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☆ Gold firms on dollar slide; market focus on Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Traders remain cautious ahead of the Fed minutes. The minutes will likely give an idea about the Fed's policy decisions and this will impact dollar and gold," said Hareesh V., head of commodity research at Geojit Financial Services. There are chances of more inflows to gold when the Fed starts easing policies." Bullion is seen as a hedge against inflation, but rising rates dull non-yielding asset's appeal. Traders also kept a tab on rising coronavirus infections in top gold consumer China after the country's abrupt COVID policy U-turn in early December.

☆ The Republican wave that wasn't could dim Trump's White House hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

House Republican leaders have already threatened the nightmare scenario of a debt default to extract deep spending cuts to Democratic priorities. With control of House oversight committees, Republicans could also launch probes of President Joe Biden's administration ahead of the 2024 presidential election that could weaken or embarrass Biden. But in 2022, people's votes were also influenced by their views on a former occupant of the White House - Donald Trump. Trump's misfortunes may benefit Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who romped to a re-election victory that cemented his status as a Republican rising star. Democrats in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all won governor's races, likely limiting the ability of Republicans in those states to interfere with the presidential election.

☆ Trump says 'abortion issue' is why Republicans underperformed in the 2022 midterms
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Kit Gillet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Donald Trump blamed poor handling of abortion issues for the GOP's lackluster 2022 midterms. Trump said that anti-abortion campaigners disappeared after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, gutting a nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. This followed criticism that Trump-backed candidates were instrumental in losing the GOP its shot at retaking the Senate during the 2022 midterms. Those losses included high-profile Trump-backed Senate candidates Herschel Walker in Georgia and celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania.

☆ Pioneering U.S. television journalist Barbara Walters dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Bill Trott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Television personality Barbara Walters arrives for the premiere of the film "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" in New York September 20, 2010. "I asked Yeltsin if he drank too much, and I asked Putin if he killed anybody," Walters told the New York Times in 2013. "These two men were really quite brutal to me and it was not pleasant," Walters told the San Francisco Examiner. The New York Times called her "arguably America's best-known television personality" but also observed that "what we remember most about a Barbara Walters interview is Barbara Walters." Walters' three marriages - to businessman Robert Katz, theatrical producer Lee Guber and television executive Merv Adelson - ended in divorce.

The S&P 500 shed 0.25% to end at 3,839.50. The S&P 500 sank 19.4%, and is more than 20% below its record high, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq tumbled 33.1%. Despite the yearly losses, the Dow and S&P 500 did break three-quarter losing streaks. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, however, muddled through its fourth consecutive negative quarter for the first time since 2001. Communication services was the worst performing sector in the S&P 500 this year, falling more than 40%, followed by consumer discretionary.

☆ The 'Wall Street' mentalist stuns the 'Squawk Box' crew with market magic
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe 'Wall Street' mentalist stuns the 'Squawk Box' crew with market magicThe Wall Street mentalist Oz Pearlman joins CNBC's 'Squawk Box' with some market magic.

WASHINGTON — The 2022 midterm elections were full of surprises. Republicans began the year favored to notch big victories, yet they fell short and barely captured control of the House. Lake was widely seen as the election-denying candidate with the best chance to win a statewide race in a key battleground in the 2022 elections. Secretary of state contenders who echoed Trump’s fabricated claims of a stolen election lost, including Mark Finchem in Arizona, Kristina Karamo in Michigan and Jim Marchant in Nevada. Their wins led Democrats to win every competitive House race and gain control of the state House for the first time in more than a decade — although recent vacancies have called that majority into question.

☆ A Parasite May Explain Why Some People Are Driven to Start a Company
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

When wolves in Yellowstone National Park get infected with a cat parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, they become more likely to leave their packs and start new ones. The Yellowstone wolf data hints that it's just the side effect of a protozoan inhabiting our brains in a failed attempt to make more protozoa. So why would any of this make an infected wolf want to start its own pack? That was the suggestion of an influential 2006 paper titled "Can the Common Brain Parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, Influence Human Culture?" Just because Toxo might drive an alpha male to start a company, that doesn't mean it'll be a successful company.

☆ The Year in Pictures 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +57 min

Every year, starting in early fall, photo editors at The New York Times begin sifting through the year’s work in an effort to pick out the most startling, most moving, most memorable pictures. But 2022 undoubtedly belongs to the war in Ukraine, a conflict now settling into a worryingly predictable rhythm. Erin Schaff/The New York Times “When you’re standing on the ground, you can’t visualize the scope of the destruction. Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25. We see the same images over and over, and it’s really hard to make anything different.” Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 26.

