$88 Billion Accumulated in Unpaid Medical Debt

Hey there scroller🤳

Ready for another day’s headstart with some fresh news?

If your pal sent this to you, then subscribe to stay the most informed person in the room😉

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

📉 U.S. Q3 GDP Growth Revised Down to 4.9% Amid Weaker Consumer Spending

The U.S. economy grew at a revised 4.9% in Q3, a decrease from the initial 5.2% estimate, marking the largest GDP increase in a decade outside of 2020-2021. Consumer spending, 70% of the economy, grew by 3.1%, while business investment rose by 2.6%. Inflation was adjusted to 2.6%. Despite a Q4 slowdown to 1-2%, there's no recession in sight, buoyed by a strong labor market. 

🏥 Survey Reveals $88 Billion Accumulated in Unpaid Medical Debt in America

Americans owe over $88 billion in unpaid medical debt. President Biden's plan, supported by 78% in a Tebra survey, aims to exclude this debt from credit reports. The CFPB is developing rules to prevent credit agencies from considering medical debt, a move Tebra describes as a "compassionate approach to unpredictable debts." Some states are already not factoring medical debt into credit scores.

WORLD

📈 Argentina's Libertarian President Milei Enacts Decree to Elevate Exports and Deregulate Economy

Sworn into office on Dec.10, Argentine President Javier Milei initiated major economic reforms, to combat the country's 143% inflation. Emulating former U.S. President Trump's style, Milei aims to "return freedom and autonomy to individuals" by reducing growth-hindering regulations. His approach, involving state asset privatization and peso devaluation, has incited significant protests.

🚢 Houthi Assaults Disrupt Global Trade, Prompting Ships to Reroute Via Africa

Amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, major shipping lines are rerouting from the Suez Canal, significantly delaying global trade. This detour, reminiscent of the 2021 Ever Given incident, drops canal capacity from 40% to 12.7%, increases transit times and costs, and underscores the fragility of key trade channels. U.S. interventions provide limited reassurance against these escalating maritime challenges.

SCIENCE & TECH

🔋 Android Phones to Introduce Battery Health Indicator Feature

Google is introducing a battery health feature in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, as reported by Mishaal Rahman for Android Authority. This feature, previously available only on iPhones, will allow Android users to check battery health in settings directly, indicating charge capacity and potential issues, providing Android users with essential battery information at their fingertips.

🚫 Microsoft to Discontinue Windows 10, Potentially Leading to 240 Million PCs in Landfills, Report Indicates

Environmental concerns loom large as Microsoft's decision to discontinue Windows 10 support by 2025 could result in 240 million discarded PCs, creating a staggering 480 million kilograms of e-waste. However, Peter Afiuny of Noveon Magnetics sees an opportunity to recycle these end-of-life computers into magnets, which can power sustainable technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines, contributing to meeting the growing global demand for electricity.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

🚨 Vin Diesel Faces Sexual Battery Allegation from Ex-Assistant in Lawsuit

Vin Diesel is being sued by former assistant Asta Jonasson, who claims he sexually assaulted her in 2010, leading to her subsequent firing. She alleges groping and forced undressing in Diesel's hotel suite. Diesel's attorney strongly denies the accusations, describing them as "outlandish" and questioning their credibility due to the incident's age and Jonasson's short stint of employment.

🎬 Oscar Shortlists Revealed Across 10 Categories with 'Barbie' Dominating the Nominations

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has shortlisted films for 10 categories for the 96th Oscars, with "Barbie" leading. Key omissions include "The Color Purple" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," while "Beau is Afraid" and "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" made surprising entries. Diverse composers, including Jon Batiste and Mica Levi, feature prominently in music categories. Nominations are set for January 23, following the Jan. 11-16 nomination period.

🎉 Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse Confirm Engagement, Insider Reveals

Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse are engaged and expecting their first child, confirming recent engagement rumors sparked by Waterhouse's diamond ring. The couple, private since their 2018 dating start, joyfully announced their pregnancy at the Corona Capital Festival. Pattinson, expressing excitement, said he "can't wait to be a dad" and feels "very lucky."

OTHER NEWS

🚀 Migrant Encounters at Border Surpass 200K in December, Week Remains

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported over 200,000 migrant encounters at the southern border in December, potentially surpassing last year's record. Arizona and Texas respond with National Guard deployment and new immigration laws. Amidst this crisis, the Biden administration seeks $14 billion from Congress for border management, facing criticism over policy rollbacks and handling of the hemisphere-wide migration issue.

🤝 Ed Burke Convicted in Historic Verdict for Extortion and Bribery 

Edward M. Burke, a veteran Chicago council member, faced conviction for high-level corruption, including racketeering and bribery, notably involving the Old Post Office and Field Museum. His aggressive stance towards dissenting developers, infamously telling them to "go f--- themselves," was underscored by Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual. This case marks another chapter in Chicago's long history of political corruption.

🏦 Over the 70s in U.S. Possess Over 30% of National Wealth

Since 2019, Americans over 70 have accumulated $14 trillion, now holding 30% of U.S. wealth, largely due to rising home and stock values, reports the Federal Reserve. Despite their growing affluence and population, stark inequalities remain, with over 10% of older Americans living in poverty, reflecting deep economic and demographic shifts in an aging nation.

THIS DAY THAT YEAR

On December 22, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), which had been in effect since February 28, 1994, under the Department of Defense Directive 1304.26. This legislative action marked a significant change in U.S. military policy regarding the service of homosexuals.

Thanks for scrolling with us🤳

Want to share Daily Scroll with a Pal? Forward this email and invite them to join our community of savvy scroll-ers.

We'd love to hear your feedback on today's issue of Daily Scroll! Simply reply to this email and share your thoughts on how we can improve our content and format.

Have a great Chritsmas & New Year , we'll be back again on 2nd Jan, 2024 with more such content 🎄🎅🎁