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lucky k LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

VANCOUVER — Taylor Swift touched down on five continents during her Eras Tour, and now fans from around the world are awaiting its final curtain at BC Place in downtown Vancouver. Fans are anticipating what the singer has in store for the 149th and final performance of a tour that has explored Swift's vast song catalogue, past and present. Grossing an estimated US$2 billion in revenue with the Eras Tour, Swift has bucked the downward trend of a music industry disrupted by the downfall of physical album sales and the rise of pennies-per-song streaming services. The tour that began in the spring of 2023 saw Swift make countless outfit changes while fans enthusiastically handed out their trademark friendship bracelets. Hours before Swift was set to take to the stage, fans like Meme Bautista and Jean Batac were milling about near BC Place, planning to visit Swift-themed signs erected around Vancouver before the superstar's third sold-out night at the stadium. Bautista says her fandom has only grown since she last saw Swift in the Philippines a decade ago, and she has mixed emotions about the tour coming to an end. "A lot of people are expecting something like a surprise announcement or something special," Bautista said Sunday. "A lot of people have described it as like a kindness convention. It's more than just a tour, it's like a community coming together celebrating ... having fun. "And it's very sad to see that coming to an end." While Bautista has been a diehard Swiftie for years, Batac is a new convert. Batac said she's looking forward to seeing her friend's reaction because Swift is Bautista's "dream artist." "I'm looking forward to her emotion," Batac said. Batac and Bautista are two out thousands who descended on downtown Vancouver over the last three days, including celebrities like rapper Flavor Flav. The Public Enemy hype-man said on social media he's on his way from Los Angeles to "Taycouver" on a "flight full of Swifties" ahead of Sunday's last show. B.C. singer Michael Buble was handing out friendship bracelets on night one, also attended by Swift's parents, while Canuck Jake DeBrusk was at Saturday's show according to a social media post and photo by his girlfriend. Swift has reciprocated fans' feelings, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they "scream them." Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing "Happy Birthday" at tonight's show, ahead of Swift's 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. On Saturday, after the ballad "Champagne Problems," Swift was met with a ritualistic standing ovation that lasted more than four minutes, along with chants of "thank you." "I don't even know how to thank you for everything that you've given to me to get me to this place that I get to even stand here and have this experience," Swift told the crowd. University of Kansas sociology professor and "Swiftologist" Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as "collective effervescence." "What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets," he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swift performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her "don’t make it another 'Cruel Summer,'" a nod to one of her hits. Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday's show after seeing her daughter Avery's reaction to the Eras Tour movie. "I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can't even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium, and to see the joy on Avery's face," she said. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer's. "As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back," she said. "So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian PressAll Three Patients Treated in First Dose Cohort Administered Fludarabine-free Conditioning and Show Rapid, Deep, and Sustained B-cell Depletion with Favorable Safety Profile First Patient to Reach 6-Month Follow-up Remains in DORIS Clinical Remission and Free of All Immunosuppressive Therapies Company Plans to Initiate Dose Expansion at First Dose Level of 360M Cells SAN DIEGO, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders, today presented new clinical and translational data from the Company’s FT819 Phase 1 Autoimmunity study for moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting being held in San Diego, CA. The first three study patients, each of whom presented with active lupus nephritis (LN) despite having been treated with multiple standard-of-care therapies, received fludarabine-free conditioning followed by a single dose of FT819 at 360 million cells. There were no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), no events of any grade of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and rapid, deep, and sustained elimination of CD19+ B cells in the periphery was observed during the first month of treatment. FT819 is the Company’s off-the-shelf, CD19-targeted, 1XX CAR T-cell product candidate comprised of CD8αβ+ T cells with a memory phenotype and high CXCR4 expression to promote tissue trafficking. “We continue to be very pleased with early clinical observations of fludarabine-free conditioning and FT819 off-the-shelf, CAR T-cell therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. The remarkable experience of the first patient treated in April is ongoing, as the patient remains on-study in drug-free clinical remission. In addition, the initial clinical and translational data from the two additional patients treated at the first dose level continue to support the potential for disease