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Walmart's Mexico subsidiary plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for alleged monopolistic practicesBERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk's guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag —a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country," Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country's condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel , has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party's public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper's own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk's social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote. A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk's piece was "very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.Reds urged to gift new manager with $71 million slugger in free agency | Sporting News
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding to Saudi Arabia this week, with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy’s dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with and also picking up awards Thursday.) The country’s General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix’s platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it’s not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry’s evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.” Baraa Anwer, The Associated PressBears being cautious after Joe Burrow's home broken into during 'MNF'
VANCOUVER, BC , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") LUCA LUCMF (Frankfurt: Z68) announces that it has granted an aggregate of 850,000 incentive stock options ("Options") to our recently hired V.P. Exploration and two other members of our new exploration team in accordance with Luca's omnibus equity incentive plan. The options vest over a period of three years and are exercisable at a price of $0.54 , expiring five years from the date of their issuance. The grant of the Options is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. About Luca Mining Corp. Luca Mining LUCA LUCMF Frankfurt: Z68)) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico . The Company produces gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead from these mines with each having considerable development and resource upside. The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State , a prolific mining region in Mexico . It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimisation program which is generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflow. The Tahuehueto gold-silver mine is a new underground operation in Durango State, Mexico . The Company has completed the installation of major equipment and is commissioning its mill capacity to 1,000 tonnes per day, with key test work and production ramp-up underway, to achieve full production. On Behalf of the Board of Directors (signed) "Dan Barnholden" Dan Barnholden , Chief Executive Officer For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luca-announces-stock-option-grant-302320026.html SOURCE Luca Mining Corp. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Man-Made Sausage Casing Market to Grow by USD 791.65 Million (2024-2028), Driven by Processed Meat Demand and AI-Driven Market Transformation - Technavio
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) is proud to announce the launch of its new digital banking experience, designed to deliver a smart, secure, and personalized experience to its global membership. This evolution in digital banking reflects SDFCU's commitment to serving members with unparalleled effectiveness. By listening to member needs and investing in cutting-edge technology, SDFCU is providing a platform that empowers members to manage their finances with ease and confidence, no matter where they are in the world. "Our new digital banking platform is a testament to our member-centric approach," said Jim Hayes, CEO of SDFCU. "We are confident that this platform will empower our members to manage their finances with greater ease, security, and confidence, allowing them to focus on what matters most." The new digital banking platform offers a range of features designed to enhance the member experience, including: streamlined account management via a customizable dashboard, industry-leading security measures including multi-factor authentication and advanced fraud detection, easy user-to-user and worldwide money transfers, proactive credit monitoring, digital card issuance, financial wellness tools, and more. "We are thrilled to introduce our new digital banking platform, which represents our continued commitment to providing exceptional member service," said Rachel Rust, Chief Experience Officer of SDFCU. "This platform is more than just technology; it's a reflection of our dedication to understanding and meeting the unique needs of our diverse membership." SDFCU is committed to providing its members with the tools and resources they need to achieve their financial goals. The new digital banking platform is a key part of this commitment, offering an intuitive and personalized banking experience for members around the world. About State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU): SDFCU is a member-owned full-service financial institution that is committed to serving its nearly 90,000 members worldwide. With $2.8 Billion in assets, SDFCU offers a full range of financial products and services that address the diverse and global needs of its members. SDFCU is headquartered in Old Town Alexandria, VA with 6 branch locations. Learn more about SDFCU at www.sdfcu.org . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-department-federal-credit-union-sdfcu-launches-new-digital-banking-platform-302336434.html SOURCE SDFCU
