Global Grinds: From Earthquake Efforts to E-Commerce Tussles & Tech Tangles
Navigating Through Highs, Lows, and Rogue Concert Throws: This Week in the Worldly Brew
Coffee Guff
November 05, 2023
Hey there,
Strap in for a spin around the globe with a shot of wit and a splash of insight. We're stirring the pot in this week's brew with a mix that's sure to jolt you awake - from the trembling grounds of Nepal to the electrifying pitches of T20 cricket. 🏏
In the land of Himalayas, we're dialing down the tremors to focus on what really shakes the nation post-quake, while also celebrating a victory that's cricket-bound for the T20 World Cup – it's a story of grit that's got us all chanting.
But hold on to your smartphones, because we've got a tech-tale that's causing a ruckus in India, with Apple at the core of a political showdown. And if that wasn't enough to keep your thumbs scrolling, we're unpacking Nepal's e-commerce bill that's rewriting the digital marketplace playbook. 📱🛍️
Crossing over to the U.S., we take a peek at Biden's AI executive order that's as complex as your favorite coffee blend. And for dessert? A slice of the crypto pie, following the crumbling crust of Sam Bankman-Fried's empire.
Finally, we end on a high (or should we say 'low') note, with Sugam Pokharel's performance turning into a 'hit' saga that's more sour than sweet. 🎤💥
Pour yourself a cup and let's dive into the frothy, bold tales of the day. Because life, much like our newsletter, is best served with a hint of unexpected. Cheers! ☕🗞️
TLDR
Shaken, Not Stirred: Jajarkot Quake Aftermath
In the wake of Nepal's tragedy, from genuine relief efforts to the instant noodle debate, we sift through the chaos to guide your goodwill.Nepal Clinches T20 World Cup Spot with Thrilling Chase Against UAE
Pack your bags, we're heading to the Caribbean/USA this June! 🏏✈️🌴🇺🇸Alert and Alarmed: Apple's iPhone Warnings Ignite Political Firestorm in India
Opposition Leaders Buzz Over iPhone Hacks as Government Pledges Probe Amidst Election Eve DramaNepal's E-Commerce Conundrum: Navigating the Digital Bazaar's New Rulebook
Inside the E-Commerce Bill Saga: From Digital Storefronts to Market Fair PlayBiden’s AI Executive Order
Inside the White House's Latest Move to Navigate the AI Race While Avoiding a Tech Wreck
Crypto's Fallen Wunderkind: The Sam Bankman-Fried Saga
The Unraveling of an Eccentric Billionaire: Sam Bankman-Fried's Fraudulent Fall from Grace
Consolation Prize
Microphone Missiles and Slap Solos: Sugam Pokharel's Silent Displeasure
Raucous Rhythms to Rogue Reactions: Sugam Pokharel's Concert Takes a Hit... Literally
Current Affairs
Shaken, Not Stirred: Jajarkot Quake Aftermath
Nepal's recent quake has left us with a heavy heart—over 150 lives lost as Jajarkot bore the brunt. The government allocated Rs100 Million for the search and rescue, and will decide later if they need any foreign assistance.
But, keep your scam-dar tuned, folks! Scammers are making the rounds, playing the earthquake card. Our two cents? Channel your generosity through the PM's Relief Fund. It's the real MVP here. Corruption might be a government's hobby, but even a broken clock right twice a day, right? They're pulling all stops for rescue ops, so let's not throw shade for now.
Rabi Dai from RSP is on a radio tour in the epicenter, but we're not buying the theatrics. A bit too 'Hollywood' for a lawmaker, no? We vote for action over airwaves, don’t swing low, thank you very much.
A word to the wise: influencers peddling AI-generated quake drama? Double-tap with caution. Donate, but only after you've done your homework and verified the source.
Not saying CEO turned RSP advocate Anil Keshary is peddling quake drama but the picture he tweeted is AI generated.
A calamity of this nature is tragic when it befalls anywhere, however it is even more painful when it occurs in one of the most remote regions of our nation. Let us all come together to do whatever we can to help in these most trying times…
— Anil Shah (@AnilKesharyShah)
Nov 4, 2023
Speaking of shade, the Chaudhary billionaires are on a noodle express to Jajarkot with a truckload of... Wai Wai? Hope there's a hunger for instant noodles amidst the chaos. 🍜
The tragic loss due to the most devastating earthquake is inconceivable. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and others impacted by earthquake. Chaudhary Foundation as its immediate response has started to distribute necessary essential food items. @foundation_cg… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Nirvana Chaudhary (@BeingNirvana)
Nov 4, 2023
And also please, let's leave disaster selfies out of our feeds. If you're heading to the disaster zones, bring help, not a selfie stick. W have seen enough from 2015 quake.
In the face of tragedy keep it classy not flashy,—just like your favorite cup of joe.
Nepal Clinches T20 World Cup Spot with Thrilling Chase Against UAE
Cricket fans of Nepal, take a bow! What a thrilling pursuit it was at Mulpani after UAE set the stage with 134-9. A challenging pitch, but that didn't deter Aasif Sheikh from anchoring a brilliant chase with a smashing half-century, backed up by Rohit Paudel's solid show.
And what's at the finish line? A golden ticket to next year's T20 World Cup!
Pack your bags, we're heading to the Caribbean/USA this June! 🏏✈️🌴🇺🇸
Alert and Alarmed: Apple's iPhone Warnings Ignite Political Firestorm in India
In a digital twist that's got Indian politics buzzing, Apple's iPhone warnings of 'state-sponsored attackers' have stirred up a storm. Picture this: a dozen opposition bigwigs get ominous alerts on their phones, and it's chaos in the political hive. The opposition's convinced it's the ruling party playing Big Brother, while the government's on a mission to crack the case, vowing to take such claims "seriously."
Modi Govt.'s Snoop Gate 2023❓
◾️‘State-Sponsored attackers are targeting your iPhone’ - Apple’s message to AAP MP Raghav Chadha
◾️Several Top leaders of the INDIA alliance received the same alert
What is Modi Govt. upto? twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty)
Oct 31, 2023
Cut to a scene of press conference drama with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accusing the government of playing dirty tech tricks, saying it's like something out of a spy flick. But the tech maestro itself, Apple, plays it cool, keeping mum on pointing fingers and talking up the imperfect art of detecting digital espionage.
As the plot thickens, it's not lost on anyone that election time's around the corner. And with India's history of Pegasus spyware scandals, this latest tech thriller has everyone on the edge of their seats, scrolling through their notifications with a side-eye.
Tech Trends
Nepal's E-Commerce Conundrum: Navigating the Digital Bazaar's New Rulebook
Hey there, let's have a chat about this whole e-commerce bill hoopla that's been buzzing in Nepal's corridors of power and online forums, shall we? Picture this: it's been a hot minute since 2021 when the e-commerce bill started making waves, but it got bogged down, thanks to the ever-shifting political dance floor in Nepal.
Now, here's the scoop on this e-commerce bill everyone's yapping about. If you're thinking of selling your knick-knacks online in Nepal, you'll need to play house on an e-commerce platform. Whether you build your own digital storefront or cozy up with intermediaries, the bill's got you covered. But wait, there's more! You've got to get your platform listed with the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection. They're like the bouncers making sure only the legit crowd gets in.
For the sellers and middlemen, the bill's like a strict nanny. It wants you to spill the beans about your products, how much they’ll cost, payment methods, and all the nitty-gritty details like guarantees. The goal? To make online shopping as trustworthy as your local bazaar.
Now, let's talk tech. To be a legit e-commerce biz, transactions should be smooth like butter with minimal human fuss—think clicking 'Buy Now' and poof, it's done. But, and here's the catch, the bill's a bit old school and doesn't exactly spell out what e-commerce is in today's TikTok age. So, if you're an auditor or consultant, tapping away emails to clients, you might not be under the e-commerce umbrella because, well, that's a lot of typing, right?
Consider Hamrobazar, where folks can list a couch, a car, or a cow, and it's a free-for-all without a pesky registration. But with this bill, even these old-timers have to jump through new hoops and get listed on a government portal. Talk about party poopers.
And here's a head-scratcher: if an international seller wants to dip its toes in the Nepali market, they too need to get on this portal. Given Nepal's cozy market size, the big question is, will they even bother?
Now, the e-commerce bill is like a déjà vu of rules we already have, and it's missing out on the juicy stuff. Think about logistics. If you can one-click order a pizza, shouldn't it get to you before you starve? And what about the fine print? The bill should make sure you're not getting hoodwinked by some sneaky terms and conditions.
Data privacy's a biggie too. You wouldn't want your secret love for cat memes leaking, right? Plus, there's the whole shebang about counterfeit goods. Say you buy a 'Gucci' bag off a platform that turns out to be 'Goochi'—who's gonna take the fall?