transformation,” said Bob Valamehr, President of Research and Development of Fate Therapeutics. “We are now initiating dose expansion at this first dose level to accelerate development, and are also escalating dose based on the favorable safety profile observed. In addition, I am pleased to announce that the first patient has now been treated with FT819 as an add-on to maintenance therapy without conditioning chemotherapy. We believe our therapeutic approach is highly-differentiated and has the potential to transform disease outcomes without requiring patient apheresis, discontinuation of maintenance therapy, intense conditioning chemotherapy, and extended hospitalization.” FT819 Phase 1 Autoimmunity Study The ongoing multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with moderate-to-severe SLE is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-B cell activity of FT819 (NCT06308978). The first three patients, all of whom presented with active LN despite having been treated with multiple standard-of-care therapies, received fludarabine-free conditioning consisting of either cyclophosphamide alone or bendamustine alone, followed by a single dose of FT819 at 360 million cells. In all three patients, FT819 was detected in the peripheral blood and rapid, deep, and sustained elimination of CD19+ B cells in the periphery was observed during the first month of treatment. All three patients remain on-study, and there have been no DLTs and no events of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GvHD. Based on these clinical observations, the Company is initiating dose expansion in up to 10 patients at this first dose level, and is also escalating dose to 720 million cells. The Company’s FT819 Phase 1 Autoimmunity study also includes a second treatment arm to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-B cell activity of a single dose of FT819 as an add-on to maintenance therapy without conditioning chemotherapy in patients with SLE. The first patient has now been treated in this second arm, which is being conducted in parallel with the study’s conditioning arm. FT819 Patient 1 Case Study The first patient treated in the Phase 1 Autoimmunity study presented with active LN and severe disease, which was marked by renal BILAG A (British Isles Lupus Assessment Group) disease activity score based on biopsy, SLEDAI-2K (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) score of 20, FACIT-Fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue) score of 33 (range 0-52, where a score of 52 indicates no fatigue) and PGA (Physician Global Assessment) score of 2.5 (where a score of 3 indicates most severe activity). Following administration of fludarabine-free conditioning and treatment with a single dose of FT819 at 360 million cells, the patient was discharged from the hospital without notable adverse events (AEs) after a protocol-required three-day stay. Rapid elimination of CD19+ B cells in the periphery was observed following treatment, and B-cell recovery by Month 3 was predominantly comprised of naïve, non-class switched B cells with near-complete elimination of switched memory B cells and deep depletion of plasmablasts, indicative of an immune reset. The patient reported that her debilitating fatigue had entirely resolved without further treatment, and treatment with methylprednisolone was discontinued at Month 3. The patient achieved DORIS (definition of remission in SLE) clinical remission, including with resolution of arthritis and active urinary sediment and with a substantial reduction in proteinuria, as of Month 6 follow-up. The patient continues on-study, in DORIS clinical remission, and remains free of all immunosuppressive therapy. iPSC-derived CAR T-cell Product Platform The Company also highlighted the scientific progress of its proprietary iPSC-derived CAR T-cell product platform at the ASH Annual Meeting. In an oral presentation entitled “ Off-the-shelf Product Candidate Incorporates Novel Sword & Shield Technology Designed to Promote Functional Persistence without Conditioning Chemotherapy ”, the Company compared its novel Sword & Shield technology, which utilizes a 4-1BB-targeted CAR (ADR) alongside the complete knock-out of CD58 (CD58KO) to both target and evade host alloreactive immune cells, to other host immune evasion strategies. In preclinical studies of allogeneic models, the Company showed that its Sword and Shield Technology specifically engaged with alloreactive T cells and supported functional persistence while avoiding the killing of general host T cells and activated anti-tumor T cells. This unique observation was not seen with other approaches that are either too broad and undesirably eliminate most of the host immune system or have limited coverage and cannot adequately protect the allogeneic cell product. In a second presentation entitled “ Development of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived T Cells Exhibiting Phenotypic and Functional Attributes of Primary CAR T Cells ”, the Company conducted a series of high-resolution analyses to show stimulated iPSC-derived T cells elicit primary T-cell like activation, proliferation, transcriptional and functional program engagement, and iPSC-derived CAR T cells uniquely emulate antigen-mediated response similar to primary-derived autologous CAR T cells. About Fate Therapeutics’ iPSC Product Platform Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Company’s proprietary iPSC product platform combines multiplexed-engineering of human iPSCs with single-cell selection to create clonal master iPSC lines. Analogous to master cell lines used to mass produce biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, the