200 Billion reasons to be Happy

Author

Mark Duse
January 02, 2023

Good Morning.it's officially 2023 - you did it, you made it here and you're more handsome than ever. 2022 was an odd one but fun nonetheless, let's keep the past in the past and focus on the present. Grab that coffee and let's dance.

In Today's Morning 6 - 9:

  • Tech Bites

  • Cultural Tings

  • Business Bro

  • BRO-TASTIC MEMES

Tech Bites

Elon Musk has lost $200 billion in net worth, according to Bloomberg. Much of the lost wealth is due to the decline in the value of Tesla, which has dropped 65% this year. Naturally, we were curious to see what Elon's opinion was on the matter... he gave no comment so we asked an AI that is modeled on his personality instead:

  • The EU is set to become even more of a leader in tech regulation in the coming year. This will include tighter rules on cyber security and the introduction of new regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) and connected devices. There will also be increased enforcement of these rules, and companies are advised to keep an eye on their development and ensure they are prepared for any changes. These regulations are being introduced in order to protect consumers and increase competition in online markets - I hope America is taking some notes here but I doubt it.

  • Amazon has launched Inspire, a new feature in its shopping app to compete with TikTok - that allows users to explore products through short-form videos and photos from influencers, brands, and other customers. Customers will be prompted to choose from more than 20 interests, including travel, gaming, and makeup, to personalize their Inspire feed. Brands/Amazon Influencers will be able to post to Inspire, and users will be able to purchase items from the platform.

Crypto Times:

  • Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, announced a new feature intended to help Ethereum handle more transactions at once, making the platform faster and more efficient. that is scheduled to take place on the Ethereum platform later this year. Do you think Crypto will bounce back in 2023?

For the CULTURE

  • Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to resign in 600 years, died at the age of 95. His body will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday, with a funeral to be held on January 5, 2023. Pope Benedict's papacy will be remembered for his teachings on faith, morality, and other topics related to the Catholic Church

  • Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a contract with Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr. Ronaldo will receive $75 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in history. Ronaldo recently left Manchester United in controversial fashion and trained alone at Real Madrid's training ground earlier this month as he prepared to make a decision on his future following Portugal's exit from the World Cup. Al-Nassr is based in Riyadh and plays in the Saudi Pro League.

Business Bro

  • Carvana is reportedly in deep shit, (on the brink of bankruptcy), The stock price has collapsed almost 98% to just over $4 since its all-time high of $377, due to the company borrowing a large amount of money to fund its growth and expenses. With a weak economy and increasing credit costs, demand for used cars has declined and Carvana's profit per vehicle has decreased by 25% compared to last year. Its total liabilities as of September were nearly $9.25 billion with only $665 million in cash on hand. - Good news for consumers, watch for the bubble to pop in the used auto market soon.

  • Speaking of cars and the new year - the tax breaks officially come into effect for EVs today... Here is an Updated list of electric vehicles that qualify for the $7,500 tax credit

  • US and Ireland recently tested out a four-day workweek, and none of them are planning to return to a five-day model. Over 900 workers at 33 businesses gave it a six-month pilot - worker productivity jumped 8% and job satisfaction increased 97% (no shit) while burnout and fatigue decreased. Businesses also saw an increase in revenue, with none of the 33 planning to discontinue the condensed schedule.

  • "Habibi, come Drink in Dubai " Dubai has abolished the 30% alcohol tax and personal alcohol licensing fee in an effort to boost tourism. The decision, which took effect on Sunday, is thought to be an attempt to make the city more attractive to foreigners in the face of competition from neighbors. It is not clear if the move is permanent, with some reports stating it is a one-year trial.

Bro-Tastic Memes

Thank you for reading, but more importantly, thank you for being you. We hope you found this edition informative and enjoyable. Be sure to follow us on social media for even more Culture, Tech, and Business insights and updates @TheMorningBro