When Legends Fall

Good morning, curious minds,

Again, we've got a world in flux, stories shifting beneath our feet, and maybe even a subtle clue or two. Let's peek behind the obvious to find something unexpected. First-time reader? Join our community of curious readers here.

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Today's big picture, at a glance:

While the rest of the market floats near all-time highs—tech giants and growth stocks looking invincible—the Dow Jones Industrial Average is on its worst losing streak since Jimmy Carter was president. Seriously, nine straight down days is more like an obscure penny stock than a legendary Dow 30.

And here's the thing: That's why we do what we do: capturing these offbeat moments is Our Core. You're here with us, not out there cheering for megacaps. There's something about where we're going next in this Dow story, led by troubled names like UnitedHealth.

Can Love Save Auto?

While electric cars surge ahead in China, two Japanese automaking heavyweights may join forces to keep up. Honda and Nissan are now in early talks about forming a closer alliance—and maybe even a merger.

They combine their strengths to tackle the E.V. race better and fend off fierce Chinese competition. There are no big announcements yet; it's just a nod that the old ways aren't working anymore. Stay tuned—if these two giants marry, it could rewrite the game's rules.

Smile, You're on Store Cam

Even during the holiday cheer, Walmart employees feel pressured and wear body cameras. Officially, the company says it's not about catching shoplifters but about defusing tense situations. Even so, it's a pretty big move for a retailer already swamped with security cameras.

@deputybryanwoodard

Believe it or not. WALMART employees are now wearing body cameras. #walmart #walmartfinds #walmartsyncalong #axon #bodycam #police #4upage... See more

Labor advocates worry that body cams won't help resolve deeper staffing issues, but others see them as a way to push customers towards basic decency. For now, it's a small test in a few locations. But understanding how these subtle shifts affect retail might give you an edge— something we're keeping an eye on, especially as we further explore money and market trends.

Glazing Over Reality

We started the year scratching our heads over words like "ijbol," and now we have a new dictionary of internet slang. It has shaped the way we talk, think, and even joke about our always-on, messed-up world. We've been on a nonstop linguistic roller coaster, from calling people "pookie" to identifying "beige flags."

It might seem silly sometimes, but everyone plays the weird word game, regardless of whether you're dropping terms like a pro. Next thing you know, your group chat uses terms like "demure" or "brat," and you ask yourself, "Wait, what does that mean again?" But don't sweat it—we've got you covered. Check out some of the most viral internet slang of 2024 and stay (or at least sound) plugged in.

Bonus: Test your ‘skibidi' knowledge with this quiz.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Year in Review of Getty Images' 2024 stories.

🧮 Core Count: 6

Count of legs on all insects.

🗓️ Flashback:

218 BC - During the Second Punic War, Hannibal's Carthaginian army defeats Roman forces on Italian soil (Battle of Trebia).

1271 - Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), marking the start of China's Yuan Dynasty.

1917 - US Congress approved the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting alcohol, and sent it to the states for ratification.

1957 - Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania becomes the world's first full-scale nuclear power plant.

2019 - US House of Representatives impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power (230-197) and obstruction of Congress (229-198)

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran