Facebook introduces Libra cryptocurrency as a new product to reshape global financial system

Facebook is the world's largest social network with approx. 2.4 billion users. The company is going to introduce their own cryptocurrency called Libra, in 2020. The cryptocurrency and blockchain system is backed by major companies, and it is supposed to change the global financial market in numerous ways. The main goal of the cryptocurrency is to help 1.7 billion people get access to financial systems. This huge amount consists of adults who do not have their own bank accounts, across the globe. Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes called the prospect of Libra’s success, as very scary. On the other hand, Wall Street is liking this endeavor because it adds a potentially big source of revenue. Facebook makes a majority of their profits through advertising, and cryptocurrency could be another moneymaker. Facebook can profit big time from consumers using Libra, even if the transaction fees are low. Libra could help Facebook get into finance, and become a huge financial player. Libra has the power to be a new decentralized global payments platform. Libra is a cryptocurrency like bitcoin, but there are major differences. Libra's value will be pegged to a basket of modern paper currencies and backed by reserves consisting of bank deposits; government securities; and other low volatility assets. First, Libra will be on a blockchain that allows only known nodes to participate in the network. Also, this blockchain is called permissioned because access is granted to validators — entities that endorse transactions. Eventually, Libra plans to have no permissions as long as technical requirements are met. Libra will be governed by a nonprofit group based in Switzerland consisting of 28 founding members. The Libra blockchain will be open to anyone who wants to build applications on it. Each founding member can control a validator node, by investing at least $10 million through the buying of Libra Investment Tokens. The tokens grant rights to a share of future interest earned by the reserves. Next, Facebook seeks to diffuse the concerns of regulators; competitors; and consumers by controlling Libra. This process will be done with the setup of a nonprofit group, Libra Association. The Libra Association is a system that is purely controlled by Facebook, as the firm is becoming a subject of massive skepticism and concern due to its practices. Libra is not a blockchain in the pure sense, because transactions are not totaled into blocks. A huge concern of Libra is the cryptocurrency could leak a lot of information about users transactions. Another concern is usability, as private keys are evaporating - lost by users or stolen. In this penultimate paragraph, cryptocurrency problems will be further discussed. One problem is they lack price stability. The second problem is they are prone to be used for illegal activities. The final problem is they seek to circumvent central authorities, among other obstacles that impede mass adoption. Libra is created to avoid many of these challenges. The blockchain system could become a framework to support many platforms. In closing, Libra will not be supplanting financial institutions or central banks. The world's major banks will be involved, if Libra is launched successfully in 2020. Facebook’s entry into cryptocurrencies would hasten the regulation of bitcoin, ripple, etc. Enjoy the picture of Libra cryptocurrency. Let's see if the cryptocurrency can help Facebook make more $$$, in twelve months.

NBA Free Agency preview: destinations where the stars could go

Yesterday night, the NBA season ended with the Toronto Raptors winning game 6 of the nba finals. With the victory, the Raptors won the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Toronto has an important player in Kawhi Leonard, that will enter free agency this summer. Kawhi won the MVP award of the NBA finals for the 2nd time. Where will Kawhi Leonard go in free agency? The two major teams should be the LA Clippers, and the Toronto Raptors. Next, Kevin Durant did not play in more than 90% of the NBA finals. He is a free agent, and he ruptured his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in game 5 of the NBA finals. The two teams vying for KD should be Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. KD should not go to New York Knicks. KD will miss the 2019-2020 NBA season, as he will be recovering from surgery and going through rehabilitation. Furthermore, The Brooklyn Nets will go for Kyrie Irving and the team has cleared some cap space. Irving split with his agent recently, and his signed with Roc Nation Sports [RNS]. Kyrie Irving could sign with either the Knicks, or the Nets. He should go with Brooklyn, as the team made the playoffs. The team seems to be more structured around good upcoming players, as opposed to the Knicks that have been out of playoff contention for more than five years. Kyrie Irving lasted only two full seasons in Boston, and it appears that he does not want to stay with the team. Kyrie has had a fickle career, after he requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers before the 2017-18 NBA season started. Let's talk about the other Golden State Warrior, Klay Thompson; in free agency moves. Wait, Klay is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors even though he tore his ACL in NBA Finals game 6. Klay may miss the full 2019-2020 season, but he has not had surgery yet on his ACL. If Golden State signs Durant and Thompson, then both players may not be back in the lineup until late nba 2020 playoffs in the best case scenario. Klay has played his whole career with the Warriors, and is an integral part of the Splash Brothers. Klay should make the wise choice, and stay in Golden State. Finally, Kemba Walker is in the mix for free agency but Charlotte Hornets want him to re-sign. Heck, Kemba recently stated that he would take less than the supermax deal to stay with Charlotte. Walker has spent his whole eight year career with the Charlotte Hornets. Frankly, G. Ripley thinks Kemba Walker should go to the NY Knicks. Walker may do better, without playing for team owner Michael Jordan. This is why G. Ripley is not a basketball savant like Stephen A. Smith, from ESPN First Take would say so often. In closing, NBA free agency will start on June 30. There are about 15-20 extra players that could sign big contracts with an NBA team. Jimmy Butler; Tobias Harris; and D'Angelo Russell are just three of the big names that spark NBA team owners minds. Enjoy the picture above of some of the top Free Agents, that the NBA teams owners are looking to lock up. This time of the year is exciting for G. Ripley. Later!! Peace.

