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is vipph legit ANKARA The defense chiefs of Southeast Asians nations renewed their support Friday for the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, urging a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Buddhist-majority nation. Defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been meeting in the Laotian capital of Vientiane since Wednesday for an annual summit where they held bloc-level meetings with counterparts from China, the US and other nations. Soon after the February 2021 coup launched by the Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, ASEAN issued a Five-Point Consensus plan, or the 5PCs, when Brunei was at the helm of the regional bloc, to normalize the political situation. It includes building trust and confidence to engender a dialogue among all parties concerned, end violence and alleviate the suffering of residents. The military takeover triggered mass protests in Myanmar, with the junta's forces killing 5,909 victims while 27,612 have been arrested since February 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group. The internal strife, however, has exacerbated with rebel groups forming a "Brotherhood Alliance" in northern Myanmar, bordering China, against the junta. The alliance maintains control over several areas in the region. Recently media reports claimed that China placed Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) commander Peng Daxun under house arrest in the southern province of Yunnan. Beijing refuted the reports, however, and said Daxun entered China for medical care and was "still under treatment." The MNDAA is part of the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army. The alliance previously entered a China-mediated cease-fire with the junta, known as the Haigeng agreement, which broke down following clashes in northern Shan State. *Writing by Islamuddin SajidEconomic Research: Global Economic Outlook Q1 2025: Buckle Up

By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .

Cardinals are average through 12 games and the frustration is it feels as if they could be betterTwo British Columbia (BC) innovation organizations are doling out a combined $9.2 million in funding to projects spanning cleantech and life sciences. The BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy ( ) is investing $7.7 million into 13 projects made through its call for wildfire tech projects and its July open call for innovation. Crown corporation has also awarded $1.5 million to five BC projects focused on research and development in life sciences, food sciences, or cleantech. CICE is investing $3.5 million in six of the 74 companies that applied for the 2024 call for innovation from June. The initiative was launched to source and fund projects working to commercialize technology that can help communities adapt to, prevent, and mitigate the impact of wildfires—a problem that is being in BC by climate change. The companies receiving funding from CICE under this stream include CRWN.ai, FireSwarm Solutions, Hummingbird Drones, Skyward Wildfire Technologies, Voxelis, and Wildfire Robotics. “Wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive, threatening communities, ecosystems, and the economy,” Sarah Goodman, president and CEO of CICE, said in a statement. “The companies we selected are developing cutting-edge solutions to reduce fire risk, improve response times, and protect vulnerable regions.” CICE is also investing $4.2 million in seven B.C. climate tech companies, selected from 79 applicants to its July 2024 open call for innovation. The projects span three key areas: low-carbon hydrogen, low-carbon fuels, and energy storage. They include Edison Motors, NORAM Electrolysis Systems, AlgaFilm Technologies, NanosTech Environmental, Ekona Power, Quantum Technology, and Unilia Fuel Cells. Earlier this year, Ekona Power was among that received a cumulative $57 million from Alberta Innovates. The startup closed in Series A financing in 2022. To date, CICE has invested $39 million in 59 clean energy and climate technology projects valued at over $196 million through its calls for innovation. Innovate BC’s funding comes from the province through the Ignite program, which funds innovation projects in the areas of natural resources and applied sciences. To be considered, projects must also address an industry problem with the potential for significant benefit to BC and be implemented by a group of academic and industry members. Each project is receiving $300,000 in funding. One funded project, led by Ideon Technologies and the University of British Columbia, focuses on developing cosmic-ray muon tomography to improve safety and efficiency in mineral mining. Another project, Peqish Group in collaboration with UBC, is creating chia-based fat substitutes to reduce calories in foods. Rockburst Technologies and UBC received funding to develop a carbon dioxide-based ore pulverization method that reduces emissions in mineral extraction. Also among the Ignite-funding projects is one initiative led by Viridis Research and Simon Fraser University (SFU) to advance water treatment technology for recycling textile wastewater. Lastly, Geno10X Biosciences, Gene Bio Medical, and SFU researchers are receiving funding for their work on an artificial intelligence-driven platform for rapid, non-invasive testing for human papillomavirus, better known as HPV. “These innovations not only address some of the province’s most pressing challenges, but also help promote productivity and growth in key industries, ultimately contributing to a prosperous economy that benefits all British Columbians,” Innovate BC president and CEO Peter Cowan said in a statement.

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By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .BEN BREAKING NEWS: Franklin Resources, Inc. Investors that Suffered Losses are Encouraged to ...

