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Cross sections of Nigerians representing a broad spectrum of opinions have charted a path for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to follow if he (the president) must realise his Renewed Hope Agenda of developing the country in 2025. Those who spoke with Saturday Telegraph in separate interviews include, National Publicity Secretary of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr. Ladipo Johnson, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former Secretary General of the Forum, Anthony Sani. Others include the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Mr. Justice Faloye, and his counterpart in the Pan-Niger Delta Forum Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini. Johnson in his chat with one of our correspondents urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled Federal Government should allow opposition political parties in the country to thrive, saying efforts must be geared towards expanding the political space. While accusing the APC of allegedly sponsoring the numerous crises within the various opposition parties, Johnson also argued that the electoral umpire must ensure level playing field for all parties and not show open bias for the ruling party. Citing the political tension in Kano, Johnson said, “We all can see what members of the opposition APC in Kano State are doing to undermine our government. The first time, they tried to meddle in the emirate system not minding the consequences of their action. “The second time, they tried to use some of our expelled members to sabotage our cases in the courts and they also tried to prevent the state government from conducting local government elections in the state,” he said. Commenting on recently held off season elections in Ondo and Edo State, he called for concerted efforts on how to make the electoral umpire unbiased and transparent. Sani: Why some Nigerians are against Federal Government’s reforms Reflecting on the reforms and policies being undertaken by the Federal Government in the last one year, Sani told Saturday Telegraph that even though the government has promised that Nigerians will soon begin to see the advantages of its reforms, “as long as the succour is yet to be experienced, most Nigerians would conclude the reforms are not good enough.” Sani however called on Nigerians to stop the lamentations and come out with better ways to tame the prevailing situation in the country, saying “This is because unbridled lamentations are never a solution to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.” He also called on the people to support the reforms of the present administration as it is very necessary to support the government to enable it to succeed. He said, “Mr President in media chat told Nigerians that his reforms like removal of fuel subsidies and floating of the naira as well as the Tax Reforms Bills are meant to redirect the socioeconomic development of the country. “He also talked about his improvement of the security architecture and preventive approach of fighting corruption. “In addition, the reforms are not a matter of choice but tasks that must be done. He admitted that there is untold hardship which he said would come to pass because there is some light at the end of the tunnel. “The president has appealed for understanding by Nigerians whose support is sine qua non. In such circumstances, there is nothing one can say beyond appealing to Nigerians to be supportive. “This is because as long as the succour is yet to be experienced, most Nigerians would conclude the reforms are not good enough. “Since the president has admitted the government’s inability to think out better options to the reforms, I appeal to Nigerians to come forward and advise the government on the best approaches-if any-that can bring about some succour as quickly as possible. “This is because unbridled lamentations are never a solution to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.” Injustice against N’Delta should be addressed-Ominimini On his part, Ominimini stated that the only way 2025 would be meaningful to the people of the Niger-Delta would be for the Bola Tinubu led government to make conscious efforts aimed at addressing many perceived injustices that the region has continued to suffer over the years. According to him, the region has been excluded from the scheme of things in the oil sector, saying the situation whereby citizens of the country take up numerous opportunities in the oil business to the exclusion of his people should be addressed. Citing the current condition of the East/West Road as an example of official neglect by successive governments in the country, he Ominimini urged that the provision of adequate infrastructure should also be accorded necessary priority in the New Year. “We want the inclusion of the Niger-Delta in key critical decision making positions in the oil and gas industry,” he said, adding that the two executive directors of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited are from the Northern part of the of the country while his region now had to be content with one non-executive member. He also urged the government to ensure that sons and daughters of the region are given greater opportunities of benefiting business wise in the sector, saying the situation whereby only the northern part of the country benefits in the ownership business opportunities should be addressed. Give us restructuring, review economic policies-Faloye Faloye on his part stated that the expectation of his organisation would be for the government to put in place machinery that would ensure that the much clamoured for restructuring of the country is carried out. He also stated that the government should immediately review its economic policies which he maintained were impacting negatively on the lives and existence of all Nigerians whom he stated have slipped into misery and want. “We hope that the government can give us restructuring, which we have been clamouring for over the years. We are also urging the government to change its economic policies to wear a human face. “We are also advocating for a reduction in the cost of governance and more transparency in the way the country is managed. We also demand greater autonomy for the local governments,” he said.