1 Self-drive cars within the decade (Christian
Science Monitor/Khaleej Times) If the several companies already testing their
self-driving automobile technology are to be believed, the future is now.
Driverless cars could be integrated into traffic within the decade.
Ford announced last week that it will begin testing
self-driving cars at a new compound called Mcity, a 32-acre fake metropolis in
Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Detroit car company won't be the only manufacturer to
use the MCity compound; it is one of many automakers that have poured $1
million into the testing grounds, which include traffic lights, pedestrian
zones, storefronts, and other real-life elements.
Meanwhile 2,400 miles away, the Web giant Google is
testing its own line of self-driving cars. Google has been testing autonomous
cars for more than seven years, mostly in Mountain View, California but also
recently in Austin, Texas.
Google's driverless cars made the news a week ago
when one was pulled over by police. No, it wasn't speeding - it was going 24
miles per hour in a 35mph zone. Fortunately for Google, no citation was issued,
and the company's driving record remains pristine.
"Driving too slowly? Bet humans don't get
pulled over for that too often," the company wrote in a Google Plus post.
"After 1.2 million miles of autonomous driving (that's the human
equivalent of 90 years of driving experience), we're proud to say we've never
been ticketed!"
A number of reports suggest that Apple is also
getting into the autonomous car business. Tesla, Elon Musk's electric car
venture, just unveiled an autopilot feature in its cars' software that steers
and changes lanes without human intervention. It seems undeniable that the
driverless cars are coming, and soon. Google claims its self-driving cars will
be on the market in five years.
2 Shock deficit figures for UK (Katie Allen in The
Guardian) George Osborne’s deficit-cutting drive has been dealt a blow ahead of
next week’s spending review after official figures showed the worst October for
UK public finances in six years.
The deficit, or the gap between what the government
spends and takes in, swelled by 16% from a year earlier to £8.2bn in October,
according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It was a larger
shortfall than the £6bn forecast by economists.
The chancellor wants to eliminate the deficit on the
public finances by the end of the decade. As part of that push, he will unveil plans
in his spending review on 25 November to cut government department spending by
around £20bn over the next four years.
Economists said the latest public finances suggest
Osborne will miss his deficit-cutting goals for this year and that he will
redouble austerity measures in next week’s spending review and accompanying
budget update, known as the autumn statement.
The prolonged squeeze on wage growth since the
recession has repeatedly led to disappointing tax receipts. But with the latest
official figures showing pay increasing at an annual rate of 3%, income-related
taxes are recovering. However, economists warn that a recent slowdown in
economic growth could bode ill for future government income.
3 Gratitude is an inside job (Kim Thompson in San
Francisco Chronicle) When you count blessings it’s easier to name the positive
ones. However being thankful for your problems can have an added benefit as
well. Research backs up the notion that being aware of gratitude in the midst
of turmoil helps give you a different perspective.
Developing a grateful mindset is an equal
opportunity habit that will help you work through some challenging situations
in life such as an unexpected career transition as well as increase your
overall happiness.
Here are some ways to help you build a thankful
attitude: • Keep a gratitude journal. • Choose someone whom you should thank or
someone who has been helpful to you and write them a letter, a gratitude visit.
Tell the person how they have been helpful to you.
• Acknowledging things you are grateful for changes
your brain chemistry in a positive way. • You function best when you are in a
good mood and when you are grateful and appreciative you create “likeability”.
While every day might not be a national holiday
dedicated to giving thanks, it can be a good reminder that showing gratitude is
a powerful way to cultivate a positive attitude. The next time you encounter a
difficult climb or obstacle, consider that it might be your chance to grow.
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