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LG USA ANNOUNCES CREATION OF 2025 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS EXCLUSIVELY FOR RUTGERS STUDENT-ATHLETESTwo charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle EastAnalysis: Protecting QBs from violent late hits like the one that leveled Trevor Lawrence isn't easy
SINGAPORE and SAN DIEGO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helport AI Limited HPAI ("Helport AI" or the "Company"), an AI technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent software, services and solutions, today announced that Tao Ke, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Winter Conference 2024 on December 10 and 11, 2024. iAccess Alpha Virtual Conference Details: Date: December 10-11, 2024 Presentation Day and Time: Tuesday, December 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3074/51744 A webcast of the presentation will also be available under the Events & Presentations section of the Company's investor relations website linked here . To schedule a one-on-one investor meeting with Helport AI management, please contact your iAccess Alpha representative or email MZ Group at HPAI@mzgroup.us . About Helport AI Helport AI HPAI is a premier provider of AI-driven solutions, specializing in enhancing professional capabilities across industries. Focused on delivering measurable outcomes, The company serves enterprise-level customer contact services through intelligent products, solutions, and a digital platform, helping businesses optimize their sales and improve customer engagement. Our mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert. Learn more at www.helport.ai . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, Helport AI's business plan and outlook. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on Helport AI's current expectations and projections about future events that Helport AI believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "approximates," "believes," "hopes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may" or other similar expressions. Helport AI undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Helport AI believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and Helport AI cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in Helport AI's registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Helport AI Investor Relations: Meredith Fan ir@helport.ai https://ir.helport.ai/ External Investor Relations Contact: Chris Tyson Executive Vice President MZ North America Direct: 949-491-8235 HPAI@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.BOSTON (AP) — Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, who relied on technology funneled from the U.S. by his alleged co-conspirator, officials said. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Public urged to report potential terrorists at Christmas markets and pantosPALO ALTO, Calif. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abstract Security announced today that it has partnered with Analytica42 to help organizations easily integrate their data sources with Google SecOps platform for analytics and storage. With the new integration, Abstract Security makes it easier for customers to migrate to Google SecOps through its pipeline management features which eases the burden of data management and routes quality data to the platform. "Analytica42 has built a reputation for delivering exceptional SIEM expertise and data migration services. Partnering with Abstract Security and their advanced pipeline technology is a natural fit. Together, we combine our services with their technology to accelerate and enhance data management and migration solutions for our clients," said Gabriel Martinez , Founder and CEO of Analytica42. Abstract provides over 100 integrations for data sources with industry-leading vendors out of the box, in addition to threat intel feeds and its own in-house ASTRO threat feed. This comprehensive ecosystem enables customers to blend their unique security data with valuable threat intelligence and insights, significantly enhancing their overall security posture and enabling more informed decision-making. Further, Abstract offers customers a fully hosted solution on Google Cloud Platform or the flexibility to deploy into their own cloud environments, giving them complete control over their cybersecurity infrastructure. "The threat landscape is only becoming more challenging, making security data operations increasingly complex, and we are so pleased to offer this partnership with Analytica42 and our integration with Google SecOps since so many of our joint customers utilize Google," said Colby DeRodeff , CEO and co-founder, Abstract Security. "From our inception, our goal has been to offer customers simplified data operations for security and this partnership with Analytica42 focusing on integration and migration is an important step in that direction for us." Abstract's security operations platform delivers analytics that quickly correlate data and delivers actionable insights at the business level, ensuring security teams can focus on what matters most. With Abstract's data pipeline management tool, customers benefit from Abstract's ability to decouple the data sources from data destinations and normalize the data in real time before it reaches a destination. Through this tool, Abstract removes dependency and makes data easily routable to any destination which saves time and money for data storage. Abstract has chosen to work with Analytica42 as a global delivery partner to ensure that the transition to a new environment is seamless with as little disruption as possible. Analytica42 offers many years of experience in the integration and migration of security tools to and from a wide range of SIEMs. This enables customers to unlock their SIEMs full potential, ensuring faster detection, quicker response times & more streamlined workflows. Rather than just simply adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Analytica42 takes the time to understand the specific requirements, utilizing a comprehensive, pre-built library of use-cases alongside more bespoke solutions to minimize false positives & ensure you have full visibility across your security landscape. About Analytica42 Analytica42, founded by IT and security experts with over two decades of experience, specializes in SIEM/SOAR/CTI enablement, migration, transformation, and co-management. Our