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As Donald Trump’s second term in the Oval Office looms, global markets are preparing for a seismic shift. With his economic playbook already well-known – tax cuts, deregulation, and a return to protectionist policies – the question is not if the markets will react, but how. The initial surge of optimism from Trump’s return will undoubtedly spark rallies in some sectors. But as investors have seen before, the long-term effects of his policies are often unpredictable, and the broader market could face serious turbulence. In this next phase, we’ll see both opportunities and risks that could significantly reshape financial landscapes from New York to Sydney and beyond. Trump’s first term saw corporate tax cuts that propelled markets higher, but that initial euphoria may give way to rising inflationary pressures in his second term. A massive infrastructure plan (US$1.5 trillion), which he’s promised to reinvest in, will undoubtedly stoke demand in the economy – creating jobs, driving up wages and putting more money into consumers’ pockets. On the surface, this should be good for business, right? Well, not so fast. Inflation will likely creep higher, probably reaching the 4-5% range by mid-2025, I believe. This will put upward pressure on prices, hitting consumers and businesses alike. Inflation isn't just a theoretical threat – it is a real concern that can weigh heavily on consumer spending and business operations, as costs rise across the board. And with the Federal Reserve already walking a fine line, rising prices are likely to prompt further rate hikes, making borrowing more expensive and increasing market volatility. For equities, the impact could be mixed. While industries like energy, infrastructure, and tech will benefit from deregulation and a tax-friendly environment, other sectors will face more immediate challenges. Rising inflation would push input costs higher, squeezing margins and making it more difficult for companies to meet their earnings targets. The result could be a more volatile stock market, particularly in the latter half of 2025. A key pillar of Trump’s economic strategy is likely to be a strengthening US dollar, thanks to the combination of fiscal stimulus, rising Treasury yields and global investors seeking safety. On paper, this sounds like a positive for the US economy, but the implications for the global market are much more complicated. While a stronger dollar may benefit American consumers by making imports cheaper, it’ll also create significant pain for US exporters. American products will become more expensive for foreign buyers, diminishing the international competitiveness of US companies. Exporters, especially in the manufacturing and tech sectors, will likely see profit margins squeezed. On the global stage, emerging markets will be hit hardest by a rising dollar, especially those with heavy dollar-denominated debt, such as Turkey and Argentina. As the dollar strengthens, these nations will face higher debt repayment costs, potentially leading to economic instability and market sell-offs. In fact, the global flow of capital could see a major shift as investors flock to US assets in search of safety, leaving emerging markets vulnerable to greater volatility. The president-elect’s commitment to protectionist trade policies, including a renewed focus on tariffs, could have an even more profound impact on global markets. Trade wars were a defining feature of his first term, and it’s unlikely that the second term will be any different. With Europe and China already on high alert, retaliatory tariffs could trigger a new round of disruptions to global supply chains. For US equities, this could be detrimental. Companies with significant international exposure, particularly in sectors like tech, automotive, and retail, will bear the brunt of increased trade tensions. Higher input costs from tariffs will eat into profits, and rising consumer prices will dampen demand, leading to slower growth. Industries like tech, which rely on global supply chains, could see stock prices suffer as production costs rise. The prospect of a protracted trade war has been largely underestimated by many market analysts, and the US market may not be prepared for the consequences. It’s not just foreign stocks that will suffer. The US companies that depend on European and Chinese markets are just as vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs, and their valuations, currently high, could quickly become a liability. In an environment of rising inflation and interest rates, bonds might seem like a safe bet, but they could face their own set of challenges. As yields rise in response to fiscal stimulus and potential rate hikes, bonds, particularly longer-duration ones, could lose some of their appeal. However, despite the volatility, US Treasuries remain a relatively safe asset, as demand for US government debt will continue to remain strong – especially as global capital looks for a place to weather economic storms. Bonds could also provide a cushion for investors during periods of heightened volatility. While they won’t offer the same high returns as equities or crypto, they may be a solid option for those seeking more stability as the market braces for the turbulence that comes with Trump’s economic agenda. If the stock market faces growing pains under Trump’s policies, there is one asset class that is likely to thrive: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. With his pro-crypto stance and the rising institutional interest in digital assets, cryptocurrencies are set to receive a boost. Trump’s presidency could be a major catalyst for Bitcoin, pushing it well beyond its current $96,000 