In a crucial move ahead of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump has forged a key agreement with the White House staff of President Joe Biden, ensuring a seamless transition of power on January 20. The arrangement permits Trump's transition team to engage with federal agencies and utilize non-public information, fostering cooperation and preparedness. The pact omits a General Services Administration (GSA) agreement which Trump declined, resisting constraints on disclosing donor contributions. Nonetheless, the White House accord stands as an essential step to avert disruptions in government operations and uphold national security as Trump assumes office. Efforts remain active in solidifying transition protocols, with dialogues unfolding between chiefs of staff and legal teams to mitigate procedural obstacles. The collaboration, despite Trump's choice not to utilize some GSA resources, highlights the importance of a methodical and accountable transition, addressing both domestic and geopolitical challenges. (With inputs from agencies.)Seize the day

Army of SOYA volunteers ensures everybody gets a Christmas

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are climbing Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 was pulling 0.7% higher, as of 2:45 p.m. Eastern time, after flipping between modest gains and losses several times in the morning. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise.