Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs, Matthew McDermott, has projected a massive growth in the cryptocurrency market in 2024. McDermott shared these positive predictions in a recent interview with Fox Business, expressing much optimism in the future of digital assets.
Goldman Exec Expects Spot ETFs To ‘Gradually’ Boost Institutional Demand For Crypto Assets
Speaking to Fox Business, McDermott has backed the continuous growth of cryptocurrencies as he foresees a rise in the institutional adoption of these assets.
Notably, the Goldman executive shares popular sentiment with many crypto enthusiasts that the approval of a Bitcoin or Ethereum spot ETF will open up the digital asset ecosystem to more institutional investors who are weary of the market volatility attached to direct crypto investments.
McDermott said:
One, it broadens and deepens the liquidity in the market. And why does it do that? It does that because you’re actually creating institutional products that can be traded by institutions that don’t need to touch the bare assets. And I think that, to me, that opens up the universe of the pensions, insurers, etc.
However, McDermott has cautioned crypto enthusiasts against expecting a sudden impact of crypto spot ETFs. He believes the anticipated increased demand and price rise will be a gradual process that will occur over the course of 2024.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to grant approval orders to several Bitcoin spot ETF applications in the coming weeks following discussions between the regulator and multiple asset managers. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas has set a potential decision window of January 8 – January 10, stating there is a 90% chance the SEC finally delivers a verdict on these various applications putting an end to the 6-months chronicle.
Asset Tokenization In 2024
In addition to potential crypto spot ETFs, McDermott also mentioned a potential increase in commercial blockchain application as another contributing factor to his projected rise in institutional demand for digital assets.
Particularly, he spoke about an improvement in existing tokenization systems, which can lead to the creation of secondary liquidity on blockchains.
He said:
When I think about tokenization, which is obviously a topic that’s kind of talked about quite extensively, I think for me next year what we’ll start to see is the development of marketplaces. So where we start to see scale adoption, particularly across the buy side in the context of investors. And that’s because we’ll start to see the emergence of secondary liquidity on chain, and that’s a key enabler. So for me, that’s one of the key developments for next year.”
At the time of writing, the entire crypto ecosystem is valued at $1.602 trillion, with a 15.09% gain in the last month. The market’s leader Bitcoin currently trades at $42,082, having declined by 1% in the past day.
Disclaimer: The article is provided for educational purposes only. It does not represent the opinions of NewsBTC on whether to buy, sell or hold any investments and naturally investing carries risks. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use information provided on this website entirely at your own risk.
An honest review of 2023, featuring stand-out articles, practical worksheets, and a preview of the near future at The Emotion Machine.
Another year is coming to an end. It’s time for my annual recap and roundup of best articles.
To start, I’ll say this year was a good year for me overall. Not excellent, not bad – but “good.” It was more turbulent than past years and I certainly had low moments, but I adapted quickly and made a couple major habit changes that are going to payoff big in the future.
Despite the chaos, I was remarkably consistent in my output this year. After a decade working on this site, creating new content is almost automatic for me. There’s no reason to assume I’ll be slowing down anytime soon, as new ideas and new projects are constantly coming to mind.
Last year I pledged to make one new worksheet per month, so we already have a nice collection of 12 available going into the new year. These have received a lot of positive feedback so far and I’ll keep making new ones in 2024 (already have a long list of ideas).
I’ll share more on my goals for 2024 soon, but let’s first take a look at the best self-improvement content that was published at The Emotion Machine in 2023…
Best Articles/Worksheets of 2023
Here’s a list of my best articles and worksheets from 2023 by category.
I haven’t yet worked on my goals timeline, an annual tradition I do at the beginning of every year, but I’ll give you a quick peak at my main work goals in the near future:
Worksheets – As mentioned, I will definitely continue making one new worksheet each month. They are easy evergreen content and I’ve received compliments on them. The “Daily Routine” PDF will be coming out mid-January 2024.
Coaching – I’m bringing this back. Took most of the year off to focus on website but I think coaching is one of my better and more rewarding strengths. I already set up a calendar for easy scheduling and updated my coaching page.
Podcasting – I have too many thoughts per day that could be turned into valuable content but never materialize anywhere. “Everyone has great ideas, but not everyone acts on them.” Just pressing the record button and letting my mind riff is easy content that I think people will find interesting. I just need to suck it up and do it. I already have a Soundcloud (with a lot of old content) that I just need to reactivate.
Literary Agent – This is new territory for me. I’ve been working closely with an upcoming author friend and we’ve been making plans on finishing her first manuscript and sending pitches to publishers. She just finished the rough draft last week, but I’m going to be working with her more closely on editing, feedback, and reaching out to publishers once we have things tidied up. I still need to do more research but it could be a good avenue for me. It plays on multiple strengths: 1) Understanding the creative process, 2) Motivating people to actually finish their projects, 3) Finding people who have talent and potential, 4) Rooting for other people’s success. It feels like a natural outgrowth of a lot of my past work with creative people (at music venues, art galleries, and coaching various writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers).
Articles – This isn’t changing. I’ll still be publishing at least one new or updated article every week. These make up the backbone of the website and I have no shortage of ideas and no reason to stop writing them anytime soon. If you want me to write about a specific topic, just use the contact page and let me know. I have many interests but it’s easier for me to cater to what you guys want. Feedback makes the site better.
All in all I’m excited about 2024, and the ideas above feel like a perfect balance between “sticking with what works” vs. “trying new things.”
Join Me In 2024
If you find this work valuable to your life and want more, join me and support me going into the new year.
My entire archive currently has over 850 articles covering a wide-range of subjects in psychology and self-improvement; and there’s plenty more to come in the future. I’m just getting started.
To be honest with you, some of my earlier articles may not have aged as well as others. When you consistently produce content over 14 years, you inevitably release some less-than-stellar pieces. It’s a part of the process – having both “winning streaks” and “losing streaks” is a universal theme in life.
Over the years, my beliefs, values, and interests have also shifted since I first started this site. There are things I wrote in the past that I don’t wholly agree with today. However, I choose to keep these old posts accessible because people often need different advice at various stages of their lives.
I bet that’s not the hottest sales pitch you’ve ever heard. At heart, I consider myself a teacher more than a salesman, and that means being sincere, honest, and truthful before everything else. If you’re looking for “one trick” to magically fix your life, you’re in the wrong place. I don’t have those – never found them.
All I can do is offer an array of tools, advice, and guidelines. You ultimately have to figure out what applies (or doesn’t) to your life. In truth, 80% of the content on this site may not interest you at all, but there’s that 20% that could be just what you need at this exact moment in your life.
What I can promise you is that I’m one of the most dedicated writers on self-improvement currently going. I’ve seen thousands of other “self help” sites rise and fall over the years, but I keep chugging away no matter what.
If you want to align with my commitment to happiness and well-being, then your first step is to join me.
Better yet, get a Yearly subscription, for two simple reasons: 1) You’re committing yourself to a year of self-improvement, and 2) It’s cheaper. I’m honestly saying this from a self-improvement perspective and not a sales one.
Let’s Go…
You can cancel your membership at anytime. Please use the Contact form if you have any questions or comments.
This year, you may very well be coming into eminence, because your Taurus horoscope for 2024 is primed for stardom. You’re also tapping into your ability to take control over your career, your image, and your level of authority both in—and out—of work.
