10. Russia Keeps Duping Foreign Fighters into Ukraine
Russia reportedly recruits Yemeni fighters for war in Ukraine Mathias HammerThe News-Semafor
Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, the Financial Times reported, as the Kremlin increasingly looks to foreign troops to limit the impact of the war on the domestic population.
The men were seemingly recruited by a group linked to the Iran-backed Houthis, which promised them lucrative jobs and Russian citizenship, but they were instead sent to fight in Ukraine, some of the men told the FT.
Both Russia and Ukraine have struggled to recruit enough troops to replace their battlefield casualties; to avoid a costly and unpopular mobilization effort at home, the Kremlin has instead used more foreign fighters, including those from Nepal and India, as well as an estimated 12,000 North Korean soldiers.
The US special envoy for Yemen said Russia is discussing weapons transfers with the Houthis that could allow the group to more accurately target ships in the Red Sea. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began last year, the Houthis have attacked at least 90 merchant ships in an apparent show of solidarity with Hamas, another Tehran-backed group.
1. Number of International Markets Hitting Lows Reached Highest Level of Year
U.S. Is Still No. 1. HMR Insights. Hi Mount Research. himountresearch.substack.com Nov. 17: The number of markets hitting new lows reached its highest level of the year. The late-September spike (when half the world was making new highs) seems like a distant memory at this point. As it stands now, less than a fifth of markets are above their 50-day average and less than half are still above their 200-day average. Global weakness last week helped confirm one of the most durable trends over the past decade as the U.S. hit a new high versus the rest of the world (again). Willie Delwiche. Barrons
Vanguard International ETF on 200-Day
2. China -22% from Stimulus Rally High
Bespoke Investment Group
Chinese Stocks in Free Fall-In the US, equities have staged a solid rally this month with most of the move occurring after the election. Elsewhere in the world, equities haven’t exactly shared in the gains. Chinese stocks, using the iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) as a proxy, surged throughout September and into early October as stimulus measures were announced. After a massive 42.7% gain from the end of August through the closing high on October 7th, MCHI reversed lower and was down 14.5% by Election Day. Headed into the election, MCHI actually stabilized somewhat, but post election it has taken another leg lower as it is now down 9% since then and 22.2% since the October high. As shown below, the ETF is also now in no-man’s-land trading smack in the middle of its 200 and 50-DMAs with gaps to fill from the September post-stimulus run up.
Teas made from the tea plant come in four basic varieties: black, oolong, green, and white. They differ in flavor and color depending on how the leaves of the plant are picked, rolled, crushed, and exposed to air before drying.
For example, black teas are exposed to the air for an extended period before being steamed and dried, which promotes oxidation and gives the tea its dark color and deep flavor. Oolong teas are exposed for a shorter time, creating a slightly milder color and flavor. The leaves in green tea retain their color because they’re steamed and dried soon after picking, preventing most oxidation, so green tea has a grassier, more herbal flavor. White teas are even lighter in color and flavor because they’re made from young tea buds that are steamed and dried immediately after picking.
In addition to the obvious differences in color and flavor, there are some differences in health effects. Most notably, the darker the tea, the higher the caffeine level tends to be. An 8-ounce cup of black tea, for example, usually has about 40 to 60 milligrams of caffeine, about half of what’s in a typical cup of brewed coffee and about twice as much as what’s in green tea.
While caffeine can promote alertness, too much can make you jittery and possibly pose other health risks. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of it per day. If you are watching your caffeine intake, then, you may want to drink more green tea, for example, than black. Note, though, that how much caffeine ends up in a cup of tea can vary from product to product, and also depends on how long you let it steep. So monitor how you feel after drinking your tea and adjust accordingly.
There are also some subtle differences among tea types in the amounts of antioxidants—a broad class of substances that offer a multitude of health benefits—they contain. But overall, they are all excellent sources of those beneficial compounds, says Michelle Francl, PhD, professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College in Pa., who’s also the author of the book “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea” (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024). “Even though we tend to think of green tea as kind of healthier than black tea, the [antioxidant] profiles are practically all the same,” she says.
Here’s a quick rundown of tea’s likely health benefits and the compounds thought to contribute to them.
Heart Disease
Polyphenol antioxidants in tea seem to relax blood vessels, which could prevent them from constricting. And catechins, a type of polyphenol, may reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep levels of HDL (good) cholesterol high. That could help prevent plaque from building up in your arteries. In combination, these effects may explain why research generally suggests that tea reduces the risk of heart attack and possibly other forms of heart disease.
Diabetes
Catchins as well as theaflavins, which are another type of antioxidants found in tea, appear to affect how the body regulates insulin and blood sugar. And a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that people who drank four or more cups of tea per day had a 20 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those who drank less.
