1. Christmas Market Attack in Germany: A man drove a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing one person and injuring several others. The suspect, a 24-year-old man, had shared anti-Islam views on social media. (Relevant link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/21/germany-christmas-market-attack-suspect-magdeburg/)
2. Nike's Turnaround Plan: Nike reported quarterly earnings and warned of a drop in revenue as part of its turnaround plan. The company's CEO, Elliott Hill, said the turnaround would be challenging and would hinge on sports. (Relevant link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nike-posts-smaller-expected-fall-212014583.html)
3. Ukraine-Russia War: Russian forces launched attacks in eastern Ukraine, with drones reportedly striking deep into Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and called for international support. (Relevant link: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukrainian-drones-strike-deep-russian-territory-hundreds-miles-117011935)
4. Inflation Report: The United States released its Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, which measures inflation. The report showed an increase in inflation, putting pressure on the Federal Reserve to consider raising interest rates. (Relevant link: https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/pce-inflation-november-report-data-today/card/the-inflation-battle-continues-what-to-expect-from-the-pce-report--40MOR2DRqyrLHX8xFKAt)
5. Mortgage and Refinance Rates: Mortgage and refinance rates in the United States remained unsteady, with some rates higher than last year. The fluctuating rates have made it difficult for homebuyers and homeowners to make decisions about their housing. (Relevant link: https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/mortgages/article/mortgage-refinance-rates-today-saturday-december-21-2024-110028771.html)
1. Government Shutdown Averted: The United States Senate passed a bill to prevent a government shutdown, sending it to President Biden's desk for approval. The bill provides funding to keep the government operating through February 18, 2024. [Link: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-passes-bill-stop-shutdown-sending-president-bidens-desk]
2. Trump Tariffs and Retaliation: Japan's Komatsu expressed concern over Canada's retaliation for U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Trump. Komatsu is the world's second-largest construction and mining equipment manufacturer. [Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/canadas-retaliation-trump-tariffs-biggest-230508284.html]
3. Ethereum Price Pullback: Crypto analysts predict a $3,000 retrace for Ether if its current price pullback continues. Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. [Link: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ether-price-pullback-3k-retrace-crypto-analyst?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound]
4. Tesla Stock Dips: Tesla's stock dipped due to various reasons, including political pressure and concerns over Elon Musk's involvement in social media controversies. [Link: https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-musk-politics-94f7c6c9?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo]
5. FedEx Spin-Off: FedEx announced its plan to spin off its freight trucking division, resulting in a significant jump in its stock price. This move is expected to help the company focus on its core business. [Link: https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/fedex-to-spin-off-its-freight-trucking-division-c5e8b791?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo]
1. Government Shutdown Avoided: U.S. House passes a funding bill to avoid a government shutdown and sends it to the Senate for approval. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-government-shutdown-avoided-1.7416997?cmp=rss)
2. Fed Rate Hike and Market Selloff: The Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2018, leading to a selloff in the stock market. (https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-121924/card/the-dow-is-already-losing-steam-oqfa2HBFYu7UU2cEcE6N?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo)
3. Costco Soda Switch: Sources suggest that Costco is planning to switch its fountain drink syrups to sugar-free options in 2025. (https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/costco-food-court-chatter-suggests-soda-switch-coming-2025-super-happy)
4. Tesla Recall: Tesla is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles due to a tire pressure monitor issue. (https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-is-recalling-almost-700000-vehicles-over-a-tire-pressure-monitor-issue-223639361.html?src=rss)
5. Christmas Market Attack in Germany: A speeding car drives into a Christmas market in Germany, leaving at least one dead and dozens injured. (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/20/two-dead-as-car-ploughs-into-christmas-market-crowd-in-germany?traffic_source=rss)
1. BlackBerry Stock Jumps 20% on Earnings Beat Ahead of Sale of AI Cybersecurity Platform (Business): BlackBerry reported better-than-expected earnings for its Q3, leading to a 20% increase in its stock price. The company is also planning to sell its AI cybersecurity platform, which could potentially bring in additional revenue. (Link: https://www.barrons.com/articles/blackberry-earnings-stock-price-b4683bee?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo)
2. Stock Market Dip Buyers Are Back. So Are the Witches. (Business): The stock market experienced a dip, but buyers returned to the market, leading to a bounce-back. The term "witches" refers to traders who are known for buying during market downturns. (Link: https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-122024/card/stock-market-dip-buyers-are-back-so-are-the-witches--oXecShjXsKDVAoYnBvst?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo)
3. CFPB Sues Big Banks Over Fraud on Zelle (Business/Economy): The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against three major banks for allowing widespread fraud on the Zelle payment platform, leading to losses of over $870 million. (Link: https://fortune.com/2024/12/20/jpmorgan-chase-bank-of-america-and-wells-fargo-sued-over-zelle-scams-that-cost-870-million/)
4. Upstream Jobs in Texas Oil Slipped in Nov, Industry Group Says (Business/Energy): The number of upstream jobs in the oil and gas industry in Texas decreased in November, according to an industry group. This could be a sign of ongoing challenges in the energy sector. (Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/upstream-jobs-texas-oil-slipped-173128790.html)
5. Government Shutdown Odds Swing Wildly on Betting Markets as Trump Would Rather See It Start Under Biden (Politics): The odds of a government shutdown on betting markets have been fluctuating wildly, with some bettors believing that President Trump would rather see a shutdown occur under President Biden. (Link: https://fortune.com/2024/12/20/government-shutdown-odds-polymarket-kalshi-users-betting-donald-trump-elon-musk/)
1. Federal Reserve Interests Rate Decision and Outlook (Business/Economy)
- The Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate by a quarter-point but signaled fewer reductions next year due to stubbornly high inflation. This decision affected stock markets globally, causing a significant drop in US indices.
- Source: <https://finance.yahoo.com/news/federal-reserve-expected-combine-interest-061146177.html>
2. Russia-Ukraine Conflict (Politics/World Events)
- Russia launched a massive missile strike on Kyiv following Putin's 'duel' threat, and Ukraine reported at least one death. Meanwhile, there are ongoing efforts to train Ukrainian soldiers close to the front line, which has raised concerns among Western backers.
- Source: <https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/20/russia-missile-strike-kyiv-putin-duel/>
3. Australia's ANZ CEO Bonus Forfeiture (Business)
- Australia's ANZ Bank's outgoing CEO forfeited his 2024 bonus amid shareholder angst over the bank's performance and executive compensation.
- Source: <https://finance.yahoo.com/news/anzs-outgoing-ceo-forfeit-2024-221211973.html>
4. Migrant Boat Incident off Greek Coast (World Events)
- Eight migrants died after their boat tried to evade a Greek patrol ship, highlighting the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe.
- Source: <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg64rqzzgpo>
5. Tesla Shares Drop (Business)
- Tesla shares experienced a significant drop, continuing to slide as the post-election rally loses steam.
