The aptitude for identifying opportunity within disorder presents a highly valuable skill that can empower individuals to prosper in tumultuous times, particularly in the mercurial stock market. Although seemingly paradoxical, historical evidence suggests that periods of turbulence often beget monumental advancements. Indeed, some of the most distinguished individuals in history have been those who perceived opportunities, where others solely observed chaos and desolation.
Exhibiting Equanimity and Adaptability in the Stock Market
A critical factor in discovering opportunity amid the capricious stock market lies in maintaining composure and clear-headedness. Amidst the widespread panic, it is prudent to remain poised and rationally assess the situation. This approach enables well-informed decisions, facilitating positive advancement even in the face of market turbulence. Additionally, embracing calculated risks and venturing beyond one’s comfort zone is essential for capitalizing on available opportunities.
Another salient consideration is adaptability in the face of stock market fluctuations. Rapid acclimatization grants a distinct advantage amidst uncertainty and perpetual change. Instead of resisting alterations, individuals should be amenable to new experiences, requiring a cognitive shift and relinquishing entrenched habits and thought patterns. This adaptability is indispensable for achieving success amidst volatility.
Transforming Adversity into Opportunity in the Stock Market
The most accomplished investors throughout history have successfully transmuted adversity into opportunity, utilizing challenges as catalysts for success. Emulating their example by remaining composed, and adaptable, and seizing opportunities in the volatile stock market is a viable strategy.
The Efficacy of the Contrarian Strategy in the Stock Market
The Contrarian Strategy, alternatively known as the Overreaction Hypothesis, posits that investors may profit by deviating from collective sentiment.
Conclusion
The Contrarian Strategy, also known as the Overreaction Hypothesis, emphasizes that investors can profit by going against the crowd, aligning with the principles of Volatility Trading Strategies. These strategies capitalize on market fluctuations and extreme sentiments to identify investment opportunities. Mastering the art of recognizing opportunities amidst market volatility and chaos is a crucial skill that enables investors to flourish during challenging times. By maintaining equanimity, exhibiting adaptability, and incorporating the Contrarian Strategy into their investment approach, investors can harness market volatility to yield higher long-term returns.
Mass Psychology plays a significant role in market volatility, with collective panic and elevated fear levels driving markets to become increasingly volatile. By combining an understanding of Mass Psychology with market volatility, investors can seize opportunities at favorable prices and capitalize on prospects that others might disregard.
Numerous successful investors have employed this approach, purchasing when others are divesting and liquidating when others are acquiring. By deviating from the consensus, these investors have consistently generated substantial returns over extended periods.
Ultimately, embracing chaos and volatility as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles is key to thriving in the capricious stock market. By fostering mental resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking, investors can transform adversity into a springboard for success, positioning themselves advantageously in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
Investing in the stock market can be a game of patience and perseverance, often likened to a war of attrition. In this war, investors must have the fortitude to withstand market fluctuations, remain focused on their long-term goals, and resist the urge to make impulsive decisions based on short-term market movements.
The term “war of attrition” originates from military history, where it refers to a prolonged conflict characterised by continuous small-scale battles designed to wear down the enemy. In the world of investing, this war of attrition can be seen in the daily fluctuations of the stock market, with investors constantly fighting to maintain their positions and fend off market downturns.
To win this war, investors must be prepared to make strategic decisions and take calculated risks. They must have a clear understanding of their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and the market in which they are investing. Additionally, they must have a disciplined approach to their investment strategy and resist the temptation to deviate from it in response to market volatility.
One key strategy for winning this war is to focus on long-term investments rather than trying to time the market or make quick profits. By investing in a diversified portfolio of quality companies and holding those investments over time, investors can ride out short-term market fluctuations and benefit from the long-term growth potential of the market.
Another strategy is to remain patient and avoid making rash decisions based on short-term market movements. The market is inherently volatile, and investors who panic and sell during a downturn risk missing out on potential gains when the market eventually rebounds.
Ultimately, the war of attrition in investing is a battle between fear and greed. Fear can cause investors to sell in a panic, while greed can lead them to make impulsive decisions based on the promise of quick profits. Investors who remain focused on their long-term goals, maintain a disciplined approach, and avoid succumbing to fear and greed are the ones who are most likely to come out on top in this war.
