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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 headlines bring a mix of market movements, strategic investments, and economic predictions that could shape the near future. Norway's wealth fund, while experiencing AI-driven gains, saw its progress tempered by a slump in the property sector. Meanwhile, Alibaba's stock made a notable recovery after an earnings miss, showing resilience in a challenging market. Revolut's employees participated in a significant share sale, propelling the company's valuation to an impressive $45 billion.

As September looms, economists are abuzz with expectations of a rate cut, a move that could have widespread implications, and Robinhood has caught investors' attention by reporting user growth and receiving a favorable analyst upgrade. In global markets, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund posted a staggering $138 billion in profits for the first half of the year, largely fueled by AI-driven tech demand. On the other hand, leading miners faced a sharp decline, with plunging iron ore prices erasing $100 billion in market value.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway also made headlines by increasing its cash reserves through strategic stock sales, exemplifying a cautious approach amid economic uncertainty. For those looking to decode human behavior, Ray Dalio offers insightful advice, suggesting a key question that can uncover anyone’s true motives—applicable in all walks of life. Finally, for those planning their financial future, there's guidance on how to save effectively to retire with $2 million by age 65. As always, these stories provide a snapshot of the shifting tides in global finance, offering both cautionary tales and opportunities for savvy investors.

1. Norway Wealth Fund’s AI-Fueled Gain Curbed by Property Slump - Read more

2. Alibaba Stock Mostly Recovers After Earnings Miss - Read more

3. Revolut secures $45bn valuation in share sale by employees - Read more

4. Economists Expect a September Rate Cut. Here's What Fed Officials Are Saying - Read more

5. Robinhood Stock Rises After Reporting User Growth - and Getting an Analyst Upgrade - Read more

6. World’s largest sovereign wealth fund posts $138 billion in first-half profit as AI demand boosts tech - Read more

7. How Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Grew Its Cash Pile as It Sold More Stock - Read more

8. Plunging iron ore price wipes $100bn off leading miners’ market value - Read more

9. Ray Dalio says this one question will help you uncover someone’s true motives: ‘This applies to everything’ - Read more

10. Want to retire at 65 with $2 million? Here’s how much to save each month - Read more

Crypto News

The cryptocurrency world continues to navigate a complex landscape filled with regulatory challenges, new financial products, and the ongoing battle for market dominance. This week, JPMorgan raised concerns about the potential impact of stablecoin regulations on Tether, while the USDT issuer brushed off these worries as mere "sour grapes." In a significant development, the first leveraged MicroStrategy ETF has been launched in the US, providing investors with a new way to gain exposure to the crypto market.

Meanwhile, Nasdaq ISE, LLC has withdrawn its proposals to list and trade options on spot Ethereum and Bitcoin products, adding to the regulatory uncertainty in the market. In the ETF space, BlackRock has made headlines by surpassing Grayscale in assets, a shift driven by gains in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing competition between these two giants. However, the news isn't all positive—Bitcoin mining profitability has hit an all-time low in August, according to JPMorgan analysts, raising concerns about the sustainability of mining operations.

Adding to the conversation, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong suggested that AI should eventually integrate crypto wallets, hinting at the future convergence of these technologies. Mastercard is also making a bold move by betting on crypto, though it has notably distanced itself from stablecoins. On the entrepreneurial front, Pump.Fun, a relatively new platform, is on the verge of reaching $100 million in cumulative revenue within just eight months of its launch.

Lastly, for those looking to enter the mining scene, Monero veterans are preparing to launch the Tari Token, which promises to be more accessible for beginners than Bitcoin. These stories underscore the rapidly evolving nature of the crypto world, where innovation, regulation, and market forces continually reshape the landscape.

