Nanjing, China, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. ("the Company") (Nasdaq: OST), a leading supplier of display modules and polarizers based in China, today announced that it has resolved to effect a reverse share split of the Company's ordinary shares, with the split ratio set at 1-for-10 (the "The Reverse Share Split”). The Reverse Share Split was approved by the Company's shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on November 25, 2024. The Company's Class A ordinary shares will begin trading on an adjusted basis, reflecting the Reverse Share Split, on December 26, 2024, under the existing ticker symbol "OST.” The new CUSIP number for the Company's Class A ordinary shares will be G67927114. Upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Share Split, every ten shares of the Company's issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares as of the effective date will automatically be combined into one Class A ordinary share. This adjustment will reduce the total number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares of the Company from approximately 18.1 million to approximately 1.81 million. In conjunction with the Reverse Share Split, the Company also amended its Memorandum of Association to proportionately reduce the number of authorized shares for issuance and to adjust the par value of the post-reverse share split ordinary shares to $0.001 per share. The Reverse Share Split is part of the Company's efforts to regain compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) related to the minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share of the Company's ordinary shares. No fractional shares will be issued; instead, shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share will have their entitlement rounded up to the nearest whole share. Further details regarding the reverse share split and the associated changes to the Company's share capital can be found in the Company's notice of extraordinary general meeting, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2024. About Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. Founded in 2010, the Company is a supplier of display modules and polarizers in China. The Company designs, develops, and manufactures TFT-LCD display modules in a wide range of sizes and customized sizes which are mainly used in consumer electronics, outdoor LCD displays, and automotive displays. The Company also manufactures polarizers used in the TFT-LCD display modules. For more information, please visit http://ostin-technology.com/index.html Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, underlying assumptions, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's forecast on market trends; the Company's future business development; the demand for and market acceptance for new products; expectation to receive customer orders for new products; the anticipated timing for the marketing and sales of new products; changes in technology; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled professionals; client concentration; and general economic conditions affecting the Company's industry and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. For more information, please contact: Ostin Technology Group Co., Ltd. [email protected] Investor Relations: Janice Wang Wealth Financial Services LLC Phone: +86 13811768599 +1 628 283 9214 Email: [email protected]Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contestCanada's Trudeau survives third no-confidence vote
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Malaysian Member of Parliament and former Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq, 31, said on Nov. 29 that he will file an appeal against the Malaysian High Court's decision to convict him of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering. The full grounds of judgment were made available on Nov. 28. This comes more than a year after Saddiq was convicted on Nov. 9, 2023. Saddiq said he wanted his appeal to be heard "as soon as possible" Saddiq said in a Facebook post that he has "always insisted" on clearing his name in court. "Today, after anxiously waiting for more than 386 days, I have finally received the written judgment from the Yang Arif High Court Judge, which will allow me to commence my appeal in court," he said. "Although I have had many opportunities to get my case dropped, I chose not to pursue them because I strongly believe that no one, not even the powerful, should be above the law." The Muar Member of Parliament said he had instructed his lawyers to file an appeal, noting that he wanted it to be heard "as soon as possible". Saddiq said he pledged to respect the judiciary as an institution, no matter how painful or unjust he may perceive the verdict to be. Saddiq, former leader of Malaysian political party MUDA, was found guilty of misappropriating funds belonging to Armada, the youth wing of his former party Bersatu. The trial started in Jun. 21, 2022. Saddiq was found guilty of four charges by the Malaysian High Court on Nov. 9, 2023, and was sentenced to seven years in jail, two strokes of the cane, as well as a RM10 million fine (S$2.9 million). However, Saddiq was granted a stay of execution pending appeal. Justice Azhar's sentencing Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said it was unreasonable for Saddiq, a political youth wing leader at that time, to be ignorant of the RM1 million (S$300,000) that was withdrawn from the bank account of Armada, The Star reported. The judge also added that Saddiq's denial of knowledge of money being deposited and the use of the money was also hard to understand. Saddiq previously claimed that the money deposited into his personal account was a reimbursement for having used his own cash, but Justice Azhar said he found no evidence to support such claim. He said that Saddiq's young age and the fact that he was a first-time offender were considered in sentencing. Justice Azhar said as an MP and an idol to the youth, Saddiq should be held to a higher standard as an example to the young ones. Top image via Syed Saddiq/Facebook
