Good morning and a warm welcome to your show, Sunny Mornings in San Diego.
We're the daily podcast that gets you started on the right foot and always with a positive
vibe.
I'm your host, Melissa, and it's Saturday, February 3rd.
Welcome to your bonus episode.
Today we'll recap all the top news for the week with sports, local news, tech and science
news as well as business and entertainment news.
But first, let's check out the weather in the San Diego area.
This morning it's mostly cloudy and 52 degrees with 4 mile per hour wind.
Tonight the sun will set at 5.23 p.m. and it will rise again tomorrow at 6.41 a.m.
It looks like we're in for a day of sun and possibly showers after 4 p.m. but mostly
sunny with a high near 61 and west wind around 5 mile per hour.
Tonight a chance of showers mainly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., mostly cloudy with a low
around 48.
In the surf report, Saturday a fading west-northwest swell means chest-ahead high waves with some
breaks reaching 2 to 3 feet overhead.
Mornings might start rough due to onshore wind.
By Sunday a new storm brings strong wind, impacting most spots.
Southerly winds swell picks up, favoring areas with wind protection.
In Pacific Beach and South San Diego it's 5 to 7 feet and a little choppy in the morning
but it might be doable.
Late day looks unrideable.
Don't get sick out there folks.
The first low tide Saturday will be 1 foot around 11 a.m. with a 4 foot high tide around
2 30 a.m.
The nearshore buoy at Scripps in La Jolla reads 60 degrees for the water temperature.
In talk news, the Himalayan Mountains took 52 million years to form.
Now a new geological study has unveiled a fascinating process happening beneath them.
The Indian plate, instrumental in creating this mountain range through its collision
with the Eurasian plate, is experiencing delamination.
This process involves a complex interaction where the top layer of the Indian plate scrapes
against the Eurasian plate, while the bottom layer splits off and subducts into the earth's
mantle.
This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the Indian plate's movements.
Some scientists had argued it was moving horizontally, avoiding subduction, while others believed
it was submerging beneath the Eurasian plate.
The current findings suggest that both processes are occurring simultaneously.
The research team used innovative methods, including helium isotope analysis from springs
and seismic data, to uncover this phenomenon.
In other words that we can all understand, basically the mountains are breaking away
from each other now, after millions of years of coming together.
Toyota Motor has issued an urgent recall for 50,000 older vehicles in the U.S., specifically
targeting certain 2003 to 2005 models of Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and RAF4.
This critical recall is due to potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators, which could
explode and send metal shrapnel into the vehicle.
Worldwide, Takata airbag issues have caused over 30 deaths, including 26 in the U.S.,
and numerous injuries.
This recall is part of a broader issue, with over 67 million Takata airbags recalled in
the U.S. alone.
Toyota's recall specifically addresses driver's airbags in the RAF4 and front passenger airbags
in other models.
This alert follows similar do-not-drive advisories from other automakers, including Stellantis
and Honda, due to the same Takata airbag concern.
Well, folks, it's almost the end of dry January, and sometimes it extends beyond just one month,
influencing a reevaluation of alcohol use.
A reduction in alcohol consumption, even slightly, has immediate and long-lasting health benefits.
According to scientists from the University of New Mexico, alcohol impacts almost every
organ system.
Reducing alcohol can lead to improved sleep, mood, mental clarity, and energy.
Alcohol, while a sedative, disrupts sleep patterns and can lead to weightfulness in the latter
part of the night.
Over time, less alcohol intake can improve overall health, potentially aiding in weight
loss, as alcohol is high in calories but low in nutrients.
It also suppresses the immune system, so reducing intake could boost immune responses.
Additionally, alcohol is a known carcinogen breaking down into acetaldehyde, which damages
DNA and increases cancer risk.
Five years ago, 23andMe was soaring high with a valuation of $6 billion, acclaimed by celebrities
and popular culture.
Today it's a different story.
The company's value has plummeted by 98%, teetering on the edge of NASDAQ delisting.
This decline reflects a significant shift from its early success, where millions use
their DNA testing kits to explore ancestry and health.
However, the company has been unable to sustain profitability, leading to staff cuts and financial
struggles.
CEO, Anne Wood Sicki, remains determined, aiming to transform 23andMe into a comprehensive
healthcare enterprise, developing drugs and providing medical care.
