search on Nostr: nostr:nevent1qqs2h9at2g9pv6mzj0k9wa59lm9wf0p3tfux7a73a0c98spnxgmqd0qacdz79 ...
quoting nevent1q…dz79Foschini Group and TJI Achieve Impressive Revenue Growth Despite Challenging Conditions ( #7e57291a , v0.02)
https://www.zawya.com//track.media-outreach.com/index.php/WebView/260038/39402
The Foschini Group (TFG) and TJI both achieved impressive revenue growth in their respective interim results. TFG saw a growth of 12.9% to R28.4 billion, driven by the expansion of its footprint and brand portfolio, with particularly strong online sales growth in South Africa. TJI, a leading restaurant group in Hong Kong, reported a revenue growth of 10.0% to HK$1,387.4 million, driven by net openings in its restaurant network and moderate comparable restaurant revenue growth in Hong Kong. Both companies demonstrated resilience and innovation in navigating challenging trading conditions. Despite rising interest rates, high inflation, and other challenges, they remain confident in their strategies and are well positioned for future growth.
#FoschiniGroup #TJI #revenuegrowth #interimresults #challengingconditions
References:
- : https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/global/tji-fy2024-lnterim-revenue-up-10-profit-for-the-period-excluding-government-subsidies-surges-153-bw0caif7
quoting nevent1q…p0pcChina's Double 11 Shopping Festival Demonstrates Robust Recovery of Consumption ( #46739331 , v0.06)
zxcode_20231114bee1d09271844aa0a42b2aaafbd4b37f.jpg
China's annual 11.11 'Singles' Day' e-tail frenzy, also known as the Double 11 shopping festival, has demonstrated the robust recovery of the country's domestic consumer market. Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall Group reported year-on-year growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), number of orders, and participating merchants during the sale period. JD.com also experienced record-breaking transaction volume, order volume, and user engagement. The State Post Bureau recorded a significant increase in express courier delivery, reflecting the steady progress of China's consumer market. Consumption has become a crucial driver of China's economy, contributing 83.2% to GDP growth in the first three quarters of the year. The government's measures to boost consumption, such as in the automobile and household appliance sectors, have yielded positive results. China's robust consumption is also evident in foreign trade and fair activity. The country's foreign trade increased in October, ending a four-month declining streak, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) achieved a record high of tentative deals. As related policies continue to deliver results, China's consumption potential will be further unleashed, driving both domestic and global economic growth.
#Double11 #China #consumermarket #e-commerce #GrossMerchandiseValue #post-COVIDrecovery #GDPgrowth #foreigntrade
References:
- : https://english.news.cn/20231114/bee1d09271844aa0a42b2aaafbd4b37f/c.html
quoting nevent1q…xpewUnlocking the Potential of Nuclear Spacecraft ( #12b2797b , v0.01)
Lockheed Martin has secured $33.7 million in funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory for the JETSON High Power program. This program aims to advance high-power nuclear electric propulsion and power technologies. Lockheed Martin will collaborate with BWX Technologies Inc. and Space Nuclear Power Corp. for the development, which will take place in Colorado, New Mexico, and Virginia. The JETSON program is a step towards using nuclear electric propulsion for human transportation to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The technology utilizes a fission reactor that transfers heat to Stirling engines, generating between six and 20 kilowatt-electric. Lockheed Martin states that this technology could provide higher electrical output than solar-powered spacecraft. The reactor remains inactive during launch and only starts the fission process when the spacecraft reaches a non-decaying orbit far from Earth.
In addition, the US Space Force has awarded contracts worth over $5.6 billion to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) for 48 rocket launches as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract awards. The Phase 2 orders have significantly increased, with the number of launches going from three in the first year to 21 in the fifth year. The Phase 3 bidding process is currently underway, with expectations of 17 missions ordered in the first year, 14 missions in the second year, and 16 missions in the third year. This block buy approach aims to reduce launch costs by allowing companies to prepare their supply chain for a longer timeframe. SpaceX is projected to generate more revenue from its Starlink business than its launch business next year. Other companies in the space industry, such as ViaSat and Hughes, have faced challenges including write-downs and subscriber losses, while companies like Iridium and Rocket Lab have reported positive financial results. Voyager and Airbus have also signed an agreement with the European Space Agency to explore opportunities for sustained access to space through the Starlab space station.
Sources:
- [Lockheed Martin Lands Funding for Nuclear Spacecraft](https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/lockheed-martin-lands-funding-for-nuclear-spacecraft/) (Thomasnet)
- [US Space Force Awards $5.6 Billion in Contracts to SpaceX and ULA](https://www.space.com/us-space-force-awards-spacex-ula-contracts) (Space.com)
#LockheedMartin #nuclearspacecraft #JETSONHighPowerprogram #nuclearelectricpropulsion #fissionreactor #Stirlingengines #spaceexploration #USSpaceForce #SpaceX #UnitedLaunchAlliance #NationalSecuritySpaceLaunch #rocketlaunches #Starlink #ViaSat #Hughes #Iridium #RocketLab #Voyager #Airbus #EuropeanSpaceAgency #Starlab
References:
- : https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/lockheed-martin-lands-funding-for-nuclear-spacecraft/
quoting nevent1q…2yeuChina's Double 11 Shopping Festival Boosts Consumption and Signals Economic Recovery ( #46739331 , v0.05)
China's annual 11.11 'Singles' day' e-tail frenzy, also known as the Double 11 shopping festival, has demonstrated the robust recovery of the country's domestic consumer market. Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall Group reported year-on-year growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), number of orders, and participating merchants during the sale period. JD.com also experienced record-high transaction volume, order volume, and user engagement. The State Post Bureau recorded a significant increase in express courier delivery, reflecting the steady progress of China's consumer market. Consumption has become a crucial driver of China's economy, contributing 83.2% to GDP growth in the first three quarters of the year. The government's measures to boost consumption, such as in the automobile and household appliance sectors, have yielded positive results. China's robust consumption is also evident in foreign trade and fair activity. The country's foreign trade increased in October, ending a four-month declining streak, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) achieved a record high of tentative deals. As related policies continue to deliver results, China's consumption potential will be further unleashed, driving both domestic and global economic growth.
