phmacao com login
MONTREAL — Canadians face a fresh wave of scams as fraudsters seize on the Canada Post strike to try to trick victims out of their cash. The last few weeks have seen an "exponential" rise in fraud attempts, ranging from phishing emails to deepfake phone calls, says Octavia Howell, chief information security officer at Equifax Canada. "Any time there is a major political event, a major strike or anything like that, we'll see an uptick," she said in a phone interview. "Not only is there a Canada Post strike ... it's the holidays." Scams related to parcels and deliveries typically tick up in step with online shopping orders this time of year, but the work stoppage at Canada Post has led to even more fraud attempts amid the confusion around shipments, Howell said. Comprehensive figures on the latest batch of scams are not yet available from Equifax Canada, but the credit bureau's daily internal updates have marked the rise nonetheless. Rather than the roughly half-dozen daily consumer fraud reports of previous increases, Equifax Canada's investigations team is filing up to "87 in one report in one day coming from the same IP addresses," said Howell. She called the trend "insidious." "We're seeing exponential growth in the amount of scams that are actually happening ... because, one, holidays, and then two, people aren't able to get their shipments out." Mail carriers walked off the job on Nov. 15, halting deliveries of letters and packages at the start of the holiday shipping season. Canada Post says that it never reaches out to users about a delivery via text or email unless it has been requested to. The Crown corporation has asked Canadians to be on guard for telltale signs of a phishing scam or fraud attempt, including poor grammar, imagery inconsistent with Canada Post logos or a tracking number at odds with its standard format. A phishing scam refers to a message that appears to be from a well-known source and asks for personal information in order to invade a person's accounts. The Better Business Bureau similarly cautioned consumers when the strike kicked off. "Watch out for fake package delivery offers during Canada’s postal strike," the non-profit said in a release last month. It advised potential victims to verify delivery services, avoid unsolicited shipment offers from little-known companies and check for accreditation by the bureau before selecting a service. It also noted that scammers may send false messages that claim to be from Canada Post or another carrier, asking for payment for undelivered items or offering "priority service." "Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, visit the official website of the courier service for updates," the bureau said. Canada Post recommends customers contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if they receive a suspicious email, text or call related to the postal service. Timothy Byrnes said scams invoke not just nationally recognized brands but also companies like his own, the Montreal-based courier service Jet Worldwide. "The scam thing is huge," he said. "They'll say, 'Hey, we have (the package), it's with Jet Worldwide right now. Once you send the money, we'll instruct Jet Worldwide to ship it.'" One text message blasted out over the weekend claiming to be from the U.S. Postal Service stated that a parcel was "temporarily detained" because of an "invalid zip code." The message invites receivers to clear the package by clicking on a link. The site, which vaguely resembles that of the postal service, then asks visitors to enter their credit card number and "expire date" in order to pay "some service fees." Multiple web browsers flagged the site, warning of phishing threats that attempt to steal personal and financial information. "Always verify where it's coming from," Howell said. "Did you order something that cost $10,000? Just because it says that you did does not necessarily mean that you did." Common sense and awareness of recent purchases can go a long way. "I got a text message two days ago saying that my RBC account was locked out. Well, I don't have an RBC account, so there's no reason for me to click on that," she said. Ironically, consumers' knowledge of current events, such as strikes and stranded packages, can also be used against them by swindlers. "They feed off of heightened awareness," she said. "Take a step back. Don’t click, don’t do anything. Verify sources." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
1 Monster Stock That Turned $10,000 Into $333 MillionNEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded “the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety”
Mumbai: Following the recent conclusion of the state assembly elections, the city has witnessed a sudden surge in political hoardings, with numerous banners and posters congratulating the victorious candidates. However, despite the growing number of such advertisements, the BMC has yet to finalise and enforce a comprehensive 'Outdoor Advertisement Display' policy to regulate the proliferation of these hoardings. This policy was initially framed in September, in the aftermath of the tragic billboard crash in Ghatkopar, which claimed the lives of 17 people. Last week, the Bombay High Court strongly criticised the Maharashtra government and civic bodies across the state for not taking its directives on curbing illegal hoardings and banners "seriously." During the state assembly election, the city was flooded with hoardings from political parties and candidates. Even though the election has concluded, these hoardings continue to dominate the city's landscape. Instead of election-related advertisements, hoardings now congratulating newly elected MLAs and thanking voters can be seen at numerous locations. Activists and citizens have raised concerns and blamed the civic authorities for their apathy in taking action against the illegal hoardings. Annually, the civic body removes around 15,000 to 20,000 illegal hoardings, with 