
MENLO PARK, Calif. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meta Platforms, Inc. (Nasdaq: META) board of directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of the company's outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, payable on December 27, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 16, 2024 . Contacts Investors: Kenneth Dorell investor@meta.com / investor.fb.com Press: Ryan Moore press@meta.com / about.fb.com/news/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meta-announces-quarterly-cash-dividend-302324358.html SOURCE MetaCORNELIUS, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Cyclum, an innovator in zero carbon fuels and next generation travel centers, is proud to announce a new executive team to lead its next phase of growth. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122090369/en/ Brian Profitt, CEO (Photo: Business Wire) Cyclum plans to build 400 state-of-the-art travel centres nationwide, catering to diverse fueling needs. These centers will offer traditional fuels along with next generation zero carbon solutions such as hydrogen and renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) as well as vehicle electric charging. Cyclum’s travel centers will set a new standard for convenience and comfort on the road with superior fresh food and a modern rest stop experience. Brian Profitt joins as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Polly Flinn as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Pat O’Hagan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Brian Profitt brings over 30 years of experience in retail and travel centre management. Most recently, he served as Division Director at 7-Eleven, overseeing strategic operations. Before that, he spent 18 years with WilcoHess, where he led its operations division during the company’s acquisition by Speedway LLC. Following the acquisition, Profitt continued at Speedway for three years, contributing to the seamless integration of WilcoHess operations and overseeing travel plazas and restaurant management. Profitt’s extensive expertise positions him to guide Cyclum’s growth and innovation as the company continues to redefine the travel centre experience through renewable energy integration. Polly Flinn , a transformative leader with over 30 years’ experience, joins Cyclum after her tenure as President of Giant Eagle’s GetGo Cafe+Market, where she was the executive leader of the chain spanning five states. Her career includes C-suite roles at Walmart, BP, Castrol and Arco ampm where she led brand transformations, operational turnarounds and business growth. Flinn’s operational and customer-centric expertise will play a pivotal role in delivering Cyclum’s growth goals. Pat O’Hagan brings a wealth of financial expertise with over 20 years in financial leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Controller at Times Oil Corporation and as CFO at Brewer-Hendley Oil Company for 14 years. O’Hagan’s deep experience in financial accounting and operations will be critical as Cyclum scales its innovative travel centre network. “These appointments reflect our commitment to building a leadership team capable of driving Cyclum’s mission to transform the travel centre industry,” said Cyclum’s Board of Directors. “Brian, Polly, and Pat bring unparalleled expertise and vision to propel us into a new era of innovation and sustainability.” View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122090369/en/ CONTACT: Email:info@gocyclum.net Phone: 980.483.7537 Website: https://gocyclum.net/contact KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY TECHNOLOGY OTHER TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OTHER SCIENCE ENERGY SCIENCE SOURCE: Cyclum Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 03:57 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 03:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122090369/en
Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs reportRuling on Monday after an emergency hearing at Belfast High Court, judge Mr Justice McAlinden rejected loyalist activist Jamie Bryson’s application for leave for a full judicial review hearing against Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. The judge said Mr Bryson, who represented himself as a personal litigant, had “very ably argued” his case with “perseverance and cogency”, and had raised some issues of law that caused him “some concern”. However, he found against him on the three grounds of challenge against Mr Benn. Mr Bryson had initially asked the court to grant interim relief in his challenge to prevent Tuesday’s democratic consent motion being heard in the Assembly, pending the hearing of a full judicial review. However, he abandoned that element of his leave application during proceedings on Monday, after the judge made clear he would be “very reluctant” to do anything that would be “trespassing into the realms” of a democratically elected Assembly. Mr Bryson had challenged Mr Benn’s move to initiate the democratic consent process that is required under the UK and EU’s Windsor Framework deal to extend the trading arrangements that apply to Northern Ireland. The previously stated voting intentions of the main parties suggest that Stormont MLAs will vote to continue the measures for another four years when they convene to debate the motion on Tuesday. After the ruling, Mr Bryson told the court he intended to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Any hearing was not expected to come later on Monday. In applying for leave, the activist’s argument was founded on three key grounds. The first was the assertion that Mr Benn failed to make sufficient efforts to ensure Stormont’s leaders undertook a public consultation exercise in Northern Ireland before the consent vote. The second was that the Secretary of State allegedly failed to demonstrate he had paid special regard to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK customs territory in triggering the vote. The third ground centred on law changes introduced by the previous UK government earlier this year, as part of its