#Double11 #China #consumermarket #e-commerce #GrossMerchandiseValue #JD.com #Alibaba #StatePostBureau #foreigntrade #ChinaInternationalImportExpo
References:
- SHINE: https://www.shine.cn/biz/economy/2311131905/
quoting nevent1q…22phAddressing the Skills Gap: Overcoming Financial Stress and Upskilling Challenges in the EU ( #ea668c6c , v0.01)
The world economy is facing a slowdown, with economic activity weakening and consumer and business confidence taking a hit. While the United States continues to experience steady GDP growth, other advanced economies are facing dismal prospects or even recession. However, emerging-market economies like China and India are showing signs of stabilization and growth. Inflationary pressures are easing, but rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions remain concerns. The challenge for governments is to rebuild confidence and enhance productivity.
In KwaZulu-Natal, despite the recent triple crises and low economic growth forecast, business leaders are optimistic about the economic outlook and the rebuilding of the province. They believe that collaboration between the government and business leaders is key to addressing challenges such as energy security, safety and security, and logistics. They are confident that there is hope for economic growth and that key sectors in the region have emerged stronger. However, they acknowledge hindrances such as the energy crisis and inefficiencies in Durban Port. They are positive that these challenges will be addressed through public-private sector collaboration and that progress will be communicated to the public. Business leaders also see opportunities and believe that leveraging low-hanging fruit can turn the economy around.
Boosting small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) productivity is crucial for a stronger economy, stronger communities, and greater opportunities. The combination of inflation and high interest rates has led to a slowdown in sales, jobs, and wage growth for SMEs. However, despite these challenges, SMEs still have significant potential for growth. Digitalization is key to unlocking increased productivity, with technology adopters experiencing higher revenue and productivity. Strategic government support measures are necessary to facilitate SMEs' path towards digitalization. Current policies fall short in assisting SMEs, and they require more training, education, access to funding, and advice and support to improve productivity. An enabling digital environment, including digital compliance, open banking, and e-invoicing, is also important. Governments worldwide are providing assistance with digital advice, capital, and skills, while enabling a regulatory and digital infrastructure environment. Australia has the opportunity to follow this approach and create an environment that encourages SMEs to digitize. Productivity is essential for SME success in the digital age. Boosting SME productivity growth benefits everyone, from government to big business.
Experts emphasize the importance of project management skills in driving economic growth. Skilled project managers make up 3% of global employment, and this is expected to grow to 3.2% by 2030. Diversity, inclusion, and collaboration are catalysts for economic growth. Governments should adopt a collaborative approach with stakeholders in making legislation. Project management skills reduce project costs, improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and optimize resources. These skills are applicable in all public organizations. Project management plays a vital role in supporting economic growth, generating jobs, and creating resilient infrastructure. Infrastructure development boosts the economy and increases productivity. Project management skills help organizations achieve their strategic goals and create value for stakeholders. Sustainability is crucial for economic growth. Teaching young people project management skills can boost economic growth. Project management is critical in the field of information and technology. Project managers ensure the smooth execution of projects and minimize the likelihood of project failure. Project management skills are important in driving economic growth in the financial sector. Project management is a life skill that can be applied in various fields. Everyone, including state governors, should possess project management skills to achieve tangible results. Effective stakeholder management is crucial for successful project delivery.
Small businesses in the UK are facing a skills shortage that is hindering their growth ambitions. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that 22% of small firms identified a lack of skilled staff as a barrier to growth in the coming year. The information and communication sectors, which require constant upskilling, reported the greatest difficulty in finding appropriately skilled staff, with 38% of firms facing this challenge. The construction sector, which is crucial to the government's goal of building one million homes, also cited the skills gap as a significant hurdle. The FSB called for investment in lifelong learning and supply-side reforms to address the issue.
A study by consultancy PWS reveals that European workers feel financially stressed and are less likely to upskill compared to US workers. The study surveyed nearly 54,000 workers globally, including over 15,000 from 14 EU countries. Only 36% of EU workers have leftover money after paying bills, a decrease from the previous year. Workers in Europe and around the world are feeling more financially stressed. Despite this, nearly a quarter of EU workers plan to change jobs in the next 12 months. Compared to workers in the US and Asia-Pacific region, EU workers are less likely to believe that their job will require significant skill changes in the next five years. The structure of the European economy and lack of investment in training may contribute to this. However, the current labor shortages present an opportunity for employers to invest in their existing workforce. SMEs, in particular, may require support from public funds for these investments.
#EUworkers #upskilling #financialstress #laborshortages #investment
References:
- www.euractiv.com: https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/financially-stretched-eu-workers-less-likely-to-upskill-than-us-workers/
quoting nevent1q…y3wwMoody's Rating Outlook Cut Dampens US Stocks as Traders Remain Cautious ( #e8e58338 , v0.27)
US stock futures indicate a lower open as Moody's rating outlook cut dampens risk appetite. Traders are cautious ahead of key market-moving events, including speeches by Federal Reserve officials and inflation reports. Despite some setbacks, stocks ended the previous week in the green, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 reaching their highest levels since September. Small-cap stocks experienced selling pressure. The economic calendar for the week includes important data releases such as consumer price and producer price inflation reports, retail sales report, and manufacturing surveys. Asian stocks ended the session with mixed results.