1. U.S. Government Shutdown Looms: A spending bill failed to pass in the House, leaving the possibility of a U.S. government shutdown ahead of Christmas. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-trump-spending-bill-fails-congress-1.7415867?cmp=rss)
2. Canada's Cabinet Shuffle: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a cabinet shuffle amid rising discontent and resignation calls. (https://time.com/7203539/canada-trudeau-cabinet-shuffle-resignation-calls/)
3. Cryptocurrency Market: Several articles discussed the performance of various cryptocurrencies, including XRP, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Bitcoin. (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-cryptocurrencies-xrp-dogecoin-shiba-181356324.html, https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-social-media-mentions-buy-the-dip-surges-bitcoin-100k-price-level-santiment?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound)
4. Fed Interest Rate Decision: The Federal Reserve made an interest rate decision, with officials expecting 2 quarter-point interest-rate cuts in 2025. (https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/fed-meeting-rate-cuts-decision-powell-speech-news/card/fed-officials-expect-2-quarter-point-interest-rate-cuts-in-2025-eePh2DzDoRIP4bLyXdHf?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo)
5. Tesla Market Value: Tesla's market value hit $1.5 trillion, nearly double its worth on Election Day. (https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-live-12-18-2024/card/tesla-hits-1-5-trillion-in-market-value-nearly-double-its-worth-on-election-day-CKHjUgd5Jxo4y6G2RU3l?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo)
1. French Rape Trial: In France, 51 men were found guilty in a rape trial that has horrified the nation. The trial involved allegations of sexual assault by a group of men against a teenager in a nightclub in 2018. More details can be found in the following link: https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000009883895/51-men-guilty-in-rape-trial-that-horrified-france.html
2. Salesforce AI Progress: Salesforce announced the release of Agentforce 2.0, which includes significant advancements in AI. The new version aims to improve customer service by providing more accurate and personalized interactions. More information can be found in the following link: https://www.barrons.com/articles/salesforce-stock-ai-agentforce-14d9ee3c?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo
3. Trump's Debt Limit Increase: House Republicans have agreed on a Plan B government funding bill that includes an increase in the debt limit, as per former President Trump's request. The bill is expected to be voted on soon. More details can be found in the following link: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-agree-plan-b-government-funding-bill-trumps-debt-limit-increase
4. Mercedes-Benz and Ford Deal: Mercedes-Benz and Ford have entered into a strategic partnership to develop electric vehicle batteries, self-driving technology, and mobility services. The deal is aimed at reducing costs and accelerating innovation in the automotive industry. More information can be found in the following link: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mercedes-benz-ford-team-up-on-electric-vehicle-batteries-driverless-cars-140000931.html
5. Bitcoin's Price Surge: The price of Bitcoin has surged to new highs, reaching over $67,000 on average. This surge has made Bitcoin investors significantly wealthier, and experts predict that the price could continue to climb in the near future. More details can be found in the following link: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/takes/bitcoin-investors-are-now-up-67000-on-average-and-this-is-just-the-start
1. Government Shutdown Talks and Elon Musk's Involvement (Politics, Business)
- Summary: Discussions around the government funding bill have become a hot topic, with Elon Musk and other business leaders getting involved. Some House Republicans are privately expressing frustration with Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for their role in the government shutdown talks imploding. (Link: <https://www.foxnews.com/politics/some-house-republicans-privately-furious-elon-musk-after-government-shutdown-talks-implode>)
2. Mortgage Rates and Predictions (Business, Economy)
- Summary: The mortgage rate outlook has been a focus in recent headlines, with predictions of rates heading towards 7% and potential factors that could send them lower. (Link: <https://www.barrons.com/articles/mortgage-rates-are-headed-7-percent-what-could-send-them-lower-032a06a3?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo>)
3. NFL and Drone Threats (Sports, Technology)
- Summary: The NFL has urged lawmakers to take action against potential drone threats at stadiums and events, citing concerns about security and fan safety. (Link: <https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-implores-lawmakers-take-action-against-potential-drone-threats>)
4. Housing Market and Home Sales (Business, Economy)
- Summary: The housing market has been a point of interest as home sales have picked up pace, reaching their fastest rate since March 2022. (Link: <https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-home-sales-rose-november-150321099.html>)
5. Bitcoin and Corporate Adoption (Technology, Business)
- Summary: There have been recent developments in the adoption of Bitcoin by corporations, with BlackRock releasing a new ad promoting the digital currency. (Link: <https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/blackrocks-new-bitcoin-ad-monumental-paradigm-shift>)