Investing in the markets is a war of attrition that requires patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. By understanding the market, maintaining a diversified portfolio, and staying focused on their goals, investors can successfully navigate the ups and downs of the market and emerge victorious in the end.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
One of the key factors contributing to the crowd’s losses in the stock market is the influence of emotions. A growing body of research in behavioural finance has shown that emotions, such as fear and greed, can have a significant impact on investment decisions. For example, when the market drops, fear and panic can lead investors to sell their holdings and lock in their losses. Conversely, when the market rises, greed can drive investors to pour money into the market, often buying at the top and missing out on future gains. This emotional cycle can result in poor investment decisions and has been shown to be one of the key reasons why the crowd often loses in the stock market.
In addition to emotions, misinformation and groupthink also play a role in the crowd’s losses in the stock market. A recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles, found that many investors rely on financial advisors who may not have their best interests at heart. This can lead to poor investment decisions and missed opportunities for growth. Furthermore, the media often sensationalizes market events, which can lead to widespread confusion and misunderstandings among investors.
The herd mentality, a common phenomenon in the stock market, is also a factor that contributes to the crowd’s losses. This refers to the tendency of investors to follow the crowd, even if it is not in their best interest. Research has shown that the herd mentality often leads to buying high and selling low, as investors follow the crowd instead of their own instincts and analysis. This is particularly problematic when it comes to “hot” stocks or market sectors, which can quickly become overcrowded and lead to a market correction.
In contrast, contrarian investors take a different approach to the stock market. They are willing to go against the crowd and invest in stocks that are out of favour or undervalued. A recent study by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that contrarian investors outperformed the market by 2.5% per year over a 20-year period. This is due to their willingness to rely on a thorough analysis of a company’s financials and growth prospects, rather than being swayed by emotions or groupthink.
Furthermore, contrarian investors are patient and willing to hold onto their investments for the long term. A study by Vanguard found that a long-term investment approach can result in higher returns and lower volatility, compared to a short-term investment strategy. This long-term focus allows contrarian investors to ride out market corrections and reap the benefits of a well-diversified portfolio over time.
In conclusion, the crowd often loses in the stock market due to the influence of emotions, misinformation, and groupthink. These factors lead to poor investment decisions and missed opportunities for growth. In contrast, contrarian investors, who rely on informed analysis and a long-term focus, have been shown to outperform the market. The key to success in the stock market is to have a well-diversified portfolio, be patient, disciplined, and informed in your investment decisions, and avoid being swayed by emotions, misinformation, or groupthink.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
Denmark has joined several other European countries in banning garments that cover the face, including Islamic veils such as the niqab and burqa, in a move condemned by human rights campaigners as “neither necessary nor proportionate”. In a 75-30 vote with 74 absentees on Thursday, Danish lawmakers approved the law presented by the centre-right governing coalition. The government said it is not aimed at any religions and does not ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skull cap.
But the law is popularly known as the “burqa ban” and is mostly seen as being directed at the dress worn by some Muslim women. Few Muslim women in Denmark wear full-face veils.The justice minister, Søren Pape Poulsen, said it would be up to police officers to use their common sense when they see people violating the law, which comes into force on 1 August.The legislation allows people to cover their face when there is a “recognisable purpose” such as cold weather or complying with other legal requirements, for example using motorcycle helmets under Danish traffic rules.
Those violating the law risk a fine of 1,000 kroner (£118). Repeat offenders could be fined up to 10,000 kroner or jailed for up to six months. Austria, France and Belgium have similar laws.
Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s Europe director, said of the Danish decision: “All women should be free to dress as they please and to wear clothing that expresses their identity or beliefs. This ban will have a particularly negative impact on Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab or burqa. “While some specific restrictions on the wearing of full-face veils for the purposes of public safety may be legitimate, this blanket ban is neither necessary nor proportionate and violates the rights to freedom of expression and religion. Full Story
Hence, when you factor this into the equation what’s taking place now is occurring at a very fast rate. The statement we boldfaced is very telling. On a scale of 1-10, we are between 3 and 4, so this trend has plenty of room to run before it tops out. In other words, what’s taking place will appear mild in the future?