Safeguarding the Union deal to restore powersharing at Stormont. He claimed that if the amendments achieved their purpose, namely, to safeguard Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, then it would be unlawful to renew and extend post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between the region and the rest of the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful. The appellants in the case argued that legislation passed at Westminster to give effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom, particularly article six of that statute guaranteeing unfettered trade within the UK. The Supreme Court found that while article six of the Acts of Union has been “modified” by the arrangements, that was done with the express will of a sovereign parliament, and so therefore was lawful. Mr Bryson contended that amendments made to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year, as part of the Safeguarding the Union measures proposed by the Government to convince the DUP to return to powersharing, purport to reassert and reinforce Northern Ireland’s constitutional status in light of the Supreme Court judgment. He told the court that it was “quite clear” there was “inconsistency” between the different legal provisions. “That inconsistency has to be resolved – there is an arguable case,” he told the judge. However, Dr Tony McGleenan KC, representing the Government, described Mr Bryson’s argument as “hopeless” and “not even arguable”. He said all three limbs of the case had “no prospect of success and serve no utility”. He added: “This is a political argument masquerading as a point of constitutional law and the court should see that for what it is.” After rising to consider the arguments, Justice McAlinden delivered his ruling shortly after 7pm. The judge dismissed the application on the first ground around the lack consultation, noting that such an exercise was not a “mandatory” obligation on Mr Benn. On the second ground, he said there were “very clear” indications that the Secretary of State had paid special regard to the customs territory issues. On the final ground, Justice McAlinden found there was no inconsistency with the recent legislative amendments and the position stated in the Supreme Court judgment. “I don’t think any such inconsistency exists,” he said. He said the amendments were simply a “restatement” of the position as set out by the Supreme Court judgment, and only served to confirm that replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol with the Windsor Framework had not changed the constitutional fact that Article Six of the Acts of Union had been lawfully “modified” by post-Brexit trading arrangements. “It does no more than that,” he said. The framework, and its predecessor the NI Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. Advocates of the arrangements say they help insulate the region from negative economic consequences of Brexit. A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then-first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in January when the Government published its Safeguarding the Union measures. Under the terms of the framework, a Stormont vote must be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. The vote must take place before December 17. Based on the numbers in the Assembly, MLAs are expected to back the continuation of the measures for another four years, even though unionists are likely to oppose the move. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already made clear his party will be voting against continuing the operation of the Windsor Framework. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion does not require cross-community support to pass. If it is voted through with a simple majority, the arrangements are extended for four years. In that event, the Government is obliged to hold an independent review of how the framework is working. If it wins cross-community support, which is a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists, then it is extended for eight years. The chances of it securing such cross-community backing are highly unlikely.
The ongoing Canada Post strike has reached the three-week mark as the two sides continue to trade proposals through a government-appointed mediator. The work stoppage centres around a variety of issues, including disputes over wages and weekend delivery. Here's a snapshot of the issues underpinning the standoff between the Crown corporation and union. Wage increases The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 55,000 Canada Post workers, said at the start of the strike that wage increases must be kept in line with inflation, with cost-of-living adjustment payments rolled into the basic wage rate. The union initially called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years. CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant said that figure has moved since the start of negotiations, but declined to comment on the union's latest proposal. "We have just lived through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation," the union's national president Jan Simpson said in a post on Tuesday. Canada Post says it has offered what it calls "competitive" wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and more paid leave. It notes labour costs rose by $242 million in 2023, or about 6.5 per cent, compared with 2022. The organization declined to comment on Thursday. Weekend delivery One of the main snags in negotiations has been a push to expand delivery to the weekend, but the two sides are at odds over how to staff the expansion. Canada Post has pitched seven-day-a-week delivery as a way to boost revenue and "secure the future of the company" as it struggles to compete with other delivery companies. The Crown corporation says it would staff weekend delivery shifts with a mix of new permanent part-time positions and some full-time, which would "create flexibility while not adding significant long-term fixed costs." But the union characterizes Canada Post's proposals as "attacks on full-time work," accusing the Crown corporation of wanting to increase the part-time mix to more than 50 per cent of the workforce. It says it is concerned some part-timers could be scheduled for as few as eight hours per week and wouldn’t be eligible for benefits until they reach 1,000 hours. "Canada Post has every ability today to deliver parcels on the weekend, inside our collective agreement at straight time," Gallant said in an interview. "We think it can be done with full-timers ... We're just saying, 'Instead of hiring 10 part-timers, you can hire three full time." Job security and retirement The union has highlighted a number of its demands for better job security, including a request for "improved protections against technological change." Gallant said Canada Post is "always looking for new technology" that could threaten workers' duties. "This loading and unloading of trucks by robots is one that they're really, really looking at (and) forklifts that drive themselves through a plant," he said. "We're always afraid." When it comes to retirement, CUPW says Canada Post wants new workers to accept a defined contribution pension plan, even though its defined benefit pension plan is overfunded by 140 per cent. "All workers deserve the right to retire with dignity, and for us, that means postal workers — present and future — maintain their defined benefit pension plan," Simpson said. Canada Post says its proposals are "focused on protecting and enhancing what’s important to current employees ... while protecting the defined benefit pension and their job security." Rural service The union has said it wants job security rights for rural and suburban mail carriers in line with those granted to urban postal workers. It has outlined a number of issues affecting its Rural Suburban Mail Carrier bargaining unit, saying it wants an hourly rate system with appropriate time values, union involvement and "safeguards against (Canada Post's) unilateral change." The union says Canada Post must maximize and maintain eight-hour routes for rural workers, grant improved rights for on-call relief employees, and uphold paid meal and rest period rights. It says the Crown corporation must also ensure the bargaining unit's involvement in service expansion projects. Earlier this week, Simpson called on Canada Post to commit to working with the union "to expand services at the post office including postal banking and electric vehicle charging stations." Safer working conditions The union has demanded the full elimination of Canada Post's "separate sort from delivery" system, which entails certain employees spending the entirety of their shifts sorting mail for letter carriers to go out and deliver — as opposed to carriers performing both tasks. It says this system overburdens carriers, who as a result spend more time outdoors and potentially exposed to extreme weather events. "Postal workers suffer the second highest rate of disabling injury among workers under federal jurisdiction, behind only the road transportation sector," Simpson said. "Growing neighbourhood mail volumes and changing work methods like separate sort-from-delivery are only making things worse." The union has also proposed increases to short-term disability program payments and injury on duty payments, along with more paid medical days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Sammy Hudes, The Canadian PressWashington, DC, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coming from Tennessee, Florida and Ohio, are Arwood, Ernest and Yana, three of the hundreds of AmeriCorps NCCC members supporting disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton . They are serving with FEMA Corps , an innovative, team-based national service program that provides 18-to-26‐year‐olds the opportunity to gain experience and training in emergency response while supporting immediate needs after a disaster for survivors and their communities. Arriving immediately in Florida after Hurricane Helene, their team of six members has been on the ground for the past two months. The AmeriCorps NCCC team is helping survivors connect to the resources they need by tabling at sites, canvassing neighborhoods, and more. They were previously in Selma, Ala., inspecting travel trailers and mobile housing units for water damage, decay, and other issues, helping supplement housing in areas facing housing shortages due to disaster impacts. The Leader Arwood is the AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader and joined after graduating from American University in December 2023. Arwood was struggling to find a job that was both inspiring to work for and that he was qualified to hold when he found AmeriCorps. "The opportunities of AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps were incredibly enticing," said Arwood, from Tennessee. "I was very interested in the chance to serve my country in such a unique way while also gaining valuable practical experience in an industry so interesting and robust as emergency management. AmeriCorps has put me in an incredible position both socially and professionally. Bayou 4 is composed of incredibly capable and compassionate members whose dedication to service and kindness is as palpable as admirable." Together with the team, Arwood is making a difference in affected communities. At the beginning of the deployment, the team spent most of the time registering survivors for support. Since deployment, the team has transitioned to canvassing neighborhoods to ensure that everyone in the community who needs assistance is registered. "The quick response and our team's efforts in supporting this response, led to many survivors being granted aid early in the recovery process, allowing for the community to move towards recovery." Passion Meets Opportunity Ernest is a Floridian who is helping his home state recover from the disasters. Before AmeriCorps, Ernest worked in retail while pursuing a degree from Florida State College. He chose to serve with AmeriCorps because emergency management was his passion. AmeriCorps service was an opportunity for Ernest to gain the experience needed to kickstart his career in emergency management. Ernest shares that his most memorable moment was when a small act of compassion gave survivors the hope they needed. "When I first got deployed to help with Hurricane Helene, I was stationed at a registration intake center," said Ernest. "A local florist gave us flowers she needed to get rid of, so our team set them at each table. About halfway through the day, a woman started to break down. She told me that she was putting on the bravest face ever since the disasters to get herself through the day. But, when she came in to get help, she was stunned to see the flowers. She was unsure where to go for help, but when she walked in and saw the flowers, she felt a sense of comfort that we would help her." Since deployment, Ernest has visited nearly 1,000 homes across communities and has helped more than 150 people register for disaster assistance. Finding Careers For Yana, AmeriCorps was an opportunity to find a carer pathway. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Yana joined AmeriCorps NCCC after graduating from college. He decided to take a gap year before attending graduate school to help people in need and gain work experience. What he's learned is far more than experience. "There was this one interaction where I was so thankful for being there to help this survivor," said Yana. "When he first came in, he was extremely worried that he wouldn't get any aid due to not having things or not being qualified. I registered him and explained a bit of the process as far as I knew, which helped. Having heard that the aid he would be given was a grant to do with it what he needed it for – that his spending of the money wasn't tracked or needed to be sure for what it was given out for – he teared up knowing he was receiving the help he desperately needed. That moment, I was just grateful to be there and help this community member be relieved and grateful for the aid." This team's experience is one of many for AmeriCorps members. Through national service, Americans are provided the opportunity to explore careers beyond their work experience and education. Whether it's gaining skills in emergency management systems, using tools to repair roofs, or learning how to interact with people coping with unforeseen challenges, it's a chance to seek challenges and grow. Learn more about the more than 750 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who have and continue to support disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Attachment AmeriCorps NCCC © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.None
The end of Taylor Swift's $3.1bn Eras tour is comingThe ongoing Canada Post strike has reached the three-week mark as the two sides continue to trade proposals through a government-appointed mediator. The work stoppage centres around a variety of issues, including disputes over wages and weekend delivery. Here’s a snapshot of the issues underpinning the standoff between the Crown corporation and union. Wage increases The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 55,000 Canada Post workers, said at the start of the strike that wage increases must be kept in line with inflation, with cost-of-living adjustment payments rolled into the basic wage rate. The union initially called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years. CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant said that figure has moved since the start of negotiations, but declined to comment on the union’s latest proposal. “We have just lived through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation,” the union’s national president Jan Simpson said in a post on Tuesday. Canada Post says it has offered what it calls “competitive” wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and more paid leave. It notes labour costs rose by $242 million in 2023, or about 6.5 per cent, compared with 2022. The organization declined to comment on Thursday. Weekend delivery One of the main snags in negotiations has been a push to expand delivery to the weekend, but the two sides are at odds over how to staff the expansion. Canada Post has pitched seven-day-a-week delivery as a way to boost revenue and “secure the future of the company” as it struggles to compete with other delivery companies. The Crown corporation says it would staff weekend delivery shifts with a mix of new permanent part-time positions and some full-time, which would “create flexibility while not adding significant long-term fixed costs.” But the union characterizes Canada Post’s proposals as “attacks on full-time work,” accusing the Crown corporation of wanting to increase the part-time mix to more than 50 per cent of the workforce. It says it is concerned some part-timers could be scheduled for as few as eight hours per week and wouldn’t be eligible for benefits until they reach 1,000 hours. “Canada Post has every ability today to deliver parcels on the weekend, inside our collective agreement at straight time,” Gallant said in an interview. “We think it can be done with full-timers ... We’re just saying, ‘Instead of hiring 10 part-timers, you can hire three full time.” Job security and retirement The union has highlighted a number of its demands for better job security, including a request for “improved protections against technological change.” Gallant said Canada Post is “always looking for new technology” that could threaten workers’ duties. “This loading and unloading of trucks by robots is one that they’re really, really looking at (and) forklifts that drive themselves through a plant,” he said. “We’re always afraid.” When it comes to retirement, CUPW says Canada Post wants new workers to accept a defined contribution pension plan, even though its defined benefit pension plan is overfunded by 140 per cent. “All workers deserve the right to retire with dignity, and for us, that means postal workers — present and future — maintain their defined benefit pension plan,” Simpson said. Canada Post says its proposals are “focused on protecting and enhancing what’s important to current employees ... while protecting the defined benefit pension and their job security.” Rural service The union