Company utilizes its clonal master iPSC lines as a starting cell source to manufacture engineered cell products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be stored in inventory for off-the-shelf availability, can be combined and administered with other therapies, and can potentially reach a broad patient population. As a result, the Company’s platform is uniquely designed to overcome numerous limitations associated with the manufacture of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells. Fate Therapeutics’ iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 500 issued patents and 500 pending patent applications. About Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. Using its proprietary iPSC product platform, the Company has established a leadership position in creating multiplexed-engineered master iPSC lines and in the manufacture and clinical development of off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived cell products. The Company’s pipeline includes iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are selectively designed, incorporate novel synthetic controls of cell function, and are intended to deliver multiple therapeutic mechanisms to patients. Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.fatetherapeutics.com . Forward-Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the safety and therapeutic potential of the Company’s iPSC-derived CAR T-cell product candidates, including FT819, the advancement of and plans related to the Company's product candidates, clinical studies and preclinical research and development programs, the Company’s progress, plans and timelines for the clinical investigation of its product candidates, including the expected clinical development plans for FT819, the initiation and continuation of enrollment in the Company’s clinical trials, the initiation of additional clinical trials and additional dose cohorts in ongoing clinical trials of the Company’s product candidates, the timing and availability of data from the Company’s clinical trials, the therapeutic and market potential of the Company’s research and development programs and product candidates, the Company’s clinical and product development strategy, and the Company’s expectations regarding progress, plans, and timelines. These and any other forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company’s research and development programs and product candidates, including those product candidates in clinical investigation, may not demonstrate the requisite safety, efficacy, or other attributes to warrant further development or to achieve regulatory approval, the risk that results observed in prior studies of the Company’s product candidates, including preclinical studies and clinical trials, will not be observed in ongoing or future studies involving these product candidates, the risk of a delay or difficulties in the initiation and conduct of, or enrollment of patients in, any clinical trials, the risk that the Company may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development of any of its product candidates for a variety of reasons (including requirements that may be imposed by regulatory authorities on the initiation or conduct of clinical trials, changes in the therapeutic, regulatory, or competitive landscape for which the Company’s product candidates are being developed, the amount and type of data to be generated or otherwise to support regulatory approval, difficulties or delays in patient enrollment and continuation in the Company’s ongoing and planned clinical trials, difficulties or delays in manufacturing or supplying the Company’s product candidates for clinical testing, failure to demonstrate that a product candidate has the requisite safety, efficacy, or other attributes to warrant further development, and any adverse events or other negative results that may be observed during preclinical or clinical development), and the risk that its product candidates may not produce therapeutic benefits or may cause other unanticipated adverse effects. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s most recently filed periodic report, and from time to time in the Company’s press releases and other investor communications. Fate Therapeutics is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Christina Tartaglia Precision AQ 212.362.1200 christina.tartaglia@precisionaq.comCHATSWORTH, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL), the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, today announced the final opportunity to own a new home at Verona Estates , an exclusive gated community in Chatsworth, California. Only a few homes remain available for sale in this prestigious community, including the professionally decorated Siena Modern Farmhouse model home. The intimate gated enclave of Verona Estates is a rare find showcasing award-winning architecture and innovative home designs. Nestled in an established Chatsworth neighborhood south of the Santa Susana Mountains and adjacent to the Vineyards at Porter Ranch, this exceptional community offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere with the convenience of nearby shopping and easy access to freeways, entertainment, and recreation. Toll Brothers residents in Verona Estates will enjoy distinctive architecture, quality craftsmanship, luxurious home designs with open floor plans, expansive home sites, and proximity to the future 50-acre Porter Ranch community park. Verona Estates offers generous two-story home designs ranging from 4,700 to 6,000+ square feet, with 5 to 6 bedrooms, 4.5 to 6.5 bathrooms, and 3-car garages. The homes also feature popular floor plan options including