China’s economy expanded 5% in 2024, meeting Beijing’s official target of “around 5%”. The fourth-quarter gross domestic product grew 5.4%, beating estimates. However, analysts are still hoping for more policies to boost the country’s economy. The S&P 500 fell on Thursday, snapping its three-day winning streak, while Treasury yields retreated further on waning inflation fears. … Read more
Doctors at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital are warning Islanders to take extra precautions due to a predicted rise in norovirus cases. There have been six confirmed cases on the island so far, but hospital officials expect more as the illness typically appears in February or March. “We’ve seen an increase in cases already this year,” said … Read more
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has made a strong case as the presumptive rookie of the year, showcasing his composure and poise on the field. The 23-year-old’s ability to remain calm under pressure has been a defining characteristic throughout the season. Coach Dan Quinn describes Daniels as “iced up” when in command, highlighting his stoic … Read more
Country music singer Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, while the Village People – behind one of Trump’s favorite hits “Y.M.C.A.” – have shifted their stance to perform at multiple pre-inauguration events. In contrast to his 2017 inauguration, which struggled to attract high-profile performers. Underwood will … Read more
Entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary said a ceasefire-hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached because foreign adversaries are “scared poo-poo” of President-elect Donald Trump. O’Leary, who backed Trump in 2024, told CNN that the deal follows the contours of a framework laid out by President Biden last May but was made possible due to Trump’s unpredictability. … Read more
Duolingo’s stock price rose 7% on Thursday following a significant increase in users signing up to learn Mandarin, largely driven by the growing popularity of Chinese social media app RedNote, a rival to TikTok. The company confirmed that Mandarin learners have seen a 216% increase compared to last year. RedNote has taken advantage of the … Read more
The stock rally stalled yesterday as Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller expressed openness to rate cuts in the first half of 2025, while Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent warned of an economic crisis if tax cuts from 2017 are not extended. This news led to a drop in bond yields and a slowdown in stock … Read more
A new study published in Nature Medicine estimates that around one million Americans may develop dementia every year by 2060, a significant increase from previous predictions. The forecast projects a 42% lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 and rises sharply to 56% after age 85. Higher risks are associated with African American adults, women, … Read more
A 34-year-old woman from the Sunshine Coast has been charged with poisoning a one-year-old girl and allegedly posting videos of the infant’s suffering online to garner donations. The woman is accused of administering unauthorized prescription medicines to the child without medical approval, causing immense distress and pain. The alleged abuse took place between August 6 … Read more
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone will be “Special Ambassadors” to Hollywood, California. The actors will serve as envoys to help bring back business lost to foreign countries. Voight, a longtime Trump supporter, received the National Medal of Arts in 2019. Gibson backed Trump’s campaign in … Read more