Colorado St. Univ., Apr 13, 2015 (emphasis added): CSU partners with Fukushima University to study radiation effects… Many CSU faculty and researchers are contributing to radiation research in Japan… including Thomas Johnson… professor of health physics, who is testing trace radiation samples in seal populations in the northern Pacific Ocean, where radiation from the Fukushima disaster was released.
Infinite
Gov’t Analysis: Up to 592 Trillion Bq of Plutonium equivalent involved in disaster at US nuclear dump – Over 5,000 times amount in waste drum blamed for WIPP release — Official: “We thought for sure” there were multiple ruptured drums — “It actually was measured” in city many miles away (VIDEO)
DOE Town Hall in Los Alamos on WIPP Leak Findings (mp3), Apr 23, 2015 (emphasis added):
- Question (at 1:43:15 in): So you’ve come up with an amount that you think was in the drum, and you’ve been able to forensically track that. The underground is pretty contaminated at this point, the walls are contaminated, the filters are contaminated — and it actually was measured in Carlsbad 30 miles away. So that’s a significant quantity of plutonium or other isotopes. How is that quantity matching with what is in the drum?
China To Establish Yuan-Denominated Gold Fix In Bid To Upend London Benchmark
– China To Establish Yuan-Denominated Gold Fix In Bid To Upend London Benchmark (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
A long time ago, in a financial galaxy far, far away, a “fringe” blog raised the topic of gold market manipulation during the London AM fix. Several years later (which, incidentally, is about average in terms of the lag time between when something is actually going on and when the mainstream financial media finally figures it out and reports on it), it was revealed that in fact, shenanigans were likely afoot and indeed, regulators are still trying to sort out what happened.
Via WSJ earlier this year:
Read moreChina To Establish Yuan-Denominated Gold Fix In Bid To Upend London Benchmark
When The Elites Wage War On America, This Is How They Will Do It
– When The Elites Wage War On America, This Is How They Will Do It (Alt-Market, May 6, 2015):
The consequences and patterns of war, whether by one nation against another or by a government against the citizenry, rarely change. However, the methods of war have evolved vastly in modern times. Wars by elites against populations are often so subtle that many people might not even recognize that they are under attack until it is too late. Whenever I examine the conceptions of “potential war” between individuals and oligarchy, invariably some hard-headed person cries out: “What do you mean ‘when?’ We are at war right now!” In this case, I am not talking about the subtle brand of war. I am not talking about the information war, the propaganda war, the economic war, the psychological war or the biological war. I am talking about outright warfare, and anyone who thinks we have already reached that point has no clue what real war looks like.
Read moreWhen The Elites Wage War On America, This Is How They Will Do It
98% Of Q1 Consumer Credit Was Used For Student And Car Loans
– 98% Of Q1 Consumer Credit Was Used For Student And Car Loans (ZeroHedge, May 7, 2015):
In a quarter in which US GDP is set to decline consumer credit, according to the latest update from the Federal Reserve, increased by just over $45 billion. But how is it possible that with such a massive expansion in household credit there was no actual benefit to the underlying economy? Simple: 98% of the credit lent out in the first quarter, or $44.3 billion, went to student and car loans!
…
New Russian High-Tech Tank Suffers BSOD Moment During Army Parade
– New Russian High-Tech Tank Suffers BSOD Moment During Army Parade (ZeroHedge, May 7, 2015):
Russia unveiled its new main battle tank as part of practices for Saturday’s Victory Day parade (commemorating the end of WWII). According to RT, the Armata “is a cutting-edge vehicle with an unmanned turret armed with a brand new 125 mm smoothbore cannon, which is the most powerful gun of its kind to date in terms of muzzle energy.”You decide…
Of course, the painful 40 seconds could be seen as an anology for The Fed’s effort to revive The US Economy.
