LifeStyle Updates : Dragon Ball Super: What We Know About the Manga's February 2025 Return

Source: https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-super-manga-return-february-2025-op-ed/

Apple Intelligence:

• Dragon Ball Super Manga Return: Dragon Ball Super manga will return on February 20, 2025, with a special one-shot chapter.

• New Chapter Details: The chapter will feature Trunks and Goten as the main characters.

• Significance of the Return: This will be the first release without Akira Toriyama overseeing production, marking a new era for the series.

• Dragon Ball Super Return: Dragon Ball Super is returning with a new adventure focusing on Goten and Trunks.

• New Chapter Content: The new chapter will be a one-shot set during the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero arc, expanding on Goten and Trunks’ roles as Saiyaman X-1 and X-2.

• Previous Chapter Ending: The last chapter before the hiatus ended with a farewell-like scene featuring Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo.

• Upcoming Dragon Ball Release: A new Dragon Ball Super chapter is set to be released on February 20, 2025, in V Jump.

• Potential Movie Release: Toei Animation is currently producing two films, one of which might be a Dragon Ball movie.

• Major Announcement: Dragon Ball’s producer hinted at a major announcement for the franchise in 2025.

Opinion:

Intriguing to see what's life for Dragon Ball after Toriyama's passing.

Still one of my favorite anime of all time.

Kamehameha!

Investing Updates : Vanguard Cuts Fees on Dozens of ETFs, Mutual Funds

Source: https://www.etf.com/sections/news/vanguard-cuts-fees-dozens-etfs-mutual-funds?utm_source=yahoo-finance&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yahoo-finance-rss

Apple Intelligence:

• Fee Reduction Impact: Vanguard’s fee cuts will save investors over $350 million in 2025.

• Fee Reduction Scope: The fee cuts apply to 168 mutual fund and ETF share classes, including both active and passive strategies.

• Fee Reduction Rationale: Lower costs enable investors to keep more of their returns, which compound over time.

• Fee Reduction Timing: May benefit bond investors as yields are expected to stabilize at higher levels.

• Performance of Vanguard Funds: 91% of active bond funds and ETFs outperformed their peer group average over the past decade.

• Expense Ratio Reduction Scope: Applies to U.S. equity, international equity, and money market funds, with immediate effect.

Opinion:

Good news for ETF lovers.

Hope more will follow suit to cut fees.

Technology Updates : ByteDance’s new AI model goes viral for its deepfake capabilities that animate photos

Source: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3297500/bytedances-new-ai-model-goes-viral-its-deepfake-capabilities-animate-photos

Apple Intelligence:

• AI Model Capability: ByteDance’s OmniHuman-1 model can create realistic videos of people speaking, singing, and moving.

• Model Performance: The model significantly outperforms existing audio-conditioned human video-generation methods.

• Model Development: ByteDance researchers developed a novel training strategy that combines diverse data sets of text, audio, and movement.

• Video Generation Capabilities: Generates realistic videos with varying aspect ratios, body proportions, and detailed facial expressions.

• Realism and Applications: Features natural head and gesture movements, unlocking potential real-world applications.

• Competition in the Market: Chinese tech firms, including ByteDance, Kuaishou Technology, Zhipu AI, Shengshu Tech, and MiniMax, are competing in video generation.

Opinion:

Really realistic Albert Einstein deepfake.

Creations like these will definitely blur the lines between real and fake information.

I think there will be a desire for more deepfake detection tools.

Technology Updates : Unitree's G1 Humanoid Robots are RUNNING Now

Opinion:

I think AI Robotics is a huge area of technology that can benefit humankind. 

I hope it can severely reduce injuries from manual labor jobs. 

Many use cases are practical. Pray AI will not turn on us like what many Hollywood movies show 😆

Entertainment Updates : Is Isekai Anime Really That Popular? A New Report Proves the Genre Is Thriving

Source: https://screenrant.com/popular-anime-genre-action-isekai-data/

MetaAI:

Isekai Anime Remains Extremely Popular

A recent report from White Box Entertainment reveals that isekai anime was the second most popular anime genre in 2024, just behind action. This genre, which involves transporting protagonists to another world, has seen exponential growth over the past decade.

Key Findings

Isekai anime ranked second with a popularity score of 15, closely following action's score of 15.1.
Fantasy was the third most popular genre, with a score of 13.4.
Isekai anime has been a staple in the anime world since the 90s, with influential series like Inuyasha, Digimon Adventure, and Sword Art Online.