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) announced today that Scott Schenkel has been appointed as Expedia Group’s Chief Financial Officer, effective the day after Expedia Group files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (which is expected to be on or about February 7, 2025). As previously announced, Julie Whalen will remain in the CFO role through February to ensure a smooth transition. As CFO, Mr. Schenkel will be responsible for leading Expedia Group’s global finance organization and will be based in Seattle, reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ariane Gorin. Mr. Schenkel has more than 30 years of global business and financial leadership expertise across e-commerce, healthcare, and technology businesses. As an operationally focused CFO, his experience spans company, business unit and functional leadership with extensive knowledge in financial planning, analytics, strategy, audit, mergers and acquisitions, integration, and process improvement. “Scott joins Expedia Group with extensive financial leadership experience across global businesses, particularly in e-commerce,” said Ariane Gorin, Chief Executive Officer, Expedia Group. “His expertise, operational acumen, and strategic insight will be instrumental as we strengthen our position as a global leader in travel. I look forward to working with Scott to drive our strategic goals forward. I also want to thank Julie for her significant contributions and dedication during her tenure as CFO, as well as for ensuring a smooth transition to Scott.” “I’m honored to join Expedia Group and excited about the opportunity to contribute to such an innovative and dynamic company,” said Scott Schenkel. “I look forward to collaborating with Ariane and the team to drive financial excellence and support the company’s mission of powering global travel experiences.” About Scott Schenkel Mr. Schenkel most recently served as the Interim CEO of eBay Inc. from September 2019 through April 2020 and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2019. Prior to the eBay CFO role, he spent six years as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of eBay Marketplace, having originally joined eBay in 2007 as Vice President of Global Financial Planning and Analytics. Prior to eBay, Mr. Schenkel spent nearly 17 years at General Electric Company in a variety of financial leadership roles. About Expedia Group Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group’s three flagship consumer brands include: Expedia®, Hotels.com ®, and Vrbo®. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding Expedia Group’s CFO transition. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "continue," "expect," "future," "position," "strategy," "will," and variations of such words and similar phrases. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for our last fiscal year and any subsequent filings. Expedia Group assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable law. Please refer to Expedia Group’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. For more information, visit www.expediagroup.com . Follow us on X @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn. © 2024 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219878769/en/ press@expedia.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION LODGING ONLINE RETAIL DESTINATIONS TECHNOLOGY VACATION TRAVEL ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RETAIL INTERNET OTHER TRAVEL SOURCE: Expedia Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:10 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:10 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219878769/enCloudflare Announces Date of Investor Day 2025
Shares of ArcBest Co. ( NASDAQ:ARCB – Get Free Report ) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $92.32 and last traded at $92.37, with a volume of 43768 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $94.11. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on ARCB shares. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of ArcBest from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of ArcBest from $175.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 4th. TD Cowen downgraded ArcBest from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $131.00 to $114.00 in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Citigroup raised their price target on ArcBest from $110.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com raised ArcBest from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $124.50. Get Our Latest Report on ArcBest ArcBest Stock Performance ArcBest ( NASDAQ:ARCB – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 1st. The transportation company reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.84 by ($0.20). The business had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. ArcBest had a return on equity of 14.27% and a net margin of 4.54%. ArcBest’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.31 EPS. Analysts forecast that ArcBest Co. will post 6.06 earnings per share for the current year. ArcBest Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 13th were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 13th. ArcBest’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.93%. Insider Activity at ArcBest In other news, Director Craig E. Philip sold 3,900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.91, for a total transaction of $428,649.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 23,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,555,407.50. The trade was a 14.36 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, SVP Michael E. Newcity sold 10,443 shares of ArcBest stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.60, for a total transaction of $1,259,425.80. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 5,051 shares in the company, valued at $609,150.60. This represents a 67.