Two days after the tragic terrorist attacks in Brussles, the situation remains extremely fluid, with the largest concern being that more sleeper cells may be activated especially since the third man who participated at the Zaventerm airport suicide bombing is still at large. Here, courtesy of the Guardian and Politico, are the most recent key developments out of Belgium.

Submitted by Charles Hugh-Smith of OfTwoMinds blog,

If the four structural trends highlighted below don't reverse, the middle class is heading for extinction.

Everyone knows the middle class is fading fast. I've covered this issue in depth for years, for example: Honey, I Shrunk the Middle Class: Perhaps 1/3 of Households Qualify (December 28, 2015) and What Does It Take To Be Middle Class? (December 5, 2013)

A scientific breakthrough in a Ministry of Defence research project is paving the way for scanners that will one day be able see through walls and under the ground. The scientists including experts at the MoD’s Porton Down labs developed a new device that can detect tiny fluctuations in gravity. The gravity scanner which was revealed in a BBC Horizon documentary, can detect tiny changes in gravity, by using lasers to freeze atoms in position. The device could also lead to sensors that are immune to jamming or stealth technology designed to beat conventional systems like radar.

Durable Goods New Orders (Ex-Transports) or so-called "Core" durable goods dropped 0.5% YoY, extending its losing streak to 13 months. This is the longest streak in the history of the series with no recession. All segments of the durable goods report saw negative MoM moves with headline down 2.8% (small beat) but preior data was revised dramatically lower, Capital goods orders were drastically revised lower but still fell more than expected (-1.8% MoM) and finally shipments ex-aircraft dropped 1.1% MoM (missing the expedcted rise of 0.3% notable) with

Still hovering near 43 year lows, initial jobless claims printed a better than expected 265k against expectations of 269k. Continuing claims also dropped from 2.218m to 2.179m - also back near 43 year lows. So, the mystery is - why is the ISM's composite manufacturing and services employment index collapsing to 6 year lows?

hhmm?