Sun, April 28, 2024

Chloe Wilson

Digital Coins: Gemini logo on the screen smartphone with bitcoin on side.

Gemini 1.5 Pro: Human-Parity in Kalamang Translation

Quick Look Jeff Dean announced the launch of Gemini 1.5 Pro, featuring ultra-low resource translation capabilities for endangered languages, including Kalamang. Gemini 1.5 Pro achieved human parity in the MTOB benchmark, translating English to Kalamang with exceptional accuracy. Outperforming OpenAI’s Whisper exhibits superior audio comprehension, especially in long-context audio up to 105 minutes. Launched just …

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China has set a growth target of more than 6% for 2021

China’s Economy Surges 5%: A Dragon’s Challenge Ahead

Quick Look China exceeded its modest growth target by over 5% last year. The crisis in the property market, subdued exports, and regulatory pressures on private sectors mark key challenges. Record withdrawals by international investors from Chinese stocks signal waning confidence. Deflation streaks and high debt-to-GDP ratios underline systemic economic pressures. Government strategies aim at …

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Wibest – Oil: An aerial shot of oil inventories and a ship behind on nighttime.

Oil Prices Wobble: Inflation Fears & Geopolitical Sparks

Quick Look ICE Brent and NYMEX WTI futures opened lower in Asian trading amid inflation concerns and geopolitical events. US inflation figures dampen expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, with significant revisions to the rate cut outlook for 2024. There are divergent views on oil demand, with the IEA forecasting a slowdown and OPEC predicting …

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stock Markets and various factors

China’s Markets Rise & Pivot Amid Global Strains

Quick Look CSI 300 Index sees a 0.5% rise as markets reopen post-Lunar New Year, with tourism stocks up by 1.2%. People’s Bank of China holds the policy rate at 2.5%, signalling stability amidst economic recalibrations. Global markets exhibit mixed responses, highlighting the interplay of economic policies and geopolitical tensions. Thailand’s economy contracts, fueling rate …

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Bitcoin

Bitcoin Eyes $53K: Peaks, $22.5B Interest, & Halving

Quick Look Bitcoin’s peak last week reached $52,858, eyeing resistance at the $53,000 mark. A significant $22.5 billion in open interest marks a new 3-year peak as of February 18. Derivatives and ETF trends suggest a bullish outlook despite potential bearish reversals. Historical patterns and the forthcoming Bitcoin halving hint at a potential surge beyond …

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Sora: Revolutionizing AI with 60-Second Photoreal Videos

Quick Look Sora introduces photorealistic videos up to 60 seconds with advanced diffusion model technology. Demonstrations showcase capabilities from historical recreations to dynamic urban scenes, highlighting both potential and current limitations. Not yet public, Sora prioritizes safety and ethical considerations amidst growing concerns over AI-generated content. Competing with industry giants, Sora’s unique features stir significant …

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The U.S. current account deficit hit 14-year high in Q1

Divergent Global Recoveries: U.S. Thrives, Others Struggle

Quick Look Japan and the UK entered technical recessions with negative GDP growth for two consecutive quarters. Germany’s economy also reports consecutive quarterly declines in GDP. China’s economic slowdown, particularly in its property sectors, raises concerns. The U.S. economy showcases resilience with strong credit-driven consumption despite a decline in January retail sales. The global energy …

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Wibest Broker-Currency Pairs: Compass pointing north to the Dollar

Forex Update: Dollar Dips 0.4%, Gold Soars Past $2000

Quick Look US Dollar Index drops 0.4% ahead of key economic data releases. Retail Sales in the US declined by 0.8%; Initial Jobless Claims slightly improved. UK Retail Sales see a surprising 3.4% increase in January. Central banks in Japan and New Zealand reiterate monetary policy stances. Significant currency movements were observed across major pairs; …

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African cocoa laborers earn less than a dollar a day

Cocoa Prices Hit Record Highs: $8.7B Hedge Fund Bet

Quick Look Hedge funds’ $8.7 billion investment in cocoa futures sparks record price levels. London and New York cocoa prices soar to £4757 and $5888 per ton, respectively. Adverse weather, diseases in West Africa, and speculative trading drive price surges. Despite global price hikes, Ghanaian and Ivorian farmers face delayed financial gains. Other commodities and …

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US Stocks Rally Following Powell Speech

S&P Hits Highs, Dow Jones Dips: Market’s Mixed Signals

Quick Look Dow Jones futures dip slightly, while Nasdaq futures see modest gains. DoorDash shares plummet 8.5%, while Trade Desk and Applied Materials celebrate earnings victories. S&P 500 hits new highs, Dow Jones rallies, but Nasdaq faces a weekly decline. Retail sales in January signal consumer spending caution. Analysts anticipate moderate inflation and solid equity …

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Coinbase publishes its tripled 1Q earnings data

Crypto Surge: $953M Q4 Revenue & ETFs Lead

Quick Look U.S. banking groups lobby the SEC for updated rules to allow banks to custody Bitcoin ETFs. Bitcoin ETFs drive 75% of new investments in the crypto sector, with significant acquisitions by U.S. funds. BlackRock and Fidelity’s Bitcoin trusts dominate, with over 184,000 BTC held. KSI faces allegations related to pump-and-dump schemes in the …

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Microsoft Online Services VS Crypto Mining

EU’s Tech Leeway & Microsoft’s €3.2B German Bet

Quick Look EU rules favour Apple and Microsoft, avoiding interoperability mandates and stricter controls. Decisions highlight the EU’s commitment to fair competition, innovation, and consumer choice in the digital market. Microsoft announces a significant investment of 3.2 billion euros in Germany, emphasizing artificial intelligence. The European Union (EU) has adopted a firm yet balanced approach …

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Japan's Economy

Japan Slips to 4th in Global Economy, GDP Shrinks 0.4%

Quick Look Japan now ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy, trailing behind Germany. The country’s GDP contracted in the last quarter of 2023, with an annual shrinkage of 0.4%. Economic growth slowed to 1.9% in 2023, with expectations of further deceleration to 0.5% in 2024. A weakening yen and decreased private consumption have significantly impacted …

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The Dollar Rises As Rising Inflation Signals Rate Hikes

Global Markets React to Economic Shifts & Data

Key Economic Updates Across the Global Markets The USD Index (DXY) ended Wednesday in the red, reversing Tuesday’s gains. UK GDP shrank by 0.2% annually in Q4, missing the expected 0.1% growth. Australian unemployment increased to 4.1% in January, with minimal job growth. Japan’s economy contracted by 0.1% in Q4, indicating a slowdown. US inflation …

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Commodities and education

Crude Oil Market 2023: Declines and Projections

2023 Crude Oil & Metal Price Trends Benchmark U.S. and Brent crude oil prices see declines, reflecting market adjustments. March delivery for gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas also experience price drops. Gold and copper prices fall, while silver prices buck the trend with an increase. The dollar weakens against the yen and euro, influencing …

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