Wealth, Poverty, and the Prize

Three economists, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson, have won the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work on wealth inequality across nations. Their research dives deep into how historical colonial institutions still shape modern economies. Long-term prosperity has accrued to countries that have created inclusive systems, protected private property, and encouraged broad economic participation. Meanwhile, nations with more extractive institutions have struggled, benefitting only a tiny elite.

A key finding of the trio is that colonialism leaves a lasting legacy and plays an essential role in the success of economies. Democracies aren't perfect, but they offer more stable paths to growth than autocracies, which may see short-term gains but often fail. In rethinking today's wealth gap, their work challenges us to consider history, democracy, and institutions.

Can we build a better future by reshaping these systems? Is democracy capable of ensuring inclusion and progress for everyone? We are left with these big questions that may not have easy answers but should be asked by all of us.

City Hall on Fire

Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is in absolute chaos. We’re talking resignations, federal investigations, and even his indictment. In just the last few weeks, we've seen top officials —like deputy mayors, police commissioners, and even the school chancellor— leave City Hall. And that’s not even the half of it.

A key trigger behind the mayor's legal troubles appears to be the approval of the flashy Turkish consulate building. Federal prosecutors claim Adams waived fire inspections so the high-rise could be completed in time for a ribbon-cutting with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. In return? Campaign contributions and lavish trips from Turkish officials. The above sounds like something from a political thriller.

Can Adams prevent his administration from crumbling, or has it already been too late? He relies on a trusted group of four powerful women to preserve his political career. Is this just the beginning of his downfall, with more investigations looming?

The Future of Hearing is Here

With its latest AirPods Pro 2 update, Apple is transforming hearing health. In the near future, millions of people will be able to use these popular earbuds for more than just music and calls. That’s right; your AirPods could soon test your hearing and adjust sound to help moderate to severe hearing loss.

No more costly and stigmatized hearing aids. You can get advanced hearing technology for a fraction of the cost using Apple's FDA-approved software. Imagine the boost in accessibility! This new feature allows you to adjust your AirPods' volume, tone, and balance. While traditional hearing aids might cost thousands, these AirPods retail for $249 - making hearing support fashionable and affordable.

Many could benefit from this, especially as the stigma of wearing hearing aids dissolves. Will more tech companies follow Apple’s lead and make hearing aids as cool as AirPods?

Just Another Day in the Taiwan Strait

What do you do if a neighboring island says they're not yours? If you’re China, you send 125 warplanes their way. Beijing responded in the loudest way possible to Taiwan's National Day speech by launching military drills, record-breaking air patrols, and even a few cyberattacks, just in case.

China's reaction wasn't exactly surprising. Since Lai took office, he has been vocal about Taiwan's sovereignty. Their response, including warplanes buzzing around Taiwan and an aircraft carrier flexing offshore, illustrates how rattled they are. Meanwhile, Taiwan seems unfazed. One local remarked, "We've seen this before, and I'll see it again."

Taiwan's government is doubling down on peace and stability while China keeps making threats. Taipei's message is clear: “We're not scared, and we're not backing down.” Though eyes are glued to the Taiwan Strait, life continues on the island.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Here are some great, inspiring photos from the Paralympics.

🧮 Core Count: 400,000

It's how many new residents Dubai has attracted since the pandemic.

🗓️ Flashback:

1969 - Millions of Americans protest against the war on Vietnam Moratorium Day.

1993 - Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

2017 - Alyssa Milano's tweet, "If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted, write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet." prompts a flood of responses.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran