Global headlines - 16 February, 2020

## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
The number of very rich people surged in 2019—here’s why

German economy records zero growth in fourth quarter
Coronavirus impact spreads to European auto plant and could hit GM truck production
Royal Caribbean cancels 18 cruises, warns coronavirus hit to yearly profit

Negative-Yielding Greek Debt? Investors Think the Unthinkable

Gold Surges To New All Time Record Highs In Euros At EUR 1,456 Per Ounce

## Cut, baby, cut! ##
Wells Fargo to eliminate about 700 jobs in Manila

## Airline death spiral ##
Airbus reports billions in losses after corruption fines

American, United push back 737 MAX return amid new approval delays

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Shelterless Syrians burn refuse for warmth in bitter Idlib winter

The US Should Accept Russia’s Proposed Moratorium on Post-INF Missiles
The temporary measure has no near-term downside — and may jumpstart important arms-control talks.

Many People in NATO Countries Say ‘No’ To Supporting a NATO Ally in a Military Conflict with Russia

U.S. Clash in Syria Was the Fault of Americans Deviating From Their Route, Russian Military Claims

2021 Budget Spells The End of US Force Expansion

Rafael’s Drone Dome intercepts multiple drones with lasers

Official says US, Taliban reach Afghan truce agreement

Leak Says U.S. Deal With The Taliban Will Allow For Permanent Troop Stay. But Is It True?

The growing weaponization of space

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Portuguese communities lock horns with lithium miners to save their land

Greek islanders take anti-camp protest to Athens

## Environment/health ##

Oregon landfill took 2M pounds of radioactive fracking waste
Authorities say a chemical waste landfill in Oregon near the Columbia River has been accepting hundreds of tons of radioactive fracking waste from North Dakota in violation of Oregon regulations
New antibiotics have a unique way of killing bacteria

Mass melting of Antarctic ice sheet led to three metre sea level rise 120,000 years ago

EU Plans to Measure True Climate Impacts of LNG Imports From US Fracked Gas

Brazil's Bolsonaro lashes out at pope's Amazon text

Antarctica registers record temperature of over 20 C

One-third of all plant and animal species could be extinct in 50 years, study warns

We have to make room for more humans! -- RF

• Coronavirus

Harvard Professor Says Global Coronavirus Pandemic is Likely

Is The Coronavirus Now Unstoppable? New Data Suggests So (video)

Coronavirus - Statistical Change Causes Confusion While The New Case Count Continues To Decline

Gilead drug prevents type of coronavirus in monkeys; raises hope for China trials

Passengers on ship turned away over virus fears disembark in Cambodia

The coronavirus has reportedly spread to North Korea. Experts say the country isn't equipped to fight it.

No peak in sight as China reports 5,000 new coronavirus cases

Vietnam turns away two cruise ships over coronavirus fears

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##

U.S. accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets, assisting Iran
Huawei fires back, points to US’ history of spying on phone networks

US Takes Baby Steps Toward Providing Actual Public Evidence Of Huawei Spying

This "do as we say, not as we do" logic only has the effect of making it harder to take the US seriously when it suddenly expresses concern about rampant surveillance.

I can't say with 100% certainty that Huawei isn't facilitating espionage, but there's still a curious lack of specifics on what exactly Huawei is supposedly doing wrong. -- RF

U.S. looking for industry partnership to counter Huawei: White House official

Pelosi warns US allies: ‘Don’t go near Huawei’

No. 1 Sponsor of Terrorism? US Media Name Iran, but Overlook a Candidate Closer to Home

## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
The Decline of the West: More Evidence From Australia

State-Backed Alliance for Securing Democracy Smears The Grayzone

## Japan ##
Nissan slashes profit outlook after sales slide, says more restructuring needed

Nissan to shut Japan factory due to shortage of Chinese parts

Coronavirus infection cases spread further in Japan

## China ##
China says 1,716 health workers infected by coronavirus

Coronavirus: China’s clobbered economy set to slow to 4.5 per cent in first quarter but will recover, poll says

People returning to Beijing under quarantine as China struggles to pick up economy

Inflation in China is running rampant because of the coronavirus

China Is Disintegrating: Steel Demand, Property Sales, Traffic All Approaching Zero

## UK ##
Mumps cases in England rise to highest level in a decade

## US ##

Weak Industrial Production Numbers Confirm Manufacturing Recession
Median CPI Runs Hot, Fed Averts Eyes
Despite the Fed’s proclamations, the dollar lost purchasing power at a good clip.

Coronavirus concerns take hold in US, exposing Asian-Americans to the sting of discrimination

'It's Coming': CDC Director Warns Coronavirus To Become Widespread Throughout United States, 'Probably Beyond 2020'

Trump Targets Major Weapons Projects To Fund Wall
The funds will be drawn mainly from procurement for major programs like the F-35 fighter jet. $1.3 billion will come from the National Guard alone.

44 states, NYC, Puerto Rico report high flu activity, CDC says

Mike Pompeo: God’s Holy Warrior?