
Chinese gold mining threatens a protected UN heritage site in Congo
The Motley Fool chief investment officer Scott Phillips has railed against the regulation riddled state of Victoria which had created a “real mess” in recent years after it was ranked the worst business state in Australia. In a report released on Tuesday by the Business Council of Australia, Victoria was ranked the worst in the country overall for settings to do business. The Regulation Rumble 2024 report, which was designed to help businesses navigate opportunities in Australia, examined the planning systems, payroll taxes, property charges and licenses to do business. It is the second year the BCA has undertaken this report, with Victoria ranking the lowest in the 2023 version of the report for regulatory costs and trading. Conversely, in both 2023 and 2024 reports, South Australia ranked first in having the most supportive settings for business. Mr Phillips said Victoria had fallen “all the way to the bottom” having once been one of the best places to do business. The business expert said the red tape planning systems “is not necessary” as the payroll taxes and retail trading hours, as well as property taxes, business licenses and worker’s compensation, were getting in the way of doing business. “We all want good quality regulation to keep people safe, want to make sure things can be done and business is able to be done well because of those regulations,” he told Sky News host Peter Stefanovic. “When it gets in the way of doing business, that's where it becomes a problem.” Mr Phillips said regulations needed to be as “light as possible” to ensure business can be done in a reasonable way, but noted there was a “little bit of industry bias” in terms of the regulation mix. “But obviously a mix does matter. Things like worker's comp, for example, depends on the industry you're in and what you're doing. So that's part of the story,” he said. The Motley Fool investment chief said he “can’t imagine” starting a café or business in Victoria due to the different rules and regulations surrounding food. Although he welcomed regulations surrounding staff pay and rules over “where you can put your chairs”, Mr Phillips said over regulation had become a “real mess” for a lot of businesses, which was reflected in the BCA report. BCA chief executive Bran Black said “cumbersome regulation and taxes” prevented business investment, expansion and impacted economic growth and jobs. "Fundamentally, greater business investment results in improved living standards,” he said. Speaking to Sky News host Laura Jayes, Mr Black said the four key measures the BCA looked in a planning context for its reporting were efficiency, consistency, certainty and transparency, while within a costs and regulation perspective, taxes and licensing were the focus. Despite a Victoria government spokesman saying the state’s economy was “strong”, having “surged by more than 30 per cent” in the past three years, Mr Black said the southern state had “more work to do”. “We know that Victoria's got more work to do with respect to stamp duty. It's got the highest stamp duty rate in the country, land tax,” the BCA boss said. “It's got the third highest land tax rate in the country. “It's got significant business licensing requirements and its payroll tax rate is high.” Mr Black said the point of the report was not about ranking as there was “always more work to do” in encouraging states to be as “competitive as possible” in order to boost the overall economy. “What we are seeing that states apparently we're seeing that companies are making decisions to invest in particular jurisdictions having regard to where they can find the most attractive settings,” he said. “If we can encourage states to be more competitive as between each other, then that encourages the country as a whole to have more competitive settings within jurisdictions. “That means that we can attract investment into Australia that we desperately need.” In a BCA statement, Mr Black said other states and jurisdictions needed to look to South Australia, “destination number one for business”, if they want to be competitive in attracting business investment. “We know that lower taxes, and more efficient regulatory settings increase business growth and productivity — South Australia is leading that charge and will see the benefit of increased investment,” he said. On the contrary, Victoria was “holding back its economy”. In a September speech, Mr Black, who represents some of Australia’s largest businesses and banks, recently said many chief executives “feel we are losing our way”. Speaking to attendees, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Mr Black argued Australia was on track to leave younger generations with a heavy fiscal burden which was exacerbated by budget deficits and public debt. “Nothing we have seen seriously proposed by any side of politics in recent times would significantly alter that projection,” he said, according to The Australian . “We’re past the opportunity for incremental steps, and so the only thing that will matter is bold steps in policy. “We’re steadily increasing, not removing, regulation – making it harder to run a business.”Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States Highlights: LNG Energy Group announces initiatives to increase production at Colombian operations, optimize costs and enhance its liquidity position. LNG Energy Group proposes senior secured convertible debenture financing of up to U.S.$15 million in order to accelerate drilling in Colombia. Before-tax NPV10 for Proved (1P) reserves of U.S.$171 million representing NPV10 of C$1.55 per share in respect of the Colombian assets as at December 31, 2023. 1 Before-tax NPV10 for Proved (1P) reserves of U.S.$261 million representing NPV10 of C$2.37 per share in respect of assets related to CPPs in Venezuela as at April 30, 2024. 2 Existing assets include three drilling rigs and other non-core assets appraised at approximately U.S.$11 million . TORONTO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LNG Energy Group Corp. (TSXV: LNGE) (TSXV: LNGE.WT) (OTCQB: LNGNF) (FWB: E26) (the “ Company ” or “ LNG Energy Group ”) is pleased to announce a private placement of senior secured convertible debentures in the amount of up to U.S.$15 million (“ Private Placement ”) in order to drill two development wells, two to three exploration wells and conduct an active workover and stimulation campaign in Colombia. The Private Placement is undertaken in the context of a broader strategic review process the Company is conducting with the authorization of its Board of Directors, to explore and evaluate a range of potential alternatives for the Company to maximize shareholder value, with the assistance of ECM Capital Advisors, Eight Capital and Haywood Securities Inc. The potential initiatives may include, but are not limited to financings, corporate reorganization, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, divestitures and/or farm-outs, sale, and other forms of business combination. Pablo Navarro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LNG Energy Group commented, “It has been a challenging year. Many issues have arisen with which we are dealing. Changes are being made and solutions are being implemented. Bottom line, the asset base is exceptional, and the future is bright. The turnaround is working, and we will work relentlessly to catapult the trajectory of the Company through a series of strategic initiatives that should ultimately contribute to meeting Colombia’s need for natural gas.” Strategic Initiatives Drilling Campaign Upon a successful Private Placement, farm-out and/or JV Contribution (as defined herein), the Company will commence a drilling and recompletion campaign in Colombia. Chemical Stimulations The Company completed successfully the workover of the BN-1 well consisting of a chemical stimulation that increased the well’s production by approximately 3x, offsetting losses caused by the presence of asphaltenes, fines and residues from drilling fluids. Prior to the stimulation, the well was producing at an average production of approximately 112 Mcf/d with a WHP of 72 psi on a 36/64” choke. Initial results of the stimulation showed an immediate production increase to 822 Mcf/d with a WHP of 328 psi on a 26/64” choke. The well is currently producing 350 Mcf/d with 114 psi in WHP and on a 22/64” choke. The Company intends to apply this technology to several other wells that also experienced a production decline due to the same root causes. Costs Optimization In order to reduce costs, the Company has implemented a corporate reorganization initiative which is expected to result in savings of approximately $1.5 to $2.0 million per annum. The Company continues to review ways to optimize its business and operations, including strategic partnerships with vendors, and rationalization of suppliers, inventory optimization, and adjusting the organizational structure of the Company to the current production context. Capital Strengthening The Company is in the process of farming out a part of its participating interest in the VIM-41 Block located onshore Colombia and pursuing a well development financing (the “ JV Contribution ”) to raise capital to initiate the drilling of the B5 well located onshore Colombia. Furthermore, the Company intends to review options to optimize cash flow available for drilling vis a vis its financial obligations. Secured Convertible Debenture Financing In conjunction with its near-term development plans, the Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital, as lead agent and bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Eight Capital, Haywood Securities Inc. and ECM Capital Advisors, (together, the “ Agents ”) pursuant to which the Company has launched a proposed Private Placement on a “best efforts” agency basis in the aggregate principal amount of up to U.S.$15 million (the “ Offering ”) senior secured convertible debentures (the “ Convertible Debentures ”) to eligible investors. The terms and any applicable conditions precedent for the Convertible Debentures will be defined within the context of the market and should present a competitive opportunity for investors while unlocking shareholder value. Upon closing of the Offering, the Company will pay to the Agents a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. The Company is entitled to a President’s List in the amount of up to U.S.