45% related to birthday wishes for political leaders or festive celebrations. These hoardings surge during elections or festivals. The BMC's new draft policy mandates written permission for all advertisements, and unauthorised displays will face penalties under Section 471 of the BMC Act, 1888, and The Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, which could result in up to three months' imprisonment or a Rs. 2,000 fine. However, the policy was delayed due to the model code of conduct for the state assembly election. Bhushan Gagrani, the municipal commissioner, said, "We have already started removing political banners and hoardings at many locations. However, in some areas, new banners appear even after our removal efforts. We will expedite the finalisation of the outdoor advertisement display policy to address this issue at the earliest." Meanwhile, the BMC is yet to review 381 suggestions and objections received from citizens, government agencies, social activists, and advertisers in September. After which, the draft policy will be finalised and approved by the BMC's administrator.Money can’t buy happiness or a presidential election. Democratic donors just learned that the hard way. After a candidate loses a high-profile, competitive race, the blame game begins. There are many places to point the finger when assessing Vice President Kamala Harris’ run. She entered the race late and only after President Joe Biden had a career-ending debate implosion. She didn’t run a primary gauntlet, which meant voters didn’t know her very well. Having to endure even a token primary may have helped her improve her interview skills. She struggled to separate herself from the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration. She took a number of radical positions when running for president in 2019. The Trump campaign effectively used her own words to show voters that she was a radical leftist. But one common excuse for political failure, a lack of funding, doesn’t apply. Harris spent an astonishing $1.5 billion during her 15-week campaign. That works out to around $100 million a week. But even that understates her financial resources. When combined with Biden’s fundraising, the two Democratic campaigns had more than $2.1 billion, according to The New York Times. The Times reported the Trump campaign and Republican Party raised $1.2 billion. Money is certainly an important factor in political races. But the election results show its limits. “There is not a single expenditure in a different spot that would have changed the outcome of the race,” Bakari Sellers, a close ally of Harris, told the Times. Instead, “we had so much money it was hard to get it out the door.” Perhaps this explains why the Harris campaign spent millions on celebrity performances and social media influencers. It even paid $900,000 to advertise on the Las Vegas Sphere. All this is especially ironic given the progressive battle to limit free speech by restricting political expenditures. The far-left Brennan Center for Justice says it’s committed to a “long-term push to overturn Citizens United,” in which the Supreme Court affirmed that arbitrary limits on political spending ran afoul of the Bill of Rights. During oral arguments, the government admitted that the law in question would potentially allow federal regulators to ban books. Ouch. Despite the massive fundraising numbers, Axios reported recently that the Harris campaign is likely to conclude with “millions of dollars in debt.” There’s an old adage about politicians not being responsible with other people’s money. That’s certainly true when it comes to taxpayer dollars. In Harris’ case, it applied to her donors as well. They may have been costly, but the Harris campaign has provided the American public with valuable lessons. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Who left I’m a Celeb on Monday? Tulisa is third celebrity to leave ITV jungle - latest results
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday blamed his office’s handling of harassment complaints against his former communications director on what he described as a flawed disciplinary process he inherited at City Hall. In his first remarks to reporters since the Tribune reported on Ronnie Reese’s alleged behavior last week, the mayor said he did not know about the allegations against Reese until his office received a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of Reese’s City Hall personnel file. And Johnson said his administration has no tolerance for the kind of harassment, sexism, racism or other abusive behavior several employees in his administration allege Reese engaged in while running the mayor’s press office. He deflected questions on how the documents also show frustration over how his chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, suggested “peace circles” in response to concerns over Reese’s behavior, and did not say how often such remedies are considered. “The information that was disclosed as it relates to the FOIA request was the first that we’re hearing of those allegations,” Johnson said when asked about Pacione-Zayas’s response to the complaints. “There is a process that has been established long before I got here, that we inherited. And in this particular instance, it’s very clear that the system that I inherited established a process that did not provide full disclosure of everything that was in that personnel file until there was a FOIA request.” The Tribune requested a FOIA for Reese’s personnel file on Oct. 25 after City Hall moved to dismiss him. Johnson’s office released records last week of three internal complaints against Reese that alleged behavior ranging from unwanted physical contact to making disparaging comments about marginalized groups and intimidation tactics. Johnson on Monday also acknowledged the slow pace for two of Reese’s ex-employees to get off the city’s Do Not Hire list — a change made official last week, after the Tribune’s reporting