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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

Welcome to this week's roundup of the most intriguing developments in finance, technology, and the broader economy. As we navigate through uncertain times, it's crucial to stay informed about the forces shaping our financial landscape. In the corporate world, Disney continues to flex its entertainment muscle with the highly anticipated "Deadpool & Wolverine," while McDonald's defies expectations with rising stock prices despite an earnings miss.

Across the Atlantic, the Eurozone shows resilience with a modest 0.3% economic growth in the second quarter. However, challenges loom on the horizon, particularly for recent college graduates facing an increasingly competitive job market. Interestingly, Gen Z is turning to AI for financial guidance, a trend that merits closer attention. Speaking of financial decisions, we'll explore what's currently considered the best-performing stock of all time.

On the consumer front, Americans are borrowing more but struggling with repayments, raising concerns about financial stability. The housing market remains a hot topic, with conflicting signals about affordability. Meanwhile, in the tech sector, Microsoft's recent earnings report reveals a complex picture, with a cloud revenue miss overshadowing overall positive results.

As we delve into these stories and more, we'll also share practical advice, such as how setting aside just $10 a day could potentially lead to a million-dollar retirement fund. So, buckle up for a week of insights that will help you navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.

1. Disney Scores Latest Win With 'Deadpool & Wolverine' - Read more

2. McDonald's Stock Is Rising After an Earnings Miss. Here's Why. - Read more

3. Eurozone economy grows 0.3% over second quarter - Read more

4. The Job Market Is Getting Tougher - Especially For Recent College Grads - Read more

5. Gen Z Is Relying on AI To Make Financial Decisions - Read more

6. What is the Best Performing Stock of All Time? - Read more

7. Americans Are Taking Out More Loans - And Falling Behind on More Repayments - Read more

8. Will Homes Get More Affordable, Or Not? There’s Reason To Think Both - Read more

9. Microsoft Cloud Miss Overshadows Earnings Beat - Read more

10. Setting aside $10 a day could help you save over $1 million for retirement - but you have to start early - Read more

11. Mortgage Demand Dips as Fewer Seek Refinancing - Read more

12. Bullish Microsoft Analysts Say AI Spending Worries Are Overblown - Read more

13. These homeowners are ‘hacking’ their pools and lawns to earn extra cash - Read more

14. Schroders Assets Increase on Private-Market Inflows - Read more

15. Microsoft tells employees it will hand out one-time cash awards of up to 25% of annual bonus - Read more

16. July Turned the Stock Market Upside Down. Will It Stay That Way? - Read more

17. Why Americans are snubbing McDonald’s and Starbucks - Read more

Crypto News

Welcome to our weekly digest of the most captivating developments in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. As we've seen time and again, this space is never short of excitement, and this week is no exception. Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, has been on a rollercoaster ride, tumbling below $67K as the U.S. government moves a staggering $2 billion worth of 'Silk Road' tokens.

This volatility comes as debates intensify over the role of Bitcoin in national reserves, with a Hong Kong lawmaker joining the chorus calling for strategic Bitcoin holdings. In a groundbreaking legal move, artists are taking on the SEC, challenging the classification of NFTs as securities and using Taylor Swift concert tickets as a compelling example.

Meanwhile, the election betting market on Polymarket has surged past $400 million, with whales favoring Trump in what could be a telling indicator of market sentiment. On the regulatory front, Russia has taken a significant step by legalizing crypto mining and introducing an experimental regime, potentially reshaping the global mining landscape. In a lighter vein, Dunkin' is making waves in South Korea by giving out free Bitcoin with donuts, blending the world of cryptocurrencies with everyday treats.

Tether continues to dominate headlines, reporting record profits and increasing its Bitcoin holdings to a whopping 80,000 BTC. However, in a surprising move, the stablecoin giant has halted further Bitcoin purchases. As we delve into these stories and more, we'll explore how these developments might impact the broader crypto ecosystem and what they could mean for investors and enthusiasts alike.