$2 million pursuant to which no fees shall be paid to the Agents. The net proceeds of the Offering will be primarily used for the Company’s next phase of drilling, workover and stimulation activities as well as for general working capital purposes. The Company expects that insiders and current stakeholders will participate in the Offering and, to date, has received interest from potential investors in the Offering. The insiders' participation in the Offering constitutes a “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“ MI 61-101 ”). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities anticipated to be acquired by insiders, nor the consideration for the securities paid by such insiders, exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. As the specific participation of each related party that the Company expects will participate in the Offering has not been confirmed as of the date of this news release, additional information required under MI 61-101 will be provided in the Company’s material change report with respect to the Offering, including a description of the interest of all related parties in the Offering, and where applicable, a description of the effect on the percentage of the securities of the Company held by related parties participating. The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This mews release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States. The Offering is scheduled to close at a date the Company and the Agents deem appropriate and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the execution of an agency agreement and the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including that of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities (and underlying securities) issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Other Initiatives The Board of Directors, in consultation with its legal and business advisors, are actively considering other initiatives to enhance shareholder value. The Company may initiate a share consolidation or other capital reorganizations. Certain of the foregoing initiatives may require approval from the Company’s senior lenders. Existing Asset Base The Company’s current assets consist of the following: (1) Based upon a U.S.$ to C$ exchange rate of 1.00 : 1.41. (2) Calculated by dividing the Before-Tax NPV10 value of the Proved reserves as at December 31, 2023 by 155,534,426 common shares issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2023 and using a U.S.$:C$ exchange rate of $1.41. The per share valuation excludes the value of the Company’s non-oil and gas assets and net indebtedness. (3) Calculated by dividing the Before-Tax NPV10 value of the Proved reserves as at October 29, 2024 by 155,534,426 common shares issued and outstanding as at October 29, 2024 and using a U.S.$:C$ exchange rate of $1.41. Please see the Company’s news release dated November 25, 2024 for more information. The per share valuation excludes the value of the Company’s non-oil and gas assets and net indebtedness. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. About LNG Energy Group The Company is focused on the acquisition and development of natural gas production and exploration assets in Latin America. For more information, please visit www.lngenergygroup.com . For more information please contact: Angel Roa, Chief Financial Officer LNG Energy Group Corp. Website: www.lngenergygroup.com Email: investor.relations@lngenergygroup.com Find us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lng-energy-group-inc/ Instagram: @lngenergygroup X: @LNGEnergyCorp CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance, often using phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends”, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved, are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Specifically, this news release includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements relating to: the Company’s business plans, strategies, priorities and development plans, including the strategic initiatives being considered by the Company and the corporate reorganization and anticipated annual savings therefrom; the application of the stimulation technology used for the BN-1 well workover on other wells of the Company; the anticipated benefits of the completion of various strategic initiatives being considered by the Company; the completion of the JV Contribution and completion of other options to optimize cash flow; the ability of the Company to book additional reserves in the future; the completion of the Offering; receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, in connection with the Offering; the anticipated insider participation in the Offering; and the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering. The Company’s actual decisions, activities, results, performance, or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements and accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do, what benefits that the Company will derive from them. Information and statements relating to reserves are by their nature forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and can be profitably produced in the future. The recovery and reserve estimates of the Company’s reserves provided herein are estimates only, and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements (see the other advisories contained in this news release). Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: the Company's ability to complete the Offering on the terms described herein or at all or to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; and the delay or failure to receive regulatory or other approvals, including any approvals of the TSXV and the Company’s senior lenders, for the Offering; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the Company’s ability to complete any of the proposed strategic initiatives described in this news release on the terms described herein or at all; risks related to commodity prices; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, factors may occur which impede or prevent LNG Energy Group’s future business plans; and other factors beyond the control of LNG Energy Group. The intended use of the proceeds of the Offering by the Company might change if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that it would be in the best interests of LNG Energy Group. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Except as required by law, LNG Energy Group assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CPPs Please see the Company’s news releases dated April 24, 2024 and October 21, 2024 for additional information with respect to the CPPs. There can be no guarantee that the Company or LNG Venezuela shall be able to complete the acquisition terms required by PPSA. The CPPs were executed within the term of General License 44 issued by OFAC. The Company intends to operate in full compliance with the applicable U.S. economic sanctions laws. Advisory Note Regarding Oil and Gas Information The reserves information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with NI 51-101, but only presents a portion of the disclosure required thereunder. Complete reserves disclosure required in accordance with NI 51-101 in respect of the Company’s Colombian assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 is available in the AIF. Complete reserves disclosure required in accordance with NI 51-101 in respect of the Company’s Venezuelan assets will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca concurrently with or before the filing of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Actual oil and natural gas reserves and future production may be greater than or less than the estimates provided in this news release. There is no assurance that forecast prices and costs assumed in the reserves reports referred to in this news release and presented in this news release, will be attained and variances from such forecast prices and costs could be material. The estimated future net revenue from the production of the disclosed oil and natural gas reserves in this news release does not represent the fair market value of these reserves. The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil, reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth above are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil and natural gas reserves and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For those reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The Company’s actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material. All evaluations and reviews of future net revenue are stated prior to any provisions for interest costs or general and administrative costs and after the deduction of estimated future capital expenditures for wells to which reserves have been assigned. The tax calculations used in the preparation of the reserves reports referred to in this news release are done at the field level in accordance with standard practice, and do not reflect the actual tax position at the corporate level which may be significantly different. “ Proved ” reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves. There is a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of proved reserves. Light crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 31.1 degrees API gravity, medium crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 22.3 degrees API gravity and less than or equal to 31.1 degrees API gravity, and heavy crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 10 degrees API gravity and less than or equal to 22.3 degrees API gravity. 1 Reserves included herein are stated on a company gross basis (working interest before deduction of royalties without including any royalty interests). Information presented herein in respect of reserves and related information in respect of the Company’s Colombian assets is based on the Company’s independent reserves evaluation for the year ended December 31, 2023 prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, details of which were provided in the Company’s annual information form dated May 31, 2024 for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “ AIF ”). 2 Reserves included herein are stated on a company gross basis (working interest before deduction of royalties without including any royalty interests). Information presented herein in respect of reserves and related information in respect of the Company’s Venezuela assets is based on the Company’s independent reserves evaluation dated October 28, 2024, with an effective date of April 30, 2024 prepared by Petrotech Engineering Ltd., details of which were provided in our press release issued on November 25, 2024.Intel CEO steps down as chipmaker falters, lays off staffCalifornia to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
