China Predicted to Dominate Global Trade by 2030
In a report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers, China is predicted to overtake the U.S. in global trade by 2030. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that China is the second-largest economy in the world, passing Japan.
Currently China's international trade is worth $2.21 trillion, trailing only the U.S., which has earned $2.66 trillion through trade.
The report foresees that global trade will undoubtedly shift in the coming years. The emerging economies of China and India are predicted to dominate the top sea and airfreight routes.
PwC's report is consistent with findings from the World Bank that if China can sustain growth, it will be the largest economy by 2030. If China's economy continues to grow at its current rate of 8 percent, it will be double the size of the U.S. economy in only 20 years. China is already the world's largest goods producer with nearly 20 percent of all manufactured products originating there.
Air Traffic Staffing Changes Made
Air traffic control staffing will be significantly increased at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va. after Wednesday's incident where an employee was sleeping on duty. Two jets were unable to make contact with the lone controller in the tower after he fell asleep.
Officials at the airport said that it was typical to have a single controller in charge of the overnight shift. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has ordered two controllers to be on duty at Reagan National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration has also begun a national investigation into control tower staffing.
Officials have noted that it is often difficult for air traffic controllers to stay awake when there is nothing going on in the control tower. During an overnight shift, it is harder to keep busy and falling asleep is surprisingly easy.
The jets did manage to land safely without help from the control tower.
Meeting Held To Discuss Downtown Bar Safety
The security of Buffalo's downtown clubs was the focus of a meeting held Thursday which included the head of the State Liquor Authority Dennis Rosen, several nightclub owners, event promoters, and various officials.
Rosen urged that bar owners should not entirely depend on an event promoter to coordinate security personnel. SLA officials also made it clear that any security personnel must be licensed by the state. Ellicott Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, who called the meeting, added that a massive training session might be needed for current security staff to become licensed.
City officials are considering a law that would require nightclub owners, not event promoters, to develop security plans before any event and submit plans to the police department. Officials believe that the downtown area is safe, but security always has room for improvement.
The meeting was held in response to two separate stabbings that took place at the Town Ballroom earlier this month, as well as the City Grill shootings that left four people dead and others injured eight months ago.
