Champions League table: Battle for top 8 finish intensifies
Meta Platforms, Inc. ( NASDAQ:META – Get Free Report ) COO Javier Olivan sold 413 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $590.00, for a total transaction of $243,670.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 17,927 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,576,930. This represents a 2.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Javier Olivan also recently made the following trade(s): Meta Platforms Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of NASDAQ:META opened at $599.81 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.51 trillion, a PE ratio of 28.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.20. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $587.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $545.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 2.73 and a quick ratio of 2.73. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a one year low of $340.01 and a one year high of $638.40. Meta Platforms Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.33%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 16th. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.42%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Meta Platforms by 0.9% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,827,565 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $7,915,451,000 after purchasing an additional 118,298 shares during the period. LS Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 111.4% during the 3rd quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,679 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $6,686,000 after acquiring an additional 6,155 shares during the period. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. now owns 9,735 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $5,573,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in Meta Platforms by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 412,046 shares of the social networking company’s stock valued at $235,872,000 after acquiring an additional 5,594 shares during the period. Finally, M&G PLC lifted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter. M&G PLC now owns 721,339 shares of the social networking company’s stock valued at $412,606,000 after purchasing an additional 91,773 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.91% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have weighed in on META shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $690.00 to $719.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $525.00 to $530.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. DA Davidson started coverage on Meta Platforms in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $600.00 price objective on the stock. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their target price on Meta Platforms from $620.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Meta Platforms from $590.00 to $663.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, thirty-five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $638.00. View Our Latest Report on Meta Platforms About Meta Platforms ( Get Free Report ) Meta Platforms, Inc engages in the development of products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality headsets, and wearables worldwide. It operates in two segments, Family of Apps and Reality Labs. The Family of Apps segment offers Facebook, which enables people to share, discuss, discover, and connect with interests; Instagram, a community for sharing photos, videos, and private messages, as well as feed, stories, reels, video, live, and shops; Messenger, a messaging application for people to connect with friends, family, communities, and businesses across platforms and devices through text, audio, and video calls; and WhatsApp, a messaging application that is used by people and businesses to communicate and transact privately. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Meta Platforms Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meta Platforms and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollomics Inc. APLM (the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing medicines to address difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced that on December 10, 2024, it received a notification (the "Notice") from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") stating that the Company has regained compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, as set forth in Nasdaq Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Requirement"), and Nasdaq has determined to continue the listing of the Company's Class A ordinary shares ("Class A Ordinary Shares") on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "APLM." On December 10, 2024, Nasdaq confirmed that for the ten consecutive business days from November 25, 2024 to December 9, 2024, the closing bid price of the Company's Class A Ordinary Shares was at $1.00 per share or greater. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with the Nasdaq Bid Price Requirement and the matter is closed. About Apollomics Inc. Apollomics Inc. is an innovative clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of oncology therapies with the potential to be combined with other treatment options to harness the immune system and target specific molecular pathways to inhibit cancer. Apollomics' lead program is vebreltinib (APL-101), a potent, selective c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and other advanced tumors with c-Met alterations, which is currently in a Phase 2 multicohort clinical trial in the United States and over 10 other countries. For more information, please visit www.apollomicsinc.com . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding the Company's strategy, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "could," "should," "will," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Apollomics cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to maintain compliance with any of the other Nasdaq continued listing requirements, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Apollomics. In addition, Apollomics cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including: (i) the impact of any current or new government regulations in the United States and China affecting Apollomics' operations and the continued listing of Apollomics' securities; (ii) the inability to achieve successful clinical results or to obtain licensing of third-party intellectual property rights for future discovery and development of Apollomics' oncology projects; (iii) the failure to commercialize product candidates and achieve market acceptance of such product candidates; (iv) the failure to protect Apollomics' intellectual property; (v) breaches in data security; (vi) the risk that Apollomics may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls; (vii) unfavorable changes to the regulatory environment; and (viii) those risks and uncertainties discussed in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed by Apollomics Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the heading "Risk Factors" and the other documents filed, or to be filed, by the Company with the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the reports that Apollomics has filed and will file from time to time with the SEC. These SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made by the Company. Apollomics undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of its forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Investor Contact: Eric Ribner LifeSci Advisors, LLC (646) 751-4363 eric@lifesciadvisors.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The United States offered a $10 million reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest of a Chinese man and co-conspirators wanted for hacking computer firewalls. Guan Tianfeng, 30, is believed to be living in China's Sichuan Province, according to the State Department. An indictment charging Guan with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud was unsealed on Tuesday. The Treasury Department said it had imposed on the company Guan worked for, Sichuan Silence Information Technology Co Ltd. Guan and co-conspirators at Sichuan Silence allegedly took advantage of a vulnerability in firewalls sold by UK-based cybersecurity company Sophos Ltd, according to the indictment. "The and his co-conspirators exploited a vulnerability in tens of thousands of network security devices, infecting them with malware designed to steal information from victims around the world," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Some 81,000 devices were simultaneously attacked worldwide in April 2020, the indictment said, with the aim of stealing data, including usernames and passwords, while also attempting to infect the computers with ransomware. More than 23,000 firewalls were in the United States, of which 36 were protecting "critical infrastructure companies' systems," the Treasury said. "The zero-day vulnerability Guan Tianfeng and his co-conspirators found and exploited affected firewalls owned by businesses across the United States," FBI agent Herbert Stapleton said. "If Sophos had not rapidly identified the and deployed a comprehensive response, the damage could have been far more severe." According to the indictment, Sichuan Silence sold its services and the data it obtained through hacking to Chinese businesses and to government entities, including the Ministry of Public Security. © 2024 AFP
OTTAWA - Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario’s threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. “That’s okay if he that does that. That’s fine,” Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that,” Trump added. “And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country,” he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it’s considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2023, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. “It’s a last resort,” Ford said. “We’re sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that.” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to “end power sale into the U.S. market” the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. “Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,” she said. “Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats.” Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said “it’s not our current intention” to cut off Quebec’s exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. “Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they’re legally binding, but also because it’s part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States,” he said. “It’s a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict.” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. “We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like,” he said. “I’m not going to make specific news today about items that we’re looking at.” Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn’t work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said “we have no interest in stopping” the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. “We hope it is just bluster; we’re preparing as if it is not,” he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump’s border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version stated that Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in three states in 2013.
