Today’s topics

• Spirit Airlines takes flight with debt deal

• Scientists grow chicks without eggshells

• Microsoft unveils AI employees

• Gold hits record high

  and more…

Stocks closed mixed on Monday as rising 10-year Treasury yields left investors cautious ahead of a week packed with key earnings reports. The S&P 500 fell nearly 0.2%, retreating from a recent all-time high, while the Dow Jones dropped over 300 points, down about 0.8%. In contrast, the tech-heavy Nasdaq edged up 0.2%. AI chip leader Nvidia surged more than 4% to a new all-time high, and Apple also achieved a record closing price.

Spirit Airlines takes flight with debt deal. Shares of Spirit Airlines soared 46% on Monday after the ultra-low-cost carrier secured a two-month extension on its debt refinancing deadline, pushing it to December 23. The agreement with U.S. Bank National Association grants Spirit crucial breathing room to refinance its $1.1 billion loyalty bonds maturing next year. With the previous deadline looming on October 21, this extension could be a game-changer for the airline's financial runway.

Bitcoin’s bumpy ride near $70K. Bitcoin flirted with the $70,000 mark on Monday, buoyed by a surge in inflows into exchange-traded funds and a sprinkle of optimism about upcoming U.S. regulations. The digital asset climbed 1% before settling at $68,252 by 8:32 a.m. in New York. Meanwhile, smaller tokens like Ether and Solana danced within tight price ranges. Notably, U.S. spot-Bitcoin ETFs attracted nearly $2.4 billion in net inflows over just six days, hinting at a potential regulatory thaw post-November 5.

Uber explored major acquisition bid for Expedia. Uber considered a potential bid for Expedia, the $20 billion travel booking platform, marking its largest acquisition attempt to date as the ride-hailing giant seeks to diversify and explore new growth opportunities. In recent months, Uber has engaged advisors to assess the feasibility of acquiring Expedia after the idea was introduced by a third party. This move reflects Uber's strategy to expand its services beyond ride-hailing and tap into the lucrative travel sector.

Ferrari unveils first supercar in 11 years, priced at $3.9 million. Ferrari has launched its first new supercar in over a decade, the F80, priced at $3.9 million (€3.6 million). Inspired by a legendary model from the 1980s, this modern masterpiece features a powerful 1,200-horsepower hybrid engine. With only 799 units being produced, the F80 stands as one of Ferrari's most exclusive and expensive models to date. Deliveries are set to begin by the end of next year, creating a buzz among automotive enthusiasts.

Gold’s glittering highs amid market uncertainty. Gold took a breather after soaring to a record high of $2,740.37 on Monday, weighed down by rising U.S. Treasury yields and a strong dollar. As of 1:35 p.m. ET, spot gold was slightly down at $2,723.25 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures settled 0.3% higher at $2,738.90. With stocks reaching new highs, the question looms: Is it too late for investors to dive into gold's shimmering market?

Microsoft Unveils AI Employees for Enhanced Client Engagement

Microsoft is stepping up its game by introducing autonomous AI agents—think of them as virtual employees that tackle client queries and pinpoint sales leads. In a bid to prove the AI boom's value, the tech giant is allowing customers to create their own virtual agents while also launching 10 ready-to-use bots for various roles, from customer service to supply chain management. This move underscores the industry's push to demonstrate that AI can deliver truly indispensable tools for businesses.

Nvidia’s stealthy AI launch: meet the model outshining GPT-4! Nvidia has quietly released a powerful new AI model that leaves OpenAI’s GPT-4 in the dust. Dubbed Llama-3.1-Nemotron-70B-Instruct, this game-changer appeared on Hugging Face without much fanfare but quickly garnered attention for its outstanding performance in benchmark tests. With this move, Nvidia is shaking up the AI landscape and signaling a bold shift in its strategy.

NASA’s Artemis Accords: Paving the Way for Global Space Cooperation

NASA has been expanding its diplomatic footprint, recently signing 12 of 45 nations into the Artemis Accords since January, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of space exploration. The simple yet powerful pledge, "We go together," made by NASA chief Bill Nelson during the Artemis 1 launch, embodies a commitment to international cooperation in the cosmos. Nearly two years after that successful uncrewed mission, the significance of Nelson’s message is clearer than ever as the U.S. moves closer to sending humans back to the Moon for the first time since 1972, laying a foundation for a united approach to future space endeavors.

