U.S. Declares Drought-Stricken States Largest Natural Disaster Area Ever

"Since January 2011, the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan claims it’s killed or captured over 100 insurgent 'leaders.' Too bad it doesn’t have any clear idea what 'leader' means. Any insurgent who commands another person apparently qualifies. And worse, by that criteria, Taliban and aligned insurgents have killed twice as many U.S. troops in the same time period."

Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks

Saudi Security Forces Hurt by Gunmen in Oil-Rich Province

"A new cycle of Shiite protests against the Saudi regime and its policing tactics is developing in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia."

Saudi security forces kill oil province attacker

Bahrain bans opposition rallies in bid to end unrest

Man self-immolates at Israel cost-of-living protest

"A man sustained serious burns after he poured flammable liquid on himself and lit it, said police, at a protest on Saturday in Tel Aviv against the economic policies of Israel's conservative government."

Energy/resources

U.K. Seen Doubling Power Price to Guarantee New Reactor: Energy

India gets first Iran oil after embargo

India starts buying Iranian oil on a delivered basis

Got food?
Drought stretches across America, threatens crops

Extreme Drought Hits Much of US; 1000 Counties in 26 States Named Disaster Areas; Ranchers Sell Herds as Feed Costs Skyrocket

Environment/health

Temperatures due to soar to 43 degrees in Greek heatwave

Intelligence/security/internet

Defects leave critical military, industrial infrastructure open to hacks

"iTunes has 'more robust' security than some of our critical infrastructure."

Stuxnet shifts the cyber arms race up a gear

Obama Order Gives Power to Seize Control of All Communications Systems

"Telephones, cellular wireless networks, and the internet are all included in Obama's dictatorial decree"

Systemic breakdown

$700 million needed to fix roads -- report (Canada)

Japan

Japan JX to shut refinery over falsified inspection records

TEPCO chairman admits Niigata reactor restarts are in trouble

Industrial output in May revised down

240,000 evacuated amid Kyushu deluge

China

Shipping Rally Ending as China Hoards Record Coal Heaps

"Record coal stocks at power plants in China, the biggest consumer of the fuel, are threatening to reverse the rally in rates for commodity carriers and diminish returns for ship owners to the lowest in more than a decade."

HebeI Steel H1 profit expected to tumble 60pct YoY to 90pct YoY

Milk price cuts: UK-wide disruption by farmers mooted

Olympic Park still unfinished as athletes arrive

County pulls pavement on some roads

Snyder's Detroit plan would raze homes, fight crime near schools

Leaked Docs Reveal 'Off the Charts' Damage at US Nuke Plant

The looming student loan bubble – Almost half of all student borrowers were not making payments

As Foreclosures Ramp Up, New Roadblocks Ahead

Nationwide Insurance: Fracking Damage Won't Be Covered

And finally… Become Your Own LOLcat With Brainwave-Controlled Kitty Ears

Jenna Orkin - Morning Edition

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