Qatar tribune QNA doha Qatar’s economy has achieved significant multi-sector milestones steered by the Qatar National Vision 2030, with the Gulf state remarkably transforming from a predominantly hydrocarbon-based economy into a diversified and knowledge-based one. An International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s outlook for Qatar says the country would see a two percent 2024-25 real GDP growth, driven by “public investment, spillovers from the ongoing LNG expansion project, and strong tourism”. The final statement for the IMF’s Article IV consultation mission in Qatar projected a medium-term annual growth of about 4.75 percent, supported by the significant North Field expansion project, totaling the country’s annual LNG production to 142 million tons per annum (mtpa) and the Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3). This growth is manifested across all Qatar’s dynamic economic sectors, especially in energy, with the latter achieving oil, gas and petrochemical milestones both locally and abroad. QatarEnergy plays a leading role in optimally investing the country’s natural resources of oil and gas, in accordance with the QNV 2030. Besides the North Field LNG expansion project, the energy giant is also in partnership with ExxonMobil for the Golden Pass LNG export terminal on the US Gulf Coast near Sabine Pass, Texas, with annual capacity of 18 mtpa. In September 2024, QatarEnergy held a naming ceremony for six LNG carriers as part of Doha’s 128-vessel shipbuilding program. In February 2024, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani laid the foundations for the Ras Laffan petrochemicals complex, a huge venture consisting of the Middle East’s largest ethane cracker and one of the largest worldwide with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes a year of ethylene.Turning to clean energy, under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani recently laid the groundbreaking for the Blue Ammonia Plant project. The world’s largest of its kind, the project in Mesaieed is a significant QatarEnergy milestone to produce low-carbon ammonia, a key solution in the clean energy transition. The plant will be supplied with more than 35 MW of electricity from the solar power plant currently under construction in Mesaieed Industrial City. World-class solar projects in Al Kharsaah, Ras Laffan, Mesaieed and Dukhan will double the country’s solar power generation capacity to around 4,000 MW by 2030.Meanwhile, QatarEnergy, supported by the directives of the country’s wise leadership, is expanding its exploration and drilling operations in a bid to achieve further growth. Qatar Energy pays great attention to enhancing the country’s LNG production capacity as the key tributary to the GDP in addition to petrochemical industries. In this regard, it has built partnerships with many international companies, one of the most important returns of which was the transfer of knowledge to a new generation of Qatari youth. Under the generous directives of HH the Amir, QatarEnergy has charted out a new path that will put it on the road to becoming one of the best energy companies in the world. It has adopted an updated business strategy based on its recent progress, taking into account supply and demand, potential risks and opportunities, and global trends, especially with regard to efforts to low-carbon energy transition. In this context, it has worked to pay attention to sustainability issues, as QatarEnergy launched its updated sustainability strategy that emphasizes its commitment, as a major energy producer, to responsible production of clean energy at affordable prices to facilitate the transition to low-carbon energy. QatarEnergy has also been guided in implementing its work and projects by the basic principles and pillars on which the QNV 2030 was built, enhancing its role in supporting and enriching the national economy, supported by its leading position among the largest LNG producing and exporting countries.Through its corporate strategy and values, it has also worked to maximize the value of Qatar’s assets, create a wide-ranging international portfolio, maximize the added value of petrochemical industries, support energy efficiency, and achieve the optimal energy mix in Qatar. QatarEnergy has also paid great attention to supporting and developing human capital, especially Qatari employees in various energy sector companies, and has supported efforts to develop its employees’ expertise and raise levels of leadership development to achieve the highest levels of performance. It has also established a unique work culture through corporate values that form part of the daily lives of all its employees, built on solid foundations of integrity, safety, excellence, cooperation, responsibility, and respect. The number of new companies registered on the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) platform in 2024 exceeded 760 up from 327 in 2023, a more than 130 percent increase bringing the total number to over 2,200 companies. The businesses mostly from the UK, France, Jordan, India, the US are operating in various sectors such as consulting services, financial technology, information technology, innovation and others. IT companies made the largest number on the QFC platform benefitting from the QFC’s active involvement in the Doha-hosted Web Summit 2024 in February. The companies that registered during the summit were offered exceptional incentives as part of a QFC strategy alluring foreign investments, diversifying the national economy, and supporting the state’s efforts to become a regional IT hub. In 2024, the QFC signed more than 15 MoUs with prestigious local and international institutions, including Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Masraf Al Rayan, Meeza, Hashgraph Association, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, the Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong, the Canadian Arab Business Council, and Casablanca Finance City. With the aim of facilitating the establishment of businesses in Qatar, the QFC signed an MoU with the Qatar Media City, and a cooperation agreement with the Qatar Science and Technology Park. The QFC organized a number of important events, primarily the Qatar Financial Market Forum 2024 in collaboration with Bloomberg under the title “Trends Shaping Emerging Markets & Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility”. The QFC also hosted the 20th Corporate Registers Forum Annual Conference 2024, held for the first time in the State of Qatar, with the attendance of prominent figures representing more than 50 member countries of the Forum, partner organizations, a number of business leaders and industry experts and specialists. Copy 17/12/2024 10LIVE Strictly Come Dancing: Latest updates from the week 10 results show as Pete and Jowita face another battle to survive after finishing bottom of the leaderboard By POPPY ATKINSON GIBSON Published: 13:43 EST, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 13:53 EST, 24 November 2024 e-mail 13 shares View comments Advertisement Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal face another battle for survival in Strictly Come Dancing tonight after the pair finished Saturday's live show rock bottom of the leaderboard. The couple received marks of 29 from the judges on a night that saw the first perfect score of the series with Tasha and Aljaz's stunning American Smooth. Last night also saw the return of the Strictly dance-a-thon with all couples performing samba routines to try and boost their leaderboard positions with JB and Lauren winning the contest. Follow the latest updates below and join in the conversation in our comments section 19:02 Strictly Come Dancing fans 'gutted' as dance-off results are LEAKED again - and viewers are in 'shock' at the 'ridiculous' verdict Strictly Come Dancing fans are 'gutted' after the results of Saturday's show were leaked once again - with viewers in 'shock' at the 'ridiculous' verdict. The pre-recorded results show airs every Sunday on the BBC but is filmed immediately after the live show on Saturdays. However, over the past few weeks, the identity of the latest star to be sent home has been revealed in advance by an audience mole, ruining the show for many and leaving fans furious. Read more here: Strictly Come Dancing results are LEAKED again - and fans are 'gutted' Over the past few weeks, the identity of the latest star to be sent home has been revealed in advance by an audience mole, ruining the show for many and leaving fans furious. Mail Online 18:55 Strictly Come Dancing Leaderboard Week Nine After a series of stunning performances including a tough Tango from Pete and Jowita and a stunning American smooth from Tasha and Alijaz, the scores on the doors going in to tonight's results show are: Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 40 JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 39 Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - 37 Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 36 Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 33 Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas - 32 Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal - 29 18:43 Good Evening Welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of the Strictly Come Dancing results show. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal face another battle for survival in Strictly Come Dancing tonight after the pair finished Saturday's live show rock bottom of the leaderboard. The couple only received 29 points from the judges on a night that saw the first perfect score of the series with Tasha and Aljaz's stunning American Smooth. Last night also saw the return of the Strictly dance-a-thon with all couples performing samba routines to try and boost their leaderboard positions with JB and Lauren winning the contest. Follow our coverage as we bring you the results as and when they come and let us know your thoughts in our comments box. TOP STORIES Fans speculate there could be a secret new Strictly Come Dancing couple after pair share sizzling Instagram post Iconic 70s TV star is unrecognizable as she steps out in casual look... can you guess who it is? Benedict Cumberbatch cosies up to wife Sophie