Japan Confirms 88 More Cases Aboard Diamond Princess, Bringing Total To 542 One Day Before Quarantine Set To End

Global Times editor Hu Xijin, a government mouthpiece whose tweets were closely followed during the 'Phase 1' trade-deal negotiations, is touting China's dubious data as a sign that the Communist Party is winning the 'People's War' against COVID-19.

Last night, the western press exposed the Americans for breaking Japan's quarantine on the 'Diamond Princess' by ferrying some 14 infected individuals to the US. But with one day left to go before the Japanese government ends its quarantine and releases thousands of terrified and paranoid passengers into the streets of Tokyo.

On Tuesday, another 88 passengers from the Diamond Princess were diagnosed with the virus, bringing the total to 542.

Japan has completed tests for all passengers and crew aboard the ship as of Monday, but the results for the last batch of tests aren't expected until Wednesday, the day that the quarantine is slated to end. So far, results are back for 2,404 passengers and crew, out of the 3,711 who were on board the ship when the quarantine began on Feb. 5.

Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said Tuesday that people who have tested negative for the virus would start leaving on Wednesday, but that the process of releasing passengers and crew won't be finished until Friday, according to the Washington Post.

The remaining 61 American passengers on the DP who opted not to join the evacuation will not be allowed to return to the US until March 4, according to the American embassy in Tokyo. The governments of Australia, Hong Kong and Canada have also said they would evacuate passengers.

Elsewhere, Japan confirmed three more cases of the virus. This time, they were confirmed in Wakayama, a prefecture in eastern Japan.

In the latest indication that the 14-day quarantine simply wasn't enough to kill the virus, a British couple has tested positive for the virus just one day before Japanese authorities are set to release everybody from quarantine, according to the Guardian.

"David and Sally Abel, a British couple onboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan, have tested positive for coronavirus, a day before passengers who tested negative were due to start leaving the ship after spending two weeks in quarantine."

Including all of the cases announced overnight, there are now 73,336 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide, compared with 1,874 deaths.

Johns Hopkins

As the battle against the virus rages in Wuhan, Liu Zhiming, 51, a neurosurgeon and the director of the Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan, became the latest high-profile medical worker to succumb to the virus, as we noted last night. Late last week, China confirmed that nearly 2,000 medical workers had been infected.

The Commission overseeing China's virus response has released a statement commemorating Liu's life and honoring his death.


"From the start of the outbreak, Comrade Liu Zhiming, without regard to his personal safety, led the medical staff of Wuchang Hospital at the front lines of the fight against the epidemic," the commission said. Dr. Liu "made significant contributions to our city’s fight to prevent and control the novel coronavirus," it added.

In Beijing, senior officials including President Xi continued to play down the economic blowback from the virus. During remarks on Tuesday, Xi insisted that China could still meet its 2020 economic targets - which called for a doubling of the size of the Chinese economy in 10 years - despite the outbreak...

- Source, Zero Hedge

Economic Crisis Ahead: Powell Claims QE4 Will Be Able To Handle It?

The Fed's counterfeiting has created the biggest economic bubble in history. 

A severe economic crisis will be the inevitable result. Indications from Fed Chairman Powell are that more QE will be on the way. 

Can an increase in the disease succeed in being the cure?

- Source, Ron Paul

The Markets Are Foolishly Discounting the Economic Impact of the Coronavirus

At the end of the trading session on Wednesday, February 13th, the markets were jumping with joy, celebrating the fact that for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, things were beginning to turn around, with new infection cases dropping off in a significant way.

Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later, this hope would be completely and utterly shattered, as reality returned and China's health authorities reported 15,152 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection, plus an additional 254 new deaths.

This should of sent the markets lower, but in this upside down world that we live in, in which the markets can seemingly only go up, the markets shrugged off this spike in new deaths and cases, moving once again to new highs.

(Chart via google charts)

This massive 15,000 increase in new cases is apparently largely to do with revisions by the Chinese health authorities, in which they changed their guidelines in regards to the coronavirus, Shine.cn reports;

"In line with the latest version of the diagnosis and treatment scheme released by the NHC, suspected cases in Hubei with pneumonia-related computerized tomography (CT) scan results are identified as clinically diagnosed cases, said Mi, explaining why the confirmed COVID-19 cases soared on Wednesday.

The diagnosis criteria revision, which only applies to Hubei, was made to give clinically diagnosed patients in the province timely and standard treatment to further improve the recovery rate, according to the NHC."

