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movies about sports The future of leadership in Africa hinges on a critical skill: AI literacy. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and societies globally, African boards must embrace this knowledge to remain competitive, ethical, and innovative. AI literacy is no longer optional but essential for board members across the continent, as it equips leaders to harness these advancements responsibly and effectively oversee their organisations in an AI-driven world. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising decision-making processes, offering tools to analyse data, predict trends, and optimise operations. Globally, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the economy by 2030, with Africa poised to benefit significantly if its leaders adapt. Yet, many African boards lag in understanding AI’s transformative potential due to gaps in digital literacy and infrastructure. This gap must be urgently addressed to ensure African businesses remain competitive in the global market. The oversight role of boards in AI governance is becoming increasingly critical. According to a recent Deloitte Global survey, only 14% of boards discuss AI at every meeting, while 45% haven’t yet put AI on their agenda at all. This lack of engagement is concerning, especially given the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on businesses. African boards must recognise that AI oversight is not just a technical issue but a strategic imperative that demands their attention and understanding. To effectively govern in the age of AI, board members need to develop a comprehensive understanding of AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications. This knowledge enables them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and provide meaningful guidance to management teams. Without this literacy, boards risk approving AI initiatives without fully grasping their implications or missing out on transformative opportunities that could propel their organisations forward. The stakes are high for African businesses. AI has the potential to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, from improving healthcare access to optimising agricultural productivity. However, it also brings risks such as data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and potential job displacement. AI-literate boards are better equipped to navigate these complex issues, ensuring that AI adoption aligns with organisational values and societal needs. Moreover, AI literacy empowers boards to foster a culture of innovation within their organisations. By understanding AI’s potential, board members can encourage management to explore cutting-edge solutions and allocate resources to promising AI initiatives. This forward-thinking approach is crucial for African businesses to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global market. The path to AI literacy for African boards requires a multifaceted approach. Board members should prioritise ongoing education about AI technologies and their applications in business. This can involve attending workshops, engaging with AI experts, and even experiencing AI tools firsthand. Some organisations are already taking steps in this direction, with 8% of respondents in the Deloitte survey indicating that they are starting to include AI specialists among their new board directors. However, education alone is not sufficient. Boards must establish robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that AI adoption aligns with the organisation’s strategic priorities. This includes setting clear governance frameworks for AI-related initiatives, evaluating their alignment with goals such as enhancing productivity and efficiency, improving customer experience, and fostering innovation. By focusing on strategy and accountability, boards can ensure that AI delivers measurable value while safeguarding the organisation’s long-term vision and ethical standards.. Risk management is another critical aspect of AI governance that demands board attention. African boards must establish robust frameworks for assessing and mitigating AI-related risks. This includes addressing data privacy concerns, ensuring algorithmic fairness, and preparing for potential cybersecurity threats. Boards should also consider the broader societal implications of AI adoption, such as its impact on employment and social equity. To effectively oversee AI initiatives, boards need to define clear governance structures. This may involve creating dedicated AI committees or integrating AI oversight into existing committee responsibilities. Many boards that have delegated AI matters typically assign them to the risk and regulatory committee or the audit committee. African boards should carefully consider which structure best suits their organisation’s needs to ensure comprehensive AI governance. As AI becomes more pervasive, boards must also broaden their stakeholder considerations. While customers and employees are currently seen as the top stakeholders in AI governance, African boards should anticipate increased scrutiny from regulators, investors, and society at large. Proactively engaging with these stakeholders and addressing their concerns will be crucial for maintaining trust and social license to operate in an AI-driven future. The journey towards AI literacy and effective governance is not without challenges. Many African organisations face resource constraints and may struggle to attract AI talent. However, these obstacles make it even more imperative for boards to lead the charge in AI adoption and governance. By prioritising AI literacy and oversight, boards can help their organisations overcome these hurdles and unlock the transformative potential of AI. In conclusion, AI literacy is non-negotiable for African boards aspiring to lead their organisations into the future. It is the key to unlocking innovation, managing risks, and ensuring responsible AI adoption. As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, African boards must rise to the challenge, embracing AI literacy as a fundamental leadership competency. By doing so, they will position their organisations – and the continent as a whole – to thrive in the AI-driven economy of the future.

Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Results

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions. While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. It follows Biden’s decision to — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States," as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate Jan. 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after.” Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump's administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It’s not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. "But if he’s going to do that, he’s going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does." More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said.Chelsea’s surprise defeat by Fulham meant victory over the Foxes stretched their lead to seven points, with a match in hand, with the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching. But Slot is maintaining his level-headed approach despite the clamour growing around their chances of adding another title to the one won in 2020. Tonight's goalscorers 💪 pic.twitter.com/xn9sfZbVow — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2024 “If you are in this game for a long time like the players and I am then 20 games before the end you don’t look at it as there are so many challenges ahead of you,” he said after Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah scored to turn around an early deficit following Jordan Ayew’s strike. “Injuries and and a bit of bad luck can happen to any team, it is far too early to be already celebrating – but it is nice for us to be where we are. “I don’t think there was any easy win for us in any of these games; it could have been an easy win against Tottenham but we conceded two and it was then 5-2 – that tells you how difficult it is to win even when you have all your players available. “That is why we have to take it one game at a time. The league table is something of course we are aware of but we always understand how many games there are to go.” Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy felt his side held their own until Salah scored in the 82nd minute. “I think we were in the contest for a result for a long time,” he said. “Three-one was the turning point in the sense the game was done there to get a result. “I think the 60th minute I remember a chanced for Daka to score the equaliser so we were in the game to get a surprising result. “We did well, we did what we could: a good start with the goal but if you speak of a turning point, 3-1 with Salah, the game was done.” Van Nistelrooy left goalkeeper Danny Ward out of the squad after he struggled in the defeat to Wolves and was jeered by his own fans. “The change in goal was one to make and the conversation with Wardy was impressive, the way he was thinking of the team and the club,” added the Dutchman. “I insisted on a conversation and of course it is a private conversation but what I want to share is the person and the professional he is. “I was impressed with that and his willingness for the team and the club to do well. “Really tough what happened for him. We are professionals but human beings as well, when frustration is being directed towards one person that is difficult.”

Can we expect proficiency in developing or using artificial intelligence to begin to slowdown in the field of human resources? The succinct answer is ‘no’, but the more nuanced response is perhaps ‘yes’. This latter response comes with the caveat that companies and HR leaders will need to adopt innovative strategies to address them. Andy Bradshaw, CEO of SHL tells Digital Journal what we can expect in the business world on the AI front. Skills: Enterprises Will Focus on Role Outcomes to See Skills Success Bradshaw observes, on the subject of skills: “The principle of focusing on skills for the future is fantastic—it’s simple and straightforward. But the reality is that implementing these ideas isn’t always as easy as it sounds.” To be effective, such skills need to be appropriately channelled. Here Bradshaw states: “Companies that aim to leverage skills effectively in 2025 will focus on mastering the requirements of specific functions or roles, gaining a deep understanding of the skills necessary for success.” Such information needs to be captured and processed, says Bradshaw: “Once these insights are incorporated into their learning and development strategies, they can confidently address other critical organizational roles.” AI: Culture of AI Will Become Priority No digital technology can be successfully incorporated without reforming the workplace culture. Emphasizing the importance, Bradshaw says: “Companies will begin to foster a culture where people feel comfortable leveraging AI for efficiency and customer service improvements without seeing it as a threat. Some will embrace this more readily than others, but to succeed, organizations must balance small-scale experimentation with building a broader, AI-ready culture. AI will become dominant in the workforce, so it’s essential to start learning in a controlled environment now.” Fall of the HR Tech Stack, Rise of the CHRO How well does HR interact with the board and what matters