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Corporate insiders own 1.65% of the company’s stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On ArcBest Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in ArcBest by 4.9% in the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 5,149 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $551,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of ArcBest by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 24,398 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,613,000 after buying an additional 1,738 shares in the last quarter. Versor Investments LP bought a new position in shares of ArcBest during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $447,000. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust acquired a new stake in ArcBest in the 2nd quarter valued at $5,630,000. Finally, Emerald Advisers LLC bought a new stake in ArcBest in the second quarter valued at $6,812,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.27% of the company’s stock. About ArcBest ( Get Free Report ) ArcBest Corporation, an integrated logistics company, engages in the provision of ground, air, and ocean transportation solutions. It operates through two segments: Asset-Based and Asset-Light. The Asset-Based segment provides less-than-truckload (LTL) services, that transports general commodities, such as food, textiles, apparel, furniture, appliances, chemicals, non-bulk petroleum products, rubber, plastics, metal and metal products, wood, glass, automotive parts, machinery, and miscellaneous manufactured products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ArcBest Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ArcBest and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Why I’m keeping my 2004 beater with 315,000 milesLuanda — The raising of the levels of bilateral cooperation between Angola and the United States emerges as the greatest trophy expected for Angolan diplomacy, with the unprecedented official visit, this month, of President Joe Biden to the country. Three decades after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two states are preparing to materialize, from December 2 to 4, the first visit by a US President to Angolan territory, since Independence, in 1975. It is also the first trip to the African continent by a Head of State of the world's greatest power in the last 10 years, after Barack Obama in 2013. As part of the trip, the two countries will certainly take the opportunity to strengthen political-diplomatic and commercial relations, 31 years after the recognition of the Angolan authorities by the United States. The 31 years of diplomatic relations are marked by a partnership in clear progress, which began to consolidate in 2017, particularly in key areas such as renewable energy and telecommunications. As a result of Angola's strong commitment to economic diplomacy, the United States has increasingly become involved in substantial investments aimed at its growth and development. Signs of these significant advances in massive investment projects come from examples such as the Artemis Accords, signed in November 2023, to promote a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. With this initiative, the US Treasury Department wants to support Angola in the fight to reduce its debt vulnerabilities, through technical assistance, in an action that has already allowed the Angolan Government to reprogram its domestic liabilities and reduce the costs of default interest. In May of this year, the two countries signed, as part of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, the final agreements to finance three major projects of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), with emphasis on the emblematic Lobito Corridor. Totaling more than $1.3 billion, the agreed financing covers clean energy generation, radio connectivity, and transportation infrastructure, as a demonstration of the U.S. Government's continued commitment to supporting and accelerating Angola's economic investment priorities. The infrastructure projects represent the largest U.S.-backed PGI funding package for any country since the initiative's launch and is expected to create Angolan and American jobs. One of the strengths of the US President's initiative is the development of infrastructure throughout the Lobito Corridor, an important route that connects landlocked countries such as the DRC and Zambia to the Atlantic Ocean. The Lobito Corridor offers potential for the creation of infrastructure that will better integrate the DRC, Zambia and Angola into regional and global markets, develop green energy supply chains and investment in agriculture, telecommunications and other sectors in underdeveloped regions. In addition to this initiative, the U.S. Government is carrying out a series of other investments, such as 'Prosper Africa', which deepen its economic engagement with Angola. Under Prosper Africa, the U.S. government is facilitating billions of dollars in deals with the African private sector, in general, and Angolan, in particular. Bilateral cooperation also extends to the transport sector, which has made significant progress, with funding of US$250 million to remodel the 1,300 kilometres of the Lobito Atlantic Railway railway line. Also in this area, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2023 for the construction of the new 800-kilometre railway line between Angola and neighbouring Zambia. In the field of air transport, and as a result of the growing trade relations between Angola and the US, Boeing and Angolan carrier TAAG announced an agreement for the purchase of 10 new 787 aircraft, valued at US$3.6 billion. To build on its planned Public-Private Partnership Unit for transport infrastructure, Angola's Ministry of Transport and USAID signed an agreement for nearly $1 million in funding. The support will allow the sector to replicate the successful and transparent concession of the Lobito Railway for additional investments in Railways and Ports. On the financing side, the highlight is the provision