Bitstamp has reportedly disclosed its ongoing discussions with a number of European banks about assisting them in launching cryptocurrency services. These discussions are expected to come to fruition in early 2024.
Bitstamp’s Negotiations with Top European Banks
Bitstamp’s negotiations underscore the growing acceptance of digital assets within the European financial sector.
This news comes at a time when the European Union is actively advancing its regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, known as Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA).
It aims at facilitating the entry of traditional financial institutions into the digital asset space.
Cybersecurity is a very important and relevant topic in today’s world. It refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks that can harm individuals and organizations.
Cyberattacks will all have malicious intent, such as accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users via ransomware; or interrupting normal business processes.
Cybersecurity aims to prevent or mitigate these attacks by using various technologies, measures, and practices.
There are many types of cybersecurity, depending on the domain or layer of IT infrastructure that needs to be protected.
Critical infrastructure security
This protects the computer systems, applications, networks, data and digital assets that a society depends on for national security, economic health and public safety. For example, the power grid, the water supply, the transportation system, the health care system, etc.
In the United States, there are some guidelines and frameworks for IT providers in this area, such as the NIST cybersecurity framework and the CISA guidance.
Network security
This prevents unauthorized access to network resources and detects and stops cyberattacks and network security breaches in progress. For example, firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, VPNs, etc. Network security also ensures that authorized users have secure access to the network resources they need, when they need them.
Application security
This protects applications from cyberattacks by ensuring that they are designed, developed, tested, and maintained with security in mind. For example, code reviews, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, secure coding practices, etc. Application security also involves educating users about safe and responsible use of applications.
Cyberattacks will all have malicious intent, such as accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users via ransomware; or interrupting normal business processes.
There are many more types of cybersecurity, such as cloud security, endpoint security, data security, identity and access management (IAM), etc. Each type of cybersecurity has its own challenges and solutions.
Companies to watch
Cybersecurity companies such as CrowdStrike, Okta, Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks are valuable assets with businesses willing to pay good money to protect against hackers.
The stock market is influenced by many factors, such as economic data, earnings reports, geopolitical events, investor sentiment, and technical indicators.
Some analysts have suggested that the recent sell-off in the market may have created some oversold conditions that could lead to a relief rally or a bounce back in the near future.
Stochastics oscillation
One of the technical indicators that some traders use to identify buy and sell signals is the stochastics oscillator, which measures the momentum of price movements. The stochastics oscillator consists of two lines: the %K line and the %D line.
The %K line shows the current position of the price relative to its high and low range over a certain period of time, usually 14 days. The %D line is a moving average of the %K line, usually a three-day average. When the %K line crosses above the %D line, it is considered a bullish signal, indicating that the price may be reversing from a downtrend to an uptrend.
When the %K line crosses below the %D line, it is considered a bearish signal, indicating that the price may be reversing from an uptrend to a downtrend.
80/20 analysis
The stochastics oscillator also has two levels: 20 and 80. When the %K line falls below 20, it means that the price is oversold, meaning that it has fallen too much and may be due for a rebound. When the %K line rises above 80, it means that the price is overbought, meaning that it has risen too much and may be due for a pullback.
Careful research before buying is paramount to successful trade
The FTSE 100 index, which tracks the performance of 100 large companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, has recently fallen below 20 on the stochastics oscillator, indicating that it may be oversold and ready for a bounce back.
No guarantee
However, this is not a guarantee, as other factors may also affect the market direction. Therefore, it is advisable to use stochastics in conjunction with other tools, such as trend lines, support and resistance levels, moving averages, and other technical indicators.
Additionally, some traders use different settings for the stochastics oscillator, such as changing the time period or the smoothing factor, to suit their own trading style and preferences. Always though, long term investing produces far better results over time as it smooths out the ‘ups and downs’.
In summary, there is no definitive answer to whether the stock market is building up to a major buy signal again right now, as different traders will have different opinions and strategies and views. But one possible way to gauge the market sentiment and momentum is to use the stochastics oscillator, which can provide some clues about potential reversals and opportunities in the market.
Note
This indicator should not be used in isolation, but rather in combination with other tools and analysis – it is just that, a tool. Good well-established companies that have good track records over many many years are a good place to look for long term returns. But even then, do your thorough research first.
So, what next?
The interest-rate/inflation correlation is crucial, because nominal company earnings grow faster when inflation is higher. That does not mean investors should welcome inflation, since higher inflation also means that future years’ earnings must be discounted at a higher rate.
But for many behavioural reasons, investors place greater weight on the negative impact of the greater discount rate than on the higher nominal earnings-growth rate that typically accompanies higher inflation.
