Founder of Leagile Supply Services, a supply chain solutions provider in Lagos, Arogundade Oluwasegun, has provided insights into the recurring issue of stock-outs during festive seasons. He emphasized the negative impact on consumer confidence, the systemic challenges plaguing Nigeria’s supply chain, and innovative measures his company is adopting to address these problems. Stock-outs represent a significant disruption in the supply chain, often caused by a combination of factors such as inaccurate demand forecasts, poor inventory management, and logistical failures. Oluwasegun noted that these issues are exacerbated during festive periods when exceptional consumer demand is encountered. “Ineffective communication within the value chain is a critical issue,” he said, stressing the need for better collaboration between suppliers, distributors, and retailers. To minimise the impact on consumers, Leagile Supply Services has adopted supply chain agile strategies, including real-time inventory monitoring using advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and effective collaborative planning forecast replenishment (CPFR). This technology allows the company to identify and address bottlenecks swiftly, ensuring goods are available on shelves rather than stuck in warehouses. During peak periods like December, the company engages early with trade partners to align on demand forecasts and secure commitments for increased production and storage capacity. Real-time visibility and upskilling supply chain teams are also critical components of their approach. However, Oluwasegun highlighted challenges such as unauthorised sale prices and missing product codes, which can render stock inaccessible to consumers despite being available in warehouses. Infrastructure and policy-related challenges in Nigeria remain significant contributors to stock-outs. Poor road networks, excessive port inspections, and congestion caused by outdated equipment extend lead times and complicate logistics. “Government policies need to shift focus from revenue generation to supporting sustainable supply chain practices,” he urged, advocating for the creation of industrial clusters and the review of tariffs to ease the burden on businesses. Oluwasegun also highlighted the role of technology in improving production and distribution strategies. By integrating electronic data interchange applications with ERP systems, supply chains can achieve better visibility and responsiveness. “Collaborative supply chains actively engage all partners, allowing us to predict demand accurately and optimise operations,” he explained. Consumers also play a role in reducing stock-outs. Oluwasegun suggested that accessible financial support during festive periods could help households make early purchases, reducing demand spikes. This would enable manufacturers and retailers to plan inventory more effectively and ease the pressure on logistics networks. He underscored the importance of addressing stock-outs to safeguard consumer confidence and loyalty. When faced with unavailable products, consumers may switch to substitutes, delay purchases, or abandon them altogether. This can have lasting consequences for both retailers and manufacturers. Oluwasegun called for open collaboration among retailers, suppliers, and logistics providers to tackle these challenges head-on. “Breaking down barriers in communication and working together for the benefit of consumers is essential,” he concluded. As festive seasons approach, Leagile Supply Services is setting an example by adopting innovative measures to ensure consistent availability of essential goods, offering hope for a smoother shopping experience for Nigerians.Okta up 17% after posting profit, revenue jump in Q3
Sabuwar kwamishiniyar mata a Kano ta fara tattara bayanan marasa karfi a jiharTransMedics Appoints Gerardo Hernandez as Chief Financial Officer and Provides Updated 2024 Financial Outlook
Paid Version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Now Available - MacRumors( MENAFN - NewsIn Asia) By Sugeeswara Senadheera/Daily News Colombo, December 14:“I am a lover of India, I am a friend of its people, and I am a follower of its greatest son, Gautama the Buddha,” President J. R. Jayewardene said at the 1986 SAARC Summit in Bangalore, which was chaired by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The close proximity of the two nations across the Palk Strait has fostered exchanges in culture, religion, trade, and Politics since ancient times. Stressing the shared deep historical and cultural relationship that spans thousands of years between the two countries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be making his first official foreign visit as Head of State to New Delhi this weekend. Next Monday's talks between the Sri Lankan President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be aimed at laying a strong foundation for a new, robust economic partnership between the two countries for the next five years and beyond. Although when President Jayewardene made his 'I love India' speech in 1986, Dissanayake's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had undertaken an anti-India campaign that included