Stay Informed, Stay Ahead

Rachel Reeves has called on Labour MPs to back her forthcoming Budget, emphasizing the need for unity to secure victory in the next election. Despite anticipated tax hikes, she insists the plans are a comprehensive package aimed at reducing living costs, NHS waiting lists, and debt.

Ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget announcement, people from various income brackets share their priorities. Some advocate for stamp duty removal, while others emphasize free student transportation and increased social housing spending.

The head of the culture select committee has raised concerns about the BBC's leadership, questioning whether its board is stable under current chair Samir Shah. Shah presented evidence to a Commons select committee following recent upheaval in the corporation, which has seen high-profile resignations amid impartiality controversies. His statements were described as 'wishy-washy' by committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage.

Anthropic has unveiled Opus 4.5, its leading-edge model, with enhancements in coding performance and user interactions. The new release addresses previous issues with abrupt conversation terminations by implementing a behind-the-scenes summarization process. Opus 4.5 also marks a milestone in performance, surpassing previous benchmark scores.

The commander overseeing Cape Canaveral's space operations anticipates SpaceX's Starship launches from Florida in 2024, a plan facing opposition from competitors like Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance due to potential safety-related disruptions.

An official confirmation has been made that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government agency created by Elon Musk to reduce government spending, has been dissolved. The Office of Personnel Management Director, Scott Kupor, clarified that many of DOGE's functions were absorbed after Musk's departure, rendering the agency unnecessary.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF experiences massive outflows of $2.2 billion in November, driven by a significant decline in Bitcoin prices. Investors are shifting towards safer assets amidst economic uncertainties, causing Bitcoin to have its worst month since June 2022.

Michael Burry, famed for predicting the 2008 housing crash, has launched a Substack newsletter titled 'Cassandra Unchained.' The publication aims to elaborate on his bearish stance toward artificial intelligence, echoing his previous warnings about economic bubbles. Burry draws parallels between the late 1990s tech boom and today's AI market enthusiasm, critiquing current complacency from policymakers.

John Williams, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, suggested a potential interest rate adjustment in the near term, implying a rate cut could be on the horizon. His comments during an Economic Club of New York event were seen as a significant message from Fed leadership, boosting market optimism and reversing potential sell-offs.