“Mystery” Buyer Of Stocks In The First Quarter Has Been Identified
– “Mystery” Buyer Of Stocks In The First Quarter Has Been Identified (ZeroHedge, May 7, 2015):
Three days ago, when looking at the unprecedented, record outflows from US equities (coupled with continued inflow into bond funds into what BofA’s Hans Mikkelsen would likely dub the Great Antirotation) we asked a simple question: “who is buying… no really“.
Then yesterday, the spoofing algos were briefly spooked when Yellen, for the second time in under one year, issued a warning about valuations, only this time instead of bashing the biotech and social media sector, the non-Series 7, 63 certified financial advisor brought attention to the entire market saying “equity market valuations generally are quite high.”
Read more“Mystery” Buyer Of Stocks In The First Quarter Has Been Identified
In Break From Obama, Hillary Clinton To Court Donors For SuperPAC
H/t reader M.G.:
“Another example of the pragmatic clinton approach……..Ugh.”
– In Break From Obama, Hillary Clinton To Court Donors For SuperPAC (Huffington Post, May 6, 2015):
Hillary Rodham Clinton will begin personally courting donors for a super PAC supporting her candidacy, the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has fully embraced the independent groups that can accept unlimited checks from big donors and are already playing a major role in the 2016 race.
Hillary Clinton Sidesteps Trade Policy Rift Between Obama And Democrats
H/t reader M.G.:
“Corporate Candidate Clinton sidesteps this issue, too, because she belongs to the top 1%……..not the people. This is one more sign she is the last thing we need.
From the Guardian.”
Flashback:
– ‘Hillary 2016!!!’ – Recalling The Clinton Body Count:
…
Could it be any more obvious that the US is not a Republic or democracy but rather an oligarchy of the rich and powerful? A bloodline aristocracy may be a better term, since all of the 44 US Presidents have been part of European royal bloodlines, despite having different last names.
…
– Hillary Clinton sidesteps trade policy rift between Obama and Democrats (The Guardian, May 6, 2015):
The president and GOP are in rare agreement over successors to Nafta, while some Democrats have doubts. Clinton’s campaign chair just wants it to ‘go away’
Hillary Clinton’s efforts to win over critics on the left – from supporting immigration and campaign finance reform, to gay rights and income equality – have come thick and fast in recent days, but one issue is defying attempts to unify the centrist and progressive wings of the Democratic party ahead of the presidential election.
Read moreHillary Clinton Sidesteps Trade Policy Rift Between Obama And Democrats
Weak Dong Forces Vietnam Central Bank To Devalue Currency (Again)
– Weak Dong Forces Vietnam Central Bank To Devalue Currency (Again) (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
Having put off the decision to devalue the Vietnamese currency in March, the Dong has pressured the weaker limit (1% trading band) of the reference rate ever since. This has led to Vietnam’s central bank devaluing the dong reference rate to 21,673 (from 21,458) for the 2nd time this year. This is the softest the dong has ever been relative to king dollar, pushing them deeper into the currency wars.
…
Deutsche Bank’s Head Of Global Credit Strategy Explains Why “This Is Not Capitalism”
– Deutsche Bank’s Head Of Global Credit Strategy Explains Why “This Is Not Capitalism” (ZeroHedge, May 7, 2015):
When Deutsche Bank’s head of global fundamental credit strategy, Jim Reid, writes a blurb that could have come from any single Zero Hedge article posted here over the past 6 years, it makes us wonder if we, like that Onion, have missed our IPO window.
I don’t think it’s too controversial to say that personally I believe that capitalism is generally the best economic system. However part of the problem today is that over the last 15-20 years, capitalism has been propped up every time it’s about to go through one of the cyclical creative destruction phases.
Compounded up that’s left us with a big mess to clear up across the globe and a lot of sub optimal resource allocation. That’s not the fault of capitalism per se it’s the fault of the authorities for not letting cycles naturally evolve. This has become increasingly more difficult as the imbalances build on top of each other.