Inflation illusion
Economists refer to this investor error as ‘inflation illusion’. Perhaps the seminal study documenting how this error impacts the stock market was conducted by Jay Ritter of the University of Florida and Richard Warr of North Carolina State University. They found that investors systematically undervalue stocks in the presence of high inflation.
Investors will make the same error, in reverse, when inflation and interest rates start to come down. That’s why the foundation of a likely big buy signal is currently being built.
Maybe the buy signal is about to go green for a quick buying opportunity. But be careful, in this environment it can switch again very quickly.
Remember, always do your own research carefully before buying.
He was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955.
Great statesman
He is considered one of the best-known, and some say one of the greatest statesman of the 20th century. He was also a Nobel Prize winner in literature for his speeches and books.
He is famous for his inspiring quotes, such as ‘Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.‘
The Nikkei 225 index, is a stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The Nikkei 225 reached its all-time high on 29 December 1989, during the peak of the Japanese asset price bubble, when it reached an intra-day high of 38,957.44, before closing at 38,915.87. This was after a decade-long bull run throughout the 1980s, when the index grew sixfold.
Since then, the index has never surpassed this level, and has experienced several periods of decline and stagnation. As of October 4, 2023, the index closed at 30,526.88, down by 2.28% from the previous day and 8389 points off its all-time high.
According to recent news and scientific reports, Einstein was right again about how antimatter responds to gravity.
Antimatter is the opposite of ordinary matter, and it is very rare in the natural universe. Scientists have created antimatter in the laboratory and observed its behaviour under controlled conditions.
Antihydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus (ALPHA)
One of the experiments that tested Einstein’s theory of general relativity was the Antihydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus (ALPHA) at CERN in Switzerland.
The researchers used antihydrogen, which is the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen, the lightest element. They showed that antihydrogen falls downward due to gravity, just like ordinary hydrogen.
This confirms that matter and antimatter react to gravity in a similar way, as predicted by Einstein more than a hundred years ago.
Gold value has been slipping in recent months of 2023 – here are some of the reasons gold prices fluctuate.
Dynamic market
Gold is a precious metal that is often seen as a safe haven investment and a store of value, but it is also subject to the forces of supply and demand, as well as many other factors that affect its price.
The gold market is complex and dynamic, and the price of gold can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, it is important to do your own research and analysis before investing in gold or any other asset.
Always do your research! Remember, RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!
Gold price from 2005 – September 2023
The production costs of gold
The cost of mining, refining, and transporting gold can influence the supply and the price of gold. If the production costs are high, the gold miners may reduce their output or increase their selling price, which can affect the market balance and the gold price.
Money supply
The amount of money in circulation can affect the value of the currency and the inflation rate, which in turn can affect the demand and the price of gold. Generally, when the money supply increases, the currency value decreases and the inflation rate increases, which can boost the demand and the price of gold as a hedge.
Geopolitical stability
The political and economic events around the world can affect the market sentiment and the risk appetite of investors, which can influence the demand and the price of gold. Generally, when there is uncertainty, instability, or conflict, investors tend to seek safe-haven assets such as gold, which can increase the demand and the price of gold.
Jewellery and industrial demand
The demand for gold from the jewellery and industrial sectors can affect the market balance and the price of gold. Jewelry is the largest source of gold demand, especially in countries like India and China, where gold is culturally and traditionally valued. Industrial demand for gold comes from its use in various electronic and medical devices, such as smartphones, computers, and dentistry. The changes in the consumer preferences, the income levels, the technological innovations, and the environmental regulations can affect the demand and the price of gold from these sectors.
Gold price 3rd October 2023
Central bank actions
The actions of central banks around the world can affect the supply and the demand of gold, as well as the value of the currency and the interest rates, which can influence the price of gold. Central banks hold gold reserves as part of their foreign exchange assets, and they can buy or sell gold to diversify their portfolios, to manage their liquidity, or to intervene in the currency markets. Central banks can also affect the price of gold indirectly through their monetary policies, such as setting the interest rates, printing money, or buying bonds, which can affect the inflation expectations, the currency value, and the opportunity cost of holding gold.
Strength of the U.S. dollar
Gold is priced in U.S. dollars in most of the major trading exchanges around the world, so when the dollar rises against other currencies, gold becomes more expensive for foreign investors, reducing the demand for it. The U.S. dollar has been strengthening since, partly due to the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening policy that has raised the interest rates and the attractiveness of U.S. Treasury securities.
Rise of global equities
Gold is often considered a hedge against inflation, currency devaluation, and the failure of other financial assets, but when the stock market is performing well, investors tend to shift their money from gold to equities, seeking higher returns and growth potential. The global stock market has been rallying since the bottom of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, boosted by the roll-out of vaccines, the fiscal stimulus, and the economic recovery.