of US$900 million by EXIM, for Sun Africa's solar projects, and US$363 million for the construction of 186 prefabricated bridges of the Acrow Bridge, whose objective is to support critical infrastructure and guarantee thousands of jobs for Angolans and Americans. Over the past two years, the Biden Administration has also prioritized global food security by increasing agricultural trade. The U.S. has partnered with Angola to increase food security and climate resilience by building capacity and expanding investment in support of Angola's agricultural development and economic diversification goals. To that end, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead the first agribusiness trade mission with more than 60 individuals, representing agricultural businesses and organizations. This commitment led USAID to provide US$13.3 million between 2022 and 2023 in emergency assistance to three provinces in southern Angola affected by drought. The program screened more than 500,000 children with acute malnutrition and treated 121,000 others with moderate and severe malnutrition. With the deployment of $5 million from the Action Fund for Gender Equality and Equality, USAID will support agricultural development along the Lobito Corridor, focusing on connecting women smallholder farmers to value chains that will use the rail line as a critical component of the project's sustainability. With the physical infrastructure, the U.S. is also investing in Angola's digital architecture, supporting reliable telecommunications networks that will benefit the Angolan people and improve the country's digital connectivity to the global economy, according to the U.S. government. In this regard, EXIM Bank approved a final commitment worth US$42 million to support the export, by Gates Air, of FM transmitters, training towers and other equipment and services to Rádio Nacional de Angola (RNA), within the framework of the 'Radio Signal Expansion and Studio Modernization Project'. The EXIM Bank authorization is intended for the first phase of the project which, once completed, will increase the Angolan Government's ability to communicate by radio with about 95% of the country's population. In another regard, the United States supports Angola's efforts to fight corruption, increase accountability, promote democratic governance, and support the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, association, and religion or belief. The U.S. government continues to support Angola's commitment to democratic reforms, including expanding the role of civil society and religious organizations in democratic elections and local decision-making. To that end, the U.S. Embassy in Angola has launched a program to promote the rule of law by strengthening judicial independence, raising citizens' awareness of their legal rights, and building the capacity of the courts. The diplomatic representation also supports various grants to strengthen press freedom. Similarly, USAID and the Department of State are working with the National Bank of Angola to support the country's efforts and substantially improve its Transparency International rating. The programming will increase the transparency of public finances and strengthen the capacity of oversight institutions in support of Angola's commitments as a new implementer country of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Since 2019, the Department of the Treasury has provided technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of Angolan institutions to identify, detect, and prosecute money laundering, terrorist financing, and other crimes in support of Angola's economic reforms. FMA/ART/IZ/DOJDuring his first presidency and in his campaign leading up to the 2024 election, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to crack down on illegal immigration. As president-elect, Trump posted on Truth Social on Nov. 18 confirming his plans to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Trump commented “TRUE!!!” with a repost of a Truth Social post from Tom Fitton, who runs the conservative group Judicial Watch . Fitton’s post reads, “GOOD NEWS: Reports are incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Several VERIFY readers, including Debbie, Jacq and Matty, asked us whether Trump can use the military to carry out mass deportations. THE QUESTION Can the president use the military to carry out mass deportations? THE SOURCES David Bier , director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute Peter Margulies , law professor at Roger Williams University Elizabeth Goitein , senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty & National Security Program Brennan Center for Justice President Joe Biden’s Executive Order #14097 Department of Homeland Security The Posse Comitatus Act U.S. Section 502(f) National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 Lawfare , a nonprofit organization THE ANSWER Yes, it's legal for the president to use the military to help carry out mass deportations and other immigration enforcement actions. The National Guard, with approval from a state's governor, can detain individuals, but the other branches of the military can offer mostly logistical support. WHAT WE FOUND A president has the executive power to deploy the military to assist with immigration enforcement, but there are legal limits on the role the military can play. The Posse Comitatus Act, a 143-year-old law, prohibits the president from using active-duty, full-time service members, such as soldiers or Marines, as a police force, according to the Brennan Center for Justice . That means federal military branches like the U.S. Army or Air Force can’t perform tasks such as detaining individuals or making arrests on U.S. soil, even under a national emergency declaration. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, explained that active-duty service members, barred from acting like police under Posse Comitatus, would likely focus on non-law enforcement tasks. That could include building infrastructure, like temporary detention facilities, transporting detainees and providing armed backup for domestic law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act, however, does not apply to the National Guard, Peter Margulies, a law professor at Roger Williams University, told VERIFY. “The National Guard is a state militia and can be called out by the president with the cooperation of the state governors, and so you could have the National Guard from, let's say, Texas, be used for apprehension. That would not create Posse Comitatus issues,” Margulies said. Trump's post on Truth Social mentioned declaring a national emergency, but the president can request National Guard assistance or federal military assistance with or without declaring a national emergency , according to Chris Mirasola, a contributor for non-profit Lawfare. The Brennan Center for Justice explains that declaring a national emergency grants a president with swift authority during times of crises without waiting for Congressional approval, including diverting federal funds or resources. Both Bier and Margulies told VERIFY Trump's deportation agenda would likely face significant legal challenges and be subject to congressional oversight. And if he declares a national emergency, Congress has the ability to eventually terminate that declaration , but it would require passing a law with a veto-proof supermajority, “which is increasingly difficult in our polarized political environment,” Goitein told VERIFY. Military involvement in immigration enforcement is not unprecedented. In 2019, then-President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect military funds to construct the U.S.-Mexico border wall. More recently, President Joe Biden used a national emergency declaration to deploy the National Guard to the southern border to assist with processing and facility operations tied to drug enforcement. According to Google Trends data , online searches about mass deportation have spiked, with some appearing to link the military's involvement to martial law. Martial law involves the suspension of ordinary law and government functions, with military authorities assuming control. Margulies said even if Trump uses the military in his administration’s deportation efforts, it would not equate to declaring martial law. Margulies explained that martial law hasn’t been used since the Civil War and is “profoundly unlikely” to happen as part of Trump’s proposed initiative because he doesn’t need martial law to execute his deportation plans. Related Articles What we can VERIFY about Trump’s plan to close the U.S. Department of Education Yes, president-elect Donald Trump is legally required to sign an ethics agreement No, the president cannot change Social Security The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . 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The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders is urging Apple to remove its newly introduced artificial intelligence feature that summarizes news stories after it produced a false headline from the BBC. The backlash comes after a push notification created by Apple Intelligence and sent to users last week falsely summarized a BBC report that Luigi Mangione, the suspect behind the killing of the UnitedHealthcare chief executive, had shot himself. The BBC reported it had contacted Apple about the feature “to raise this concern and fix the problem,” but it could not confirm if the iPhone maker had responded to its complaint. On Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders technology and journalism desk chief Vincent Berthier called on Apple “to act responsibly by removing this feature.” “A.I.s are probability machines, and facts can’t be decided by a roll of the dice,” Berthier said in a statement . “The automated production of false information attributed to a media outlet is a blow to the outlet’s credibility and a danger to the public’s right to reliable information on current affairs.” More broadly, the journalist body said it is “very concerned about the risks posed to media outlets by new A.I. tools, noting that the incident emphasizes how A.I. remains “too immature to produce reliable information for the public, and should not be allowed on the market for such uses.” “The probabilistic way in which A.I. systems operate automatically disqualifies them as a reliable technology for news media that can be used in solutions aimed at the general public,” RSF said in a statement. In response to the concerns, the BBC said in a statement, “it is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.” Apple did not respond to a request for comment. Apple introduced its generative-AI tool in the US in June , touting the feature’s ability to summarize specific content “in the form of a digestible paragraph, bulleted key points, a table, or a list.” To streamline news media diets, Apple allows users across its iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to group notifications, producing a list of news items in a single push alert. Since the AI feature was launched to the public in late October, users have shared that it also erroneously summarized a New York Times story , claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested. In reality, the International Criminal Court had published a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest, but readers scrolling their home screens only saw two words: “Netanyahu arrested.” The challenge with the Apple Intelligence incident stems from news outlets’ lack of agency. While some publishers have opted to use AI to assist in authoring articles, the decision is theirs. But Apple Intelligence’s summaries, which are opt-in by the user, still present the synopses under the publisher’s banner. In addition to circulating potentially dangerous misinformation, the errors also risk damaging outlets’ credibility. Apple’s