a boycott of Indian goods, much water has flowed in the rivers Ganges and Kelani in the interim period, and policies have undergone many a transformation. South Asian Regional Dynamics The India-Sri Lanka relationship, shaped by millennia of shared history and culture, has navigated periods of cooperation and conflict. As both nations adapt to the challenges of the 21st century, their partnership is likely to remain a cornerstone of South Asian regional dynamics. Ancient trade routes linked the kingdoms of South India with Sri Lanka, with commodities like spices, pearls, and textiles being exchanged. Ports in both regions flourished due to maritime commerce. Indian independence movements inspired similar aspirations in Sri Lanka. Currently, transshipment of containers (TEUs) brings the biggest revenue to Sri Lankan ports. Affinity between the two countries and rapport between the leaders helped resolve many vexed issues that had cropped up from time to time. The Indian-Tamil population in the central hill country in Sri Lanka became a point of contention, leading to strained relations. The 1964 Sirima-Shastri Pact and 1974 Sirima-Indira Pact resolved the issue of stateless Tamils, with 675,000 repatriated to India and the balance of 375,000 granted Sri Lankan citizenship. The ethnic conflict escalated into a civil war between the Tamil militants and the armed forces, and India initially supported Tamil groups. Relations hit rock bottom in June 1987 when Indian planes violated Sri Lankan airspace to airdrop 'food.' However, the two countries later sought to mediate peace. Post-war, India has been a key partner in Sri Lanka's reconstruction efforts, contributing to housing, infrastructure, and education projects. India was also the first country to bail out Sri Lanka when the latter faced an unprecedented fiscal crisis in 2022. India is one of Sri Lanka's largest trading partners, and the two nations signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1998. Multifaceted Partnership In recent decades, India-Sri Lanka relations have evolved into a multifaceted partnership. While the relationship has grown stronger, some challenges remain. Sri Lanka's balancing act between India and China has sometimes caused friction. New Delhi talks next Monday will focus mainly on cooperation in areas like renewable energy, maritime security, and regional trade, offering opportunities for mutual benefit. India-Sri Lanka relations hold immense potential. The required backdrop for a successful outcome of the talks next week has been worked out very carefully. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing his signature policies, 'Neighbourhood First' and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), sent his trusted External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Colombo within days of Dissanayake taking oaths as President. PM Modi, in his congratulatory message on X following the electoral victory of Dissanayake, made a special reference to the policies Neighbourhood First and SAGAR. India realized after the 2022 Aragalaya protest against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that Dissanayake's JVP-led new popular alliance, National People's Power (NPP), could be a power to reckon with. Months ahead of the Presidential Election campaign, NPP leader Dissanayake, together with shadow Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, was invited to New Delhi. Realizing the imperative of getting into New Delhi's good books, Dissanayake visited India and held discussions with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, among others. As Dissanayake was only a leader of a minor party with only three Members of Parliament then, he did not get an audience with PM Modi. Interestingly, Dissanayake acknowledged in his conversation with the Indian High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, that his visit to India and discussions with Jaishankar and Doval were contributory factors to his victory. Perhaps what he had in mind was the overwhelming majority he received in the Tamil-majority North as well as in the Central hill country, where a sizable Indian-origin Tamil population voted for him. According to Colombo official sources, New Delhi talks on December 16 will cover several issues, including grant assistance projects from India, the continuation of debt restructuring concessions, the proposed Economic and Technological Co-operation Agreement (ECTA), which replaced the earlier proposal for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), people-centric digitization programmes including digital identity cards, housing projects from India, solar electrification of religious places under a grant already announced in New Delhi, agricultural development, defence cooperation, infrastructure development in the North, and collaboration in human resources development. The vexed question of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lanka's territorial waters will also figure in the talks. Geopolitical Framework Talks on defence and security will be of interest as PM Modi is keen on his Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy, which outlines India's vision and geopolitical