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New Mexico man awarded $412 million medical malpractice payout for botched injectionsCounty councilwoman Allison Pickard running for Anne Arundel County executive in 2026
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted amid mixed trading Monday, ahead of this week’s upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve that could set Wall Street’s direction into next year. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its first losing week in the last four . The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2% to a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was a laggard and fell 110 points, or 0.3%. Broadcom leaped 11.2% to help lead the S&P 500 for a second straight day after delivering a profit report last week that beat analysts’ expectations. The technology company is riding a wave of enthusiasm about its artificial-intelligence offerings in particular. The market’s main event, though, will arrive on Wednesday when the Federal Reserve will announce its last move on interest rates for the year. The widespread expectation is that it will cut its main rate for a third straight time, as it tries to boost the slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its target of 2%. The question is how much more it will cut rates next year, and Fed officials will release projections for where they see the federal funds rate ending 2025, along with other economic indicators, once their meeting concludes. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will also answer questions in a press conference following the meeting. For now, the general expectation among traders is that the Fed may cut a couple more times in 2025, according to data from CME Group. But such expectations have been shrinking following reports suggesting inflation may be tougher to get all the way down to 2% from here. Besides last month’s slight acceleration in inflation, another worry is that President-elect Donald Trump’s preferences for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation down the line. Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle has dropped his earlier forecast of a cut by the Fed in January, for example. Beyond the possibility of tariffs, he said Fed officials may also want to slow their cuts because of uncertainty about exactly how low rates need to go so that they no longer press the brakes on the economy. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times so far this year and is heading for one of its best years of the millennium . The economy has held up better than many feared, continuing to grow even after the Fed hiked the federal funds rate to a two-decade high in hopes of grinding down on inflation, which topped 9% two summers ago. On Wall Street, MicroStrategy jumped as much as 7% during the day as it continues to benefit from the surging price for bitcoin , which set another all-time high. But its stock ended the day down by les than 0.1% after bitcoin’s price pulled back below $106,000 after setting a record above $107,700, according to CoinDesk. The software company has been building its hoard of the cryptocurrency, and its stock price has more than sextupled this year. It will also soon join the Nasdaq 100 index. Bitcoin’s price has catapulted from roughly $44,000 at the start of the year, riding a recent wave of enthusiasm that Trump will create a system that’s more favorable to digital currencies . Honeywell rose 3.7% after saying it’s still considering a spin-off or sale of its aerospace business, as part of a review of its overall business. It said it plans to give an update with the release of its fourth-quarter results. They helped offset a drop for Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into AI. Its stock fell 1.7%. Because it’s grown so massive, with a total value topping $3 trillion, it was the single heaviest weight on the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 22.99 points to 6,074.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 110.58 to 43,717.48, and the Nasdaq composite rose 247.17 to 20,173.89. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.39% from 4.40% late Friday. The two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, eased to 4.24% from 4.25%. In stock markets abroad, indexes fell modestly across much of Europe and Asia. They sank 0.9% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai after China reported lackluster economic indicators for November despite attempts to strengthen the world’s second-largest economy. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.2% as law enforcement authorities pushed to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree, and the Constitutional Court met to discuss whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
The University of Delaware has agreed to pay more than $700,000 to settle claims that it failed to disclose a professor's ties to China when accepting a grant from NASA. The settlement was announced Monday by the Department of Justice. “Federal law requires universities, institutions, and researchers to make disclosures, including certain foreign affiliations, when applying for grants so that the granting agencies can assess whether to fund their research and development,” U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss said. “My office will hold accountable applicants who undermine the integrity of the federal grant process by knowingly failing to submit complete and truthful applications.” According to the settlement agreement, in 2020, UD accepted a grant from NASA, which is prohibited from using funds to collaborate with China or any Chinese-owned companies. While accepting the grant, UD certified that the money would not be used to collaborate or coordinate with China. However, the government later learned that one of lead professors associated with the grant, Xiao-Hai Yan, did in fact have ties to China. Yan is a faculty member at Xiamen University in China, received funding from the National Science Foundation of China and participates in a program established by the Chinese government to recruit individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property, according to the settlement. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability by UD, nor does it prevent the government from pursuing criminal charges against any parties involved. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to safeguard taxpayer funds that are intended for federal research and development programs,” said Adelle K. Harris, a special agent in charge for the NASA inspector general. Yan has been a UD professor since 1990. He teaches in the School of Marine Science and Policy and serves as director of the Center for Remote Sensing. According to a glowing profile of Yan on UD's marketing website, he is “internationally known for using satellites in tracking the notorious weathermaker El Niño and in developing new techniques for monitoring global climate change and coastal responses.” In 2019, he received the Outstanding Doctoral Graduate Advising and Mentoring Award from UD President Dennis Assanis. The article also praises Yan for playing “an integral role in the university’s efforts to improve and expand the intellectual exchange between UD and Xiamen University” – the Chinese university that UD failed to disclose Yan's involvement with while accepting the NASA grant.
