AnewZ Morning Brief - January 18th, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Briefing: here are the top news stories for January 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Wall Street banks are hopeful they can soon sell off $13 billion of debt tied to Elon Musk's social media platform X. They now believe that Musk's close relationship with President-Elect Donald Trump could improve X's prospects, allowing them to sell the debt without large losses.
Elon Musk’s growing political influence has made some Wall Street banks hopeful they can soon sell off $13 billion of debt tied to his purchase of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), according to three banking sources.
The debt was used to help Musk buy X for $44 billion in 2022, but banks such as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America have struggled to sell it. They now believe that Musk's close relationship with Republican President-elect Donald Trump could improve X’s prospects, allowing them to sell the debt without large losses.
Banks typically sell loans to investors soon after a deal, but major changes Musk made to X—such as mass layoffs and reduced content moderation—drove away advertisers, cutting revenue and increasing the risk of default.
Recently, however, some banks have noticed more users returning to X during events such as the U.S. elections. Trump, whose account was reinstated by Musk after being banned in 2021, has been active on the platform. The banks hope this increased user activity, along with a strong U.S. economy, might boost revenue.
Analysts also believe Musk's ties to Trump, who appointed him to lead a new department on government efficiency, could benefit Musk’s other ventures, like Tesla and SpaceX. Notably, Tesla’s market value crossed $1 trillion for the first time in two years after the election results. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
Coast Guard divers Chuck Fox and Corey Smith from the US Cutter *Polar Star* successfully repaired a leaking shaft in the freezing waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
As we welcome the new year, it’s time to focus on species needing urgent conservation in 2025. From delicate lizards to mighty hornbills and massive sharks, all face the threat of extinction.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
The Weeknd, one of the biggest music stars of our time, has announced that his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, releasing on January 24, 2025, will be his final project under the “The Weeknd” name.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew thanked President-elect Trump for his efforts to save the app in the U.S., as a January 19 deadline looms for ByteDance to sell or shut it down.
Brazil announces Nigeria's acceptance as a partner country in BRICS, highlighting shared interests and Nigeria's growing role in global governance and the Global South.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Briefing: here are the top news stories for January 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Thousands in Belgrade held a silent protest outside RTS, honouring victims of a roof collapse. University students demanded justice for the tragedy, blaming Serbian authorities.
South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court to contest his detention extension on insurrection charges tied to his martial law declaration.
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