Today’s topics

• Nvidia hits record high

• A desert of ancient whales

• Instagram unveils a “profile card”

  and more…

The Dow Jones reached a record close on Wednesday, gaining 337.28 points (0.79%). The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also climbed, rising 0.47% to 5,842.47 and 0.28% to 18,367.08, respectively. Morgan Stanley jumped 6.5% after exceeding earnings and revenue estimates, while United Airlines surged 12.4% following a strong fourth-quarter forecast. With 79% of the 50 S&P 500 companies reporting third-quarter earnings surpassing expectations, the reporting season is off to a promising start.

From tools to treasure: the rise of skilled trade millionaires. Forget the traditional routes to wealth; America’s newest millionaires are emerging from the skilled trades, with plumbers and HVAC entrepreneurs leading the charge. Private equity is flooding into home service businesses, recognizing the potential for hefty returns—think six- and seven-figure paydays. Since 2022, nearly 800 skilled trade companies have been snapped up by investors, and that number might be just the tip of the iceberg. It seems the next big empire could be built not in tech, but right under your sink!

Nvidia hits record high as AI demand skyrockets. Nvidia shares reached an all-time high, fueled by soaring demand for its AI chips. Tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon are purchasing Nvidia’s GPUs in bulk to power their AI computing clusters. The chipmaker's value has surged, now exceeding $3.4 trillion.

US election bets drive prediction markets to 565% surge in Q3. Prediction markets saw explosive growth in Q3, with betting volume skyrocketing 565.4% to $3.1 billion, largely fueled by wagers on the upcoming US presidential election. This surge, up from $463.3 million in Q2, highlights the growing interest in the election’s potential impact on cryptocurrency regulations.

Africa's Yellow Card raises $33M to fuel B2B crypto expansion. Yellow Card, Africa’s most-funded cryptocurrency exchange, raised $33 million in a Series C round led by Blockchain Capital. The U.S.-founded platform, launched in Nigeria in 2019, aims to scale its B2B services across the continent, despite challenges like regulatory hurdles and market instability. This funding brings the company’s total to $88 million, boosting Africa's growing blockchain and crypto ecosystem.

Goldman Sachs profits soar 45% amid trading surge. Goldman Sachs reported a 45% jump in quarterly profits, reaching $3 billion in Q3, surpassing analysts' expectations of $2.5 billion. The boost came from strong performance in its equity trading business, despite continued setbacks from its retreat in retail banking.

Toyota and Hyundai Team Up to Accelerate AI-Powered Humanoid Robots

Toyota's research unit and Hyundai's Boston Dynamics have partnered to fast-track the development of humanoid robots equipped with artificial intelligence. The collaboration will combine Toyota Research Institute’s expertise in machine learning with Boston Dynamics’ humanoid Atlas robot. Their joint efforts will focus on exploring AI-driven robots in fields like human-robot interaction, pushing the boundaries of robotics innovation.

Instagram unveils new digital business card feature. Instagram’s latest addition is a “profile card,” a digital business card that makes sharing your account easier. Instead of sending a handle, users can now share this two-sided card, which includes their bio, profile picture, and links, along with a QR code. The customizable card aims to streamline connecting with new people and expressing individuality.

Prada Designs Spacesuits: Fashion Takes to the Stars

At the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Axiom Space and Prada made waves by unveiling the design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission. This collaboration marries high fashion with cutting-edge engineering, showcasing how creativity can enhance next-gen spacesuit design. As Prada’s chief marketing officer, Lorenzo Bertelli, aptly noted, the cosmos is not just the final frontier; it's the ultimate runway for innovative style. Who knew that one day, moonwalkers would strut in style?

NASA's bold journey: Europa Clipper sets sail for discovery. NASA has launched the Europa Clipper, the largest interplanetary spacecraft it has ever built, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, kicking off a nearly six-year trek to Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. This mission aims to answer a fundamental question: Could life exist beyond Earth? With a thick shell of ice concealing a vast ocean beneath, Europa presents a tantalizing possibility for astrobiology. The Clipper will investigate the moon's icy shell, explore its geological makeup, and assess its potential for habitability—paving the way for our understanding of life in the cosmos.

Spider-Inspired Drug Aims to Heal Hearts

In a groundbreaking approach, scientists are testing a unique drug inspired by spider venom that could reverse heart attack damage. Starting next summer, clinical trials in Australia will evaluate the safety of Hi1a, a small protein that mimics a substance produced by Australian funnel-web spiders. This innovative molecule helps prevent heart tissue from becoming overly acidic during a heart attack, potentially paving the way for a new era in cardiac care. Who knew that a little venom could hold the key to healing?

Wadi Hitan: a desert of ancient whales. Wadi Hitan, the world's largest graveyard of ancient whales, is a fascinating 200-square-kilometer site where about 1,000 whale fossils, including complete skeletons, have been uncovered. Once the bottom of the Tethys Sea 40 million years ago, this area transformed from a lush forest to a desert, creating a unique fossil record that paleontologists marvel at. The remarkable preservation here even includes intact stomach contents, providing a rare glimpse into prehistoric life. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Wadi Hitan offers an unparalleled window into the ecological history of our planet.

Reef Revival: Bottles to the Rescue.

Coral reefs are vital for local fish populations, but their decline can spell disaster for coastal communities. In Sabah, Malaysia, the Tropical Research and Conservation Center (TRACC) is turning trash into treasure by using empty bottles and eco-friendly cement to regrow damaged reefs. Over three years, a dedicated team of scientists, students, and volunteers has witnessed a resurgence of corals and fish species, proving that a little creativity and teamwork can go a long way in restoring ocean life. Who knew that your discarded beer bottles could help save the sea?

Google secures 500 MW of clean energy in deal with Kairos Power. Kairos Power and Google have signed a power purchase agreement to supply the tech giant with 500 megawatts of clean energy by 2035. Kairos Power will develop and operate advanced reactor plants, providing energy and environmental benefits to Google's data centers in select locations. The first reactor is expected to be operational by 2030, supporting Google's 24/7 carbon-free energy and net-zero goals. This deal follows similar agreements from Microsoft and Amazon, as demand for nuclear power rises to meet the energy needs of data centers and AI advancements.

Pedaling Through Peril: Lachlan Morton Sets Cycling Record

Lachlan Morton has made history by cycling around Australia in just 30 days, nine hours, and 59 minutes, covering over 8,800 miles (14,200 kilometers) and returning to his hometown of Port Macquarie. Throughout his grueling journey, he faced relentless headwinds, extreme temperatures, and treacherous traffic, all while averaging 450 kilometers a day and spending up to 18 hours on his bike. To top it off, he even had a "very close call" with a kangaroo. It’s safe to say that this record-setting ride was a true test of endurance and resilience.

Australia bans dynamic ticket pricing in major crackdown on unfair trading. Australia's federal government is set to ban the controversial "dynamic pricing" of concert tickets as part of a broader crackdown on unfair trading practices. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that hidden fees and subscription traps are worsening the cost-of-living crisis. The ban, aimed at practices in online shopping, gym memberships, and airline tickets, is part of the government's push for consumer protection and competition reform.

Russian man rescued after 67 days lost at sea. A Russian man, Mikhail Pichugin, was rescued after surviving over two months adrift in an inflatable boat, losing half his body weight. Initially mistaken for debris by a fishing vessel, Pichugin was found starving after setting out on a whale-watching trip with his brother and nephew in August. Their boat disappeared near the Sea of Okhotsk, and despite a rescue mission, the family remained missing until Pichugin's miraculous discovery.

TikTok of the day: watch here

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