The Future of Streaming

Daily Upsider on January 3, 2024

As we step into 2024, the world of streaming is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of various planned service bundles. This comes in the wake of many streaming services adding advertisements to their bottom tiers in an attempt to stay, or even become, profitable. These include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.

Very few streaming services made a profit this year. Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO’s rebranded Max being among the few to make profits.

The increase in bundles seems like a decent strategy to get more subscribers onto their respective platforms. Let’s take a closer look at some of the streaming service bundles of 2024.

Disney+ and Hulu
This bundle, which launched at the beginning of 2024 will be an alternative bundle to the current Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu trio. This partnership will bring together two popular streaming services, offering a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and original content.

Verizon, Max and Netflix
Verizon is offering a $10/month bundle with Max and Netflix. This is available to Verizon customers and is for the ads versions of Max and Netflix.

Apple TV+ and Paramount+
There are also talks about a partnership between Paramount Global and Apple. These two companies are reportedly considering a bundle that combines the best of Apple TV+ and Paramount+, giving subscribers access to a vast library of sports and news content.

If you already have have some of these streaming services. Changing to a bundle could save you some decent money.

Naloxone Vending Machine Saves 900+ Lives from Overdoses

Daily Upsider on January 2, 2024

In a realistic move to tackle opioid overdoses, naloxone vending machines are proving effective in various U.S. locations. Cincinnati-based nonprofit Caracole initiated the effort in Ohio, installing a 24/7-accessible vending machine outside its building in February 2021. The machine, designed for rapid opioid overdose reversal, has saved 960 lives in under two years, as per a University of Cincinnati study.

Naloxone nasal sprays work by delivering the medication directly into the nasal cavity, where it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. The medication then rapidly reverses the effects of opioids by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of other opioids. This can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness in individuals experiencing an opioid overdose. While this self-service system is not widespread in the U.S., it takes inspiration from successful European practices.

Encoura by success in Cincinnati, Dr. Arendt and Caracole are collaborating with other organizations to expand these vending machines nationally. Cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, New York, and Indiana have recently adopted similar programs, providing accessible naloxone and fentanyl resources as part of harm reduction strategies.

Suzanne Bachmeyer, Caracole’s director of prevention, underscores the vending machines’ role in harm reduction by offering around-the-clock access to life-saving supplies, empowering individuals to manage their health.

As these initiatives gain momentum, the presence of naloxone vending machines is growing, representing a practical stride in overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts across the country.

‘Lost’ Ancient Roman Palace Reopens After 50 Years

Daily Upsider on January 1, 2024

After 50 years of closure, Rome’s Domus Tiberiana, an ancient imperial palace near the Colosseum, has reopened as an open-air museum. The first-century palace, initially built by Emperor Tiberius and later expanded by Nero, now welcomes visitors after a six-year makeover.

The site, located on Palatine Hill, showcases artifacts like stuccos, frescoes, and statues related to cults of Isis, Dionysius, and Mithras. The renovation, led by archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, uncovered well-preserved antiquities, including some of the earliest paintings of lemons and depictions of gladiators. With 400,000 visitors since reopening, the revamped Domus Tiberiana is hailed as a successful restoration, blending original materials with careful reconstruction. Archaeologist Giorgio Franchetti sees it as a recaptured jewel on the historic Palatine Hill, offering a unique glimpse into Rome’s past.

Housing Market Turning

Daily Upsider on January 1, 2024

In recent months, the housing market has seen a surge in new home construction as builders work to meet the growing demand for housing. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, residential new construction rose 14.8% in November 2023 compared to the previous month, reaching an annual rate of 1.56 million new homes being built. This increase in new home construction is a positive sign for the housing market, as it indicates that builders are feeling optimistic about the future of the industry.

One of the driving factors behind the increase in new home construction is the decline in mortgage rates. As rates have come down, more people are able to afford to buy a home, which has led to an increase in demand for new homes. This, in turn, has spurred builders to ramp up construction in order to meet the growing demand.

In addition to the decline in mortgage rates, the increase in new home construction can also be attributed to the rise in housing permits. In November 2023, the number of housing permits issued rose 6.6% month-over-month to 1,453,000 completions. This increase in permits is yet another good sign for the housing market.

Despite the increase in new home construction, the housing market still faces some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the high cost of building materials. The cost of lumber, for example, has risen significantly in recent months, which has made it more expensive for builders to construct new homes. In addition, the ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry has made it difficult for builders to find the workers they need to complete projects on time.

Despite these challenges, as more homes are built, it will help to ease the shortage of available homes for sale and provide more options for buyers. This, in turn, could help to keep home prices from rising too quickly and make it easier for people to find a home that they can afford.

Veggie Farm Thrives in Desert!

Daily Upsider on December 30, 2023

In Aqaba on Jordan’s Red Sea coast, the Sahara Forest Project practices innovative farming amid extreme water scarcity. Despite Jordan importing 98% of its food this farm found a way to plant crops like cucumbers, peppers, and passion fruit.

This sustainable farm relies on solar power and seawater, using evaporative systems and salt-tolerant plants. The project aims to reverse land degradation by enriching soil through waste recycling. With a successful track record, the project is expanding, replacing seawater trucks with a pipeline and aiming to absorb more carbon than it emits. It has created good jobs in the area and provides training of sustainable farming methods, offering a model for sustainable agriculture amid the challenging arid climate.