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☆ Bitcoin halving: Crypto traders await quadrennial event
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Put simply, the halving is an automatic 50% reduction in the number of bitcoin entering circulation. “Guessing the endgame for Bitcoin after each halving is the ultimate sport,” said Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of crypto lender Nexo, in a statement. Miners are essentially auditors on the bitcoin blockchain, using powerful supercomputers to validate transactions and getting paid for their work in bitcoin. While long-term sentiments on bitcoin are bullish among the crypto faithful, the psychology around an event like the halving is hard to predict and can create volatility that’s extreme even by crypto standards. “It wouldn’t be surprising to see the price of bitcoin increase significantly over the next two years.”

Persons: CNN Business ’, it’s, ”, Antoni Trenchev, Gareth Rhodes, Molly White, John Sedunov, Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase, Greg Beard, there’s, ” Beard Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, United, Miners, Villanova University, JPMorgan, Mining Locations: New York, United States, Asia, bitcoin

☆ How to see the eclipse: Why your path of totality maps might be slightly off
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Calculations that use a slightly larger radius for the size of the Sun yield an eclipse path that is slightly narrower,” said NASA spokesperson Karen Fox in an emailed statement. And even if the NASA map is wrong, Irwin’s calculations indicate it’s only off by a couple thousand feet on the edges. A woman views a map showing the eclipse path during the Solar Eclipse Festival at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California, on August 19, 2017, two days before the total eclipse on August 21. And NASA also acknowledges that exact measurements of the eclipse path are difficult to pin down. “When you see the total eclipse, you can’t go back,” Guinan said.

Persons: ”, Karen Fox, Edward Guinan, John Irwin, Guinan, Frederic J . Brown, Irwin, ” Guinan, Jonathan Ernst, “, can’t, ” Don’t Organizations: CNN, North America, NASA, Villanova University ., California Science Center, Getty, Sun, Reuters Locations: North, Guildford, England, Los Angeles , California, AFP, Smoky, Tennessee

☆ What AT&T got right and wrong communicating to its customers during the outage
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Samantha Delouya | Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The company didn’t publicly acknowledge the outage until it first posted on its site about the outage at 11:15 am ET. Reports on outage tracking service Downdetector showed the network initially went down more than seven hours earlier: Reyes said he experienced the outage starting at 3:50 am ET. AT&T posted just once on X about the outage, pointing customers seeking more information to a faulty link. For many AT&T customers, the network outage was far more than an inconvenience. A "No Service" message is seen on an iPhone in Atlanta during an AT&T outage on February 22.

Persons: CNN —, Damián Reyes, ”, “, I’m, Reyes, Uber, didn’t, Reyes ’, ” Reyes, Mojtaba, John Breyault, Brook Joyner, CNN Breyault, Catherine Thorbecke, Clare Duffy Organizations: CNN, Mobile, T’s Twitter, Villanova University, Wireless Networking Laboratory, National Consumers League, San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management Locations: Jacksonville , Florida, Atlanta

He has a nickname for Senator Tim Scott: Senator Judas. (Ms. Haley appointed Mr. Scott to the Senate in 2012 when she was governor of South Carolina, and Mr. Scott is now a key surrogate in their home state for Mr. In the early months of his mother’s campaign, Mr. Haley was relatively neutral, largely re-sharing posts from or positive commentary about the Haley campaign. But Mr. Haley, a senior at Villanova University, has been game to engage, hitting back at her rivals on social media platforms with memes and quips. In Gilbert, he recalled how Ms. Haley, during her run for governor, used to offer him and his sister a quarter for every hand they shook.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Donald J, Trump, Nalin Haley, Mr, Haley, Tim Scott, Judas, Vivek Ramaswamy, Pennywise, Ms, you’s ”, “ Nalin, ”, Gilbert, S.C, “, Scott, Nathan Brand, “ You’d, Frances, Scott’s, Frances Scott, Ramaswamy, Haley’s, Ramaswamy’s, Tricia McLaughlin, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis “, MAGA, MAGA ’ cuz he’s, I’m, Jazmine Ulloa Organizations: Republican, Trump, Senate, Mr, Iowa State Fair, Villanova University, Gov, New York Times Locations: New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, Summerville, S.C, Florida, Elgin

