Archive for February, 2009
Russian Industrial Output Falls 20%
February 17th, 2009Via: Financial Times: Russia’s industrial production plunged 20 per cent in January, a fall that could herald a much larger than expected drop in gross domestic product this year, economists fear. The decline was its largest month to month drop since records began seven years ago. “The horrendous industrial production data in January have left […]
California Budget Crisis: 20,000 State Jobs Hang in the Balance
February 17th, 2009Via: CNN: California lawmakers were told to bring their toothbrushes and prepare for a long day Tuesday, with the goal of passing a budget as the state faces a $42 billion deficit and 20,000 layoff notices were set to go out to state workers Tuesday. “Bring a toothbrush, bring any necessities you want to bring, […]
RUSSIA: STOCK EXCHANGES HALTED
February 17th, 2009Via: MarketWatch: Russian stocks tumbled Tuesday, prompting the RTS and the Micex stock exchanges to suspend trading for one hour at 4:05 p.m. Moscow time. The dollar-denominated RTS stock index plunged 9.4%, while the ruble-denominated Micex stock index fell 9.6%. The decline in Russia followed a tumble in oil prices and declines on global stock […]
Dollar and Gold Move Sharply Higher on Panic
February 17th, 2009WARNING: This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any financial instrument. Trying to pick a story to post right now is like standing in the middle of a forest fire and pointing out some particular tree that’s engulfed in flames. It’s a wreck, from one end of the world to the other. […]
UK: Former Head of MI5 Accused Government of Exploiting Fear of Terrorism; Trying to Restrict Civil Liberties
February 17th, 2009Via: BBC: A former head of MI5 has accused the government of exploiting the fear of terrorism and trying to bring in laws that restrict civil liberties. In an interview in a Spanish newspaper, published in the Daily Telegraph, Dame Stella Rimington, 73, also accuses the US of “tortures”. The Home Office said it was […]
Biggest Fraud Ever: Iraq “Reconstruction”
February 17th, 2009Fraud. Top to bottom fraud, as we already knew. Via Independent: In what could turn out to be the greatest fraud in US history, American authorities have started to investigate the alleged role of senior military officers in the misuse of $125bn (£88bn) in a US -directed effort to reconstruct Iraq after the fall of […]
Householders to be Charged for Each Flush of Toilet
February 17th, 2009Why flush at all? Use a composting toilet (free older edition online). Via: Times of India: Householders in Australia would be charged for each flush under a radical new toilet tax designed to help beat the drought, reports Perth Now. The scheme would replace the current system, which sees sewage charges based on a home’s […]
Kansas Suspends Income Tax Refunds, May Miss Payroll
February 17th, 2009Via: AP: Kansas has suspended income tax refunds and may not be able to pay employees on time, the state’s budget director said Monday. The state doesn’t have enough money in its main bank account to pay its bills, prompting Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to suggest transferring $225 million from other accounts throughout state government. […]
Redemptions Overwhelm Spain’s Largest Property Fund
February 16th, 2009Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland… Who’s it going to be in Europe? Via: Reuters: Santander said its Banif property fund, the largest of its type in Spain, could not meet an avalanche of redemptions and had asked the stock market regulator for permission to suspend payments for up to 2 years. Clients holding 80 percent of […]
Reminder: Blank Spots on the Map Remote Viewing Contest
February 16th, 2009Just a quick reminder: There are only three submissions so far for the Blank Spots on the Map book and patch contest.