Robert Stewart used his Jefferson Health online patient portal to discuss ways to manage his diabetes with his doctors. Shortly after, his Facebook feed was full of ads for Ozempic and other medications to treat the condition.A North Vancouver man has been charged on multiple counts after a bizarre stabbing incident in California. Devin Wolfgang Vandorhoef, 25, is in police custody after he was arrested by detectives with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 25. At around 10 p.m. that evening, police received multiple 911 calls that a person had been stabbed in a residential neighbourhood of Salinas, a small city 30-minutes by car from Monterey, Calif. Upon arriving at the scene, police said they found three people with stabbing injuries. All were sent to hospital with minor to critical injuries and are expected to survive. Monterey County Sheriff Detectives said they learned that Vandorhoef and a female victim had previously met and gotten to know each other via a gaming platform. “Vandorhoef developed a year’s long obsession with the victim which led to him flying to California from Canada where he resides,” reads a statement from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Police added that Vandorhoef was accompanied by Darius Avery Whyte, 25, who is also Canadian. Whyte has also been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. “On the date of the stabbing, Vandorhoef arrived at a residence on Bollenbacher Drive and knocked on the door while holding a package. He identified himself as a delivery driver,” police said. “Our victim’s boyfriend opened the door and Vandorhoef forced his way in and began stabbing the boyfriend with a knife resulting in multiple critical injuries. “The female grabbed a sharp metal object and began defending her boyfriend. While fighting back, the female victim was strangled and stabbed by our suspect sustaining moderate injuries. During the struggle, the suspect sustained multiple critical stab wounds,” police said. Detectives said they discovered that the package Vandorhoef was carrying when he arrived contained handcuffs, duct tape and knives. “It is unknown how these items were intended on being used,” the sheriff’s office said. According to the Monterey County in-custody log, Vandorhoef has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, mayhem, stalking and burglary. His bail is set at US$2.3 million (C$3.2 million). Local broadcaster KBSW Action News 8 that Vandorhoef and Whyte pleaded not guilty in court on Monday. The co-accused are due to appear in court again Dec. 10.
By James Royal, Ph.D., Bankrate.com Cryptocurrencies are enormously volatile, but that volatility can create opportunities for profit if you’re looking to trade these digital assets. Cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have risen a lot since their debut — but they’ve also experienced tremendous boom-bust cycles along the way. Experienced traders have been speculating on cryptocurrencies for years, but how can you get started if you’re new to the crypto market? Here’s how to start investing in cryptocurrency and the significant risks you need to watch out for. First things first, if you’re looking to invest in crypto, you need to have all your finances in order. That means having an emergency fund in place, a manageable level of debt and ideally a diversified portfolio of investments . Your crypto investments can become one more part of your portfolio, one that helps raise your total returns, hopefully. Pay attention to these five other things as you’re starting to invest in cryptocurrencies. As you would for any investment, understand exactly what you’re investing in. If you’re buying stocks, it’s important to read the annual report and other SEC filings to analyze the companies thoroughly. Plan to do the same with any cryptocurrencies , since there are literally thousands of them, they all function differently and new ones are being created every day. You need to understand the investment case for each trade. In the case of many cryptocurrencies , they’re backed by nothing at all, neither hard assets nor cash flow of an underlying entity. That’s the case for Bitcoin , for example, where investors rely exclusively on someone paying more for the asset than they paid for it. In other words, unlike stock, where a company can grow its profits and drive returns for you that way, many crypto assets must rely on the market becoming more optimistic and bullish for you to profit. Some of the most popular coins include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana , Dogecoin and Tether (a stablecoin) . So before investing, understand the potential upside and downside. If your financial investment is not backed by an asset or cash flow, it could end up being worth nothing. A mistake that many new investors make is looking at the past and extrapolating that to the future. Yes, Bitcoin used to be worth pennies, but now is worth much more . The key question, however, is “Will that growth continue into the future, even if it’s not at quite that meteoric rate?” Investors look to the future, not to what an asset has done in the past. What will drive future returns? Traders buying a cryptocurrency today need tomorrow’s gains, not yesterday’s. The prices of cryptocurrencies are about as volatile as an asset can get. They could drop quickly in seconds