3 jili Big-name Irish boxer backs pal Gerry Hutch for Dail seat and says ‘he’s no more corrupt than any other politician’7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes now

By ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday reached a required agreement with President Joe Biden’s White House to allow his transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The congressionally mandated agreement allows transition aides to work with federal agencies and access non-public information and gives a green light to government workers to talk to the transition team. But Trump has declined to sign a separate agreement with the General Services Administration that would have given his team access to secure government offices and email accounts, in part because it would require that the president-elect limit contributions to $5,000 and reveal who is donating to his transition effort. Related Articles The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House had issued both public and private appeals for Trump’s team to sign on. The agreement is a critical step in ensuring an orderly transfer of power at noon on Inauguration Day, and lays the groundwork for the White House and government agencies to begin to share details on ongoing programs, operations and threats. It limits the risk that the Trump team could find itself taking control of the massive federal government without briefings and documents from the outgoing administration. As part of the agreement with the White House, Trump’s team will have to publicly disclose its ethics plan for the transition operation and make a commitment to uphold it, the White House said. Transition aides must sign statements that they have no financial positions that could pose a conflict of interest before they receive access to non-public federal information. Biden himself raised the agreement with Trump when they met in the Oval Office on Nov. 13, according to the White House, and Trump indicated that his team was working to get it signed. Trump chief of staff-designate Susie Wiles met with Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zients at the White House on Nov. 19 and other senior officials in part to discuss remaining holdups, while lawyers for the two sides have spoken more than a half-dozen times in recent days to finalize the agreement. “Like President Biden said to the American people from the Rose Garden and directly to President-elect Trump, he is committed to an orderly transition,” said White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma. “President-elect Trump and his team will be in seat on January 20 at 12 pm – and they will immediately be responsible for a range of domestic and global challenges, foreseen and unforeseen. A smooth transition is critical to the safety and security of the American people who are counting on their leaders to be responsible and prepared.” Without the signed agreement, Biden administration officials were restricted in what they could share with the incoming team. Trump national security adviser-designate Rep. Mike Waltz met recently with Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan, but the outgoing team was limited in what it could discuss. “We are doing everything that we can to effect a professional and an orderly transition,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. “And we continue to urge the incoming team to take the steps that are necessary to be able to facilitate that on their end as well.” “This engagement allows our intended Cabinet nominees to begin critical preparations, including the deployment of landing teams to every department and agency, and complete the orderly transition of power,” said Wiles in a statement. The Trump transition team says it would disclose its donors to the public and would not take foreign donations. A separate agreement with the Department of Justice to coordinate background checks for vetting and security clearances is still being actively worked on and could be signed quickly now that the White House agreement is signed. The agency has teams of investigators standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers once that document is signed. That would clear the way for transition aides and future administration appointees and nominees to begin accessing classified information before Trump takes office. Some Trump aides may hold active clearances from his first term in office or other government roles, but others will need new clearances to access classified data. Trump’s team on Friday formally told the GSA that they would not utilize the government office space blocks from the White House reserved for their use, or government email accounts, phones and computers during the transition. The White House said it does not agree with Trump’s decision to forgo support from the GSA, but is working on alternate ways to get Trump appointees the information they need without jeopardizing national security. Federal agencies are receiving guidance on Tuesday on how to share sensitive information with the Trump team without jeopardizing national security or non-public information. For instance, agencies may require in-person meetings and document reviews since the Trump team has declined to shift to using secure phones and computers. For unclassified information, agencies may ask Trump transition staff to attest that they are taking basic safeguards, like using two-factor authentication on their accounts.Maharashtra: Mahayuti Deadlock Over Chief Minister’s Post Continues