has said it wants job security rights for rural and suburban mail carriers in line with those granted to urban postal workers. It has outlined a number of issues affecting its Rural Suburban Mail Carrier bargaining unit, saying it wants an hourly rate system with appropriate time values, union involvement and “safeguards against (Canada Post’s) unilateral change.” The union says Canada Post must maximize and maintain eight-hour routes for rural workers, grant improved rights for on-call relief employees, and uphold paid meal and rest period rights. It says the Crown corporation must also ensure the bargaining unit’s involvement in service expansion projects. Earlier this week, Simpson called on Canada Post to commit to working with the union “to expand services at the post office including postal banking and electric vehicle charging stations.” Safer working conditions The union has demanded the full elimination of Canada Post’s “separate sort from delivery” system, which entails certain employees spending the entirety of their shifts sorting mail for letter carriers to go out and deliver — as opposed to carriers performing both tasks. It says this system overburdens carriers, who as a result spend more time outdoors and potentially exposed to extreme weather events. “Postal workers suffer the second highest rate of disabling injury among workers under federal jurisdiction, behind only the road transportation sector,” Simpson said. “Growing neighbourhood mail volumes and changing work methods like separate sort-from-delivery are only making things worse.” The union has also proposed increases to short-term disability program payments and injury on duty payments, along with more paid medical days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5,2024.
Uncovering the Secrets of Polymarket: The Future of Decentralized Prediction Markets 12-09-2024 09:42 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Welcome to the cutting-edge world of prediction markets, where platforms like Polymarket are changing the game for investors and speculators. Prediction markets allow users to bet on real-world events, providing a fascinating blend of financial forecasting and market speculation. As technology advances, these markets are moving towards decentralization, promising increased transparency and security. Image: https://revbit.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/polymarket-1024x640.png Polymarket Overview Polymarket stands as a groundbreaking player in the prediction market scene, offering users a glimpse into the future of decentralized platforms. Its appeal lies in the seamless integration of blockchain technology with traditional prediction methods, making it an attractive option for those interested in financial forecasting and market speculation. With its user-friendly interface, Polymarket opens the door for newcomers to explore the prediction market landscape with ease. At the core of Polymarket's offering is its ability to provide real-time data and community-driven insights. By leveraging the Ethereum network, this prediction platform ensures efficient trading and access to a wide range of markets. Users can speculate on various events, from political outcomes to sports results, all while benefiting from the transparency and security offered by blockchain technology. Polymarket's unique model combines the best of both worlds-traditional prediction markets and cutting-edge cryptocurrency technology. This innovative approach attracts a diverse group of users, from seasoned investors to curious newcomers. The platform's popularity continues to grow as it offers an engaging experience that fosters community involvement and collaboration. The platform's rise in popularity is no accident. Its hybrid model, which blends centralized and decentralized elements, provides a streamlined user experience that sets it apart from fully decentralized competitors. This approach allows for quicker transaction times and broader market access, making Polymarket a strong contender in the ever-evolving prediction market landscape. How Decentralized Prediction Markets Work Decentralized prediction markets have emerged as a revolutionary force, leveraging blockchain technology to transform how users place bets on future events. These markets operate on the principles of transparency and security, providing participants with a trustworthy environment to engage in financial forecasting and speculation. By utilizing blockchain technology, decentralized prediction platforms eliminate the need for intermediaries, reducing fees and enhancing trust among users. In these markets, participants bet on the outcomes of various events, ranging from political elections to sports competitions. By tapping into the wisdom of the crowd, users contribute to a collective intelligence that helps predict event outcomes. This dynamic not only encourages active participation but also incentivizes accurate predictions by rewarding successful participants. One of the key features of decentralized prediction markets is the use of smart contracts and oracles. Smart contracts are self-executing agreements that automatically enforce the terms of a bet, while oracles provide the necessary data to resolve the outcomes of events. Together, they ensure that market resolutions are transparent, secure, and reliable. Decentralization breaks down geographical barriers, allowing users from around the world to participate in these markets. This global reach fosters a diverse and dynamic community, enriching the prediction market space with a wide range of perspectives and insights. As a result, decentralized prediction platforms are becoming an essential tool for investors and speculators seeking to capitalize on market trends. Polymarket vs. Competitors When it comes to prediction markets, Polymarket sets itself apart from competitors like Augur and Gnosis by offering a unique blend of centralized and decentralized elements. While many platforms focus solely on decentralization, Polymarket strikes a balance that enhances speed and efficiency. This hybrid approach ensures a more streamlined