Veteran investor Mark Mobius has highlighted U.S. tech firms with ties to emerging markets as prime investment opportunities for the upcoming year. What Happened: In an interview with CNBC, Mobius, chairman of the Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund, emphasized the potential of companies leveraging technology to boost productivity. Mobius pointed out that U.S.-based companies focusing on markets like China and India are strategically positioned for growth. "I focus on those companies that are global in their scope, and producing and exporting and selling in these countries, because that's where the growth will be." Mobius also mentioned the significance of companies involved in “accelerated information,” such as chip manufacturers, which are benefiting from rapid information processing capabilities. His observations come amid an economic surge in semiconductor-producing emerging markets, with Taiwan leading in advanced chip manufacturing. Southeast Asian nations, particularly Malaysia, are also seeing increased foreign investment due to their chip production focus. See Also: Joe Rogan’s Bitcoin Pile Has Grown Over 30000% In Value, But He Hasn’t Sold: Conviction-Based HODLing Or Has The Podcast King Lost His Keys? Despite concerns of a tech bubble due to high valuations of major tech stocks like Alphabet Inc. , Amazon.com Inc. , and Nvidia Corp. , Mobius remains optimistic. He believes the growth rates of these companies justify their valuations, and he expects continued strong performance from the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants. Why It Matters : Mobius has been a staunch advocate for investing in emerging markets, particularly in Asia. In July 2023, he stated that he had no investments in the U.S. , focusing entirely on international and emerging markets. This aligns with his current emphasis on U.S. tech firms with exposure to these regions. Mobius has also warned of potential risks to U.S. markets amid recent volatility, noting a significant decline in the U.S. M2 money supply. This drop could impact discretionary spending, a key driver of economic growth. Meanwhile, the surge in Nvidia’s stock has raised concerns about concentration risks for investors. The company’s shares have skyrocketed, driven by high demand for its AI chips. However, this rapid growth has led to increased holdings by asset managers, posing potential risks if the stock takes a downturn. Read Next: Amazon’s Focus Shift To Black Friday From Cyber Monday Is Paying Off, Says Gene Munster: ‘Small Changes To Profitability Can Have Measurable Impact To Earnings’ Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Townsquare Capital LLC acquired a new position in HF Sinclair Co. ( NYSE:DINO – Free Report ) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 4,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $220,000. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Matrix Trust Co raised its holdings in HF Sinclair by 122.4% in the 3rd quarter. Matrix Trust Co now owns 576 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in HF Sinclair in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in HF Sinclair in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in HF Sinclair by 82.2% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 820 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Coastline Trust Co purchased a new position in HF Sinclair in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $55,000. 88.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $57.00 to $53.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 4th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $66.00 to $57.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $58.00 to $55.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $54.27. HF Sinclair Trading Down 1.6 % Shares of DINO stock opened at $38.91 on Friday. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1 year low of $38.25 and a 1 year high of $64.16. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $47.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The company has a market cap of $7.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.02 and a beta of 1.20. HF Sinclair ( NYSE:DINO – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.19. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 1.10% and a return on equity of 5.51%. The firm had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.06 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 19.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that HF Sinclair Co. will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current year. HF Sinclair Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. HF Sinclair’s dividend payout ratio is currently 123.46%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Franklin Myers bought 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $38.76 per share, with a total value of $193,800.