Has the Ukraine crisis caused a ‘black swan’ event? Some financial commentators have referred to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its corresponding geopolitical impact and spike in energy prices, as a ‘black swan’ event. However, others, including Market Watch, say that the term is being misapplied – not everything that hits the stock market … Read more
AI, apps and mental health As technology continues to develop, how far can we employ it to safeguard our mental health? This is the question being asked in South Korea at the moment, where elderly and possibly isolated people are using Naver’s new ClovaCall. The South Korean tech giant has produced Clova as an AI … Read more
Top ten countries for British expats The latest survey conducted by immigration law firm Reiss Edwards, and cited by the Daily Express, rates Australia as the most popular destination for British expats, followed by Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Spain, Ireland, France, South Africa, Germany and Italy also appear in the top ten. Family … Read more
The international healthcare news for expats is still dominated by Covid-19, but the better news is that Omicron – while not completely unproblematic – seems to be proving to be comparatively mild among the vaccinated. More and more countries are starting to open up, with a few holdouts such as Hong Kong and New Zealand, … Read more
International Living’s Global Retirement Index International Living’s Global Retirement Index for 2021 gives some up-to-date information on the best retirement destinations for expats. Top of the list in terms of cost of living is Vietnam, which has recently seen a drop in rents (an apartment in Hoi An, for instance, costs on average £220 per … Read more
If you’re planning a move to the territory of Gibraltar, you might be wondering whether any of the rules and regulations relating to residency, healthcare and other aspects of life on the Rock have changed since Britain left the EU. We will take a look below at any post-Brexit changes. Overall, your rights as a … Read more
“Intrinsic link” between financial advice and mental health Investment advisory firm Black Swan Capital reported last month that surveys have shown an ‘intrinsic link’ between mental health and receiving financial advice. The study was undertaken by leading bank HSBC, and highlighted a number of points: • 74% of adults who sought financial advice have an … Read more
Hong Kong: old colonial law invoked for repression Pro-democracy website Stand News has been shut down over the holiday season by Hong Kong police, invoking an old law used under British colonial rule which has not been deployed for decades. Activists have said that this episode could make criticism of the government illegal in Hong … Read more
Health news for expats continues to be dominated by Covid-19. On a positive note, the Omicron variant appears – on the face of current evidence – to be milder than first feared, and the vaccination wall seems to be holding. Regulations against Covid-19 vary considerably from country to country, even within the UK. This month, … Read more
US expats face double taxation threat American tax specialists in the UK have highlighted a potential issue for US expats lurking in President Biden’s Build Back Better bill, if it is passed as currently written. Countries such as the UK, India, Australia and New Zealand, which have a tax year that is not in sync … Read more