Read moreDeutsche Bank’s Head Of Global Credit Strategy Explains Why “This Is Not Capitalism”
Mizuho’s Ricchiuto Wipes The Floor With Deutsche’s Lavorgna: ‘Why Do I Even Bother?’ (Video)
– Mizuho’s Ricchiuto Wipes The Floor With Deutsche’s Lavorgna: “Why Do I Even Bother?” (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
The last time Mizuho’s Chief Economist Steve Ricchiuto was on CNBC, we suspected he would never be invited back. However, today, he dared to unleash the truthiness of the US economy, debating ‘truth’ with none other than Deutsche Bank’s meteoroconomist Joe Lavorgna. As soon as Ricchiuto stated unequivocal ‘facts’ about growth, productivity, and earnings; the smiling Lavorgna started talking over him to which Ricchiuto blasted “why bother… why do I even bother?” and Lavorgna fell back to the “well he has been short the market for 400 points” argumnet which Ricchiuto rebuffed aggressively…
One of these guys is thoroughly pissed off… the rest are smiling.
The fireworks begin around 3:00 (but watch the intro for some facts)
As a reminder, this was Ricchiuto’s last appearance…148 seconds of awkward uncomfortable truthiness…
It Begins: US Government Issues $700,000 Fine Against A Digital Currency
– It begins: US government issues $700,000 fine against a digital currency (Sovereign Man, May 5, 2015):
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
Our beloved amigos at the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), have just issued the first-ever ‘civil enforcement action’ against a virtual currency.
The offending criminal mastermind in this case? Ripple Labs.
If you’re not familiar, Ripple is a virtual currency platform that was once the darling of Silicon Valley, attracting top VC firms like Google Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.
Ripple’s technology allows users to conduct financial transactions with one another — sending and receiving payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, as well as fiat currency.
Imagine Bitcoin meets Paypal… and you have the basic idea.
Read moreIt Begins: US Government Issues $700,000 Fine Against A Digital Currency
The Good News: There Will Be No 25-Year Depression – The Bad News: It Will Be Much Worse Than That
– There Will Be No 25-Year Depression (Acting Man, May 6, 2015):
Good and Bad News
Today, we have bad news and good news. The good news is that there will be no 25-year recession. Nor will there be a depression that will last the rest of our lifetimes.
The bad news: It will be much worse than that. On Monday, the Dow rose another 43 points. Gold seems to be working its way back to the $1,200 level, where it feels most comfortable.
Ultra-Secrecy Surrounds Barack Obama’s New Global Economic Treaty
– Ultra-Secrecy Surrounds Barack Obama’s New Global Economic Treaty (Economic Collapse, May 5, 2015):
Barack Obama is secretly negotiating a global economic treaty which would destroy thousands of American businesses and millions of good paying American jobs. In other words, it would be the final nail in the coffin for America’s economic infrastructure. Obama knows that if the American people actually knew what was in this treaty that they would be screaming mad, so the negotiations are being done in secret. The only people that are allowed to look at the treaty are members of Congress, and even they are being banned from saying anything to the public. American workers are about to be brutally stabbed in the back, and thanks to all of this secrecy and paranoia they won’t even see it coming.
The name of this new treaty is “the Trans-Pacific Partnership”, and it is being touted as perhaps the most important trade agreement in history. But very few people in this country are talking about it, because none of us are allowed to see it. An article that was just released by Politico detailed the extreme secrecy that is surrounding this trade agreement…
Read moreUltra-Secrecy Surrounds Barack Obama’s New Global Economic Treaty
‘Clinton Cash’ Is Out, And The Polls Show It
H/t reader M.G.:
“Corporate Clinton’s role as a potential presidential candidate is taking a big hit, regardless of the mendacious words on US corporate media……”
Only 25 percent of registered voters now view Clinton as honest — down from 38 percent who said so in the same poll last year. (AP)
– ‘Clinton Cash’ is out, and the polls show it (Washington Examiner, May 6, 2015):
Democrats cannot be happy about the last two weeks. With the violence in Baltimore, one more potential Democratic alternative to Hillary Clinton — former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley — has become far less attractive.