1. Disney Cuts Transgender Storyline From New Pixar Children's Series (World Events & Politics): Disney has reportedly removed a transgender storyline from its upcoming Pixar series, sparking controversy and discussions about representation and inclusivity in media. [Link](https://www.zerohedge.com/political/disney-cuts-transgender-storyline-new-pixar-childrens-series)
2. Sony Buys Stake in 'Elden Ring' Owner Kadokawa for $320 Million (Business & Economy): Japanese tech giant Sony has invested $320 million in Kadokawa, the company behind the smash-hit game 'Elden Ring'. This move could strengthen Sony's position in the gaming industry. [Link](https://fortune.com/asia/2024/12/19/sony-pays-320-million-slice-smash-hit-game-elden-ring-owner-kadokawa/)
3. Senate Prohibits Military Purchases of Chinese Goods (Politics & Business): The U.S. Senate has passed a defense bill that includes a provision prohibiting the military from buying certain Chinese goods, including garlic and drone technology, in an effort to counter China's influence. [Link](https://fortune.com/asia/2024/12/19/senate-prohibits-military-china-goods-garlic-drone-technology-defense-bill/)
4. Microsoft Buys Nvidia Chips (Business & Economy): Microsoft is reportedly one of the "mystery whales" buying up Nvidia chips, a move that could impact the supply and demand dynamics in the tech industry. [Link](https://fortune.com/2024/12/19/microsoft-biggest-mystery-whales-buying-up-nvidia-hopper-ai-chips/)
5. Nearly 50 Million Automobile Air Bag Inflators Recall Paused (Business & Economy): The U.S. has temporarily halted a massive recall of nearly 50 million automobile air bag inflators due to ongoing investigations and safety concerns. [Link](https://fortune.com/2024/12/19/us-hits-pause-massive-recall-nearly-50-million-automobile-air-bag-inflators/)
1. Israel Airstrikes Yemen's Rebel-Held Capital and Port City After Houthi Attack Targeted Israel: Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen's rebel-held capital and port city after Houthi forces launched drones towards Israel, causing damage to a fuel storage facility. (Time)
[https://time.com/7203250/israel-airstrikes-yemen-houthis/]
2. Dow Falls Over 200 Points, Marks Longest Losing Streak Since 1978: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 200 points on December 19, 2024, marking its ninth consecutive day of losses and the longest losing streak since 1978. (Barrons)
3. Honda, Nissan Consider Merger Amid Rival Growth: Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan are reportedly considering a merger to boost their competitive position in the global auto market. (Inc.)
[https://www.inc.com/reuters/honda-nissan-consider-merger-amid-rival-growth/91068296]
4. Amazon Workers to Strike in US During Busy Christmas Season: Amazon workers in the US are planning to strike during the busy Christmas season over working conditions, pay, and benefits. (Al Jazeera)
5. US Government Shutdown Looms as Donald Trump Blocks Bipartisan Budget Deal: The US government is facing the possibility of a shutdown as President Donald Trump has blocked a bipartisan budget deal, citing concerns over border security funding. (Times of India)
1. Fed Rate Cuts: The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point cut in interest rates, but signaled caution for the year ahead. This is the fourth rate cut in 2024 and the lowest interest rate since 2015. [Link](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/18/the-feds-dot-plot-shows-only-two-rate-cuts-in-2025-fewer-than-previously-projected.html)
2. NASA Layoffs: General Motors announced layoffs for some of its employees, triggering a storm on TikTok. The news was met with criticism and concern from users. [Link](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gm-layoff-email-sent-employees-100319283.html)
3. Nissan Diversity Policies: Nissan rolled back its diversity policies following pressure from conservative activists. This move has sparked a debate about corporate diversity and inclusivity. [Link](https://fortune.com/2024/12/18/nissan-rolls-back-diversity-policies-conservative-activists/)
4. Tesla Stock Drop: Tesla shares sank 8% after Elon Musk's announcement that he was giving up plans to turn the iPhone into a subscription service. This move affected the tech industry and the stock market. [Link](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/18/tesla-shares-sink-8percent-giving-up-some-gains-from-post-election-pop.html)
5. Google Street View Arrests: Google Street View images helped police solve a murder case in Spain. The image showed a man loading a bag into a trunk, which led to his arrest and conviction. [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/world/europe/google-maps-spain-arrests.html)
1. Mysterious Drone Flights: The US Pentagon has denied any involvement in mysterious drone flights over the Midwest, with some politicians expressing concern over the unexplained incidents (https://fortune.com/2024/12/18/joe-biden-us-pentagon-mysterious-drone-flights/)
2. TikTok Ban Appeal: The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok's appeal to block the Biden administration's order to ban the popular social media app (https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-12-18/supreme-court-tiktok)
3. California's Electric Car Sales Ban: The Environmental Protection Agency has granted California permission to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/epa-grants-california-permission-ban-new-gas-car-sales-2035)
4. Amazon TP-Link Router Ban: The US government is investigating TP-Link routers, which are widely used by Amazon, over national security concerns, potentially leading to a ban (https://fortune.com/2024/12/18/tp-link-router-ban-national-security-china/)
5. US State's Execution: Indiana executed Joseph Corcoran after a 27-year legal battle, the first execution in the state since 2019 (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/18/us-state-of-indiana-executes-joseph-corcoran-after-27-year-legal-battle?)