Hunter as they join Chris Pine for football match in Italy Who is the Landman blonde bombshell? Meet Michelle Randolph from the Yellowstone spinoff Wicked's original Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth, responds to Ariana Grande saying character is 'in the closet' Ariana Grande's boyfriend Ethan Slater makes special appearance at New York Live as Wicked hits theaters Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley gives update on rocky friendship with Kyle Richards Zayn Malik pays tribute to his 'brother' Liam Payne as he performs for the first time since One Direction star's death I'm A Celeb fans poke fun at Dean McCullough's dramatic decline in popularity after that Alan Halsall spat with a shock update to his Wikipedia page Davina McCall 'makes surprise appearance on I'm a Celeb and leaves hosts Ant and Dec stunned' - weeks after undergoing shock brain surgery Tearful Adele kisses son Angelo, 11, and fiancée Rich Paul and gives emotional speech during final Vegas show as she recalls 'worst year of her life' after cancelling 2022 shows Maya Jama showcases her incredibly toned abs in skin-tight crop top and leggings as she hits the gym - after hinting at reason for Stormzy split I'm A Celeb's Coleen Rooney targeted with vile misogynistic chants by Watford fans taunting her husband Wayne during match against his Plymouth Argyle side Alex Scott reveals she was 'too scared to go out' after racist trolls threatened to throw acid in her face after she was tapped to replace a national treasure Coleen Rooney looks unfazed as she pulls a live cockroach out of her mouth during her first Bushtucker Trial in I'm A Celeb teaser Keira Knightley insists she will NEVER wear a crop top again and admits she can't walk in heels anymore as she reflects on her iconic noughties style Alex Scott shares rare insight into her relationship with girlfriend Jess Glynne and jokes they've 'become the same person' since moving in together Shocking last pictures of Liam Payne alive that raise a troubling question - could he have been saved? FRED KELLY'S bombshell investigation reveals what really happened Victoria Beckham reveals the REAL reason for her extreme diet and admits she never cooks due to daughter Harper, 13, joking she can 'burn water' Alesha Dixon 'in shock split from partner and father of her two daughters Azuka Ononye after 18-years following their relationship turning into 'more of a friendship'' The reason behind Brad Pitt's shock 'collapse' and 'immediate medical evaluation' at Vegas Grand Prix is revealed Among the homeless of LA's doomed Venice neighbourhood, the wayward son of a Hollywood legend shuffles aimlessly towards a blacked-out car... how did it all go so wrong? Chuck Woolery dead at 83: Legendary game show host was known for Wheel Of Fortune and The Dating Game Rebekah Vardy hits back at former I'm A Celeb co-star Iain Lee and claims ex-TalkRadio host 'accepted a Christmas hamper' from her despite branding the WAG a 'bully' and 'obnoxious' Matthew Byars dead at 37: RHOP star and talent manager passes away in shock suicide Inside Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell and boyfriend Joe Sugg's £3.5 million luxury five-bedroom mansion with a home gym and indoor pool Pete Wicks makes his feelings clear as he pens smitten comment on Maura Higgins' latest Instagram post - after rumours he had been 'secretly seeing' Jowita Przystal Kylie Minogue's team 'considering legal action' against Aldi after pop princess is left fizzing with rage over rosé wine knock off Coleen Rooney 'set for most emotional I'm A Celeb moment of the series as show bosses plan surprise' KATIE HIND: Why I believe Rebekah Vardy uses disgusting, bullying language about other women - and the truly unforgivable thing she wrote about ME I sell my sexy pictures on OnlyFans because no one will hire me for a 9-5 job: I once commanded 25k for a shoot but I squandered my fortune, reveals Lauren Goodger I'm A Celebrity star is shock millionaire and earns almost as much as campmate Coleen Rooney Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran makes emotional on-air announcement one year after 'vanishing' during Hunter Valley wedding bus assignment Georgia Kousoulou gives birth to a baby girl! TOWIE star welcomes her second child with husband Tommy Mallet and reveals her sweet name How George Clooney could owe his continued success to a broken vow after his first marriage Heartbreaking pictures that expose true pain of Brad Pitt's divided family as his parents react to Angelina Jolie's children dropping his name How Cheryl smoothed over the tensions between One Direction at Liam Payne's wake, friends reveal to KATIE HIND, who tell how Zayn and Louis were 'such a support' to Liam Gwyneth Paltrow reveals her global list of top restaurants - but only ONE British venue cuts the mustard Ex-TalkRadio host Iain Lee reveals he was so traumatised by 'bully' Rebekah Vardy in the I'm a Celebrity jungle he quit his career Fans point out bizarre detail in Tammy Hembrow's highly anticipated Byron Bay wedding to Matt Zukowski Kanye West accused of trying to dodge justice after ex-assistant