Friday, 31 August 2012

Defense Robots . . .



Pertahanan Robot-robot . . .
By 1WC’sChannel | earthWatch Friday 31, August 2012

1WC’sChannel REVIEW 2012: ‘Pertahanan Robot-robot’ Perang di Afghanistan telah meletakkan perhatian pada penggunaan sistem robotik dan tanpa pemandu di medan perang. Salah satu ancaman terbesar kepada tentera Amerika Syarikat di Afghanistan adalah bom tepi jalan. Untuk memerangi masalah ini, Amerika Syarikat telah dikerahkan lebih daripada 6,000 robot dalam bidangnya. Kira-kira 750 alat-alat ini telah dimusnahkan oleh bom, yang telah menyelamatkan banyak nyawa. Robot ini dikawal oleh pengendali yang melihat peranti lebih dari skrin. Ini adalah berkesan, tetapi program pertahanan ingin untuk mewujudkan reka bentuk yang lebih dipercayai dan kemajuan robot yang digunakan untuk misi peninjauan.

Salah satu daripada reka bentuk ini adalah kenderaan besar perisai dinamakan Skuad Sokongan Misi Lockheed Sistem, yang bertujuan untuk membawa keping gear untuk askar kaki terbeban. Terdapat juga sistem kenderaan tanpa pemandu sebuah Oshkosh, yang membolehkan seseorang untuk mengawal konvoi trak kargo berat. Menurut pegawai, ia adalah sukar untuk mewujudkan robotik tentera untuk sokongan alasan kerana berjuang begitu dinamik dan tidak menentu. Skuad Sokongan Berkaki System (LS3) adalah robot berkaki 4 berjalan reka bentuk yang akan digunakan untuk membawa bekalan untuk kaki tempur rondaan.

Pada 2012, ia telah mengumumkan bahawa Agensi Projek Penyelidikan Termaju Pertahanan (DARPA) siap cheetah robot yang boleh dijalankan pada 18 mph. Robot menetapkan rekod kelajuan tanah untuk mesin dengan kaki. Matlamat projek ini adalah untuk akhirnya membuat robot yang boleh melanggar batas manusia di medan perang. Kelajuan yang luar biasa telah dicapai selepas jurutera menguasai gerakan galloping, yang digunakan biomekanik haiwan sebenar. Kelajuan tertinggi robot boleh dilihat dalam video di atas.

Ia juga telah dilaporkan bahawa Boston Dynamics membina sebuah robot humanlike, kod-bernama Atlas. Mesin akan mampu berjalan dan berjoging tegak, memerah melalui tempat yang sempit, dan objek merebut. Seperti robot lain, ia akan dibina tanpa kepala untuk membuat ia kelihatan kurang humanlike. Nampaknya kebanyakan orang tidak mahu robot berjalan sekitar melihat bahawa seperti orang. Ia freaky. Selain membantu angkatan tentera, reka bentuk maju robot boleh digunakan untuk tujuan kemanusiaan, seperti usaha-usaha menyelamat dan tindak balas bencana.

Seorang kawan berkaki 4 . . .

Anjing robot ini hanya mengambil berjalan pertama di luar pada bulan Februari 2012. Penyelidik DARPA sedang membangunkan robot LS3 untuk menjalankan gear untuk askar. Walaupun ia muncul berkepala, ia tidak mempunyai "mata" - sensor yang membolehkan ia untuk melihat dan membezakan antara pokok-pokok, batu-batu dan manusia. Satu video LS3 yang DARPA di tempat kerja menunjukkan robot wending sekitar pokok-pokok dan mengikuti penyelidik sekitar. Seterusnya, DARPA merancang untuk menambah "telinga" kepada robot, membenarkan ia untuk mendengar dan memberi respons kepada arahan seperti "berhenti," "duduk" dan "datang ke sini."

New Picture (3)

Defense Robots . . .

1WC'sChannel REVIEW 2012: 'Defense Robots' The War in Afghanistan has put a spotlight on the use of unmanned systems and robotics on the battlefield. One of the biggest threats to U.S. troops in Afghanistan is roadside bombs. To fight the problem, the U.S. had deployed more than 6,000 robots in the field. Approximately 750 of these devices have been destroyed by bombs, which has saved many lives. These robots are controlled by an operator who watches over the device from a screen. This is effective, but defense programs would like to create more reliable and advanced robotic designs that are used for reconnaissance missions.