The Krugerrand
The Krugerrand is a South African coin, first minted on 3rd July 1967
Krugerrand gold coins are a type of bullion coin that were first minted in 1967 by the South African Mint. They are made of 22 karat gold and have a diameter of 32.77 mm and a thickness of 2.84mm. The obverse side features the portrait of Paul Kruger, the former president of the South African Republic, and the reverse side depicts a springbok, the national animal of South Africa. The name ‘krugerrand’ is a combination of ‘Kruger’ and ‘rand’, the currency of South Africa.
Krugerrand gold coins are popular among investors and collectors because they have a high gold content and are easy to trade. They are also legal tender in South Africa, although they do not have a fixed face value.
Decline of inflation expectations
Gold is also seen as a protection against the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflation, but when inflation expectations are low or falling, gold loses some of its appeal as an inflation hedge. The inflation expectations have been declining in recent months, partly due to the easing of supply chain disruptions, the moderation of energy prices, and the fading of the base effects from the previous year.
These are some of the main factors that have been weighing on the gold price lately, but there may be other reasons as well, such as the speculations, the market sentiments, and the geopolitical events that can influence the supply and demand of gold.
These are the seven largest U.S. listed companies in the technology sector.
Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Nvidia, Tesla and Meta Platforms.
According to a report released Monday 2nd October 2023, these tech’ stocks have seen their valuation drop relative to the median stock in the S&P 500, making them more attractive for investors. The report says that the Magnificent 7 trade at 1.3 times their PEG ratio (price-to-earnings-to-long-term growth), versus 1.9 for the median S&P 500 stock.
This is the cheapest valuation in over six years – time to buy yet?
The report also highlights some positive drivers for these stocks, such as their strong sales growth, their ability to beat expectations, and their resilience to rising interest rates.
However, some analysts also warn that the dominance of these stocks could pose a risk for the broader market if something bad happens to tech’.
Meta has announced a series of new chatbots to be used in its Messenger service.
Charming
The chatbots will have ‘personality’ and specialise in certain subjects, like holidays, and cooking. Let’s hope they haven’t been modelled on the company boss then.
It is the latest attempt in a chatbot ‘chat’ race between tech’ companies desperate to produce more accurate and personalised artificial intelligence. The chatbots are still a work in progress with ‘limitations’, said boss Mark Zuckerberg.
During Meta’s first in-person event since before the pandemic, Mr Zuckerberg said that it had been an ‘amazing year for AI’. The company is calling its main chatbot ‘Meta AI’ and can be used in messaging. For example, users can ask Meta AI questions in chat ‘to settle arguments’ or ask other questions.
It’s been touted as fun entertainment and not just question answering.
I wonder if these AI chatbots will be as good as the Metaverse rollout has been so far?
Zuckerberg’s ‘personality’ chatbots
Zuckerberg’s ‘personality’ chatbots are a new feature of Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. They are artificial intelligence agents that can chat with users on Messenger, using the faces and voices of celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kendall Jenner, and Tom Brady.
Chatbots with personality. God help us!
They are supposed to have different personalities and interests, such as sports, cooking, or music. Meta claims that they are for entertainment purposes only, and that they have limitations on what they can answer.
Critical
However, some critics have raised ethical and social concerns about these chatbots. They argue that they are creating “counterfeit people” that could deceive or manipulate users, especially young ones. They also question the consent and privacy of the celebrities whose identities are used by the chatbots. They warn that these chatbots could pose dangers to the authenticity and trustworthiness of online communication.
If you are curious about these chatbots, you can try them out on Messenger by searching for their names. But be aware that they are not real people, and that they may not give you accurate or reliable information. They are just products of Meta’s artificial intelligence technology, which is still a work in progress – a bit like the Metaverse.
Chatbot with creepy personality
All this wonderful AI tech and what do we do? Play games with it!
Why do we fart, and why is it funny and embarrassing too?
Farting is a natural and normal part of digestion that reflects the activity of the bacteria in your gut. You might also notice that you fart more when you eat certain foods that are more difficult to digest, such as beans or cabbage.
Farting can also be a sign of good health, as it means that your digestive system is working properly.
Some people may find farting funny or embarrassing, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, some cultures even celebrate farting as a form of humour or art. For example, in Japan, there is a traditional art form called ‘he-gassen, which means ‘fart battle‘. It depicts people farting at each other in various situations, such as war, politics, or even romance, would you believe.
Benefits of a good fart
Scientists have identified the bacterium that’s responsible for making us pass wind. They say it is also helping keep other more harmful and dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella from infecting your gut.
The Taurinivorans muris bacterium converts the food we eat into hydrogen sulphide – as smelly gas that stinks of rotten eggs. yes, you know the one – we’ve all done one! But the amazing thing is it acts a chemical soldier keeping bad bacteria at bay.