expertise spans blue and red team operations, threat research, and advanced development. With a combined 80+ years of experience, our team delivers innovative, customer-focused solutions that enhance security operations and drive long-term success. Through our Velocity approach, we provide tailored solutions for rapid threat detection, mitigation, and response, helping organizations maximize their SIEM and SOAR investments. Analytica42 builds secure foundations for today while ensuring resilience for tomorrow, turning security challenges into opportunities for growth. For more information about the company, please visit www.analytica42.com or follow us on Linkedin . About Abstract Security Abstract Security, founded in 2023, has built a revolutionary platform equipped with an AIpowered assistant to better centralize the management of security analytics. Crafted by category creators and industry veterans known for redefining the cybersecurity landscape, Abstract transcends next-gen SIEM solutions by correlating data in real time between data streams. As a result, compliance and security data can be leveraged separately to increase detection effectiveness and lower costs – an approach that does not currently exist in the market. The leadership team of Colby DeRodeff , Ryan Clough , Aaron Shelmire , Chris Camacho , and Stefan Zier bring a unique set of experiences and backgrounds in product development and company-building expertise, at companies such as ArcSight (acq. by HP), Mandiant (acq. by Google), Palo Alto Networks and Sumo Logic. For more information about the company, please visit https://www.abstract.security/ and follow the journey on LinkedIn and Youtube ! Contact Rich Mullikin 925-354-7444 rich@mullikincommunications.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abstract-security-joins-forces-with-analytica42-to-supercharge-integration-delivery-including-integration-to-google-secops-platform-302332908.html SOURCE Abstract Security Inc
TULSA, Okla. , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ONE Gas, Inc. OGS today issued financial guidance for 2025 and updated its five-year growth rates. "We enter 2025 focused on creating long-term value for our stakeholders, supporting growing customer demand, and enhancing the safety and reliability of our system," said Robert S. McAnnally , president and chief executive officer. "Our strategic plan supports a long runway of growth opportunities and investments in system reinforcements." 2025 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE ONE Gas (the "Company") expects 2025 net income to be in the range of $254 million to $261 million, with earnings per diluted share of $4.20 to $4.32 . The midpoints of 2025 guidance are net income of $257 million and earnings per diluted share of $4.26 . The Company's 2025 earnings guidance includes the benefit of new rates and customer growth, partially offset by higher operating expenses, including employee-related and contractor costs, depreciation expense from capital investments, and interest expense. Capital investments, including asset removal costs, are expected to be approximately $750 million in 2025, primarily targeted for system integrity and replacement projects. Capital investments for extensions to new customers are expected to be approximately $180 million, largely due to continued growth opportunities in Texas and Oklahoma . The anticipated average rate base for 2025 is $5 .8 billion. The Company has outstanding forward sale agreements covering approximately 3.6 million shares of its common stock at an average price of approximately $77 per share. Had all forward shares been settled at the end of the third quarter, net proceeds would have been approximately $275 million . The Company expects to settle approximately $245 million of its outstanding equity under forward sale agreements at year-end 2024 and roll forward approximately $30 million to settlement in 2025. FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL GROWTH RATES For the five years ending 2029, capital investments, including asset removal costs, are expected to be in the range of $750 million to $850 million per year, or approximately $4.0 billion for the five-year period, including growth capital of approximately $1.0 billion . Capital expenditures support estimated average rate base growth of 7% to 9% per year through 2029. Annual net income and diluted earnings per share are expected to increase by an average of 7% to 9% and 4% to 6%, respectively, over the long term and the Company expects to be at the high end of these respective ranges through 2029. Operating costs over the five-year period are expected to increase an average of approximately 4% per year, down from the 5% average annual increase indicated in the 2024 guidance. The Company estimates total net long-term financing needs for the period 2025 through 2029 of approximately $1.5 billion , of which approximately 40% is expected to be equity. Consistent with last year's guidance, the Company expects to achieve an average annual dividend growth rate of 1% to 2% through 2029, subject to the board of directors' approval, with a target dividend payout ratio of 55% to 65% of net income. CONFERENCE CALL, WEBCAST AND INVESTOR PRESENTATION The ONE Gas executive management team will conduct a conference call on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 , at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time ( 7 a.m. Central Standard Time ). The call also will be carried live on the ONE Gas website. To participate in the telephone conference call, dial 833-470-1428, passcode 934495, or log on to www.onegas.com/investors and select Events and Presentations. If you are unable to participate in the conference call or the webcast, a replay will be available on the ONE Gas website, www.onegas.com , for 30 days. A recording will be available by phone for seven days. The playback call may be accessed at 866-813-9403, passcode 503269. Additional information can be found in the 2025 Financial Guidance investor presentation on the ONE Gas website at https://www.onegas.com/investors/financials-and-filings/guidance . Guidance estimates may be impacted by the variables in the forward-looking statements listed below. ONE Gas, Inc. OGS is a 100% regulated natural gas utility, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OGS." ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States . Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma , ONE Gas provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 2.3 million customers in Kansas , Oklahoma and Texas . Its divisions include Kansas Gas Service, the largest natural gas distributor in Kansas ; Oklahoma Natural Gas, the largest in Oklahoma ; and Texas Gas Service, the third largest in Texas , in terms of customers. For more information and the latest news about ONE Gas, visit onegas.com and follow its social channels: @ONEGas , Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube . Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance, liquidity, management's plans and objectives for our future operations, our business prospects, the outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings, market conditions and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following discussion is intended to identify important factors that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this news release identified by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "should," "goal," "forecast," "guidance," "could," "may," "continue," "might," "potential," "scheduled," "likely," and other words and terms of similar meaning. One should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date of this news release. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Those factors may affect our operations, costs, liquidity, markets, products, services and prices. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with the forward-looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement include, among others, the following: our ability to recover costs, income taxes and amounts equivalent to the cost of property, plant and equipment, regulatory assets and our allowed rate of return in our regulated rates or other recovery mechanisms; cyber-attacks, which, according to experts, continue to increase in volume and sophistication, or breaches of technology systems that could disrupt our operations or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee, vendor, counterparty, or Company information; further, increased remote working arrangements have required enhancements and modifications to our information technology infrastructure (e.g. Internet, Virtual Private Network, remote collaboration systems, etc.), and any failures of the technologies, including third-party service providers, that facilitate working remotely could limit our ability to conduct ordinary operations or expose us to increased risk or effect of an attack; our ability to manage our operations and maintenance costs; changes in regulation of natural gas distribution services, particularly those in Oklahoma , Kansas and Texas ; the economic climate and, particularly, its effect on the natural gas requirements of our residential and commercial customers; the length and severity of a pandemic or other health crisis which could significantly disrupt or prevent us from operating our business in the ordinary course for an extended period; competition from alternative forms of energy, including, but not limited to, electricity, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuels; adverse weather conditions and variations in weather, including seasonal effects on demand and/or supply, the occurrence of severe storms in the territories in which we operate, and climate change, and the related effects on supply, demand, and costs; indebtedness could make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds and/or place us at competitive disadvantage compared with competitors; our ability to secure reliable, competitively priced and flexible natural gas transportation and supply, including decisions by natural gas producers to reduce production or shut-in producing natural gas wells and expiration of existing supply and transportation and storage arrangements that are not replaced with contracts with similar terms and pricing; our ability to complete necessary or desirable expansion or infrastructure development projects, which may delay or prevent us from serving our customers or expanding our business; operational and mechanical hazards or interruptions; adverse labor relations; the effectiveness of our strategies to reduce earnings lag, revenue protection strategies and risk mitigation strategies, which may be affected by risks beyond our control such as commodity price volatility, counterparty performance or creditworthiness and interest rate risk; the capital-intensive nature of our business, and the availability of and access to, in general, funds to meet our debt obligations prior to or when they become due and to fund our operations and capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) operating cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital markets and other sources of liquidity; our ability to obtain capital on commercially reasonable terms, or on terms acceptable to us, or at all; limitations on our operating flexibility, earnings and cash flows due to restrictions in our financing arrangements; cross-default provisions in our borrowing arrangements, which may lead to our inability to satisfy all of our outstanding obligations in the event of a default on our part; changes in the financial markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements, particularly those affecting the availability of capital and our ability to refinance existing debt and fund investments and acquisitions to execute our business strategy; actions of rating agencies, including the ratings of debt, general corporate ratings and changes in the rating agencies' ratings criteria; changes in inflation and interest rates; our ability to recover the costs of natural gas purchased for our customers and any related financing required to support our purchase of natural gas supply; impact of potential impairment charges; volatility and changes in markets for natural gas and our ability to secure additional and sufficient liquidity on reasonable commercial terms to cover costs associated with such volatility; possible loss of local distribution company franchises or other adverse effects caused by the actions of municipalities; payment and performance by counterparties and customers as contracted and when due, including our counterparties maintaining ordinary course terms of supply and payments; changes in existing or the addition of new environmental, safety, tax and other laws to which we and our subsidiaries are subject, including those that may require significant expenditures, significant increases in operating costs or, in the case of noncompliance, substantial fines or penalties; the effectiveness of our risk-management policies and procedures, and employees violating our risk-management policies; the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation; advances in technology, including technologies that increase efficiency or that improve electricity's competitive position relative to natural gas; population growth rates and changes in the demographic patterns of the markets we serve, and economic conditions in these areas' housing markets; acts of nature and the potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism and war, including recent events in Europe and the Middle East ; the sufficiency of insurance coverage to cover losses; the effects of our strategies to reduce tax payments; changes in accounting standards; changes in corporate governance standards; existence of material weaknesses in our internal controls; our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and the ONE Gas Credit Agreement, a violation of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of our obligations; our ability to attract and retain talented employees, management and directors, and shortage of skilled-labor; unexpected increases in the costs of providing health care benefits, along with pension and postemployment health care benefits, as well as declines in the discount rates on, declines in the market value of the debt and equity securities of, and increases in funding requirements for, our defined benefit plans; and our ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans, regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture, and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results. These and other risks are described in greater detail in Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise. Analyst Contact: Erin Dailey 918-947-7411 Media Contact: Leah Harper 918-947-7123 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/one-gas-issues-2025-financial-guidance-302322972.html SOURCE ONE Gas, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.‘Blackmail’ attempt student threatened to post intimate images of girl online unless she met for sexMayor Frey: Minneapolis can prove to the nation it’s possible to run an effective government
CAMBRIDGE, UK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in AI for cybersecurity, today announces that Darktrace / EMAILTM, has been recognized in the first ever Gartner Magic QuadrantTM for Email Security Platforms (ESP) as a Challenger. Chris Kozup, Chief Marketing Officer, Darktrace, said of the recognition: "We are extremely proud to have been recognized in the first Magic Quadrant for ESP. Since launching Darktrace / EMAIL in 2019, we have grown quickly to support email security for nearly 5,000 organizations around the world, helping to keep them safe from even the most sophisticated and novel email compromises. We believe this wide-scale adoption is a result of our unique, AI-native approach to developing products. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and innovations that safeguard our customers against the email challenges of today— and tomorrow." Darktrace customers consistently acknowledge its exceptional customer support, delivered by an award-winning 1 service team. Darktrace has the highest percentage of 5-star ratings with a 4.8 rating on Gartner® Peer InsightsTM out of 249 reviews as of 19 th December . We feel this unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in strong renewal rates and accelerated growth in Darktrace / EMAIL over the past few years, gaining almost 5,000 customers since its launch in 2019. Darktrace / EMAIL, one of the fastest-growing email security products on the market, is built on Darktrace's unique Self-Learning AI, a multi-layered AI engine that leverages different types of AI including NLP and behavioral analysis to detect threats, instead of traditional security measures such as signatures and sandboxing. This approach enables Darktrace to detect and stop threats like business email compromise attacks and novel techniques, including some 56% of which passed through customers' other email security layers. This pioneering approach has enabled Darktrace to introduce industry-leading capabilities such as QR code analysis and automated incident investigations, alongside differentiated functionality to help teams add new depth to their email security, including: Marco Cavallo , IT Manager at Darktrace / EMAIL customer Arpa Industries comments: "During the POV, Darktrace / EMAIL showed how specific attacks were surgically blocked. We realized that other tools wouldn't have detected these threats." Darktrace / EMAIL is part of Darktrace's ActiveAI Security PlatformTM, offering network, cloud, endpoint, identity and operational technology protection from a single shared architecture, all built on Darktrace's unique AI engine – providing a strong, integrated approach to threat prevention, detection and response across an organization's entire digital footprint. Darktrace's global presence supports a diverse and varied customer base, and adapts proactively to customer pain points of all kinds. Darktrace's adaptability across all market segments, from SMBs to large enterprises, supports both first time email security buyers and mature email security stacks. It is able to meet varied security needs with lower setup requirements, includes capability for advanced depth in configuration and, particularly for mature organizations, can augment existing security providers with additional protections. Download the full Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms here Resources: Gartner disclaimers Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms, Max Taggett , Nikul Patel , Franz Hinner , Deepak Mishra , 16 December 2024 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant and Peer Insights are a registered trademark, of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Darktrace Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI that learns from the unique patterns of life for each customer in real-time. The Darktrace ActiveAI Security PlatformTM delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience with pre-emptive visibility into security posture, real-time threat detection, and autonomous response – securing the business across cloud, email, identities, operational technology, endpoints, and network. Breakthrough innovations from our R&D teams in Cambridge, UK , and The Hague, Netherlands have resulted in over 200 patent applications filed. Darktrace's platform and services are supported by over 2,400 employees around the world who protect nearly 10,000 customers across all major industries globally. To learn more, visit http://www.darktrace.com . 1 Darktrace wins two Globee awards for excellent customer service [ Press Release ] View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darktrace--email-recognized-in-first-ever-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-email-security-platforms-302336602.html SOURCE Darktrace