prep kitchens, guest suites, floating staircases, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and more. Move-in ready homes in the community are priced from $1,979,995. “We are thrilled to offer the final opportunity to own a home in the exclusive Verona Estates community,” said Nick Norvilas, Division President of Toll Brothers in Los Angeles. “The Siena model home is a showcase of luxury and design, and we encourage interested home buyers to visit and experience this exceptional home along with the final few quick move-in homes remaining in the community firsthand.” The Siena Modern Farmhouse model home features designer upgrades throughout, including fully landscaped and furnished interiors, offering an unparalleled living experience. The professionally decorated model home is priced at $2,999,995. For more information, call 844-700-8655 or visit TollBrothers.com/LA . The Sales Center for Verona Estates is located at 20508 Edgewood Court in Chatsworth and is open by appointment only. About Toll Brothers Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 57 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TOL.” The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. In 2024, Toll Brothers marked 10 years in a row being named to the Fortune World’s Most Admired CompaniesTM list and the Company’s Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron’s magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com . From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | ameck@tollbrothers.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cbb8cf4a-a018-4df0-955e-3cf4ab63edeb Sent by Toll Brothers via Regional Globe Newswire (TOLL-REG)

BURLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: NEUP) (“Neuphoria” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its previously announced scheme of arrangement in relation to Bionomics Limited’s proposed re-domiciliation from Australia to the United States, under which Neuphoria will become the ultimate parent company of Bionomics Limited, has been implemented today, December 23, 2024 New York time (December 24, 2024 Sydney time). The shares of common stock of Neuphoria (“Neuphoria Shares”) issued today in connection with the re-domiciliation are expected to commence trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “NEUP” on December 24, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. In addition, Neuphoria will issue options to acquire shares of common stock in Neuphoria (“Neuphoria Options”) to holders of options to acquire shares in Bionomics (“Bionomics Options”) that were issued by Bionomics, in exchange for their Bionomics Options. Neuphoria will also issue a warrant to purchase 1,054,381 shares of common stock in Neuphoria (“Neuphoria Warrant”) to an institutional investor that holds a warrant to purchase 12,652,572 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) of Bionomics (“Bionomics Warrant”), in exchange for the Bionomics Warrant. Further details regarding the implementation of the redomiciliation can be found in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed by Neuphoria with the SEC. About Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. Neuphoria (Nasdaq: NEUP) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapies that address the complex needs of individuals affected by neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuphoria is advancing its lead drug candidate, BNC210, an oral, proprietary, selective negative allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, for the acute, “as needed” treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and for chronic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). BNC210 is a first-of-its-kind, well-tolerated, broad spectrum anti-anxiety experimental therapeutic, designed to restore neurotransmitter balance in relevant brain areas, providing rapid relief from stress and anxiety symptoms without the common pitfalls of sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction. In addition, Neuphoria has a strategic partnership with Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) with two drugs in early-stage clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous system conditions. Neuphoria's pipeline also includes the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor next generation and the Kv3.1/3.2 preclinical programs, both in the lead optimization development stage. Forward-Looking Statements Neuphoria cautions that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “potential,” “continue” or “project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Neuphoria that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and its other reports. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Neuphoria undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in Neuphoria’s filings with the SEC, copies of which are available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on Neuphoria’s website (www.neuphoriatx.com) under the heading “Investor Center.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Neuphoria expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release. Not an offer of securities This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in any jurisdiction. The Neuphoria Shares, Neuphoria Options and Neuphoria Warrant have not been registered under the US Securities Act and may not be offered or sold except in a transaction registered under the US Securities Act or in a transaction exempt from such registration requirements and applicable US state securities laws.The new program will give creatives the financial capital, mentorship and the space to develop a passion project that will shape the culture of tomorrow NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world where hustle culture is a necessary part of a creator's journey, time, resources and funding can be increasingly elusive luxuries for those looking to invest in their creative footprint. The makers of CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka proudly announce a chance to turn passion into production with the launch of the 'Blue Dot Creative Residency.' Centered around the verticals of entertainment, music, art and fashion, 'The Blue Dot Creative Residency' is designed to support creatives looking to expand into a new creative field and broaden their platforms by exploring uncharted ventures. The innovative program will deliver an environment of creative ease by providing them with direct funding, resources and access needed to invest back into passion projects that shape the culture of tomorrow. CÎROC has long championed greater Black representation in culture. Now, through the program, the brand will help remove the biggest barriers many diverse talents face—lack of funds and bandwidth—to expand their potential and become true multi-hyphenates. For years, CÎROC has been the vodka creatives turn to in moments of elevated celebration. Staying true to this tradition and to kick off this moment, CÎROC celebrated creatives during the biggest art week in Miami with an exclusive dinner experience held on Friday, December 6th at the iconic Rubell Museum where artists, creators and tastemakers came together to embrace the spirit of creative ease . CÎROC has enlisted entertainment industry partners to help identify and vet promising applicants for the inaugural residency class. Together, they will provide capital and unprecedented access to collaborators who will help the creative residents develop their artistic expression. This includes initiatives such as: "As a brand built for the culture, CÎROC has proudly championed luxury and creativity for over 20 years," said Victoria David , Brand Director, CÎROC. "Through the Blue Dot Creative Residency, we are excited to provide the support and resources necessary for this new generation to help shape the culture of tomorrow . " The program will culminate in the release of creative concepts across entertainment, art, music and fashion, each fueled through grants and resources provided by CÎROC and the entertainment industry partners. Through 2025, the program will support and help talent distribute and showcase their projects across different verticals, from movie theatre partnerships to commission-free art galleries. The Blue Dot Creative Residency , open to US residents 25 years old and above, will be accepting applications soon. Be the first to apply when entries open by visiting www.CÎROC.com . CÎROC encourages people of legal drinking age to celebrate responsibly. Stay up to date with the latest news, cocktails and exciting social content by following the conversation at @CÎROC . About CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka is gluten-free and distilled from fine French grapes; a process inspired by over a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship, providing a crisp, clean taste and citrus nose. Launched nationwide in January 2003, DIAGEO's ever-expanding flavor portfolio includes CÎROC RED BERRY, CÎROC COCONUT, CÎROC PEACH, CÎROC PINEAPPLE, CÎROC APPLE, CÎROC MANGO, CÎROC SUMMER WATERMELON, CÎROC SUMMER CITRUS, CÎROC PASSION and CÎROC LIMONATA. In June 2018, the makers of CÎROC entered the brown spirits category with the introduction of CÎROC VS, Fine French Brandy. In April 2022, the brand entered the ready-to-drink market, bringing the spirit of luxury and culture to the category with CÎROC Vodka Spritz. About DIAGEO North America DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, CÎROC and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DELEÓN and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO ) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ciroc-champions-creative-ease-with-the-blue-dot-creative-residency-an-innovative-program-empowering-emerging-storytellers-302326664.html SOURCE CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka

Powell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had worked at the company for 20 years and had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 2023 NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, now known as GivingTuesday, has become a major annual day for nonprofits to fundraise and otherwise engage their supporters. In both 2022 and 2023, nonprofits in the U.S. raised $3.1 billion on GivingTuesday. This year, 18.5 million people made donations to nonprofits and another 9.2 million people volunteered. Both the number of donors and the number of volunteers increased by 4% since 2023, according to the nonprofit GivingTuesday's estimates. Pete Hegseth's mother says The New York Times made 'threats' by asking her to comment on a story A basic tenet of journalism — calling someone for comment on a story — was seen as a threat by defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's mother. Penelope Hegseth appeared on Fox News Channel to talk about her son, whose nomination by President-elect Trump to lead the Pentagon is threatened by a series of stories about his past behavior. One came this past weekend, when The New York Times wrote about a private email Penelope Hegseth sent to her son about his treatment of women. She said on Fox News that she felt threatened when the Times called her about the email, which she had quickly regretted sending. The Times said they were engaging in routine journalism. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her.

