Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Islamic Bank has received “Best Financial Inclusion Initiative” in the Middle East & Africa award for its innovative QIB Lite App and has been named “Best Retail Bank” in Qatar for the fourth consecutive year at The Asian Banker Middle East and Africa Finance Awards 2024. These awards underscore the bank’s commitment to providing advanced banking solutions, showcasing its pivotal role in enhancing the customers’ experience. This aligns with the bank’s strategy, reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution in Qatar and the region. The accolades also serve as evidence of QIB’s resilience, sustainable growth and financial strength. “Best Financial Inclusion Initiative” in the Middle East & Africa award recognizes QIB’s efforts to enhance financial accessibility through its user-friendly QIB Lite App, a simplified multilingual version of its award-winning QIB Mobile App catered to provide accessibility and ease of use to low income customers. With features such as payment and transfer options, QIB empowers low-income customers of all backgrounds, fostering greater financial literacy and inclusion within communities. “Best Retail Bank” in Qatar award highlights the bank’s innovative and customer-centric approach to retail banking, which has helped it become a leader in the industry. QIB’s focus on delivering personalized and convenient banking solutions has allowed the bank to meet the evolving needs of its customers and exceed their expectations. On this occasion, D. Anand, QIB’s General Manager – Personal Banking Group said: “We are pleased to receive this recognition, which underscores QIB’s ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer-centric solutions. This sustained recognition highlights the strength of our strategy in driving growth, building trust with our customers, and continuously enhancing our digital offerings. It is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the loyalty of our customers, who continue to trust QIB as their bank of choice. As we continue to shape the future of banking in Qatar, these achievements reinforce our vision of providing innovative and accessible financial solutions to all.” The Asian Banker Global Awards stand out as one of the most prestigious annual awards initiatives that acknowledge excellence in retail financial services, technology, risk, and transaction finance across the Middle East and Africa. Copy 12/12/2024 10Kate Middleton opened up about her devastating year after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales, 42, made a rare comment about her health battle at the fourth annual “Together at Christmas” service on Dec. 6, held at Westminster Abbey in London. It was her second appearance this week , as she’s slowly returning to royal duties following her treatment that started in February. When asked by performer Paloma Faith about her health, Middleton answered truthfully. “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” she stated, per a video of the conversation posted by Channel 5 News in the UK. “The unplanned,” Faith replied, to which the princess agreed. “The unplanned, exactly,” Middleton repeated while nodding her head. “But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.” This year’s Christmas carol service included themes of love and empathy, chosen by the princess after her “incredibly tough” news in March that she was undergoing cancer treatment. Last month, her husband, Prince William, commented on the family’s “brutal” 2024, revealing this has “ probably been the hardest year in my life ” after the cancer battles of both his wife and father, King Charles III . In September, Middleton revealed she was cancer-free . “I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she penned her heartfelt statement on X. “Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.” Middleton appeared happy and healthy at the Christmas carol service alongside her family, including the couple’s three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The Prince and Princess of Wales escorted their kids to the famous Kindness Tree , where guests dedicated a decoration to someone who has been a source of support in their lives. Prince Louis was spotted hanging on to his decoration, which was revealed to be a handwritten note with an adorable message about his grandparents . “Thank you for Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me,” his message read. Louis was then seen placing his decoration on the tree. While Middleton has been cancer-free for roughly three months, King Charles is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Both Charles and Queen Camilla were absent from the Christmas carol service. There was no official statement given regarding their absence; however, Camilla is still recovering from a recent bout of pneumonia .