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A handful of doctors and surgeons remain “mind blown” by Spencer Johnson’s bizarre toe injury, but the star quick is hopeful it won’t derail his plans to represent Australia again. Watch every game of the BBL live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Johnson was back with a vengeance on Boxing Day as he snared his BBL-best 4-20 in the Brisbane Heat’s loss to the Perth Scorchers on Thursday night. The match was the 29-year-old’s first for the Heat this summer after an injury to Johnson’s third toe ruled him out of the season’s start. Speaking after his side’s 33-run loss, Johnson said medical staff were baffled by both the cause and treatment. “It’s my third toe – I snapped my tendon in the Shield game about a month ago,” he said. “To be honest we still don’t really know how it’s happened or why it’s happened. “We’ve spoken to a lot of doctors, a lot of different surgeons – we’ve come up with a decent method to strap it and hopefully that will be alright for the rest of the season. “It’s such a bizarre injury. “I think four surgeons have looked at it, four sports doctors have looked at it and they are all mind blown. “I think we just manage it and look after it and hopefully it will be all good. “I think it is such a bizarre thing – I could wake up tomorrow and it could be alright. We’re looking after it, we’ll manage it.” Describing it as “a bit weird”, Johnson plans to be a big part of Brisbane’s BBL title defence with targeted toe strapping. “It’s pretty hectic,” he said of the strapping. “It really only hurts when I curl over or claw over. We’ve sort of stopped it from curling over (with the heavy strapping) and that seems to work.” Johnson remains one of the brightest prospects for Australian bowling stocks, and has been touted as Australia’s long-term replacement for Mitchell Starc. The Heat star, who was virtually unknown before bursting on the scene in the Big Bash back in 2022/23, says representing Australia remains a big focus. “Any games for Australia – I think for me, just staying on the park and keeping my body healthy is the main thing. Hopefully the performances will keep coming,” he said. Johnson was the standout in his side’s loss to the Scorchers on Thursday night, and was described by Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee as “having a field day” as he claimed the scalps of Perth quartet Ashton Turner, Cooper Connolly, Finn Allen and Ashton Agar. “What a way to make your mark back in the BBL,” ex-Aussie star Shane Watson said. “He’s a highly skilled young man. He’s got all the defensive weapons he needs. “He’s done a brilliant job for the Heat again.” The Heat next face the unbeaten Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Sunday.Recession-Proofing Your Portfolio With Gold

Summary Google has uncovered a network of over 1,000 fake news websites spreading pro-China narratives. The sites are operated by four PR firms acting on behalf of an unknown client. These firms create websites that mimic legitimate news outlets and publish a mix of repurposed and pro-China content. Google has blocked the sites from appearing on its news platforms due to policy violations. The operation highlights the use of PR firms to spread disinformation and obscure the source of the content. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (TAG), in collaboration with its cybersecurity firm Mandiant , has discovered a large-scale network of fake news websites operated by four different public relations (PR) firms spreading propaganda aligned with the interests of the Chinese government. Dubbed GLASSBRIDGE, this network of PR firms has been creating and distributing inauthentic content globally to shape public opinion on key geopolitical issues. Since 2022, Google has banned and deindexed over 1,000 websites linked to GLASSBRIDGE from appearing in Google News and Google Discover for violating policies against deceptive practices and lack of editorial transparency. These sites pose as independent media outlets but push narratives that align with Beijing’s political agenda, including topics like Taiwan, the South China Sea, and COVID-19. It is worth noting that this news emerged just weeks after reports revealed North Korean hackers using fake news to distribute malware. “These campaigns show how private PR firms are being used to conduct coordinated influence campaigns,” Google said in a blog post . “By using these firms, the actors behind the information operations gain deniability, obscuring their role in spreading inauthentic content.” The campaigns rely on newswire services to syndicate their content, with two PR firms directly operating these services. The fake news network targets audiences in over 30 countries, including the United States, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Brazil, as well as Chinese-speaking diasporas worldwide. The four firms within the GLASSBRIDGE network are: 1. Shanghai Haixun Technology Shanghai Haixun Technology is the most prolific PR firm in the network, with more than 600 domains linked to its operations already removed by Google. These sites target both English- and Chinese-speaking audiences, as well as countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Haixun’s websites are often filled with low-quality, repetitive content that mixes irrelevant filler articles with pro-China stories. The firm has also been caught using freelance platforms such as Fiverr to hire social media accounts to amplify its messaging. In July 2023, Haixun’s influence campaigns were spotted infiltrating legitimate news outlets through subdomains provided by its newswire services, Times Newswire and World Newswire, allowing it to piggyback on the credibility of established media brands. 