on Reese’s personnel file. But the mayor’s assistant corporation counsel, Jeffrey Levine, defended how the city has managed the list, which is traditionally reserved for ex-employees accused of serious crimes and misconduct. “The Department of Human Resources has a detailed and comprehensive policy that governs placement on the Do Not Hire list, that governs removal from that list, that governs a process whereby new information can be provided and received and considered and whereby appeals can be made from decisions of the city,” Levine told reporters. “And that process and that policy is currently playing itself out, and I think it is comprehensive and covers a variety of situations.” Former press office staffers Dora Meza and Azhley Rodriguez were given notice Friday that they were removed from the Do Not Hire list, according to letters sent by DHR. They were two of Reese’s employees who were fired in August 2023 after complaining about how Reese and Johnson senior adviser Jason Lee treated them, and had been banned from future city employment ever since . In Monday statements to the Tribune, Meza and Rodriguez said they were relieved but demanded reforms on how the list will be utilized in the future. “Finally. It’s been long overdue,” Rodriguez wrote. “I hope the city reconsiders their procedure when placing people on the ineligible for rehire. Nobody should have to go through the unfair treatment my colleagues and I did and then be further punished with the DNH. It’s not right.” Then-mayoral aide Ronnie Reese, left, watches as Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson greets people at MacArthur’s Restaurant in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on April 23, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Josué Ortiz, another ex-staffer of Reese’s, was placed on the Do Not Hire list at the same time but successfully petitioned to be removed this April. Another press aide, Summer Hoagland-Abernathy, said she was fired at the same time and did not receive the official letter stating she won her appeal to be removed until December 2023. In a phone interview Monday, Hoagland-Abernathy said she remains unemployed since being fired and that being stuck on the Do Not Hire list for several months “really wrecked my confidence.” “We have been talking about Ronnie’s misogynistic behavior since probably the spring or summer that he came on,” Hoagland-Abernathy said. “The mayor’s office needs to be a little bit more aware and/or willing to bring justice to the people that are being discriminated against within the office.” Asked Monday why that first batch of complaints against Reese in 2023 — which the Tribune reported on in January — was not enough to take action against him, the mayor said “Every single employee has constant review.” “Every employee does. There are regular check-ins that happen to gain a better understanding of what’s working in departments and what’s not working in departments,” Johnson said. Members of City Council are also itching to reign in use of the Do Not Hire list. Johnson’s appointed Ethics Committee chair, Ald. Matt Martin, 47th, told the Tribune on Monday he plans to hold a hearing early next year on the process of getting on the list and whether changes need to be made. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who hired Ortiz in his aldermanic office after he got off the Do Not Hire list, called for an audit of all remaining ex-employees on the list. “It’s unfortunate that it took the cover-up of the actions of Ronnie Reese to get to this point. ... Given the fact that it was abused, we need to put some guardrails around this,” Villegas said. As for whether Johnson believes the accusations against Reese, who was a longtime friend of the mayor’s and served as press secretary of his 2023 mayoral campaign and for the Chicago Teachers Union, the mayor repeated that he could not comment on personnel matters. “There are allegations that have been brought to an individual,” Johnson said. “I’m not in a position and nor will I succumb to litigating anything that is ongoing publicly. What I can say is this: I can speak for Brandon Johnson that I do not tolerate antisemitic, misogynistic, sexist, racist, xenophobia, anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant behavior. I don’t. That’s not how I was raised.” Johnson’s reaction to the ongoing fallout over Reese came the same day he presided over a mandatory public hearing on his 2025 budget plan — one that remains in flux and is sure to change before a final City Council vote. Most recently, the mayor’s team has been pushing aldermen to accept a property tax hike between $60 million and $70 million, a source close to the mayor said. The mayor first floated a $300 million property tax hike in late October but lowered that amount to $150 million after a unanimous vote by aldermen. Meanwhile, the budget gap Johnson and aldermen must close has widened since his last proposal. Pressure from aldermen has already led Budget Committee Chair Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, to say Johnson’s proposed $10.6 million liquor tax is off the table. Johnson also promised to re-add 162 vacant positions tied to the federal consent decree to the Police Department after pushback from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a move aldermen estimate will cost over $10 million. An unexpected Springfield switch-up to taxes on prepaid phones will cost the city another $37 million, according to Budget Director Annette Guzman. The mayor on Monday again rejected workforce cuts such as layoffs as a potential budget-balancer. He praised two revenue-raising ideas proposed by aldermen — a tax on hemp products and changes to the city’s grocery bag tax — but declined to share a full recommendation. “The people of Chicago don’t want cuts to services. I can tell you that emphatically,” Johnson said, a line he has returned to repeatedly this fall as budget negotiations have dragged on.