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 145,293 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,631,556.68. This represents a 3.56 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About HF Sinclair ( Free Report ) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HF Sinclair Co. ( NYSE:DINO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Railways would run about 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special ones, for the convenience of devotees during the Maha Kumbh . The Union minister, who reached Prayagraj by train from Varanasi to review the Railways' preparations for the mega event, expects about 1.5 to 2 crore passengers to reach the city by train during the mela. The Maha Kumbh will commence on January 13 on the occasion of Paush Purnima and conclude on February 26 on Mahashivratri. After inspecting several stations under the Northeast Railway, Northern Railway and the North Central Railway in Prayagraj, the minister told reporters, "I also inspected the new bridge built over the Ganga, which will soon be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A new bridge has been built over the Ganga here after 100 years." "I personally inspected five stations. The holding areas at these stations, where the devotees will be able to sit till their trains arrive, are very good. Colour coding has been used in the holding areas and tickets so that the devotees can reach the right platform," Vaishnaw added. 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The system was used during the Rath Yatra in Puri, he said. "For the Maha Kumbh, the railway track on the Prayagraj-Varanasi route has been doubled. The Phaphamau-Janghai section has been doubled. A second entrance has been built at the Jhansi, Phaphamau, Prayagraj, Subedarganj, Naini and the Cheoki stations," Vaishnaw said. A control room has been set up at every station that will send live feeds to the master control room at the Prayagraj station. CCTV camera feed from Maha Kumbh Nagar and the police will also be received at the master control room. The minister said work at the Prayagraj station was done using the experience gained during the Ram temple consecration programme in Ayodhya and the Rath Yatra in Puri. Vaishnaw also said more than 23 holding areas had been built at various stations in Prayagraj, apart from 48 platforms. Similarly, 21 foot overbridges have been built and arrangements made for 554 ticketing kiosks. The Indian Railways spent more than Rs 5,000 crore on preparations for the Maha Kumbh in the past two years, Vaishnaw said. Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar and other senior officials accompanied Vaishnaw during the review. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 15, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Here’s what to look for in the contest. How does the election work? Voters will choose 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. Why now? A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But on Oct. 13 Benediktsson decided his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnson, a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Why is Iceland’s politics so fractured? The splintering of Iceland’s political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” What are the issues? Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. What about the volcano? Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,” she said. —— Kirka reported from London. Advertisement Advertisement
Wall Street's major indexes closed lower on Monday, driven by a slump in Nvidia's value after a Chinese antitrust probe impacted tech stocks, as investors await a key inflation report ahead this week. Nvidia shares dropped following an investigation by China's market regulator into potential antimonopoly law violations, impacting the information technology sector. Advanced Micro Devices also fell after a downgrade by BofA Global Research, affecting the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. Comcast's forecast of a subscriber loss affected communication services, while Hershey shares surged on acquisition discussions involving Mondelez. Investors are anticipating crucial CPI and PPI data before the pivotal Federal Reserve meeting on Dec 17-18, spurred by an unemployment rise that raised rate cut bets to over 85%. (With inputs from agencies.)
JUNK food firms are dodging the Government’s ban on advertising by targeting kids on gaming sites and social media, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. Ultra-processed foods, often manufactured and containing many ingredients including salt, fat and sugar, have been linked to a ten-fold rise in people with Type 2 diabetes . In the UK, more than half of the average diet now consists of processed foods and for some — especially those who are younger, poorer or from disadvantaged areas — it can be as much as 80 per cent. Labour pledged to introduce the plan next year to ban junk food adverts promoting products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS foods), before 9pm on TV and in all paid-for online adverts. It was drawn up by the last Conservative government to tackle a deadly obesity crisis costing £268BILLION a year — around £7,000 per taxpayer. But experts believe firms will turbocharge advertising on radio and podcast platforms not covered by the ban. READ MORE ON JUNK FOOD Non-paid-for marketing on the brands’ own websites and organic social content will also be allowed. Five food firms — Mars, Haribo, PepsiCo , Kellogg’s and Mondelez which owns Cadbury — currently advertise the most on TV. According to a recent survey, they make up 80 per cent of all ads for confectionery and snacks shown on UK TV before