British Prime Minister Theresa May stepping down as Brexit destroys her time in office

Nearly three years ago, Theresa May was picked as the Conservative Party leader in Great Britain. In July 2016, David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister of Great Britain. Then, Theresa May started her tenure as the 2nd female prime minister of England. Fast forward to June 2019 and Theresa May is stepping down from her PM role. Theresa May's failed time in office will be remembered, by her many attempts to renegotiate Britain's deal to pull out of the European Union. In late 2018, the 27 other EU nations finally agreed to a detailed withdrawal plan with May's government. However, British politicians were deadlocked in their internal battles and the departure day for Brexit is changed to the current date of October 31, 2019. As for Theresa May, she will remain prime minister until July 22, 2019. Who will be the new Prime Minister of Great Britain? Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock are four primary contenders; for the Prime Minister role. One of their first actions will be to go back to Brussels, Belgium; to make changes to Brexit. A majority of the primary contenders have stated that they would take the U.K. out by the current deadline of October 31, with or without a deal. Furthermore, Nigel Farage is the leader of the Brexit Party. He does not want to be the U.K. prime minister, yet the Brexit Party is leading the polls in Great Britain. The Brexit Party registered as a party in Great Britain in March 2019. Unfortunately, Nigel Farage is an ally of US President Donald Trump. The Brexit Party has offered no detail on how it would run the UK in education, health, defense, or the taxation areas. In this penultimate paragraph, the author will inform the reader about Nigel Farage's checkered past. He has failed to be elected as an U.K. Member of Parliament, on no fewer than seven occasions. He has shown public anger at the failure of Great Britain to leave the EU, on the original date of March 29, 2019. One of Farage's strong ideals is the European Union is replete of economic failure; mass unemployment; and low GDP growth. This idea is the main reason why he believes that Great Britain has to exit the EU, by Halloween 2019. Farage has many demands, and he has voiced them to Theresa May in the past week on Brexit negotiations. In closing, Nigel Farage is a bombastic commodities broker turned anti-establishment leader. His ideas are not right for Great Britain to follow, and he has the potential to split the right-wing vote in Britain. It will be Theresa May’s successor who decides the country’s fate, and the new Brexit date is nearly five months away. Mr. Farage could be the most dangerous man in Britain. Let's hope the UK can avoid danger, and that a new PM will make the right choice on Brexit. Enjoy the picture above of Theresa May, as she is frustrated with another day of rejection in Parliament. She must be glad in some minuscule way, that her time as PM is coming to an end.

Two triple doubles by Curry and Green leads to sweep, by Golden State Warriors over Portland Trailblazers

