))
News Tidbits for Thursday, December 7
Archived series ("Inactive feed" status)
When?
This feed was archived on June 20, 2018 09:40 (
Why? Inactive feed status. Our servers were unable to retrieve a valid podcast feed for a sustained period.
What now? You might be able to find a more up-to-date version using the search function. This series will no longer be checked for updates. If you believe this to be in error, please check if the publisher's feed link below is valid and contact support to request the feed be restored or if you have any other concerns about this.
Manage episode 193194844 series 1756059
Content provided by Peter Walker. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Peter Walker or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Tension in the Middle East
Source: The New York Times
Arab and European leaders, Pope Francis and the U.N. criticized President Trump’s decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Pope Francis said, “I cannot remain silent.” The United Nations secretary general spoke of his “great anxiety.” The European Union expressed “serious concern.” American allies like Britain, France, Germany and Italy all declared it a mistake.
A number of countries asked for an emergency meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations, and this has been scheduled for tomorrow.
Secretary General António Guterres and Pope Francis both expressed alarm that President Trump’s announcement would provoke new tensions in the Holy City, which is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.
California Fires Enter the Heart of Los Angeles
Source: The New York Times
As fires raged out of control in Southern California, a new blaze began in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, near landmarks like U.C.L.A campus and the Getty Museum. It burned up to edges of the 405 freeway, the nation’s busiest highway carrying about 400,000 vehicles a day, where the northbound lanes were closed for much of the day and commuters drove through a shower of ashes with flames rising in the horizon.
Authorities said high winds — which could top 50 mph in some areas — create an “extreme fire danger.”
The Los Angeles school system has canceled classes at many San Fernando Valley campuses and officials are bracing for more fires across the region. Powerful winds not only worsen existing fires but also help fan new ones. The regional air quality agency warned that the air posed a health hazard in several places.
New Wave of Cheap Consumer Devices
Source: The New York Times
With the help of Amazon, many new electronics companies are offering inexpensive products, once considered “Chinese knockoffs.” A camera made by Wyze, a one-year-old Seattle startup, offers the same features and quality as devices by brand names costing 10 times more. Wyze’s low prices are based on Amazon’s high-volume, low-margin approach to sales. They also cut out almost every middleman, including most retailers – except Amazon. Customer rankings and reviews on Amazon have become just about the most important factor in how consumers buy electronics products; because Amazon pages come up high on search results like Google’s, a positive rating on Amazon can effectively make a brand — and a negative rating can break one.
The future? We’re going to get better products for absurdly low prices, and big brands across a range of categories are going to find it harder than ever to get us to shell out big money for their products.
Bitcoin Hasn’t Replaced Cash, but Investors Don’t Care
Source: The New York Times
Although few companies accept Bitcoin as an accepted form of payment, people continue buying it up, pushing the price to new highs – over $13,000 for one Bitcoin on Wednesday. These investors aren’t using their tokens to buy computers or to book trips. They are saving Bitcoins as if it were virtual gold, a new way to store money outside the control of any government or company.
“I’ve always been skeptical of directly competing with and replacing existing forms of payment,” said Steve Lee, a longtime Google employee from San Francisco who is investing in virtual currencies. “Today what Bitcoin is excellent at, and has mostly solved, is being your own bank.”
The increasing value of Bitcoin has made it even less attractive as a way to pay for things. Most people don’t want to pay now with a dollar that could be worth twice as much next week.
10 episodes
Share
