May 27, 2024
SoftBank Targets $9bn a Year in AI Investments While Hunting Bigger Deals: SoftBank, the Japanese tech group, is prepared to commit close to $9 billion annually to artificial intelligence (AI) investments. Despite this commitment, SoftBank is also holding back firepower for larger deals aimed at accelerating its most radical transformation to date.
Summers: Inflation Reached 18% In 2022 Using The Government’s Previous Formula: A recent paper by economists from Harvard and the International Monetary Fund, led by former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, highlights that inflation is not an objective number but a judgment call. The formula used to calculate inflation is subjective, requiring economists to make hundreds of judgment calls. The study found that inflation reached 18% in 2022 using the government’s previous formula.
. How the Big Mac Index Relates to Overall Consumer Inflation: The Big Mac Index, created by The Economist, measures purchasing power parity between different countries and currencies. It reflects relative strength in foreign exchange rates. Recent tests found that the indexed price of the Big Mac has been above the Consumer Price Index (CPI), but the two move similarly. However, when inflation surged in 2021, the Big Mac price did not increase as fast as the CPI. Phthalates and bisphenols found in plastic packaging are concerning for health, even at low levels.
The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food: Consumer Reports investigated bisphenols and phthalates in food and food packaging. Despite growing evidence of potential health threats, these chemicals remain widespread in our food. High levels of phthalates were found in various products, including fast foods and organic items. Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are commonly used in plastic to make it more flexible and durable, but they pose health risks.
Putin Ready For Ceasefire In Ukraine On Current Frontlines, Report Says—Here’s What Russia Would Gain: Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognizes the current battlefield lines. However, if Kyiv and the West do not respond, he is prepared to continue fighting. Freezing the war at the current frontlines would leave Russia in possession of substantial chunks of Ukrainian territory. Putin aims to use Russia’s current momentum to put the war behind him, avoiding another nationwide mobilization.
Marc Filias