Child hunger: A crisis of Epic proportions

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Alan Solomon

Child hunger is an alarming global issue that continues to worsen at an unprecedented rate, with millions of children suffering from malnutrition and starvation amidst an abundance of food and wealth. This harrowing atrocity is further exacerbated by misplaced priorities, such as the exorbitant military spending of developed countries like the United States. This essay explores the prevalence of child hunger, the paradox of food waste, and the urgent need for a shift in global priorities to address this humanitarian crisis.

The Prevalence of Child Hunger: A Startling Reality

As of 2022, approximately 811 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, with 50 million facing emergency levels of hunger across 45 countries. This dire situation has escalated so rapidly in recent years that numerous countries are now at risk of famine. Among the most vulnerable to hunger are children, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating that 45 million children under the age of five suffer from wasting, increasing their risk of mortality by up to 12 times. Additionally, 149 million children under five experience stunting due to inadequate nutrition and lack of essential nutrients.

The Paradox of Food Waste: An Appalling Injustice

It is a distressing fact that while millions of children go hungry, around a third of the food produced globally for human consumption is wasted or lost, amounting to approximately 1.3 billion tons per year. Food waste occurs at various stages of the supply chain, from production and harvest to storage, processing, and consumption. In developed countries, a significant portion of food waste occurs at the retail and consumer levels due to stringent quality standards and over-purchasing.

Instead of destroying excess food and agricultural produce, efforts should be directed towards redistributing these resources to the hungry and impoverished. Implementing more efficient food distribution systems, reducing waste, and encouraging sustainable consumption practices could help alleviate child hunger worldwide.

Misplaced Priorities and Wasted Resources: A Call for Change

The developed world, particularly the United States, has often prioritized military spending and engaging in conflicts over addressing the pressing issue of child hunger. In 2020, the US military budget amounted to a staggering $740.5 billion, which dwarfed the $9.5 billion allocated to global health programs, including those tackling hunger and malnutrition. These figures reveal a glaring disparity in resource allocation and a lack of political will to address the plight of starving children.

The Impact of Hunger on Women and Children

Hunger disproportionately affects women and children, with over 31% of women worldwide facing hunger compared to 27% of men. This gender gap has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAO estimates that 2.3 billion people, or roughly 29% of the global population, experience less extreme but still dangerous levels of food insecurity.

War of Attrition

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Alan Solomon

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.

Denmark finally passes Law banning both Burqa and Niqab

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Alan Solomon

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

Roughly two hours after commenting on the previous story, this news article surfaced. If you have ever been to Denmark or had Danish friends, you will understand how easy going and nice these individuals (generally) are. http://studyindenmark.dk/why-denmark/quality-of-life-1/what-are-the-danes-like

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?

Sweden Democrats the Anti-immigration party set to score big in Upcoming elections

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Alan Solomon

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.

Deutsche Bank set to cut 10K Jobs to reduce costs

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Alan Solomon

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.

Chinese convicts executed after stadium trial – McDonald’s has cold brew now

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Alan Solomon

Chinese convicts executed after stadium trial

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

Japanese Banks Have Too Many Employees, Branches

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Alberto Mancini

Have Too Many Employees, Branches

Japanese banks may have too many employees and branches, and the overcapacity is contributing to a drop in earnings power that may hurt the financial system, according to the nation’s central bank. “The low profitability of Japanese financial institutions is striking from an international perspective,” the Bank of Japan said in its twice-yearly financial system report. The number of employees and branches “may be in excess relative to demand,” it said.

While banks in most advanced economies are struggling to cope with low-interest rates, the problem is particularly acute in Japan, where the central bank’s monetary easing has squeezed lending margins to among the lowest in the world. Japanese banks are also having to contend with a shrinking population which has prompted some smaller lenders to merge and larger ones to diversify operations and expand abroad. Full Story

Just another way of saying we need to replace humans with AI; the AI automation trend is gathering momentum at a frightening pace.

The Italian prime minister’s new EU adviser compared the EU to Nazi Germany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ldonJoxL6I

In a blog post from 2014, Luciano Barra Caracciolo, Italy’s new undersecretary for EU affairs, posted an image of an EU flag being peeled back to reveal a Nazi flag underneath. He has authored books on the incompatibility between EU treaties and Italy’s constitution, and has argued for the country to exit the euro. Full Story

Hawaii just became the first state to ban a pesticide linked to developmental delays in kids

The bill Gov. David Ige signed into law bans all chemicals containing the insecticide chlorpyrifos, starting in 2019. It also prohibits spraying pesticides within 100 feet of schools while they’re in session. Chlorpyrifos is sprayed on crops across the US to kill a variety of pests. People who apply it have to wear chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, and respirators, and avoid treated areas for one to five days. Full Story

Is Europe Swinging to the Right?