framework of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Indian officials hinted that India is not likely to raise the Adani Group's proposed investment in a wind power project in Mannar in the North as the proposal is currently faced with legal challenges. Five fundamental rights cases against this project, for environmental reasons, have been filed in the Supreme Court. The Attorney General's Department informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers in the previous Government had decided to reconsider the project. In addition to this 280 MW renewable energy project, there is also a proposal for a 234 MW venture in which the Adani Group has invested in Pooneryn in the North. A Federal Court in Brooklyn, USA, issued a five-count criminal indictment on the Adani Group last month. It was against Gautam Adani and a few others of his Renewable Energy Company. Political analysts are watching President Dissanayake's visit to India as it has implications beyond the bilateral relationship. For the new Sri Lankan leader, it will be an important opportunity to internationally demonstrate how far the JVP has evolved since its anti-India days and the JVP-led NPP Government's plans for expanding cooperation with India and maintaining a healthy balance between the two Asian powers, China and India. END MENAFN14122024000191011043ID1108993157 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Adapting cities to climate changeNetflix will have one of its biggest days Wednesday since the site launched in 1998 when it airs two NFL games for the first time. "NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix" begins with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m., before Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City. Baltimore faces Houston in the second game. The streaming giant agreed to a three-year contract in May to carry Christmas Day games. Netflix's 282.3 million subscribers in over 190 countries will be able to stream the games, marking the first time one outlet has distributed an NFL game globally. Netflix will have the games available in five languages — English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. The games will also air on CBS affiliates in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston. NFL policy dictates that games on cable or being exclusively streamed must also be on an over-the-air station in the competing teams' markets. It will also be available on mobile devices in the U.S. for those who have NFL+. The biggest reason is money. The league is getting $150 million from Netflix for the two games this season. It also continues the NFL's moves into streaming — Thursday night games are in their third season on Amazon Prime Video and the "Sunday Ticket" package moved to YouTube TV last year. But Christmas is on a Wednesday when games usually aren't played. That's true, but the league wasn't about to give up Christmas after seeing the ratings. Last year's three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million. The Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens and Texans played on Saturday, giving them the same turnaround they would have if they played on Sunday and then Thursday. All four have clinched playoff spots in the AFC, but seeding remains up for grabs. Kansas City (14-1) can clinch the top seed — which would mean a first-round bye and home field throughout the playoffs — with a win over the Steelers. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are tied atop the AFC North at 10-5, with the Steelers holding the tiebreaker due to a better conference record. Houston (9-6) has wrapped up the AFC South and holds the fourth seed. Netflix hopes so. Brandon Riegg, Netflix's vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said the system was stress tested, and then some, during the Nov. 14 bout, along with internet service providers reporting they were also overwhelmed by the surge that occurred before and during the fight. The bout peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, including 38 million concurrent streams in the United States. According to the website Down Detector, nearly 85,000 viewers logged problems with outages or streaming leading up to and during the fight. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. The largest audience for a streamed-exclusive NFL game was 23 million on Peacock for last season's AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs. Nielsen will measure the ratings for the Christmas Day games, with early numbers expected late afternoon on Thursday. It will probably be at kickoff for both games, but especially around 5:45 p.m. EST. That would be near halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, and when Beyoncé will be performing. Mariah Carey will kick off the day with a taped performance of "All I Want for Christmas is You." There is no word if Taylor Swift will make the trip to Pittsburgh to watch her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift has been spending time in Kansas City since she wrapped up her Eras Tour two weeks ago. How many Christmas games will Netflix carry in the next two seasons? The NFL will have at least two games on Dec. 