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Eurovision’s Harmony Disrupted by Political Discord

  In a turn of events that has brought political tensions to the forefront of a traditionally unifying event, the Eurovision Song Contest has become the stage for significant protests. The inclusion of Israel’s contestant, Eden Golan, in the Eurovision finals has sparked widespread demonstrations in Malmo, Sweden, where the contest is being held. Despite the uproar, Golan advanced to the grand final, a victory overshadowed by the voices of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters who took to the streets to express their dissent. The protests have drawn attention from political figures as well. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the protests as ‘outrageous’, aligning with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s condemnation of the events in Sweden. The demonstrations, which included prominent figures like Greta Thunberg, have been calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli government’s military offensive in Gaza. The Eurovision Song Contest, known for its eclectic mix of music an

Dow Jones Industrial Average Closes at Second-Straight Record High as Big Tech Kicks Off Earnings

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed at a second-straight record high on Tuesday, as quarterly earnings from big tech companies were released and economic data showing ongoing labor market strength was digested. The Federal Reserve also kicked off its two-day meeting on Tuesday.

Microsoft, Alphabet, and AMD kicked off the earnings season for big tech with better-than-expected quarterly earnings. The trio’s earnings come just ahead of earnings from Amazon, Apple, and Meta due later this week. Collectively, the market capitalization of Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta accounted for the bulk of S&P 500’s 24% gain in 2023.

In other tech news, Super Micro Computer rose more than 3% after the data center hardware maker reported second-quarter results that topped Wall Street estimates amid a boost from artificial intelligence-led demand.

General Motors’ stock rose nearly 7% after the auto giant provided investors with an upbeat outlook for 2024 and signaled more capital could be returned to shareholders.

The U.S. Labor Department’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, a measure of labor demand, showed job openings in December climbed to 9.03 million, above economists’ estimates of 8.75 million. The ongoing signs of labor market strength arrived on the heels of data showing consumer confidence jumped to a 2-year high. The duo of reports, signaling economic strength, pushed 2-year Treasury yields higher, as investors bet that the data will likely encourage the Fed to maintain its higher-for-longer rate regime as the central bank kicked off its two-day meeting.


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