So, next time you pass wind – think of all the good it’s doing, even if it does stink a little!
The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project is a proposal to create a large-scale renewable energy complex in Morocco and feed the electricity to the UK via a long underwater cable.
Key facts
12 million solar panels, 530 wind turbines over 62 square miles.
The project aims to produce 10.5 GW of clean power from solar and wind facilities in Morocco’s Guelmim Oued Noun region. This is equivalent to about 10% of the UK’s electricity demand.
The project also plans to build a 20 GWh/5 GW battery storage facility to ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity.
The project will use proven high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector technology to transmit the electricity to the UK via a 3,800 km route under the seabed. The cable will connect to two locations in Devon and Wales, each with a capacity of 1.8 GW.
The project will create over 11,000 new green jobs in the UK and Morocco, and contribute to their renewable industrial ambitions. It will also diversify the UK’s energy sources and reduce its dependence on EU interconnectors, LNG imports, and biomass from North America.
The project is seeking a 25-year contract with the UK government to guarantee a fixed electricity price and secure financing for the £20 billion investment.
It hopes to start construction in 2024 and deliver power to the UK by 2028.
Entirely powered by sun and wind
The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will be a new electricity generation facility entirely powered by solar and wind energy combined with a battery storage facility. Located in Morocco’s renewable energy rich region of Guelmim Oued Noun, it will be connected exclusively to Great Britain via 3,800km HVDC sub-sea cables.
Zero carbon power generation
When domestic renewable energy generation in the United Kingdom drops due to low winds and short periods of sun, the project will harvest the benefits of long hours of sun in Morocco alongside the consistency of its convection Trade Winds, to provide a firm but flexible source of zero-carbon electricity.
Luddites were a group of workers who protested against the use of machinery that threatened their livelihoods in the early 19th century in Britain. They were not opposed to technology in general, but to the specific machines that were ‘taking away their livelihoods’.
They attacked factories and smashed machines that were replacing their jobs with cheaper and less skilled labour.
BIG tech Luddite comparison – is AI the latest threat?
Some people have compared the Luddites to the modern movements that resist the effects of Big Tech and artificial intelligence (AI) on workers’ lives. They argue that these technologies are creating a new wave of automation that is displacing workers, eroding their rights, and increasing inequality.
They also point out that the Luddites had the support of a majority of English people and eventually led to changes in the law that improved workers’ conditions.
Progress?
However, others have criticized this comparison as inaccurate or misleading. They claim that the Luddites were not successful in stopping technological progress, and that their actions were violent and destructive.
Technology will create new jobs
They also suggest that the Luddite fallacy, which refers to the belief that technological progress causes mass unemployment, has been proven wrong by history. They contend that technology can create new opportunities and benefits for workers, as long as society adapts and regulates it properly.
The question of whether a new modern Luddite rebellion can rise against Big Tech is not a simple one. It depends on how we define Luddites, how we evaluate the impacts of technology, and how we respond to the challenges and opportunities it presents.
October is a special month in the stock market for several reasons. It is the month when some of the most spectacular market crashes have occurred, such as in 1929 and 1987.
However, it is also a month that has historically performed well on average, with a 0.6% price gain for the Dow Jones Industrial Average from 1928 to 2022.
The month of October also marks the beginning of a seasonal pattern that favours stocks, as the fourth quarter and the winter months tend to see strong rallies. The ‘Santa’ rally may also visit.
Swings
However, October can also be a volatile month, with significant swings in both directions. It is the only month where all major indices have recorded losses of at least 17% (in 1987 and 2008), but also the month where the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have posted their highest percentage gains of any month (in 1974 and 2022).
Therefore, investors should be prepared for potential turbulence and seek professional advice to navigate the market. Do your research!
RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!
Read-all-about-it, 1987 October stock market crash!
Additionally, October may face some special factors that could affect the market performance this year, such as the ongoing strike action, the rising inflation and interest rates, and the political uncertainty in the U.S. over the debt ceiling and government spending. These factors could create headwinds or even opportunities for different sectors and industries, depending on how they are resolved.
Summary
In summary, October is a month that has a mixed reputation in the stock market, with both risks and rewards. Investors should be aware of the historical trends and the current events that could influence the market direction.
‘How bad can October really get?’ ‘Remember the 1987 crash?’
The drug works by creating mutations in the Covid genome to prevent the virus from replicating, reducing its ability to cause severe illness. However, some viral samples from patients who took the drug show a ‘signature mutation profile’, meaning changes were likely triggered by the drug, the authors said Monday 25th September 2023, in the journal Nature.