Two charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle EastTrying to get good audio for your electronics can be a surprisingly difficult task. Even when you rely on trustworthy major soundbar brands , getting a high-quality setup could cost more than your TV or monitor. Some potential buyers might want to focus on finding cheaper alternatives, sacrificing the overall quality for something that'll just give them the sound that they need. But how worthwhile are these cheaper systems compared to their more expensive counterparts? There are many different types of sound system out there, and one of the most common is the soundbar. These products act as external speakers for whatever device you're watching from, and they're often paired with extras like a subwoofer to truly immerse listeners in their media. As you start cutting costs, though, these systems can end up falling short of what you might come to expect — especially if you've experienced top-quality surround sound systems before. Therefore, it's important to consider the many pros and cons of buying a cheaper soundbar or sound system. In just about every instance, even a cheap soundbar will sound better than built-in speakers from a TV or computer monitor. Something like Sony's S100F soundbar might not be all that impressive on its own, but at least its speakers are facing toward the listener. TV and monitor speakers, due to prioritizing screen space and width, will often face their speakers down or even backward. This will lead to muffled voices and muddy music, assuming your display even has built-in speakers in the first place. If you're getting a soundbar or sound system just because your display isn't handling audio well, you won't need to break the bank at all. The top-rated soundbars for PC and console gaming aren't much more than glorified speakers, but they'll almost always outdo whatever might be inside of your screen. These also won't cost you more than $100, which is a rarity when looking at top-quality sound systems. They might still fall short of competitors, but a bad soundbar is better than having no sound at all. If you're not willing to go above $300, you still have plenty of opportunities to get the full sound system experience. A large number of soundbars around this price range will come with extra hardware to provide even greater immersion. The Vizio 5.1 soundbar from is a prime example, offering both a subwoofer and surround speakers to offer an auditory experience that's as complete as possible. We also reviewed the similar-yet-more-expensive Vizio M-Series 5.1 Soundbar , noting how these extras allowed for some fantastic auditory moments during intense movies. Sometimes, soundbars will even have subwoofers built-in to save on space. While it's generally agreed that external subwoofers sound better, built-in ones can usually still put out fine sound for most people. Vizio's V-Series 2.1 soundbar is one such device, and its pricing falls at the lower end of just under $120, making it a perfect pick for budget-conscious buyers. Even when considering the cost, it's not a bad idea to make sure your soundbar comes with at least one of these hardware extras. Even at lower price points, soundbars can be a lot more flexible than you may think. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar , for example, is one of the cheapest and most basic soundbars you can get. It lacks an internal subwoofer and doesn't have a lot of optional features, but it still allows you to connect to your display wirelessly. From $100 and upward, almost all soundbars allow for some form of wireless connectivity, particularly through Bluetooth. Because of their wireless functionality, you can use these soundbars for more than just your TV or monitor. Connecting a phone or handheld console can work just as easily as connecting them to other wireless external speakers, and depending on your budget, it can have a much more immersive result. You can also take advantage of being untethered to simply move your soundbar closer to where you are. Thanks to this, even if the distance of your display makes it hard to hear some dialogue or music, you won't have to rely on just making it louder. While cheaper soundbars often lack the capabilities of full sound systems, they sometimes offer bonuses that aren't present in more expensive options. Take the Roku Streambar for example — the soundbar also doubles as a streaming device. Even when comparing the Roku Streambar's differences to the Roku Ultra , a more dedicated streaming player, it's still able to provide the same basic functionality and resolution. This puts its functionality far above other soundbars in multiple price ranges, simply because of how much you're able to do with it. Other soundbars go the route of providing more "smart" functionality for homes. The Polk Audio React soundbar has Amazon Alexa built into it, which also allows you to call friends and family without the need of a phone. If your focus is on audio alone, you might still want to look at more dedicated setups to get as much quality out of a budget pick as possible. But as all-in-one solutions for those without streaming services or smart home devices, these soundbars are honestly pretty great value. If prices are simply far too high for you, there's always the option of buying secondhand sound systems from other sellers. You can easily find massive price cuts on refurbished devices from websites like eBay, sometimes bringing setups down from $300 to $150. With any luck, you can find normally costly setups at remarkably low prices, though this will depend on finding the right seller at the right moment. As with any secondhand item, you should also be aware of any defects or wrong items you come across. Doing research on the various aspects of soundbars themselves can be just