the 9pm viewing watershed. But today our investigation can reveal how some of the biggest firms are using creative ways to find loopholes, switch and bombard youngsters with adverts via social media and gaming sites to beat the online ban too. Most read in Health Creative director and marketing expert Calvin Innes, of JvM Nerd London , a media agency for gaming, told The Sun on Sunday: “Many gamers and younger consumers spend time on platforms like YouTube and TikTok where TV bans won’t apply, and major companies are already shifting to social media, gaming and in-app advertising. "The ban will only increase the speed of migration.” Research by Liverpool University reveals 49 per cent of all UPF ads on 76 UK TV channels were broadcast between 5.30am and 9pm. Haribo accounted for the most, followed by Mars with ads for items such as Snickers and M&Ms. The study found food manufacturers in the UK spent more than £55million in 2022 on online adverts for food and drink products from four food categories associated with children’s excess sugar and calorie intake — chocolate, crisps, biscuits and ice cream. The study also found that users of the biggest gaming platform, Twitch , where two thirds of users are under 35, are being bombarded with junk food marketing for 52 minutes every hour. In many cases, rather than being overt adverts, they see a product or logo on the screen for a long time, or looping images. Nutritionist and author Robert Hobson warns we are “facing a ticking time bomb”. He said: “Teenagers are being targeted by the food industry through aggressive marketing and cheap food deals. UPFs are designed to be addictive, combining salt, sugar and fats to override our natural hunger signals and keep us coming back for more. ‘Catastrophic burden’ “The issue with UPFs goes beyond additives — they’re also low in nutrients, easy to overeat but not very satisfying. Consuming large quantities at a young age could be setting the stage for chronic disease in later life. “Unless we address it now, the long-term health burden could be catastrophic. Big food companies are profiting from a system that places marketing above health.” Even simple products such as sliced ham, cheese for kids’ sandwiches, bread, breakfast cereals and yoghurts can be classed as UPFs. Robert said: “These foods are engineered to make us crave them. “Kids with their weaker impulse control are going to be particularly susceptible to UPFs. They are influenced by their peers and many UPFs become ‘trendy’ foods.” UK families buy more ultra- processed food than any others in Europe . Germany — the home of Haribo sweets — comes second. The confectioner keeps its earnings under lock and key, but Forbes has estimated its revenues exceed £2.4billion. Last year Haribo announced of their 2023 UK earnings a “24 per cent increase in turnover”. Dr David Unwin, based in Southport, Merseyside, told The Sun on Sunday: “Unless we do something, the NHS will never be able to cope. In my practice alone we’ve seen an astonishing ten-fold rise in Type 2 diabetes. Children are receiving numerous messages designed to trigger desire for compulsively consumed food items “I am convinced it has been increased by a dramatic rise in poor-quality takeaway meals and the runaway consumption of junk food.” The Government’s plan comes after UPFs were directly linked to 32 harmful effects on health, including a higher risk of heart disease , cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as well as mental health problems and early death. The new rules mean a ban on branded online ads but experts say food giants are instead paying for promotional tie-ins with social media influencers and YouTube creators to plug their products. They are also focusing on placing content on gaming and live-streaming platforms used by millions of Brits, which won’t be covered by the ban. Experts also warn firms will pay for product placement in our favourite TV shows. As the ban only applies in the UK, firms are likely to target overseas media platforms that we view. Dr Barry Smith, who has spent nearly a decade working with the biggest junk food brands in the world, said: “We are already seeing well-targeted food advertising on gaming platforms and even on the back of bus tickets. "Children are receiving numerous messages designed to trigger desire for compulsively consumed food items.” The key ways to avoid UPFs are cooking from scratch and reading labels to see what is in our food. Legal uncertainty But Robert says: “In the cost-of-living crisis, UPFs are often the more affordable option. This disparity keeps families locked into unhealthy eating patterns. Cheaper nutritious staples require time, motivation, cooking skills, nutrition literacy and cooking equipment.” Yet Matt Charlton, CEO of creative agency Brothers & Sisters, thinks the only solution is less UPF production. He said: “The Government vastly overestimates the power of advertising. “Unless you are going to stop children walking past and going into shops that sell junk food, you aren’t making a difference.” Lawyer Katrina Anderson, from law firm Mills & Reeve, says it is unclear exactly how the new ban would work, adding: “There is still some legal uncertainty . . . because we are awaiting secondary legislation and guidance. “It will clarify some important points such as the scope of paid-for online advertising and the categories of food caught by the ban.” A spokesman for trade body the Food & Drink Federation said: “Food and drink manufacturers take the issue of obesity and poor diets really seriously. “Our industry adheres to all advertising rules and is preparing for further regulations that come into effect in October 2025.” A spokesman for Kellanova, which owns Pringles and Kellogg’s said: “We are fully committed to the responsible marketing of our foods across all platforms. We will adhere to the new advertising regulations for HFSS foods.” Swap these for these SWAP THIS : Go Ahead Fruit And Oat Bakes (6 x 35g, £1.75, Ocado). Appears healthy but it is a UPF as it contains glucose-fructose corn syrup, modified starch and gelling agents, to name a few. FOR THIS: Nakd Cocoa Orange Bars (4 x 35g, £3, Tesco). Made with dates, cashews, raisins and cocoa, this comes without added sugars or preservatives. SWAP THIS : Premier Deli Cooked Ham Trimmings (400g, £2.75, Tesco). Contains many ingredients, including four types of sugar and various additives. High in salt. FOR THIS : Asda Extra Special Roast Turkey Breast (4 slices, £2.95). Much less processed, containing just four ingredients that are mostly found in home cooking and no preservatives. SWAP THIS : Essential Smooth Peanut Butter (340g, £1.80, Waitrose). Includes palm oil, which is linked to increased bad LDL cholesterol, and cane sugar. FOR THIS : Whole Earth Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter (227g, £2.75, Sainsbury’s) Minimally processed, made from 100 per cent roasted organic nuts, with no added oils or sugars. READ MORE SUN STORIES 10 Dairylea Cheese Slices has several emulsifiers 10 This option from Sainsbury's is made purely from cow’s milk SWAP THIS : Dairylea Cheese Slices (8 x 20.5g slices, £1.45, Sainsbury’s). Contains 15 ingredients, including several emulsifiers, despite the green and amber ratings for nutrition on the front of the pack. FOR THIS : Sainsbury’s Mild Cheddar Cheese Slices (10 slices, 240g, £2.70). Made purely from cow’s milk.Fluence Energy, Inc. Announces Convertible Notes Offering and Intention to Enter into Capped ...Nirupam Sinha to Join Company on January 6, 2025 CHICAGO , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII ) ("Heidrick & Struggles", "Heidrick" or the "Company"), a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, today announced the appointment of Nirupam Sinha as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective January 6, 2025 . Sinha currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Checkout.com LLC, a global payment platform. He was previously Global Head of Product at T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and also led the Wealth & Asset Management and Corporate Business Functions Practices at McKinsey & Company. " Nirupam Sinha is a proven financial leader with a passion for strategy, transformation, and people leadership across professional services, financial services, and technology. Throughout his career, Nirupam has helped lead transformative financial management and value creation, all while advancing organizational growth, making him the ideal leader to create value for clients, colleagues and shareholders," said Heidrick & Struggles' Chief Executive Officer Tom Monahan . "Nirupam has the strategic insight, leadership skills and deep experience to support Heidrick & Struggles as the world's most trusted partner in leadership and critical talent decisions, focused on building differentiated, deep and durable relationships with the world's most leadership-obsessed companies." "We are in a pivotal time when people and leadership can make or break a business, making the work at Heidrick & Struggles ever more important," said Nirupam Sinha . "Heidrick & Struggles has long served at the heart of talent strategy and continues to innovate and expand its offerings in an increasingly transformative market. I believe we have an exciting road ahead as a firm and I'm honored to be a part of it. As Heidrick & Struggles continues to grow, I look forward to helping the Company continue to scale and deliver strong performance for our clients and shareholders around the world." Nirupam Sinha Biography Nirupam Sinha is a tested leader with extensive experience across professional services, financial services, and technology. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Checkout.com, a global payments company, where he oversees a team of more than 200 across Accounting, Treasury, Tax, FP&A, Investor Relations, and Strategy as well as other groups. Nirupam also served as the Global Head of Product at asset management firm T. Rowe Price , where his tenure also included senior Finance and Strategy roles. With nearly 20 years of experience, Nirupam has a proven track record of transforming finance functions, scaling organizational growth, and engaging across stakeholder groups. He began his career at McKinsey & Company in the Financial Services Practice and also worked at Serent Capital as a private equity investor. Nirupam holds a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania . Sinha is based in New York . About Heidrick & Struggles Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII ) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory services and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, we partner with clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, combining our expertise in executive search, leadership consulting, and on-demand talent solutions to maximize client profitability and performance. Helping our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® www.heidrick.com Media Contact Bianca Wilson Global Director, Public Relations Heidrick & Struggles [email protected] SOURCE Heidrick & StrugglesServe Robotics Announces Appointment of Lily Sarafan to its Board of Directors
