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Good day valued readers,

We hope this week's carefully curated selection of news finds you well. In this edition, we cover the latest developments across investing, finance, crypto, AI, and other topics to help you stay informed.

As always, our goal is to provide you with a professional, unbiased roundup of noteworthy news to augment your understanding of what's happening in the world. We take pride in hand-selecting articles from trustworthy sources across a diverse range of industries.

Please enjoy this week's newsletter. We're grateful for the opportunity to share these insights with you and look forward to continuing to be a valuable resource.

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Investing and Finance

This week's financial news highlights diverse trends in investment strategies and market dynamics. An article offers guidance on achieving financial independence, providing readers with practical steps towards economic self-sufficiency. The enduring appeal of stocks as the premier asset class is explored, offering insights into long-term investment strategies. Rich nations are reportedly planning to increase their gold reserves despite record prices, signaling a shift in global economic perspectives.

The distinction between industry and sector is clarified, helping investors better understand market categorizations. In corporate news, Shell expands its LNG portfolio by acquiring Singapore-based Pavilion Energy, strengthening its position in the global energy market. Nvidia's meteoric rise continues, overtaking Microsoft as the world's most valuable company and sparking discussions about the tech sector's future. Warren Buffett's continued investment in Occidental shares, increasing his stake to nearly 29%, reflects his confidence in the energy sector.

Apple's reported meetings with TSMC to secure all of its upcoming 2nm chip capacity highlight the intense competition in the semiconductor industry. A success story of a 42-year-old podcaster earning an average of $41,000 a month while working just 5 hours a week inspires discussions about modern career paths and passive income. Lastly, Nvidia's rally persists, with an analyst projecting the chipmaker to reach a staggering $5 trillion valuation, underscoring the company's dominant position in the AI-driven tech boom.

1. How To Achieve Financial Independence - Read more

2. Why Stocks Are the Greatest Asset Class - Read more

3. Rich countries plan to buy more gold despite record price - Read more

4. Industry vs. Sector: What's the Difference? - Read more

5. Shell Expands LNG Portfolio by Purchasing Singapore-Based Pavilion Energy - Read more

6. Nvidia Overtakes Microsoft as World's Most Valuable Company - Read more

7. Warren Buffett buys Occidental shares for 9 straight days, pushes his stake to nearly 29% - Read more

8. Report: Apple Met With TSMC to Secure All of Its Upcoming 2nm Capacity - Read more

9. 42-year-old brings in an average of $41,000 a month from his podcast and works on it just 5 hours a week - Read more

10. Nvidia rally continues as analyst projects chipmaker to reach $5 trillion valuation - Read more

Crypto News

This week's crypto news highlights significant developments across the digital asset landscape. The US SEC's pushback against Ripple's efforts to lower its fines underscores ongoing regulatory challenges in the crypto space. Australia's securities exchange marks a milestone by approving VanEck's spot Bitcoin listing, potentially opening new investment avenues. Tether's announcement of a new gold-backed synthetic dollar introduces an innovative approach to stablecoin design. Despite market volatility, crypto startup funding has surpassed $100 billion, demonstrating continued investor confidence.

The iconic French magazine Paris Match is embracing blockchain technology by auctioning historic photos as Ethereum NFTs. In a surprising turn of events, ConsenSys revealed that the SEC's investigation into Ethereum has concluded. Hashdex's filing for a combined spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF signals growing interest in diversified crypto investment products. The Vatican Library's initiative to offer soulbound NFTs to donors blends tradition with cutting-edge technology.

Renzo's successful $17 million fundraise capitalizes on the growing restaking trend. Kraken's disclosure of a $3 million hack and subsequent extortion attempts highlights ongoing security challenges in the crypto industry. Brazil's tax authority is taking steps to gather information from foreign crypto exchanges, indicating increased regulatory scrutiny. Iran's plans to launch a public CBDC pilot in June reflect the global trend towards digital currencies.

Australia's largest stock exchange lists its first spot Bitcoin ETF, marking a significant step in crypto's integration with traditional finance. Bondex, a crypto-fueled LinkedIn rival, reports raising over $10 million, showcasing the potential for blockchain in professional networking. Lastly, the IMF's assessment that CBDCs could enhance financial inclusion and payment efficiency in the Middle East underscores the potential impact of digital currencies on emerging economies.

1. US SEC pushes back against Ripple's efforts to lower its fines saying the firm 'is agreeing to nothing' - Read more

2. Australian Securities Exchange Gives Its First Approval of a Spot Bitcoin Listing to VanEck - Read more

3. Tether Announces a New Synthetic Dollar That Is Backed by Gold - Read more

4. Crypto startup funding eclipses $100B - Read more

5. Iconic French Magazine Paris Match Auctioning Historic Photos via Ethereum NFTs - Read more

6. ConsenSys Drops Ethereum Bombshell: U.S. SEC Investigation Closes in Stunning Twist - Read more

7. Hashdex files with SEC for combined spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF - Read more

8. Holy Tokens? The Vatican Library Is Giving Donors Soulbound NFTs - Read more

9. Renzo Capitalizes on Restaking Frenzy to Raise $17M From Galaxy, Brevan Howard - Read more

10. Kraken Says Hackers Turned to 'Extortion' After Exploiting Bug for $3M - Read more

11. Brazil's tax authority to summon foreign crypto exchanges for information - Read more

12. Iran to launch public CBDC pilot in June - Read more

13. Australia’s largest stock exchange lists its first spot bitcoin ETF - Read more

14. Crypto-fueled LinkedIn rival Bondex says it's raised over $10 million - Read more

15. IMF Says CBDCs Could Boost Middle East's Financial Inclusion, Payment Efficiency - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

This week's AI news showcases rapid advancements and diverse applications across various sectors. Adobe is revolutionizing PDFs by integrating its Firefly AI into Acrobat and adding chat support across multiple documents, enhancing document management and interaction. The US Navy is leveraging AI-equipped underwater drones to bolster its threat detection capabilities. Apple's embrace of open-source AI, releasing 20 Core ML models on the Hugging Face platform, signals a shift towards more collaborative AI development.

A new AI project aims to mimic the human neocortex, pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence research. For those looking to upskill, five online courses offering certificates in high-income AI skills are highlighted for 2024. An innovative AI solution promises to address inefficient traffic light systems, potentially improving urban mobility. Microsoft's AI chief's examination of OpenAI's code underscores the unique rivalry between the two tech giants. A new AI tool shows promise in predicting anxiety levels, potentially revolutionizing mental health diagnostics.

Two surveys reveal that teens are increasingly turning to AI for information and answers, highlighting the technology's growing influence on younger generations. An AI-enhanced blood test offers hope for early Parkinson's detection, years before symptom onset. The potential of generative AI to drive advancements in self-driving car technology is explored. Apple Developer Academy's introduction of AI training for all students and alumni reflects the growing importance of AI skills in tech education.

Forbes' legal threat against Perplexity highlights the complex relationships between traditional media and AI-driven information platforms. Former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever's launch of a new AI company signals continued innovation in the field. Lastly, a comprehensive guide to ChatGPT's pricing plans offers clarity on the costs associated with using OpenAI's popular language model.

1. Adobe Reimagines PDFs by Integrating Adobe Firefly into Acrobat and Adding Support for Chat Across Multiple Documents in Acrobat AI Assistant - Read more

2. AI-Equipped Underwater Drones Helping US Navy Scan for Threats - Read more

3. Apple embraces open-source AI with 20 Core ML models on Hugging Face platform - Read more

4. New AI Project Aims to Mimic the Human Neocortex - Read more

5. 5 Online Courses With Certificates For High-Income AI Skills In 2024 - Read more

6. The Smart, Cheap Fix for Slow, Dumb Traffic Lights - Read more

7. Microsoft’s star AI chief peers into OpenAI’s code, highlighting an unusual rivalry - Read more

8. New AI predicts anxiety levels - Read more

9. Teens are looking to AI for information and answers, two surveys show - Read more

10. AI-enhanced blood test may detect Parkinson’s years before onset - Read more

11. Generative AI could power the next wave of self-driving cars - Read more

12. Apple Developer Academy introduces AI training for all students and alumni - Read more

13. Scoop: Forbes threatens Perplexity with legal action - Read more

14. Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s former chief scientist, launches new AI company - Read more

15. How much does ChatGPT cost? Everything you need to know about OpenAI’s pricing plans - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week's diverse array of articles offers insights into personal growth, history, technology, and societal issues. An empowering piece celebrates imperfection as a positive attribute, encouraging self-acceptance and growth. A guide on slowing down time provides strategies for making the most of our fleeting moments. "The Great American Poisoning" delves into a significant public health issue, shedding light on overlooked dangers.

For those in their 30s, practical advice is offered to enhance long-term memory health. A poignant exploration of letters written by Black people to their former enslavers provides a powerful historical perspective on the aftermath of slavery. Tech enthusiasts will appreciate an in-depth look at the enduring IBM mainframe and its continued relevance. An article linking climate change to economic impacts highlights the interconnectedness of environmental and financial concerns.

A personal account of job loss and identity crisis resonates with many in today's dynamic work environment. An inspiring story of learning to swim as an adult emphasizes it's never too late to acquire new skills. Lastly, a fascinating historical anecdote recounts how a computer programmer's bug fix in 1977 inadvertently sparked an existential crisis, illustrating the unforeseen consequences of technological advancements.

1. You’re Not Perfect. And that’s great news. (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

2. Learning to Slow Down Time (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

3. The Great American Poisoning (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

4. 6 Things to Do in Your 30s to Improve Your Memory for the Long Haul (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

5. The Painful, Cutting and Brilliant Letters Black People Wrote to Their Former Enslavers (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

6. The IBM mainframe: How it runs and why it survives (Reading time: 25 min) - Read here

7. The Climate Is the Economy (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

8. My Job Was My Life. Then I Got Fired. (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

9. Learning to Swim as an Adult Feels Like Coming Home (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

10. In 1977, A Computer Programmer Fixed a Massive Bug - And Created an Existential Crisis (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

Herminia Ibarra's "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader" offers a refreshing and practical approach to leadership development. The book challenges the conventional wisdom of "think first, act later" by advocating for a more action-oriented method of growth. Ibarra, an expert in professional leadership and development, draws on her experience as an INSEAD professor to provide valuable insights for aspiring leaders at all levels. The author presents three key areas for focus: redefining one's job, diversifying networks, and becoming more playful with self-concept.

By emphasizing the importance of "outsight" – the external perspective gained through direct experiences and experimentation – Ibarra encourages readers to step out of their comfort zones. The book is filled with self-assessments and practical advice, making it a hands-on guide for those looking to enhance their leadership skills. Ibarra's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts easy to grasp and apply. While the ideas presented are not entirely new, the author's unique perspective and emphasis on action-based learning set this book apart from other leadership texts.

The inclusion of real-world examples and case studies helps readers connect theory to practice. "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader" is an invaluable resource for managers and executives seeking to take their careers to the next level. Overall, this book provides a compelling argument for why stepping up to leadership requires not just reflection, but also deliberate action and experimentation in one's professional life.

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