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Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. Trump's request Friday came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The brief said Trump opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing lower as Wall Street ends a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62%. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as January 14th, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. The department has taken such action in the past. But once those measures run out the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years.Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PMInjury-riddled Louisville tries to cool off No. 9 Duke
Young editor, video maker edits sound tracks for movie with astronauts, works at home office. Film ... [+] footage and program interface with tools on computer and big digital screen. Post production concept. As artificial intelligence reshapes the technological landscape, a new paradigm is emerging in content creation: the hybrid workflow. This approach combines AI efficiency with human creativity, and it's rapidly becoming the standard for how modern content creators work. At the forefront of this transformation are tools like Opus Clip, whose use cases offer valuable insights into how AI is augmenting rather than replacing human creativity. "Where we really see ourselves more than anything else, is an efficiency tool," explains Conor Eliot of Opus Clip. "We're not trying to replace any aspect of the human creative process. We're just trying to make life a lot easier for people to take care of the boring stuff, so that they can go out and do the exciting, fun stuff, which is making really cool content." This philosophy represents a broader shift in how many creators are approaching AI: not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a sophisticated tool in their creative arsenal. The emergence of AI-powered creative tools marks a significant evolution in content creation. Many of these tools are designed to handle the time-consuming technical aspects of content production, allowing creators to focus on strategic and creative decisions. While AI handles the technical heavy lifting, humans remain firmly in control of the creative direction. As Eliot emphasizes, "Our vision as a team at Opus clip is that AI is just another tool. It's a tool in your tool kit. It's not designed to replace human creativity." Samsung’s Android 15 Leak—Bad News For Nearly All Galaxy Owners Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Release Date Leaks Samsung Slashes Galaxy Z Fold 6 Price In Early January Sale The new workflow acknowledges the unique requirements of different platforms. "TikTok is the ultimate discoverability platform," Eliot notes, while explaining how different platforms serve different purposes in a creator's strategy. "We spent months and months trying a huge number of different models," Eliot says, describing the development process of their AI Curation feature. "Our system, on a high level, is a hook based system. [We] trained the AI to be able to identify what is the juiciest, the most engaging, the most attractive, first three to five seconds throughout this video." One of the most significant aspects of this new hybrid workflow is its accessibility. Unlike traditional production tools that often required significant investment, new AI-powered tools are being designed with accessibility in mind. "We want this tool to be accessible to as many people as possible," Eliot explains, discussing their pricing strategy. Despite the benefits, implementing effective hybrid workflows isn't without challenges. Content creators must navigate: - Learning to effectively direct AI tools - Maintaining authentic audience connections - Balancing efficiency with quality - Managing a cross-platform content strategy The creative industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in how content is produced. "Content creation has become so niche, where everybody has a very specific audience that they're talking to," Eliot observes. This specialization, combined with AI tools, is enabling creators to produce more targeted, engaging content while maintaining their unique voice. As AI tools evolve, I think we will continue to see the focus on augmenting rather than replacing human creativity. The future of content creation lies not in choosing between human or artificial intelligence, but in mastering their combination. "I think you'll see people pretty quickly realize that they don't really like [purely AI-generated content]," Eliot predicts. "What it comes back to is the value of content, more than anything else, is the community and connection that it brings with it." The emergence of these hybrid workflows represents not just a technological shift, but a reimagining of the creative process itself. As these tools become more sophisticated, I predict the creators who thrive will be those who can effectively harness AI's efficiency while maintaining the human elements that make content truly engaging. Check the full interview with Conor on the Business of Creators podcast .
