Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join GuardiansAbacus Life Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock
Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 6 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Micron Technology was up 1% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, Amazon was down 0.6%, and Netflix gave up 1.1%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.9%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.7% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.8%, Best Buy was up 2.2% and Dollar Tree gained 2.7%. Retailers are hoping for a solid sales this holiday season, and the day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4% and 16%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.57% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.Mid-American Conference football goes all in on November weeknights for the TV viewers
Nevada approves rule protecting workers from extreme heat
F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26Sascha Yeomans is proof a mother's love knows no bounds. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue When her now 15-year-old son Angel was born with cerebral palsy , doctors told her he would never walk, talk, eat or move independently. She even had to fight to take her newborn home from the hospital. The Victorian mum has spent years researching and implementing new strategies to improve Angel's mobility and independence. She found horse riding to be the most effective therapy for helping Angel physically and inspiring his confidence and understanding of his potential. Now, Angel is having the adventure of a lifetime. He and his mum and her 14-year-old god-daughter, Iluka Thieme, with four horses and an assistance dog called Celeste, are horseback riding the National Trail, this week stopping in Canberra for Christmas. Angel Cropley on his horse Pippin with mum Sascha Yeomans at one of their stopovers while riding the National Trail, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in Canberra. Picture by Gary Ramage And, like everywhere else on the National Trail, they have been moved by the kindness of strangers. Pegasus Rising for the Disabled in Holt put them up in a common room, giving them the luxury over the Christmas break of a roof overhead, showers, toilets and a kettle (!) for tea. "What else do you need?" a gleeful Sascha said. And a random encounter at the post office in Yarralumla delivered them a beautiful Christmas lunch with new friends. Angel Cropley, 15, has gained so much confidence horse riding on the National Trail he's now talking about travelling overseas with friends one day. Picture by Gary Ramage Sasha had sent ahead a box of dehydrated food to the post office in Yarralumla and got talking to a local woman, Tash Leonard, when she went to pick it up. "She asked us what we were doing for Christmas and we said we didn't have plans; she invited us for lunch with her family, which was amazing," Sascha said. "We've had just so many kind offers." Sascha, Angel and Iluka had Christmas lunch in Yarralumla with Tash Leonard and her family after Tash met Sascha in the local post office. Picture supplied Persistent rain in winter played havoc with the horses' hooves and the little party stayed for two weeks at the showgrounds in Taralga, north-east of Canberra, so the horses could rest and heal. "Somebody put a notice on their community Facebook page, and I think the whole town turned out. People just came past with meals and wines and coffee and wood and meat. So much meat! It was incredible," Sascha said. On an earlier visit to Canberra, they had also tried to connect with the Kambah Pony Club to find a place to stay, but couldn't find any contact numbers or get any responses from emails or social media messages. "Then this car stopped by the side of the road, and it was this young woman and she went, 'Oh you've got horses, what are you doing?' So we told her what we were doing and that we were hoping to stay at the Kamba pony club and she said, 'Oh, my mum's the secretary, I'll bring the key around, just message me when you arrive'," Sascha said. "And it just feels like the whole trail has been like that. "Every day you are walking into the unknown and every morning there is that little anxious feeling of, 'What are we going to face? and 'What's ahead"'. And, every day, unexpected doors open and it's incredible." Sascha Yeomans (right) with son Angel Cropley, 15, and god-daughter Iluka Thieme, 14, at Pegasus in Canberra this week during a break from their horse riding adventures. Picture by Megan Doherty The National Trail runs along the Great Dividing Range, covering 5330km from Healesville in Victoria to Cooktown in Queensland. The trail follows old stock routes and bush tracks as well as cutting through private property. Former National Party member for Monaro, Peter Cochran, one of the volunteer trail coordinators, also invited Sascha, Angel and Iluka to stay on his property in the Snowy Mountains, which includes part of the trail. Sascha, who is from Beechworth in Victoria, has been preparing Angel for the ride for six years, gradually getting him used to horses and being in the saddle solo. As puberty hit, Angel was facing musculoskeletal-skeletal issues that his mum wanted to do "everything to prevent", including scoliosis . Ahead of