Economic Growth Forecast - The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta upgraded its economic growth forecast by 0.3 percentage points, predicting a 3.4% annualized gain in GDP during Q3 [3] Consumer Spending Trends - Consumer spending, which accounts for approximately 70% of economic growth, has remained steady despite rising price pressures, a slowdown in hiring, and an increase in unemployment to 4.3% [3] - Spending surged early in the year due to consumers anticipating price increases from high U.S. tariffs, but this trend has waned since May, leading to a modest slowdown in spending [4] Retail Sales Performance - Retail sales exceeded forecasts in August, rising by 0.6% for the third consecutive month, despite job market weaknesses and declining consumer sentiment [7] - Nine out of 13 categories of goods saw gains, with e-commerce sales increasing by 2% and sales at clothing stores and sporting goods shops rising by 1% and 0.8%, respectively [7] Impact of Tariffs - Import taxes have negatively impacted sales, particularly in categories vulnerable to tariffs, such as sports equipment, electronics, and clothing [5] - One in four small businesses reported that tariffs and rising costs have led them to increase prices, indicating consumer anxiety regarding import taxes fueling price gains [6]

Book Market Trends - Horror genre is a growing segment in adult fiction, with book sales up by 13% year-to-date [1][2] - Readers turn to horror stories during times of external stress to cope with fear and anxiety [3] Stephen King's Influence - Stephen King's contributions to American literature are significant, inspiring generations of readers and writers [3][4] - King's writing is deeply entrenched in American culture, with his characters and settings becoming cultural touchstones [4][5] - King's novels are often set in New England towns, grounding readers in a shared literary universe [6] - King's protagonists are nuanced, flawed, and likable, making readers care about their fate [6] Analysis of "Fairy Tale" - King's "Fairy Tale" is an adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, reimagined with illustrations by Maurice Sak [8][9] - King's version of Hansel and Gretel is dark, fast-paced, and includes references to his other works [10][11] Themes in King's Work - Hope is a connecting theme in King's work, exploring the depraved parts of humanity and the scariest depths of imagination [11] - Love, friendship, morality, and bravery are the most powerful forces in King's stories [12]

CINCINNATI, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Donations made today to the Scripps Howard Fund's "If You Give a Child a Book …" campaign will be matched. The Fund will double the first $200,000 in donations received on Wednesday, Sept. 3, to the childhood literacy initiative, which provides free books to children in low-income schools across the United States.A $12 donation today will provide four books instead of two.Donate today: Make a difference and double your impact. Scripps Howard Fund "If You Give a ...

[Music] Good afternoon. Detective Zoe here reporting for duty. I've been solving tough cases for years.You may have heard of them. The mystery of the missing sock. I cracked it.It turns out it was in the sock bin with 11 other socks. The case of the vanishing homework, a classic. It turns out it was in the backseat of my car the whole time.And the most recent one, the case of the disappearing gum. Well, I solved it, too. It was my sister.I caught her red-handed. I even saw her eating it. But this this is th ...

Core Argument - Books are dangerous because they contain non-conforming ideas, provide diverse viewpoints, and expose readers to unfamiliar worlds [3] - Libraries are essential for a functioning democracy as they provide access to information and combat tyranny, oppression, and ignorance [4] - Freedom to access information and freedom of expression are interconnected, enabling informed decision-making [6] Censorship and Book Banning - Book banning and censorship are increasing, leading to the removal of books based on author's name or perceived non-compliance with legislation [16][17] - Historically, books have been banned due to their content, such as depicting interracial relationships or same-sex families [12][14] - Limiting access to information hinders the ability to form a complete understanding and make informed decisions [9][10] The Importance of Libraries and Librarians - Libraries should offer a marketplace of ideas, representing a multiplicity of stories and viewpoints [5] - Fully funded libraries and trained librarians are crucial for guiding individuals to quality and age-appropriate information sources [18] - Librarians are trained in collection development, ensuring a broad spectrum of topics and genres are available [19] Freedom of Access - Free people read freely, emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment and the freedom to access information [18][19] - Inhibiting access to information stifles critical thought and undermines liberty and justice [20]

Core Insights - The transformation of struggling malls, such as the Dayton Mall, is being driven by unconventional tenants like churches, which can attract community engagement and foot traffic [2][3][6] - The decline of traditional enclosed malls has been attributed to changing demographics, shopping habits, and the rise of e-commerce, but there are signs of potential revival through innovative repurposing strategies [7][8][15] - Successful mall redevelopment involves subdividing large anchor spaces into niche businesses that encourage cross-shopping, leading to increased revenue [10][11][12] Group 1: Mall Transformations - The Dayton Mall has faced challenges due to anchor store closures, leading to its receivership, but the sale of the former Sears space to Crossroads Church has revitalized the mall [2][4] - Crossroads Church has drawn thousands of visitors, including non-affiliated individuals, contributing to the mall's renewed activity [5][6] - The trend of repurposing anchor spaces is not unique to Dayton, as other malls are also exploring unconventional tenants to fill vacancies [6][12] Group 2: Industry Trends - The trend of repurposing empty anchors has been ongoing for over a decade, with recent data indicating a rebound in mall traffic as these strategies take effect [8][14] - CBL Properties' CEO noted that subdividing former anchor stores has significantly increased revenue, with some locations generating five to six times the previous amounts [11] - The incorporation of experiential categories, such as entertainment and dining, is becoming essential for attracting visitors to malls [13][15] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Gen Z's affinity for malls as community spaces has been highlighted, with a shift towards seeking in-person experiences post-COVID [13][19] - Malls are increasingly being viewed as destinations for various activities beyond shopping, including seasonal events and dining [15][20] - The nostalgic connection many consumers have with malls is influencing their return, as they seek to recreate memories from their youth [19][20]

