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Dow futures roseOver 100 points on Thursday. This is a loss of larger gains from earlier periods. Nasdaq futures fell as AppleThe premarket dropped by 3% Bloomberg reportsAfter snapping a 2-day winning streak on Wednesday, the tech giant has informed its suppliers that iPhone 13 has been in decline. This is The Dow Jones Industrial AverageAfter confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wednesday saw an almost 1,000 point swing first case of the Covid omicron variant in the U.S.8.30 a.m. ET: One hour prior to Wall Street’s open bell on Thursday morning, the weekly unemployment claims are expected to increase to 240,000, following the previous week’s 199,000. their lowest level since 1969.

• On Wednesday, the Dow gained 520 points to its highest point but closed off 461 points, or more than 1.3%,This is the second consecutive down session and it’s third since Friday’s 2.5% omicron driven plunge.
• The S&P 500The NasdaqThese patterns are similar to the Dow’s Friday close, at 6.6% less than its Nov.8 record.
• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were, respectively, 4.2% and 5% shy of their Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 record closes.

Travel rules are being tightened by the Biden administration. All international travelers will be required to take Covid tests within 24 hours after their departures. Mask requirements for domestic and inter-country flights through March 18th will also be extended. These changes were announced on Thursday. were part of a broader planin order to support the fight against the virus. This is as the world approaches its third year with the pandemic. Scientists are racing to learn more about the Omicron variant that was first identified in South Africa on Friday. There have been 23 countries, including the U.S., that have confirmed omicron cases. This number will likely increase in the days and weeks ahead.

President Joe BidenThis Thursday asked businessesTo voluntarily continue with administration’s Covid vaccination and testing requirements even though the rules are being challenged in court. Last week, Justice Department officials asked U.S. Appeals Court 6th Circuit to reinstate vaccination requirements and test requirements. Biden administration officials informed the court that there is a “continuing and overwhelming threat to workers.” This request was made by the U.S. government and international health officials. They are worried that Omicron (which has approximately 50 mutations) could be more transmittable than previous strains and might not receive vaccine protection.

After stepping down, it was two days later that he became TwitterOn Monday, the CEO SquareThe CEO Jack DorseyOn Wednesday, he announced that a second company he founded was now his. was changing its corporate nameTo Block was launched Dec. 10 to represent its cryptocurrency and blockchain ambitions beyond the use of its mobile credit card reader. Square was founded in 2009. Since then, it has added a peer to-peer digital banking app, small business lending and received a bank charter. It also started stock trading and crypto currency. Square acquired Afterpay, a buy-now-pay-later service provider and Jay-Z’s Tidal music streaming platform. The company is also increasing its focus on bitcoinTBD is a business that specializes in crypto. Block will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “SQ”.

The collective bargaining agreement for Major League Baseball officially ended at midnight on Thursday. team owners voted to lock out playersAfter failing to negotiate a new contract. It is the first such work stoppage in the MLB since the 1994 player strike that was 233 days long and resulted in the cancellation of the World Series. MLB Players Association called the shutdown “dramatic”, but stated that it is determined to reach a negotiated CBA which’s fair for all and gives fans access to the greatest version of the sport they love. Commissioner Rob Manfred called the lockout “necessary” and stated that the MLBPA vision for the league “would compromise the ability of many teams to remain competitive.”

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