Inflation a Risk Without Foreign Debt Buyers: Robertson - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com
Inflation a Risk Without Foreign Debt Buyers: Robertson - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com: "The US is too dependent on Japan and China buying up the country's debt and could face severe economic problems if that stops, Tiger Management founder and chairman Julian Robertson told CNBC. 'It's almost Armageddon if the Japanese and Chinese don't buy our debt,” Robertson said in an interview. 'I don't know where we could get the money. I think we've let ourselves get in a terrible situation and I think we ought to try and get out of it.'"
US credit shrinks at Great Depression rate prompting fears of double-dip recession - Telegraph
US credit shrinks at Great Depression rate prompting fears of double-dip recession - Telegraph: "Both bank credit and the M3 money supply in the United States have been contracting at rates comparable to the onset of the Great Depression since early summer, raising fears of a double-dip recession in 2010 and a slide into debt-deflation."
BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Open internet' rules criticised
BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Open internet' rules criticised: "Mobile providers have said that US proposals to ensure all traffic on the internet is treated equally should not be applied to wireless traffic. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants rules to prevent providers blocking or slowing down bandwidth-heavy usage such as streaming video."
HSBC bids farewell to dollar supremacy - Telegraph
HSBC bids farewell to dollar supremacy - Telegraph: "The sun is setting on the US dollar as the ultra-loose monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve forces China and the vibrant economies of the emerging world to forge a new global currency order, according to a new report by HSBC."
Vorchester.com - News » News Archive » IMF To Sell 888,463 Pounds Of Gold
will this drive the price down? Vorchester.com - News » News Archive » IMF To Sell 888,463 Pounds Of Gold: "A surprise to some, expected by many, the IMF announced late yesterday their plan to sell over 400 metric tons of gold. Even though many have suspected that IMF was going to dump a lot of gold on the market, this amount of gold is likely a surprise to many."
'I Expect a Currency Crisis or Semi-Crisis': Jim Rogers - Economy * Europe * News * Story - CNBC.com
I suppose we will see 'I Expect a Currency Crisis or Semi-Crisis': Jim Rogers - Economy * Europe * News * Story - CNBC.com: "The worst of the economic crisis is not over and a currency crisis can happen this year or the next year, because the problem of too much debt in the system has not been solved, legendary investor Jim Rogers told CNBC Monday."
Option mortgages to explode, officials warn | Reuters
Option mortgages to explode, officials warn | Reuters: "The federal government and states are girding themselves for the next foreclosure crisis in the country's housing downturn: payment option adjustable rate mortgages that are beginning to reset. 'Payment option ARMs are about to explode,' Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said after a Thursday meeting with members of President Barack Obama's administration to discuss ways to combat mortgage scams. 'That's the next round of potential foreclosures in our country,' he said. Option-ARMs are now considered among the riskiest offered during the recent housing boom and have left many borrowers owing more than their homes are worth. These 'underwater' mortgages have been a driving force behind rising defaults and mounting foreclosures. In Arizona, 128,000 of those mortgages will reset over the the next year and many have started to adjust this month, the state's attorney general, Terry Goddard, told Reuters after the meeting. 'It's the other shoe,' he said. 'I can't say it's waiting to drop. It's dropping now.'"
Monsanto to Charge as Much as 42% More for New Seeds (Update3) - Bloomberg.com
Monsanto to Charge as Much as 42% More for New Seeds (Update3) - Bloomberg.com: "Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed maker, plans to charge as much as 42 percent more for new genetically modified seeds next year than older offerings because they increase farmers’ output. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will cost farmers an average of $74 an acre in 2010, and original Roundup Ready soybeans will cost $52 an acre, St. Louis-based Monsanto said today in presentations on its Web site. SmartStax corn seeds, developed with Dow Chemical Co., will cost $130 an acre, 17 percent more than the YieldGard triple-stack seeds they will replace."
The Kindle Problem - The Atlantic (September 15, 2009)
The Kindle Problem - The Atlantic (September 15, 2009): "Life, it turns out, is a series of tradeoffs between great experience and high convenience. McDonalds: convenient, but not such a great experience. Disney World: ah, there’s a great experience, but not so convenient. Most successful products and services aim for one or the other, but not both. Products and services that offer neither tend to fail."
