State renewing focus on immigration policy
Harnessing AI potential crucial for progress: Kh Salman
NoneApple’s latest AI feature, Apple Intelligence, is raising major privacy concerns. The new iPhone tool allows the technology to access and analyze data from your apps, including sensitive banking, financial and location data — and some experts are concerned it gets too close to delicate information. The feature was released last month and has only been made available to the latest iPhone 15 or 16. The new AI is intended to enhance the user experience by providing personalized, smart assistance across various apps and functions, Chip Hallett, author of “ The Ultimate Privacy Playbook ,” claims that Apple Intelligence could learn how you use your banking apps and even track your movements. “iPhone users beware,” Hallet warned in a TikTok video . He advised people to “stop” using the feature and instructed viewers how to turn it off. How to limit Apple Intelligence: One major concern is the AI’s ability to analyze sensitive information. Hallett emphasizes that users should take immediate action to limit what Apple Intelligence can access. The security expert advises users to turn the feature off for all banking, health and fitness, and location-using apps. The AI doesn’t just sit passively — it actively pulls information from apps, potentially exposing personal details without your knowledge. Though Apple claims that its AI feature does not store your personal data, it’s still collecting a lot of precious information. Apple’s privacy page states that the AI uses data “to best assist you” and deliver personalized experiences. However, this data is processed in Apple’s “Private Cloud Compute” system, raising alarms about the possibility of remote access to personal info. The company has offered a $1 million bounty to anyone who can hack its system, signaling how seriously it is taking security — yet many users and experts have concerns.
Bula Two stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Wednesday, November 27. THE Ministry of Employment will not leave any stones unturned in their inspection of Grace Roads Group operated businesses located across the country. Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh says labour officials will be deployed to every outlet in their inspections following a report on alleged breaches of labour laws. Meanwhile, GRG has confirmed they will cooperate with the Ministry during the inspections. BUSINESSES can plan for the future using generational projections seen through the lens of emerging generations and understanding respective trends to get a sense of what the next few decades ahead will hold. Author, social researcher and TEDx speaker Mark McCrindle made these comments to business executives at their TOPEX Conference that ended in Nadi last Saturay. Mr McCrindle said leaders needed to work effectively with people of different generations, “therefore, with the sense of generational humility, we can include the next generation and prepare for what’s next”. Full report on Page 13 Kaila! We have the special Kaila! edition every Wednesday inside The Fiji Times! Synopsis Cut out the big talk, make a difference! Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka believes no community in Fiji is exempt from what he terms the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. Marking the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10, Mr Rabuka called for a national commitment to combat violence against women and girls. He referred to the theme: “From Prevention to Justice, Ending Violence, Impunity Against Women and Girls in All Spaces.” Gender-based violence, he said, was a serious issue that demanded collective action, not just during the 16 days of activism, but every day of the year. Preventing violence, he said, was not just about policies or programs. It was about values we hold in our homes, and lessons we teach our children. The PM makes a point about us all having a role to play in challenging harmful attitudes that normalise abuse or discrimination. That’s when we are de-sensitised to the abuse and discrimination. That’s a stage we don’t want to reach. As parents and guardians, he notes, we must make a commitment to teach our sons and daughters that no one has the right to harm or belittle any other person. We agree there must be respect, fairness and compassion which are the pillars of a strong family, and a strong nation. Mr Rabuka has called on Fijians to unite in creating a safer environment for women and girls, where justice is not merely a promise, but a reality. As we reflect on this campaign, it is important to appreciate the role we each can play in fostering a culture of safety and respect. The 16 Days of Activism offers us an opportunity to raise awareness, engage in discussions, and take positive steps toward ending gender-based violence. We should see this as an opportunity to encourage sustained efforts and unwavering dedication. Mr Rabuka’s call to action should encourage us to re-evaluate our roles within our families and communities, appreciating that change begins at home. The campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting survivors of gender-based violence. We should be talking about effective laws, access to justice, and support services as a means to address this issue. Let’s see the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as an opportunity for us all to unite in the fight against this pervasive issue. Let’s commit to speaking out against violence and working together to encourage a culture of respect and justice. Let’s cut the big talk, and take that first step towards making a difference!
People are convinced movie theater etiquette is dead following Wicked ’s opening weekend. Director John M. Chu’s film adaption of the hit Broadway musical Wicked — starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba — hit theaters this past weekend (November 22), prompting many fans to sell out showtimes at their local cinemas worldwide . However, those who didn’t buy tickets for the movie musical’s opening weekend have likely already seen several sneak peeks and full scenes on social media. Across TikTok, Instagram, and X/Twitter, pictures and videos of Wicked are being posted from inside the theater, spoiling some of the movie’s best moments. Scenes from fan favorite numbers such as “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” have flooded timelines and For You Pages, sparking outrage among the fans who haven’t been to the cinema yet. On X/Twitter, one person shared a photo of the opening credits and asked others to “show ur ‘wicked part 1’ photosss.” The post quickly received more than 18.4 million views and 2,100 comments, prompting a debate over movie theater etiquette. Several fans slammed the individual for encouraging others to share spoilers, as one person said: “This is SO illegal.” “Disgraceful thread. Have some respect for the people in the same cinema as you,” another added. “Theater etiquette is dead,” a third commented, while a fourth wrote: “It’s people like you that ruin cinema experiences.” Even Alamo Drafthouse, a popular chain of dinner theater cinemas, commented from its official X/Twitter account: “Or, don’t do that.” Despite pleas from fans to stop ruining the movie, many people continued to post pictures and videos throughout the two-hour and 40-minute long film. Before Wicked’s release, some theaters issued a reminder to fans that singing is not permitted unless the screening is a sing-along version. “At AMC Theaters, silence is golden. No talking. No texting. No singing. No wailing. No Flirting. And absolutely no name-calling. Enjoy the magic of movies,” a short, Wicked -themed preshow advisory video said. According to USA Today , Wicked: Part One brought in $114 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters within the first weekend. The first part of the Universal Pictures film grossed $50.2 million in international markets, for a combined global total of $164.2 million. However, the double premiere of Wicked and Gladiator 2 failed to surpass the success of Barbenheimer — last summer’s dual release of Barbie and Oppenheimer — on opening weekend, coming in at $169.5 million domestically compared to $244 million.
NEW YORK , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO)'s sale to Patient Square Capital for $31.35 in cash per share. If you are a Patterson shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . NeuroMetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NURO)'s sale to electroCore, Inc. If you are a NeuroMetrix shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PWOD)'s sale to Northwest Bancshares, Inc. for 2.385 shares of Northwest common stock for each share of Penns Woods common stock. If you are a Penns Woods shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CARA)'s merger with Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, Cara shareholders are expected to own approximately 17.0% of the combined company. If you are a Cara shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llc-investigates-pdco-nuro-pwod-cara-on-behalf-of-shareholders-302338483.html SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLPWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States. On Monday, Trump sent shockwaves across the nation's northern and southern borders, vowing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada , as well as China, as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. In a pair of posts on his Truth Social site Trump railed against an influx of immigrants lacking permanent legal status, even though southern border apprehensions have been hovering near four-year lows. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. He said the new tariffs would remain in place “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” The president-elect asserts that tariffs — basically import taxes — will create more factory jobs, shrink the federal deficit, lower food prices and allow the government to subsidize childcare. Economists are generally skeptical, considering tariffs to be a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money. They are especially alarmed by Trump’s latest proposed tariffs. Carl B. Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists with High Frequency Economics said Tuesday that energy, automobiles and food supplies will be particularly hit hard. “Imposing tariffs on trade flows into the United States without first preparing alternative sources for the goods and services affected will raise the price of imported items at once," Weinberg and Farooqi wrote. "Since many of these goods are consumer goods, households will be made poorer.” High Frequency Economics believes the threats are not meant to support new trade policy and are instead a tool to elicit some changes along the borders and for imports from Canada, Mexico and China. Though Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump’s tariff threats as unserious during her failed bid for the presidency, the Biden-Harris administration retained the taxes the Trump administration imposed on $360 billion in Chinese goods. And it imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Indeed, the United States in recent years has gradually retreated from its post-World War II role of promoting global free trade and lower tariffs. That shift has been a response to the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, widely attributed to unfettered trade and an increasingly aggressive China. They are typically charged as a percentage of the price a buyer pays a foreign seller. In the United States, tariffs are collected by Customs and Border Protection agents at 328 ports of entry across the country. The tariff rates range from passenger cars (2.5%) to golf shoes (6%). Tariffs can be lower for countries with which the United States has trade