Risk

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin War is coming, and soon. That’s the warning from those with the inside skinny in Washington D.C., Reuters reports . The risks of China invading Taiwan are “very high,” The risks of China invading Taiwan are “very high,” said Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. His comments were based on those of experienced general Mike Minihan. His comments were based on those of experienced general Mike Minihan. “I hope he’s wrong ... I think he is right, though,” McCaul was quoted as saying by Reuters. If military conflict is inevitable then investors need to prepare. The obvious first choice is to look at the defense stocks such as those held in the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF. It’s up 27% over the last two years versus 8% for the S&P 500. At least part of that gain will have been due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the continued uptrend also likely … [Read more...] about A Top Republican Warns High Risk Of China-Taiwan War. Here’s How To Invest If It Happens

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Covid situation looks a lot better today than it was a year ago. But that doesn’t mean everything is fine – especially for people like me who are still “High Risk.” The CDC is again telling high risk people what steps they can take to protect themselves from Covid-19. But four years and thousands of "takes" into the pandemic, most of us still don't feel like we know what protecting ourselves actually means. And what few tools we do have are stigmatized, broken, or being taken away. Even under the best circumstances, High Risk people like me can’t completely protect ourselves from Covid-19. The best we can do is reduce our risk a little and hope that current promising trends continue. "High Risk" includes people like me, who because of chronic respiratory problems and other physical disabilities, would probably have a much rougher time with Covid — even when fully vaccinated and boosted. Many of us are asking, … [Read more...] about 3 Modest Covid-19 Policies To Help High Risk People

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin I wrote two articles over the weekend researching the impact of AI on the Music Industry as one of the art domains being impacted by AI. You can read both of these blogs here: The first article focuses on Google’s recent MusicLM announcement and the risks without increased copyright law in place. The second article continues this discussion but broadens it with other examples. The more I dug into this area, I realized how much is at stake and the risks to our Arts Community and to all the musicians who bring so much joy to our lives. However, there is trouble afoot and it’s increasing. Why do a career in music and spend years mastering a craft when an AI model will eventually be able to consistently produce an award winning master piece? It’s simply a matter of time. Yes, I appreciate that creative capabilities of an AI model is not close to reality as Meta Chief Data Scientist, Yann Lecun, said to … [Read more...] about AI Ethical Risks In the Music Industry Are Accelerating And We Are Not Ready For What Is Coming Our Way

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin A study funded by the World Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK and published in eClinicalMedicine , a Lancet open access clinical journal, provides new evidence of a link between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and an increased risk of developing cancer. A team from Imperial College London used UK Biobank data to assess the diets of 197,426 people between the ages of 40 and 69, who completed 24-hour dietary recalls during a three-year period. Ultra Processed Food consumption was expressed as a percentage of total food intake in grams per day and was assessed against the risk of developing and/or dying from 34 different types of cancer over a period of 10-years. After the researchers adjusted for socio-demographic factors, physical activity, smoking status, and dietary factors, it was found that a 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed food was linked to a 2% increase in being diagnosed with any cancer and … [Read more...] about New Evidence That Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Cancer Risk

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin There are a handful of insightful reports I look forward to every year. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report is one of them. This year’s report is based on interviews with over 1,200 experts across academia, business, government, the international community and civil society. “’Global risk’” is defined as the possibility of the occurrence of an event or condition which, if it occurs, would negatively impact a significant proportion of global GDP, population or natural resources. The report lists the leading risks that are currently manifesting themselves. But it also looks at what the most important risks are likely to be in the short term - a horizon of two years, and the long term, over the next ten years. Current Global Risks Regular readers of the news should not be surprised to see the energy supply crisis, the cost-of-living crisis; and rising inflation as the top three risks. Interestingly, the … [Read more...] about The World Economic Forum Warns Of Polycrises

