China says lending to US will not go on forever - Yahoo! News

China says lending to US will not go on forever - Yahoo! News: "China warned Wednesday it would not keep lending money to the US economy indefinitely, even as new data showed it had consolidated its position as the top buyer of American government bonds."

Severed cable disrupts web access

BBC NEWS | Technology | Severed cable disrupts web access: "Internet and phone communications between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia have been seriously disrupted after submarine cables were severed.

It is thought the FLAG FEA, SMW4, and SMW3 lines, near the Alexandria cable station in Egypt, have all been cut."

Another one, this is starting to get regular.

Man's £5 debt repaid 39 years on

BBC NEWS | UK | England | South Yorkshire | Man's £5 debt repaid 39 years on: "A Sheffield man who lent a penniless Australian tourist £5 to pay for a ferry trip in 1969 has been repaid his debt nearly 40 years later."

This is a nice story of faith in human nature

Get ready for 'Toyota shock'

Get ready for 'Toyota shock': "Those who argue Japan is better positioned than peers to weather the global crisis have a point. Japan's roughly $US15 trillion of household savings offers a cushion the US, Europe and China lack. Japan also has demonstrated a remarkable ability to live without much growth.

Yet the yen's powerful rally is knocking down one of the three pillars supporting the country, the others being ultra-low interest rates and super-loose fiscal policy. Its gains fly in the face of conditions in an economy that shrank at an annual 1.8% pace in the three months ended September 30. That's where the world's second-biggest economy finds itself."

The rush to invest in the yen maybe somewhat premature. Same with the Euro maybe.

naked capitalism: Is a GM Bankruptcy Inevitable?

naked capitalism: Is a GM Bankruptcy Inevitable?: "No one seems to be taking seriously the possibility that bankruptcy is inevitable for GM and perhaps Chrysler. And were that to take place, opinion is sorely divided as to what that might mean for the industry and economy."

It looks like GM maybe the one to go, and it is the biggest of the lot. The fall out will be significant on the N American economies, expect bad news after the holidays I fear.

How to choose a netbook | Small is beautiful | The Economist

How to choose a netbook | Small is beautiful | The Economist: "Computing: Netbooks are small computers that are cheaper and lighter than full-scale laptops. They have their merits—but do not ask too much of them"

Well I think my one is great.... largely replaced my desktop

Recession: Bank of England may have to print you a pocketful of cash to spend - Telegraph

Recession: Bank of England may have to print you a pocketful of cash to spend - Telegraph: "Among the radical plans being considered by economic policy-makers is the possibility that the Bank could directly hand out cash to people.

This could mean a Bank of England Gold Card, it could mean a rebate cheque, it could even mean a bundle of notes arriving in the post. More prosaically, it could mean the Bank giving money to commercial banks for them to lend to customers.

Whatever the ultimate outcome, the message is clear: we are about to enter a weird, parallel universe for monetary policy. Since the Bank was set up in the 17th century, by far and away its most important tool for controlling the economy has been the level it sets for interest rates."

Deflation virus is moving the policy test beyond the 1930s extremes - Telegraph

Deflation virus is moving the policy test beyond the 1930s extremes - Telegraph: "Debt deflation is tightening its grip over the entire global system. Interest rates are creeping towards zero in Japan, America, and now across most of Europe.

We are beyond the extremes of the 1930s. The frontiers of monetary policy are being pushed to limits that may now test viability of paper currencies and modern central banking."

This is what worries me, I am picking up these articles and opinions in VERY mainstream publications like the Telegraph in the UK.

One More Question... | 44 | washingtonpost.com

One More Question... | 44 | washingtonpost.com: "Question No. 58 in the transition team vetting document for the Obama White House asks that applicants: 'Please provide the URL address of any websites that feature you in either a personal or professional capacity (e.g. Facebook, My Space, etc.)'

Question No. 63 asks that applicants 'please provide any other information ... that could ... be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-Elect.'

For a while there this afternoon, President-elect Barack Obama's immensely talented chief speechwriter, 27-year-old Jon Favreau, might have been pondering how to address that question.

That's when some interesting photos of a recent party he attended -- including one where he's dancing with a life-sized cardboard cut-out of secretary of state-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and another where he's placed his hand on the cardboard former first lady's chest while a friend is offering her lips a beer -- popped up on Facebook for about two hours. The photos were quickly taken down -- along with every other photo Favreau had of himself on the popular social networking site, save for one profile headshot.

Asked about the photos, Favreau, who was recently appointed director of speechwriting for the White House, declined comment. A transition official said that Favreau had 'reached out to Senator Clinton to off"

In the non provate world of the internet.... we are going to be seeing more of this

Russian hackers penetrate Pentagon computer system in cyber attack - Telegraph

Russian hackers penetrate Pentagon computer system in cyber attack - Telegraph: "Computer hackers suspected of working from Russia successfully penetrated Pentagon computer systems in one of the most severe cyber attacks on US military networks."

I feel like I had missed this one in the news. See previous post on balance of power shifting.

Bank of England mulls "nuclear option" of cash injection - Telegraph

Bank of England mulls "nuclear option" of cash injection - Telegraph: "The Bank of England is working on radical plans to inject cash directly into the economy - the nuclear option to be used only when interest rates approach zero."

This idea here is truly scary, a recipe for inflation.

The Triangle Of Life - It just might save YOUR life or your loved ones - American Rescue

The Triangle Of Life - It just might save YOUR life or your loved ones - American Rescue: "Duck and Cover is outdated and should not be used. Standing in doorways during an earthquake is dangerous.