49ers RBs Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason placed on IR

The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upwardTuesday, December 3, 2024 Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, Traveloka, is set to deliver unbeatable deals with its 12.12 Last Double Day Deal, offering up to 50% off on flights, hotels, and travel activities. From December 2–13, 2024, this exciting campaign is designed to help travellers across Singapore create their dream holiday, with exclusive coupons worth up to SGD 250 and flash sales featuring savings of up to SGD 175. Whether you’re dreaming of a snowy winter escape, a relaxing beach vacation, or an urban adventure, the 12.12 Last Double Day Deal has something for every traveller. Traveloka’s 12.12 Last Double Day Deal celebrates the diverse tastes of its customers by showcasing trending destinations that cater to every type of holidaymaker: For snow enthusiasts, head to Hokkaido, Japan. Known for its pristine ski slopes, rejuvenating onsens, and stunning mountain views, Hokkaido offers the perfect winter getaway. Alternatively, explore Jeonju, South Korea, where you can wander through traditional Hanok Villages and savour authentic Korean flavours. Looking for a sun-soaked beach retreat? Tasmania, Australia, boasts unspoiled beaches, lush landscapes, and the iconic Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. If Southeast Asia is more your style, Thailand’s beaches, such as the crystal-clear waters of Koh Lipe and the dramatic limestone cliffs of Railay Beach in Krabi, promise both relaxation and adventure. For urban explorers, Chengdu, China, awaits with its famous Sichuan hotpot and the world-renowned panda conservation center. If you’re seeking a balance of city life and nature, Lantau Island in Hong Kong offers scenic hiking trails and peaceful traditional villages, offering a perfect contrast to the bustling metropolis. The Traveloka 12.12 Last Double Day Deal ensures you get the most out of your travel plans. Take advantage of daily Flash Sales running from December 2–11, with incredible discounts available during two prime time slots: 10am–1pm and 6pm–9pm. And don’t miss the Midnight Flash Sales on December 12–13, where you can unlock up to 50% off and enjoy additional discounts like SGD 80 off flight bookings, 50% off hotels, and exclusive offers for activities from 12am–3am. Singapore travellers can also enjoy up to SGD 100 off on flights with Singapore Airlines, making it even easier to book your next getaway. Want to make your holiday even more exciting? Book during the Traveloka 12.12 Last Double Day Deal and stand a chance to win a travel voucher worth up to SGD 2,000! Simply book your holiday during the promotion period and enter Traveloka’s social media giveaway for your chance to win. Full details and terms & conditions can be found on Traveloka’s official platforms. Don’t miss out on these exclusive offers! The Traveloka 12.12 Last Double Day Deal is your chance to make your dream escape a reality—while saving big on flights, hotels, and activities.I loved the original PlayStation VR. I picked one up during the peak of the pandemic (my first foray into VR gaming), and I was blown away. Instead of spending my nights inside my apartment's small living room, I was walking through villages in Skyrim , exploring planets in No Man's Sky , and platforming through creative terrains in Astro Bot Rescue Mission . I was such a fan of the original that I argued it was a better VR headset buy in 2021 than an Oculus Quest —a stance many VR fans vehemently disagreed with. Three years later, however, the OG PS VR's drawbacks are more pronounced than ever: The OLED display is lower resolution than modern headsets (960x1080), and the headset requires a complicated array of devices and cables (including a camera) to set up. (To that point, I haven't set up the headset since my last move.) But more than that, the controllers are simply not VR controllers: While VR headsets have had finger-tracking controllers with joysticks for years, PS VR simply used the same Move controllers that have been available since the PS3. The PS VR2, however, released in February of 2023, addresses these issues: The OLED HDR display is much higher resolution (2000x2040), quadrupling the megapixels per eye compared to the original; there's some passthrough here, so you can actually see your immediate surroundings without having to take the headset off; the tracking is better, despite requiring no outside camera or peripherals; and the controllers are honest-to-goodness VR controllers, complete with finger tracking and joy sticks. And if you get tired of Sony's VR games, you can connect the PS VR2 to your PC , as if it were any other VR headset. Sony's second-gen PlayStation VR still wasn't perfect: Besides having a smaller library than some other VR headsets, the PS VR2 was and is expensive , retailing for $549.99. When you consider that you also need a PS5 in order to run this thing (it's not compatible with any PS4 console), it's a pricey setup indeed. That's why I haven't bought one yet, even if its plug-and-play approach would make getting back into VR easy. But you've read the headline: It's Black Friday season, and the PS VR2 is on sale. Sony announced a series of PlayStation Black Friday deals on Wednesday , running from Nov. 22 through Dec. 2. As part of that announcement, Sony revealed PS VR2 will be discounted as much as 40%. The math is a bit off, since you can actually snag a PS VR2 at 42% off: Right now, you can get the Horizon Call of The Mountain PS VR2 bundle for $349 , down from $599.99. The standalone PS VR2 (no game included) is also $349, down from $549.99. All things considered, you're better off getting the Horizon bundle, since the prices are identical. That said, people are likely going to think similarly, so this bundle could sell quicker than the headset-only offer. I've seen the bundle unavailable once earlier today, but it's back right now, so act fast if you want one.Sacramento Kings make surprising move