I am the happiest person today, says Amit Shah as he meets surrendered NaxalsThe final game of Week 16 on Monday night solidified all the NFL playoff scenarios. Tuesday, they were clarified by the official source — the NFL. According to the league, there are three scenarios this week in which the Los Angeles Rams can clinch the NFC West and eliminate the Seahawks, who via ESPN analytics and others, have no path to a wild-card spot. The Rams are 9-6 and beat the 8-7 Seahawks at Lumen Field on Nov. 3, 26-20 in overtime, giving L.A. the head-to-head edge. The Seahawks play at Chicago Thursday night, and the Rams host Arizona Saturday night on the NFL Network. The three scenarios where the Rams clinch the NFC West this week are: — A Seahawks loss or tie Thursday in Chicago against the Bears and a Rams win over Arizona Saturday night. — A Rams tie and a Seahawks loss. — A Rams win plus the Rams clinching the strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks (more on that in a moment). Under the first scenario, the Rams would be 10-6 at the end of the weekend and the Seahawks 8-8 with one game remaining, rendering meaningless the regular-season finale between the two teams at SoFi Stadium either Jan. 4 or Jan. 5. A Rams tie and Seahawks loss accomplishes the same thing, putting LA at 9-6-1 and a game-and-a-half ahead heading into Week 18. In the final scenario where L.A. and the Seahawks win this week, the NFL clarified that the Rams can clinch a playoff spot by the strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Seattle by getting 3.5 wins (three wins and a tie) from the six following teams — Minnesota, Buffalo, San Francisco, Washington, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Four of those teams are favored: The Vikings by one at home against Green Bay Sunday; the Bills by 10 at home against the New York Jets Sunday; Washington by four at home against Atlanta; and the Bengals by three at home against Denver. The other two are underdogs — Cleveland, by 6.5-points at home against Miami; and San Francisco, by four points against Detroit on Sunday on Monday night. The strength-of-victory scenario is why the Seahawks' game against the Bears doesn’t factor heavily in playoff percentage calculations. A loss to the Bears doesn’t eliminate the Seahawks if the Rams also lose. The biggest thing the Seahawks need is a Rams loss against Arizona. In that scenario, a Seahawks win over the Rams on the final weekend would make each team 9-8 and splitting the head-to-head tiebreaker. It would go to division record, and the Seahawks would have the edge there at 4-2 to the Rams' 3.3. Whether there is anything riding on the Seahawks-Rams game will play into whether that game will be held on Saturday or Sunday. As the league has done in years past, it is waiting until the end of Week 17 to determine dates and TV designations for games in week 18. There are two slots for games on Saturday, Jan. 4 on ESPN/ABC — 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The latter time slot might be a natural for the Seahawks and Rams if it is a winner-take-all game for the NFC West. There are also daytime slots on Sunday as well as the usual Sunday night game on NBC. That could also be a spot for Seahawks and Rams if it is going to decide the NFC West.KROGER has confirmed it will shutter every single one of its stores for 24 hours soon. Consumers must adjust their plans to accommodate for the retail blackout if they want to complete necessary holiday shopping. The supermarket chain currently operates 1,244 stores in 16 states. On Christmas Day , all of those locations will be inaccessible to give employees ample time to celebrate the national holiday and spend time with loved ones. That means Kroger customers must plan around the closures, either getting what they need on Christmas Eve or on December 26. There will also be limited hours around the holidays. Read More on Kroger Kroger is open from 6 AM to 10 PM on normal business days but will adjust to go from 9 AM to 9 PM on Christmas Eve. Standard hours of operation return on December 26. It's important to note that operating hours could vary by state and store. Shoppers should verify the times with their local Kroger by calling ahead or looking online. Most read in Money COMPETITION GONE Kroger certainly isn't alone with its Christmas Day closing plans. Several retailers, including Walmart , won't be any help to shoppers should they need last-minute items on the holiday. Competing supermarket chains like Aldi will also be closed on December 25. It observes Christmas Day and has done so for years, also with limited hours on Christmas Eve at its over 2,100 stores, similar to Kroger. Even membership-based retailers like Costco will be unavailable for the same reasons. Sam's Club , Publix, Trader Joe's, Wegman's, and Winn-Dixie will be the same. Albertsons ALDI Big Lots Burlington Costco Dollar General Family Dollar/Dollar Tree JCPenny Kohl's Kroger Lowe's Macy's Michaels Publix Rite Aid Sam’s Club ShopRite Stop & Shop Trader Joe's Target The Home Depot Walmart Wegman's Whole Foods Winn-Dixie STAYING OPEN Those on the closure list will miss out on millions in sales during the busiest shopping season of the year, as the average American is expected to spend $900 to $2,100 on holiday gifts in 2024, per CBS News . There are a few retailers who won't miss out on the income, however, and will remain open on December 25 for customers. Bravo Supermarkets, Duane Reade, CVS, Circle K, Wawa, and select Walgreens locations will be accessible. Casey's General Store, Cumberland Farms, Safeway, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven are also open on Christmas Day. Hours will likely be limited and could vary by store and state for the retailers remaining open as well. There are still some holiday items shoppers can get right now for a sweet deal at several of those brands that will close. Read More on The US Sun Target's $5 Christmas mugs are nearly identical to offerings from Williams Sonoma, and shoppers are going crazy over the price difference. Dollar Tree's $1.25 holiday cups are also all the rage this season.10:1 Bonus Issue, Huge Rs 150/ Sh Dividend YTD; Time To Invest In This Tobacco Stock Below Rs 350?