The findings suggest that some versions of the virus continue to survive and spread even after exposure to the drug. The researchers said more studies are needed to assess the benefits and risks of using the drug.
What evidence?
There is no evidence that Lagevrio has produced more transmissible or severe variants of Covid, according to the study. The researchers also cautioned that the drug-induced mutations they found have yet to lead to a widely circulating new strain of Covid.
Disputed
The maker has disputed the idea that Lagevrio was causing problematic new variants and said it didn’t believe its treatment was likely to contribute to mutations based on data at the time.
In another report, COVID vaccines have reportedly been linked to unexpected vaginal bleeding.
The history of the internet is a fascinating story of how various computer networks around the world were interconnected to form a global system of communication and information exchange.
Timeline in brief
1950’s
The origins of the internet can be traced back to the 1950s, when the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union created a need for a reliable and resilient communication system that could survive a nuclear attack.
1960’s
The idea of a universal network that could connect different computers and users was developed by J. C. R. Licklider at the U.S. Department of Defence’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in the early 1960s.
Watercolour artwork image of a 1960’s mainframe terminal
The first computer network that used packet switching, a technique that breaks data into small blocks and sends them across different routes, was proposed by Paul Baran at the RAND Corporation in 1964, and independently by Donald Davies at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in 1965.
The first operational packet-switched network was the ARPANET, which was launched by ARPA in 1969 with four nodes at UCLA, Stanford, UCSB, and Utah. The ARPANET was designed to allow researchers to share computing resources and data across long distances.
1970’s
The ARPANET adopted the TCP/IP protocol, which was developed by Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf in the 1970s, and enabled different networks to communicate with each other using a common set of rules. This led to the emergence of the internet as a network of networks.
1980’s
The Domain Name System (DNS), which assigns human-readable names to numerical IP addresses, was introduced in 1983 by Paul Mockapetris and Jon Postel. This made it easier for users to access websites and services on the internet.
The first email service on the internet was developed by Ray Tomlinson in 1971, who also introduced the use of the ‘@’ symbol to separate the user name from the host name. Email became one of the most popular applications of the internet.
Artwork: email
The World Wide Web, which is a system of interlinked documents and multimedia that can be accessed through a web browser, was invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1989. Berners-Lee also created the first web server, web browser, and web page.
1990’s and 2000’s
The first graphical web browser that popularized the use of the web was Mosaic, which was developed by Marc Andreessen and his team at NCSA in 1993. Mosaic later evolved into Netscape Navigator, which competed with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer in the browser wars.
The growth of the internet in the 1990s and early 2000s was driven by various factors, such as the development of home computers, broadband connections, search engines, online platforms, ecommerce, social media, and mobile devices.
The internet has revolutionized many aspects of human society, such as communication, education, entertainment, business, politics, culture, and science.
It has also raised various challenges and issues, such as security, privacy, censorship, digital divide, net neutrality, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare.
U.S. and China are two of the world’s most influential and powerful countries, with different political systems, cultures, and values.
They have also been involved in various conflicts and cooperation over the years, such as trade, human rights, climate change, and security. The flags of the two countries reflect their histories and identities, as well as their similarities and differences.
U.S. Flag
The flag of the United States of America consists of 13 horizontal stripes of red and white, representing the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. The flag also has a blue rectangle in the upper left corner, containing 50 white stars that represent the 50 states of the union.
Artwork watercolour image of the U.S. Flag
The flag is also known as the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, or the Star-Spangled Banner.
China Flag
The flag of the People’s Republic of China consists of a red field with five yellow stars in the upper left corner. The red colour symbolises the revolution and the blood of the martyrs who fought for it. The large star represents the Communist Party of China, while the four smaller stars represent the four social classes: workers, peasants, urban petty bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie.
Artwork watercolour of the flag of China
The flag is also known as the Five-Starred Red Flag.
According to the latest data, 1.00 GBP is equal to 1.22 USD
This means that one British pound can buy 1.22 U.S. dollars at the current market rate. The exchange rate fluctuates depending on various factors such as supply and demand, interest rates, inflation, trade balance, and political stability.
Weak against U.S. dollar
The British pound has been weakening against the U.S. dollar since the Brexit referendum in 2016, when the UK voted to leave the European Union. The uncertainty and instability caused by the Brexit process have reduced the confidence and attractiveness of the British currency in the global market. The U.S. dollar, on the other hand, has been strengthening due to its status as a safe haven and a reserve currency in times of crisis.
In September 2022 the pound fell to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar
Excessive government spending and tax cuts that undermined confidence in the UK economy.
Price caps and record high inflation that eroded the purchasing power of the pound.
The strength of the dollar as a safe haven currency amid global uncertainty.
The prospect of a new Scottish independence referendum that increased political risk.
The impact of the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict on supply chains and trade.
