US expected to send £1 billion in weapons to Ukraine before Trump takes officeThe new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad that finished with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was gracious, up to a point. “Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the 12 best teams in the country,” he said on social media. He acknowledged — despite all of Alabama’s losses coming against conference opponents this season — that the Tide’s push to schedule more games against teams from other major conferences in order to improve its strength of schedule did not pay off this time. “That is not good for college football," Byrne said. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21. Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21. The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20. Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner faces ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State , Dec. 21. The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that "several" wounded North Korean soldiers died after being captured by Ukrainian forces, as he accused Russia of throwing them into battle with "minimal protection". Ukraine and its western allies say North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to support Russia's army, in what is seen as a major escalation in the nearly three-year war following Moscow's 2022 invasion. "Today there were reports about several soldiers from North Korea. Our soldiers managed to take them prisoner. But they were very seriously wounded and could not be resuscitated," Zelensky said in an evening address posted on social media. South Korea's spy agency said earlier on Friday that a North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine had died of his wounds. Zelensky did not specify how many North Koreans had died after being captured by Ukrainian troops. Zelensky had earlier said that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been "killed or wounded" so far as they joined Russia's forces in combat in its western Kursk border region, where Ukraine mounted a shock incursion in August. South Korea's intelligence service had previously put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 1,000, saying the high casualty rate could be down to an unfamiliar battlefield environment and their lack of capability to counter drone attacks. The White House on Friday confirmed the South Korean estimates, saying that Pyongyang's troops were being sent to their deaths in futile attacks by generals who see them as "expendable". "We also have reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian forces, likely out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea in the event that they're captured," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defence pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force this month, with Russian President Vladimir Putin hailing it as a "breakthrough document". North Korean state media said Friday that Putin sent a New Year's message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying: "The bilateral ties between our two countries have been elevated after our talks in June in Pyongyang." Seoul's military believes that North Korea was seeking to modernise its conventional warfare capabilities through combat experience gained in the Russia-Ukraine war. NATO chief Mark Rutte had also said that Moscow was providing support to Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes in exchange for the troops. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that Pyongyang is reportedly "preparing for the rotation or additional deployment of soldiers" and supplying "240mm rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery" to the Russian army. Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine had prompted warnings from Seoul. South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently suspended, said in November that Seoul was "not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons" to Kyiv, which would mark a major shift to a long-standing policy barring the sale of weapons to countries in active conflict. hs/bjt/mlm/gv/rlp
NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. SO WHAT: If you purchased ASP Isotopes securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ASP Isotopes overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) ASP Isotopes overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; (3) ASP Isotopes overstated the Company’s nuclear fuels operating segment results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about the ASP Isotope’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com
Ahead of Ohio State's appearance in the College Football Playoff, head coach Ryan Day received a vote of confidence from his athletic director despite the Buckeyes' latest loss to Michigan. Ohio State AD Ross Bjork appeared on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus on Thursday, where a radio host asked him whether Day would be the Buckeyes' coach at the start of next season regardless of how the playoffs shake out. "Absolutely," said Bjork, who came to Ohio State from the same role at Texas A&M in July. "Coach Day and I have just hit it off so well. I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I've talked to him, I've learned something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff. There's always tweaks. There was tweaks after last year, right? You're always going to tweak things. You're always going to make adjustments. You're always going to make improvements." Bjork continued by addressing the "championship or bust" attitude held by some of the fanbase. "This whole mentality about -- and look, we live it, and we sign up for it -- but if you get fixated on the end result and not have the process fully baked every time, you're going to lose," Bjork said. "The mindset's going to lose because you're only fixated on one thing. And so what we have to do is this whole ‘championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently." Day is 66-10 as Ohio State's coach and led the Buckeyes to one national championship game appearance, a 52-24 loss to Alabama to cap the 2020 season. Ohio State went 10-2 in the regular season but missed out on a place in the Big Ten championship game when rival Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 13-10 on Nov. 30. It was Michigan's fourth straight win in The Game, and Day is now 1-4 as a head coach against the Wolverines. At the time, Bjork released a statement of support for Day, and he doubled down during Thursday's radio hit. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye, and so we're going to support him at the highest level throughout," Bjork said. "But here's the thing too, and the reason why we needed to say something after that game is we're still breathing. They're still alive. The season's not over. The book is not closed, right? And so we've got to have confidence. I mean, Ohio State should be confident every single day. We're Ohio State. "But we also have to make sure we stay to our values and we stick to what we believe in. And so to me, it's the process as much as it is about the end result." --Field Level MediaCity to launch new site Dec. 13
Robbie Avila scores 19 to lead Saint Louis over winless Chicago State 85-62
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutNEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. SO WHAT: If you purchased ASP Isotopes securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ASP Isotopes overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) ASP Isotopes overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; (3) ASP Isotopes overstated the Company’s nuclear fuels operating segment results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about the ASP Isotope’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.comReaders asked about how to tell if their TFSAs are successful, how it compares to other investment tools, and how to best pass along the funds to loved ones. Melanie Lambrick/The Globe and Mail On Thursday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET, The Globe and Mail’s investing editor Darcy Keith , alongside financial planner Owen Winkelmolen and economist and investing writer Larry MacDonald , answered reader questions about TFSA best practices and shared advice on how to effectively use one of Canada’s best financial tools . Mr. Keith and Mr. MacDonald have written for The Globe’s TFSA Trouncers series , where they asked successful Canadian investors how they grew their TFSA balances. During the Q+A, readers asked about how to tell if their TFSAs are successful, how it compares to other investment tools, and how to best pass along the funds to loved ones. Here are some highlights. How to maximize your TFSA What’s the 2025 TFSA contribution limit? Darcy Keith: The 2024 annual contribution limit is $7,000, and it’s going to remain at $7,000 for 2025 (It’s set every year based on long-term accumulate inflation calculations). Should you always max out your yearly contribution? How do you make use of your lifetime TFSA unused contribution room? Larry MacDonald: You don’t need to max out every year and can let your contribution room accumulate. Then, when it’s most convenient, make contributions in any amount up to the accumulated contribution room. What’s a normal amount to have in your TFSA account? Owen Winkelmolen: “Normal” will vary quite a bit depending on age, residency, and tax planning goals. For example, people at higher income levels might prioritize RRSP contributions so their TFSAs may be quite a bit smaller. Statistics Canada shares details on number of TFSA accounts open, unused contribution room, size of accounts, etc. But from working with clients building retirement plans, if they’ve been contributing since 2009 when the TFSA was introduced, and they’ve been using their TFSA as an investment account, their balances range from $150,000 to $200,000 with only a handful of clients above $200,000 (as of 2024). What’s your advice around withdrawing money from a TFSA account? What are some dos and don’ts that I should be aware of? How often can I withdraw? MacDonald: A common misstep is to make a withdrawal and then recontribute an amount in the same year. If you have maxed out your contributions beforehand, CRA will consider your re-contribution to be an overcontribution, subject to a 1%-per-month penalty. The re-contribution must be made after the year of the withdrawal to avoid this. Is it best to have dividend stocks only in a TFSA? Winkelmolen: The income earned inside a TFSA is tax free regardless of the type of income being generated. Whether that be capital gains, Canadian dividends, foreign dividends, interest income, etc. So the total return matters a bit more than the type of return. The only nuance is that the withholding tax applied on foreign dividends is not recoverable in a TFSA. Thinking internationally Why aren’t TFSAs recommended for people who have dual Canadian-American citizenship? Winkelmolen: At the moment the RRSP is recognized in the tax treaty between U.S. and Canada, but the TFSA is not. The TFSA was introduced after the tax treaty was finalized. Cross-border planning between the U.S. and Canada is quite nuanced, so its best to speak with your cross-border accountant about tax-filing requirements in the U.S. if you are a U.S. citizen or a dual U.S./Canadian citizen. Is the RRSP better than the TFSA for U.S. or other foreign investments? Winkelmolen: It’s an interesting question. When you’re in the same tax bracket now and in retirement, the TFSA and RRSP provide the same tax-free growth. The RRSP receives a tax deduction upon contribution and will incur tax upon withdrawal, but when a person is in the same tax bracket upon contribution and withdrawal, the accounts both provide the same net after-tax benefit. Here is an example . So all things being equal, because the foreign withholding tax is not recoverable in the TFSA, this is one reason why the RRSP is often suggested for U.S. assets. Retirement planning How should the average earner prioritize contributing to their TFSA vs. RRSP? Keith: Answering this question really comes down to personal circumstances and goals. One key thing to consider: If you think your income is going to be significantly lower in retirement, then making RRSP contributions now often makes the most sense when your income is higher and you can generate a nice tax refund. Most ideal situation would be contributing both to your TFSAs and RRSPs while working. Winkelmolen: This depends entirely on your marginal effective tax rate now versus retirement. If your marginal effective tax rate is higher now than in retirement it can make RRSP contributions more attractive. Your marginal effective tax rate is the combination of your marginal income tax rate and your government benefit clawback rate. However, as another example, during retirement, an RRSP withdrawal can reduce Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits. GIS benefits are very generous, but have clawback rates of 50 per cent to 75 per cent. This makes it more impactful than income tax. If someone expects to be eligible for GIS in retirement then this makes TFSA contributions more attractive. We would recommend creating a detailed financial plan with an advice-only financial planner. Making an informed and strategic decision between RRSP and TFSA can easily save $10,000 to $100,000’s in tax and government benefit clawbacks. Is it prudent to maximize my TFSA contributions by transferring funds from my RRIF? Winkelmolen: Every retirement situation is different, but yes, it is a common retirement decumulation strategy to draw down the RRSP/RRIF a bit faster and contribute the excess cash flow to the TFSA. Having those funds in the TFSA still allows them to grow tax free but the TFSA account is generally more accessible and this additional flexibility/liquidity can be advantageous. However, we would recommend creating a retirement decumulation plan specific to your situation as there can be reasons not to make those additional RRSP/RRIF withdrawals to maximize the TFSA. What is an optimum strategy for withdrawing TFSA funds for living expenses in retirement? Winkelmolen: “Optimum” is different for everyone. Every retirement situation is different, but as an example, TFSA withdrawal can be extremely helpful when trying to maximize retirement benefits like the GIS. GIS benefits are reduced based on taxable income, but withdrawals from a TFSA are not taxable and will not impact GIS benefits. As another example, “mixing” withdrawals in retirement can help you maximize certain tax brackets and manage tax in retirement. So you may choose to withdraw some retirement income from a RRSP/RRIF and some from TFSA to achieve certain tax planning goals. That being said, often the TFSA is the last place we want to draw from in retirement, its important to create a retirement plan specific to your situation. On succession What steps do I need to take now in order to assign and provide quick access to my TSFA to a benefactor of my choice upon my death? Winkelmolen: Check your successor holder and beneficiary designations and ensure they fit with your estate plan. These designations will ensure your TFSA will flow quickly to the correct person/persons. Can I name anyone as my beneficiary successor? Winkelmolen: Only a spouse or common-law partner can be a successor holder but anyone can be a beneficiary. The way we like to explain the difference between a successor holder and a beneficiary is that the successor holder “gets the account” whereas the beneficiary “gets the money”. So a beneficiary can contribute “the money” to their TFSA if they have contribution room themselves. But a successor holder gets “the account” regardless of if they have TFSA contribution room. If I designate my kids as beneficiaries of my TFSA do they have to pay tax after they inherit the TFSA? Winkelmolen: The assets in the TFSA will be withdrawn tax free and the beneficiary will receive the proceeds/assets, there will be no tax to pay. The only nuance is if the