Author: Zayne Pham

The Relentless Summer COVID Surge in California California’s summer COVID surge is attributed to the emergence of new variants and the extreme heat driving people indoors. According to Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, this surge is “relentless,” marked by increased hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and test positivity rates since early May. The highly transmissible FLiRT variants are primarily responsible for this sustained increase in cases. The Dominant KP.3.1.1 Variant The now-dominant KP.3.1.1 variant has doubled in prevalence in the U.S., accounting for over 25% of cases, according to the CDC. Combined with its predecessor, KP.3, it makes…

Harris’ Veepstakes: The Final Countdown Kamala Harris, who has officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination, is poised to announce her vice-presidential pick by Tuesday. This announcement will precede a high-profile campaign tour that will traverse key battleground states. According to sources close to the campaign, the choice is between Walz and Shapiro, both of whom were interviewed over the weekend. Tim Walz: The Progressive Advocate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, a former U.S. Army National Guard member and teacher, has recently gained traction as a strong contender. Known for his progressive policies on education and workers’ rights, Walz has made…

A Historic Plunge for the Nikkei 225 Japan’s Nikkei 225 index experienced its worst day since the infamous “Black Monday” crash of 1987, plunging 12.4% on Monday. The index closed at 31,458.42, marking a massive loss of 4,451.28 points—the largest in terms of points in its history. This sharp decline has wiped out all the gains made by the index this year, pushing it into a loss position year-to-date. Impact on Major Japanese Stocks Heavyweight trading houses, including Mitsubishi, Mitsui & Co, Sumitomo, and Marubeni, saw significant losses, with Mitsui experiencing a near 20% drop in market capitalization. The broader…

House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale: A Must-Watch Episode As fans eagerly anticipate the epic conclusion of the second season of House of the Dragon, the question on everyone’s mind is, “What time does House of the Dragon air tonight?” The finale promises to deliver one of the most intense battles in the series so far. Here’s everything you need to know about tuning in to the highly anticipated episode. When Does the House of the Dragon Finale Air? The House of the Dragon Season 2 finale will air on Sunday, August 4, at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT…

What Happened to Zac Efron? On August 2nd, Zac Efron was hospitalized following a swimming pool incident at a villa in Ibiza, Spain. The actor, known for his roles in movies like High School Musical and The Greatest Showman, was found in distress by two villa employees who pulled him out of the pool. According to reports, Efron was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and was released the next morning. His representative confirmed that he is “recovering just fine.” This recent incident is not the first time Zac Efron has faced health scares. In 2019, he was…

What Qualifies as a Classic Car for Hot August Nights 2024? To participate in Hot August Nights 2024, your vehicle needs to be a classic. This year, that means any car manufactured in 1979 or earlier. This definition has evolved over the years, from the original requirement of cars built in 1960 or before. So, polish up your vintage beauty and get ready to show it off! Hot August Nights Cruises: Where to Catch the Classics Hot August Nights is renowned for its cruises, with classic cars taking to the streets across various locations. Here’s where you can catch the…

Market Overview: Stocks Decline Sharply On Friday, U.S. stocks experienced a significant selloff for the second consecutive session, with the Nasdaq Composite entering correction territory. This downturn was triggered by a disappointing jobs report that intensified fears of an imminent recession. The Labor Department reported a modest increase of 114,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in the previous month, falling short of the anticipated 175,000 and raising the unemployment rate to 4.3%, a near three-year high. TickerSecurityLastChangeChange %I:DJIDOW JONES AVERAGES39737.26-610.71-1.51%SP500S&P 5005346.56-100.12-1.84%I:COMPNASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX16776.163609-417.98-2.43%Credit: Fox Business. Key Market Indicators The weak labor data contributed to concerns about a rapidly slowing economy, prompting expectations…

The End Of An Era Legendary rock band Aerosmith has officially retired from touring, citing frontman Steven Tyler’s vocal injury as the heartbreaking reason. The announcement came from the band’s official social media accounts, marking the end of over five decades of live performances. A Long Journey Comes to an End Formed in 1970, Aerosmith has been a staple in the rock music scene. From their early days to their massive hits like “Dream On,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” the band has left an indelible mark on music history. Their farewell tour,…

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter Reunite for Waiting for Godot Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, the beloved stars of the Bill & Ted franchise, are set to embark on a new adventure—this time on Broadway. In a surprising yet exciting announcement, Reeves and Winter will co-star in Samuel Beckett’s iconic play Waiting for Godot in the fall of 2025. Directed by the renowned Jamie Lloyd, this production promises to be a remarkable theatrical event. Keanu Reeves’ Broadway Debut Despite a prolific Hollywood career spanning over three decades, Keanu Reeves has never graced the Broadway stage until now. Known for his…

Financial Performance and Challenges In the second quarter of 2024, Intel reported a net loss of $1.6 billion, a stark contrast to the $437 million loss in the previous quarter. This disappointing performance is attributed to various factors, including high operational costs and underwhelming revenue growth. The company’s revenue for Q2 2024 was $12.8 billion, a slight 1% decline year-over-year. Q2 2024 Financial Highlights GAAPNon-GAAPQ2 2024Q2 2023vs. Q2 2023Q2 2024Q2 2023vs. Q2 2023Revenue ($B)$12.80$12.90down 1%Gross Margin35.40%35.80%down 0.4 ppt38.70%39.80%down 1.1 pptsR&D and MG&A ($B)$5.60$5.50up 2%$4.90$4.70up 5%Operating Margin-15.30%-7.80%down 7.5 ppts0.20%3.50%down 3.3 pptsTax Rate17.50%280.50%n/m**13.00%13.00%—Net Income (loss) Attributable to Intel ($B)-$1.60$1.50n/m**$0.10$0.50down 85%Earnings (loss) Per…