user experience, allowing for quicker transactions and broader market access. Competitors such as Augur and Gnosis prioritize full decentralization, which can sometimes limit their speed and efficiency. In contrast, Polymarket's hybrid model allows it to provide a seamless experience that caters to both novice and experienced users. The platform's focus on user engagement and community-driven insights fosters a dynamic atmosphere that encourages active participation. Polymarket's community-driven approach stands out in the prediction market industry. By empowering users to create and participate in events, the platform fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration. This user-centric focus not only differentiates Polymarket from its competitors but also contributes to its growing popularity among prediction market enthusiasts. The hybrid model adopted by Polymarket enables faster transaction times and broader market access, making it an appealing choice for users looking for an efficient trading experience. This approach also allows the platform to maintain a strong presence in the prediction market space, attracting notable investors and gaining recognition as a leader in the industry. Unique Features of Polymarket Polymarket's seamless integration of blockchain technology with traditional prediction markets sets it apart from other platforms. This innovative approach offers users the best of both worlds, allowing them to benefit from the security and transparency of blockchain while enjoying the familiar experience of traditional prediction markets. As a result, Polymarket has become a go-to platform for those seeking a reliable and user-friendly prediction market experience. One of Polymarket's standout features is its diverse range of markets, covering everything from politics to sports. This variety allows users to explore and participate in events that align with their interests and expertise. By offering a wide array of markets, Polymarket caters to a broad audience, attracting both casual and serious investors alike. The platform emphasizes user engagement through community-driven event creation. By allowing users to create and participate in events, Polymarket fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration among its community. This focus on user involvement not only enhances the overall experience but also contributes to the platform's reputation as a dynamic and engaging prediction market. Polymarket's user interface is designed with ease of use in mind, making it accessible to both novices and experts. The platform's intuitive design ensures that users can quickly navigate and participate in events, regardless of their familiarity with prediction markets. This user-friendly approach has played a significant role in Polymarket's success and growing popularity. Impact of Polymarket on the Crypto Community Polymarket has made waves in the crypto community by introducing innovative prediction mechanisms that challenge traditional notions of decentralization. Its hybrid model, which combines centralized and decentralized elements, offers a unique perspective on how prediction markets can operate within the crypto space. This approach has sparked discussions and debates among crypto enthusiasts, highlighting the potential for new and exciting developments in the prediction market space. The platform encourages crypto enthusiasts to participate in speculative markets, providing them with opportunities to explore and invest in various events. By offering a diverse range of markets, Polymarket attracts a wide audience, from seasoned investors to curious newcomers. This inclusivity has contributed to the platform's growing influence within the crypto community. Polymarket's hybrid model challenges traditional notions of decentralization, prompting discussions on the balance between centralization and efficiency. By offering a more streamlined user experience, the platform has demonstrated that there is room for innovation within the prediction market space. This approach has inspired other platforms to consider hybrid models, potentially shaping the future of the industry. The community benefits from increased market liquidity and diverse investment opportunities, thanks to Polymarket's dynamic and collaborative environment. By fostering a sense of community and encouraging active participation, the platform enhances market insights and predictions. This collaborative atmosphere has made Polymarket an influential player in the prediction market space. Risks and Trust in Polymarket Predictions [ https://revbit.net/ ] When engaging with Polymarket, it's crucial to consider the potential risks related to market volatility and prediction accuracy. While the platform offers a secure prediction market experience, users must remain vigilant and informed about market dynamics and prediction strategies. By understanding these risks, participants can make more informed decisions and manage their investments effectively. Trust in Polymarket [ https://revbit.net/ ] predictions is bolstered by the platform's transparent use of blockchain technology. By leveraging the Ethereum network, Polymarket ensures that users can rely on the security and integrity of their transactions. This transparency is a key factor in building trust among users and attracting new participants to the platform. Despite its innovative approach, Polymarket's hybrid nature may raise concerns about centralization and control. While the platform offers a streamlined user experience, some users may question the degree of decentralization and its impact on fairness and autonomy. Addressing these concerns and maintaining transparency is essential for Polymarket to continue building trust and credibility. Educating users on market dynamics and prediction strategies is crucial for managing risks and fostering a secure prediction market environment. By providing resources and support, Polymarket can empower users to make informed decisions and navigate the challenges of prediction markets with confidence. The Future of Decentralized Prediction Markets Decentralized