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- 🌞 Eternal Flame
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
Good Morning! 🌞
Have you ever heard of Eternal Flame Falls?
It’s a small waterfall in New York that has a natural gas leak right beneath it, which allows a small flame to burn right in the waterfall’s base. There are only very few of those “eternal flames” in the world.
Today’s Upside
Economy
Hong Kong Approves Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
This month, Hong Kong regulators gave the green light for the launch of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), following similar initiatives in the U.S. earlier this year. According to asset managers, three ETF providers received approval from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
ChinaAMC announced it had secured regulatory approval to offer “virtual asset management services” and is in the process of developing a spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF. OSL Digital Securities has been designated as the custodian for ChinaAMC.
Additionally, Harvest Global and Bosera International have also obtained SFC approval for their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
While approval has been granted, these ETFs have not yet been launched. Crypto trading remains largely prohibited in mainland China following a significant crackdown in 2021. Despite this, Hong Kong is gradually positioning itself as a regulated cryptocurrency hub, aiming to compete with locations like Dubai and Singapore. It remains to be seen whether mainland Chinese investors will be permitted to invest in cryptocurrencies through these ETFs.
This development follows the U.S. securities regulators' recent approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, which have attracted billions of dollars in inflows. A Bitcoin ETF provides investors exposure to the asset's price movements without the necessity of owning the underlying cryptocurrency, potentially allowing more traditional investors to participate in the crypto market.
Hong Kong is poised to be among the first jurisdictions globally to approve an Ethereum ETF, a step not yet taken by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Entertainment
ABBA, Blondie, and Biggie Join National Recording Registry
ABBA's 1976 album "Visitors," The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 album "Ready to Die," Blondie's 1978 breakthrough "Parallel Lines," and Gene Autry's 1949 rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" are among the latest additions to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
Announced by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, these 25 new titles of 2024 have been selected for their significant cultural, historical, or aesthetic value in the nation's recorded sound heritage.
Puerto Rican singer Héctor Lavoe's iconic track "El Cantante" and Mexican singer Juan Gabriel's heartfelt tribute "Amor Eterno" are also joining the registry, alongside notable albums like Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow," Green Day's "Dookie," and the Chicks' "Wide Open Spaces."
Lily Tomlin's 1971 comedy album "This Is a Recording" stands out as the sole non-musical entry this year.
Autry's rendition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" adds a classic touch, while newer holiday favorites like Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" contribute to the registry's now 650 titles.
"Visitors" marked ABBA's disco-inspired fourth album, featuring hits like "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money," and "Fernando."
Blondie's commercial breakthrough with "Parallel Lines," featuring the iconic "Heart of Glass," and The Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal "Ready to Die" album with tracks like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa" underscore the diverse range of musical genres represented in this year's inductees.
World News
Bamboo Slats Reveal Ancient Governance
Jiandu, or bamboo slats. credit – Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
A significant discovery occurred in central China: an ancient collection of literary records emerged from an old well. Dating back to 220 AD, these 10,000 bamboo slats, inscribed with Chinese characters, shed light on the governance of a nearby town during the Three Kingdoms Period.
These relics provide context for the creation of the renowned Chinese epic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, narrating the tumultuous conflicts among the lords and soldiers of three states following the decline of the Qin Dynasty. Originating from the kingdom of Wu, indicated by references to the Jiahe era under the reign of King Sun Quan, these bamboo records offer insights into household registration, agriculture, mining, and economic activities in Dutou.
Bamboo slats, known as Jiandu, served as the primary writing medium for millennia before the advent of silk, rice paper, and wood paper. Recovering 300,000 Jiandu from various periods has added a wealth of ancient Chinese writing, still accessible and intelligible today.
The Dutou records meticulously detail taxation imposed by the central government and its allocation. Excavations around Dutou, conducted during road repairs, revealed over 300 infrastructure features, including roads, moats, tombs, houses, and workshops, adding layers to our understanding of ancient settlement patterns.