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Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, 34, ate a banana on Nov. 29, just a week after spending US$6.2 million (S$8.3 million) on an artwork featuring the fruit duct-taped to a wall. Sun said it was "much better than other bananas" after his first bite, according to AFP . Draws parallels between conceptual art and cryptocurrency Just before taking a bite of the art, Sun gave a speech drawing parallels between conceptual art and cryptocurrency to the dozens of journalists and influencers at the press conference in Hong Kong. Comparing conceptual art to NFT art and decentralised blockchain technology, he said "Most of its objects and ideas exist as (intellectual property) and on the internet, as opposed to something physical". The entrepreneur had outbid six others for Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's infamous 2019 work "Comedian" at a Sotheby's auction in New York on Nov. 20. The controversial artwork was intended to prompt others to question what should be considered art. After he won the bid, Sun decided he would eat the banana. He explained that eating it at a press conference could also become a part of the artwork's history. Not first time the banana was devoured This is not the first time the banana featured in Cattelan's "Comedian" was eaten: it was devoured once by a performance artist in 2019 and yet again by a South Korean student in 2023, BBC reported. Both did not pay to do so. The banana is regularly replaced before exhibitions. Sun's bid bought him the right to display the installation, as well as instructions on how to replace the fruit when it goes bad. Each attendee at the event on Nov. 29 was given a banana and a roll of duct tape as a souvenir. Faces controversy Sun currently faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for defrauding investors with fake trades in his crypto business TRON Network . The Chinese-born entrepreneur also faced controversy after he became the largest investor in World Liberty Financial, a crypto project backed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Sun denied that the move was an attempt to influence Trump or U.S, politics, reported AFP . Top image via Peter Parks/AFPConnected, brainy, athletic: the suspect in US insurance CEO's slaying(Source: Nasdaq) Wall Street’s main indexes were mixed in volatile trading on Thursday, with Alphabet’s losses weighing on the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, while the blue-chip Dow touched a one-week high, boosted by shares of cloud company Salesforce. Alphabet (GOOGL.O), slid 6.2% to touch a more than three-week low after the Justice Department argued to a judge that Google must sell its Chrome browser and take other measures to end its monopoly on online search. The stock’s losses weighed on the communication services sector (.SPLRCL), which fell 2.6%, while nine of the 11 S&P 500 sectors traded higher. Megacaps also took a hit, with Meta (META.O), down 1.2% and Apple (AAPL.O), flat. Amazon.com (AMZN.O), lost 3% after a report said it will likely face an EU investigation next year into whether it favors its own brand products on its online marketplace. Shares of Wall Street’s biggest company, Nvidia , were choppy and were last down 0.5%. The chip company surpassed expectations for quarterly results, and projected fourth-quarter revenue above estimates. However, some investors were unimpressed that the forecast was its slowest in seven quarters. “It has a lot to do with some disappointments in terms of Nvidia’s guidance on the margins, the story on Google doesn’t help (either) and that’s bringing down the entire technology complex,” said Dan Eye, chief investment officer at Fort Pitt Capital Group. The broader Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index (.SOX), was up 1%. At 11:42 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI), rose 372.11 points, or 0.86%, to 43,780.58, the S&P 500 (.SPX), gained 18.99 points, or 0.32%, to 5,936.10 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC), lost 48.96 points, or 0.26%, to 18,917.19. Nvidia has led much of the U.S. market rally since mid-2023 on expectations that AI integration could boost corporate profits. The stock has risen more than nine-fold in the past two years and the company boasts a market value of $3.5 trillion. Gains on the blue-chip Dow were aided by Salesforce’s (CRM.N), 4.5% advance after three brokerages lifted their price targets on the stock. On the data front, a weekly report on jobless claims showed they fell unexpectedly last week, suggesting a rebound in job growth in November. Money market bets tiled in favor of a 25 basis points interest rate cut by the Fed at its December meeting, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch. Meanwhile, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin said the United States is more vulnerable to inflationary shocks than in the past, according to a media report. Comments from Federal Reserve officials Austan Goolsbee and Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr are on tap. Traders also monitored geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia, that sent crude prices higher and aided a 1.4% gain in the energy sector (.SPNY), opens new tab. Deere (DE.N), opens new tab shares gained 7.8% after reporting an upbeat fourth-quarter profit, while Snowflake (SNOW.N), jumped 32% after rais ing its annual product revenue forecast. Crypto stocks were mixed as bitcoin prices came off session highs. MARA Holdings (MARA.O), jumped 7.6%, while Coinbase Global (COIN.O), opens new tab dropped 4.4%. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 3.44-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.88-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 52 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 102 new highs and 108 new lows. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Purvi Agarwal and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai and Maju Samuel)