By SUSIE BLANN (Associated Press) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is pushing its Western allies to provide it with fighter jets, a week after winning pledges of sophisticated modern tanks to help it beat back Russia’s invasion force after almost a year of fighting. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov was due in Paris on Tuesday where discussions about the possible delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine was expected to be on the agenda. After months of haggling, Ukrainian authorities last week persuaded Western allies to send the tanks. That decision came despite the hesitation and caution of some NATO members, including the United States and Germany. There was no indication that a decision on warplanes to Ukraine might come any time soon and no sign that Western countries have changed their earlier stance on the issue. Some Western leaders have expressed concern that the move could escalate the nearly year-long conflict and draw them deeper into the war. The U.K. … [Read more...] about After tank pledges, Ukraine seeks Western fighter jets

Representative image Highlights Raw materials used in clean energy systems are concentrated in a select few countries outside India The availability of adequate and affordable finance remains a constraint Diversion of large scale funds to green energy can be a challenge for developing countries Despite the rapid scale-up of renewable energy capacities, India continues to depend on thermal power The FY23 economic survey took a balanced approach about climate change policies. It narrated the steps being taken by India to combat greenhouse gases and transition to cleaner sources of energy. But to achieve the stated goals, the survey emphasised the need for renewed support from developed countries, especially in the areas of finance, technology transfer and capacity-building. Importantly the survey rightly highlighted the limitations and economic costs of the climate change policies. Clean energy systems such as solar photovoltaic plants, wind farms, … [Read more...] about Economic Survey takes a pragmatic line for climate change policies

Bull runs have their ups and downs, too. (Photo: Isaw Company via Pexels) I love taking trips to Uttarakhand. A lot of people often look for a different kind of trip there, but it’s not the kind you can mention on Tripadvisor. Joshimath a holy town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. If Joshimath were a person, it would be Jerome Powell. Because poor old Jerome has been repeatedly telling the markets: “We are sinking and there are no lifeboats. And you’re on board the inflation Titanic.” The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has released satellite images of Joshimath and a preliminary report on land subsidence which shows that the entire town may sink. Luckily in India you can pray to the Gods to sink everyone else except your own community. Scientists are still studying the cracks that have appeared in the houses and roads due to land subsidence in the town. … [Read more...] about Funnycontrol | Joshimath and that sinking feeling

Manas Ranjan Panda has taken to social media to look for better opportunities and connect with possible new employers. The lay off spree at Goldman Sachs has caused the affected employees reeling with shock while trying to look for new opportunities at the same time. Since the latest cuts go beyond the firm’s annual exercise of weeding out underperforming staff, it has also left employees who were fired despite being awarded for their performance, confused. Manas Ranjan Panda, vice president of equities risk trading at Goldman Sachs in Bengaluru claimed that he was sacked last week after being promoted in December. "It has taken me sometime to absorb the news as I was promoted just last month and made good profits for the firm in the last two years," he wrote on LinkedIn. Panda said some of his best work in terms of commercial thematic and single stock research ideas, happened during his almost three years at Goldman Sachs . "Additionally, I got an opportunity to built low … [Read more...] about Goldman Sachs staffer laid off last week in Bengaluru: ‘I was promoted just last month’

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Millions of people are bracing for dangerous weather, major travel disruption and possible power outages across central and southern parts of the United States on Tuesday as schools and roads close and flights are canceled in response to the severe winter storm pushing through the country. Key Facts Some 3.3 million people are under an ice storm warning and 17 million people are under a winter storm warning as of Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The warnings are respectively issued when there is a risk of a quarter of an inch or more of ice accumulating and a combination of hazardous winter weather like heavy snow or sleet or enough ice to damage power lines. “An extensive and very dangerous ice storm” will continue to hit areas from Texas to the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valleys on Tuesday. Officials in affected areas, particularly Texas, have advised people to … [Read more...] about Nearly 1,000 U.S. Flights Cancelled As Dangerous Ice Storm Surges South