Sunday, February 04, 2018
News Links, February 5, 2018
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
Capita: Crash of Outsourcing Giant with 70,000 Employees Globally Sparks New Panic
Danger Ahead For U.S. Govt: Unable To Service Debt As Interest Rates Surge
The U.S. Government is in serious trouble when interest rates rise. As interest rates rise, so will the amount of money the U.S. Government will have to pay out to service its rapidly rising debt. Unfortunately, interest rates don't have to increase all that much for the government's interest expense to double.
"Sea Of Red": Stocks, Futures Plunge Amid Soaring Yields
Danger Ahead For U.S. Govt: Unable To Service Debt As Interest Rates Surge
The U.S. Government is in serious trouble when interest rates rise. As interest rates rise, so will the amount of money the U.S. Government will have to pay out to service its rapidly rising debt. Unfortunately, interest rates don't have to increase all that much for the government's interest expense to double.
"Sea Of Red": Stocks, Futures Plunge Amid Soaring Yields
Sanctioning Russian Debt Risks "Global Upheaval": On the Table Anyway
The US Treasury says sanctioning Russian debt risks "global upheaval". They might do it anyway. Brilliant!
World's Richest People Lose $68.5 Billion in Stock Selloff
Colombia opens border shelter for Venezuelans fleeing crisis
The US Treasury says sanctioning Russian debt risks "global upheaval". They might do it anyway. Brilliant!
World's Richest People Lose $68.5 Billion in Stock Selloff
Colombia opens border shelter for Venezuelans fleeing crisis
Coincheck hackers sent stolen NEM coins to Philippine ICO
Plundered cryptocurrency also deposited in Czech, U.S. and NZ exchanges
Plundered cryptocurrency also deposited in Czech, U.S. and NZ exchanges
Of course it's a "massive" theft; all other adjectives have been outlawed. -- RF
Interview With India's Three Largest Exchanges: Cryptocurrency Ban Rumors are FUD
Interview With India's Three Largest Exchanges: Cryptocurrency Ban Rumors are FUD
IATA: Fuel prices, labor costs likely to slow passenger growth in 2018
Drone video documents a disturbingly close encounter with passenger plane
Drone video documents a disturbingly close encounter with passenger plane
## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
America's allies in Southeast Asia and Australia say they don't want to choose between the U.S. and China, but underneath those platitudes, nobody in the region wants to make an enemy of Beijing. All the more so because officials increasingly doubt the U.S. will be there in the end.
What we know about the secret Silent Barker space program
The US could be getting 2 new nuclear capabilities. Here are the details.
What we know about the secret Silent Barker space program
The US could be getting 2 new nuclear capabilities. Here are the details.
Trump's military options in spotlight after Korean ambassador spat
Supporters of preemptive strike say US knows where North Korea's missiles are
Russian missiles kill 30 Syrian rebels after militants shoot down fighter jet
Supporters of preemptive strike say US knows where North Korea's missiles are
Russian missiles kill 30 Syrian rebels after militants shoot down fighter jet
Turkey Warns US Troops In Northern Syria May Be Targeted By Its Army
Turkey's Erdogan in the Shadows of the Ottoman Empire
Through his efforts to implement a police state and restore the Ottoman Empire, President Erdogan of Turkey has squandered his once-strong position as a regional leader
## Migrants/refugees ##
90 migrants feared dead after smuggler's boat capsizes
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Clashes in Maldives after court orders politicians released
Turkey's Erdogan in the Shadows of the Ottoman Empire
Through his efforts to implement a police state and restore the Ottoman Empire, President Erdogan of Turkey has squandered his once-strong position as a regional leader
Coming right up? Trump says it will be hard to unify country without a 'major event'
In September, the Australian Tax Office's Agricultural Land Register said the amount of Australian farmland owned by Chinese interests had grown tenfold over the preceding year.
Middle East's Next Oil War? Israel Threatens Lebanon Over Hezbollah and Natural Gas
Israel has threatened to invade Lebanon amid a recent spat over natural resources and militant groups that, once again, raised tensions between the longtime foes.
Israel has threatened to invade Lebanon amid a recent spat over natural resources and militant groups that, once again, raised tensions between the longtime foes.