However, this just confirms many peoples suspicions that the numbers coming out of China are largely being downplayed, whether maliciously, or simply due to the fact that they are overburdened by this crisis, due to just how large scale that it truly is, overwhelming their medical infrastructure in the process.

The coronavirus is often compared to the last major outbreak, SARS, which at the time had huge ramifications for the markets, causing a major correction as fear spread across the globe.

The coronavirus, with these latest figures taken into account, now surpasses the SARS outbreak by leaps and bounds, both in the spread at which it is spreading and the raw number of cases.

Already the SARS outbreak would of been in decline, slowly down in its spread, however, the coronavirus shows no signs of doing so with these latest figures taken into account.

(Chart source, worldometers.info)

Still, the markets continue to whistle a happy tune, comfortable in the fact that the Federal Reserve and others central banksters around the globe will throw oodles of money at the problem, if the need does arise. 

In fact, Fed Chairman Powell stated just this week, that they would intervene in the next recession, combating it aggressively with additional quantitative easing.

The problem is, is that interest rates are already at laughably low levels, standing at just 1.5%, while prior to the 2008 crisis, rates stood at over 5%. 

There simply is not much room to cut, meaning that the Fed will need to rev the printing presses up to full capacity, throwing money at the markets and ballooning their already bloated balance sheet.

(Charts via goldprice.org)

The only market that seems to have any sense of sanity are precious metals, which continue to hold strong and move incrementally higher as the threat of the coronavirus spreads and some smart money seeks the protection of safe haven assets.

Already, companies that rely on China for many of their parts in manufacturing and products that they sell are reporting issues due to the impact that the coronavirus is having on that country, which continues to suffer under heavy quarantine conditions, bringing their economy to a standstill.

Additionally, if the virus continues to spread to other countries in a meaningful way, people are going to become fearful, limiting travel and trips out to only what is required. Exasperating the economic problem even further.

This is going to have a rippling effect, that I believe is not yet being priced into the markets, of which is very likely going have its day of reckoning very soon, as more and more major companies begin to report the impacts that these supply restraints are having on their bottom line.

Expect a major correction in the near future if this virus is not swiftly brought to an end in the coming weeks, expect gold bullion to continue to move higher, expect volatility.

- As first seen on the Sprott Money Blog

Why Central Banks Can No Longer Stop the Everything Bubble

Etienne de Marsac, Head of Absolute Return at Sunny Asset Management, joins Real Vision's Roger Hirst to argue why he believes that central banks have created an "everything bubble." 

With risks rising in all corners of the market, central banks have made a fragile web that they cannot help but continue spinning. 

De Marsac provides his insights on what factors could catalyze a market breakdown, how central banks could begin correcting the global imbalances they have created, and what trades he is making in this risk-on environment.

- Source, Real Vision Finance

Economic Red Alert From Within the Trucking Industry

Wary of the official claims about "the greatest economy in history," when your own eyes and ears and gut are telling you things are headed in a seriously wrong direction?

- Source, Reluctant Preppers

Why Do You Need A Victory Coin?

Every Real Patriot Should Show Their Support for Our Fine President.

President Donald J. Trump has taken American politics by storm. His quest to “Make America Great Again” is unfolding and we are seeing the fantastic results!

But our President NEEDS the continued support of his base. It’s REAL patriots like you that helped him rise to power.

Real patriots SUPPORT their President. This coin is a FINE way to show off that support.

Here’s Why You Need THIS Victory Coin:

• Highest Quality Craftsmanship
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• Excellent way to show your patriotic support for our GREAT President!
• Commemorates a significant historical event. President Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton is one of the biggest political events in US Politics.
• Excellent Gift Item.
• Beautiful enough to collect, yet durable enough to show-off.
• Includes a plastic protective case, ensuring “proof-like” quality will stay untarnished.

- Claim your free President Trump Victory Coin today

The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win the Future

(Read this book now)

The movement that brought Donald Trump to the White House has better ideas than the old right or the new left. It’s time that the rest of America started listening.

The Tea Party began as a protest for patriots who feared Big Government. President Trump has become a hero for patriots who are against Big Everything.

Fed up with Silicon Valley, the media, liberal higher education, the military-industrial complex, Twitter mobs, swamp monsters, Big Pharma, out-of-control prosecutors, and gun-grabbing fascists, ordinary Americans miss the days when America cared about rule of the people, by the people, and for the people. Remember when you didn’t feel bombarded on all sides by coastal billionaires and their government stooges? The MAGA Doctrine urges an overdue restoration of self-rule by a populace long taken for granted by its rulers.

