Issue #13

NASA wants farms on Moon, Brazil replacing teachers with AI, nature now earns music royalties, and more. 

News from April 18 - April 25, 2024

NASA Wants Farms On Moon 

NASA’s Artemis III mission will return astronauts to the moon, specifically targeting the lunar south pole to explore and utilize its resources, including ancient water deposits. The mission’s crew will detect moonquakes, grow crops, and analyze the presence of water ice in the soil.

These tests are crucial for understanding the feasibility of long-term human settlement on the moon by ensuring access to water and the potential for food production. NASA plans to establish a sustainable presence on the moon by 2040.

Christine Escobar, vice president of Space Lab Technologies: “Human nutrition and life support—carbon dioxide removal, oxygen production and water purification—provided by space agriculture will enable long-duration human exploration of the moon and beyond.”

Source

LVMH: People Aren’t Partying Anymore 

LVMH has reported a decline in champagne sales, linking the downturn to fewer post-COVID celebrations.

The company's wines and spirits division experienced a notable 16% drop in revenue for the first quarter compared to the previous year.

This downturn is seen as a return to normal demand levels after the unusual market conditions caused by the pandemic.

LVMH’s overall first-quarter sales also fell, though the most notable decrease was in their alcoholic beverages sector.

Source 

Nature Now Earns Music Royalties 

A new initiative lets artists list "Nature" as a featured artist on tracks that include natural sounds. Royalties go to environmental causes. The project, supported by Spotify and Apple Music, aims to fund conservation efforts.

The Museum for the United Nations introduced the idea, targeting $40 million in four years. Artists like Ellie Goulding and Aurora are on board.

Brian Eno, pioneer of ambient music: “Hopefully it’ll be a river, or a torrent, or a flood of royalties—and then what we do is distribute that among groups of people who are working on projects to help us deal with the future.”

Source

Bulletin Board

• Steve Jobs Inspired TikTok. TikTok’s roots trace back to Steve Jobs' influence, The New York Times reports. Originally a real estate-focused startup, ByteDance shifted to media after its founder, Zhang Yiming, inspired by Jobs, saw greater potential in social media. The company's transformation mirrored Jobs' knack for leveraging technology to redefine industries. Source

• Anti-Shoplifting Is Now Big Business. MokSa.ai, an AI startup that develops software to catch shoplifters, has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to enhance its security camera systems. The company's AI integrates with existing cameras to detect suspicious behavior and notify owners immediately. Already, over 70 gas stations, liquor stores, and bodegas across America use this technology. MokSa.ai stands out by using customized AI models tailored to specific security needs, unlike competitors that rely on proprietary hardware. Source

• Ecuador Introduces 3-Day Workweek. Ecuador has introduced a temporary three-day workweek for both public and private sectors due to severe power shortages, caused by a drought impacting its hydroelectric sources. The crisis began abruptly this week. President Daniel Noboa responded by firing the energy minister and 22 others, accusing them of hiding the looming shortage. He attributed the crisis to both “environmental circumstances” and “unheard-of acts of corruption and negligence.” Source 

• Brazil Replacing Teachers With AI. Sao Paulo is planning to replace teachers who design educational materials with ChatGPT, integrating AI into content creation. The proposal outlines that ChatGPT will produce content, which will then be reviewed and refined by experts to align with educational standards. Although these teachers will be replaced in their current roles, city officials have confirmed they will be reassigned to other duties. Source

• ‘Zero Sugar’ Pepsi Recalled Over Sugar. PepsiCo has recalled its “zero sugar” Schweppes Ginger Ale after the FDA discovered the drink is actually “full” of sugar. This recall affects 233 cases distributed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Customers, particularly those who are diabetic or need to monitor their blood sugar levels, are advised to dispose of the product. This incident occurs as global regulatory pressures on beverage manufacturers to reduce sugar content intensify, including sugar taxes implemented in several U.S. jurisdictions and over 50 countries worldwide. Source

Disclaimer: This blog offers insights into international business and global events for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investment or business advice. WeavePay is not liable for any decisions made based on the content provided.

We're on a mission to empower ambitious international businesses. If your team has the vision and qualifies, join us at WeavePay for bespoke payment solutions that elevate your global impact. Subscribe and reach out to see if we're a match.