We Live in Exciting Times.

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In Northern California, the 160,000-acre Park fire, ignited by a man pushing a burning car, has led to 4,000 evacuations, injuries, and structural damage, while the Durkee fire in Oregon spans 280,000 acres. Nationwide, 89 wildfires have scorched 1.6 million acres, causing poor air quality alerts. Additionally, a tanker plane battling Oregon's 142,000-acre Falls fire vanished. With over 630 square miles burnt in Oregon alone, the fires remain perilous, with ongoing rescue efforts by the Oregon national guard.

Venezuela's upcoming elections have attracted international attention and offer the possibility of a power shift after 25 years of authoritarian rule. The outcome could have significant economic implications, as a more transparent election process may lead to a normalization of diplomatic relations and potential debt restructuring. The elections hold promise for Venezuelans, with the potential for economic recovery and improved living conditions. However, there are concerns about the legitimacy of the results and the acceptance of the outcome by both sides. The international community, multilateral organizations, and investors are closely monitoring the elections, weighing the potential for payment willingness and economic growth under a new government. The stakes are high, with the possibility of significant gains or losses for investors and the potential for a path towards economic recovery and improved quality of life for Venezuelans.

The European Union has released 1.5 billion euros from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction. The funds, derived from interest earnings, will be transferred to Ukraine to make it a safer place to live. EU member states agreed in May to use billions of euros from interest gains for arming Ukraine and rebuilding the country after the war. The EU has frozen around 200 billion euros of Russian central bank assets as part of sanctions imposed in 2022. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Schmyhal thanked the EU for its support, while the Kremlin spokesperson called the EU's actions illegal. Meanwhile, Hungary accuses Ukraine of 'blackmailing' it and Slovakia by blocking a Russian oil pipeline.

The Eurofighter achieves an 8600 km distance record with 5 air refuelings, landing in Pearl Harbor after a 10-hour flight. Part of the Rimpac and Pacific Skies exercises, the feat showcases the aircraft's versatility. Typically operating in close ranges, carrier-based operations extend their reach. Rimpac, involving 29 nations and diverse military assets, focuses on low-level flight, air attack, defense, and air refueling, emphasizing Indo-Pacific security cooperation.

Intel acknowledges that elevated voltages can permanently damage 13th and 14th Gen 65W+ desktop CPUs. Despite an upcoming patch in August to prevent further damage, any existing harm will remain irreversible. The company is also examining the stability of mobile CPUs and exploring methods to identify affected desktop CPU batches. While Intel will not recall the affected processors, they do offer to replace damaged CPUs through RMA. Users are advised to await the patch release in late August and use default power settings in the meantime to maintain stability. Monitoring for potential instability, especially evident through crashes in games, is recommended for affected users.

Following the apprehension of Sinaloa cartel leaders Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of El Chapo, the Mexican president emphasizes the importance of transparency. Despite doubts about reducing fentanyl trafficking, the arrests could expose potential connections between the state and criminal organizations. This development comes amidst US-Mexico negotiations on security, trade, energy, and migration, raising concerns about jeopardizing the bilateral relationship. The call for transparency extends to the US, with Mexico seeking clarity on the recent arrests made in Texas without Mexican authorities' involvement. The Sinaloa cartel's significant role in fentanyl and methamphetamine trade, as highlighted by DEA Chief Anne Milgram, adds complexity to the situation.

The Russian justice system has handed down prison sentences ranging from 10 to 22 years to five defendants in various cases. In the Oryol region, a trans activist accused of 'high treason' was sentenced to twelve years for allegedly transferring money to Ukraine to finance the Ukrainian armed forces. In Moscow, two men were sentenced to 22 and 15 years for their involvement in a terrorist organization. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Belarus for parading a German citizen sentenced to death on television and called for the protection of his dignity and rights. The Russian central bank raised the key interest rate to 18 percent due to rising inflation, the highest level since April 2022. Russia claimed to have intercepted two British fighter jets and a reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea with a Su-57 fighter jet. The Ukrainian military intelligence service reported that the Russian armed forces are currently focusing their attacks on the Donbass region. To address the shortage of troops, Ukraine has been recruiting prisoners from prisons since May. The German government expressed concern about the fate of the German citizen sentenced to death in Belarus. Security experts believe that Ukraine faces significant challenges due to the upcoming US election and there is no hope for a quick resolution to the war on terms favorable to Russia.

Following Hamas' attack on October 7, the Israeli army recovers the bodies of 5 victims in a tunnel in Gaza: Maya Goren, a 56-year-old woman, and 4 soldiers - Ravid Katz, Oren Goldin, Kiril Brodski, and Tomer Yaakov Ahimas. The operation has forced the displacement of about 150,000 people in the town of Jan Yunis and has been carried out with the help of the Shin Bet secret service. Netanyahu addresses the US Congress, where he faces criticism, including from President Biden, who suggests that Netanyahu is delaying the end of the war in Gaza for political reasons. Delegations from Hamas, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been trying for months to agree on a ceasefire to release the remaining hostages, but families continue to pressure Netanyahu to prevent this agreement.

Prominent figures like Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Marsha Blackburn, and Cynthia Lummis bring political undertones to the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville. Discussions highlight Bitcoin's values of liberty and self-sovereignty against regulatory challenges. Senators Lummis and Scott advocate for light crypto regulation and using Bitcoin for opportunity zones. Mayor Fulop plans to invest Jersey City's pension fund in Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Kennedy defends Bitcoin as an antidote to unlimited currency printing. The debate centers on freedom, financial autonomy, and the potential for government investment in Bitcoin, reflecting a broader political interest in cryptocurrency's future.

