Category: News
Autoridades reanudan búsqueda del tirador de Universidad de Brown tras liberar a persona de interés
Por KIMBERLEE KRUESI y AMANDA SWINHART
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, EE.UU. (AP) — La policía renovó su búsqueda el lunes del pistolero que mató a dos estudiantes de la Universidad de Brown e hirió a otros nueve, un día después de que liberaran a una persona de interés tras determinar que las pruebas apuntaban “en una dirección diferente”.
Las autoridades anunciaron la liberación del hombre en una conferencia de prensa el domingo por la noche, marcando un revés en la investigación del ataque del sábado en el campus en Rhode Island.
Se desmoronó el progreso que las autoridades pensaban que habían logrado al inicio del día cuando anunciaron que lo habían detenido en un hotel de Rhode Island en relación con el ataque y levantaron el confinamiento del campus.
El alcalde de Providence, Brett Smiley, declaró que entiende que la comunidad está ansiosa, pero que no ha habido amenazas creíbles de más violencia desde el tiroteo.
No hay sospechoso actual
La liberación de la persona de interés dejó a las fuerzas del orden sin ningún sospechoso conocido, con los funcionarios comprometiéndose a redoblar sus esfuerzos buscando videos de vigilancia que pudieran ayudar a identificar al asesino.
“Tenemos un asesino suelto”, indicó el fiscal general Peter Neronha.
El domingo por la mañana, los funcionarios detuvieron a una persona de interés en un Hampton Inn en Coventry, Rhode Island, a unos 32 kilómetros (unas 20 millas) de Providence. Dos personas familiarizadas con el asunto identificaron a ese individuo como un hombre de 24 años de Wisconsin, aunque las autoridades nunca revelaron su nombre.
“Tengo la suficiente experiencia como para saber que a veces te diriges en una dirección y luego tienes que reagruparte e ir en otra, y eso es exactamente lo que ha sucedido en las últimas 24 horas más o menos”, señaló Neronha.
Agregó que había algunas pruebas que apuntaban al hombre que las autoridades detuvieron, pero “esas pruebas necesitaban ser corroboradas y confirmadas. Y en las últimas 24 horas, hasta hace muy, muy poco, esas pruebas ahora apuntan en una dirección diferente”.
Las autoridades creen que están buscando a una persona mostrada en un breve clip de video caminando, sostuvo el alcalde. La persona está de espaldas a la cámara.
“En este momento, no tenemos ninguna evidencia que sugiera que fue más que ese individuo”, aseguró Smiley el lunes en “Good Morning America” de ABC.
A pesar de una mayor presencia policial en Brown, los funcionarios no están recomendando otra orden de refugiarse como la que siguió al tiroteo del sábado por la tarde, cuando cientos de policías buscaron al atacante e instaron a los estudiantes y al personal a permanecer en el interior.
El tiroteo ocurrió en un momento concurrido en el campus
El tiroteo ocurrió mientras se llevaban a cabo los exámenes finales.
El pistolero abrió fuego dentro de un aula en el edificio de ingeniería, disparando más de 40 rondas con una pistola de 9mm, reveló una fuente policial a AP. Se recuperaron dos pistolas cuando la persona de interés fue detenida y las autoridades también encontraron dos cargadores llenos de 30 balas, dijo el funcionario, que no estaba autorizado para discutir la investigación públicamente y habló con AP bajo condición de anonimato.
Los investigadores no estaban seguros de cómo el tirador entró en el aula del primer piso en un complejo de siete pisos que alberga la Escuela de Ingeniería y el departamento de física.
El ataque desató horas de caos en el campus y en los vecindarios circundantes, mientras cientos de policías buscaban al tirador. Un video mostró a estudiantes en una biblioteca temblando y gimiendo al escuchar fuertes golpes justo antes de que la policía entrara en la sala para despejar el edificio.
Durante el confinamiento, que no se levantó hasta el domingo, después de que la persona de interés fue detenida, muchos estudiantes permanecieron atrincherados en habitaciones mientras otros se escondían detrás de muebles y estanterías mientras la policía buscaba al tirador.
Uno de los nueve estudiantes heridos ha sido dado de alta del hospital, aseveró Paxson el domingo. Otros siete estaban en condición crítica pero estable, y uno estaba en condición crítica.
El domingo por la noche, líderes de la ciudad, residentes y otros se reunieron en un parque para honrar a las víctimas. El evento originalmente estaba programado como un encendido de árbol de Navidad y menorá de Janucá.
Smiley manifestó que visitó a algunos estudiantes heridos y se sintió inspirado por su valentía, esperanza y gratitud. “La resiliencia que estos sobrevivientes mostraron y compartieron conmigo es, francamente, bastante abrumadora”, dijo.
Brown, la séptima institución de educación superior más antigua en Estados Unidos, es una de las universidades más prestigiosas del país, con aproximadamente 7.300 estudiantes de pregrado y más de 3.000 estudiantes de posgrado. La escuela canceló todas las clases y exámenes restantes del semestre.
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Contribuyeron a esta nota los corresponsales Holly Ramer en Concord, Nueva Hampshire; Jennifer McDermott en Providence; Christopher Weber en Los Ángeles; y Alanna Durkin Richer, Mike Balsamo y Eric Tucker en Washington.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Authorities renew search for the Brown University shooter after releasing a person of interest
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Police renewed their search Monday for the gunman who killed two Brown University students and wounded nine others, a day after they released a person of interest after determining the evidence pointed “in a different direction.”
Authorities announced the man’s release at news conference late Sunday, marking a setback in the investigation into Saturday’s attack on the Ivy League school’s campus.