AI troubles are only the latest as news publishers struggle to navigate seismic changes wrought by the budding technology. Since ChatGPT’s launch just over two years ago, several tech giants have launched their own large-language models, many of which have been accused of training their chatbots using copyrighted content, including news reports. While some outlets, including The New York Times, have filed lawsuits over the technology’s alleged scaping of content, others — like Axel Springer, whose news brands include Politico, Business Insider, Bild and Welt — have inked licensing agreements with the developers. window.addEventListener('load', function() { (function(c, id, p, d, w){ var i = d.createElement('iframe'); i.height = '0'; i.width = '0'; i.style = { display: 'none', position: 'absolute', visibility: 'hidden' }; i.src = "https://newsource-embed-prd.ns.cnn.com/articles/cnnvan-stats.html?article_id="+id+"&category="+c+"&publisher="+p+"&url=" + encodeURI(w.location); d.body.appendChild(i); })("Business%2FConsumer", "L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NtNHZyM3g0NjAwMG4yY3A5M2pzNjFtdGw%3D", "3244", document, window)})Molecular Templates Announces Notice of Delisting and Failure to Satisfy Continued Listing RulesFor those whose New Year’s resolution is to get in better shape or just do more outdoor activities, the state has the ideal way to ring in the new year. Guided hikes are scheduled on Jan. 1 in Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County and Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. The guided hikes are part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources First Day Hike initiative of more than 70 guided hikes in 46 state parks and one forest district on New Year’s Day. Staff with the DCNR and forest bureau staff, as well as volunteers will lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles. Some hikes can be longer depending on the park and its terrain, the state said. It is recommended that hikers were appropriate clothing and bring water. “First Day Hikes are the perfect way to start the year by immersing yourself in Pennsylvania’s natural spaces,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. For those wanting to join the Point State Park hike, which will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., meet at the entrance to the Fort Pitt Museum. Details for the hike at Ohiopyle State Park, which will be from 10 a.m. to noon, will be available when hikers register. To register, call the state park office at 724-329-8591. Those joining the guided hike at Laurel Hill State Park near Trent, will be to go a four-mile guided hike from 1 to 3 p.m.,beginning at the visitors center. A 21⁄2-mile family hike also is planned. For more information, call the park office at 814-352-8649. Guided hikes also are being offered at Cook Forest State Park near Clarion, Moraine State Park near New Castle and Raccoon Creek State Park near Hookstown. For more information on those hikes, visit the DCNR website at pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.html and click on the Find an Event link on the right side of the website. Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes. First Day Hikes are organized by the National Association of State Park Directors to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks,the DCNR stated. Many of the state parks also have self-guided hikes, story walks, and adventure labs available in all four seasons, DCNR said.
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A new report, identifying the security features that can help consumers to recognise five of the most counterfeited banknotes in the world , has been issued. Despite the rise in cyber-fraud, mirroring the world’s slow but steady move to digital payments, banknote counterfeiting is prevalent. Millions of bills across various currencies continue to be intercepted by authorities around the world every year, with the U.S. dollar still holding the top position as the most counterfeited currency. Analysts at BestBrokers analysed the security features of the 39 most commonly used and traded currencies globally and identified those that are vulnerable to counterfeiting and those that are best protected against replication. This identified the five most counterfeited banknotes in the world. 1. US$100 Believed to be the most counterfeited bill in the world, the 100-denominated U.S. dollar is not easy to forge. Yet, thousands of fake $100 bills were seized in 2023, with the total face value of all counterfeits intercepted by the Secret Service last year amounting to more than $21.8 million. Despite the lack of official statistics, multiple news reports have described large fake bill operations caught by authorities this year. Among those, is a case where Santa Paula, CA, police seized more than $10,000 in fake $100 bills in June. In another case, two men were arrested in Michigan for creating and passing thousands of counterfeit $100. In April, German police said it had seized a massive amount of fake U.S. dollar bills. A total of 75 boxes filled with counterfeit $100 notes were discovered, with their total face value exceeding $103 million. These bills were not very convincing copies, though since they were the so-called “movie props”. The genuine $100 bills can be identified by several key safety features, one of which is the colour-shifting Bell in the Inkwell image on the front of the banknote. When the bill is tilted, a bell seems to appear and disappear in the copper inkwell. Another element to check is the blue 3-D security ribbon; when the note is tilted back and forth, the bells within the ribbon change into “100”s. The bells and “100”s also move up and down, and side to side. Also, the numeral “100” in the lower right corner of the front of the banknote shifts from copper to green when the note is tilted. 