Despite these ambitious plans, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges, including
a dire need for fresh capital and overcoming the inherent limitations of their DNA testing
business model.
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Stanford University, leading an international
team, have shed light on why autoimmune diseases predominantly affect women.
These diseases, which include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, impact around 80% of women among
their sufferers.
The key lies in a molecule called Zist, unique to women, which plays a crucial role in inactivating
one of the two X chromosomes in females.
This process, while essential, seems to inadvertently generate molecular complexes linked to autoimmune
diseases.
This finding, detailed in the journal called Cell, could pave the way for earlier detection
and more effective treatments of these conditions.
Although it doesn't fully explain the occurrence of autoimmune diseases in men, it's a significant
step in understanding these complex ailments.
Now let's talk more science.
The moon is shrinking.
Akin to the wrinkling of a raisin, it has been illuminated through a detailed reanalysis
of seismic data from the Apollo missions.
Scientists have focused particularly on the moon's south pole, a region characterized
by its rugged cratered terrain.
This analysis reveals that the moon is not only shrinking, but also experiencing moon
quakes, which differ significantly from earthquakes on Earth.
These quakes, potentially lasting hours, could pose risks to structures on the moon, making
this information vital for future lunar explorations and settlements.
As NASA plans to return humans to the moon with the Artemis missions, understanding these
seismic activities becomes increasingly crucial.
This knowledge will guide the strategic placement of lunar bases and the design of structures
resilient to these unique lunar conditions.
The Shiu Archaeological Site in northern China, unearthed in the 1960s, has provided groundbreaking
insights into human history.
Recent studies have determined that Homo sapiens were present at this site around 45,000 years
ago, pushing back the previously understood timeline for human arrival in China by about
5,000 years.
The site was rich with over 15,000 stone artifacts, animal bones, and a notable human skull fragment.
Modern dating methods have confirmed the age of these artifacts, indicating a much earlier
human presence in the region than previously thought.
This finding suggests that early humans might have migrated to China via the northern route,
possibly through areas now known as Siberia and Mongolia.
The discovery not only highlights a significant advancement in human migration timelines,
but also suggests complex interactions with other hominin species, like Neanderthals,
and points to the existence of extensive trade networks, as evidenced by the presence of
materials like obsidian from distant sources.
This reshapes our understanding of early human migration and interaction in East Asia.
Archaeologists recently made a groundbreaking discovery in central Europe, uncovering a
Bronze Age civilization previously unknown.
This complex network of over 100 sites, connected by a vast societal landscape, was revealed
through satellite imagery.
These findings, including some of the largest structures of that era, have significantly
altered our understanding of Bronze Age societies.
Notably, this civilization, centered around the Carpathian Basin and the Tissa River,
featured large megaforts enclosed by extensive ditches.
Some surveys and excavations suggest these sites thrived between 1600 and 1450 BC, before
being abandoned around 1200.
This discovery challenges existing theories about European prehistory, suggesting a cohesive,
advanced society rather than competing chiefdoms.
It also sheds light on the region's role in the broader European context during a pivotal
historical period.
New research contradicts the long-held belief that insects are attracted to light.
Instead, artificial lights disrupt their natural navigation.
Insects usually use light as a cue for orientation, with the sky being the brightest source.
Artificial lights, however, cause confusion.
Researchers from Imperial College London and other institutions observed this phenomenon
through motion capture techniques and high-resolution cameras.
They found that insects, like dragonflies, just circle lights, or even crash, when disoriented
by upward-facing lights.
The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights how artificial lighting alters
insect behavior, a shift from the traditional view of simple attraction to light, met as
reality labs responsible for virtual and augmented reality technology, recorded a substantial
operating loss of $4.65 billion in the fourth quarter.
Despite generating over $1 billion in sales, this marks the unit's largest quarterly loss,
contributing to a total loss of over $42 billion since 2020.
This heavy investment in the metaverse faces new competition as Apple launches its Vision
Pro headset.
Meanwhile, the VR and air market experienced a 40% decline in sales in 2023.
Let us push into the metaverse with products like the Quest 3 VR headset, as part of a
broader strategy to pioneer what Mark Zuckerberg calls the next frontier after the mobile internet.
This week in the markets, it's set to be eventful, with several key happenings.
