Search

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), crime rates in urban areas of the United States have not been falling and are actually worse than they were before the George Floyd era. The NCVS report for 2023 shows that the violent crime rate in urban areas increased by 40% from 2019 to 2023, and the urban property crime rate rose by 26% during the same period. In contrast, violent crime rates in suburban and rural areas have remained essentially unchanged since 2019. The NCVS findings are considered more reliable than FBI figures because they are finalized statistics and capture crimes whether they are reported to the police or not. The increase in urban crime is attributed to lax law enforcement policies adopted by many cities since 2020. [Extracted from the article]

A recent poll conducted by Suffolk University/USA Today found that President Biden's support among key voter demographics has significantly decreased. Among black voters, Biden's support dropped from 87% in 2020 to 63% in the recent poll. Hispanic voters also showed decreased support for Biden, with 39% favoring Trump compared to Biden's 34%. Additionally, among voters under 35, Trump leads with 37% compared to Biden's 33%. These declining numbers could have a significant impact on Biden's chances of re-election, particularly in key states like Georgia, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Democrats are discussing strategies to turn things around, but it remains a challenging task for Biden to regain support without alienating moderate voters. [Extracted from the article]

President Joe Biden's popularity is declining, with polls showing his job approval rating at 40%, the lowest of his presidency. Even his base of young people, Hispanics, and black voters is diminishing, which could hamper turnout for the Democratic Party. However, it is still possible for Biden to turn things around in the next 12 months before the election. The White House believes the issue lies in messaging, but voters are aware of the spin and are basing their judgments on their own experiences, such as the rising cost of living and crime rates. Ultimately, voters will determine if they are better off under Biden compared to Donald Trump. [Extracted from the article]

Personal computers initially purchased for work at home are usually used primarily for entertainment functions such as multi-media, games and Internet connections. Analysts report that consumers justify PC purchases for serious work functions such as personal finance, homework for children and office-work at home. A market survey of 10,500 computer owners reports that 71% of computer owners use them most often for entertainment. Another survey found that 60% of CD-ROM multi-media titles used by computer owners were for entertainment. Also, using the Internet for entertainment is a rapidly expanding field. Computer makers are exploiting this trend by including entertainment features such as TV tuners, joy sticks or stereo speakers with the computers. Some computer enthusiasts decry such trends, but others contend that entertainment can be a valuable way to introduce non-users to the computer world.

The Wall Street Journal uses the Well computer bulletin board as the forum for an informal discussion on present and future computer technology. The informal discussion panel includes engineers and developers from the computer and software industries, two college professors, a freelance writer and a landscape architect. The group agrees that many users want the most advanced, rapid microcomputers available. They also agree that these 'screamer' systems are often underutilized because today's software lags behind the processing power of the underlying hardware. Some attribute the software lag to the inherent difficulties involved in developing advanced applications. As for the microcomputer of the future, most of the panelists believe such systems will be invisible to the user. The panelists envision hand-held, perhaps voice-activated, tools that will enable users to perform tasks effortlessly.

Microcomputers and improving communications technologies make working at home an increasingly viable option. A survey conducted by Home Office Computing reveals that the range of jobs or businesses done from homes is wide, including every sort of thing from a one-person gas-pipeline company to a stuffed-animal manufacturer, and innovative uses of evolving technology are making more such arrangements possible. For example, a graphic designer uses screen-sharing software to interact with colleagues at remote locations. Graham Nash, the singer/songwriter of Crosby, Stills and Nash, says he uses communications arrangements to cut albums miles from a recording studio.

A Harvard University survey sponsored by Amrop International, an international partnership of executive recruiters, reveals that IBM is seen as the foremost company in developing international executives. The survey involved 629 senior executives in 30 countries. Four other multinational companies ranked just after IBM: Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Unilever PLC, Proctor & Gamble Co and ABB Asea Brown Boveri AG. Ninety-four percent of those polled say developing international executives is vital to their businesses, but only 46 percent characterize their recruitment efforts as successful. Executives say they must find better ways to develop global executives or their companies will suffer.