☆ Rio Tinto completes $3.3 bln Turquoise Hill deal for larger share in Mongolia project
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The Rio Tinto logo is displayed on a visitor's helmet at a borates mine in Boron, California, U.S., November 15, 2019. Turquoise Hill shareholders last week voted in favour of Rio Tinto's $3.3 billion bid to take the Canadian company private after months of back and forth. 2 shareholder Pentwater Capital Management accused Rio of concealing delays and huge cost overruns at Oyu Tolgoi. BHP Group last month made a renewed $6.5 bln play for copper miner OZ Minerals, potentially allowing the miner to consolidate its copper assets in South Australia if the deal goes through. Shares of Rio Tinto finished 0.8% higher on the Australian Stock Exchange.

☆ Philippine artist creates paintings using his own blood
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Adrian Portugal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Filipino artist Elito Circa, 52, paints with his own blood in his studio in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines November 29, 2022. REUTERS/Eloisa LopezMANILA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Philippine artist Elito Circa has blood on his hands, literally - but only to create art with. Using blood taken from his own veins, the 52-year old produces canvas paintings that have drawn both praise and criticism because of his unusual choice of medium. Born in a low-income household with little access to school supplies and art materials, Circa explored different mediums, including plums and tomatoes, but it was when he scraped himself as a young boy that his fascination with using blood began. "Every time I got scraped, I would use my own blood since bloodstains are also hard to remove," said Circa, while dabbing a white canvass using a paint brush dipped in blood.

☆ Michelle Yeoh joins cast of Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked' films
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Michelle Yeoh has joined the star-studded cast of Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” movies, Variety can exclusively reveal. The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star will play Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University. Jeff Goldblum continues to be in talks to play the Wizard, but a final deal has not been signed, according to sources. “She is funny and unbelievably talented and unbelievably sweet and truly working hard. I’m excited for both of us.”Reps for Yeoh and Universal did not comment.

☆ Trump-backed Walker loses: Three takeaways from Georgia U.S. Senate runoff
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker gives a concession speech during his election night party after losing the U.S. midterm runoff election to Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock beat Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election that fortified Democrats' Senate majority and handed the Republican Party another bitter loss to cap a disappointing midterm election season. Trump held two rallies for Walker in Georgia, but did not come to the state for the runoff, only phoning in to boost supporters on Monday night. That forced uncomfortable congressional Republicans to respond to Trump's statements in the days before the runoff election, pulling the focus from Walker's candidacy. At one rally prior to the runoff, Walker publicly mused about whether a werewolf could kill a vampire.

☆ Warnock's decisive victory in Georgia is the final blow to once-hopeful Republicans in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Republican Party will end the once promising 2022 cycle having failed to reach many of its goals. This is not how the Republican Party envisioned 2022. In particular, many GOP candidates, including Walker, continue to underperform in fastly growing suburbs. It's all about the candidatesGeorgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker speaks with supporters during a campaign rally in Milton, Ga., on November 21, 2022. While several Republican hopefuls have illustrated that suburban voters are not unreachable, Trump-backed hopefuls have routinely struggled.

☆ Georgia voters cast over 350,000 ballots for the Senate runoff on the last day of early voting, setting a single-day record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Georgia voters on Friday cast over 350,000 ballots, setting a one-day statewide early voting record. The previous one-day early voting record was on Tuesday when nearly 310,000 voters cast ballots. On Friday night, Sterling praised the efforts of election officials and precinct workers who had prepared for early voting, which began in some localities last week. Before Friday, the one-day record for early voting in Georgia was set during the 2018 midterm cycle, when 233,000 people voted on the last day of early voting that year. Headed into Election Day on Tuesday, turnout among Georgia voters sat at 26.4% as of December 3, per the secretary of state's office.

☆ Stolen checks, fraudulent activity: three major trade association PACs fell victim to theft in what's become a political epidemic
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

An Insider review of FEC filings shows that the National Association of Manufacturers' PAC reported eight instances of stolen and fraudulent checks and bank transfers, amounting to more than $10,000 in losses. Federal Election CommissionAnother trade association, the National Association of Home Builders, reported three instances of "fraudulent debit" during the 2021-2022 election cycle, amounting to more than $20,000 in lost funds. A filing with the FEC from the PAC of the National Association of Home Builders that details money lost from fraudulent disbursements. Federal Election CommissionThe National Association of Home Builders represents more than 140,000 members who construct close to 80% of all the new homes built in the US, per the association's website. The National Association of Home Builders did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

☆ Florida woman sues Kraft for $5M, saying Velveeta shells & cheese takes longer to prepare than packaging claims
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Joseph Lamour | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

On Nov. 18, Florida resident Amanda Ramirez sued the Kraft Heinz Company for at least $5 million over what she claims is deceptive and fraudulent packaging. Ramirez says that since Kraft’s Velveeta Shells & Cheese Microwavable Shell Pasta takes longer than 3-and-a-half minutes to prepare even though its packing states “ready in 3½ minutes,” that constitutes fraud. What the plaintiff focuses on is the fifth instruction, “cheese sauce will thicken upon standing” which they say constitutes a longer “ready” time than the packaging claims. “Consumers seeing ‘ready in 3½ minutes’ will believe it represents the total amount of time it takes to prepare the Product,” the suit reads. “However, the directions outlined above show that 3-and-a-half minutes is just the length of time to complete one of several steps.