prediction markets are poised for significant growth as advancements in blockchain technology continue to unfold. These markets offer a glimpse into the future of financial forecasting and speculation, providing users with transparent, secure, and efficient platforms to engage with. As technology evolves, the potential for innovation within the prediction market industry is vast and exciting. Polymarket's innovative model may shape the future direction of decentralized prediction markets. By offering a hybrid approach that combines the best of centralized and decentralized elements, Polymarket has demonstrated that there is room for new ideas and developments within the industry. This approach could inspire other platforms to explore hybrid models, leading to further advancements and growth in the prediction market space. The integration of AI and machine learning into prediction markets could enhance prediction accuracy and offer users even more valuable insights. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize how prediction markets operate, providing users with advanced tools to analyze and predict event outcomes. As these technologies become more prevalent, the prediction market industry is likely to experience significant transformation. Regulatory developments will play a crucial role in the evolution of prediction markets. As governments and regulatory bodies continue to explore the implications of blockchain technology, prediction platforms like Polymarket must navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise. By staying informed and adapting to regulatory changes, these platforms can continue to thrive and shape the future of the industry. Polymarket Whales and their Influence Whales on Polymarket, or large-scale investors, can significantly impact market dynamics and outcomes. These influential participants often shape market sentiment through substantial bets, affecting the behavior and decisions of other users. Understanding the role of whales in prediction markets is essential for making informed predictions and investment decisions. Polymarket provides tools for analyzing whale activity, offering insights to smaller investors looking to navigate the prediction market landscape. By understanding whale behavior, participants can gain valuable insights into market trends and make more informed decisions. This knowledge can be a powerful tool for those seeking to maximize their returns and navigate the complexities of prediction markets. The presence of whales highlights the importance of market liquidity and participant diversity in prediction markets. By attracting a diverse range of participants, platforms like Polymarket can ensure a dynamic and engaging prediction market experience. This diversity not only enhances market insights but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among users. Understanding whale behavior can aid in making informed predictions and investment decisions, providing users with a competitive edge in the prediction market space. By analyzing whale activity and its impact on market dynamics, participants can better navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise in prediction markets. The Role of Polymarket in Shaping the Prediction Market Industry Polymarket plays a crucial role in redefining how prediction markets operate and evolve. Its hybrid approach, which combines centralized and decentralized elements, sets a precedent for future prediction market models. By offering a more streamlined user experience, Polymarket has demonstrated that there is room for innovation and growth within the industry. The platform's [ https://revbit.net/]community-driven focus encourages innovation and user engagement, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment. By empowering users to create and participate in events, Polymarket has cultivated a sense of ownership and collaboration that enhances the overall prediction market experience. Polymarket's success prompts discussions on the balance between decentralization and efficiency, inspiring further advancements in prediction technology. By challenging traditional notions of decentralization, the platform has opened the door for new ideas and developments within the industry. This approach has the potential to shape the future of prediction markets and influence industry standards. Polymarket continues to influence industry standards, inspiring further advancements in prediction technology. By staying at the forefront of innovation and embracing new ideas, the platform has established itself as a leader in the prediction market space. Its success and influence have set the stage for future developments and growth within the industry. In conclusion, Polymarket's [ https://revbit.net/blog/ ] innovative approach to prediction markets has positioned it as a leader in the industry. By combining traditional prediction methods with cutting-edge blockchain technology, the platform offers users a unique and engaging experience. As the prediction market industry continues to evolve, Polymarket's success and influence will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping its future. What do you think about the balance [ https://revbit.net/blog/guide/polymarket ] between decentralization and efficiency in prediction markets? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Disclaimer: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Media Contact Company Name: Revbit Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=uncovering-the-secrets-of-polymarket-the-future-of-decentralized-prediction-markets ] Country: Seychelles Website: https://revbit.net/?utm_source=abnw This release was published on openPR.The college football transfer portal swung wide open Monday. With it, seven University of Massachusetts football players have put their names into the portal, looking for a new home next fall. The names that probably stick out are quarterback Ahmad Haston and running back Jalen John, both of whom went into the portal along with tight end Matt Smith, defensive linemen Tyson Walker, Zukudo Igwenagu and Aaron Beckwith, along with wide receiver Anthony Simpson. Simpson had left the team early in the season. "Portal open! Need them dogs. #Flagship" UMass quarterback A.J. Hairston wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Hairston seems to be staying put in Amherst, so it remains to be seen if his recruiting efforts will bear fruit. The now former Minutemen will leave while four incoming freshmen signed national letters of intent last week. Hitting the portal is all about recruiting, and new football head coach Joe Harasymiak broached that subject during his introductory press conference Friday morning in Amherst. "I think it starts where you are. Home is where your feet are. We'll have a detailed plan for that," he said. "I think what I realized at Maine is the first part about recruiting is you have to get people who believe in what you believe in. With everything that's going on in college football, I think that gets lost a little bit. "We're going to make sure, and we've already started in the last few days, we're going to make sure the people that are here believe in what we believe in." The biggest name that went into the portal on Monday belongs to Haston. The quarterback, recruited to UMass out of high school, became now former offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery's running quarterback in the two-quarterback plan. Haston and Hairston, a true freshman, stepped into the breach when Taisun Phommachanh was injured in the loss at Mississippi State. The two alternated in losses to Liberty and UConn at home and at Georgia. Montgomery's plan was predicated on an injury keeping Haston from really letting the ball fly. Haston finished the season by running 18 times for 174 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 9.7 yards per carry. Haston was also 8 for 9 for 39 yards. "I am truly grateful for all the memories, growth and battle-testing experiences I was able to share with my teammates," Haston posted on social media. "I am officially entering the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility and ready to work." Jalen John, who followed former coach Don Brown from Arizona to UMass, carried the ball 111 times for 583 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry. John also had 17 receptions for 119 yards. "I also want to thank the UMass coaching staff and administration for giving me the opportunity to play football," John wrote on social media. "These last two years have been transformative for me as an athlete and an individual. After thoughtful conversations with my family, I will be entering the transfer portal with 1 year of eligibility left." As of this writing, redshirt junior Brandon Campbell and sophomore C.J. Hester lead the running back room. Hester transferred from Western Michigan and was the No. 2 rusher for the Minutemen. He ran the ball 119 times for 529 yards and caught 14 passes for 58 yards. Campbell, was a late arrival this summer from the University of Houston. Campbell had 239 yards rushing on 64 carries. Beckwith, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt junior had been at UMass for four seasons and had 32 tackles from the nose position in the last two seasons. Igwenagu is the cousin of former UMass fullback Emil Igwenagu, who spent three years in NFL training camps. Zukedo Igwenagu and Tyson Watson both transferred to UMass from Big Ten schools, Igwenagu from Rutgers and Watson from Michigan State. Neither had any tackle statistics in 2024. Smith is a 6-5, 245-pounder who transferred from Duke. The tight end had three catches for 38 yards. Simpson was UMass' leading receiver in 2023, catching 57 passes for 792 yards. The transfer from the University of Arizona was "no longer on the team" in a late-September announcement. Teams in the Mid-American Conference, UMass' home next year, have also felt the sting of players entering the portal. Five teams, led by Ball State with 13 and Akron and Northern Illinois with 12 each, had the most players in the portal as of midday Monday. MAC champion Ohio had yet to have a player enter the portal. There are four incoming freshmen who signed on the Dec. 4 early signing day. Two are defensive backs, one is a running back and one is a quarterback. The signal caller is Zach Lawrence, a 6-foot-1, 3-star recruit out of Charlotte, N.C. He played at Butler High School and was the No. 35 recruit in the state according to Rivals.com He had career numbers of 213 for 340 for 3,377 yards and 37 touchdowns. Dajoure Hollingsworth was listed as 247Sports' No. 19 recruit in Pennsylvania. The 5-8, 175-pound back ran for 2,565 yards on 277 carries in 32 high school games, scoring 38 touchdowns. Eighteen of those came as a senior at Salisbury School in Connecticut. He started at Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pa., the high school alma mater of former UMass linebacker Jerry Roberts Jr., and Roberts' younger brother Jyree, a redshirt freshman. "It starts off with being real, showing them who I am and how I'm going to run the program," Harasymiak said the day he was introduced. "Anybody that believes in that and wants to be a part of that will be here. That's okay. The transfer portal, you don't like it and you want to go somewhere else, that's awesome. If you want to be here and change something that's hard and be something that's going to be special. Stick around. That's my message to the team in the first two team meetings. A lot of things are going to change, a lot. That's evident that it needs to happen. "We're going to keep pushing forward and whoever is here, whoever believes in it, that's when we'll become as strong as we can be."Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. Related Articles National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids National News | Today in History: December 24, former defense secretary pardoned in Iran-Contra scandal National News | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says National News | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National News | The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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