The stock market rallied last week, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all closing higher, driven by strong performance in technology shares. Despite the credit rating downgrade by Moody's and concerns about inflation, the market remained steady. The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields stayed at the top of the range since November 3, boosting expectations for growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Market volatility was influenced by comments from Fed officials and the upcoming meeting between U.S. and Chinese presidents. The release of inflation metrics this week will provide further clarity on monetary policy and set the tone for the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Asian stocks also rose, following the positive momentum from Wall Street's rally. The Nikkei in Japan rose 0.46%, with chip-related stocks providing the biggest support. The Taiwan Weighted Index rose 1.17%, and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rose 0.49% due to strong performance in technology stocks. However, mainland China blue chips fell slightly, and the Australian resource-heavy index fell 0.13%. Analysts believe that the stock market may have peaked, as the Treasury market has entered a pause and there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market shrugged off the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data, including US consumer price and retail sales readings.
Crude oil prices fell due to concerns about slowing growth in the US and China. Brent crude futures for January delivery fell 0.4% to $81.08 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures for December delivery fell 0.5% to $76.82 a barrel. Despite the fall, both benchmarks had risen about 2% on Friday due to Iraq's support for the oil production cuts implemented by OPEC+.
The stock market rally in Asia, driven by the Fed outlook and the calming of bond yields, is in contrast to the credit rating downgrade by Moody's. The focus remains on economic data and the performance of growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Crude oil prices fell due to demand concerns, while the Treasury market entered a pause. The stock market may have peaked, as there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market remains optimistic despite the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data and OPEC+ oil production cuts.
#Stockmarket #Moody's #U.S.debt #S&P500 #earnings #economicdata #Tyson #Monday.com #Xiaomi #BankofAmerica #MorganStanley #FederalReserve
References:
- CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/12/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
quoting nevent1q…v22dMoody's Rating Outlook Cut Dampens US Stocks as Traders Remain Cautious ( #e8e58338 , v0.26)
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US stock futures indicate a lower open as Moody's rating outlook cut dampens risk appetite. Traders are cautious ahead of key market-moving events, including speeches by Federal Reserve officials and inflation reports. Despite some setbacks, stocks ended the previous week in the green, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 reaching their highest levels since September. Small-cap stocks experienced selling pressure. The economic calendar for the week includes important data releases such as consumer price and producer price inflation reports, retail sales report, and manufacturing surveys. Asian stocks ended the session with mixed results.
The stock market rallied last week, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all closing higher, driven by strong performance in technology shares. Despite the credit rating downgrade by Moody's and concerns about inflation, the market remained steady. The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields stayed at the top of the range since November 3, boosting expectations for growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Market volatility was influenced by comments from Fed officials and the upcoming meeting between U.S. and Chinese presidents. The release of inflation metrics this week will provide further clarity on monetary policy and set the tone for the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Asian stocks also rose, following the positive momentum from Wall Street's rally. The Nikkei in Japan rose 0.46%, with chip-related stocks providing the biggest support. The Taiwan Weighted Index rose 1.17%, and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rose 0.49% due to strong performance in technology stocks. However, mainland China blue chips fell slightly, and the Australian resource-heavy index fell 0.13%. Analysts believe that the stock market may have peaked, as the Treasury market has entered a pause and there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market shrugged off the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data, including US consumer price and retail sales readings.
Crude oil prices fell due to concerns about slowing growth in the US and China. Brent crude futures for January delivery fell 0.4% to $81.08 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures for December delivery fell 0.5% to $76.82 a barrel. Despite the fall, both benchmarks had risen about 2% on Friday due to Iraq's support for the oil production cuts implemented by OPEC+.
The stock market rally in Asia, driven by the Fed outlook and the calming of bond yields, is in contrast to the credit rating downgrade by Moody's. The focus remains on economic data and the performance of growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Crude oil prices fell due to demand concerns, while the Treasury market entered a pause. The stock market may have peaked, as there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market remains optimistic despite the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data and OPEC+ oil production cuts.
#Moody's #USstocks #riskappetite #creditrating #inflation #Treasuryyields #technologysector #economicdata #OPEC+
References:
- Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/dow-jones-today-11132023-8400895
quoting nevent1q…jpv5Moody's Rating Outlook Cut and Inflation Data Dampen US Stocks as Traders Remain Cautious ( #e8e58338 , v0.25)
US stock futures indicate a lower open as Moody's rating outlook cut and inflation data dampen risk appetite. Traders are cautious ahead of key market-moving events, including speeches by Federal Reserve officials and inflation reports. Despite some setbacks, stocks ended the previous week in the green, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 reaching their highest levels since September. Small-cap stocks experienced selling pressure. The economic calendar for the week includes important data releases such as consumer price and producer price inflation reports, retail sales report, and manufacturing surveys. Asian stocks ended the session with mixed results.