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Alan Solomon

Is Europe Swinging to the Right?

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.

China Seeks Foreign Help in Risky Work Finding Oil in Disputed Sea

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Alberto Mancini

South china sea dispute: Beijing is looking for foreign contractors to help find oil and gas under the South China Sea but expects to meet resistance because other governments contest its claims and any discoveries may bring low returns.

China’s state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp. issued a tender last week for foreign companies to join it in exploring for fossil fuels in 22 tracts south of the country’s coastline. The blocks spanning a combined 47,270 square kilometers cover waters contested by Taiwan and Vietnam. Vietnam has been particularly outspoken since the 1970s about its claims.

Complicated matter

Foreign oil companies eyeing the bids, which close in September, probably worry that their ties to the Chinese maritime claim could spoil their reputation among rival South China Sea claimants or that any oil found would be a disputed asset, analysts say.
South China Sea Territorial Claims

“Given the area in question, there are risks around the sovereignty issue,” said Thomas Pugh, commodities economist with Capital Economics in London. “If they enter a deal with China and Chinese firms, they could risk not being allowed to work with other countries in the region who are disputing ownership of the area.”

Disputes over ownership continue

Discoveries themselves could also be contested by other countries, said Raymond Wu, managing director of Taipei-based political risk consultancy e-telligence. Full Story

The Chinese government is looking to foreign businesses to help find oil and natural gas under the South China Sea.

Yet China expects to meet resistance because other countries dispute Chinese territorial claims to much of the sea. In addition, observers say any oil and gas discoveries might not be very profitable.

Last week, China’s state-operated China National Offshore Oil Corporation made an appeal for foreign help. The company said it wants to work with foreign businesses in exploring for fossil fuels in 22 areas south of the country’s coast.

When combined, that represents more than 47,000 square kilometers of territory. The governments in Taiwan and Vietnam also claim those waters. Vietnam has been outspoken about its claims since the 1970s.

Foreign oil companies are now studying the Chinese offer, which closes in September. Experts say the companies may be worried that any work they do for China could hurt their ability to work for other countries. And they say the companies may also be worried that any oil or gas they find could be claimed by China’s neighbors.

Thomas Pugh works for the Capital Economics research service in London. He says if foreign companies start working with “China and Chinese firms, they could risk not being allowed to work with other countries…who are disputing ownership of the area.”

Raymond Wu is the managing director of e-telligence, a Taipei-based service that specializes in political risk. He also notes that any oil and gas discoveries could be claimed by other countries. Full Story

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Category Archives: Politics

Child hunger: A crisis of Epic proportions

The Prevalence of Child Hunger: A Startling Reality

The Paradox of Food Waste: An Appalling Injustice

Misplaced Priorities and Wasted Resources: A Call for Change

The Impact of Hunger on Women and Children

Other Articles of Interest

War of Attrition

Other Articles of Interest

Denmark finally passes Law banning both Burqa and Niqab

Other Articles of Interest

Sweden Democrats the Anti-immigration party set to score big in Upcoming elections

Other Articles of Interest

Deutsche Bank set to cut 10K Jobs to reduce costs

Other Articles of Interest

Chinese convicts executed after stadium trial – McDonald’s has cold brew now

Chinese convicts executed after stadium trial

McDonald’s has cold brew now, and what is coffee anymore?

A politician is warning her fellow Russians not to do sex with foreigners during the World Cup

**There’s going to be a Fortnite World Cup with $100 million in prize money**

Other Articles of Interest

Japanese Banks Have Too Many Employees, Branches

Have Too Many Employees, Branches

The Italian prime minister’s new EU adviser compared the EU to Nazi Germany

Hawaii just became the first state to ban a pesticide linked to developmental delays in kids

Other Articles of Interest

Is Europe Swinging to the Right?

Is Europe Swinging to the Right?

Polish president sharply condemns weekend nationalist march

Sweden will ‘never go back’ to the days of mass immigration

Norway deported record number in 2016

EU migrant crisis: Austria can deport asylum seekers, court says

Other Articles of Interest

China Seeks Foreign Help in Risky Work Finding Oil in Disputed Sea

Complicated matter

Disputes over ownership continue