Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Tuesday, 5:23 AM

November 19, 2024

Good morning news friend! Keep your focus sharp as the latest events unfold, shaping the world around you. 📰🌟

US Permits Ukraine to Strike Inside Russia

The US has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to hit targets within Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that allowing these strikes “adds fuel to the fire” and escalates tensions.

This change allows Ukraine to potentially use ATACMS rockets, which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km). Analysts suggest this will enhance Ukraine’s defense of the Kursk region.

Currently, Russia has amassed 50,000 troops in Kursk, alongside 11,000 North Koreans, to counter Ukraine's recent gains.

France and Britain have yet to confirm if they will follow the US lead in allowing Ukraine to use their long-range missiles.

Source: Read More

Credit Crunch and Builder Boom

Credit access tightened in 2024, as the average rejection rate for mortgage applications rose by 8.6 percentage points.

The new rate stands at 20.7%, more than double the 2019 level. Consumers struggled to secure auto loans and refinance mortgages. These are the highest rejection rates in over a decade.

In contrast, homebuilder sentiment surged to a seven-month high in November. The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo reported a confidence gauge increase of 3 points to 46.

Source: Read More

Spirit Airlines Heads for Chapter 11

Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Since 2020, the airline has reported losses exceeding $2.5 billion and faces over $1 billion in debt payments due in 2025 and 2026.

Despite the bankruptcy, Spirit plans to operate normally, allowing customers to book flights and use frequent-flyer points without disruptions.

The airline reached an agreement with bondholders for a $350 million equity investment and will convert $795 million of debt into stock to aid its restructuring.

The average fare per passenger fell nearly 19% in the first half of the year, contributing to a loss of about $360 million. Spirit expects to exit bankruptcy by Q1 2025.

Source: Read More

Brendan Carr: The New FCC Commissioner

President-elect Donald Trump selected Brendan Carr as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Carr is a seasoned telecommunications lawyer and the senior Republican on the five-member commission. He plans to remove what he calls outdated regulations and address budget challenges.

Carr has openly supported the call to dismantle the “censorship cartel” and end promotion of diversity and inclusion policies. And backs the ban on TikTok.

He criticized the FCC's past decisions, especially those impacting Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, and he opposes President Biden’s $42.5 billion broadband-expansion program.

Source: Read More

Google + Nvidia = Quantum Computing?

Google and NVIDIA teamed up to improve quantum processing units (QPUs) through advanced GPU-accelerated simulations. The focus is on quantum dynamics, crucial for understanding how quantum systems behave over time.

Researchers have explored intricate models, including a 40-qubit spin-chain simulation, the largest of its kind completed on NVIDIA's Eos AI supercomputer.

Additionally, NVIDIA's CUDA-Q platform introduces new dynamics APIs that simplify GPU-accelerated simulations.

Google noted that developing commercially viable quantum computers relies on controlling noise. Nvidia’s Eos supercomputer can perform complex calculations in minutes, a process that previously took a week.

Source: Read More

Neom’s Dream Unravels

Neom, Saudi Arabia's mega-city project, is facing challenges as costs soar, schedules slip, and the chief executive was replaced after six years.

The grand plan involves building a car-free, vertical city for 1 million people by 2030, with a projected cost of $500 billion. However, former executives estimate the true expense could reach trillions.

Preparations include 60 miles of sand excavation, but the first phase was reduced to only 1.5 miles. Despite having over $400 billion in currency reserves, the country struggles to fund its mega-projects.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to reduce oil dependency. Yet, oil prices are low at $72 per barrel, below the $96 needed for a balanced budget.

Source: Read More

“The main difference between government bailouts and smoking is that in some rare cases the statement ‘this is my last cigarette‘ holds true”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️