It unraveled progress authorities thought they had made at the start of the day when they announced they had detained him at a Rhode Island hotel in connection with the attack and lifted a campus lockdown.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he understands that the community is anxious, but that there have been no credible threats of further violence since the shooting.
No current suspect in deadly shooting
The release of the person of interest left law enforcement without any known suspect, with officials pledging to redouble their efforts by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killer’s identity.
“We have a murderer out there,” said Attorney General Peter Neronha.
On Sunday morning, officials took into custody a person of interest at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence. Two people familiar with the matter identified that individual as a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, though authorities never released his name.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another, and that’s exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so,” Neronha said.
He said there was some evidence that pointed to the man authorities detained, but “that evidence needed to be corroborated and confirmed. And over the last 24 hours leading into just very, very recently, that evidence now points in a different direction.”
Authorities believe they are looking for a person shown in a small, short clip of video footage walking away, the mayor said. The person’s back is to the camera.
“Right now, we don’t have any evidence to suggest that it was more than that individual,” Smiley said Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Despite an enhanced police presence at Brown, officials are not recommending another shelter-in-place order like the one that followed the Saturday afternoon shooting, when hundreds of officers searched for the attacker and urged students and staff to remain indoors.
Shooting happened at a busy time on campus
The shooting occurred as final exams were underway.
The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, getting off more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told AP. Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity.
Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom in a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department.
The attack set off hours of chaos on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods, as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter. One video showed students in a library shaking and wincing as they heard loud bangs just before police entered the room to clear the building.
During the lockdown, which wasn’t lifted until Sunday, after the person of interest was taken into custody, many students remained barricaded in rooms while others hid behind furniture and bookshelves as police searched for the shooter.
One of the nine wounded students has been released from the hospital, Paxson said Sunday. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition.
On Sunday evening, city leaders, residents and others gathered at a park to honor the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting.
Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me, is frankly pretty overwhelming,” he said.
Brown, the seventh-oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges, with roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. The school canceled all remaining classes and exams for the semester.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/brown-university-shooter/
Juez dominicano envía a prisión a siete exfuncionarios por millonario fraude en seguro de salud
Associated Press
SANTO DOMINGO (AP) — Un juez dominicano ordenó la prisión preventiva de siete exfuncionarios del Seguro Nacional de Salud (SENASA) y tres empresarios del sector por su presunta participación en un esquema de corrupción que desvió más de 250 millones de dólares del presupuesto asignado a la cobertura de medicamentos, consultas y procedimientos para los afiliados del seguro estatal.
Los fiscales señalaron como supuesto cabecilla de la estructura al exdirector del SENASA, Santiago Marcelo F. Hazim Albainy, quien fue designado en esa posición en agosto de 2020. Hazim habría aceptado sobornos de representantes de grupos médicos que obtuvieron contratos por servicios proporcionados falsamente a personas que ya estaban muertas o por procedimientos costosos que nunca se hicieron.
Hazim deberá cumplir 18 meses de prisión preventiva junto a otros seis exfuncionarios que presuntamente participaron en el esquema. Todos están acusados de colusión, soborno, fraude, malversación de fondos y lavado de dinero.
Asimismo ordenó el arresto domiciliario, el impedimento de salida del país y garantías económicas para el empresario médico Eduardo Read Estrella, así como para otras dos ejecutivas del sector privado.
“Es la operación más grave de corrupción que ha presentado el Ministerio Público hasta este momento. ¿Por qué decimos esto? Porque es un atentado directo a un derecho fundamental de las personas, aquí estamos hablando de que se robó, se sustrajo, dinero de la salud y no de la salud de cualquiera, del seguro de salud de los más pobres”, dijo Mirna Ortiz, fiscal titular de Procuraduría Especializada de Persecución de la Corrupción Administrativa (PEPCA) al depositar la acusación.
El abogado de Hazim, Miguel Valerio, había solicitado que su cliente no fuera enviado a prisión ni puesto bajo arresto domiciliario debido a problemas de salud que lo han obligado a buscar tratamiento en Estados Unidos.
Mientras tanto, los abogados de Estrella han afirmado que está cooperando con las autoridades.
El juez dio a la fiscalía ocho meses para finalizar su investigación.
“Es una decisión histórica que ha dado este tribunal y que la ha basado fundamentalmente en tres elementos: uno de esos elementos ha sido la gravedad de los hechos que el juez ha reconocido y que, incluso, los ha calificado como crueles y muy graves”, declaró a la prensa el procurador adjunto Wilson Camacho tras la decisión del juez.
Mientras en el tribunal se conocía el caso, que se prolongó hasta altas horas de la noche del domingo, cientos se manifestaban en las afueras exigiendo justicia y que no se beneficiara con acuerdos y privilegios a los involucrados.
Alemania enfrentará a Ghana en amistoso previo al Mundial en lugar de Costa de Marfil
FRANKFURT, Alemania (AP) — Alemania enfrentará a Ghana en marzo para prepararse para la Copa del Mundo después de que el sorteo bloqueara un amistoso planeado contra Costa de Marfil.
Alemania y Ghana confirmaron el lunes que jugarán en Stuttgart el 30 de marzo, tres días después del duelo de visita ante Suiza para el equipo de Julian Nagelsmann.
Se había anunciado que Costa de Marfil sería el oponente de Alemania en Stuttgart, pero ese partido tuvo que ser cancelado después de que los dos equipos fueran sorteados en el mismo grupo de la Copa del Mundo, junto con Ecuador y Curazao.
Alemania también tiene planes para partidos contra Finlandia y Estados Unidos más cerca del torneo.
