Newsletter Jun 2, 2023

Quick Six

US debt ceiling drama nearing an end as Senate takes up bill
US senators raced Thursday to pass a bipartisan debt limit deal approved by the House of Representatives, with the worst-case scenario of an economy-cratering default seemingly avoided. The risk of a default leaves almost no room for delays in enacting the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which suspends the debt limit through 2024 while trimming federal spending. The bill is on track for President Joe Biden's signature before Monday's deadline.
FIND OUT HOW THE VOTE IS SHAPING UP IN THE SENATE

US-Taiwan trade agreement prompts warning from China
The US and Taiwan signed a trade deal Thursday aimed at deepening economic relations -- a move that has sparked a warning from Beijing. The US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade looks to boost trade by streamlining customs checks, improving regulatory procedures, and establishing anti-corruption measures with Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.
SEE CHINA'S RESPONSE TO THE US-TAIWAN TRADE DEAL

Why Wall Street is cooling on Salesforce's business model
Wall Street is beginning to cool on Salesforce's business strategy, as it has been delivering growth but destroying value. There was a time when Wall Street was warm to Salesforce acquiring and integrating other companies to deliver solid and consistent sales growth. But that was over the last decade when the company's shares started at $16 and soared to $270 by the decade's end.
WHY SALESFORCE'S BUSINESS MODEL IS LOSING VALUE

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Markets

DJIA	33,061.57	0.47%
S&P 500	4,221.02	0.99%
Nasdaq Composite	13,100.98	1.28%
Japan: Nikkei 225	31,148.01	0.84%
UK: FTSE 100	7,490.27	0.59%
Crude Oil Futures	70.02	-0.11%
Gold Futures	1,994.50	-0.05%
Yen	138.75	-0.03%
Euro	1.08	0.01%
* As of market close

Biden 'fine' after taking a tumble on stage

President Joe Biden took a face-first tumble on Thursday after tripping on stage at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, but he was unhurt. Biden delivered the commencement address before tripping over a sandbag. Air Force officers helped him up and he did not appear to require further help. The White House tweeted "he's fine." Biden, 80, is the oldest person ever in the presidency and is seeking a second term in the 2024 election. It's a moment that is sure to be used against him.

WILL BIDEN'S FALL COME BACK TO HAUNT HIM IN CAMPAIGN?

Teen birthrate reaches a record low in US

The birthrate among teenagers in the U.S. has fallen to a record low, according to new figures published Thursday by the CDC. The report showed that births among 15- to 19-year-olds fell by 3% in 2022. Since the year 1991, the teenage birthrate in the U.S. has been continuously declining except for a spike in 2006 and 2007. However, the 3% drop is a smaller decrease compared to the 8% decrease per year since 2007.

WHY TEEN BIRTHRATES HAVE STAYED ON A STEADY DECLINE

What makes us human? Study offers clues

The most comprehensive genomic study ever on primates has revealed pivotal genetic traits that are uniquely human while refining the timeline for our evolutionary lineage's split from our closest cousins. While some genetic variations previously thought to be exclusive to people were found in other primates, the researchers pinpointed others that were uniquely human involving brain function and development.

SEE WHAT RESEARCHERS CLAIM MAKES US UNIQUELY HUMAN

Extra point

How many letters are required to map the human genome sequence?

Thursday's answer: The term “unidentified flying object” (UFO) was first used by Air Force Captain Edward Ruppelt as part of Project Blue Book.