| 
 | Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | | | Good Morning! On this day in 1620, the Mayflower anchored in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, and established the new Plymouth Colony settlement. A new survey shows that 71% of holiday shoppers plan to buy gift cards this year. That number seems high, so we want your opinion. Take the poll below and tell us: Do gift cards make good presents? Today's sponsor is Shared Hope International, an organization dedicated to rescuing children from exploitation and human trafficking. Every moment matters as young lives hang in the balance, often in a justice system that treats them as criminals. Yvonne's story is a stark reminder of this truth… | | | |  GOP Panel Calls for Cheney Investigation
A House GOP-led panel on Tuesday called for the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation of former Rep. Liz Cheney for potential "criminal witness tampering" related to her role on the House Jan. 6 Select Committee. Evidence uncovered by the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight alleges Cheney secretly communicated with witness Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, without her attorney's knowledge. The subcommittee also claimed Cheney encouraged Hutchinson to change her legal representation to lawyers friendlier to the House Jan. 6 Select Committee. Questions surrounding Cheney's behavior surfaced early this year when texts between Cheney and Hutchinson were discovered. | Dow Slides in Worst Streak Since 1978 The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6% on Tuesday, marking its ninth consecutive decline—the longest losing streak since 1978—as investors await the Federal Reserve's interest rate guidance today. The two-day Fed policy meeting began Tuesday, with markets expecting a rate cut, following similar moves in September and November. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, while Tesla rose 3.6% on continued optimism around its future prospects. | Ukraine Kills Russian General in Moscow Russian officials confirmed that Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the country's nuclear defense forces, was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his home in Moscow. Kirillov and his assistant were on their way to his office when they died in the explosion. Ukraine has claimed credit for the attack, killing the most high-ranking Russian official inside of Russia since the war started in 2022. Ukraine charged Kirillov in absentia with war crimes on Monday for using banned chemical weapons. He was also under sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his wartime actions. | |  | | ➤ House Democrats on Tuesday chose 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly as their leader on the Oversight and Accountability Committee, dealing a defeat to rival Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (More) ➤ Presidential electors cast their votes at state capitols across the U.S. Tuesday, formalizing President-elect Donald Trump's 312-226 Electoral College victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. (More) ➤ Speaking of the election, Trump sued The Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer on Monday, alleging the outlet intentionally published a deceptive poll in violation of Iowa's consumer fraud laws. (More) ➤ Confidence in the U.S. judicial system hit a record low of 35% in 2024, a 24-point drop since 2020, according to a new Gallup survey. (More) | |  | | ➤ Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has passed Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for first place in the NFL’s Pro Bowl voting with one week remaining. (More) ➤ San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich announced his desire to return to the team in his first statement since leaving the team due to suffering a stroke six weeks ago. (See Statement) ➤ The Atlanta Falcons have made a change at quarterback, benching Kirk Cousins in favor of first-round rookie Micahel Penix Jr. just a few months after signing Cousins to a four-year $180 million contract. (More) ➤ Vermont defeated Marshall 2-1 in sudden-death overtime in Monday’s NCAA College Cup final, earning the Catamounts their first-ever national championship in a team sport. (More) ➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW Flying together with our sponsor ➤ This holiday season, give more than just a gift—give sport. With Nike’s curated holiday collection, you'll find gear, sneakers, and sportswear designed to inspire their goals. Whether they’re lacing up for a new challenge or staying active through winter, Nike’s bestselling products are ready to help them move, grow, and achieve. | |  | | Today's Holiday section is brought to you by: 
 A new map shows 18 states with a high chance of a white Christmas this year. (See Map)