American Superconductor Co. (NASDAQ:AMSC) Shares Purchased by Geode Capital Management LLC
By Aaron Webb As the 2024 season draws to a close, Oshae Baker has firmly cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished and versatile players in the University of Tennessee at Martin football history. With a Playoff game against New Hampshire on the horizon, Baker has already made an indelible impact on the Skyhawks’ program, showcasing unmatched talent, leadership, and playmaking ability. Baker’s career at UTM began with a bang in 2021, when he was named Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-American and earned Phil Steele All-OVC third-team honors. As a freshman, Baker played a pivotal role in helping UTM secure the OVC Championship and a spot in the NCAA Division I playoffs. He compiled 68 total tackles, four interceptions, 2.0 sacks, and nine pass breakups, quickly establishing himself as one of the top young defenders in the country. In 2022, Baker continued to elevate his game, earning All-OVC second-team honors as a kick returner and Phil Steele All-OVC fourth-team honors as a defensive back. His 46 tackles, eight pass breakups, and 5.0 tackles for loss highlighted his all-around ability. One of his most memorable plays came with a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown against Lindenwood, adding a spark to the Skyhawks' defense. However, it was in 2023 that Baker truly cemented his place as a Skyhawk legend. That year, he earned Big South-OVC Football Association first-team, Phil Steele All-Conference first-team, and FCS Football Central All-Conference first-team honors. Baker’s impact on the field was undeniable: he totaled 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, and an interception. His performance helped lead UTM to its inaugural Big South-OVC Football Association championship. In addition, he was ranked fourth in the league with 11 passes defended and fifth in punt return average (5.4 yards per return). He also contributed two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble, showcasing his all-around game. Baker’s playmaking ability extended beyond defense. As a return specialist, he averaged 5.4 yards per punt return, including a season-long 25-yard return against Charleston Southern. His knack for flipping field position and setting up his offense was a critical component of the Skyhawks’ success. Heading into his final career game against New Hampshire, Baker’s legacy is already secure. He has been named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List for 2024 and earned Preseason All-American honors. His selection to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-OVC second team and his ranking as the 5th best returning FCS corner by HERO Sports are further testaments to his dominance on the field. Throughout his career, Baker has not only excelled individually but also helped elevate UTM football to new heights. His leadership, both on and off the field, has been invaluable to the program. As a senior, he continues to serve as a mentor and role model for his teammates, setting the standard for excellence and work ethic and has led the Skyhawks to four conference championships. Baker’s impact extends beyond the football field. A standout at Seminole High School, he earned ESPN Orlando Special Teams "Dude" of the Year honors, and his impressive high school career paved the way for his success at UTM. Over the past four years, he has proved himself as one of the most well-rounded and accomplished players in FCS football, excelling in multiple roles and earning countless accolades. In summary, Oshae Baker leaves behind an incredible legacy at UTM. His achievements—ranging from Freshman All-American honors to multiple All-Conference selections, including his first-team nods in 2023—underscore his dominance and versatility as a defensive back and return specialist. As he prepares for his final game against New Hampshire, Baker’s place in UTM football history is already secure, and his impact will be felt for years to come. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORKNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
A proposal by Donald Trump to impose tariffs on products that come to the U.S. from China, Canada and Mexico could have an impact on products and their prices found in American dollar stores. What Happened: For years, dollar stores have offered items across their aisles that cost $1 or less in many cases. That has changed over the years with dollar stores owned by Dollar Tree Inc DLTR raising prices to $1.25 to offset higher inflation. Trump's tariff plans could mean further price hikes in Dollar Tree stores or changes to the product assortment, according to company officials. "While the situation remains fluid and the exact nature, scope, and eventual timing of any new tariffs is not yet clear, we are prepared to act on multiple fronts," Dollar Tree Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO Mike Creedon said on Dollar Tree's recent conference call. Creedon said Dollar Tree was able to negotiate lower costs with suppliers back in 2018 and 2019 when last dealing with tariff concerns. The company also changed product specs and pack sizes along with stopping the sale of several items altogether. "All