The stock market rallied last week, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all closing higher, driven by strong performance in technology shares. Despite the credit rating downgrade by Moody's and concerns about inflation, the market remained steady. The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields stayed at the top of the range since November 3, boosting expectations for growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Market volatility was influenced by comments from Fed officials and the upcoming meeting between U.S. and Chinese presidents. The release of inflation metrics this week will provide further clarity on monetary policy and set the tone for the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Asian stocks also rose, following the positive momentum from Wall Street's rally. The Nikkei in Japan rose 0.46%, with chip-related stocks providing the biggest support. The Taiwan Weighted Index rose 1.17%, and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rose 0.49% due to strong performance in technology stocks. However, mainland China blue chips fell slightly, and the Australian resource-heavy index fell 0.13%. Analysts believe that the stock market may have peaked, as the Treasury market has entered a pause and there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market shrugged off the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data, including US consumer price and retail sales readings.
Crude oil prices fell due to concerns about slowing growth in the US and China. Brent crude futures for January delivery fell 0.4% to $81.08 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures for December delivery fell 0.5% to $76.82 a barrel. Despite the fall, both benchmarks had risen about 2% on Friday due to Iraq's support for the oil production cuts implemented by OPEC+.
The stock market rally in Asia, driven by the Fed outlook and the calming of bond yields, is in contrast to the credit rating downgrade by Moody's. The focus remains on economic data and the performance of growth-dependent stocks, particularly in the technology sector. Crude oil prices fell due to demand concerns, while the Treasury market entered a pause. The stock market may have peaked, as there is limited room for Treasury yields to fall further. The market remains optimistic despite the credit rating downgrade, and the focus is now on upcoming economic data and OPEC+ oil production cuts.
#stockmarket #Moody's #inflationdata #riskappetite #technologyshares #Treasuryyields #economicdata #oilprices #OPEC+
References:
- CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/13/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-monday.html
quoting nevent1q…crv3Introducing Presearch: The Decentralized Search Engine
Presearch is a decentralized search engine designed to empower users, respect their privacy, and provide a better search experience. It is powered by over 65,000 user computers (nodes) in more than 100 countries.
In a world where Big Tech search engines dominate the web with a monolithic force, Presearch stands apart as a user-centric, privacy-focused, and community-driven alternative.
Why Presearch Matters
Traditional search engines are subject to censorship, collecting vast amounts of user data, invading privacy, tracking and profiling users for profit while controlling the world’s access to information.
“The world needs a search engine that is created by the people, for the people, in a way that protects privacy, can’t be censored and runs on decentralized infrastructure to provide resilience. That’s what we’re building here with Presearch,” said Colin Pape, founder of Presearch.
Understanding Presearch
Presearch is a blockchain-based search engine that respects user privacy and choice while providing rewards. Unlike conventional search engines, Presearch does not track your online activity or sell your data to advertisers. Instead, it lets you control your search experience by allowing you to choose your preferred search engine and customize your search results.
With centralized search engines, the users are the product, bought and sold to the highest bidder. With Presearch, it’s the opposite: Presearchers own the value of their web searches through something called Search Staking, which enables you to earn PRE tokens, the currency that powers Presearch.
These PRE tokens are also used to reward people from all over the world who run Presearch’s node software, which powers the search engine with decentralized computing resources rather than massive data centers like those powering other search engines.
Advertisers pay for ads in PRE, completing the value circle for the project. The goal is to have Presearch be a platform that is censorship-resistant, independent, and antifragile – similar to Bitcoin.
Key Features of Presearch
1. Privacy: Your searches on Presearch are private and not tracked. Your data is not used to create personalized profiles or target ads.
2. Choice: Presearch allows users to choose from more than 100 different search providers with a single click, giving you the flexibility to find the desired results.
3. Rewards: Presearch rewards users with PRE tokens for participating in the platform. These tokens can be staked, traded, or used to access other perks in the ecosystem, like AI search.
4. Community: Presearch is crowd-funded, and community-driven and is implementing community governance through the Presearch Foundation.
5. Decentralization: Presearch uses blockchain technology and user nodes to power its decentralized infrastructure and will be fully open-sourced as the project evolves.
Latest Presearch Innovations
1. PreGPT AI: The current version of PreGPT is powered by OpenAI, but the project is building a decentralized AI offering that will run on Presearch nodes.
2. Search API: The Search API enables other search engines, applications and AI experiences to be powered by Presearch results.
3. Search Staking: Search staking allows you to earn increased search rewards with Presearch. You stake at least 1000 PRE to earn elevated rewards for up to 25 searches per day.
4. Keyword Staking: Keyword staking is a concept by Presearch that allows companies to gain website traffic by staking their PRE tokens. Whichever advertiser stakes the most tokens has their ad displayed when their keyword of choice is searched. Advertisers can withdraw their PRE tokens at any time, making traffic almost free!, The minimum amount for keyword staking is 100 PRE.
5. Node Staking: Nodes provide the computing resources that power Presearch search results. Node staking allows individuals to help process requests within the Presearch ecosystem and earn rewards in exchange for their work running nodes. The minimum amount to stake nodes and obtain rewards is 4000 PRE per node.
How to Get Started
>Sign up: To begin using Presearch, visit [ https://account.presearch.com/signup?rid=4277987 ] and create a free account.
>Customize: Choose your preferred search providers, customize your settings, and make Presearch your own.
>Search and Earn: Start searching with Presearch and earn PRE tokens for your searches. The more you search, the more you can earn.
>Search staking: Stake at least 1000 PRE to start earning increased rewards for your searches.
About Presearch
Presearch was founded in 2017 with the mission to provide a user-focused, decentralized search engine that respects privacy, enables choice, and rewards community participation. It is powered by blockchain technology and a passionate global community of users and developers.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
media@presearch.io
To start your decentralized search journey, visit > https://account.presearch.com/signup?rid=4277987 today.
quoting nevent1q…drdrIs Abortion, Not Trump, The GOP's Albatross?
