Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkIt took 7 months, but today I finished coding my 2024 .NETpad modernization project. I also found another bug in WPF Windows 7 theming support. Of course I did. So let's start there. A new bug When Microsoft released .NET 9 in November, I was surprised to discover that it included a few small but important updates. Key among them was the ability to switch the app theme on the fly, a basic feature that was missing from the Windows 11 theming capabilities Microsoft had previously made available to developers during the .NET 9 pre-release development period. Until that change, you could make an app that conformed to whatever theme the user chose in Windows 11 Settings, and it would change on the fly if the user changed that theme. But there was no way to manually select a theme. For example, if the system theme is set to Dark but you (or the user) want to use the app in Light mode. Most modern Windows 11 apps support this feature. So, too, does Notepad. And I was sure that it would come to WPF at some point. In fact, I was so sure that I wrote the UI code for this interface in XAML, but left it grayed out since there was no way to change it on the fly. Here's how it looks. As I wrote in Modernizing .NETpad: .NET 9 Arrives with a Few (More) Small Improvements for WPF (Premium), Microsoft implemented this capability using a new Application.ThemeMode property in the styling API. And it's quite easy to use: I spun up a quick sample project in Visual Studio and created a button that toggled between Light, Dark, and System themes (the latter of which will be either Light or Dark, depending on what the user configures). Couldn't be easier. But when I added this code to .NETpad and tried to change the app theme, it would crash with an unhandled exception. I have multiple versions of the app, each a little different, so I tried it in three of them. But I always had the same issue. Whenever I changed the theme on-the-fly, the app crashed. Fantastic. Because I was winding down this project, I decided to not worry about it: I would add this feature early in a clean, new version of the app and then, once I had it working, I'd build it out and keep checking on this toggle to see when (or whether) it started crashing so I could hopefully isolate the problem. I wrote about this a bit in Modernizing .NETpad: WTF, WPF (Premium), in which I also discussed another small but important addition to the Windows 11 theming support in WPF in .NET 9, the new accent color support for the default button in dialogs. That feature, at least, seems to work fine, and I've implemented it in all the recent versions of the app I've worked up. But then I got side-tracked a bit. Experimenting on the side, I started getting the long-awaited tab support (and related window title bar customization) working. And so I started to think about, and then implement, the code that would be necessary to transition .NETpad from supporting a single document to one th... With technology shaping our everyday lives, how could we not dig deeper? Thurrott Premium delivers an honest and thorough perspective about the technologies we use and rely on everyday. Discover deeper content as a Premium member. Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday
Josh Hawley thinks America needs a religious revival. Is this man helping him find itKayode Tokede Despite raging inflation rate, banks operating in Nigeria led by Guaranty Trust Holdings Company Plc (GTCO) and other financial institutions to maintained modest Cost-to-Income Ratio (CIR) in half year ended June 2024. CIR is important for determining the profitability of a bank and it gives a clear view of how efficiently the bank is being run. The lower the ratio, the more profitable the bank. In the banking sector, CIR is a critical indicator of operational efficiency. A lower CIR can reflect better cost management, higher productivity, or both. However, it should be analysed alongside other metrics like Return on Equity (ROE) and Net Interest Margin (NIM) for a holistic assessment. For banks, an ideal CIR is typically between 40 per cent and 60 per cent, though this can vary based on the industry and geographic region. Inflation rate in Nigeria, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) increased to 34.19 per cent as of June 2024 from 28.92 per cent it closed in 2023. The rise in inflation rate was driven primarily by escalating food prices, soaring energy costs and ongoing volatility in foreign exchange markets. THISDAY analysis of Nigerian banks half year 2024 results revealed that GTCO’s CIR dropped to 16.74 per cent as of June 2024 from 29.13 per cent reported in 2023 financial year amid increasing operating expenses. The lender in the period under review emerged as the most profitable bank, reporting N1 trillion profit before tax, about 207 per cent increase from N327.4billion in H1 2023. GTCO reported N201.8 billion total operating expenses (Opex) in H1 2024, about 60.7 per cent or N76.22 billion from N125.56 billion in H1 2023, while its operating income stood at N1.21 trillion in H1 2024, about 126 per cent increase from N524.3billion in H1 2023. The lender in a statement stated that, “OPEX growth of 60.7 per cent was precipitated by growth in headline inflation in Nigeria, other West and East African Jurisdiction of operations; specifically, Nigeria’s inflation closed at 34.2 per cent as at H1 2024. “Operating cost was also impacted by adverse movement in exchange rate. The impact of Inflation combined with exchange rate movements and growth in business volume led to increase in technology and regulatory costs – Deposit Insurance Premium and AMCON expenses. The Group also reviewed