One of these designs is a large armoured vehicle named the Lockheed’s Squad Mission Support System, which is meant to carry pieces of gear for overloaded foot soldiers. There is also an Oshkosh’s unmanned vehicle system, which allows one person to control a convoy of heavy cargo trucks. According to officials, it is difficult to create military robotics for the ground support because fighting is so dynamic and unpredictable. The Legged Squad Support System (LS3) is a four-legged walking robot design which will be used to carry supplies for combat foot patrols.

In 2012, it was announced that the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) completed a robotic cheetah that can run at 18 mph. The robot set a land speed record for a machine with legs. The goal of the project is to eventually make a robot that can outrun humans on the battlefield. The incredible speed was achieved after the engineers mastered a galloping motion, which used the biomechanics of real animals. The robot’s top speed can be viewed in the above video.

It has also been reported that Boston Dynamics is building a humanlike robot, code-named Atlas. The machine will be capable of walking and jogging upright, squeezing through narrow spots, and grabbing objects. Like other robots, it will be constructed without a head to make it look less humanlike. It seems most people don’t want robots running around that look like people. It’s freaky. Besides helping military forces, advanced robotic designs can be used for humanitarian purposes, such as rescue efforts and disaster response.

A four-legged friend . . .

This robot dog just took its first walk outside in February 2012. DARPA researchers are developing the LS3 robot to carry gear for soldiers. Although it appears headless, it does have "eyes" - sensors that allow it to see and distinguish between trees, rocks and people. A DARPA video of the LS3 at work shows the robot wending around trees and following a researcher around. Next, DARPA plans to add "ears" to the robot, allowing it to hear and respond to commands such as "stop," "sit" and "come here."


Maklumat lanjut: 1 Skuad Berkaki DARPA Sistem Sokongan (LS3) Untuk Meringankan Beban Askar 'oleh (DARPA’s Legged Squad Support System (LS3) To Lighten Troops’ Load) DARPA (termasuk video); 2 Video:. Skuad Berkaki DARPA Sistem Sokongan (Big Dog aka) Goes Luar untuk Main (Video: DARPA's Legged Squad Support System (a.k.a. Big Dog) Goes Outside to Play (More information: 1. DARPA’s Legged Squad Support System (LS3) To Lighten Troops’ Load by DARPA (include video); 2. Video: DARPA's Legged Squad Support System (a.k.a. Big Dog) Goes Outside to Play).

DARPA's Robotic Cheetah Sets Speed Record for Legged Robots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHvN9zumkFI&feature=player_embedded

DARPA Legged Squad Support System (LS3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY42w1w0TWk&feature=player_embedded

NASA Launches Twin Satellites . . .



NASA Lancar Satelit Berkembar . . .

TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: (AssociatedPress. Ogos 30/M'sian 31 ogos) 'NASA Lancar Satelit Berkembar' NASA melancarkan sebuah roket membawa satelit berkembar pagi Khamis. Satelit akan meneroka tali pinggang sinaran radiasi bumi, yang melindungi planet dari ledakan solar.

1WC’sChannel REVIEW 2012: (AssociatedPress. Aug 30/M’sian Aug 31)  ‘NASA Launches Twin Satellites’ NASA launched a rocket carrying twin satellites Thursday morning. The satellites will explore the earth's radiation belts, which protect the planet from solar outbursts.


Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 




I saw rebels beheading men for religion' - Syrian cleric’ . . .



Saya menyaksikan pemberontak pemenggalan kepala lelaki untuk agama' - temu-bual RT ulama Syria . . .

TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: (RT News. 17 minit yang lalu) 'Saya menyaksikan pemberontak pemenggalan kepala lelaki untuk agama' - temu-bual RT ulama Syria 'kepada ibu Agnes Mariam, pengasas biara di qara di Syria dan disaksikan apa orang pergi melalui apabila percikan api pertama masalah dinyalakan perang. (1WC’sChannel REVIEW 2012: (RT News. 17 minutes ago) ‘I saw rebels beheading men for religion' - Syrian cleric’ RT talks to mother Agnes Mariam, founder of monastery in Qara in Syria and witnessed what the people went through when the first sparks of trouble ignited the war).

I saw rebels beheading men for religion' - Syrian cleric http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iogH78kXccU&feature=plcp

Morsi slams Assad at NAM summit at US bidding . . .


Morsi mengkritik Assad di sidang kemuncak NAM 
di bidaan Amerika Syarikat . . .

TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: RT News - (1 Jam lalu) 'Morsi mengkritik Assad di sidang kemuncak NAM di bidaan Amerika Syarikat' Delegasi Syria telah berjalan keluar pada sesi Pergerakan Negara-negara Berkecuali di Tehran. Mereka marah pada ucapan oleh pemimpin Mesir Mohammed Morsi, yang dipanggil rejim Presiden Assad menindas. Menteri Luar Syria berkata komen berjumlah menghasut keganasan lanjut di negara ini. RT bercakap kepada wartawan dan penyiar Neil Clark, yang percaya penyata Morsi yang terbaik adalah tidak seimbang.

1WC'sChannel REVIEW 2012: RT News - (1 hour ago) 'Morsi slams Assad at NAM summit at US bidding' The Syrian delegation has walked out on a session of the Non-Aligned movement in Tehran. They were angered at a speech by Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi, who called President Assad's regime oppressive. Syria's foreign minister said the comments amounted to inciting further violence in the country. RT spoke to journalist and broadcaster Neil Clark, who believes Morsi's statement was unbalanced at best.

Morsi slams Assad at NAM summit at US bidding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXLOBy_Y1bs&feature=plcp

Thursday, 30 August 2012

Disimpan Perjuangan:' Kematian perlahan-lahan 'bagi pelarian Syria kem Jordan di Jordan' . . .



TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: RT News - (1 Jam lalu) 'Disimpan Perjuangan:' Kematian perlahan-lahan 'bagi pelarian Syria kem Jordan di Jordan' Pasukan keselamatan di kem pelarian besar-besaran di sempadan dengan Syria adalah berjaga-jaga yang tinggi selepas 200 pelarian dihidupkan pengawal terhadap keadaan kem tersebut. Dan sebagai Paula Slier laporan berurusan dengan kebanjiran besar pelarian adalah lebih jauh daripada apa yang boleh dikendalikan Jordan. (1WC'sChannel REVIEW 2012: RT News - (1 hour ago) ‘Saved to Struggle: 'Slow death' for Syria refugees in Jordan camp’ Jordanian security forces at a massive refugee camp on the border with Syria are on high alert after 200 refugees turned on the guards over the camp's conditions. And as Paula Slier reports dealing with the immense influx of refugees is far beyond what Jordan can handle).



RT News - (2 Jam yang lalu) sidang kemuncak NAM cabaran langsung kepada hegemoni Amerika Syarikat di region' The ketua PBB Ban Ki-moon, yang pada mesyuarat itu walaupun bantahan Amerika Syarikat, kata Iran boleh memainkan peranan dalam menghentikan perang di Syria. Isu antarabangsa Tehran, termasuk program nuklear dipertikaikan, juga sebahagian daripada perbincangan. Penulis Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich difikirkan Tehran masih agak sopan (RT News - (2 hour ago) ‘NAM summit a direct challenge to US hegemony in region‘The UN chief Ban Ki-moon, who's at the meeting despite U.S. objections, says Iran can play a role in halting the war in Syria. Tehran's own international issues, including its disputed nuclear programme, are also part of discussions. Writer Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich thinks Tehran is still being quite courteous) . . .