Artwork of GBP
UK pound closes in on a six month low
September 2022
The pound reached $1.0327 at one point in late September 2022, its lowest since Britain went decimal in 1971. It also fell more than 1% against the euro to about 86.80p, its lowest level since May 2020.
Today, 22nd Septmber 2023
The current exchange rate of 1.22 USD per GBP is near the lowest point in the last 30 and 90 days, which was 1.2383 USD per GBP.
The highest point in the same period was 1.3128 USD per GBP. The average exchange rate in the last 30 days was 1.2563 USD per GBP, and in the last 90 days was 1.2721 USD per GB pound.
Osiris-Rex is a NASA mission that aims to collect and return a sample from asteroid Bennu, which is believed to be a remnant of the early solar system. The mission hopes to learn more about the origins of life on Earth and the potential for asteroid mining in the future.
Osiris-Rex stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer. The spacecraft launched in 2016 and arrived at Bennu in 2018. It spent two years mapping and studying the asteroid before successfully collecting a sample of about 300 grams (10.6 ounces) of dust and rocks in October 2020.
Asteroid Bennu
Capsule
The sample capsule is now on its way back to Earth and is expected to land in Utah on September 24, 2023. Scientists are eager to analyze the material and look for clues about how the solar system formed and how organic molecules that are essential for life were delivered to Earth.
Osiris-Rex is also planning an extended mission to visit another near-Earth asteroid called Apophis in 2029. Apophis is considered a potentially hazardous asteroid because it has a small chance of hitting Earth in the future. Osiris-Rex will observe and measure Apophis to improve our understanding of its orbit and characteristics.
Nasa’s Osiris-Rex capsule will come screaming into Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday 24th September 2023 at more than 15 times the speed of a bullet.
It will make a fireball in the sky but a heat shield will protect the craft. Parachutes will then deploy to slow the descent and bring it to a gentle touchdown in Utah’s West Desert.
Bringing with it a special space cargo that may help the human race discover the origin of life.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who advocated for nonviolent resistance against racial oppression in the United States.
He is best known for his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, delivered at the March on Washington in 1963, where he called for an end to racism and a vision of a society where people are judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.
Martin Luther King Jr. was assasinated in 1968.
‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear’. Martin Luther King Jr.
Water stress measures the amount of available supply a country uses to meet demand, and is expected to worsen as the climate warms.
A quarter of the world’s population is currently exposed to extremely high annual water stress, according to new data from the World Resources Institute (WRI).
New data from WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas show that 25 countries – housing one-quarter of the global population – face extremely high water stress each year, regularly using up almost their entire available water supply. And at least 50% of the world’s population – around 4 billion people – live under highly water-stressed conditions for at least one month of the year.
Living with this level of water stress jeopardizes people’s lives, jobs, food and energy security. Water is central to growing crops and raising livestock, producing electricity, maintaining human health, fostering equitable societies and meeting the world’s climate goals.
Without better water management, population growth, economic development and climate change are poised to worsen water stress.
What’s Causing Global Water Stress?
Across the world, demand for water is exceeding what’s available. Globally, demand has more than doubled since 1960.
25 Countries, Housing One-quarter of the World’s Population, Face Extremely High Water Stress
Increased water demand is often the result of growing populations and industries like irrigated agriculture, livestock, energy production and manufacturing. Meanwhile, lack of investment in water infrastructure, unsustainable water use policies or increased variability due to climate change can all affect the available water supply.
Water stress, the ratio of water demand to renewable supply, measures the competition over local water resources.
The smaller the gap between supply and demand, the more vulnerable a place is to water shortages. A country facing ‘extreme water stress’ means it is using at least 80% of its available supply, ‘high water stress’ means it is withdrawing 40% of its supply.
Without intervention – such as investment in water infrastructure and better water governance – water stress will continue to get worse, particularly in places with rapidly growing populations and economies.
Which Countries Face the Worst Water Stress?
The data shows that 25 countries are currently exposed to extremely high water stress annually, meaning they use over 80% of their renewable water supply for irrigation, livestock, industry and domestic needs. Even a short-term drought puts these places in danger of running out of water and sometimes prompts governments to shut off the taps. We’ve already seen this scenario play out in many places around the world, such as India, Iran, Mexico, South Africa, and even in England.
The five most water-stressed countries are Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Qatar. The water stress in these countries is mostly driven by low supply, paired with demand from domestic, agricultural and industrial use.
The most water-stressed regions are the Middle East and North Africa, where 83% of the population is exposed to extremely high water stress, and South Asia, where 74% is exposed.
The 25 counties currently experiencing extreme water stress annually.