The Federal Reserve's first meeting of the year is anticipated, where interest rates
are expected to remain unchanged.
Investors will be looking for any signs from the Fed about future rate cuts.
The U.S. jobs report for January will also be released, showing whether the economy added
the expected 177,000 new jobs.
This report could indicate how the Fed's previous rate increases are impacting the
economy.
In tech, major companies like Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta are scheduled to report
their earnings, which could significantly influence the market's direction.
The Bank of England will also have its first policy meeting of the year, with expectations
to keep interest rates steady.
Finally, China's PMI data will offer insights into the state of the world's second-largest
economy, which is facing several challenges, including a housing downturn and deflationary
risks.
The startup investment scene faced a significant downturn in 2023, marking the lowest level
of funding in four years.
This decline, particularly pronounced in the tech sector, was largely due to rising interest
rates.
High-growth companies, once booming with investments, saw a stark reduction in funding, dropping
to $167 billion from over $300 billion in 2021.
Major venture capital firms, hit by the economic shift, drastically scaled back their deals.
Despite these challenges, one sector shone brightly, Generative AI.
Investment in this area surged, with significant funds flowing into leading startups like OpenAI.
However, the future looks cautiously optimistic. Expected interest rate cuts by the Federal
Reserve could renew investor interest in startups, possibly revitalizing the IPO market.
But the landscape has changed.
Startups now face heightened pressure to cut costs and strive for profitability in this
new, more fiscally conservative era.
Alphabet and Microsoft exceeded earnings expectations, yet their stocks fell in extended trading.
Alphabet's revenue grew 13% to $86 billion, while Microsoft's increased 18% to $62 billion.
Despite surpassing cloud business forecasts, Alphabet's ad revenue slightly missed targets.
Investors' high expectations, fueled by the company's strong AI developments and
cost-cutting, including job cuts, led to disappointment.
Just note unrealistic market expectations for advertising growth.
Looking ahead, Microsoft forecasts a modest next quarter, with the market now focusing
on upcoming reports from Amazon, Apple, and Meta.
The 2025 Toyota Camry, launching in 2024, introduces a bold change as it transitions
exclusively to hybrid models.
This ninth-generation midsize sedan features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired
with electric motors.
It offers a choice between front-wheel drive with 225 horsepower and all-wheel drive, which
increases power to 232 horsepower.
The Camry's design borrows elements from the Toyota Crown, featuring new front headlights,
a refreshed cabin with a steering wheel and console design similar to the Crown, and an
updated infotainment system.
It comes in four trims, each offering unique features and styling.
Pricing details are pending, but the current hybrid model ranges from around $30,000 to
just over $35,000.
U.S. stocks rallied today, recovering from the year's worst selloff.
The S&P 500 climbed 1.2%.
The Dow Jones rose nearly 1%.
And the Nasdaq led with a 1.3% gain.
This rebound comes as investors adjust to the Federal Reserve's rate plans and anticipate
major tech earnings.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell's recent comments suggest rate cuts are unlikely at the Fed's
next meeting, shifting expectations to May.
Tech giants Apple, Amazon, and Meta are poised to release earnings following Microsoft and
Alphabite's results that didn't meet investor expectations.
Additionally, the job market's state will be revealed in the upcoming Non-Farm Payrolls
Report, adding another dimension to this week's financial narrative.
Now on to sports.
Jim Harbaugh has been signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as their head coach on a five-year,
$80 million contract.
This fall is the Chargers' underwhelming 5-and-12 season and the dismissal of Brandon
Staley.
Harbaugh, with a notable coaching record including a national championship at Michigan, is expected
to bring stability and experience to the team.
His arrival is particularly significant for quarterback Justin Herbert, as the Chargers
aim to strengthen their presence in the Los Angeles market.
Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback, is poised to redefine the role of sports announcers.
His signing by Fox, initially met with skepticism, is now confirmed, with Brady set to call games
this fall and possibly even next year's Super Bowl.
This move is part of Fox's strategy to innovate in talent development, exemplified by their
willingness to let go of announcer Greg Olson in favor of Brady.
Fox's ambitious approach combines nurturing internal talent, like Olson, while investing
heavily in superstars like Brady.
Brady's transition from football to the broadcast booth marks a significant shift in sports
television, mirroring past transitions of sports icons like Joe Montana and Frank Gifford.
