South Koreans remain deeply disturbed by what President Yoon Suk Yeol did to the nation this week. His misguided and perplexing declaration of the short-lived martial law has caused a whirlwind of outrage, confusion and conflict. Why and how he managed to do something so erratic is not yet clear; what’s certain, however, is that he has touched off a sweeping firestorm of embarrassment across Korean society. The most immediate and widely expected consequence of the martial law decree is a political showdown over the opposition party-led impeachment motion against him. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea said it would push for a vote Saturday for an impeachment motion against Yoon over his aborted martial law declaration that shocked the entire nation and the world. The Democratic Party and Yoon's detractors are now trying to remove him from the presidency, but the outlook for impeachment remains uncertain as Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, said Thursday he will work hard with his party to block the motion's passage. Han said his decision was not to defend Yoon’s “unconstitutional martial law” but to prevent a chaotic situation that could hurt the public. Han’s stated position heralds a rocky path for the impeachment motion since it requires a two-thirds majority to pass parliament. Of the 300-member National Assembly, the opposition bloc needs at least eight votes from the ruling party to pass the bill. The contrasting stance of the rival parties over the need for impeachment is expected to further deepen the level of conflict in the country’s political circles. Adding to the political tension, the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Thursday passed impeachment motions against Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Choe Jae-hae and three top prosecutors over their roles in the relocation of the presidential office and issues involving first lady Kim Keon Hee. Yoon’s martial law decree also put Korea’s financial and business sectors on edge. On Wednesday, foreign investors dumped stocks valued at 600 billion won ($423 million) and the Korean currency plunged to a two-year low against the US dollar at one point before regaining some of its value thanks to a pledge by the financial authorities to supply liquidity. Experts noted that markets are now in a better condition than expected, but if political turmoil continues and uncertainty about the government’s economic policy increases, the overall credit rating of the Korean economy could suffer a setback. International credit rating agencies like S&P have given high marks to Korea’s reliable and consistent policies. But Korea’s political risks, globally exposed by Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration, are feared to undermine the country's sovereign ratings among foreign investors. As for relations with the US and other neighboring countries, there is no doubt that Yoon’s martial law declaration has generated negative reactions. For instance, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the US was watching the development with “grave concern.” Diplomatic events involving the US, Japan and other countries are being delayed or canceled, reflecting heightened political and social tensions in Korea. It is deeply regrettable that Yoon has complicated Korea’s political situation and dragged down its international stature overnight. More worrisome is that the negative impact could last longer than expected, spilling into other sectors -- a sorry development that the government must prevent with all resources and measures available.The company will operate Baldwin into 2027, slightly longer than previously announced Media kit available: photos and b-roll IRVING, Texas , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST ) today announced that two new utility-scale solar projects in Illinois have connected to the grid and that, amid widespread concern over reliability in the MISO market, it is amending the retirement schedule of its 1,185-megawatt (MW) Baldwin Power Plant in Baldwin, Illinois . The company now intends to run the plant through 2027 instead of retiring in 2025, as previously announced, while still meeting federal Environmental Protection Agency retirement and pond closure obligations. "Vistra is committed to the responsible transition of our fleet in Illinois , and in this case, the most reasonable path forward is to continue to operate the plant as a reliable bridge to 2027, as we, and others, bring new generation assets online in the state," said Jim Burke , president and CEO of Vistra. "As many organizations have recently raised concerns over reliability and resource adequacy in central and southern Illinois , we are taking action and delivering solutions that balance the needs of reliability, affordability, and sustainability." With the addition of a new 68-MW utility-scale solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage system, which began generating power this month, Baldwin is a power generation hub. The $135-million investment involved the placement of over 200,000 solar panels across 420 acres of property the plant has owned and maintained for decades. The solar generation facility will produce approximately 140,000 MWh of zero-carbon electricity annually over the next 20 years. The use of multiple technologies at Baldwin , including thermal, solar, and energy storage, demonstrates the company's commitment to evaluating how to best leverage the footprint, infrastructure, and transmission connections already at the plant sites to meet the evolving electricity needs of customers. "With more than $1 billion in projects recently completed or underway across Illinois , we are helping the state attain its future energy goals consistent with their stated values and regulations while remaining flexible as we retain reliable baseload generation to meet customer needs," said Burke. "We know the decision to operate Baldwin through 2027 will be welcome news