1. Bahrain
2. Cyprus
3. Kuwait
4. Lebanon
5. Oman
6. Qatar
7. United Arab Emirates
8. Saudi Arabia
9. Israel
10. Egypt
11. Libya
12. Yemen
13. Botswana
14. Iran
15. Jordan
16. Chile
17. San Marino
18. Belgium
19. Greece
20. Tunisia
21. Namibia
22. South Africa
23. Iraq
24. India
25. Syria
Water Demand Is Exploding in Africa but Plateauing in Wealthier Nations
The biggest change in water demand between now and 2050 is expected to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. While most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are not extremely water-stressed right now, demand is growing faster there than any other region in the world. By 2050, water demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to skyrocket by 163% – 4 times the rate of change compared to Latin America, the second-highest region, which is expected to see a 43% increase in water demand.
Demand has plateaued in wealthier countries in North America and Europe. Investment in water-use efficiency has helped reduce in-country water use in high income countries, but water use and dependencies extend beyond national boundaries, and the water embedded in international trade from lower-middle income countries to high income countries will increasingly contribute to rising water stress in low and lower-middle income countries.
Water Stress Could Disrupt Economies and Agricultural Production
Increasing water stress threatens countries’ economic growth as well as the world’s food security.
According to data from Aqueduct, 31% of global GDP – a whopping $70 trillion – will be exposed to high water stress by 2050, up from $15 trillion (24% of global GDP) in 2010. Just four countries – India, Mexico, Egypt and Turkey – account for over half of the exposed GDP in 2050.
According to data from Aqueduct, 31% of global GDP – a whopping $70 trillion – will be exposed to high water stress by 2050
Energy, industrial and agricultural production issues
Water shortages can lead to industrial interruptions, energy outages and agricultural production losses – like those already being seen in India, where a lack of water to cool thermal powerplants between 2017 and 2021 resulted in 8.2 terawatt-hours in lost energy – or enough electricity to power 1.5 million Indian households for five years. Failing to implement better water management policies could result in GDP losses in India, China and Central Asia of 7% to 12%, and 6% in much of Africa by 2050 according to the Global Commission on Adaptation.
Global food security is also at risk. Already, 60% of the world’s irrigated agriculture faces extremely high water stress – particularly sugarcane, wheat, rice and maize. Yet to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050, the world will need to produce 56% more food calories than it did in 2010 – all while dealing with increasing water stress as well as climate-driven disasters like droughts and floods.
Better Management for a Water-secure Future
It’s good to understand the state of the world’s water supply and demand, but water stress doesn’t necessarily lead to water crisis. For example, places like Singapore and the U.S. city of Las Vegas prove that societies can thrive even under the most water-scarce conditions by employing techniques like removing water-thirsty grass, desalination, and wastewater treatment and reuse.
Solution is NOT expensive
In fact, WRI research shows that solving global water challenges is cheaper than you might think, costing the world about 1% of GDP, or 29 cents per person, per day from 2015 to 2030. What’s missing is the political will and financial backing to make these cost-effective solutions a reality.
If this cost conclusion is accurate – why aren’t we doing it?
V-Bucks are the in-game currency of Fortnite, they can be used to buy virtual items such as skins and loot. However, some players have complained that they were charged for unwanted items and that their children made purchases without their knowledge.
As a result, Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, agreed to pay $245 million to settle a lawsuit with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and offer refunds to eligible customers.
If you want to apply for a refund, you need to visit the FTC’s official website and fill out a form with your claim number or your Epic Account ID.
You qualify for a v-buck refund if…
You were charged in-game for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022.
Your child made charges to your account without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018.
Your account was locked after you complained about wrongful charges.
Fortnite v-buck refunds
Deadline
The deadline for claims is January 17, 2024. Alternatively, if you want to return a skin or an item that you bought with V-Bucks within the last 30 days, you can do so by following these steps…
In Fortnite, go to account and privacy from the settings page or the ‘Customer Support & Refunds’ button below the gear with three lines in the sidebar menu
From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king’.
J.R.R. Tolkien1892 – 1973
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE FRSL was an English writer and philologist. He was the author of the high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
‘All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.’
Consultants and junior doctors in England are holding their first joint strike in the history of the NHS.
Waiting list
The latest data from NHS England, states the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment is at a record high of 7.68 million at the end of July 2023. This is up from 7.57 million in June 2023 and the highest since records began in August 2007.
The waiting list has increased by more than 3 million since February 2020, the last full month before the start of the pandemic. The NHS is facing many different challenges due to the impact of Covid-19 on its services, staff and resources. This data suggests that the waiting list was already at 4 million even before the pandemic hit.
The latest strike action is a major factor now contributing to the NHS waiting list. Some reports suggest that over 850,000 routine operations and procedures have been cancelled so far this year, 2023 due to strike action alone.