☆ Super Bowl Ads Ditch Politics for Celebs, Taylor Swift and AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Sheila Dang(Reuters) - Fans can expect celebrities and more lighthearted commercials, along with glimpses of Taylor Swift, during the Super Bowl on Sunday, as corporate advertisers avoid the recent practice of using the big game to promote social causes. While high-priced Super Bowl commercials often play for laughs in trying to make an impression, the flashy productions can also reflect the national mood. Budweiser in 2017 used the Super Bowl to depict Anheuser-Busch's founder making the journey from Germany to America in 1857, encountering xenophobia and discrimination along the way. NONPROFITS GET IN ON THE GAMEWhile corporations may steer clear of potentially divisive issues, at least two nonprofits have announced Super Bowl ads. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will air a tense anti-cheese commercial featuring actress Edie Falco and a mother cow in distress.

Persons: Sheila Dang, Taylor Swift, ”, Kim Whitler, Lionel Messi, Swift, Travis Kelce, Charles R, Taylor, “ It's, ” Taylor, Bud Light, Light Genie, Dana White, Hall, Peyton Manning, Todd Allen, Whitler, ” Whitler, Robert Kraft, Clarence B, Jones, Martin Luther King Jr, Edie Falco, Bill Berkrot Organizations: University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Procter & Gamble, Budweiser, Anheuser, Clydesdale, Super Bowl, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Villanova University School of Business, Swift, CBS, UFC, Hall of Fame, Google, Foundation, Combat, New England Patriots, Clarence, Animals, PETA Locations: Germany, America, Israel, Austin

The monthly decline in the producer price index was the largest since April 2020, when the country was facing the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding energy and food costs, the core index is now at 2.9% annualized, slightly above where it stood in September. Analysts had predicted a monthly drop of 0.1% and an annual rate of 1.9% for the overall index. It was the second reading in as many days that showed inflation receding closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual target. The core index, leaving out energy and food costs, came in at 4%.

Persons: ” Kathy Jones, John Sedunov, ”, Jerome Powell, “, Wells, Dan North Organizations: of Labor Statistics, “, Analysts, Schwab Center, Financial Research, Dow Jones, Research, Villanova University, International Monetary Fund, Treasury, Census, North America, Allianz Trade, Consumers Locations: Washington, U.S

☆ 'A very unique battle': How geography could shape Israel's expected ground offensive in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Ahead of such an attack, one military geography specialist outlined to CNBC how the physical features of the Gaza Strip could influence any fighting. He warned, however, that any kind of ground offensive from Israel's military would be a highly dangerous "cat and mouse game" of urban warfare, one with a particularly unique subterranean element. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesThe Gaza Strip is a narrow portion of land sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. "We have to destroy Hamas on the ground to find Hamas members within the underground tunnels, in the holes, in their headquarters," Amidror said Friday. watch nowIndeed, Galgano said Hamas' likely best defense against Israel's forthcoming ground offensive would be to stay underground in its tunnel system.

Persons: Din, Francis Galgano, Galgano, Yaakov Amidror, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amidror Organizations: Hamas, Getty, Israel, Palestinian, United Nations, CNBC, Department, Environment, Villanova University in, Anadolu Agency, U.S . Army, Israel's National Security Council, Israel's Locations: Gaza, Israel, Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Anadolu, Egypt, Gaza City, winkle, Hamas

The Federal Reserve, as expected, left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday while raising forecasts for economic growth and lowering them for unemployment next year. “Job gains have slowed in recent months but remain strong, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated.”The central bank updated its forecasts for economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The GDPNow estimate from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is now pegging economic growth in the third quarter at 4.9%. But it would likely curb economic growth at a time when the Fed’s policies have restricted credit and other government stimulus is waning.