as important as researching the model you're after. Make sure you read each description carefully so someone claiming to have a " true surround sound " system doesn't leave you with something underpowered. Even so, if you're pushing to get the best sound for the cheapest price, this might be the only way you'll get it. The biggest problem with finding a "budget" soundbar is the fact that you'll still need to spend a lot of money for one. The only way you can find any of these under $100 is if you go for generic or online-only brands. The VMAI soundbar is one of the few you'll find under $100, offering plenty of basic functionality and even including a built-in subwoofer to sweeten the deal further. But if you're looking for long-term support or consistent quality, you're unlikely to get it at this price point. Under $100, a soundbar isn't all that different from basic speakers like the Logitech Z313 . You should take a close look at the pros and cons of soundbars versus speakers to see if the former is really what you need. If all you're doing is listening to things on your computer, you probably won't need to spend nearly as much money on a costly sound system. If you're after something that will give you a home theater experience, you're better off saving up for the more expensive alternatives. Even if they come with a subwoofer and extra speakers, some budget soundbars can lack very basic hardware functionality. Soundbars like the Hisense HS2100 will include a remote that allows you to adjust various settings like volume or bass & treble, but if you lose the remote, you won't be able to adjust those settings personally. Often, there simply won't be any buttons to raise or lower the volume or adjust other settings on the soundbar itself, potentially forcing you to deal with poor settings on an otherwise decent device. The connectivity of certain cheaper soundbars can also be an issue. Most will have the ability to be plugged into other devices using an AUX or optical cable, but lower price points will make you lose out on additional HDMI connection options. This is a rarity even among cheaper soundbars, but it's something to be aware of if you're going for the least expensive possible option. In a worst-case scenario, you won't even be able to test your sound system until you get an entirely new device to plug it into. How subwoofers actually work is by providing more bass to whatever you're listening to, picking up slack in lower frequencies where regular speakers simply won't cut it alone. Because of this, many audio enthusiasts recommend that you always get a sound system that includes one. Considering how even extra-cheap soundbars often come with this addition, whether built-in or external, it's almost impossible to lose out on them by accident. However, there are some low-cost soundbars that do not come with a subwoofer, and you should probably avoid them. One particular soundbar without a subwoofer is the Hisense HS205G . Its list price of $80 makes it one of the least costly options you can find, but its capabilities are sorely lacking without a subwoofer. Some owners report that it doesn't even manage to surpass the volume of their basic built-in TV speakers. If you're willing to spend the extra money on a soundbar in the first place, you shouldn't settle for one that comes without the extra boost in audio performance. You'll probably expect a lack of support at cheaper price ranges for any device. Yet certain audio technologies like Dolby Audio and DTS are supported by a wide range of inexpensive soundbars, including the Samsung HW-T400 . These technologies allow for more immersive sound — especially from movies — allowing even cheap soundbars to at least compare to more expensive ones. However, models like the Sony S100F do not support these technologies, leaving you unable to experience them no matter what. At lower price points, you're also likely to miss out on more powerful sound systems. You're likely to only get to 2.0 or 2.1 surround sound with just $100, with the higher-standard 5.1 being reserved for $200 or higher. Of course, if you know the differences between 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos systems already, you probably know whether or not you'll actually need any of these extra features. But there are cheaper options that support these additions, leaving you with few reasons to avoid choosing them — much like soundbars with included subwoofers. If you consider yourself as an audiophile, you've likely experienced higher-end sound systems before. If that's the case, then pretty much any soundbar under $500 is likely to fall short of your expectations. Those who were able to use products like the Bose soundbars gave near-universal praise, only criticizing them for technical issues and when comparing them to similarly-priced soundbars from rival companies. To put things in comparison, Bose's flagship soundbar — the Smart Ultra Soundbar — has a list price of $900, and the company's cheapest option has a list price of around $280. Someone that has little-to-no experience with these top-quality systems likely won't care about the differences. After all, even the cheapest soundbars still often sound better than the built-in speakers you'll find in TVs or monitors, as mentioned previously. But these pricier alternatives blow the competition out of the water entirely, satisfying those who went the extra mile to actually pay for those systems in the first place. It's all a matter of perspective when it comes to audio, so as long as what you get is better than your current setup, you probably won't find many reasons to complain.