1. Stablecoin Regulations Could Pose Problems for Tether, JPMorgan Says; USDT Issuer Claims Sour Grapes - Read more

2. First leveraged MicroStrategy ETF launches in US - Read more

3. Nasdaq ISE, LLC withdraws proposals to list and trade options on spot Ethereum and Bitcoin products - Read more

4. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Gains Help BlackRock Flip Grayscale's Assets Tally - Read more

5. Bitcoin Mining Profitability Fell to All Time Lows in August, JPMorgan Analyst Says - Read more

6. BlackRock's ETFs surpass Grayscale's in assets, crowning new crypto fund king: Arkham - Read more

7. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: AI ‘should have crypto wallets’ - Read more

8. Mastercard Is Betting on Crypto - But Not Stablecoins - Read more

9. Pump.Fun nears $100 million cumulative revenue within eight months of launch - Read more

10. Monero Vets Prep Tari Token, Promising Easier Mining for Newbies Than Bitcoin - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

This week's dive into AI developments reveals a mix of groundbreaking advancements, ethical dilemmas, and futuristic applications. As we edge closer to the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a new supercomputer network set to go live in September could be the game-changer that brings it to reality. In the corporate world, Walmart is leveraging AI to enhance its operations, driving both efficiency and cost savings. However, not all AI endeavors are progressing smoothly—SoftBank's plans for Intel AI processors are reportedly uncertain, with a potential pivot towards a TSMC partnership.

On the content front, Grammarly is introducing a new AI content detector tool, sparking debates on whether using AI-generated content for SEO might constitute plagiarism. Researchers have also ranked various AI models based on their associated risks, revealing a wide range of outcomes and potential dangers. Meanwhile, AI continues to offer life-changing solutions, as demonstrated by a system that restored the voice of an ALS patient, providing a glimpse into the compassionate side of AI.

In more unconventional applications, AI is being used to decode the heart’s rhythms, offering new insights into medical diagnostics. Yet, the darker side of AI is evident in the rise of AI-powered ‘undressing’ websites facing legal action, and stories of AI stealing jobs without anyone noticing. Pindrop, however, offers some reassurance with its deepfake audio detection technology, claiming 99% accuracy. AI's capabilities continue to challenge human limits, with LongWriter AI surpassing the 10,000-word barrier, and systems predicting tongue diseases with remarkable accuracy.

Intriguingly, 'living computers' made from human neurons are now available for rent, signaling a new era in bio-computing. AI is even stepping into the battle against mosquitoes, showcasing its versatility. But amid all these advances, there are concerns—could AI be at risk of "eating itself to death" due to over-reliance on synthetic data? And as AI-generated romance platforms gain popularity, we must ponder the ethical and societal implications of these emerging technologies.

1. New Supercomputer Network Going Live in September Could Usher In AGI - Read more

2. How Walmart is using AI to improve its business, and save money - Read more

3. SoftBank's Intel AI processor plans in doubt as insiders say it is now considering a TSMC partnership - Read more

4. Grammarly to roll out a new AI content detector tool. Here's how it works - Read more

5. Is using AI-generated content for SEO plagiarism? - Read more

6. Researchers Have Ranked AI Models Based on Risk - and Found a Wild Range - Read more

7. ALS stole his voice. AI retrieved it. - Read more

8. This Code Breaker Is Using AI to Decode the Heart’s Secret Rhythms - Read more

9. AI stole my job and my work, and the boss didn't know - or care - Read more

10. AI-powered ‘undressing’ websites are getting sued - Read more

11. Pindrop says it can detect deepfake audio with 99% accuracy - Read more

12. LongWriter AI breaks 10,000-word barrier, challenging human authors - Read more

13. Artificial intelligence predicts tongue disease with 96 percent accuracy - Read more

14. These 'living computers' are made from human neurons - and you can rent one for $500 a month - Read more

15. AI technology can help you win the battle over mosquitoes - Read more

16. Could AI Eat Itself to Death? Synthetic Data Could Lead To “Model Collapse” - Read more

17. The Dangers of AI-Generated Romance. Platforms generating AI girlfriends are growing in popularity. - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week's newsletter delves into a range of intriguing and thought-provoking topics that explore the human experience, leadership insights, and historical mysteries. We begin with a deeply reflective piece that examines why some people find happiness even in the face of death, a perspective that challenges our understanding of life’s final moments. In a surprising trend, violent crime rates are plummeting, leaving many to question the factors driving this positive shift.