Turning Point USA founder and social media superstar Charlie Kirk explains once and for all why a New York real estate magnate found an audience among young conservatives all over the country. Trump and his allies are working to protect all the small things that both parties dismissed: local businesses, families, churches, and the rights of the individual. Kirk explains why it took a reality TV superstar to see past the sclerotic and power-hungry institutions, from the United Nations and Google to Harvard and Viacom, working to crush real America. The Trump Doctrine is all about giving you a say in the future of America and a hand in making it happen.

As the mainstream media keep churning out lies about the “real reasons” behind the new conservative agenda, Charlie Kirk’s The MAGA Doctrine is a powerful reminder of the true narrative of freedom and greatness that swept Donald Trump to the presidency.

- Click here to read, The MAGA Doctrine

The Massive Enthusiasm Gap Between the Democrats and Trump

Even the largest dem rallies are tiny compared to Trumps medium-sized events.

- Source, Styxhexenhammer

The Stock Market Will Crash: Massive Exodus Into Precious Metals and Crypto

Josh Sigurdson talks with Kenneth Ameduri of Crush The Street about the everything bubble and the slow, incremental move towards a major stock market crash. 

Record rallies end eventually and there seems to be a lot of people insuring their wealth with gold, silver, rhodium and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. 

What's leading to this trend?

- Source, WAM

Reduced Tariffs, Direct Intervention and Acquittal of President Trump Cause Markets to Shrug off Coronavirus Threat

Stocks, gold, oil, and just about everything else are trending higher, despite the ongoing concerns about the coronavirus, of which continues to spread across the globe, despite many countries' best efforts to contain it.

However, the stock markets appear to care less and are unconcerned with the short to medium term damage that this virus is causing to many sectors of the economy and will continue to cause for at least the next couple of months, if not longer.

(Charts via google.com)

This move higher in prices not only includes Western stock markets, but also Chinese markets, with the CSI 300 in China rising by 1.1 percent throughout Wednesday's trading session.

This move higher in the CSI 300 is largely being driven by direct intervention by the People’s Bank of China, who unsurprising are pouring billions of dollars into the markets, propping it up, while the coronavirus continues to wrack the economy as a whole due to the widespread restrictions that the country has placed on its people in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Many in the financial industry are taking heart with this direct intervention, as they believe that other countries will follow suite and intervene in the markets if need be as well. Likely an accurate assessment given our past history.

This intervention is playing a part in the recent rally seen in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones, however, other news is also being factored in as well, such as another softening in the trade wars between China and the United States, in which China plans on massively cutting tariffs of certain US goods entering into the country.

These cuts will affect $75 billion worth of U.S. imports including soybeans, pork and auto parts, taking the effective tariff rate from 10%, down to 5%.

However, many of the tariffs that were enacted during the ongoing trade wars of last year still remain in place and are likely to remain so until both parties can fully resolve their issues.

Additionally, the acquittal of President Trump on Wednesday has led to a reduction of risk in the markets, as fears of an upheaval have been mitigated for the time being, meaning it is business as usual for Wall St. 

This has played a part in alleviating many peoples fears, as overall President Trump continues to receive favorable polling in regards to the state of the economy. In fact, Americans confidence in the economy is the highest it has been in the past two decades.

(Chart source, goldprice.org)

All of this perceived positive news had an initial effect on the price of gold and silver bullion, both of which had suffered pull backs early on in the week, only to rally once again on Thursday as people once again realized that not everything is fixed and many problems still yet remain.

The World Health Organization announcing the largest increase in cases, in any single day since the outbreak of the coronavirus began is one the risks causing people to return to safe haven assets such as gold bullion.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had the following to say;

“Our greatest concern is about the potential for spread in other countries with weaker health systems and who lack the capacity to detect and diagnose the virus,” he said. “We’re only as strong as the weakest link.”

“We cannot defeat this outbreak without solidarity. Political solidarity, technical solidarity, and financial solidarity.”

As Mish Shedlock recently stated, there appears to be "no containment in sight".

The question that remains now, is how long can this rally in the markets continue? How long can governments around the world continue to print fiat currency, throwing it at any problem may arise?

We shall see.

Until then, keep stacking and stay prepared.

- As first seen on the Sprott Money Blog

Gold & Silver Update: Coronavirus, Impeachment Acquittal, DOW Transports

This week we cover the price movements of gold, silver, platinum, Tesla, the DOW, & the DOW Transports in relation to the acquittal of the President, Coronavirus, and FED printing initiatives.

- Source, Golden Rule Radio

Catherine Austin Fitts: Invest in Gold Because Inflation is Here

Investment advisor and former Assistant Secretary of Housing Catherine Austin Fitts says things in the global economy are out of balance and progress is not happening. 

