Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 14.77 points, or 0.2%, to 6,047.15. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128.65 points, or 0.3%, to 44,782. The Nasdaq composite rose 185.78 points, or 1%, to 19,403.95. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 0.59 points, or less than 0.1%, to 2,434.14. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,277.32 points, or 26.8%. The Dow is up 7,092.46 points, or 18.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,392.60 points, or 29.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 407.06 points, or 20.1%.
( ) stock tumbled Monday after the cybersecurity firm reported fiscal first-quarter earnings, revenue and billings that beat estimates. But Zscaler's in-line revenue guidance underwhelmed investors. Reported after the market close, Zscaler earnings rose 36% to 77 cents a share from a year earlier on an adjusted basis. Revenue climbed 26% to $628 million, the San Jose, Calif.-based firm said. Zscaler stock analysts expected earnings of 63 cents per share on sales of $606 million. Also, fiscal Q1 billings rose 13% to $516.7 million. Zscaler Stock: Guidance Disappoints For the current quarter, Zscaler said it expects revenue of $634 million at the midpoint of guidance, versus estimates of $633 million. On the , Zscaler stock fell more than 6% to 195.39 in extended trading. Zscaler has brought in a new chief revenue officer, chief marketing officer and other top sales staff as its go-to-market strategy undergoes big changes. Analysts have lowered consensus estimates amid the sales organization overhaul. Heading into the Zscaler earnings release, the cybersecurity stock had retreated 6% in 2024. Also, ZS stock had a Relative Strength Rating of 50 out of a best-possible 99, according to . Zscaler Stock Technical Ratings Zscaler provides cloud-based cybersecurity services via 150 data centers worldwide. Zscaler's web security gateways inspect customers' data traffic for malware. Further, the Zscaler Private Access cloud service replaces virtual private networks to support remote work. Zscaler competes with ( ) and ( ) as well as well-funded startup Wiz. Meanwhile, Zscaler stock belongs to the IBD Computer-Software Security group, which ranks No. 77 out of 197 groups tracked.Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
PHOENIX — An Arizona grand jury has indicted two out-of-state residents for allegedly applying to the state’s private school voucher program as parents to 50 children – 43 of whom did not exist – and receiving more than $110,000. The duo collected the money by submitting false, forged or fraudulent documents and spent it on personal living expenses in Colorado, according to an indictment released Monday by Attorney General Kris Mayes. The voucher program — Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account — has been a source of political tension for years. It expanded vastly in 2022 when then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed legislation to allow all parents in the state to take money that would go to local public schools and instead use it on private school tuition or other education costs. The program is championed by many Republicans and advocates of the school choice movement. But many Democrats, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, have called for the program’s overhaul as its costs have skyrocketed. Hobbs has also criticized the program for funding what she called luxury items, including ski resort passes and pianos. The grand jury in Maricopa County handed down the indictment Nov. 12, charging Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt each with 60 felony counts, including conspiracy, fraud and forgery. The Associated Press left voice messages at numbers listed for Bowers and Hewitt, also known as Ashley Hopkins, seeking comment late Monday. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . According to the indictment, the two received the money by submitting applications for school vouchers between December 2022 and May 2024, using the names of both real and fictitious children, purportedly as parents and by using “ghost” names of parents. Some of the made-up children's names in their applications included Louis Dobbs, Tucker Gil and Poppy Fox. The “false, forged, or fraudulent” documents included birth certificates, utility bills and lease agreements, according to the indictment. Mayes' office said that Bowers and Hewitt now appear to reside in Utah.