price tag toward new all-time highs. Bitcoin has increasingly become a mainstream asset. His support for digital currencies and regulatory clarity will accelerate adoption. Investors seeking to diversify away from traditional assets can be expected to turn to the world’s largest digital asset as an alternative store of value, further propelling its value higher in 2025. Only time will tell exactly how it will react, but investors need to brace for a year defined by volatility, as the markets adjust to the realities of Trump’s re-election. Nigel Green is the CEO and founder of deVere Group. Originally published as Trump 2.0: The global market shake-up you can’t afford to ignore Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country’s third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad. The move, reported by pro-government media and an opposition war monitor, was the latest in the stunning advances by opposition fighters over the past week that have so far met little resistance from Assad’s forces. A day earlier, fighters , Syria’s fourth largest, after the army said it withdrew to avoid fighting inside the city and spare the lives of civilians. The insurgents, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have vowed to march to Homs and the capital, Damascus, Assad’s seat of power. Videos circulating online showed a highway jammed with cars full of people fleeing Homs, a city with a large population belonging to Assad’s Alawite sect, seen as his core supporters. If Assad’s military loses Homs, it could be a crippling blow. The city, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Assad enjoys wide support. Homs province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The city is also home to one of Syria’s two state-run oil refineries. Pressure on the government intensified from multiple directions. Opposition protesters stormed security posts and army positions in the southern province of Sweida, opposition activists said. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces who control eastern and northeastern Syria began to encroach on government-held territory. Offensive leaves Assad reliant on Russia After years of largely being bottled up in a northwest corner of the country, the insurgents burst out a week ago, , and have kept advancing since. Government troops have repeatedly fallen back. The sudden offensive has flipped the tables on a long-entrenched stalemate in Syria’s nearly 14-year-old civil war. Along with HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. , though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent. HTS’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that Assad’s government was on the path to falling, propped up only by Russia and Iran. “The seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it,” he said. “But the truth remains, this regime is dead.” A key question about Assad’s ability to fight back is how much top ally Russia — whose troops back Assad’s forces — will throw support his way at a time when it is tied up in the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he planned to discuss the developments in Syria with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts at a meeting Friday in the Qatari capital, Doha. In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, he said international actors were backing the insurgents’ advances and that he would discuss “the way to cut the channels of financing and arming them.” Meanwhile, Russia’s embassy in Syria issued a notice reminding Russian citizens that they may use commercial flights to leave the country “in view of the difficult military-political situation.” The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria — three close allies — gathered Friday in Baghdad to consult on the rapidly changing war. Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh said the current developments may pose “a serious threat to the security of the region as a whole.” Assad opponents move in center, south and east The insurgent fighters on Friday took over the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh, putting them 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Homs, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. “The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s chief. Pro-government Sham FM said the insurgents entered Rastan and Talbiseh without facing any resistance. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian military. The Observatory said Syrian troops had left Homs. But the military denied that in comments reported by the state news agency SANA, saying troops were reinforcing their positions in the city and were “ready to repel” any assault. In eastern Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces coalition said it had moved into the government-held half of the city of Deir el-Zour, apparently without resistance. One of the main cities in the east, Deir el-Zour had long been split between the government on the western side of the Euphrates River and the SDF on the eastern side. The SDF also said it took control of further parts of the border with Iraq. That appeared to bring it closer to the government-held Boukamal border crossing. The crossing is a vital for the government because it is the gateway to the corridor to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. At the same time, insurgents seized Syria’s sole crossing to Jordan, according to opposition activists. Jordan announced it was closing its side of the crossing. Lebanon also closed all but one of its border crossings with Syria. Worsening economy could hurt Assad’s war effort The opposition assault has struck a blow to Syria’s already decrepit economy. On Friday, the U.S. dollar was selling on