Shifting the Culture in Silicon Valley to Being Pro-America

This week, Dr. Alex Karp, the CEO of software giant Palantir, received the prestigious Herman Kahn Award.

The award was presented at the Hudson Institute’s annual gala, recognizing Dr. Karp’s outstanding contributions and leadership in the tech industry.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2025/11/14/shifting_the_culture_in_silicon_valley_to_being_pro-america_667706.html

Klarna And Affirm: The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times, And Quarterly Performance

**Klarna and Affirm: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times, and Quarterly Performance**
*APAC Investment News*

Klarna is expected to post solid short-term performance as consumers increasingly turn to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) programs amid economic stress. Both Klarna (KLAR) and Affirm (AFRM) show strong user and merchant growth, but rising delinquencies and deteriorating savings rates pose significant medium- and long-term risks.

KLAR and AFRM currently carry hold ratings due to potential short-term upside; however, caution is warranted given mounting headwinds in consumer credit and the labor market. While delinquency rates remain below industry averages, worsening economic conditions could quickly erode fundamentals for both companies.

BNPL programs have become quite popular, especially among younger consumers. With living costs continuing to rise and many people living paycheck to paycheck, consumer credit usage is expected to increase. For the time being, BNPL providers appear well-positioned to benefit from this trend.

### Observing Megatrends for Investment Insights

Markets rise and fall, booms come and go, and the world keeps ticking. Ultimately, observing megatrends — though difficult to spot and fully comprehend — can yield valuable insights into the advancement of human society. These insights, in turn, could pave the way for many useful investment opportunities.

As society and technologies evolve, companies and stakeholders will seize advantages. Identifying which companies will best capitalize on these opportunities is not easy. My interests lie especially in macrotrends, futurism, and emerging technologies.

### The Importance of Fundamentals and Leadership

However, when it comes to investing, it is crucial to pay attention to fundamentals, the quality of leadership, product pipelines, and other pertinent details.

In recent years, my focus has been on marketing and business strategy, primarily for medium-sized companies and startups. I have worked in international development, including overseas for a foreign Prime Minister’s office, as well as non-profit organizations in the United States. Among other tasks, I have evaluated startups and emerging industries/technologies.

I have also worked as a technology and economic news journalist. Now, I am looking to tie all these experiences together.

While my personal interests will always keep megatrends and technological developments in mind, I firmly believe that fundamentals and technical analysis are vital to uncovering investment opportunities.

### Analyst’s Disclosure

I/we have no stock, option, or similar derivative positions in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate such positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it other than from Seeking Alpha. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

### Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or investment advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor.

Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker, US investment adviser, or investment bank.

Our analysts are third-party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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https://seekingalpha.com/article/4844344-klarna-and-affirm-the-best-of-times-the-worst-of-times-and-quarterly-performance?source=feed_all_articles

Are Pro Sports Gambling Away Their Integrity? – Liberty Nation News

The sports world was rocked again this week when two pitchers for Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians were arrested on charges related to gambling.

Coming on the heels of the recent indictments of numerous current and former NBA players and a head coach on similarly disturbing allegations in October, the already heated debate about increasingly widespread legal wagering on pro sports has intensified. The overriding concern is about the potential damage it will cause among bettors, not to mention those watching sports simply for pleasure, who will increasingly question whether the games they are wagering on are on the up-and-up.

### The Rich History of Gambling in America

Betting has been a favorite pastime enjoyed by American sports fans for as long as anyone can remember. Until the last decade or so, it was mostly limited to informal bets between individuals, except in gambling meccas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

But now, years after the Supreme Court overturned a national ban on betting outside Nevada in 2018, online sports wagering has been legalized in 30 states plus DC, exploding across the land. People can now legally play the odds on almost anything. They are not confined to traditional bets such as whether a team will cover the point spread or the over/under on total points scored in a football game, or the outcome of a baseball or basketball game.