Because you were born during this era, you’re destined to not only succeed at your chosen field, but transform it all together. You’ll begin to get a sense of what you’ll accomplish after transformative Pluto in Aquarius reactivates your 10th house of publicity from January 20 to September 1, as well as after November 19, which will drive you to project a personal brand that exudes power. Whether it’s proving everyone who ever doubted you wrong or simply fulfilling a dream you’ve had since you were a child, you’re tapping into what motivates you to win. However, before you start making waves, you may need to heal and let go of all the fears and negative mindsets that sabotage you once the North Node of Destiny joins forces with Chiron in your 12th house of subconscious programming on February 19.
By the time a lunar eclipse in Libra rises in your sixth house of work and health on March 25, you’ll put a plan in place that helps you practice your craft and maintain your self-care in a way that leads you to success. You may even get a new pet that acts as a loving companion throughout your day-to-day life, as the sixth house also rules over service animals! However, when a total solar eclipse casts a shadow over your spiritual 12th house on April 8, you’ll experience a shift that unfolds deep within; a shift that may activate your psychic abilities and allow you to forgive yourself for the unrealistic standards you failed to meet.
The most exciting moment of 2024 arrives on April 20, when Jupiter joins forces withUranus in Taurus, bringing luck, prosperity, and innovation to your first house of the self. This could lead to a total personality shift, prompting you to embrace changes in your appearance and identity. People who have known you for years may notice that you’re suddenly acting “different,” but that’s only because you’re embracing your true self. And if they don’t like it, there’s a good chance it’s because you’re no longer bowing to their expectations. Venus—your ruling planet—enters Taurus on April 29, where it will increase your desire to treat yourself, take care of yourself, and make yourself feel glamorous. After you’ve embraced the new and improved you, Jupiter enters your second house of finances and self-worth on May 25, where it will attract abundance and strengthen your bank account for the remainder of the year. Take advantage of this energy by doing money spells and raking in that extra dough.
On September 17, a lunar eclipse in Pisces rises in your 11th house of community, hopes, and dreams, which could jumpstart a meteoric rise to notoriety. Not only are you making all the right connections, but you’re further positioning yourself create the world you’ve always wanted to live in. But as a solar eclipse in Libra lands in your heavy-lifting sixth house on October 6, you’ll realize just how much work it’s gonna take to get where you want to be.
As the year comes to a close, you may run into conflicts at home as aggressive Mars retrogrades through your fourth house of family and ancestral roots as of December 6. This will not only force you to fix that leaky faucet and clean our your cluttered closet, but it will also encourage you to finally “have it out” with that relative you’ve been holding a grudge against for centuries. Let it all out—in a constructive way, of course—because it’s the only way you’ll be able to strengthen your sense of security and comfort for the long haul.
You’re a voice for your generation and your Aquarius 2024 horoscope is proof that you’re beginning to step into the role you were born to play. While this new year is just the start of a long and beautiful journey, it’s also revealing the themes that will carry you into the most meaningful eras of your life.
Throughout 2023, you probably started the process of making major strides toward your own self-actualization and independence, thanks to Pluto’s temporary foray into Aquarius. Now that Pluto is re-entering Aquarius from January 20 to September 1—and again on November 19—you’re settling into this new chapter even more deeply. Pluto will spend the next 20 years reconstructing your brand, your identity, and your sense of self, inspiring you to prioritize your own personal power above all things. However, you may need to allow certain things to die before something better can be reborn. Pluto is, after all, the planet of death and rebirth. Rise from the ashes like the phoenix you are.
In the past, you may have felt like you couldn’t be fully honest about your thoughts and feelings, but 2024 is going to change that. Once the North Node of Destiny joins forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—on February 19, it will activate your voice like never before, encouraging you to speak truth into your third house of communication and close friends. Remove the muzzle you unconsciously placed over your mouth. As a lunar eclipse in Libra blasts off in your ninth house of expansion and philosophy on February 19, you’ll feel the wind beneath your wings as you embrace a more open, understanding, and enlightened perspective of reality. With this comes even more game-changing conversations, especially as a total solar eclipse in Aries rises in your communication sector on April 8. Prepare for changes in your relationship dynamics—especially with siblings and close friends—to unfold.
In order for you to feel strong enough to take on the world, you need to have a sacred space to return to at the end of a long day. And as Jupiter forms a conjunction with Uranus in your fourth house of home and family on April 20, you may find the inspiration to create the household you’ve always dreamed of having. You may notice many serendipitous changes unfolding in your personal life during this time and all of them will be exciting, enlivening, and encouraging. However, as Jupiter enters Gemini on May 25, it will spread the seeds of love across your fifth house of creativity and romance, inspiring you to express yourself to the fullest for the remainder of 2024.
You may notice changes in your financial status beginning to unfold by the arrival of fall. When a lunar eclipse in Pisces shakes things up in your second house of money and self-esteem on September 17, you may be taking stock of your bank account, your personal possessions, and all the items you place value in. This could lead to a healthy raise if you’ve been playing your cards right. And by the time a solar eclipse in Libra dawns on November 25, you may find yourself embarking on a new adventure in your ninth house of wisdom and open-ended expansion. By the end of the year, you’ll probably travel to new places and be thrown into new experiences that expand your horizon.
However, the end of the year could bring rise to long-standing conflicts in your one-on-one relationships. As Mars in Leo stations retrograde in your seventh house of partnerships as of December 6, it will rake over the coals in your most intense unions, revealing where anger could be used and communicated more effectively. Don’t let your ego get the best of you.
This year is a big one for you, Aries. Get ready to make major strides toward your ultimate destiny, because your Aries horoscope for 2024 says you’re experiencing a level of growth that could stretch across decades within the span of just one year.
It all begins with you moving toward your career goals at turbo speed. After all, Mars—your ruling planet—enters your 10th house of publicity and authority on January 4, lighting your fire for success and inspiring you to go harder than ever before. Your social connections will come in handy from January 20 to September 1, as well as after November 19, which is when Pluto in Aquarius reactivates your 11th house of global networking and community endeavors. You have the power to be a voice for the people, so have no fear when accepting your newfound role as a revolutionary in your field.
All your life, you’ve been searching for the right mentor, but in 2024, you’re realizing that the mentor you’ve always needed is yourself. On February 19, the North Node in Aries will join forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—which will force you to let down your guard, open your heart, and embrace the empathy that proves just how deep your strength runs. By being honest about your feelings and standing up for yourself, you’re becoming a healing force that will inspire all those who have the pleasure of meeting you. This year, you’re realizing that you are both a fierce and unstoppable leader and an open-hearted healer. You’re continuing to realize who you want on your side and who you may be going up against.
As a lunar eclipse lights up your seventh house of allies and enemies on March 25, you’ll be learning just as much from your opponents as you are from your trusted partnerships. And when a total solar eclipse casts a shadow over your first house of the self on April 8, you will be further letting go of limiting beliefs about who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re capable of.
You’re tapping into a powerful stream of income around April 20, when Jupiter joins forces with Uranus in your second house of money and values. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly receive a hefty raise or you discover a new way of bringing in more cash! You’ll have even more stamina at your disposal once Mars enters Aries on April 25 and adds fuel to your fire, and once Jupiter enters Gemini on May 25, your words could spread across an entire galaxy. As Jupiter spends the rest of the year in your communication sector, you may find yourself writing something powerful, starting a life-changing conversation, and making tons of new connections.
By the end of the year, you’ll be gearing up for a powerful transformation. September 17 is when a lunar eclipse in Pisces will lay down the groundwork for a metamorphosis in your eighth house of intimacy and investments. You may have to let go of something you never wanted to part ways with in order to create space for something even more important. And as a solar eclipse in Libra burns away the past in your seventh house of partnerships on October 2, you may be parting ways with someone at the same time as you begin a relationship with someone else.