Manmohan Singh's father may have believed his bookworm son would one day lead India, but the understated technocrat with the trademark blue turban, who died Thursday at the age of 92, never dreamed it would actually happen. Singh was pitchforked into leading the world's largest democracy in 2004 by the shock decision of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to turn down the role after leading the party to an upset win over the ruling Hindu nationalists. He oversaw an economic boom in Asia's fourth-largest economy in his first term, although slowing growth in later years marred his second stint. Known as "Mr Clean", Singh nonetheless saw his image tarnished during his decade-long tenure when a series of corruption cases became public. As finance minister in the early 1990s, he was hailed at home and abroad for initiating big-bang reforms that opened India's inward-looking economy to the world. Known as a loyalist to the Gandhi political dynasty, Singh studied economics to find a way to eradicate poverty in the vast nation and never held elected office before becoming PM. But he deftly managed the rough and tumble of Indian politics -- even though many said Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born widow of the assassinated Rajiv Gandhi, was the power behind the throne. Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah in what is now Pakistan, Singh moved to the holy Sikh city of Amritsar as a teenager around the time the subcontinent was split at the end of British rule into mainly Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. His father was a dry-fruit seller in Amritsar, and he had nine brothers and sisters. He was so determined to get an education he would study at night under streetlights because it was too noisy at home, his brother Surjit Singh told AFP in 2004. "Our father always used to say Manmohan will be the prime minister of India since he stuck out among the 10 children," said Singh. "He always had his nose in a book." Singh won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and Oxford, where he completed his PhD. He worked in a string of senior civil posts, served as a central bank governor and also held various jobs with global agencies such as the United Nations. Singh was tapped in 1991 by then Congress prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to reel India back from the worst financial crisis in its modern history -- currency reserves had sunk so low the country was on the brink of defaulting on foreign loans. Singh unleashed sweeping change that broke sharply with India's Soviet-style state-directed economy. In his first term he steered the economy through a period of nine-percent growth, lending the country the international clout it had long sought. He also sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the US that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs. But by 2008 there was growing disquiet among the ruling alliance's left-leaning parties about the pact, while high inflation -- notably food and fuel prices -- hit India's poor hard. Still, voters remained drawn to his calm, pragmatic persona, and in 2009 Congress steered its alliance to a second term. Singh vowed to step up financial reforms to drive economic growth, but he came under increasing fire from critics who said he had done nothing to stop a string of corruption scandals on his watch. Several months before the 2014 elections, Singh said he would retire after the polls, with Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul earmarked to take his place if Congress won. But Congress crashed to its worst-ever result at that time as the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Narendra Modi, won a landslide. More recently, an unflattering book by a former aide titled "The Accidental Prime Minister" portrayed him as timid and controlled by Sonia Gandhi. Singh -- who said historians would be kinder to him than contemporary detractors -- became a vocal critic of Modi's economic policies, and more recently warned about the risks that rising communal tensions posed to India's democracy. pmc-grk/abh/fox/leg/sms
Last month, the film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, “ Wicked ,” released in theaters, breaking box office records. A viral post online prompts people to share photos they took while watching the movie. “Show ur ‘wicked part 1’ photos,” the post says. Although many people are aware that video recording inside the theater is illegal, others replied to the post with photos they took in their local movie theater, sparking a discussion online about whether it’s legal to take those pictures. Movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse responded to the post calling for photos, writing “Or, don't do that.” THE QUESTION Is it illegal to take pictures of movies at the theaters? THE SOURCES United States Code 2319B Eisner Gorin LLP AMC Theaters Regal THE ANSWER Yes, it is illegal to take pictures of movies at the theaters. WHAT WE FOUND Taking photos of a movie in theaters is illegal under federal copyright laws. Movie theaters also ban the practice. United States Code 2319B states that “any person who, without the authorization of the copyright owner, knowingly uses or attempts to use an audiovisual recording device to transmit or make a copy of a motion picture or other audiovisual work protected under title 17, or any part thereof, from a performance of such work in a motion picture exhibition facility” could face up to three years in prison, fines, or both. If it's a subsequent offense, prison time can increase to up to six years. Audiovisual recording devices are defined under the law to be “a digital or analog photographic or video camera, or any other technology or device capable of enabling the recording or transmission of a copyrighted motion picture or other audiovisual work.” By that definition, cell phones or any still image camera would be included. In addition, the crime is not limited to distributing or sharing illegal work. The very act of taking the picture is in itself illegal. While the