TFSA is part of your estate, then probate fees may apply. Speak with your estate lawyer or accountant about the pros and cons of avoiding probate fees. The TFSA Trouncers series I’m concerned that the TFSA Trouncers series is encouraging too much risk-taking in TFSA accounts. Isn’t this just looking at gamblers who won? Keith: It’s a valid point – those who have scored TFSAs in the many hundreds of thousands of dollars, even million-plus, have for sure taken on higher-risk investments. But I wouldn’t say the people we have featured are outright gambling. For the most part, they did a fair bit of research before making their decisions, and in most cases, decided to get into growth investing. In some cases, that could be making an educated guess on Shopify, or getting into cannabis stocks before the bubble burst, or fully understanding the potential and risks of cryptocurrencies. Huge risks, huge rewards – but for the most part, these bets made within a TFSA were only a small part of the person’s overall long-term savings or income stream. As our advisors often comment at the end of these instalments, investors need to know what they are getting themselves into, and be prepared for big losses that can not be taken later as a capital loss – a big disadvantage of the TFSA account. For many people, it may be wise to only allocate a small part of their TFSA balance to higher risks investments, if at all. MacDonald: Most people should not be doing what the Trouncers are doing. As for the Trouncers, they can take risk because of some aspects of their situation. For example, they may be retired with a good pension that covers their living expenses. Or their spouse has a very conservative portfolio. And so on. Each profile points out these factors and usually state that what the trouncers are doing is quite risky. The financial advisors commenting on the profile point this out, too. Stories of people with $2 million+ in their TFSA challenge my belief in patient investing. What about investors who have had negative results? Winkelmolen: The TFSA is an incredibly valuable account, especially when it comes to tax planning in retirement. The permanent loss of TFSA contribution room due to a bad investment can not only be impactful due to the loss of investment assets but also the loss of tax planning opportunities in the future. Its always important to choose investments that are inline with your risk tolerance and time horizon. Your first TFSA Trouncers story featured a retired military member who was generating $11,000 a month in tax-free income. How can he possibly accomplish that, even with his $800,000-plus TFSA? Keith: Some readers were puzzled how he could possibly generate so much income . The answer is that the investor held a lot of covered call ETFs (I have a spreadsheet of his holdings, and there are a lot of them, with the view of having some diversification). Some included tickers BKCL BMAX HYLD, QQQY, SVOL. You’ll see some have remarkably high yields, in the 15% area in some cases. Now, some caution here: Covered call ETFs can severely underperform plain vanilla ETFs in rising markets. And as you’ll see from some of those holdings, if you look at 6-month stock charts, they did just that, with some with significant losses at a time when major indexes have been rallying hard. So that high monthly income came at quite a tradeoff. Be very careful with these kinds of strategies, as over long term periods, they tend to underperform.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Stainless steel tank technology has transformed industries worldwide. From basic containment vessels to sophisticated flat-bottomed tanks, these systems are streamlining processes and advancing storage capabilities. With growing demands for durability, safety, and efficiency, stainless steel tanks have evolved dramatically over the decades. Industry standards, such as the EN 14015 Tank specification, play a critical role in ensuring high quality and safety across applications. In this article, we’ll explore the remarkable journey of stainless steel tank development and its impact on modern industrial applications. The Early Evolution of Stainless Steel Tanks The journey of stainless steel tanks in industrial applications began in the early 20th century, with a focus on developing containers resistant to rust and corrosion. As industries like oil, gas, and chemicals expanded, so did the need for stronger, more resilient tanks. Stainless steel’s unique properties, such as its anti-corrosive qualities, made it the material of choice for industries requiring safe and sanitary storage solutions. Over time, advancements in stainless steel alloy compositions and fabrication techniques further improved tank performance. This innovation allowed industries to store chemicals, oils, and other sensitive materials safely, eliminating the risk of contamination. Stainless steel tanks quickly became a reliable staple across multiple sectors, marking the start of significant progress in tank technology. Modern Advancements in Stainless Steel Tank Technology With the evolution of technology, the capabilities of stainless steel tanks have reached new heights. Today, stainless steel tanks are designed for optimal performance, longevity, and adaptability to various industrial requirements. Enhanced Structural Integrity Modern stainless steel tanks benefit