2. Times Newswire and Shenzhen Haimai Yunxiang Media Google researchers identified Times Newswire and its operator, Shenzhen Haimai Yunxiang Media, as key players in distributing pro-China propaganda. These entities were tied to the PAPERWALL campaign, a network of over 100 fake websites reported by Citizen Lab earlier this year. These fraud sites, which spanned more than 30 countries, published a combination of copied local news, conspiracy theories, and smear campaigns targeting individuals critical of Beijing. Many of these articles were short, appearing briefly on the sites before being removed to avoid detection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 3. DURINBRIDGE DURINBRIDGE, another PR and marketing firm in the network, operates over 200 fake news sites. While most of its content consists of press releases and generic news, a portion is dedicated to spreading pro-China narratives, including articles linked to DRAGONBRIDGE , a long-standing influence operation tracked by Google. These sites have also been used to promote politically motivated smear campaigns, such as targeting Taiwanese presidential candidates in the lead-up to elections. 4. Shenzhen Bowen Media Shenzhen Bowen Media controls a network of more than 100 imitation news sites designed to cater to specific countries and cities. Articles are published in local languages, including French, German, Japanese, and Thai, to appear more credible to regional audiences. The content often blends legitimate-looking local news with pro-Beijing narratives sourced from its newswire service, World Newswire, which is also used by Haixun. The Bigger Picture This operation is part of a growing trend where nation-states outsource influence campaigns to private PR firms, allowing deniability. By using fake news sites instead of traditional social media disinformation, these campaigns can target audiences more effectively, tailoring content to local languages and issues. The operation also refreshes the memory of The EU DisinfoLab, a Brussels-based NGO specializing in disinformation research, which exposed a massive pro-Indian influence operation known as “Indian Chronicles.” This extensive campaign, active for over 15 years, aimed to discredit Pakistan and influence international institutions, including the United Nations and the European Parliament. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Google’s action to block these websites from its news platforms shows disinformation campaigns are a reality. The exposure of the GLASSBRIDGE network. For readers, the lesson is to critically evaluate the sources of news and verify information across multiple outlets. RELATED TOPICS Malicious Abrax666 AI Chatbot Exposed as Potential Scam Hackers used fake job websites to scam jobless US veterans SEC Twitter Hacked, Spreads Fake News About Bitcoin ETFs Android XHelper App Exposed as Money Laundering Network Fake News Site Hit Android and Windows Users with MalwareANKARA A heated session Tuesday in the EU Parliament (EP) saw sharp criticism directed at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her perceived silence on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli officials. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its brutal war on Gaza. Lawmakers also accused the EU of applying a "double standard" in its handling of international law and human rights violations. The session, held under the title "The escalating tensions in the Middle East, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA's role in the region, the need for the release of all captives, and ICC arrest warrants for Israeli officials," tackled the EU's role amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Speaking on behalf of the EU Council, Hungary’s Minister for European Affairs Janos Boka urged maximum restraint from all parties in the Gaza Strip and adherence to international humanitarian law. Boka expressed deep sorrow for the "unacceptable number of civilian casualties, particularly among women and children," emphasizing the EU’s demand for an immediate cease-fire, the unconditional release of captives in Gaza and the expansion of humanitarian aid access. "The humanitarian situation in the Middle East is dire, and the EU Council remains committed to addressing it as a top priority," said Boka. EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, speaking on behalf of EU High Representative Josep Borrell, painted a grim picture of the crisis in Gaza, citing unprecedented civilian casualties, displacement and a looming risk of starvation. Ferreira reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting international law, including backing UNRWA (UN Palestine refuge agency) amid growing concerns about its potential dissolution following a recent bill that was passed in the Israeli parliament. "Israeli attacks on the UN must stop," said Ferreira as she highlighted the importance of defending a rules-based global order. She reiterated the EU’s support for the ICC, urging member states to unite in enforcing its decisions. "Now, more than ever, we must support the multilateral order and continue to call for respect for and implementation of ICC decisions," she added. Criticism of the EU’s approach dominated much of the debate, with lawmakers from liberal and left-wing groups accusing the bloc of inconsistency in the application of international law. Irish MEP Lynn Boylan of the Left Group condemned von der Leyen’s silence on the ICC arrest warrants, and said, "The EU’s credibility is shattered -- not just in Palestine and the Global South, but even within its own member states. The absence of sanctions is complicity." Greek MEP Konstantinos Arvanitis echoed that sentiment, urging the EU to apply the ICC's rulings equally in all cases. "Please implement the ICC arrest warrants as you have implemented previous decisions. Stop applying double standards," he said. Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec took aim at "striking double standards" in the EU’s treatment of Israel compared to other nations, including Russia. "Silence is complicity," said Nemec, drawing a contrast between the arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu. Not all lawmakers aligned with the demand for action. Far-right MEPs criticized the warrants, arguing they were politically motivated. They were outnumbered, however, by voices that called for accountability and adherence to international law.

