Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Tuesday, 5:13 AM

December 24, 2024

Good morning news friend! Track the events shaping today’s world, staying connected to the stories that matter. 📰🌟

Matt Gaetz Report Released

The House Ethics Committee released a report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The report alleges that Gaetz paid $90,000 to twelve women from 2017 to 2020. This money was linked to sexual activities and drug use.

The committee found Gaetz engaged in sex with a 17-year-old girl, paying her $400 in 2017. Gaetz claimed he was unaware of her age. The investigation confirmed Gaetz used PayPal and Venmo for these transactions.

The report reveals that Joel Greenberg, Gaetz’s associate, facilitated drug-fueled parties and sex-for-money arrangements. Greenberg is currently in prison for sex trafficking.

The Justice Department previously investigated Gaetz without filing charges. Concerns about the evidence's strength and the narrow application of federal sex-trafficking laws led to this conclusion.

Source: Read More

Capital Goods Surge and Home Sales Rebound

In November, core capital goods orders in the US increased by 0.7%. Shipments rose by 0.5%. Despite this, durable goods orders dropped by 1.1%, mainly due to a decline in aircraft orders.

New home sales jumped 5.9% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 664,000 units. Year-over-year, sales rose by 8.7%. The median price for newly built homes fell to $402,600, down 6.3% from the previous year.

Consumer confidence, however, declined by 8.1 points in December, dropping to 104.7. 46% of consumers expect tariffs to raise the cost of living.

Source: Read More

Honda and Nissan Join Forces

Honda and Nissan announced plans for a strategic merger that could forge the world’s third-largest automaker.

The companies plan to establish a holding firm, targeting 30 trillion yen ($191 billion) in sales and over 3 trillion yen in operating profit post-merger.

Last year, Toyota led the industry with 11.5 million vehicle sales, while Honda produced 4 million, Nissan 3.4 million, and Mitsubishi just over 1 million. Together, the merged companies would manufacture 8 million vehicles annually.

Honda's CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, emphasized the importance of unifying operations to compete effectively with BYD and Tesla.

Source: Read More

Parker Solar Probe

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is about to fly within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the Sun's surface. This pass will occur at a speed of 430,000 miles per hour (692,000 kilometers per hour), making it the fastest human-made object ever.

The probe’s mission focuses on studying solar storms and determining why the Sun's corona is much hotter than its surface. It previously entered the Sun’s atmosphere in December 2021, coming as close as 6.5 million miles (10.4 million kilometers) to the surface.

The spacecraft features a revolutionary heat shield that can endure temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,371 degrees Celsius).

During the upcoming flyby, it will experience temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (980 degrees Celsius), all while keeping its interior at a stable room temperature.

Source: Read More

Nordstrom Going Private

The Nordstrom family, alongside El Puerto de Liverpool, will take Nordstrom private in a deal valued at $6.25 billion. This acquisition includes $450 million in borrowing and a special dividend of up to 25 cents per share.

Shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each Nordstrom share, representing a 42% premium over its price in March 2024. Since 2015, Nordstrom's shares have decreased by 70%, leading the family to believe the company is undervalued.

The retail chain's annual revenue peaked at $15.9 billion in 2019 but is projected to reach only $14.9 billion in 2024.

The Nordstrom family will hold a 50.1% stake post-acquisition, while El Puerto de Liverpool will own 49.9%. This transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

Source: Read More

South Korea's Iron Man Robot

South Korean researchers at KAIST have created a wearable robot called the WalkON Suit F1. This lightweight exoskeleton weighs 50 kg (110 lb) and features 12 electronic motors that mimic human joint movements.

The robot locks onto users, allowing them to stand from a seated position. It enables paraplegic users to walk at a speed of 3.2 kph (2 mph), navigate obstacles, and even climb stairs.

The device’s sensors process 1,000 signals per second, ensuring balance and predicting movements.

Additionally, integrated lenses analyze surroundings, measuring stair heights and detecting obstacles to assist users with limited sensory capabilities.

Source: Read More

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“In most debates, people seem to be trying to convince one another; but all they can hope for is new arguments to convince themselves.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️