DAILY UPDATE: U.S. GDP and Microsoft

By Staff Reporters

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The US GDP grew 3.3% in Q4, per the Commerce Department, annihilating Wall Street’s expectations of 2% growth. For the year, the US economy expanded 2.5% in 2023, up from 1.9% in 2022. That also outpaced Wall Street’s estimates from the beginning of the year. The growth was driven by strong consumer spending made possible by rising wages and a sturdy job market, even as the country dealt with inflation. That, too, improved in Q4: Prices increased 2.7% on an annual basis, down from a 5.9% increase the year prior. The GDP smash adds more fuel to the expectation that the Fed will cut interest rates this year.

The cuts across Xbox and Activision Blizzard account for 8% of Microsoft’s video game division. The tech giant closed on its $69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard in October and has since made several leadership changes. CEO Bobby Kotick stepped down in December, and now Blizzard President Mike Ybarra has decided to leave, according to an internal memo obtained by The Verge. An upcoming survival game has also been canceled. The cuts come as several gaming-related companies, including Twitch, Discord, Unity, and Riot Games, have conducted layoffs.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource

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What is MEDICAL AID [Assistance] in DYING?

MAiD

By Staff Reporters

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Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) by Pam Dominguez

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Medical Aid in Dying [MAiD] is an end-of-life option for people who are terminally ill. Terminally ill means you have an illness, disease, or health condition that, according to doctors, you will likely die from within 6 months. If you’re eligible for MAiD, you can ask a doctor who participates in MAiD to prescribe life-ending medications. You can take these medications at a time of your choosing.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is legal in eleven jurisdictions in the United States: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

But, only patients can make a request for MAiD. Family members, caregivers, and health care agents cannot request MAiD for a patient.

READ: http://tinyurl.com/yes7wbzm

NOTE: If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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