All three major U.S. stock indexes closed at record highs on Wednesday, fueled by a strong rally in technology shares and encouraging comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Salesforce’s positive earnings report and upbeat market sentiment contributed to the surge, while Powell’s remarks on the economy provided an additional boost.
The Trump-Vance transition team announced Tuesday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Justice, allowing the FBI to conduct background checks and security clearances for cabinet nominees and incoming White House staff. The agreement follows a period of hesitation by the transition team, citing distrust of the FBI. Traditionally, the FBI is responsible for vetting cabinet nominees and managing security clearances, but the process had been delayed due to the lack of an agreement.
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Monica Crowley for several prominent positions in his administration, including Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States. Trump made the announcement on Wednesday via Truth Social, emphasizing her critical role in representing the U.S. at major international events during his upcoming presidency.
Belgian authorities have launched a fraud investigation into former European Union Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, just days after his term ended. The probe, announced Wednesday, centers on potential money laundering activities, according to the Brussels prosecutor general’s office.
Chicago police are searching for suspects involved in a shooting that left three dead and five wounded in a Chicago Lawn home on Monday afternoon. Police Chief Jon Hein vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, calling the incident a "heinous, terrible" crime.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could favor Moscow. Rutte expressed concerns that such an agreement could embolden adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea, creating long-term security risks for both Europe and the United States.