(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom said if President-elect Donald Trump ends the $7,500 electric vehicle rebate program, he’ll get Californians to pay for new credits. However, the credits would not include Tesla, which is the most popular EV company and the only EV manufacturer in the state. This comes weeks after Newsom and his administration passed new refinery and carbon credit regulations that will add up to $1.15 per gallon of gasoline and require Californians with gasoline-powered cars to earn up to another $1,000 per year in pretax income to afford. “We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California,” said Newsom in a statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose rocket launches were recently blocked by a California regulatory board that cited his personal politics, shared his disapproval on his social media platform, X, after Newsom staff told Bloomberg that Tesla models would not qualify for California rebates. “Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California,” said Musk. “This is insane.” Musk recently moved SpaceX and X out of California, citing a new law signed by Newsom banning parental notification for gender change requests from K-12 students. The credits would be paid for through California’s cap-and-trade program, which requires carbon emitters to purchase credits from the state — costs which are generally passed on to consumers in the form of more expensive gasoline, energy, and even concrete. Emitters buy a few billion dollars worth of credits from California each year, with the state’s $135 billion high speed rail project getting the lion’s share of the revenue. The California Resources Board — all but two of whose voting members are appointed by the governor — recently approved $105 billion in EV charging credits and $8 billion in hydrogen charging credits to be largely paid for by drivers of gas cars and diesel trucks. An investigation by The Center Square found the change was pushed by EV makers and the builders of EV charging systems. Buyers of EV chargers, who pay for the energy and own the charger, sign installation contracts that permanently give away their rights to government or other EV charging credits generated from fueling a vehicle with electrons instead of gasoline. These chargers are often bundled with the purchase of an EV, or covered entirely by utility or government rebates, meaning they are permanent, zero-or-low-cost revenue streams for the company collecting the credits.
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Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ( NYSE:SWK – Free Report ) by 106.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 34,463 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,756 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Stanley Black & Decker were worth $3,795,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of SWK. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. grew its position in Stanley Black & Decker by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 8,126 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $895,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the period. Biltmore Family Office LLC acquired a new position in shares of Stanley Black & Decker during the third quarter valued at about $220,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Stanley Black & Decker by 1.2% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,030,210 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $113,457,000 after acquiring an additional 12,305 shares in the last quarter. L & S Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Stanley Black & Decker in the 3rd quarter worth about $6,594,000. Finally, DE Burlo Group Inc. acquired a new position in Stanley Black & Decker during the 3rd quarter valued at about $8,535,000. Institutional investors own 87.77% of the company’s stock. Stanley Black & Decker Stock Down 0.4 % Stanley Black & Decker stock opened at $89.45 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a market capitalization of $13.79 billion, a P/E ratio of -65.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $98.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $93.81. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.70 and a twelve month high of $110.88. Stanley Black & Decker Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. Stanley Black & Decker’s dividend payout ratio is presently -239.42%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on SWK shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Stanley Black & Decker from $94.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Stanley Black & Decker from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $107.00 to $98.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $102.29. Get Our Latest Report on SWK Stanley Black & Decker Profile ( Free Report ) Stanley Black & Decker, Inc provides hand tools, power tools, outdoor products, and related accessories in the United States, Canada, Other Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its Tools & Outdoor segment offers professional grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment, including drills, impact wrenches and drivers, grinders, saws, routers, and sanders; pneumatic tools and fasteners, such as nail guns, nails, staplers and staples, and concrete and masonry anchors; corded and cordless electric power tools; hand-held vacuums, paint tools, and cleaning appliances; leveling and layout tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, clamps, vises, knives, saws, chisels, and industrial and automotive tools; drill, screwdriver, router bits, abrasives, saw blades, and threading products; tool boxes, sawhorses, medical cabinets, and engineered storage solutions; and electric and gas-powered lawn and garden products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ( NYSE:SWK – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Stanley Black & Decker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stanley Black & Decker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Varsity Maine football poll – Nov. 25, 2024
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By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Frictions over lands The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” Conservation, drilling and grazing It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.2 Strong Reasons to Buy Magna Stock Like There’s No Tomorrow
WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case. Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.
