Archive for February, 2011
Does the Air Force Already Have a Secret Stealth Bomber?
February 21st, 2011Via: Wired: The Air Force “consistently refers to its new bomber as based on ‘proven technology,’ but there is no known basis of proof for its most important single feature: a degree of stealth high enough to assure survival in a heavily defended area, combined with affordability in manufacture and support.” But that doesn’t mean […]
What Is a Commercial Signal Failure?
February 21st, 2011Warning: This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any financial instrument. Wow, that silver chart is one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever seen. Congratulations silver longs. Personally, I’m only holding a few pounds of pre-1964 quarters that I thought might be useful as post collapse money someday… I have to say, […]
Chief British Scientist: Solar Storms Could Create $2 Trillion ‘Global Katrina’
February 21st, 2011Via: Guardian: The threat of solar storms that could wreak havoc on the world’s electronic systems must be taken more seriously, the UK government’s chief scientist has warned. A severe solar storm could damage satellites and power grids around the world, he said, leading to a “global Katrina” costing the world’s economies as much as […]
Libya Revolt Spreads to Tripoli
February 21st, 2011Via: Al Jazeera: Gunshots heard in capital amid reports of army units defecting in Benghazi and tribal leaders criticising government. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will fight a popular revolt to “the last man standing,” one of his sons said on Monday as people in the capital joined protests for the first time after days of […]
U.S. Invokes National Security Over Magic 8 Ball Terrorist Finder
February 21st, 2011I’m seriously considering Boondoggles as a category. I would have to use it very selectively, since it could apply to much of what’s posted on Cryptogon. Via: Washington Post: For eight years, government officials turned to Dennis Montgomery, a California computer programmer, for eye-popping technology that he said could catch terrorists. Now, federal officials want […]
Afghan Officials Allege that 65 Civilians Were Killed in U.S. Military Operation
February 21st, 2011Via: Washington Post: Afghan government officials alleged Sunday that a U.S. military operation in the remote mountains of northeastern Afghanistan killed 65 innocent people, including 22 women and more than 30 children, the most serious allegation of civilian casualties in months. The governor of Konar province, Fazlullah Wahidi, said that NATO forces launched the operation […]
Twitter Valued at $10 Billion, Facebook Worth More Than Ford?
February 21st, 2011Investors bring the money, Wall Street brings the matches. Via: Guardian: Two years ago, anthropologist Sekai Farai was awarded a grant by Columbia University to study the technology startup community. Her timing couldn’t have been better: a new goldrush is under way as twentysomethings from New York, London and San Francisco dream of making their […]
China: Activists Arrested; Regime Fears Protests Like Those in Middle East
February 20th, 2011Via: Channel News Asia: Several top Chinese rights activists have disappeared into police custody as a web campaign urged angry citizens to mark the Middle East’s “Jasmine Revolution” with protests, campaigners said Sunday. Up to 15 leading Chinese rights lawyers and activists have disappeared since Saturday amid a nationwide police mobilisation, according to activists, while […]
Bank Run: South Korea Suspends Four Savings Banks for Six Months in Liquidity Crunch
February 20th, 2011Via: Bloomberg: South Korea’s Financial Services Commission suspended the business of four local savings banks for six months from today due to a liquidity crunch. The four banks are Bohae Mutual Savings & Finance Co. and three subsidiaries of Busan Savings Bank — Jungang Busan Savings Bank, Busan II Savings Bank, and Jeonju Savings Bank, […]
Japanese Official: Doubling of Sales Tax Needed to Shore Up Finances
February 20th, 2011Via: Bloomberg: Japan needs to more than double its 5 percent consumption tax to shore up the government’s finances given soaring debt and welfare costs, a member of Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s tax and social security panel said. “I don’t think an increase to 10 percent is enough,” former Financial Services Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa said […]