sued him for 'rape at Diddy party' The Chase star Mark Labbett's ex-wife Katie looks unrecognisable after incredible transformation following his split from Hayley Palmer Liam Payne's final moments retraced, including ex-One Direction star's disturbing behaviour 30 minutes before he fell 40ft to his death from a hotel balcony All the signs Alesha Dixon had 'split' from her partner of 18 years Azuka Ononye from solo outings to 'attending the same events separately' Strictly Come Dancing fans 'gutted' as dance-off results are LEAKED again - and viewers are in 'shock' at the 'ridiculous' verdict Gordon Ramsay joins his glamorous daughter Holly and her Olympian fiancé Adam Peaty to walk the paddock in Las Vegas for F1 Grand Prix Channel Seven reveals major change to Carols in the Domain broadcast after complaints from viewers Declan Donnelly's daughter Isla, 6, enjoys behind-the-scenes day on I'm A Celebrity set as she joins her father in the jungle Tammy Hembrow marries Love Island star Matt Zukowski in a stunning ceremony surrounded by influencer guests in Byron Bay Elizabeth Hurley wows in a glamorous black gown with a daring thigh-high split as she joins son Damian at the Shooting Star Ball Cheers star George Wendt, 76, looks frail as he's seen being wheeled out of Los Angeles dialysis clinic Where are the stars of Home And Away now? A look at what soap legends Ray Meagher, Judy Nunn and Kate Ritchie are doing now Strictly's Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal send fans wild with their chemistry during the Tango - amid claims the pair have been 'secretly seeing each other' Singer Khalid comes out as gay after being outed on social media Ailsa from Home and Away looks completely different as iconic soap actress makes very rare TV appearance Inside I'm A Celebrity's 'fake' jungle camp with man-made waterfall, papier mache rocks, hidden rain roof and secret cave See the controversial renovations on Simon Baker's $6million cottage that are ruffling neighbours' feathers - and it's costing the actor a LOT of money Paddy McGuinness' warning to website over claim he stopped off at Michelin starred restaurant during £9million Children in Need cycle ride BBC host Lauren Laverne, 46, reveals she's cancer free in major health update and will be back on TV in a matter of days as she declares: 'Life is beautiful' Chanelle Hayes packs on the PDA with her new husband Dan Bingham as they share a passionate kiss in the sea during their romantic honeymoon in Greece Live Blog BBC Jowita Przystal Pete Wicks Share or comment on this article: Strictly Come Dancing: Latest updates from the week 10 results show as Pete and Jowita face another battle to survive after finishing bottom of the leaderboard e-mail 13 shares Add comment
Biden says Trump economic plan will be 'disaster'NEW ORLEANS – A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. Recommended Videos And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” “I'm a travelin' dog and I've made a lot of stops/All over this town...” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. “...And at every stop I own the heart, of at least one lovely ... " People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. “...If you're ever in the 9th Ward stop and see/My cute little mini poodle ...” Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” "... and my Shar-Pei doll down in old Treme/Waits for my return ..." Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
Aspen Group Reports Positive Cash from Operations Fiscal Year-to-DateOne of the top qualifiers from the second edition of the “FinTech Got Talent” competition, organized by “FinTech Egypt”—an initiative by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)—has secured first place at the “Arab FinTech Challenge” for the second consecutive year. The competition took place in Dubai as part of the “GITEX North Star 2024” exhibition. This remarkable achievement reflects the CBE’s unwavering dedication to empowering and supporting youth in the FinTech sector. The winners and runners-up of “FinTech Got Talent” received comprehensive backing to represent Egypt in the “Arab FinTech Challenge.” This year, a team from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University won first place with their innovative project, “EZRAALI.” The digital platform connects suppliers, farmers, and traders in a streamlined ecosystem, emerging victorious in a fierce contest among Arab universities. Ayman Hussein, First Sub-Governor for the Information Technology Sector at the CBE, commented on the victory: “The Egyptian team’s consecutive triumph in the ‘Arab FinTech Challenge’ highlights the CBE’s continuous efforts to nurture and develop young talent through the ‘FinYology’ initiative. This success underscores the richness of the Egyptian market with promising FinTech innovators and reinforces our commitment to equipping university students with the skills and resources to drive innovation, aligned with the FinTech and Innovation Strategy launched in 2019.” The second edition of the “FinTech Got Talent” competition kicked off this month, in collaboration with