The most challenging part of 2024 could take place during the final weeks, as Mars—your ruling planet—stations retrograde in your fifth house of fun, pleasure, and sexuality on December 6. This could lower the heat of your libido to a simmer and infringe on your inspiration, at least at first. However, it will ultimately allow you to reconnect with what gets your mojo going in an exciting and even more meaningful way.
You’re hitting the ground running in your Capricorn 2024 horoscope, which is also a good omen for all that you can accomplish this year. With passionate Mars entering Capricorn on January 4, you’re being dealt more stamina and motivation to go after exactly what you want, so keep your eye on the prize.
Over the course of the past year, you may have noticed significant changes beginning to unravel in your financial status, thanks to Pluto’s quick tour through Aquarius. However, Pluto will re-enter Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19, where it will continue inspiring you to acquire the income you deserve in your second house of money and material possessions until 2043. And while you may, at first, struggle to decide how much is too much and how little is too little, this transit is preparing you for a level wealth that brings you immense power. Refining your spending and earning habits now will lead to bigger paydays later.
For all the hard work you do, it can be easy to forget to reserve love and attention for your own personal time. And once the North Node of Destiny joins forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—on February 19, it will encourage you to nourish your fourth house of home and family so that your roots are strong enough for you to grow tall. This alignment could bring you and your family back together, especially if you’ve been on the outs. It could also give you the strength to do what you need to do in order to truly build the home of your dreams. And as a lunar eclipse in Libra blasts through your 10th house of career on March 25, you’ll see how making these internal adjustments can pave the way for success in the outer realms, bringing you professional opportunities that feel incredibly serendipitous. Ripples of change continue to unfold as a total solar eclipse in Aries lands in your sacred fourth house on April 8, forcing you to make your comfort, security, and sense of belonging a top priority.
Image: Adobe. Design: Sasha Purdy / StyleCaster
A beautiful new beginning starts to blossom come spring. As Jupiter forms a conjunction with Uranus in your fifth house of creativity, love, and self-expression on April 20, you may be caught off guard by something you’re completely infatuated with. Whether this is another person or an artistic idea, this infatuation has the power to catapult you into a future beyond your wildest dreams. Let go of your need for control and simply allow yourself to be swept up in whatever love affair this turns out to be. And as Jupiter subsequently enters Gemini on May 25, it will spend the rest of the year ramping things up in your sixth house of work, health, and service. This will increase your desire to be productive and intentional in every action you take, allowing you to refine your fitness regimens, nurture your self-care routines, and strengthen your work ethic.
You may need to speak your mind in a way that changes everything by the time fall begins. After all, a lunar eclipse in Pisces will help you get rid of blockages in your third house of communication and informative exchanges on September 17. This could encourage you to obtain the facts and truths that have been withheld from you, further inspiring you to speak on topics that are important to you. And as a solar eclipse in Libra returns to your 10th house of public image on October 2, you may find yourself embarking down a highly meaningful professional path.
The end of the year may stall your engines, but there’s nothing wrong with slowing down. Mars stations retrograde in your eighth house of intimacy and investments on December 6, challenging your need for control over every situation. You may find that the harder you try to influence or possess something—or someone—the less sure of yourself you feel. Allow this retrograde to show you what happens when you let trust take the lead.
This year will strengthen your relationships and encourage you to express yourself, because your Sagittarius 2024 horoscope says you’re a magnet for all sorts of new and exciting people. Let those you meet inspire you endlessly, because you’re zeroing in on the goals that truly matter to you.
Throughout 2023, you’ve started conversations and reached out to people who share your interests on an intrinsic level, thanks to the taste you got of Pluto in Aquarius. However, Pluto will re-enter Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19, where it will continue to add fuel to the fire of your third house of communication and information until 2043. This will inspire you to create, converse, and collaborate on topics and subjects that are not only somewhat taboo, but genuinely fascinating to you on a psychic level. Gone are the days where you only explore something superficially, because in 2024, you’re going as deep as possible.
What has been holding you back from truly expressing yourself? What inner child would has stopped you from fully embracing the love, romance, and pleasure of emotional expression? You’ll find answers to these questions once the North Node of Destiny joins forces with healing Chiron on February 19, driving you to take a leap of faith in your playful fifth house. 2024 is the year you make up for all the times you held yourself back from doing something you’ve always wanted to do, because there’s a starving artist living inside you that’s begging to be fed. Once a lunar eclipse in Libra rises in your 11th house of community ideals on March 25, you will be further inspired to share the wealth, knowing that having the courage to be creative will show others how to do the same. And as a total solar eclipse casts a shadow over your romantic fifth house on April 8, you’re truly redefining your understanding of love and what it means to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Photo: Getty Images. Adobe.
Once winter thaws into spring, you’ll feel motivated to hit the grindstone and tend to your self-care needs in an exciting new way. After all, Jupiter forms a conjunction with Uranus in your sixth house of health, work, and service on April 20, opening up new pathways to productivity, efficiency, and nourishment. You have the potential to make a ton of progress in a very short amount of time, but breaking records isn’t what truly matters; it’s more about proving everything you ever doubted about yourself wrong. This is soon to be followed by Jupiter’s foray into Gemini, which begins on May 25. This transit will attract abundance to your seventh house of partnerships, strengthening and stimulating your one-on-one partnerships in a way that could lead to business proposals, marriage offers, and more.
However, by autumn, you may be dealing with beautiful—and possibly uncomfortable—changes in your personal life that seem out of your control. This is when a lunar eclipse in Pisces will pierce the sky on September 17, initiating a transformation in your fourth house of home and family. You may be moving to a new place, welcoming new family members, and dealing with the stress of shaking up your sacred space. This paves the way for a solar eclipse in Libra on October 2, which will further invigorate your 11th house of humanitarian causes. While you may be letting go of your associations with certain social groups, you’re also connecting with people who share your dream of a better tomorrow.
The year concludes with Mars retrograde in Leo, which begins on December 6. This retrograde will check the oil and get the engine checked in your ninth house of travel, expansion, and wisdom, which could make you feel somewhat locked in place. If you’re dreaming of something “bigger” that what you have, keep in mind that sometimes, you need to make sure you have everything ready to go before you can truly embark on your next adventure.
This year will inspire you to step into your main character energy, because your Scorpio 2024 horoscope is the beginning of what could be the most significant chapter of your life. While Rome wasn’t built in a day, you may be pleasantly surprised by all you’ll be able to accomplish across the next 365 days. With Mars—your ruling planet—entering your third house of communication on January 3, you’ll be able to sweet talk your way through all your New Year’s resolutions.
You’ve already begun the process of healing some of your childhood trauma, because you got a taste of Pluto in Aquarius during 2023. However, Pluto will re-enter Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19, where it will continue to transform your fourth house of home and family until 2043. During this time, you may feel like a tree that has been picked up by its roots, only to be replanted somewhere else. And while this could leave you feeling insecure and unsure at times, it will ultimately allow you to grow taller than you ever thought possible. This year, you may begin the process of moving, healing, building, and reconnecting with family in a meaningful new way.
If you’ve been putting too much pressure on yourself to keep up with productivity at the expense of your health and well-being, 2024 will be the year you heal that misbelief. On February 19, the North Node of Destiny will join forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—in your sixth house of work and health, prompting you to forge rituals and routines that benefit you rather than deplete you. Once a lunar eclipse in Libra provokes change in your 12th house of spirituality on March 25, you will face your demons right before you set yourself free from guilt, resentment, and anything that holds you back. However, a total solar eclipse in Aries on April 8 will snap you right back into reality, as it will kickstart a new beginning in your sixth house of work, health, daily routine. Allow this eclipse to help you become more grounded, helping you forge rituals that refine and improve your life on a physical level.