US Weighs Venezuela Oil Sanctions: Why? Haven't We Starved Enough?
Thousands of children in Venezuela have starved to death. More are at risk. US sanctions contribute to the conditions.
Thousands of children in Venezuela have starved to death. More are at risk. US sanctions contribute to the conditions.
90 migrants feared dead after smuggler's boat capsizes
Israel Begins Distributing Deportation Notices to Africans
Congo gripped by fear as thousands flee 'bone-chilling' violence
Congo gripped by fear as thousands flee 'bone-chilling' violence
## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Clashes in Maldives after court orders politicians released
Protesters calling for jobs halt Tunisia's phosphates output: official
Protesters calling for jobs have brought Tunisia's entire phosphate output to a halt by staging sit-ins at installations of sole Tunisian phosphates producer.
Protesters calling for jobs have brought Tunisia's entire phosphate output to a halt by staging sit-ins at installations of sole Tunisian phosphates producer.
Finland: Over 200,000 Protest Cuts in Unemployment Benefits
Thousands march to demand more money for UK health service
Thousands march to demand more money for UK health service
With State Of The Union, Trump Missed An Opportunity On Energy
President Trump scarcely mentioned the energy industry in his State of the Union address, and what he did say wasn't completely correct.
Can The Caribbean Avoid An Energy Crisis?
Pipeline Bottleneck for Canada-U.S. Routes Costs $5 Per Barrel
President Trump scarcely mentioned the energy industry in his State of the Union address, and what he did say wasn't completely correct.
Can The Caribbean Avoid An Energy Crisis?
Pipeline Bottleneck for Canada-U.S. Routes Costs $5 Per Barrel
Don't get your hopes up. If it works at all, the energy return is likely to be too low to support industrial society. -- RF
What's next if Cape Town becomes the first major city to run out of water?
Saudi Arabia Sets Its Eyes On Central Asia
Saudi Arabia Sets Its Eyes On Central Asia
Asian LNG spot prices double in 6 months
China's demand surges as it battles air pollution
## Got food? ##
60,000 North Korean children may starve, sanctions slow aid: UNICEF
The latest millennial trend: Ditching the city to go live on a farm
China's demand surges as it battles air pollution
## Got food? ##
60,000 North Korean children may starve, sanctions slow aid: UNICEF
The latest millennial trend: Ditching the city to go live on a farm
## Environment/health ##
U.S. drought at worst level in nearly 4 years
Hurricanes will lower Gulf and East Coast carrying capacity (US)
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Weibo Scolded Over Content Control, Trend Manipulation (China)
## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
U.S. Media's Objectivity Questioned Abroad
The mainstream media's nonstop Russiagate coverage and its embrace of #TheResistance has undermined its reputation for objectivity in Europe.
## UK ##
Hurricanes will lower Gulf and East Coast carrying capacity (US)
How Big a Disaster Can Climate Change Be?
Mutated parasite may be causing outbreak of drug-resistant malaria
Mutated parasite may be causing outbreak of drug-resistant malaria
## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
Weibo Scolded Over Content Control, Trend Manipulation (China)
Nunes Memo Reports Crimes at Top of FBI and DOJ (Ray McGovern)
The newly released "Nunes Memo" reveals felony wrongdoing by top members of the FBI and DOJ for misrepresenting evidence to obtain a FISA warrant and may implicate other intelligence officials.
Biggest Nunes Memo Revelations Have Little To Do With Its Content
Battle for data rages between China and US
Both sides are seeking more control over today's hottest resource
Biggest Nunes Memo Revelations Have Little To Do With Its Content
Battle for data rages between China and US
Both sides are seeking more control over today's hottest resource
## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
U.S. Media's Objectivity Questioned Abroad
The mainstream media's nonstop Russiagate coverage and its embrace of #TheResistance has undermined its reputation for objectivity in Europe.
With leaders like this, who needs enemies? America is self-destructing. -- RF
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Pentagon 'can't afford the sustainment costs' on F-35, Lord says
## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Pentagon 'can't afford the sustainment costs' on F-35, Lord says
Relying on algorithms to make the correct choice for each individual is a dangerous path. The results will be no different than what econometricians have done to the economy. By reducing humanity to a set of equations, algorithmic AI will create a warped version of society every bit as bad as the artificial economy we live with.
