NoneDemocrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contestPete Carroll wants to mentor Caleb Williams, coach Bears and teach at USC? He's a young 73.How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.
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TEHRAN - In an analysis, Farhikhtegan analyzed the endorsement of the European-drafted resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors. It wrote: The recent actions of Western countries, including the European troika (Germany, Britain and France), against Iran, show that Europe has put a confrontational approach on its agenda in dealing with Iran. One of the key goals of these countries is to lay the groundwork for the activation of the trigger mechanism. Since limits on Iran's nuclear program will end in October 2025 based on the JCPOA, European countries are trying to use the available tools to go on with the sanctions before reaching this date. In addition, the West is trying to use Iran as leverage to convince America to support the war in Ukraine. While the President of Ukraine has clearly stated that there is no evidence of Iran's missile assistance to Russia, Europe continues to impose new sanctions against Iran under this pretext. These unjustified sanctions show the aggressive approach of Europe to expand the range of pressure on Iran. In a note, Javan discussed the approval of the European-drafted resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors without consensus. The paper said: The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday night finally approved the resolution against Iran proposed by the three European governments (Germany, Britain and France) with the support of the United States. These countries did not even wait for Grossi's return (from Tehran to Vienna). According to Foreign Minister Araghchi, the Iran nuclear case is now facing great complications compared to the past. Regarding these developments, there is no need to sit at the negotiating table with the 5+1 countries because many things have changed. With the current process, it is unlikely that the rest of the countries party to the JCPOA will fulfill their commitment. If negotiations are not done for a new agreement before the JCPOA expires, we will face a critical situation, and the European countries that are still party to the JCPOA may look for snapback mechanism that cannot even be vetoed by China or Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Friday in response to the approval of the resolution of the Board of Governors: "If Europe implements snapback, our answer is to withdraw from the NPT." In an interview with Taghi Azadarmaki, a professor of sociology, Etemad discussed Iran's diplomatic capacities now that the Republicans have captured the White House and won control of the two chambers of Congress. He said: We see Iran and the world community in new conditions after Trump's rise. In his new approach, Trump disputes, argues and makes deals. However, Iran is in a different situation. Today, dealing with the sanctions is very important for Iran, and no war should happen. But peace at any cost is not suitable for Iran. Iran should adopt a two-sided approach. In fact, both the battlefield and diplomacy should be on the agenda. Applying this two-faceted policy is very sensitive and should be done together. If these two ways are followed, the Iranian society can safely overcome the existing challenges. Currently, the approach of Iranian politicians is highly important, just as military strategies are important in such a situation. The military and the politicians should present a single strategy in two forms so that Iran does not get caught in negotiations in a situation of deadlock or a war without return. Donya-e-Eqtesad sought the views of Kourosh Ahmadi, a former diplomat, about the goal of the three European countries of Britain, France and Britain in crafting a resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors. Ahmadi said: The goal of the European troika was clear from the beginning and they are looking to lay the groundwork to activate the trigger mechanism. The recent resolution also has two purposes: first to set the stage for a possible activation of the trigger mechanism, and the second is a continuation of the issues (problems) we have had with the International Atomic Energy Agency over the past 4 years. These issues also include: reducing surveillances, discussing cameras and not giving visas to some inspectors, and finally demanding access to two sites that the Agency and Westerners have called suspicious. It is important to negotiate with the Western parties in these few months to prevent the activation of the trigger mechanism. The outcome of negotiations is also very important. This is while negotiation will take time. Also, according to their opinion, the European countries hope that with this resolution, Iran will either be encouraged or put under some kind of pressure and enter into serious negotiations with the other side after Trump enters the White House.MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Brandon Nunez threw just two passes, each for a score, and New Mexico State beat Middle Tennessee 36-21 on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak. Nunez tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seth McGowan to give the Aggies a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter. After Middle Tennessee pulled to 26-21 early in the fourth, Nunez tossed a 4-yard TD pass to Cooper Sheehan that made it 33-21 with 7:43 left. Parker Awad completed 12 of 16 passes for 221 yards for New Mexico State (3-8, 2-5 Conference USA). McGowan finished with 83 yards rushing. Mike Washington also had a touchdown run and Dylan Early a 30-yard pick-6 for the Aggies. Nicholas Vattiato was 30-of-45 passing for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Middle Tennessee (3-8, 2-5), which has lost three of its last four. __ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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