most as we think about entering 2025? Bradshaw recommends: “I’m hearing more and more from senior HR leaders about the challenges of integrating the various layers of their HR technology stack. The struggle to get these systems working seamlessly together is a real issue.” In terms of how artificial intelligence can assist, Bradshaw considers: “AI could help solve this by driving better data and insights, but it also requires HR to evolve. We need more HR tech specialists and analysts who can go beyond delivering raw data to provide actionable insights. It’s about understanding what the workforce looks like, identifying skill gaps, and aligning with the CEO’s vision. As a result, I think we’ll see the role of the CHRO elevated, with some even coming from business backgrounds, as HR becomes a key driver of business optimization and productivity.” Interview Intelligence: Structured Digital Interviews Will Be Key to Talent Acquisition Getting recruitment right is also essential. Bradshaw says:“We’re witnessing the emergence of digital interviewing as a pivotal solution in both talent acquisition and management. Every job, whether it’s a barista or a CEO, involves an interview process, yet most of these interviews are unstructured and often kept private, making them inefficient. The rise of virtual interviewing has made candidates more comfortable with online platforms, but it’s time to move toward a more structured approach that incorporates interview intelligence. By analyzing key metrics—like engagement and communication dynamics—we can enhance the experience for both candidates and organizations. Research indicates a strong demand for this transformation in structured digital interviews, which I believe will significantly improve hiring processes in the coming year.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

INOVIO Announces Proposed Public OfferingIndia alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Sells 1,610 Shares of SPS Commerce, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPSC)

An Iraqi official has told Newsweek that the country had no plans to send troops into neighboring Syria but was instead searching for a political resolution as a coalition of insurgents edged toward Damascus, threatening to oust longtime President Bashar al-Assad in a dramatic turn of a 13-year civil war. "Iraq is working hard to find a balanced political solution to the recent repercussions," an Iraqi government spokesperson told Newsweek . "Iraq does not seek or think about military intervention in Syria." At the same time, the spokesperson emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the likely effects the upheaval could have on Iraq. "Everything that is happening in Syria is directly related to Iraqi national security," an Iraqi government spokesperson said, "and therefore Iraq cannot remain far from understanding the developments and studying the extent of their impact on it now and in the future." The rapid Syrian rebel advance was launched on November 27 and has been led by the Islamist Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham group and backed by other opposition factions, including the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army. Since then, the government has suffered a series of major losses, including the capture of Aleppo, Hama and Daraa, with insurgents now reportedly closing in on Damascus and Homs despite the Syrian military's repeated assurances of a counterattack. Russia, Iran and factions of the Tehran-led Axis of Resistance coalition, including Iraq-based militias, have pledged support for the Syrian government. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was also one of two Arab leaders, alongside United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to convey his support for Assad in the midst of the uprising. As Iraqi troops and militias bolstered positions along the 370-mile border with Syria that a decade ago was overrun by the Islamic State militant group ( ISIS ), the Iraqi government spokesperson emphasized that Baghdad would not tolerate any cross-border threats. "Iraq is still an active part of the international coalition to defeat ISIS in Syria and Iraq," the spokesperson said. "And this gives it an international mandate to defend its security and sovereignty if any party thinks of encroaching on the Iraqi borders." The spokesperson added: "Iraq is currently making exceptional political and diplomatic efforts with all countries neighboring Syria and with countries active in the Syrian arena to reach understandings that facilitate the formulation of agreed-upon political solutions to find a solution to the crisis in Syria." The remarks came a day after the top diplomats of Iraq, Iran and Syria met in Baghdad to discuss the latest developments in Syria. During his meeting with Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed his "deep concern" over the situation and the two "affirmed the importance of continuing consultation and coordination between the two countries to avoid the recurrence of past experiences, in addition to working to protect the regional security to ensures the stability of the region and serves common interests," according to an Iraqi readout. Once a staunch opponent of Assad, Baghdad developed warmer ties with Damascus after the U.S.