riding the trail, mother and son rode the 480km Tasmanian Trail, from Devonport to Dover, raising more than $16,000 for Riding for the Disabled Australia. They have now been riding the southern parts of the National Trail, on and off, over the past year. Six hours in the saddle every day riding the trail has strengthened Angel, both physically and mentally. And he's progressed in leaps and bounds. From hardly balancing on the horse to being able to get up in the saddle by himself and then ride for hours "In Kosciuszko, he was off the lead, normally I lead him, and he was rising trot for three or four hours of the day and singing loudly. I never would have thought that was possible. Unbelievable," Sasha said. "Angel's walk has also improved dramatically. It was actually the Children's Hospital in Melbourne that first suggested we try horse riding to improve a whole lot of issues that were going on. And it's been better than we ever imagined. Not just physically, but emotionally. Learning how to put animals first and take responsibility for things." Angel and his horse Pippin. Picture by Gary Ramage Angel has also grown in confidence and is now talking about one day traveling to Europe with Iluka. "I think being a disabled person in a regional area like we were, you're very limited," Sascha said. "This has given him such a sense of the world being possible." The dog, one of the horses and Angel all have satellite tracking collars on them in case were lose them. - Angel's mum Sascha Yeomans After Canberra, they are heading north, taking each day as it comes, but then taking a break for the hottest part of summer, resuming in autumn. "If we could ride the whole of NSW, that would be good. We'll go into Queensland and see. I'm not thrilled with crocodiles," Sascha said, with a laugh. "But we might just get in the groove." The little party is heading north after Canberra. Picture by Megan Doherty The ride takes enormous preparation and planning by Sascha and her husband, Tom, who coordinates it all from back home in Victoria. That includes making sure Angel, who has a big appetite, remains well-fed. Amazonia protein powders ended up as a sponsor, helping them keep up Angel's energy. Sascha also sends ahead boxes of freeze-dried meats and dehydrated vegetables from Campers Pantry to various locations on the trail. She and Angel have, over the years, also learnt how to do a myriad of practical things, from how to tie a good knot to put together a light pack. And Sasha works hard to prevent, as much as possible, anything from going wrong on the trail. "Safety is so important," she said. "We've got packs on every horse, not just one horse. Every horse has some form of shelter on them and some form of food for a night or two. And some form of warmth on them. And we've all got backpacks that have compasses and water and first aid, snake bandages, whistles, an emergency SOS device. "The dog, one of the horses and Angel all have satellite tracking collars on them in case were lose them. The horses have bells on them at night. Our whole campsite is reflective and high-vis." The travelling party includes Celetes the dog, four horses, Sascha and her son Angel and god-daughter Iluka. Picture by Gary Ramage Sascha, like any teenage boy, is not one to heap praise on his mum. But it's clear he loves his "fun" mum. "She's a good mum," he said. And Iluka will soon be heading back home to resume school. "It's been so incredible to be on this journey with people I love," she said. They're also very appreciative of the help they received from Pegasus. Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in the ACT has for decades known the joys and benefits of horse riding for people with disabilities. The much-loved organisation will in 2025 celebrate its 50 th birthday, the first meeting of the association that would become Pegasus taking place in June, 1975. Pegasus CEO Matt Watson said it was more than happy to help Angel, Sasha and Iluka - and their horses and Celeste the dog - have a place to stay at its Holt headquarters over Christmas. Mr Watson actually met Sascha at a conference a year ago. "Once I heard about what they were doing, I said 'Make sure when you get to Canberra you come and say g'day'," he said. "It was fantastic talking to them and hearing about their trip. I think it just shows, again, the magic of horse riding and how it can open up a new world for people with disabilities." You can follow Angel's adventures on the National Trail on his Instagram page roughandstumble Donations to Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in Canberra can be made at www. pegasusact.com.au/ Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Megan Doherty Journalist I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au More from Canberra The secret revealed: where to get the best fish and chips on the South Coast 16m ago No comment s 'It's incredible': Angel is riding tall in the saddle on the National Trail 16m ago No comment s We need to know more about why women are murdered. This program could help 16m ago No comment s How a quiet Sunday boat tour descended into a police rescue operation on the lake 16m ago Fifty years on, the storm still haunts me No comment s Boxing Day blog: Classless Kohli's Konstas clash dominates as Test locked in balance No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...