Meanwhile, some individuals are paying to experience complete isolation on deserted islands—discover the motivations behind this extreme form of solitude. On the darker side of human nature, we take a closer look at the stories of the BTK Killer’s daughter, Gabby Petito’s parents, and JonBenét Ramsey’s father, as they navigate their unique and tragic experiences in the public eye. If you’re looking to optimize your work-life balance, you might find inspiration in the concept of an A/B schedule, which could help you cut your work hours in half.

Charisma, often seen as a mysterious quality, is broken down in "The Anatomy of Charisma," offering insights into what makes certain individuals so magnetic. For the culturally curious, discover 13 surprising facts about the Louvre, one of the world’s most iconic museums. Meanwhile, two stranded astronauts are literally camping out in space, highlighting the resilience and ingenuity required for survival in extreme environments. The creation of the World Wide Web, seemingly spun out of thin air, continues to shape our digital lives, and we explore the origins and evolution of this transformative technology.

Delving into history, we uncover long-forgotten essays that shed light on why some women voted for Hitler, offering a chilling reminder of the complexities of political influence. On the health front, lifting weights emerges as a key strategy to delay aging and extend life. For leaders, seven harsh truths promise to sharpen your skills overnight, while practical advice is provided on how to avoid being overwhelmed by the relentless news cycle. Lastly, learn about 11 common survival mistakes that can prove fatal and meet a researcher with a bold plan to replace your brain—little by little.

1. Why Are Some People Happy Even as They’re Dying? (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

2. Violent crime is plummeting. Why? (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

3. Why Some People Are Paying to Be Left on a Desert Island - Alone (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

4. The BTK Killer’s Daughter. Gabby Petito’s Parents. JonBenét’s Dad. (Reading time: 20 min) - Read here

5. Want to Cut Your Work Hours in Half? Create an A/B Schedule (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

6. The Anatomy of Charisma (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

7. 13 Things You Didn’t Know About the Louvre (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

8. How Two Stranded Astronauts Are Camping Out in Space (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

9. How the World Wide Web gets spun out of thin air (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

10. Why Did Women Vote for Hitler? Long-Forgotten Essays Hold Some Answers (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

11. To Delay Death, Lift Weights (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

12. 7 Harsh Truths That Will Improve Your Leadership Skills Overnight (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

13. Six Tips to Avoid Being Overwhelmed by the News (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

14. 11 Common Survival Mistakes That Can Get You Killed (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

15. This researcher wants to replace your brain, little by little (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and uncertainties that define our modern world. Known for his insightful perspectives in Sapiens and Homo Deus, Harari now shifts his focus to the present, offering readers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. The book is structured into 21 concise chapters, each addressing a critical issue—from the impact of artificial intelligence and Big Data to the erosion of liberal democracy and the rise of nationalism.

Harari’s writing is accessible yet profound, making complex topics understandable without oversimplifying them. He skillfully dissects the threats of ecological collapse, nuclear war, and technological disruption, urging readers to confront these issues head-on. The book’s strength lies in its ability to connect the dots between disparate global trends and to challenge readers to think critically about the future. Harari doesn’t just highlight problems; he also offers guidance on how to adapt, suggesting that education, mental resilience, and ethical responsibility are crucial for thriving in an uncertain world.

However, some readers may find the book’s tone occasionally pessimistic, as Harari paints a rather stark picture of our future. Yet, this is balanced by his call for personal engagement and clarity in the face of overwhelming information. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the forces shaping our world today and seeking to prepare for the challenges ahead. It's not just a book but a crucial conversation starter for those interested in the future of humanity.

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