What's Next for Isekai Anime?

2025 is expected to be another strong year for isekai content, with new shows like Übel Blatt and Headhunter to Another World, as well as returning favorites like Re:Zero and Shangri-La Frontier. If its popularity continues to trend upward, isekai may become the number one most-watched anime genre in 2025.

Opinion:

Interesting Stats. It makes sense though. Watching anime should be an escape from life? 😂. It should showcase things humans don't normally do or unable to do.

LifeStyle Updates : Spending by S’pore families on private tuition rises to $1.8 billion in 2023

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-families-spent-1-8-billion-on-private-tuition-for-children-in-2023?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawIOQbNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbbZhoohcvlcLiEg7XqQxYGqs0KRy0HXr7DGJvjpvb9m9lkqsg42aqkVsw_aem_CcykZI69yphxAuGgA4LItQ&sfnsn=mo

DeepSeek:

Summary: Singapore's Rising Tuition Expenditure (2023)

Singapore families spent $1.8 billion on private tuition in 2023, a sharp increase from $1.1 billion in 2013 and $1.4 billion in 2018, according to a government household expenditure survey. Key insights:  

1. Household Spending Trends:  

   - Monthly tuition costs: Averaged $104.80 per household in 2023, up from $88.40 in 2018.  

   - Income disparity: The top 20% of households spent $162.60/month on tuition, compared to $36.30/month for the bottom 20%.  

   - Total education spending: Rose to $404.20/month per household (including school fees, textbooks, and courses).  

2. Drivers of Growth:  

   - Parental pressure: Despite MOE reforms (e.g., removing mid-year exams, revamping PSLE scoring), competition persists, spilling into non-academic areas like sports and arts for Direct School Admission (DSA) advantages.  

   - Perceived necessity: Parents feel outsourcing tuition is critical to supplement school learning, especially in subjects like Chinese for English-speaking households.  

3. Case Study:  

   - Madam Janice Tay spent $700/month on her daughter’s Primary 5–6 tuition, attributing improved PSLE results to combined factors like tuition, school rigor, and family support.  

4. Expert Insight:  

   - Assoc. Prof. Jason Tan (NIE) notes that MOE’s efforts to reduce academic pressure have not curbed tuition demand. Instead, the industry has expanded to include non-academic coaching (e.g., sports academies for DSA prep).  

5. Broader Context:  

   - Education ranked among top household expenses (after housing, food, transport).  

   - Survey scope: 13,100 households polled (2022–2023), reflecting trends among Singapore’s 1.42 million resident households.  

Takeaway: Tuition remains entrenched in Singapore’s culture due to persistent parental anxiety, competitive education pathways, and the belief that external coaching is essential for success.

Opinion:

I think some tuition is good for the kids. To build study habits and motivation. If not, they will just be lazy at home 😂

Investing Updates : Trump Tariffs, More Big Tech Earnings, and a Jobs Report: What to Know This Week

URL: https://ttmblog.com/news/2508193130?edition=fundamental&utm_source=news&utm_campaign=2508193130&utm_medium=more_share&platform=iOS&shareID=dbc786c435ccd8ab79ac6b4b4af3a55e&invite=KDXR9K&lang=en_US

DeepSeek:

Summary of Key Events for the Week Ahead (Feb 3–7):

1. Earnings Highlights
- Big Tech & Major Companies: A busy week for Q4 earnings, with 25% of S&P 500 companies reporting. Key names include:  
  - Monday (2/5): Palantir, Tyson Foods.  
  - Tuesday (2/6): AMD, Alphabet (Google), PayPal, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Spotify.  
  - Wednesday (2/7): Arm Holdings, Ford, Qualcomm, Uber, Disney.  
  - Thursday (2/8): Amazon, Eli Lilly, Honeywell, ConocoPhillips.  
  - Friday (2/9): Cboe Global Markets.  

2. Trump Tariffs Take Effect
- New tariffs announced by former President Trump on **Canada, Mexico, and China** go into full force by Tuesday, Feb 6:  
  - 25% duties on Canada and Mexico (linked to fentanyl and migration issues).  
  - 10% tariffs on China.  
  - Market reactions to trade policy shifts will be closely watched.

