Sunday, December 8, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 2010, Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched and recovered its Dragon rocket, becoming the first private company to accomplish the feat.

When you hear something like, "a bull in a China shop," do you ever wonder how the phrase was coined? Did a rowdy bovine actually wander into a fine retailer and start smashing plates? We may never know. We can know, however, what would happen if a bull actually did get into a China shop. Check out today's video.

Our sponsor today is Percent. If you don't know much about private credit investments, this would be a great time to learn more.

Trump Meets Leaders at Notre Dame Reopening

President-elect Donald Trump returned to the world stage on Saturday to join leaders for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Trump to Paris before holding an impromptu meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy.

The 860-year-old medieval cathedral reopened Saturday, five and a half years after being severely damaged by a fire that destroyed its spire and ceiling.

The restoration, which benefited from nearly $1 billion in donations, was the most ambitious in modern French history.

U.S. Tests Milk Supply For Bird Flu

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Friday that it will test the national milk supply for bird flu. As of Thursday, 718 dairy herds have been affected in 15 states.

Raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide will be tested on request starting Dec. 16, beginning with California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

There is no evidence that humans have ever contracted the bird flu virus as a result of drinking raw milk.

College Football Championship Week

The Power 4 conferences each crowned their football champions yesterday, and the games did not disappoint.

Top-ranked Oregon held off No. 3 Penn State, 45-37, completing the Ducks' perfect season in their Big 10 debut. The Nittany Lions nearly overcame a 15-point lead in the final four minutes, but Oregon's interception with 1:54 left all but sealed the Big 10 title.

No. 2 Texas and No. 5 Georgia needed overtime to settle their rematch. Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck injured his arm in the first half, and he didn't return until he was forced into action on the game's final play—a handoff for a Trevor Etienne touchdown that won the SEC championship, 22-19.

No. 17 Clemson's true freshman kicker, Nolan Hauser, winked at his bench before drilling a 56-yard field goal for the ACC Championship over No. 8 SMU, 34-31.

No. 15 Arizona State rolled past No. 16 Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship, 45-19. The Sun Devils were picked last in pre-season conference rankings.

The College Football Playoff committee will release final rankings at Noon ET today on ESPN, along with the 12-team playoff bracket and game locations.

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➤ The NFL will not punish Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson over the multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits filed against him, citing insufficient evidence of him violating the league’s personal conduct policy. (More)

➤ The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays are believed to be among the teams willing to spend around $700 million for free agent star Juan Soto. (More)

➤ NFL injuries: Philadelphia Eagles star receiver Devonta Smith is expected to make his return to play this week, while the Buffalo Bills could be missing top receiving targets Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid. For Monday Night Football, the Cincinnati Bengals will be without starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (See Full Injury Report)

➤ Shaedon Sharpe recorded the highest vertical jump in NBA history on Friday night, reaching 45.1 inches on this alley-oop dunk. (Watch Video)

➤ Yesterday's results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA

Today's Holiday section is brought to you by:

Food Network has dreamed up a dozen new creative Christmas cookie ideas for 2024, including a plaid Christmas sweater cookie. (See Recipes)

Melania Trump is selling four featured pieces in a new collection of Christmas ornaments called “Merry Christmas, America!” with proceeds benefiting charities. (See Details)

A Naperville, Ill. family is celebrating Taylor Swift at the holidays with a decked-out Swiftmas House. (See Photos)

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Weekly Market Report Previous Week

▲	NASDAQ Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	19,859.77	4.05%
▲	SPX S&P 500	6,090.27	1.44%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	44,642.52	-0.26%
▲	BTC Bitcoin	$99,920.71	4.46%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$2,638.60	0.08%

➤ Retailers are expecting a record amount of returned merchandise this year, a process that costs companies an average of 30% of an item’s original price. (More)

➤ Companies are considering the safety risks for top executives after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Wednesday. (More)

➤ Housing experts expect more homes to be on the market in 2025, as mortgage rates drift lower and increased inventory sparks price competition. (More)

Ladies and Gentlemen: our most-clicked stories of the week. Enjoy!

➤ This list highlights the best pancake house in every state in America, from the traditional to the exotic. (See List)

➤ Police released security camera images of the assassin who killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO in New York, including a photo of him aiming a handgun. (See Photos)

➤ A little dog proudly carries a big stick, not caring how many large dogs he bangs into along the way. (See Video)

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➤ Tired of Popping Ibuprofen? This Natural Alternative Has Doctors Talking

What if that bottle of ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet isn't actually your best defense against inflammation? Scientists have uncovered something fascinating about a natural compound found in certain foods – it works along the same pathways as anti-inflammatory pills, but with an interesting twist. While ibuprofen offers temporary relief, this natural alternative might be doing something far more powerful for your body. The evidence has even convinced some doctors to change their recommendations. (Learn More)

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➤ Americans estimate they’ll spend over $1,000 on Christmas gifts this year, up slightly from last year, according to a new Gallup poll. (See Survey)

➤ Winners of the International Landscape Photographer Awards highlight stunning images from around the globe. (See Photos)

➤ What does a frog sound like? Here are examples of eight different species of frogs, with sounds ranging from pig oinks to a revving motorcycle. (Hear Sounds)

➤ Explainer: Analysts say the surprise Syrian rebel offensive this week, recapturing the cities of Aleppo and Hama and now moving into Homs, could be a Mideast turning point. (See Analysis)

➤ The “Pink City” of Jaipur has been one of India’s most picturesque and exotic destinations since the 1600s. (See Photos)

➤ A Wisconsin nature preserve has hired an employee who gets paid in toys and treats—he’s a vest-wearing chocolate Labrador who helps with conservation work. (See Photo)

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