THREAD: investor alert uncertain market signals ahead

TERRORIST ATTACK Foiled: Southern Israel on High Alert

22 July 2024 — Security has been tightened in southern Israel since Hamas-led terrorists killed around 20 people on Oct. 7, sparking the Gaza war. On Monday, a suspect arrived at the entrance of Netiv HaAsara and threatened members of the community’s rapid response team with a knife. The team opened fire, stopping the attack.

Israeli Police are investigating the attempted terror attack near the Gaza border. The Israeli military confirmed one person was killed after trying to stab security forces. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics reported that no one was physically injured, though a 61-year-old woman suffered from shock.

The terrorist was identified as a Canadian citizen who accused the IDF of killing civilians in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that he came from within Israel rather than crossing from Gaza. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region.

TRUMP SURGES Ahead in Michigan: Biden’s Struggle to Secure Base Exposed

25 March 2024 — A recent trial ballot in Michigan has revealed a surprising lead for Trump over Biden, with 47 percent favoring the former president compared to 44 percent for the incumbent. This result falls within the survey’s ±3 percent margin of error, leaving nine percent of voters still undecided.

In a more complex five-way trial ballot test, Trump maintains his lead at 44 percent against Biden’s 42 percent. The remaining votes are split among independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein, and independent Cornel West.

Steve Mitchell, president of Mitchell Research, attributes Trump’s lead to Biden’s lackluster support from African Americans and younger voters. He forecasts a nail-biting contest ahead as the victory will likely hinge on which candidate can rally their base more effectively.

In a head-to-head choice between Trump and Biden, an overwhelming 90 percent of Republican Michiganders back Trump while only 84 percent of Democrats support Biden. This poll report underscores an uncomfortable situation for Biden as he loses a significant 12 percent chunk of his vote to former President Trump.

BODY SHOP Faces Uncertain Future: Insolvency Administrators Step In Amid Financial Crisis

14 February 2024 — The Body Shop, a renowned British beauty and cosmetics retailer, has enlisted the help of insolvency administrators. This move follows years of financial struggles that have plagued the company. Established in 1976 as a single store, The Body Shop has grown into one of Britain’s most iconic high street retailers. Now, its future hangs in the balance.

FRP, the appointed administrators for The Body Shop, have revealed that past owners’ financial mismanagement has contributed to an extended period of hardship for the company. These issues are exacerbated by a challenging trading environment within the broader retail sector.

Just weeks before this announcement, European private equity firm Aurelius took over The Body Shop. Known for their expertise in revitalizing struggling companies, Aurelius now faces a significant challenge with this latest acquisition.

Anita Roddick and her husband established The Body Shop in 1976 with ethical consumerism at its core. Roddick earned herself the title “Queen of Green” by prioritizing corporate social responsibility and environmentalism long before they became fashionable business practices. Today however, her legacy is threatened by ongoing financial difficulties.

UKRAINIAN Drone Attacks SPARK Terror in Russia Ahead of Presidential Election

19 January 2024 — The city of Klintsy, located near the Ukrainian border, became the latest victim of Ukraine’s escalated drone strikes. Four oil reservoirs were set ablaze following an attack by a Ukrainian drone. This incident marks an intensification in Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian normalcy ahead of its March 17 presidential election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to increase strikes on Russian targets this year. With Russia’s air defenses primarily focused on occupied regions within Ukraine, remote Russian locations are becoming more susceptible to long-range Ukrainian drones.

The fear induced by these drone attacks forced the Russian city of Belgorod to call off its Orthodox Epiphany celebrations — marking a first for major public events in Russia. Concurrently, there are reports that a gunpowder mill in Tambov was targeted by Ukrainian drones. However, local officials refute any claims of operational disruptions.

In another development aligning with this trend, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting a Ukrainian drone near St. Petersburg Oil Terminal last Thursday. These escalating attacks underline the mounting tension between Ukraine and Russia.

NASA’S Moon Landing POSTPONED While China Races Ahead: A New Space Race?

10 January 2024 — NASA has revised its moon landing timeline. The pioneer astronauts are now slated to touch down near the moon’s south pole with Artemis III in September 2026, a delay from the initial plan of December 2025.

On the other hand, China pursues its deep space exploration dreams without hindrance, targeting a manned Moon landing by 2030. This could potentially place China ahead of the US in this renewed space race.