law “emerged in response to the growing threat of piracy in the digital age,” Eisner Gorin LLP says it “targets the act of recording itself, regardless of whether the recorded content is distributed or used for personal gain.” Federal law gives theater employees the authority to detain anyone suspected of violating the law. Many movie theaters have outlined in their rules that filming or taking photos during a movie is strictly prohibited. For example, Regal’s admittance policy says , “No recording devices (cameras, video recorders, sound recorders, etc.) are permitted to be used within any Regal Entertainment Group facility.” AMC Theaters has a similar policy, with its code of conduct stating , “In support of federal law, camera use is not permitted in our auditoriums” Related Articles Social media impersonation accounts are illegal in some states, if they’re intentionally deceitful No, T-Mobile is not fining customers over their text message content Are surprise restaurant fees illegal? It depends on where you are The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808Trump Threatens to Retake Control of Panama Canal
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.Aden Holloway explodes as No. 5 Alabama rolls over South Dakota State
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses decision to put a time limit on anesthesiaTOWSON, Md. (AP) — Marcus Banks scored 22 points as UMBC beat Towson 84-71 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TOWSON, Md. (AP) — Marcus Banks scored 22 points as UMBC beat Towson 84-71 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TOWSON, Md. (AP) — Marcus Banks scored 22 points as UMBC beat Towson 84-71 on Saturday. Banks shot 8 for 18, including 5 for 11 from beyond the arc for the Retrievers (6-5). Josh Odunowo scored 17 points and added five rebounds and three steals. Anthony Valentine had 17 points and shot 7 of 9 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 5 from the line. Dylan Williamson finished with 21 points for the Tigers (4-6). Tyler Tejada added 18 points and nine rebounds. Mekhi Lowery also had 12 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. UMBC took the lead with 19:03 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 38-24 at halftime, with Valentine racking up 11 points. UMBC extended its lead to 59-38 during the second half, fueled by a 7-0 scoring run. Banks scored a team-high 13 points in the second half. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. AdvertisementWill the Foldable iPhone Reign Supreme? Next-Gen Tech Hints at Unrivaled Features
Qatar’s banking sector remains healthy, driven mainly by robust buffers, diligent QCB supervision and ample hydrocarbon liquidity. The Qatar Central Bank’s diligent policies have certainly helped to safeguard banking sector stability in the country in 2024. The QCB has broadly maintained the monetary policy in line with the US Federal Reserve, consistent with the currency peg to the dollar. Its progress in enhancing liquidity management is commendable, and continued efforts are important to further strengthen the effectiveness of the monetary operational framework. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently cautioned continued vigilance to address pockets of vulnerabilities. Maintaining the momentum in deepening domestic financial market is also crucial, guided by the Third Financial Sector Strategy. The strength, resilience, and high flexibility of Qatar’s banking sector has been reflected in its capital adequacy ratio, which according to the QCB, remains robust, reaching 19.9% at the end of September this year, compared to 19.2% in December 2023. Total assets of commercial banks in Qatar stood at QR2.007tn in October, according to data provided by QNB Financial Services (QNBFS). Total assets, however, declined by 0.9% during October mainly due to a decrease by 4.1% in foreign assets and by 9.5% in reserves. Total assets were up by 1.9% in 2024 (as of October), compared to a growth of 3.4% in 2023. Assets grew by an average 6.8% over the past five years (2019-2023). Liquid assets to total assets moved lower to 29.3% in October, compared to 30.3% in September, QNBFS noted. Qatar’s Islamic banking assets accounted for nearly 29% of total banking assets as of September this year, which is equivalent to QR576bn, according to the QCB. In 2024, the QCB achieved many milestones by launching a plethora of strategies in alignment with the Third National Development Strategy and the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Third strategy for financial sector will augment Qatar’s economy and financial institutions, in addition to reinvigorating the role of financial sector to offer solutions that protect investors and help their growth. In addition, the QCB launched the fintech strategy that gives priority to innovation in financial services to keep up with technological advancements and expand the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI), thereby shaping a more advanced future for financial sector that is capable of converting challenges into opportunities for growth and prosperity. An array of initiatives and projects have been launched to modernise and enhance the financial sector, along with a series of instructions that would bolster its capability to adapt to potential evolutions, such as digital banking instructions, AI tips, distributed ledger technology, digital insurance company regulation, cloud computing, electronic Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, regulations for ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’, regulations for loan-based crowdfunding and for insurance policy comparison websites. The year has also seen the launch of several other QCB projects and initiatives, including the central bank’s digital currency project and the accelerated regulatory sandbox. Qatari banks continue to set themselves apart through groundbreaking innovation in product offerings, advancements in supply chain logistics, and cutting-edge trade finance and transactional banking solutions. Their