Tonight, history in the NBA has been created. Golden State Warriors won the Western Conference Finals for the 5th straight year. They swept Portland in Portland, as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green had triple doubles each in their victory. The next game for the Golden State Warriors will be May 30, in the NBA Finals. In the Eastern Conference finals, Milwaukee is winning by the series score of 2-1. Toronto won game 3 in Toronto last night. Hopefully, the Raptors will win game 4 tomorrow night in Toronto. Furthermore, the Golden State Warriors won tonight without Kevin Durant; DeMarcus Cousins; and Andre Iguodala. All three of these players were injured, but their services were not needed by the victorious Warriors. Tonight's game went into overtime, and the warriors defense came through in the 4th quarter and overtime. In the extra period, Draymond Green hit a clutch three pointer to extend Golden State's lead to 4 points. After that final basket by Green, Portland scored the final two points of the game. The Trailblazers could not tie the game, as they went for the win on a three point attempt. Yet, Damian Lillard could not hit the final three pointer. Next, the Golden State warriors get a well deserved rest. In game 1 of the NBA finals, the warriors will be in better shape if Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala are back in the starting lineup. Cousins may come back to play in the NBA finals, which would help the Warriors tremendously. As for home court advantage, the Bucks would have this huge benefit in the NBA Finals if they win the Eastern Conference Finals. If Toronto wins the Eastern Conference finals, the Golden State Warriors will have home court advantage. In this penultimate paragraph, the Golden State Warriors are the first team to reach five straight NBA finals since the 1966 Boston Celtics. For the third straight game, the Warriors overcame a huge double digit second half deficit to persevere in the overtime period. The Warriors had five players scoring in double figures, and Stephen Curry led the way with 37 points. The Warriors started Jordan Bell and Alfonso McKinnie, in place of the injured Durant and Iguodala. This new lineup worked out for the Warriors, as they were down by four points only at halftime. In closing, Klay Thompson's big three pointer at the end of the 2nd half was a huge bucket as the regulation ended with the score at 111 apiece. In the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors will be going for their 3rd straight finals victory. It could be the 4th finals ring for Livingston; Green; Curry; Thompson; and Iguodala. Enjoy the picture of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as the splash brothers played another solid game. The NBA finals will have a new champion emerging from the Eastern conference, and the Raptors or Bucks will give the Warriors a run for their money. Peace!!

My encounter with El hefe as he met Neil Armstrong; yet his love interest questioned g. ripley more

Last night, g. ripley met a beautiful couple at a nearby watering hole. The nba basketball game between Milwaukee and Boston was on the huge TV, in front of g. ripley and the pretty waitresses. At the beginning, g. ripley was cheering at the tv as boston scored. Then, the man known as el hefe started chatting to g. about sports and economics. Later, he and his girlfriend were so nice to give g. ripley their names and what they did for a living [profession or career]. Sometimes, the privacy sets in and people don't want to disclose this information. Next, there was a woman that was singing on the stage and she is a nice female crooner. The blonde female singer gave us her business card. Her headshot was beautiful, and she looked super cute. At some point, the man told the author that he was going to see 'Apollo 11' movie. G. Ripley asked him and his girlfriend, cortney native; if they had seen the 'first man' movie. It is a good movie with Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler. In addition, the overt friendly couple mentioned that they had met some famous people over the years. El hefe mentioned that he was at the 1999 fiesta bowl game at sun devil stadium; in Tempe, AZ. At this game, el hefe was running the field with a friend that was a reporter for Thomson Reuters Corp. in the Tempe stadium. One of the famous people that El hefe stood next to was Neil Armstrong. The astronaut happened to be on the sidelines like el hefe, so they stood together for about four minutes without any words between the two of them. El hefe mentioned that he was quite hesitant to say anything to the first man on the moon. Furthermore, there was one more famous person that El Hefe felt the need to discuss. He happened to be next to Bobby Bowden, the legendary coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team. Again, g. ripley asked them 'did you say anything to Bobby?' Yet, once again El Hefe's response was 'no.' As g. ripley decided that his line of questioning was over, there was a perplexed expression from cortney native. She mentioned that it may be good to say nothing sometimes. This information is so true, as silence can be golden. In this penultimate paragraph, cortney native asked ripley 'what is your plan in the next hour?'. G. ripley mentioned that he had to leave for another bar/restaurant to meet a beautiful vixen. At the time, cortney asked g. ripley 'why don't you invite your female friend here?'. G. ripley mentioned that there is a special place that he has to be with lindsay d. In contrast, cortney was shocked that g. ripley did not reveal the location of the next bar. Luckily, El Hefe distracted cortney with some canoodling; so that she would not ask g. ripley any more pressing questions about the female. In closing, females and males interact with each other in inconsistent ways. The female can cling to the male, in each way. Or, the male wants to express his love in a different, silent way than his partner. Last night, g. ripley observed that the best relationship with a female can happen in unexpected ways. It is better to be overt with the woman about most information, that you seek to be with. Expressing affection to your partner can be a huge key to keep the romance going. The best advice is to keep the romance private, and don't be so overt about it with everyone. Thank you for tuning in to another fun adventure that g. ripley had the pleasure of experiencing. Enjoy the picture of planets, as this story did contain information on space; romance; and social interaction. Au revoir mes amis.

NASA; climate change; and how three speakers at JPL informed me about greenhouse gases

Last night, G. Ripley checked out the JPL in la canada flintridge, CA. NASA JPL is jet propulsion laboratory. Brian W. was the host of the Von Karma Lecture on 'NASA: climate change in the 21st century and beyond.' The three speakers were Dr. Graeme Stephens; Dr. Kate Marvel; and Dr. Brian Kahn. Graeme is from Australia and South Africa; and he spoke about radioactive impacts plus cirrus cloud frequency. He spoke about water cycles, and how 97-98% of the earth is covered with water. He spoke about albedo also, which is the sunlight of the earth. After Dr. Graeme S. spoke, the next speaker was Dr. Brian Kahn. Brian talked about ECF, effective cloud fraction. He mentioned the ABI, which is the advanced baseline imager. Both acronyms are important in climate change. Brian mentioned that there is a 41 degree shift in Fahrenheit, over the past 10 years. This huge increase in the temperature is part of global warming. He mentioned that clouds will not save us from global warming. He mentioned that carbon dioxide is emitted, and this is CO2. His last question to everyone was 'will climate change be bad for the world?'; and the crowd was very happy to hear this question in such a relevant topic. The last speaker was Dr. Kate Marvel. She spoke about water vapor, which is H2O. She is from the Goddard Institute of Space Studies. She mentioned that emissions have to be cut. She mentioned that clouds and storms on a weather map are effective. The clouds on a weather map, are good for forecasting also. There are geostationary satellites, which are important in the sky and in space. The two major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, and water vapor. After she finished her speech, all three of the speakers answered questions from the crowd. It was a very informative night for me. I asked a question to Dr. Marvel; and to Dr. Kahn. Both of them answered my questions, about greenhouse gases and ECF. As G. Ripley closes this piece, the reader will find out different parts of climate change to be interesting. It was my first time at JPL; and the 75 minutes there were fun and exciting for me. The JPL has a visitor center, which covers the nine planets and telescopes/satellites too. As this weblog post comes to an end, enjoy the picture above of a space satellite. Good bye, earth citizens!!

Javascript; Netscape; and Brendan Eich make G.Ripley discover more on WWW

Today, G. Ripley covers Javascript; Netscape; and Brendan Eich. Javascript is a programming language, that is commonly abbreviated as JS. Javascript was created in 10 days, by Brendan Eich during his working life at Netscape in 1995. Javascript was supposed to complement Java, yet it became a language that you could stick right into a web page. Javascript became a success, as more web developers wanted to use it to create powerful websites. Javascript is connected to all parts of a web browser, even though it had many bugs and it was a rushed, get it out the door product. One of the main goals of Javascript was to implement this new language, into the Netscape Navigator web browser. At the time, Netscape and Microsoft had started the web browser wars. Next, let's look at Netscape and its origins. Netscape is widely known by its three major leaders/founders: 1. Jim Clark; 2. Marc Andreessen; and 3. James Barksdale. Barksdale served the company in the role of CEO, while Andreessen is the man that hired Brendan Eich. Jim Clark has a PhD, and he is a career entrepreneur. Jim Clark founded Silicon Graphics; Netscape; Healtheon; and myCFO. He is also the main subject [focus] in the book, 'The New New Thing' written by Michael Lewis in 1999. Third, Marc Andreessen helped Kipp Hickman to create SSL at Netscape Communications. SSL is secure sockets layer. It is a standard secure protocol for making encrypted links between a web server; and browser in online communication. Andreessen received his bachelor's degree in computer science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1993. These days, Andreessen is a huge part of Andreessen Horowitz venture capital firm in modern day Menlo Park. Andreessen is very much known for founding other startup companies such as Opsware [later renamed to Loudcloud], and Ning. Fourth, Netscape Communications was sold in Fall 1998 to AOL for $4.2 billion. Yet, the Netscape navigator disappeared in 2002. Brendan Eich became the co-founder of the mozilla community. The mozilla community is part of the mozilla foundation, which started the firefox web browser. Firefox is an open source project, and one of the top web browsers in 2018. For the reader, the last paragraph will cover Javascript again. Finally, JavaScript is one of the major pieces that advertisers use for web tracking. Brendan Eich is the CEO of Brave software, which has a main product that is written in Javascript; C; and C++. Brave is that cool product. It is an open source web browser created by Brave software co.; based on the chromium web browser. The WWW is the world wide web, and enjoy the image above of Brendan Eich and the mozilla firefox logo. Hope the reader enjoyed another story replete with facts on Javascript; Netscape; Brendan Eich; and Marc Andreessen. Au revoir!!