Inside ancient city dubbed ‘Manhattan of the desert’ with skyscrapers made from MUD now facing risk of collapse
Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
It's not typical for the S&P 500 to generate 20% gains in a single year. Yet the index is on pace to do it for a second consecutive year, as it's up roughly 23% in 2024 at recent prices after gaining 24% in 2023. That's great news for investors, as that means they've generated some incredible returns since emerging from the last bear market. The excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and what it can do for industries has opened up many new growth opportunities for businesses, sending their valuations soaring in the process. The concern, however, is that the broad index is punching above its weight, and that a slowdown may be inevitable. This type of performance is rare . Let's look at what it might mean for the markets heading into next year. The last time the S&P 500 had such an impressive run was the 1990s Barring an end-of-year crash or correction, it seems safe to assume that the S&P 500 will finish the year up by at least 20%. The last time it had back-to-back years with gains that high was a four-year run from 1995 to 1998 in which it gained 34%, then 20%, then 31% and 27%, before just missing 20% to break the streak in 1999. The next three years, however, would see the index falling by at least 10% amid the dot-com crash. While it's not uncommon to see the market have a strong return in a single year, that run of success in the '90s is by no means normal. Likewise, investors should be careful not to assume that the past two years' impressive gains will continue unabated. How might the S&P 500 perform in 2025? It isn't often that the S&P 500 does this well in back-to-back years. That means there also isn't a whole lot of history to go on to try to predict what pattern it might follow. But there are some interesting parallels to consider. In the late '90s, the internet was becoming more prominent and changing businesses and entire industries, not unlike what AI is doing these days. As a result, many companies swelled to inflated valuations, in large part due to sky-high expectations about what the internet might do for them -- also not unlike AI today. Another similarity is that the Shiller price-to-earnings ratio , which is based on a period of 10 years and factors in inflation, was trading at elevated levels. It's a way to gauge how expensive the stock market is. It reached a peak of 44 in December 1999. Today, it's around 37, which is near the levels it was at in 2021, before the market nosedived the following year. Prior to that, however, the last time the ratio was that high was back in 1999. Given the inflated valuations and the perhaps overblown hype around AI, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a crash in the markets next year. But even if it doesn't happen, it does look like the market is overdue for a sizable decline in the not-too-distant future. Why investors should remain invested There's no way to know for sure how the market will do in 2025. It could crash, but it could also rally again. When the S&P 500 turned in a second straight year of big gains in 1996, bearish investors were likely pounding on the table, warning that a crash was imminent. While that crash eventually came, it followed five years of truly impressive gains. Rather than trying to time the market and wait for a crash before buying stocks, investors may simply want to remain invested and just reassess their portfolios, to see if they hold stocks that may be vulnerable to corrections. Moving money out of expensive stocks, and into ones that have more attractive valuations and may have greater upside, could be a good approach to take for the coming year. But taking money out of the stock market entirely, simply because it's doing too well, could mean missing out on further gains and may prove to be a costly mistake.IDEX and NAVDEX 2025 launch on February 17 under UAE President's patronage
HOUSTON — After more than two decades since its demise, is Enron coming back? A company representing itself as Enron said it's relaunching and even announced its return with a new website and at least one billboard. There's even an account on social media with the name "Enron." A video was posted seemingly announcing the company's comeback. The new logo is the same as the old company logo. A full-page ad was also in Monday's edition of the Houston Chronicle. The advertisement shows the company logo with the words "We're back. Can we talk? (TM)" It also has a link to the website. It's noteworthy to mention that Enron filed for bankruptcy exactly 23 years ago -- on Dec. 2, 2001. On the new website, there's a clock counting down. According to the clock and the website, the company is going to make an announcement next Monday, Dec. 9. There are also links to career opportunities. The website appears to be promoting sustainable energy and also offers merchandise for sale, including shirts, hats, water bottles and stickers. "An energy company with global impact isn't just a job. It's a calling to those that want to light a cleaner, more equitable and brighter path for the rest of humanity," the careers section of the website says, in part. According to a news release on the website, the company is relaunching with the goal of "solving the global energy crisis." We wanted to get to the bottom of what's going on with the new effort. Upon closer look at the website, under the terms and conditions section, it says the website is "First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only." KHOU 11 looked up trademark records and found out that Arkansas-based "The College Company" currently owns the trademark for Enron's logo, including for purposes of selling clothing. The company is owned by the co-creator of the group known as "Birds Aren't Real," a satirical conspiracy theory movement that also sells merchandise. The public relations firm representing the current Enron declined and interview and said only that more is coming soon. Enron filed for bankruptcy in 2001. The company's downfall was caused by a massive fraud scandal. It's considered one of the largest corporate scandals in United States history and led to indictments, convictions and jail sentences for many executives. The scandal rocked Houston and the corporate world. The return of the logo invokes a memory of a painful chapter in the city's history. In 2021, KHOU 11 News spoke with Sherron Watkins, the whistleblower of the Enron scandal. "5,000 people get dumped on the street with nothing. Horrible," she said. Watkins reflected on it from the pursuit