The World's Plaidiest News Source

Japan Quake Shakes the World

• World
• East Asia-Pacific

The Plaid Avenger gives a quick assessment of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, but also talks about the wider implications to the rest of the planet concerning this already historic event. Due to the unfolding nuclear crisis being caused by 3 damaged nuclear reactors which may turn into an even bigger disaster than the quake, the world is likely to slow or perhaps even abandon the emerging nuclear power industries, which in turn will make for skyrocketing prices of fossil fuels (Note: the price of oil is currently dropping, as Japan’s demand for oil has evaporated in the short term but don’t look for that to last much longer.) In addition, this epic event in Japanese history is likely to be looked back upon as the time that Japan slipped from its economic/political leadership role as an Asian titan, to a more subsidiary player behind China and other rising Asian powers.

Related Stories:
Japan Earthquake Among World's Most Expensive Catastrophes
Death toll rises, stocks plunge, foreigners flee as nuclear crisis escalates
Fears mounting over U.S. nuclear plants
Germany to shut down pre-1980 nuclear plants
Japan gets coal, gas from historic rival Russia
China to continue providing aids to Japan, calling for global nuclear safety cooperation

Keywords: Japan, earthquake, tsunami, nuclear reactor, nuclear energy, oil

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Pesky Pirates Neutralized by NATO

• Middle East
• World
• International Organizations

Synopsis: Shits ahoy, mates! A shit-state of affairs on the waters off the Horn of Somalia, that is. While piracy has made a slow comeback in this area ever since the collapse of the Somali government two decades ago, the death and destruction has truly accelerated pace in the last 5 years….making these waters the most dangerous to traverse on the planet. But never fear! NATO may be here! Indeed, lacking any sort of singular global counter-piracy policy, it may fall to a powerful military alliance like NATO to adopt security of the oceans as a new mission.

The Avenger talks about the why here and why now of this pirate situation, the global response thus far, and the possible promise of NATO intervention.

There be troubled waters ahead…but maybe NATO will be stepping in to calm the high seas!

Related Stories:
Nato seizes 'pirate mother ship' off Somalia
Pirates seize oil tankers, putting oil supply routes at risk
Somalia: Analysis of a failed state
What Somali pirates reveal about the global economy

Keywords: Somalia, pirates, NATO, Operation Ocean Shield, Johnny Depp, Russia, China, Japan, EU

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In other news…02.18.11

• World

The Professor gives a quick update on news stories in the past week that have interested him..

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Arab Elation =  Italian Immigration Frustration

• World
• European Eurasia

Synopsis: Watch out! The floodgates for Middle Eastern migration to Europe may have possibly just been opened up by the instability and chaotic nature caused by the Arab revolutionary spirit being unleashed in multiple Mediterranean countries! Say what? What do revolutions in the Middle East have to do with immigration policy in Europe? Just everything, my friends! In this episode, the Plaid Avenger explains the repercussions of the Arab revolutions on the already fractured and frayed immigration policies of the EU, and how this sudden inflow of folks to Europe is causing a serious re-evaluation of how European nations will be running their affairs in the near future. Is the era of multiculturalism dead? Only the Avenger knows!

Related Stories:
Tunisia Shuns Italian Offer on Border Aid
Italy seeks EU cash over Lampedusa
Europe?s melting pot cracks
Sarkozy: Multiculturalism is 'a failure' in France

Keywords: multiculturalism, center-right, Europe, immigration, EU, Tunisia, Italy, Arab revolutions

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In other news…02.11.11

• World

The Professor gives a quick update on news stories in the past week that have interested him..

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