They can now wager on propositions (prop bets) like how many hits a baseball player will get, how many minutes a basketball player will be on the court, or how many passing yards a football quarterback will accumulate. It is these types of wagers that have stirred up the hornet’s nest.

### The Cleveland Pitching Scandal

It was prop bets, the most profitable for online sportsbooks such as FanDuel, Caesar’s, and MGM, that led to the arrests of Cleveland pitchers Emanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. Prosecutors claim that Clase began rigging pitches in 2023, providing information to bettors about the location and velocity of his pitches. Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in 2025.

The two are accused of manipulating pitches to ensure certain outcomes, such as throwing a ball outside the strike zone, and receiving kickbacks from the bettors.

### Fallout in the NBA and Beyond

Meanwhile, in October, FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the arrest of over 30 current and former NBA figures and Mafia family members in a stunning takedown of two separate illegal gambling-related cases. The scheme reportedly involved using inside information from NBA players to profit from rigged betting on games and high-stakes poker, in which high-profile former pro athletes were used to lure unwitting wealthy victims to the poker table, creating an illusion of a legitimate, high-end game.

Once at the table, the victims played against players and dealers who were in on the scam.

Even a minor sport like wrestling has not been immune to corruption. Fourteen individuals, including two former Rutgers University wrestlers, were charged on November 13 with racketeering and money laundering in a mob-linked, multi-million-dollar illegal sports betting ring not dissimilar to the one uncovered by Patel and the FBI.

### The Tip of a Larger Iceberg?

Are these cases all unique one-offs, or do they represent the tip of a much larger iceberg?

Well, a whopping total of $148 billion was wagered by Americans legally in 2024, and sportsbooks profited to the tune of a record $14 billion. With all that money floating around, the opportunities for corruption are ripe and plentiful.

What makes this even more troubling is that sports franchises are now affiliating with online sportsbooks, in some cases even promoting prop bets during their telecasts. After more than 100 years of warning athletes that gambling is strictly verboten and considered the cardinal sin for competitors, pro sports are teaming up with online gambling sites, rationalizing their partnerships as the best method for keeping a close eye on betting patterns.

But many skeptics have asserted that this is nothing more than a quest for handsome profits.

### MLB’s Response

MLB and its affiliated sportsbooks have responded to the Guardians’ scandal by limiting wagers on pitch-level prop bets (e.g., ball/strike, pitch velocity) to $200 nationwide.

In addition, these “micro-bets” can no longer be included in parlays, in which bettors wager on a combination of propositions. Parlays are widely considered by experts to be sucker bets that are particularly profitable to gambling platforms.

The league stated that these one-off events, which can be determined by a single player and may not affect the game’s outcome, are particularly vulnerable to manipulation.

### The Stakes for Professional and College Sports

These gambling scandals threaten the very integrity of professional and college sports.

When baseball’s infamous Black Sox scandal, in which several members of the Chicago White Sox were paid off by gamblers to fix the 1919 World Series, was unmasked, it almost ruined the sport. The commissioner hired to clean up the game, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, banned eight players for life, even though they had been acquitted in a court of law. Landis understood the damage it had done.

Many will argue that only the emergence of all-time superstar Babe Ruth in 1920 and beyond saved MLB.

If today’s commissioners of the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, and the NCAA—which regulates college athletics—cannot manage to keep their sports clean, they will likely trigger an ugly reckoning that will drive untold thousands of wary fans away from the games they love.
https://www.libertynation.com/are-pro-sports-gambling-away-their-integrity/

Shiba Inu Exchanges Losing SHIB: 207,000,000,000 in 24 Hours

**Shiba Inu Sees Massive Exchange Outflows: Is an Accumulation Phase Underway?**

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has reported another significant exchange outflow event, with 207 billion SHIB departing exchanges in just a 24-hour period. This stands out as one of the largest single-day withdrawals in months, signaling more than just a minor accumulation wave.