Fitts says, “The other way to get back into balance is with war. 

We have had lots of covert wars going on, and my concern now is we are going to have more overt war.” 

Fitts says people need to get ready for dramatic challenges coming, and she says the theme for common citizens is “to become less dependent and more resilient.” 

Fitts also like gold as an investment because inflation is already here and is not going away anytime soon.

- Source, USA Watchdog

Golden Rule Radio: The Case For Gold In 2020

The Case For Gold In 2020. Political, Geopolitical, & Financial Market uncertainties. Where’s the support & where’s the resistance on price?

- Source, Golden Rule Radio

Gold Bullion Reaches Six Year High as Fears of the Coronavirus Spread

Throughout the week, gold bullion prices, stock prices, oil prices, you name it, have all been sent on a roller-coaster of a ride, heading higher, then lower as the news about the spreading Wuhan coronavirus continues to dominate the headlines.

However, one thing is for certain, the coronavirus is not contained in any way, shape or form, as we continue to be bombarded with daily reports of new cases of the virus appearing in more and more countries around the world.

This has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to publicly declare that the coronavirus, which started in Wuhan China, to be a public health concern of international concern, aka, a global emergency that must be taken very seriously.

As per the WHO press release, detailing their announcement;

"It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO."

Indeed, it does appear that the virus is spreading, as new reports in Russia, the United States, Canada and nineteen other countries, have all included new cases of the coronavirus appearing, including the first human to human transmission of the virus outside of China, which occurred within the United States.

In Russia, measures were taken, including the containment of over 6000 cruise ship passengers, which were not allowed to depart their ship and were forced to remain on board, fearing that the passengers could be infected with the virus.

Additionally, numerous airlines in various countries around the globe have decided to cease all flights directly into and out of China, including such airlines as Air Canada, United Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Air India and many others, of which the full list can be found here.

This has taken a heavy toll on the financial markets as new, news about the virus's spread seemingly appears to be occurring on a minute to minute basis, enrapturing people around the world, many of which should have little to fear about the virus if they are in good health, according to health authorities.

(Chart source, goldprice.org)

On the back of this news, gold bullion has experienced a sharp increase in price throughout the trading sessions of the week, with only one minor setback occurring during Tuesdays trading session.

This has resulted in gold reaching levels that have not been seen since 2013, gaining back much of what was lost from its previous all time high.

Now that the $1590 level is well within sight, the next strong resistance level should come at $1600, of which may be promptly broken if fears of the coronavirus continue to spread and people continue to seek the protection of safe haven assets, such as gold bullion.

(Chart source, oilprice.com)

This increase in gold bullion prices comes at a time when oil prices across the board are down, with WTI Crude and both Brent Crude suffering significant losses throughout the week, attempting to recover, only to drop lower again.

(Chart source, oilprice.com)

As of today, the death toll from the coronavirus has been sharply revised, with the virus now reportedly claiming 219 lives, all of which hail from China, where the virus is now spreading across the country.

Additionally, there are 9900 officially reported cases of the virus within China and 130 cases from twenty-two other countries, however, it is widely speculated that this number is low and the true amount is likely much higher, with many more cases set to appear in the coming days, weeks and months.

The United States has issued a level 4 travel advisory, which is their highest level and is a "do not travel" warning.

As per by the US Department of State;

"Do not travel to China due to the novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. On January 30, the World Health Organization determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.

Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus."

Hopefully in the coming days, the threat of the coronavirus spreading will wane, as monumental efforts are now being made in stopping it from spreading and becoming a global epidemic, however, this is yet to be truly determined if it is even possible.

For the time being, expect that the news headlines are going to continue to be dominated by reports about the spread of the coronavirus, leading to increased uncertainty and volatility in the financial sector across the board, including both gold and silver bullion.

- As first seen on the Sprott Money Blog

Rob Kirby: Keeping it Real When Everything Isn't

As regulators turn a blind eye to designed crashes on the platinum and palladium markets... 

As Fed bond repos pump hundreds of billions in to prop up banks, hedge funds, and stocks... 

As bond auctions are bailed out, and government stats reflect unrecognizable distortions of the reality of people’s lives... Prudent and responsible individuals are left hanging out to dry, holding on for sanity and honesty to return. 

Rob Kirby, proprietary analyst and founder of KirbyAnalytics.com, returns to Finance and Liberty / Reluctant Peppers to lay out his view of the dystopic financial world we are being subjected to, and how we can keep our heads clear and feet on the ground to protect our families and our future.

- Source, Reluctant Preppers