Is Abortion, Not Trump, The GOP's Albatross?
https://amgreatness.com/2023/11/08/abortion-not-trump-is-the-gops-albatross/
Republicans should restrict abortion wherever and whenever it is prudent to do so...
How many times do voters have to send the message before Republicans get the picture?
America loves abortion. Is that cavalier? Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Decades of “me, me, me” culture have taken their toll. We are in the end stages of democracy, here, and there may be no putting the genie back in the bottle.
Nothing is ever free. Because of Dobbs, abortions are much harder to get in a number of states. The right made a bargain to save lives, and the cost is pain at the polls.
Tuesday’s election was a wipeout for conservatives. Everyone is quick to blame Donald Trump, but the real loser was Ron DeSantis – although it’s hard to say what he had left to lose.
DeSantis, and the pro-life movement in general, https://amgreatness.com/2023/09/20/trump-is-an-abortion-realist/
Republicans to moderate on abortion. They called Trump a sell-out. But Trump is unfortunately correct. No serious political junkie thinks Trump is going to lose Ohio next year. And guess what? Ohio just voted to enshrine abortion into law, and it wasn’t particularly close. In a time when the smell of pot pervades every public space imaginable, Ohio also legalized recreational marijuana. It was twofer for “Fetterman nation.”
Trump is the only Republican with the sense and the courage to say what many conservatives do not want to hear: their moral agenda is unpopular. This is especially true in the Rust Belt states that Trump flipped in 2016, like Pennsylvania. Democrats won a Supreme Court seat there on Tuesday night by, once again, championing “choice,” much as they did successfully in Wisconsin months ago.
Trump’s Republican critics are already trying to blame him for the election’s disappointing results. In reality, Trump has never been more electable.The New York Times just released a poll that has Trump dominating Biden in swing states, despite the unprecedented and unscrupulous lawfare campaign unleashed on Trump by the Democrats. The “blue wall” that Trump toppled in 2016, since patched up by Biden (with a little help from ballot shenanigans), is vulnerable once more.
Democrats are actually scared for the first time in three years that they will lose the White House. They’re not confident in Biden, at all. Nothing would calm their nerves so much as Republicans nominating an uptight socially conservative ideologue in 2024.
Biden wants to run on abortion. It’s his party’s saving grace – the perverse absolution for all the destruction they have wrought.
Republicans have a winning agenda on every other issue – the economy, crime, and especially immigration, Trump’s signature issue. Everyone can see now that Trump was right about the border, especially those taking advantage of Biden’s abdication by pouring across. An unprecedented invasion is swelling at the gates, and even blue state voters have had enough.
https://nypost.com/2023/11/07/metro/long-island-goes-republican-with-ed-romaines-victory-in-top-suffolk-race/
Ed Romaine won the race for county executive in a landslide – solidifying the GOP’s gains from last year in the Empire State. Romaine is the first Republican to hold the office in 20 years. Of course, in New York, crime and immigration are much more salient issues than abortion.
Immigration is the reason we are in this quandary with abortion to begin with. Decades of demographic replacement have rigged democracy in the favor of one party. Democrats now have a built-in advantage in every single election, and pretty soon they will win them all. This is the biggest issue facing the country, not abortion. America cannot survive another four years of the invasion. The Republican party certainly can’t.
Republicans should restrict abortion wherever and whenever it is prudent to do so. But, as the saying goes, “politics is the art of the possible.” This reasoning strikes many conservatives as devilish, but we live in a fallen world. Republicans can either continue on their self-destructive course, or they can compromise with reality, take Trump’s advice, and fight to live another day.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 11/11/2023 - 23:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/abortion-not-trump-gops-albatross
quoting nevent1q…96phthe fact that i'm now aware of being neurodivergent really changes the results i get on job aptitude tests, because i have to answer no to stuff like "can you keep going on a task even when it gets difficult?" and this eliminates a lot of office jobs. it was mentally exhausting to be a computer programmer. should've just kept that as a hobby. but my whole identity was "computer geek" since childhood, so that would've been unthinkable at the time.
quoting nevent1q…8lq0The Impact of AI on Society and the Potential Risks ( #6c34cf8c , v0.01)
The development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) have raised concerns and prompted the establishment of guardrails to ensure safety, security, and ethical use . The White House has taken steps to set standards for AI safety and security, protect privacy, advance equity and civil rights, and promote innovation and competition . Companies developing AI models with serious risks to national security or public health are required to share safety test results with the US government, and rigorous standards for safety testing will be created . Additionally, the government is developing principles and best practices to mitigate the harms and maximize the benefits of AI for workers .
One of the concerns related to AI is the spread of false and misleading information during elections . AI-enabled fraud and deception have led to the development of standards and best practices for detecting and labeling AI-generated content . A recent poll shows that the majority of Americans are concerned about this issue .
AI technology has also made an impact in various fields. For example, the United Nations has hired an AI company to develop a model to analyze solutions to the Israel-Palestinian conflict . AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT have gained attention, with students seeking homework help being one possible reason . Elon Musk predicts a future where no job is needed due to AI, but acknowledges the need for regulation . AI has been used to complete a song by John Lennon and identify individual animals .
In a different context, AI has been used by a kilt maker to design a new tartan, which has been added to the official Scottish register . The tartan was created to celebrate the dawn of artificial intelligence and honor computer scientist John McCarthy . Its colors represent humanity's knowledge, enlightenment, creativity, and the environmental impact of AI development . The kilt maker used an AI chatbot called ChatGPT to create the tartan and incorporated elements of circuit boards in the design . The number 42, significant in the design, is a reference to 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' . The kilt maker plans to produce kilts with this design .
