09May2019 Pre-Market Commentary: China-U.S. Trade Dispute Continues To Dog Markets

Here is the current market situation from CNN Money

China to bid on D.C. Metro rail deal as national security hawks circle

China’s CRRC plans to bid on a big Washington D.C. subway project as it doubles down on a charm campaign in the United States to quash a rising chorus of critics who have cast the rail car maker as a threat to cyber security and U.S. industry.

Novartis buys dry eye drug from Takeda for up to $5.3 billion

Novartis is buying dry-eye drug Xiidra from Takeda Pharmaceutical Co for up to $5.3 billion as the Swiss drugmaker refreshes its ophthalmic medicines portfolio with a potential blockbuster.

BlackRock pulls out of rescue bid for Italian bank Carige

U.S. asset manager BlackRock has pulled out of a proposed rescue of Italian bank Carige, raising the prospect that Rome could be drawn into a costly state bailout.

ECB in touch with Carige after BlackRock pulls out of rescue

The European Central Bank has been in touch with special administrators who run Banca Carige after BlackRock pulled out of rescuing the ailing Italian lender, an ECB spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Carige’s temporary administrators summon trade unions: sources

The temporary administrators in charge of Banca Carige have summoned union representatives for an urgent meeting, two sources close to the matter said on Thursday.

Shares sink as U.S.-China trade talks go to the wire

World shares tumbled for a fourth day running on Thursday after a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that a long-worked-on trade deal with China was in serious danger.

Australia TPG’s fate tied to courts after watchdog scuppers $10 billion phone deal

Australian internet firm TPG Telecom Ltd’s best bet to recover from the serious blow dealt by regulators who blocked its $10 billion merger bid with a rival lies with the courts, with analysts doubting any alternative plans can succeed.

Uber drivers go on strike in London and U.S. ahead of IPO, early protests sparse

Uber drivers in London and major U.S. cities held a series of strikes on Wednesday to protest the disparity between gig-economy conditions and the sums that investors are likely to make in Friday’s blockbuster stock market debut.

Huawei CFO to seek extradition stay citing Trump comments

Huawei’s chief financial officer intends to seek a stay of extradition proceedings in part based on statements by President Donald Trump about the case, which her lawyers say disqualifies the United States from pursuing the matter in Canada.

US Threatens UK Over Huawei And 5G Wireless

Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk,

US Sec. of State Mike Pompeo warns the UK about 5G wireless. Pompeo threatens to end defense cooperation with the UK.

North Korea Launches Second Ballistic Missile In Less Than A Week

For the second time in just under a week, North Korea has fired at least one “unidentified projectile”, according to South Korean military sources cited by American media.

According to CNN, the launch occurred at 4:30 pm local time on Thursday. The projectiles were launched from a missile facility in the Sino-ri area, situated in one of the North’s western provinces. The launch site was about 50 miles northwest of Pyongyang.

The launch of the short-range ‘projectiles’ followed Saturday morning’s launch of short-range missiles that analysts said resembled the Russian Iskander-class ballistic missiles.

Christopher Steele Made Damning Pre-FISA Confession; FBI Retroactively Classified

Former British spy Christopher Steele made a stunning admission during an October 11, 2016 meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kathleen Kavalec, just 10 days before the FBI used his now-discredited dossier to justify securing a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to spy on Trump campaign aide Carter Page and the campaign’s ties to Russia, according to The Hill’s John Solomon.

Global Smartphone Shipments Plunge To Lowest Level In Years

Across the world, warning signs are flashing about the state of the economy.

Three-fourths of the global economy (per GDP) will experience a slowdown this year. The pause in growth has unquestionably transmitted through the global smartphone industry, sending shipment volumes down 6.6% YoY in 1Q19, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

The Secret Society Living Underneath China

This secret society also called Shuzu reach up to 1 million citizens and they are all living right underneath China. These citizens go through secret entrances concealed in shops, business or even residential buildings.

Infographic Of The Day: 5 Ways Teachers Can Earn Extra Income

With the growing gig economy and the availability of remote work, teachers can supplement their income to make well above the average teaching salary.

The Wall Street Journal: Amazon’s Echo Dot Kids device improperly retains conversations, an advocacy group complaint charges

Amazon.com Inc. is improperly recording and preserving the conversations of young users through its Echo Dot Kids devices, according to a complaint to be filed with federal regulators by a coalition of privacy and child-advocacy groups.

Buy This, Not That: This simple $3.50 cleaner is the best way to safely disinfect your home

Want green cleaning products? 5 disinfectant sprays and wipes to consider. Plus, expert advice on when to use disinfectants, and the many times you shouldn’t.

Brexit Brief: May hopes to bring Brexit before parliament for the fourth time

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has told senior Conservative MPs she will try to break the political deadlock on Brexit for the fourth time before the European elections on May 23, as she faces rising pressure to resign