25 in 2025 and '26, with Netflix slated to have at least one each year. Amazon Prime Video will have a night game with Christmas on a Thursday next year. Netflix's worldwide partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment will begin on Jan. 6 when "Monday Night Raw" moves to the streaming service. On Friday, Netflix secured the U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Global Creative Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Adobe,MAGIX,CyberLink,Corel,AppleDaily Post Nigeria Sabuwar kwamishiniyar mata a Kano ta fara tattara bayanan marasa karfi a jihar Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Hausa Sabuwar kwamishiniyar mata a Kano ta fara tattara bayanan marasa karfi a jihar Published on December 23, 2024 By Nana Ismail Sabuwar Kwamishinan ma’aikatar mata, yara da masu bukata ta musamman a Kano, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi HOD ta gudanar da ziyarar duba ayyuka zuwa gidan yara na Tudun Maliki, Cibiyar Gyaran VVF ta Kwalli, da Gidan ajiye wadanda aka tsina a Unguwar Sheka. Manufar ziyarar ita ce tattara bayanai na gaskiya game da ci gaban da aka samu da kuma kalubalen da wadannan cibiyoyin ke fuskanta. Wannan bayani na cikin wani sanarwa daga Bintu Nuhu Yakasai, Daraktar yada labaran ma’aikatar. Sanarwar ta kara da cewa, a lokacin ziyarar, Kwamishiniyar ta nuna jajircewarta sosai wajen inganta abubuwan more rayuwa da ayyukan da wadannan cibiyoyin ke bayarwa. Ta yabawa muhimmancin rawar da suke takawa wajen tallafa wa al’ummomi masu rauni, ciki har da mata, yara, da kuma mutanen da ke da nakasa. A yayin ziyarar da ta kai Gidan Yara na Tudun Maliki, Kwamishiniyar ta nuna damuwa game da rashin ma’aikatan lafiya a asibitin da ke wajen. Hajiya Amina HOD ta roki a dauki matakin gaggawa wajen tura ma’aikatan lafiya domin tabbatar da lafiya da tsaron mazauna gidan. Kwamishinan ta kuma bayyana cewa tana la’akari da kafa wani cibiyar wasanni a cikin Gidan Yara na Tudun Maliki. Wannan shiri, a cewarta, zai samar da dama ga mazauna gidan don yin ayyuka daban-daban, don inganta rayuwarsu da kuma samar da yanayi na farin ciki. A yayin ziyarar Cibiyar Gyaran Kwalli, Kwamishinan ta yi alkawarin samar da kulawa mai inganci ga marasa lafiya na da ke fama da VVF. Related Topics: Jihar Kano Don't Miss Gwamnatin Kano, NDLEA za su yaƙi shaye-shaye You may like Sarkin Kano ya nemi a kawo karshen fadan daba Mutane biyu sun muta a hatsarin mota a jihar Kano Jihar Kano ta yi zarra a gasar Noma ta kasa ta 2024 Sabon kwamishinan ilimi na Kano ya kama aiki Gwamnatin Kano ta ware wa ma’aikatar jin kai biliyan uku Ba zamu lamunci karkatar da kudin al’umma ba – Majalisar dokokin Kano Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd
Share Tweet Share Share Email The cryptocurrency market is buzzing with excitement as altcoin season gains momentum, with Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP leading the charge. Investors are witnessing significant price surges driven by innovation, adoption, and market dynamics, sparking curiosity about which project might be the next breakout star. Among the rising contenders, Lightchain AI is quickly gaining attention for its revolutionary blend of blockchain and artificial intelligence. Currently in its Presale phase with tokens priced at just $0.003, Lightchain AI presents a unique opportunity for investors to participate early in a project poised for exponential growth. This article explores the factors behind the current altcoin rally, highlights Lightchain AI’s standout features, and evaluates its potential to emerge as the next big winner of altcoin season. Ethereum, Solana, and XRP Ethereum, Solana, and XRP have captured the market’s attention with their recent surges, each driven by distinct factors. Ethereum’s continued dominance stems from its robust ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) and its ongoing transition to Ethereum 2.0, which promises scalability and energy efficiency. Solana, on the other hand, is gaining traction due to its unparalleled transaction speed and low fees, making it a favorite among developers building DeFi platforms and NFT marketplaces. XRP, backed by Ripple’s legal victories and its focus on cross-border payments, has reasserted itself as a key player in the crypto landscape. These projects illustrate the importance of utility, scalability, and real-world applications in driving growth. Lightchain AI mirrors these qualities with its innovative Proof of Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism and Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM), setting the stage for its own breakout moment in the altcoin market. Lightchain AI Ready to Shine in the Altcoin Market Lightchain AI is rapidly emerging as a promising contender in the altcoin market. By combining blockchain with artificial intelligence, it introduces a new paradigm for decentralized technology. Its PoI consensus mechanism incentivizes nodes to perform meaningful AI computations, such as model training and optimization, ensuring that computational efforts contribute directly to the ecosystem’s growth. Another standout feature is the AIVM, a specialized computational layer designed for executing AI-specific tasks