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Market Turmoil: UnitedHealth's Plunge Sends Dow Spiraling Amid Weekly Losses

The stock market faced another turbulent session as UnitedHealth (UNH) shares plummeted over 22% , dragging the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by more than 500 points . The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500  struggled to find footing, with both indexes sputtering after Wednesday’s tech-led sell-off. UnitedHealth’s sharp decline followed a cut in its full-year profit forecast , making it the worst-performing Dow component of the day. The broader market also felt the weight of uncertainty surrounding trade policies and Federal Reserve decisions , as Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of economic challenges ahead   due to tariffs. Despite a slight rebound in the S&P 500 , all three major indexes closed the week lower, with the Dow and Nasdaq falling over 2.5% and the S&P 500 down around 1.5% . Investors now turn their attention to upcoming earnings reports and economic indicators that could shape market sentiment in the coming weeks.

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Federal Funding Freeze Sparks Debate Over Free Speech and Academic Freedom

The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by freezing federal grants to several universities, including Cornell and Northwestern, citing concerns over pro-Palestinian protests and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Over $1 billion in funding for Cornell and $790 million for Northwestern have been paused, affecting research in defense, health, and cybersecurity. 

The administration has accused these universities of failing to address antisemitism on campus, linking pro-Palestinian protests to support for Hamas. Critics argue that this conflation undermines free speech and academic freedom, with human rights advocates raising concerns about the broader implications. 

This move has sparked a heated debate about the balance between combating hate speech and preserving the right to protest. Universities like Harvard and Princeton are also under scrutiny, with billions in federal funding at stake. 

The situation highlights the tension between government oversight and institutional autonomy, leaving many to question the future of academic freedom in the United States.

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