Factors that may have contributed to the historical rise in the waiting list
The suspension or reduction of non-urgent care during the peak of the pandemic to free up capacity for Covid-19 patients.
The ongoing infection prevention and control measures that limit the number of patients that can be treated safely in hospitals.
NHS Strike action again, with nearly 8 million waiting in the queue
The staff shortages and burnout that affect the availability and productivity of the workforce.
The increased demand for health services as people seek help for conditions that were delayed or worsened by the pandemic.
Strike action.
The NHS is working hard to tackle the backlog and improve access to care for patients
Increasing funding and capacity for elcare, such as by opening more operating theatres, expanding community services and using the independent sector.
Implementing new models of care, such as virtual consultations, digital triage and shared decision making, to reduce unnecessary referrals and appointments.
Prioritising patients based on clinical urgency and need, rather than waiting time alone, to ensure that those who would benefit most from treatment are seen first.
Supporting staff wellbeing and retention, such as by offering flexible working, training and development opportunities and mental health support.
What about health education?
Government action
The government has also pledged to invest an extra £36 billion over the next three years to help the NHS recover from the pandemic and reform social care. However, some experts have warned that this may not be enough to address the underlying issues that affect the NHS performance and quality, such as workforce planning, public health funding and health inequalities.
How did it get so bad?
Lack of money or management failures? It has to one of these two. Throwing funds at an already badly managed ‘business’ will just amplify the problem allowing even more waste. And as the ‘system’ tackles the problem, more and more people will needlessly continue to suffer.
Fix our health service by fixing the people first!
George Orwell 1903 – 1950. This quote is ‘attributed’ to George Orwell, a British writer and journalist who is best known for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm. But this quote is most likely NOT an Orwell one – eventhough it is widely accepted as his.
It is most likely that Orwell never wrote or spoke these words, even though they have a broadly Orwellian dystopian feel to them. It would appear that this quote was first written by a conservative writer in 2009, but has been almost universally misattributed to Orwell in the intervening 12 years.
The earliest record found found and apparently the original, was descovered in a column by the conservative writer Selwyn Duke, written in 2009.
So, who is Selwyn Duke?
Selwyn Duke is a conservative writer and commentator who has published articles on various topics such as politics, culture, religion, and science.
Duke is known for his traditionalist and sometimes controversial views on issues such as immigration, feminism, transgenderism, and vote fraud. He has written for several online and print outlets, such as The Hill, The American Conservative, WorldNetDaily, and American Thinker.
He also has a personal website where he posts his opinions and media appearances, and is active on X.
Selwyn Duke should not to be confused with George Orwell, a British author who wrote novels such as 1984 and Animal Farm. A quote that is often misattributed to Orwell actually originated from a 2009 opinion piece by Duke
‘The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.’ Attributed to Orwell – but likely not one of his quotes.
Confidence in Bank of England (BoE) is a measure of how much the public trusts the central bank to control inflation, set interest rates and maintain economic stability.
According to the latest Inflation ‘Attitudes Survey‘ conducted by the Bank of England in August 2023, confidence in Bank of England has plummeted to an all-time low.
Survey
The survey found that only 19% of the respondents were satisfied with the way the Bank of England was doing its job to set interest rates to control inflation, while 40% were dissatisfied. The net satisfaction rate was -21%, which is the lowest since the survey began in 1999.
2% inflation please
The main reason for the low confidence is the high inflation rate that has been persisting in the UK for more than a year. Inflation reached a peak of 11.1% in December 2022, and was still at 6.8% in July 2023, well above the Bank of England’s target of 2%. The Bank of England has raised interest rates 14 times since the end of 2021, from 0.1% to 5.25%, to try to bring inflation down, but this has also increased the cost of borrowing and living for many households and businesses.
Slow
Some critics have argued that the Bank of England (BoE) acted too slowly and too cautiously to raise interest rates when inflation was rising, while others have warned that raising rates too high and too fast could harm the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The public’s expectations of future inflation are also high, with a median answer of 2.9% for inflation in five years’ time, almost one percentage point higher than the Bank’s target.
Credibility
Confidence in Bank of England (BoE) is important because it affects how people behave in terms of spending, saving, investing, and borrowing.
Bank of England hits all-time confidence low according to survey
Loss of faith
If people lose faith in the central bank’s ability to control inflation and maintain economic stability, they may act in ways that could worsen the situation, such as hoarding money, demanding higher wages, or taking on more debt.
Therefore, it is crucial for the Bank of England to communicate clearly and effectively with the public about its policies and actions, and to restore trust and confidence in its role as an independent and credible institution.
It is also useful to take notice of early warning signs, such as the economic red alert posed by inflation after the pandemic recovery started.
‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking’.
