Recent news stories that may affect your preparedness plans.

So, just how bad is the economy? – The stock market crashed. Wall Street panicked. People stashed silver and gold under mattresses while businesses shut doors across America.

Israeli Ambassador Calls for ‘Serious Action’ Following Iran Nuke Report – Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. called for “immediate and serious action” Friday after a United Nations report showed Iran has enough uranium to build a nuclear bomb. 

Road to riches ends for 20 million Chinese poor – The family’s cash earnings have evaporated, snatched away by a manufacturing crash cascading across China caused by falling global demand for its goods. (Ed. note – keep in mind that countries want to take care of their own.  China will support Chinese interests over US interests; keep that in mind when you hear about China buying out debt.)

Iran ready to build nuclear weapon, analysts say – Iranian scientists have reached “nuclear weapons breakout capability,” according to a new report based on findings of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.  Woot.

Netanyahu: Iran top threat in Israeli history – … Israeli leaders need to unite as the country faces “great challenges,” particularly from Iran, which he said “is developing nuclear weapons and poses the biggest threat to Israel since the war of independence.”

Filipino rice cooker – The rice cooker is filled with concrete apart from a hole in the middle, with a perforated bottom. In the hole they make a fire from coconut charcoal, and on top of the rice cooker the pan is placed. And what do they cook there? Yes, rice. Now you may think, oh, that’s for the people who have no electricity – but not at all! There is a new switch on the rice cooker, made from wood – and a fan installed in the bottom! When you put a piece of burning wood from the normal fire (next to the rice cooker) into the hole, and fill it up with charcoal, and switch “ON” , it takes about 20 seconds to have a perfect fire… really amazing. They call this thing “pressure cooker”.

US recession ‘may last into 2010′ – US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke has warned Congress that without the right policies from the government, the US recession could last into 2010.  (Ed. Note – the FedGov can’t get anything right, so if they say 2010, chances are that will be longer than that.)

Death threats force Juarez police chief to resign, mayor says – The mayor of Juarez announced Friday that the city’s police chief is stepping down after receiving death threats from local drug cartels.

Gone in 60 Days: Citi and Bank of America Won’t Live to See May – Citigroup (C) and Bank of America (BAC) won’t live to see May. The government will take them over within the next 60 days. The announcement may come as soon as tomorrow evening.

Bushfires in Victoria, Australia – Photo Essay (Ed. Note – we get a lot of wildfires here in the American SouthWest.  It’s one reason we need to be ready to evacuate on a moments notice.)

Labor Department: New Jobless Claims Reach 667,000 

Charting the Bear Market – (Ed. Note – this is a very interesting graph that charts the last 3 bear markets and compares it against the current crash.  You’ll be amazed.  Updated each market day, so bookmark it.)

Selling Avalanche Sends Dow Below 6800

Dow plunges to level not seen in 11 years – (Ed. Note – The market has bounced back a little, but when you look at the graph above, you’ll know that it doesn’t mean a thing.)

Apartment Buyers Abandoning 6-Figure Deposits – THE real estate market in Manhattan has become so unnerving to buyers that some are forfeiting six-figure deposits rather than close on deals they have made.

Working professionals head to food bank – Given the economic downturn, it is not surprising that food banks are seeing more traffic. But workers at the San Geronimo center are surprised by some of the new faces.

Bernanke Defends Plans for Aggressive Government Spending, Bailouts – (Ed. Note – Gee, if it was working, they wouldn’t have to defend it.  One question not asked, “Why are you bailing out all of your banking cronies but not the American people?  Shocker.)

‘Shovels hit the ground’ on stimulus project, Obama says – President Obama said Tuesday that the country already is “seeing shovels hit the ground” on the first infrastructure repair project funded through the Transportation Department’s share of the $787 billion stimulus bill.  He said the project will support 60 jobs. “And that’s how we’re going to get the country back on its feet,” LaHood added. (Ed. Note – $787 BILLION and all we can see to do is create 60 jobs?  El Presidente has just redefined inept. We’re going to need those shovels for shoveling something else.)

Obama: It’s a Good Time to Buy Stocks – President Obama said Tuesday that now is a good time for investors to buy stocks if they focus on the big picture.  (Ed. Note – It’s obvious that the Big O thinks we’re stupid.)

U.S. Says Threat of Mexican Drug Cartels Approaching ‘Crisis Proportions’ – Two of Mexico’s deadliest drug cartels have reached a combined force of 100,000 foot soldiers, wreaking havoc across the country and threatening U.S. border states, the U.S. Defense Department told The Washington Times.

Florida Woman Calls 911 After McDonald’s Runs Out of McNuggets – A Florida woman called 911 three times after she paid for a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets at a McDonald’s but the fast-food restaurant ran out of them and refused to give her a refund. (Ed. Note – I only post this as an example of the stupidity that we have to deal with as we fight to get our country back.)

Should hunters switch to ‘green’ bullets? – (Ed. Note – just one of the many backdoor methods that they’re using to get your guns).

Geography of a Recession – Interactive map.

Freddie Mac reports massive loss – US mortgage giant Freddie Mac has revealed a loss of $50.1bn (£36.1bn) for 2008, and said it plans to ask the government for another $31bn of aid. (Ed. Note – this article is obviously incorrect, as we gave them tons of our tax money last year and we were told that would fix it.)

Guarding the U.S.-Mexico border, live from suburban New York – … Because of a $2 million grant from the state of Texas, anyone in the world can watch grainy live video scenes of cactuses, desert mountains and the Rio Grande along Texas’ portion of the international border.

Violent spillover from Mexico is focus of House hearing – A House subcommittee is expected to grill Department of Homeland Security officials about concerns that violence in Mexico may spill over the border into the United States.

Mexico’s Powerful Drug Cartels May Be Joining Forces – As the violence in Mexico spikes, four major drug cartels that are fighting each other for territory and smuggling routes may be forming alliances with each other.

Obama Takes on Role of Confidence-Builder in Chief – President mounted a stout defense of his blueprint to overhaul the economy Thursday, declaring the national crisis is “not as bad as we think” and his plans will speed recovery.  Ed. Note – Say what?)

Japan Warns It May Shoot Down N. Korean Rocket – Japan sharply protested North Korea’s planned satellite launch, warning Friday it could shoot down the rocket after Pyongyang said it would fly over Japan and designated a “danger” zone off the country’s coast.

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