Many thanks to Eric for compiling this for us!
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Normally, these go in order from East to West. Today, however, India and Pakistan are getting top billing. Potential nuclear wars will do that.
**India and Pakistan**
17 Dead, 24 Wounded in Attack on Indian Army Base in Kashmir
I don’t know how this slipped past me earlier, but this will have major repercussions in the days to come. Jaish-e-Mohammed have claimed responsibility for the attack, and sources already indicate the attack was launched from within Pakistan or with the assistance of Pakistani nationals. Materials taken from the bodies of the four terrorists had Pakistani military markings, leading defense officials in New Delhi to speculate on the possibility of official support and sanction for the attack.
Army Restricts Access To Pakistani Border
Curfews are in place, soldiers are on patrol, and access has been restricted. No word yet on evacuations.
The Pakistani armed forces have responded to the growing tensions by reporting they have selected targets within India for a strike should war break out. There are already reports of Indian military personnel crossing the border to conduct surgical strikes against suspects.
As India Pivots to the US, Russia Begins Joint Training With Pakistan
200 troops from Pakistan and Russia are expected to take part in the joint forces drill. This is the first such exercise since the end of the Cold War and hints at both the cooling relationship between Islamabad and Washington and a thaw between Islamabad and Moscow. Relations between Pakistan and Russia have been relatively formal and cold since the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. A move which experts and recently declassified documents from the Kremlin have shown was part of a plan to access Pakistan’s warm water ports.
**China**
China Now A Contagion Risk
Ever since the Cold War, it has been said that when America sneezes the rest of the world will catch cold. Now the second largest economy in the world and the single largest in Asia, economists are saying China is now a source of contagion not just for the Asian markets, but for the world as a whole. This is in no small part due to sheer number of financial firms in China’s neighboring countries who are invested in the sub-component trade with China. For these nations, any slow-down in Chinese manufacturing means a loss of profits. As does any weakening of the Yuan.
Fitch Ratings: China’s Toxic Debt a Black Hole
According to official numbers, Non-Performing Loans (toxic debt which is not bringing in revenue) is a mere 1.8% of all loans on the books in China. According to Fitch Ratings, however, this is a lie. Analysts from Fitch have reported the portion is closer to 15-21% of all outstanding loans. If correct, this would amount to a capital shortfall between ¥7.4T and ¥13.6T (or $1.1T and $2.1T in US Dollars), or roughly 11-20% of China’s Gross Domestic Product. Unless corrected soon, capital shortfalls are reported to risk rising another 10-13 points to between 26% and 38% by the end of 2018.
Per Fitch Ratings, it will cost China roughly ¥14.01T ($2.1T US Dollars). With the Chinese financial market far more interconnected than the US was at the time of the 2008 Housing Collapse and the start of the Great Recession, a default of a high enough level could result in complete market destabilization. An apt comparison, considering the way China’s reaction to 2015 – which is now officially recognized as a recession – has resulted in housing prices in the Special Economic Zones rising an average of 37% above their 2015 rates.
Go back and re-read the article on China as a contagion risk to understand the dangers of the recession which analysts are predicting to hit China in 2017.
Chinese Debt Growing At Twice Rate of Economic Growth
After Moody’s changed their predictions of Chinese growth from stable to negative, the government of China has ordered financial institutions within the country to begin loaning money. State-owned financial institutions have already increased their loans by 20%, with infrastructure spending up 7.5%.
Get ready folks.
China’s Bloody Harvest Continues
In spite of claims the practice has stopped, China is still kidnapping its own citizens by the tens and hundreds of thousands each year and vivisecting them for sale on the black market.
Massing nearly 9 US tons (8.5 metric), the space station was launched in 2011 as part of China’s push into space. While there has been speculation the module was out of control, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency has officially confirmed the speculation. Tiangong-1 is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere sometime in the second half of next year. While experts state the majority of the module can be expected to burn up upon atmospheric re-entry, parts large enough to damage cars and homes are expected to survive.
Xi JInping Cracking Down on Foreign Journalists
Can’t have conflicting voices reporting on China. That could cause disharmony.
What Happens When North Korea Finally Collapses?
The picture painted here is a rather devastating one. Expect China to roll into North Korea and remove whichever Kim is in charge before that can happen.