Syria’s parallel market for about 18,000 pounds, a 25% drop from a week ago. When Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011, a dollar was valued at 47 pounds. The drop further undermines the purchasing power of Syrians at a time when that 90% of the population is below the poverty line. Syria’s economy has been hammered for years by the war, Western sanctions, corruption and an economic meltdown in neighboring Lebanon, Syria’s main gate to the outside world. Damascus residents told The Associated Press that people are rushing to markets to buy food, fearing further escalation. The worsening economy could be undermining the ability of Syria’s military to fight, as the value of soldiers’ salaries melts away while the insurgents are flush with cash. Syria’s military has not appeared to put up a cohesive counteroffensive against the opposition advances. SANA on Friday quoted an unnamed military official as saying the Syrian and Russian air forces were striking insurgents in Hama province, killing dozens of fighters. Syria’s defense minister said in a televised statement late Thursday that government forces withdrew from Hama as “a temporary tactical measure” and vowed to gain back lost areas. “We are in a good position on the ground,” Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas said, saying troops remained “at the gates of Hama.” He spoke before the opposition advanced further south toward Homs. He said the insurgents, whom he described as “takfiri” or Muslim extremists, are backed by foreign countries. He did not name the countries but appeared to be referring to Turkey and the United States.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs earned a much-deserved extended rest after their Christmas Day rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which capped an unbeaten stretch of three games in 11 days and clinched them the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. That extended rest? Well, it can be just about as long as Chiefs coach Andy Reid wants it to be. The Chiefs (15-1) face the Broncos in their regular-season finale next weekend, a game whose kickoff remains up in the air. But it will be at least 10 days after their 29-10 win in Pittsburgh, a nice rest for a weary team whose bye was back in Week 6. But with nothing to play for in that game, Reid could conceivably give some of his most important players the entire week off ahead of the playoffs. And now that the Chiefs have a first-round bye , that means they wouldn’t face anybody until at least Jan. 18 in the divisional round, meaning a full 24 days between games. “It’s been almost 10 weeks of football, grinding on this short schedule at the very end of the year,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “We’ll see how Week 18 goes — who plays, who doesn’t play. That’s up to Coach. But having this break, getting healthy, getting ourselves ready for the playoffs, it was super important, especially with the guys we have banged up.” The Chiefs dominated the Steelers without four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who was resting his sore calf on Wednesday. They also have not had cornerback Chamarri Conner, who has been out with a concussion, or D.J. Humphries, the former Pro Bowl left tackle who appeared in one game for Kansas City before straining his hamstring. All of them figure to be healthy for the playoffs. The same for guys who have been dealing with minor injuries, such as right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who played against the Steelers despite straining his hamstring the previous week against Houston, and running back Isiah Pacheco, who dinged up his ribs in the win in Pittsburgh. “It will definitely help with some of the guys that are banged up, to get guys back, freshened up a little bit,” said Reid, who has rested important players in Week 18 in the past, including last season against the Chargers. “I think it will be a positive for us.” The trick is to decide exactly how much rest to give everyone. For those dealing with injuries, that full 24-day span without a game could be exactly what they need. For others, it might be too long between games, and getting at least a half of play against the Broncos would help prevent some rust from setting in. “I was just talking to my family about it,” Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie said. “My rookie year, we were able to get, you know, all home games, and you just can’t be out (on the road) in the playoffs. I mean, I’m excited to go out there. I know we got the first round, you know, off, but I mean, I can’t wait to play now.” What’s working The Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season with a wide receiver group that — outside of Rashee Rice — was lacking in dynamic ability. But with the trade for DeAndre Hopkins, the return of Hollywood Brown from an injury and the emergence of rookie Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs have gone from a position of peril to one of profound strength. What needs help The Chiefs have struggled to the run the ball consistently the past few weeks. Pacheco gained just 18 yards on six carries before hurting his ribs against Pittsburgh, and Kareem Hunt was held to 20 yards on nine carries — a 2.2-yard average. Stock up Worthy has smashed through the rookie wall, just as Rice did at this point last season, and has proven to be more than a speedster. He had eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown Wednesday, giving him at least five catches in each of his past five games. Stock down Pacheco has not been the same after missing more than two months to injury. He has been held to 55 yards rushing or fewer in each of his past five games, and he’s averaging just 2.7 yards per carry over his past three. Injuries There were no significant injuries sustained against the Steelers. Key number 77 — Travis Kelce caught his 77th touchdown pass, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs record. Kelce finished with eight catches for 84 yards and a score against Pittsburgh, making him the third tight end in NFL history with at least 1,000 receptions. Gonzalez had 1,325 and Jason Witten had 1,228 while Kelce has 1,004 and counting. Next steps The Chiefs get the long weekend off before deciding who will play in Denver in their regular-season finale. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflBroadcom Unveils First-Ever 3.5D F2F Technology for AI XPUsSelf-Locking Circuit Breaker Lockout: Enhancing Workplace Safety via LOTO 12-26-2024 06:18 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Electrical safety, which allows workers to be safe around the equipment, is paramount in industrial settings. From the many safety features, a lockout device is one of them. The Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout [ https://www.bozzys.com/self-locking-large-molded-case-circuit-breaker-lockout-product/ ] is one of the advanced solutions to prevent unauthorized access to circuit breakers for increasing workplace safety. This paper examines in detail features of the device, its applications, and advantages, elaborating on how it applies effectively to the procedures of LOTO. Image: https://www.bozzys.com/uploads/138.png Image: https://www.bozzys.com/uploads/214.png Circuit Breaker Lock out Devices Provide Information Help to Understand the Circuit Breakers Turned off switches are useful aspects of electric systems because they provide optimal protection shields to the electrical circuits against overload or short circuits. When undertaking maintenance, or any form of repair works it becomes very important that such breakers be secured using lockouts in order not to get activated accidentally. This is where the Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout devices step in to fill the gap. The Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout is a very fundamental innovative protective device developed to improve the security of electrical systems both in industry and commerce. While organizations are struggling to keep their safety high, this device raises the bar even higher, especially during maintenance and repair work, making it among the most essential tools within every LOTO program. Its unique characteristics attend to many circuit breaker styles and sizes, thus assuring compatibility and effectiveness with several applications. The following section reveals some of the key features of this lockout device with respect to its adaptability, ease of use, and advanced technology that have made it a reliable choice in protecting electrical systems from unauthorized access. The strength, ease of use, and effectiveness of its locking mechanism make the Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout vital in workplace safety and trying to meet industry requirements. * Compatibility with Molded Case Circuit Breakers: The Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout [ https://www.bozzys.com/electrical-equipment-lockouts/ ] is manufactured to perfectly accommodate molded case circuit breakers operating at 480/600 volts. Because of this broad compatibility, the device can be employed effectively across many diverse electrical systems, and hence it is a versatile addition to any lockout/tagout program. * Adaptability to Different Handle Shapes and Sizes: Being able to adapt to a variety of different shapes and sizes of circuit breaker handles operating arm on top is one of the outstanding features of this highly effective lockout device. This enables it to work in diverse settings, offering a good lockout solution for various types of equipment. * Fixed Cleat: It contains a permanently fixed cleat incorporated into the device itself for an essential physical blocking capability. This means that this feature provides better security by physically obstructing the circuit breaker handle, which prevents it from toggling it by accident. * User-Friendly Design: Conveniences have been thought about in the design. First, it has a large knurled thumbscrew for easy tightening. In addition to that, it allows screwdriver adjustment, optionally. It is a thoughtful design to ensure that the lockout device can be secured quickly and effectively. * Durable Materials: The Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout is manufactured using high-strength nylon, hence assuring that it is not only light but also very durable and resistant to most chemicals and efficient in extreme environments; thus, it is suitable for industrial lockout/tagout applications. * Molded Design: The molded design is one single molded piece, hence more structurally sound, and at the same time very easy to use. Handle width is up to 70mm. Presently it fits a wide range of molded case circuit breakers. Image: https://www.bozzys.com/uploads/33.png Applications of Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout The molded case circuit breaker lockout of self-locking primarily targets industrial application in the field where safety is a significant concern. Some of the area applied: * Electrical Maintenance and Repairs: Maintenance or repairs of electrical systems, circuit breakers should be locked out to prevent the possibility of accidental energizing. This type of lockout device provides maintenance personnel with protection during work in live systems by eliminating the possibility of unexpected restoration of power. * Harmful Environment: Under hazardous conditions in the environment, including