The Coming Consequences of Banking Fraud -- Seeking Alpha
The Coming Consequences of Banking Fraud -- Seeking Alpha: "Wall Street, the US Treasury, and the Exchange Stabilization Fund have all engaged in domestic and international financial and monetary transactions that have been kept secret from the world, and that will have severe and negative consequences in the not so distant future. In fact, I predict that the blowback of these activities will not only exceed, but far exceed, the fallout the world experienced in 2008 at the prior apex of this current crisis."
Is the stock market too high?
Insiders sell like there's no tomorrow - Sep. 10, 2009
Insiders sell like there's no tomorrow - Sep. 10, 2009: "chart_insider_sales2_03.gif spx.mkw.gif Stocks have rallied -- but corporate officers and directors are now selling after buying the dip. chart_insider_sales_2.gif NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Can hundreds of stock-selling insiders be wrong? The stock market has mounted an historic rally since it hit a low in March. The S&P 500 is up 55%, as U.S. job losses have slowed and credit markets have stabilized. But against that improving backdrop, one indicator has turned distinctly bearish: Corporate officers and directors have been selling shares at a pace last seen just before the onset of the subprime malaise two years ago."
High-frequency trading: Rise of the machines | The Economist
Is this liquidity driving, creating bubble bust scenarios too. High-frequency trading: Rise of the machines | The Economist: "Algorithmic trading causes concern among investors and regulators THE arrest of a former Goldman Sachs employee in July for allegedly stealing the firm’s proprietary computer codes thrust the arcane world of high-frequency trading (HFT) into the spotlight. The glare of attention is intensifying. High-frequency traders are essential providers of liquidity—accounting for roughly 50% of trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange—and can claim to have squashed bid-ask spreads. But many claim HFT comes at the price of gouging other investors. The basic idea of HFT is to use clever algorithms and super-fast computers to detect and exploit market movements. To avoid signalling their intentions to the market, institutional investors trade large orders in small blocks—often in lots of 100 to 500 shares—and within specified price ranges. High-frequency traders attempt to uncover how much an investor is willing to pay (or sell for) by sending out a stream of probing quotes that are swiftly cancelled until they elicit a response. The traders then buy or short the targeted stock ahead of the investor, offering it to them a fraction of a second later for a tiny profit."
China Tightens Grip on Rare Minerals « Dprogram.net
China Tightens Grip on Rare Minerals « Dprogram.net: "China is set to tighten its hammerlock on the market for some of the world’s most obscure but valuable minerals. China currently accounts for 93 percent of production of so-called rare earth elements — and more than 99 percent of the output for two of these elements, vital for a wide range of green energy technologies and military applications like missiles. Deng Xiaoping once observed that the Mideast had oil, but China had rare earth elements. As the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has done with oil, China is now starting to flex its muscle. Even tighter limits on production and exports, part of a plan from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, would ensure China has the supply for its own technological and economic needs, and force more manufacturers to make their wares here in order to have access to the minerals."
Four Stages of Secular Bear Markets | The Big Picture
Four Stages of Secular Bear Markets | The Big Picture: "As promised earlier, I pulled up a chart showing the stages of Secular Bear Markets historically. This fascinating composite chart below is courtesy of the Strategy desk of Morgan Stanley Europe. It shows what the average of the past 19 major Bear markets globally have looked like:"
Indian satellite confirmed US moon landing: scientist
Indian satellite confirmed US moon landing: scientist: "India's first lunar mission has captured images of the landing site of the Apollo 15 craft, debunking theories that the US mission was a hoax, the country's state-run space agency said Wednesday."
