Tuesday, September 29, 2015
News Links, September 30, 2015
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
Saudi Arabia Withdraws Billions Of Dollars From Asset Managers To Cut Deficit From Falling Oil Prices
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Russian Bear Supplants American Eagle in Syria, Beyond
## Energy/resources ##
Shell to cease further exploration in Alaska
Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it would cease exploration activity in offshore Alaska for the "foreseeable future" and take a writedown of about $4.1 billion after failing to find enough oil in the region.
## Lifestyle solutions ##
## Environment/health ##
It's a new TV season — but here's why you might want to look away
Your TV habit might be killing you. A growing body of evidence links not just sitting in general but TV viewing in particular with all sorts of health problems. Those include obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, yes, premature death.
## Propaganda ##
The Power of False Narrative
"Strategic communications" or Stratcom, a propaganda/psy-op technique that treats information as a "soft power" weapon to wield against adversaries, is a new catch phrase in an Official Washington obsessed with the clout that comes from spinning false narratives.
## Japan ##
Tokyo cops arrest man for adding Hitler moustaches to Abe posters
## UK ##
David Cameron: UK troops to go to Africa to help counter extremists
Up to 300 soldiers will be deployed in South Sudan as part of a peace-keeping mission while a further 70 will be sent to Somalia to support attempts to defeat the terrorist group Al-Shabab.
Saudi Arabia Withdraws Billions Of Dollars From Asset Managers To Cut Deficit From Falling Oil Prices
Having a little cash flow problem, are we? -- RF
## Cut, baby, cut! ##
Student loans could help avert U.S. airline pilot shortage: union head
The head of the world's largest pilots union urged the airline industry on Monday to find ways to alleviate the rising costs of aviators' schooling, saying a shortage of regional airline pilots looms in the United States.
The head of the world's largest pilots union urged the airline industry on Monday to find ways to alleviate the rising costs of aviators' schooling, saying a shortage of regional airline pilots looms in the United States.
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Russian Bear Supplants American Eagle in Syria, Beyond
Engineering Humans for War
Taliban breaches major Afghan city for first time since 2001 with assault on Kunduz
Taliban breaches major Afghan city for first time since 2001 with assault on Kunduz
Very little of this will be achieved. But they will try hard. -- RF
## Migrants/refugees ##
Norwegian intelligence agency says arrival of refugees is increasing national security threat
Norwegian intelligence agency says arrival of refugees is increasing national security threat
The Latest: Hungary wants global refugee quotas
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Moldovan protesters call on government to resign
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Moldovan protesters call on government to resign
## Energy/resources ##
Shell to cease further exploration in Alaska
Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it would cease exploration activity in offshore Alaska for the "foreseeable future" and take a writedown of about $4.1 billion after failing to find enough oil in the region.
However, the problem now is that a large number of the 25,000 odd turbines have become too old. Close to 7,000 of those turbines will complete more than 15 years of operation by next year. Although these turbines can continue running, with some minor repairs and modifications, the question is whether it makes any economic sense to maintain them?
Renewables were supposed to transport us into a New Age of plentiful, clean energy, and eliminate the need for fossil fuels, but the world is already littered with aging and end-of-life hardware. -- RF
These numbers are staggering. And as we've seen already, recycling of end-of-life hardware isn't as readily achieved as everyone believes. Further, there is the energy requirement for all of this, which perforce involves much fossil fuel use. My prediction stands: A renewable power system is unsustainable, and therefore cannot stave off the collapse of industrial civilization. -- RF
Why India will not meet its nuclear energy ambition
Reasons include the uncertainty around India's liability clause, financial woes of reactor suppliers and increased cost of nuclear energy
Reasons include the uncertainty around India's liability clause, financial woes of reactor suppliers and increased cost of nuclear energy
And recall what happened to New Zealand. -- RF
## Lifestyle solutions ##
Dressing for Comfort in a Minimally-Heated Residence
Banned Books Week 2015 : Celebrate Reading Freedom With These Challenged Novels
Banned Books Week 2015 : Celebrate Reading Freedom With These Challenged Novels
## Environment/health ##
It's a new TV season — but here's why you might want to look away
Your TV habit might be killing you. A growing body of evidence links not just sitting in general but TV viewing in particular with all sorts of health problems. Those include obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, yes, premature death.
More Evidence Chemicals Linked to Obesity and Diabetes, Group Says
Evidence is starting to tie hormone-disrupting chemicals to obesity and diabetes, experts said Monday, adding that regulators and researchers need to take steps to reduce human exposure to them.
Evidence is starting to tie hormone-disrupting chemicals to obesity and diabetes, experts said Monday, adding that regulators and researchers need to take steps to reduce human exposure to them.
