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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. A handful of technology companies helped support the gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 63 points, or 0.2% as of 1:18 p.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.7%. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3%. Broadcom jumped 5.2% to also help support the broader market. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. Honda rose 3.8% and Nissan rose 1.6% in Tokyo. Eli Lilly rose 3% after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.7% after it agreed to be taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. The unexpectedly weak consumer confidence update follows several generally strong economic reports last week. One report showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The latest report on unemployment benefit applications showed that the job market remains solid. A report on Friday said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than economists expected. Worries about inflation edging higher again had been weighing on Wall Street and the Fed. The central bank just delivered its third cut to interest rates this year, but inflation has been hovering stubbornly above its target of 2%. It has signaled that it could deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than it earlier anticipated because of concerns over inflation. Expectations for more interest rate cuts have helped drive a 24% gain for the S&P 500 in 2024. That drive included 57 all-time highs this year. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under an incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.58% from 4.53% late Friday. European markets were mostly lower, while markets in Asia gained ground. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the U.S. will release its November report for sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the U.S. will close early on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas.

USC women move to No. 4 in AP poll as top three unchanged

WOKING, England — Inside McLaren's massive technology center, artificial intelligence isn't something that's shouted from the rooftops. > Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 However, the 60-year-old motorsports giant is an avid user of the tech behind the scenes. At the McLaren Technology Center (MTC), located in Woking, England, the company explained how it's using AI to improve its chances on the Formula One track. "We're an organization that's used traditional machine learning tech products for a long time," Dan Keyworth, McLaren's director of business technology, said in a press briefing at the MTC in October. Using machine learning, McLaren is able to base its decision-making on probability, which in turn helps it train its AI models, according to Keyworth. The racing firm showed off numerous examples of technological innovation at the MTC. They range from real-time data monitoring inside its secretive mission control room, to the use of "digital twins" (3D digital versions of physical objects) of real cars that allow teams to model the conditions that actual vehicles will need to perform in. Keyworth said there are three main areas where McLaren is applying AI in a big way: improving car performance, day-to-day operations, and commercialization. He added that generative AI tools are offering new capabilities for F1 teams, including the ability to run in-depth simulations of certain possibilities that might take place during races. That could span from working out an ideal time a car should spend at pit stops, to deciding on which tires to add onto the vehicle when replacing an old set. "What AI allows us to do from a generative perspective is to actually game out more of those actual scenarios and go, 'What will happen?'" Keyworth said. Some of those scenarios are starting to lead to "pretty accurate" results — to an "almost scary" degree, heh added. F1 not new to tech advances Tech has long been key to success when it comes to motorsports — and not just for McLaren. Various F1 teams have been exploiting modern advances in technology for years — from cloud computing to AI and machine learning. Aston Martin Aramco, for example, touts the use of so-called "data lakes" — massive data storage centers — and machine learning tech to learn from vast volumes of data to predict patterns and improve decision-making. Clare Lansley, Aston Martin Aramco's chief information officer, says machine learning algorithms can blend data on tires, the weather and track conditions, and use predictive analytics to optimize decisions. In an April blog post , she said the speed at which these developments are happening is "really impressive." "By adopting this tech, we are going to be able to free up multiple engineers so they can focus more acutely on car performance," she noted. Another F1 team deploying AI to improve its racetrack performance and strategy is Red Bull-owned Visa Cash App RB. Peter Bayer, CEO of RB, said earlier this year that the Italian F1 team is making use of AI to compete down to "hundreds and thousandths of a second." Speaking at an event with the firm's software partner Epicor at its factory in Faenza, Italy, Guillaume Dezoteux, RB's head of vehicle performance, said that AI can help inform teams when it comes to planning as "it means you don't need to run 100 simulations." Connectivity is 'lifeblood of the sport' Keyworth noted that none of the innovation that goes on inside McLaren would happen without the help of IT tools and equipment from partners like Cisco and Google . "Connectivity is probably the lifeblood of the sport," he said ahead of the Oct. 27 Mexico City Grand Prix race. "Without it, nothing starts. No car can be on the track safely." A key component behind McLaren's ability to keep data flowing through to its teams in real-time is its so-called mobile data centers. These are miniature server rooms that get flown around to different races around the world to keep the digital components of the operation online consistently. "These mobile data centers are flown alongside the famous F1 cars to each race location and brought online remotely to enable real-time storage and data processing" from the MTC, Chintan Patel, Cisco's chief technology officer for the U.K. and Ireland, told CNBC. Another area where AI is adding benefits is commercialization, according to McLaren's Keyworth. For fans and partners, he said, McLaren is increasingly trying to "enrich the journey and experience, and make our fans feel more connected." With AI, McLaren can better target fans located in more nascent markets for F1 like the U.S., where the sport has grown in popularity — for example, by personalizing information to fans at certain times of day. Meanwhile, when it comes to using AI on the business side of things, Keyworth said, the main area of improvement the company is seeing is in "making everybody's lives richer, slicker, faster, more efficient." "It's not a labor replacement — it's a 'laborious' replacement," he said. "You want to unlock your team to do the things that you hired them for — not to work through the overhead that lives in their role."None

Bills defense out to prove against high-scoring Lions that it's better than its dud vs. Rams