on nothing more than a rumor that ends up proving baseless. That can be great for sophisticated investors who can execute trades rapidly or who have a solid grasp on the market’s fundamentals, how the market is trending and where it could go. For new investors without these skills — or the high-powered algorithms that direct these trades — it’s a minefield. Volatility is a game for high-powered Wall Street traders, each of whom is trying to outgun other deep-pocketed investors. A new investor can easily get crushed by the volatility. That’s because volatility shakes out traders, especially beginners, who get scared. Meanwhile, other traders may step in and buy on the cheap. In short, volatility can help sophisticated traders “buy low and sell high” while inexperienced investors “buy high and sell low.” If you’re trading any asset on a short-term basis, you need to manage your risk , and that can be especially true with volatile assets such as cryptocurrency. So as a newer trader, you’ll need to understand how best to manage risk and develop a process that helps you mitigate losses. And that process can vary from individual to individual: Newer traders should consider setting aside a certain amount of trading money and then using only a portion of it, at least at first. If a position moves against them, they’ll still have money in reserve to trade with later. The ultimate point is that you can’t trade if you don’t have any money. So keeping some cash in reserve means you’ll always have a bankroll to fund your trading. It’s important to manage risk, but that will come at an emotional cost. Selling a losing position hurts, but doing so can help you avoid worse losses later. Finally, it’s important to avoid putting money that you need into speculative assets. If you can’t afford to lose it — all of it — you can’t afford to put it into risky assets such as cryptocurrency, or other speculative assets, for that matter. Whether it’s a down payment for a house or an important upcoming purchase, money that you need in the next few years should be kept in safe accounts so that it’s there when you need it. And if you’re looking for an absolutely sure return, your best option is to pay off high-interest debt. You’re guaranteed to earn (or save) whatever interest rate you’re paying on the debt. You can’t lose there. Finally, don’t overlook the security of any exchange or broker you’re using. You may own the assets legally, but someone still has to secure them, and their security needs to be tight. If they don’t think their cryptocurrency is properly secured, some traders choose to invest in a crypto wallet to hold their coins offline so they’re inaccessible to hackers or others. Remember that investing in cryptocurrency can be part of a broader investment strategy, but shouldn’t be your only one. While investing directly in cryptocurrency is popular, traders have other ways to get into the crypto game, some more directly than others. These include: Each of these methods varies in its riskiness and exposure to cryptocurrency, so you’ll want to understand exactly what you’re buying and whether it fits your needs. In theory it takes only a few dollars to invest in cryptocurrency. Most crypto exchanges, for example, have a minimum trade that might be $5 or $10. Other crypto trading apps might have a minimum that’s even lower. However, it’s important to understand that some trading platforms will take a huge chunk of your investment as a fee if you’re trading small amounts of cryptocurrency. So it’s important to look for a broker or exchange that minimizes your fees. In fact, many so-called “free” brokers embed fees — called spread mark-ups — in the price you pay for your cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is based on blockchain technology . Blockchain is a kind of database that records and timestamps every entry into it. The best way to think of a blockchain is like a running receipt of transactions. When a blockchain database powers cryptocurrency, it records and verifies transactions in the currency, verifying the currency’s movements and who owns it. Many crypto blockchain databases are run with decentralized computer networks. That is, many redundant computers operate the database, checking and rechecking the transactions to ensure that they’re accurate. If there’s a discrepancy, the networked computers have to resolve it. Some cryptocurrencies reward those who verify the transactions on the blockchain database in a process called mining. For example, miners involved with Bitcoin solve very complex mathematical problems as part of the verification process. If they’re successful, miners receive a predetermined award of Bitcoins. To mine Bitcoins , miners need powerful processing units that consume huge amounts of energy. Many miners operate gigantic rooms full of such mining rigs in order to extract these rewards. As of October 2024, running the Bitcoin system burned as much energy per year as the country of Poland. If you’re looking to invest in Bitcoin, you have a variety of ways to do so, and you can work with a number of companies, including: If you’re looking to buy Bitcoin, pay particular attention to the fees that you’re paying. Here are other key things to watch out for as you’re buying Bitcoin . An altcoin is an alternative to Bitcoin. Many years ago, traders