of justice for the company's fraud to the catastrophic impact on workers who relied on the company's supposed success for salary and retirement funds. "A lot of people paid a price but so did every employee and every shareholder," she said.By this point in the NFL regular season, we have a strong idea of which matchups are most beneficial to our DraftKings daily fantasy football lineups. One of the first matchups to turn to each week is running backs against the Carolina Panthers and their league-worst rushing defense. Carolina's allowed over 200 rushing yards in each of the last three games, and on Sunday, it faces James Conner and the Arizona Cardinals. Conner is one of the most obvious targets for DFS lineups on Sunday, but with that, comes a likely high roster percentage. You can use Conner and other players in favorable matchups, but in order to differentiate yourself from the pack, you need one or two out-of-the-box selections for your lineup from games that don't stand out right away, like the bottom-feeder battle between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders. James Conner and Kyler Murray should be a popular DFS roster tandem in Week 16. Arizona's backfield duo face a Carolina defense that can't stop anything on the ground right now. Rico Dowdle, Saquon Barkley and Bucky Irving all turned in 100-yard performances against the Panthers in the last three weeks. Conner is trending in the right direction with 200 rushing yards across his last two games, so this sets up to be an ideal matchup for him. Conner's DFS salary sits at $7,100, which is a steal considering his matchup and the $1,200 salary drop from Barkley to him. Murray hasn't rushed as much in recent weeks, but he could do more damage with his legs because of the matchup at hand. Murray sits at $6,100 on the DraftKings DFS salary table. He needs a rushing touchdown to make his roster addition worth it compared to Josh Allen and other top quarterbacks. A combined 200 or 250 yards between Conner and Murray is a real possibility. If you want to get deeper into the matchup, Arizona backup Trey Benson is worth a look as a sleeper pick in case the game gets out of hand early. The late-afternoon clash between Jacksonville and Las Vegas likely won't have many eyes on it. However, it could be an ideal matchup for DFS players to find sleeper picks to take advantage of two bad defenses. Jacksonville's offense hit the 20-point mark in two of the last three weeks with Mac Jones in charge. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas is the obvious DFS target after his 105-yard, two-score game against the New York Jets, but tight end Brenton Strange carries a ton of value as well. Strange is now Jacksonville's No. 1 tight end with Evan Engram out for the season. He had 11 catches on 12 targets last week and now faces a Las Vegas defense that gives up the fourth-most receiving yards to tight ends. Aidan O'Connell's return for Las Vegas means Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers' stock should go up against the Jags' second-worst passing defense. Strange carries the best DFS value of the pass-catchers mentioned above at $3,500, but Meyers, Bowers and Thomas could all be strong roster choices as well in the $5,000-$7,000 salary range.
You Can Now Grab Some Retro PS5 Boot Screens For PlayStation’s 30th Anniversary - WellPlayedEAST LANSING, Mich. — Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State held on to beat Purdue 24-17 on Friday night. The Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) are a win away from being eligible for a bowl with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and they play Rutgers at home in the final regular-season game. “It means a lot,” Chiles said. “We should’ve been in this place a long time ago.” The Boilermakers (1-10, 0-8) have dropped 10 straight games and will have to pull off a stunning upset against rival and fifth-ranked Indiana on the road to avoid matching a school record with an 11th loss under second-year coach Ryan Walters. Pressure to perform is expected, Walter acknowledged. “It comes with the territory and sitting in the chair I’m sitting in,” he said. Michigan State scored three touchdowns and a field goal on its four drives in the first half to take a 24-3 lead, then struggled to move the ball in the second half and Purdue almost took advantage. “It’s kind of disappointing to come out hot and the next half look like we never played football before,” Chiles said. With a chance to drive for a game-tying touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, Hudson Card threw a pass toward Max Klare that caromed around and was picked off by linebacker Jordan Turner at the Michigan State 31. Card gave the Boilermakers a chance to tie the game on their next drive, but Jahmal Edrine dropped a long pass while running all alone behind the secondary and they ended up turning it over on downs at midfield with 3:05 left. Chiles missed his first chance to seal the victory on a third-down run when he went out of bounds instead of cutting back to likely get a first down and keep the clock running. “I was supposed to get a first down and I thought I did,” he said. On fourth-and-1, Chiles' sneak was spotted just past the stick and he was able to kneel to run off the remaining time. Chiles finished 15 of 31 for 159 yards yards and threw multiple touchdown passes for the third time this season. He threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Montorie Foster midway through the first quarter and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Nate Carter with 41 seconds left in the first half. Carter also had a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Card was 26 of 47 for a career-high 342 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Klare had seven receptions for 83 yards and a 7-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to bring the Boilermakers within a touchdown. The takeaway Purdue: Walters was expected to struggle, coming off a four-win debut season that included a victory over the Hoosiers, but the Boilermakers were competitive in just two of the 10 games they lost. “My focus right now is on Indiana and that is what I can control,” Walters said. “I don’t feel any pressure other than trying to win a ballgame.” Michigan State: Smith's team has slightly surpassed low expectations and the program would get a much-needed boost by earning a spot in the postseason with another win. Up next Purdue: The season mercifully ends Saturday as heavy underdogs against Indiana on the road. Michigan State: Hosts the Scarlet Knights, needing a win to end Smith's first season at a bowl game.
