NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed close, as gains for tech stocks nudged the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to more records. The S&P 500 eked out a gain of under 0.1% Tuesday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%. Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. The value of the South Korean won sank against the dollar after its president declared martial law and then later said he’ll lift it. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting around their records on Tuesday as Wall Street's white-hot rally lets off the accelerator. The S&P 500 was virtually flat in afternoon trading, a day after rising tech stocks helped it set an this year. It's climbed in nine of the last 10 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down by 56 points, or 0.1%, with 45 minutes remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 3.9% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 7.9%. President-elect reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also the acquisition. Tesla s sank 2.1% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could keep avoiding a recession that many investors had earlier thought was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22 from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump's preferences for and could spur along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the will at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can help give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday's jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. Since his victory, Trump has broadcasted his , including for goods . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea's currency fell 0.9% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where and then later said he'd lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.3% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs on China and other countries. Indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about , where the government is battling over the budget. ___ AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed. Stan Choe, The Associated PressIs it a drone? Or a plane? Here’s how to spot the difference as officials investigate mysterious sightings
MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELA Bio, Inc. ("TELA Bio") (NASDAQ: TELA), a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative soft-tissue reconstruction solutions, today announced that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of TELA Bio approved inducement grants of restricted stock units covering 1,700 shares of its common stock to three newly-hired employees, with a grant date of December 11, 2024 (the "Grant Date"). The restricted stock units were granted pursuant to the Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) inducement grant exception as a component of each individual's employment compensation and were granted as an inducement material to his or her acceptance of employment with TELA Bio. The restricted stock units will vest in equal annual installments over four years, subject to each individual's continued service with TELA Bio through the applicable vesting dates. About TELA Bio, Inc. TELA Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: TELA) is a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative technologies that optimize clinical outcomes by prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the patient's own anatomy. The Company is committed to providing surgeons with advanced, economically effective soft-tissue reconstruction solutions that leverage the patient's natural healing response while minimizing long-term exposure to permanent synthetic materials. For more information, visit www.telabio.com. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations are forward-looking statements and reflect the current beliefs of TELA Bio's management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this announcement speak only as of the date of this press release, and TELA Bio assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release, except as required under applicable law. Investor Contact Louisa Smith ir@telabio.comAbCellera Biologics: Still A Concept StockThey were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in Lisbon
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano Kano State Police Command have warned against obstruction of highways and disruption of public order in the name of content creation, insisting that offenders will be prosecuted henceforth. A statement on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa regretted that these obstructions of highways and disruption of public order cause traffic congestion and poise a significant risk to public safety.. “Kano State Police have observed with concern the recent trend of youths blocking roads in Kano, engaging in dancing, washing, singing, and other activities in the name of social media content creation. These actions are not only causing unnecessary traffic congestion but also posing a significant risk to public safety.: he stated. “The Command wishes to remind the public that obstructing highways and disrupting public order are serious offenses under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such actions can lead to accidents, injuries, and damage to property” the statement said According to the statement, ” Kano State Police Command hereby warns all individuals and groups involved in these activities to desist immediately. Parents and guardians are also advised to caution their wards against participating in such activities. “The Command is committed to maintaining public safety and order, and will not hesitate to take necessary measures to address this issue. This may include arresting and prosecuting offenders” the statement added The Command urged the public to report any instances of highway obstruction or disruption of public order to the nearest police station. End.By MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation. Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz , Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Trump’s pick of Chronister for the DEA job drew backlash from conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities.” In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid virus. “Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those airing public complaints, saying Chronister should be “disqualified” for the arrest. Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Florida’s immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend. Related Articles National Politics | Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff National Politics | President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction National Politics | Democrats stick with Schumer as leader, their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain National Politics | Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs National Politics | Democrats’ outgoing chair says Trump’s win forces party to reassess how it reaches voters In the video, Chronister praised the “rich diversity” of his community and called it “a place where people from all walks of life come together.” He said it was important to note his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. That’s the authority of federal agencies.” Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration. Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed to this report.Japanese auto giant Honda and its struggling rival Nissan agreed Monday to launch talks on a merger seen as a bid to catch up with Chinese rivals and Tesla on electric vehicles. Their collaboration would create the world’s third largest automaker, expanding development of EVs and self-driving tech. But Honda’s CEO insisted that it was not a bailout for Nissan, who last month announced thousands of job cuts and reported a 93 percent plunge in first-half net profit. “This is not a rescue,” Toshihiro Mibe told reporters, stressing that one condition for the merger would be for Nissan to complete its so-called “turnaround” plan. Lacklustre consumer spending and stiff competition in several markets is making life hard for many automakers. Business has been especially tough for foreign brands in China, where electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD are leading the way as demand grows for less polluting vehicles. The two firms along with Mitsubishi Motors said they had signed a memorandum of understanding to start discussions on integrating their business under a new holding company. Citing “dramatic changes in the environment surrounding both companies and the automotive industry”, a joint statement said the companies planned to list the holding company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in August 2026. It comes after reports said Taiwanese electronics behemoth Foxconn had unsuccessfully approached Nissan to acquire a majority share. It then asked Renault to sell its 35 percent stake in Nissan — a pursuit now said to have been put on hold. China overtook Japan as the biggest vehicle exporter last year, helped by government support for EVs. Honda and Nissan — Japan’s number two and three automakers after Toyota — already agreed in March to explore a strategic partnership on software and components for EVs among other technologies. This partnership was joined by Mitsubishi Motors in August. The companies want to seal their merger deal in June next year, but it is unlikely to be a marriage of equals. Honda will nominate the president of the new holding company, whose board will be mostly made up of Honda executives, their statement said. Nissan is a majority shareholder of Mitsubishi Motors, which “aims to reach its conclusion by the end of January 2025 on the participation or involvement in the business integration between Nissan and Honda,” it added.
Adcetera's creative partnership with Roborock sends the S8 MaxV Ultra into space HOUSTON , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Adcetera, a Houston -based digital marketing agency, announces the launch of a historic video campaign in partnership with Roborock , one of the world's leading robot vacuum brands. The campaign, centered around the theme "Beyond Limits," culminated in the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra being launched 120,000 feet above the Earth, making it the first robot vacuum in space. When Roborock began searching for an agency to develop a video campaign around their hashtag, #BeyondLimits, Adcetera's creatives stepped in to develop a narrative that could bring those two words to life. The resulting social media campaign features three scientists frustrated by outdated cleaning tools. Their solution? Invent the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. After putting the vacuum through a series of "Beyond Limits" tests, the scientists take it one step further and launch it into space. The collaboration included partnering with Sent into Space, a UK-based company specializing in sending objects into the upper stratosphere. On September 17, 2024 , the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra successfully launched from Sheffield, UK , reaching 120,000 feet above Earth and enduring extreme temperatures, thus proving the product's endurance and innovation. The project involved building a unique laboratory set, sourcing talent and hundreds of props, a post-production that included multiple special effects, and coordinating an international space launch — all executed with precision to ensure the project stayed on