Former Navy midshipman challenging 5-term incumbent for Ward 8 in 2025N the middle of Okada Manila's brightly colored and sparkling "Enchanting Christmas Village" is a modest yet joyful corner with a mission that will outlast the celebration of the holiday season. The Okada Green Heart (OGH) booth, which showcases the Forbes five-star integrated resort's environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, serves as an inspiring call to action to the public buying their gifts at the property's holiday shipping haven to make their own meaningful contribution to help preserve the environment and overall make the world and society a better place to live in. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.is increasingly being considered one of the major drivers of digital transformation in Africa and other parts of the world. This is partly because it has the power to change lives and communities, allowing them the opportunity to access different services and contribute to the growth of their economies. There is thus no gainsaying the importance of tools like digital identity that enable financial inclusion to the overall digital transformation agenda of many African countries, including those of the Central Africa subregion, grouped under the umbrella of the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). These countries include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and have a combined population of more than 60 million people. The region has an ambitious plan to achieve a 75 percent financial inclusion rate by 2030 through an initiative by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) to ensure the establishment of across the six countries in the next five years. The mid-term plan is to have 350,000 such payment points by 2027. It’s worthy of note that this part of the continent faces considerable economic inequalities that seriously threaten the realisation of this ambition. ID4Africa Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Atick, and Cameroonian tech startup consultant, Ayuk Etta, share their expert views on how the CEMAC subregion can lay the foundation for a stronger financial inclusion push in order to advance economic growth and development. CEMAC is considered the least developed and least tech-driven subregion in Africa, despite its huge economic growth potential and strategic geographical location of its member states. A large segment of the population here remains either unbanked or underbanked, which hinders both development and economic freedom especially among vulnerable groups of persons such as women and adults with lower-incomes. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank’s , the number of adults in this region who are unbanked is below the global average. It is the same case with Cameroon which is considered the region’s biggest economy, as well as all the other five countries. In the Republic of Congo, just around 18 percent of adults were said to have a formal relation with banking institutions as of 2021. The situation is in the Central African Republic where less that 15 percent of the population is said to have a bank account, while just around 14 percent of adults are able to participate in any form of financial transaction such as mobile money services. At least 74 percent of women across the subregion are estimated to be financially excluded. In its , BEAC noted that the overall rate of financial inclusion in the subregion stood at 32 percent as of that year. What this means, experts say, is that innovative tech solutions as well as the right digital infrastructure and policies could possibly offer a window to effectively address major loopholes in financial accessibility in the region. The low level of financial inclusion within CEMAC, just like in other regions of Africa, is blamed on a litany of factors which include a paucity of digital public infrastructure, high cost, a weak and unaligned regulatory environment, and other socio-economic factors such as a high rate of poverty among countries of the subregion. To enable wider participation in the financial ecosystem of CEMAC, it is vital to consider changes to a number of things, including enhancing efforts in financial literacy. It also requires starting from the basics such as building the appropriate digital public infrastructure (DPI), says digital ID expert and Executive Chairman, Dr Joseph Atick. “I think the very first thing, of course, is getting people into the national population registers. If they are not registered, then there is nothing you can do to enable them to participate. It is clear from the standards and best practices within the financial sector that identity is a pillar upon which you have to build financial services,” he tells in an interview. “You cannot do anonymous if you are to protect the financial ecosystem from being hijacked from fraud, from criminal activity, from money laundering, from the criminal networks that will exploit it. You must have a reliable, robust identity system that has maximum coverage of the population. That is the prerequisite for financial inclusion. You can’t talk about financial inclusion without talking about identity.” Further stressing the place of digital identity in financial inclusion, Atick avers: “Financial inclusion is highly correlated and related to digital identity. And our statistics show that the penetration of digital identity is very low in the Central Africa region, which is actually among the regions that are hardest hit by certain economic conditions. This can have a corresponding [negative] impact on financial inclusion. I expect that financial inclusion has a long way to go in many areas in Africa.” , a Cameroonian tech startup architect agrees with Atick on the need for robust digital infrastructure such as digital identity, which for now, is almost entirely inexistent in CEMAC countries. At the moment, only a national digital ID system as part of its DPI journey. “To do this, I think it’s important to implement strategies, set up the right infrastructures, get the appropriate policies and innovative methods to be able to push the agenda of financial inclusion,” Etta notes. “I believe the infrastructure