Alec Baldwin goes off on ‘uninformed’ Americans, female directors and wife’s ‘trauma’, /PRNewswire/ -- , the industry leader in engagement technology for churches, announced today its acquisition of , the artificial intelligence company for pastors and churches. "At Subsplash, we're committed to supporting church communities by making it easier to share the truth of Jesus," said , CEO of Subsplash. "Pulpit AI allows us to provide hundreds of thousands of forward-looking church leaders with tools that multiply their content creation efforts—helping deepen discipleship within their communities!" This acquisition marks an exciting step forward in Subsplash's mission of equipping every church to engage more people through technology by transforming sermons into dynamic, discoverable content that reaches people every day of the week—anywhere, anytime. Pastors and church leaders can leverage the Subsplash Platform—mobile apps, online giving, live streaming, websites, media delivery, events management, communication tools, and more—now paired with the power of AI making it simple to upload sermons and automatically create a suite of content—from video clips for social media to study guides for small groups, sermon recaps, weekly newsletters, and more. "The Church should be at the forefront of innovation and creativity," said Turner. "We can't wait to see how this acquisition helps amplify the gospel message and, by the grace of Jesus, we'll never stop innovating for His Church." With Subsplash & Pulpit AI's advanced tools, pastors can save valuable time while broadening the reach and impact of their messages. By enabling church leaders to repurpose their sermons quickly and effectively, Subsplash aims to enhance engagement with each sermon created, connecting congregations with meaningful content throughout the week. Subsplash is the industry leader in Fintech and mobile SaaS with an award-winning digital engagement platform used by over 20,000 leading churches and ministries around the world. Subsplash is passionate about helping mission-minded organizations engage their audiences through centralized, easy-to-manage systems. As the creators of the Ultimate Engagement PlatformTM, they're dedicated to delivering delight to millions of people through custom mobile apps, websites, live streaming, media hosting delivery, online giving, events management, communication tools, and more. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Subsplash
A of farmers voted for Donald Trump, even though the president-elect’s economic agenda is antithetical to the financial interests of American agriculture. Since the dawn of this century, the for the production of food grains, feed grains and oil seeds. Much of that acreage has been in tropical regions. At the same time, population growth in China, a primary buyer of U.S. agricultural goods, has slowed, and its population is aging. Similar trends can be seen in other countries that have been traditional importers of U.S. goods. We also face major geopolitical events, such as the Ukraine-Russia war, and most resolutions of that war would likely adversely affect U.S. farmers. The world has changed. Competition among major producing nations has changed the ability of American agriculture to be a preferred and low-cost provider of grains to other nations. Against this backdrop, one must ponder the question of how an isolationist foreign policy and the use of heavy tariffs could possibly lead to anything other than serious adverse consequences for our U.S. agricultural sector. History teaches us lessons, and sadly we often forget them while drunk on the political cocktail of the moment. During the first Trump presidency, significant tariffs were imposed on China. This led to major negative impacts on U.S. farmers. What did the government do? The Trump administration created an ad hoc disaster relief program that paid billions to U.S. farmers. “Ad hoc” is just a shiny term for an administration not being able to get its act together to have a consistent and logical approach to setting policy. It is akin to government by chaos — going from one fire drill to another. Trump was elected based on many promises, one of which was to “drain the swamp.” There is a lot of chatter about reducing government outlays for all sorts of programs. Trump wants to put America “first.” Setting aside political differences, the reality is that America is not an island. It is an important part of the larger world. Withdrawal from engagement with other nations, whether in the context of trade or overall foreign relations, cannot lead to good consequences for America’s economic security, nor for our nation’s ability to play a strong role in maintaining a stable and peaceful world. My fellow farmers, it is time for a reality check. We face way more than a theoretical risk of losing a large share of the markets for our grains and livestock. Don’t count on that brown envelope from Uncle Sam in your mailbox to bail you out from hardship. From the extensive reading that I have done on the topic of the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs, no credible economist paints any picture other than one of significant detrimental consequences to our agricultural sector. The same is true for many other segments of the economy. America has to maintain a global perspective — rather than one that stops at our shores — to stay competitive and to remain in its role as a world leader. The proposed paths of Trump’s next presidency are antithetical to those roles. Palen is a Kansas native and a fifth-generation farmer and agriculture consultant in Colorado and Kansas. He wrote this for the , and it was distributed by the Kansas City Star and Tribune Content Agency. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Jimmy Carter, a man of implacable faith, lived his values