RT News - (5 Jam lalu) Baru terkini Ribut Tropika Ishak penuhi jalan di seluruh Louisiana pada Rabu, membanjiri bahagian tenggara kawasan yang kebanyakannya luar bandar New Orleans. Teruk terjejas Negeri Plaquemines, pegawai menyelamatkan berpuluh-puluh orang dengan bot selepas mereka menjadi terkandas oleh banjir. (RT News - (5 hours ago) Newly downgraded Tropical Storm Isaac plodded its way across Louisiana on Wednesday, inundating parts of a mostly rural area southeast of New Orleans. In hard-hit Plaquemines Parish, officials rescued dozens of people by boat after they became stranded by floodwaters). (Aug. 30, 2012)

Saved to Struggle: 'Slow death' for Syria refugees in Jordan camp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF_uvdEACBo&feature=plcp

NAM summit a direct challenge to US hegemony in region http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u2LdVi8os0&feature=plcp

Isaac lashes New Orleans, batters villages in Louisiana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOb_jTD52Q&feature=plcp

Austerity cut ‘Italian miner slits wrist on TV to protest coal mine shutdown’ . . .


Pelombong Sardinia menyekat kemasukan lombong Carbosulcis semasa protes di Carbonia, barat Cagliari, Ogos 29, 2012 (Sardinian miners block the entrance of Carbosulcis mine during a protest in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi).

Pelombong Itali hiriskan pergelangan tangan beliau di TV untuk membantah penutupan lombong arang batu’  . . .
By 1WC’sChannel | earthWatch Thursday 30, August 2012

TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: (RT News. Published: 30 Ogos, 2012) 'Pemotongan berhemat: Pelombong Itali hiriskan pergelangan tangan beliau di TV untuk membantah penutupan lombong arang batu' Pelombong Sardinia telah hiriskan pergelangan tangan beliau dalam ucapan TV secara langsung, bantahan terhadap penutupan kemudahan tempatan. Kira-kira 100 pekerja mengurung diri di hadapan lombong, yang dipenuhi dengan hampir 700 kilogram bahan letupan.

Kejadian itu berlaku semasa sidang akhbar yang diadakan di bawah tanah. "Jika seseorang di sini telah memutuskan untuk membunuh keluarga pelombong', tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, kami akan memotong diri kita sendiri, kita akan mengurangkan diri kita sendiri," 49 tahun Stefano Meletti berkata kerana dia hiriskan pergelangan tangan beliau di hadapan wartawan. "Kita tidak boleh mengambil lagi. Kita tidak boleh! Kita tidak boleh! Ia adalah apa yang perlu kita lakukan," Reuters merakam beliau sebagai berkata.

Para pekerja telah diadakan di 400 meter di bawah tanah dalam lombong itu pada duduk malam Ahad (on Sunday night). Lombong mengandungi kira-kira 700 kilogram bahan letupan, dan pelombong telah berikrar untuk tidak meninggalkan sehingga kerajaan berjanji untuk membantu mereka. Pelombong membantah kekurangan pembiayaan untuk industri arang batu, yang telah meninggalkan mereka menganggur. Mereka memanggil untuk perbadanan tenaga Itali Enel untuk menghentikan penutupan lombong arang batu terakhir di negara ini. Para pekerja menekan kerajaan untuk menggabungkan perlombongan dan projek karbon menangkap untuk menyelamatkan pekerjaan mereka, tetapi pihak berkuasa telah menafikan rayuan mereka, mendakwa projek itu kos menelan belanja kira-kira 250 Juta euro setahun.

"Itulah hampir 200,000 euro setiap pelombong. Ia merupakan satu kos yang tidak mapan," Setiausaha kerajaan Pembangunan Ekonomi Claudio De Vincenti kepada La Republica. Sardinia telah rantau perlombongan utama Itali selama beberapa dekad, tetapi kemelesetan (recession) yang mendalam mencengkam negara dan telah musnah industri - kadar pengangguran di rantau ini adalah 16% peratus. Pemimpin Itali yang ditetapkan untuk memenuhi kemudian minggu ini untuk membincangkan nasib ekonomi Sardinia.

A Sardinian miner stands during a protest by miners blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (Reuters / Alessandro Bianchi)
Seorang pelombong Sardinia berdiri semasa protes oleh pelombong menyekat kemasukan lombong Carbosulcis dalam Carbonia, barat Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (A Sardinian miner stands during a protest by miners blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi).

A Sardinian miner is pictured during a protest by miners blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (Reuters / Alessandro Bianchi)
Seorang pelombong Sardinia digambarkan semasa protes oleh pelombong menyekat kemasukan lombong Carbosulcis dalam Carbonia, barat Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (A Sardinian miner is pictured during a protest by miners blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012) (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi).

The boots of Sardinian miners are pictured during a protest blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012 (Reuters / Alessandro Bianchi)
But pelombong Sardinia digambarkan semasa protes menyekat pintu masuk lombong Carbosulcis di Carbonia, barat Cagliari, Ogos 29, 2012 (The boots of Sardinian miners are pictured during a protest blocking the entrance of Carbosulcis mine in Carbonia, west of Cagliari, August 29, 2012) (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi).

Austerity cut ‘Italian miner slits wrist on TV to 
protest coal mine shutdown’  . . .

1WC’sChannel REVIEW 2012: (RT News. Published: 30 August, 2012) ‘Austerity cut: Italian miner slits wrist on TV to protest coal mine shutdown’ A Sardinian miner has slashed his wrist in a live TV address, in protest against the closing of a local facility. Some 100 workers barricaded themselves in front of the mine, which is packed with almost 700 kilograms of explosives.

The incident took place during a press conference held underground. "If someone here has decided to the kill miners' families, ladies and gentlemen, we'll cut ourselves, we'll cut ourselves," 49-year-old Stefano Meletti said as he slashed his wrist in front of reporters. "We cannot take it anymore. We cannot! We cannot! It’s what we have to do," Reuters quoted him as saying.

The workers have staged a sit-in 400 meters underground since barricading themselves in the mine on Sunday night. The mine contains an estimated 700 kilograms of explosives, and the miners have vowed not to leave until the government promises to assist them. The miners are protesting a shortage of funding for the coal industry, which has left them unemployed. They are calling for Italian energy corporation Enel to halt the shutdown of the last coal mine in the country. The workers are pressing the government to combine a mining and a carbon-capture project to save their jobs, but authorities have already denied their pleas, claiming the project would cost some 250 million euros a year.

"That's almost 200,000 euros per miner. It's an unsustainable cost," government Undersecretary of Economic Development Claudio De Vincenti told La Republica. Sardinia has been Italy’s main mining region for decades, but the deep recession gripping the country has devastated the industry – the unemployment rate in the region is 16 percent. Italian leaders are set to meet later this week to discuss the Sardinia’s economic plight.

Austerity cut 'Italian miner slits wrist on TV to protest coal mine shutdown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WcrVs0f1lo&feature=plcp

Kemiskinan kembali di Eropah: Jenama-jenama sasaran nouveau miskin . . .



Kemiskinan kembali di Eropah: Jenama-jenama 
sasaran nouveau miskin . . .
By 1WC’sChannel | earthWatch Thursday 30, August 2012

TINJAUAN 1WC'sChannel 2012: RT News. 11 minit yang lalu 'Kemiskinan kembali di Eropah: Jenama sasaran nouveau miskin' Rekod pengangguran yang tinggi di EU telah memaksa beberapa barang-barang yang lebih besar syarikat pengguna untuk beralih strategi pemasaran. Sasaran permintaan mereka yang dilanda kemiskinan Eropah 'bagi barangan yang lebih murah di tengah-tengah krisis ekonomi. (1WC’sChannel REVIEW 2012:  RT News. 11 minutes ago ‘Poverty back in Europe: Brands target nouveau poor’ Record high unemployment in the EU has forced some of the larger consumer goods companies to shift marketing strategies. They target poverty-stricken Europeans' demand for cheaper goods in the midst of an economic crisis).

Kemiskinan kembali dalam 'Eropah: Jenama menyesuaikan diri jualan bagi rekod pengangguran . . .

Rekod pengangguran yang tinggi di EU telah dipaksa beberapa barang-barang yang lebih besar syarikat pengguna untuk beralih strategi pemasaran. Sasaran permintaan mereka yang dilanda kemiskinan Eropah 'bagi barangan yang tawarkan lebih murah di tengah-tengah krisis ekonomi. Unilever - barangan pengguna ke-3 terbesar syarikat di DUNIA, yang mengeluarkan beratus-ratus jenama seperti Aviance, Ben & Jerry, Dove dan Lipton - akan melakukan hanya itu. Jan Zijderveld, ketua pembahagian Eropah Unilever, berkata dalam satu temu bual dengan Financial Times Deutschland bahawa "kemiskinan kembali ke Eropah." Beliau speculasi bahawa jualan boleh ditingkatkan dengan menyediakan lebih kecil dan lebih murah produk berjenama.

