Stay Informed, Stay Ahead

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to present the Budget, likely involving tax increases aimed at boosting economic growth and addressing national economic challenges. Announcements include adjustments in minimum wage and possible new taxes on high-value homes and electric vehicles.

Steve Witkoff, appointed by Donald Trump, is heading to the Kremlin to negotiate a peace deal amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The plan, which has experienced revisions since early drafts, remains contentious, with Russia expressing skepticism. Ukrainian President Zelensky is open to further talks with Trump, seeking American support to influence Russian positions.

Two Australian teenagers have taken a stand against a new law that prohibits under-16s from using social media platforms, arguing that it violates their constitutional rights. The government defends the ban as a protective measure, while critics and rights groups suggest alternative solutions to enhance online safety.

GLP-1 weight-loss medications are increasingly popular and contributing to a decline in obesity rates nationwide, but challenges remain in discontinuing the drugs safely. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals significant weight regain and negative health impacts among participants who stopped using tirzepatide. Experts suggest these drugs should be considered as lifetime 'weight management' tools.

Plex is now requiring subscriptions for remote access to personal media servers, implementing rules announced earlier this year. These changes, effective April 29, require a Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass for users who wish to access servers remotely outside the owner's network.

Graphics card prices have stabilized, making this a decent time to upgrade your gaming PC, but a surge in RAM and SSD costs, spurred by AI demand and supply shortages, makes building a new PC or upgrading RAM less advisable.

Nvidia has responded to criticisms from investor Michael Burry, who argues that the current AI investment surge mirrors the dotcom bubble, with the company at the center. Nvidia circulated a memo refuting Burry's claims on stock-based compensation and depreciation. Burry maintains that Nvidia is comparable to Cisco during the late 1990s tech boom, warning of overestimated demand.

Investor Michael Burry, known for his foresight in predicting the 2008 housing crisis, is now skeptical about the value proposition of the AI industry. The concern stems from the disparity between AI's popularity and its potentially unsustainable economic growth. With doubts about the financial returns versus the large infrastructure investments being made, industry parallels with past market bubbles are drawn.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is experiencing substantial outflows, marking its worst month to date as Bitcoin's value declines significantly. Investors are retreating from the fund, shifting to safer assets like gold amid growing economic concerns.