This week, the election of Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, caught many by surprise. Online betting sites, such as Polymarket and Kalshi, which specialize in prediction markets, were among those caught off guard. These platforms allow people to place wagers on the outcomes of various events, with…
Newark Radar Outage Sparks Renewed Alarm Over Fragile Air Traffic Systems and FAA Oversight
Early Friday morning, air traffic controllers managing flights at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a significant disruption. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that at 3:55 a.m., a telecommunications outage caused a loss of radar and communications for about 90 seconds. This blackout originated at Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which oversees aircraft in and out…
Amid Rubble and Ruin, Nabatieh’s Monday Market Stands as a Testament to Survival and Resistance
On a chilly February morning, Sanaa Khreiss tightens her cardigan against the cold as she unpacks her van at the Monday Market in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Though the air still carries the sting of winter, Sanaa and her husband Youssef arrive early to set up their lingerie stall in the nearly empty souk. With practiced…
Trump Hails ‘Total Reset’ in US-China Trade Talks as Tariff Strain and Inflation Risks Persist
Former President Donald Trump announced “great progress” following a new round of trade negotiations between the US and China held in Switzerland. Trump characterized the discussions as a “total reset” conducted in a “friendly, but constructive” way and emphasized the importance of opening Chinese markets to American businesses. His post on Truth Social marked his…
Asian Currency Rally Spurs Wealth Shift as Investors Turn from Dollar to Regional Assets
A sharp rally in Asian currencies is prompting a surge in demand for wealth and forex products, as clients seek alternatives to U.S. dollar-denominated assets. Bankers and analysts attribute this shift to growing trade uncertainties and a weakening U.S. dollar. The currency gains began with the Taiwan dollar and spread to others across the region,…
Windows 7 Faced 30-Second Startup Delay Due to Overlooked Bug in Single-Color Background Code
Released in 2009, Windows 7 quickly became a hit for Microsoft, helping the company recover from the disappointing reception of Windows Vista. However, despite its success, Windows 7 was not without its faults. One curious issue that affected a subset of users involved a significant delay when the operating system was starting up. Specifically, users…
Use AI Wisely by Matching Machine Learning Tools to Customer Needs and Output Complexity
The rise of generative AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), has transformed how machine learning (ML) is applied in customer-facing use cases. Traditionally, ML was reserved for situations with repeatable, predictable patterns and required large datasets. However, modern generative models now allow ML to be deployed even without complete training data. This shift has expanded…
Senate Democrats Block GENIUS Act Over Trump Ties and Crypto Regulation Gaps
Senate Democrats recently blocked a significant cryptocurrency regulation bill, the GENIUS Act, which aimed to regulate “stablecoins,” a type of digital currency tied to the US dollar’s value. Despite months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, the final vote tallied at 49-48, with Republican Senators Rand Paul and Josh Hawley joining Democrats in voting against…
FedEx Ties Fuel Controversy as David Steiner Named New USPS Chief Amid Privatization Fears
David Steiner, a current FedEx board member, has been appointed as the next Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The announcement came from the USPS Board of Governors, stating that Steiner will officially take over the role following the resignation of Louis DeJoy in March and the interim leadership of…
Fed Expands Repo Facility Hours After April Tariff Shock, Reinforces Liquidity Readiness Without Direct Intervention
An official from the Federal Reserve shared insights on how markets dealt with the stress experienced in April, particularly following the announcement of substantial trade tariffs by the Trump administration. Roberto Perli, the manager of the Fed’s System Open Market Account, highlighted that despite early strains in Treasury cash markets, the financial system remained resilient.…