El entrenador de Ghana es Otto Addo, nacido en Alemania, quien jugó para Ghana y ganó el título de la liga alemana como jugador con el Borussia Dortmund.
“Esperamos con muchas ganas el enfrentamiento con el equipo de Otto”, afirmó el entrenador de Alemania, Nagelsmann. “Su fuerte juego de transición puede darnos una idea de lo que esperar en el partido del grupo de la Copa del Mundo contra Costa de Marfil”.
Después de las derrotas en amistosos contra Corea del Sur y Japón el mes pasado, el partido contra Alemania ofrece a Ghana la oportunidad de prepararse contra una nación que ha ganado la Copa del Mundo cuatro veces antes de enfrentar un complicado grupo que incluye a Inglaterra, Croacia y Panamá en la Copa del Mundo.
“Esta es una oportunidad increíble para nosotros de ponernos a prueba contra uno de los mejores equipos del mundo”, indicó Addo. “Alemania es un buen equipo, y estamos ansiosos por enfrentarlos en Stuttgart”.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Key Events This Very Busy Week: Jobs, Payrolls, CPI. Retail Sales And Central Banks Galore
Key Events This Very Busy Week: Jobs, Payrolls, CPI. Retail Sales And Central Banks Galore
With just days left in 2025, it’s an extremely busy week for global markets, with a dense calendar of economic releases and major central bank decisions, including from the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan, which as DB’s Jim Reid writes, all have a chance to be Scrooges or Santas in their meetings this week. Alongside these announcements, the data flow will be heavy: the US will finally publish delayed employment and inflation reports, while flash PMIs for December and will provide clues on global momentum. Meanwhile, overnight, China’ econ data dump came in worse than expected with both fixed investment, IP and Retail sales both missing.
It’s also an interesting time for global markets with long-end yields at or around multi-month or even multi-year highs (e.g. Japan and 30yr Europe) at the same time as the weakest AI stories are increasingly being punished rather than the pre-September period when AI all went up together. If that wasn’t enough, another notable Fed story came late on Friday, as President Trump suggested that NEC Director Kevin Hassett and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh were his two favored candidates for the Fed Chair role. Hassett has been viewed as the frontrunner in recent weeks but following Trump’s interview his Polymarket odds fell from around 73% late on Friday to 52% this morning. Warsh has gone from 13% before the interview to 40% this morning. So, it’s fair to say there’s a lot of unfinished business going into the last full trading week of the year.
For this week specifically, in the United States, attention will focus on tomorrow’s twin employment reports for October and November, delayed by the recent government shutdown. October’s headline payrolls are expected to show a decline of around -60k, largely due to federal layoffs with all the early year buy-out offers coming off payroll in October. November should rebound modestly with a gain of +50k (per DB). Private sector hiring is likely to remain steady in both months at around +50k (DB), slightly below the recent trend. The unemployment rate is forecast to rise to 4.5 per cent in November from 4.4 per cent in September (we will never know October), while average hourly earnings should increase by 0.3 per cent in both months, keeping year-on-year nominal compensation growth near 4.4 per cent. Hours worked are expected to stabilise at 34.3. Given the distortions caused by the shutdown, the household survey could be noisy, echoing patterns seen after the 2013 episode. For a cleaner read on labor market conditions, Thursday’s jobless claims will be important and given our economists believe this will come in at around +225k, they believe underlying hiring trends remain intact.
Inflation will also be in focus with Thursday’s US CPI release. Because October data were not collected, the report will center on year-on-year changes. Headline CPI is expected to hold broadly steady at 3.03%, while core inflation remains at 3.02%. Monthly headline gains across October and November should average +0.24%, slightly below September’s pace with core slightly above at +0.26%. Within the details, core goods prices are likely to show modest increases in household furnishings and apparel, while used car prices continue to decline. Core services will attract particular attention, especially rents, which are expected to rebound after September’s anomalous weakness. Airline fares and lodging should soften from their recent highs, though health insurance may surprise on the upside. Beyond jobs and inflation, Tuesday’s retail sales report will offer insight into consumer spending. DB expects a headline decline of -0.3%, driven by autos and lower fuel prices, but retail control — the component used in GDP calculations — should rise by +0.3%, signalling resilience in underlying demand. Friday’s final reading of University of Michigan consumer sentiment is expected at 54.0, with inflation expectations likely to matter more than the headline figure.
On policy, last week’s FOMC meeting delivered a 25bps rate cut and signaled a “wait and see” approach, while also launching $40BN in monthly T-Bill purchases, much sooner than expected. Chair Powell struck a dovish tone, emphasizing labo rmarket risks over inflation. This week’s Fedspeak will reinforce that message, with Governor Miran and New York Fed President Williams speaking today, followed by Governor Waller and Williams again on Wednesday. Atlanta Fed President Bostic closes the week on Friday. Miran, who dissented in favor of a larger cut, is expected to reiterate his view that shelter inflation will collapse in coming quarters.
In Europe, Thursday brings a cluster of central bank decisions. The ECB is expected to keep rates unchanged at 2 per cen , while the Bank of England is forecast to deliver its sixth cut of the cycle, lowering Bank Rate to 3.75 per cent on a narrow 5-4 vote. The Riksbank and Norges Bank will also decide on policy on the same day with both likely to stay on hold. Ahead of the BoE meeting, UK labor market data on Tuesday and CPI on Wednesday will be closely watched. Headline inflation is forecast to ease to 3.51% year-on-year, while core ticks up slightly to 3.46% (see our economist’s preview here). Retail sales and consumer confidence on Friday will round out the UK calendar. In Germany, the Ifo survey on Wednesday and consumer confidence on Friday will provide further insight into regional conditions as fiscal spending starts to ramp up. Across the Atlantic, Canadian inflation is out today which is interesting given the sharp move from pricing in a slightly easing bias earlier this month to almost a full hike by the end of 2026 now.