to our dedicated employees, the Village of Baldwin , and Randolph County , as the plant has a tremendous economic impact. We are pleased that Baldwin will provide an opportunity for employment longer than originally anticipated, providing a benefit to the families of the plant community." The 1,185-MW Baldwin Power Plant produces enough electricity to power approximately 592,500 homes. Approximately 120 employees operate the Baldwin plant. Union employees are represented by IBEW Local 51. Reusing Plant Sites to Power a Growing Economy Across the country, Vistra is undertaking a methodical, site-by-site analysis of its coal fleet to determine the economic feasibility of repurposing the sites by responsibly retiring some technologies and renewing the plants with less carbon-intense generation, including solar and energy storage. The investment at the Baldwin plant site is part of the State of Illinois' innovative Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Initiative, which encouraged the development of renewable energy assets at existing power plant sites. Along with Baldwin , Vistra continues to make progress on other Coal to Solar sites, including: The 44-MW solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage facility at the Coffeen Power Plant site is generating power. Construction of the 52-MW solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage facility at the Newton Power Plant will begin in 2025. Separately, as previously announced, construction has begun on a 405-MW utility-scale solar facility that will interconnect at the company's retired EEI-Joppa Power Plant through a to-be-constructed approximate 8-mile transmission line. Since its merger with Dynegy in 2018, Vistra has taken decisive steps to responsibly operate, retire, and transform its coal plant fleet in Illinois . The company has committed to retiring these plants no later than the end of 2027 to comply with existing federal EPA regulations. Economic & Fiscal Impact The Baldwin Power Plant provides significant direct and indirect economic benefits to the region and state. An economic impact study projected the plant's direct, indirect, and induced economic benefits and concluded that within Randolph County , the existing Baldwin plant: sustains approximately 298 full-time direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the area generates more than $41 million in income for local workers in the county has a total regional economic output of $262 million Local governments had been anticipating the plant's property taxes to decrease after the plant's planned retirement in 2025. Extending the window of operations will provide additional local property taxes to help fund essential public services and local schools. The new solar facility is expected to generate $6 million in total property tax payments over the project's life. About Vistra Vistra (NYSE: VST ) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company that provides essential resources to customers, businesses, and communities from California to Maine. Based in Irving, Texas, Vistra is a leader in the energy transformation with an unyielding focus on reliability, affordability, and sustainability. The company safely operates a reliable, efficient, power generation fleet of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities while taking an innovative, customer-centric approach to its retail business. Learn more at vistracorp.com . SOURCE Vistra Corpboom 188 jili 。

Applied Digital Announces Ellendale HPC Data Center Development Milestone

Indiana coach Mike Woodson is happy that his team has won three straight games but concerned that it's committing too many turnovers. Limiting miscues is at the top of his wish list for Monday night's Big Ten Conference opener against visiting Minnesota in Bloomington, Ind. While the Hoosiers (7-2) shot 53.8 percent and dominated Miami (Ohio) 46-29 on the glass during a 76-57 win at home Friday night, they also had more turnovers (16) than assists (15). Having played for Bob Knight at Indiana, Woodson is fanatical about his team executing its offense without making mistakes. "We were taking chances on passes that weren't there," Woodson said. "We have to fix it. If we start Big Ten play like that, it puts you in a hole." In between careless mistakes, the Hoosiers got a huge game out of Oumar Ballo, the Arizona transfer who had 14 points, 18 rebounds and six assists. It was his 35th career double-double but his first at Indiana. Ballo (12.7 points per game, 9.3 rebounds) is one of four players averaging double figures for the Hoosiers. They're led by Malik Reneau, who's hitting for 15.4 ppg on 58.9 percent shooting. While Indiana tries to fine-tune its game, the Golden Gophers (6-4, 0-1 Big Ten) aim to get to the .500 mark in conference play after absorbing a 90-72 beating Wednesday night against visiting Michigan State. There was good news for Minnesota in that game. Mike Mitchell Jr. returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a high ankle sprain and drilled 5 of 9 3-pointers in a 17-point performance. Mitchell's shooting should aid an attack that ranks 311th in Division I in 3-point percentage at 29.7 percent as of Sunday. "He's a difference-maker in terms of being able to space the floor," Gophers coach Ben Johnson said of Mitchell. "He provides offensive firepower and a guy who can make shots and take pressure off our offense." Dawson Garcia leads the team at 19 ppg, while Lu'Cye Patterson and Mitchell are scoring 10 ppg. The Hoosiers own a 109-69 lead in the all-time series. --Field Level MediaNone