Weight Loss
Tea, especially green tea, has a reputation as a weight loss aid. And the combination of caffeine and catechins may boost your metabolism, some research suggests, which could translate into weight loss. However, that effect appears modest at best. Note that there’s little evidence that green tea supplements marketed for weight loss help in that effort, and some research has raised safety concerns about them, so it’s probably wise to skip them.
Bone Health
Tea’s effect on your skeleton is complicated because some research has found that caffeine may be bad for the bones. But a number of studies over the years suggest that drinking tea doesn’t reduce bone density, and may actually strengthen bones. For example, a 2022 study of 3,530 postmenopausal women found that those who drank one to three cups of green tea daily had lower rates of osteopenia (weakened bones) and osteoporosis (decreased bone mass) compared with people who consumed less than one cup daily.
Cancer
The catechins in tea, perhaps especially green tea, may suppress the growth or spread of certain kinds of cancer cells, according to a 2022 study in Frontiers in Nutrition. The study linked tea consumption to a possible reduced risk of gynecological, digestive, liver, lung, and gallbladder cancers.
Cognitive Decline
Regularly drinking tea may combat some of the normal declines in cognitive function that come with age, according to several studies, including a 2022 analysis in the journal Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience that looked at 36 previously published articles. One possible explanation for that apparent benefit is that the antioxidants in the beverage shield the brain from damage.
What About Herbal Teas?
Peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, echinacea, ginger, slippery elm—those are just a few of the hundreds of herbal teas you can buy, alone or in combination. They often have purported health benefits, from helping to soothe a sore throat, improving sleep, and relieving menstrual pain to easing stress, boosting immunity, and aiding digestion. But in part because there are so many of them, with so many different potential health claims, it can be hard to document their benefits with hard, scientific research.
That said, herbal teas often contain some of the same antioxidants and other healthful compounds found in true teas. Many of them also have long histories of use as traditional medicines from around the world, with few known risks when consumed in typical formulations. And, of course, they can be no-calorie ways to keep yourself hydrated—and many people find relief, or just comfort, from a soothing cup of hot herbal tea.
8. Another Chart on Federal Government Spending ..DOGE Won’t Be Easy
DC Lite Blog
DOGE vs. government spending. “As for the Department of Government Efficiency, good luck with that. Entitlements are an increasingly large share of total government spending, and previous budget agreements will already cut non-defense discretionary spending to the lowest share of GDP on record.”
9. U.S. office property prices fall another 19% from a year ago
By Joy Wiltermuth Marketwatch
Signs of gradual stabilization of U.S. commercial real estate continued in October, except for office buildings, according to a closely followed price index. (MSCI RCA CPPI). Prices for offices in U.S. central business districts fell another 18.7% in October from a year ago, putting their three-year drop at 50.7%, according to MSCI’s latest RCA commercial property-price index.
Nationally, all property prices were down only 1.5% from a year ago, reinforcing expectations of a gradual recovery in the U.S. market has been taking hold. The Federal Reserve started cutting short-term rates in September, but long-term rates that finance the economy have shot higher, dashing hopes for lower borrowing costs for many landlords.
DC Lite Blog Equity positioning. “Consolidated equity positioning has reached the 94th percentile, approaching extreme levels and indicating robust market sentiment.”
Dave Lutz Jones Trading 9 out of the 10 most-traded options wagered on gains. The highest activity was in calls expiring in January with a $55 strike, followed by December expiry at $65 — 25% above the exchange-traded fund’s closing price on Monday.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust is the largest portfolio for the token and one of 12 US spot-Bitcoin ETFs. The group has attracted a net inflow of about $29 billion since going live in January, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
5. Third Year of Bull Market 2025
6. Healthcare Stocks Sold Off Post Trump Election Except Devices
Medical Device ETF
7. KWEB China Internet ETF…Rally on Stimulus then -23% Pullback
8. Social Spending as Percentage of GDP
9. First-Time Buyers Share of Housing Purchases Hits All-Time Lows
Via WSJ: America’s Homes Are Piggy Banks That Few People Can Afford to Raid (click chart to read)
Ethereum ETF flows. “Ethereum ETFs have made a quick and sudden rise from the deep dark depths of cumulative outflows following the Election, finally into fresh air and net inflows.”
3. Small Cap Gives Gains Back Again
MarketEar Blog
4. Mexican Peso vs. U.S. Dollar Straight Down…Tariff Fear
By Sonali Basak and Ryan Gould There are hundreds of private technology companies waiting for the market for initial public offerings to open up, according to a JPMorgan Chase & Co. global chair of technology investment banking, with clarity on the US election expected to provide a shot in the arm for listing hopefuls.“When we look at our analysis, we have about 750 quality companies in tech alone that want to get out,” Madhu Namburi said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “Sixty to 70 companies go public in a normal year. That’s a lot of backlog.”With the election in the rearview mirror, the market is showing signs of wanting to reward companies prioritizing growth as opposed to just profitability, Namburi said.
SMCI holding around 200-week moving average and 2023 lows.