ABU DHABI , UAE , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ADGM, the leading international financial centre of Abu Dhabi and a globally recognised hub for asset and wealth management unveiled nineteen major announcements from global financial institutions during the third edition of ADFW. These represent almost USD 635 billion in assets under management (AUM) and follow other Q4 announcements from the world's largest asset managers, BlackRock, PGIM, and Nuveen, which have also been set up in ADGM. This remarkable increase, from USD 450 billion to USD 635 billion , within a year has reinforced the centre's reputation as the region's fastest-growing and one of the world's most dynamic jurisdictions for asset management. This growth has been further bolstered by the establishment of billionaire-led family offices, including those of British businessman Asif Aziz , prominent philanthropist and financial strategist Wafic Said , and Singaporean entrepreneur and real estate leader Kishin RK, underscoring the centre's growing appeal as a global wealth management hub. Commenting on Abu Dhabi and ADGM's continued momentum, H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi , Member of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council & Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADGM said, "These milestones reflect the heart of what makes Abu Dhabi so special—a shared vision of progress, partnership, and possibility. The growing number of global financial leaders and innovators choosing ADGM is a testament to the trust they place in our infrastructure, robust regulations, commitment to excellence and Abu Dhabi's reputation as the world's safest and most dynamic jurisdiction for asset and wealth management. As we welcome these new partnerships, we remain dedicated to driving the growth and diversification of the 'Falcon Economy' and creating opportunities that resonate across industries and borders. It's an exciting moment for ADGM, Abu Dhabi , and all those who are part of this remarkable journey." Larry Fink , Chairman and CEO of Blackrock praised Abu Dhabi commenting, "It's been a long journey watching how Abu Dhabi has matured as an economy. The constant innovation that I'm seeing from the economy and from the leadership. And Abu Dhabi has really positioned itself to become a leader over the next 20 years. Its psychology was different, and now it's blossoming into this magnet of opportunity. With that strength, it is now becoming a foundation for innovation." "We see a real burgeoning of entrepreneurship happening in the region and believe that the Middle East is the next big entrepreneurial hot spot. We've watched this happen before and always had our eye out on areas emerging in terms of entrepreneurship," said Bill Ford , Chairman & CEO of General Atlantic , during the second day of ADFW. Sir Paul Marshall , Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Marshall Wace said, " Abu Dhabi is such a great place. Abu Dhabi is absolutely nailing it. It's a very attractive place." Confirming their establishment in ADGM during ADFW were leading private equity firms General Atlantic, Lone Star Funds, and Investindustrial along with private credit giants Golub Capital and Polen Capital, insurance manager – Eldridge as well as leading global equity management company, Carta and hedge fund Marshall Wace . This recent wave of commitments from global financial institutions signifies ADGM's leadership in attracting the world's foremost investment firms. Reflecting this confidence and growth, billionaire-led family offices have also been drawn to ADGM, recognising it as a trusted hub for managing and growing wealth. Asif Aziz , Founder and CEO of Criterion Capital commented, " Abu Dhabi's transformation into a global financial powerhouse makes it an ideal base for our operations. ADGM's world-class infrastructure and strategic location provide unparalleled opportunities to forge partnerships that align with our growth ambitions across the UAE and beyond." Building on its role as a leading destination for global investors and asset managers, ADGM is also redefining financial innovation by advancing its digital ecosystem. A cornerstone of this effort was the launch of Finstreet, a first-of-its-kind international securities market and an ecosystem for private securities, which exemplifies ADGM's commitment to integrating cutting-edge digital solutions with its robust financial infrastructure. The week also saw a new funding round for Themis and the entry of international digital pioneers Zodia Markets, Polygon Labs, FJ Labs, Aptos Digital, Chainlinks, Astra Tech and Themis, further solidifying the Emirate's reputation as a global innovation hub. Meanwhile, FinTech Astra Tech's Quantix announcement of a landmark USD 500 million financing from Citigroup, among the largest provided to a UAE FinTech company to date, to expand its CashNow consumer lending platform. Additionally, Themis—renowned for its advanced financial crime prevention technologies—is further reinforcing ADGM's position as a hub for the next generation of financial technologies, secured over USD 9.75 million in scale-up funding, building on its success in partnerships with global leaders, including ADGM underscoring its role in advancing financial crime prevention in innovative regulatory environments. The market announcements were released during the third edition of ADFW held under the theme "Welcome to the Capital of Capital," which gathered more than 20,000 leaders and executives from across the financial services industry, which collectively represented more than USD 42 trillion in assets under management. This wave of newcomers ADFW underscores Abu Dhabi's position as a global financial powerhouse and ADGM's role as a catalyst for economic diversification, attracting top-tier talent, cutting-edge technologies, and transformative investments that are shaping the emirate's future. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2550581/5010772/ADGM_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aum-of-usd-635-billion-at-adfw-caps-stellar-q4-as-trillion-dollar-club-flock-to-adgm-302336607.html SOURCE ADGMStock market today: Wall Street wavers at the start of a holiday-shortened weekVivek Ramaswamy once compared Elon Musk to a “circus monkey” eager to do China’s bidding before President-elect Donald Trump tapped the two men to co-lead his proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE . “I think Tesla is increasingly beholden to China,” Ramaswamy said in a 2023 podcast interview . “I have no reason to think Elon won’t jump like a circus monkey when (Chinese president) Xi Jinping calls in the hour of need.” Tesla — Musk’s electric car company — depends heavily on its Shanghai battery factory for global auto production. Ramaswamy also reportedly accused Musk of a “willingness to change his political tunes” to pacify Chinese officials in a 2022 podcast. Though Musk calls himself a champion for free speech on social media, Ramaswamy pointed out the irony of his relationship with Chinese officials, who don’t share those values. CNN unearthed numerous unflattering comments Ramaswamy made about his new partner in the past couple years and they weren’t all in regards to China. In a 2022 Fox News podcast, he suggested Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, had public funding and government contracts to thank for making Musk the world’s richest man. That comment in particular could be used by critics to question Musk’s goal to cut $2 trillion in government spending under the Trump administration. Ramaswamy told CNN he made his derogatory comments about Musk before the pair met and now feels differently. “I love him and respect the hell out of him, and I’m proud to call him a friend,” Ramaswamy told the outlet. “The only country he puts first is the same one I do: the United States of America.” ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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When and where a vote takes place is a decision reserved for the municipal clerk, but the method is up to council, which settled on an online only election. The Municipal Elections Act sets out limits on what council can decide – only the method of the vote. It also outlines the many responsibilities of the clerk. Grey Highlands Clerk Amanda Fines-VanAlstine said that the help centre at the municipal office in Markdale will be open throughout the election period. Details on help centres in other locations will be released when those decisions are made. People who are confident with technology can just vote on their own devices after inputting a code that will be mailed out. DIFFERING OPINIONS The method had to be chosen now, so that the municipality could put out a tender for contracted services for the 2026 election. Originally, council considered a motion for telephone and internet voting. Coun. Tom Allwood shared that he heard criticisms of the phone voting, as did others, so that option was dropped. The vote to limit the vote to internet only with no polling stations and paper ballots was a narrow one – 4 to 3. Mayor Paul McQueen, Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen and Coun. Dan Wickens were opposed. The Deputy Mayor said that while internet was a good option, he strongly supported that in-person voting be kept in a rural municipality such as Grey Highlands. “We need to have a voting booth on voting day – it’s a strong part of the democratic pride in our voting system,” he said. Mayor McQueen observed that many people like to vote on “Election Day”, even though there is a wider window for voting with alternate methods. And on the last day in the 2018 election, the only polling station open was at the municipal office. Mayor McQueen said he had heard from voters who turned out to spots where there had been prior help centres but there was nothing there. Clerk Fines VanAlstine said that communication would be a big part of the lead-up to the election. She said that, on election day itself, it’s easier if it’s one location. Computers to use for voting will be provided at other help centres and at the municipal office, as well as any assistance needed. The clerk commented that the electronic voting received many compliments when used at Grey Gables in 2022. Election Day is a Monday, when libraries are normally closed, Coun. Paul Allen noted. The clerk steered the conversation away from the topics of the operations side of the election, which for reason of impartiality is placed in the hands of the municipal clerk. MORE DISCUSSION Coun. Dan Wickens also argued in favour of the paper ballot. “I think there’s a large part of the population that are not comfortable even with telephone voting,” he said. “They don’t trust it – they want to see that piece of paper go in the box and they want to see a person count it”. With paper ballots tabulators are often used, and the clerk said those communicate online with voters’ lists, and there are very few suppliers. Mayor Paul McQueen said that both provincial and federal elections are in-person and that is what people are accustomed to, so keeping it consistent has advantages. While it has been argued that internet voting could increase participation levels in elections, that has not been the case. In 2018, there were server issues that caused long delays. An emergency was declared and the voting period extended. Another voting method that has been used in Grey Highlands in the past is a mail-in ballot. Both that method and computer voting are attempts to make it easier for property-owners who don’t live in the municipality to vote. The clerk said she had heard recently that there was one other municipality which had not chosen its voting method. All the others were using internet and telephone voting except Chatsworth, which is strictly the mail-in ballot, she said. During the discussion, Coun. Paul Allen asked if any member was opposed to computer voting, and no one spoke. So, it was really what if any alternatives would be provided that constituted the debate. The pricing for various options was provided in the staff report Internet voting is cost-effective, but councillors also raised participation levels and people’s trust in the process as other concerns. Coun. Joel Loughead said he finds the electronic voting at a help centre much like a paper ballot – “it’s about the act of being there and pressing the button”. Deputy Mayor Nielsen commented before the final vote, that going to a singular electronic voting method was a mistake. “I think this will turn off a segment of our population – I think the goal is to get as much buy-in and response as possible.” Coun. Wickens agreed. “I do think we will be alienating – maybe only a small portion of voters – but I think there are lots of people out there that do not trust the internet.” He said that using people to count ballots mean the vote would be independent of any possible interference or technical glitches. When facing the same decision for the election of 2022, members of the 2018 to 2022 council commented that with codes being issued by mail, they could go to the wrong households or be used by other individuals than those to whom they are addressed,. Other questions they raised were: -How many people thought they had voted, who actually hadn’t? -How many people gave up who would otherwise have voted? -How many were blocked by the system, because it had the wrong year of birth information or for some other reason? -If there were fraudulent votes cast – for example, by people voting in place of other household members, who would be able to prove it? What does acquiring assistance do to the principle of a secret ballot?
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