France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'A lack of rules to help keep aging drivers — and you — safer on the streets causes serious, even fatal, consequences, Scripps News Cleveland found in a recent investigative report. So-called "mature drivers" (55+) were the most common variable in Ohio motor vehicle crashes over the last six years. State records show mature drivers were involved in 525,290 crashes between Jan. 1, 2019, and Nov. 12, 2024. The number of crashes involving mature drivers was higher than youth-related crashes and speed-related crashes. Despite those numbers, Ohio and other states have no special provisions to ensure older drivers are safe behind the wheel. Ignoring the risk "We really, as a society, mostly ignore it," said Sharona Hoffman , Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, and author of "Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow," which provides resources to help middle-aged and older adults deal with all aspects of aging, including driving. "There is not a good legal framework that tries to identify unsafe driving and address it," she said. Ohio is one of 13 states that does not have any regulations aimed at aging drivers on the roadways, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Other states have only enacted minor provisions, including more frequent license renewals and vision tests and requiring drivers to renew their licenses in person instead of by mail. Nevada and Washington D.C. require a doctor's note for drivers over 70. Only Illinois requires drivers to take another road test after they turn 75. Hoffman said driving decisions are mostly left to families. "Doctors often don’t get involved in that and so it’s up to families, and that can be extremely difficult," she said. Hoffman said older drivers often "don't want to hear they are a hazard," and families are often reluctant to engage in difficult conversations with loved ones about driving. At the same time, more older Americans are driving. The most recent Federal Highway Administration estimate is that there are over 34 million licensed drivers who are 70 or older in the U.S. 'If I wasn't there...' Even serious incidents can have little or no impact on an aging driver's license. Over the summer, Newburgh Heights Patrol Officer Russ Veverka was working his regular overnight shift on Interstate 77 when one car caught his attention. The driver was headed northbound in the southbound lane. At the same time, several vehicles were approaching from the opposite direction. "The one thing I’m not going to have is another vehicle hit head-on with another vehicle in front of me," he said. "I don’t think I could handle that at all." So from a grassy knoll near the Harvard Avenue bridge, Officer Veverka activated his overhead lights and drove onto the highway, blocking a lane. The driver saw him and stopped. The driver turned out to be a 65-year-old man who had been reported as a missing endangered adult earlier that day. A 4-year-old relative was standing in the backseat with no restraints. "Seeing that, my heart wanted to drop," Veverka said. The driver appeared confused and kept saying he was on Interstate 480. He had been driving around with the little boy for hours. After stopping the wrong-way driver, Veverka submitted form 2308 to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to request the driver take a road test. "That's the best we can do right now," Veverka said. But when Scripps News Cleveland reached out to the driver's wife, she told us nothing had changed. She said her husband is still driving, including picking up the 4-year-old boy from daycare. Jackson Township tragedy "We all have family members that we think, 'Eh, maybe they shouldn't be driving," said Jackson Township Fire Chief Tim Berczik. His department recently started outreach efforts to older drivers after reviewing the city's crashes over the last year. He found mature drivers were involved in eight fatalities in the city of approximately 44,000 residents, including a crash that killed a 69-year-old grandfather in October. Berczik said an 81-year-old woman crashed into Angello's 2 Go pizza shop when she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal in her car. His staff is now showing older drivers how to stay safer in their vehicles, including proper seat and mirror placement. They also encourage anyone with concerns to be retested. "We're not talking in any way about, 'We need to take car keys away from senior folks,'" he said. "Make it a group decision that maybe we don't drive as much." He said mature drivers can limit the distances they drive, stop driving at night, or stick to familiar areas to keep themselves and others safer on the roads. 'Life is for the young..." Handing over your keys carries its own consequences. "We live in a society where our autonomy often depends on driving," Hoffman said. "They won’t be able to go to doctor’s appointments as easily, and they can become socially isolated, which is catastrophic for anyone, but especially older people." "If you are lonely, if you are not engaging with other people, that is a sure recipe for cognitive decline and other physical and mental health problems," she said. In a recent law review article, "Patient Autonomy, Public Safety, and Drivers with Cognitive Decline ," Hoffman and her co-author recommended doctors be required to send patients diagnosed with cognitive decline and other conditions for road tests. Right now, medical professionals are only encouraged to notify the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles about their concerns about a patient's driving. However, Scripps News Cleveland found only 18% of those drivers lost their licenses. Hoffman also said law enforcement officers should be trained to identify cognitive decline and report problem drivers. "I've had relatives who've driven into mailboxes, lamp posts, and parked cars and each time they have just gotten a warning or a ticket," she said. 76-year-old Brook Park resident Rose Ramsey said she isn't as confident in her driving skills as she used to be. "Once in a blue moon, I kind of forget the route that I was going," she said. "I'm planning on going a certain place and then I just kind of have to let the car lead the way." When she is worried about taking the wheel, she relies on her husband of 56 years, Kenneth. "I have my own chauffeur," she said. She supports requiring drivers to be retested as they get older. "John Q. Public and myself needs to be safe," she said. Ramsey said she knows that means she and her husband will eventually have to give up their own car keys. She admits it will not be easy. "I know it would be very difficult for us and yet I do understand that time is coming," she said. "Life is for the young, isn't it?" What should you do? If you're concerned about a loved one's driving abilities, Hoffman and Berczik both recommend the following: This story was originally published by Sarah Buduson at Scripps News Cleveland .Netflix 'totally ready' for XMas NFL games, WWE