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s top three parties are running almost level four months ahead of a general election, with the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats polling a record 20 percent, according to poll in daily Dagens Nyheter. Support for the Sweden Democrats has surged since they first won seats in parliament in 2010, with the party on track to record its best ever election result after getting 13 percent in 2014. A surge in asylum numbers in 2015, when Sweden took in 160,000 refugees, has heightened worries about a creaking welfare state and that crime is increasing, boosting the party, which wants to close Sweden’s doors and crack down on gangs. The ISPOS poll put the Sweden Democrats hot on the heels of the governing Social Democrats, who got 24 percent, and the biggest opposition party, the center-right Moderates, who scored 22 percent.
At the last election the center-left Social Democrats got 31 percent and the Moderates 23.3 percent. The current government is a minority coalition of the Social Democrats and Greens. They are supported in parliament by the Left Party. Together, the parties polled 37 percent. The Moderates, Centre, Christian Democrats and Liberals cooperate and will fight the election as a group. They polled 39 percent Full Story
The Viking blood still runs strong in many of the Scandinavian nations and while time has cultured the fierce Vikings, the current state of affairs is starting to stir things up and as this trend gathers momentum we fear that these once quite people will reveal a side of them that the world has not seen for a long time. The Vikings were extremely ruthless and note that the Russians also have Viking blood. We mention this because it takes a lot to provoke the Russian bear, but once provoked the bear will not rest until it has destroyed its enemy. Vikings were twice as volatile; they were not afraid to fight; they actually relished a good and bloody fight. Given the strength of this trend there is a fairly high probability that some leader will emerge in this area with strong Viking roots and start talking about days gone by; if this comes to pass, all hell could break loose. The main target of this rage will be Muslim immigrants as they are being labelled as invaders with increasing frequency and the attacks are gradually becoming more violent.
If someone comes to power and starts talking about how strong the Vikings were and how the Norwegians, Danes, etc. need to stand up to the invaders (this is the term that is often used today), it will be an indication that the above outlook is coming to fruition. The rhetoric at first will be rather mild, but don’t confuse this mild rhetoric for inaction. Focus on whether the Viking factor is mentioned, if it is, then the odds of it turning violent are quite high.
We are not rooting for the above outcome, nor do we favour such an outcome but we would be doing our subscribers a disservice if we did not talk about a potential trend that appears to be gaining momentum.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
The Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that job cuts were likely to extend into 2019.Separately, Bloomberg News reported the bank was planning to withdraw from a number of equities markets across the globe.
The Bloomberg report, which also cited unidentified people, said that Deutsche would sharply scale back its presence in the United States, and had started cutting activities in Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Deutsche Bank, which holds its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, declined to comment. The loss-making bank said last month that it was planning to scale back its global investment bank and that equities was one of the areas it was looking at for possible cuts.A person familiar with the matter told Reuters last month Deutsche Bank was expected to cut around 1,000 jobs or 10 percent of its workforce in the United States.
It has also said that it would cut back U.S. bonds trading and the business that services hedge funds.The bank has been expected to announce further details of its reorganisation plans ahead of its AGM on Thursday. hareholders, fed up with a languishing share price and dwindling revenue, will call on the bank’s management to speed up the recovery process at the AGM.
Hans-Christoph Hirt, head of shareholder adviser Hermes EOS at Hermes Investment Management, told Reuters on Wednesday he wanted to see a “credible strategy with achievable targets.” Full story
Now they are firing to balance the books, in the near future they will be firing to get rid of the “expensive human element”. Sadly most of today’s high paid individuals get way too much for doing way too little, and AI is going to dramatically alter the landscape. Remember the equation must always balance, and the more skewed things become the stronger the blowback as the market moves back to the point of equilibrium.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
Beijing (AFP) – Thousands of spectators filled a stadium in China to watch 10 suspects be sentenced to death for crimes ranging from drug-dealing to homicide before they were taken away to be executed at the weekend. An online video of the rare public trial, held in southern Guangdong province on Saturday, showed the handcuffed suspects paraded around a track by uniformed police officers as onlookers watched from the sidelines.