By spring, you may begin the process of strengthening your relationships and solidifying them in solid gold. As Jupiter joins forceswith Uranus in your seventh house of partnerships on April 20, you may start a relationship with someone new that has the power to take both of you to incredible new heights. Whether these relationships are platonic, romantic, or even business-oriented, you have the power to truly pioneer something game-changing together. And once Jupiter enters Gemini on May 25, it will sprinkle fairy dust on your eighth house of merging energies, which will expand your desire for trust, investment, and shared connection. You’re no longer in the mood for superficial promises, but something much deeper and weightier. You’re also in a beautiful position to make wise decisions with your money, so make sure you meet with a financial advisor.
By autumn, you may be starting new love affairs and letting go of pain from your past. A lunar eclipse in Pisces lights a fire in your fifth house of romance and self-expression on September 17, which could lead to creations of all kinds. You may be reframing your understanding of love, connection, and creativity, so give in to the temptations that tug on your heartstrings. A subsequent solar eclipse in Libra will shed skin you’ve outgrown in your 12th house of spirituality and endings, allowing you to forgive yourself on all the levels you’ve been holding yourself back.
The most challenging part of the year begins on December 6, when Mars—your ruling planet—stations retrograde in your 10th house of career and public image. You may feel slighted by setbacks as you struggle to prove yourself during this time, so stop trying to. This retrograde is challenging you to know your worth without the rest of the world validating it. Instead of clashing with your superiors, give them time to realize all the hard work you’ve been doing on their own time.
This new year looks promising right from the jump, because your Virgo2024 horoscope begins with a positive turn of events. The holiday season was likely beyond exhausting for you, but you have every reason to celebrate Mercury—your ruling planet—stationing direct as of January 1, giving you the space to think, speak, and act more freely.
This year, you’ll dive even more deeply into your role as a helper, a healer, and a person of service. Pluto will re-enter Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19, activating your sixth house of health and work. This transit—which lasts until 2043—will transform your ability to not only be more productive and efficient, but more intentional in every ritual you partake in. This will ultimately help you appreciate your day-to-day life on a more profound level, furthering your growth as someone who truly makes the world a better place.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. By the time the North Nodeof Destiny joins forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—on February 19, you may be reckoning with your shadow self (a.k.a. all the parts of your personality you still feel uncomfortable with acknowledging). As this alchemy unfolds in your eighth house of intimacy and transformation, you’ll be encouraged to share some of your secrets, giving others the strength to share theirs in a mutually empowering exchange. Once a lunar eclipse in Libra slashes through your second house of money and self-esteem on March 25, you may be forced to rearrange your priorities and rethink your values. This is immediately followed by a total solar eclipse in Aries on April 8, which will fan the flames in your eighth house of emotional and financial ties. You may be severing ties with a bad investment just as you’re creating space for an even more fruitful one.
Image: Adobe. Design: Sasha Purdy / StyleCaster
Spring brings another exciting proposal. As Jupiter joins forces with Uranus in Taurus on April 20, it will light a rocket in your ninth house of philosophy, travel, and publishing, which could inspire an idea that has truly never been seen before. Not only could this take you to new places and allow you to experience new things, but it would come with a level of knowledge that’s wise beyond its years, inspiring you to further your studies even more. Make no mistake—you’re leaving an indelible mark on our culture this year, Virgo. And once larger-than-life Jupiter enters your 10th house of career and publicity as of May 25, you’ll find the momentum to further your professional pursuits, expand your brand, and make waves in your field for the rest of the year.
Major changes in your personal life could begin to unfold during fall. It all starts with the lunar eclipse in Pisces on September 17, which will be the first of a series of eclipses that will take place on the Virgo-Pisces axis. This particular eclipse will send lightning to your seventh house of partnerships, which could lead to abrupt separations and reunions that carry immense magnitude. No matter who stays and who remains, have faith that it is all part of a cosmic masterplan. A subsequent solar eclipse in Libra arrives on October 2, which will further a transformation already unfolding in your second house of money and material possessions. Get ready for a noticeable shift in your financial status.
The year wraps up with Mars retrograde, which begins on December 6. This particular retrograde will unfold in your 12th house of solitude and subconscious energies, which could make you feel even more weary and exhausted than usual. It wouldn’t be the worst idea to extend your PTO during the holidays, as this retrograde wants you to rest, reflect, and reconnect with your spiritual side. Pushing yourself past your limits will only lead to a crash.
You’re on the verge of a great awakening and your Leo 2024 horoscope says you’re starting—and ending—many important relationships this year. However, you’re also making major strides toward your career goals and landing opportunities you never could have predicted.
If you’ve been parting ways with people you never expected to leave behind, it’s partly because you got a taste of Pluto in Aquarius over the course of 2023. However, Pluto will re-enter Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19, activating your seventh house of allies, enemies, and significant others. This will attract intensity in your one-on-one relationships and transform your understanding of how a relationship should function. This year, the people you meet—and the ones you try to forget—will have lasting implications in your life over the course of the next 20 years.
However, 2024 will also be a highly spiritual year full of epiphanies and game-changing realizations. As the North Node of Destiny joins forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—in your ninth house of wisdom and expansion on February 19, you will begin to process the losses that have taken place and use them to learn more about the meaning of life. Not only are you rediscovering that knowledge is power, but you’re also learning how to hack your mindset and embrace a much more positive understanding. When a lunar eclipse in Libra lands in your third house of siblings, close friends, and daily communications as of March 25, a series of life-changing conversations could take place as your social circle begins to evolve and dissolve. And as a total solar eclipse casts a shadow over your ninth house of perspective on April 8, you may find yourself letting go of one set of beliefs in favor of another.
One of the most exciting moments for you in the course of 2024 arrives on April 20. This is when Jupiter will join forces with Uranus in your 10th house of publicity and career, activating a new source of inspiration in your professional pursuits. You may rediscover your goals from a new angle, break the internet with a meaningful press release, or simply take on the job of your dreams. Either way, you’re making waves in your field. And once Jupiter enters your 11th house of social outreach and global impact on May 25, you may find yourself meeting tons of new people for the rest of the year; people who will have so much to teach you, show you, and give you. It’s all about who you know!
By the time a lunar eclipse in Pisces sets off alarms in your eighth house of death and rebirth on September 17, you may uncover life-altering information that sparks a transformation. Secrets will be revealed, alliances will shift, and the level of trust you are able to give and receive will be challenged. This is soon to be followed by a solar eclipse in Libra on October 2, jumpstarting the engine in your third house of communication and and information, furthering your pursuit for knowledge and activating your desire to study.
However, as the year comes to a close, you may be forced to rethink the way you express yourself, judge yourself, and monitor your ego. As Mars stations retrograde in Leo as of December 6, it will challenge your will to win, which could punch the snooze button on your mojo. Luckily, this retrograde will also teach you how to let bygones be bygones, because you are worth so much more than these imaginary standards you’ve set for yourself.
The new year begins with your relationships becoming more intense, dynamic, and passionate, but there’s so much more to your Cancer 2024 horoscope. With aggressive Mars entering your seventh house of allies, enemies, and partnerships on January 4, you may find your feelings toward the important people in your life amplifying one way the other.
You’re taking your relationships and commitments to new levels in 2024. This is thanks to Pluto in Aquarius reentering your eighth house of intimacy from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19. Since 2008, Pluto has been reshaping your perspective of relationships and how they should function, and now, you’re gearing up for an empowering shift that purges the deadbeat energy in your life. The eighth house not only rules over emotional entanglements, but also financial ones, making this a powerful year to make financial investments and to clear away monetary debts. Believe me, it will pay off later!