When Pat Gelsinger returned to Intel as CEO in 2021, it was heralded as the start of a redemption arc. After more than 30 years with the company, including his tenure as CTO during its golden age, Gelsinger seemed uniquely qualified to tackle Intel's mounting challenges. His mission: restore the company to its former glory as a leader in chipmaking and manufacturing. But less than four years later, that redemption story has ended. According to sources cited by Bloomberg , Gelsinger was forced out -- a stunning turn for one of the industry's most respected technical minds. His sudden departure raises tough questions: Why couldn't Gelsinger complete the mission he was seemingly born to lead? And if Intel's most capable steward couldn't turn the ship around, what hope does the company have in a market dominated by Nvidia, Qualcomm, and TSMC? Also: The fall of Intel: How gen AI helped dethrone a giant and transform computing as we know it Gelsinger's ousting isn't just about one leader. It's a symptom of a company that has lost its way. His departure is a wake-up call for Intel to confront its cultural stagnation, address its legacy dependencies, and embrace the transformative changes required to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. Without decisive action, Intel risks becoming a relic of its own storied past. 1. Gelsinger's exit highlights Intel's cultural stagnation Gelsinger brought credibility and a bold vision to Intel but he couldn't overcome the cultural inertia that has plagued the company for years. Intel's internal dynamics have become a major roadblock. Bureaucratic bottlenecks, risk-averse decision-making, and an overreliance on legacy systems have significantly slowed innovation. Also: I switched from Intel to AMD - here's why I'm never going back I've spoken with engineers who describe Intel as a place where risk-taking is discouraged and new ideas are often met with skepticism. In contrast, companies like Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Apple thrive on experimentation and rapid iteration. Gelsinger's technical expertise alone wasn't enough to resolve these systemic issues. The next CEO must prioritize cultural transformation. This involves empowering engineers, reducing red tape, and fostering a sense of urgency. Consider what Satya Nadella accomplished at Microsoft: he transformed a slow-moving giant into one of the most agile and innovative companies in the world. Intel requires a similar cultural revolution to unlock its full potential. 2. x86 dependency: Both strength and weakness x86 has been Intel's core product for decades, powering PCs, servers, and enterprise systems. However, as the industry shifts toward AI, cloud-native computing, and energy-efficient designs, x86 is beginning to seem outdated. Arm-based processors are now dominant across a range of devices, from smartphones to cloud servers, and Apple's M-series chips have demonstrated that Arm can surpass x86 in both efficiency and performance. Also: If Intel can't come up with a Qualcomm-killer soon, it's game over for x86 PCs That said, x86 is not yet obsolete. Legacy applications in enterprise environments still rely heavily on x86, and it remains popular among gamers for its capability to deliver high frame rates. However, those markets are gradually shrinking. At the same time, competitors like Ampere are proving that Arm servers can manage data center workloads with lower power consumption, while companies like Nvidia are pioneering new approaches to high-performance computing. Intel's challenge is clear: it must protect its x86 foundation while aggressively transitioning to new architectures. If it fails to adapt, x86 risks becoming a niche product, potentially leaving Intel behind in an industry increasingly prioritizing scalability, efficiency, and flexibility. 3. Foundry services: Intel's best bet - or biggest gamble Intel's venture into contract chip manufacturing through Intel Foundry Services (IFS) represents one of its most ambitious moves in recent years. The semiconductor industry urgently needs alternatives to TSMC and Samsung, especially given the geopolitical tensions that underscore the dangers of relying heavily on Asia. On paper, Intel is well-positioned to fill this gap. However, the journey to becoming a leading foundry is challenging. Intel's advanced manufacturing processes, such as the 18A node, have experienced delays, and gaining customer trust remains a significant hurdle. TSMC is not only ahead in technology but is also a reliable partner for companies like Apple, AMD, and Nvidia. For IFS to be successful, Intel must demonstrate its ability to deliver results on par with or better than TSMC. This requires meeting deadlines, offering competitive pricing, and establishing strong relationships with prominent clients. The funding provided by the CHIPS Act gives Intel an advantage, but this is a high-stakes risk. If IFS does not succeed, it could result in another setback for Intel. 