Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Wednesday, 5:28 AM

December 11, 2024

Good morning news friend! Stay in sync with the stories shaping the moment, keeping pace with a world in motion. 📰🌟

Who is Luigi Mangione?

Luigi Mangione, 26, faces charges for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50. Thompson was shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown.

Mangione has lived a seemingly privileged life as the grandson of a prominent real estate developer. He graduated as valedictorian from an elite prep school and earned a degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Reports reveal Mangione suffered from spondylolisthesis, a severe back condition. This condition affects about 4% to 6% of the US population. Symptoms include intense lower back pain, tight hamstrings, and numbness down one leg.

Mangione had spinal fusion surgery in July 2023 and expressed frustration over his condition on social media. Police found a document indicating Mangione viewed Thompson’s killing as a symbolic act against corruption within the insurance industry.

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The Rise of Build-to-Rent Housing

More millennials are renting upscale single-family homes due to high prices and limited options for buying. From 2021 to 2023, build-to-rent housing starts doubled to 10% of total single-family housing.

The average mortgage payment is 38% higher than apartment rents. In the Sunbelt, demand for rental homes rose as people sought affordable housing options in desirable neighborhoods.

The US renter pool has outpaced homeowner households for the first time in over two years. Institutional investors like Invitation Homes and Blackstone are increasingly focusing on this market.

While some tenants enjoy the flexibility of renting, some experts warn this shift may detract from the supply of homes for sale.

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Kroger-Albertsons Merger Blocked

A federal judge blocked the $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons. US District Judge Adrienne Nelson sided with the FTC over concerns that the merger would harm competition in the grocery sector.

Judge Nelson noted that Kroger and Albertsons currently compete with each other. A merger would eliminate this competition, leading to higher prices for consumers.

Kroger operates 2,750 stores while Albertsons has over 2,200. The combined company would have owned about 5,000 stores across the US.

Kroger attempted to appease regulators by offering to sell 579 stores, but the court rejected this argument.

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GM Exits Robotaxi Race

General Motors will cease funding its Cruise robotaxi division due to high costs and intense competition. The automaker has invested over $10 billion in Cruise since its inception.

In 2023, GM CEO Mary Barra projected Cruise could generate $50 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Last month, Cruise paid a $500,000 fine for submitting a false report related to a serious pedestrian accident involving one of its robotaxis in San Francisco.

GM will restructure its operations, merging Cruise into its main business, aiming to save more than $1 billion annually. GM owns approximately 90% of Cruise and intends to increase its stake above 97%.

This move follows similar decisions by competitors like Ford, which halted its Argo AI project in late 2022.

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Israel Strikes Syria

Israeli jets launched 350 airstrikes across Syria in the last 48 hours, targeting military assets after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. The strikes aimed to destroy the majority of Syria’s strategic weapons stockpiles.

Key targets included anti-aircraft systems, military airfields, naval facilities, and weapons manufacturing sites in cities like Damascus, Homs, and Latakia.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to create a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria without a permanent troop presence. This is to prevent the emergence of extremist threats post-Assad.

Amid these developments, Israeli forces advanced into a buffer zone established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. They deny any movement toward Damascus.

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Monitoring for Safety in Schools

Schools are deploying AI software to monitor student devices for signs of self-harm.

The technology alerts school officials when students type concerning phrases. In one case, a Missouri teen, Madi, was saved after her messages prompted police intervention just in time.

Conversely, in Connecticut, a false alarm led to officers visiting a student's home due to misinterpreted poetry, causing distress.

The approach raises questions. Supporters argue it protects vulnerable students. Critics worry about student’s privacy. Concerns exist about how long records of flagged students might be kept and their long-term implications.

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“You are guaranteed a repetition when you hear the declaration ‘never again!’”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️