Dengan keadaan ekonomi yang berubah-ubah, tabiat membeli-belah bertukar juga: "Jika pengguna di Sepanyol hanya membelanjakan €  17 apabila mereka pergi membeli-belah, maka saya tidak akan dapat menjual mencuci serbuk untuk mereka separuh daripada bajet mereka" berkata Zijderveld. Unilever telah mula mengubah penjenamaan untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan cabaran pertumbuhan yang rendah di DUNIA maju. Di Sepanyol, ia memperkenalkan Surf detergen dalam pakej untuk hanya 5 mencuci; di Greece, ia memasarkan kentang lenyek dalam pakej yang lebih kecil untuk harga yang lebih rendah. Ia juga telah mencipta jenama kos rendah bagi produk seperti teh dan minyak zaitun.

Syarikat itu sebelum ini melaksanakan strategi penjenamaan kos rendah di negara-negara membangun seperti Indonesia, di mana ia menjual paket individu setiap syampu untuk beberapa sen. Tetapi Zijderveld mengatakan bahawa mereka telah lupa jenis yang sama dijual pilihan di Eropah kerana mereka tidak digunakan dalam tahun-tahun sebelum krisis ekonomi. Keputusan suku Univeler bulan lepas meratapi "pertumbuhan yang lembap" dan "keyakinan pengguna yang rapuh" di negara-negara maju. Zijderveld percaya bahawa jenama kos rendah mesti dipadankan dengan perkhidmatan Apple seperti dalam usaha untuk meningkatkan keuntungan. "Dalam kedai Apple, semua orang berfikir: Wow, apa pengalaman . . . Mengapa kita tidak boleh menjual makanan seperti Apple menjual peranti Mengapa tiada perunding genius untuk ayam?"

Pengangguran Rekod sejak penerimaan Euro . . .

Langkah Univeler untuk menyesuaikan strategi bagi negara-negara mundur ke EU pasaran berasaskan realiti suram baru Eropah. Pengangguran adalah pada kebangkitan di EU sebagai pengguna membeli penurunan kuasa - kadar pengangguran Eurozone mencecah rekod tinggi pada musim panas ini. Kementerian EU untuk statistik, Eurostat, melaporkan bahawa 17.8 juta orang tidak punyai perkerjaan dalam zon Euro pada Jun: tahap tertinggi sejak Euro diterima sebagai mata wang EU pada tahun 1999.

Dan menurut angka Perancis baru Kementerian Buruh yang dikeluarkan pada Isnin, lebih daripada 3 juta orang yang menganggur di negara ini pada bulan Julai, dalam tahap tertinggi lebih daripada 13 tahun. Kadar pengangguran Sepanyol mencecah paras tertinggi rekod hampir 25% peratus pada suku ke-2, 2012. laluan Greece rapat di belakang, dengan kadar pengangguran 23% peratus yang dilaporkan pada bulan Mei. Data ini "petanda sakit untuk perbelanjaan pengguna dan prospek pertumbuhan," ketua ekonomi Eropah di IHS Global Insight Howard Archer memberitahu PJK. Satu trend menurun dalam perbelanjaan pengguna telah diperhatikan sejak pertengahan tahun 2011, VisaEurope melaporkan.

Ini menggariskan kesengsaraan ekonomi merupakan program berterusan pemotongan bajet dan penjimatan, di mana negara-negara EU menerima pakai dalam usaha untuk membayar hutang mereka. Rakyat Eurozone telah menyaksikan potongan gaji, sistem penjagaan kesihatan, sokongan kewangan negeri dan perbelanjaan awam, yang telah membawa kepada penurunan keseluruhan dalam pendapatan budi bicara mereka. Luka membuktikan amat tidak popular di seluruh EU, yang membawa kepada bantahan besar-besaran, keganasan dan serangan. Langkah-langkah penjimatan yang lebih popular di Greece termasuk cukai harta yang baru dan penggantungan 30,000 penjawat awam pada membayar separa. Di Sepanyol, beribu-ribu orang kerap membantah di jalan-jalan terhadap penjimatan (against austerity), dengan orang muda camping di bandar-bandar khemah dan (general strikes being held) permogokan umum yang diadakan terhadap pemotongan bajet yang dirancang.