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Which touchless trash cans are best? Touchless trash cans are one of the latest innovations in automated kitchen technology. They use infrared motion sensors to automatically lift the lid, allowing users to dispose of trash without touching the can. This hands-free operation makes them not only efficient and easy to use but also improves kitchen hygiene as it helps reduce contact with germs, bacteria and parasites that are often found in household waste. Choosing the ideal touchless trash can for your home will depend on several factors, from the number of people in your household to the shape, size and material that best suits your decor. What to look for in a quality touchless trash can Shape and size As with regular trash cans, there are many different shapes and styles available. The most common shapes are round, oval, square or rectangular. While shape can play a factor in determining which trash can to get, it is more important to find the right size trash can for your space. A 13-gallon trash can is standard for a kitchen. However, a smaller 5- to 10-gallon option would be better if you want to place it in a cabinet. For large families that generate a lot of waste, a larger 20 to 30-gallon trash can may be preferable. Material The most common materials are either metal or plastic. While plastic is certainly the cheaper option, metal trash cans are more durable. A stainless steel trash can is a good option, as it will match kitchen appliances and won’t rust or tarnish with time. However, metal trash cans are more pricey, retailing between $100 and $200, depending on their size and features. Power source There are only two choices when it comes to a power source: battery or mains. A mains-powered trash can requires a permanent power source, restricting its location options. Battery-powered trash cans can be placed wherever you like and are particularly suitable for bathrooms. Look for a model that gives a warning when the batteries need replacing to avoid any inconvenience. Features of a touchless trash can The features of a trash can significantly impact the price, so it is important to decide which features you would like. Some trash cans have carbon filters that absorb unpleasant odors; however, remember that the filters must be replaced periodically. Other trash cans may feature a locking mechanism, which is handy if you have pets or small children because the lid will remain closed even if it’s knocked over. The best touchless trash cans simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can What you need to know: An elegant-looking option available in a range of metallic and colored finishes. What you’ll love: It has a smooth and quiet motor. The surface is protected with an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria. What you should consider : At 36 inches tall, it’s too big to fit inside a cabinet. iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can with Lid and Odor Filter What you need to know: It is available in a range of shapes and sizes, and it has a fingerprint-proof stainless steel body. What you’ll love: A choice of either battery or mains power provides versatility. It has a built-in natural carbon odor filter and a lockable lid. What you should consider : It doesn’t come with batteries or a mains adapter. SensorCan MT04SS-9 Touchless Trash Can What you need to know: With a 4-gallon capacity, this trash can is ideal for use in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom. What you’ll love: It effectively filters odors and comes with a lemon-scented fragrance cartridge. What you should consider : Although the body is made from metal, the lid is made from plastic, so it may not be as durable. iTouchless 16 Gallon Touchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can and Recycle Bin with Wheels What you need to know: This versatile option makes separating your recyclables from your waste easy because it has two removable inner buckets with handles. What you’ll love: This trash can can be powered by batteries or an AC adapter. It can be easily moved around the kitchen with optional casters. What you should consider : The battery compartment is below the trash level, so you need to be careful to avoid getting the batteries wet. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.WATCH the incredible unearthed footage that shows the world's first autonomous car in action, and it's not one of Elon Musk's Teslas. Decades before self-driving cars were unleashed to the public a 1986 vehicle was moving without a human at the wheel. Musk is typically dubbed as the person who brought out self-driving vehicles. Decades before Musk's Tesla company was created a German man brought driverless vehicles onto European roads. Ernst Dickmanns, a German scientist, developed a vehicle that was able to navigate roads on its own. A group of German engineers came together in the 1980s to transform a Mercedes van, bought by Ernst. The team took eight years to build their technological phenomenon and it hit the roads in 1986. This van was filled with sensors that could detect cars, people, and objects around it. The modified Mercedes was able to identify up to six items and obstructions at any one time. The special car reached up to 59mph and was able to change lanes and stop on its own. Despite his successes, Ernst's plans were initially doubted at the German university where he ran his tests, according to Politico . The scientist started out as an aerospace engineer but set his sights on revolutionizing the car world. Ernst said: “The colleagues at the university said, well, he’s an oddball, but he’s got a track record [of achievements in aerospace technology,] so let’s just let him do it." His modified van became the first self-driving car when it rode on a skidpan on the university campus. He upped the stakes when he sent his creation down the unopened autobahn at top speeds. Ernst then said he was approached by German carmaker Daimler to get a self-driving car on a busy Parisian road. The creator revealed he found this proposition to be "absurd" but eventually agreed to take on the challenge. The autonomous car picked up a group of elite visitors from Charles de Gaulle Airport and drove onto an open motorway where it was switched to self-drive mode. Ernst's creation was able to switch lanes on its own, while an engineer remained behind the wheel in case something went wrong. One of the engineers said: “Sometimes, we would take our hands off the wheel." This remarkable team even took one of their self-driving creations on a long ride from Southern Germany to Denmark. Despite its successes, this car did not become mainstream due to a lack of funding from Daimler. Driverless cars are slowly becoming more and more normal on our roads. Self-driving taxis have become a controversial part of San Francisco, as the Waymo robo-cabs don't even have a driver behind these wheels for emergencies. In February, a large crowd set one of these autonomous taxis alight in a fiery blaze in the middle of the major city. Chilling footage showed an aggressive mob surrounding the white vehicle as plumes of back smoke soared into the sky.AI Stocks Soar! Political Shifts and Defense Deals Make Waves