(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom said if President-elect Donald Trump ends the $7,500 electric vehicle rebate program, he’ll get Californians to pay for new credits. However, the credits would not include Tesla, which is the most popular EV company and the only EV manufacturer in the state. This comes weeks after Newsom and his administration passed new refinery and carbon credit regulations that will add up to $1.15 per gallon of gasoline and require Californians with gasoline-powered cars to earn up to another $1,000 per year in pretax income to afford. “We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California,” said Newsom in a statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose rocket launches were recently blocked by a California regulatory board that cited his personal politics, shared his disapproval on his social media platform, X, after Newsom staff told Bloomberg that Tesla models would not qualify for California rebates. “Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California,” said Musk. “This is insane.” Musk recently moved SpaceX and X out of California, citing a new law signed by Newsom banning parental notification for gender change requests from K-12 students. The credits would be paid for through California’s cap-and-trade program, which requires carbon emitters to purchase credits from the state — costs which are generally passed on to consumers in the form of more expensive gasoline, energy, and even concrete. Emitters buy a few billion dollars worth of credits from California each year, with the state’s $135 billion high speed rail project getting the lion’s share of the revenue. The California Resources Board — all but two of whose voting members are appointed by the governor — recently approved $105 billion in EV charging credits and $8 billion in hydrogen charging credits to be largely paid for by drivers of gas cars and diesel trucks. An investigation by The Center Square found the change was pushed by EV makers and the builders of EV charging systems. Buyers of EV chargers, who pay for the energy and own the charger, sign installation contracts that permanently give away their rights to government or other EV charging credits generated from fueling a vehicle with electrons instead of gasoline. These chargers are often bundled with the purchase of an EV, or covered entirely by utility or government rebates, meaning they are permanent, zero-or-low-cost revenue streams for the company collecting the credits.The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is driving significant economic impacts and enhancing social life, but also raises concerns about multiple risks. This momentum has sparked the need for an AI governance framework to maximise the benefits of AI, while minimising its negative consequences. By ensuring responsible and ethical AI deployment, AI governance increases confidence among businesses and governments, enabling them to deliver trustworthy AI products and services to users with greater assurance. GenAI is a type of AI that can create new content such as images and videos. What is AI governance? AI governance refers to the processes, standards and guardrails that help ensure that AI systems and tools are safe and ethical. AI governance frameworks direct AI research, development and application to help ensure safety, fairness and respect for human rights, according to IBM. Effective AI governance includes oversight mechanisms that address risks such as bias, privacy infringement and misuse, while fostering innovation and building trust. An ethical AI-centred approach to AI governance requires the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including AI developers, users, policymakers and ethicists, ensuring that AI-related systems are developed and used to align with society's values. As AI is a product of highly engineered code and machine learning created by people, it is susceptible to human biases and errors that can result in discrimination and other harm to individuals, according to IBM. Why is AI governance important? According to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (Etda), because AI can cause damage and make incorrect decisions, governance is needed to direct its usage. The goal is not only to ensure the successful application of AI by organisations but also to ensure they use AI with responsibility, according to Etda. IBM noted that AI systems make decisions all the time, from deciding which ads to show to determining whether to approve a loan. It is essential to understand how AI systems make decisions to hold them accountable for their decisions and help ensure that they make them fairly and ethically. Patama Chantaruck, country managing director at Accenture Thailand, said mitigating GenAI risks requires a strategic commitment to responsible AI. Research found 98% of executives acknowledge the need for a more systematic approach to manage emerging technologies ethically. To address this, organisations should establish governance frameworks, design AI systems to be trustworthy and fair, and enforce accountability at all levels, she added. "With tools to detect bias and monitor fairness, companies can uphold transparency and public trust, ensuring AI is a tool for positive, ethical impact," said Ms Patama. How is AI governance being developed in Thailand? Supachai Pathumnakul, permanent secretary for the ministry of higher education, science, research and innovation (MHESI), said one pillar in the National AI master plan is ethical, legal and social implications. The others are AI infrastructure, human capital, technology and innovation and AI promotion. Prasert Jantararuangtong, the digital economy and society (DES) minister, said Thailand recently introduced the AI Governance Guideline for Executives and the Generative AI Governance Guideline for Organizations. The guideline for organisations aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of GenAI technology in all its important dimensions. This will enable the organisations to define clear and governance-aligned approaches to applying GenAI within their operations and minimise risk. "AI represents the second era of digital transformation, offering more benefits than risks. However, it must be used carefully, consciously, and responsibly, with a focus on ethics and governance," said Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor at Etda's AI Governance Centre (AIGC). Thailand has made significant strides in AI governance, particularly with the establishment of its AIGC two years ago. The centre has received numerous inquiries from organisations about the legality and