You’ve made major strides in your career, but you’ve also been dealt a few disappointments. 2024 is the year you forgive yourself for what has gone wrong, creating space for everything that can go right. As the North Node of Destiny joins forces with healing Chiron on February 19, it will allow you to become a relatable leader in your professional field that inspires others to achieve. And once a lunar eclipse in Libra casts a shadow over your fourth house of home and family on March 25, you’ll create space for a new understanding of what helps you feel safe, secure, and surrounded by the people who love you. Your private life may be your central focus, but once a total solar eclipse rises in your career sector on April 8, you won’t be able to control or withstand the professional progress you’re making. Get ready to work smarter, not necessarily harder.
Your social outreach will blast through the stratosphere around April 20, when Jupiter joins forces with Uranus in your 11th house of community ideals. This will not only inspire new friendships that galvanize and inspire you, but it could also increase your follower count and lead to a new level of fame and notoriety. So many more people are about to know your name.
However, once expansive Jupiter enters your 12th house of spirituality and solitude on May 25, you may spend the rest of the year decompressing and getting to know your inner workings on a deeper level. You may not feel as interested with reaching extreme success in the material realm, but far more concerned with expanding your powers on an intuitive level. Are you ready to dive into therapy? Have you dreamed of becoming a psychic, a medium, or a Tarot card reader?
You’re learning so much and seeing so many things this year, especially once a lunar eclipse in Pisces lights up your ninth house of expansion, philosophy, and adventure on September 17. This could jumpstart a new form of education, whether that be returning to the classroom or making plans for travel. New experiences are imminent. And once a solar eclipse in Libra makes way through your fourth house of personal undertakings on October 2, you may find yourself calling a new place home or discovering a new understanding of family.
There may be a slow-down in your ability to produce funds by the end of the year, thanks to Mars—planet of drive and motivation—retrograding through your second house of money as of December 6. Save up money before this takes place, as it might be your saving grace. This retrograde will help you reframe what you place value in, allowing you to prioritize what truly matters.
You’re making major strides this year and your Gemini 2024 horoscope is proof that you’re becoming a bigger and better version of yourself. You’ll feel the sparkling shift immediately, as Mercury—your ruling planet—will no longer be retrograde as of January 1, paving the way for you to jump right in to those New Year’s resolutions.
You’re exploring the great beyond this year, thanks to the fact that Pluto—planet of creation and power—is reentering Aquarius from January 20 to September 1, and again on November 19. This will fan the flames simmering in your ninth house of philosophy, adventure, and knowledge, tapping into your desire to see and experience new things. You’re gearing up for a major shift in your perspective, so prepare to see the world in a brand new light.
If you’ve been feeling pressured to fit in to a certain mold or to keep up with the latest trends, 2024 will be the year you break the rules. On February 19, the North Node of Destiny will join forces with Chiron—the wounded healer—in your 11th house of community and global impact, prompting you influence the world in a positive and humanitarian way. Once a lunar eclipse in Libra provokes change in your fifth house of romance and self-expression on March 25, you have the power to truly fall in love (with an idea or an actual person). With a total solar eclipse in Aries soon to follow on April 8, there’s a good change you may be joining forces with a new set of likeminded individuals. Activating your 11th house of networking, 2024 may be the year you find yourself a new team.
Image: Adobe. Design: Sasha Purdy / StyleCaster
By June 2, you should prepare for a radical change in your subconscious mind, as well as the way you process truths in your deepest psyche. As Jupiter joins forces with Uranus in your 12th house of underground thinking, you may find yourself processing your thoughts and emotions in a way you’ve never felt them before. This could even allow you to finally let go of some grudges and pains you’ve been holding onto.
Let it all out, because you’ll want to purge all the inhibiting energy from your being once Jupiter—the Greater Benefic—enters Gemini on May 25. With Jupiter attracting love, abundance, prosperity, and growth in your first house of the self, this transit is bound to amplify your progress and land you in the right place at the right time. Prepare for spontaneous interventions and serendipitous encounters that put you on track for success.
You may be gearing up for a major change in your career and professional status by fall. On September 17, a lunar eclipse in Pisces will spark momentum in your 10th house of publicity, which could lead to an abrupt shift in the way you brand yourself. Whether you’re accepting a promotion or embracing a job change, this transformation has always been a part of your destiny. And once a solar eclipse in Libra lights a fire in your fifth house of creativity and self-expression on October 2, there’s a good chance you may make your true passions the centerpiece of this career shift.
The year wraps up just as Mars retrograde is getting started on December 6. Taking place in your third house of communication and informative exchanges, you may find yourself growing weary with constant notifications and conversations that need answering. Don’t allow socializing to become a chore, because this retrograde wants you to rediscover the passion intermingled with each and every interaction.
Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian/Public Domain
This week the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump could not be on their state’s ballot in the presidential race due to his alleged incitement of insurrection.
Now other states are following Colorado’s lead. First came Michigan, and now the biggest state in the country is attempting to follow suit.
In her statement calling on Trump to be removed from the ballot, idiot California Lt. Gov. @EleniForCA writes “the Constitution is clear. You must be 40 years old and not an insurrectionist.”
It actually says in the Constitution you have to be 35 to be president.
As legal scholar Jonathan Turley recently wrote, the temptation is just too great for Democrat politicians to play above board, in spite of all their teeth-gnashing about “protecting democracy.”
On Thursday, California’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis called on the secretary of state to “explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential primary ballot,” leveraging the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision as a precedent.
“This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy,” Kounalakis wrote in the letter. “California must stand on the right side of history. California is obligated to determine if Trump is ineligible for the California ballot.”
“There will be the inevitable political punditry about a decision to remove Trump from the ballot, but it is not a matter of political gamesmanship. This is a dire matter that puts at stake the sanctity of our constitution and our democracy,” she concluded.
Actually, it’s a direct assault on the Constitution – and the Democrats are well aware of it. President Trump isn’t guilty of “insurrection” just because Democrat politicians say so.
And yet, Colorado, Michigan, and California aren’t alone. As Yahoo points out, there are also challenges lined up in Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and Virginia.”
BREAKING: California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has sent a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber asking her to “explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential primary ballot.” pic.twitter.com/Zki9P6Y7su
It’s funny how many Democrats want to kick Trump off of ballots in the name of protecting democracy, when letting voters choose is actual democracy.
The states doing this are threatening long established democratic norms in the United States, and ultimately it will be up to the Supreme Court on whether they will be allowed to keep doing it.
After that, it will be up to the people to keep or toss those responsible.
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is a professional writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in conservative media and Republican politics. He has been a special guest on Fox News, Sirius XM, appeared as the guest of various popular personalities, and has had a lifelong interest in right-leaning politics.
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It’s safe to say that 2023 was a mixed year for gamers. After all, for every Baldurs Gate 3, there was a Walking Dead: Destinies. As we enter a new year, however, it is time to look forward to the games to come. As such here are 10 of the most anticipated games of 2024.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth – January 26th
Image Credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega via Twinfinite
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios’ long-running Like A Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series. Infinite Wealth is the first game set outside of Japan, taking place in both the city of Yokohama and the island of Hawaii.
The game continues the franchise’s transition into a turn-based combat system first seen in 2020’s Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Infinite Wealth marks the return of that title’s protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, alongside franchise mainstay Kazuma Kiryu. However, with the popular anti-hero suffering from cancer, this could be the end of the road for the Dragon of Dojima.