India News | PM to Inaugurate Rajasthan Global Investment Summit on MondayLondon honored for supporting student mental health and eliminating barriers to care NATICK, Mass. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Business Journal honored Uwill founder and CEO Michael London as part of its 2025 Innovators in Healthcare list . Honorees represent a cross-section of Boston -based innovators addressing some of the most urgent and pressing challenges in the health care industry. London is the founding CEO of Uwill , the leading mental health and wellness solution proudly supporting more than 3 million students at 400 institutions globally. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness programming, realtime data, and support. "It's truly an honor to be recognized among this incredible group of innovators," said Michael London , Uwill founder and CEO. "At Uwill, our mission is to break down barriers to mental health care, delivering immediate and accessible support to students worldwide. This recognition reflects more than innovation—it underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing a vital need for students everywhere." London is a recognized thought-leader and pioneer within social impact entrepreneurship, having created more than one billion dollars in company value throughout his career. In 2013, he founded Examity, a leader in learning validation and online proctoring. Prior, London led Bloomberg Institute, an EdTech start-up funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg . Earlier in his career, he founded College Coach and co-founded EdAssist, both acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions. In 2019, he was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and held a position on the Massachusetts Governor's Commission for Digital Education and Lifelong Learning. Michael is a current Trustee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a Member of the Advisory Board at Babson College where he graduated with honors. He also received his MBA from Boston University . About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. As the most cost-effective way to enhance a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 400 institutions, including Princeton University , the Ohio State University , Santa Fe Community College , and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the exclusive teletherapy education partner for the Online Learning Consortium and teletherapy education partner of NASPA. For more information, visit uwill.com . Contact: Brett Silk bsilk@uwill.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uwill-founder--ceo-michael-london-named-innovator-in-healthcare-302338655.html SOURCE Uwill, Inc

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NoneSyria's president Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus Sunday, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule. Russian news agencies late Sunday said Assad and his family were in Moscow. Crowds toured Assad's luxurious home after the rebels declared he had fled, a spectacular end to five decades of brutal Baath party government. The government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance more than 13 years after Assad's crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria's civil war, which had become largely dormant until the rebel push. "This victory, my brothers, is historic for the region," Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) that spearheaded the advance, said in an address at the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. US President Joe Biden said Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said from the White House. Residents cheered in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free." Celebratory gunfire sounded along with shouts of, "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's". AFP correspondents saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's modern, spacious home whose rooms had been stripped bare. "I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. "We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said. The rebel factions on Telegram proclaimed the end to "50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement". It is, they said, "the start of a new era for Syria." The foreign ministry of Assad's key backer, Russia, had announced earlier Sunday that Assad had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility. Later Sunday, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that he and his family had arrived in Moscow where they had been granted asylum "on humanitarian grounds". Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the repressive system of government he inherited. For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed. During their advance, the rebels said they had freed prisoners, including on Sunday at the Sednaya facility, notorious for the darkest abuses of Assad's era. UN war crimes investigators urged those taking charge in the country to ensure the "atrocities" committed under Assad's rule are not repeated. Amnesty International called this a "historic opportunity" for those responsible for the abuses in Syria to face justice. The end of Assad's rule came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs. Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27, the same day a ceasefire took place in neighbouring Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah had supported Assad during the long civil war but has been severely weakened by Israeli strikes. The group's forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday. HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda but has sought to soften its image in recent years. It remains listed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments. On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday. The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime" as "historic". A military council affiliated with the SDF clashed Sunday with Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in Syria's north, leaving 26 fighters from both sides dead, the Observatory said, as the Turkish-backed group launched an offensive on the Manbij area. The Observatory said Israel had struck government security buildings and weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus, as well as in the eastern Deir Ezzor province. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil". "This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added. The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment". Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition". Iran said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised. Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 910 people, mostly combatants but also including 138 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. Syria's war has killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes. Millions fled abroad. "I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014. "But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo. Liberated, but facing enormous challenges. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday the bloc would help rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities after Assad's fall. bur-it/jjStocks to Watch: Five Below, American Eagle Outfitters, PVH Corp., GreifTrump selects Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws

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Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsThe 30s and 40s are pivotal decades in shaping your financial future. While the 30s often mark the beginning of financial responsibilities, the 40s demand a sharper focus on building a robust retirement plan. 30s: Getting into the loop Very few enter their 30s with a firm grasp on their finances. Most are only just beginning to find their feet in their careers. Around this time, most typically get married and are even blessed with an offspring, which brings on the burden of family responsibilities. Expenses start piling up, even as income is yet to pick up substantially. Some may take on a sizeable home loan along the way, which further squeezes the income. Lifestyle spends like travel and entertainment dominate this phase. Dilshad Billimoria, Managing Director, Dilzer Consultants, laments, “Retirement is not really a priority for individuals in their 30s, with many keen on vacations and other experiences.” There is a belief that enough time is at hand to ponder over a goal like retirement. A high degree of optimism regarding future earnings is also a common reason for putting it off. However, you could be setting yourself up for a disaster. If you put off saving for retirement any further, you could be left playing catch-up later, which could be a losing battle. Rohit Shah, Founder, GYR Financial Planners, asserts, “By the time you enter your 40s, you would have merely 15-20 years left for retirement, which is not adequate to capture gains from compounding. Having 25-30 years of compounding makes a material difference to your corpus.” Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Learn InVideo AI: Create Videos from Text Easily By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Entrepreneurship Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program For instance, if somebody starts putting away Rs.10,000 towards retirement in a diversified equity fund at 35 and steps up contributions by 5% every year, he will amass a tidy corpus of Rs.2.54 crore by 60. However, if he delays the start until 40, even with a higher starting outlay of Rs. 15,000, he will amass a much lower corpus of Rs. 1.96 crore. Pune-based Shaunak Potdar, 38, is clear about prioritising retirement over anything else at the moment. Even though he is yet to figure out the specifics of his retirement plan, he has been making steady contributions towards this bucket from his early working years. “I want to ensure that my family continues to maintain the same lifestyle even after retirement,” Potdar asserts. For now, he estimates a need of Rs. 6 crore on retirement. He runs an allocation of 75% in favour of equities, featuring investments in stocks, equity funds and ETFs, apart from contributions to the EPF, PPF and the NPS. His Rs. 1.2 lakh monthly investment outlay makes him confident that he will be able to manage a comfortable retirement. Potdar recognises it as critical that he starts laying the foundation of his retirement plan even if there is little clarity on the relevant figures. Amol Joshi, Founder, PlanRupee Investment Services, says there are no excuses to not start investing. “You shouldn’t put off saving just because you don’t have a grip on the numbers.” You may initially make do with rough assumptions about future income and expenses, as well as return. There will be time to fine-tune the math later. Savings may be lean now, but you will get more breathing space as your income starts picking pace. It is more important to start somewhere so that you have a platform to build on later. “You cannot remain casual about the retirement goal any longer. Even if you start modestly, get a realistic grip on your present finances and build on that,” exhorts Prableen Bajpai, Founder, FinFix Analytics & Research. Tarun Birani, Founder and Director, TBNG Capital Advisors, asserts, “Try to gradually fill up your stability bucket to give yourself a strong chance at attaining financial freedom.” He suggests putting away at least 25% of the monthly income towards this goal. Identify