A failed Republican Senate candidate with a history of controversial statements – including once blaming gun violence on “Black people, frankly” – is reportedly being mulled by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF. On Thursday, Trump loyalist Blake Masters sat down with the incoming president’s transition team and is said to be interested in becoming the country’s top gun regulator, Semafor reported Friday. Masters had been jockeying to head the Presidential Personnel Office, but Sergio Gor, the president and co-founder of Donald Trump Jr.’s publishing company, took the role, which is responsible for helping to fill administration jobs, according to the publication. ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should ‘clear the slate’ and pardon Trump Masters, who supported the 2020 election conspiracy, lost two races for Congress in the last two election cycles : a GOP primary for an Arizona congressional seat this year and a 2022 Senate matchup where he lost to Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly . Masters, however, managed to win over Trump’s endorsement. And his “unwavering pro-Trump stance could help him win the role” of ATF director, according to Semafor. The report added that Republicans like Sen. David Perdue and former Rep. Billy Long have parlayed their allegiance to Trump into plum nominations this month after he became president-elect. If he is selected by Trump, Masters’ path to nomination won’t be easy – but that’s mostly due “to the history of the ATF director position, which involves oversight of politically sensitive gun policies,” Semafor reported. However, his “pro-gun” stance may help him win over the support of other pro-gun Republicans. Trump's party can afford to lose up to three defections on any nominee. Another failed congressional candidate has also expressed interest in the ATF position: gun advocate Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber known as the “The AK Guy.” The Texan wrote on X that if selected by Trump, he would “hack, slash and cripple” the agency and eventually disband it “entirely.”
Kazakhstan has solidified its position as the leading investment destination in North and Central Asia, drawing USD 15.7 billion in new projects in 2024, as per the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report released on Dec. 25. This marks an 88 per cent year-on-year surge, with Kazakhstan accounting for 63 per cent of the region's total investments, The Astana Times reported. The region witnessed a 27 per cent rise in overall foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, totaling USD 24.8 billion in 2023. ESCAP highlighted Qatar's UCC Holding as a significant contributor to Kazakhstan's FDI growth, with USD 11 billion committed to the development of critical gas infrastructure projects. "The growth in Kazakhstan now sees it attracting 63 per cent of the region's total FDI in thus far 2024, led by investments totaling USD 11 billion from Qatar's UCC Holding to establish two gas processing plants, a new compressor station, and two additional trunk gas pipelines throughout the country," stated the report. The projects include gas processing plants with annual capacities of one billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters, aimed at optimising raw gas usage. Agreements for these initiatives were formalised between QazaqGas, the national gas company, and Qatar's UCC Holding during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Qatar. Additional developments encompass the construction of the Aktobe-Kostanai gas pipeline and the expansion of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent pipeline, which is anticipated to enhance Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure. ESCAP emphasised the pivotal role of proactive investment strategies in sustaining such momentum, particularly for emerging markets. "In this context, proactive investment promotion by line ministries and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) becomes increasingly crucial, particularly in sectors contributing to sustainable development. For emerging investment destinations, success depends not only on creating the right policy environment but also on offering investors a comprehensive suite of support services and aftercare," the report noted. While Kazakhstan led the subregion, Uzbekistan secured USD 4 billion in FDI, followed by the Kyrgyz Republic with USD 2.1 billion, Azerbaijan with USD 1.2 billion, Turkmenistan with USD 339 million, Georgia with USD 126 million, and Armenia with USD 67 million, reported The Astana Times. Despite robust inflows into certain countries, outward investments from North and Central Asia declined significantly in 2024, with total outflows falling by 58 per cent to USD 2.3 billion. Russia accounted for 90 per cent of these outflows, channeling USD 847 million into India and Belarus's coal, oil, and gas sectors. The broader Asia-Pacific region recorded USD 292 billion in FDI between January and September 2024, down from USD 339 billion during the same period in 2023. India led the region with USD 76 billion in inflows, followed by Australia at USD 38 billion, China at USD 28 billion, and Japan at USD 25 billion. ESCAP attributed the decline to global economic uncertainties and