Wednesday, 8 April 2020

Global news - 7-8 April, 2020

News Links, April 7, 2020

## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
Ocean shipping services continue to deteriorate

## Airline death spiral ##
From 271 to 13: American suspends most NYC flights amid coronavirus crisis; demand 'evaporating'

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Taliban warn peace deal with US near breaking point
How Generals Fueled 1918 Flu Pandemic to Win Their World War
Just like today, brass and bureaucrats ignored warnings, and sent troops overseas despite the consequences.
Acting Navy Secretary Under Fire For Speech Calling Fired Captain 'Stupid'
'What the f-ck?' a sailor can be heard yelling in the background of Modly's speech over the ship's PA system.
So Much for Keeping the Military Out of Politics
Acting Navy Secretary Modly's Trumpian approach to the military and his firing of a carrier captain has gone over like a lead anchor. Now members of Congress are calling for his own firing.

## Energy/resources ##
The Oil Giant Drowning In Debt
[Exxon's] struggles are growing, but they predate the pandemic and the collapse of oil prices.
• Coronavirus
Scientists at the Royal Melbourne Hospital believe ivermectin may in turn reduce the severity of the life-threatening disease. They are now urging for ivermectin to be trialled on coronavirus patients, as experts continue the race against time to find a cure.

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
U.S. Will Cover-up Its Own Coronavirus Death Toll
The Trump administration has used the novel coronavirus pandemic to malign its perceived enemies. Now as the U.S. itself is at the center of the pandemic the accusations and lies come back to bite.
Open database exposes 425 GB of financial companies' data

## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
Saudi futuristic city turns mirage in Covid-19 era
Tokyo running out of beds and gear, medical staff say
As Japan faces a fresh wave of coronavirus infections and the government prepares for a state of emergency, medical staff say a shortage of beds and a rise in cases linked to hospitals are pushing Tokyo's medical system to the brink of collapse.

## China ##
If Lockdown Is a Needless Over-Reaction, Then Why Did China Lockdown Half its Economy?

## US ##
New York Fed, FDIC Tout "Opacity in a Banking Crisis" to Keep Corporations, Hedge Funds, PE Firms & Counterparties in the Dark about Weak Banks
"Suppressing" bank balance-sheet data in a banking crisis to prevent the biggies from yanking their billions out of a weakened bank.
• Coronavirus

News Links, April 8, 2020

## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards/global cooling/deflationary collapse ##
Asian companies pose lower dividend risk due to stronger finances
Russia's Inflation Picks Up After Ruble Crash
Price rises are an early sign of the impact of the coronavirus on the Russian economy.

## Cut, baby, cut! ##

## Airline death spiral ##
Alaska warned U.S. government its largest regional airline was on verge of collapse: letter
Coronavirus brings Boeing's US airplane production to a halt
Hainan Airlines calls bondholders for meeting on plan to defer debt repayment amid liquidity squeeze

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Shale oil was never going to make the US energy-independent, anyway. -- RF
• Coronavirus

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
MuzzleWatch: Breaking down the legal attack against the BDS movement
Unfortunately, the Pentagon has now submitted a legislative proposal that would move the U.S. toward the Chinese model of defense opacity.

## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
OPCW Report Expected to Blame Syria for Chemical Attacks
Trump administration attempts to blame China for its own abject failure. -- RF

## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
'Smart toilet' recognizes users' backsides, analyzes poop
It's not my intent to "dump on" this invention, but many people will suffer shock when abruptly transitioning from hi-tech porcelain thrones to holes in the ground. -- RF

## US ##
White House considering U.S. Treasury coronavirus bond: Kudlow
Trump, other top officials yet to don masks in public despite announcing CDC guidelines
The Lockdown Wouldn't Be So Devastating If Our Economy Wasn't So Rigged, Brittle and Exploitive
An economy of rackets designed to enrich the few at the expense of the many is brittle because self-serving rackets snuff out competition, accountability and transparency.
Bailing Out the Bailout
It will take years to sort through the details, but Trump's $2 trillion COVID-19 response looks like a double-down on the last disaster
• Coronavirus
NYC may temporarily bury coronavirus victims on Hart Island
Some coronavirus victims could be temporarily buried in the Hart Island potter's field — or even public parks — if New York's morgues become overwhelmed by the number of dead, officials said Monday.

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