World Economic Forum: Top Stories- Aug 12, 2023

World Economic Forum (August 12, 2023) – This week’s top stories of the week include:

0:15 Scientists discover self healing metals – They have the ability to weld tiny cracks back together again without human intervention. Scientists were studying how microscopic cracks spread through platinum using a machine that repeatedly pulled on the ends of the metal. But after 40 minutes, the damage began to heal itself. The scientists said it was ‘absolutely stunning’ to watch first-hand. The finding revises some of our basic theories about metals.

1:42 Who owns a song written by AI – Music made with artificial intelligence has made headlines this year. In April, an AI-generated track cloned the voices of Drake and The Weeknd. Heart on My Sleeve racked up 20 million streams on Spotify, Tiktok and Twitter before copyright claims by Universal Music Group saw it pulled from platforms. The pop star Grimes has taken a different route, offering to split royalties with anyone who uses her voice on an AI track. The limits of creative copyright were once clear but AI has introduced uncertainty.

4:50 These special microbes kill harmful bacteria – The food industry struggles with persistent pathogens, such as Salmonella which causes fever, diarrhoea and stomach pain. In 2021, 96,000 cases of salmonellosis were reported in the EU. The illness costs up to €3 billion a year in health bills and lost productivity. These phage food safety solutions have been created by Phageguard. Phages are the most abundant organisms in nature and a natural solution to bacteria which they infect and dissipate. As well as being natural and safe, phages are specific to each target pathogen and unlike antibiotics, they don’t lead to side-effects or antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

6:24 Prescribing fruit and veg could save millions of lives – In the US, fruit and veg prescriptions would prevent almost 300,000 heart attacks and strokes and give people an extra 260,000 years of good health if they were offered to people with diabetes aged 40-79.

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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

Saturday Morning: News And Stories From London

Monocle on Saturday, August 12, 2023: A look at the week’s news and culture with Georgina Godwin. She is joined by the columnist, author and ‘Insult my Intelligence’ podcast host, Tim Dowling, for a lively discussion of the morning’s stories from across the globe.

Plus: the volunteer group who made women’s uniforms for Ukrainian soldiers. 

Travel Guide: The 16 Best Places To Visit In Norway

touropia (August 11, 2023) – A travel guide to the top 16 places to visit in Norway including:

  1. Geirangerfjord
  2. Lofoten Islands
  3. Bergen
  4. Jotunheimen National Park
  5. Svalbard
  6. Stavanger
  7. Sognefjord
  8. Oslo
  9. Trondheim
  10. Tromso

Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Preserved 9th-century Viking ships are displayed at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking and skiing, notably at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort. 

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – August 14, 2023

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BARRON’S MAGAZINE – AUGUST 14, 2023 ISSUE:

The Long-Shot Sports Bet That’s Saving an Industry

The Long-Shot Sports Bet That's Saving an Industry

The popularity of “parlays” means fatter profits for sites, even as gamblers pare spending.

A Smart Bet on Green Energy, With a Rising Dividend Yield

A Smart Bet on Green Energy, With a Rising Dividend Yield

NextEra Energy owns the largest renewables business in the U.S., and the biggest utility. The stock’s selloff offers an opportunity.

As Cable Shrinks, Comcast Just Looks Like More of a Buy

As Cable Shrinks, Comcast Just Looks Like More of a Buy

Comcast’s broadband network is crucial to the future of technology. Even so, its stock is cheap compared with buzzier names like Netflix, Nvidia, and Meta Platforms.

Ivy Degrees, Legacies, and Wealth. Where Colleges Should Go From Here.

Brown University economist John N. Friedman discusses the findings of a new study on the economic consequences of elite college degrees.

The New York Times — Saturday, August 12, 2023

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Garland Appoints Weiss as Special Counsel in Hunter Biden Inquiry

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced he is appointing a special counsel to handle the federal investigation into Hunter Biden.

The attorney general said he decided to elevate David C. Weiss after the prosecutor informed him that the powers of a special counsel were necessary to continue the investigation.

A Journey Through Lahaina’s Endless Streets of Suffering

As residents slowly returned and sifted through the debris of their homes, many were finding little to salvage.

A historic Hawaiian town that was once home to 13,000 people is now a desolate ruin. With the death toll rising, the true scope of the tragedy is still unfolding.

Judge Limits Trump’s Ability to Share Jan. 6 Evidence

During a 90-minute hearing in Washington, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan also warned the former president against any attempt to intimidate witnesses or prejudice potential jurors.

Judge Limits Trump’s Ability to Share Jan. 6 Evidence

During a 90-minute hearing in Washington, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan also warned the former president against any attempt to intimidate witnesses or prejudice potential jurors.