-led invasion that overthrew Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003. After a decade of ongoing violence between U.S. troops and rival militias, ISIS emerged from the chaos and seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, which fell into civil war in 2011 amid clashes between security forces and rebels. The jihadis were ultimately beaten back in both nations by a variety of local and regional forces, including the Iraqi and Syrian militaries, Iran-backed militias and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. The Syrian government also reclaimed much of its territory from rebel groups who were left largely concentrated in the northwestern province of Idlib and the outskirts of Aleppo. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is today the most powerful insurgent group in Syria and was formerly known as the Nusra Front. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, was once a close ally of late ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who previously led Al-Qaeda in Iraq, of which the Nusra Front was considered to be the Syrian branch. Golani ultimately refused to merge into ISIS and rescinded ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016. He has since sought to argue that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham no longer had jihadi aspirations to extend their aims beyond the borders of Syria. In a video message addressed to Sudani on Thursday, Golani called on the Iraqi leader not to intervene in Syria and sought to reassure him that the unrest would not extend into Iraq. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's political wing, the Syrian Salvation Government, has also sought to assuage concerns by the Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have also clashed with rebel groups and seized the eastern city of Deir Ezzor on Friday after Syrian troops abandoned their posts. That same day, a representative of the SDF's political wing, the Syrian Democratic Council, told Newsweek that ISIS was seeking to exploit government losses to resurge in Syria. In the remarks shared Saturday with Newsweek , the Iraqi government spokesperson urged for unity in Syria and warned against any attempts to incite further divisions. "Iraq rejects tampering with the unity of Syrian territory and rejects the introduction of any divisive ideas, as this poses a danger to the entire region," the Iraqi government spokesperson said. "Iraq rejects exposing the Syrian people to more suffering and pain after these long years of ordeal and diaspora," the spokespersons added. "And Iraq seriously warns against tampering with national and religious minorities or trying to incite divisions in the Syrian social fabric, and their effects on the neighborhood." The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state-sponsored coalition of paramilitary forces formed to fight ISIS, also confirmed that its units were taking measures to prevent any threats from spreading to Iraq. "There are major measures being taken by the Popular Mobilization Forces in cooperation with the rest of the Iraqi security services, the army, the police, and the Counter-Terrorism Service, in order to secure Iraq from terrorist gangs," PMF Media Director Muhannad al-Aqabi said in a statement shared with Newsweek on Saturday. "These measures began a few days ago and are still ongoing." Aqabi said that the PMF viewed the situation with gravity but was capable of safeguarding Iraqi security. "We in the Popular Mobilization Forces are fully prepared to confront any aggression," Aqabi said. "We have sufficient capabilities in terms of manpower and military capabilities, and we have sufficient experience to fight terrorist groups. Therefore, we are very concerned about what is happening in Syria, but it does not reach the point of fear because Iraq is completely different from Syria." While the PMF officially reports to the Iraqi Armed Forces, a number of its units, including the Nujaba Movement and Kataib Hezbollah, have operated independently, including in rocket and drone attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. These attacks have accelerated in the midst of the 14-month war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, which Iran and its Axis of Resistance have supported. Days after the spokesperson for the Nujaba Movement told Newsweek that the group viewed the Syrian rebel offensive as serving the interests of the U.S. and Israel and would commit to Assad's defense, reports emerged of Iraqi militias crossing the border into Syria. Addressing these reports, Aqabi said "this matter does not concern the Popular Mobilization Forces," which "currently have a limited function within Iraq exclusively, and no official military force is allowed to violate the orders and instructions issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces." "The factions have their own decisions and opinions," Aqabi said. "And we are committed to the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces." This is a developing news story. More information will be added as it becomes available.