Across Asia, the Bank of Japan meets on Friday and is expected to raise rates by 25bps to 0.75 per cent, with a 94% probability priced in by markets. See our economist’s thoughts here. Japan’s nationwide CPI for November will also be released on Friday, with core inflation forecast to slow to 2.9% and core-core to 3.0%. Global flash PMIs for December, covering the US, UK, Japan, Germany and France, will be published tomorrow and will offer early signals on fourth-quarter growth trends.
Day-by-day calendar of events
Monday December 15
Data: US December Empire manufacturing index, NAHB housing market index, China November retail sales, industrial production, investment, home prices, Germany November wholesale price index, Italy October general government debt, Eurozone October industrial production, Canada November CPI, existing home sales, housing starts, October manufacturing sales
Central banks: Fed’s Miran and Williams speak
Tuesday December 16
Data: US, UK, Japan, Germany, France and the Eurozone December PMIs, US November and October jobs reports, October retail sales, December New York Fed services business activity, September business inventories, UK October average weekly earnings, unemployment rate, November jobless claims change, Japan November trade balance, October core machine orders, Germany December Zew survey, Italy October trade balance, Eurozone December Zew survey, October trade balance
Earnings: Lennar
Wednesday December 17
Data: UK November CPI, RPI, PPI, October house price index, Germany December Ifo survey, Eurozone Q3 labour costs, Canada October international securities transactions, New Zealand Q3 GDP
Central banks: Fed’s Waller, Williams and Bostic speak
Earnings: Micron Technology
Auctions: US 20-yr Bond (reopening, $13bn)
Thursday December 18
Data: US November CPI, December Philadelphia Fed business outlook, Kansas City Fed manufacturing activity, October total net TIC flows, initial jobless claims, Japan November national CPI, France December business confidence, Eurozone October construction output
Central banks: ECB, BoE, Riksbank and Norges bank decide on rates
Earnings: Nike, FedEx, Accenture
Auctions: US 5-yr TIPS (reopening, $24bn)
Other: European Council (through December 19)
Friday December 19
Data: US November existing home sales, December Kansas City Fed services activity, UK December GfK consumer confidence, November retail sales, public finances, Germany November PPI, January GfK consumer confidence, France November PPI, retail sales, Italy October current account balance, industrial sales, December consumer confidence index, economic sentiment, ECB October current account, Eurozone December consumer confidence, Canada October retail sales
Central banks: BoJ decision, ECB’s Wunsch and Kocher speak
Finally, looking at just the US, the key economic data releases this week are the November employment report and the October retail sales report on Tuesday and the CPI report on Thursday. There are several speaking engagements by Fed officials this week, including events with Governor Miran on Monday and Governor Waller on Wednesday.
Monday, December 15
08:30 AM Empire State manufacturing survey, December (consensus +10.0, last +28.7)
09:30 AM Fed Governor Miran Speaks; Fed Governor Stephen Miran will participate in a moderated conversation with former Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics. On November 21, Miran said, “All the information that we got [between the October and December FOMC meetings] should push one in the dovish direction.” Governor Miran dissented against the Committee’s decision at the December FOMC meeting, preferring to cut the Fed Funds rate by 50bp rather than 25bp.
10:00 AM NAHB housing market index, December (consensus 39, last 38)
10:30 AM New York Fed President Williams (FOMC voter) speaks: New York Fed President John Williams will deliver keynote remarks during an event organized by the New Jersey Bankers Association. Speech text and Q&A are expected. On November 21, Williams said, “My assessment is that the downside risks to employment have increased as the labor market has cooled, while the upside risks to inflation have lessened somewhat.” He also said, “I view monetary policy as being modestly restrictive, although somewhat less so than before our recent actions.”
11:00 AM Fed Governor Miran speaks: Fed Governor Stephen Miran will appear on CNBC.
Tuesday, December 16
08:30 AM Nonfarm payroll employment, November (GS +55k, consensus +50k, last +22k [September]); Nonfarm payroll employment, October (GS +10k); Private payroll employment, November (GS +50k, consensus +40k, last +83k [September]); Private payroll employment, October (GS +70k); Average hourly earnings (MoM), November (GS +0.35%, consensus +0.3%, last +0.2% [September]); Average hourly earnings (MoM), October (GS +0.30%); Unemployment rate, November (GS 4.5%, consensus 4.5%, last 4.4% [September]):
We estimate nonfarm payrolls increased 10k in October and 55k in November. On the positive side, big data indicators showed a moderate pace of private sector job growth: we forecast private payroll growth of 70k in October and 50k in November. On the negative side, we expect a large drag from the DOGE deferred resignation program. That said, a surprisingly moderate increase in federal government separations in last week’s JOLTS report suggests that the hit to nonfarm payrolls could be more limited than we had previously expected. We now assume a 70k hit to October payrolls and an additional 10k hit to November. After factoring in increases in state and local government employment but a modest additional drag on federal hiring from the ongoing hiring freeze, we expect a 60k decline in government payrolls in October and a 5k increase in November.
The BLS did not collect responses for the household survey for October and therefore will not produce an unemployment rate for October. We estimate that the unemployment rate edged up to 4.5% in November, a low bar from the unrounded 4.44% in September. Continuing claims have rebounded slightly, and some furloughed federal workers who did not work during the reference week could be counted as unemployed even though the government shutdown had ended part of the way through the week.
