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Investors began 2026 expecting multiple rate cuts, which tend to juice capital markets and spur dealmaking activity. But on 28 February things changed quickly after joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran largely curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Middle East waterway where some 20% of the world’s oil transited before the conflict began.
Several factors weighed heavily on the decision to raise rates. The average nationwide gas price now is $4.36 compared to $3.18 a year ago, per AAA, and the average diesel price of $6.31 is a record. Brent crude oil has crested over $100 per barrel compared to about $68 a year ago. Inflation was 3.4% in August, compared to 2.9% last year. And US 10-, 20- and 30-year Treasuries have reached their highest rates in decades.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh assumed the top role in May, and the central bank held rates steady for all of Warsh’s first three meetings. The decision to stand pat at the start of Warsh’s tenure came despite increasing calls for a hike as inflation remains solidly above the Fed’s 2% target. Those calls became too loud to ignore, prompting the first rate hike since August 2023.
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The Las Vegas Athletics announced a multi-year partnership with Circa Resort & Casino and Circa Sports on Thursday. The MLB franchise is set to move from Oakland ahead of the 2028 season to a new $2 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.
Circa was named the club’s first Founding Partner and an Official Resort and Sportsbook of the Las Vegas Athletics and Las Vegas Athletics Ballpark.
“Derek Stevens and the Circa team have been great partners to the A’s, supporting the Club in West Sacramento during our time there, and we’re excited to build on that relationship,” said Marc Badain, president of the Athletics. “As we look toward the opening of the A’s ballpark in Las Vegas, having Circa as our first Founding Partner is an important step in bringing our vision for a uniquely Las Vegas experience to life.”
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U.S. Patent No. 12,406,284, which lists Commerce Secretary and former Cantor CEO Howard Lutnick as its primary inventor, covers geolocation technology commonly used in sports betting.
Geolocation services, which are typically purchased through third-party vendors, are used by sportsbook operators to ensure that their clients are placing wagers from jurisdictions in which sports wagering is legal.
“During prosecution, the Examiner did not apply the material prior art or straightforward combinations presented here, which render every challenged claim obvious,” according to a DraftKings filing with the patent office.