while maintaining scalability and privacy. These innovations make Lightchain AI uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-driven solutions in industries like healthcare, finance, and supply chain. With its Presale phase offering tokens at $0.003, Lightchain AI provides an accessible entry point for investors looking to participate in a project with transformative potential. How Lightchain AI’s Unique Features Position It for a Breakout Breakout Potential : Lightchain AI’s unique features position it for a significant breakout during the altcoin season, setting it apart from traditional blockchain platforms. PoI Consensus Mechanism : The Proof of Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism secures the network while ensuring computational resources are used to advance AI applications. This approach aligns with the growing need for scalable and privacy-preserving AI solutions. Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM) : The AIVM enables real-time execution of complex AI tasks, tackling challenges that other blockchain platforms cannot address. Transparent Governance : A transparent governance model enhances trust and ensures equitable decision-making within the platform. Ambitious Roadmap : Lightchain AI’s roadmap outlines a clear strategy for innovation and adoption, including major milestones that drive its growth and sustainability. Real-World Problem Solving : By solving real-world problems while maintaining decentralization, Lightchain AI stands out as a leader in blockchain innovation. Future Leadership in Blockchain : Its ability to integrate advanced AI capabilities with blockchain technology positions Lightchain AI as a future leader in the blockchain space. Comparing Lightchain AI to Ethereum, Solana, and XRP: Key Differences While Ethereum, Solana, and XRP have established themselves as leaders in their respective niches, Lightchain AI brings a unique value proposition that differentiates it from these giants. Ethereum excels in smart contracts and decentralized application development, but its scalability issues have been a long-standing challenge. Solana addresses scalability with its high-speed transactions and low fees but lacks the integration of advanced computational capabilities like AI. XRP focuses on cross-border payments and financial transactions but does not cater to the broader demands of decentralized AI applications. In contrast, Lightchain AI combines blockchain’s transparency with AI’s computational power, addressing scalability, privacy, and inclusivity challenges simultaneously. Its PoI mechanism and AIVM make it a versatile platform capable of catering to a wide range of industries, giving it a competitive edge over Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Why Lightchain AI Is Gaining Momentum Investor sentiment around Lightchain AI is growing rapidly, driven by its innovative approach and strong market positioning. The project’s Presale phase has already raised significant funds, reflecting confidence in its vision and technology. Early investors are drawn to its affordable entry price of $0.003, recognizing the potential for significant returns as the project matures. Additionally, Lightchain AI’s focus on solving real-world problems with scalable and privacy-preserving solutions resonates with enterprises and developers. Its ability to align with emerging market trends, such as the increasing demand for decentralized AI applications, ensures sustained interest and adoption. This growing momentum positions Lightchain AI as a top contender for a breakout during altcoin season. Lightchain AI the Next Big Winner of Altcoin Season? As Ethereum, Solana, and XRP lead the current altcoin surge, Lightchain AI is making waves as a strong contender to join their ranks. With its innovative features like the PoI mechanism and AIVM, it tackles key challenges in blockchain and AI, making it a project with serious growth potential. The ongoing presale is a great chance for investors to get in early and secure a stake in a platform that’s reimagining decentralized technology. Lightchain AI’s ambitious roadmap and unique approach to combining AI and blockchain set it apart in the fast-evolving crypto space. With the market increasingly favoring projects with real-world utility and scalability, Lightchain AI is shaping up to be a high-potential investment that’s ready to ride the altcoin wave. Why Lightchain AI Could Be a Game-Changer The altcoin season shows just how much demand there is for innovative blockchain projects, and Lightchain AI is perfectly positioned to keep up the momentum. By addressing challenges like scalability, privacy, and meaningful AI integration, it offers something truly different from big players like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. With tokens available for just $0.003 during the Presale phase , it’s a rare opportunity to get involved early in a groundbreaking project. As altcoin season heats up, Lightchain AI is a project to keep an eye on—it’s ready to make a big splash in the crypto market. 