Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Tuesday, 5:11 AM

December 17, 2024

Good morning news friend! Stay connected to the moments that matter, as the world’s story continues to evolve. 📰🌟

SoftBank's $100 Billion Pledge

President-elect Donald Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced that SoftBank will invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years.

This initiative aims to create 100,000 jobs focused primarily on artificial intelligence and related infrastructure. In 2016, SoftBank pledged $50 billion.

Son expressed excitement about this investment and his optimism for the US economy. SoftBank reportedly holds around $29 billion in cash and equivalents.

Trump also mentioned plans to provide expedited federal permits for projects exceeding $1 billion.

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US Services Surge as Manufacturing Weakens

The flash manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3, down from 49.7 in November. Economists had anticipated a reading of 49.8. A PMI below 50 suggests shrinking manufacturing, which represents 10.3% of the economy.

Factory production dropped to 46.0, the lowest since May 2020, down from 47.9 last month. New orders decreased to 47.6 from 49.3. Input prices surged to 59.1, the highest since November 2022.

Conversely, the S&P Global flash services index increased to 58.5 from 56.1. This marks the highest growth rate since October 2021. A score above 50 indicates expansion.

The future output composite index jumped 3.3 points to 71.1, the best reading since May 2022. The composite PMI rose to 56.6 in December from 54.9 in November, demonstrating continued expansion.

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Race to Ban AI Revenge Porn

Texas Senator Ted Cruz is leading a fight against AI-generated revenge pornography. With just one week left in the congressional session, Cruz aims to pass bill S.4569.

If enacted, the law will criminalize the publication of nonconsensual sexual images. This includes deepfakes that use a victim's face on another person's body.

Under the proposed law, big tech and social media platforms will have 48 hours to remove any offending content once a victim files a complaint.

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Assad’s Captagon Empire

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime uncovered Syria's role in the global captagon trade. Captagon, a methamphetamine-like drug, generated $10 billion annually, with Assad's regime profiting $2.5 billion.

Rebels discovered several large-scale captagon production sites, including a former potato-chip factory and military airbases. This illicit trade fueled drug demand across the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia.

The elite Fourth Armored Division, led by Assad's brother Maher, was primarily responsible for the production and distribution of the drug. This operation trafficked pills worth over $1.5 billion to Europe.

Hezbollah, already under financial strain, faces further challenges as the captagon trade that supported its economy wanes.

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Russian Top General Assassinated in Moscow

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, was killed in Moscow. The attack was executed via a bomb hidden in an electric scooter.

Kirillov died outside his apartment building as he left for work. His assistant also perished in the blast.

Ukrainian officials claimed responsibility for the assassination, stating it was a direct action by Ukraine's security service (SBU). The attack followed new criminal charges against Kirillov for directing the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Kirillov, aged 54, was linked to 4,800 incidents of reported chemical weapon use by Russian forces since the invasion began in February 2022.

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Forever Chemicals and Infertility

Fertility rates are declining globally. In the US, the total fertility rate hit a record low of 1.64 in 2023.

Researchers are examining the role of endocrine disruptors, chemicals that can interfere with hormonal functions. These are found in common items like plastics, cosmetics, and household cleaners.

Studies show a drop in male sperm counts: nearly 60% between 1973 and 2011. Chemicals such as PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are linked to lower fertility.

Beyond PFAS, Bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with poor reproductive health in both men and women. The chemical industry argues that typical exposure levels to forever chemicals do not pose health threats.

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“Using others’ failure of common sense as an excuse is in itself a failure of common sense.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️