Philosophy of life

There is cautious optimism that ratification of Macedonia’s accession protocol will meet no obstacles in NATO member state parliaments – but experts fear the process may be slower than some expect.

Bulgaria is among the countries in the world where pessimism prevails over optimism. 30% of Bulgarians expect 2019 to be worse compared to the current year, while 22% believe that the next 12 months will be better.

This is clear from the first and oldest "Global Index of Hope" called "End of the Year". The survey is conducted annually by Gallup International.

Women who have been made to work as domestic maids for the rich in their childhood years have spoken of this “slavery” system, which still continues in a neighborhood of the southern province of Hatay’s Kırıkhan district.

Given the Turkish Lira's volatility and the economy's bad press, there is widespread pessimism among Turkish investors. While we cannot forecast the short-term evolution of the currency or economy, we can make a rational assessment of long-term economic dynamics and highlight the country's strengths.

The problem of the uncontrollable violence plaguing Greek university campuses is chronic. Rectors are justifiably afraid to do something, the police is dodging responsibility and the problem is simply allowed to grow.

The government set up a committee to examine the issue and came up with a report that was no more than a wish-list and an expose of ideas.

A study conducted among 400,000 Canadians found that the inhabitants of small provincial towns feel eight times happier than those living in the megacities, according to Daily Mail.

The improvement in consumer confidence in Greece in the last quarter of 2017 proved temporary, as optimism late last year gave way to pessimism in the first quarter of 2018, according to GfK's quarterly survey.

Hooked as we are on negativism, which often leads to nihilism, we harbor a grim outlook about Greece. We increasingly feel that there is no hope, that the country will never be able to get back on its feet, and that all the disagreements between politicians and economists over the exact rate of economic growth are a meaningless theoretical exercise. The game is already lost.

It turns out that money can buy happiness. But for that you do not need as much as you think.

Acclaimed choreographer and dancer Ioanna Portolou explores the element of risk in the quest for true happiness in her new production for the Griffon dance company. The show, titled "Risk" and on at the Onassis Cultural Center January 15-18, sees five performers succumbing to the carefree abandon of 1980s music as they explore the consequences of setting the fear of injury aside.