Stocks are going out with a bang: The market is on pace for a record. The Nasdaq is having its best year since ‘03

In a 2021 photo, an Outback Steakhouse restaurant is shown. Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, recently closed 41 underperforming locations across the US, including Outback Steakhouses, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's. The closures were due to factors such as declining sales, reduced customer traffic, and costly investments needed to improve the older assets. Despite the closures, Outback Steakhouse plans to open 18 new restaurants in the US this year with a redesigned layout. The company stated that the closures were a business decision and that affected employees may have the opportunity to transfer to other locations or receive severance. Overall, Bloomin' Brands aims to open up to 45 new restaurants across its brands in the upcoming year.

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine recently received a record-breaking charitable donation from former faculty member Dr. Ruth Gottesman, resulting in free tuition for students at the school. The $1 billion donation was made in honor of her late husband, who was a successful investor and philanthropist. This historic gift is the largest ever received by a medical school in the United States and is intended to attract talented and diverse students who may not have otherwise been able to afford a medical education. The donation will have a significant impact on reducing the financial burden of medical school debt for future generations of healthcare leaders.

Zong Qinghou, the founder of China's Hangzhou Wahaha Group, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. Known for his rags-to-riches story, Zong built his beverage empire from humble beginnings to become one of China's wealthiest individuals. Despite his success, Zong maintained a frugal lifestyle and was admired for his hard work ethic. His death was mourned across China, with condolences pouring in from prominent figures in the business world. Zong's rise symbolized the entrepreneurial spirit that fueled China's economic growth in the post-Mao era. Born into poverty during wartime, Zong overcame numerous challenges to build his company, eventually leading to a successful battle for control against Danone. His legacy as a self-made billionaire and national hero will be remembered in China.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 12, 2023. Brian Snyder/Reuters New York CNN — The co-chair of a newly established task force dedicated to combating antisemitism at Harvard University has resigned after just a month in the position. Harvard Business School professor Raffaella Sadun's sudden departure, announced on Sunday, is a setback for the university's efforts to address antisemitism. Harvard's interim president, Alan Garber, has appointed a new co-chair for the task force as Sadun has decided to focus on her research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities at the Business School. Despite her resignation, Sadun's contributions to shaping the task force's goals have been acknowledged by Garber and she has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to combat antisemitism at Harvard. The reasons for her quick departure are unclear. Harvard is facing scrutiny from various parties, with Jewish alumni conducting an audit to identify instances of antisemitism at the university. This audit was reported by the Boston Globe and follows the resignation of Rabbi David Wolpe from a separate Antisemitism Advisory Group. The presidential task force on antisemitism, formed just over a month ago, has faced controversy over the selection of co-chair Derek Penslar, but he remains on the task force. The task force's membership includes students, professors, and administrators, with a separate task force also established to address anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias at Harvard. The university is under investigation by a congressional committee and the Department of Education for allegations of discrimination and hate speech on campus.