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise reduced its position in Meta Platforms, Inc. ( NASDAQ:META – Free Report ) by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 41,222 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 3,273 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms makes up approximately 1.0% of Banque Cantonale Vaudoise’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $23,596,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of META. POM Investment Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Meta Platforms in the second quarter valued at $38,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 122.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. now owns 80 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Meta Platforms in the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms during the third quarter valued at about $49,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Meta Platforms by 221.9% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 103 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.91% of the company’s stock. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Jennifer Newstead sold 905 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $519.05, for a total transaction of $469,740.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 39,627 shares in the company, valued at $20,568,394.35. The trade was a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 492 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $600.75, for a total value of $295,569.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 518,508 shares in the company, valued at approximately $311,493,681. This trade represents a 0.09 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 168,843 shares of company stock valued at $92,083,554 over the last ninety days. 13.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Get Our Latest Research Report on META Meta Platforms Stock Performance Shares of META opened at $563.09 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.42 trillion, a PE ratio of 26.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.22. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $572.05 and a 200-day moving average of $523.31. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a one year low of $313.66 and a one year high of $602.95. 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 ( NASDAQ:META – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The social networking company reported $6.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.19 by $0.84. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 35.60% and a net margin of 35.55%. The firm had revenue of $40.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.21 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 22.53 earnings per share for the current year. Meta Platforms Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 16th. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio is 9.42%. Meta Platforms Company Profile ( 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding META? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Meta Platforms, Inc. ( NASDAQ:META – Free Report ). 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 .Two separate United Airlines flights have left their passengers and crew in shock following the details that both services had close calls at one of the United States' busiest airports - Chicago O'Hare International Airport . Both flights inbound from NYC Information has surfaced about two United Airlines flights that needed to facilitate 'go-arounds' due to other aircraft being in their way on the runway as they came into land. Two close calls occurred in one day (Thursday, December 12). While the two flights were 12 hours apart, the fear that some passengers experienced is not the first to hit the headlines in a long run of near-misses due to a stretched air traffic control workforce in the United States. Ironically, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth was at a congressional hearing in Washington, DC, on Thursday, stressing that close calls are still happening. On December 12, United Airlines UA1857, arriving from New York La Guardia to Chicago , and UA546, arriving from Newark Liberty International Airport, both approached Chicago O'Hares International Airport but necessitated the aircraft to abort their landings due to traffic on the runway. A passenger onboard, Nicole Loftus, shared her experience with ABC 7 News : "We were literally right over the runway, about to touch down, and, all of a sudden, the plane roared its engines, and we went tilted up to come back up off the ground, and the cabin went silent, and everyone was looking at each other and whispering. And it was the eeriest feeling I've ever felt." As Loftus reiterated, passengers onboard an aircraft put their lives in the hands of the airline crew and air traffic control. One aircraft was cleared to cross the runway, while another was cleared for takeoff. Get all the latest airline route news right here Go around at Chicago O'Hare Just 12 hours after the go-around required for the La Guardia inbound service, United Airlines 546 had also been on approach from Newark Liberty. Passengers onboard recalled their flight, noting the pilot had come onto the PA system and confirmed he had observed another aircraft crossing the runway as the flight made its final approach. A go-around ensued as the flight accelerated quickly away from O'Hare and over the lake. An interim investigation by United Airlines has verified what caused these near misses, and it was due to other aircraft still in the process of exiting the runways. United Airlines has pointed the finger at the Federal Aviation Administration, noting that they are responsible for ensuring aircraft are managed when on the ground. The flights became within 600 feet of each other and required evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision. As we enter into one of the busiest travel times of the year, concerns are rising around the understaffing of air traffic controllers, which in turn is jeopardizing the results of the safety of flights and their passengers and crew onboard. However, there is no quick fix, with any solution taking billions of dollars and taking years of training, as stressed by Kevin Walsh from the Government Accountability Office . Texas Senator Ted Cruz has also weighed in on the pattern of continued near-miss flight reports in the US, reaffirming the need for improved air traffic control and radar facilities: "Based on FAA data, the reliability of the FAA's radar fleet is declining. The United States should be a leader in aviation technology. Sadly, this is often not the case." Making the situation even more complicated, Mike Whitaker, the 19th Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, has announced his plans to step down in January. This follows President-elect Donald Trump's recent win and his plans to appoint his own FAA administrator. Rumors have surfaced that this may be the case of Tesla billionaire Elon Musk . The billionaire has recently updated his fleet of private jets.
