Wednesday, 4 September 2019

Global headlines - 4 July, 2019

## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
Argentina imposes currency controls as its economic crisis deepens
The dollar will not be replaced as the global currency anytime soon. At the same time, the tentative measures that countries are taking to reduce their dependency on the dollar show they are anticipating that a post-America era is in the making. This trend is bound to strengthen now that the U.S. is regarded as an increasingly fickle opponent and unpredictable ally.
Trump is only hastening the inevitable. -- RF


## War on cash/cashless society/cryptocurrencies ##
Banks reported hundreds of major IT glitches last year
U.S. Adoption of Mobile Payments Still Lackluster
Mobile payments simply aren't that much more convenient than good old-fashioned plastic.
Dutch central bank to regulate crypto firms from January 10, orders them to register


## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
U.S. to withdraw 5,000 troops from Afghanistan, close bases: U.S. negotiator
Coming Soon to a Battlefield: Robots That Can Kill
Tomorrow’s wars will be faster, more high-tech, and less human than ever before. Welcome to a new era of machine-driven warfare.

• War on Venezuela

Hausmann hypocrisy: Guaido coup official raked in dollars from dictators and banking behemoths while promoting ‘democracy’ for Venezuela
Ricardo Hausmann slammed banks for doing business with Venezuela’s elected government. But financial disclosure forms filed with Harvard show the putsch-plotting economist earned fees from kings, dictators, and military occupiers.

• War on Iran
Lower oil prices and ongoing financial stress in the U.S. shale industry are creating headwinds for drillers, and it appears increasingly likely that supply growth could undershoot forecasts.

The global obesity epidemic is also an environmental catastrophe, scientists have warned
Well worth reading. And bear in mind that overproduction and overeating will turn into underproduction and food scarcity in a heartbeat. Are you ready? -- RF

## Environment/health ##
The country disappearing under rising tides
Rising sea levels are making traditional ways of life impossible. Rural Bangladeshis are having to adapt to survive.
Is Elon Musk Right About Global "Population Collapse"?

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
The Extortion Economy: How Insurance Companies Are Fueling a Rise in Ransomware Attacks
Even when public agencies and companies hit by ransomware could recover their files on their own, insurers prefer to pay the ransom. Why? The attacks are good for business.


## Japan ##
Okinawa special police unit to deal with intruders
Japan's National Police Agency will deploy its first special unit in Okinawa in fiscal 2020 to deal with intruders on remote islands near the country's borders.

The Solomon Islands, one of Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies, has formed a team of ministers to talk to Beijing ahead of a possible switch in ties that could be unveiled as early as this week, the chief of a parliamentary panel said.

• War on Huawei
Not surprising, as increasing debt is necessary for economic growth. -- RF
Slide In Corporate Profits Suggests Recession May Have Already Started

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