The 2024 Antigel All-Star Game is hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs this year, marking
their first hosting since 2000.
This event features a return to traditional skills competitions, contrasting the creative
editions in previous years.
Competitions include shooting, skating, passing, breakaways, and stick handling.
There is also a three-on-three tournament, which reintroduces the team selection by captains,
a practice last seen in 2015.
Viewers can catch the draft on ESPN2, the skills competition on ESPN, and the All-Star
Game on ABC.
For live streaming, ESPN Plus is the go-to.
Moving on to a more local vibe.
In our community spotlight on health and wellness, we are working with a national Pilates studio
to bring you some free classes, so listen up.
Check out Club Pilates with several locations in the San Diego area.
Pilates presents a comprehensive wellness approach, cultivating strength, reducing tension,
and elevating mental well-being.
Scientific research affirms its benefits.
So now you can check out Club Pilates for a free class, with locations in Encinitas,
Solana Beach, Oceanside, La Jolla, and more.
Just be sure to tell them Sunny Morning sent you by.
And now, back to the show.
Now in local news.
Three marijuana businesses in Encinitas have received state licenses after a city-organized
lottery in 2022.
One is nearing construction completion.
The City Council extended their contract with HDL companies for marijuana business management
to June 2025.
The contract cost is now $648,400, up by $79,500 due to more applications than expected.
The City's cannabis-related costs are funded by business fees and sales taxes.
Encinitas collected $1.35 million from over 200 lottery applicants.
The Council is also considering allowing one medicinal marijuana delivery business, following
a new state law.
Additionally, they approved a contract for the Buena Creek Navigation Center and revised
the City's athletic field usage policy.
Just outside Sandiguido Lagoon, near Del Mar, an unusual split-hull dredge named Bayport
is mining sand for beach replenishment in Solana Beach in Encinitas.
This 303-foot long vessel, operated by Manson Construction Company and contracted to the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the city of Solana Beach, will work for over 100 days.
Its task is to collect 700,000 cubic yards of sand from offshore deposits.
The sand will then be pumped to shore and distributed over 7,200 feet of coastline in
Solana Beach and 7,800 feet in Encinitas, extending the beaches by about 150 feet.
The $30.5 million project, funded under the Biden administration's bipartisan infrastructure
law, was secured by Rep. Mike Levin.
This effort not only benefits the immediate areas, but may also positively affect beaches
in Del Mar and further south due to shifting shorelines.
San Diego has reinstated its downtown train Quiet Zone after temporarily suspending it
due to safety violations.
The city's transportation department quickly addressed these issues, installing over 120
new railroad signs and road markings at key intersections.
Consequently, trains will no longer need to sound their horns in this area, adhering to
the $21 million Quiet Zone safety system established in 2010.
While most transit agencies have complied with the reinstatement, the freight railway
is yet to implement the Quiet Zone.
This development aims to balance safety with noise reduction in the downtown area.
At the Port of San Diego, Pride of Tubboat operator Crowley has a groundbreaking new
platform called eWolf, the U.S. first all-electric tubboat.
This 82-foot Alabama-built tub promises significant environmental benefits, reducing nitrogen
oxide, diesel particulates, and carbon dioxide emissions substantially over a decade.
The eWolf's operations, slated to begin in spring, are contingent on the completion
of Crowley's microgrid shoreside charging station.
This innovation marks a significant step towards sustainable maritime operations.
The San Diego Padres 2024 Fan Fest is set for March 24 at Petco Park following their
Soul Series games.
Running from noon to 5.30, the event features player appearances, including stars like Manny
Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. and other Padres alumni.
Highlights include the unveiling of the renovated Gallagher Square and a Celebrity Slash Alumni
softball game.
Fans can enjoy player workouts, batting practice, and interactive sessions.
Free admission tickets are available online starting February 16.
The event also precedes exhibition games against the Seattle Mariners on March 25 and 26.
And in entertainment news, Amazon and Jam Studio is developing a film about Heather
Raslick and Morgan and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein.
Arrested in 2022 with a $4 billion Bitfinex Bitcoin heist and money laundering.
Directed by Hannah Marks and co-produced by Lily Reinhart, the film is inspired by a 2022
New York Times article.
The story follows the couple's 2016 hack of Bitfinex, leading to their arrest in 2022.
