##
Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Saudi Arabia
announced a 2015 budget with a huge deficit Thursday as the world's
largest crude exporter begins to feel the impact of its
own decision not to shore up oil prices.
Not
in banks, anyway. Recall that Japanese homes and businesses have an
estimated ¥82 trillion in banknotes stashed away
in "bureau-drawer deposits." There is also a lot of gold
out there. -- RF
##
Airline Death Spiral ##
Funding
for the FAA expires in September, and Congress’ recent
FAA reauthorization bills haven’t done much to ensure programs
like NextGen, a satellite-based system geared to reduce
fuel consumption, improve safety, and curb
air-traffic congestion, will take off any time soon. The
foundation of the FAA’s current radar, or ground-based, system
dates back to the 1950s.
##
Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
A
rocket hit a storage tank at the eastern Libyan oil of port Es
Sider as armed factions allied to competing governments fought
for control of the country's biggest export terminal, officials
said on Thursday.
Not
a thing! As I've said before, unless we eliminate the causes of war,
which are essentially "hard-wired" into the current system,
the killing will continue. -- RF
##
Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
As
China’s leaders grapple with a slowing economy, they must
also contend with a looming threat to social stability—the
country’s increasingly disgruntled workforce.
##
Energy/resources ##
Nuclear
renaissance: With
US Nuclear in Decline, Scientists and Analysts Urge Support for
Next-Generation Technologies
The
global nuclear industry is in steady decline. Since hitting a
peak in 1996 at nearly 18 percent of global energy production, the
industry's share has dropped down to less than 11 percent.
##
Got food? ##
##
Environment/health ##
Following
comprehensive survey, Chinese researchers warn drinking sources may
dry up in much of Asia
##
Intelligence/propaganda/security/internet/cyberwar ##
The
National Security Agency today released reports on intelligence
collection that may have violated the law or U.S. policy
over more than a decade, including unauthorized surveillance of
Americans’ overseas communications.
##
Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
##
Japan ##
It
is estimated that there is enough methane hydrate beneath
coastal waters to meet the nation’s natural gas needs for
100 years.
A
hundred years! Now where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, that's
what they were saying about shale gas in the US. Who believes that
now? Truth is, this isn't even a resource, and it will never be
exploited profitably. -- RF
Manufacturers
are taking advantage of the growing domestic movement to use
hydrogen as a clean energy source for automobiles and
power generation systems.
Hydrogen
is not an energy source! -- RF
The
central government on Dec. 25 released dozens more closed-door
accounts by people closely connected to the Fukushima nuclear
disaster in response to a public outcry about secrecy.
##
China ##
China plans
to temporarily waive a requirement for banks to set aside
reserves for some deposits, people with knowledge of the
matter said, highlighting efforts to boost lending amid a
slowdown of the world’s second-largest economy.
##
UK ##
##
US ##
Public hospitals
can be among the most aggressive in collecting debts from poor
patients, not only garnishing their wages, but cleaning out
their bank accounts.
The continuing
trend of one-third of Americans supporting the other two-thirds.
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