_{NATIONAL SECURITY INSIGHTS}

China-Backed Hackers Breach US Treasury Systems in Major Cybersecurity Incident

Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached U.S. Treasury Department workstations using a stolen key, accessing unclassified documents in a major cybersecurity incident. The attack, linked to an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group, was discovered on December 8 through a third-party software provider, BeyondTrust, which reported the unauthorized access. Treasury officials have taken the compromised service offline and are collaborating with CISA, the FBI, and intelligence agencies to assess the impact. While China denies involvement, the breach highlights vulnerabilities in critical government systems and the growing sophistication of cyber threats. Investigations and a classified briefing are underway to determine the full extent of the damage. Read more. 

_{FINANCIAL INSIGHTS}

How the S&P 500’s Worst Year-End Drop Since 1952 Could Shape 2025

The U.S. stock market ended 2024 on a historically rough note, with the S&P 500 suffering its worst late-December performance since 1952, declining 2.6% from Christmas Eve to year-end. December closed out down 2.5%, jeopardizing the seasonal "Santa Claus rally," which traditionally spans the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the new year. Despite a 1.6% drop in the final five sessions, analysts remain cautiously optimistic for 2025. Historically, the S&P 500 has rebounded in years following similar year-end declines, and January is typically one of the index’s strongest months, offering hope for recovery in the new year. Read more.