the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI), alongside several universities and banks operating in Egypt. The competition’s finale saw exceptional projects presented by teams from 10 public, private, and national universities. First Place: Nile University’s business administration students. Second Place: Cairo University’s Faculty of Economics and Political Science team. Third Place: Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s business administration students. To further support innovation, the “MINT Incubator” will provide all 10 finalist teams with a comprehensive three-month technical support program. This initiative aims to transform their ideas into viable, practical applications. The “FinTech Got Talent” competition, launched under the umbrella of the CBE’s “FinYology” initiative, debuted last year and continues to empower university students to create cutting-edge digital solutions addressing the financial and banking sector’s evolving needs. Since its inception in February 2020, the “FinYology” initiative, in partnership with the EBI and various financial institutions, has achieved significant milestones: Collaboration with 30 public, private, and national universities; engagement of over 7,400 students; and implementation of more than 600 FinTech projects. This initiative cements Egypt’s position as a hub for FinTech innovation, fostering a new generation of talented leaders in the financial technology landscape.Investor confidence was still recovering from recent stock market manipulations when a high-profile investment scam involving Dr Boon Vanasin, an 86-year-old hospital veteran, sent shockwaves throughout Thailand's business arena, causing damages of nearly 8 billion baht. Dr Boon, founder and former chairman of SET-listed Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), became headline news after being accused of embezzling a massive amount of money through medical investment projects as a means to deceive the public. Police revealed that between December 2023 and October this year, 247 complaints were lodged against him at the Huai Khwang police station by victims who could not cash checks he issued. Dr Boon has fled the country, reportedly to China, while police have charged him and eight others on several counts, with damages initially estimated 7.5 billion baht. The suspects are accused of misleading people into investing in medical businesses promoted by Dr Boon, which police said did not exist. WHO IS DR BOON AND HOW DID HE BUILD HIS HOSPITAL EMPIRE? Dr Boon and his 79-year-old wife come from a prominent family. The doctor established THG in 1977 and continually expanded the business, making him well-known in medical and investment circles. Dr Boon earned the trust of his victims and the public after successfully listing the business on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 2017. He was often quoted in news and regularly addressed public events. THG operates seven hospitals in Thailand and two overseas. According to the company's website, the group has 1,100 registered beds and a combined capacity to service 9,700 outpatients daily, making the group one of the leading healthcare providers in Thailand. Dr Boon was keen to articulate the narrative of Thailand becoming an aged society, with the global trend opening a vast opportunity for healthcare and well-being services and residences for senior clients. His standing enabled him to convince many investors to back his proposed projects. Dr Boon envisioned projects such as a cancer centre and a wellness centre in Bangkok, a condo on the banks of the Chao Phraya River for seniors, hospitals in Laos and Vietnam, and a medical intelligence project in Chon Buri province. According to police, the fraud was not the work of a single individual, but involves a network that includes family members and brokers who collaborated in the scheme. HOW WAS THE FRAUD EXECUTED? Dr Boon and his associates leveraged their social status and reputation in the medical business to persuade investors to join seemingly credible projects. He offered loan agreements with attractive interest rates to investors, issuing post-dated checks to cover principal and interest payments. However, these checks could not be cashed, leaving investors without the returns they were promised. Initially, Dr Boon paid the loan interest as promised to build confidence among investors. However, when the larger payments were due, he failed to do so, resulting in massive financial losses for investors. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, who is also a board member of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said Dr Boon engaged in off-market fundraising by inviting lenders to invest, offering attractive interest rates and claiming the borrowed funds would be invested in various projects. To secure these loans, Dr Boon used shares of Thonburi Hospital, where he was a major shareholder, as collateral. For example, for a loan of 100 baht, he pledged 4 shares of Thonburi Hospital, which were valued at 25 baht per share at the time. As the hospital's share price increased, the number of shares required as collateral decreased proportionally. According to the SET, Dr Boon is the 17th-largest shareholder in THG, holding 5.8 million shares, equivalent to 0.68% of the company, valued at 90 million baht. Victims reported that Dr Boon and his family offered high-return investments with advance interest payments. However, when the principal and interest came due in 2023, there were payment problems, and many checks issued to investors could not be cashed, leading to widespread complaints to the authorities. WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? According to the police, there are several groups of victims, including private lenders who demanded off-market shares as collateral. These lenders provided loans to Dr Boon in exchange for high interest rates of 8-9%. They did not receive repayments as promised in agreements, and many were forced to sell their debts at a discount to minimise losses. Another group comprises major investors in the capital market, including business executives and wealthy individuals who invested in THG shares or projects that were non-existent. Other victims include medical industry leaders, such as doctors managing Thonburi hospitals. They were reportedly lured into investing tens of millions of baht in these projects. Also ensnared were business tycoons and members from high-profile families, including political families, as some shifted into business ventures and were encouraged to invest, according to the police. In addition, the owners of construction materials, telecom and real estate firms were listed as victims, lending significant sums to Dr Boon, noted the authorities. The final group of victims is retail investors, including THG shareholders. Retail shareholders who trusted the company and invested in THG shares suffered indirect losses from the financial damage and reputational harm caused by the scandal. The scandal also shook confidence in the already fragile Thai capital market, particularly regarding transactions involving off-market shares and the use of assets as collateral. WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES? The initial damages claimed in lawsuits are estimated at 7.5 billion baht. However, total damages are estimated to reach 20-40 billion baht. The number of victims is currently 500-600 people, with more expected as investigations progress. There is speculation Dr Boon used his personal THG shares as collateral to secure loans amounting to roughly 2 billion baht. This may have been linked to his financial liquidity issues, possibly arising from unsuccessful large-scale investments. It is believed he sought additional funds to stabilise his personal finances. However, Dr Boon denied these allegations, asserting that no such pledging of shares took place. General investors are concerned because the activities involving THG shares led to questions about the company's financial stability. Stock prices have been volatile as investors want to know about past transactions, investments, and the allocation of funds for large projects that have yet to yield clear returns. HOW ARE THE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRESSING? THG's board of directors has initiated a thorough investigation into Dr Boon's past transactions and management practices, aiming to restore investor confidence and stabilise the company's future regarding large-scale projects and the management of working capital. Authorities said this case serves as a critical example of the risks associated with using personal assets to manage organisational finances, potentially impacting shareholders and investors on a broad scale. The police issued arrest warrants for two more individuals linked to Dr Boon's network, charging conspiracy to commit fraud and soliciting fraudulent loans from the public. The warrants were issued after victims revealed new evidence that both individuals acted as brokers or intermediaries, encouraging others to invest in the fraudulent schemes. In addition, an arrest warrant was issued for Nawara Vanasin, Dr Boon's former daughter-in-law who previously claimed her signature was forged. However, an investigation into her financial transactions revealed links to Dr Boon. Authorities are examining the authenticity of her signature. Dr Boon's network involved three main groups: Dr Boon and his family; company employees and document witnesses; and brokers or intermediaries. The police emphasised that any further implicated individuals will face legal action without exception. According to Mr Lavaron, the SEC is drafting regulations to control the behaviour of major shareholders in the market, aiming to prevent similar incidents. "To protect minor shareholders in the market, the SEC is preparing a draft regulation to control the actions of major shareholders if they intend to use their shares as collateral for loans, as in the case of Dr Boon," he said. Major shareholders will be required to notify the SET, which will allow authorities to monitor whether such actions might affect other shareholders. The measure is meant to enhance transparency for investors, said Mr Lavaron.
East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level Media