needs to be extended to be able to get to those people down there. That would also mean building more digital infrastructure generally speaking, like digital identity systems. We understand this is an important aspect of driving financial inclusion. We also need interoperable data exchange platforms.” “If we don’t build this infrastructure, which I believe is the driving force of digital transformation, we will not go far. It will always be at a level where we are trying, or not getting it done. If digital identity is not properly implemented, there are many things that cannot happen. Financial inclusion is also about how people access loans easily. If you cannot properly identify somebody digitally, for instance, you cannot give them a digital loan,” Etta, who’s also CEO of , a tech and innovation company in Cameroon, argues. Beyond the infrastructure, financial inclusion would see a leap forward in CEMAC if the right policies and platforms exist. “The number two thing is that you have to have the right policies in place which are going to establish what would constitute acceptable identity authentication for identity transactions. So, be it for onboarding or identity transactions, you have to have a policy. Saying that we’re going to do biometric authentication for every transaction, no matter what value it is and what context it is, doesn’t make any sense,” Atick holds. “You have to have a policy that is basically a risk-based policy. And we have lots of experience in that. Some countries started with their own policies, and over time, they started to understand it. Luckily, there is a lot of knowledge now that we can share on this point. This is why we’re doing the Financial Inclusion Symposium at the ID4Africa Annual General Meeting next year [ ], because these countries are going to share their knowledge and experiences.” “The symposium at the AGM will basically be on digital identity and finance. It’s going to focus on the stages of financial inclusion, and what are the risk-based policies countries must put in place to achieve the desired outcome, which is a low-cost, high-robustness and trustworthy ecosystem that enables anybody to enter the system and to conduct transactions securely.” Talking about another important aspect, which is having the financial platform, Atick explains: “Even if people are known to you in the Civil Register or the National Population Register; if you do not have the financial platforms and access to these financial platforms, then you cannot participate. So, you need a mobile phone, for instance. Digital identities are now issuing credentials which have QR codes.” “It could be a mobile phone, either smart, which is a problem in many countries, or a feature phone. But apart from that, you should also be able to give people paper-based IDs with digital seals that are able to link the physical world to the digital world upon which the financial ecosystem runs. You have to make sure that there is a financially suitable credential, and that’s easily presentable so that people can use it and can link to it.” To Atick, the other important thing to do is to encourage the people to accept and use the issued identity credential for the purpose of payment. “We have several countries which have now achieved total coverage of the population for their ID program but there is still limited use of the ID in the financial sector. Therefore, I would not say that they are financially included because people got IDs. It’s like I have a bank account, but I cannot use it. Don’t mistake that for financial inclusion. Financial inclusion has to be real, practical, accessible,” Atick insists. While countries in the CEMAC region and the continent at large look to build their infrastructure to propel financial inclusion, they must have issues like fraud and scale in mind. They must build systems that are scalable and have strong security measures around them to prevent financial fraud and other forms of criminal intrusion. “There are countries that are scaling up their systems so that everyone can use them, but these countries are struggling with fraud which is at all levels of society. We have seen even in the developed world where financially included people are targeted. Fraudsters use social engineering by targeting the weakest link in the digital chain which is the human.” “Financial inclusion is a very, very complex ecosystem. It’s not just about giving excluded people or the poor access to bank accounts. It is about enabling a robust and highly fraud-resistant ecosystem that allows transactions for service delivery.” As part of the push, fintechs, mobile money services, and other instant payment systems are also playing a major role in opening up the financial space for millions of citizens of the subregion, even if such instant payment infrastructures are limited and not inclusive. According to a SIIPS report , the CEMAC subregion has the lowest number of live and operating instant payment systems (IPS). Although it has one regional IPS dubbed , the efforts remain slow and the system has its limitations as it is linked to a bank card, meaning you must have a bank account to be able to use the service. In a report on financial services within CEMAC in 2022, BEAC said just two percent of all transactions involved traditional bank transfers or cards. In the subregion, there are two major multinational companies, namely MTN and Orange, which offer mobile money banking services. There are many other existing and emerging fintech startups which also facilitate instant payments in the form of mobile money. “The instant payment system is one of the use cases of digital ID that allows the financial identifier to be useful and meaningful. So yes, instant payment is very, very important. But let’s not get hung up on terms: whether it’s digital public infrastructure or not, countries don’t think that way. Countries think of problems and what the practical solutions are. They think of how to deploy the necessary tools and infrastructure,” Atick opines. He notes that for the case of Africa, instant payment services like mobile money helped the