We estimate average hourly earnings rose 0.30% month-over-month in October and 0.35% in November, reflecting neutral and positive calendar effects, respectively.
08:30 AM Retail sales, October (GS flat, consensus +0.1%, last +0.2%); Retail sales ex-auto, October (GS +0.3%, consensus +0.2%, last +0.3%); Retail sales ex-auto & gas, October (GS +0.4%, consensus +0.4%, last +0.1%); Core retail sales, October (GS +0.5%, consensus +0.4%, last -0.1%): We estimate core retail sales rebounded 0.5% in October (ex-autos, gasoline, and building materials; month-over-month SA), reflecting improvement in alternative measures of consumer spending and a slight tailwind from potential residual seasonality. We estimate headline retail sales were unchanged, reflecting a decline in auto sales and lower gasoline prices.
09:45 AM S&P Global US manufacturing PMI, December preliminary (consensus 52.3, last 52.2); S&P Global US services PMI, December preliminary (consensus 54.0, last 54.1)
10:00 AM Business inventories, September (consensus +0.2%, last flat)
Wednesday, December 17
There are no major economic data releases scheduled.
08:15 AM Fed Governor Waller speaks: Fed Governor Christopher Waller will speak on the economic outlook at Yale University. Q&A and a livestream are expected. On November 17, Waller said, “I worry that restrictive monetary policy is weighing on the economy, especially about how it is affecting lower-and middle-income consumers. A December cut will provide additional insurance against an acceleration in the weakening of the labor market and move policy toward a more neutral setting.”
09:05 AM New York Fed President Williams (FOMC voter) speaks: New York Fed President John Williams will deliver opening remarks during the FX Market Structure Conference organized by the New York Fed. A livestream is expected.
12:30 PM Atlanta Fed President Bostic (FOMC non-voter) speaks: Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will participate in a moderated discussion at the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. Q&A is expected. On November 12, Bostic said, “It’s definitely a close call. But in the final analysis, I view the signals from the labor market as ambiguous and difficult to interpret. They are not clear enough to warrant an aggressive monetary policy response when weighed against the more straightforward risk of ongoing inflationary pressures.” He went on to say, “In these circumstances, moving policy near or into accommodative territory risks pumping fresh blood into the inflation beast and threatening to untether the inflation expectations of businesses and consumers.”
Thursday, December 18
08:30 AM Initial jobless claims, week ended December 13 (GS 225k, consensus 225k, last 236k); Continuing jobless claims, week ended December 6 (consensus 1,938k, last 1,838k)
08:30 AM CPI (MoM, two-month average), November (GS +0.20%); Core CPI (MoM, two-month average), November (GS +0.21%); CPI (YoY), November (GS +2.91%, consensus +3.1%, last +3.01% [September]); Core CPI (YoY), November (GS +2.88%, consensus +3.0%, last +3.02% [September]): We estimate that the core CPI increased by 0.21% month-over-month on average across October and November, which would lower the year-over-year rate to 2.9% on a rounded basis in November (vs. 3.1% in September and 3.0% consensus for November). While the BLS will not produce an October core CPI due to the government shutdown and therefore month changes will not be recoverable for October or November, our forecast reflects an estimated 0.25% month over month increase in October and a 0.16% increase in November. Our two-month forecast reflects an increase in used car prices reflecting the signal from auction prices (+0.5% on average across October and November), a slight increase in new car prices (+0.2%) reflecting an increase in dealer incentives, and a slight decline in car insurance prices (-0.1%) based on premiums in our online dataset. We forecast a net increase in airfares (+1%), reflecting a drag from seasonal distortions but an increase in underlying airfares based on our equity analysts’ tracking of online price data. We have penciled in upward pressure from tariffs on categories that are particularly exposed (such as communication, household furnishings, and recreation) worth +0.08pp on core inflation on average across October and November but downward pressure from delayed data collection on categories that typically experience steep holiday discounting in late November (such as apparel, household furnishings, and personal care) worth -0.04pp. We expect a rebound in the shelter components on net after an outlier-driven slowdown in the prior month (primary rent +0.24% on average across October and November vs. +0.20% in September; OER +0.23% vs. +0.13%). We estimate that the headline CPI increased 0.20% month-over-month on average across October (0.14% MoM) and November (0.27% MoM), reflecting higher food prices (+0.3% month-over-month on average across October and November) but lower energy prices (-0.1%).
08:30 AM Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index, December (GS 5.0, consensus 3.4, last -1.7)
Friday, December 19
10:00 AM Existing home sales, November (GS +1.5%, consensus +1.2%, last +1.2%)
10:00 AM University of Michigan consumer sentiment, December final (GS 53.6, consensus 53.5, last 53.3): University of Michigan 5-10-year inflation expectations, December final (GS 3.2%, last 3.2%)
Source: DB. Goldman
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/15/2025 – 10:15
Hammer Drops On Clintons: Appear For Epstein Depositions Or Face Contempt Of Congress
Hammer Drops On Clintons: Appear For Epstein Depositions Or Face Contempt Of Congress
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
House Oversight Chairman James Comer is done playing games with Bill and Hillary Clinton, warning them that their endless delays in the Epstein probe will lead straight to contempt charges if they don’t comply.
With subpoenas issued months ago and the Clintons dodging every step, Comer’s latest ultimatum ramps up the pressure on the deep state darlings, exposing their ties to the convicted pedophile’s network amid calls for full transparency.
As we reported last month, the Clintons outright refused to honor subpoenas demanding depositions on their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting outrage from Republicans like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna who blasted Democrats for their sudden silence on the matter.