Expect Like A Dragon’s usual blend of bizarre side missions, twist-filled conspiracies, and wild minigames as Ichiban and Kiryu search for Ichiban’s mother. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is published by SEGA and releases on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on January 26th.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League – February 2nd
Image Credit: Rocksteady Studios
Isn’t it crazy that we are getting a Triple-A Suicide Squad game before a big-budget Justice League title? Furthermore Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League sees the team of villains tasked with taking down the Justice League!
This game is a third-person shooter set in the same universe as the Batman: Arkham series, developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games. Kill The Justice League is a multiplayer looter shooter with live service elements, not unlike Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers.
Starring DC Comics villains Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark; Kill The Justice League has the quartet facing off against a corrupted Justice League. Brainiac has taken control of Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Batman (voiced by the late Kevin Conroy in his final role), and only Wonder Woman and the Suicide Squad can stop Brainiac’s invasion.
After some delays and a lukewarm reception to marketing, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is still a hotly anticipated title that releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on February 2nd, and then 5th March on the Epic Games Store.
Skull & Bones – February 16th
Image Credit: Ubisoft
At this point Ubisoft’s Skull & Bones is surely in the Development Hell Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Duke Nukem Forever and Dead Island 2. Starting life as an Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag expansion back in 2013, Skull & Bones is a swashbuckling adventure across the Indian Ocean.
Centered on bombastic ship combat, Skull & Bones will see players rise to infamy as they build an empire and become the pirate kingpin. As the scourge of the sea, players will sail and explore from the Coast of Africa to the East Indies with a range of unique ships; battling pirate hunters and the deadly weather to make it to the top.
If Skull & Bones can recapture the fun and sense of adventure in Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag then the wait should be worth it. Skull & Bones releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Epic Games Store on February 16th.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth – February 29th
Image Credit: Square Enix
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is the second entry in Square Enix’s bold retelling of the seminal RPG Final Fantasy VII. Rebirth continues the story of 2020’s Final Fantasy VII: Remake as mercenary Cloud Strife and the surviving members of eco-terrorist group Avalanche leave the mega-city of Midgard and journey across the planet Gaia.
Navigating new terrain both literally and narratively, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth will explore the game’s altered timeline while delving into Cloud and series antagonist Sephiroth’s shared past. New party members include Red XIII, Yuffie Kisaragi, and Cait Sith; but also Zack Flair.
Zack’s presence in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is one of the remake trilogy’s biggest narrative departures; as he originally died in the prequel game Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII (released in 2007). With his return, long-time fans will be eager to discover how he fits into the new story. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth releases on PlayStation 5 on February 29th.
Alone in the Dark – March 20th
Image Credit: THQ Nordic
The grandfather of survival horror, the Alone in the Dark franchise was a pioneer of the genre alongside Resident Evil and Silent Hill. However, while those two franchises have flourished in recent years, Alone in the Dark has struggled to maintain the same mainstream recognition. That’s why it is good to witness the series return with a reimagining of the 1992 original.
Developed by Pieces Interactive and published by THQ Nordic, Alone in the Dark stars David Harbour (Stranger Things) as private investigator Edward Carnby, and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) as his employer Emily Hartwood. In this game, the pair journey to Louisiana psychiatric hospital Derceto Manor to find Emily’s missing uncle.
The survival horror genre has been on a good run recently, and here’s hoping Alone in the Dark lives up to its contemporaries. Alone in the Dark releases on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on March 29th.
Princess Peach: Showtime! – March 22nd
Image Source: Nintendo
Princess Peach: Showtime! gives the titular ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom a chance to take center stage. Attending a theatre production in crisis, Peach assumes several roles to help defeat the wicked Grape and the Sour Bunch.
Princess Peach: Showtime! features a range of gameplay mechanics that see the princess participating in the Sparkle Theatre’s sold-out shows. Peach is equipped with a magic ribbon and the ability to transform into a range of future Super Smash Bros. skins.
Transformations such as Swordfighter Peach and Kung Fu Peach implement combat into the game, while Detective Peach will help her uncover clues to Grape’s plan, and Patisserie Peach which will help the princess… bake her way to victory. Princess Peach: Showtime! releases on Nintendo Switch on March 22nd.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl – Q1 2024
Image Credit: GSC Game World
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl has had a rough development as the war in Ukraine forced developer/publisher GSC Game World to pause development and delay the game multiple times.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stands for Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers, and Robbers; and is the term used to describe the men and women exploring the radioactive remains of Chernobyl. This first-person immersive sim shooter is a big cult favorite on PC and the sequel will be the franchise’s console debut when it debuts on Xbox.
Built on Unreal Engine 5, The Heart of Chernobyl tells a non-linear story playable solo or in co-op and has official mod support. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is set for a Quarter 1 release on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
ARK 2 – Late 2024
Image Credit: Studio Wildcard
ARK 2 follows Fast & Furious actor Vin Diesel as Santiago, a primitive hunter on an alien world searching for his daughter Meeka (voiced by Moana‘s Auli’l Cravalho).
Like the first game, ARK: Survival Evolved, ARK 2 is a survival action adventure in which players craft weapons and shelters to survive in a harsh and deadly environment. From killer plants to ferocious dinosaurs, and the local tribe the Aralal, there are many threats for Santiago and the player to overcome.
To help, Studio Wildcard and Grove Street Games have created advanced traversal mechanics, a new upgrade tree, and an emphasis on Souls-like combat. The alien world in ARK 2 is full of new threats and hyper-intelligent dinosaurs to fight and tame. ARK 2 is being built on Unreal Engine 5 targeting a late 2024 release date, on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Little Nightmares III – TBC
Images Credit: Bandai Namco
Little Nightmares III is the next instalment in Bandai Namco’s atmospheric horror puzzle platformer series. Supermassive Games have taken over development from Tarsier Studios (after working on Little Nightmares II Enhanced Edition), for a standalone sequel.
There is a heightened focus on co-op gameplay in Little Nightmares III as players team up with a friend or an AI companion. Playing as Low (the boy in a raven mask) and Alone (the girl with pigtails), players must work together to escape the Spiral, a disturbing, trippy world of ominous shadows and disgusting villains.
While this is a standalone game, it will be interesting to see if Little Nightmares III has any links to previous installments; including the fate of Six and her iconic yellow raincoat. Little Nightmares III has no release date yet beyond 2024 but is set to release on all platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Star Wars: Outlaws – TBC
Image Credit: Massive Entertainment
Star Wars video games are always hotly anticipated releases and, with Star Wars: Outlaws, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment are building the franchise’s first open-world game. The game is set between Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Outlaws allows the player to step foot into the seedy underbelly of a galaxy far, far away as they control Kay Vess, an up-and-coming thief who has gotten on the wrong side of both the Empire and the galaxy’s deadliest crime syndicates. Joining Vess is her salamander-esque pet merqaal Nix, a sneaky animal that can distract guards and steal objects. There is also the droid ND-5 that becomes a bodyguard of sorts for Kay.
Among the planets players will be visiting are Tatooine and its hive of scum and villainy Mos Eisley, criminal haven Kijimi, and a new moon called Toshara. Star Wars: Outlaws should be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC sometime in 2024.
Narrowing down the list of games coming out in 2024 to only ten is a very tricky task. Feel free to let us know what games you’re looking forward to in the comments, and stay with Twinfinite for more on the latest releases.
About the author
Alex Johnson
Alex has been writing about games for over four years and if there is one thing he fears in life it is writing a bio. He studied film at the University of Lincoln, has a small obsession with Fortnite and hopes to actually finish a FromSoftware game one day.
The fear liberal elites have of a second Donald Trump presidency is palpable. The Trump-phobia has reached a fever pitch, with influential, deep-pocketed Democrats publicly throwing support and privately writing big checks to one of the former President’s old allies turned competitor.
GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley is emerging as the top competition to Trump and racking in some serious donation dollars, which will undoubtedly be used to pummel Florida Governor and rival Ron DeSantis in a blitz of advertisements. Will the donations be enough to oust Governor DeSantis from the race, and more importantly, will the donations be enough to topple the Goliath that is Donald Trump?
One Democrat mega-donor hopes the strategy will work; let’s look at one of Ms. Haley’s newest supporters from the left.
Fox Business Poll: Trump over 50% support for first time in Iowa –
‘Iowa caucus-goers have taken a look at the non-Trump candidates and said no thank you-‘ Trump, 52% support – DeSantis at 18% – Nikki Haley at 16% – Vivek Ramaswamy receives 7% – pic.twitter.com/IFwT2oJS1Q
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has donated $250,000 to a super PAC supporting Nikki Haley in her bid to become the Republican nominee for President and, ultimately, the next Commander-in-Chief. Careful not to ditch his preferred choice for the White House, Mr. Hoffman wrote:
“While I am a staunch supporter of Biden and hope he will win a second term, I also provided financial support to Nikki Haley’s super PAC even though some polls show Haley doing better than Trump in a general election against Biden.”
It’s not the most resounding endorsement for President Joe Biden. Mr. Hoffman went on to explain how dire it is that someone, literally anyone other than former President Donald Trump, receives the Republican nomination:
“I did so because my first priority is American democracy and the integrity of our legal system. That means my first priority is to defeat Trump, and the primary is the first of two chances to do so.”
Thank God for billionaire patriots like Mr. Hoffman to stand between the half of America that supports Donald Trump and the fate of our nation’s future. He went on to write of Mr. Trump:
“His campaign will be a campaign against American democracy and our rule of law system.”
Someone could use a hug and perhaps an emotional support animal.
NEW — Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis slam Nikki Haley for wanting the U.S. government to identify all anonymous users on social media platforms and for taking money from the left-wing billionaires behind the ESG movement.
The reaction from Team DeSantis upon the news of Mr. Hoffman’s sizeable donation was by far the best. Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign press secretary, Bryan Griffin, said:
“It makes perfect sense that liberal Democrat billionaires would support Nikki Haley’s bid for the White House, because she is a liberal.”
Citing her penchant for unlimited military and financial aid to fight foreign wars, waffled positions on China, and her recent advocacy for stifling free speech on social media, Mr. Griffin had a good point. It can be hard to see daylight between Nikki Haley’s policy positions and those of the Democratic Party.
This isn’t the first time Mr. Hoffman has thrown financial and public support behind a Republican. In 2022, he donated to Liz Cheney, who was and still is a fanatic hater of Donald Trump and whose political affiliation is questionable at best.
The question remains: is this support for Nikki Haley a strategy to knock Donald Trump out of the primaries, or is this more a reality check from influential liberals that President Biden’s time is up and there is no other option other than the most liberal of the Republicans?
Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis are tag-teaming Nikki Haley. DeSantis hit her for her support of trans surgeries for minors, and Ramaswamy hammered her for being a corrupt hypocrite who takes money from Reid Hoffman, Larry Fink, and other puppetmasters of the ESG establishment.…
Mr. Hoffman still claims to support Joe Biden in his bid for re-election, writing in the same post that explained his support for Nikki Haley:
“In the 2024 election, I will enthusiastically vote for Joe Biden.”
That had to be a hard sentence to write; enthusiasm and Biden are two concepts that don’t go well together – sort of like pairing polka dots with stripes, it just doesn’t work. Mr. Hoffman’s donation to Ms. Haley’s campaign came shortly after JPMorgan’s CEO Jamie Dimon begged liberals to throw their support behind her:
“Even if you’re a very liberal Democrat, I urge you, help Nikki Haley, too. Get a choice on the Republican side that might be better than Trump.”
Mr. Dimon hedging his bets on the devil that might be better than the devil you know seems like a risky tactic, but isn’t considering that donating to Nikki Haley puts her snugly in the pockets of those billionaire donors on the off chance she makes it into the White House.
“Nikki Haley would not be as good for America as Joe Biden, but America would survive her administration.”
It sounds like the uber-rich left is starting to abandon hope in Uncle Joe and resigning themselves to a hopeful, pretty puppet in Nikki Haley.
Now is the time to support and share the sources you trust. The Political Insider ranks #3 on Feedspot’s “100 Best Political Blogs and Websites.”
USAF Retired, Bronze Star recipient, outspoken veteran advocate. Hot mess mom to two monsters and wife to equal parts Saint and Artist husband. Writer, lifelong conservative, lover of all things American History, and not-so-secret Ancient Aliens fanatic. Homeschool maven, Masters in Political Management, constitutionalist, and chock full of opinions.
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For most anyone involved in the Long Island housing market, this year has been a real grind.
Hampered by higher mortgage rates and record low inventory, sales of Long Island homes in 2023 are the lowest in the last nine years.
But with mortgage rates beginning to recede and the promise of a lower-rate environment next year, there’s optimism for better times ahead.
So far, in the first 11 months of this year, there have been 21,125 closed home sales in Nassau and Suffolk counties, according to numbers from OneKey MLS. That’s nearly 23 percent fewer than the 27,381 closed home sales in the first 11 months of last year.
Brokers blame the slower sales activity on the paucity of available homes for sale. Listing inventory of Long Island homes has dropped to historic lows. There were 4,757 Long Island homes for sale with OneKey MLS at the end of last month, 21 percent fewer than the 6,021 homes listed at the end of Nov. 2022.
Increased mortgage rates have been dissuading homeowners from listing their properties since most would have much higher monthly payments on their next home. The lack of supply pushed home prices to record highs in 2023, with the median price of closed Nassau home sales reaching $720,000 in October and climbing to $600,000 in Suffolk during the same month.
“This past year has been brutal,” said Tom Pescuma, mortgage loan originator and team leader at United Mortgage in Melville. “My average first-time homebuyer in the last 10 years was looking at a $2,500 or $3,500 mortgage payment. Now, with the rates at some point in the year hitting 8 percent, my first-time homebuyers that are fresh out of school and just starting their second or third year of employment, they’re looking at like $5,200 mortgage payments for a starter house.”
TOM PESCUMA: ‘I think we’re going to be in great shape rate-wise next year…’
Pescuma said that mortgage applications this year were down about 50 percent as compared with a year ago.
“Even when there is some inventory out there, and I might be able to qualify them, as far as everything else on top of that mortgage payment being so high, utilities and groceries, it’s just been a brutal year for buyers,” he said. “I’ve sent out so many pre-approvals, and people are still looking, but not many have pulled the trigger when they can find a home.”
Todd Bourgard, CEO of Brokerage Long Island, Hamptons and North Fork regions for Douglas Elliman Real Estate, acknowledged that the lack of supply has been one of the industry’s toughest obstacles this year.
“Certainly, getting new inventory has been one of the biggest challenges of the year across the board, and we have spent a lot of our time working on exactly that,” he said. “I always tell our agents that the best way to navigate a low-inventory market is to stay active and visible with their clients, and that’s what they’ve done to great success…I advise they reach out to anyone they’ve sold to in the last 10 years. If that client has been waiting in the wings, or is just starting to think about a move, you will be there, top of mind and ready to help them take that thought to the next step when the market begins to shift.”
And that shift may be coming soon. The news that Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged in their last meeting and said they expect to cut rates three times in the coming year is a good sign for the struggling housing market.
