Archive for August, 2008
Oil Up, Gold Up, Dollar Down
August 21st, 2008WARNING: This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any financial instrument. The business media is saying that geopolitical tensions between Russia and the U.S. and the ongoing credit/banking crisis are the drivers here. Maybe. To me, these moves look like very technical plays. I’d be extremely careful chasing gold or oil long […]
Russia Blocks Georgia’s Main Port City
August 21st, 2008Via: AP: Russian forces blocked the only land entrance to Georgia’s main port city on Thursday, a day before Russia promised to complete a troop pullout from its ex-Soviet neighbor. Armored personnel carriers and troop trucks blocked the bridge to the Black Sea port city of Poti, and Russian forces excavated trenches and set up […]
Twilight of the Psychopaths
August 21st, 2008I don’t agree that the pathocracy is in decline, but this is a good read anyway. Via: The Canadian: Behind the apparent insanity of contemporary history, is the actual insanity of psychopaths fighting to preserve their disproportionate power. Related: Political Ponerology by Andrzej M. Lobaczewski
Swarms of Robots Join the Army
August 21st, 2008Via: Guardian: Small robots working in swarms have finally moved out of the laboratory and into the real world. That was the most significant feature of the Ministry of Defence’s Grand Challenge competition, held over the weekend. It’s an idea that is also being pursued by the US military. The advantages of a decentralised swarm […]
U.S. CONSUMERS SHOULD BRACE FOR THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FOOD PRICES IN NEARLY 20 YEARS
August 21st, 2008Via: Reuters: U.S. consumers should brace for the biggest increase in food prices in nearly 20 years in 2008 and even more pain next year due to surging meat and produce prices, the Agriculture Department said on Wednesday. Food prices are forecast to rise by 5 percent to 6 percent this year, making it the […]
RUSSIA TO CUT ALL MILITARY TIES WITH NATO
August 21st, 2008As this unfolds (into the fall and winter months), here’s something to keep in mind. The following states now have strategic dependencies on natural gas from Russia: Germany Turkey France Austria Poland Greece (See: Russian Natural Gas: Regional Dependence) Via: AP / Guardian: Russia has informed Norway that it plans to suspend all military ties […]
Russian Aircraft Carrier Heads for Syria?
August 21st, 2008Yikes. Keeping an eye on this for confirmation. Via: MINA: The Russian aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” is ready to head from Murmansk towards the Mediterranean and the Syrian port of Tartus. The mission comes after Syrian President Bashar Assad said he is open for a Russian base in the area. The “Admiral Kuznetsov”, part of […]
U.S. Sending 12,000 to 15,000 Additional U.S. Troops to Afghanistan
August 20th, 2008Via: U.S. News: The Pentagon will be sending 12,000 to 15,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, possibly as soon as the end of this year, with planning underway for a further force buildup in 2009. A request by Gen. David McKiernan, the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, for three U.S. brigades with support staff […]
U.S. Government Holding International Travel Information for 15 Years
August 20th, 2008The Magic 8-Ball is strong in this one. Via: Washington Post: The federal government has been using its system of border checkpoints to greatly expand a database on travelers entering the country by collecting information on all U.S. citizens crossing by land, compiling data that will be stored for 15 years and may be used […]
UK: “Failsafe” Face Scanners Could Replace Passport Officers at Airports
August 20th, 2008In Other News: Security researcher clones chips on two British passports; implants digital images of Osama bin Laden and a suicide bomber. Three thousand blank British passports have been stolen. Via: This Is London: Facial recognition machines are to be installed at airports to replace passport officers under border control plans announced today. The machines […]