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for tried for a third time Friday to persuade a judge to let him leave jail while he awaits his but a decision won’t come until next week. Judge Arun Subramanian said at a hearing that he will release his decision on Combs’ latest request for bail after Combs’ lawyers and federal prosecutors file letters addressing outstanding issues. Those letters are due at noon on Monday, Subramanian said. Combs’ lawyers pitched having him await trial under around-the-clock surveillance either his mansion on an island near Miami Beach or — after the judge scoffed at that location — an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Their plan essentially amounts to putting Combs on house arrest, with strict limits on who he has contact with. But prosecutors argue that Combs has routinely flouted jail rules and can’t be trusted not to interfere with witnesses or the judicial process. “The argument that he’s a lawless person who doesn’t follow instructions isn’t factually accurate,” Combs lawyer Anthony Ricco argued. “The idea that he’s an out-of-control individual who has to be detained isn’t factually accurate.” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. His trial is slated to begin May 5. The Bad Boy Records founder remains locked up at a where he spent his Nov. 4 birthday. Two other judges that Combs would be a danger to the community if he is released and an appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs his bail request. Friday’s hearing was the second time Combs was in court this week. On Tuesday, a judge from using as evidence papers that were seized from his cell during jail-wide sweep for contraband and weapons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. As he entered through a side door, Combs waved to relatives including his mother and several of his children in the courtroom gallery, tapping his hand to his heart and blowing kisses at them. He then hugged his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, before taking a seat at the defense table. He was not handcuffed or shackled and wore a beige jail uniform, occasionally pulling a pair of reading glasses from his pocket as he peered at papers in front of him. Prosecutors maintain that no bail conditions will mitigate the “risk of obstruction and dangerousness to others” of releasing Combs from jail. Prosecutors contend that while locked up the “I’ll Be Missing You” artist has orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool. They allege that he has also attempted to publicly leak materials he thinks would be helpful to his case and is contacting potential witnesses via third parties. “Simply put, the defendant cannot be trusted,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik argued. Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos countered that, given the strict release conditions proposed, “it would be impossible for him not to follow rules.”NoneWhat did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show

12_17-24 Business BriefsAurora's self-driving truck tech boosts Bozeman job marketNEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google released its annual “Year in Search” on Tuesday, rounding up the top trending queries entered into its namesake search engine in 2024. The results show terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year — ranging from key news events, notably global elections , to the most popular songs, athletes and unforgettable pop-culture moments that people looked up worldwide. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated Google's overall trending searches in 2024. Copa América topped those search trends globally, followed by the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men's T20 World Cup . Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year's Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google's people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales , U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif , who also led athlete-specific searches. Meanwhile, the late Liam Payne , Toby Keith and O.J. Simpson led search trends among notable individuals who died in 2024. In the world of entertainment, Disney and Pixar's “Inside Out 2” was the top trending movie of the year, while Netflix's “Baby Reindeer” led TV show trends. And Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated song trends. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Queries for the Olympic village's chocolate muffin , made famous by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen over the summer games, led Google's global recipe trends this year. The New York Times' “Connections” puzzle topped game searches. And in the U.S., country-specific data shows, many people asked Google about online trends like the word “demure” and “ mob wife aesthetic .” You can find more country-specific lists, and trends from years past , through Google’s “Year in Search” data published online . The California company said it collected 2024 search results from Jan. 1 through Nov. 23 of this year. Google isn't the only one to publish an annual recap or top trends as 2024 draws to a close. Spotify Wrapped , for example, as well as Collins Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s words of the year, have offered additional reflections for 2024.

NonePINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) — Dennis Asoro scored 16 points as Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Ecclesia 120-61 on Tuesday. Asoro shot 8 of 9 from the field for the Golden Lions (3-10). Kyle Brown added 15 points while going 6 of 7 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line while they also had six rebounds. Zach Reinhart shot 5 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points. Justin Reaves led the way for the Royals with 26 points, six rebounds and two steals. Quintus McNeal added 13 points and five assists, and Ahmad Raymond had 12 points and four assists. Story continues below video The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Total advertising revenue to hit AUD 30.5 billion in 2025: MAGNA 2024

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Aurora, a self-driving trucking company, is making waves in Bozeman with its innovative technology and job creation. The company uses LIDAR, a tool that employs lasers and photonics to create a 3-D picture of the environment. Montana State University and Gallatin College have developed programs to educate students in photonics, preparing them for real-world applications. Some students have already secured positions with Aurora. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.'They’re going through hell': TLC Foundation treats children with cancer to free shopping spreeRetail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of US economy's health WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season. Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October’s 0.5% gain. The boost in spending underscores that the economy is still growing at a healthy pace even with higher interest rates, a trend that could cause the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs more slowly next year than they have previously signaled. Tuesday’s report arrives just a day before the Fed is set to announce its latest rate decision Wednesday. Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory. Republicans, meanwhile, are still dour about the current state of the economy but hopeful that growth will be stronger next year when Trump returns to the White House as president. The latest survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that some Americans are evaluating the economy more by who holds political power than on what the underlying trends suggest. This was a persistent challenge for President Joe Biden and raises the possibility that Trump might also struggle to translate his economic ideas into political wins. Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gas WASHINGTON (AP) — Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the incoming Trump administration should proceed cautiously as it considers proposals for new natural gas export terminals. Granholm warns that “unfettered exports” of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, could raise wholesale domestic prices by more than 30% and increase planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Granholm’s statement Tuesday came as the Energy Department released a long-awaited study on the environmental and economic impacts of natural gas exports, which have grown exponentially in the past decade. The analysis found that U.S. LNG shipments drive up domestic prices and could lead to higher global carbon emissions. Biden calls for ban on congressional stock trading WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview that’s being released this week. It's the first time he's publicly backed the idea. He made the comments to Faiz Shakir, a political adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders. Shakir interviewed the Democratic president for A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release. A bipartisan proposal to ban trading by members of Congress and their families has dozens of sponsors, but it has not received a vote. What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump? NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. The tech list includes Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. Meanwhile, the list of what the executives may be hoping for includes an open path toward developing artificial intelligence, easier access to energy for data centers and an easing of antitrust enforcement. Suspect charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO as an act of terrorism NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism. Prosecutors disclosed the indictment Tuesday as they worked to bring Luigi Mangione to a New York court from from a Pennsylvania jail. The 26-year-old Mangione already had been charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson. But the terror allegation is new. Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping.” Mangione's New York lawyer hasn't commented. Amazon investing another $10 billion in Ohio-based data centers COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Amazon Web Services will invest another $10 billion to bolster its data center infrastructure in Ohio. The company and Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced the plan Monday. The new investment will boost the amount it has committed to spending in Ohio by the end of 2029 to more than $23 billion. AWS launched its first data centers in the state in 2016. It currently operates campuses in two counties in central Ohio. The new investment will allow AWS to expand its data centers to new sites across the state, but the company says those locations have not been determined yet. Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed’s policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected. The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday. The problem is that while inflation has dropped far below its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022, it remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target. Stock market today: Wall Street trims its stellar gains as Nvidia's star dims again NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes trimmed some of their stellar gains for the year. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% Tuesday, though it’s still near its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dopped 267 points, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.3% from its record set the day before. Nvidia, the superstar stock that’s been a big reason for Wall Street’s run to records this year, fell for its eighth loss in the last nine days. Treasury yields held relatively steady after sales at U.S. retailers strengthened by more than expected. Bitcoin set another record. Why is tech giant SoftBank investing over $100 billion in the US? BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese tycoon Masayoshi Son has joined President-elect Donald Trump in announcing plans by technology and telecoms giant SoftBank Group to invest $100 billion in projects in the United States. Trump said the investments would create 100,000 jobs over four years, twice what Son promised when he pledged $50 billion in U.S. investments in 2016. Son is known for making bold choices, sometimes paying big and sometimes not. SoftBank has investments in dozens of Silicon Valley startups, big companies like semiconductor maker Arm and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The stock market rally and craze for AI has boosted the value of its assets, but some question if its investments will create that many jobs.

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