1. Bitcoin Tumbles Below $67K as U.S. Government Moves $2B of 'Silk Road' Tokens - Read more

2. Artists sue SEC over whether NFTs are securities, use Taylor Swift tickets as example - Read more

3. How Much Bitcoin Do Governments Hold? - Read more

4. Hong Kong Lawmaker Latest to Push for Strategic Bitcoin Reserve - Read more

5. Polymarket Whales Favor Trump as Election Betting Surges Past $400M - Read more

6. Over 41.5% of Mt. Gox Bitcoin distributed as creditors continue to hodl - Read more

7. Russia Legalizes Crypto Mining and Brings an Experimental Regime - Read more

8. Dunkin’ Is Giving Out Free Bitcoin With Donuts in South Korea - Read more

9. Telegram Game 'Hamster Kombat' Hits 300 Million Players, Reveals Token Allocation Plans - Read more

10. $5.2 Billion: Tether Reports Record Profit as Bitcoin Holdings Soar to 80,000 BTC - Read more

11. USDC trading volume soars 48% in July, driven by MiCA, market growth - Read more

12. Lummis Introduces Bitcoin Reserve Bill Aiming to Bolster US's Global Financial Standing - Read more

13. Coinbase, Google veterans raise $5 million for a blockchain alternative to LinkedIn - Read more

14. Tether Halts Bitcoin Purchases - Read more

15. Bitcoin Shows Positive Trend as Investor Profitability Remains Strong - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most exciting and thought-provoking developments in the world of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to reshape industries and spark global conversations, staying informed has never been more crucial. In the realm of hardware, Amazon has unveiled its latest AI chip, boasting a remarkable 50% performance boost, while Apple made waves by revealing that its AI models were trained on Google's custom chips.

These advancements underscore the fierce competition in AI infrastructure, a battle that's reshaping the tech landscape. On the research front, an ambitious claim has emerged about an AI tutor that could potentially make humans 10 times smarter, raising intriguing questions about the future of education and human cognitive enhancement. Meanwhile, the UK has launched an investigation into Google parent Alphabet's partnership with AI firm Anthropic, highlighting the growing scrutiny of big tech's AI collaborations.

In policy news, a new U.S. Commerce Department report has endorsed 'open' AI models, potentially influencing the direction of AI development and regulation. This comes as OpenAI throws its support behind Senate bills that could shape America's AI policy, demonstrating the increasing intersection of AI and governance. As AI integrates further into our daily lives, companies like Taco Bell are rolling out AI drive-thru ordering, while Vimeo is introducing AI-powered video translation with authentic voice cloning.

However, this rapid adoption is not without its challenges, as evidenced by reports of mass cheating through AI in Australian universities, raising concerns about academic integrity in the AI era. From Microsoft's significant AI investments to AMD's pivot towards becoming an AI chip company, the economic impact of AI is becoming increasingly apparent. As we delve into these stories and more, we'll explore how these developments are shaping the future of AI and what they mean for businesses, policymakers, and individuals alike.

1. Amazon Unveiled the Latest AI Chip, Performance up by 50% - Read more

2. Apple says its AI models were trained on Google’s custom chips - Read more

3. This AI tutor could make humans 10 times smarter, its creator says - Read more

4. Google parent Alphabet’s partnership with AI firm Anthropic under investigation in the UK - Read more

5. New U.S. Commerce Department report endorses ‘open’ AI models - Read more

6. Your new AI Friend is almost ready to meet you - Read more

7. Microsoft Is Losing a Staggering Amount of Money on AI - Read more

8. Taco Bell to roll out AI drive-thru ordering in hundreds of locations by end of year - Read more

9. AI reprograms glioblastoma cells into dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy - Read more

10. Vimeo Announces AI-Powered Video Translation with Authentic Voice Cloning - Read more

11. Microsoft's earnings disappoint on key AI metrics - Read more

12. OpenAI endorses Senate bills that could shape America’s AI policy - Read more

13. AMD is becoming an AI chip company, just like Nvidia - Read more

14. ‘Nobody is blind to it’: mass cheating through AI puts integrity of Australian universities at risk, academics claim - Read more

15. Musk denies report xAI is considering acquiring Character.AI - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

Welcome to our weekly dive into the most intriguing stories that touch on the various facets of our lives. From personal growth and relationships to technology and environmental concerns, we've curated a collection of articles that will spark your curiosity and broaden your perspectives. This week, we journey from the deeply personal to the globally significant. We explore the complex emotions stirred by familial connections to historical atrocities, and ponder the ethics of romantic relationships born from infidelity.