Yet at the same time as her inevitability grows, Clinton’s prestige is starting to wane. The new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds that for the first time since 2008, she no longer enjoys a positive favorability rating. During her time as secretary of state, Clinton’s rating was consistently above 50 percent and at times approached 60 percent. Today, 42 percent of registered voters view her positively and 42 percent negatively.
Martin Armstrong, The Forecaster (Video)
FYI.
Martin Armstrong The System Will Crack And One World Currency Is Coming
Related info:
– Martin Armstrong Warns ‘Abandon The UK Before You Can’t’
US Productivity Suffers First Consecutive Quarterly Plunge Since 1993
– US Productivity Suffers First Consecutive Quarterly Plunge Since 1993 (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
Well this cannot be good. US output per hour (for the non-farm businesses) – or non-Farm productivity – plunged 1.9% in Q1. This follows a 2.1% slump in Q4 2014 and is the first consecutive quarterly plunge since 1993. This was driven by a 0.2% decline in output as hours worked increased 1.7% with manufacturing productivity suffering a 1.1% drop in Q1 (driven by a 1.2% decline in output).
Must be geat news…
working more… making less.
Charts: bloomberg
Berlin In July 1945 (HD 1080p Color Footage)
H/t reader I.G.
Apr 28, 2015
Description:
That’s how it looked like just after the Second World War in Berlin!
Fascinating moving pictures in color show the situation of the city in summer 1945, just after the Second World War and the capitulation of Germany. Daily life after years of war.
Pictures from the destroyed city, the Reichstag, Brandenburger Tor, Adlon, Führerbunker, Unter den Linden, rubble women working in the streets, the tram is running again.
7 Person CFTC Team Charges Gold Manipulators Identified First On Zero Hedge With Gold And Silver Spoofing
– 7 Person CFTC Team Charges Gold Manipulators Identified First On Zero Hedge With Gold And Silver Spoofing (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced the filing of a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Heet Khara and Nasim Salim, residents of the United Arab Emirates. According to the CFTC’s Complaint, Defendants engaged in unlawful disruptive trading practices known as “spoofing” in the gold and silver futures markets by placing bids and offers with the intent to cancel them before execution.
…
ADP Employment Tumbles To 15 Month Lows As Manufacturing Jobs Plunge
– ADP Employment Tumbles To 15 Month Lows As Manufacturing Jobs Plunge (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
Following March’s dismal drop in the ADP Employment report (the biggest miss in 4 years) and missing for 3 straight months, April printed a very weak 169k (against notably lowere expectations of a 200k rise). Even worse, February and March was revised even lower. This is lower than the lowest economist estimate. Large companies were particularly weak with smaller businesses adding the bulk of the meager jobs print. The esteemed Mark Zandi blames this on “the fallout from the collapse of oil prices and the surging value of the dollar.”
…
Germanwings Co-Pilot May Have Tried To Crash Previous Flight
– Germanwings Co-Pilot May Have Tried To Crash Previous Flight (ZeroHedge, May 6, 2015):
A new report from France’s air accident investigation agency shows that Andreas Lubitz repeatedly put the outbound flight from Düsseldorf to Barcelona into an unexplained controlled descent on the same day he deliberately flew the inbound flight into the French Alps killing all 150 passangers.
…
Related info:
AND NOW: 5-Star Resort Opens For ISIS Supporters In Iraq
– 5-star resort opens for ISIS supporters in Iraq (RT, May 6, 2015):
It may look like any other top resort in Iraq, but the Ninawa International Hotel in Mosul has one major difference. It is the first 5-star hotel for Islamic State jihadists. It includes a swimming pool and tennis court… but no bar.
The battlefield is a place of few comforts, so the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) has decided to re-open a luxury hotel in conquered territory to give its jihadists a bit of R&R. The Ninawa International Hotel in Mosul used to be one of the most luxurious in Iraq, catering to foreign guests and local dignitaries. However, its 262 rooms will now be used by extremist terror group.
Read moreAND NOW: 5-Star Resort Opens For ISIS Supporters In Iraq