agreements. For example, most goods can move among the United States, Mexico and Canada tariff-free because of Trump’s US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Trump insists that tariffs are paid for by foreign countries. In fact, its is importers — American companies — that pay tariffs, and the money goes to U.S. Treasury. Those companies, in turn, typically pass their higher costs on to their customers in the form of higher prices. That's why economists say consumers usually end up footing the bill for tariffs. Still, tariffs can hurt foreign countries by making their products pricier and harder to sell abroad. Yang Zhou, an economist at Shanghai’s Fudan University, concluded in a study that Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods inflicted more than three times as much damage to the Chinese economy as they did to the U.S. economy By raising the price of imports, tariffs can protect home-grown manufacturers. They may also serve to punish foreign countries for committing unfair trade practices, like subsidizing their exporters or dumping products at unfairly low prices. Before the federal income tax was established in 1913, tariffs were a major revenue driver for the government. From 1790 to 1860, tariffs accounted for 90% of federal revenue, according to Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth College economist who has studied the history of trade policy. Tariffs fell out of favor as global trade grew after World War II. The government needed vastly bigger revenue streams to finance its operations. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the government is expected to collect $81.4 billion in tariffs and fees. That's a trifle next to the $2.5 trillion that's expected to come from individual income taxes and the $1.7 trillion from Social Security and Medicare taxes. Still, Trump wants to enact a budget policy that resembles what was in place in the 19th century. He has argued that tariffs on farm imports could lower food prices by aiding America’s farmers. In fact, tariffs on imported food products would almost certainly send grocery prices up by reducing choices for consumers and competition for American producers. Tariffs can also be used to pressure other countries on issues that may or may not be related to trade. In 2019, for example, Trump used the threat of tariffs as leverage to persuade Mexico to crack down on waves of Central American migrants crossing Mexican territory on their way to the United States. Trump even sees tariffs as a way to prevent wars. “I can do it with a phone call,’’ he said at an August rally in North Carolina. If another country tries to start a war, he said he’d issue a threat: “We’re going to charge you 100% tariffs. And all of a sudden, the president or prime minister or dictator or whoever the hell is running the country says to me, ‘Sir, we won’t go to war.’ ” Tariffs raise costs for companies and consumers that rely on imports. They're also likely to provoke retaliation. The European Union, for example, punched back against Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum by taxing U.S. products, from bourbon to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Likewise, China responded to Trump’s trade war by slapping tariffs on American goods, including soybeans and pork in a calculated drive to hurt his supporters in farm country. A study by economists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Zurich, Harvard and the World Bank concluded that Trump’s tariffs failed to restore jobs to the American heartland. The tariffs “neither raised nor lowered U.S. employment’’ where they were supposed to protect jobs, the study found. Despite Trump’s 2018 taxes on imported steel, for example, the number of jobs at U.S. steel plants barely budged: They remained right around 140,000. By comparison, Walmart alone employs 1.6 million people in the United States. Worse, the retaliatory taxes imposed by China and other nations on U.S. goods had “negative employment impacts,’’ especially for farmers, the study found. These retaliatory tariffs were only partly offset by billions in government aid that Trump doled out to farmers. The Trump tariffs also damaged companies that relied on targeted imports. If Trump’s trade war fizzled as policy, though, it succeeded as politics. The study found that support for Trump and Republican congressional candidates rose in areas most exposed to the import tariffs — the industrial Midwest and manufacturing-heavy Southern states like North Carolina and Tennessee.
United for economy LAHORE: Politicians should take a cue from successful economies, where all political parties support a common economic agenda while differing on ideology and political matters. This demonstrates that politicians can distinguish between the state and the ruling elite. Pakistan’s major challenge lies in its unstable economy, largely due to the absence of an agreed-upon economic agenda among political parties. Political stakeholders must prioritise economic consensus during the rare opportunity of talks beginning today between the opposition and government. Political parties need to come together to develop a unified economic strategy. All issues related to the economy must be discussed, and non-transparent practices eliminated. Measures should address malpractices such as under- or over-invoicing, misdeclaration of goods, and inaccuracies in sales tax returns. Once agreed upon, these measures must be supported wholeheartedly by leaders across the political divide. Pakistan requires the full commitment of all politicians to improve the economy, as other regional economies have advanced significantly due to consensus on economic policies. In South Asia, countries with relatively stable economic policies, despite changes in government, are led by India. One reason for this stability is India’s robust institutional framework and independent central bank (RBI), which ensures continuity in macroeconomic policies. Since the 1990s, there has been broad consensus among major political parties on core economic policies such as liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation. Long-term initiatives like infrastructure development and