Core Insights - Ekspress Grupp's revenue continued to grow in Q2 2025, driven by investments in conference business, ticket sales, and digital outdoor screens, despite facing pressure on advertising sales due to a weak economic environment in the Baltic States [1][2]. Revenue Performance - The revenue for Q2 2025 increased by EUR 1.8 million (+9%) year-over-year, totaling EUR 21.4 million, while the revenue for the first half of 2025 increased by EUR 2.6 million (+7%) to EUR 38.4 million [2][8]. - Key contributors to growth included the Estonian Training and Convention Centre and UAB Kenton Baltic, along with Delfi Lithuania's AI project and growth in digital subscriptions and ticket sales [2][9]. Digital Revenue Insights - Digital revenue for the first six months of 2025 increased by 2% year-over-year, but the share of digital revenue in total revenue decreased from 87% to 83% due to the acquisition of the training business [3][11]. - The Group added over 22,000 new digital subscriptions (+10%) in the Baltic States, reaching a total of 245,000 subscriptions by the end of Q2 2025 [3]. Ticket Sales and Outdoor Screens - Revenue from ticket sales platforms increased by 13% year-over-year, while the outdoor screen business grew by 3%, supported by an expansion to 156 screens [4]. Profitability Metrics - EBITDA for Q2 2025 totaled EUR 2.8 million, a decrease of EUR 0.2 million (-7%) year-over-year, with a margin of 13% [5][13]. - The net profit for Q2 2025 was EUR 1.1 million, an increase of EUR 0.1 million (+6%), but the Group incurred a net loss of EUR -0.5 million for the first half of the year, which is EUR 0.3 million higher than the previous year [5][14]. Cash Position and Dividends - As of June 30, 2025, the Group had available cash of EUR 7.2 million, an increase from EUR 5.5 million a year earlier, and paid a dividend of EUR 0.06 per share totaling EUR 1.86 million [6][19]. Segment Overview - The media segment's revenue for Q2 2025 was EUR 21.4 million, with advertising revenue declining by 8% year-over-year [20]. - The share of revenue from digital channels was 83% in Q2 2025, down from 90% in Q2 2024, reflecting the impact of new business acquisitions [21].

In this inspiring talk, Aydin Rizqi shares his journey from facing constant rejection as a young author to becoming an award-winning writer and entrepreneur. Through resilience, self-belief, and a refusal to give up, he shows how rejection can be the spark that fuels creativity and impact. A call to action for youth to embrace their ideas, rise above setbacks, and echo into eternity. Aydin Rizqi is an award-winning author who has published 10 books through Barnes & Noble Press and KDP. He began his writing ...

Travel & Culture Through Literature - The speaker shares her personal journey of reading and how it has allowed her to travel across borders, cultures, and time [1] - Reading was a passion since childhood, influenced by her grandfather's typewriter [2][3][4] - The speaker highlights the "Choose Your Own Adventure" book series and its impact on her [5] - Despite studying law, her love for reading and literature persisted [6] - The speaker shares novels that allowed her to travel to different areas, perspectives, and cultures from home [7] Book Recommendations & Cultural Insights - *Like Water for Chocolate* by Laura Esquivel transports readers to Mexico through a family love drama where food plays an important role [8][9] - *Half of a Yellow Sun* by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores identity, love, and conflict in Nigeria against the backdrop of Biafra's independence [10][11] - *The Sleepy Voice* by Dulce Chacón delves into the tragic events of the Spanish Civil War through testimonies of women imprisoned for their political ideas [11][12] - *Crime and Punishment* by Fyodor Dostoevsky offers insights into the human mind and the consequences of one's actions in Russia [13][14] - *Grass* by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim tells the story of a young Korean girl forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II [15] - *A Yellow House* explores the challenges faced by domestic helpers in Singapore [16][17] Concluding Thoughts - Books are vehicles for empathy and understanding, offering experiences beyond our reach [18][19]

Copyright & Fair Use - Entropic acquired over 7 million pirated books and later physical copies to train its large language models [1][2] - A judge ruled that using physical copies to train AI models constitutes fair use, but not the pirated copies [3] - An appeal is likely regarding the fair use ruling [4] - The ruling hinges on whether ingesting information for AI training is considered fair use, which would allow companies to use data without compensation [5] Industry Implications & Concerns - Generative AI benefits from the fair use ruling, but companies face navigation challenges [5] - The industry is keen on the fair use ruling, as it allows for data ingestion without payment [6] - Publishers fear that AI could reduce book sales if people can obtain information directly from AI [6] - There are concerns about the incentive for authors to write new books if their work is used by AI without commercial benefit [7]