would use the term pejoratively. Since Bitcoin was the largest and most popular cryptocurrency, everything else was defined in relation to it. So, whatever was not Bitcoin was lumped into a catch-all category called altcoins . While Bitcoin is still the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization by far, it’s no longer the only game in town. Other altcoins such as Ethereum and Solana have grown in popularity, making the term altcoin somewhat outmoded. Now with a reported 15,000 or more cryptocurrencies in existence, it makes less sense than ever to define the industry as “Bitcoin and then everything else.” Cryptocurrency is a highly speculative area of the market, and many smart investors have decided to put their money elsewhere. For beginners who want to get started trading crypto, however, the best advice is to start small and only use money that you can afford to lose. Bankrate’s Brian Baker contributed to an update of this story. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.VIDEO: Silvertips down Vancover Giants
Pep Guardiola has pledged to step aside if he fails to turn around Manchester City’s poor run of form. The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”
Virtual Currency Market Look a Witness of Excellent Long-Term Growth - Worldwide Survey by 2030 12-09-2024 08:52 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP The latest study released on the global 'Virtual Currency' market by AMA Research evaluates market size, trend, and forecast to 2030. The 'Virtual Currency' market study covers significant research data and proofs to be a handy resource document for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people to have ready-to-access and self-analyzed study to help understand market trends, growth drivers, opportunities and upcoming challenges and about the competitors. Get free access to Sample Report in PDF Version along with Graphs and Figures @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/89878-global-virtual-currency-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Some of the key players profiled in the study are: Bitmain (China), NVIDIA (United States), Xilinx (United States), Intel (United States), Advanced Micro Devices (United States), Ripple Labs (United States), Ethereum Foundation (Switzerland),, Bitfury Group (Netherlands), Coinbase (United States), BitGo (United States), Virtual currency or money is unregulated digital money which is printed on a paper or engraved on metal. This virtual currency is allotted and organized by the developers and used by specific virtual communities. Virtual currency exists in the virtual world, these currencies are used to purchase real-world services and goods, but do not have a valid tender. Virtual currency is also called as digital cash. This currency includes some cryptographic calculation. In addition, these offer a convenient way to perform transitions without the involvement of banks and provide worldwide financial integration. Increase in production of malicious software and recognition of virtual currencies by the developed countries drive the market. In February 2018, AMD launched the EPYC Embedded 3000 series processor and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 processor that deliver high performance, exceptional integration, and on-chip security. In December 2017, NVIDIA introduced TITAN V, the worldâ€TMs most powerful GPU for PC, driven by the worldâ€TMs most advanced GPU architecture, NVIDIA Volta. TITAN V excels at computational processing for scientific simulation. Its 21.1 billion transistors deliver 110 teraflops of raw horsepower, 9 times that of its predecessor, and extreme energy efficiency. Keep yourself up-to-date with latest market trends and changing dynamics due to COVID Impact and Economic Slowdown globally. Maintain a competitive edge by sizing up with available business opportunity in Virtual Currency Market various segments and emerging territory. Influencing Market Trend •Increasing Adoption of Gamification and Social Media •Increasing Adoption of Virtual Currency for the Payment Market Drivers •Transparency of Distributed Ledger Technology •Acceptance of Different Economies Globally •Recognition of Virtual Currencies by the Developed Nations •Fluctuations in Monetary Regulations •Growth in Venture Capital Investments Opportunities: •Significant Growth Opportunities in Emerging and Developed Markets •Acceptance of Virtual Currency across Various Industries Challenges: •Concern Regarding Security, Privacy, and Control •Technical Challenges Pertaining to Scalability Analysis by Type (Bitcoin, Peercoin, Primecoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Dash), Application (Trading, Remittance, Payment), Software Type (Mining Platform, Blockchain, Coin Wallet, Exchange), Process Type (Mining, Transaction), Hardware Type (Asic, Gpu, FPGA, Wallet) Have Any Questions Regarding Global Virtual Currency Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/89878-global-virtual-currency-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul The regional analysis of Global Virtual Currency Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading region across the world. Whereas, owing to rising no. of research activities in countries such as China, India, and Japan, Asia Pacific region is also expected to exhibit