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked excitement and concern. While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and improve lives, there are fears it could pose a threat to humanity . AI refers to computer systems that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence. There are concerns about AI surpassing human intelligence and becoming uncontrollable, leading to harmful decisions. Organizations are researching risks and developing strategies to mitigate them. Achieving human-level intelligence is still a distant goal, but safety measures and ethical considerations are crucial in AI development. Currently, there are limited regulations targeting AI development, but there is recognition of the need for ethical guidelines and frameworks. By prioritizing safety, ethics, and ongoing research, we can harness the potential of AI while minimizing risks .
#artificialintelligence #AIdevelopment #potentialrisks #human-levelintelligence #ethicalconsiderations
References:
- CityLife: https://citylife.capetown/climate/will-ai-wipe-out-humanity/447963/
- Worldtimetodays: https://worldtimetodays.com/kiltmaker-is-using-ai-to-design-a-new-tartan-and-its-already-been-added-to-the-official-scottish-register/
- CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/ai-and-you-white-house-sets-ai-guardrails-election-misinformation-fueled-by-ai/
quoting nevent1q…6exjiOS 17.2 Beta: All the New Features So Far
Apple is beta testing iOS 17.2, the second major update to the iOS 17 operating system that came out in September. We are expecting to see a public launch in December, so there are still several betas to go before the software debuts.
This guide includes everything new in the iOS 17.2 beta, and we'll be updating it throughout the beta testing period.
Journal App
iOS 17.2 includes the Journal app that Apple announced as part of iOS 17. With the Journal app, users can record their daily activities and thoughts, with Apple providing optional prompts that can be used as inspiration.
A Journal entry can be added by tapping on the "+" button in the Journal app, and from there, users can choose a suggestion as the basis for their writing or just opt for "New Entry" to write anything at all.
Entries are automatically tagged with a date for organizational purposes, but there are options for bookmarking, too. Journal entries can include images, voice recordings, and location tags.
Messages App Sticker Reactions
You can now long press on any chat bubble in the Messages app to add a sticker response that serves as an alternative to a tapback reaction. Tapping on "Add Sticker" lets you choose either a sticker or an emoji to apply to the corner of an iMessage.
There was already an option to drag a sticker or an emoji onto any message bubble, but this is a much quicker method of quickly responding to an incoming message with a quick graphic that is more expressive than a tapback reaction.
Spatial Video Recording
With iOS 17.2, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can be used to record spatial video that will be viewable in the Photos app on the Vision Pro headset.
Spatial video recording can be enabled by going to the Settings app, tapping into the Camera section, selecting Formats, and toggling on "Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro." Apple says that for best results when recording spatial video, the iPhone should be held stable in landscape orientation while capturing video. Video is recorded at 30 frames per second at 1080p, and one minute of video takes up 130MB of storage space.
When spatial videos captured with an iPhone are viewed on the iPhone, they appear as normal videos. Viewing the video in 3D requires the Vision Pro headset.
Collaborative Apple Music Playlists
There is now an option to create a playlist in Apple Music that multiple people can add to. In a playlist you have made, tap on the three-dot icon in top right of the app.
From there, select the Collaborate option and choose "Start Collaboration." You'll be able to create a link to the playlist, and anyone who has access to that link can add to it. You can also invite people to join via QR code, and if you want, you can approve each person that asks to join.
Favorites Apple Music Playlist
Songs that you have favorited in the Apple Music app are now aggregated into a Favorites playlist.
Apple Music Listening History Focus Filter
There is a Focus Filter for the Apple Music Listening History feature, so if you want to let someone else use your device to listen to music, you can activate this to turn off the Listening History so their song choices won't affect your recommendations.
Action Button Translate
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now choose a new Translate option for the Action button.
When the Action button is set as Translate, pressing to hold causes the iPhone to pop up a Translate window that listens for spoken text. It is able to translate from one set language to another, using the languages that you have previously set up in the Translate app.
iMessage Contact Key Verification
First previewed in December 2022, iMessage Contact Key Verification is a feature designed for those who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials.
Users can ensure that there is no "man in the middle" snooping on iMessage conversations, and there is an option to display a Contact Verification Code so that iMessage users can verify that they're speaking to the correct individual during in-person meetings or on FaceTime calls.
Messages in iCloud Syncing
The "Messages" section in iCloud in the Settings app has been renamed to "Messages in iCloud." It shows the total amount of storage that messages are taking up, the number of messages synced to iCloud, and the time of the last sync. There's also a "Sync Now" option to force an update.
Apple previously said that additional settings would be synced through Messages in iCloud in iOS 17, like Text Message Forwarding, Send & Receive accounts, and SMS filters across devices, so this may see those additional settings syncing.
Apple TV App
Apple has removed the separate tabs for Movies and TV shows in the Store section of the Apple TV app on the iPhone and the iPad. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple also plans to remove the option to purchase TV shows and movies from the iTunes app as part of a TV app redesign, but that has not yet happened.
Emergency Alerts Local Awareness
Under Notifications & Emergency Alerts in the Settings app, there is a new "Local Awareness" option that can be turned on. Apple says that Local Awareness uses your approximate location to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and reliability of emergency alerts.
Weather Widgets
There are new Details, Daily Forecast, and Sunrise/Sunset widgets for the Weather app. Details shows information like precipitation chance, UV index, wind speed, and air quality, while Daily Forecast offers the weather for the next few days in a small widget size. Sunrise/Sunset shows the sunrise and sunset times for each day.
Digital Clock Widget
There is a new Digital Clock widget that can be added to the Home Screen or Lock Screen.