geopolitical shifts. "The landscape of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia-Pacific continues to evolve rapidly amid global economic uncertainties, geopolitical shifts, and technological transformations. While 2024 has witnessed some moderation in investment flows following the record-breaking announcements of 2023, the region has demonstrated remarkable resilience and maintained its position as a premier destination for international capital," the report highlighted. The report identified several factors reshaping investment patterns, including the acceleration of digital economy investments post-COVID-19, heightened energy security concerns, and supply chain restructuring influenced by geopolitical tensions. Experts also noted a transition in investment pace as projects announced in 2023 moved into implementation. The services sector continued to dominate FDI inflows in the Asia-Pacific, accounting for 55 per cent of the total, while manufacturing contributed 41 per cent. The share of the primary sector declined to 4 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024, compared to 9 per cent during the same period in 2023. Within manufacturing, semiconductors, electronic components, and metals attracted the highest investments, with USD 28.2 billion, USD 19 billion, and USD 12.5 billion, respectively, in the first three quarters of 2024. However, metals investments saw a steep 61 per cent decline compared to 2023 due to weakened global steel demand, falling prices, increased Chinese exports, and reduced domestic consumption, The Astana Times reported. Kazakhstan's remarkable performance in attracting FDI underscores its growing appeal as a hub for regional development and international collaboration. The investments, driven by strategic agreements and infrastructure projects, signify the nation's proactive approach to fostering economic growth and sustainable development. Disclaimer: This is a syndicated feed, except for the headline the article is not edited by the FPJ editorial team.These 20 companies offer the best compensation in 2024, according to employee ratings
WesBanco, Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. Announce Shareholder Approvals of Merger Agreement
NEW YORK (AP) — If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by . “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they’ll make at least one resolution for 2025. There’s some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren’t expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Relaxed New Year’s Eve plans for many Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year’s Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn’t usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he’s got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Younger Americans are more likely to make a resolution Every New Year’s also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they’ll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they’ll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods’ resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it’s to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. ___ Sanders reported from Washington.Shares of Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. ( NASDAQ:PRTH – Get Free Report ) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $10.83, but opened at $11.49. Priority Technology shares last traded at $11.55, with a volume of 147,513 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on PRTH. B. Riley lifted their price target on shares of Priority Technology from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on Priority Technology from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Lake Street Capital increased their price target on Priority Technology from $8.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. View Our Latest Analysis on PRTH Priority Technology Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling In other Priority Technology news, insider Sean Kiewiet sold 4,483 shares of Priority Technology stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.00, for a total value of $26,898.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,065,158 shares in the company, valued at $6,390,948. The trade was a 0.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders sold 76,766 shares of company stock valued at $656,166 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 76.30% of the company’s stock. Institutional Trading of Priority Technology A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in Priority Technology by 6.1% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 22,347 shares of the company’s stock valued at $153,000 after acquiring an additional 1,293 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of Priority Technology by 61.7% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 15,983 shares of the company’s stock worth $109,000 after purchasing an additional 6,096 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Priority Technology by 15.8% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 56,557 shares of the company’s stock worth $386,000 after purchasing an additional 7,719 shares in the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Priority Technology by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 66,675 shares of the company’s stock valued at $455,000 after purchasing an additional 9,675 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corsair Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Priority Technology by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Corsair Capital Management L.P. now owns 105,458 shares of the company’s stock worth $720,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. 11.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Priority Technology ( Get Free Report ) Priority Technology Holdings, Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMB) Payments, Business-To-Business (B2B) Payments, and Enterprise Payments. It offers SMB payments processing solutions for B2C transactions through independent sales organizations, financial institutions, independent software vendors, and other referral partners through its MX product suite, which includes MX Connect and MX Merchant products, such as MX Insights, MX Storefront, MX Retail, MX Invoice, MX B2B and ACH.com, and others, which provides flexible and customizable set of business applications that helps to manage critical business work functions and revenue performance to resellers and merchant clients using core payment processing. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Priority Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Priority Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