Persons: “, ” Powell, ”, Powell, Andrew Patterson, Ruslan Lienkha, Victor Li, Jeff MacDonald, Joe Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, ”, Villanova University, Federal Reserve Bank of, GOP Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

☆ Biden resists pressure from lawmakers and seeks short extension to key China science pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Jennifer Jett | Abigail Williams | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration is seeking a short-term extension to a landmark science and technology agreement with China despite pressure from some U.S. lawmakers who say Beijing could exploit it to gain a security and military advantage. A six-month extension to the Science and Technology Agreement, or STA, will keep the pact in force as the U.S. seeks "authority to undertake negotiations to amend and strengthen the terms," a State Department spokesperson told NBC News on Wednesday. "If it were to go away, not only would it impede government-to-government cooperation, but it would also put other science cooperation at risk," said Seligsohn, a former environment, science, technology and health counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. China also considers it the enabling document for all other science cooperation with the U.S., including with academic and research institutions. The State Department spokesperson said it was aware of the issues involved with working with China in the are of science and technology.

Persons: Biden, Jimmy Carter, Deng Xiaoping, Deborah Seligsohn, Antony Blinken, Elise Stefanik, Mike Gallagher of, Blinken, Sen, Rick Scott, Donald Trump Organizations: Central South University, Science, Technology, State Department, NBC News, U.S, Villanova University, Embassy, House Republican Conference Locations: China, Central, Changsha city, Hunan province, Beijing, U.S, New York, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, United States

☆ Average consumer carries $5,947 in credit card debt — a 10-year high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On the heels of another rate hike last month by the Federal Reserve, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% on average, an all-time high. "People aren't financing purchases at 20% because they have other options," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "As a result, they are tapping into these available credit products to help them cope with rising expenses." As the number of credit card accounts in the U.S. rose, delinquencies notched higher, the report said. How to tackle high-interest credit card debtkrisanapong detraphiphat | Moment | Getty Images

Persons: John Sedunov, Greg McBride, Sedunov, Gen, TransUnion, Michele Raneri, Raneri Organizations: New York Fed, Villanova University's School of Business, Federal Reserve, Bankrate, TransUnion Locations: U.S

☆ New college graduates are overestimating their starting salaries by $30,000, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The disconnect between perception and reality only worsens over time: A decade into their careers, students anticipate making more than $204,560. That's well over the average mid-career salary of $98,647, according to Glassdoor. Hiring outlook for the Class of 2023A City College of New York graduate takes a selfie during the commencement ceremony. "A lot of our students have a job heading into graduation," Grubb said. They just won't necessarily be paid more than last year's graduating class.

☆ The Fed’s autopsy report on Silicon Valley Bank is coming. Here’s what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Federal Reserve, which is responsible for supervising banks in the United States, plans to release its report at 11 a.m. Another federal regulator, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, will release a similar report on Signature Bank, which fell two days after SVB, in the afternoon. Those assets began steadily losing value when the central bank raised interest rates at a rapid pace last year. As the bank stumbled, it became clear that virtually all — 97%, according to data from Wedbush Securities — of SVB’s deposits were uninsured. There are indications the Fed, SVB’s primary regulator, warned the bank as early as 2019 about its insufficient risk-management systems, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

☆ Drinking is killing Russian troops, according to UK intel. Widespread alcoholism during the first Crimean War 150 years ago resulted in Russia's defeat.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Crimean War would become another example of the county's war drinking problem cataloged in the annals of Russian history. I don't think it's nearly as important nowadays, as it was during the Russo-Japanese War or World War One, but it's significant, right?" In an interview with Insider, Schrad expanded on the history of Russian drinking during wartime. A lot of it is the consequence of my research topic, which has been alcohol and Russian history. The Crimean War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, in particular, were all drunken fiascos.

☆ This Philly suburb is the No. 1 best place to live in America for the fourth year in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The best place to live in the U.S. isn't a major metropolis such as New York City or Los Angeles, but a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to Niche's 2023 ranking. The best places to live were decided based on the following factors: AffordabilityLocal housing marketNeighborhood diversityArea public schoolsWalkabilityTop 10 best places to live in the U.S. 2023Chesterbrook, Philadelphia, Pa. Colonial Village, Arlington, Va. Ardmore, Philadelphia, Pa. Hyde Park–Spanishtown Creek, Tampa, Fla. Penn Wynne, Philadelphia, Pa. City Center, Santa Monica, Calif. Cambridgeport, Mass. North Quarter, Orlando, Fla. Devon, Philadelphia, Pa. Great Neck Gardens, Long Island, N.Y. Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, is the No. 1 best place to live in America for the fourth year in a row. The Philadelphia suburb is known for its high-ranking education system.

☆ Silicon Valley Bank red flags: Why did almost everyone fail to predict its collapse?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A bank run took down Silicon Valley Bank on March 10, as depositors withdrew $42 billion in a single day. To embrace a uniquely Silicon Valley ethos that champions boldness, growth and disruption. Silicon Valley Bank held 55% of its customers' deposits in long-dated bonds whose value eroded as interest rates went up. Silicon Valley Bank held an unusually large proportion (55%) of its customers’ deposits in long-dated Treasuries. And for most of that year, Silicon Valley Bank was operating with a massive vacancy in its corporate leadership team: a chief risk officer.

☆ Super Bowl ads lean on stars, humor to grab attention
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Musician Ozzy Osbourne takes part in a Super Bowl ad for Workday, in this undated handout photo provided by Workday. Big-name celebrities are not uncommon in Super Bowl ads. A 30-second Super Bowl spot this year sold for a little over $7 million, according to a person familiar with the ad sales. “Advertisers want people talking about their brand, and not just during the 30 to 60 seconds of (Super Bowl) air time,” Rucker said. Some stars will poke fun at themselves or their careers in Super Bowl ads.

☆ The Paradox of Prosecuting Domestic Terrorism
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( James Verini | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +52 min

The preventive approach to domestic terrorism goes back even further than the 1990s and it begins with the basic police work and surveillance of the joint terrorism task forces. In fact, there is no section of the U.S. Criminal Code that criminalizes domestic terrorism as such. The absence of clear law around domestic terrorism, and the imperatives of prevention, mean that investigators and prosecutors who work domestic terrorism cases must focus on more common charges: weapons violations, illegal drug possession, burglary, aiding and abetting and so forth. But this was not enough to overrule the fear of domestic terrorism that was gripping the nation and that hung in the courtroom. It reflected the legal paradoxes of the case and domestic terrorism law in general or, maybe more accurately, the absence of it.

☆ Connecticut lawmaker killed in tragic collision hours after being sworn in
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Connecticut lawmaker died hours after being sworn in as state representative. Lawmakers mourned state Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams following the announcement of his death. The collision occurred around 12:45 a.m. local time just outside of Middletown, Connecticut, on Route 9 in a town called Cromwell. The 39-year-old lawmaker, state Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams of Middletown in the 100th District, a Democrat serving in the Connecticut General Assembly, had been sworn in on Wednesday. The Connecticut State Police and Williams' office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

☆ Connecticut lawmaker dies in wrong-way crash after attending his own swearing-in ceremony
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

CROMWELL, Conn. — A Connecticut state representative was killed overnight in a wrong-way highway crash after having attended the governor’s inaugural ball and his own swearing-in ceremony for a third term, House Democratic leaders said Thursday. Quentin Williams, a Democrat from Middletown known as “Q,” died in the crash on Route 9 in Cromwell. State police said both drivers were killed and one of the vehicles became fully engulfed in flames. Connecticut State Representative Quentin “Q” Willams. CT House DemocratsSpeaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, and Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, issued a statement saying Williams’ family had announced the lawmaker’s death.

☆ The young lawyer who became the 'Don Quixote' of canceling student debt
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-29 | by ( Cezary Podkul | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

The victory marked the starting point for what's become Smith's raison d'être to help as many student loan borrowers as possible. But of those who did, around 60% managed to get a discharge of some portion of their student debt, Iuliano found. And thanks to a widely-held belief that student debt is categorically exempt from discharge, few are willing to take that chance. "I have $50k student debt, no degree, was a victim of attempted murder, out of work, and homeless," reads another. Austin SmithEventually, he says, he vowed to make it his life's cause to help the student loan borrowers.

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