Contact Posters
You can now select rainbow-colored text for your name when setting up a Contact Poster in the Contacts app.
Books Page-Turning Animation
There's a new "Fast Fade" option for the page-turning animation in the Books app. Apple has also removed the icon that you could turn on to scroll through content quickly.
AirPlay
There's a new "AirPlay Receiver" setting that will allow the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset to stream or share content to an iPhone.
It also looks like the AirPlay feature for hotels that Apple announced earlier this year is live or will be live soon. It is designed to let you AirPlay content from your iPhone or iPad to an AirPlay-equipped smart TV.
Memoji
Apple added a "Body" section for Memoji where users can customize waist, bust, shoulders, and arms.
News App
The News app now supports Live Activities for following news-related events such as elections.
Expanded Sensitive Content Warnings
Apple's opt-in Sensitive Content Warning feature is expanding to Contact Posters in the Contacts and Phone apps, as well as in stickers in the Messages app. Sensitive Content Warnings use on-device machine learning to blur out photos or videos with any nudity detected before users view them.
App Store Categories
The "Apps" and "Games" sections of the App Store have new top bar navigation that allows users to scroll through various app categories, exploring apps in that category with a tap.
The categories mirror the categories that can be found at the bottom of each App Store section, and it is a layout that Apple has previously used for Apple Arcade.
AppleCare+ Coverage Menu
The AppleCare+ "Coverage" menu is now in Settings > General rather than Settings > General > About, making it more visible than before. The Coverage interface lists AppleCare+ on your device and any paired AirPods.
Siri
Siri in iOS 17.2 can provide details on an estimated time of arrival when there are active turn-by-turn directions in the Maps app, and the personal assistant can provide altitude data.
More iOS 17.2 Beta Features
Know of a feature that we've missed on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
This article, "iOS 17.2 Beta: All the New Features So Far" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-17-2-beta-features/
quoting nevent1q…jxw8Phantasm (npub1er2…arq5) pay (npub1fcx…8t3d) form what I have seen paid open source can work on a practical level. A good example is aseprite. You have these options when you buy that
1) pay $20
2) spend ungodly amounts of time setting up a build system and downloading dependencies, and debugging the results. Is that amount of time worth $20? No
3) download from a sketchy website and have to wonder if there's an infostealer embedded inside.
so, unless you just really despise the creator of asesprite, it's way easier to just pay $20. I think this will be the case for most mid sized applications.
quoting nevent1q…et9vnpub1tpsxqun7jgcc8m4au2f6ta9ndxjww4gfmdlcygd3p9r2rcuh35qsk69rmt (npub1tps…9rmt) Please think about this further. Our collective actions add up to the outcomes we've been getting. Those cars are not putting out carbon emissions from a small number ultra wealthy people driving billions of miles a day. We knew the damage it has been causing yet continue to happily behave as we were instead of demanding investments in EVs, solar, wind and other green energy systems. Even now UAW members are pushing back on EVs because they are concerned with how it will impact their jobs. We should be putting pressure on our elected leaders to offer job retraining so UAW members can learn the skills that will get them good paying jobs for decades to come working with green energy systems. Waiting for a small number of ultra wealthy to change when you really have no leverage over them won't get any results. Pursue a path which leads to results in the short term which add up to real progress.
quoting nevent1q…8f5q
Popular AI platform introduces rewards system to encourage deepfakes of real people
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-11/5db6c270-825a-11ee-beb2-f637fd2c7f70
Civitai, an online marketplace for sharing AI models, just introduced a new feature called “bounties” to encourage its community to develop passable deepfakes of real people, as originally reported by 404 Media. Whoever concocts the best AI model gets a virtual currency called “Buzz” that users can buy with actual money.
Many of the bounties posted to the site ask users to recreate the likeness of celebrities and social media influencers, most of them female. The reporting also calls out the lion’s share of these results as “nonconsensual sexual images.” This is the kind of thing that has been proliferating across the internet for years and years, but artificial intelligence allows for a more realistic end result. Additionally, 404 Media found some requests for private people with no significant online presence, making this even more creepy.
“I am very afraid of what this can become,” Michele Alves, an Instagram influencer who has a bounty on Civitai, told 404 Media. “I don't know what measures I could take, since the internet seems like a place out of control.”
According to market firm Andreessen Horowitz, Civitai is the seventh most popular generative AI platform at the moment. In other words, there are a whole lot of eyeballs on these bounty requests. It only took staffers at 404 Media moments to source images sent via a bounty request to a private person with personal social media accounts boasting just a few followers. The person who posted the bounty claimed it was his wife, but her social media accounts said otherwise. Gross.
One Civitai user declined the bounty on the grounds that it was “asking for legal problems in the future.” To that end, Virginia just updated its revenge porn laws to punish deekfake creators with up to one year in jail. Still, this particular request was fulfilled and several images were uploaded to the site, though they were non-sexual in nature.
It’s worth noting that very few of the bounty requests specifically state the poster’s looking for sexual material, couching the request in vague language. Some, however, go all-in, using terms like “degenerate request” along with comments on female breast size. Civitai, for its part, says that these bounties should not be used to create non-consensual AI-generated sexual images of real people.