**Russia and Ukraine**
Russia Surpasses US As Top Wheat Exporter
The article is pro-Russian propaganda, but the numbers are solid. Russian wheat production has doubled from 35M tons to 70M tons in the past twenty years. Half of that grain is expected to be exported to nations as far as Mexico.
Pogroms Make Come Back in Ukraine
10 Roma families have been forced to flee their homes after a vigilante mob in Loschynivka descended upon them. Witness reports and pictures from the scene show severe structural damage to the homes of those forced to flee. The pogrom comes after a 21 year old Gypsy by the name of Mihail Chebotar was arrested on suspicion of an incidence of the Rape and Murder of a 9 year old girl in the town. Video from the incident showed community members gathering in the town square and presenting grievances against their Gypsy neighbors before the mob began attacking the homes of the Roma in their village.
Members of the Azov Regiment – a right-wing paramilitary force of civilians dedicated to “protecting Ukraine from internal enemies” – have arrived in the town in order to “ensure the safety of residents” from claimed threats of retaliation from Roma in the area.
**Middle East**
Joint Russian-Syrian Push on Aleppo Begins
So much for that ceasefire. The White Helmets – a local search and rescue operation not affiliated with any side in the conflict – reports 14 have died from the Russian incendiary bombing. Aleppo is headquarters to the Free Syrian Army – which may or may not still exist – and the al-Nursa Front – the al-Qaeda affiliate in the region – which the US is supplying with arms. The aid convoy which Russia is accused of bombing was on its way to Aleppo at the time it was struck.
ISIS Using Oil Tankers To Defend Mosul
ISIS fighters have dug a trench around the city and filled it with oil tankers which the ISIS Chief in the city has said will be set ablaze ahead of the Iraqi advance on their position. The fortification of the city has also expanded to the construction of new tunnels and the planting of IED’s in choke points.
White House Considering Diretly Arming Syrian Kurds
It’s about damned time. Now do the same in Iraq.
Libya’s Oil Ports Flowing Once More
General Khalifa Haftar had seized the oil ports in the dead of night two weeks ago, carried out with the support and blessings of the tribes in the area. An opponent of the Unity Government, Haftar’s Libyan National Army claimed the seizure of the ports were – according to Haftar’s aides – intended to protect the ports from ISIS attacks. Operation of the ports have been handed over to the National Oil Company, but Haftar’s troops remain on site and well armed.
The Libyan National Army have been the primary belligerents against ISIS in Libya, and have long opposed the Unity Government as weak. Before the revolution, Haftar was a commander and ally of Qadafi who had been captured during one of the later’s many adventures in Chad. After being captured in Chad and exiled, Haftar lived in Virginia until the Libyan Revolution broke out. Since then, he has served as the primary leader of the forces in the east of the country.
**Europe**
Europe Considering Google News Tax
Publishers in Europe are demanding the right to charge fees to feature snippets of their content in news aggregator pages. Germany tried this in 2014, and Spain attempted the same in 2015. Both saw predictable results.
European and American Leaders Fight To Preserve TTIP
Intended to free up trade between the US and Europe, it is expected to create a tariff free market comprising 850 Million customers. Although the trade agreement would create increased wealth and prosperity for both Europe and the Americas, politicians across Europe are being pushed to oppose the move by Leftist and Far-Rightist movements and organizations.
**Africa**
UK, EU, and World Bank Investing in African Firms
In an attempt to slow or even stop the flow of migrants from Africa, nations across Europe are investing in manufacturing and service industry firms in Ethiopia and elsewhere with the intent of creating well-paying jobs.
Civil War Threatens To Break Out in Central African Republic Once More
Election Protests Turn to Riots in DRC
Boko Haram Kill 2, Suffer 15 Casualties
In spite of the incipient civil war within Boko Haram, militants from the group were able to strike Nigerian troops in Borno, killing two soldiers for 15 militants.
**South America**
Venezuela Reduced To Buying US Crude
This is just pathetic. The US once bought 70% of Venezuelan crude, which was roughly 10% of our total imports, only to now be exporting oil to the oil-rich nation. This is largely the result of stolen or sabotaged parts, which Venezuela can’t afford to replace or repair. Roughnecks are reporting they aren’t making enough money to pay for their food and can’t do the job due to cash and food shortages.
The situation is so bad, Venezuela has had to cut their subsidized shipments to Cuba.
Brazilian Police Arrest Former Finance Minister Over Petrobras Corruption
The same scandal which brought down the former President of Brazil has now seen the arrest of her former Finance Minister.