In a market where sentiment has been unstable, signals like this are especially important. According to CryptoQuant data, there was a net outflow of 121 billion SHIB on November 15 alone, with the trend continuing into November 16. Such consistent withdrawal activity points to a long-term strategy among holders.

When exchanges lose supply at this rate, spot selling pressure tends to dry up, sharply reducing the likelihood of a deep price breakdown. However, despite this bullish underlying activity, SHIB remains pinned under strong technical resistance.

**SHIB’s Technical Picture: Why Isn’t Price Breaking Out?**

Currently, Shiba Inu is trading between $0.0000090 and $0.0000093—a local support zone that has held firm several times, preventing a breakdown. Despite this resilience, SHIB is still far below all major moving averages, which have converged and are sloping downward, acting as dynamic resistance.

Momentum remains weak, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering around 39. Nevertheless, volume has stayed steady rather than collapsing, suggesting that holders are choosing to wait out the volatility rather than rushing to sell. This aligns perfectly with the recent outflow data: investors are removing tokens from exchanges because they’re prepared to endure market swings, not panic-sell.

**Accumulation Phase or Liquidation?**

Rather than entering a liquidation phase, SHIB appears to be entering an accumulation phase. For a strong upward move, the price needs to reclaim at least $0.0000105, where the first cluster of moving averages provides significant resistance. The next major resistance comes at $0.0000112.

So far, there hasn’t been a clear bullish breakout; the chart remains brutally honest about the hurdles ahead. Yet, something might be brewing beneath the surface: SHIB’s supply is vanishing from exchanges at a pace historically associated with significant trend shifts.

**Looking Ahead: Is a Recovery on the Horizon?**

While the price has yet to reflect these bullish undertones, SHIB may be laying the groundwork for a recovery leg if the outflow trend continues and the price manages to maintain its support zone. For now, SHIB holders seem ready to weather the storm, indicating strength rather than surrender as the market awaits the next big move.

*Stay tuned for more updates on Shiba Inu and other crypto news.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/shiba-inu-exchanges-losing-shib-207000000000-in-24-hours/

Will Alex DeBrincat Score a Goal vs. the New York Rangers on November 16?

Will Alex DeBrincat Score for the Detroit Red Wings Against the New York Rangers on Sunday?

The Detroit Red Wings face off against the New York Rangers this Sunday at 7:00 PM ET. If you’re considering a wager on Alex DeBrincat to score, here’s a detailed look at his recent performance and stats to help inform your bet.

Alex DeBrincat Anytime Goal Odds vs. the Rangers

Anytime Goal Odds: +150 (Bet $10 to win $15 if he scores a goal)

DeBrincat’s Goal Scoring Stats

Through 18 games this season, DeBrincat has accumulated 20 points, including seven multi-point games. He has found the back of the net in six of those 18 games, with two contests featuring multiple goals.

Overall, DeBrincat has scored 8 goals on 73 shots, reflecting an 11.0% shooting conversion rate. On the power play, he has been particularly effective, scoring 5 power-play goals on 18 shots.

Against the Rangers this season, DeBrincat has attempted three shots in one game but has yet to score against them.

Recent Performance Overview

Date Opponent Location Result Points Goals Time On Ice
11/15/2025 Sabres Home L 5-4 OT 2 2 18:04
11/13/2025 Ducks Home W 6-3 3 2 18:26
11/9/2025 Blackhawks Home L 5-1 0 0 19:39
11/7/2025 Rangers Home L 4-1 0 0 16:50
11/4/2025 Golden Knights Away L 1-0 0 0 19:19
11/2/2025 Sharks Away W 3-2 SO 1 0 16:29
10/31/2025 Ducks Away L 5-2 2 1 17:32
10/30/2025 Kings Away W 4-3 SO 2 1 15:33
10/28/2025 Blues Away W 5-2 2 1 15:37
10/25/2025 Blues Home W 6-4 1 1 18:06

Game Details: Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Rangers

  • Game Day: Sunday, November 16, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NHL Network
  • Streaming: Watch the NHL on Fubo!