1. Barclona Subway Recycles Energy: Barcelona's subway system is recycling energy generated from braking trains to charge electric vehicles. This innovative project could save up to 10% of the energy consumed by the subway system and reduce CO2 emissions. (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/barcelona-subway-recycles-energy-braking-power-charge-electric-116897748)
2. Trump's 2024 Election Victory: Donald Trump was formally confirmed as the 47th US President by the Electoral College. This comes after a tumultuous period of legal challenges and political division. (https://www.rt.com/news/609520-us-electoral-college-confirms-trump-victory/)
3. China's CATL Expansion: Chinese battery maker CATL is planning a major expansion of battery swapping for electric vehicles. This could help to increase the range and affordability of electric cars, making them more competitive with traditional vehicles. (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/chinas-catl-planning-major-expansion-battery-swapping-electric-116897089)
4. India's Tax Relief Agreement: India has won an agreement with the IMF for tax relief, which could help to boost its economy and reduce the burden on struggling households and businesses. (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/sri-lanka-wins-agreement-with-imf-for-tax-relief-president-dissanayake/articleshow/116436701.cms)
5. NATO and Ukraine: NATO has warned against the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, as tensions between Ukraine and its neighbor Russia continue to escalate. This comes as the US considers sending troops to help Ukraine defend against Russian aggression. (https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/nato-state-warns-against-western-troops-ukraine-discussion-has-gone-rails)
1. Vanuatu Earthquake and Rescue Efforts: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 17, 2024, causing at least 14 deaths and injuring more than 200 people. Rescue efforts are ongoing to find survivors and provide aid to affected communities. (Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/18/vanuatu-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-fourteen-as-rescuers-scramble-for-survivors?traffic_source=rss)
2. Bitcoin and Crypto Market: Bitcoin's funding rate is showing no signs of "late-cycle overheating," according to an analyst, and a Bitcoin and Ethereum combo fund is expected to lead a wave of crypto ETFs in 2025. (Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-funding-rate-signs-no-late-cycle-overheating-analyst?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound)
3. US-China Tensions in the Arctic: The US is reportedly feeling left out in the cold as China and Russia develop the Arctic region. (Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-left-out-cold-china-and-russia-develop-arctic)
4. Nissan and Honda Merger Talks: Nissan and Honda are reportedly in talks for a potential merger, which could shake up the global car industry. (Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nissan-motors-shares-jump-22-companies-confirm-talks-116892535)
5. Trump Lawsuits and Controversies: Former President Donald Trump has sued the Des Moines Register newspaper, claiming "election interference," and has also nominated Herschel Walker and Nicole McGraw to ambassador positions. (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/election-interfering-fiction-trump-sues-des-moines-register-over-poll-results/articleshow/116415274.cms)
1. Government Shutdown Aversion and Disaster Aid: Congress has unveiled a bill to avert a potential government shutdown and provide over $100 billion in disaster aid. The bill aims to provide funding for various disaster relief efforts and keep the government operating past the December 16 deadline. (Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/congress-unveils-bill-avert-friday-government-shutdown-over-100b-disaster-aid)
2. Russia General Assassination: Russian General Igor Kirillov, a high-profile military official, was reportedly killed in a blast in Moscow. The incident has raised concerns about escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (Source: https://www.foxnews.com/us/department-defense-doubles-down-drones-not-us-military-assets)
3. UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Investigation: Luigi Mangione, a former UnitedHealthcare employee, has been charged with the murder of the company's CEO. The incident has raised concerns about workplace violence and security measures in corporate settings. (Source: https://www.foxnews.com/us/unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder-suspect-luigi-mangione-indicted-new-york)