the existing investments that can be earmarked for your nest egg. “It is important to have a clear segregation of goals, otherwise many tend to dip into the retirement pot even for non-essential expenses,” Joshi exhorts. For the salaried, the Employee Provident Fund would obviously find space in this bucket. However, overrelying on fixed income will be a drag on your portfolio. Inflation will easily eat into any accumulations, leaving you staring at a sizeable deficit closer to your retirement. In the early-to-mid 30s, your retirement portfolio should have a bias towards equities. Experts recommend up to 75% allocation to equities. With another 25-30 years left for retirement, you have enough runway to ride out the interim volatility in this space. Carefully select and tag 1-2 equity funds for regular SIP contributions towards the retirement goal. A proven flexi-cap fund or a combination of frontline index funds, along with a mid-cap fund, can serve this purpose. The NPS is another good retirement vehicle, providing a very targeted avenue towards this goal. Experts suggest opting for its ‘active choice’ mode, which allows the subscriber to choose his own asset allocation. Here, investors can park up to 75% of the corpus in equities till the age of 50. Joshi remarks, “If the equity allocation is inadequate, the tax benefits and low cost of NPS won't be enough to build a hefty corpus.” NPS subscribers can even remain invested up to the age of 70, thus allowing more time for compounding of the accumulated corpus. Together, these investments are enough to fill up your retirement pot. Recalibrate retirement plan in your 40s You may want to revisit your calculations to avoid falling short of the target later on. IF YOU START AT 35 YEARS... BY 45 YEARS, YOU WOULD HAVE... 40s: Sorting it out Stepping into the 40s brings a reality check for many. The carefree, cavalier attitude towards work and money of previous years typically mellows. Towards the mid-to-late 40s, particularly, the proximity to retirement, along with other critical life goals, starts taking a bigger share of your mindspace. If your retirement plan till now was merely a rough sketch, it should now take a more structured shape. By this time, you would be in a better position to get a fix on the numbers. It is when most pieces of the puzzle start coming together. You are well established in your field of work, allowing a degree of stability in finances. Your income and expenses profile are clearer. The financial needs of your family take a definite shape. Your savings capacity also ramps up sharply in your 40s, as career advancements fetch you a higher pay. With 10-15 years of working life remaining, now is the time to convert the marathon into a sprint. “In the 40s, you are in a phase of your career that allows a higher traction in savings. This is the time you should be most focused on the retirement goal,” insists Shah. Sadanand Kholkute, 44, started investing 15 years ago in a diversified basket of mutual funds via SIPs. “In order to overcome inflation and live peacefully after retirement, it is necessary to have a proper vision,” he acknowledges. This has put him in a good financial position. However, he is yet to crystallise his savings habit into a structured financial plan. He risks getting waylaid if he doesn’t get the math right. Experts insist one should fine-tune the financial plan by the mid-40s based on actual financial realities. Revisit prior calculations made when the picture was hazy. “When starting out, there is a tendency to overestimate earnings potential and underestimate expenses,” points out Bajpai. You may need to go back to the drawing board and kickstart the plan afresh to get back on the right path. You may even want to reconsider prewvious investment choices. “A lot of bad investment decisions happen in the early years, characterised by return chasing and random choices,” remarks Birani. At 40, if your current annual expenses are Rs.12 lakh, your expected annual expenses at retirement would be roughly Rs.38.5 lakh, assuming 6% inflation. If you are targeting a retirement corpus of 25x-30x your total annual expenses, you would need a sum of Rs. 9.6 crore to Rs. 11.5 crore by age 60 to cover your retirement needs. Supposing you have amassed Rs.40 lakh towards your retirement kitty till the age of 40, you would need to invest Rs.87,000 monthly in a portfolio fetching a 10% return to meet the target of Rs.9.6 crore. If you have Rs.75 lakh by 40, you will need to invest roughly Rs.53,000 for the next 20 years. If the numbers seem too steep, don’t fret. You can reach the target corpus even if you are investing a lesser amount today. Make sure to hike contributions every year as your income grows. With every increment or bonus, put aside some amount towards beefing up your retirement savings. It is also crucial that you don’t let any other expense or investment compromise your retirement. “Do not go for bigger purchases like a second home or a vacation home. These will leave little room for savings,” cautions Joshi. He also warns against exploring exotic investment avenues such as futures and options and cryptocurrency in a bid to boost returns. Many also warn against dipping into your nest egg for funding other goals like children’s higher studies. This advice may seem jarring to many parents for whom kids’ education takes precedence over anything else. However, this is what many financial advisers suggest. “You only get one shot at a comfortable retirement. There is no alternative route like education loans and scholarships for this goal,” asserts Joshi. He insists that retirement should be the second priority for mid-lifers—only behind clearing expensive debt.

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