A man begs on the street in central Madrid July 19, 2012 (Reuters/Susana Vera)

Poverty is back in Europe: Brands adapt sales for record unemployment . . .

Record high unemployment in the EU has forced some of the larger consumer goods companies to shift marketing strategies. They target poverty-stricken Europeans’ demand for cheaper goods in the midst of an economic crisis. Unilever - the third-largest consumer goods company in the world, which manufactures hundreds of brands like Aviance, Ben & Jerry’s, Dove and Lipton - will be doing just that. Jan Zijderveld, head of Unilever’s European division, said in an interview with Financial Times Deutschland that “poverty is returning to Europe.” He speculates that sales can be increased by providing smaller and cheaper branded products.

With changing economic conditions, shopping habits change as well: "If a consumer in Spain only spends €17 when they go shopping, then I'm not going to be able to sell them washing powder for half of their budget," Zijderveld said. Unilever has already begun altering its branding to adapt to the challenge of low growth in the developed world. In Spain, it introduced Surf detergent in packages for only five washes; in Greece, it is marketing mashed potatoes in smaller packages for a lower price. It has also created lower-cost brands for products like tea and olive oil.

The company previously implemented low-cost branding strategies in developing countries such as Indonesia, where it sells individual packets of shampoo for a few cents each. But Zijderveld says that they have forgotten similar types of selling options in Europe because they were not used in the years prior to the economic crisis. Univeler’s quarterly results last month bemoaned “sluggish growth” and “fragile consumer confidence” in developed countries. Zijderveld believes that lower-cost brands must be matched with Apple-like service in order to increase profits. "In an Apple store, everyone thinks: Wow, what an experience . . . Why can't we sell food like Apple sells devices? Why are there no genius consultants for chicken?"

Record unemployment since adoption of Euro . . .

Univeler’s move to adapt strategies for underdeveloped countries to EU markets is grounded in Europe’s grim new reality. Unemployment is on the rise in the EU as consumer purchasing power declines – the Eurozone’s unemployment rate hit a record high this summer. The EU's ministry for statistics, Eurostat, reported that 17.8 million people were out of work in the Eurozone in June: The highest level since the Euro was adopted as the EU's currency in 1999.

And according to new French Labor Ministry figures released on Monday, more than three million people were unemployed in the country in July, the highest levels in more than 13 years. Spain's unemployment rate reached a record high of nearly 25 percent in the second quarter of 2012. Greece’s trails close behind, with a 23 percent unemployment rate reported in May. This data “bodes ill for consumer spending and growth prospects," chief European economist at IHS Global Insight Howard Archer told CBC. A downward trend in consumer spending has been observed since the middle of 2011, VisaEurope reported.

Underlining this economic misery is an ongoing program of budget cuts and austerity, which EU nations are adopting in an attempt to pay down their debts. Eurozone citizens have witnessed cuts in salaries, healthcare systems, state financial support and public spending, which has led to an overall decrease in their discretionary income. The cuts are proving deeply unpopular all over the EU, leading to mass protests, violence and strikes. The more unpopular austerity measures in Greece included a new property tax and the suspension of 30,000 civil servants on partial pay. In Spain, thousands of people regularly protest in the streets against austerity, with young people encamping in tent cities and general strikes being held against planned budget cuts.


(1 of 7) - Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 

(2 of 7) - Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 

(3 of 7) - Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 

(4 of 7) - Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 

(6 of 7) - Armageddon, Apocalypse, Disaster, Collapse Preparedness 

Greece is bankrupt. Full stop. Game over'

Poverty back in Europe: Brands target nouveau poor 

Economy knackered 'Recession sends thousands of Spanish horses to slaughter': 

Euro Crisis - What is Happening and Why ??? 2012 Update 

Should you be prepared for Economic Collapse?

Forbes Article:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2012/07/26/dow-20000-or-an-economic-coll...