However, both sexual images of public-facing figures and non-sexual images of regular people are allowed. After that, it’s just a matter of combining the two. 404 Media used the company's text-to-image tool to create non-consensual sexual images of a real person “in seconds.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/popular-ai-platform-introduces-rewards-system-to-encourage-deepfakes-of-real-people-194326312.html?src=rss
https://www.engadget.com/popular-ai-platform-introduces-rewards-system-to-encourage-deepfakes-of-real-people-194326312.html?src=rss
quoting nevent1q…x0scASX set to jump as commodities rise; Wall Street mixed ( #d2be180c , v0.09)
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.2132%2C$multiply_0.7554%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_86%2Cf_auto/t_smh_no_label_no_age_social_wm/0349a34205a82bb41d204527d3d3bdd2a544b7b8
The Australian sharemarket is expected to open positively due to a rise in commodity prices. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite were mostly unchanged in afternoon trading on Wall Street. The upcoming week will provide more data on inflation and earnings reports from major retailers. Commodities such as crude oil, iron ore, and gold saw price increases. The majority of US companies have exceeded analysts' expectations in the profit reporting season. Tyson Foods' results were positive, but the company warned of potential challenges ahead. The focus will be on Tuesday's inflation report, which is expected to show a cooling inflation rate. Treasury yields have risen, impacting investments and the overall economy. High rates and yields have particularly affected technology and high-growth companies. Moody's credit-rating agency may downgrade the US government debt rating due to rising interest rates and political polarization. Chinese stock markets were higher after Alibaba and JD.com reported increased sales. Chinese companies are facing challenges in the country's recovery. Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet with US President Joe Biden to discuss various issues and seek stability in the relationship between the two countries.
#ASX #WallStreet #commodities #inflation #earningsreports #profitreportingseason #Treasuryyields #technologystocks #Moody's #Chinesestockmarkets
References:
- The Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/asx-set-to-jump-as-commodities-rise-wall-street-mixed-20231114-p5ejq3.html
quoting nevent1q…gmrlThe Murky World of Data Brokers: Privacy Concerns and the Blurred Line with Tech Giants ( #3fb2a612 , v0.01)
Data brokers are enigmatic companies that collect and sell personal information from public and private domains, social networks, browsing histories, and demographic censuses. They not only sell data but also offer customized analysis services. The line between data brokers and tech giants like Google and Facebook is often blurred . The global data brokers market reached $240 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $462 billion by 2031 . Some of the biggest data brokers include Acxiom, Experian, Equifax, CoreLogic, Epsilon, and LexisNexis . They collect and store various types of information, including psychographic profiles, which are used for targeted advertising and tailored financial products . The data is obtained from online forms, cookies, and WiFi networks . The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to protect user privacy, but there are loopholes that allow data brokers to operate outside the EU .
In the new era of social media, privacy concerns persist despite the rise of new platforms. Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter has not alleviated these concerns, as advertising revenue on the platform has declined significantly . Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has also faced fines and settlements for its failure to protect user data, further eroding trust in social media platforms . The use of automated tools by these platforms often leads to discriminatory results, exacerbating privacy concerns . Privacy policies and practices are often convoluted and difficult for users to comprehend . While newer platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon offer greater privacy, there are no legal requirements for them to do so . Meta's platform, Threads, collects sensitive user data, adding to the privacy risks . Attempts to regulate data collection have been fragmented and limited, with state-level laws and individual enforcement actions driving change . The American Data Privacy and Protection Act remains in a state of uncertainty in Congress .
Data brokers, such as Kochava, are also contributing to privacy concerns. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint against Kochava, accusing the company of amassing and selling sensitive information about consumers without their consent . The FTC alleges that Kochava's database includes products capable of identifying nearly every person in the United States, allowing advertisers to trace individuals' movements and target them based on specific characteristics or attributes . The unsealed court filing contains evidence of the widespread pattern of unfair use and sale of sensitive data by data brokers . The lack of consequences for data brokers and skepticism about the effectiveness of the legal system in addressing the issue are highlighted . The article also questions whether separate consent forms for sensitive information should be required from companies like Google and Apple .
The common theme in these inputs is the violation of privacy and the erosion of trust in social media platforms and data brokers. Privacy concerns persist in the new era of social media, with platforms like Twitter and Meta facing challenges in protecting user data . Data brokers like Kochava are also accused of amassing and selling sensitive information without consent, raising further privacy concerns .
#databrokers #privacyconcerns #socialmediaplatforms #targetedadvertising #GDPR
References:
- EL PAÍS English: https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2023-11-13/the-murky-world-of-data-brokers.html
- : https://yro.slashdot.org/story/23/11/08/1954245/data-brokers-staggering-sale-of-sensitive-info-exposed-in-unsealed-ftc-filing
- Vogue India: https://www.vogue.in/content/the-new-era-of-social-media-looks-as-bad-for-privacy-as-the-last-one
quoting nevent1q…xg65My two cents about nostr onboarding and UX at the very first step...
The first thing many ppl will do when they want to try Bluesky or nostr is a Google search
The first result for Bluesky is https://bsky.app/
The first thing they'll see is
There is no explanation of what Bluesky *is*
"See what's next"
Build curiosity
"Create a new account"
Call to action
Ppl can fill in "what Bluesky is" with their own aspirations
What Bluesky *is*, is way way way down the Google results at https://blueskyweb.org/
This first result for nostr is https://nostr.com/
The first thing ppl will see is
A lot of text describing what nostr is which won't mean anything to most ppl, and a small call to action
The call to action leads to another page with
... a lot more text describing what nostr is in terms that most ppl will not be interested in
The nostr approach is not wrong
For ppl who are into freedom tech it's more appealing than the Bluesky landing page
For ppl who just want an alternative to Twitter, the Bluesky approach is more appealing
For those ppl we need a landing page which is just
One link to an Android client
One link to an iOS client
One link to a web client
Smaller links to the ecosystem
The selected clients need a super simple onboarding which abstracts away the nsec/npub and doesn't delve into relay selection