Fed to launch instant payment system!

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💼 Fed Rolls Out Anticipated Instant Payment Service

US Federal Reserve is set to launch "FedNow," an instant payment service allowing real-time funds transfer. Operational 24/7, the service, available to 41 banks including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of New York Mellon, directly settles payments in central bank accounts. While FedNow will not charge consumers, it's yet unclear how banks will manage associated costs. The service's launch aligns the US with countries already offering similar services and particularly benefits consumers and small businesses.

🏡 Only 1% of US Homes Sold This Year

Just 1% of all US homes changed hands in the first half of 2023, marking the lowest share in over a decade due to limited supply and rising mortgage rates, as per Redfin data. "The quick increase in mortgage rates created an uphill battle for many Americans who want to buy a home by locking up inventory and making the homes that do hit the market too expensive,” said Taylor Marr, Redfin's Deputy Chief Economist.

🌐 Singapore Overtakes Japan with Most Powerful Passport

Singapore has reclaimed the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, boasting visa-free access to 192 global destinations, toppling Japan. Germany, Italy, and Spain hold joint second place, while the US has slipped to its lowest-ever ranking of eighth. Greg Lindsay, Urban Tech Fellow at Cornell Tech, highlighted the US's lack of visa reciprocity as a key factor in its declining position.

🔥 Angry Protesters Torch Swedish Embassy in Baghdad

Angered by the burning of Quran copies in Sweden, protesters stormed and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The Iraqi government stated it would sever diplomatic ties with Sweden if another Quran burning occurs. All embassy staff are safe, according to the Swedish foreign ministry, which condemned the attack and emphasized the necessity of diplomatic mission protection by Iraqi authorities.

🚢 Potential Russian Threat to Civilian Shipping in Black Sea: White House

The White House has warned that Russia may extend its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include civilian shipping in the Black Sea. Reports indicate that Russia has laid additional sea mines near Ukrainian ports, possibly to justify future attacks on civilian ships. Recent strikes have already damaged Ukraine's grain export infrastructure, impacting 60,000 tons of grain.

🕸️ OpenAI Credentials Offered in Thousands on Dark Web

Generative AI tools are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with hundreds of thousands of OpenAI credentials found for sale on the dark web, according to threat exposure management company Flare. The tools can be used to craft sophisticated phishing emails, enhancing their believability. The rise in such activities showcases the malicious potential of AI and underscores the need for improved cybersecurity and alertness to prevent such attacks.

🍎 Apple Develops In-House AI Chatbot: Report

Apple is reportedly developing its own artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including a large language model framework "Ajax" and an internal chatbot service, "Apple GPT". This move, yet to be publicly confirmed by Apple, signals the tech giant's ambition to compete with existing AI solutions like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, and Microsoft's AI-powered Bing search.

⚽️ Arsenal Hands MLS All-Stars 5-0 Defeat

Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Stars suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat by Arsenal in the All-Star Game, with the English Premier League team showcasing their skills to a crowd of 20,621 at Audi Field. Arsenal's dominance was visible from the start, with Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring within five minutes. Despite MLS's attempts, Arsenal maintained control, leading MLS head coach Wayne Rooney to admit the All-Stars were "nervous and hesitant."

🎬 Critics Applaud Gerwig's 'Barbie', Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' Hailed Masterpiece

Nolan's "Oppenheimer" delivers a riveting portrayal of the atomic bomb creator, J. Robert Oppenheimer, earning acclaim as one of the best films of 2023, with Cillian Murphy's performance hailed as award-worthy. Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, offers a self-aware, humor-filled spectacle, praised for its standout performances & visually appealing aesthetics. While "Oppenheimer" presents a profound biographical tale, "Barbie" provides a light-hearted, accessible summer film that resonates with all types of audiences.

☔ Kentucky Governor Declares Emergency After Torrential Rains

Kentucky's governor declared an emergency following severe flooding caused by potentially record-breaking rainfall. The western town of Mayfield reported receiving 11.28 inches of rain in less than a day, which if confirmed would surpass the state's 24-hour rainfall record. Governor Andy Beshear urged citizens to prioritize safety, stating, “We can replace stuff and we can rebuild homes. We don’t want to lose any lives.”

👤 US Soldier in North Korea Known for Assault, Detention

Private Travis King, a US soldier who crossed into North Korea, was facing disciplinary action and had a history of assault, according to court documents. The soldier was set to be administratively separated from the US Army and return to the US the day before the incident. North Korea hasn't confirmed the soldier's whereabouts, and the US has had no contact with North Korea regarding King.

📡 Decades-Long Mystery of Space Radio Signals Continues

Scientists have reported a mysterious source that has been regularly sending 20-minute radio waves to Earth for at least 35 years. The emissions, not aligning with any current models, come from an unknown object dubbed GPMJ1839-10. Although similar to pulses from neutron stars, the waves pulsate over a 21-minute period, previously considered impossible. The findings could lead to new discoveries in astronomical data.

On this day in 1969, U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took a giant leap for mankind. Aboard the Eagle lunar module, they touched down on the moon. Armstrong then gave us our first moonwalk. Now that's actually a stellar 'this day that year' moment!

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