Worries grow that the opioid epidemic is creating a 'lost generation' of children
From newborns to teens, children taken from the home of opioid-addicted parents are flooding the foster care system.
Worries grow that the opioid epidemic is creating a 'lost generation' of children
From newborns to teens, children taken from the home of opioid-addicted parents are flooding the foster care system.
Japan gears up to support urban development in Vladivostok
Tokyo hopes the projects will lead to warmer ties and talks on disputed islands
Tokyo hopes the projects will lead to warmer ties and talks on disputed islands
TEPCO battles on to supply power
Tokyo and the surrounding area has been experiencing tight power supply conditions after record-breaking cold weather. In addition to the cold weather, there have been problems at thermal power plants and a reduction in solar power generation due to the solar panels being covered by snow.
## China ##
Xinjiang to Continue Terror Crackdown
Tokyo and the surrounding area has been experiencing tight power supply conditions after record-breaking cold weather. In addition to the cold weather, there have been problems at thermal power plants and a reduction in solar power generation due to the solar panels being covered by snow.
## China ##
Xinjiang to Continue Terror Crackdown
China to put microblogs on an even shorter leash
New rules look to unmask posters' true identities
New rules look to unmask posters' true identities
The Chinese bitcoin mining machine sellers immune to the cryptocurrency crackdown
Buyers of China-made bitcoin mining hardware come from Russia and India despite Beijing's clampdown on trading, mining farms and payment channels
Buyers of China-made bitcoin mining hardware come from Russia and India despite Beijing's clampdown on trading, mining farms and payment channels
Perfect storm as blizzard snarls China's railway network, cutting off coal supplies
Heavy snowstorms expose flaw in Beijing's push for remote coal mining hubs
Heavy snowstorms expose flaw in Beijing's push for remote coal mining hubs
China criticizes US for nuclear adversary claims
China on Sunday criticized a U.S. government report that cast Beijing as a potential nuclear adversary and called on Washington to reduce its own much larger arsenal and join in promoting regional stability.
China on Sunday criticized a U.S. government report that cast Beijing as a potential nuclear adversary and called on Washington to reduce its own much larger arsenal and join in promoting regional stability.
The criticism is absurd. All big players on the global chessboard are adversaries, trying to control and grab as much as they can for themselves and their allies/client states. -- RF
## UK ##
U.K. Court Finds Government's Surveillance Powers Unlawful
May gets 9 billion pounds in China deals, Xi promises to build on 'golden era'
May gets 9 billion pounds in China deals, Xi promises to build on 'golden era'
NHS protest: thousands march to demand more cash for NHS
## US ##
How Much America's Gov't. Has Paid for Its Invasions of Iraq & Afghanistan
## US ##
How Much America's Gov't. Has Paid for Its Invasions of Iraq & Afghanistan
Political Correctness Serves the Ruling Elite
The Ruling Elites loves political correctness, for it serves the Elite so well. What is political correctness? Political correctness is the public pressure to conform to "progressive" speech acts by uttering the expected code words and phrases in public. Note that no actual action is required.
The Ruling Elites loves political correctness, for it serves the Elite so well. What is political correctness? Political correctness is the public pressure to conform to "progressive" speech acts by uttering the expected code words and phrases in public. Note that no actual action is required.
Will Trump plan help New Orleans' crumbling infrastructure?
When a heavy rain hits New Orleans, residents move their cars to higher ground for fear of fast-rising street flooding. Knee-deep potholes can eat a car's fender. When pressure drops in the city's aging water delivery system, restaurants and cafes have to boil water to feed customers.
When a heavy rain hits New Orleans, residents move their cars to higher ground for fear of fast-rising street flooding. Knee-deep potholes can eat a car's fender. When pressure drops in the city's aging water delivery system, restaurants and cafes have to boil water to feed customers.
Employees say the system has crushed morale and led to widespread food shortages.
And finally...
FBI Warns Republican Memo Could Undermine Faith In Massive, Unaccountable Government Secret Agencies (The Onion)
Is this really satire? It has the ring of truth. ;-) -- RF