LOS ANGELES – Democrat Derek Tran ousted Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district Wednesday that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. Steel said in a statement that “like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin.” When she captured the seat in 2020, Steel joined Washington state Democrat Marilyn Strickland and California Republican Young Kim as the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. Recommended Videos Tran, a lawyer and worker rights advocate and the son of Vietnamese refugees, declared victory earlier this week. He said his win “is a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I understand firsthand the journey and sacrifices many families in our district have made for a better life." The contest is one of the last to be decided this year, with Republicans now holding 220 seats in the House, with Democrats at 214. The Associated Press has not declared a winner in California's 13th District, where Democrat Adam Gray was leading Republican Rep. John Duarte by a couple of hundred votes. Steel held an early edge after Election Day, but late-counted ballots pushed Tran over the top. Steel filed a statement of candidacy on Monday with federal regulators, which would allow her to continue raising funds. It wasn’t immediately clear if she planned to seek a return to Congress. In the campaign, Tran warned of Republican threats to abortion rights. Steel opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman, while not going so far as to support a federal ban. Tran also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House would put democracy at risk. On Capitol Hill, Steel has been outspoken in resisting tax increases and says she stands strongly with Israel in its war with Hamas. “As our greatest ally in the Middle East, the United States must always stand with Israel,” she said. She advocates for more police funding and has spotlighted her efforts on domestic violence and sexual abuse. The largest demographic in the district, which is anchored in Orange County southeast of Los Angeles, is Asian Americans, and it includes the nation’s biggest Vietnamese community. Democrats hold a 4-point registration edge. Incomplete returns showed that Steel was winning in Orange County, the bulk of the district. Tran’s winning margin came from a small slice of the district in Los Angeles County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.USC women move to No. 4 in AP poll as top three unchanged

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy meet with Republicans to talk DOGE spending cuts

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Brian Thompson’s killing sparks outrage online over state of US healthcareBoston, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gordon Brothers , the global asset experts, announced store closing sales are underway at 692 Party City locations nationwide. The party store retailer is offering up to 50% off the original ticketed price on all merchandise. These sales provide a final opportunity for shoppers to take advantage of massive savings on top of Party City’s everyday low prices on everything needed for birthday and theme parties, the holidays and New Year’s Eve, wedding receptions, retirement parties, costumes and more. “Customers are encouraged to shop early and stock up for upcoming celebrations while supplies last,” said Durien Sanchez, Managing Director, Retail at Gordon Brothers . “Stores are fully stocked, and, with the announcement of these sales, top categories are expected to sell out fast.” The discounts will apply at retail stores. All sales are final during the store closing event. To locate the nearest store visit Party City's website . Party City Holdco Inc. recently announced plans to commence a wind down of its retail and wholesale operations following exhaustive efforts to find a path forward that would allow the company to remain operating. For nearly 40 years, Party City has served as the go-to one-stop-shop for all things celebration, offering a wide selection of merchandise to help customers mark life’s special moments and milestones. About Party City Holdco Inc. Party City is a global leader in the celebrations industry, delivering joy and inspiration to customers across more than 70 countries. As North America’s largest party goods retailer, Party City is the go-to shopping destination for every type of celebration, offering an extensive and innovative selection of products at exceptional value. The company has approximately 700 company-owned and franchise store locations across North America and sells online to consumers at www.partycity.com . The company also operates Amscan, a premier designer, manufacturer, and distributor of celebration products including décor, tableware, costumes, and accessories. Headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., with additional locations in the Americas and Asia, Party City is committed to helping customers create unforgettable moments for every occasion. About Gordon Brothers Since 1903, Gordon Brothers has maximized liquidity through realizable asset value by providing the people, expertise and capital to solve business challenges. Our solutions-oriented approach across asset services, lending, financing and trading gives clients the insights, strategies and time to optimize asset values throughout the business cycle. We work across the full spectrum of assets globally with deep expertise in retail, commercial, industrial, brands and real estate. We are headquartered in Boston with over 30 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contestA chorus of support is growing behind actress Blake Lively after she filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni. Actress Amber Heard on Monday became the latest celebrity to speak out on behalf of the "Gossip Girl" alum over what she says was a coordinated social media effort to tarnish her name. Over the weekend, Lively filed a complaint claiming that Baldoni and a lead producer had behaved unacceptably during the filming of box office hit "It Ends With Us." The allegations included that Baldoni -- who also directed the film -- had spoken inappropriately about his sex life, and had sought to alter the film to include sex scenes that were not in the script and had not been agreed to. They also detailed how lead producer Jamey Heath had watched Lively while she was topless, despite having been asked to turn away. But the complaint goes into great detail -- including with texts and emails -- on a PR campaign to wreck her reputation and to divert attention from any public comments she might make about the men's alleged misbehavior. This was "a carefully crafted, coordinated, and resourced retaliatory scheme to silence her, and others from speaking out about the hostile environment that Mr Baldoni and Mr Heath created," the complaint says. It includes allegations that the two men hired a crisis PR team that amplified or planted negative stories about Lively on social media platforms. "You know we can bury anyone," Melissa Nathan, a member of the team, is alleged to have said, according to messages contained in the complaint. Heard's ex-husband Johnny Depp hired the same PR team during the high-profile defamation trial between the couple in 2022, in which a jury unanimously found that Heard defamed Depp over allegations he abused her. "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,'" Heard said in a statement carried by NBC News. "I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive." Heard's support came on the heels of a joint statement by America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel, who starred with Lively in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." "As Blake's friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," they wrote on Instagram. "Throughout the filming of 'It Ends with Us', we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice." A lawyer for Wayfarer, the studio behind the film, said in a statement released to the New York Times that neither the studio, its executives, nor its PR team did anything to retaliate against Lively. "These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media," lawyer Bryan Freedman wrote. The complaint was lodged with the California Civil Rights Department, and is a precursor to a lawsuit. Major Hollywood talent agency WME -- which represents Lively -- has reportedly dropped Baldoni as a client. hg/aha