Popular toymaker LEGO has released Wreath, a 1,200-piece holiday set resembling a real pine needle wreath accented with plastic berries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and pine cones. (See Wreath) A dad went viral on social media after building a Polar Express-inspired train for his daughter using plastic canisters, plywood, and industrial paint. (Watch Video) Flying together with our sponsor "Whom Shall I Fear?" With testimonies from the Wurmbrands and other persecuted Christians, Whom Shall I Fear? introduces 366 biblical passages—for every day of the year— to take you beyond anxiety, doubt, and fear. Get your free hardback book with any gift to The Voice of the Martyrs. Get Your Copy Today | |  |  Daily Market Report 12/17/2024
| ▼ | NASDAQ
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations | 20,109.06 | -0.32% | | ▼ | SPX
S&P 500 | 6,050.61 | -0.39% | | ▼ | DJI
Dow Jones Industrial Average | 43,449.90 | -0.61% | | ▲ | BTC
Bitcoin | $106,265.20 | 0.22% | | ▲ | GOLD
Per Ounce | $2,662.40 | 0.41% | | ▲ | RGTI
Rigetti Computing | $11.13 | +32.03% | Gold and Bitcoin are traded 24 hours a day. ➤ Big Stock Move: Rigetti Computing jumped 32% Tuesday as the company rode the rally lifting all quantum computing stocks. (More) ➤ A new federal rule bans "junk fees" on hotel stays and live event tickets, requiring businesses to disclose total prices upfront to prevent surprise charges. (More) ➤ U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, boosted by auto purchases and holiday discounts, signaling continued economic strength. (More) ➤ Starbucks workers' union, representing over 10,000 baristas, has authorized a potential strike as wage talks stall and legal disputes with the coffee giant remain unresolved. (See Details) | | | Flying together with our sponsor Yvonne's story is both tragic and full of hope. It's also painfully commonplace. Children are being enslaved and sold every day — as you read these words, in fact. And all too often, the "system" treats them like criminals. This is why Shared Hope exists: to rescue children from predators, prevent more tragedies, restore the lives of sex trafficking survivors, and hold criminals to account. We've saved countless lives. Strengthened state and federal laws. Trained law enforcement and judicial system personnel. But there are still more children at risk, trapped in a life they never chose, both here in the U.S. and abroad. Tomorrow, another child will be brutally targeted. With your gift TODAY, Shared Hope can save that life! About $3 a day provides care, healing, and restoration. Please click here immediately to provide survivors the help they need before it's too late! | |  | | ➤ Endurance, NASA's new autonomous lunar rover concept, has been designed to withstand harsh conditions on the moon and collect hard-to-reach samples for future astronaut retrieval. (See Illustration) ➤ Deep-sea scientists have, for the first time, filmed mollusk-like creatures resembling modern nautiloids that are believed to have existed 500 million years ago, even before dinosaurs. (See Photo) ➤ A study of remains from 37 Bronze Age men, women, and children discovered in England suggests they were killed, butchered, and cannibalized. (More) | |  | | 
| | ➤ Attraction isn't just about looks. Science reveals 25 key traits that can make you magnetic to others. (See Traits) ➤ Parents aiming to raise mentally strong kids can use 10 powerful phrases to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. (See Phrases) ➤ People often overestimate risks and underestimate opportunities, says Jeff Bezos. Recognizing this human bias can help individuals embrace bold decisions and unlock greater potential. (See Details) | | |  | | ➤ A Virginia man died after being struck by a bear falling from a tree during a hunting accident. Officials say no charges are being pursued. (More) ➤ Muppet, a pink, 12-year-old Chinese crested dog with a permanent tongue droop and quirky hairstyle, won Britain's "Ugliest Dog" title, delighting fans with his charm. (See Photos) ➤ Dirty Dancing, Beverly Hills Cop, and Up in Smoke are among the latest set of 25 films inducted into the National Film Registry for their cultural and historical significance. (See Films) Flying together with our sponsor ➤ The Only Device Stand You'll Ever Need. GoDonut is a clever and convenient stand for phones, tablets, and e-readers that makes it easy to enjoy your mobile devices anywhere, hands-free. (See It Here) | |  | | Do gift cards make good presents? - Yes
- No
Yesterday's Results: Where is your Christmas gift hiding spot? - Closet: 39%
- Other: 23%
- Attic/basement: 10%
- Garage: 9%
- Under the bed: 7%
- Car: 6%
- Work: 6%
| |  Daily Quote |  | "(She said it) might be something that she could see him doing."
— NYPD official on what accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione's mother said to investigators about her son's actions.
| | | |
Today's Trivia 
No comments:
Post a Comment