News Stories

[JMvS]

Some fresh economy related news:

China's major industrial zones face acute labor shortage.

And back to the problems pertaining the Euro: Germany's exports weighs on other members of the Euro-zone.

[LynnieS]

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

A lot of countries are over-reliant on a particular indistry, and most of that time, that's because they don't have anything else to trade. Also, what can a country like Greece, which has been having problems long before the Euro was even introduced, invest on? And not just Greece, but countries like the ones I mentioned. This is why it was a bad idea for countries to adopt the Euro. If anything, it should've been limited to a smaller number of countries that could contribute something to it.

For... worse-off countries, joining the EU (and adopting the Euro) has benefits. The ability to travel [relatively] freely and work across countries' borders can be a major plus for poorer countries to put people to work, and for the "richer" countries, you get incoming people who take the jobs that can go begging for awhile - if filled at all.

For the EU, yes, I agree with you in that it could definitely benefit from a slower expansion pace, but in boom times, it's like people really think things through and prepare for the bust times that always come, IMHO.

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

It's no different in Italy and, for example, France (Narona can correct me on this if I'm wrong). The problem with them is that when you get a job, you get a job for life and receive too many benefits, which is what's causing a lot of problems for businesses, both big and small. This is especially true in the public sector, and people can even find a job if they don't have experience or qualifications. All you need are friends with high positions.

For Greece, there are several problems, IMHO. Its tax rates are fairly low (maxing out at 40% for individuals, I think) with exemptions available. It also has a bit of a tax evasion problem, and that isn't likely to go away soon - unless the country is willing to deal with more social unrest to force the issue.

[VVayfarer]

Originally Posted by JMvS

Some fresh economy related news:

China's major industrial zones face acute labor shortage.

And back to the problems pertaining the Euro: Germany's exports weighs on other members of the Euro-zone.

The second link directs to the same article as the first. This is probably the article you intended to link to.

[Vexx]

Um, wow... the Chile quake and potential tsunami is a much bigger deal than I originally thought. O.O

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Um, wow... the Chile quake and potential tsunami is a much bigger deal than I originally thought. O.O

and Hugo Chavez just accuse the US of using thier secret Earthquake wepaon on another South American country.

[Vexx]

Hawaii evacs for potential tsunami:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUST...le+Feedfetcher

And in random news:
Giant iceberg the size of Luxembourg breaks off from Antartic ice cap.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P15H20100226

The confluence of news sounds a bit like an X-Men story plot....

[Haruka_Kitten]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Um, wow... the Chile quake and potential tsunami is a much bigger deal than I originally thought. O.O

There are already over 100 confirmed dead.

[WanderingKnight]

Some international newspapers have been saying there's been evacuations in Buenos Aires, that's complete bullshit. No one here has felt a thing. There's been, however, a few quakes in the northwest, only one person reported dead there.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Hawaii evacs for potential tsunami:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUST...le+Feedfetcher

And in random news:
Giant iceberg the size of Luxembourg breaks off from Antartic ice cap.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P15H20100226

The confluence of news sounds a bit like an X-Men story plot....

more like bad hollywood disaster movie.

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Hawaii evacs for potential tsunami:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUST...le+Feedfetcher

And in random news:
Giant iceberg the size of Luxembourg breaks off from Antartic ice cap.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P15H20100226

The confluence of news sounds a bit like an X-Men story plot....

Yeah, the tsunami seems to be making its way across the biggest ocean that we have, will reach Japan in a few hours, but hopefully won't damage too much.

John Cummings, Oahu civil defence spokesman, said: "Get off the shoreline. We are closing all the beaches and telling people to drive out of the area."

Australian officials warned of "possible dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding" from Sydney to Brisbane.

Japan may be hit at 0300 GMT on Sunday, the country's meteorological agency said, calling for people to be fully alert.

California has also warned its coastal cities to prepare for possible tsunami waves, the first strike possibly around San Diego.

The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu could also all be at risk.

I think Hawaii has already faced it by now?

[RedShocktrooper]

Falkland War II Incoming? Really, hasn't Argentina learned their lesson about trying to take the islands? I mean, the British took them back quite nicely last time, so I do think that, if push comes to shove, I think that the Brits will do the same again, with fewer Briton casualties.

[LynnieS]

Originally Posted by Mystique

Yeah, the tsunami seems to be making its way across the biggest ocean that we have, will reach Japan in a few hours, but hopefully won't damage too much.

I wonder if there are surfers out on Izu already waiting for their rides.... The news' graphics is showing that the Aomori-ken area is expected to get the brunt of any force while the rest of the eastern coast, incl. Tokyo, will get tidal surges. I don't think we have any forum members up there?

[Roger Rambo]

From what I've read, this turning into an actual conflict is unlikely. The Argentinians haven't upgraded their military in decades and since the fall of the military Junta the civilian led democratic government has been very untrustworthy of the armed forces. There's also a significantly larger garrison present on the island which I imagine keeps a fairly high level of alertness. The only person talking about violence is Hugo Chavez running with his typical anti gringo rhetoric about how all of the South America's are united with Argentinia if this land grubbing turns into a shooting war.

Argentinia's aims seem to be trying to get their case (HA!) heard in the United Nations. Though whether or not they think this will actually accomplish anything depends on how deluded on their own propaganda they really are.

[solomon]

I hear Iwate got about 1 meter waves or something.....anyone in Japan?

[Haruka_Kitten]

Originally Posted by solomon

I hear Iwate got about 1 meter waves or something.....anyone in Japan?

I dunno. They just gave the all clear on the threat of any Tsunami on the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts. There's a good chance there won't be any serious repercussions.

[JMvS]

Originally Posted by VVayfarer

The second link directs to the same article as the first. This is probably the article you intended to link to.

Thanks for the correction.

Now on the Tsunami: see the NOAA page for pretty graphs.

[Irenicus]

About the Tsunami: Looks like things aren't going to be bad this time.

Tragedy for Chile of course -- although one which, so far, it seems to be handling with surprising composure -- but I must admit I'm happy for the countries along the Pacific rim for not having to go through a major tsunami disaster.

[chikorita157]

Well you can say that the tsunami didn't do much damage, but however with Chile, things are going to take awhile. It's unfortunate how two earthquakes have done destruction within the two months, but it looks like it will take awhile for both of these countries to get back on their feet and rebuild.

[cors8]

Hazmat crew sent to IRS office in Utah

Hmm... hope this isn't something serious.

[mg1942]

Soldiers struggle to quell looting, president imposes curfew

A thousand soldiers struggled to keep order in the earthquake-hit Chilean city of Concepcion, where about 160 people were arrested for breaking a curfew designed to curb widespread looting.

Supermarkets in Concepcion, Chile's second city, have been ransacked and TV images show looters making off with refrigerators and plasma TVs.