higher growth rate the forecast period 2024-2030. In July 2014, the New York State Department of Financial Services proposed the most comprehensive regulation of virtual currencies to date commonly referred to as a Bit License. Unlike the US federal regulators, it has gathered input from bitcoin supporters and the financial industry through public hearings and a comment period until October 21, 2014, to customize the rules. The proposal, per NY DFS press release “sought to strike an appropriate balance that helps protect consumers and root out illegal activityâ€. It has been criticized by smaller companies to favor established institutions, and Chinese bitcoin exchanges have complained that the rules are "overly broad in its application outside the United States" Table of Content Chapter One: Industry Overview Chapter Two: Major Segmentation (Classification, Application and etc.) Analysis Chapter Three: Production Market Analysis Chapter Four: Sales Market Analysis Chapter Five: Consumption Market Analysis Chapter Six: Production, Sales and Consumption Market Comparison Analysis Chapter Seven: Major Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Analysis Chapter Eight: Competition Analysis by Players Chapter Nine: Marketing Channel Analysis Chapter Ten: New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis Chapter Eleven: Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter Twelve: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Read Executive Summary and Detailed Index of full Research Study @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/89878-global-virtual-currency-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Highlights of the Report • The future prospects of the global Virtual Currency market during the forecast period 2024-2030 are given in the report. • The major developmental strategies integrated by the leading players to sustain a competitive market position in the market are included in the report. • The emerging technologies that are driving the growth of the market are highlighted in the report. • The market value of the segments that are leading the market and the sub-segments are mentioned in the report. • The report studies the leading manufacturers and other players entering the global Virtual Currency market. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA - 08837 Phone: +1(201) 7937323, +1(201) 7937193 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com About Author: AMA Research & Media is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. This release was published on openPR.
To create a podcast that truly reflects Africa , you need to understand its vibrant cultures, languages, and stories. This article offers key advice for anyone interested in starting an African-inspired podcast. From developing content to connecting with your audience, these tips will help you create a podcast that not only entertains but also educates and inspires listeners about the richness of African heritage. Understand the cultural diversity Africa is not a monolith; it's a vibrant tapestry of over 54 countries, thousands of languages, and distinct cultures. Crafting an African-inspired podcast means diving deep into the specific cultures or regions you're highlighting. Invest time in understanding historical contexts, societal norms, and the pulse of contemporary issues. This way, your content will not only resonate with Africans but also with global listeners who seek genuine African narratives. Engage with local storytellers One surefire way to infuse authenticity into your podcast is by collaborating directly with local storytellers, artists, and experts. These individuals possess a wealth of unique insights and narratives that can't be replicated through secondary research. Working with locals not only enhances your content but also fosters a sense of community by supporting and amplifying African voices. Ensure you treat them as equals, respect their knowledge, and pay them well. Utilize African music wisely Music is a powerful storytelling tool, particularly in African-inspired podcasts, where it holds a central role in many cultures. Leverage local music to establish the tone of your episodes or reinforce themes. However, be conscious of copyright laws; ensure you have permission for any music you use. This practice not only prevents legal complications but also honors the work of the artists you feature, demonstrating respect for their contributions. Focus on quality production The production quality of your podcast is a significant factor in its success. Invest in quality recording equipment. Clear sound quality is fundamental. If you can afford it, hire professionals for editing. They can adjust sound levels, eliminate background noises, and incorporate effects that significantly enhance the listening experience. High production values convey professionalism and commitment to your audience. Promote across multiple platforms Advertise your podcast on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . Make sure to target individuals who have an interest in African content. Leverage SEO on YouTube for increased visibility. Interact with the African diaspora through forums or events. By utilizing multiple platforms, you can effectively expand your audience reach.
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