Lastly, let's gab about fair play in the digital sandbox. The bill should ensure the big fish don't gobble up the minnows with shady pricing tactics or playing favorites.
Wrapping up, the e-commerce bill is like that first base camp on Nepal’s digital Everest. It's got a ways to go, but with some tweaks, it could pave the path for a shiny, digital marketplace. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a bill that's as savvy as our smartphone addiction.
Miss any of the steps and you might find yourself coughing up 10G - 500G plus prison time. Now, go forth and digitize!
Biden’s AI Executive Order
Hey, did you catch the news about Biden's latest move on AI? Yeah, the guy just dropped a pretty hefty executive order. It's like he's trying to put America in the AI driver's seat while making sure we don't crash with all the tech risks out there.
So the White House has this list of big ideas—eight main ones, actually. They're talking about everything from making sure AI doesn't go rogue on us, to protecting our private info, to helping out the folks who might lose their jobs to robots. And they’re getting serious about companies testing their AI for nasty stuff like bias and misinformation by having them report back to the government. Kinda like making the tech nerds show their math homework, you know?
But here's the kicker: they're super vague on the hows and whens. It's all, "We'll set new rules for this," and "We'll come up with plans for that," but the details are as clear as mud.
They did tease some stuff, like a report that's going to drop about AI messing with jobs, and they want to make it easier for AI whizzes from around the world to come work in the States. But honestly, it feels like a lot of talk and not much walk—at least for now.
The order's like admitting, "This is just the start, folks," and they're banking on Congress to get on board for the heavy lifting down the line. Considering how fast AI's been zooming ahead, by the time any of this gets off the ground, who knows how far AI will have gone?
It's cool to see them acknowledge AI's a big deal, but as for the whole "regulating the tech wild west" part, seems we're still in the "hurry up and wait" phase.
Crypto's Fallen Wunderkind: The Sam Bankman-Fried Saga
Sam Bankman-Fried, once hailed as a quirky genius with his awkward mannerisms and scruffy, boyish look, crashed from crypto's golden child to a convicted fraudster.
His distinctive tics and innocent aura, which had charmed Silicon Valley and bolstered his legitimacy, couldn't save him from a swift federal jury verdict finding him guilty of massive fraud and conspiracy.
Amidst an avalanche of evidence, including millions of pages of documents and revealing testimonies, it was clear that his crypto exchange, FTX, and hedge fund, Alameda Research, were just elaborate fronts for a $9 billion fraud scheme.
Despite attempts by his supporters to paint him as a tragic, complex figure, the trial stripped him of his carefully crafted persona, revealing a simple criminal whose only genuine trait was his ability to deceive. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the intoxicating mix of brilliance and betrayal in the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency.
Consolation Prize
Microphone Missiles and Slap Solos: Sugam Pokharel's Silent Displeasure
So, there's Sugam Pokharel in Adelaide, trying to bring a bit of somber respect to a night that was otherwise about beats and ballads. He's on stage, presumably crooning away, when he decides it's time to switch from pop star to preacher and call for a moment of silence for earthquake victims back home in Nepal. Noble, right? Well, hold onto your earplugs, because this crowd wasn't having any of that silence nonsense.
In what can only be described as a physics experiment gone wild, Sugam took "dropping the mic" to Olympic levels and threw it into the audience. And because we all know that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, the crowd reacted with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for free t-shirt cannons at a sports game.
But wait, there's more! Not content with his mic-tossing escapade, Sugam follows up with a slap heard around the world—or at least around social media. It seems one spectator's face became the unfortunate recipient of Sugam's open-handed rebuke, all because they didn't fancy playing the quiet game.
There’s Sugam, standing among the masses, microphone in hand – well, not for long – and face-slapping his way to viral infamy. This wasn't just a concert; it was a lesson in audience participation gone rogue.
In the end, the only thing silenced was the microphone, victim to an unplanned flight and a crash landing. And the lesson here? If you're at a Sugam Pokharel concert and he asks for a minute of silence, you'd better zip it or brace for impact. Because Sugam doesn't just sing hits—he swings them. And if you don't comply, you might just get a slap solo to the soundtrack of "Tsk, tsk."
As we wrap up another week of caffeinated insights, we want to extend a heartfelt 'Thank You' to our subscribers. Your support makes it possible for us to explore these topics with the wit and wisdom they deserve. If you found this week's newsletter as enriching as a shot of espresso, we'd be honored if you'd share it with friends and family. After all, good reads, like good coffee, are best when shared. Here's to another week of sipping on wit and strong coffee. Cheers! 🥂