continent leapfrog the rest of the world in the last 20 years, despite the interoperability issues the service has suffered. BEAC reported in 2022 that over 96 percent of all transactions within CEMAC that year were completed through mobile money channels. “For many, many years, mobile money was just not interoperable, but it’s still heavily used in East Africa. But I think the time has come for a general interoperable instant money similar to mobile money that used to be there, and that actually connects you to the bank account, so that you have a whole list of services, not just holding your money in a mobile credit with a telephone company,” Atick suggests. “While mobile money was very practical and pragmatic and useful for people as one of the alternative mechanisms that was used to bypass this question of people being bankable or people entering the banking system, it has not led to the reform that we had hoped for, which is that you create an ecosystem with many financial services available to an individual with a bank account that they can use and control with their own consent and with their own mechanisms.” Etta concurs with Atick’s view about having a general interoperable instant payment system similar to mobile money, but notes that innovation is what is likely to play the magic. He also believes there’s need to create the enabling regulatory and policy environment for innovative ventures to germinate and thrive. “Innovation is at the center of this transformation. It’s not going to happen if we don’t adopt innovation. Innovation is simply a new way of doing things or better ways of doing things and solving the problems that we face in a country or in a region like CEMAC. A lot of new technology is coming. Today, there’s generative artificial intelligence. To encourage innovation, the most important thing is to create the right environment,” he holds. “This subregion, like the rest of Africa, has a youthful population and these are people who can drive innovation. One thing that has to be done is to create the right framework. In Cameroon, as an example, we have started a Hackathon which is something that brings together young people to build tech solutions to specific societal problems. That’s our own way of trying to push the spirit of innovation. If that gets done multiple times, I think that there’s a lot that can happen in terms of designing new solutions.” In terms of fintechs development and their contribution to financial inclusion, Etta says Cameroon is on the right path with some industry-led initiatives. “In Cameroon today, there’s a lot that’s being done in terms of fintech development and how the ecosystem is evolving. One major milestone that we have achieved today is the creation of a fintech alliance called the Cameroon Fintech Association, and that is led by some of the really big fintechs in Cameroon,” he says. “One of the things we are doing is having a discussion on how the governments or the Central Bank of the subregion can better understand what fintechs are, what they are doing, and what the different avenues of collaboration are, because we really think it’s important to have a vital and strong fintech ecosystem to push financial inclusion.” Although the current realities reflect a not-to-good image and a long path still to be covered, there is some hope that things will improve, provided countries fully understand where exactly to hit the nail and act accordingly, going forward. “It’s not a technical problem, the infrastructure that is needed for that is known. It’s a matter of policy. And it’s also a matter of motivation. We should ask ourselves what the barriers are that we are trying to remove to advance financial inclusion,” Atick says. “I think the level of awareness is accelerating very, very quickly, and that is good news because awareness means informed policies and informed policies will lead to products and solutions that will be accessible by the populations. And when there’s a feedback cycle, the population adopts. A good policy will reinforce the sustainability of these systems.” Atick adds that the future is bright: “Africa will get a sustainable financial inclusion system because all of the economies that are being built in Africa, whether it’s regional or whether it is continental, all rely on one critical assumption. If that assumption fails, then all these, such as the intercontinental free trade agreement, are going to fail.” “Financial inclusion is not just about allowing the poor to get access to financial services. Financial inclusion is about allowing everybody to participate in a usable digital economy,” Atick mentions. To Etta, this is possible in an atmosphere in which governments stay alert and move along with the changing realities of technology. “Another thing is for the governments to be proactive. I don’t think governments should design policies that stay ten years before they are reviewed, because technology is going so fast. And because technology is going so fast, our policies also need to go so fast, to catch up with the growth of technological solutions.” One such new technologies is generative AI, which Etta strongly believes, is useful to drive financial inclusion and digital transformation, generally speaking. “AI is a super powerful tool that we have to make use of to be able to accelerate some of the decisions and projects we want to execute. We just need to understand how it works and how to use it. But more importantly, how to adapt it to our local context in order to get things better done. “So, I will say three things here: one, we need to understand the power of AI. Two, we need to understand that AI is a tool that we can use to accelerate progress and three, we need to adapt it to our context to understand what some of our nuances are.” “I will add that we also need to have really strong AI policies. At one point, AI is really great, and at the other, AI could be very dangerous. So, we need to have policies that guide its implementation and use, but also those policies should not stifle innovation.” | | | | | | | | |

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