Weekly Insider: 3 minutes read

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Crime and Perception: Are People Reacting to the Wrong Alarm?🚨

Lawmakers have two main jobs: reducing crime and making people feel safe. But sometimes there's a big gap between what's happening with crime and how people feel about it.

For example, a Gallup poll showed that more Americans than ever—63 percent in 2023—think crime is a big problem, even though crime rates have actually been dropping. It's like thinking the house is on fire when it's just the toaster burning your toast.🍞 This gap between reality and what people think is a big deal. It affects what laws get made. Lawmakers don’t always look at what’s really happening; they also look at what people believe is happening.

So, when people feel scared about crime—maybe because of news reports about a rise in crime that isn't really there—lawmakers often feel pressured to act. This has led to some places passing tough laws that bring back the harsh punishments of the 1980s and '90s. They're trying to fix a problem that's already getting better.

Instead of quick fixes, lawmakers need to think long-term about crime. And here’s a fun fact for them: while most Americans think crime is a big problem nationally, only 17 percent think it’s a problem where they live. So maybe they’re worried about the fire in someone else’s kitchen. Lawmakers need to ask themselves: what's the point? 🤷‍♂️

How TikTok's Chinese Owner Took Control 🇨🇳

TikTok’s Beijing-based owner ByteDance has been playing a game of tug-of-war with US regulators, trying to keep its hold on the popular app. But ByteDance seems to be winning the game, pulling TikTok closer into its grasp. 🏃‍♂️

According to whispers from current and former employees, ByteDance has been sneakily moving its staff into TikTok, especially those who speak Mandarin. It's like they’re building a secret TikTok army, spreading from China to the rest of the world. Chinese workers are popping up in TikTok offices worldwide, including the US.

There’s a lot of cloak-and-dagger stuff going on—people are spilling the beans anonymously because they're scared of getting caught. TikTok claims it’s not controlled by China, but insiders say decisions still come from there. Talk about a plot twist! 🕵️‍♀️🔍

Even simple things like picking music for ads need China’s approval. And there's been drama over what content gets the green light. It's a real-life soap opera! 🎶 TikTok’s been accused of being unfriendly to women and minorities, facing lawsuits over discrimination. Not a good look for the app's reputation. 👩‍⚖️ByteDance and TikTok have different leadership styles, and finding a balance is like trying to mix oil and water. It’s a real challenge! 💼🌊

Macron's Battle Cry🇪🇺💥

French President Emmanuel Macron is shaking things up with a bold vision for Europe's future. Speaking at Sorbonne University in Paris, he warned that Europe risks fading away if it doesn't step up its game. Macron's got some big ideas to keep Europe strong and independent.

He's all about beefing up Europe's defenses and making sure it's not just following the lead of the United States. Macron says Europe needs to stand tall on the global stage and not become a "vassal" of anyone. Imagine Europe as a superhero—Macron wants it to be Iron Man, not Robin! 🦸‍♂️ He's talking about beefing up cybersecurity, teaming up more with post-Brexit Britain, and even starting a European military academy. 🛡️

But that's not all—Macron's also worried about Europe falling behind in the economy. He's calling for less red tape for small businesses and wants Europeans to buy European-made stuff, especially when it comes to military gear.

Macron's hoping his speech will be a game-changer, just like one he made seven years ago. Back then, he shook things up, and now he's back for round two! But it won't be easy—he's facing challenges with his popularity and his party's standing in upcoming European Parliament elections. It's like he's battling his villains while trying to save the day for Europe! 🗳️

Biden's Rate Cut Dreams Take a Hit! 😢💸

Joe Biden was hoping for a pre-election rate cut from the Federal Reserve, but recent data has thrown a wrench in his plans. Investors, who were once fully confident about a rate cut by September, are now having second thoughts, betting on a cut by November 6-7, right after the election showdown between Biden and Trump.

Why the change? New numbers show slower growth than expected, with first-quarter growth rates only hitting 1.6%, way below the forecasted 2.5%, and inflation rising faster than anticipated, hitting 3.7% from the previous 2%.

Biden was hoping for a stronger economy to boost his chances in the upcoming election, but with borrowing costs at a 23-year high, things aren't looking so rosy. Before Thursday's data came out, investors were almost certain of a Fed rate cut, but now they're only about 75% sure. Stocks on Wall Street dropped sharply, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite taking a hit, and the 10-year US Treasury yield climbed, showing that investors are a bit nervous. 📉

EU Votes for a Greener Future: What's Happening?🌍

EU lawmakers have made some big decisions to step up their green game! Despite pushback from various groups, they voted for the EU to leave a treaty that many see as holding back green initiatives.

In a super positive move, the EU parliament voted 560-43 to ditch the Energy Charter Treaty. This treaty was originally meant to protect investments but has been used by energy companies to challenge green laws. Now, the EU is saying goodbye to it! 👋 

But that's not all! They also passed laws to make companies more accountable for their impact on the environment and human rights. Plus, they're cracking down on packaging waste and setting stricter rules for air pollution. It's like giving Mother Nature a big hug! 🌿 However, some of these decisions weren't easy. The laws had to go through negotiations and some got watered down along the way. But even with compromises, they're still a win for the planet! 🌎

Now, these laws just need final approval from EU member states before they become official. Let's hope they lead to real action on the ground!

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Oh Snap! Meta's Zuck-tastic Adventure

Despite scoring high on earnings and revenue for the current quarter, Meta’s stock took a nosedive in after-hours trading. What gives? Well, it seems like the future isn't as rosy as investors hoped. 📉

While Meta beat expectations with earnings per share at $4.71 (way above the $4.32 estimate) and revenues hitting $36.46 billion (against a forecast of $36.16 billion), it's what's on the horizon that's got investors worried. The company's guidance for the next quarter fell short of expectations, especially with concerns about AI spending. 💰

Looking forward, Meta predicts second-quarter revenue around $37.75 billion, showing an 18% year-on-year growth. But that's not the homerun investors wanted to hear—it's below what analysts anticipated.

During the earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg talked about investing in futuristic projects like smart glasses and mixed reality. Cool, right? Well, not for investors. They're more focused on the short-term gains, and these long-term investments don’t promise immediate returns.

Zuckerberg also mentioned beefing up investments in artificial intelligence (AI), but he reassured everyone that Meta knows how to cash in once these projects take off. 💡💸

Despite bumping up their capital expenditure guidance to $35-$40 billion for 2024, Meta actually reduced its headcount by 10% compared to last year. Talk about streamlining! So, while Meta's main businesses are still doing great, the market’s got a case of the jitters. Investors aren’t quite sold on the company's long-term plans, especially those that are eating up cash. 😬💼

Nvidia’s Big Buy: Run:ai Joins the AI Party! 💻💰

Nvidia just dropped $700 million to acquire Run:ai, an Israeli AI infrastructure management company. They're keeping Run:ai’s tools running under the same model, boosting their DGX Cloud AI platform for businesses. With Run:ai's smart tech, Nvidia aims to make AI more accessible and efficient for everyone. 🤖

Run:ai's CEO, Omri Geller, is thrilled about joining Nvidia. Founded by Geller and Ronen Dar, Run:ai quickly became a hit with Fortune 500 companies, backed by over $118 million in investments. 🌐

Now, Nvidia and Run:ai are teaming up to tackle the challenges of scaling AI, making it faster and cheaper. It's a dream team of AI innovation, ready to revolutionize the tech world! 🚀🧠