from advanced welding techniques and metal treatments that enhance their structural integrity, enabling them to withstand high pressures and extreme temperatures. Such advancements have made it possible for stainless steel tank manufacturers to produce tanks that meet diverse operational needs, from food processing and pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals and wastewater treatment. Meeting Rigorous Standards In line with evolving industrial requirements, standards such as the EN 14015 Tank specification have been established to ensure consistency and safety in tank construction. The EN 14015 standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the design and manufacture of atmospheric storage tanks, promoting uniformity across industries. By adhering to these standards, manufacturers deliver tanks that are not only durable but also meet strict quality requirements, ensuring safe operation in even the most challenging environments. Corrosion Resistance and Safety Enhancements Corrosion resistance has always been a hallmark of stainless steel, but recent innovations have enhanced this quality even further. New treatments and coatings help prolong tank life and minimize maintenance needs, which can be critical in industries with stringent safety standards. Additionally, safety features such as pressure-relief systems and advanced monitoring technologies have become common in modern stainless steel tanks, allowing operators to ensure safe storage and handling of hazardous materials. Modern Industrial Applications of Stainless Steel Tanks Stainless steel tanks are vital in industries where quality and cleanliness are critical. In the food and beverage industry, stainless steel tanks are preferred for storing and processing consumable products because they do not rust or interact with the contents. Similarly, in pharmaceuticals, stainless steel’s non-reactive nature ensures the purity of chemical compounds. In chemical processing, stainless steel tanks offer high resistance to chemical reactions and external weather conditions, which is invaluable in safely storing volatile substances. Meanwhile, wastewater management and petrochemical industries rely on these tanks for their robustness and ability to handle large capacities without risk of degradation over time. Future Prospects and Innovations The future of stainless steel tank technology promises even greater advances. Research into new materials and manufacturing methods continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are beginning to influence tank design and operation. Industry experts predict that upcoming innovations will focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. The integration of renewable energy systems and smart grid connectivity may soon become standard features. These developments will further enhance the role of storage tanks in industrial operations. Conclusion The evolution of stainless steel tank technology has been instrumental in shaping modern industry. From meeting rigorous standards like the EN 14015 Tank specification to advancing safety and sustainability, stainless steel tanks continue to set new benchmarks for industrial applications. As technology progresses and industry needs evolve, we can expect to see even more impressive developments in tank design and functionality, making them more adaptable to future demands and challenges. 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India is the first country to develop a long-range hypersonic missile that can travel more than eight times the speed of sound and is a game-changer in global defence technology, which no other country has, claimed Defence scientists. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently test-fired the country’s first long-range hypersonic missile that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, to a distance exceeding 1,500 km, at a speed of nearly 3 km per second. Although in terms of technology, India is the fourth country to possess a hypersonic missile, it is the first country to have successfully tested a hypersonic missile that can travel twice the range of the missile that Russia has in its arsenal. “The hypersonic missile that India now possesses is unique in terms of speed, range, precision and detectability. It is a game-changer and going to play an important role providing an edge to our Armed Forces,” former DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy told The New Indian Express. The superfast hypersonic missile is of two types – hypersonic glide vehicle (ballistic) and hypersonic cruise missile. The hypersonic ballistic missiles are usually launched with a rocket booster. After the booster gets separated at a certain altitude, it travels towards the target much faster. The hypersonic cruise missiles, on the other hand, use scramjet engines to maintain speed throughout their flight path and possess high maneuverability. “What India has developed is not exactly a hypersonic cruise missile, but is like a hypersonic cruise missile. It can maneuver in-flight to avoid being detected by enemy radar and shot down. This missile is a technological marvel and a great achievement in India’s missile technology,” said a Defence scientist. (The New Indian Express)20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: December 9 to 15
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