2. €50 The 50-denominated Euro is among the most commonly used and counterfeited Euro banknotes. Last year, the number of fake €50 notes seized across Europe was 179,328, more than a third of all counterfeit Euro currency. There has been an increase in the counterfeits detected this year, however. During the first half of the year alone, the German Bundesbank removed 38,600 counterfeit euro banknotes from circulation (nominal value of €2.4 million). This is up nearly 30% from the previous period. And 14,269 of these were €50 bills. Several large counterfeiting criminal operations have also been stopped by authorities across Europe this year. Earlier this year, a joint police investigation in several European countries seized more than €14 million in counterfeit currency. In October, Bulgarian authorities dismantled a massive currency-counterfeiting operation, seizing 37.5 Bulgarian leva, along with half a million euros in fake €500 bills. According to the Bulgarian police, these €500 counterfeits were of extremely high quality, also known as “superbills”. These fake notes are impossible to detect with the naked eye; typically, only trained professionals using specialised equipment such as UV lamps can spot the fake. When held against the light, a dark line can be seen running through it. On this security thread in the middle of the note, the writing “50 Euro” appears. There is a hologram near the bottom right corner of the front of the note, which shows the value and the Euro symbol. When tilted, the hologram shows the value and an image of a window. There is also a colour-changing numeral (50) in the bottom right corner of the bank of the note, which changes from purple to olive green. 3. MX$500 The Mexican peso has long been among the most counterfeit currencies around the world. In 2023, more than half of all 284,614 counterfeit Mexican pesos found across the country were fake 500-denominated peso bills. In 2024, authorities across Mexico have detected more counterfeits, with some of the latest cases being from Baja California. In November, police arrested two individuals in the city of Mexicali and seized counterfeit 885,000 pesos, along with US$286,000 worth of fake dollars. In October, another criminal network dealing with the printing and distribution of counterfeit currency was caught in Mexico City. Thousands of fake peso bills were produced as part of the criminal organization in Guanajuato, Veracruz and Hidalgo. Several security features can help spot a counterfeit peso bill. The MX$500 note is printed on cotton paper and has a colour-changing numeral on the front of the note. The denomination (500) changes from green to blue when the bill is tilted. There are also two watermarks; one corresponding to the portrait and another showing the denomination of the banknote. Also, there are multiple images on both sides of the note that are formed by very small lines that can be observed with a magnifying glass. These tiny shapes of several different colours form the larger objects on the note; they cannot be copied using a regular copier machine. 4. ₹500 The Indian rupee is among the most counterfeited currencies in the world, with more than 79.8 million rupees worth of fakes detected between April 2023 and March 2024. In total, 225,769 counterfeit rupee banknotes were seized. The authentication of these notes is not always straightforward; the 500-denominated bill is printed on cotton paper and the latest designs, in circulation since 2016, feature a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse and the Red Fort monument on the reverse. It features a see-through register with the numeral “500” in the bottom left corner; the “500” is formed only when the note is held up against the light and the two pieces of the puzzle come together. Next to it, there is a hidden numeral that appears when the note is tilted. The green numeral in the bottom right corner of the bill also changes to blue when the note is tilted. 5. £20 The 20-denominated British pound sterling is the most common pound note in circulation and last year, over 106,000 of all 116,000 counterfeit notes destroyed by the Bank of England were 20s. In 2024, there might be a rise in counterfeit banknotes seized by the police since criminals tend to take advantage of the fact that many people might not be familiar with recently introduced designs. The release of the King Charles III banknotes this summer has led to an increase in attempts to forge the new notes. In a single operation, a Europol-coordinated effort seized 9,186 British pounds, along with fake Euro and U.S. dollar bills this October. Thousands of counterfeit notes have also been intercepted within the UK; fake £20 have been seen in Cheltenham and Gloucester; there have also been reports of counterfeits in Bangor, Cowbridge and across Wales. Several key security features can be used to authenticate a £20 note, one of which is the see-through window, where the portrait of either King Charles III or the late Her Majesty can be seen. Along with the portrait, there is also the denomination (“£20”) and “Bank of England”, printed twice around the edge. There is an image of a tower or lighthouse in the window that should be in gold foil and have “radiating rings” appear when the note is tilted. The building behind it is in blue foil and is made of rows of £20s. On the back of the note, a purple foil patch with the letter “T” is visible, while on the front, a silver foil patch shows a 3D image of the coronation crown. Another important element is the hologram image in the lower silver patch section of the note where the word “Twenty” changes to “Pounds” when the note is tilted from side to side. There are several security elements on banknotes that can help consumers spot a counterfeit bill: The survey’s full report provides detailed calculations, sources, and the complete methodology behind these findings. Detailed data can additionally be accessed from Google Docs via this link . Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.