Ken Griffin, the billionaire investor, just bought a nearly complete Stegosaurus fossil for a staggering $44.6 million at a Sotheby’s auction. This fossil, named “Apex,” is one of the most complete Stegosaurus skeletons ever found.

The auction’s final price was much higher than the expected $4 million to $6 million, setting a new record for dinosaur fossil sales. The previous record was $31.8 million for a T. rex named Stan, sold in 2020.

Griffin said, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!” He plans to loan the fossil to an American museum so the public can see it.

The Stegosaurus, which was found in Dinosaur, Colorado, is 27 feet long and 11 feet tall. It lived about 150 million years ago. The fossil was discovered by paleontologist Jason Cooper in 2022.

Some scientists are unhappy with such fossils being sold to private buyers instead of museums or research centers. However, Griffin’s plan to loan Apex to a museum could help make it accessible to everyone.

Griffin, who has a net worth of $37.9 billion, has donated over $2 billion to various causes. His latest purchase continues his tradition of supporting museums and public exhibits.

In summary, Ken Griffin’s purchase of Apex not only breaks records but also aims to educate the public by making this rare fossil available for viewing.

TikTok is venturing into new territory with the introduction of TikTok Notes, a photo-sharing application that mirrors the traditional Instagram experience. Currently, in a trial phase in Australia and Canada, this new platform represents TikTok’s broader strategy to diversify its offerings and secure its user base against potential regulatory challenges in the United States.

“TikTok Notes is designed as a dedicated space for photo and text content, enriching the ways our community shares and connects,” TikTok announced on the social media platform X. The app encourages users to document life’s moments, from daily snapshots to creative expressions, in a format that emphasizes photo content over video.

The layout of TikTok Notes will be familiar to social media enthusiasts, featuring a dual-feed system similar to TikTok’s structure. Users will navigate through a “For You” feed for recommended content and a “Following” feed to keep up with users they are interested in. The posts, comprising single images or photo carousels accompanied by detailed captions, are reminiscent of the early days of Instagram before its shift towards video-centric content.

This development comes amid persistent rumors and hints found within TikTok’s code by reverse engineering experts. The move to launch a photo-centric app could be seen as a strategic hedge against the potential legal and regulatory battles TikTok faces in the U.S., offering a fallback that could help retain its audience should complications arise with its main platform.

Moreover, the timing of TikTok Notes’ introduction could not be more poignant. Many Instagram users have expressed dissatisfaction with recent changes to their platform’s reach and visibility. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has been active in addressing these concerns but has yet to quell the growing discontent among creators. This new app from TikTok might just offer those disaffected Instagram users a new home for their photo content, leveraging the current climate of frustration to draw users to its burgeoning service.

As TikTok continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, TikTok Notes represents just the latest in its creative outreach efforts. While currently limited to Australia and Canada, the global TikTok community is keenly watching for signs of a broader rollout, particularly in markets like the United States, where the app’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing debates over digital security and platform governance.

The international oil market is navigating through a turbulent phase, marked by two significant developments that underscore the interdependence of global politics and energy economics.

Escalating Tensions in the Red Sea Region

The Red Sea, a key global trade route, is witnessing a surge in security concerns. This is predominantly due to the Yemeni Houthi militant group targeting vessels in the area, claiming to support the Palestinian cause. These attacks have led to substantial disruptions in the Suez Canal, a vital waterway that facilitates approximately 12% of the world’s trade. As a result, shipping giants like Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and Hong Kong’s OOCL have been compelled to reroute their vessels or suspend operations in the region.

The United States has responded by launching a multinational operation aimed at protecting commercial activities in the Red Sea. However, the Houthi militants show no signs of ceasing their assaults. Notably, these developments have not significantly impacted the overall oil supply, largely because most Middle Eastern crude oil is transported via the Strait of Hormuz.

Angola Opts Out of OPEC

In a move reflecting a strategic reassessment, Angola’s oil minister has declared the nation’s exit from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This decision highlights Angola’s discontent with the organization’s policies, particularly the reduction in Angola’s oil output quota for 2024, decided by the OPEC+ group.

Angola’s exit is seen as a significant shift within OPEC, especially as it follows the earlier departures of Ecuador in 2020 and Qatar in 2019. This development occurs amid efforts by the Saudi-led producer group to garner support for deeper output cuts aimed at boosting oil prices.

A Confluence of Geopolitical Dynamics

These two developments bring to the forefront the intricate relationship between geopolitical tensions and the global energy landscape. They highlight how regional disturbances and strategic national decisions can have significant and immediate effects on global energy supplies and pricing mechanisms. As the world grapples with these challenges, the oil market continues to reflect the delicate balance of global politics and economics.

This situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing volatility in the oil markets and the need for constant vigilance and adaptability in response to both regional conflicts and significant policy shifts by nations. The global community, especially countries reliant on these oil routes and members of OPEC, will be closely monitoring these developments and their potential long-term impacts on the international energy sector.