Picture the last time you called a service hotline and found yourself stuck in an endless loop of automated responses. Or consider a healthcare clinic that deploys chatbots to manage patient intake, offering quick answers that may skirt a deeper diagnosis. How did you feel? These scenarios illustrate the growing reliance on AI systems that look helpful on the surface — yet lead to chronic consumer disempowerment and latent dissatisfaction. “Placebo AI” can seem like a convenient, cost-effective fix. But it risks normalizing lower standards of care, sidelining genuine human expertise, and quietly chipping away at the dignity and rights we depend on, individually and as society. As more businesses adopt these automated stand-ins, how can we ensure that technology complements rather than compromises our values? Unequal Realities, Divergent Timelines The global context for AI adoption is one of striking disparity. As of 2023, approximately 719 million people live on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank . Many struggle to access basic human needs — clean water, adequate healthcare, quality education — while others debate the nuances of the latest large language model. Our two-speed world raises difficult questions. One of them relates to the appeal of “placebo AI”. Are we moving toward a future where impoverished communities must settle for automated “care” delivered by bots because it’s nominally cheaper than human intervention? Will human relationships become a luxury that only wealthier segments of society can enjoy? Historically, human rights have been upheld as universal non-negotiables. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights , established in 1948, asserts everyone’s right to dignity, respect, fair treatment, and access to education, food, and health care. Yet if cost-cutting and scale become primary drivers for implementing AI, we risk tacitly compromising these values. AI-driven services can quickly become a baseline standard for those who cannot afford human support. Over time, the idea that “something is better than nothing” morphs into a norm, quietly shifting public perception until the original ideal — human care and genuine connection — recedes. The History Of Austerity’s Allure Austerity, a term that gained prominence during economic downturns — such as post-World War II Europe and the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis — refers to policies aimed at reducing government deficits through spending cuts and tax increases, often at the expense of public services and social safety nets. Under austerity conditions, organizations and institutions may be driven to seek cheaper, more “efficient” solutions to human-intensive tasks. In the current context, adopting “placebo AI” as a fix for unavailable or costly human labor is a prime illustration of austerity in practice. Unfortunately, there is “no free lunch” – austerity measures can inadvertently erode quality of life when budget considerations trigger a shift from human-centered care toward automation that mimics support rather than delivering tangible human assistance. A Future Of Automation AI’s potential for cost reduction is significant. For instance, the global AI market, valued at $87 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to $407.0 billion by 2027, according to MarketsandMarkets . Organizations are drawn to automation because it promises to handle tasks at scale, free human labor from rote or repetitive work, and theoretically open new avenues for human-centric roles. Done well, this redistribution could mean more meaningful human-to-human interactions. Done poorly, it could mean a future where human warmth is a luxury good, and those who struggle to find meaningful work will be even worse off. As of 2023, global unemployment hovered around 208 million people, according to the International Labor Organization . Inflation, declining disposable incomes in G20 countries, and persistent inequalities between high- and low-income nations further exacerbate the situation, with job gaps and unemployment rates significantly higher in low-income countries. Working poverty is also on the rise, with millions of workers living in extreme poverty – less than $2.- per day of income, and an even bigger number in moderate poverty – less than $4.- a day. AI-driven job displacement and the calls for Universal Basic Income as a social safety net reflect the urgency and complexity of the situation. UBI programs whereby consistent, unconditional payments are distributed by the government to ensure a basic standard of living for every member of a community have been piloted in dozens of countries. From Finland to Kenya they have shown promise in alleviating poverty, but none have scaled globally to solve systemic issues definitively. If implemented without careful safeguards, UBI could mask deeper structural problems, like placebo AI masks the absence of human engagement. BandAid Or Value Barometer Placebo AI can start as a well-intentioned intermediary: a chatbot to assist underserved patients when no doctors are available or a digital teacher to reach students in remote areas. Initially, this might feel like a positive step — at least something reaches those in need. But over time, as budgets tighten and automation normalizes, the danger is that these temporary fixes become permanent standards. Instead of solving the root problems — lack of equitable resources and insufficient human labor where needed — we risk codifying second-tier solutions for second-tier communities. Eventually, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and similar frameworks could be sidelined as ideals too lofty for practical use in an AI-mediated world. Finding Balance: Keeping Humanity At The Center For businesses, acknowledging this moral dimension is not just ethically correct; it’s strategically brilliant. Consumers are increasingly discerning. 