9. America Needs Housing Supply
Trump Should Bring On a Great American Housing Boom by The Editors of Bloomberg News, 11/19/24 First, the administration should encourage a wave of rezoning and deregulation at state and local levels, which is the source of most of the friction. In his first term, Trump promised an effort along these lines and established a council to study the problem. This time around, he should act on its recommendations, including by helping local governments dial back costly requirements such as parking minimums and minimum lot sizes and speed up permitting. Perhaps the “freedom cities” Trump says he wants to build on federal land (details TBD) might be exemplars in this regard.
More prosaically, the administration should change federal policies that needlessly raise the cost of construction. This could include reducing certain tariffs — such as those on Canadian lumber, which were sharply increased during the Biden administration — as well as expediting environmental reviews and reducing red tape. To help address the 288,000 job openings in construction, up from an average of 190,000 since 2000, Trump could create incentives for community colleges and vocational schools to provide relevant training and offer more visas for qualified immigrants. Finally, Trump has promised to reduce interest rates, which would certainly help make housing more affordable
10. Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink shares 5 go-to exercises to get stronger and live longer with minimal equipment -Business Insider
Jocko Willink starts his day at 4:30 a.m. with a workout, a habit he picked up in the Navy SEALs. Courtesy of Jocko WillinkGabby Landsverk Nov 19, 2024, 7:45 AM EST
Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, works out up to 3 hours a day.
He varies his exercises to stay healthy long-term and avoid having any athletic weaknesses.
Exercises like push-ups, squats, and rucking are a part of his routine for overall strength and stamina.
Whether you want to build muscle, burn fat, or live longer, some of the simplest exercises are the best place to start, according to retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. Willink, a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, said he wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every day to work out for up to three hours. He varies the exercises to avoid having any major weaknesses as an athlete, and more importantly, to keep him ready for any challenge life throws at him. “There is no more important strategic goal in our lives than staying healthy,” he told Business Insider. While he has a massive garage gym, Willink said the most tried-and-true exercises require minimal equipment. Movements like pull-ups, squats, sprints, and rucking (carrying weight) can help you put in the work without overcomplicating your workouts. The latest research also suggests that the benefits of these movements — getting stronger, improving your resilience, and boosting heart health — can help you live longer, too. “Going back to the basics and doing things that have been used for decades is a solid way to go,” Willink said. “You can never go wrong with those.” Bodyweight exercises can build strength and muscle without a gym For getting stronger and more muscular, it’s hard to beat bodyweight movements like pull-ups, push-ups, and dips, Willink said. They work the major muscle groups in the upper body and core, improve stability, and don’t require much equipment beyond a bar or bench. Do enough of them, and you can also raise your heart rate enough to get some cardio benefits. Scaling exercises like push-ups to make them easier can help you get the benefits even as a fitness beginner. And if you’re still working up to your first pull-up, starter movements like eccentrics can help you get there. Squats are key for a strong lower body For stronger legs and overall fitness, squats have big benefits: building your glutes, hamstrings and quads, strengthening your core, and improving stability. Willink said he does squats for better mobility, too, since using a full range of motion can help keep the joints like the hips, knees, and ankles strong and healthy. “When I squat, I’m squatting all the way down,” he said. Burpees offer a quick workout on the go Willink said he travels quite a bit, but doesn’t slack off on the road and will wake up and hit 100 burpees in his hotel room if necessary. “There are definitely days that I try to figure out a way to just move. You’ve got to do some minimum work,” he said. Burpees offer a total-body workout for explosiveness and endurance in just a few minutes. If you hate them, lean into it; it pays to put your ego aside and work on your weaknesses, according to Willink. “One of the key components here is that what we need to do as people is watch out for the things you don’t like doing,” he said. Sprint intervals can boost your explosive power and cardio Willink said he incorporates running, rowing, swimming and other cardio into his workouts, but not only as long, steady endurance sessions. He also does repeated short, explosive efforts to keep his skillset as versatile as possible. “I want to be able to do a bunch of different things but at the same time, I don’t want to lose a movement or an area where I’m ridiculously weak.” he said. “But if I would go to extremes and become a marathon runner, I’d be smaller and lighter and my ability to do jiu jitsu would be weaker.” Rucking offers full-body benefits Willink is a big fan of a military-based exercise called rucking, which involves walking, hiking, or running with a weighted back. Rucking has become a hot fitness trend outside the military for people who want to build muscle, burn fat, and improve their stamina all at once. He uses a 75-85 pound pack, but you don’t need to go that heavy to start rucking. An ordinary backpack with books, water bottles, or similar weight can work. Willink said he’s glad to see the exercise getting more popular, since it taps into a basic human movement and a mindset of tackling challenges. “You’re going to experience some suffering and you have to push through it,” he said. “It’s hard but it’s meditative. You don’t have to think about it. It’s the simplest movement that humans do,” Willink said.