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NoneChiefs earned a rest after their third win in 11 days. For some, the rest could be 24 daysAMD downgraded after BI report on weak demand for its AI chips among AWS customers

NoneThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said that it would set up an eight-member committee to develop a framework for responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence or FREE-AI in the financial sector. The AI panel will also review regulatory and supervisory approaches on artificial intelligence with focus on the financial sector globally. The panel will also identify potential risks associated with AI, if any, and recommend an evaluation, mitigation and monitoring framework and consequent compliance requirements for financial institutions, including banks, NBFCs, FinTechs, PSOs, etc. Headed by IIT Bombay professor Pushpak Bhattacharyya (Department of Computer Science and Engineering), the panel will assess the current level of adoption of AI in financial services, globally as well as in India. The central bank further said that the committee would submit its report within six months from the date of its first meeting. “The committee will recommend a framework including governance aspects for responsible, ethical adoption of AI models / applications in the Indian financial sector,” the RBI said. The other members of the panel are: Debjani Ghosh (Independent Director, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub); Balaraman Ravindran (Professor and Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras); Abhishek Singh (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology); Rahul Matthan (Partner, Trilegal); Anjani Rathor (Group Head and Chief Digital Experience Officer, HDFC Bank); Sree Hari Nagaralu (Head of Security AI Research, Microsoft India); and Suvendu Pati (CGM, FinTech Department, RBI).

Band Aid saved my life after millions saw me starving to death on TV – here’s why critics like Ed Sheeran are wrongNoneJudge in Alex Jones' bankruptcy case orders new hearing on The Onion's bid for Infowars A bankruptcy judge on Monday ordered a new hearing in conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' effort to stop the satirical news outlet The Onion from buying Infowars and turning it into a parody. Dave Collins, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 1:45 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) A bankruptcy judge on Monday ordered a new hearing in conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' effort to stop the satirical news outlet The Onion from buying Infowars and turning it into a parody. Jones alleges fraud and collusion marred the bankruptcy auction in which The Onion was named the winning bidder on Nov. 14 over a company affiliated with him. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez had been scheduled to hear an emergency motion to disqualify The Onion's bid, but decided to put it off until either Dec. 9 or Dec. 17. That's also when the judge will hear arguments on a request to approve the sale of Infowars to The Onion. Lopez said similar arguments are being made in both requests. Lopez could ultimately allow The Onion to move forward with its purchase, order a new auction or name the other bidder as the winner. At stake is whether Jones gets to stay at Infowars’ studio in Austin, Texas, under a new owner friendly to him, or whether he gets kicked out by The Onion. The other bidder, First United American Companies, runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements. Regardless, Jones has set up a new studio, websites and social media accounts that would allow him to keep airing his show. And his personal account with 3.3 million followers on the social platform X was not part of the sale, although Lopez will be deciding whether it should be included in the liquidation and sold off later. In a new court filing Monday, lawyers for X objected to any sale of the accounts of both Jones and Infowars, saying X is the owner of the accounts and that it has not given consent for them to be sold or transferred. Jones has praised X owner Elon Musk on his show and suggested that Musk should buy Infowars. Musk has not responded publicly to that suggestion and was not among the bidders. Jones' bankruptcy and the liquidation of his assets came about after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Jones was found liable for defamation and emotional distress damages in lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas for repeatedly calling the 2012 shooting that killed 20 first graders and six educators a hoax staged by actors to increase gun control. Proceeds from the liquidation are to go to Jones' creditors, including the Sandy Hook families who sued him. Jones alleges The Onion’s bid was the result of fraud and collusion involving many of those families, the humor site and a court-appointed trustee who is overseeing the liquidation. First United American Companies submitted a $3.5 million sealed bid, while The Onion offered $1.75 million in cash. But The Onion's bid also included a pledge by Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, said that made The Onion's proposal better for creditors and he named it the winning bid. He has denied any wrongdoing. Jones and First United American Companies claimed that the bid violated Lopez’s rules for the auction by including multiple entities and lacking a valid dollar amount. Jones also alleged Murray improperly canceled an expected round of live bidding and only selected from among the sealed bids that were submitted. Jones called the auction “rigged” and a “fraud” on his show, which airs on the Infowars website, radio stations and Jones' X account. He filed a counter lawsuit last week against Murray, The Onion's parent company and the Sandy Hook families in the bankruptcy court. In a court filing on Sunday, Murray called the allegations a “desperate attempt” to delay the sale of Infowars to The Onion and accused Jones, his lawyers and attorneys for First United American Companies of a “vicious smear campaign lobbing patently false accusations.” He also alleges Jones collaborated with First United American Companies to try to buy Infowars. Lopez’s September order on the auction procedures made a live bidding round optional. And it gave broad authority to Murray to conduct the sale, including the power to reject any bid, no matter how high, that was “contrary to the best interests” of Jones, his company and their creditors. But at a Nov. 14 hearing Lopez said he was concerned about the process and transparency. “We’re all going to an evidentiary hearing and I’m going to figure out exactly what happened,” he said. “No one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.” The assets of Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems, that were up for sale included the Austin studio, Infowars' video archive, video production equipment, product trademarks, and Infowars' websites and social media accounts. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights, but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened . Jones has brought in millions of dollars a year in revenue by hawking nutritional supplements, clothing, survival gear and other merchandise, including more than $22 million this year through Sept. 30 from his Infowars Store website, according to court documents. Many of Jones’ personal assets, including real estate, guns and other personal belongings, also are being sold as part of the bankruptcy. Documents filed in court this year say Jones has about $9 million in personal assets, while Free Speech Systems has about $6 million in cash and more than $1 million worth of inventory. Dave Collins, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Science News Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly Nov 25, 2024 12:21 PM Commerce Department to reduce Intel's funding on semiconductors Nov 25, 2024 11:30 AM Alberta aiming to create test site to support new drilling technologies Nov 25, 2024 10:43 AM

A hockey game scheduled between the Yorkton Terriers and Weyburn Red Wings has been postponed due to a "mechanical issue." In an online announcement issued shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, the City of Weyburn said both Crescent Point Place and the Tom Zandee Sports Arena would be closed "for the remainder of today and until further notice." "Thank you for your understanding as we work to resolve the issue," the post continues. In its own update announcing the postponement of Tuesday’s game, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League said an ammonia leak at the rink was to blame. Puck drop was set for 7 p.m. but a makeup date has yet to be determined. A timeline for repairs is unclear, but the Red Wings are scheduled to host the Humboldt Broncos in their next game on Friday, before a four game road trip starting in Estevan on Saturday.Myriad Genetics to Present New Data at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

Germany to make migrant smuggling to UK a clear criminal offenceA slide for market superstar Nvidia helped pull U.S. stock indexes down from their records. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% Monday, coming off its 57th all-time high of the year so far. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.6% from its own record. Nvidia was the market’s heaviest weight after China said it’s probing the chip giant for potential antitrust violations. Stocks in Hong Kong jumped after top Chinese leaders agreed on a “moderately loose” monetary policy. Prices for oil and gold rose following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar Assad. On Monday: The S&P 500 fell 37.42 points, or 0.6%, to 6,052.85. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 240.59 points, or 0.5%, to 44,401.93. The Nasdaq composite fell 123.08 points, or 0.6%, to 19,736.69. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 16.16 points, or 0.7%, to 2,392.84. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,283.02 points, or 26.9%. The Dow is up 6,712.39 points, or 17.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,725.34 points, or 31.5%. The Russell 2000 is up 365.76 points, or 18%.