strategic focus on emerging digital assets, voice-enabled services, augmented reality, and blockchain technology is redefining industry benchmarks and spearheading the financial sector’s digital transformation. The diversification of portfolios to include green bonds and sukuk has garnered significant interest from both domestic and international investors, underscoring Qatar’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and regulatory excellence. This strategic emphasis not only strengthens market confidence but also positions the country as a leader in green finance. Enhanced governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks reflect a progressive shift from basic regulatory adherence to proactive, impactful implementation. By prioritising asset quality and maintaining robust liquidity, Qatari banks are consistently exceeding regulatory expectations. Moreover, the introduction of new regulations in open banking and micro-financing is catalysing growth in these emerging sectors, driving innovation and strategic execution. Amidst a global talent shortage, Qatari banks are successfully attracting mainly local expertise and making significant investments in nurturing homegrown talent. These efforts are pivotal to sustaining long-term growth and aligning with national development goals. Qatar’s banking sector continues to lead by integrating advanced technologies, delivering exceptional financial performance, and aligning closely with national strategic priorities. While tackling challenges such as fluctuating interest rates, evolving customer demands, and asset liquidations, the sector remains a beacon of stability and growth, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most resilient and promising financial landscapes in the region. As is the case globally, Qatar’s banking sector is also navigating emerging challenges, driven by the rapid advancement of financial technology and the transition to a knowledge-based digital economy. In this evolving landscape, the establishment of proactive regulatory and supervisory frameworks is essential to safeguard stability, foster innovation, and ensure sustainable sector growth. Related Story Sony Middle East and Africa, Fnac Qatar host workshop series for content creators Ministry of Social Development and Family celebrates Qatar National DayBALA CYNWYD, Pa., Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brodsky & Smith reminds investors of the following investigations. If you own shares and wish to discuss the investigation, contact Jason Brodsky ( jbrodsky@brodskysmith.com ) or Marc Ackerman ( mackerman@brodskysmith.com ) at 855-576-4847. There is no cost or financial obligation to you. VOXX International Corporation (Nasdaq - VOXX) Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, VOXX will be acquired by Gentex Corporation (Nasdaq - GNTX) for $7.50 per share in cash. The investigation concerns whether the VOXX Board breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to conduct a fair process, including whether Gentex is paying fair value to shareholders of the Company. Additional information can be found at https://www.brodskysmith.com/cases/voxx-international-corporation-nasdaq-voxx/ . Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq - PWOD) Under the terms of the agreement, Penns Woods will merge with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. ("Northwest") (Nasdaq - NWBI). Northwest will acquire Penns Woods in an all-stock transaction. Penns Woods shareholders will be entitled to receive 2.385 shares of Northwest common stock for each share of Penns Woods common stock they own upon the effective time of the merger. Based on Northwest's closing stock price of $14.44 as of December 16, 2024, the transaction consideration is valued at $34.44 for each share of Penns Woods. The investigation concerns whether the Penns Woods Board breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to conduct a fair process, including whether the deal offers fair value to the Company's shareholders. Additional information can be found at https://www.brodskysmith.com/cases/penns-woods-bancorp-inc-nasdaq-pwod/ . Lucero Energy Corp. LOU PSHIF Under the terms of the agreement, Lucero will be acquired by Vitesse Energy, Inc. ("Vitesse") (NYSE - VTS). Lucero shareholders will receive 0.01239 of a share of Vitesse common stock for each common share of Lucero. The investigation concerns whether the Lucero Board breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to conduct a fair process, including whether the deal offers fair value to the Company's shareholders. Additional information can be found at https://www.brodskysmith.com/cases/lucero-energy-corp-tsxv-lou-otcqb-pshif/ . Brodsky & Smith is a litigation law firm with extensive expertise representing shareholders throughout the nation in securities and class action lawsuits. The attorneys at Brodsky & Smith have been appointed by numerous courts throughout the country to serve as lead counsel in class actions and have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients and shareholders. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Former Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson Launches Bid for DNC ChairHARRY MAGUIRE fears club are "targeting" Manchester United at set-pieces after a dreadful 2-0 defeat to Wolves. United left the Molineux with ten men and three points dropped after goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan. Cunha's 58 minute opener came direct from a corner and United defender Maguire reckons it is becoming a weakness for his side. He said: "To concede again, especially the first goal of the game set-plays are so important in football matches. "They decide games, a lot of the games when they're tight and they're 50/50. "The first goal has been a set-play far too many times against us and it's disappointing." READ MORE ON MAN UTD United conceded two goals from set-pieces against Arsenal and Tottenham's Son Heung-min even scored direct from a corner. United have conceded ten goals from set-pieces this season - excluding penalties. Asked how they fix their set-piece problems, Maguire said: "Work, work, work more on the training pitch. "I think teams now are maybe targeting our areas of set-plays. The strange thing is, I don't feel like we're conceding many chances from them. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "They've had a few set-plays tonight and we've dealt with them really well and they've gone and scored from one. "I think it's hard work, keep the belief, things will change. I know that. We have players who can defend the box well. "They will change, we've just got to stick together." United now host Newcastle next but do so without Bruno Fernandes following his sending off at Wolves. And manager Ruben Amorim said: "Of course, when you lose, when we don't win, it's a step back. "It was really hard with the sending off. The goal was similar against Tottenham. Then, we tried. "Even with one less guy we tried to and I think we were near something but then Wolves scored the second one. "Then, in the end, we tried everything and the transition was 2-0. For us, let's continue. "
Despite a resounding defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the Democrat forged a new path promoting causes such as electoral probity abroad, social justice and drives to rid the world of medical conditions. His first foreign visit as president was to the UK where then prime minister James Callaghan, as well as the usual visits in London, took his guest to the North East with a visit to Newcastle, Sunderland and Washington – the village bearing the name of the first ever president. Mr Carter delighted crowds in the North East by saying “Howay the lads” during a speech to the assembled throng. He also received a miner’s lamp from 12-year-old Ian McEree in Washington. The 39th US president also carried out more traditional presidential duties, including meetings with western European leaders during his time in London while the Cold War was still ongoing. The practising Baptist continued his globetrotting ways after leaving power, even without Air Force One as his vehicle. He was also part of the Elders, a group of experienced statesmen and women drawn from all corners of the world.After closing the books on a banner year for US stocks, investors expect to ride seasonal momentum into mid-January when a slew of economic data and a transition of power in Washington could send markets moving. The S&P 500 rose almost 27% in 2024 through Dec. 26, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite index, which surpassed 20,000 for the first time in December, is up 33.4%. November through January is traditionally a strong period in the market, said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments. Additionally, stocks tend to do well in the last five trading days of December and into the first two days of January, a phenomenon dubbed the Santa Claus rally, which has driven S&P gains of an average of 1.3% since 1969, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. For the last four trading sessions, the S&P rose 2.91%, while the Nasdaq is up 3.3%, lifting hopes for a repeat. "The underlying data suggests that that's likely to continue," Rosen said. Just how long that momentum lasts will depend on several forces that could help drive markets in 2025. Monthly US employment data on Jan. 10 should give investors a fresh view into the health and strength of the US economy. Job growth rebounded in November following hurricane- and strike-related setbacks earlier in the year. The market's strength will be tested again shortly after, when US companies start reporting fourth-quarter earnings. Investors anticipate a 10.6% earnings per share growth in 2025, versus a 12.16% expected rise in 2024, according to LSEG data, although excitement over President-elect Donald Trump's policies is expected to boost the outlook for some sectors, like banks, energy and crypto. "There's the hope that taxes and regulations will be lowered or reduced next year, that will help support corporate profits, which are what drive the market in the first place," said Rosen. Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 could also throw the markets some curve balls. He is expected to release at least 25 executive orders in his first day on a range of issues from immigration to energy and crypto policy. Trump has also threatened tariffs on goods from China and levies on products from both Mexico and Canada, as well as to crack down on immigration, creating costs that companies could ultimately pass on to consumers. Helen Given, associate director of trading at Monex USA, said a new administration always brings with it a large degree of uncertainty. There is also a good chance the impact of the Trump administration's expected trade policies is far from fully priced into global currency markets, she added. "We're looking ahead to see which of those proposed policies actually are enacted, which might be further down the pipeline," Given said, adding she expected a big impact on the euro, Mexican peso, the Canadian dollar, and the Chinese yuan. The conclusion of the Federal Reserve's first monetary policy meeting of the year in late January could also present a challenge to the US stocks rally. Stocks tumbled on December 18 when the Fed implemented its third interest-rate cut for the year and signalled fewer cuts in 2025 because of an uncertain inflation outlook, disappointing investors who had expected lower rates to boost corporate profits and valuations. Still, that could be good for alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. The incoming crypto-friendly Trump administration is adding to a number of catalysts that are boosting crypto investors' confidence, said Damon Polistina, head of research at investment platform Eaglebrook Advisors. Bitcoin surged above $107,000 this month on hopes of friendlier Trump policies. "Crypto is viewed broadly as a kind of risk on assets. So, any Fed cutting rates is a positive... Any positive economic data in early January will help maintain the momentum that we're seeing," Polistina added.
Kansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn't work out so well
TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vanguard Investments Canada Inc. today announced the final November 2024 cash distributions for certain Vanguard ETFs, listed below, that trade on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Unitholders of record on November 29, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on December 06, 2024. Details of the "per unit" distribution amounts are as follows: Vanguard ETF ® TSX Ticker Symbol Distribution per Unit ($) CUSIP ISIN Payment Frequency Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio VRIF 0.081577 92211X109 CA92211X1096 Monthly Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF VRE 0.078389 92203B107 CA92203B1076 Monthly Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF VDY 0.176845 92203Q104 CA92203Q1046 Monthly To learn more about the TSX-listed Vanguard ETFs, please visit www.vanguard.ca About Vanguard Canadians own CAD $117 billion in Vanguard assets, including Canadian and U.S.-domiciled ETFs and Canadian mutual funds. Vanguard Investments Canada Inc. manages CAD $87 billion in assets (as of September 30, 2024) with 38 Canadian ETFs and six mutual funds currently available. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is one of the world's largest investment management companies and a leading provider of company-sponsored retirement plan services. Vanguard manages USD $10.1 trillion (CAD $14 trillion) in global assets, including over USD $3.1 trillion (CAD $4.3 trillion) in global ETF assets (as of September 30, 2024). Vanguard has offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia. The firm offers 426 funds, including ETFs, to its more than 50 million investors worldwide. Vanguard operates under a unique operating structure. Unlike firms that are publicly held or owned by a small group of individuals, The Vanguard Group, Inc. is owned by Vanguard's U.S.-domiciled funds and ETFs. Those funds, in turn, are owned by Vanguard clients. This unique mutual structure aligns Vanguard interests with those of its investors and drives the culture, philosophy, and policies throughout the Vanguard organization worldwide. As a result, Canadian investors benefit from Vanguard's stability and experience, low-cost investing, and client focus. For more information, please visit vanguard.ca. For more information, please contact: Matt Gierasimczuk Vanguard Canada Public Relations Phone: 416-263-7087 matthew_gierasimczuk@vanguard.com Important information Commissions, management fees, and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; please read it before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Vanguard funds are managed by Vanguard Investments Canada Inc. and are available across Canada through registered dealers. London Stock Exchange Group companies include FTSE International Limited ("FTSE"), Frank Russell Company ("Russell"), MTS Next Limited ("MTS"), and FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc. ("FTSE TMX"). All rights reserved. "FTSE®", "Russell®", "MTS®", "FTSE TMX®" and "FTSE Russell" and other service marks and trademarks related to the FTSE or Russell indexes are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and are used by FTSE, MTS, FTSE TMX and Russell under licence. All information is provided for information purposes only. No responsibility or liability can be accepted by the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor its licensors for any errors or for any loss from use of this publication. Neither the London Stock Exchange Group companies nor any of its licensors make any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the FTSE Indexes or the fitness or suitability of the Indexes for any particular purpose to which they might be put. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("SPDJI"), and has been licensed for use by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard). Standard & Poor's®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P"); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Vanguard. Vanguard ETFs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Seagate Technology Holdings PLC stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day
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