Considering DeBrincat’s recent scoring bursts and his power-play effectiveness, he remains a strong candidate to score against the Rangers despite not having scored against them yet this season. Betting on an anytime goal at +150 offers a potentially rewarding wager for bettors confident in his offensive upside.

https://www.bleachernation.com/picks/2025/11/16/will-alex-debrincat-score-a-goal-vs-the-new-york-rangers-on-november-16/

Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards Preview and Prediction – Nov. 16 | 2025-26 NBA Season

**Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Betting Tips**

The Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards are set to face off in one of eight NBA games scheduled for Sunday. Both teams enter this matchup near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, each holding a 1-11 record.

### Brooklyn Nets Overview

The Nets currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 1-11 record. They have won just once in their last five games and are coming off a 105-98 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. stood out in that game, recording 24 points, alongside 11 rebounds and seven assists. Nic Claxton contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

### Washington Wizards Overview

The Wizards, positioned 14th in the Eastern Conference, also have a 1-11 record. They fell 135-112 to the Houston Rockets on the road Wednesday.

Alex Sarr was the top performer for Washington with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Kyshawn George added 16 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.

### Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Game Details

– **Date & Time:** Sunday at 6 p.m. ET
– **Location:** Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
– **Broadcast:** YES and MNMT

### Betting Lines

– **Moneyline:** Nets (+120) | Wizards (-140)
– **Spread:** Nets (+2.5) | Wizards (-2.5)
– **Total (O/U):** Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

### Head-to-Head Preview

Historically, the Wizards have had the upper hand with a 110-100 record against the Nets. However, Brooklyn has been more dominant recently, winning seven of their last 10 matchups.

Their last regular-season meeting was on March 29, where the Nets secured a narrow 115-112 road victory. In that game, Wizards guard AJ Johnson posted 20 points and four assists while Nets forward Tyrese Martin finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

### Predicted Starting Lineups

**Brooklyn Nets**
– PG: Egor Demin
– SG: Terance Mann
– SF: Michael Porter Jr.
– PF: Noah Clowney
– C: Nic Claxton

**Washington Wizards**
– PG: C.J. McCollum
– SG: Tre Johnson
– SF: Kyshawn George
– PF: Khris Middleton
– C: Alex Sarr

*Note: Starting lineups are subject to change ahead of tipoff.*

### Betting Tips

– **Michael Porter Jr. Over/Under 23 points:** Porter Jr. is averaging 23.2 points per game this season. Given his recent form, betting on the over is a safe choice.
– **Alex Sarr Over/Under 19 points:** Sarr is averaging 19.1 points per game, making the over a reliable bet as well.

### Game Prediction

Despite both teams struggling this season, the Nets are favorites heading into this matchup. Expect a close contest, but Brooklyn is projected to come out on top, holding a 58.3% win probability.

**Final Prediction:** Over 231 points, Brooklyn Nets win.

Unlock free expert tips and get your picks now for more NBA games and betting advice!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/brooklyn-nets-vs-washington-wizards-preview-prediction-nov-16-2025-26-nba-season

Volcanic Ash: Legislators not in any rush to police members’ bribery

A 92-year-old Honolulu architect was convicted in state court for bribery last week and faces up to 10 years in prison after being recorded in 2022 trying to slip a $20 bill to a city permit officer.

Yet, there have been no charges and conflicting explanations in the 2022 federal case involving a tape of an unnamed state legislator taking a bag containing $35,000.

**Corruption Fighting, Hawaii-Kine**

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura last week finally voiced concern about “the cloud placed over the entire state Legislature,” but her remarks came off as an invitation to the feds to ask her to back off. Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson quickly obliged.

The case stems from federal bribery prosecutions that jailed state Sen. J. Kalani English and state Rep. Ty Cullen. Cullen cooperated with authorities to receive a reduced sentence.