63% of consumers expect CEOs to hold themselves accountable to the public, not just shareholders, according to Edelman’s 2023 Trust Barometer . Moreover, employees are drawn to organizations that prioritize social impact. Sustainability, diversity, and human-centric values are no longer “nice to haves.” They are essential to brand identity and long-term resilience. Instead of using AI merely to cut costs, forward-thinking companies can harness AI to do routine work more efficiently and reallocate human workers to roles that emphasize empathy, creativity, and genuine human connection. Imagine a call center that uses AI to handle simple queries but trains its freed-up staff to handle complex, emotionally sensitive calls with better care. Or hospitals where AI streamlines administrative tasks, freeing medical professionals to spend more one-on-one time with patients. AI can handle administrative grading tasks in education, allowing teachers to mentor and guide students more personally. The A-Frame: A Practical Path Forward Bringing awareness to the issue of placebo AI is only the first step. Organizations need a clear framework to remain aligned with core human values. Consider the A-Frame : Awareness: Recognize that AI can unintentionally propagate inequality and diminish human rights if used as a low-cost band-aid. Stay informed about the ethical debates, regulatory changes, and social implications of AI. Appreciation: Value the human element. Don’t let “better than nothing” become the new standard. Appreciate the intrinsic worth of human interaction, empathy, and judgment. Acceptance: Acknowledge the complexity of implementing AI responsibly. Accept that transitioning to responsible AI use requires more than technology; it demands organizational commitment, policy safeguards, and ongoing cultural shifts. Accountability: Hold leadership accountable for ensuring that AI initiatives do not compromise human dignity. Use transparent metrics, public reporting, and stakeholder engagement to ensure your company’s AI aligns with ethical standards and human rights ideals. Further And Beyond As we stand at the intersection of AI innovation and human endeavor, it’s easy to be swept up in the promise of sleek automation. But we must remember that a future of hollow, impersonal service is no real future at all. Instead of framing our choices as old versus new or human versus machine, we can integrate the best of both to raise living standards, honor human rights, and keep genuine connections within everyone’s reach. We can create a balanced path where technology supports rather than supplants our humanity, ensuring progress that benefits us all – but this requires choices now before the new normal of omnipresent placebo AI has settled in.
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Pollies, peace deals, and the unravelling of a billionaire: The WA civil court rows that dominated 2024Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha In the lead up to the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, the world-famous Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz enthralled university students in Qatar with an engaging session to celebrate the upcoming Shell Eco-marathon event set to take place in Qatar in February 2025. The students took the opportunity to ask the drivers a range of insightful questions. They delved into what motivates the drivers on the track, how they collaborate with their technical teams, and the engineering challenges Scuderia Ferrari HP faces when pushing their high-speed vehicles to their limits. A university student attending the event said, “Meeting the Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They have given me further inspiration to excel in my engineering studies. It would be a dream come true to one day be an engineer at a team like Scuderia Ferrari HP.” The event was attended by 20 students from leading universities in Qatar, all of whom competed in the Shell Eco-marathon in Indonesia earlier this year. Shell Eco-marathon is a global programme that provides a platform for student teams to explore many aspects of design and technology to design, build and test their own ultra-energy-efficient cars. Speaking for Scuderia Ferrari HP, Dennis de Munck, head of University Partnerships, said: “Education is the cornerstone of innovation and teamwork. Engaging with these bright, curious, and proactive minds helps to nurture the next generation of engineers, innovators and team players. We are proud to support initiatives that inspire and challenge students to push the boundaries of technology and sustainability.” The students also took the opportunity to showcase their own car to the Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers. They talked about the energy-saving features of the vehicles and the various energy types they use, such as battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and internal combustion engines. In 2025, Shell Eco-marathon will celebrate 40 years of innovation. The Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regional event will be hosted in Qatar under the patronage of Chairperson of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani through the Qatar Auto Museum. This is the first time in the competition’s 40-year history that the event will be held in the Middle East. Copy 03/12/2024 10
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