Disaster

An MiG-23 jet which was being flown by forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognized government was the second to go down in the past week The fighter jet was shot down as it carried out air strikes on opposition positions in the coastal city of Benghazi. ISIS have claimed its fighters downed the plane, according to SITE Intelligence Group, a US monitor of jihadist activity on the Internet. On Monday, another MiG-23 crashed near the eastern city of Derna after attacking ISIS positions.

A group of British and American scientists have said that the world needs to prepare itself for global food shortages in the near future.  Speaking at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the scientists unveiled disturbing new research that suggests future extreme events could affect the global food system so dramatically that it will result in ‘food shocks’ across the world. Eurekalert.org reports: Food shocks have the potential to wreak havoc on food markets, commodity exports, and families around the world.

A Russian military expert has said that whilst Obama remains in power, the truth about what really happened with the Malaysian MH17 plane crash in July 2014 will never be disclosed to the public. Vladimir Yevseyev says that Ukraine are likely to be responsible for the crash, and accuses America of being complicit in covering it up.

Criminal charges have been issued to the production company behind the latest blockbuster Star Wars movie starring Harrison Ford. The legendary Hollywood actor broke his leg while filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens on a set at Pinewood Studios in June 2014. CBC News reports: The actor was struck by a hydraulic door on the set of the Millennium Falcon — his character Han Solo’s spaceship — at Pinewood Studios near London in June 2014. He was airlifted to a hospital where he underwent surgery.

"Bob, I got a bad feeling on this one. All right? I mean I got a bad feeling! I don't think I'm gonna make it outta here! D'ya understand what I'm sayin' to you?"

The global markets are clearly in turmoil...again.  I thought I would start a quasi-open thread here on ZH, where we can ask questions and share concerns or strategies with one another. 

So, like my asteroid article from last year, let's have a little more fun, and use this as a test of our financial-armageddon preparedness. 

First, a definition or two...