>>U.S. Debt Hits $34 Trillion
(Washington, DC) -- The U.S. national debt has topped 34-trillion dollars for the first time in history. New data from the Treasury Department showed the national debt reached a historic high on Friday afternoon. That figure is expected to nearly double in size over the next 30 years.
>>Fidelity Marks Down Valuation Of X By More Than 70%
(Boston, MA) -- Fidelity is marking down the value of X shares by over 70-percent since Elon Musk's takeover. The investment firm decreased its valuation of X by more than ten-percent just in November, according to a recent filing. The social media company faced multiple scandals at the end of 2023, including Elon Musk appearing to endorse a post promoting an antisemitic conspiracy. That led to major companies pulling ad money from the platform.
>>SpaceX First Launch Of 2024
(Vandenberg SFB, CA) -- SpaceX is marking its first launch of what promises to be a busy year. A Falcon 9 rocket was launched Tuesday night from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, sending 21 Starlink satellites into orbit. But not all of the satellites were alike. The launch featured six first-of-their-kind satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities. Calling the DTC move a game-changer, SpaceX said this will allow mobile network operators around the world to provide "seamless global access to texting, calling and browsing."
>>Gas Prices Down Again
(Heathrow, FL) -- Gas prices are falling in this first week of the new year. Triple-A reports today's national average price for regular is three-09 a gallon. That's one cent lower than Tuesday's average, three cents lower than a week ago, and 15 cents lower than a month ago. The low price leader is Texas, where the statewide average is down a penny, to two-64 a gallon. California again has the nation's most expensive gas, with a state average of four-71 a gallon.
>>Rivian Stock Down 10% On Declining Q4 Deliveries
(Irvine, CA) -- Shares in electric vehicle maker Rivian fell more than ten-percent on the first day of trading in 2024. Rivian took a hit Tuesday after the company reported higher production but fewer deliveries in the fourth quarter. Rivian said it produced more than 17-thousand-500 vehicles at its plant in Normal, Illinois from October through December, over a thousand more than during the third quarter. But fourth quarter deliveries fell to just under 14-thousand, a drop of more than ten-percent from the third quarter. Rivian's stock closed at 21-10 per share yesterday, down more than ten-percent from Friday's close.