4. Santa Claus Sarcophagus Discovery: Archaeologists believe they have discovered the sarcophagus of Santa Claus during an excavation in Turkey. The discovery has sparked interest and debate among historians and the general public. (Source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/sarcophagus-santa-claus-believed-discovered-during-excavation)
5. Cody Bellinger Trade to New York Yankees: The New York Yankees have acquired one-time MVP Cody Bellinger from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The trade is significant for both teams and could potentially impact their performance in the upcoming baseball season. (Source: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-acquire-one-time-mvp-cody-bellinger-post-juan-soto-era-continues-reports)
1. Dengue Fever Outbreak: The first event is the rise in dengue fever cases in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Florida. Travelers are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from the mosquito-borne disease. (Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/12/17/dengue-fever-mexico-florida-puerto-rico-travel/)
2. Government Shutdown Drama: The second event is the potential mutiny within the Republican party against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the government shutdown. (Link: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/theres-always-consequences-gop-rebels-plot-mutiny-against-johnson-over-government-shutdown-drama)
3. Walmart Body Cameras: The third event is Walmart's experimentation with body cameras for employees in response to "unprecedented levels" of shopper violence. (Link: https://fortune.com/2024/12/17/walmart-experimenting-with-body-cameras-for-employees-shopper-violence/)
4. Bitcoin Price Rally: The fourth event is the significant rally in Bitcoin's price, which has left traditional cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) behind. (Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-rally-leaves-world-original-151929036.html)
5. Amazon Warehouse Strike: The fifth event is the planned strike by Amazon workers at two warehouses in New York City, protesting working conditions and pay. (Link: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-workers-at-two-nyc-warehouses-are-set-to-go-on-strike-175236558.html?src=rss)
1. Chinese Auto Production Domination: China is now the largest producer of cars globally, surpassing Europe, Japan, and the US. The headline from ZeroHedge is a significant indication of China's growing influence in the automotive industry. (<https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/chinese-car-production-now-39-global-production-dominating-europe-japan-us>)
2. Barrick Gold Warning: Barrick Gold warned of potential halting of operations in Mali due to blocked gold shipments, affecting the company's operations in the region. (<https://finance.yahoo.com/news/barrick-gold-warns-halting-mali-102240693.html>)
3. GM's Electric Future: General Motors' investors are investing in the company's electric vehicle growth story, despite the uncertain road ahead. (<https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gm-investors-plug-into-electrified-growth-story-amid-uncertain-road-110037274.html>)
4. Nvidia Stock Slump: Nvidia's stock has experienced a slump, entering a correction phase, according to Barron's. This development could impact investors holding Nvidia shares. (<https://www.barrons.com/articles/nvidia-stock-price-correction-today-76a13168?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo>)
5. Brazilian Plagiarism Claim: A Brazilian judge ordered Adele's "Easy on Me" to be pulled globally due to a plagiarism claim by a local composer. The ruling raises questions about copyright laws and the interpretation of musical similarities. (<https://fortune.com/2024/12/17/brazil-judge-orders-adele-song-pulled-globally-plagiarism-claim-composer/>)
1. Earthquake in Vanuatu: A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, causing damage and triggering a tsunami warning. The quake was reportedly felt in several nearby countries, including Fiji and New Caledonia. (Link: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/magnitude-73-earthquake-hits-pacific-island-nation-vanuatu-116851766)
2. Walmart's DEI Pullback: Walmart defended its decision to pull back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, amidst criticism from investors and leaders. The company argued that its focus on profitability and cost-cutting measures is not incompatible with promoting diversity. (Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-defends-pullback-dei-while-investors-and-leaders-debate-its-effects-on-performance-220230993.html)
