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live casino australia NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose Monday, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% to pull closer to its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 440 points, or 1%, to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.NoneThe cannabis industry has experienced dramatic changes over the past few years, with a stronger focus on social equity and justice than ever before. As more states legalize cannabis, the conversation has shifted from just legalizing the substance to addressing the deep-rooted damage caused by the War on Drugs, particularly within marginalized communities. For many, cannabis legalization is about more than just making it legal—it’s a chance to repair past wrongs and provide opportunities for economic empowerment to those who have suffered the most from criminalization. A major step in this direction is the rise of social equity programs . These initiatives are designed to help people—especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) —who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. These programs not only offer financial assistance for expungement services (which help clear old cannabis-related convictions) but also provide mentorship for those looking to enter the cannabis industry. Companies like Green Thumb Industries and Curio Wellness are leading the charge by providing resources to aspiring entrepreneurs from underserved communities, helping them navigate the complex world of cannabis licensing and business development. Despite the promising steps these programs have made, significant barriers still remain. One of the biggest challenges is the high cost of entering the cannabis industry. The fees for obtaining cannabis licenses and the complex regulatory environment can be overwhelming, particularly for those who have been historically excluded from economic opportunities. While social equity programs aim to level the playing field, financial challenges can still limit access for the most vulnerable communities. In addition to these equity efforts, there’s a growing trend among consumers to support local cannabis producers —especially craft cannabis farmers . These smaller businesses tend to emphasize quality, sustainability, and community values over the mass production methods of large corporate growers. By choosing to support local cannabis farms, consumers contribute to the local economy, promote ethical practices, and push back against the overwhelming influence of big corporations. This movement is part of a broader trend of ethical consumption , where every purchase can help shape a more socially responsible industry. Supporting smaller producers has benefits beyond just the financial. These businesses are often more in tune with their communities and provide a chance to foster greater diversity within the cannabis market. In states like Massachusetts , where cannabis licenses are distributed with a focus on social equity , local producers from historically impacted communities now have the chance to play a role in shaping the future of the cannabis industry. These opportunities not only create jobs but also allow individuals who have been affected by cannabis prohibition to take part in the economic boom that legalization has brought. While progress has been made, there’s still a lot of work to be done. For the full potential of the cannabis industry to be realized, we need to continue addressing systemic barriers , such as the high costs of entry and institutional discrimination, which still prevent many from taking full advantage of cannabis opportunities. By supporting local farmers and small businesses , alongside expanding social equity programs , we can work towards a cannabis market that is not just profitable, but also just , inclusive , and deeply connected to the communities it serves.Vermont News & Media partners with Thruhike to promote all things Southern Vermont

When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys “that dreaming, longing feeling we all love.” She’s not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding this week that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. And say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that has received backlash online. Its mission statement: “Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds.” “Intrigued?” @Jaguar posted on social media. “Weird and unsettled” is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. “Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian,” the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, “a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles.” Our brands, ourselves Jaguar, a sturdy symbol of British tradition and refinement, was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and, yes, cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort each other, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell’s , the soupy, 155-year-old American icon immortalized in pop culture decades ago by Andy Warhol, is ready for a new, soupless name . Comcast’s corporate reorganization means that there will soon be two television networks with “NBC” in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. One could even argue that the United States itself is rebranding a bit with the election this month of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate in a divided nation. Unlike Trump’s first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it’s a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. But volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from “brandr,” an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. “It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like its turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology,” said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — in 2024 is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a “polycrisis:” the idea that there are several massive crises converging and that feel scary and complex. “People are understandably freaked out by that,” he said. “So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face.” Trump’s “Make America Great Again” qualifies. So did President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” slogan atop his legislative plan. And Campbell’s soup itself — “Mmm Mmm Good” — isn’t going anywhere, its CEO, Mark Clouse, said in a statement. The company’s new name, Campbell’s Co., will reflect “the full breadth of our portfolio,” which for some time has included brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. | When Jaguar is not a sleek movie-star car, what is it? None of the recent activity around heritage brands has sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar’s. It’s a company that has stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. The rebrand, which includes a new logo, is slated to launch Dec. 2 during Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric GT model. Jaguar said in its press release that its approach was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to “copy nothing.” What it’s calling “the new Jaguar” will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it’s famous “leaper” cat. “Exuberant modernism” will “define all aspects of the new Jaguar world,” according to the press release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction, though, ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to “woke” culture as the blowback intersected with politics. “Grace. Space. Pace. That’s what you are supposed to be about,” tweeted @JonnyHorsepower. “I don’t know what the hell this ad (?) is about.” Replied @Jaguar, cryptically: “These are our Strikethroughs. Deliberate, graphical and linear.” A Spectator headline declared that the Jaguar rebrand is “doomed” and that it had “killed a British icon.” But wait: “What if the rebrand turns out to be just a huge mockery of ‘woke’ rebrands?” wondered Bennie1289 on Reddit. Marketing and branding designers pointed out that any rebrand should, at least, be easy for consumers to remember and understand. JaGUar stumbled over that test on Day 1. “Correction, November 19th,” read a blurb under an article in The Verge. “A previous version of this article said only the ‘G’ and ‘U’ letters in Jaguar are upper case. The ‘J’ is also upper case.” —Laurie Kellman, Associated Press The application deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 6, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws

TURTLE CREEK, Pa., Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE) ("Eos" or the “Company”), America’s leading innovator in the design, sourcing, and manufacturing of zinc-based long duration energy storage (LDES) systems, manufactured in the United States, today announced that it has received the first loan advance from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Programs Office in the amount of $68.3 million. The loan advance, which covers 80% of eligible costs incurred to date on the Mon Valley Works expansion project, represents the maximum allowable amount under the program at this time. The loan advance covers both capital expenditures and project associated operating expenses incurred as part of the Company's production expansion plans related to Project AMAZE in the Mon Valley Works. These funds support Eos’ ongoing efforts to enhance its operational capacity and further its strategic growth objectives. “Our first state-of-the-art manufacturing line has been operational since June 2024, and this funding is a significant milestone towards expanding our manufacturing capacity and being able to procure line 2,” said Nathan Kroeker, Eos Chief Financial Officer. “The loan proceeds from the DOE, coupled with our strategic partnership and investment from Cerberus Capital Management, facilitates our growth plans to capitalize on the growing need for long duration energy storage solutions.” This announcement comes on the heels of 616 MWh in new customer orders and an announced partnership with FlexGen to address a preliminary 50 GWh market opportunity, highlighting the growing demand for American-made long duration energy storage. About Eos Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. is accelerating the shift to American energy independence with positively ingenious solutions that transform how the world stores power. Our breakthrough ZnythTM aqueous zinc battery was designed to overcome the limitations of conventional lithium-ion technology. Safe, scalable, efficient, sustainable—and manufactured in the U.S—it's the core of our innovative systems that today provide utility, industrial, and commercial customers with a proven, reliable energy storage alternative for 3- to 12-hour applications. Eos was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. For more information about Eos (NASDAQ: EOSE), visit eose.com . Forward Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expected revenue, contribution margins, orders backlog and opportunity pipeline for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our path to profitability and strategic outlook, the tax credits available to our customers or to Eos pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the delayed draw term loan with Cerberus, milestones thereunder and the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom, the DOE loan and statements regarding the receipt of funds under the DOE loan and the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom, obtaining the requisite approvals from the DOE to receive guarantees under the loan guarantee agreement, our ability to meet the applicable conditions precedent under the loan guarantee agreement, statements that refer to outlook, projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged; our ability to forecast trends accurately; our ability to generate cash, service indebtedness and incur additional indebtedness; our ability to achieve the operational milestones on the delayed draw term loan; our ability to raise financing in the future, including the discretionary revolving facility from Cerberus; risks associated with the credit agreement with Cerberus, including risks of default, dilution of outstanding Common Stock, consequences for failure to meet milestones and contractual lockup of shares; our customers’ ability to secure project financing; the amount of final tax credits available to our customers or to Eos pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act; uncertainties around our ability to meet the applicable conditions precedent to any funding under the DOE loan; our ability to continue to develop efficient manufacturing processes to scale and to forecast related costs and efficiencies accurately; fluctuations in our revenue and operating results; competition from existing or new competitors; our ability to convert firm order backlog and pipeline to revenue; risks associated with security breaches in our information technology systems; risks related to legal proceedings or claims; risks associated with evolving energy policies in the United States and other countries and the potential costs of regulatory compliance; risks associated with changes to the U.S. trade environment; risks resulting from the impact of global pandemics, including the novel coronavirus, Covid-19; our ability to maintain the listing of our shares of common stock on NASDAQ; our ability to grow our business and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain our management and key employees; risks related to the adverse changes in general economic conditions, including inflationary pressures and increased interest rates; risk from supply chain disruptions and other impacts of geopolitical conflict; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that Eos may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; other factors beyond our control; risks related to adverse changes in general economic conditions; and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to additional risks, uncertainties, and factors, including those more fully described in the Company’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in the subsequent periodic and current reports and other filings that the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks and uncertainties may emerge that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.For Zimbabwean investors, the thrill of participating in the US and Canadian markets lies in their potential for stability and growth, offering a way to spread risk and possibly enhance returns. Here’s how you can explore these opportunities with just a basic understanding of finance. Diversification is like not putting all your eggs in one basket. Instead of relying solely on local investments, you spread your money across different types of investments, in this case, across different countries. This can protect your wealth from local economic swings. ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are a great way to start: This index includes the 500 largest companies in the US. Investing in an ETF that tracks this index gives you a piece of all these companies, from tech giants to traditional businesses, reducing the risk compared to picking one stock. This is where I invest most of my money and historically, while the past can not guarantee the future, US S&P 500 has been shown to beat more than 90 percent professional investors in the US. Similarly, this index represents the largest companies in Canada, giving you exposure to Canadian economic health. By investing in these indices, you’re not betting on one company’s success but on the overall market’s performance, which tends to be more stable over time. Note, I invest in an Index through an ETF not in the index itself. Sector-specific investments Known for innovation, the US tech sector includes companies like Apple or Microsoft. These can offer growth but come with their own risks due to rapid changes in technology. Canada has vast natural resources. Investing in this sector can be lucrative, especially with global demand for energy and minerals. These sectors have historically shown strong performance, offering potential for growth that might not be available locally. Currency diversification When your local currency weakens, investments in USD or CAD can act like a financial shield: If the Zimbabwean dollar (ZiG) falls, your investments in stronger currencies could increase in value relative to your local currency. Stability: North American markets are known for their stability compared to some emerging markets, providing a safe haven for your capital. How to Get Started for Zimbabwean Investors Education: Learn the basics. Websites, books, or even local newspaper articles can help. My book can be a starting point, “The Intelligent Millennial Investor” It’s available on my website :www.streetwiseeconomics.com. Look for online brokers that allow international investing. Some platforms cater specifically to non-residents. You don’t need a large sum to begin. Even small investments in ETFs can grow over time. Don’t just invest in one area. Spread across different sectors and countries. The markets, especially technology and commodities, evolve. Stay informed. Conclusion Diversifying into the US and Canadian markets can be a step towards financial security, offering exposure to stable and growing economies. It’s about balancing risk and reward, providing a cushion against local economic volatility.

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