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Glasgow Christmas market Winterfest has finally opened at George Square. Visitors are now being welcomed to the popular attraction which was forced to shut amid Storm Bert yesterday. The event is planned to run until Sunday, January 5, featuring an 80m Drop Tower, the Booster Maxx Carousel, the Wave Swinger, and a Santa's Train Kids Carousel. Posting on social media Winterfest said: “We are OPEN! We are thrilled to welcome you all to Winterfest at George Square.” READ MORE: Man dressed as Grinch treated like 'shoplifter' at Braehead A post shared by GLASGOW WINTERFEST 2024 (@glasgowwinterfest) Organisers had opened the event earlier today, but had to wait for council approval. In the meantime eager guests were left fuming as they begged for updates and hung around near the area. Taking to social media, they shared their disappointment as they asked organisers for answers. Holly Maxwell Polley said: “What an absolute disgrace at the George square Christmas market today. “Putting off the opening time, 11am then 12 then 1pm and at 2pm still can’t get in? “No communication or update at all? Absolute farce.” Judith Murphy said: “Keeping people waiting for hours with no update is a disgrace.” Baxter Bean said: “Have we decided if we are opening today [Sunday]? No posts yet.” Robert Gardiner said: “It’s still not open yet, people are waiting to get in.” We previously reported how a statement posted to Glasgow Winterfest's Instagram page yesterday read: "We're sorry to announce that Winterfest George Square will not be opening today due to adverse weather conditions. "The safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding. We're hopeful that we'll be able to open tomorrow and can't wait to welcome everyone back to enjoy the festivities. "Stay safe, and we'll keep you updated here with the latest news." Winterfest at St Enoch Square opened earlier this month. It features a bar area, food and retail stalls, amusement rides, a bungee trampoline, and a snow globe.

The total crypto market cap has soared to a record $3.13 trillion, marking the sector as a significant economic force. This surge reflects in the growing popularity of Bitcoin ETFs, drawing unprecedented inflows. Meanwhile, analysts set sights on Ethereum (ETH) reaching $10 billion in managed assets. While giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum lead, new players like BlockDAG (BDAG) offer immense growth potential with its advanced technology and vibrant community. With over 170,000 unique holders, BlockDAG is driving its presale towards an ambitious $600 million target. Crypto Market Cap Nears Surpassing France’s GDP The cryptocurrency market cap has hit a record high of $3.13 trillion, coming close to exceeding France's GDP. This significant achievement ranks the global crypto market as the eighth-largest economy globally when compared by GDP, just behind major economies like the United States, China, and Japan. Driven by Bitcoin's rise to $97,700, its market cap has soared past $1.77 trillion, now greater than the GDP of Spain. Analysts predict the market might reach $4 trillion, although there is some debate over whether Bitcoin will continue to lead or if altcoins will spark the next major growth phase. Bitcoin ETFs Surpass $138B & ETH Targets $10B Bitcoin’s influence extends to institutional adoption via Bitcoin ETFs, now exceeding $138 billion in assets, spurred by Bitcoin nearing the $100,000 mark. In just one week, these ETFs saw $1.67 billion in inflows, totaling $95.4 billion over six consecutive weeks of growth. Ethereum follows with $646 million in new inflows, pushing its assets to $9.15 billion, with analysts eyeing a $10 billion goal. Institutions like Goldman Sachs are increasingly drawn to these crypto-backed products, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum funds. BlockDAG Defines Excellence in Layer 1 Achievements In the expanding cryptocurrency market, BlockDAG distinguishes itself by addressing key challenges of blockchain scalability and efficiency. Its innovative Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure enhances scalability and processing speeds, setting BlockDAG apart as a strong Layer 1 contender. After completing its mainnet development, the project has moved into the audit phase. The BlockDAG community, which now includes over 170,000 holders, continues to grow daily, attracted by the project's solid potential and consistent progress. Engagement is strengthened by regular AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions with the BlockDAG team and CEO, creating a transparent and trusting atmosphere where community members feel valued and connected to the project's direction. BlockDAG's notable presale achievements include raising fastest $50 million in record time in the history of crypto, $20 million fundraising in the last 48 hours pushing total presale funds to $150 million, selling over 16.4 billion BDAG coins, and reaching a price of $0.0234 in Batch 26, delivering a remarkable 2240% ROI for early backers. As the project advances through each batch, the $600 million goal gets closer, fueling excitement and anticipation among its supporters. This combination of advanced technology, strategic planning, and active community engagement highlights BlockDAG's appeal as it approaches its launch, promising significant returns for early participants. Final Insights The rise of the crypto market to a $3.13 trillion cap underlines its vast potential, driving exceptional inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and pushing Ethereum towards a $10 billion target. Amidst this explosive growth, BlockDAG leads with groundbreaking technology, a robust community, and significant fundraising, racing towards its $600 million target. As the window for early access narrows, now is the time to engage with BlockDAG, a project with tremendous potential for substantial returns. Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network Website: https://blockdag.network Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.On Friday, NASCAR officially closed the 2024 season with the annual awards banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. For the third consecutive year, the star-studded black-tie event honored drivers from the Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series for their accomplishments during the 2024 season. Chase Elliot, Joey Logano, Rajah Karuth, Ty Majeski, and Justin Allgaier were among the top names honored at the banquet. Though several nominees were in each category, Elliot, Logano, Karuth, Majeski, and Allgaier once again proved why they’re among NASCAR’s best. About the Award Categories Award categories honored on Friday included the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, the Bill France Award of Excellence, the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, the NPMA Myers Brothers Award, and the Comcast Community Champion of the Year. Each of the five awards has a unique purpose. The nominees are typically a mixture of drivers, contributors, and community members. One of the most impactful awards is the Comcast Community Champion of the Year, which honors a person working within NASCAR for making the world a better place through service and sacrifice. The National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award honors drivers from Craftsman, Xfinity, and the Cup Series. Additionally, the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award goes to the person who contributes to making a difference in the lives of children and their families. Contributions can be through giving or volunteering at children’s charities or organizations. Similarly, the Bill France Award of Excellence recognizes those who have made the most impact while working or driving for NASCAR. Lastly, the NMPA Myers Brothers Award honors groups or individuals whose contributions have impacted stock-car racing as a sport, but who walked away with these prestigious honors? NMPA Most Popular Driver Award Chase Elliot, driver of the No.9 for Hendrick Motorsports and son of veteran driver Bill Elliot, was awarded the NMPA Most Popular Driver for the seventh consecutive year. The only other driver who matches this number is the legendary Bobby Allison, who passed away on November 9 at 86. However, Elliot has a lot of work to do if he plans to match up with his father, who has received the honor 15 times. Even so, Elliot graciously accepted his award but still struggles to understand the impact of his popularity on fans and NASCAR as a sport. He doesn’t see himself as an icon or use his time behind the wheel for popularity. For Elliot, the sport is a way to escape the stresses of the natural world, and he describes it as his haven. He understands the appeal of idolizing an athlete because he’s an avid football fan, and like everyone else, he has that one athlete he idolizes. Yet, he can’t accept placing himself in the same category even though he beat out nominees Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch. “It’s always tough for me to accept and understand the impact that we have,” Elliott said. “I just don’t look at myself that way at all.” “Some days, I have to remind myself that I look at it like this : I’m a huge sports fan. I love sports. And sports are a great escape for so many things that we deal with as human beings.” NMPA Most Popular Xfinity Driver Like Elliot, Xfinity driver Justin Allgaier was again crowned the most popular driver in Charlotte for the fifth consecutive year. Though he’s been on the track for 15 years, Allgaier celebrated the single best moment in his career history at Phoenix Raceway on November 9. With tears in his eyes and pride in his heart, the JR Motorsports driver crossed the finish line to clinch his first series title, so Friday was more or less a dual celebration. In a heartwarming acceptance speech, the popular Xfinity driver tearfully thanked his family for their support and sacrifice. Allgaier closed his speech by toasting Xfinity’s outgoing director, Wayne Auton, who plans to step down in 2025. The driver only had a few minutes to finish the speech but thanked everyone attending the banquet. He mentioned how it was an honor to compete amongst each of his Xfinity brethren. “To all of you in this room tonight: You are such an unbelievably talented group that pushes me to be better every single day,” said Allgaier. “It’s an honor to compete alongside of you week in and week out. This Xfinity Series is a special place, and that’s clear by what we get to do every single week at the race track.” NMPA Most Popular Craftsman Truck Series Driver The last of the NMPA’s most popular driver award honors went to Rajah Caruth. Caruth, driver of the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, was surprised by his nomination. The young driver deserved the honor, especially after clinching his first Craftsman Championship title at Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March. The win earned him the honor of being the third African American, with Bubba Wallace and Wendell Scott, to win a national NASCAR race. It was only his second season as a Craftsman Driver, but what better way to be recognized? NMPA Myers