unsafe materials or high voltage that can cause electric shock, this will add extra safety to its usage. Since it will not allow unauthorized access to the circuit breaker, the chances of accidents are brought to a minimum. * Industrial settings: Most factories, manufacturing plants, and other industrial settings are rampant with this form of lockout device in view of keeping workers from electrical hazards. Its robust construction and compatibility with a variety of circuit breaker styles make it a staple in any hardy safety program. * Complying with the Safety Regulations: Many industries have strict safety regulations regarding the application of lockout/tagout procedures. Therefore, the installation of the Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout device assists organizations in maintaining compliance by ensuring the safety of the personnel, as well as following legislation on safety grounds. Image: https://www.bozzys.com/uploads/4.png Benefits of Using Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout Investment in the Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout device has several advantages: * Improved Safety: The primary advantage is increased worker safety. A device of this nature would prevent unauthorized access to circuit breakers, thereby minimizing the risk of electric shock while carrying out maintenance activities. * Increased Efficiency: Due to the simplicity of operating the device, coupled with the fact that no tool is needed to install it, workers would spend less time trying to secure the equipment but rather concentrate on the core of their work. This could ensure significantly improved workplace productivity. * Cost Savings: Without having to invest in physical padlocks and locking mechanisms, companies have no added costs for lockout/tagout. This product assists in long-term cost savings with the integral lock cylinder. * Durability and Reliability: Manufactured from the highest-quality materials, the Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout is built to withstand extreme environments while delivering functionality and reliability for years to come. Conclusion The Self-Locking Large Molded Case Circuit Breaker Lockout [ https://www.bozzys.com/self-locking-large-molded-case-circuit-breaker-lockout-product/ ] is a valuable element that increases safety in an industrial environment. This instrument is suitable for most types of circuit breaker designs and is practical in use while being very robust in construction, thereby providing for a long product lifespan. As expected, it is one of the ways an organization that wants to be in compliance with the law after establishing its environment to be safe for employees to work in, they are able to do so. It will mean we will have safer and more productive workplaces and environments in the future. Media Contact Company Name: Wenzhou Boshi Safety Products Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=selflocking-circuit-breaker-lockout-enhancing-workplace-safety-via-loto ] Phone: +86 15726883657 Address:Building 15, Wenzhou Safety (Emergency) Industrial Park, Oujiangkou New Area, Dongtou District City: Wenzhou State: Zhejiang Country: China Website: https://www.bozzys.com/ This release was published on openPR.Haiti gang attack on journalists covering a hospital reopening leaves 2 dead, several wounded PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Evens Sanon, The Associated Press Dec 24, 2024 3:29 PM Dec 24, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The wife of a journalist, who was shot during an armed gang attack on the General Hospital, cries as an ambulance arrives with his body, at a different hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Evens Sanon, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? 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CHICAGO, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monroe Capital Corporation (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MRCC) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a distribution of $0.25 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024, payable on December 30, 2024 to stockholders of record as of December 16, 2024. In October 2012, the Company adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of distributions on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash prior to the record date. When the Company declares a cash distribution, stockholders who have not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan prior to the record date will have their distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s capital stock. The specific tax characteristics of the distribution will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099 after the end of the calendar year and in the Company’s periodic report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Monroe Capital Corporation Monroe Capital Corporation is a publicly-traded specialty finance company that principally invests in senior, unitranche and junior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, unsecured debt and equity investments in middle-market companies. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation. The Company’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Monroe Capital BDC Advisors, LLC, which is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and an affiliate of Monroe Capital LLC. To learn more about Monroe Capital Corporation, visit www.monroebdc.com . About Monroe Capital LLC Monroe Capital LLC (including its subsidiaries and affiliates, together “Monroe”) is a premier asset management firm specializing in private credit markets across various strategies, including direct lending, technology finance, venture debt, alternative credit, structured credit, real estate and equity. Since 2004, the firm has been successfully providing capital solutions to clients in the U.S. and Canada. Monroe prides itself on being a value-added and user-friendly partner to business owners, management, and both private equity and independent sponsors. Monroe’s platform offers a wide variety of investment products for both institutional and high net worth investors with a focus on generating high quality “alpha” returns irrespective of business or economic cycles. The firm is headquartered in Chicago and maintains 10 offices throughout the United States and Asia. Monroe has been recognized by both its peers and investors with various awards including Inc.'s 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors List; Private Debt Investor as the 2023 Lower Mid-Market Lender of the Decade, 2023 Lower Mid-Market Lender of the Year, 2023 CLO Manager of the Year, Americas; Global M&A Network as the 2023 Lower Mid-Markets Lender of the Year, U.S.A.; DealCatalyst as the 2022 Best CLO Manager of the Year; Korean Economic Daily as the 2022 Best Performance in Private Debt – Mid Cap; Creditflux as the 2021 Best U.S. Direct Lending Fund; and Pension Bridge as the 2020 Private Credit Strategy of the Year. For more information and important disclaimers, please visit www.monroecap.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under the Company’s control, and that the Company may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future. SOURCE: Monroe Capital Corporation
7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes nowThe expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Wheat growers promised fair profitThere are times your phone’s camera just doesn’t do enough. Maybe it’s too shaky when you’re moving, or the quality just doesn’t capture the moment the way you see it. For those times that you want more (clarity, stability, and features), you need something built for the job, like the GoPro HERO13 . This compact camera is capable of capturing moments in ways your phone simply can’t. Capture everything in great detail and clarity with a 5.3K video resolution. All footage stays smooth and professional, thanks to the HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization feature. The HERO13 is built to last. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet and tough enough to withstand snow, mud, and rough handling. The lens even has a water-repelling cover, so you’ll have clear shots in wet conditions. Plus, the Enduro battery lasts longer, which gives you additional peace of mind. The camera is smart too. The HERO13 pairs with HB-Series lenses, giving you options for different scenes. Want to capture wide landscapes? Attach the ultra-wide lens for stunning shots. Need to zoom in on those details? The macro lens lets you get up close with precision. The camera automatically adjusts settings based on the lens you use, so you don’t have to worry about tweaking anything. Sharing is just as convenient. The HERO13 transfers videos to your phone 40 percent faster with its rapid offload feature. It also backs up everything to the cloud automatically, so all your data is going to be safe and accessible. Additionally, with the GoPro Quik app, you can create highlight reels in seconds if you want to share your adventures. Grab this camera for just $299.99 after a 25% discount. GoPro HERO13 Make Tech Easier may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Zainab is an Actuarial Sciences graduate from Pakistan with a passion for technology. When she's not busy writing insightful pieces on Windows and the latest tech trends, you'll find her with her nose buried in a productivity book, always on the lookout for ways to optimize her workflow and stay ahead of the curve.
Donald Trump’s aides have suggested that Iowa Senator Joni Ernst may be trying to sink the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary so that she can get the job instead. Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, has so far refused to publicly back Hegseth’s selection by Trump amid a string of controversies surrounding the Fox News host. Since his nomination, reports have emerged of Hegseth being accused of sexual assault , workplace misconduct, and alleged heavy drinking during work hours and at events. Additionally, he allegedly had multiple affairs throughout his first and second marriage – one of which led to him fathering a child with a Fox News producer. Ernst is considered a critical vote in Hegseth’s confirmation process given she is one of the nine women Republican Senators and had been rumored to be a possible replacement for the job. But her vote is also meaningful because of her military background and advocacy for sexual assault survivors. She has a long track record of supporting legislation aimed at addressing sexual assault within the military. While Ernst mulls over whether or not she will throw her support behind Hegseth, Trump’s aides have reportedly suggested she is holding out because she wants the role, according to The Guardian. But the Iowa senator publicly insists her hesitancy is based on the vetting process. “For a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations are cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process,” Ernst told Fox News on Thursday. In the same interview, Ernst confirmed she had not been convinced to vote “yes” on Hegseth. As defense secretary, Hegseth would be responsible for overseeing all U.S. military operations second to the president and providing the president with defense advice. The moment Trump nominated Hegseth for the position questions about his qualifications arose. Hegseth is a veteran of the Army