The most experienced rescue organization in the world, American Rescue Team International of San Francisco, California and its founder, Doug Copp, explain in detail new emergency preparedness procedures that can save lives during disasters. Youll see actual footage of earthquake rescues, building collapse demonstration and in general, a new and effective way of preparing for earthquakes and natural or man-made disasters. '."

I don't know how I came across this, but this seems important to know. It makes much more sense.

SPACE.com -- Explore Moon Mountains from Your Backyard

SPACE.com -- Explore Moon Mountains from Your Backyard: "When is the best time to observe the moon with a telescope? Most astronomy neophytes might say it is when it's at full phase — but that's probably the worst time to look at it! When the moon is full it tends to be dazzlingly bright, as well as flat and one-dimensional in appearance.

In contrast, the interval when the moon is at or just past first quarter phase, or at or just before last quarter phase, is when we get the best views of the lunar landscape right along the sunrise-sunset line or terminator."

California, like printing its own money?

Bloomberg.com: News: "Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- California, the world’s eighth-largest economy, may pay vendors with IOUs for only the second time since the Great Depression, State Finance Director Mike Genest said.

In a letter to legislative leaders Dec. 1, Genest said the state “will begin delaying payments or paying in registered warrants in March” unless an $11.2 billion deficit is closed or reduced. California, which approved its budget less than three months ago, may run out of cash by March, state officials say."

This is a concern, almost like printing its own money?

Job picture could get even worse - Dec. 5, 2008

Job picture could get even worse - Dec. 5, 2008: "In November, the U.S. economy shed jobs at the fastest rate in 34 years - and experts say December could be even worse.

With the economy in a recession and most indicators signaling even more difficult times ahead, economists say job losses will likely deepen and continue through at least the first half of 2009."

I am thinking that we will get through the Holiday season, with the associated spending uptick. Then this we all really hit reality in January. It will be a tough start to the yet, we should enjoy the relief while we can.

Russian ship enters Panama Canal

BBC NEWS | Americas | Russian ship enters Panama Canal: "A Russian warship has entered the Panama Canal for the first time since World War II.

The Admiral Chabanenko had earlier completed manoeuvres with Venezuela's navy, coinciding with a Latin American tour by the Russian president.

The 50-mile (80km) canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was shut to the Soviet Union during the Cold War."

There are growing signs of a change of the balance of power in the world. Or at least just evening out.

Foreclosure sales rise in the US

BBC NEWS | Business | Foreclosure sales rise in the US: "As a result of the increase in foreclosures, the banks now own almost a third of the homes on sale in America."

This is an amazing statistic

Pentagon to detail plan to bolster security - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Pentagon to detail plan to bolster security - Washington Post- msnbc.com: "The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe, according to Pentagon officials."

why is this needed. worrying.

SPACE.com -- Russians Track Troubled U.S. Spy Satellite

SPACE.com -- Russians Track Troubled U.S. Spy Satellite: "Asked about the possibility of DSP-23 smacking into others satellites in GEO, 'it
exists,' Agapov said. Sauntering willy-nilly through space, the classified satellite could have close-encounters with many operational satellites, he said."

Potential risk to communications and other geostationary satellites

The Current Global Financial & Economic Crisis :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website

The Current Global Financial & Economic Crisis :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website: "The current coordinated creation and distribution of copious quantities of new money around the globe will undoubtedly end in inflation during the next several years. My investment approach for sometime has been to invest in gold, silver, and the shares of natural resource and commodities companies. It is the best protection against the coming inflation, perhaps hyperinflation. Like all investors, with hindsight, it would have been great to have sold earlier at the cycle peak in late 2007 and avoided this wretched financial meltdown. But I have never lost sight of my reasons and convictions as to where we are headed and how best to manage our monies during this challenging period. Get yourself positioned and hang on as we are in for the ride of our lives."

UPDATE 3-Credit-card industry may cut $2 trln lines - analyst | Markets | Markets News | Reuters

UPDATE 3-Credit-card industry may cut $2 trln lines - analyst | Markets | Markets News | Reuters: "The U.S. credit-card industry may pull back well over $2 trillion of lines over the next 18 months due to risk aversion and regulatory changes, leading to sharp declines in consumer spending, prominent banking analyst Meredith Whitney said.

The credit card is the second key source of consumer liquidity, the first being jobs, the Oppenheimer & Co analyst noted.

'In other words, we expect available consumer liquidity in the form of credit-card lines to decline by 45 percent.'"

Organic food: Is it worth the extra money? - Health

Organic food: Is it worth the extra money? - Health: "The “Dirty Dozen”: Must-buy organic foods

The “Dirty Dozen”: Must-buy organic foods
Fruit

Apples

Cherries

Grapes, imported (Chili)

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Raspberries

Strawberries

Vegetables

Bell peppers

Celery

Potatoes

Spinach

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that even after washing, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others. Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., have developed the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables, above, that they say you should always buy organic, if possible, because their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. They cost about 50 percent more — but are well worth the money.

Other organic foods worth considering:

Milk

Beef

Poultry

Reduce the risk of exposure to the agent believed to cause mad cow disease and minimize exposure to other potential toxins in non-organic feed. These foods contain no hormones, and antibiotics — which have been linked to increased antibacterial resistance in humans — have not been added to the food. They often cost 100 percent more than conventional products.

No need to go organic with these foods:

Fruit

Bananas

Kiwi

Mangos

Papaya

Pineapples

Vegetables

Asparagus

Avocado

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Corn

Onions

Peas