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Facebook crashes for third time in less than two weeks
17.6M in US Experienced Identity Theft In 2014
17.6M in US Experienced Identity Theft In 2014
## Propaganda ##
The Power of False Narrative
"Strategic communications" or Stratcom, a propaganda/psy-op technique that treats information as a "soft power" weapon to wield against adversaries, is a new catch phrase in an Official Washington obsessed with the clout that comes from spinning false narratives.
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Two-Tiered Justice: How DEA Agents Commit Egregious Acts with Zero Accountability
Two-Tiered Justice: How DEA Agents Commit Egregious Acts with Zero Accountability
Nine charts that spell "collapse." -- RF
South Africa 'a country at war' as murder rate soars to nearly 49 a day## Japan ##
Tokyo cops arrest man for adding Hitler moustaches to Abe posters
It won't make any difference. -- RF
Another chapter in the international story of disappearing pensions. -- RF
## China ##
China August industrial profits fall 8.8% y-o-y
## China ##
China August industrial profits fall 8.8% y-o-y
## UK ##
David Cameron: UK troops to go to Africa to help counter extremists
Up to 300 soldiers will be deployed in South Sudan as part of a peace-keeping mission while a further 70 will be sent to Somalia to support attempts to defeat the terrorist group Al-Shabab.
## US ##
What Recovery——9.4 Million More Americans Below Poverty Line Than Before Crisis
DEA agents kept jobs despite serious misconduct
DEA agents kept jobs despite serious misconduct
A "reinterpretation" of Amendment 4 of the US constitution. -- RF
Corporate mindfulness is bullsh*t: Zen or no Zen, you're working harder and being paid less
Whole Foods To Slash 1,500 Jobs
Whole Foods To Slash 1,500 Jobs
Slash, baby, slash! -- RF
## The Candidates ##
Sunday, September 27, 2015
News Links, September 28, 2015
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflation ##
Mind The Slow Lane: Caterpillar, Copper and Lumber All Followed China Slowdown
Mind The Slow Lane: Caterpillar, Copper and Lumber All Followed China Slowdown
The Stock Markets Of The 10 Largest Global Economies Are All Crashing
War on cash: Goodbye $100 Bill? Ex-Central Banker Demands All High-Denomination Banknotes Should Be Abolished
Most industrial commodities are oversupplied, with the feared slowdown in China only deepening the miners' woes
## Airline death spiral ##
Airports decry $65M cut in funding bill
Airports decry $65M cut in funding bill
10 Ways Monopoly Airlines Use 'Calculated Misery' to Make Flying an Increasingly Overpriced Nightmare
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Syrian transition could include Assad: Turkey's Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a fierce critic of Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday suggested for the first time that the Syrian president could have a role to play in a future political transition.
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Brawl erupts at refugee centre in Germany
## Lifestyle solutions ##
Three Strategies to Make Your Life Easier as Times Get Harder
## Environment/health ##
The lost forests of the Middle East
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
The Australian Government Proclaims – Environmentalism and Alternative Music Are Signs of Terrorism
## Propaganda ##
Obama's Flak Demeans Putin's Posture
Afraid of neocon criticism, President Obama is going out of his way to insult Russian President Putin prior to a summit meeting. Obama's press secretary mocked Putin as "desperate" and accused him of displaying poor posture in a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu.
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
## The Candidates ##
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Syrian transition could include Assad: Turkey's Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a fierce critic of Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday suggested for the first time that the Syrian president could have a role to play in a future political transition.
US Support Of Syrian Rebels Illegal, Russian President Vladimir Putin Says
Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday branded U.S. support of rebel forces in Syria as illegal and ineffective, saying U.S.-trained rebels were leaving to join the Islamic State group with weapons supplied by Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday branded U.S. support of rebel forces in Syria as illegal and ineffective, saying U.S.-trained rebels were leaving to join the Islamic State group with weapons supplied by Washington.
## Migrants/refugees ##
U.N. sees refugee flow to Europe growing, plans for big Iraq displacement
U.N. sees refugee flow to Europe growing, plans for big Iraq displacement
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Brawl erupts at refugee centre in Germany
Oil, Bonds Go Their Separate Ways
The rebound in oil prices has not been enough to stop the bleeding at many US energy companies, whose bonds keep weakening - and whose ability to muster fresh capital is dwindling away.
The rebound in oil prices has not been enough to stop the bleeding at many US energy companies, whose bonds keep weakening - and whose ability to muster fresh capital is dwindling away.
Will declines in U.S. and Canadian oil production lead to a global decline?
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Copper thief creates additional misery for commuters
## Got food? ##
Storm suspected of carrying new corn disease into U.S.