Sports
Teen Gymnast Olympic Prediction May Come True
(Louisiana State University Athletics)
In 2016, during an appearance on the now-defunct talk show "Little Big Shots" hosted by Steve Harvey, 11-year-old Konnor McClain confidently declared her Olympic aspirations. Introduced as the country's top gymnast her age, McClain shared her dream of not only competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics but also winning the all-around gold medal. She started gymnastics at 18 months in "mommy and me" classes, setting the foundation for her ambitious goals.
McClain's path, however, has been fraught with personal challenges. In December 2021, she faced the devastating loss of her father, followed by her grandmother's death just a week later. By February 2022, she returned to competition at the Winter Cup Challenge with modest expectations but emerged victorious.
The following months were marked by surgery and rehabilitation for a back and a hand injury.
After moving around for a while McClain decided to join the Louisiana State University (LSU) women's gymnastics team for the 2023 season, earlier than planned, foregoing a final run at the Olympics before college. This decision proved transformative for McClain, who found herself rejuvenated by the collegiate gymnastics environment.
Now wrapping up her first NCAA season, the 19-year-old reflects on her growth over the past year. In an interview with Olympics.com, McClain shared that she used to feel down and generally sad. "I feel like Konnor McClain a year ago was just very down on herself and just, like, sad in general," she said.
However, her time at LSU has sparked a significant change in her outlook. "I feel like now – obviously, college matures you and makes you grow up a bit, but I feel like I was already very mature last year just because everything that’s happened in my life – but, now, I just feel like a completely different person," McClain remarked. "I have a very different look on life, so I feel like I’ve just changed completely and I feel like I’m brighter now, there’s a light in me. The light wasn’t there, it was very dim last year."
McClain credits this positive transformation to her decision to join LSU, encouraged by teammate Aleah Finnegan. The joy and camaraderie of collegiate gymnastics have rekindled her love for the sport. "I never knew gymnastics could be this fun," she admits.
Seeing the happiness of her teammates and their enthusiasm for daily practice inspired McClain to embrace a similar attitude. "I was like, ‘I kind of want to practice that.’ Me hating gymnastics is getting kind of old, so I practice loving the sport and just being happy to be there. It’s working," she concludes.
The NCAA Championships concluded on April 20. Now McClain is determined to prepare for her sole chance to qualify for the U.S. nationals at the U.S. Classic on May 18. After that, McClain is fully committed to pursuing her Olympic aspirations.
Health Tips
Eat More Protein
While many health eating practices are heavily debated, the importance of eating protein is almost universally accepted. While most individuals consume sufficient protein to avoid deficiencies, higher protein intake could give significant benefits.
Research indicates that diets high in protein offer substantial advantages for strength, weight loss and improving metabolic health.
Here are 3 science-backed reasons to increase your protein intake:
Reduces Appetite and Hunger Levels Protein impacts your body differently than fats and carbohydrates. It is the most filling of the three macronutrients, helping you feel satisfied with less food. This effect is due to protein's ability to decrease ghrelin, the hormone responsible for hunger, while increasing peptide YY, which helps you feel full. For instance, one study found that women who increased their protein intake to 30% of their calories consumed 441 fewer calories each day, without intentionally restricting their diet. For those looking to lose weight or reduce belly fat, swapping out some carbs and fats for protein can be an effective strategy.
Increases Muscle Mass and Strength Protein is essential for muscle maintenance and growth, especially if you are active, engage in strength training, or are trying to build muscle. Several studies confirm that a protein-rich diet can boost muscle mass and strength. Moreover, high protein intake helps prevent muscle loss during weight loss.
Good for Your Bones Contrary to the myth that protein, particularly animal protein, might harm bone health by increasing the body's acid load and leaching calcium from bones, long-term studies actually show significant benefits. Higher protein intake is linked with better bone mass retention with age and a lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This is particularly vital for women who are more prone to osteoporosis post-menopause. A combination of adequate protein intake and staying active can help mitigate these risks.
Need more convincing? Check out this article detailing 10 Science-Backed Reasons to Eat More Protein.
❔
Which English word is the odd one out: Stun, Ton, Evil, Letter, Mood, Bad, Strap, Snap, and Straw?
Yesterday’s Answer:
The Eiffel (I fell) Tower 😂
Albert Knox got the correct answer first!
Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]
From the Community
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