three of those options are still at our disposal." The Dollar Tree interim CEO also said the company is working on supply sources from alternate countries. "We believe there is a wide range of potential actions that we can take to help mitigate additional tariffs if and when they materialize." Creedon said the company's multi-price strategy, which includes items past the $1 and $1.25 price points, could also be a solution for the tariff plans when asked to share what the downside case to the company's earnings is due to tariffs. "Multi-price gives us the ability to flex where we need to if a certain product becomes something that we've got to move in the market to be competitive." Read Also: Trump Told Trudeau Canada Could Dodge Tariffs As 51st State: Which Sectors Could Be Hit Why It's Important: Plans call for 25% tariffs on products imported from Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on products imported from China. Retailers who sell consumer products could see higher costs for items they sell in the store. Companies will be tasked with deciding how to maintain their pricing power from suppliers, keeping prices the same and hurting their own profit margins or passing the higher costs onto consumers. Based on the commentary from Dollar Tree, the company plans on a combination of both trying to lower costs from suppliers and raising prices for consumers. Similar to fighting off inflation, Dollar Tree and other retailers could also look to change product size and assortment to keep prices the same for consumers or eliminate some items that aren't as profitable and perhaps also not as in demand from consumers. Dollar Tree reported third-quarter revenue and earnings per share that beat analyst estimates along with a better outlook for the full fiscal year. The company received several price target hikes from analysts after the report. DLTR Price Action: Dollar Tree stock closed down 0.38% to $71.60 on Monday versus a 52-week trading range of $60.49 to $151.22. Dollar Tree stock is down 50% year-to-date in 2024. Read Next: Trump Tariffs On Mexico Could Affect Beer: Why Your Modelo, Corona Could Cost More Next Year Photo: Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soonEmi Martinez began the night by walking onto the field with his children and parading a pair of trophies for being the world’s best goalkeeper for the last two years. He finished it by producing an astonishing save that vindicated those awards. The Argentina international illuminated a 0-0 draw between his Aston Villa team and Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday by plucking the ball from behind him and scooping it off the goal line to deny Francisco Conceição what could have been the winner. Replays showed the ball was almost entirely over the line before Martinez hooked it clear, and the goalkeeper was quickly congratulated by his teammates. No save by Martinez will ever beat the one he pulled off for Argentina in the last seconds of extra time in the 2022 World Cup final , denying France striker Randal Kolo Muani and keeping teammate Lionel Messi’s dream alive of finally winning soccer’s biggest prize. He might just have run it close. It was fitting he produced his wonder save against Juve on the night he showed off the two Yashin Trophies he claimed at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in each of the past two years. The most recent one came last month. As for Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, he finished the game relieved that what appeared to be a mistake in the final seconds of stoppage time didn't cost his team. Di Gregorio spilled a cross under pressure from Villa defender Diego Carlos and Morgan Rogers was there to poke the ball into the net. A goal was awarded by the on-field referee but after a two-minute check, it was ruled out for a foul on Di Gregorio by Carlos. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
Lake Oswego’s LaMarcus Bell is The Oregonian/OregonLive football player of the yearTom Brady aims dig at Bill Belichick amid Fox Sports 'bullying' clip READ MORE: Jordon Hudson breaks her silence on Bill Belichick's UNC talks By DANIEL MATTHEWS Published: 23:10, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 23:15, 9 December 2024 e-mail View comments Tom Brady jokingly aimed a shot at Bill Belichick after he was ordered off the Fox Sports set during NFL Sunday. Jay Glazer showed the legendary quarterback the door during NFL coverage this weekend, reminding him that he faced a race against time to reach SoFi Stadium to call the Rams-Bills game. Brady accused Glazer of being a 'bully' in the clip, which the sports reporter re-posted on social media on Monday night. The former Patriots and Buccaneers legend - widely considered the greatest NFL quarterback of all time - then commented on the post with a joke about Belichick. 'Jay doing his best “Bill Belichick after the 2019 season” impression,' he wrote alongside a laughing emoji. 