The convicts also stood on a podium as their sentences were read over loudspeakers, while officials sat on a stage flanked by military guards. Rights groups say China executes more people than any other country, but Beijing does not give figures on the death penalty, regarding the statistics as state secrets.
A public announcement last week from Lufeng City People’s Court had invited citizens to sit in on the “open-air stadium trial”, as it was dubbed by the state-run Global Times. Beijing News, which circulated the trial video along. Full Story
Political correctness is going away, and this trend as we stated recently is set to last at least 15 years. Violence levels, for now, will continue to soar, but the response from governments especially in Asia and Eastern Europe is going to be just as brutal. The West will eventually join the pack. A leader is set to emerge that is going to make Trump look like a very polite gentleman.
McDonald’s has cold brew now, and what is coffee anymore?
n fairness, it was only a matter of time before the cold brew craze found its way to the massive fast-food chain. McDonald’s debuted its own cold brew beverage in two varieties: frozen coffee and frappe. This is the part where you swear you’ll never try it, and then give in four days later because you’re “curious.” Full Story
A politician is warning her fellow Russians not to do sex with foreigners during the World Cup
Tamara Pletnyova, the head of the Russian Duma’s Family, Women, and Children Committee, says to be especially careful if a potential father is “of a different race.” Her comments come as Russia is desperately trying to convince the world that it’s ready to tackle the racism that many are predicting will come along with the World Cup. Incidentally: Happy World Cup day to you! Full Story
There’s going to be a Fortnite World Cup with $100 million in prize money
If you’re familiar with the fandom of the video game, you might say, “Of course, this was inevitable.” For the uninitiated, Fortnite is a multiplatform game where 100 players vie for resources and compete against one another to be the last person standing. It’s also the reason you haven’t seen some of your loved ones in weeks. The Fortnite tournament will be open to all players, with qualifying tournaments starting in fall 2018. Full Story
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
BOJ can’t exit stimulus when inflation below 1 pct – BOJ Gov candidate Ito
TOKYO (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan likely won’t be able to exit its massive stimulus programme while inflation is hovering below 1 percent, Takatoshi Ito, an academic who is a potential candidate to become the next BOJ governor, said on Wednesday. “What’s important is for inflation to accelerate, which would give (the BOJ) quite some flexibility in guiding monetary policy,” Ito, a Columbia University professor, told a seminar in Tokyo.
The BOJ has already laid the groundwork for normalising monetary policy by revamping its policy framework last September and gradually slowing its bond purchases, though raising its yield targets would be some time away, he said. “While inflation is hovering below 1 percent, it would be hard for the BOJ to exit (from ultra-loose monetary policy),” said Ito, who is considered a candidate to succeed BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda when his five-year term ends in April next year. Full Story
As predicted the trend stated this would happen. More central bankers will join the inflation is not an issue club.
Amazon is invading finance without really trying
Many people believe that big technology companies will soon become major competitors to traditional banks. But Amazon has invaded their turf without offering many financial services—its mammoth cloud-computing business is instead reshaping how the financial industry works.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the biggest provider of cloud computing, which has “massively” lowered barriers to entry for financial startups, according to Antony Jenkins, the former Barclays CEO turned fintech entrepreneur. He says tech firms used to raise millions of dollars just to buy servers; now, people who want to take on banks can use the tech giant’s cloud to quickly set up systems. Full Story
Watch what will happen when they start to attack. And what nobody is talking about is China. Alibaba is going to rip this sector apart. They are already huge in Asia with Ant financial. Banks are going to face massive competition. And after that, the next sector to get ripped will be the medical sector. Many businesses that exist today will not be around ten years from today.
New York City’s Empty Storefronts And The $15 Minimum Wage
“Why Is New York Full Of Empty Stores?”
That’s the question posed by the New York Times editorial board in today’s paper, as it worries about a “scourge of store closings that afflicts one section of the city after another, notably in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.”
The editorial offers few answers to its question and at least one bad solution in the form of a new “vacancy tax” for building owners with unoccupied storefronts. But perhaps the most notable omission from the Times’ editorial is the board’s own role in exacerbating the city’s troubles through its advocacy for a $15 minimum wage.
