Investors Sell Off Dollar

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

📉 Investors Sell Off Dollar Amid Belief in Maxed US Interest Rates

Investors are rapidly offloading U.S. dollars, expecting Federal Reserve rate cuts next year. State Street reports a 1.6% decrease in dollar positions, the largest monthly sell-off since last November. Michael Metcalfe from State Street notes this reflects a shift from heavy dollar overweight, as futures markets foresee Fed rate cuts. This trend is strengthening currencies like the Japanese yen and aiding emerging markets, with investment focus shifting towards these and commodities.

🛍️ US Black Friday Sales Increase by 2.5%, Reports Mastercard Spendingpulse

Mastercard SpendingPulse reported a 2.5% increase in U.S. Black Friday retail sales year-over-year, excluding automotive. This growth, though significant, is below the forecasted 3.7% for the holiday season. E-commerce sales jumped 8.5%, overshadowing a modest 1.1% rise in in-store sales. U.S. online spending hit $9.8 billion, meeting Adobe Analytics' expectations, and highlighting the growing dominance of online shopping.

WORLD

🚢 Israel-Linked Tanker Freed by Attackers off Yemen Coast

The U.S. Navy's USS Mason freed the Israeli-linked tanker Central Park, briefly hijacked by armed assailants off Yemen. After the U.S. Navy's USS Mason freed the tanker, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles near a U.S. warship in the Gulf of Aden, with no harm to the multinational crew, further intensifying the Israel-Hamas conflict.

🧊 Massive Iceberg Breaks Free, Drifts Toward Southern Ocean

The world's largest iceberg, A23a, covering 4,000 sq km, is moving for the first time since 1986 from the Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean. Now drifting towards the Antarctic Peninsula, it weighs a trillion metric tonnes. Oliver Marsh, a glaciologist, notes the iceberg's movement is due to thinning and increased buoyancy and potentially impacting the wildlife at South Georgia island and disruptions in Southern Ocean shipping. Marsh emphasizes, "An iceberg of this scale has the potential to survive for quite a long time in the Southern Ocean."

SCIENCE & TECH

🤖 US, UK, and Allies Sign Pact for AI Security Enhancement

The U.S., Britain, and 16 other nations introduced a 20-page AI safety agreement, emphasizing "secure by design" systems to prevent misuse, with U.S. Cybersecurity Director Jen Easterly highlighting a shift from competition to security in AI design. Meanwhile, Europe leads in AI regulation, while the Biden administration advocates for stricter AI laws in a politically divided Congress. However, the international agreement, though focused on AI system security, sidesteps ethical considerations, underscoring the governance challenges of AI.

👥 Zoom fatigue linked to brain and heart strain, warn researchers

A "Scientific Reports" study on "Zoom fatigue" showed physical fatigue signs in students using videoconferencing. EEG and ECG monitoring revealed that online attendees experienced more fatigue and attention issues compared to the energetic, happier in-person group. The study, part of Austria's "Technostress in Organizations" project, emphasizes the physical toll of videoconferencing, suggesting it's a complement, not a substitute for face-to-face interaction.

🚫 Google to Delete Old Accounts

Starting December 1, Google will delete personal accounts inactive since 2021 to reduce security risks from "forgotten or unattended accounts." Affected contents include Gmail, Photos, and Drive documents. Users must log in every two years to prevent deletion, with Google sending prior reminders. The policy excludes business and school accounts, and recovery tools are available for forgotten account details.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

🏎️ Max Verstappen Clinches Record-Breaking F1 Season with Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Victory

Max Verstappen capped off a record-breaking 2023 season with his 19th win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing a dominant victory over Charles Leclerc. Despite Sergio Perez's penalty affecting Red Bull's Constructors' standings, Verstappen's exceptional performance included leading over 1000 laps and completing every season lap. Reflecting, he said, "I felt quite emotional... it's the last time in this car."

🤖 SAG-AFTRA's Latest Contract Depends on Studios' Ethical Use of AI

The SAG-AFTRA strike, fueled by ethical concerns about Hollywood's digital likeness rights, is nearing resolution after four months. The tentative contract addresses the ethical use of AI technology, with a focus on actor consent and fair compensation. Critics, notably Justine Bateman, are concerned about potential ethical loopholes favoring studios. As the agreement awaits ratification, it underscores the ethical dilemma of preserving actor rights.

OTHER NEWS

🌨️ Over 10 Million Americans Face Winter Weather Alerts After Thanksgiving Storm

More than 10 million Americans in eleven states face winter alerts as a cross-country storm brings significant snow and travel disruptions. Over 25 inches have already fallen in Wyoming, with Kansas bracing for up to 8 inches. Chicago expects 1-2 inches, while the Northeast and Gulf Coast anticipate heavy rain. The National Weather Service warns of increased winds and intense chill, particularly in Kansas.

🚨 Three Palestinian College Students Wounded in Burlington Shooting, Confirm Police

In Burlington, Vermont, Jason J. Eaton was arrested for shooting three Palestinian students, two U.S. citizens, and one resident, suspected of a hate crime. The victims, wearing keffiyehs, were targeted without provocation. The incident, part of an "unprecedented surge" in anti-Arab bias, is under federal investigation. Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the violence, stating, "Hate has no place here, or anywhere."

🍀 Lucky Error Yields $25,000 Annual Lottery Win for Life for Player

Michael Sopejstal, a 60-year-old from Illinois, struck gold with a $25,000 annual lifetime prize, all thanks to a ticket-printing mishap at a Michigan gas station. Instead of the multiple draws he requested, he received a single winning ticket. Sopejstal opted for a $390,000 lump sum, with plans to travel and save, describing his win as 'an amazing feeling,' all stemming from a fortuitous error.

THIS DAY THAT YEAR

On November 27, 1895, the Nobel Prizes were formally established through the will of Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a renowned Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist renowned for his invention of dynamite.

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