National Guard who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But he’s most well-known for being a Fox News host. Those questions have turned into genuine concerns for many since media reports revealed Hegseth has a history of sexual misconduct and heavy alcohol intake. Hegseth has denied those allegations and even promised to refrain from drinking alcohol if he is confirmed. But even with Trump, his own mother , former colleagues and Trump-aligned Senators backing him, it may not be enough for Ernst to vote for him. Hegseth is working with a very narrow margin in his confirmation vote. Assuming all Democratic Senators vote against him, he can only lose three Republican votes.Pune: Organic farming has been the buzzword for many years now. It is good for health, good for the soil and great for the climate. Yet, in our country, only four per cent of agriculture land is under organic farming. Few states in India, Sikkim (100%) and Madhya Pradesh (27%) lead with Maharashtra at 1.6%. So, what is it about this good thing that makes its adaptation so difficult? For one, it is not easy to switch from using chemicals to organic agricultural practices. According to the norm, a farmer is expected to keep the farm free from sowing for at least three years to rid the soil of the chemicals that have leached into it before beginning to use organic farm inputs. Apart from this, input costs make organic farming rather prohibitive to the small farmer even though the demand in the market keeps growing at 22.20% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 2024 to 2032, according to market analysis firm Market Research Future. Enter XEN Farms, a startup founded in 2021, to address the supply side problems of organic farming. Diptesh Mukherjee, an IIT Bombay graduate, had got a job at Whirlpool Corporation, USA, that had collaborated with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to develop among other things ways to grow food in space! Diptesh said, “Due to the presence of micro-gravity, it is impossible to grow food there. But I developed a vacuum insulation system to prevent this loss (for which his company filed a patent) so that it could make growing of certain plants possible.” Though Diptesh comes from a family that is involved in paddy farming, he didn’t really have access to the deep knowledge that this job exposed him to. “I understood that soil organic carbon was the most important element in the process of farming. We all have studied about photosynthesis in school, but the deep role that carbon plays in maintaining our environment was revealed to me when I was working on the green technology project for NASA,” he said. According to Diptesh, organic carbon held by the top layer of the soil holds the key to productive farming. “Take for example sand by the sea. Why can’t you grow anything there except for mangroves and palms? Because the soil there lacks organic carbon. It is pale in colour. Black soil is great for farming because it has a higher percentage of organic carbon as well as iron and other nutrients. “It is this carbon in the soil that helps increase the fertility and microbial activity of the soil. If you observe the pattern, about 25 years ago farmers did not use the amount of fertilisers and pesticides that they use now. Typically, their requirement for these chemicals keeps on increasing over time either out of ignorance or because they are poorly informed. The result is chemicals used by the farmer ends up destroying the microbial activity of the soil and soil health, that in turn reduces its ability to absorb moisture and reduces the ability of roots to absorb nutrients from the soil. All this affects the yield quantity and quality, while still increasing the cost to the farmer.” The solution in Diptesh’s mind lay in developing a fertiliser that could increase the organic carbon content of the top soil at an affordable price. His training and experience led him to do research on the subject. “Along with my childhood friend Pratik Sinha, we did a number of trials that eventually led to a perfect all-in-one organic fertiliser that could do many things like rapidly increase soil fertility, soil organic carbon and yield quality and quantity significantly from the very first season,” he said. Seems hard to believe. But Diptesh has trials to back his claims. “After building our product Carbosutra, we conducted trials with more than 1,500+ farmers and 80+ crops, worked with Technoserve Foundation in a Walmart Foundation-funded regenerative farming project in Maharashtra to record the impact of Carbosutra on the individual crops.” Running his office from 99 Springboard at Yerawada with his co-founder and field staff of eight, Diptesh said, “Pune is the epicentre of agriculture in Maharashtra.” The benefits The product enhances plant health and immunity as it is enriched with macronutrients, semi-macronutrients, micronutrients, and microorganisms. The diverse nutrient profile ensures robust plant growth and health. It is pathogen-free, as it undergoes solar sterilisation to eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens, which boosts plant immunity and ensures soil biodiversity. It improves soil health by restoring organic carbon and organic matter that is one of the main issues in agriculture. It enriches soil properties as the improved soil organic carbon and organic matter lead to better water infiltration, moisture retention, nutrient availability, and biological activity of microorganisms. This reduces erosion and nutrient leaching, ensuring long-term soil fertility. Economic option The product helps in providing high yield and quality to farmers. The firm has recorded an average 50% and up to 100% increase in crop