ORLANDO, Fla. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Security First Insurance, based in Florida , and Embark MGA, Florida insurance experts, join forces to launch a modern HO5 homeowners' insurance program designed exclusively for new home builders to have an affordable, turnkey insurance option for home buyers. This innovative homeowners' insurance solution combines enhanced coverage options tailored to the unique needs of Florida homeowners with the simplicity of embedding the insurance in the home-buying process. This solution comes at a crucial time for Florida builders. Recent surveys reveal that many prospective home buyers in Florida cite insurance as a major barrier to purchasing a home. To address this problem head-on, Security First will provide a new level of comprehensive protection to new home buyers in Florida , supported by Embark's expertise in custom insurance solutions and proprietary technology. The new HO5 policy comes with a broader scope of protection for new home buyers than the standard HO3 policy and streamlined claims processing. These HO5 policies are distinctive in the Builder channel because they provide "open-perils" coverage for both the home and personal belongings, and coverage for incidents that are often excluded from traditional policies, bringing extra reassurance to home buyers that their new investment will be well protected. "This partnership with Embark allows Security First to expand our reach into a new segment of Florida homeowners," said Bob Ketchum , SVP of Product and Underwriting. "We pride ourselves on innovative product design and exceptional service," continued Ketchum, "and promise to be there for our customers when they need us the most." Embark's commitment to providing modern, tech-driven insurance solutions in niche customer segments complements Security First's deep knowledge of the Florida market. Leveraging Embark's proprietary technology, insurance quotes are seamlessly integrated into the home-buying and mortgage qualification process. The system preloads builders' home inventory, community details, and model data, enabling accurate, bindable quotes without the need for lengthy applications. This streamlined approach electronically shares insurance information with builders' mortgage and title partners, reducing closing delays and eliminating much of the friction typically faced by consumers during the home-buying journey. Key Features of the Security First New Home Builder HO5 Policy: "We are thrilled to partner with Security First Insurance, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional, customer-centric service," said Brian Crumbaker , EVP Distribution at Embark. "We look forward to supporting the unique needs of new home builders and their clients. This new embedded product stands out with its competitive pricing and broad coverage options, offering a superior solution in the Florida market." Media Contacts: Embark MGA Marc T. Murphy Jr. Director of Agency Operations and Marketing mmurphy@embarkgeneral.com 470-723-4241 Security First Insurance Wendy Maddalone Director of Marketing and Communications wendy.maddalone@securityfirstflorida.com 386-243-4707 About Embark MGA: Embark is a technology-driven insurance company focused on providing innovative and customer-friendly insurance solutions. Through its modern platform and product offerings, Embark simplifies the insurance experience, offering comprehensive protection tailored to today's consumer needs. About Security First Insurance: Security First Insurance is a leading provider of homeowners insurance in Florida , committed to safeguarding Florida families with tailored, reliable coverage. With deep expertise in the unique challenges Florida residents face, Security First delivers high-quality service and protection. About Our New Home Builder Program: Our New Home Builder Program offers new home builders, their distribution partners, and client's direct access to insurance products specifically designed for new homes. Exclusively available to our partners, this program simplifies the underwriting process by only using information about the house to issue policies that typically provide more flexibility than a standard homeowner's policy. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/security-first-insurance-partners-with-embark-mga-to-enter-the-new-home-builder-insurance-channel-with-the-launch-of-an-innovative-ho5-product-in-florida-302336659.html SOURCE Embark General
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The Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) bring an eight-game winning streak into a meeting against the Carolina Panthers (3-9) on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. What channel is Eagles vs. Panthers on? What time is Eagles vs. Panthers? The Eagles and the Panthers play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Eagles vs. Panthers betting odds, lines, spread Eagles vs. Panthers recent matchups Eagles schedule Panthers schedule NFL week 14 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level MediaWhat to Know About David Sacks, Trump’s Crypto and AI Czar