NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market roared back, as technology stocks recovered and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now. The S&P 500 jumped 2% Friday for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared roughly 1,200 points and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite rallied 2.2%.

TOKYO (AP) – The governing party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a more than two-thirds majority in a key parliamentary election on Sunday, Japanese media reported, citing preliminary results. Takaichi, in a televised interview with public television network NHK, said that after the sweeping victory she is now ready to pursue her policies.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) – A record number of 11 candidates in Portugal’s upcoming presidential election kicked off their campaigns on Sunday. The official two-week campaign period preceding the Jan. 18 election will see the contenders competing to capture voters’ support.

NEW YORK (AP) – The FBI pored over Jeffrey Epstein’s bank records and emails. It searched his homes. It spent years interviewing his victims and examining his connections to some of the world’s most influential people. Investigators found scant evidence the well-connected financier led a sex trafficking ring serving powerful men.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) – Swiss investigators are probing what caused a fire in a bar at an Alpine ski resort that left around 40 people dead and another 115 injured during a New Year’s celebration.

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

LISBON, Portugal (AP) – A strike called by Portugal’s two main trade union confederations brought severe travel disruption Thursday and forced the cancellation of many medical appointments and school classes. Government and municipal services, including trash collection, were also badly hit.