In a 2023 filing, federal prosecutors stated that Cullen recorded “an influential state legislator” accepting a purported $35,000 campaign donation from a person of interest to authorities. They alluded to a “chargeable bribery offense.” However, there has been radio silence since.

Alexander Silvert, the retired federal public defender who spurred federal corruption convictions of Louis and Katherine Kealoha, stirred public attention with a Change.org petition demanding that the Legislature conduct its own investigation of its member’s possible corruption. The petition (change.org/p/restore-public-trust-investigate-the- unknown-hawai%CA%BBi-legislator) had 813 signatures as of Friday.

In a Star-Advertiser commentary, Silvert noted that the statute of limitations on the bribery case is looming in January 2027. “One could assume that the Legislature would want to police its own and investigate,” he wrote. “Particularly when it might prevent a possibly corrupt legislator from continuing to actively participate in voting on new laws, such as anti-corruption legislation or campaign spending limits.”

Representatives Della Au Belatti and Kanani Souza have also agitated for investigations by the Legislature, the Campaign Spending Commission, and the Ethics Commission.

Nakamura initially said a legislative investigation would be inappropriate while the federal probe is ongoing. But feeling the heat, last week she wrote to Sorenson asking if the federal investigation is still active and whether “parallel investigations by state authorities would complement or potentially interfere with your office’s work.”

She also wrote to state Attorney General Anne Lopez “to determine whether any Hawaii state laws may have been violated,” while noting that “my request is not intended to interfere with or duplicate federal efforts.”

Sorenson quickly responded that the federal probe remains active and “a parallel investigation by state authorities would potentially interfere with our investigation.”

In a confusing statement, he said, “the referenced ‘bribery offense’ is unrelated to the $35,000 in the paper bag. Put another way, the so-named ‘influential state legislator’ was not involved in the ‘bribery offense’ alluded to in the filing.”

So, a legislator took a paper bag stuffed with $35,000, and it wasn’t bribery? Then what was the bribery offense?

The cloud over the state keeps getting darker.

Viewing this tap dancing against the $20 handshake, the lesson seems to be: if you want to get away with bribery in Hawaii, bribe big.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/16/hawaii-news/volcanic-ash/volcanic-ash-legislators-not-in-any-rush-to-police-members-bribery/

Nebraska-Penn State kickoff time, TV channel announced

The Big Ten Conference and its television partners have announced that the Nebraska-Penn State game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, will kick off at 6 p.m. CT and be broadcast on NBC.

Following this game, NBC will feature the Washington Huskies versus the UCLA Bruins at approximately 9:30 p.m. CT.

This upcoming matchup between Nebraska and Penn State will mark the 19th meeting between the two programs. Currently, the Huskers hold a narrow 10-8 advantage over the Nittany Lions.

Nebraska (7-3, 4-3) will enter the game coming off a bye week, while Penn State (4-6, 1-6) returns home after a decisive 28-10 victory over Michigan State in East Lansing, MI.

A win for Nebraska would give the Cornhuskers their most wins in a season since finishing 9-4 under Mike Riley in 2016. Additionally, it would keep them within reach of their first 10-win season since a 10-4 finish under Bo Pelini in 2012.

Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/nebraska-penn-state-kickoff-time-100821683.html

ONE 173 post-fight breakdown: Kana crashes Stamp’s return, outpoints Thai megastar in kickboxing war

Kana Morimoto has promised to unleash pure violence in her return to the global stage of ONE Championship.

The acclaimed fighter is set to make a powerful comeback, showcasing her skill and determination. Fans around the world eagerly await her performance as she steps back into the spotlight.

With a reputation for fierce competition, Morimoto’s return is highly anticipated, signaling an exciting chapter in her fighting career within ONE Championship.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-one-173-post-fight-breakdown-kana-crashes-stamp-s-return-outpoints-thai-megastar-kickboxing-war