yield and significantly better quality (shape, size, colour, texture, taste, and nutrition). This directly translates to higher income for farmers. It’s affordable as unlike conventional organic farming, which might see an initial dip in yield, Carbosutra ensures no such dip and provides a cost-effective solution for farmers. The product addresses greenhouse gas emissions by replacing synthetic nitrogen-based fertilisers with Carbosutra to significantly reduce N2O emissions, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Synthetic fertilisers account for 13% of global agricultural emissions, and Carbosutra provides a sustainable alternative. It helps increase soil organic carbon, which is crucial for sequestering carbon and reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with the global need to mitigate climate change. The product supports regenerative agricultural practices by restoring damaged soil and preserving biodiversity. This makes sustainable farming affordable and scalable. By maximising crop yield and quality, Carbosutra increases nutritional content of yield and thus contributes to food security and nutrition, which is critical for meeting the demands of a growing population. The bane of selling Despite the product being organic, effective, low dosage and reasonably priced at ₹ 180 per litre and increasing demand for organic products, sale of organic fertilisers is “not easy at all”, says Diptesh. “After having successfully developed and tested Carbosutra, we realised that selling to farmers is unlike sale of other products. First of all, the farmer is doubtful of new products, he is not willing to try out something new. And even if he does, he will use it as long as you give it to him for free. Which is what we did with our trials. Once you put a price to the product different factors come into play. “Then he will demand that you buy off his produce like he does when he purchases chemical fertilisers from the local agricultural dealer in his village. Typically, they buy the fertilisers, seeds, pesticides on a loan and as payment pledge a portion of their produce to him. What generally happens is that the use of chemicals serves to damage the crops as well as the soil, thereby reducing his productivity. The farmer uses more of the same in the next round that creates a vicious cycle of reduced productivity, increased cost of materials and debt,” he said. So, how will you sell? This too requires innovation. “One has to understand the psychology of the farmer. He will use my product if I give it for free, but is not willing to buy it without the insurance of purchase of his produce. The other thing we realised is that farmers are influenced by certain big farmers of their village whose advice they will take. They are also willing to accept what the dealer of their village recommends. So, we have decided to focus on NGOs and philanthropic foundations who work with farmers and are looked upon with trust by the community. Additionally, we will get involved in CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities of large companies that use their funds to help farmers,” he said. XEN Farms started by tying up with TechnoServe Foundation in Maharashtra that has 40,000 farmers as their FPO (farmers’ producer organisations)/FPC (farmers’ producer companies) members. “We have launched a unique programme. We will do a ‘30 Day Challenge’ demonstration where farmers of certain villages will choose a piece of land that is infertile or known to give poor results and by using Carbosutra we will show them significantly better results in 30 days,” he said. XEN Farms has also collaborated with Syngenta Foundation to impact the livelihood of significantly more farmers through their large network of agri-entrepreneurs. “What this will do is give the farmers of a certain village proof that our product works and backed by an NGO they trust and will be more prone to buying our product. In fact, we did it in Nashik, Ahmednagar and Solapur. With our demos about 40%-50% farmers buy in. Then in the next cycle about 15% new farmers join. This way we plan to spread the use of Carbosutra,” he said. The second sales technique is to tie up with large companies in their CSR activities. “We are in talks with large corporate CSR arms and a couple of philanthropic foundations that typically invest anything from ₹ 1 crore to ₹ 100 crore in such initiatives.” Investment So far, the duo has spent ₹ 60 lakh of their savings and borrowings from friends and family. “To be used in R&D, trials, government approvals and setting up of the manufacturing unit on a two-acre plot in Surat. Till date, we have received a grant from TIHAN (Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation) IIT Hyderabad of ₹ 25 lakh. We aim to raise funds at a later date from VCs (venture capitalist) who can get us market access. As of now, we continue with our bootstrapping plus grant,” he said. The future Prime minister Narendra Modi at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) unveiled a roadmap to combat climate change and reduce India’s carbon footprint. The Union Budget for 2024-2025 has allocated ₹ 1.52 lakh crore to boost agricultural productivity and promote natural farming. As part of the initiative, the Centre aims to transition 1 crore farmers across the country into natural farming within the next two years. While the central government is pushing for greater use of organic farming techniques, there are challenges that startups like XEN farms have to deal with. With deep insights and innovative thinking, looks like XEN will rise up to this challenge.Brazil’s Bolsonaro participated in 2022 coup plot, unsealed report says
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