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Copper thief creates additional misery for commuters
## Got food? ##
Storm suspected of carrying new corn disease into U.S.
## Lifestyle solutions ##
Three Strategies to Make Your Life Easier as Times Get Harder
## Environment/health ##
The lost forests of the Middle East
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
The Australian Government Proclaims – Environmentalism and Alternative Music Are Signs of Terrorism
Oh, brother! -- RF
## Propaganda ##
Obama's Flak Demeans Putin's Posture
Afraid of neocon criticism, President Obama is going out of his way to insult Russian President Putin prior to a summit meeting. Obama's press secretary mocked Putin as "desperate" and accused him of displaying poor posture in a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu.
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Bridge report highlights Oregon's shaky infrastructure
Global Markets: It's Getting Ugly Out There
You'd have to be in full denial mode not to see that it's getting ugly out there in global markets: currencies are melting down, trade and shipping are tanking, commodities are swooning and global stock markets are increasingly on central-bank life support.
Global Markets: It's Getting Ugly Out There
You'd have to be in full denial mode not to see that it's getting ugly out there in global markets: currencies are melting down, trade and shipping are tanking, commodities are swooning and global stock markets are increasingly on central-bank life support.
This vision assumes we're going to have lots of cheap energy. But guess what... Although small towns with hinterlands will likely thrive, big cities will turn into largely depopulated no-man's lands ruled by gangs and packs of feral dogs. -- RF
## Japan ##
Mumbo jumbo: Abe's New Economic Plan Confounds Analysts
Mumbo jumbo: Abe's New Economic Plan Confounds Analysts
Japan's consumer price slide skips daily necessities
Japan's consumer prices fell overall in August on cheap oil -- the first decline since the country's current round of monetary easing began in April 2013. But rising food costs held larger sway over consumers' economic outlooks.
Japan's consumer prices fell overall in August on cheap oil -- the first decline since the country's current round of monetary easing began in April 2013. But rising food costs held larger sway over consumers' economic outlooks.
Researchers: More than 70% of No. 2 reactor's fuel may have melted
More than 70 percent of the fuel may have melted in one of the three reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant that suffered meltdowns in the wake of the 2011 nuclear disaster, researchers reported on Sept. 26.
More than 70 percent of the fuel may have melted in one of the three reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant that suffered meltdowns in the wake of the 2011 nuclear disaster, researchers reported on Sept. 26.
Increasing complexity alert: Abe to create new ministerial post to tackle key social issues
This will accomplish nothing but increase complexity and the need for much more energy (money) to establish, operate, and maintain the new ministry. Because the point of diminishing returns has long since passed, the primary effect of this action will be to hasten Japan's decline. -- RF
Startups in China to face a wave of closures
The number of startups in China forced out of business by increasing challenges to securing funding is set to rise significantly, according to the Beijing-based Economic Observer.
The number of startups in China forced out of business by increasing challenges to securing funding is set to rise significantly, according to the Beijing-based Economic Observer.
Robot revolution rises in China factories
## UK ##
Volkswagen emissions scandal: UK to conduct its own inquiry into vehicle testing as BMW hit by fallout
## UK ##
Volkswagen emissions scandal: UK to conduct its own inquiry into vehicle testing as BMW hit by fallout
The mass surveillance operation — code-named KARMA POLICE — was launched by British spies about seven years ago without any public debate or scrutiny. It was just one part of a giant global Internet spying apparatus built by the United Kingdom's electronic eavesdropping agency, Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ.
Kent County Council consultation starts on dimming or switching off streetlights and introducing LED technology
## US ##
More Keynesian Tommyrot——-Today's Punk Durables Report Showed CapEx Is Heading Down, Not Up
## US ##
More Keynesian Tommyrot——-Today's Punk Durables Report Showed CapEx Is Heading Down, Not Up
How the World Views US 'Clown Show'
Some Americans may be amused by the "clown show" that is modern U.S. politics, particularly the Republican presidential race. But the crude insults and gross bigotry are seen around the world, reducing the appeal of democracy and turning more people against the U.S.
Some Americans may be amused by the "clown show" that is modern U.S. politics, particularly the Republican presidential race. But the crude insults and gross bigotry are seen around the world, reducing the appeal of democracy and turning more people against the U.S.
## The Candidates ##
After 25,000 people asked, Senator Bernie Sanders added a few words to his presidential campaign website about the 96% of humanity he'd been ignoring.
And finally...
