S&P 500 ends near flat as energy, defensive sectors counter megacap declines

By Saeed Azhar and Amruta Khandekar NEW YORK (Reuters) – The S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Friday as gains in defensive sectors and energy offset weakness in megacap growth stocks, while investors looked toward next week’s speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Megacap technology-related growth stocks dipped, with Alphabet down 1.9% and Tesla…

Read More

Bolsonaro’s legal woes mount as Brazil police probe his finances

By Ricardo Brito and Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) -Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faced mounting legal pressure on Friday, as police probed his personal finances and communications while a jailed former aide mulled testifying about his role in a Rolex-peddling scheme allegedly masterminded by the ex-president. Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain, narrowly missed re-election…

Read More

Disney Counters DeSantis in Retaliation, Following Ron’s Attempt to Move Forward

Mickey Mouse Takes Aim at Republican Candidate Ron DeSantis Recent developments have thrust Republican contender Ron DeSantis into an unexpected legal tussle with an iconic media giant. DeSantis, whose victorious 2018 Florida gubernatorial campaign was underscored by the rallying cry “Run With Ron,” now faces a legal challenge from the Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS). The…

Read More

After killing of Ecuador candidate Villavicencio, speculation and recrimination

By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) -The murder of Ecuadorean presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio has led to a frenzy of speculation from politicians across the spectrum, including from allies who were with him in the moments before he died, about why he was killed and why he was not better protected. Villavicencio, who was gunned down…

Read More