taxation reforms (eg, GST) remain largely unaffected by political transitions. However, policies such as farm subsidies and labour reforms can still be influenced by political populism. In contrast, Pakistan has weak institutions. Key appointments often lack merit and are engineered by the ruling party. There is no consensus among political parties on fundamental economic policies. Infrastructure development, privatisation efforts, and reforms in agriculture and labour remain heavily influenced by political populism. Bangladesh has maintained a consistent focus on export-led growth, particularly in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, across different governments. Long-term goals such as Vision 2041 and efforts to achieve middle-income status align with national interests, regardless of the ruling party. Strategic reliance on international financing and foreign direct investment also ensures policy continuity. However, political rivalries sometimes hinder the pace of implementation. In contrast, Pakistan lacks a stable export policy. Even when five-year textile policies are announced -- despite textiles being the country’s main export -- they are often not implemented or are modified during their tenure. The country continues to borrow internationally for consumption without a strategic approach to leveraging international financing or attracting foreign direct investment. Even tiny Bhutan demonstrates economic sustainability through its Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework, ensuring policies prioritise long-term goals over short-term political gains. Political parties in Bhutan operate within a small policy spectrum due to constitutional limits and a shared developmental focus. Other South Asian countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan frequently experience economic policy shifts due to political instability, frequent government changes, and a lack of consensus on long-term economic frameworks. This undermines investor confidence and disrupts reform implementation. Globally, many developing economies thrive due to stable economic policies. Vietnam has adhered to export-led growth and economic liberalisation under the ‘Doi Moi’ reforms since the 1980s. Indonesia, in Southeast Asia, has focused on macroeconomic stability, trade liberalization, and infrastructure development since the post-Suharto era (1998). In Latin America, Mexico has prospered through policies encouraging foreign investment, trade agreements like NAFTA (now USMCA), and fiscal discipline. Rwanda, in Africa, has successfully implemented Vision 2050, stressing the need for economic diversification, technology adoption and infrastructure development. Pro-business reforms attract foreign direct investment and strengthen governance. Other examples include Chile in Latin America, Botswana in Africa, and Malaysia in Southeast Asia. Pakistan must learn from these success stories to chart a path towards economic stability and growth.LONDON - Liverpool strengthened their hold on the Premier League top spot with an extraordinary 6-3 victory at battered Tottenham Hotspur after second-placed Chelsea were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Everton. Mohamed Salah scored twice, as did Luis Diaz, while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were also on target at bamboozled Spurs for Dutchman Arne Slot’s Liverpool side who head into Christmas four points clear. Chelsea could have gone into first place before Liverpool’s clash in north London but failed to make it nine straight wins in all competitions as Everton dug deep to earn a point at Goodison Park. Liverpool have 39 points from 16 games with Chelsea on 35 having played a game more. Arsenal, who won 5-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, have 33 points from 17 games. Bottom club Southampton’s 0-0 draw at Fulham on Sunday means reigning champions Manchester City are now the worst performing Premier League team since the start of November after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday left them down in seventh. Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth on Sunday as the south coast club moved up to fifth, while Wolverhampton Wanderers won 3-0 at Leicester City in Vitor Pereira’s first game in charge. Tottenham’s last three home games in all competitions have now provided 23 goals as their wide-open style was ruthlessly punished by a razor-sharp Liverpool. Diaz met Trent Alexander-Arnold’s beautiful cross with a diving header to open the scoring before Alexis Mac Allister nodded home from close range to double Liverpool’s lead. James Maddison pulled one back for Spurs in the 41st minute but Dominik Szoboszlai restored the visitors’ two-goal lead before the break as he slotted past Fraser Forster following a counter-attack. Salah’s double came in seven second-half minutes to take his league tally this season to 15 before Tottenham hit back with Dejan Kulusevski’s volley and Dominic Solanke’s effort in the 83rd that threatened to set up a frantic finale. But Diaz settled any Liverpool jitters with his second goal of the game. Liverpool’s emphatic win means only one of the weekend’s Premier League games ended in a home victory. “We expected that (a chaotic game), the way they play, they open the game, they enjoy their football, physically tough and mentally we always have to be in the game,” Salah, whose two assists took his total for the season to 11, told Sky Sports. Tributes paid to Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan Salah is the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season. The closest Chelsea came to piercing Everton’s armour was a Nicolas Jackson shot against the post in the first half but while it proved a frustrating day for Enzo Maresca’s side the Italian remained upbeat. “That was a real game,” he said. “I’m very happy because the performance of the boys was fantastic. Sometimes you have to play a different game and we’re learning to play a different game. Everton are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets.”The Toffees kept a fifth clean sheet in six games. Tags: liverpool hit tottenhamExploring the Versatility of Stickers for Creative and Practical Uses