The subpoenas, dropped in August by Comer, originally set Hillary’s testimony for October 9 and Bill’s for October 14. Instead of showing up, their lawyers begged for delays, only to ghost the committee entirely—classic stonewalling from elites who think rules don’t apply to them.
Comer has repeatedly highlighted Bill Clinton as a “prime suspect” in the saga, pointing to over 20 flights on Epstein’s infamous Lolita Express, multiple jaunts to his private island, and at least 17 Epstein visits to the Clinton White House. These aren’t casual associations; they’re red flags screaming for accountability.
Republican House leader signals plan to begin contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton https://t.co/IKFORKWxdy
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) December 13, 2025
In a press release on Friday, Comer laid it all out: “It has been more than four months since Bill and Hillary Clinton were subpoenaed to sit for depositions related to our investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s horrific crimes. Throughout that time, the former President and former Secretary of State have delayed, obstructed, and largely ignored the Committee staff’s efforts to schedule their testimony.”
He didn’t stop there, adding a clear threat: “If the Clintons fail to appear for their depositions next week or schedule a date for early January, the Oversight Committee will begin contempt of Congress proceedings to hold them accountable.”
A spokesperson for Comer doubled down to Fox News, confirming direct communication with the Clintons’ attorney: “We communicated to the Clintons’ attorney today that they must appear next week or provide a date in early January to appear for their depositions or we will begin contempt of Congress proceedings. They’ve been dragging their feet for over four months. Time’s up.”
This escalation comes hot on the heels of President Trump’s bold demand for the total release of Epstein files, dismissing the whole scandal as a “Democrat Hoax” meant to smear Republicans while shielding their own.
Trump urged House Republicans to vote for declassification, declaring, “We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.”
Trump emphasized the need to keep the focus on GOP wins, warning that Epstein distractions shouldn’t overshadow them: “What I just don’t want is for Epstein to detract from the great success of the Republican Party… It’s a Democrat hoax.”
The Clintons’ defiance couldn’t be more telling, especially given Bill’s own admissions in his 2024 book Citizen: My Life After the White House, where he confessed to flying on Epstein’s plane for Clinton Global Initiative work and lamented, “I wish I had never met him,” claiming it wasn’t worth the scrutiny.
Yet, Epstein’s 17 White House visits right after Clinton’s 1993 inauguration paint a different picture—one of deep entanglements that demand answers, not excuses.
Comer’s subpoenas didn’t stop at the Clintons; they targeted other heavyweights like former AG William Barr, ex-FBI Director Robert Mueller, former AG Loretta Lynch, and former FBI Director James Comey, all potentially linked to the Epstein-Maxwell web.
In November, Comer fired off a letter to the Clintons’ lawyer insisting on in-person depositions, rejecting any virtual dodges. The spokesperson told Fox the Clintons “believe they are above the law and are trying to avoid giving depositions.”
With contempt proceedings now on the table and a potential House floor vote for full file release looming, the noose is tightening.
Meanwhile, Democrats Desperately continue to flog the dead horse of attempting to link Trump to the Epstein files.
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Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/15/2025 – 10:05
Surgen obstáculos al acuerdo de libre comercio entre la UE y el Mercosur
Por SAM McNEIL
BRUSELAS (AP) — Francia está planteando un obstáculo de última hora a un enorme acuerdo comercial transatlántico entre la Unión Europea y las cinco naciones sudamericanas del bloque Mercosur, que ha tardado un cuarto de siglo en negociarse.
Enfadados agricultores europeos, temiendo la nueva competencia del pacto, están marchando hacia Bruselas, y los negociadores europeos que pensaban que finalmente cerrarían el acuerdo este año enfrentan una semana difícil.
El acuerdo entre la UE y los cinco países del Mercosur —Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay y Bolivia— eliminaría progresivamente los aranceles sobre casi todos los bienes comercializados entre los dos bloques durante los próximos 15 años. Siempre que sea ratificado por ambos bloques, el acuerdo abarcaría un mercado de 780 millones de personas y una cuarta parte del producto interno bruto mundial.
Los negociadores finalizaron el acuerdo hace un año, pero ahora debe ser aprobado por los 27 países de la UE, así como por el Parlamento Europeo.
Tanto la presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, como el presidente del Consejo Europeo, António Costa, están programados para firmar el acuerdo en Brasil el 20 de diciembre, si los agricultores que marchan hacia Bruselas y la oposición vocal de naciones clave de la UE no descarrilan sus planes.
El acuerdo enfrenta vientos en contra
En el período previo a lo que muchos esperaban que fuera la recta final, el primer ministro francés Sébastien Lecornu declaró el domingo que el actual acuerdo era “inaceptable” y que las condiciones para una votación de los jefes de Estado y de gobierno de la UE el jueves “no se han cumplido”. Solicitó un retraso, lo que empujaría la votación a 2026 o más allá.
Aunque elogió las recientes medidas tomadas por la Comisión Europea para proteger a los agricultores y aumentar las inspecciones de importaciones agrícolas para evitar el ingreso de pesticidas prohibidos, Lecornu indicó que Francia no está totalmente satisfecha.
“Está claro en este contexto que no están dadas las condiciones para ninguna votación del Consejo de la UE sobre la autorización para la firma del acuerdo”, afirmó.
Polonia, Austria, Holanda Bajos y Francia están preocupados de que los exportadores del Mercosur puedan socavar los productos de la UE hechos con regulaciones laborales y sanitarias más estrictas, como las restricciones de pesticidas, señaló Alicia Gracia-Herrero, investigadora principal del Instituto Bruegel con sede en Bruselas. Francia no ha logrado que el Mercosur acepte “reflejar” esas regulaciones.