“My crystal ball has been so cloudy for a while, but I think there’s a possibility that we’ve turned a corner, because I think that we’re now seeing inflation pressures starting to being mitigated, and we’ve seen the Fed take a pause,” said Richard Haggerty, CEO of OneKey MLS. “I think that’s having a positive impact on the market.”
Haggerty also pointed out that the pandemic-induced feeding frenzy and historically low mortgage rates that fueled greater-than-normal home sales activity in 2020 and 2021 had interrupted the market’s usual pace, causing an inevitable adjustment this year.
RICHARD HAGGERTY: ‘I think there’s a possibility that we’ve turned a corner…’
“Typically, real estate is pretty cyclical, and people make life decisions, whether based upon kids and schools, or retirement, or job changes, but COVID speeded all that up,” he said. “So instead of it happening at a natural pace, everybody was jumping into the pool…and that’s why the numbers just spiked in a way that we’d never seen before. So now that impetus is gone, and we’ve got to wait for things to kind of normalize, and then I think we’re going to see that cyclical nature again.”
And while mortgage rates may not drop to pandemic levels, Pescuma is welcoming their projected decline and stabilization.
“We were anticipating the rates to come down towards the end of this year and going into next year,” he said. “I think we’re going to be in great shape rate-wise next year, and I think that will help increase some inventory. People will start comparing where the new payment on a home isn’t going to be as significantly high as the current payment.”
Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, is also looking at a 2024 turnaround.
“The demand for housing will recover from falling mortgage rates and rising income,” he said in a NAR statement. “In addition, housing inventory is expected to rise by around 30 percent as more sellers begin to list after delaying selling over the past two years.”
TODD BOURGARD: ‘I do believe we will have a healthier and more active market to look forward to in 2024.’
Yun is also predicting that home sales nationally will increase by 13.5 percent next year and he expects home prices will remain largely unchanged.
Bourgard is also optimistic about business in the coming year.
“I do believe we will have a healthier and more active market to look forward to in 2024,” Bourgard said. “Interest rates will come down, allowing more inventory to come on the market. I think we will see some buyers who were priced out of the market this year because of the high interest rates come back to purchase. Similarly, buyers who became frustrated with bidding wars, who lost house after house and took a break from the market, will be back when the inventory comes.”
The AI candidate Hoiman says we should get rid of political parties altogether.
Presidential candidate Artificial Ignorance Entity Hoiman says that the American system has ground to a halt because Congress is a joke. Further, Hoiman says today’s political parties are like two three-year-olds fighting over a lollipop.
Still from the movie, “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001).
“It’s time to get rid of political parties and elections as we now know them,” said Hoiman. “Because of the corrupt parties, nothing gets done on the local, state or federal government levels.”
He states that the political process in the Democratic Republic of Pepperbutte is an improvement over the current US political system. “The people run the government of DRP. There are no political parties, no elections and no professional politicians,” he said.
Hoiman explained that most Americans are unfamiliar with Pepperbutte. “It has a population of 7 million people and is the world’s largest exporter of organic digital condoms and ass wax,” he said.
Since there are no political parties in Pepperbutte, citizens are drafted to fill public offices. Those between the ages of 18 and 30 are selected to serve one year in the Pepperbuttean military corps. Taxpayers and property owners between the ages of 30 and 60 are selected to serve on town counsels, state assemblies and the national congress. Once you serve your four year term you cannot serve another term.
Pepperbutte has no political campaigns and no elections. Mayors, governors and the vice chancellor are picked from within the group draftees.
This works for Pepperbutte and could work for America, Hoiman says. “I am looking forward to running against and matching wits with Donald Trump,” he added.
SNN Words to Live By
“Everything is beautiful in its own way” — Ray Stevens, “Everything is Beautiful,” 1970 song.
“Don’t confuse feeling good with being good.” — writer James Fixx.
Ted holland attended college for four years. The year that he bothered to go to class he studied history. He majored in throwing quarters in the jukebox in the Student Union canteen and minored in a girl named Marsha. His books include This Day In African American Musicand B Western Actors Encyclopedia.
In early November, a New York Times poll showed Donald Trump leading in toss up battleground states that are crucial to Joe Biden. Another poll released last week showed Trump still outperforming Biden.
And yet another poll shows that Trump’s lead has widened even further.
Former President Donald Trump keeps gaining ground in the Republican presidential nomination contest, as fewer than one third of GOP primary voters now back all his rivals combined, according to the latest Fox News survey.
Trump’s support stands at 69% in the primary race. That’s up 7 points since November and fully 26 points since February.
Ron DeSantis receives 12% support (down 1 point since November), Nikki Haley gets 9% (-1), Vivek Ramaswamy 5% (-2), Chris Christie 2% (-1), and Asa Hutchinson 1% (steady).
When asked their second choice, the top picks among Trump supporters are DeSantis 50%, Ramaswamy 20%, and Haley 14%.
In hypothetical general election matchups against President Joe Biden, Haley is ahead by 6 points, while Trump is up by 4 (neither advantage is statistically significant). DeSantis and Biden tie. As recently as August, Biden was narrowly ahead of all three of them.
The report added, “When third-party candidates are included, Trump’s edge over the president remains at 4 points, with Biden getting 37% to Trump’s 41%. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. gets 14%, Jill Stein 3%, and Cornel West 2%. That’s mostly unchanged since last month.”
Some believe that Democrats will fall into freak out mode if Trump’s poll numbers continue to perform so well. Many seem to be pinning their hopes on the former president’s multiple indictments leading to legal trouble that could prevent Trump from going to the White House.
Time will tell on that front, but one thing time has already told us is that if Democrats thought that trying to lock up their presidential opponent was a good campaign strategy – it isn’t working.
Because the only result so far is Trump continues to grow in popularity with every new poll.
Trump Celebrates
During a campaign stop in Coralville, Iowa last week, Trump celebrated the success of his recent polling numbers while also criticizing his fellow Republican candidates.
“We are leading by a lot, but you have to go out and vote,” Trump said, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. “Sometimes when you’re leading by a lot, everyone says, ‘Oh, why should I go and vote?’ The margin of victory is so important — and frankly, bad things are going to be happening if you don’t.”
Trump went on to dismiss rumors of a “Haley surge,” claiming that the only person that she is “surging” against is DeSantis.
“They’re talking about the Haley surge, where she goes up 2 points, I go up, I think 10 points — under 10 points,” Trump said. “They (should) say, ‘That’s a Trump surge,’ but they don’t want to say that. … These are the most dishonest people ever in our country.”
What do you think about all of this? Let us know in the comments section.
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DENVER — In November 2024, Colorado voters could decide whether marijuana use will continue to prevent applicants from receiving concealed carry permits.
Guns for Everyone, a pro-gun rights organization that trains for concealed carry permits and opposes gun restrictions, has begun the process of putting the question as an initiative on the ballot next year. It will have a hearing before Colorado’s Legislative Council Staff (LCS) on Tuesday.
Edgar Antillon, co-founder of Guns for Everyone, said he views it as a “freedom issue” given that Colorado legalized recreational use of marijuana more than a decade ago.
“It’s one of those silly things that has been going on for a while. We’ve legalized marijuana, but we don’t give [users] the ability to defend themselves,” Antillon said. “Alcohol users get to defend themselves. Why not marijuana users?”
Under current state law, sheriffs in Colorado cannot issue a permit to carry to a person who is “ineligible” under federal law. Because federal law still lists marijuana as a controlled substance, this prevents Colorado sheriffs from issuing concealed carry permits to anyone who is “an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.”
The proposed change to the law, as it is currently written in the proposed ballot initiative, would amend Colorado law to include that “a sheriff shall not use a permit applicant’s lawful use of marijuana … as a basis for denying the applicant a permit.”