The concerns about retail employment aren’t anecdotal: According to Labor Department data, 2016 was the first year since 2009 where New York City’s retail trade. Full Story
A trend in motion is unstoppable. Trying to control a trend is like trying to fight an anaconda with a toothpick. Wage Deflation is here to stay, and it’s going to gather incredible momentum in the months and years to come.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
Austria went to polls on Oct 15 to choose its next leader. After a decisive victory for Sebastian Kurz, nationalist politics seems to be coming into the picture again. With the counting almost completed, excluding those who voted out of their home districts, People’s Party took away 31.6% of the votes. Social Democrats secured the second place with 26.9% votes, while far-right Freedom managed 26%.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaWGCaNj1Vw
Far right politics seems to be gaining steam in Europe. Despite Geert Wilders of Netherlands and Marine Le Pen of France failing to emerge victorious in their respective elections, the support they received shows that Europeans are divided when it comes to political orientation in their respective countries.
Moreover, last month in Germany, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 12.6% votes as Germans opposed Merkel’s friendly refugee policy and her handling of the 2015 migrant crisis. Full Story
The Alt right is adjusting and adapting very fast; they will move towards the centre to gain control, once in they will implement their agenda with frightening speed, but what will be even more shocking is that the majority of the people will support this stance. The trend of polarisation continues to gather momentum.. A new powerful and very charismatic person will suddenly appear in Europe.
Polish president sharply condemns weekend nationalist march
The Polish president has sharply condemned expressions of xenophobia and racism at a weekend march by nationalists, saying there is no place in the country for anti-Semitism and “sick nationalism.”
It was the strongest and first unequivocal condemnation by a representative of the country’s conservative leadership of the white supremacist and racist views expressed by some of the 60,000 people who took part in a march on the Independence Day holiday Saturday in Warsaw.
Government members over the past two days had mostly described participants as patriots and played down the nature of the xenophobic messages. Though many families took part in the march, the event was organized by far-right groups and some carried banners with slogans like “White Europe of brotherly nations” or had flags with Celtic crosses, a white supremacist symbol.
There were also anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim slogans and chants. One large banner read “Deus Vult” in Gothic lettering. Latin for “God wills it,” it was a cry used during the First Crusade in the 11th century, when a Christian army from Europe slaughtered Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land. In recent years, it has been used by the radical right to show hostility to Islam. Full Story
The outlook will worsen before things get better; we are at stage 3, and this cycle has 7-10 levels.
Sweden will ‘never go back’ to the days of mass immigration
The Prime Minister of Sweden has vowed his country will ‘never go back’ to recent levels of mass immigration after it emerged the terrorist who killed four people in a truck attack was a failed asylum seeker.
Stefan Löfven pledged to change his country’s liberal attitude, insisting the massive influx allowed during the 2015 migrant crisis would never happen again.
Rakhmat Akilov, from Uzbekistan, hijacked the lorry and deliberately drove into pedestrians on central Stockholm’s main shopping street on Friday afternoon. Full Story
This story and the one below confirm the trend that we first spoke of in 2015.
Norway deported record number in 2016
Through the end of November, Norwegian police deported a total of 7,312 people who were living illegally in Norway, according to figures released on Friday by the National Police Immigration Service Norway (Politiets Utlendingsenhet).
That’s the highest number ever, at around five percent more than last year.
“This is a figure that shows that there have been many who do not have a legitimate claim to asylum who have stayed here and failed to leave the country, and that’s why it is necessary for the police to do the work they have done throughout the year,” State Secretary Fabian Stang told broadcaster NRK.
“It’s always brutal when one is forced to use the police to get people to do what they are required to,” added Stang, who is secretary for Immigration Minister Sylvi Listhaug.
More than a fourth of those who were forced to leave the country were also slapped with criminal charges. Most of those were from Romania, Poland and Lithuania. Nationals from those three countries accounted for 43 percent of the 2,041 convicted criminals who were deported. Full Story
It’s not only Muslims that are being targeted; all immigrants are paying the price now.
EU migrant crisis: Austria can deport asylum seekers, court says
The case, brought by Austria and Slovenia, could affect the future of several hundred people who arrived during the migrant crisis of 2015-16. The ruling concerns two Afghan families and a Syrian who applied for asylum after leaving Croatia.