The NBA Cup’s Colorful Courts Are Horrible TV and Fail Filmmaking 101NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global debt collection software market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.31 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.92% during the forecast period. Rise in non-performing loans (npls) is driving market growth, with a trend towards integration of advanced technologies in debt collection software. However, high cost of debt collection software poses a challenge. Key market players include AgreeYa Solutions Inc., Analog Legalhub Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., CDS Software, Chetu Inc., Comtech Systems Inc., Comtronic Systems LLC, DAKCS Software Systems Inc., Debt Pay Inc., DebtCol Software Pty. Ltd., Debtrak, Experian Plc, ezyCollect Pty. Ltd., Fair Isaac Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Gaviti Akyl Ltd., Indigo Cloud Ltd., MarketXpander Services Pvt. Ltd., Nestack Technologies Pvt. Ltd., PDCflow, PrimeSoft Solutions Inc., Quantrax Corp. Inc., Radixweb, receeve GmbH, Sila Inc., Totality Software Inc., A4dable Software, Ameyo Pvt Ltd., DBA PaySimple Inc., Simplicity Collection Software, Constellation Software Inc.; CGI Group Inc.; TransUnion; Nucleus Software Exports Ltd.; Pegasystems Inc.; Temenos Group AG; PAIR Finance; Credgenics AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Deployment (On-premises and Cloud-based), Industry Application (Small and medium enterprises and Large enterprises), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa), Component, enterprise size, end-user Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled AgreeYa Solutions Inc., Analog Legalhub Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., CDS Software, Chetu Inc., Comtech Systems Inc., Comtronic Systems LLC, DAKCS Software Systems Inc., Debt Pay Inc., DebtCol Software Pty. Ltd., Debtrak, Experian Plc, ezyCollect Pty. Ltd., Fair Isaac Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Gaviti Akyl Ltd., Indigo Cloud Ltd., MarketXpander Services Pvt. Ltd., Nestack Technologies Pvt. Ltd., PDCflow, PrimeSoft Solutions Inc., Quantrax Corp. Inc., Radixweb, receeve GmbH, Sila Inc., Totality Software Inc., A4dable Software, Ameyo Pvt Ltd., DBA PaySimple Inc., Simplicity Collection Software, Constellation Software Inc.; CGI Group Inc.; TransUnion; Nucleus Software Exports Ltd.; Pegasystems Inc.; Temenos Group AG; PAIR Finance; Credgenics Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant trends, including automation, multichannel communication, and affordability for organizations of all sizes. Large enterprises segment seeks economies of scale through deployment of advanced debt collection solutions. Services and solutions segments dominate, offering debt collection services and modern applications for effective loan recovery. Implementation of debt collection software involves business-specific needs, training, and implementation work. Legacy systems are being replaced with modern applications for productivity and effective debt recovery. Borrower data, overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, and online payment collection are essential components of the debt collection ecosystem. Banks and financial organizations prioritize debt collection journeys and money collection process, addressing complexities through automation, notifications, alerts, and compliance with consumer protection laws and debt collection regulations. Costs, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers pose challenges. InterProse Corporation's InterProse ACE offers debt collection software for government organizations, with components including text messaging, voice mail drops, dialers, and compliance with debt collection regulations. Deployment options include on-premises and cloud-based, catering to enterprise size. The debt collection software market is undergoing a transformation through the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics. These technologies are streamlining debt collection processes by enhancing decision-making capabilities, automating repetitive tasks, and improving overall efficiency. AI specifically, is revolutionizing the financial industry by enabling automated decision-making processes, predictive analytics, and personalized customer interactions. For instance, AI algorithms analyze historical debtor data to forecast payment behaviors and suggest tailored collection strategies, resulting in more effective interventions. This technological integration is a game-changer for the debt collection industry. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! • The Debt Collection Software market faces challenges in automating debt collection processes for organizations, particularly in the large enterprises segment. Affordability and economies of scale are key considerations, as debt collection software solutions must effectively meet business-specific needs without straining budgets. Automation of loan recovery processes, online payment collection, and multichannel communication are essential for productivity and effective debt recovery. Services and solutions segments offer debt collection services and deployment of software for organizations. Debt collection journeys include overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, text messaging, voice mail drops, and dialers. Borrower data, debt collection regulations, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers add complexities to the debt collection ecosystem. InterProse Corporation's InterProse ACE software addresses these challenges with automatic monitoring, notifications, and alerts. Deployment options include on-premises and cloud-based solutions, catering to various enterprise sizes. Training and implementation work are crucial for successful deployment and integration with core business systems, such as legacy systems and modern applications. Consumer protection laws and debt collection regulations must be adhered to, ensuring compliance and effective debt collection. Costs, productivity, and effective debt recovery are the primary objectives for financial and banking organizations. The debt collection software market continues to evolve, providing innovative solutions to streamline the money collection process. • The debt collection software market is facing a significant challenge due to the high cost of the software. This issue poses a barrier for smaller debt collection agencies and businesses with limited financial resources, potentially reducing competition and increasing prices for consumers. The average cost of the software ranges from USD480 to USD1200 yearly per user, with enterprise solutions costing more based on specific requirements. This high expense can hinder market growth and limit access to effective debt collection solutions for many organizations. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This debt collection software market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 On-premises- On-premises debt collection software solutions hold a substantial position in the global debt collection software market, addressing the demands of businesses that value internal infrastructure management, data security, and customizability. These software solutions are installed and operated within an organization's premises, granting users a significant degree of autonomy over their debt collection operations. Large enterprises, particularly those in regulated industries like finance and healthcare, prefer on-premises debt collection software to safeguard sensitive debtor information and adhere to stringent data privacy regulations. Companies such as DAKCS Software Systems Inc. (DAKCS) provide tailored on-premises debt collection solutions, catering to the unique security and regulatory needs of large enterprises. This level of customization is particularly appealing to complex debt collection operations within large enterprises. On-premises debt collection software enables organizations to maintain full control over their data and operations, which is essential for large enterprises adhering to strict IT policies and security protocols. Providers like CDS Software offer extensive on-premises debt collection software, empowering large enterprises to manage their debt collection processes while ensuring data security and integrity. The need for direct control over data and operations, combined with the ability to customize software to align with specific business processes, is expected to fuel the growth of the on-premises segment in the global debt collection software market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant growth due to the automation of debt collection processes, providing large enterprises with economies of scale and affordability. This market caters to both services and solutions segments, offering debt collection services and software solutions to organizations. The deployment of debt collection software streamlines the loan recovery process, enabling effective communication through multichannel methods. Borrower data management is crucial, and these systems provide features like overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, and online payment collection. Banking and financial organizations benefit greatly from these solutions, increasing productivity and improving the effectiveness of debt recovery. However, implementing debt collection software comes with complexities, including business-specific needs, training, and implementation work. Legacy systems and modern applications must be considered during strategy development. The debt collection ecosystem requires a well-thought-out plan for successful implementation. The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant growth due to the automation of debt collection processes, which helps organizations streamline their loan recovery process and improve productivity. The large enterprises segment is a major contributor to the market's growth, as they can leverage economies of scale and affordability. The market offers both solutions and services segments, with debt collection services being a popular choice for organizations seeking expert assistance in managing their debt collection journeys. The deployment of debt collection software involves careful strategy and implementation, taking into account business-specific needs and the complexities of the debt collection ecosystem. Modern applications replace legacy systems, offering online payment collection, overdue invoice reminders, and multichannel communication options like phone calls, text messaging, voice mail drops, and dialers. Implementation work includes training and adherence to debt collection regulations, consumer protection laws, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers. The market caters to banking organizations, financial institutions, government organizations, and other entities, providing effective debt recovery and cost savings through automatic monitoring, notifications, and alerts. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/debt-collection-software-market-to-grow-by-usd-2-31-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-rising-npls-and-ai-powered-market-evolution---technavio-302327886.html SOURCE Technavio
Porous silicon oxide electrodes advance sustainable energy storage solutions by Riko Seibo Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 16, 2024 Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are indispensable in modern devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Yet, challenges such as limited durability and the use of toxic liquid electrolytes necessitate advancements in battery technology. Aiming to address these issues, researchers have been investigating all-solid-state batteries as a potential alternative for over a decade. Despite their promise, silicon-based all-solid-state batteries have faced significant hurdles. The repetitive expansion and contraction of the silicon electrode during charge/discharge cycles generates mechanical stress, causing the electrode to crack and detach from the solid electrolyte, leading to a decline in performance. A research team led by Professor Takayuki Doi of Doshisha University has proposed a potential solution. Their recent study, published in *ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces* on October 29, 2024, examines the introduction of pores into silicon oxide (SiOx) electrodes to mitigate these mechanical stresses. Collaborating with Dr. Kohei Marumoto of Doshisha University...