The Eurozone Crisis: Spike in Suicide Rates; Spain and Italy slide further; Japan pledges $60bn to IMF
(April 14) The economic downturn that has shaken Europe for the last three years has also swept away the foundations of once-sturdy lives, leading to an alarming spike in suicide rates. Especially in the most fragile nations, small-business owners and entrepreneurs are increasingly taking their own lives in a phenomenon some European newspapers have started calling “suicide by economic crisis.” While suicides often have many complex causes, researchers have found that severe economic stress corresponds to higher suicide rates.
Greece
Before the eurozone crisis began, Greece had the lowest suicide rate in Europe. But by 2011, suicides in the country had skyrocketed, shooting up 40% from 2010. The suicide rate among men increased more than 24 percent from 2007 to 2009. On April 4, a desperate 77-year-old retiree shot himself outside the Greek Parliament because the government had cut his pension to almost nothing. Other chose to jump off balcony or set themselves on fire to protest against austerity measures. Greece is stumbling through its worst post-World War Two economic crisis as austerity measures demanded by foreign lenders in exchange for financial aid push the country into its fifth year of recession.
Ireland
In Ireland during the same period, suicides among men rose more than 16 percent. The phenomenon has been linked to what some therapists call Celtic Tiger depression, the period after 2008 characterized by an influx of middle-aged male patients who complained about sleeplessness and a lack of appetite in the aftermath of that nation’s destructive boom-and-bust real estate market.
Italy
Suicides motivated by economic difficulties have increased 52 percent, to 187 in 2010 — the most recent year for which statistics were available — from 123 in 2005. Veneto, a region that was the engine of Italy’s economic growth in the 1990s, has been especially hard hit. In this part of the country, more than 30 small-business people have committed suicide in the last three years.
Portugal
In one of western Europe’s poorest countries, opposition politicians blame budget cuts for a thousand extra deaths in February, 20% more than usual. Portugal is predicted to follow Greece to be the next eurozone country to falter.
(April 16) The Eurozone is back in full crisis mode – Spain and Italy faced growing market pressure on Monday as Madrid’s budget problems threatened to drag in other southern European economies. Spain, the euro zone’s fourth-largest economy, is at the centre of the crisis as concerns grow about some of its banks and the impact of the austerity policies of on a struggling economy. In Rome, a similarly bleak picture is expected when growth forecasts are announced. (Source)
(April 17) Japan has promised to lend $60bn to the International Monetary Fund, to fund a new global firewall to to avoid Europe’s debt crisis causing more harm to the global economy. It will be “difficult” for the IMF to win enough new commitments this week to hit its target of a $600bn firewall. America is refusing to increase its commitment, while major emerging nations are also proving reluctant. Japan also hinted that China might provide more support for the IMF. (Source)
END TIMES TRUTH
Proverbs 1:27 “when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.” Trouble and stress – that’s all that’s left for the inhabitants of earth. Luke 21:28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!” People are becoming not only mentally stressed out from the way things are on earth but a large number are becoming mentally ill as time progresses.
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1 Thessalonians 5 [The Day of the Lord]
1 About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you.
2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.
5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
6 So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”
Satan will offer PEACE AND SECURITY as the Anti-Christ. When the answer to mankind’s woes seem to be at hand – LOOK OUT! This world is destined for one world currency under a world government, can Japan and/or China thwart bible prophecy? “labor pains” That’s what the people of earth are experiencing now – but with the harsh pain of labor a new kingdom will be birthed and the end of satan’s reign will come to closure for 1000 years. Strain on the mind can have devastating effects that are far reaching. The Word warns all us to keep your focus on Christ’s incoming reign because it acts as a safeguard to keep your mind sound and wholesome in spite of what’s just around the corner. Your faith will help you keep your sanity as the world slowly sinks into insanity.
All About Precious Stones: Keep Your Focus On Christ Millennial Reign