ethical implications of using AI tools such as ChatGPT. This underscored the urgent need for a robust framework to ensure AI adoption aligns with Unesco's ethical guidelines and international standards, Mr Sak added. Thailand developed a series of recommendations and guidelines for AI adoption, inspired by Unesco's 2021 AI ethics recommendation. These guidelines, which were approved by Thailand's government, aim to ensure AI is used ethically across Thai organisations. Starting in 2025, all government agencies in Thailand will be required to follow these standards. Additionally, Thailand collaborated with Unesco to implement the Readiness Assessment Methodology, which helps assess and guide AI adoption ethically. Mr Sak said Etda also offers to help organisations develop AI governance frameworks that are suitable for Thailand's context and in line with international policies. Why does Thailand lack an AI law? Mr Sak said Thailand is focused on understanding and keeping up with AI developments, which is why the AI law has not yet been developed. "The technology is rapidly evolving, and overregulating it could disrupt the ecosystem. We might have an AI law in the next few years," he said. However, there are governance guidelines in place to educate the public and organisations on how to adopt AI responsibly and ethically, he said. The regulators in some sectors, like healthcare, are considering specific AI regulations, as well as potential restrictions on AI use for children. The country's existing laws such as the Personal Data Protection Law, intellectual property rights and the Computer Crime Act also support liability in cases such as privacy violations or personal damage. Mr Sak said that Etda is currently working on guidelines for AI procurement. In 2024, AI adoption plans among Thai organisations reached 73.3%, up nearly 20 percentage points from the previous year, according to the AI Readiness Measurement 2024 report by Etda and the National Science and Technology Development Agency. The DES Ministry, in collaboration with the MHESI, the Education Ministry and Unesco, are co-hosting the 3rd Unesco Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025 in Bangkok under the theme "Ethical Governance of AI in Motion". The forum is scheduled for June 24-27, 2025, marking the first international conference of its kind in Asia-Pacific.
After a tough couple of years marked by a 28% decline, shares of ( ) have made a strong comeback in 2024. With a 22% year-to-date gain, BNS stock is now trading at $78.37, supported by a of $97.6 billion. This recovery reflects a renewed confidence in the bank’s ability to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment while having the potential to benefit from easing inflation and declining interest rates. However, as we approach 2025, investors are wondering whether this momentum can continue. Before diving into BNS stock’s 2025 outlook, let’s quickly review the key factors that contributed to its recovery in 2024. Key factors behind BNS stock’s rally in 2024 The strength in Scotiabank’s financial performance in recent quarters could be one of the main reasons for driving investor confidence. Several key factors, including strength in its Canadian banking operations, a recovery in the international banking segment, and wealth management growth, have helped BNS stock regain its footing in 2024. In its fiscal year 2024 (ended in October), Scotiabank’s net profit climbed by about 6% YoY (year over year) to $7.9 billion with the help of strong revenue growth, strategic focus on its core markets, and improved operational efficiencies. Notably, the bank’s Canadian banking division delivered a 7% YoY increase in adjusted earnings to $4.3 billion as a result of robust volume growth and margin expansion. Scotiabank’s focus on managing expenses within the Canadian market also contributed to positive operating leverage, improving its profitability from this core segment. Meanwhile, many key factors, such as margin expansion, disciplined cost management, and the favourable impact of foreign exchange rates, drove a recovery in its international banking segment last fiscal year, helping it post an impressive 11% adjusted earnings growth from a year ago. BNS stock’s 2025 outlook As we move into 2025, the outlook for BNS stock largely looks optimistic. The bank’s solid 2024 performance, supported by strength across its Canadian and international segments, has laid a strong foundation for continued growth. Besides Scotiabank’s strategic focus on core markets like Canada and Latin America, its ability to deliver positive operating leverage through disciplined cost management and revenue growth will be key to sustaining its momentum in 2025. Bank of Nova Scotia’s Canadian Banking division is expected to continue benefiting from strong demand in residential mortgages and personal loans, coupled with stable deposit growth. In addition, its investments in technology and digital transformation should also help it improve operational efficiency further, which could expand its profitability. Easing inflation and declining interest rates are also likely to play a significant role in shaping Scotiabank’s 2025 outlook. Lower interest rates could stimulate borrowing activity, driving growth in both retail and commercial loans. This trend, combined with easing inflation, may also have a positive impact on consumer spending, creating favourable conditions for the bank’s Canadian operations to perform well. In addition to these strong fundamentals, BNS stock’s strong 5.4% annualized dividend yield makes it even more attractive for income-focused, long-term investors in Canada heading into 2025.Robots perform like human surgeons by just watching videos
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Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off during his side’s goalless Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium. Pedro escaped punishment after swinging an arm at Bees substitute substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact. VAR reviewed the second-half incident but deemed there was no violent conduct. Frank and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler disagreed about the decision. “As I understand the rules, you can’t swing your arm to try to hit someone,” said Frank. “If you hit them or not, it’s a red, that’s the way I understand the rules.” Frank spoke to the match officials, including referee Andy Madley, about the flashpoint at full-time. “They haven’t seen the situation yet, not on TV afterwards,” said Frank. “To be fair to him, I think the angle can be tricky so that’s why you’ve got VAR.” Asked about Frank’s assessment, Hurzeler replied: “Interesting opinion. I see it completely different. “For me, it’s not a red card. He tried to get free from a person.” Brighton were booed off after their winless run was stretched to six top-flight games. Albion dominated for large periods and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso. Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made some important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut. The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Brentford a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal. Hurzeler thought the jeers at full-time were unfair. “The team doesn’t deserve that because in all the games we had in the last weeks they were all good, they were all intense, they were all where we thought we deserved more” said the German, whose team have lost to Fulham and Crystal Palace and drawn with Southampton, Leicester and West Ham in recent matches. “We try to work hard to satisfy our supporters, we try to give them what they deserve, we try to make them proud. “But the Premier League is tough. We know there will be (tough) periods we have to go through, especially with this young squad. “We try to stick together, find the positive and keep on going.” Brentford, who remain without a top-flight away win this term, had an early Yoane Wissa finish ruled out for offside following VAR intervention but barely threatened, despite an improved second-half showing. Frank, who is awaiting news on Flekken and defender Ben Mee, who also left the field injured, said: “I thought it was a fair point. “Brighton were better in the first half, no big, clearcut chances, and I thought we were better second half. “Overall, I’m happy with the performance, especially the way we defended. “We haven’t had too many clean sheets this season, so in that context I thought it was very impressive against a good Brighton team. “We know we have a lot of players out – we get two more injuries during the game. “The way the players showed their mentality and character and dug in was hugely impressive.”Renovaro Regains Compliance with NASDAQ Listing Requirement
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Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its holdings in AppFolio, Inc. ( NASDAQ:APPF – Free Report ) by 39.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,540 shares of the software maker’s stock after selling 4,206 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in AppFolio were worth $1,539,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Summit Global Investments acquired a new position in AppFolio during the third quarter valued at $759,000. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new position in AppFolio during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,054,000. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP increased its holdings in shares of AppFolio by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP now owns 21,483 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $5,057,000 after purchasing an additional 3,038 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of AppFolio by 48.1% in the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 8,000 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $1,957,000 after purchasing an additional 2,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank lifted its position in shares of AppFolio by 129.9% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 13,683 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $3,376,000 after purchasing an additional 7,732 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.34% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of AppFolio from $300.00 to $252.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of AppFolio from a “market perform” rating to an “underperform” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $255.00 to $193.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on AppFolio from $300.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded AppFolio from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $261.75. Insiders Place Their Bets In other AppFolio news, insider Matthew S. Mazza sold 5,090 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.24, for a total value of $1,202,461.60. Following the sale, the insider now owns 28,266 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,677,559.84. This trade represents a 15.26 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, major shareholder Maurice J. Duca sold 2,577 shares of AppFolio stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.75, for a total value of $646,182.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,875 shares in the company, valued at approximately $720,906.25. This represents a 47.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 24,461 shares of company stock valued at $5,766,272 in the last quarter. Insiders own 5.24% of the company’s stock. AppFolio Stock Performance APPF opened at $253.75 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $9.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 70.98 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $224.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $231.25. AppFolio, Inc. has a twelve month low of $164.29 and a twelve month high of $274.56. AppFolio ( NASDAQ:APPF – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The software maker reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $206.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $199.11 million. AppFolio had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 30.64%. AppFolio’s revenue for the quarter was up 24.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.26 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that AppFolio, Inc. will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About AppFolio ( Free Report ) AppFolio, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud business management solutions for the real estate industry in the United States. The company provides a cloud-based platform that enables users to automate and optimize common workflows; tools that assist with leasing, maintenance, and accounting; and other technology and services offered by third parties. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding APPF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AppFolio, Inc. ( NASDAQ:APPF – Free Report ). 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Global Times: People's Daily article says favorable conditions for China's economic development remain unchangedBy MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.