Before her arrest, Morgan was an aspiring rapper and Ford's contributor.
They admitted to stealing 120,000 Bitcoin and agreed to forfeit their gains, facing
up to 20 years in prison.
The Justice Department recovered another $475 million dollars related to the heist in August
2023.
Since her arrest, Morgan has distanced herself from the crypto and NFT space, with her NFTs
disappearing from open sea.
The film's release date and further details are yet to be announced.
Christopher Nolan, renowned for his direction in Oppenheimer, hosted a Q&A with Nathan Fielder
and Benny Safdie, delving into their new satirical comedy series The Curse.
Airing on Showtime and Paramount+, this groundbreaking show captivated Nolan, who compared its originality
to iconic series like Twin Peaks.
The plot centers around Fielder and Emma Stone, portraying a married couple running an HGTB
show called Flip philanthropy.
Their story takes a dark turn with the emergence of a curse that challenges their relationship
and attempts to have a child.
Benny Safdie, who co-created the series, also stars as a TV producer.
Nolan's admiration extended to Fielder's HBO series The Rehearsal and the Safdie Brothers
filmography.
Alison Herman of Variety praised The Curse for its effective mood setting and exploration
of exploitation at multiple levels, leaving viewers to decide whether it's a must-watch
or a pass.
I haven't made up my mind on this one yet.
Guy Ritchie's latest film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, presents a unique twist
on World War II storytelling.
Set against the war's backdrop, it follows surgeon Gus March Phillips, played by Henry
Cavill, who is recruited into Britain's Special Operations Executive.
The Special Operations Executive focuses on irregular warfare, and March Phillips, known
for his rule-breaking approach, is chosen to lead a risky mission.
The movie's trailer reveals his assembled team of unconventional fighters, played by
Isa Gonzalez, Babs Olusemukhan, Alan Ripson, Henry Golding, and Alex Pettyfer.
These characters bring a blend of madness and skill to their task of creatively combating
Nazis.
The film, with its action-packed and whimsical approach, is set to be released in theaters
on April 19, promising a fresh take on the genre.
As promised, here are five funny movies on Netflix to help get you through some of the
glum weather.
First on the list, Eurovision Song Contest, The Story of Fire Saga.
In this comedic reunion, Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams play Icelandic friends, dreaming
of Eurovision victory.
Directed by David Dobkin of Wedding Crashers, they form Fire Saga, a singing duo, hitting
Eurovision with their song, Ya Ya Ding Dong.
You have me at Will Ferrell.
Next up, Glass Onion, a Knives Out mystery.
Rian Johnson's sequel to Knives Out brings back Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blank.
In a twisty tale, Blank investigates a murder on a tech billionaire's island.
The star-studded cast includes Edward Norton and Janelle Mona, blending mystery with a
dash of humor.
Also, I care a lot.
Rosamund Pike stars as Marla, a con woman targeting the elderly in this J. Blakeson
comedy.
Her scheme unravels when targeting a crime lord's mother, leading to suspense and danger.
Pike's award-winning role is supported by Peter Dinklage and Isa Gonzalez.
If you miss Adam McKay movies, check out Don't Look Up.
It's a satirical, dark comedy, featuring a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio
and Jennifer Lawrence as they tackle global warming.
It centers on astronomers trying to warn about an Earth-threatening comet, blending humor
with a thought-provoking message.
Or you can take a shot at Spencer Confidential.
Mark Wahlberg teams up with director Peter Berg in this action-packed film.
Spencer, a former Boston cop and now a private investigator, gets entangled in a murder conspiracy.
The film, inspired by Robert B. Parker's novels, features intense action and a memorable
prison brawl scene.
Disney is set to enforce a ban on password sharing for its streaming services.
Disney+, Woolo, and ESPN+.
This move, announced in an email to Woolo's subscribers, will start on March 14.
Violations could lead to account limitations or termination.
This follows Netflix's successful crackdown on password sharing, which significantly increased
its subscriber count.
Disney, CEO Bob Iger, had previously indicated tackling password sharing as a 2024 priority.
Further details are expected in Disney's fiscal first-quarter earnings call on February
7.
Sorry for the lame news.
And that's a wrap for this morning.
Remember to stay tuned tomorrow for more news and updates.
Have an amazing day, my good friends.