Brothers Award Greg Biffle, who earned 19 wins, 13 poles, and 175 top-tens during his stint with NASCAR, running in the Nationwide, Craftsman, and Cup Series’, was honored with the Myers Brother Award . He was chosen for the award for his lasting impact on the sport and his selflessness in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Biffle spent time in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, aiding those devastated by the storm’s damage in late September. According to insiders, he boarded a helicopter to survey the damages and aided those stranded in the debris. Biffle’s kind act led NASCAR’s “Operation Helidrop” efforts to supply survivors with food, water, and shelter. During a solo flyover of the region affected by Helene’s wrath, he stopped to help a man trapped under debris who, desperate for help, summoned him using a lone piece of mirror. Once the helicopter landed, the former NASCAR great safely rendered the help the man and those in the surrounding area required. Logano spoke fondly of Greg Biffle during a speech, noting that this standard of excellence and selflessness makes him proud to represent NASCAR as a sport. Bill France Award of Excellence Without excellent contributors, drivers wouldn’t have the tools to help make NASCAR into the $158 million entity it is today, and there’s no better example than David Wilson. Wilson, the principal of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), who has assisted the franchise for 35 years, received the highest honor when he accepted the Bill France Award of Excellence on Friday. It was an emotional moment for Wilson, who was announced by long-time NASCAR executive and friend Jim France. Wilson has singlehandedly made the most impact on NASCAR, contributing to driver development and overseeing the beginning of TRD’s presence in the Series Championships with veteran Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and 63-time cup winner Kyle Busch. Despite numerous successes under his leadership, NASCAR’s drivers and team owners will see a new face in 2025. After announcing his retirement in August, Wilson plans to pass his leadership torch to TRD General Manager Tyler Gibbs. “I’m still soaking it in. I had no idea.” I’m beyond humbled and incredibly grateful,” Wilson said. Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Unlike other Friday awards honoring drivers and franchise contributors, the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award stands out the most. Perhaps it’s because it’s the only honor awarded to a fan. An avid NASCAR fan and humanitarian, Judy Simmons was awarded for selfless volunteer work at the non-profit disaster relief organization “God’s Pit Crew.” A native of Axton, Virginia, Simmons works closely with the organization to ensure that families across the United States are aided during a significant weather event. She has worked with 1,500 disaster response team members for over six years, providing everyday essentials for families who have lost everything. Nichole Krieger, who presented Simmons with the $100,000 award, mentioned no one is more deserving of the award. She added that she’s an incredible person who has profoundly impacted families recovering from crises with her valiant volunteers at “God’s Pit Crew.” “Judy is an incredible person doing impactful work for families that have experienced hardship due to natural disasters, especially during the difficult times faced in Western North Carolina this year,” said Nichole Krieger. The NASCAR Foundation Vice President and Executive Director. Final Thoughts The NASCAR banquet in Charlotte was a night that honored service, sacrifice, and champions as it does every year. Yet, it seemed to have a different feel on Friday night and a turning point for NASCAR as a sport. There was an overwhelming sense of warmth in the room, and everyone was gracious and humbled by the support. Joey Logano and Ty Majeski presented speeches that moved audience members in recognition of their respective championship titles. In addition to the other awards received, it was a moment of celebration, and all the attendees were full of smiles. This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

The South Carolina women's basketball team has been defeated for the first time since March 31, 2023. The No. 1 Gamecocks fell Sunday in Los Angeles as Lauren Betts posted a double-double effort to lead No. 5 UCLA to a 77-62 triumph. The Gamecocks (5-1) suffered their first defeat after 43 consecutive victories, dating back to the loss to Iowa 77-73 in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. South Carolina defeated Iowa last season for the national championship. Betts finished with 11 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks to power the Bruins (5-0) to a historic victory. UCLA also got 15 points from Londynn Jones on 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, 13 points from Elina Aarnisalo and 11 each from Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jacquez. It's the first time UCLA has beaten South Carolina since 1981. The Bruins lost twice to the Gamecocks in the 2022-23 season, including in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Te-Hina Paopao had 18 points for South Carolina on 4-of-4 3-point shooting, while Tessa Johnson had 14 points. UCLA won the rebounding battle 41-34, marking the second time this season the Gamecocks have been outrebounded. South Carolina also got outscored in the paint 26-18. It's rare that a Dawn Staley-coached team -- units that typically revolve around dominant centers from A'ja Wilson to Aaliyah Boston to Kamilla Cardoso -- gets beat in the paint and on the glass, but with 6-foot-7 Betts, UCLA had the recipe to outmuscle the Gamecocks in those areas of the game. South Carolina never led after UCLA began the game with an 18-5 run, capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from Jones. The Gamecocks cut the deficit to nine points in the second quarter, but the Bruins responded with a 17-5 run and entered halftime ahead by 21 points. Aarnisalo scored seven points during that run. From there, the Gamecocks never got within single digits of the lead in the second half. It's the first time in 21 tries that UCLA has beaten an AP-ranked No. 1 team. And it's the first time South Carolina lost a true road game since 2021, a streak of 33 games. The schedule doesn't get any easier for South Carolina. While UCLA faces UT Martin next on Friday, the Gamecocks play No. 8 Iowa State on Thursday. --Field Level MediaChuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83

How the ‘RHOC’ Cast Pulled Off the Best Real Housewives Season in YearsThough temperatures have already started to drop in some parts of the country, winter doesn't officially begin until mid-December. Here's what to know about the winter solstice, the astronomical start to the snowy season and the shortest day of the year. 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are What is the winter solstice? The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter. It's different from the beginning of the meteorological winter, which is based on our 12-month calendar. To answer this question more completely, let's go back to middle school science class for a minute. The Earth rotates in two primary ways: first, it moves in a big circle around the sun; second, it spins around an axis like a top, creating day and night. That axis is tilted on a slight angle, causing the Northern and Southern hemispheres to receive different amounts of sunlight at different times of the year. So, though we tend to think about the winter solstice as a day-long event, the term actually refers to a precise moment at which one half of the Earth — either the top or the bottom — is tilted the furthest away from the sun, meaning that that half of the planet sees the fewest hours of sunlight it will see all year. Though the winter solstice marks the shortest day of each year, it also signals an increase in the amount of sunlight each day for the next six months. Holidays From gift guides to local events, we're here to help you celebrate in style. A Thanksgiving survival guide for parents of picky eaters Takeout Thanksgiving: 27 restaurants offering grab-and-go meals for the holiday Similarly, the day when the Earth's tilt is closest to the sun is called the summer solstice. It's the longest day of the year and marks the astronomical beginning of summer. When is the winter solstice? In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs every year on Dec. 21 or 22. This year, it falls on Dec. 21. The summer solstice is six months later around June 21. For people who live below the equator, however, those days are flipped. Their winter solstice occurs in June, while their summer solstice happens in December. What's an equinox? Each year, there are two equinoxes — one in the spring, and one in the fall. During the equinoxes, the sun is directly above the Earth's equator, meaning there are equal amounts of sunlight and darkness on those two days. The vernal equinox, which happens in March in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the astrological end of winter. In September, the autumnal equinox signals the astrological end of summer. When are the next astrological season changes? Below is a list of the astronomical season changes we can expect to see following the upcoming winter solstice next month: Vernal Equinox (Spring): Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:01 a.m. Summer Solstice (Summer): Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:42 p.m. Autumnal Equinox (Fall): Monday, September 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m. Can you see the winter solstice? Sort of. Each day, the sun traces a path across the sky, rising in the east and setting in the west. As the winter solstice approaches and the number of hours of sunlight in a day decreases, the sun's path sinks lower in the sky, though it follows the same general arc. By the time the winter solstice arrives, the sun sits at the lowest position in the sky it can. As a result, the shadow you cast becomes longer and longer as the winter solstice approaches. So, while solstices aren't nearly as visible as eclipses, if you go outside at noon on the winter solstice, your shadow will be the longest it will be all year.DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much that they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out of the activity” of buying a new vehicle, Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. Stellantis and VW import about 40% of the vehicles they sell from Canada and Mexico, while it's 30% for GM and 25% for Ford. GM and Stellantis import more than half of their high-profit pickup trucks from the two countries, according to Bernstein. If Trump does impose the tariffs in January, the auto industry would have little time to adjust, putting operating profits at risk for the automakers, Roeska said in an email. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit the stocks of some companies that could be particularly hurt, such as auto manufacturers and Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States. But the overall market held relatively steady near records as investors saw Trump’s proposal as more of an opening position for negotiations rather than as a definitive policy. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if they are implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won't make any moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. To move to the U.S., they would have to buy equipment and revamp their parts supply chain, which can take years. “I think everyone is going to be in a wait-and-see mode,” Whiston said. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry just as these businesses continue their long recovery from the pandemic,” the council said in a statement. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs on to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together on the challenges they face. "This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's transition team wouldn't comment on the call. Also Monday, Trump turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned on Monday that there will be losers on all sides if there is a trade war. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden. The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA and is up for review in 2026. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what authority he would use, what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report. Tom Krisher And Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press

Federal Reserve policymakers unanimously decided to reduce interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 4.5%-4.75% during their November meeting, as they expressed confidence that inflation was moving sustainably toward their 2% target, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday. Participants highlighted several factors expected to maintain downward pressure on inflation, including diminishing business pricing power, the Fed’s restrictive monetary policy stance, and well-anchored long-term inflation expectations. Easing Inflation, But Core Pressures Persist The minutes revealed that nearly all participants believed the latest data supported the view that inflation was steadily moderating, albeit with volatility in month-to-month readings. Inflation, they noted, had eased significantly from its peak. However, core inflation measures—excluding volatile food and energy prices—remained “somewhat elevated.” Policymakers also discussed upside risks to inflation, including potential disruptions in global supply chains due to geopolitical events, a faster-than-anticipated loosening of financial conditions, unexpectedly robust consumer spending, persistent shelter price increases, and surging insurance costs across health, automotive, and housing sectors. Resilient Economy and Labor Market Underpin Consumer Spending Economic data reviewed at the meeting pointed to stronger-than-expected growth in consumer spending and overall economic activity. While participants generally agreed that the labor market remained solid, they emphasized the importance of closely monitoring indicators for signs of softening, which could influence the Fed’s future policy direction. “Participants remarked that consumption had been supported by a solid labor market, rising real wages, and elevated household wealth,” the minutes stated. Diverging Views on Monetary Policy Adjustments The minutes also shed light on varying perspectives regarding the Fed’s next steps. While some participants suggested the central bank could pause its easing cycle and hold rates at restrictive levels if inflation remained sticky, others indicated that policy easing could be accelerated if economic conditions weakened, such as a downturn in the labor market or a notable slowdown in economic activity. “Many participants observed that uncertainties concerning the level of the neutral rate of interest complicated the assessment of the degree of restrictiveness of monetary policy and, in their view, made it appropriate to reduce policy restraint gradually,” according to the November minutes. Market Reactions The release of the Fed meeting minutes had little impact on short-term interest rate markets. Fed funds futures continued to show a 59% probability of another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, unchanged from market expectations prior to the minutes’ publication. The U.S. dollar index (DXY), tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ET F UUP , held steady, gaining 0.2% on the day. Meanwhile, Treasury yields saw marginal changes, with the 10-year Treasury yield broadly holding at 4.32%. The S&P 500 index – tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY – also held its marginal session gains, up 0.3%. Read Next: Consumer Confidence Hits 2-Year High As Recession Fears Fade: Stock Market Optimism Soars To Record High Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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The South Carolina women's basketball team has been defeated for the first time since March 31, 2023. The No. 1 Gamecocks fell Sunday in Los Angeles as Lauren Betts posted a double-double effort to lead No. 5 UCLA to a 77-62 triumph. The Gamecocks (5-1) suffered their first defeat after 43 consecutive victories, dating back to the loss to Iowa 77-73 in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. South Carolina defeated Iowa last season for the national championship. Betts finished with 11 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks to power the Bruins (5-0) to a historic victory. UCLA also got 15 points from Londynn Jones on 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, 13 points from Elina Aarnisalo and 11 each from Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jacquez. It's the first time UCLA has beaten South Carolina since 1981. The Bruins lost twice to the Gamecocks in the 2022-23 season, including in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Te-Hina Paopao had 18 points for South Carolina on 4-of-4 3-point shooting, while Tessa Johnson had 14 points. UCLA won the rebounding battle 41-34, marking the second time this season the Gamecocks have been outrebounded. South Carolina also got outscored in the paint 26-18. It's rare that a Dawn Staley-coached team -- units that typically revolve around dominant centers from A'ja Wilson to Aaliyah Boston to Kamilla Cardoso -- gets beat in the paint and on the glass, but with 6-foot-7 Betts, UCLA had the recipe to outmuscle the Gamecocks in those areas of the game. South Carolina never led after UCLA began the game with an 18-5 run, capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from Jones. The Gamecocks cut the deficit to nine points in the second quarter, but the Bruins responded with a 17-5 run and entered halftime ahead by 21 points. Aarnisalo scored seven points during that run. From there, the Gamecocks never got within single digits of the lead in the second half. It's the first time in 21 tries that UCLA has beaten an AP-ranked No. 1 team. And it's the first time South Carolina lost a true road game since 2021, a streak of 33 games. The schedule doesn't get any easier for South Carolina. While UCLA faces UT Martin next on Friday, the Gamecocks play No. 8 Iowa State on Thursday. --Field Level MediaPathstone Holdings LLC lowered its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. ( NYSE:MSD – Free Report ) by 42.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 485,609 shares of the company’s stock after selling 354,200 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund were worth $3,851,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 21.8% during the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 17,099 shares of the company’s stock worth $126,000 after purchasing an additional 3,058 shares during the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 66.7% during the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 20,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $147,000 after acquiring an additional 8,000 shares during the last quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 29.3% during the third quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 38,549 shares of the company’s stock worth $306,000 after acquiring an additional 8,742 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $74,000. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 2nd quarter worth $99,000. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Performance MSD stock opened at $7.70 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $7.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.58. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. has a 52-week low of $6.51 and a 52-week high of $8.21. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Announces Dividend Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Profile ( Free Report ) Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe. It primarily invests in debt securities of government and government-related issuers, of entities organized to restructure outstanding debt of such issuers and debt securities of corporate issuers in or organized under the laws of emerging countries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. ( NYSE:MSD – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Warriors might trade for $48 million former Celtics rim protector | Sporting News

November 24 - Andrej Stojakovic made 11 free throws to help craft a team-high 20 points, freshman Jeremiah Wilkinson had his second consecutive big game off the bench and Cal ran its winning streak to three with an 83-77 nonconference victory over Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Wilkinson finished with 16 points and Rytis Petraitis 13 for the Golden Bears (5-1), whose only loss this season was at Vanderbilt. Jacob Holt went for a season-high 25 points for the Hornets (1-4), who dropped their fourth straight after a season-opening win over Cal State Maritime. Seeking a fourth straight home win, Cal led by as many as 12 points in the first half and 40-33 at halftime before Sacramento State rallied. The Hornets used a 14-5 burst out of the gate following the intermission to grab a 47-45 lead. Julian Vaughns had a 3-pointer and three-point play in the run. But Cal dominated pretty much the rest of the game, taking the lead for good on a Petraitis 3-pointer with 14:50 remaining. Stojakovic, a transfer from rival Stanford, went 11-for-15 at the foul line en route to his third 20-point game of the young season. Cal outscored Sacramento State 26-17 on free throws to more than account for the margin of victory. Coming off a 23-point explosion in his first extended action of the season, Wilkinson hit five of his 10 shots Sunday. The Golden Bears outshot the Hornets 47.2 percent to 43.1 percent. Joshua Ola-Joseph contributed 10 points and six rebounds, Mady Sissoko also had 10 points and Petraitis found time for a team-high five assists. Holt complemented his 25 points with a game-high eight rebounds. He made four 3-pointers, as did Vaughns en route to 18 points, helping Sacramento State outscore Cal 30-21 from beyond the arc. EJ Neal added 16 points for the Hornets, while Emil Skytta tied for game-high assist honors with five to go with seven points. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab