Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Monday, 5:29 AM

January 6, 2024

Good morning news friend! Track the stories shaping the present, staying in step with a world that never stands still. 📰🌟

Elon Musk vs UK

Elon Musk publicly called for a leadership change in the Reform UK party, stating that Nigel Farage “doesn't have what it takes” to lead. This followed a dispute regarding Musk's support for Tommy Robinson, who is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Musk met with Farage in December at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago, leading to speculation of a potential donation of $100 million (£80.5 million) to the party.

Farage stated that Robinson is “not right” for the party. Meanwhile, Musk amplified criticism of Labour ministers regarding grooming scandals in the UK, calling for a national inquiry that the government has declined to initiate.

A recent YouGov poll revealed that 94% of Reform supporters viewed Farage favorably.

Source: Read More

Snowfall of the Decade

A winter storm threatens the central and eastern US, bringing the potential for the heaviest snowfall in a decade. Over 63 million Americans are under winter weather advisories as the storm stretches across 30 states.

Forecasters predict 8 to 14 inches of snow, with some regions in Kansas and Missouri expecting up to 15 inches by Tuesday. Wind gusts may reach 40 mph, contributing to blizzard conditions.

The storm is expected to produce severe cold, with temperatures dropping 12 to 25 degrees below normal, especially affecting the eastern US. States of emergency are declared in Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Nearly 200 flights were canceled in St. Louis alone due to ice and snow.

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Boost in Social Security Payments

President Biden is set to sign the Social Security Fairness Act, increasing payments for 3 million public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

This law rescinds two critical provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for individuals receiving pensions from public service jobs. 745,679 face reductions due to the Government Pension Offset, while 2.1 million are impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision.

Eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision will raise monthly benefits by $360. Average monthly benefits will increase by $700 for those affected by the Government Pension Offset. Surviving spouses will see an average monthly increase of $1,190.

he new law aims to alleviate issues for public service workers, though it may hasten the Social Security Trust Fund's insolvency by six months.

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Microsoft Bets Big on AI

Microsoft plans to invest $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to develop AI-enabled data centers. This investment aims to enhance capabilities in training AI models and deploying cloud-based applications.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, stated that over half of this funding will be allocated within the United States.

In Q1 fiscal 2025, Microsoft's capital expenditures reached $20 billion, marking a 5.3% increase. Analysts expect the company's total capital expenditures, including leases, to hit $84.24 billion for the fiscal year.

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Measurement of Electron Quantum Geometry

For the first time, physicists have measured the geometric configuration of a single electron in solids.

The team used angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) on kagome metal, a cobalt-tin alloy. They successfully measured the quantum geometric tensor (QGT), which encodes crucial geometric information about quantum states.

The QGT facilitates a deeper understanding of quantum materials and serves as a blueprint for measuring quantum geometries in various solids. Previously, scientists could only infer quantum geometry theoretically.

This breakthrough will enhance the study of superconductivity and may lead to unexpected materials with novel properties.

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Alcohol Cancer Risks

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for new warning labels on alcoholic drinks. His report highlights that alcohol consumption contributes to 100,000 new cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths annually in the US.

The Surgeon General's advisory cites strong links between alcohol and at least seven types of cancer: breast, colon, liver, throat, esophagus, mouth, and larynx.

Approximately 70% of Americans consume alcohol, yet only 45% recognize its cancer risk. Women face higher risks, with an 80-year-old woman having a 17% chance of developing alcohol-related cancer, even with minimal consumption.

The Surgeon General’s proposal may face challenges in Congress, especially from the alcohol industry, which spends $30 million annually on lobbying.

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“Some ideas are born as you write them down, others become dead.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️