☆ 8 best Yeti Cyber Monday deals 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Maria Cassano | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Amazon has included a few highly-rated items from Yeti in their Cyber Monday sale. While it is not officially being called a Cyber Monday sale on the Yeti site, the brand has a number of items on sale through Nov. 28. To help you make the most of the shopping holiday, we compiled some of the best Cyber Monday deals and sales on Yeti products. Best Cyber Monday 2022 Yeti dealsBelow, we’re sharing the best Cyber Monday Yeti deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 5,257 reviews at YetiKeep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold with this insulated 10 oz lowball cup.

☆ A razor-thin Senate buffer and 2024 chances are at stake in Georgia's runoff next week between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Early voting has started for the Georgia Senate runoff between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. A Warnock victory would usher in a 51-49 Democratic majority, while the GOP hopes for a 50-50 split. Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker speaks with supporters during a campaign rally in Milton, Ga., on November 21, 2022. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont — who caucus with the Democratic Party, creating an equal split in the upper chamber. However, some Republicans would prefer that Trump remain at Mar-a-Lago, worried that he could cost them another Senate win.

☆ 'Natural' baby product company recalls toddler cups due to lead poisoning hazard
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A self-described "natural" baby product company is recalling 10,500 of its stainless steel bottles and cups for toddlers that pose a risk of lead poisoning, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday. "Lead is toxic if ingested by young children, and can cause adverse health effects," the recall notice said. "We are undertaking the costs and challenges of a #recall voluntarily because our customers’ health and safety must come first." While Green Sprouts is based in Asheville, North Carolina, the products subject to recall were made in China, according to the notice. On its website, Green Sprouts founder and president Becky Cannon writes the company has "holistic foundations" and is inspired by "the traditional Japanese approach to health and well-being."

At $15 off, the 2022 Kindle is the most affordable model you can buy right now. If you're interested in other Kindle deals, you can also get three months of Kindle Unlimited for $1 and the Kindle Paperwhite for an all-time low price of $95. Deal Amazon Kindle (2022) Amazon's newest Kindle is now on salw for $15 off. On the plus side, the Kindle 2022 can last up to six weeks on a single charge. The all-new Kindle is just one of many Amazon Cyber Monday deals you can take advantage of right now.

At $15 off, this all-new Kindle 2022 is the least expensive Kindle you can get right now while time lasts. Deal Amazon Kindle (2022) Amazon's newest Kindle is now on salw for $15 off. The All-New Kindle is actually Amazon's lightest e-reader yet, weighing in at just over a third of a pound. The Kindle 2022 can last up to 6 weeks on a single charge. The all-new Kindle is just one of many Amazon Black Friday deals you can take advantage of before Black Friday ends tonight.

Amazon has included a few highly-rated items from Yeti in their Black Friday sale. While it is not officially being called a Black Friday sale on the Yeti site, the brand has a number of items on sale through Nov. 28. To help you make the most of the shopping holiday, we compiled some of the best Black Friday deals and sales on Yeti products. Best Black Friday 2022 Yeti dealsBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday Yetideals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 5,257 reviews at YetiKeep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold with this insulated 10 oz lowball cup.

☆ Trump's Senate candidate in Alaska lost to Lisa Murkowski, the latest in a string of failures for his endorsees
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski held onto her Senate seat in Alaska, despite opposition from Trump. Unlike most Senate races, the contest in Alaska was mainly fought between two Republicans — Murkowski and the Trump-backed candidate Kelly Tshibaka, who lost. But during the 2022 midterms several high-profile candidates that he backed lost their races. Former TV doctor Mehmet Oz, backed by Trump, narrowly lost his Senate race in the swing seat of Pennsylvania to progressive Democrat John Fetterman. Meanwhile, the fate of Herschel Walker, running for Georgia's Senate seat, is in the balance as the race heads to a runoff in December.

☆ Platinum deficit expected in 2023 after bumper surpluses, WPIC says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) said on Tuesday it expected a deficit of the metal used in vehicle exhausts, industry and jewellery in 2023 after a hefty surplus this year. The World Platinum Investment Council expects the market to swing into deficit in 2023. Manufacturers are also replacing palladium with cheaper platinum to save money, with such substitution accounting for 340,000 ounces of platinum demand this year and just over 500,000 ounces in 2023, the WPIC said. "This could lead to an even further tightening of the platinum market next year," he said. ANNUAL PLATINUM SUPPLY/DEMAND ('000 oz)*QUARTERLY PLATINUM SUPPLY/DEMAND ('000 oz)** Source: World Platinum Investment Council, Platinum Quarterly Q3 2022Reporting by Peter Hobson.

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