Fungal Intelligence? Study Shows Fungus Can Recognize Shapes

A study reveals that the fungus Phanerochaete velutina challenges our understanding of intelligence by demonstrating an ability to recognize different shapes. While we often associate perception with animals, this remarkable fungus can distinguish between the arrangements of its neighbors and adapt its behavior accordingly. This finding suggests that P. velutina is capable of perceiving spatial differences in resources and strategically responding to them. As research continues, these fungi may reveal surprising similarities to cognitive processes, underscoring their vital role in the ecosystem.

Scientists grow chicks without eggshells. Scientists have developed a method to grow chicken embryos without their opaque eggshells, allowing direct observation of bird development. This innovation overcomes the challenges of monitoring growth, as breaking the eggshell previously hindered real-time visualization. The ability to observe chick development could lead to significant advancements in stem cell research and developmental biology.

Europe’s First Battery Recycling Plant with Over 96% Recovery Rate

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled Europe’s first battery recycling plant, boasting an impressive recycling rate of over 96% for battery materials, all processed in-house for future electric vehicles. Located in Kuppenheim, southern Germany, the facility utilizes an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process capable of processing the elusive "black mass," making Mercedes the first automaker to close the battery recycling loop with its own operation. After a year of testing, the plant is set to recover valuable raw materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, fueling the company's commitment to sustainable EV production.

Hudson Yards' Vessel Reopens with Enhanced Safety Measures

The Vessel at Hudson Yards welcomed visitors back on Monday after a three-year closure, now featuring enhanced safety measures designed to ensure a secure experience for all. The 16-story honeycomb structure boasts new floor-to-ceiling netting, providing peace of mind while allowing tourists to enjoy its unique design. While some visitors noted that the nets limited access, many embraced the reopening as a positive step toward creating a safer environment.

Larger-than-life pigeon sculpture debuts on the High Line in New York City. A giant pigeon sculpture has made its highly anticipated debut on the High Line this week, bringing a whimsical touch to the iconic park. Titled "Dinosaur," this hand-painted work by Colombian-French artist Iván Argote celebrates the pigeon's ancient lineage, tracing their ancestry back to dinosaurs. Argote's proposal was chosen from a competitive pool of 80 artists in 2020, and the sculpture was installed above the intersection of 10th Avenue and 30th Street. Perched on a concrete plinth designed to reflect New York City's urban landscape, the hyper-realistic bird adds a unique flair to the bustling environment.

Renting pandas: the million-dollar deal with strings attached. Ever wondered how zoos "rent" pandas? Zoos around the world, including in the U.S., pay up to $1.1 million annually to temporarily host these beloved bears from China. But this arrangement comes with more than a hefty price tag—it includes strict, confidential contracts. U.S. zoos, like San Diego and the National Zoo, have accepted increasingly tough demands, including limiting what they can say to journalists about the pandas' health and banning terms like "rental" or "lease" when discussing the deals. Zoos must also cover expenses for Chinese experts and agree to restricted panda cam footage, with violations risking the pandas' return to China. These contracts reveal China's tight control over its beloved animal ambassadors.

New Zealand airport limits farewell hugs to 3 minutes. Dunedin Airport in New Zealand is stirring things up with a sign limiting goodbye hugs to three minutes. The quirky move aims to keep traffic flowing at the drop-off zone while reminding travelers that if you need extra cuddle time, the parking lot’s your best bet!

Conspiracy, cash, and chaos: Elon Musk’s $1M election stunt. In a bizarre spectacle, Elon Musk is giving away $1 million daily to lucky members of the public—but there’s a catch. As the crowd cheered his name under a massive U.S. flag, Musk revealed the prize comes with strings attached: signing a petition supporting his political action committee. The legality of it all? Questionable. But in true Musk fashion, neither he nor the crowd seemed concerned.

TikTok of the day: watch here

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