'Kidding coach everyone knew I couldn’t resist the Florida sunshine,' added Brady, who recently began a 10-year, $375million announcing career with Fox. Tom Brady jokingly aimed a shot at Bill Belichick after he was ordered off the Fox Sports set When @TomBrady calls you a BULLY but you’re just trying to be the friend of the year!!! lol. #rookiehazing #friendoftheyear #goat #lfg @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/a0xd6n541H — Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 9, 2024 Read More Bill Belichick lifts the lid on talks with UNC as they weigh up hiring NFL legend Brady was referring to his departure from the New England Patriots, where he had won six Super Bowl rings under Belichick. After failing to agree a deal to stay with with the Patriots, Brady headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won yet another Vince Lombardi Trophy. Belichick and the Patriots finally parted ways in January after 24 seasons. The 72-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to coaching, however, after it was re vealed that he had interviewed with the University of North Carolina . Belichick has never coached at the college level and Brady gave a brutal response when asked if he could see him with a school team. 'No,' he emphatically responded. Tom Brady Bill Belichick Share or comment on this article: Tom Brady aims dig at Bill Belichick amid Fox Sports 'bullying' clip e-mail Add commentAs hundreds of millions of Americans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with a huge feast, park managers are warning budding chefs not to brine their turkey in Great Salt Lake. The admonition came after workers in the Utah park found someone's bird that had floated off, apparently while they were trying to tenderize it ahead of Thursday's festivities. "Just your annual reminder not to use Great Salt Lake to brine your turkey," Great Salt Lake state park wrote on its social media feed this week. "Not only is the salinity too high for a proper brine, the waves can be very strong and there's a good chance you could lose the entire turkey as this person did." The post was accompanied by a photo of a bird's carcass -- still bafflingly wrapped in its store-bought packaging -- and covered with bits of grass and muck. Great Salt Lake is one of the largest landlocked bodies of salt water in the world. Human activity is putting an enormous stress on the lake, which is a vital tourist draw for the region. In 2022, water levels in Great Salt Lake plummeted to their lowest on record due to a combination of overconsumption by the farming and mining sectors, and a two-decade drought. The water became so salty that brine shrimp, a major source of income for the local economy, began to die. hg/amz/st
Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to urge supporters to remain resilient despite her Election Day loss to President-elect Donald Trump. “I just have to remind you, don’t you ever let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before November 5, and you have the same purpose that you did, and you have the same ability to engage and inspire,” Harris said. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussed the election during a conference call with the Democratic Party’s financial committee. It was the first time Harris spoke about the election loss since delivering her concession speech at Howard University three weeks ago. On the call, Harris highlighted the campaign’s fundraising efforts. According to Harris, her campaign raised nearly $1.5 billion during the three-month campaign, with almost 8 million donors contributing an average of $56. “The work that you all did is going to have [a] lasting effect,” she said. “Again, I’ll say you know that the election didn’t turn out like we wanted it to, certainly not as we planned for it to, but understand that the work we put into it was about empowering people. That’s the spirit with [which] we did our work.” In her address, Harris emphasized the importance of building a diverse coalition. “Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work, and in doing our work, we will remain committed and intentional about building community, building coalitions, reminding people that we all have so much more in common than what separates us. We will be armed with the faith and the fuel that tells us what is possible and then drives us to achieve it,” she added. She also thanked top donors for their support. “The outcome of this election, obviously, is not what we wanted. It is not what we worked so hard for, but I am proud of the race we ran, and your role in this was critical,” Harris said. “What we did in 107 days was unprecedented. Think about the coalition that we built.” Leaders of Harris’ campaign have insisted they simply didn’t have enough time to execute a winning strategy. Speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast that aired Tuesday, Harris’ leadership team defended strategic decisions made in the campaign’s closing days, some of which have faced scrutiny in the weeks since Trump’s decisive victory. Specifically, they defended Harris’ outreach to Republican voters, her unwillingness to distance herself from President Biden, her silence on Trump’s attacks on her transgender policies, and her inability to schedule an interview with popular podcaster Joe Rogan. “In a 107-day race, it is very difficult to do all the things you would normally do in a year and a half, two years,” said Harris campaign senior adviser Jen O’Malley Dillon. David Plouffe, another senior adviser, added, “There was a price to be paid for the short campaign.”
