Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Friday, 5:21 AM

November 29, 2024

Good morning news friend! Stay tuned to the moments shaping our world, keeping up with the pace of change.📰🌟

Russian Ruble Collapse?

The Russian Ruble fell to 114 against the US dollar, its lowest point since March 2022. In response, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) intervened by suspending foreign currency purchases for the rest of the year to stabilize the market.

The ruble's decline is attributed to new US sanctions that targeted around 50 Russian banks, alongside rising inflation, which currently stands at 8.5%.

The CBR has raised interest rates to 21% to combat inflation but may need to increase them further to as high as 25%. Key figures reveal that the ruble has lost approximately 35% of its value since August.

Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, continue to downplay the crisis while asserting that the situation is under control.

Source: Read More

Home Buying Market Uncertainty

Sales of previously owned homes are on track for their worst year since 1995. The average for a 30-year fixed mortgage stands at 6.92%, unchanged from last week. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed mortgage averages 6.20%, up 0.02%.

The current average payment for a 30-year mortgage is $659.94 per $100,000 borrowed. In contrast, the 15-year mortgage costs about $855 per $100,000 borrowed.

In September and October, the average commission for buyer’s agents dropped to 2.28%, down from 2.65% in the previous year. Seller agent fees also declined from 2.98% to 2.69%. Some buyers are opting to navigate the market alone.

The Justice Department is investigating the real-estate industry. Buyers seeking homes face challenges, with agents often requiring agreements before showing properties.

Source: Read More

NATO Cable Incident

The Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier measuring 225 meters long and 32 meters wide, is at the center of an investigation into the deliberate severing of two critical data cables in the Baltic Sea last week.

The ship, loaded with Russian fertilizer, departed from Ust-Luga on November 15. Investigators suspect that the crew intentionally cut the cables while dragging anchor over 100 miles across the seabed.

The first cable was severed on November 17, and a second cable was cut early the next day after the vessel traveled 111 miles. During this time, the ship's transponder shut down in a "dark incident."

A senior investigator noted that the captain likely would have noticed the dragging anchor, raising suspicions about Russian intelligence involvement behind the act. Sweden and other European nations have commenced sabotage investigations.

Source: Read More

Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Australia passed a law banning social media access for children under 16. Starting in late 2025, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok must restrict access or face fines up to A$49.5 million (about $32 million).

Opinion polls show 77% of Australians support this law. The legislation follows a parliamentary inquiry that revealed distressing evidence of self-harm linked to social media bullying.

However, privacy advocates warn it may infringe on children's rights and increase data collection. Critics argue the law could cut vulnerable youth from vital online support networks.

The Australian Human Rights Commission cautioned that the law might hinder young people's societal participation.

Source: Read More

Wall Street Goes 24/7

For the first time, US regulators approved a 24-hour stock exchange. Start-up 24 Exchange, backed by Steve Cohen’s Point72 Ventures, received the green light from the SEC.

This move aligns stocks with other assets like currencies and Treasuries, which already trade continuously on weekdays. The NYSE also seeks to extend its trading hours to 22 per day.

Currently, brokers execute after-hours orders in “dark pools” without public price records. However, 24 Exchange will bring these trades into a “lit” market, where transactions and prices are transparent.

Institutional investors remain cautious. Thin overnight volumes could amplify small trades' impact on prices. A sudden margin call from an overnight move could disrupt large positions.

Source: Read More

Ancient Hominins Walked Together

Researchers discovered a remarkable trackway of footprints in northern Kenya. These prints are believed to belong to Paranthropus boisei, a hominin from 1.5 million years ago.

The excavation team found four sets of footprints in the Turkana Basin. The findings indicate that Paranthropus boisei and Homo erectus coexisted and possibly interacted in the same habitat.

Homo erectus had a body structure more similar to modern humans, whereas Paranthropus boisei had smaller brains and distinct facial features with large teeth.

This evidence suggests different species occupied the same landscapes concurrently and invites further study into their interactions.

Source: Read More

“You will never know for sure someone is an ass until they become rich.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️