Good morning readers. In a stroke of branding genius, Tucker Carlson's tête-à-tête with Donald Trump isn't just another interview — it's a grand unveiling of his upcoming media venture. Recorded days earlier, this ad-free exclusive is set to air on X (previously Twitter) just as the Republican presidential debate kicks off on Fox News. Carlson, alongside former White House confidant Neil Patel and his former producer from Fox, Justin Wells, is in the throes of launching a subscription-based media powerhouse, as per The Wall Street Journal's scoop last month. Their funding journey has led them to X's doorstep, hinting at a potential collaboration. And what better way to woo Elon Musk's squad than with a Trump exclusive?

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• India’s spacecraft lands on the Lunar South Pole

• Headline Hustle: Nvidia blows estimates out of the water, BRICS looking to expand, Netflix’s revenue generating opportunities

• The boom in boutique private schools

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

SPACE

India’s lunar leap

The moon, our closest celestial neighbor, has always been a source of wonder and mystery. But recently, it's become the stage for a new kind of space race, with nations vying to explore its uncharted territories. And in this race, India has just taken a significant lead.

The Chandrayaan-3 odyssey

In an era where space exploration is no longer just the domain of superpowers, India has firmly planted its flag on the lunar map. The Chandrayaan-3 mission, an ambitious endeavor by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has achieved what no other nation has before: a successful landing on the moon's south pole. This monumental feat came hot on the heels of Russia's attempt, which, unfortunately, ended in a crash landing.

Why the South Pole? With the vast expanse of the moon's surface, the south pole has become a coveted destination. The lunar south pole is believed to harbor large reserves of “water ice”, a precious resource for future lunar missions and potential moon bases. Add to that its unique position, which offers near-continuous sunlight and an ideal location for generating solar power and you have the key to sustainable lunar exploration and colonization.

A new chapter in the global space race. The 20th century saw the USA and USSR locked in a fierce space race, culminating in the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. New players, like India and China, have entered the fray, and the goals have shifted from mere exploration to colonization and resource utilization.

India's Chandrayaan-3 success is not just a testament to its technological prowess but also a strategic move in this new race. By securing a foothold on the moon's south pole, India has positioned itself as a key player in future lunar missions and collaborations.

Looking ahead…With Chandrayaan-3's success, the doors to numerous possibilities have swung open. The mission's data will provide invaluable insights into the moon's geology, climate, and potential resources. What’s more, it sets the stage for future manned missions, moon bases, and even the potential of using the moon as a launchpad for missions to Mars and beyond. 

Headline Hustle

📈 Nvidia’s AI-powered surge. If you've got Nvidia stocks, you're probably smiling right now. After the company's stellar performance announcement, its stock price jumped by 7.5%, adding a cool $87 billion to its market value. The company's revenue for the fiscal second quarter was an impressive $13.5 billion, leaving Wall Street's predictions in the dust. And they're not slowing down; Nvidia forecasts a revenue of around $16 billion for the current quarter, $3.5 billion more then what Wall Street’s expecting. But it's not all smooth sailing. The soaring demand for AI-specialized chips has put a strain on Nvidia's supply chain. They don't manufacture their chips but rely on partners like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing which means any hiccups in production could spell trouble. However, Nvidia has been proactive, securing more supply for the latter half of the year and increasing spending on long-term supplies.

🌎 BRICS expansion. The BRICS bloc, representing a significant chunk of the world's population and GDP, has been mulling over the idea of letting more countries into their circle. With over 40 nations expressing interest and 22 formally knocking on the door, the potential for growth is evident. However, the path to expansion isn't as straightforward as it seems. While all BRICS nations publicly support growth, the speed and criteria for admission have become points of contention. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his diplomatic surprises, introduced new admission criteria at the eleventh hour. Among his suggestions? Members shouldn't be under international sanctions.

📺 Netflix’s revenue roadmap involves more than just streaming. While we all love Netflix for its vast library of shows and movies, the company is looking beyond just subscription fees. Oppenheimer points out that Netflix is set to boost its average revenue per membership through a trifecta of strategies: introducing ad sales via a new service, upping subscription prices, and, yes, that ongoing crackdown on password sharing. These strategies aren't just for show. Oppenheimer predicts that these initiatives could potentially increase Netflix's revenue by a whopping 40% compared to fiscal 2022. The best part for Netflix? This boost comes with "very high incremental margins." The analysts also believe that the market might be underestimating the potential of these revenue drivers, given that only a 2% benefit from these strategies has been observed so far.

EDUCATION

Microschools: the modern one-room schoolhouse

In the age of tech giants and skyscrapers, sometimes smaller is better.

Microschools, the educational world's answer to boutique shopping, are on the rise, as per a report by the WSJ. With student numbers ranging from five to 25, these establishments offer a unique learning experience, a far cry from the traditional classroom setting. In fact, there are now approximately 125,000 of these pint-sized institutions across the U.S., a number that's seen a spike post-pandemic.

What’s fueling this growth?

For one, state voucher programs are making it easier for families to afford private schooling. However, critics argue that this diverts essential funds from public schools, which are subject to stricter regulations. Eric Eisenbrey, the brain behind Eyes and Brains (microschool in West Virginia), credits the states voucher system for his school's success. Without it, the $6,600 tuition might have been a dealbreaker for many.

The pandemic also played a role in the microschool boom. As parents sought alternatives to online learning, these small-scale, in-person setups became increasingly appealing and have many believing this is just the beginning of a shift towards more personalized, unconventional education models.

But it's not all rosy. While microschools can foster tight-knit communities, concerns arise about the lack of diverse perspectives and extracurriculars. Plus, the regulations surrounding these schools vary by state, leading to debates about quality and oversight.

In closing…while microschools might not replace traditional education, they're certainly making a mark. As the world changes, so too does the way we learn. And for many, the future of education is looking, well, micro.

Pulse Points

Foot Locker shares plunge. Foot Locker's shares took a significant hit with a 28.28% drop. The company reported a loss in the second quarter, revised its annual forecast for the second time, and halted its quarterly dividends. The athletic-wear store has decided to hold off on future cash dividends, except for an upcoming one in October.

Nike fall’s for record 10^th straight day. Nike's stock faced a decline for the 10^th consecutive day on Wednesday, following Foot Locker's disappointing quarterly report and a decrease in consumer interest in the footwear industry. The shares dropped by approximately 2.7%. This marks Nike's most extended downturn since its public debut in 1980.

Binance has been helping Russia transfer money. Binance, a major cryptocurrency platform headed by Changpeng Zhao, is assisting Russians in transferring money overseas, which might compound its legal challenges in the U.S. Although Binance reduced its operations in Russia, one of its top markets, last year and claimed to cease operations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, data indicates that the platform still processes significant ruble trading volumes.

Mr. Beast’s Olympic style video causes some tension. In his recent act, MrBeast may have unintentionally sparked global political debates. The billionaire YouTuber's latest video featured participants from all over the world competing in challenges reminiscent of "Squid Game" for a $250,000 prize, inadvertently touching upon longstanding geopolitical tensions.

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