salary upward to enable employees cope with increased cost of living resulting in N20.8billion growth in personnel cost to N41.5billion. “Operating cost was also negatively impacted by the translation of other Subsidiaries numbers to Naira, the functional currency for Group reporting in view of higher rate of depreciation of naira relative to depreciation suffered by other 3rd currencies in West and East Africa operating environments where the Group has presence. The Group continued to leverage its FCY liquidity to fund all foreign currency-denominated transactions thus preventing creation of FCY obligations.” Similarly, other Tier-I and II banks investigated by THISDAY recorded Cost-to-Income Ratio below 70 per cent in the period under review. Data compiled by THISDAY showed that Zenith Bank recorded 39.40 per cent Cost-to-Income Ratio in H1 2024 from 36.10 per cent in 2023 followed by Fidelity Bank Plc with 40.30 per cent Cost-to-Income Ratio as of H1 2024 from 50.40 per cent reported in 2023FY. Zenith Bank in a statement stated that, “We continued to strive for operational efficiency, resulting in only a marginal increase in our cost-to-income ratio YoY from 38.5per cent in H1 2023 to 39.4per cent.” Zenith Bank in the period was second most profitable bank after GTCO. Its profit before tax stood at N727.03 billion in H1 2024, about 108 per cent increase over N350.36 billion reported in H1 2023. Other bank with Cost-to-Income Ratio below 50 per cent threshold include: FBN Holdings at 46.90 per cent as of H1 2024 from 49.10 per cent in 2023, while Stanbic IBTC Holdings declared 42.80 per cent Cost-to-Income Ratio as of H1 2024 from 47 per cent in 2023FY. Commenting, the Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori stated that the ratio measures the efficiency of a bank in managing its expenses relative to its income. He said, “It shows how much money the bank spends to generate a naira of income, for example, GTCO – the bank burns just N0.16 to generate N1 income in the period under review.” He commended banks operating in Nigeria and other part of Afriuca for remaining resilience amid macroeconomy challenges.U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
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DES MOINES, Iowa — A week after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, Elon Musk said his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries” in the next election. The following week, the billionaire responded to a report that he might fund challengers to GOP House members who don’t support Trump’s Cabinet nominees. “How else? There is no other way,” Musk wrote on X, which he rebranded after purchasing Twitter and moving to boost conservative voices, including his own. And during a recent visit to Capitol Hill, Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy delivered a warning to Republicans who don’t go along with their plans to slash spending as part of Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency. “Elon and Vivek talked about having a naughty list and a nice list for members of Congress and senators and how we vote and how we’re spending the American people’s money,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Trump’s second term comes with the specter of the world’s richest man serving as his political enforcer. Within Trump’s team, there is a feeling that Musk not only supports Trump’s agenda and Cabinet appointments, but is also intent enough on seeing them through to the point of pressuring Republicans who may be less devout. One Trump advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal political dynamics, noted that Musk had come to enjoy his role on the campaign and that he clearly had the resources to stay involved. The advisor and others said Musk’s role on the Trump team is still taking shape. And Musk, once a supporter of President Obama before moving to the right in recent years, is famously mercurial. “I think he was really important for this election. Purchasing Twitter, truly making it a free speech platform, I think, was integral to this election, to the win that Donald Trump had,” said departing Republican National Committee co-Chair Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law. “But I don’t know that ultimately he wants to be in politics. I think he considers himself to be someone on the outside.” During the presidential campaign, Musk contributed roughly $200 million to America PAC, a super PAC aimed at reaching Trump voters online and in person in the seven most competitive states, which Trump swept. He also invested $20 million in a group called RBG PAC, which ran ads arguing Trump would not sign a national abortion ban even though the former president nominated three of the justices who overturned a federally guaranteed right to the procedure. Musk’s donation to RBG PAC — a name that invokes the initials of former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion of abortion rights — wasn’t revealed until post-election campaign filings were made public last week. Musk has said he hopes to keep America PAC funded and operating. Beyond that, he has used his X megaphone to suggest he is at least open to challenging less exuberant Trump supporters in Congress. Another key Trump campaign ally has been more aggressive online. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose group Turning Point Action also worked to turn out voters for Trump, named Republican senators he wants to target. “This is not a joke, everybody. The funding is already being put together. Donors are calling like crazy. Primaries are going to be launched,” Kirk said on his podcast, singling out Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jim Risch of Idaho, Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Thom Tillis of North Carolina as potential targets. All four Republican senators’ seats are up in 2026. For now, Musk has been enjoying the glow of his latest conquest, joining Trump for high-level meetings and galas at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort home in Palm Beach, Fla. The incoming administration is seeded with Musk allies, including venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks serving as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar” and Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Musk’s SpaceX, named to lead NASA. Musk could help reinforce Trump’s agenda immediately, some GOP strategists said, by using America PAC to pressure key Republicans. Likewise, Musk could begin targeting moderate Democrats in pivotal states and districts this spring, urging them to break with their party on key issues, Republican strategist Chris Pack said. “Instead of using his influence to twist GOP arms when you have majorities in both houses, he could start going after Democrats who vote against Trump’s agenda in states where the election was a referendum for Trump,” said Pack, former communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “Otherwise, if you pressure Republicans with a primary, you can end up with a Republican who can’t win, and then a Democrat in that seat.” Associated Press writer Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Linderman from Baltimore and Mendoza from Santa Cruz, Calif. AP writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
Tottenham are expected to be active in the January transfer window Tottenham Hotspur look like they are in need of bolstering their squad in the January transfer window. The North Londoners have endured an extremely poor campaign, with the latest defeat to Nottingham Forest being their ninth in the Premier League. They have lost more games than they have won in the league, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s men in the bottom half of the table. Clearly, Spurs are struggling to string positive results and get some momentum. Injuries have been one of the key reasons behind their inability to achieve stability during the first half of the campaign. Ange Postecoglou has been dealing with an unprecedented injury crisis at White Hart Lane, and against Nottingham Forest, he suffered another blow with Radu Dragusin being forced off with an ankle issue. The Australian tactician has discussed Spurs injuries and the toll it has taken on the players to deliver performances every three/four days. It has come to a point where he cannot ask anymore from his players , reminding critics as Jamie O’Hara of the dire situation Tottenham find themselves in terms of their whole squad. Thus, Spurs will be hoping to seize upon any potential market opportunities they get in the upcoming 2025 transfer intervals. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that the chiefs at the Hotspur Way could add one or two players who align with the club’s long-term recruitment strategy. Ange Postecoglou was speaking to the media ahead of the crucial game against Wolves on Sunday. He was asked about Spurs’ transfer plans in January and whether the club needs to tweak its recruitment strategy, to which the Australian replied (h/t Football London): “I still think you can be disciplined. It will depend where we’re at when the window opens and we’re getting close to that now, so we’ve got a clearer picture of where we’re at. I still think we have to be disciplined, it’s not just about just bringing anybody in. There’s certainly a need to reinforce if we can. “Everyone knows January’s not an easy time to do that. But the club’s working hard behind the scenes to see what we can do to help players we’ve got at the moment who are giving everything in every game and dipping into every bit of energy they have to try to get us through.” Indeed, doing business in January has historically been tricky, especially now that there have been changes in the formats of the European competitions starting from this season. The games in the Champions League and Europa League have increased, and for clubs who harbour hopes of challenging for multiple competitions or for some who have a limited squad depth, persuading them to sell their players during the winter window will become difficult. Tottenham signed Dragusin from Genoa in January and also agreed a deal with Djurgarden IF for Lucas Bergvall the following month. Likewise, the club officials have to find young talents with potential who can immediately come in and help Big Ange’s side negotiate this challenging period. With the squad stretched beyond limit in certain areas, new players with the right character and profile are required next month. This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday. No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies weren't immediately able to determine what items were stolen. A person who is employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report. Deputies reached out to neighbors in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage. “Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” public information officer Kyla Woods said. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA , Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into Nov. 2 and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. In league memos previously obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” And the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood, according to officials. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.None
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