Following a listeria outbreak affecting 13 states, Boar's Head Provisions Co. recalled over 200,000 pounds of deli meats due to potential contamination. The recall includes liverwurst, bologna, beef salami, and various hams. With 34 illnesses and 2 fatalities reported, the Maryland Department of Health detected listeria in a liverwurst sample. The CDC estimates 1,600 annual listeria cases with 260 deaths. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Boar's Head is working with authorities in this unfortunate event.

Naples faced a significant 4.0 magnitude earthquake originating from the Phlegraean Fields, causing a rocky outcrop to collapse into the Bay of Marina Grande in Bacoli. The city's subway system was halted, and the region, under a long-standing yellow alert, anticipates evacuating hundreds of thousands. Despite the preparation, residents were unprepared, and a previous 4.4 magnitude quake in May 2024 set a 40-year record. This seismic activity also impacted the nearby island of Procida. The tremors triggered a recent low-participation disaster drill as a precautionary measure.

The Kremlin has expressed concern over the 'disastrous' birth rate in Russia, stating that it poses a risk to the country's future. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskow, the current birth rate of 1.4 children per woman is comparable to that of European countries and Japan, but is catastrophic for the nation's future. Peskow emphasized that anyone with many children is considered a 'hero,' but also denied President Vladimir Putin's political responsibility for the demographic crisis. He stated that measures to increase the birth rate will not have immediate effects. The birth rate in Russia has remained at a similarly low level since the 1990s, when a deep social and economic crisis led to a decline in births. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic, the influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, and a decrease in immigration to Russia have further exacerbated the situation. Peskow acknowledged that increasing the birth rate is a priority for President Putin, and the government is working diligently on the issue. However, the spokesperson noted that the question of the birth rate is a global trend and requires ongoing attention.

China, through the NFSRA, stockpiles diverse minerals, from copper to aluminum, raising monitoring concerns. This accumulation, suspected for strategic or economic motives, echoes historical instances preceding conflicts. Notably, parallels are drawn to Germany and Japan's pre-World War II mineral maneuvers. China's mineral hoarding, amidst global disruptions like the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, aims at fortifying against trade pressures. This strategy, pivotal for national stability, impacts global economics and geopolitical dynamics, despite China facing internal economic challenges.

Germany is making strides in fiber optic expansion with Telekom and Deutsche Glasfaser leading the way. Telekom's tariffs range from 150 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s, with 2 Gbit/s speeds available through XGS-PON technology. VDSL stands at 100 Mbit/s, with future increments at 300 and 500 Mbit/s. Despite progress, infrastructure remains fragmented. The 'Gigabit Offensive' aims for 50% fiber coverage by 2025 and 100% by 2030, investing €38 billion. However, concerns over competition arise, with BREKO criticizing the law's oversight on copper-to-fiber transition and Deutsche Telekom's pricing impacting competitiveness.

SpaceX can restart Falcon 9 launches despite an ongoing FAA investigation. The anomaly during the Starlink satellite launch was caused by a liquid oxygen leak due to a loose clamp and engine vibration. SpaceX has made necessary design changes after the incident. The company previously achieved a remarkable 335-launch streak with 96 successful launches in 2023. The next Falcon 9 launch is set for July 27, showcasing SpaceX's commitment to safety and innovation.

Ledger introduces the Ledger Flex and Stax wallets with cutting-edge features like touchscreens and the Security Key app. Pascal Gauthier, the CEO, aims to enhance self-custody post-2022 crypto firm incidents, akin to Exodus' approach. These wallets boast secure touchscreens, NFC logins, and a secure element chip for maximum security. The user-friendly interface allows seamless logins to various services through a simple tap. The Flex and Stax wallets redefine self-custody by making it more accessible and secure, catering to the evolving needs of cryptocurrency users.

Athletes at the Olympic Village in Paris are facing catering challenges, with complaints about food quality and quantity. Sodexo Live! and Carrefour group are supplying food, with a focus on local and organic ingredients. Team GB has brought in its chefs and enlisted catering college help to enhance the dining experience. Despite offering 500 dishes, mostly vegetarian, reports emerge of subpar meals, like raw meat being served. With 13 million meals served, efforts are made to redistribute leftovers and repurpose coffee grounds. The main restaurant can serve up to 3,300 diners but must adhere to a strict quality charter. British athletes have expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting issues like raw meat, insufficient eggs, and chicken. An additional British chef has been brought in to address the situation, aiming for improvements as Paris 2024 Olympics take steps to rectify the food service concerns.

The European Union has opened deficit procedures against France, Italy, and five other countries for exceeding the debt rules. The EU Commission had already warned these countries in June and initiated the procedures. The EU countries are allowed an annual deficit of up to three percent of their GDP, but France and Italy have exceeded this limit. In response, the EU has imposed strict fiscal policies and urged the countries to adjust their budgets. During the pandemic, the EU temporarily suspended its debt rules to provide economic aid. However, a reform of the stability and growth pact has now been implemented, taking into account the specific circumstances of each country. Germany has also set binding targets for reducing debt. The affected countries could face high fines, although such penalties have never been imposed in the past. The decision was made by the EU Council, with the affected country not allowed to participate in writing. Overall, the EU is working towards reducing deficits and ensuring fiscal responsibility.