Friday, 15 February 2019

Headlines - 02/15/2019

What Caused the Recession of 2019-2021?
The banquet of consequences is now being served, but the good seats have all been taken.

## Cut, baby, cut! ##
Activision full-year forecasts miss, to cut nearly 800 jobs

## War on cash/cashless society/cryptocurrencies ##
One Year After Dimon Slammed Bitcoin As A "Fraud", JPM Launches Own Cryptocurrency

## Airline death spiral ##
Flight carrying 129 passengers diverted after engine snag
Report: Airlines stranded a record number of passengers last year
The Points Guy, after analyzing U.S. airline data, says tarmac delays of three hours or more were up by nearly 50 percent last year.
Worldwide effort to restrict everyone's right to travel is close to a reality

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Here's an interesting commentary describing how NATO has degenerated into a name-only fighting force. While the author attributes this to the European hope or belief that when push comes to shove, the Americans will be there to defend Europe against the Russians, this is a simplistic view. One major factor is net energy decline. That is, European countries no longer have the energy budgets needed to keep themselves armed and prepared for war. They can see how the US is destroying its own economy and impoverishing its population to keep itself armed to the teeth and maintain its world-girdling empire of bases. Further, whatever the Europeans might say outwardly to appease the US, perhaps they do not find Russia to be as threatening as the US does. It's clear that Europeans are chafing under the thumb of the US. They want to do business with the Russians and Iranians, but are threatened with consequences if they do. It appears that this exasperation is spilling over into NATO. -- RF
US fails to halt Iran bid to free frozen billions
An international court Wednesday ruled Iran can proceed with a bid to unfreeze assets in the United States, rejecting Washington's claims the case must be halted because of Tehran's alleged support for international terrorism.
Venezuela - Media Find Trump's Coup Plan Does Not Work
South Korea pushes back on Trump claims about more money for troop agreement
South Korea's presidential Blue House pushed back on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Seoul had agreed to pay $500 million more towards maintaining U.S. troops in the country.
The US Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force
Beam me up! -- RF

## Migrants/refugees ##
Australia to reopen island detention camp after refugee bill

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Sardinian shepherds pour milk on roads to protest low prices

## Energy/resources ##
This narrative of technological prowess and innovation is an attractive one, but a deeper examination of the data reveals a different picture.


## Environment/health ##
Groups to sue US agency over loss of caribou herd
Environmental groups said Wednesday they plan to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to prevent the recent loss of the last herd of mountain caribou in the Lower 48 states.
More and more humans and their supercharged consumption leave no place left for other species. -- RF
Even if all nuclear power plants worldwide were shut down today, they would still be a menace for decades to come. -- RF
The CRISPR machines that can wipe out entire species
The genetic-engineering tool could help combat malaria and invasive species. But should we use it?
New Study Finds 41% Increase In Cancer Risk From Roundup's Glyphosate

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
“Reverse Location Search Warrant”: A New Personal Data Hoovering Exercise Brought to You by Google
K-pop and fancy sneakers: Kim Jong Un's cultural revolution
It's encouraging to see change, but there's a problem with the idea that everyone on the planet must adopt decadent "Western consumer culture" as the gold standard. -- RF
The Coming Plague of Technological Loneliness
Our reliance on consumption instead of connection is killing us.

## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
Third suspect in Skripal poisoning is Russian GRU agent: Bellingcat
This is absurd. Not one iota of evidence has ever been presented to link the first two Russian men to the Skripal incident, and now there is a "third"? It makes more sense to suspect British intelligence of planning and carrying out the operation to kill Skripal and blame it on the Russians. -- RF
BBC Producer's Syria Bombshell: Douma "Gas Attack" Footage "Was Staged"
Now approaching nearly a year after the April 7, 2018 alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria — which the White House used as a pretext to bomb Syrian government facilities and bases throughout Damascus — a BBC reporter who investigated the incident on the ground has issued public statements saying the "Assad sarin attack" on Douma was indeed "staged".

## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Rats, Public Defecation And Open Drug Use: Our Major Western Cities Are Becoming Uninhabitable Hellholes
Hungary is offering women £30,000 to have more babies 'so country doesn't need immigrants'

## Japan ##
Japan on alert for rubella epidemic
Activists file suit to stop dolphin hunting in Japan
Government slammed for singling out 'problematic' Tokyo Shimbun reporter in warning to press club
The government’s handling of a Tokyo Shimbun reporter known for her assertive questioning style has come under heavy scrutiny, after it emerged that authorities issued a statement last year singling her out for criticism and urging the Japanese press to keep their questions “accurate” and “fact-based.”

## US ##
America Is a Socialist Country for the Rich
Someone should alert Trump that America is now a hotbed of socialism. But it is socialism for the rich. Everyone else is treated to harsh capitalism.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)