The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. Announces Retirement of Thomas J. Herzfeld from the Board of Directors and Named Chairman Emeritus; Names Cecilia Gondor Chairperson; Brigitta Herzfeld Named to the Board

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok ‘challenge’ known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students.America’s trade deficit dipped in October from the previous month, with imports and exports falling more than usual, according to recent government data. The big dip in imports came after buyers increased their purchases in September, according to a Dec. 5 post from accounting company KPMG. “Manufacturers and retailers were stocking up to hedge against the threat of a port strike on the East Coast and to avoid another round of tariffs levied on China,” KPMG stated. The decline of four percent was also the fourth largest drop in imports since the end of the 2007–08 Great Financial Crisis, according to KPMG. Major import declines were seen in goods like computers, semiconductors, crude oil, pharmaceutical preparations, and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines. Meanwhile, the 1.6 percent dip in exports was the “largest decline in eight months,” KPMG said. “Soft growth among the main U.S. trading partners and the strong dollar are to blame.” Goods like computer accessories, passenger cars, industrial supplies and materials, consumer goods, and trucks, buses, and special-purpose vehicles saw a dip in exports. Overall, the $73.8 billion trade deficit was higher than expected, the accounting company said. “The trade deficit with the European Union improved by $6.7 billion, far and away the biggest advance since the data has been collected and due almost entirely to fewer imports. The deficit with China fell following last month’s scramble to avoid new tariffs,” it noted. It pointed out that America’s trade deficit has been widening over the past several years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. He also vowed to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, over and above other tariffs, citing the failure of the communist regime to tackle fentanyl flows into the United States. Some have warned against imposing such measures. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said during a press conference that the president-elect’s proposed tariffs would lead to prices of food, gas, oil, and other commodities rising. “This is a regressive tax that will have a profound impact on progress and momentum that we’re starting to enjoy,” Newsom said. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, dismissed such concerns. “In his first term, President Trump instituted tariffs against China that created jobs, spurred investment, and resulted in no inflation,” she said to The Epoch Times. While the trade deficit affects several sectors, agriculture is a key issue. In March, a group of Senate Republicans asked the federal government to tackle the agricultural trade deficit America is facing. “This decline is unsustainable, and we urge the Biden administration to immediately take action to improve the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products abroad and reverse this trend.”Investors looking to build their dream portfolio for retirement certainly have plenty of options to choose from. Of course, investors could go the growth route and look to create a portfolio that compounds on itself over time for big gains. Or investors could go the income route, looking to generate a portfolio of passive-income streams to live off of in retirement. I’d argue that an approach that spans both strategies isn’t only possible, but preferable. The two companies I’m going to highlight below provide the right mix of both yield and growth that I think can serve long-term investors well. Here’s why those looking to invest in their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) may want to consider these two individual stock picks. Dream Industrial REIT ( ) is one of the biggest players in the industrial real estate sector. The company owns and manages a diversified portfolio of high-quality industrial properties across Canada, the United States, and Europe. As e-commerce grows rapidly and warehouse and logistics facilities are in greater demand by companies, Dream Industrial is poised to deliver sustained growth and stable income. In my view, industrial real estate really is the place for most investors to be right now. And with Dream Industrial’s platform consisting of more than 250 properties, many located in the most in-demand markets, there’s a lot to like about this REIT’s long-term growth prospects. Additionally, the trust’s leverage it provides to investors seeking exposure to companies operating in the e-commerce, manufacturing, and logistics sectors is world-class. Recent acquisitions in Europe and the U.S. have broadened its geographic footprint and enhanced its exposure to high-growth markets. In my view, this real estate investment trust (REIT), which yields around 5.8% at the time of writing, is an excellent option on the dividend front. And as investors will note from the stock chart above, there’s plenty of capital appreciation upside ahead, particularly if interest rates do head lower in the years to come. Restaurant Brands ( ) remains among my top picks for long-term investors seeking strong total returns over the long term. Now, the stock’s chart below does show a picture of stability — and that’s something I think those investing for retirement want to see. But with meaningful capital appreciation and dividend growth over time, this is a top-quality TSX stock I think is worth holding particularly on dips like the one we’ve seen this year. Restaurant Brands’s yield happens to be much lower than that of Dream Industrial REIT, largely due to the fact that this company isn’t forced to pay out 90% of its cash flows to investors in the form of dividends. However, the company has generated positive earnings growth over the past decade and is well positioned to do so moving forward. I think more dividends and share buybacks are likely, so long as this trend continues. The fast-food sector is one that’s been hit relatively hard of late, and for good reason. The rise of GLP-1 drugs has shifted demand for unhealthier options away from home toward other offerings. However, the company’s key brand positioning within the quick service restaurant space and its ability to pivot toward trends in a way many of its peers haven’t do position Restaurant Brands well to take advantage of a wave of growth, particularly in international markets. The company is a global giant and could continue to take share in exciting new markets in Europe and Asia. Additionally, the quick-service restaurant industry is considered to be highly resilient, particularly even during any economic downturns. Consumers rely on cheap and affordable dining options during difficult times, thus ensuring cash flows for the brand. Thus, for investors seeking defensive total returns over the long-term, this is a top name I think is worth keeping in the portfolio right now.