consumers just got a big subsidy from investors, but it can't continue
"Investors have essentially subsidized natural gas through huge loss-making investments, creating an oversupply that has sent prices significantly below the average cost of new production…
"Investors have essentially subsidized natural gas through huge loss-making investments, creating an oversupply that has sent prices significantly below the average cost of new production…
"Since the last week of August 2008 when the count of active U.S. natural gas drilling rigs peaked at 1606, the number of active rigs has plunged to just 425 for the week ending February 8."
Rush to avert power woes in April
"Thailand's energy authorities are scrambling for ideas to prevent a possible power shortage in April - the hottest month every year - as Myanmar is shutting down two gas fields that have supplied one-fourth of the Kingdom's natural gas demand."
"Thailand's energy authorities are scrambling for ideas to prevent a possible power shortage in April - the hottest month every year - as Myanmar is shutting down two gas fields that have supplied one-fourth of the Kingdom's natural gas demand."
Three reasons the solar PV party is over (Australia)
India to insure refiners importing Iranian crude oil
"An Indian government source says New Delhi will provide insurance coverage for Indian refineries that import crude oil from Iran in defiance of US-led sanctions against the Iranian energy sector."
"An Indian government source says New Delhi will provide insurance coverage for Indian refineries that import crude oil from Iran in defiance of US-led sanctions against the Iranian energy sector."
Power ship arrives in Lebanon
"The first of two electricity barges aimed at boosting Lebanon's ailing power production entered Lebanese territorial waters Saturday."
"The first of two electricity barges aimed at boosting Lebanon's ailing power production entered Lebanese territorial waters Saturday."
Maharashtra: Parli power plant shuts down after severe water crisis (India)
"All six units of the Parli thermal power plant in Beed district of Maharashtra have been shut down because of severe water shortage in the Marathwada region."
"All six units of the Parli thermal power plant in Beed district of Maharashtra have been shut down because of severe water shortage in the Marathwada region."
India faced peak power deficit of over 8,200 MW in Jan: CEA
"India grappled with peak power shortage of over 8,200 MW in January mainly due to scarcity of fuel, says a report by Central Electricity Authority."
"India grappled with peak power shortage of over 8,200 MW in January mainly due to scarcity of fuel, says a report by Central Electricity Authority."
Wheat Rises Most in Two Weeks on Animal-Feed Demand
Fewer bees in US a threat to world's almond supply
Fewer bees in US a threat to world's almond supply
## Lifestyle Solutions ##
Social Media Are Junk Food For Our Brains. Why Are The Nutritionists Silent?
How to Stay Warm with Less Heat
Here's something everyone has to think about because we're all going to be living with less heat, and not a few people will have no space heating at all. Now's the time to plan and prepare, not after the grid goes down. -- RF
## Environment/health ##
Third family member has 'Sars-like virus'
Here's something everyone has to think about because we're all going to be living with less heat, and not a few people will have no space heating at all. Now's the time to plan and prepare, not after the grid goes down. -- RF
## Environment/health ##
Third family member has 'Sars-like virus'
India looking for new way to treat TB
"Experts say the treatment drug-resistant tuberculosis in India in not effective and may cause the disease to mutate into more deadly strains."
"Experts say the treatment drug-resistant tuberculosis in India in not effective and may cause the disease to mutate into more deadly strains."
Sixth Death From Bird Flu Confirmed (Cambodia)
What happens when huge industrial systems shut down. -- RF
Long, but contains lots of useful tips to help weather varying levels of collapse. -- RF
U.S. Water Infrastructure Repairs Threatened, National League Of Cities Says
"Repairing U.S. water infrastructure is becoming increasingly expensive and options for funding upgrades to sewers, storm drains and drinking water systems are under threat, the National League of Cities told a congressional hearing on Friday."
"Repairing U.S. water infrastructure is becoming increasingly expensive and options for funding upgrades to sewers, storm drains and drinking water systems are under threat, the National League of Cities told a congressional hearing on Friday."
We're Losing Power to Centralized Systems
## Japan ##
Revisiting Fukushima's Ghost Towns (slide show)
## Japan ##
Revisiting Fukushima's Ghost Towns (slide show)
It looks like the end of civilization. -- RF
## China ##
Beijing set to see greater financial strains this year
China Official Warns of Developed Countries' Loose Monetary Policy
China Official Warns of Developed Countries' Loose Monetary Policy
Green or not, the era of cheap energy is winding down. -- RF
Horsemeat: Compass and Whitbread find horse DNA in products
"Catering giant Compass Group and Whitbread, one of Britain's largest hotel chains, have found horse DNA in products sold as beef, it has emerged."
"Catering giant Compass Group and Whitbread, one of Britain's largest hotel chains, have found horse DNA in products sold as beef, it has emerged."
Wal-Mart Says February Sales "Total Disaster", Worst Monthly Start Since 2006; Stock Drops
Tank at Hanford nuclear site leaking radioactive liquids, Washington governor says
Tank at Hanford nuclear site leaking radioactive liquids, Washington governor says