Artemis IV, NASA’s inaugural mission to the Gateway lunar space station, is still set for 2028. NASA is currently addressing some safety concerns including a battery glitch and an issue with a circuitry component that controls air ventilation and temperature regulation.

Despite these hurdles, NASA emphasizes that “safety is our top priority.” With America’s space agency wrestling with technical challenges, it remains uncertain how this postponement will affect America’s position in global space exploration.

TRUMP’S Troubled Past: Biden’s Team Shifts Focus Ahead of 2024 Showdown

02 January 2024 — President Joe Biden’s team is adjusting their strategy for the 2024 campaign. Instead of solely spotlighting the incumbent Democrat, they’re turning attention to former President Donald Trump’s contentious record. This move follows recent polls showing Trump leading Biden in seven swing states and gaining traction among younger voters.

Trump, despite grappling with multiple criminal and civil charges, continues to be a GOP favorite. The aim of Biden’s aides is to use his disputed record and legal allegations as a lens through which voters can view the potential consequences of another four-year term under Trump.

Currently, Trump faces four criminal indictments and is embroiled in a civil fraud lawsuit in New York. Regardless of these trials’ outcomes, he could still make a run for office even if convicted — unless legal contests or state ballot requirements prevent him from doing so. However, rather than dwelling on the outcome of Trump’s cases, Biden’s team plans to underscore what another term would mean for American citizens.

A senior campaign aide noted that while Trump may succeed in mobilizing his base with extreme rhetoric, their strategy will highlight how such extremism could negatively affect Americans. The focus will be on the potential adverse impact of another term under Trump rather than his personal legal battles.

ALARMING Surge in ANTISEMITIC Crimes: London Deploys Over 1,000 Officers Ahead of Rally

14 October 2023 — In response to a disturbing increase in antisemitic hate crimes, Scotland Yard has deployed over a thousand officers. This action precedes a pro-Palestinian rally planned for tomorrow. The extent of HAMAS support among London’s Muslim and secular radical populations is yet to be determined.

London’s Muslim community, which makes up about one-sixth of the city’s population, has grown to 1.3 million due to diversity and mass immigration policies by the two main political parties. In contrast, census data shows that the Jewish population has decreased to an estimated 265,000.

Following the deadly HAMAS attack on October 7 that took over 1,000 Jewish lives, numerous protests have erupted. As antisemitic incidents in Britain have escalated since the conflict began, two Jewish schools in London have decided to close until Monday.

Senior Officer Laurence Taylor noted a significant rise in antisemitic crimes compared with last year’s figures during the same period (30 September — 13 October). He mentioned that while Islamophobic incidents have also slightly increased, they are nowhere near as prevalent as the surge in antisemitism.

EMERGENCY Alert Test: The NATIONWIDE Drill You Can’t Ignore

04 October 2023 — The federal government is set to conduct a nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System on Wednesday. This system, designed to deliver a presidential message to Americans within 10 minutes during a national crisis, uses the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Wireless phone users in the U.S. will receive an alert at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time that reads: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Along with this message, phones will emit sound and vibration signals. If any phones are switched off at this time, they will display the alert once powered back on within a half-hour window.

For those tuning into broadcast or cable television or radio during this period, they’ll encounter a one-minute message stating: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System by Federal Emergency Management Agency covering United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action required by public.”

BULLISH on Bitcoin: Crypto Market ERUPTS in January as FEAR Turns to GREED

30 January 2023 — Bitcoin (BTC) is on track to have the best January in the last decade as investors turn bullish on crypto after a disastrous 2022. Bitcoin leads the way as it approaches $24,000, up a massive 44% from the beginning of the month, where it hovered around $16,500 a coin.

The broader cryptocurrency market has also turned bullish, with other top coins such as Ethereum (ETH) and Binance Coin (BNB) seeing substantial monthly returns of 37% and 30%, respectively.

The upturn comes after last year saw the crypto market plunge, fueled by fears of regulation and the FTX scandal. The year shredded $600 billion (-66%) from Bitcoin’s market cap, ending the year worth only a third of its 2022 peak value.

Despite the ongoing concerns of regulation, the fear in the market looks to be shifting to greed as investors take advantage of bargain prices. The rise may continue, but savvy investors will be wary of another bear market rally where a sharp sell-off will send prices back to Earth.