schedule, within budget, and within scope. Stella Lin , Marketing Specialist at Roborock, praised the collaboration: "It was a pleasure collaborating with Adcetera on these projects. I believe they not only demonstrate Roborock's exceptional product quality and groundbreaking achievements, but also serve as a strong testament to Adcetera's professional expertise." To date, the video series has collectively garnered tens of millions of views across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. "We're proud of how our team turned a larger-than-life idea — an idea that felt almost impossible — into reality," said Adcetera's Chief Creative Officer Rowan Gearon . "We're pushing creative boundaries just like Roborock pushes the limits of technology." About Adcetera Adcetera is a full-service, integrated digital marketing agency with an obsession to deliver innovative solutions that drive growth for brands. Headquartered in Houston, TX , with offices in Chicago, IL and The Woodlands, TX , they are a distinctively diverse team of innovators, creators, and leaders from around the world, deeply proud of the award-winning work and the ongoing value provided to brands, businesses, and communities for over 40+ years. Adcetera is a privately held, WBENC-certified, HUB-certified, woman-owned business. For more information visit adcetera.com . Follow on LinkedIn . Adcetera – Strategic. Creative. People. About Roborock Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. With a steadfast dedication to becoming a global leading smart appliance player, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in over 15 million homes across 170+ countries. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States , Japan , the Netherlands , Poland , Germany , and South Korea , Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. For more information, visit https://global.roborock.com/. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roborock-makes-history-with-out-of-this-world-video-campaign-302338415.html SOURCE ADCETERACrews in western North Carolina have collected 1.55 million cubic yards, or more than 11,625 Olympic-sized swimming pools, of debris since Hurricane Helene hit in September. Officials at the state’s emergency management agency said Tuesday that it could pave 62 miles of road with the debris that had been removed. “Most standard dump trucks hold around 15 cubic yards of debris. You would need over 103,333 dump trucks to haul this load. You get the gist here. It’s a lot,” they wrote on the social media platform X. “But work continues!” The debris that is retrieved is sorted and as much as possible is recycled. Some can be turned into firewood or building materials. What is deemed hazardous is disposed of by the Environmental Protection Agency. What goes into landfills is minimized, it noted. The state established temporary debris storage areas to mitigate the amount of debris that was generated. No hazardous materials are brought there. The state’s Department of Public Safety said in October that it would separate debris into six categories : large appliances, construction debris, vegetative debris, hazardous waste, electronics, and household waste. FEMA said that thousands of trees would be repurposed and that 320,000 pounds of wood had already been removed by mid-November. “They’re working seven days a week,” Judy Craze, a resident of Lake Lure, told WTVD on Monday. “Some mornings have been very cold. They are out there early in the morning and I’m like whew, I’m glad I’m in here drinking my coffee and not on one of those barges.” Asheville’s Citizen-Times reported Tuesday that by November 30, nearly 140,000 cubic yards of debris had been removed from its city limits. The city only recently got clean drinking water back. A US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) colonel told the station that they had removed about 5,000 dump trucks of debris, including kayaks, logs, and debris that could be from homes that were washed away. USACE estimated late last month that there were around 8,000 cubic yards of sand that needed to be removed. One company, Southern Disaster Recovery, has a plan to burn the organic debris gradually over several weeks. It’s concerned at least one local resident. “How many pairs of lungs are worth the town saving the money?” Avi Sommerville told the Citizen-Times . The town of Spruce Pine’s Mitchell News-Journal reported that waterway cleanup could cost as much as $100m. In the wake of the devastating and deadly storm, images of the mountainous area showed washed-out roads and buildings surrounded by high, reddish-brown mud, ripped-up trees, wooden sheets, plastic containers, furniture, and other miscellaneous objects. After the waters receded and the mud was cleared, amid health concerns , the debris remained. The hurricane brought impacts to the state during the week of September 26, making landfall as a Category 4 storm in northwestern Florida that night. The Tar Heel State saw the most deaths, and the toll rose to 103 last month. The hurricane unleashed a stunning 42 trillion gallons of rain : the equivalent of the flow of Niagara Falls for nearly two years. Officials in the region said it would take many areas, like the heavily hit Buncombe County, years to recover from the hurricane. Many people were left without homes at the start of the winter season. It also slammed into multiple southeastern states, including South Carolina and Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates it will take about three to six months to collect its debris. In South Carolina, three-year-old Ivy Graham has cheered on debris crews. Officials in Greenville expect debris collection will continue through next year . “I’ve never seen a truck that big, full of limbs,” her mom, Anna Graham, told WYFF .
Bryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level MediaNO DUH! Damning Thread Shows DEI Training Makes People See Non-Existent Racism and BiasIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting
Pak Activities Dips After Deploying Anti-Drone System Along Jammu Border: IGSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday said he would lift martial law just hours after he imposed it, in a brief and confusing episode in which he blasted the opposition as "anti-state forces" threatening the country's democracy. The unexpected move from Yoon -- the first time martial law had been declared in South Korea in more than four decades -- alarmed the United States and the country's other allies. What do we know about the imposition, its lifting and what might come next? In a dramatic, late-night emergency television address to the nation, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law, as he accused the opposition of paralysing the government with "anti-state activities". A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief General Park An-su swiftly followed, banning political activities and parties, "false propaganda", strikes and "gatherings that incite social unrest". The order also brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law and directed all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the building for a short time, seemingly in a bid to prevent lawmakers from getting inside. But 190 lawmakers managed to enter and voted unanimously to reject Yoon's declaration and call for martial law to be lifted. Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered, many raising chants calling for Yoon to be arrested. Following the lawmakers' vote, Yoon backed down. His cabinet additionally approved the motion to lift the order, Yonhap news agency reported. "Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations," Yoon said in a televised address around 4:30 am (1930 GMT Tuesday). Under South Korea's constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected. Yoon said he was acting to safeguard his country's liberal democracy from "anti-state elements" and "threats posed by North Korea" -- but gave little detail. While unexpected, the announcement came in the context of a festering budget row between Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party. The opposition has slashed around 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon's proposed 677 trillion won budget for next year, prompting the president to complain that "all key budgets essential to the nation's core functions" were being cut. "What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular, ineffectual leader and he is having a hard time getting any kind of public support for anything he's trying to do," said Alan Yu, a former US diplomat in Asia now at the Center for American Progress. "The use of martial law feels almost like a desperation move to try to break out, both in a political and policy sense, but it is really poorly played on both fronts." Domestically, pressure has only grown further on Yoon after his late-night bombshell. South Korea's main opposition party has demanded that Yoon step down, accusing him of "insurrection". The country's main labour union group has also called an "indefinite general strike" until he resigns over the "irrational and anti-democratic measure". Yoon's own People Power Party described his attempt at imposing martial law as "tragic" and demanded that those involved be held accountable. South Korea is a key Western ally in Asia, seen as an important democratic bulwark in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes, and the drama is being watched with concern. Washington said it was "relieved President Yoon has reversed course" on his martial law order. Earlier, Britain and Germany both said they were closely following developments. China, a key ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, urged its citizens to exercise caution, while Russia -- itself increasingly close to Pyongyang -- called the situation "alarming". burs-pdw-bfm-hmn/cwl
* Broadcom jumps as it forecasts Q1 revenue above estimates * Chip stocks post varied performance * Investors await Fed's Dec. 17-18 meeting (Recasts with preliminary market close) By Echo Wang Dec 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed out the trading week near the unchanged mark in a subdued session on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Dow posting weekly declines, while the Nasdaq secured its fourth consecutive week of gains. Broadcom forecast quarterly revenue surpassing Wall Street expectations and predicted robust growth in demand for its custom AI chips over the next few years. The optimistic outlook propelled the company’s shares higher, pushing its market capitalization past $1 trillion for the first time. Chip stocks were a mixed bag on Friday, with Broadcom rival Marvell Technology gaining, while AI bellwether Nvidia gave up earlier gains. However, the broader semiconductor index managed to advance, reflecting ongoing strength in the sector despite some individual stock declines. Yields on U.S. Treasuries rose across the board, with ones on the benchmark 10-year bond hitting a three-week high. “Right now the interest rate selloff is winning,” said Jay Hatfield, chief executive officer at Infrastructure Capital Management in New York. “It's pretty natural for value and income stocks to go down when tech stocks are rising.” Technology stocks continued their upward momentum, driving the Nasdaq above the 20,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday. The rally was further bolstered by an in-line inflation report, which solidified expectations for a 25 basis-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve in its meeting next week. Trader bets on the cut at the central bank's Dec. 17-18 meeting stand at near 97%, according to CME's FedWatch Tool. However, they indicate chances of a pause in January. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 0.19 points, or 0.00%, to end at 6,051.06 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 21.69 points, or 0.11%, to 19,924.53. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 85.68 points, or 0.20%, to 43,828.44. Wall Street had taken a breather in the previous session after recent gains and some hot economic data ahead of the Fed's meeting, setting up the benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow for weekly losses. However, the Nasdaq ended the week higher. U.S. stocks have repeatedly reached all-time highs this year, driven by surging interest in heavyweight tech companies capitalizing on artificial-intelligence trends. Investor sentiment also received a boost following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, as markets anticipate his pro-business policies could enhance corporate profitability. Among other movers, RH rose after the home furnishings retailer reported higher net revenue for the third quarter, while D.R. Horton declined as J.P. Morgan downgraded its rating on the homebuilder to "underweight." (Reporting by Echo Wang in New York Additional reporting by Purvi Agarwal and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru Editing by Maju Samuel and Matthew Lewis)
Cheers and beers for Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester reign starts with win
Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive “real improvements” for disabled people, whom the ministers will be encouraged to engage with on a regular basis. He told the Commons: “I am very pleased to be able to announce today the appointment of new lead ministers for disability in each Government department, they will represent the interests of disabled people, champion disability inclusion and accessibility within their departments. “I’m going to chair regular meetings with them and will encourage them to engage directly with disabled people and their representative organisations, as they take forward their departmental priorities. “And I look forward to this new group of lead ministers for disability together driving real improvements across Government for disabled people.” This came during an adjournment debate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised concerns about “floating bus stops”, which have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement. Intervening, the MP for Torbay, who is registered blind, said: “The Government needs to ban floating bus stops.” Sir Stephen said: “I do think this issue about floating bus stops is an important issue which we need to work across Government to reflect on.” Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who led the debate, had earlier criticised the lack of accessibility for disabled people on trains. The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP said: “Our train network does not have level access, and we heard Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson from the other place make this plea back in the summer, absolutely outrageous what she was put through. “But I was absolutely shocked to find, when I had a presentation of the TransPennine route upgrade, that the rolling stock yet to be commissioned is not going to provide that level access. “It’s absolute nonsense, it’s not even in the design of that procurement, so we must do better than this.”Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from considerationRuud van Nistelrooy treated himself to a beer after enjoying a perfect start to his reign as Leicester manager. Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge ended with a 3-1 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. The Dutchman, who was out of work for just two weeks following his four-game spell as Manchester United interim boss, only started on Sunday so was happy to end a hectic three days in style. “It has been very busy getting to know everyone, start working together,” he said. “Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy, long days, but worth it. I was focused on the game and what the game needed, the subs, the half-time talk, so focused on the moment, so I am going to get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.” He endured a dream start as Vardy scored after just 98 seconds with El Khannouss and Daka adding second-half goals. It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as West Ham – who scored a consolation through Niclas Fullkrug at the death – had 30 shots on goal. But Van Nistelrooy saw enough to think he can deliver on his objective of keeping the Foxes in the Premier League. “I am very happy, if you look at the result – and it is about the result – it was a great night, three points, three good goals and also very effective. Ruud at the wheel 🛞 pic.twitter.com/eVgIwWAcYw — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 “Overall the game of course we have seen and how dominant West Ham were at certain stages and what they created, that is a fact and something we have to look at. “Overall, what I expected of the players going forward was togetherness and hunger, energy and spirit in this team that is fighting for every inch. “Eleven players on the pitch who are fighting as a foundation to play the rest of the Premier League. I saw that completely with every single player that started and came on. “That’s the foundation we have to build on, without that it will be impossible to get where we want to go. I am very happy about that.” West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Julen Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Lopetegui expects to keep his job but forthcoming games against his former club Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. “The only thing that I am worried about is to go to training session tomorrow and stand up the players and prepare the next challenge,” he said. “We have one month of December with a lot of matches and I am sure with this attitude we are going to achieve many more points. “I believe in the players. I am confident that tomorrow we are going to be ready to prepare the next match. “Understanding the question, but at the end of the season maybe we talk in another way. There are a lot of matches and points, a lot of things can happen. “I believe in these players and team, I am sure the position is going to be much better. They are only words but we have to work a lot to achieve this.”
Roborock makes history with out-of-this-world video campaign