On a planetary scale, we delve into groundbreaking research that's shaking up our understanding of the Atlantic Ocean's future. In our increasingly digital world, we tackle the ever-present challenge of online security with expert advice on password management for 2024. We also examine how the American war on pornography could reshape internet usage as we know it, highlighting the intricate dance between freedom and regulation in the digital age.

For those seeking self-improvement and life hacks, we offer insights on how to change your life in just 5 seconds and tips for making the most of your vacation when you can't fully disconnect. Tech enthusiasts will be intrigued by the secret menu on Netflix and the potential for call recording in the latest iOS beta. Venturing into the realm of nature and science, we take a look at Cambodia's mysterious rain forest and the radical conservation efforts preserving it.

We also explore the fascinating question of why we forget most of the books we read, touching on the intricacies of human memory and learning. From the practical (removing your data from people-finder sites) to the mystical (why astrology matters to many), our eclectic mix of topics reflects the diverse tapestry of modern life. As we navigate these varied subjects, we invite you to reflect on how they intersect with your own experiences and worldview.

1. My family and other Nazis (Reading time: 22 min) - Read here

2. How Soon Might the Atlantic Ocean Break? Two Sibling Scientists Found an Answer - and Shook the World (Reading time: 30 min) - Read here

3. Is Cheating Okay If You End Up With the Love of Your Life? (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

4. 7 password rules to live by in 2024, according to security experts (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

5. The Sustainable Path is the Only Path (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

6. Make America date again (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

7. How the American war on porn could change the way you use the internet (Reading time: 16 min) - Read here

8. Can't Find Anything Good on Netflix? Try the Secret Menu to Find Movies and Shows (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

9. How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

10. iOS 18.1 Beta Includes Call Recording and Transcribing (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

11. A Look at the Radical Conservation of Cambodia’s Mysterious Rain Forest (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

12. Why We Forget Most of the Books We Read (Reading time: 7 min) - Read here

13. Why Astrology Matters (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

14. How to Remove Your Data From People-Finder Sites (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

15. Make the Most of Your Vacation When You Can’t Fully Unplug (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

"You Are Not So Smart" by David McRaney is an eye-opening exploration of human cognitive biases and self-delusions. McRaney skillfully blends humor with scientific research to expose the myriad ways our minds trick us in everyday life. The book's structure, featuring 48 short chapters on various psychological phenomena, makes it an engaging and accessible read for both psychology enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

McRaney's writing style is conversational and witty, effectively translating complex concepts into relatable examples that resonate with readers' experiences. While the title might seem accusatory, the author maintains a compassionate tone, emphasizing that these mental quirks are universal and part of the human condition. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the illusion of control to the bandwagon effect, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of cognitive biases.

Some readers might find the rapid-fire presentation of ideas overwhelming, but this approach also makes the book perfect for dipping in and out of at leisure. McRaney's work serves as an excellent starting point for those interested in understanding the hidden influences on their decision-making processes. Although the book doesn't offer extensive solutions to overcome these biases, it does promote self-awareness, which is the first step toward more rational thinking.

"You Are Not So Smart" challenges readers to question their assumptions and perceptions, potentially leading to more informed choices in various aspects of life. While some of the concepts may be familiar to those well-versed in psychology, McRaney's fresh perspective and engaging anecdotes make this book a valuable addition to the popular science genre. Overall, "You Are Not So Smart" is an enlightening and entertaining read that encourages readers to embrace their imperfections while striving for a clearer understanding of themselves and the world around them.

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