Thursday, September 24, 2015
News Links, September 25, 2015
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
"Doomsday" Cometh For Glencore: Mining Giant's Default Risk Just Exploded Higher
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Japanese military role in South Sudan to expand in May under new security laws
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Coalinga copper wire thieves chop down power poles, cause $50,000 in damages
"Doomsday" Cometh For Glencore: Mining Giant's Default Risk Just Exploded Higher
## Cut, baby, cut! ##
HP says to cut 25000 to 30000 jobs in enterprise business
## Airline death spiral ##
Europe's Disappearing National Airlines
## Airline death spiral ##
Europe's Disappearing National Airlines
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Japanese military role in South Sudan to expand in May under new security laws
New US-Trained Rebels in Syria Gave Their Weapons to al-Qaeda
Commander: We Tricked US Because We Needed Weapons
Commander: We Tricked US Because We Needed Weapons
Europe Refugee Crisis: Croatia Bans Entry Of Serbian Citizens And Vehicles Amid Deepening Border Row
## Migrants/refugees ##
Migrant crisis: Farage says EU 'mad' to accept so many
Migrant crisis: Farage says EU 'mad' to accept so many
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
As Pope Francis Arrives in DC, Federal Workers Strike Against Poverty Wages
As Pope Francis Arrives in DC, Federal Workers Strike Against Poverty Wages
Tokyo rally against security laws, nuclear restart
Thousands of people have rallied in Tokyo to protest Japan's new security legislation and the restart of a nuclear power plant in the country.
Thousands of people have rallied in Tokyo to protest Japan's new security legislation and the restart of a nuclear power plant in the country.
Many Injured after Xinjiang Separatists Go On a Knifing Rampage at Coal Mine
## Energy/resources ##
Kazakhstan Joins The List Of Suffering Oil Exporters
## Energy/resources ##
Kazakhstan Joins The List Of Suffering Oil Exporters
U.S. average gasoline and diesel fuel prices decrease
US Coal Mines Continue To Dwindle As Weak Demand Takes A Toll
US Coal Mines Continue To Dwindle As Weak Demand Takes A Toll
## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Coalinga copper wire thieves chop down power poles, cause $50,000 in damages
Thieves rip cable from busy Glasgow to Edinburgh line causing delays
## Got food? ##
'Doomsday Vault' sees its first withdrawal
## Got food? ##
'Doomsday Vault' sees its first withdrawal
The U.S. Doesn't Have Enough Of The Vegetables We're Supposed To Eat
## Lifestyle solutions ##
Financial Independence via Self-Employment: How Do We Do It?
## Lifestyle solutions ##
Financial Independence via Self-Employment: How Do We Do It?
As the current system continues to disintegrate, enterprising individuals will find ways to not only survive, but also thrive. One good strategy is to combine several "occupations." And whatever you do, growing food — i.e., being a part-time farmer — is always a good idea. -- RF
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Snowden Treaty Launched: Effort To Get Countries To End Mass Surveillance
## Propaganda ##
U.S. Air Force Requires Airmen to Praise Troubled Stealth Fighter
## Propaganda ##
U.S. Air Force Requires Airmen to Praise Troubled Stealth Fighter
The Sneering at China's President Xi
In mainstream U.S. media, it's always a "safe play" for pundits to sneer at foreign leaders and countries that interfere with American hegemony, thus guiding the public toward unnecessary hostilities, a phenomenon now playing out in the treatment of China and President Xi.
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
In mainstream U.S. media, it's always a "safe play" for pundits to sneer at foreign leaders and countries that interfere with American hegemony, thus guiding the public toward unnecessary hostilities, a phenomenon now playing out in the treatment of China and President Xi.
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
The Russians and Chinese are already planning how to carve up Japan. -- RF
## China ##
Chinese military: Beijing may find troop cut quest an 'assault on fortified positions'
Part-time wages reach record high
A survey shows hourly wages of part-time workers in Japan registered a record high in August for the third month in a row due to labor shortages.
A survey shows hourly wages of part-time workers in Japan registered a record high in August for the third month in a row due to labor shortages.
## China ##
Chinese military: Beijing may find troop cut quest an 'assault on fortified positions'
## US ##
The Oligarch Recovery – 30 Million Americans Have Tapped Retirement Savings Early in Last 12 Months
New Study Reveals Americans Throw Out Twice as Much Trash as Predicted
New Study Reveals Americans Throw Out Twice as Much Trash as Predicted
Finally Acknowledging the Obvious, Los Angeles Moves to Declare a State of Emergency on Homelessness
GOP Vexed over Pope on Climate Change
In the pocket of the oil industry, key Republicans continue to sow doubts about the science on climate change, an attitude that may extend to their annoyance with Pope Francis if he raises the issue when he addresses Congress.
In the pocket of the oil industry, key Republicans continue to sow doubts about the science on climate change, an attitude that may extend to their annoyance with Pope Francis if he raises the issue when he addresses Congress.
## The Candidates ##
And finally...