The court says it is Croatia’s responsibility to decide their cases. The crisis unfolded during the summer of 2015, as one million migrants and refugees travelled through the Western Balkans. Under the so-called Dublin regulation, refugees typically have to seek asylum in the first EU state they reach. But Germany suspended the Dublin regulation for Syrian refugees, halting deportations to the countries they arrived in.
From August 2015, hundreds – and sometimes thousands – arrived in Austria every day, initially via Hungary and later through Slovenia.
Many wanted to travel on to Germany, but around 90,000 applied for asylum in Austria, equivalent to about 1% of its population. Full Story
We stated that this would come to pass; in fact, we stated that the open hand would turn into a massive raise fist. The law of balancing states that the equation must balance; no matter how long it takes, the equation will always balance. We expect the outlook to darken a lot more before it stabilises.
The Temporal Tapestry: Unraveling Present Bias Psychology in Modern Investment Decisions Present bias psychology, a cognitive tendency that leads individuals ...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the global economic outlook is "brightening," but warns that "protectionism" and geopolitical tensions could ...
For African migrants, ‘extreme vetting’ from U.S. to Europe slams the door shut
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown was only the beginning for Africans struggling to flee war and famine. New restrictions within Africa and opaque deals between European countries and African regimes could have a much more dramatic effect soon, Geoffrey York explains
On the dangerous journey to Europe this year, hundreds of African migrants have died a horrific death at sea. They die from hypothermia or fuel inhalation, thirst or hunger in drifting boats, or suffocation in overcrowded cargo holds. Hundreds have drowned when their flimsy dinghies capsize.
More than 1,000 migrants, the majority of them Africans, have perished in the Mediterranean in the first four months of this year alone – far more than during the same period of last year. Among the dead: more than 150 children, according to Unicef.
Despite the terrible risks, more than 37,000 asylum-seekers, mainly from Africa, have survived the ordeal and reached Europe from the Libyan coast this year, including about 9,000 during the Easter weekend alone.
With the Balkan migration route through Greece now largely shut down, the flow of people on the Libyan route to Europe has expanded by about 35 percent from last year. It’s an exodus that continues to alarm many European governments, triggering a series of aggressive new measures to clamp down on migration. Full Story
The stance in the West is going to toughen continuously when it comes to dealing with immigrants.
U.S. Army Now Taking Applicants With Histories Of Mental Illness, Drug Abuse And Self-Mutilation
During America’s 16-year War On Terror, the military has often struggled to handle mental health problems among fighters after rises in suicides and violence against innocent civilians. More than 200 active-duty servicemembers have died by suicide every year since 2008, according to Pentagon data. A study published this year by JAMA Psychiatry found that suicide attempts in the military are often infectious and help push even more recruits to try taking their own lives.
The latest mental health controversy began last week after Devin Kelley, a dishonorably discharged former Air Force member, shot and killed 26 people during a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Kelley died after the rampage from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. Full Story
A great way to ensure that violence levels will continue to soar in the U.S. Imagine individuals with these behavioural patterns being trained to use lethal weapons and then eventually being released into society.
Why retiring in America has become less attractive?
In a worldwide study, the U.S. fell to No. 17 (down three spots from last year) in the Natixis Global Asset Management Global Retirement Index. The index ranks 43 mainly developed countries on their ability to offer its citizens a secure retirement. Norway, Switzerland and Sweden top the list.
Why did the U.S. have such a dismal showing?
The U.S. took hits in income equality, health care spending and life expectancy. While America may have the fifth-highest income per capita, we have the sixth lowest score for income equality, suggesting that retirement saving is difficult for average workers. Our life expectancy fell, yet we spend the most on health care compared to the other countries analyzed in the index. A big part of the problem is demographics. Overall, we are living longer — and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
The global elder population is expected to more than triple to 2.1 billion by 2050, Natixis said, citing World Bank data, making retirement security “one of the most pressing social issues facing the world in the next 30 years.” Full Story
In 2013 we stated that the US had hit the point of no return regarding being one of the top places to retire. Since then it has continued to drop in rankings. In the near future, we expect several Asian Countries to appear on the top 20 suddenly. The US will continue its descent, the position of 30 could be hit quite fast.