3. Trump's Hush Money Conviction: A New York judge rejected Donald Trump's bid to dismiss his hush money conviction, ruling that he does not have immunity as a former president. The case revolves around payments made to Stormy Daniels to silence her allegations of an affair with Trump. (Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-trump-hush-money-judge-rejects-dismissal-1.7412118?cmp=rss)
4. Meta's Privacy Settlement: Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook) agreed to pay $31.85 million to settle a privacy lawsuit in Australia over its alleged handling of user data, including data shared with Cambridge Analytica. (Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/meta-to-pay-31-85-million-to-end-australian-privacy-lawsuit-linked-to-cambridge-analytica-scandal/articleshow/116383503.cms)
5. Iran's Dress Code Law: Iran paused its controversial new dress code law, which required women to wear the hijab in public, following widespread protests and international criticism. (Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mv83m4z7vo)
1. Bitcoin Surges to New All-Time High: Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $107,000 due to increased demand for cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The surge was also attributed to former President Donald Trump's confirmation of plans to establish a Bitcoin reserve. [Link](https://fortune.com/crypto/2024/12/16/bitcoin-trump-all-time-high-crypto-reserve/)
2. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Loses Confidence Vote: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote, which triggers an early election in Germany. Scholz's center-left coalition government faced criticism over its handling of the energy crisis. [Link](https://time.com/7202511/germany-olaf-scholz-confidence-vote-election/)
3. US Lawmakers to Make Last-Ditch Effort to Confirm SEC Commissioner: US lawmakers are making a last-ditch effort to confirm Caroline Crenshaw as a commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If successful, Crenshaw would become the first Black woman to hold the position. [Link](https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-senate-last-chance-confirm-sec-commissioner-caroline-crenshaw?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound)
4. Turkey 'Did an Unfriendly Takeover' in Syria, Says Trump: Former President Donald Trump criticized the Turkish takeover of Syria as an "unfriendly takeover" and called for a deal to end the ongoing conflict. The comments came amid growing regional tensions and concerns over stability in Syria. [Link](https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-says-turkey-did-unfriendly-takeover-us-brokered-cease-fire-appears-fail)
5. SoftBank to Make $100B US Investment: Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank announced a $100 billion investment in the United States, with former President Donald Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son by his side. The investment is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth in the US. [Link](https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/softbank-100b-investment-trump-1.7411813?cmp=rss)
1. Mystery Drones Over the United States: There have been numerous reports of unidentified drones flying over various locations in the United States, including military bases and civilian areas. This has raised concerns about national security and led officials to call for the use of advanced technology to identify and track these drones (Source: Inc.com).
2. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Loses Confidence Vote: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament, triggering a snap election in February 2024. This is a significant political event in Europe as Germany is one of the EU's most influential members (Source: NY Times).
- Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/world/europe/germany-confidence-vote-scholz-snap-election.html
3. Bitcoin Price Soars: Bitcoin's price has surpassed $106,000, marking a new all-time high. This is significant for the cryptocurrency market and has sparked optimism about its potential to become a reserve currency (Source: ZeroHedge).
4. Trump Transition Team Plans Rollback of Biden Policies: The Trump transition team has announced plans to roll back a number of Biden's policies, including those related to electric vehicles and emissions (Source: Inc.com).
5. Cruise Lines Seeing Biggest Passenger Surges Since Pandemic: Cruise lines are seeing a surge in bookings for the upcoming wave season, indicating a strong recovery in the travel industry after the pandemic (Source: Fortune).
- Link: https://fortune.com/2024/12/16/cruise-lines-bookings-2024-wave-season-discounts-upgrades-promotions/