By KEVIN FREKING WASHINGTON (AP) — National defense would see a 1% increase in spending this fiscal year under a Pentagon policy bill that also gives a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. Related Articles Politics | Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back The measure is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but not this year as some Democratic lawmakers protest the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. The bill is expected to pass the House Wednesday and then move to the Senate, where lawmakers had sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the $895.2 billion authorized in the compromise measure before them. Lawmakers are touting the bill’s 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said their pay has failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. “No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that’s exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “This bill goes a long way to fixing that.” The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a “tremendous loss for our national defense,” though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. “We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it,” Wicker said. House Republicans don’t want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 that could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a “very real problem.” He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. “These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives,” Smith said. “And in this bill, we decided we’re going to bar servicemembers’ children from having access to that.” Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care is in the thousands. He said he could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson’s office insisted upon the ban. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying “I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates.” Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, “and yet, here it is in this bill.” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team was not telling Democrat how to vote on the bill. He said he was still evaluating the legislation as of Wednesday morning. “There’s a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well,” Jeffries said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration had requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation next week. It then would move to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.The Hasselblad X2D 100C and 907X with CFV II 50C digital back are two medium format cameras offering 100-megapixel sensors and exceptional image quality. These cameras cater to different needs, and choosing between them depends on your priorities. Coming to you from , this comprehensive video compares the and . The X2D is designed for versatility, featuring in-body image stabilization (IBIS), an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and an ergonomic grip. These additions make it better suited for professional use or situations requiring more flexibility. The 907X, in contrast, offers a more compact design and a unique shooting experience. Its compatibility with Hasselblad legacy lenses and ability to attach to older cameras add a sense of nostalgia and creativity. The shared 100-megapixel sensor ensures outstanding performance in both models, but the X2D's added stabilization makes handheld shooting more reliable, especially with slower shutter speeds. Both cameras include a 1 TB internal SSD, a single CFexpress Type B card slot, and a tilting LCD screen. The X2D’s screen is larger and integrates seamlessly into its grip for a more professional workflow. The 907X, however, stands out for its minimalist, lightweight design, making it ideal for travel. It fits into spaces where other cameras might not, offering portability that doesn't compromise image quality. While neither camera includes dual card slots, their robust internal storage minimizes concerns about memory capacity. The 907X’s streamlined form factor is perfect for everyday carry, especially for street or travel photography. Its ability to attach to classic Hasselblad V-system cameras allows you to revisit vintage workflows with modern technology. The X2D, on the other hand, excels in professional environments where features like IBIS, EVF, and a sturdier grip are essential. These advantages are particularly noticeable when using heavier lenses or working in challenging conditions. Despite their differences, both models provide unparalleled image files that are easy to work with in post-processing, maintaining natural tones and details. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Haisch. Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.The United States introduced sanctions on Nov. 21 against nearly 100 Russian financial institutions, and 15 individuals, in hopes of further constraining Moscow’s ability to wage war in Ukraine. The sanctions also target 11 Russian officials who work for the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (CBR), three members of the Shanghai, China, branch of Russia’s VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company, and the deputy managing director of the Russian Sberbank’s New Delhi, India, branch. The United States has previously sanctioned CBR, VTB, and Sberbank. “Today’s sanctions targeting Russia’s largest remaining non-designated bank, as well as dozens of other financial institutions and officials in Russia, will further diminish and degrade Russia’s war machine,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Nov. 21. One of the major Russian banks targeted with this latest round of sanctions is the Gazprombank Joint Stock Company (Gazprombank), and its various foreign subsidiaries. The Treasury Department said Gazprombank serves as a key component of the Russian war effort by handling salaries and combat bonuses for Russian troops, and compensation payments for the families of Russian soldiers killed in the war. Gazprombank is Russia’s third-largest bank and has been a major channel for payments for Russian oil and gas exports. While the United States and Ukraine’s various other Western backers have levied sanctions across the Russian economy, Europe has been heavily reliant on Russian fuel exports, and institutions like Gazprombank have seen fewer financial repercussions throughout the war. With Europe weaning off Russian fossil fuel exports, the new sanctions show an increasing willingness to target Russia’s primary export. Still, they come with a temporary carve-out for Gazprombank’s transactions for the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas development on Sakhalin Island. Japan, a U.S. ally, has closely partnered with Russia in the Sakhalin-2 project. The Treasury Department said the sanctions on the other banks and securities registrars will also undermine Russia’s ability to purchase equipment and technology critical to their war effort. The sanctions come as President Joe Biden’s administration has moved to provide Ukraine with as much financial and military support as it can before Biden’s term ends in January. Other reports have emerged that the administration has permitted Ukraine to use U.S.-donated long-range weapons to strike inside Russian territory. The administration has yet to confirm these reports. The new sanctions on Russia and the new weapons transfers to Ukraine come with just weeks to go before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has signaled a preference for quickly negotiating an end to the war. It remains to be seen how these negotiations may play out and whether the incoming Trump administration will stay the course set by the Biden administration if negotiations fail to bring a quick end to the war.With his coaching background, Harmony Magnet Academy principal Jeff Brown equated his school's sustained success to the sustained success of an athletic program. “If you relate it to football coaching or any coaching trying to sustain something is probably more difficult that getting there,” Brown said. Harmony has been able to sustain that success for several years running as once again it has been rated the top high school in Tulare County by U.S. News and World Report. In addition Harmony continues to maintain its place as one of the nation's top schools. Harmony is also ranked No. 104 out of 1,652 public high schools in California which places it in the top six percent of the state's schools. Nationally Harmony is ranked 780 out of 17,655 public high schools, placing it near the top 4 percent of all the nation's schools. And Harmony is ranked No. 144 in the nation out of 3,022 charter schools, placing it in the top 5 percent among the country's charter schools. Harmony's rankings have remained in that area for several years. In 2023 Harmony was ranked No. 737 in the nation, No. 107 in California and No. 140 among the nation's charter schools. “I'm just thrilled,” said Brown about his school's continued success. Brown said the school's advisory committees, staff, parents and support from the business community all play a role in the school's success. “It's a combination of those things coming together,” Brown said. “I'm just proud of their commitment.” And of course a great deal of the credit goes to the students, Brown said. “The kids are No. 1,” he said. “They want to be here and that's a key I think.” Harmony was the beginning of what has become the Porterville Unified School District's Pathways program, which now has 14 Pathways. “We're very proud of that,” Brown said. “This is where it all started. This experiment has been very prosperous.” Harmony received a score of 95.58 out of 100. U.S. News stated its rankings of virtually all the nation's public schools provides a numerical ranking based on multiple sources of objective data. Harmony received a score of 95.83 in 2023. The rankings are based in part of how schools educate all students from different social and economic backgrounds. The rankings are also based on schools who have students who demonstrate outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and state science state assessments and earned qualifying scores in a variety of college-level exams. Schools were rated based on weighted scores in six categories with an overall score of 100 possible. Thirty percent of the score is based on college readiness. Ten percent is based on the school's curriculum being a college curriculum. Twenty percent is based on state assessment scores. When it comes to educating students from different social and economic backgrounds, 10 percent of the score is based on underserved students' performance and the graduation rate also figures into the school. Sixty-seven percent of Harmony's students have taken Advanced Placement, AP, courses and tests for college. Harmony's reading proficiency also remains outstanding at 89 percent as compared to 90 percent in 2023. Harmony also has a strong science proficiency rate of 55 percent as compared to 57 percent in 2023. Harmony's minority enrollment is 80 percent and 67 percent of its students are economically disadvantaged. The school has a 100 percent graduation rate Harmony also ranks high in assessment performance in U.S. News and World Report rankings, ranking 32 nd in the state and 354 th in the nation.