Schools close as smog-laden India capital considers lockdown

Source: https://www.riverbender.com/topnews/details.cfm?id=362396

NEW DELHI (AP) — Authorities closed schools indefinitely and shut down some coal-burning power plants Wednesday to reduce air pollution in India’s smog-shrouded capital and neighboring states, as the country weighs an unprecedented and more far-reaching step: a lockdown in New Delhi.

The dirty-air crisis in the city of more than 20 million people has underscored India’s heavy dependence on coal, which accounts for 70% of the country’s power.

The New Delhi state government said it is open to the idea of a weekend lockdown to reduce automobile traffic and potentially other air-polluting activity in the city, and it is awaiting the go-ahead from India’s Supreme Court. A decision could come as early as Nov. 24.

It’s not clear how extensive the lockdown would be. Authorities are discussing whether to allow industries to continue operating.

Some experts said a lockdown would achieve very little in controlling pollution and would instead cause disruptions in the economy and harm the livelihoods of millions of people.

“This is not the solution that we are looking for, because this is hugely disruptive. And we also have to keep in mind that the economy is already under pressure, poor people are at risk,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Center for Science and Environment, a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi.

Soaring pollution levels in the capital prompted a federal environment ministry panel to issue strict guidelines Tuesday night to stem the pollution and show residents that the government is taking action against a crisis that has plagued the city for years.

Just News – The Daily Sheeple – Former Facebook Exec: “Social Media Tearing Society Apart.”

The Daily Sheeple – Former Facebook Exec: “Social Media Tearing Society Apart.”
Is social media tearing society apart, or is it the failed policies and “Mockingbird” media that have brought this upon themselves?

Former Facebook exec says social media is ripping apart society
‘No civil discourse, no cooperation; misinformation, mistruth.’
Another former Facebook executive has spoken out about the harm the social network is doing to civil society around the world. Chamath Palihapitiya, who joined Facebook in 2007 and became its vice president for user growth, said he feels “tremendous guilt” about the company he helped make. “I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works,” he told an audience at Stanford Graduate School of Business, before recommending people take a “hard break” from social media.

Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder and CEO Social Capital, on Money as an Instrument of Change
During his View From The Top talk, Chamath Palihapitiya, founder and CEO of Social Capital, discussed how money is an instrument of change which should be used to make the world a better place. “Money drives the world for better or for worse. Money is going to be made and allocated – you have a moral imperative to get it and then use it to make a difference.“

Chaotic scenes in Ukraine capital as battle erupts in Kiev

Chaotic scenes in Ukraine capital as battle erupts in Kiev

  

On Tuesday, anti-government protesters in Ukraine clashed with the police in Kiev after authorities attempted to force demonstrators from the main protest camp near Independence Square (Maidan).

Go here to view the live broadcast of the riots in Kiev:

https://elementulhuliganic.wordpress.com/live-from-kiev/

Banks Deploy Capital Controls By Stealth

Banks Deploy Capital Controls By Stealth

China’s central bank is now the latest to roll out capital controls

Kit Daniels Infowars.com January 26, 2014

Following a worldwide trend towards capital controls by major banks, the Central Bank of China has now ordered its commercial banks to suspend cash transfers for three days and foreign currency conversions for nine days, starting Jan. 30.

The central bank in China is scrambling for cash under the guise of “system maintenance.” Credit: Carpkazu via Wiki

Affecting every commercial bank in China, the ban will stop domestic renminbi transfers from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 and conversions of renminbi to foreign currency from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7.

Citigroup recently sent the following notice for its customers in China, according to Forbes:

Important Notice:

1. Due to the system maintenance of People’s Bank of China, Domestic RMB Fund Transfer through Citibank (China) Online and Citi will be delayed during January 30th 2014, 16:00pm to February 2nd 2014, 18:30pm. As to the fund availability at the receiving bank, it depends on the processing requirements and turnaround time of the receiving bank. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

2. During Spring Festival, Foreign Currency Transfer Transaction through Citibank (China) Online and Citi Mobile will be temporally not available from January 30, 2014 18:00pm to February 7, 2014 09:00am. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

If you are calling from other parts of the world, please reach us at 86-20-38801267 for banking services or 86-21-38969500 for credit card services.

Despite the official reason, it is highly unlikely that the central bank would schedule maintenance during a peak period for Chinese banks, the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which begins on Jan. 31.

China is rather implementing capitol controls by stealth, following a recent pattern by other financial institutions worldwide to prevent customers from withdrawing and transferring funds.

Recently, British multinational bank HSBC prevented its customers from withdrawing large amounts of cash from their accounts without a specific reason.

Venture Capital: Bitcoin Boom (E17)

This week Bitcoin’s value hits an all-time high. Katie Pilbeam examines what’s behind the virtual currency’s growing popularity and whether it makes a good investment. Plus, Ukraine backs out of the deal to join the EU free trade zone, JPMorgan Chase pays out a record fine for its role in the 2008 financial crisis, and Sean is finally in positive territory with his portfolio.