Gracia-Herrero añadió que el acuerdo refleja los límites de la fuerza geopolítica, la unidad política y la capacidad de la UE.
“Si no podemos lograr esto incluso con la presión de (el presidente estadounidense Donald) Trump, ¿qué se puede esperar de la UE?” dijo. “Espero que Francia no pueda torpedear completamente esto porque la UE no puede permitirse un retraso adicional en Mercosur si quiere ser creíble con otros acuerdos comerciales en curso, como Indonesia y, aún más, India”.
Otro tipo de pacto transatlántico
A raíz del blitzkrieg arancelario de Trump a principios de este año, cuando Washington impuso gravámenes del 15% a la mayoría de las importaciones de la UE, el bloque ha buscado acuerdos comerciales bilaterales para ayudar a capear las tácticas comerciales agresivas tanto de Estados Unidos como de China, sus principales socios comerciales históricos.
El portavoz de la Comisión Europea, Olof Gill, sostuvo que Bruselas presionaría para que el acuerdo Mercosur se firme antes de fin de año porque pone en juego la credibilidad geopolítica de la UE.
“Estamos hablando de unir dos de los bloques comerciales más grandes del mundo. Y al hacerlo, en un momento de creciente incertidumbre geopolítica, creamos una plataforma basada en la confianza, basada en reglas, donde podemos trabajar con Mercosur en los grandes desafíos a nivel global de nuestro tiempo. Estamos hablando de clima, seguridad económica, reforma del orden global basado en reglas, y así sucesivamente”, aseguró.
Desde el jamón español y el vino italiano hasta los productos lácteos holandeses y las aceitunas griegas, la agricultura es central para el presupuesto, la economía, la cultura y la política de la Unión Europea. La UE exportó 235.400 millones de euros (272.000 millones de dólares) en productos agrícolas en 2024.
Muchos agricultores detestan el acuerdo Mercosur, pero sus defensores en Bruselas dicen que ahorraría a las empresas unos 4.260 millones de dólares en aranceles cada año, agilizaría las ventas y eliminaría los aranceles sobre productos como el vino francés, la soja argentina, los minerales raros brasileños y los productos farmacéuticos alemanes.
Sus críticos en Francia, Holanda y otros países con grandes industrias lácteas y de carne dicen que el pacto sometería a los agricultores locales a una competencia desleal y causaría daños ambientales.
Ajustes necesarios o adecuados
Tal oposición ha llevado a Bruselas a proponer nuevas protecciones para el sector agrícola de la UE.
El año pasado, la Comisión Europea prometió reducir la burocracia para los agricultores y distribuir de manera más equitativa los subsidios agrícolas anuales de 50.000 millones de euros (58.000 millones de dólares) en todo el bloque.
En octubre, la comisión estableció nuevos mecanismos que permiten a los agricultores iniciar investigaciones si los precios de las importaciones del Mercosur son al menos un 10% más bajos que los precios de los mismos productos o productos competidores de la UE. Los infractores graves podrían ver retirados temporalmente sus aranceles preferenciales.
En diciembre, la comisión propuso aumentar las inspecciones fronterizas para verificar si los productos agrícolas importados se produjeron con pesticidas prohibidos en la UE.
Pero esos movimientos no han calmado los temores franceses ni las ansiedades de los agricultores.
Los sindicatos agrícolas están planeando nuevamente manifestaciones en Bruselas mientras los líderes y diplomáticos se reúnen para el Consejo Europeo el jueves.
Agricultores descontentos usaron tractores para paralizar muchas capitales europeas como parte de una campaña ensalzada por la extrema derecha en el período previo a su exitoso desempeño en las elecciones a nivel de la UE en 2024.
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La corresponsal Sylvie Corbet contribuyó desde París.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Compañía iRobot solicita protección por bancarrota; será privatizada tras reestructuración
Por MICHELLE CHAPMAN
iRobot, el fabricante de Roomba, ha solicitado protección por bancarrota bajo el Capítulo 11, pero señala que no se espera ninguna interrupción en los dispositivos al tiempo que la empresa, con más de 30 años de antigüedad, se convierte en privada bajo un proceso de reestructuración.
IRobot, que se hizo conocido por sus aspiradoras robóticas, ha enfrentado dificultades recientemente, lidiando con una competencia creciente, despidos y una caída en el precio de sus acciones. En 2022, Amazon anunció que había acordado comprar iRobot por aproximadamente 1.700 millones de dólares, pero ese acuerdo se canceló el año pasado. Amazon culpó de ello a “obstáculos regulatorios indebidos y desproporcionados” luego que la Unión Europea señalara su objeción a la transacción.
Amazon indicó en ese momento que pagaría a iRobot una tarifa de terminación previamente acordada de 94 millones de dólares e iRobot anunció una reestructuración a fin de ayudar a estabilizar la empresa.
IRobot informó el domingo que ahora está siendo adquirida por Picea a través de un proceso supervisado por un tribunal. Picea, o Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., Ltd., es el principal fabricante por contrato de iRobot. Con instalaciones en China y Vietnam, Picea ha construido y vendido más de 20 millones de aspiradoras robóticas.
“La transacción fortalecerá nuestra posición financiera y ayudará a garantizar la continuidad para nuestros consumidores, clientes y socios”, afirmó el CEO de iRobot, Gary Cohen, en un comunicado.
IRobot indicó que continuará operando con normalidad durante el proceso del Capítulo 11 y no espera ninguna interrupción en la funcionalidad de su aplicación, programas para clientes, socios globales, relaciones con la cadena de suministro o soporte continuo de productos.