3. Economic Data Releases
- Jobs Report (Friday, Feb 9):  
  - Expected: +165,000 nonfarm payrolls (vs. +256,000 in Dec).  
  - Unemployment rate forecast to hold at 4.1%.  
- Other Key Data:  
  - JOLTS Report (Tuesday): Job openings expected at 8.02M (Dec).  
  - ISM Manufacturing PMI (Monday): Consensus 49.6 (contraction territory).  
  - ISM Services PMI (Wednesday): Forecast 54.2 (moderate growth).  
  - Consumer Sentiment (Friday): Slight uptick to 71.5 (Feb) from 71.1 (Jan). 

 
Weekly Calendar Snapshot
- Monday: ISM Manufacturing PMI, Clorox, Palantir earnings.  
- Tuesday: JOLTS data, Alphabet, AMD, Pfizer earnings.  
- Wednesday: ADP employment data, ISM Services PMI, Disney, Qualcomm earnings.  
- Thursday: Amazon, Eli Lilly, Honeywell earnings.  
- Friday: Jobs report, Consumer Sentiment, Cboe earnings.  

Focus Areas: Market reactions to tariffs, tech earnings performance, and labor market resilience amid inflation concerns.

Opinion:

Blood in the markets this week after Trump's tariffs. Could be good opportunity to add. I think there's no rush though, should have plenty of chances.

Technology Updates : SetApp, is it worth paying for Netflix-style apps?

URL: https://medium.com/@winsonfong1982/setapp-is-it-worth-paying-for-netflix-style-apps-1bab3a892f5c

Entertainment Updates : Man says S’pore must be rich after spotting garbage truck with the Mercedes logo

URL: https://mustsharenews.com/mercedes-garbage-truck/

DeepSeek: 

Here’s a concise summary of the article:  

A man visiting Singapore expressed astonishment after spotting a Mercedes-Benz-branded garbage truck operated by Sembcorp, humorously remarking that Singapore “must be rich” to use luxury vehicles for waste disposal. He shared a video on XiaohongShu showing the truck, noting its recognizable Mercedes logo and the driver’s friendly thumbs-up. The post sparked online discussion, with some users praising Singapore’s infrastructure (attributing it to the country’s small size and wealth) and others critiquing the truck’s bus-like design.  

The article clarifies that Mercedes-Benz Econic waste trucks have been used in Singapore since 2019. Sembcorp initially tested one vehicle for its safety features, such as a low cabin design improving driver visibility, and later acquired three more. These trucks primarily serve high-traffic areas like the city center and Sentosa Island. While the man speculated that locals avoid garbage-collection jobs (leaving them to migrant workers), the piece emphasizes the trucks’ practical purpose and safety advantages rather than luxury. Mixed reactions online included sarcastic remarks (e.g., a Malaysian netizen quipping it “still smells the same”).

Opinion:

Never knew garbage truck was Mercedes. Kudos to prioritizing safety first.

Investing Updates : February's Must-See Financial Events: Nvidia and Alphabet Earnings, Inflation Data

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/113922953969670?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A113922953969670%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=0&futusource=news_headline_list

DeepSeek:

Summary of February's Key Financial Events:

January Recap:

U.S. stocks surged in January, with the S&P 500 reaching a record high of 6,128 (up 3.22% by Jan. 30). Major tech firms like Tesla, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple kicked off earnings season, while Chinese equities rallied sharply (+8.1% for the NASDAQ Golden Dragon China Index) driven by advancements in AI models.

February Highlights:

1. Earnings Spotlight: 

   - Alphabet (Google): Reports post-market on Feb. 4. Investors will focus on growth in Google Services/Cloud, 2025 guidance, and potential impacts of AI developments (e.g., DeepSeek).  

   - Nvidia: Releases results on Feb. 26. Key focus includes demand for its high-end AI chips amid competition from cost-efficient alternatives like DeepSeek, AI industry trends, and implications for semiconductor sector valuations.  

2. Macroeconomic Events:

   - Feb. 7: U.S. non-farm payrolls and unemployment data.  

   - Feb. 12: CPI inflation report.  

   - Feb. 19: FOMC meeting minutes release.  

   These indicators will clarify the U.S. economic outlook and shape expectations for the Fed’s rate-cut trajectory, influencing market volatility.

Why It Matters:

Alphabet and Nvidia’s earnings could signal tech sector health and AI momentum, while inflation and labor data will affect monetary policy bets. Investors will reassess risks and opportunities in equities amid evolving macroeconomic and competitive landscapes.

Opinion:

All eyes on U.S. CPI and Nvidia results. 

DeepSeek has caused some fear in U.S.

As ever, expect the unexpected. Might turn ultra bearish or bullish anytime.