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Luigi Mangione , 26, has been arrested and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot in New York on Dec. 4. Mangione faces additional charges, including one count of forging a document and criminally possessing a firearm. Authorities arrested Mangione at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Dec. 9. In the wake of the arrest, various claims related to Mangione emerged online One image shared across social media appears to show an X post from Burger King, reading, “We don’t snitch.” The image was shared with posts commenting on Mangione’s choice to visit McDonald’s. Other social media users claim to have discovered a book review Mangione allegedly wrote for unabomber Ted Kaczynsky’s manifesto. Additionally, a YouTube video featuring a countdown clock with a description stating “if you see this i’m already under arrest” has been linked to Mangione, with some wondering if it was real . Others claimed Mangione is related to a Maryland lawmaker with the same last name. VERIFY fact-checked each of these claims. THE SOURCES Burger King spokesperson Review of Burger King X account Goodreads account archives Jack Malon, Google’s policy communications manager Google impersonator policy and creator responsibility guidelines Statement from the Mangione family Facebook post from Nino Mangione Burger King tweeted ‘we don’t snitch’ The viral image of what appears to be an authentic Burger King X post is fake. VERIFY reviewed Burger King’s social media accounts and found no evidence the post ever existed and a spokesperson confirmed it’s not real. “We can confirm that this did not come from the official Burger King X account. This is a fabricated tweet,” a Burger King spokesperson confirmed to VERIFY. There are indications the image is fake. The screenshot includes the terms “retweet” and “quote tweets.” But that terminology hasn’t existed on the platform since Elon Musk took over and rebranded Twitter as X. Tweets are now known as “posts.” Mangione wrote a positive book review of the unabomber’s manifesto A Goodreads account featuring Mangione’s name and picture that match his other social media accounts does exist , but VERIFY could not independently confirm its authenticity. Archived versions of the page show the account attributed to Mangione left 52 book ratings and 13 reviews. Among these, the account gave a 4 out of 5 star rating to unabomber Ted Kaczynsky’s manifesto on Jan. 23, 2024. The Goodreads profile lacks identifying details, such as location, that VERIFY could use to cross-reference and confirm its authenticity. A review of Mangione’s active X account and archived social media profiles reveals no specific references to the books listed on the Goodreads account. Confirming the authenticity of social media profiles presents significant challenges due to the ease with which spoof accounts can mimic real ones, a Law.com blogpost explains . YouTube countdown clock video was connected to Mangione The YouTube video labeled “The Truth,” featuring a countdown clock and the description, “If you see this I’m already under arrest,” is not connected to Mangione, a Google spokesperson told VERIFY. Jack Malon, Google’s policy communications manager, stated, “We terminated the channel in question for violating our policies covering impersonation , which prohibit content intended to impersonate another person on YouTube.” Google confirmed the YouTube account was an imposter by analyzing the channel’s metadata . Updates to the channel name and handle were made after Mangione’s arrest, Malon said. Additionally, Malon confirmed that three channels believed to belong to Mangione were removed under Google’s Creator Responsibility Guidelines , which allow for the removal of content or channels if the creator acts maliciously on or off the platform. Examples cited for removal include: Intending to cause malicious harm to others. Participating in abuse or violence, demonstrating cruelty, or participating in fraudulent or deceptive behavior that leads to real-world harm. Malon did not respond to VERIFY’s request for further details on how the three channels were verified as Mangione’s. Social media platforms often remove accounts under similar circumstances. Following Mangione’s arrest, Meta disabled his Instagram account . Meanwhile, his X profile was briefly suspended but later reinstated after X owner Elon Musk said he was “looking into” the suspension. Mangione is related to a Maryland lawmaker Luigi Mangione’s cousin, Nino Mangione, is a Republican member of Maryland’s House of Delegates, serving Baltimore County. Nino Mangione confirmed the relationship on social media. Nino Mangione posted a statement to X on behalf of the family that reads, “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Nino Mangione also cancelled a recent fundraising event , originally scheduled for Dec. 12, writing a “terrible situation involving my cousin” prompted the cancellation.Ambient Scientific unveils first ever AI module powered by a coin cell battery
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