La empresa, con sede en Bedford, Massachusetts, anticipa completar el proceso del Capítulo 11 para febrero.
En las operaciones previas a la apertura del mercado, las acciones de iRobot cayeron casi un 70% a 1,31 dólares.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Rob Reiner And Wife Allegedly Killed By Their ‘Troubled’ Son, Report Says
Rob Reiner And Wife Allegedly Killed By Their ‘Troubled’ Son, Report Says
Legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon.
RIP Rob Reiner. No one deserves what happened to him! I’m sure he wanted me dead, but I am grateful to him anyway, for these gifts:
1984 – This Is Spinal Tap
1985 – The Sure Thing
1986 – Stand by Me
1987 – The Princess Bride
1989 – When Harry Met Sally…
1990 – Misery
1992 – A… pic.twitter.com/1nwVQ0mcZR
— Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) December 15, 2025
Multiple sources tell People magazine that Rob Reiner and his wife were killed by their 32-year-old son, Nick, who is being questioned. The sources say no arrests have been made.
Key details so far (via People):
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, Dec. 14. Authorities responding to a medical aid call around 3:30 p.m. discovered their bodies.
Multiple sources tell People that the killer was the couple’s son, Nick Reiner.
Nick Reiner previously spoke publicly about his long battle with drug addiction and periods of homelessness.
A van from the Office of the Medical Examiner was seen arriving to Rob Reiner and his wife’s home after the couple was found dead in their home by their daughter Romy, sources tell PEOPLE.
Nick Reiner is now being questioned by the Los Angeles Police… pic.twitter.com/Rqk8y7oIYK
— People (@people) December 15, 2025
CNN compiled a list of Hollywood stars who are shocked by the killing of Rob and Michele:
“Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner, a great man,” posted John Cusack, who was first directed by Reiner as a teenager in The Sure Thing, followed by a cameo in Stand by Me.
“Love you, Rob. Sincerely,” wrote Jerry O’Connell, who played Vern in Stand by Me. Corey Feldman, another star of that film, called it “horrible news.”
Jamie Lee Curtis sent a statement to Variety on behalf of herself and her husband, Christopher Guest, the co-star and co-writer of This Is Spinal Tap, who also played Count Rugen in The Princess Bride.
Cary Elwes, star of The Princess Bride, posted a photo of his personalized chair next to Reiner’s on the set, adding, “No words…”
James Woods, who starred in Reiner-directed Ghosts of Mississippi, mourned the death of his “good” friend. “Political differences never stood in the way of our love and respect for each other,” he said on X.
Actor Jeremy London said Reiner’s death will “leave a hole in Hollywood that will never be able to be filled,” in a post to X.
“Nothing but love for ya,” comedian and actor George Wallace wrote in a post to X, alongside a photo of him and Reiner.
Actor and producer Elijah Wood said he is “horrified to hear of the passing” of Reiner and his “wonderful wife,” Michele, in a post to X.
Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, called Reiner “one of the greatest of all time” in a post to X.
Actor Ben Stiller remembered Reiner as “one of my favorite directors” in a post to X. “I didn’t know him well but was always a fan, and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.”
In addition to his stunning success in Hollywood, Rob was a vocal political activist for the Democratic Party, criticizing President Trump and MAGA at every opportunity.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/15/2025 – 09:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/report-rob-reiner-and-wife-killed-their-troubled-son
Cometa interestelar mantiene su distancia durante su mayor acercamiento a la Tierra
Por MARCIA DUNN
CABO CAÑAVERAL, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — Un cometa errante de otra estrella pasa cerca de la Tierra esta semana en un último avistamiento antes de regresar al espacio interestelar.
Descubierto durante el verano, el cometa conocido como 3I/Atlas pasará a 269 millones de kilómetros (167 millones de millas) de nuestro planeta el viernes, la distancia más cercana que alcanzará en su gran recorrido por el sistema solar.
La NASA continúa apuntando sus telescopios espaciales hacia la bola de hielo visitante, que se estima tiene un tamaño de entre 440 metros (1.444 pies) y 5,6 kilómetros (3,5 millas). Pero se está desvaneciendo a medida que se aleja, por lo que ahora es el momento para que los astrónomos aficionados lo capturen en el cielo nocturno con sus telescopios.
El cometa se acercará mucho más a Júpiter en marzo, pasando a 53 millones de kilómetros (33 millones de millas). Será a mediados de la década de 2030 cuando alcance el espacio interestelar, para no volver jamás, afirmó Paul Chodas, director del Centro de Estudios de Objetos Cercanos a la Tierra de la NASA.
Es el tercer objeto interestelar conocido que atraviesa nuestro sistema solar. Los cometas interestelares como el 3I/Atlas se originan en sistemas estelares en otras partes de la Vía Láctea, y los cometas autóctonos como el Halley provienen de los bordes helados de nuestro sistema solar.
Un telescopio en Hawai descubrió al primer visitante interestelar confirmado en 2017. Dos años después, un cometa interestelar fue avistado por un astrónomo aficionado de Crimea. El telescopio Atlas de la NASA en Chile detectó el cometa 3I/Atlas en julio cuando buscaba asteroides potencialmente peligrosos.
Los científicos creen que el último cometa intruso, también inofensivo, puede haberse originado en un sistema estelar mucho más antiguo que el nuestro, lo que lo convierte en un objetivo tentador.
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El Departamento de Salud y Ciencia de The Associated Press recibe apoyo del Departamento de Educación Científica del Instituto Médico Howard Hughes y de la Fundación Robert Wood Johnson. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