NonePenn State has won trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images

Alex Jones’ bankruptcy judge orders new hearing on The Onion’s Infowars bidNEW YORK (AP) — A slide for market superstar Nvidia on Monday knocked Wall Street off its big rally and helped drag U.S. stock indexes down from their records. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, coming off its 57th all-time high of the year so far. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 240 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite pulled back 0.6% from its own record. Nvidia’s fall of 2.5% was by far the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 after China said it’s investigating the company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. Nvidia has skyrocketed to become one of Wall Street’s most valuable companies because its chips are driving much of the world’s move into artificial-intelligence technology. That gives its stock’s movements more sway on the S&P 500 than nearly every other. Nvidia’s drop overshadowed gains in Hong Kong and for Chinese stocks trading in the United States on hopes that China will deliver more stimulus for the world’s second-largest economy. Roughly three in seven of the stocks in the S&P 500 also rose. The week’s highlight for Wall Street will arrive midweek when the latest updates on inflation arrive. Economists expect Wednesday’s report to show the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling remained stuck at close to the same level last month. A separate report on Thursday, meanwhile, could show an acceleration in inflation at the wholesale level. They’re the last big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week on interest rates. The widespread expectation is still that the central bank will cut its main interest rate for the third time this year. The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to offer more help for the slowing job market, after bringing inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower interest rates can ease the brakes off the economy, but they can also offer more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts from the Fed have been a major reason the S&P 500 has set so many all-time highs this year. “Investors should enjoy this rally while it lasts—there’s little on the horizon to disrupt the momentum through year-end,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, though he warns stocks could stumble soon because of how overheated they’ve gotten. On Wall Street, Interpublic Group rose 3.6% after rival Omnicom said it would buy the marketing and communications firm in an all-stock deal. The pair had a combined revenue of $25.6 billion last year. Omnicom, meanwhile, sank 10.2%. Macy’s climbed 1.8% after an activist investor, Barington Capital Group, called on the retailer to buy back at least $2 billion of its own stock over the next three years and make other moves to help boost its stock price. Super Micro Computer rose 0.5% after saying it got an extension that will keep its stock listed on the Nasdaq through Feb. 25, as it works to file its delayed annual report and other required financial statements. Earlier this month, the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board following the resignation of its public auditor . All told, the S&P 500 fell 37.42 points to 6,052.85. The Dow dipped 240.59 to 4,401.93, and the Nasdaq composite lost 123.08 to 19,736.69. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rallied 1.7% to settle at $68.37 following the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, who sought asylum in Moscow after rebels. Brent crude, the international standard, added 1.4% to $72.14 per barrel. The price of gold also rose 1% to $2,685.80 per ounce amid the uncertainty created by the end of the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. In stock markets abroad, the Hang Seng jumped 2.8% in Hong Kong after top Chinese leaders agreed on a “moderately loose” monetary policy for the world’s second-largest economy. That’s a shift away from a more cautious, “prudent” stance for the first time in 10 years. A major planning meeting later this week could also bring more stimulus for the Chinese economy. U.S.-listed stocks of several Chinese companies climbed, including a 12.4% jump for electric-vehicle company Nio and a 7.4% rise for Alibaba Group. Stocks in Shanghai, though, were roughly flat. In Seoul, South Korea’s Kospi slumped 2.8% as the fallout continues from President Yoon Suk Yeol ’s brief declaration of martial law last week in the midst of a budget dispute. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.19% from 4.15% late Friday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.