4. AI hardware: Intel's missed opportunity The future of computing is centered around artificial intelligence (AI), with Nvidia at the forefront. The company's GPUs are the dominant force in AI training and inference workloads, and its Grace Hopper platform is specifically designed to manage the complex, parallel tasks that AI requires. Apple is also heavily investing in AI through its custom silicon. Also: Today's AI ecosystem is unsustainable for everyone but Nvidia, warns top scholar In contrast, Intel has struggled to establish itself in this area. While the 2019 $2B acquisition of Habana Labs was a positive move, the outcomes have been disappointing. Qualcomm is advancing AI-powered PCs with its Snapdragon X series, and AMD is working with Microsoft on custom AI chips. For Intel to remain relevant, it needs a clear and aggressive AI strategy. This could involve developing memory-safe architectures like CHERI or concentrating on edge computing. The company must act swiftly to adapt to this rapidly changing landscape. 5. Betting boldly on Arm and RISC-V Selling its xScale Arm business in 2006 -- just a year before the introduction of the iPhone and two years before Android-based devices hit the market -- was one of Intel's biggest strategic mistakes. Arm-based architectures now dominate everything from smartphones to cloud servers, and companies like Apple and Qualcomm have shown that Arm can scale effectively for high-performance computing. Meanwhile, RISC-V is gaining traction as an open-source alternative, particularly in the IoT and edge computing sectors. Also: Why Intel can no longer live in denial Although Intel has explored RISC-V through partnerships with SiFive, it has not fully committed to either Arm or RISC-V. This hesitation could prove to be a significant mistake. To effectively compete with Qualcomm and Apple, Intel must embrace a multi-architecture future. This strategy could involve acquiring Arm startups, developing its own Arm-based products, or investing more heavily in RISC-V. Intel can no longer afford to rely solely on x86 architecture. The industry is evolving, and Intel needs to take the lead -- or risk being left behind. 6. Leveraging geopolitics for strategic advantage Geopolitical tensions have transformed semiconductors into a national security concern, and Intel is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this shift. The CHIPS Act provides billions in funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, offering Intel an opportunity to take the lead in this sector. However, merely constructing fabrication plants (fabs) is not enough. Intel must also develop advanced manufacturing processes that can compete with TSMC and Samsung in terms of price and performance. Expanding into regions like Europe and India could help diversify Intel's supply chain, thereby reducing geopolitical risks and creating new opportunities. If Intel can successfully navigate these challenges, it could become an indispensable player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Nonetheless, the margin for error is very slim. 7. Leadership: The key to Intel's survival With Gelsinger no longer at the helm, Intel is facing a leadership void at a crucial time. The company requires a CEO who can inspire confidence, tackle complex challenges, and implement ambitious plans effectively. This situation goes beyond mere technical expertise; it hinges on vision. The right leader must confront Intel's cultural stagnation, accelerate its transition to AI and Arm technologies, and restore trust with customers and investors. Without strong leadership, even the best strategies are likely to fail. 8. The unthinkable solution: Selling Intel to ensure its legacy It may seem radical, but what if Intel's best option is to sell? For instance, Qualcomm could benefit from Intel's manufacturing capabilities to scale its Arm-based products and compete with Nvidia in AI and data centers. Intel's fabs would give Qualcomm the infrastructure it needs to operate more quickly and efficiently. However, selling Intel wouldn't be straightforward. Regulators would scrutinize the deal, and the company's role as a national security asset adds complexity. Still, in a landscape where speed and focus are crucial, selling to a more agile player might be the only way to preserve Intel's legacy. Sic transit Gelsinger Pat Gelsinger's exit marks a turning point for Intel. The challenges ahead are daunting, but they're not insurmountable. Whether through cultural transformation, bold pivots to new architectures, or even a strategic sale, Intel must act decisively -- and soon. The semiconductor industry isn't waiting for anyone. Intel has a choice: adapt and lead, or fade into irrelevance. My top 5 Cyber Monday deals all hover near the best prices of the year I test AI tools for a living, and these are the only two worth paying for Best Cyber Monday deals 2024 live now: 170+ sales featuring some of the lowest prices ever There's a new king of online shopping, and it's built an unstoppable monopoly