Table of Contents

• Oil Prices

• TikTok

Top Stories Today

Economy & Finance

Oil Prices

Oil prices increased on Monday, driven by the ongoing effects of Hurricane Francine, which has disrupted production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Brent crude settled at $72.75 a barrel, while U.S. crude rose to $70.09. The market remains cautious, however, ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's upcoming decision on interest rates, with traders anticipating a possible rate cut. Meanwhile, concerns about Chinese demand continue due to weakening industrial output and economic growth, adding uncertainty to the outlook for oil demand.

Technology

TikTok

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, are challenging a U.S. law that could lead to a ban of the app by January 19. During a hearing, TikTok's lawyer argued that the law violates free speech protections under the First Amendment, while U.S. government lawyers emphasized the national security risks due to TikTok's data access and potential manipulation by China. The court's decision could force ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets or face a ban. The case is being heard as both political parties engage with TikTok to attract younger voters.

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