Homemade Wasp Traps
More good info Homemade Wasp Traps: "I thought someone might want this tip since it's getting that time of year again. Wasps can be a pain, literally, to have around! It's not difficult to create a trap to help control them, however. Here are plans for a wasp trap that has worked for many people to reduce the number of wasps in and around the yard. WARNING: Be sure to place your wasp trap away from any areas where you will be using the yard. Don't have one within 20 feet of your picnic table or children's play areas. The simplest wasp trap can be made from a two or three liter pop bottle. Cut the bottle right under the funnel so that you have two pieces. After baiting the trap, you will fit the funnel shaped top piece into the bottom piece. The bait can be tied onto the pop bottle opening. Make three or four holes around the top edges where the fitted pieces meet, from which to attach string for a hanger. Don't tie these on too tightly because you will need to take the trap apart frequently to add new bait and remove dead wasps. Add water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the container part of the trap. A little vinegar added to the water is reported to repel honey bees from visiting the wasp trap. The water should not come to the level of the opening of the funnel shaped insert. Put a bit of Vaseline or cooking oil around the top of the funnel so that the insects will lose their footing when they are investigating the wasp trap. What sort of bait works well in a wasp trap? It actually makes a difference what time of year it is. In the early spring, wasps will be seeking protein foods because they will be making nests and laying eggs. Some good choices for protein baits are hamburger and lunch meat. Partially cook the hamburger so that it is easier to tie onto the trap. An advantage to setting a wasp trap in the early spring or even late winter is that you may catch a queen. If you can catch and kill a queen, the rest of the wasps will go elsewhere to make a nest. Later on in the summer, sweet foods work well as bait. You might try floating a bit of root beer or other sweet liquid on the water in the trap in a small lid. Fruit pieces work well, too, but it helps if they are cut so that the juicy smell is evident. Mashed grapes are very desirable to wasps. Place the wasp trap away from human activity and about four feet above the ground. The trap works best at about 85 degrees F. so you may have to move it into the shade on a hot afternoon or into the sun on a cool morning. The theory behind these traps is interesting. The wasp will fly down into the wasp trap to get the bait, but will not be able to find its way out. It will fly around inside until it wears itself out, at which time it will fall into the water. The detergent in the water breaks down the surface tension of the water, making it stick to the wasp's body instead of beading up around it. Since the wasp breathes through it's body, it will drown. Many wasps are likely to visit these wasp traps, which means you will need to empty them regularly. If you don't, the bodies of wasps will create islands on which the new wasps can rest without drowning. You will need to replenish the bait every few days, too, for best results. When you empty the trap, you need to be careful. If any living wasps escape, they may return to the nest and let the others know they are in danger. If this happens, wasps can become aggressive. They may even swarm. The same thing can happen if the dead wasps' bodies are crushed. The bodies release a chemical which can be smelled by the rest of the colony. It is probably a good idea to bury the dead wasp bodies. (Be particularly careful if it is a colony of hornets you are trying to control! It is probably wisest to have a professional exterminator take care of them.) Wasps are beneficial insects. They are useful around gardens because they prey on garden pest insects. However, when they make their nests too close to the house, they become pests themselves. Many people are allergic to wasp stings and can die if stung. In fact, death from insect stings is not uncommon. Making a wasp trap is one way to keep them under control without having to use toxic chemicals."
Nuisance Wasps and Bees
Nuisance Wasps and Bees: "* Most wasps develop by feeding on insects. Bees develop on a diet of nectar or pollen. * Almost all insect stings result from yellowjackets and an insect newly established in the state, the European paper wasp. * Yellowjackets, hornets and paper wasps make nests of paper. Honey bees and bumblebees make nests of wax. Solitary bees and wasps nest in holes in the ground, rotten wood or natural cavities. Some wasps even make mud nests. Wasps and bees can be a serious nuisance problem throughout Colorado, particularly late in the summer when certain yellowjacket wasps forage at garbage and outdoor food areas. In overall balance, however, these insects are beneficial in their activities, particularly as predators of pest insects and as pollinators. It is important to distinguish between the various wasps and bees because their potential as problems and their control differ."
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Giant statues give up hat mystery
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Giant statues give up hat mystery: "Archaeologists have solved an ancient mystery surrounding the famous Easter Island statues. At 2,500 miles off the coast of Chile, the island is one of the world's most remote places inhabited by people. Up to 1,000 years ago, the islanders started putting giant red hats on the statues. The research team, from the University of Manchester and University College London, think the hats were rolled down from an ancient volcano. Dr Colin Richards and Dr Sue Hamilton are the first British archaeologists to work on the island since 1914. They pieced together a series of clues to discover how the statues got their red hats. An adze, a road, and an ancient volcano led to their findings. Dr Richards said: 'We know the hats were rolled along the road made from a cement of compressed red scoria dust.' Each hat, weighing several tonnes, was carved from volcanic rock. They were placed on the heads of the famous statues all around the coast of the island. Precisely how and why the hats were attached is unknown."
China Starts Journey to New Reserve Currency - China Journal - WSJ
China Starts Journey to New Reserve Currency - China Journal - WSJ: "China began the long journey to a new international reserve currency with a single step - agreeing to buy $50 billion in notes from the International Monetary Fund. Another proverb, less distinguished than a quote from Daoist philosopher Laozi, also applies here: China put its money where its mouth is. After calling for a super-sovereign reserve currency to replace dependence on any national currency, China’s leaders have made a concrete commitment toward achieving that far-in-the-future goal. The IMF announced Wednesday that China had signed an agreement to buy $50 billion in notes denominated in Special Drawing Rights, the IMF synthetic asset which China favors as an alternative to the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. It’s the first such agreement in the history of the IMF."
Wireless Mesh Networking -- The Third Generation
Wireless Mesh Networking -- The Third Generation: "As users demand better and more consistent access to their data, both indoors and outdoors, an emerging new technology --‘Third-Generation Wireless Mesh’ -- offers the mobility, freedom, and power of wireless connectivity, while preserving the performance that's only been available in wired networks. We take a closer look at this technology. Users today have grown accustomed to wireless networks inside buildings and within their enterprise. This connectivity is often provided by access points based on 802.11b or 802.11g networks. These access points typically are connected physically to the wired Ethernet (Internet or intranet). Users with 802.11b/g equipped devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones may connect to the Internet or intranet, wirelessly via these access points. While this technology works well within a building where wired or fibre Ethernet connections are plentiful and inexpensive, it can be difficult or even impossible outdoors in a metropolitan environment. This is because the costs and infrastructure requirements of a wired or fibre connection to each access point are prohibitive."
Banks Hiding Tsunami of Foreclosures
Banks Hiding Tsunami of Foreclosures: "U.S. banks face a tsunami of home foreclosures soon, says David Karsbol, chief economist at Saxo Bank. Homeowners may be faced with no choice and will just stop paying their mortgages, he warns."
Top 10 Computer Worms of All Time
Top 10 Computer Worms of All Time: "This fall marks the 40th birthday of the Internet, and to celebrate it, Symantec, the manufacturer of online Security software, has put out a list of the 'Top Web Threats in the History of the Internet.'"
Get Rid Of Wasps: Traps & Tips : TipNut.com
Get Rid Of Wasps: Traps & Tips : TipNut.comWasp trap designs. This is for all of us here this year, they are out of control it seems this year...
NASA - Map Characterizes Active Lakes Below Antarctic Ice
NASA - Map Characterizes Active Lakes Below Antarctic Ice: "Lakes in Antarctica, concealed under miles of ice, require scientists to come up with creative ways to identify and analyze these hidden features. Now, researchers using space-based lasers on a NASA satellite have created the most comprehensive inventory of lakes that actively drain or fill under Antarctica's ice. They have revealed a continental plumbing system that is more dynamic than scientists thought."
As hybrid cars gobble rare metals, shortage looms | Green Business | Reuters
As hybrid cars gobble rare metals, shortage looms | Green Business | Reuters: "Worldwide demand for rare earths, covering 15 entries on the periodic table of elements, is expected to exceed supply by some 40,000 tonnes annually in several years unless major new production sources are developed. One promising U.S. source is a rare earths mine slated to reopen in California by 2012. Among the rare earths that would be most affected in a shortage is neodymium, the key component of an alloy used to make the high-power, lightweight magnets for electric motors of hybrid cars, such as the Prius, Honda Insight and Ford Focus, as well as in generators for wind turbines."
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