👉 Visit the Lightchain AI Website 👉 Read the Lightchain AI Whitepaper 👉 Follow Lightchain AI on Twitter/X 👉 Join the Lightchain AI Community on Telegram Related Items: Lightchain , press release Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you The Best Crypto Wallets in 2024: 4 Must-Have Options for Safety and Gains Lightchain AI Price Predictions– What Investors Should Expect in the Next Bull Cycle Top 3 Most Promising Coins To Buy Now Solana (SOL) Pepe Coin (PEPE) Lightchain AI CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks are pulling Wall Street toward another record amid mixed trading on Monday. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in afternoon trading after closing its best month of the year at an all-time high . The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 86 points, or 0.2%, with a little more than an hour remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% higher. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 31.1% to lead the market. Following accusations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company's board. It also said it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 2.9% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 1.1% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street's frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 3.7% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.6%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.3%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.3%. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday's headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October's lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revolve Renewable Power Corp. REVV REVVF (" Revolve " or the " Company "), a North American owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects, is pleased to announce that CEO Myke Clark will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on December 5 th , 2024. DATE : December 5 th TIME: 11:30am ET LINK: https://bit.ly/3Yknp3z Mr. Clark is also available for 1x1 meetings. Mr. Clark will provide an update on Revolve's renewable energy project pipeline and corporate catalysts, including: A review of Q1, F2025 results including a 300% increase in the Company's long-term recurring revenue stream. The recent completion of a major interconnection milestone at the Company's 49.6MW Primus Wind project in the U.S. The recent acquisition of a 30 MW solar development project in Alberta, Canada and the current permitting process. This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . For further information contact: Myke Clark, CEO IR@revolve-renewablepower.com 778-372-8499 A bout Revolve Revolve was formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power. Revolve develops utility-scale wind, solar, hydro and battery storage projects in the US, Canada and Mexico. The Company has a second division, Revolve Renewable Business Solutions which installs and operates sub 20MW "behind the meter" distributed generation (or "DG") assets. Revolve's portfolio includes the following: Operating Assets: 11MW (net) of operating assets under long term power purchase agreements across Canada and Mexico covering wind, solar, battery storage and hydro generation; Under Construction: a 3MW CHP project and a 450kWp rooftop solar project that are both under construction and expected to be operational later this year; and Development: a diverse portfolio of utility scale development projects across the US, Canada and Mexico with a combined capacity of over 3,000MWs as well as a 140MW+ distributed generation portfolio that is under development. Revolve has an accomplished management team with a demonstrated track record of taking projects from "greenfield" through to "ready to build" status and successfully concluding project sales to large operators of utility-scale renewable energy projects. To-date, Revolve has developed and sold over 1,550MW of projects. Going forward, Revolve is targeting 5,000MW of utility-scale projects under development in the US, Canada and Mexico, and in parallel is rapidly growing its portfolio of revenue-generating DG assets. Non-IFRS Measures This press release refers to certain non-IFRS measures including Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"). Non-IFRS measures and industry metrics do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. The term EBITDA consists of net loss or gain and excludes interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with IFRS is net gain or net loss . The term EBITDA margin consists of the percentage of net loss or gain and excludes interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. These measures, have limitations, and are provided in addition to, and not as an alternative for, and should be read in conjunction with, the information contained in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (including the notes), included in our filings on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca and posted on our website. Financial Projections The Company's financial projections are inherently speculative and may prove to be inaccurate. Any financial projections provided in this press release have been prepared in good faith based upon the estimates and assumptions considered reasonable by management. However, projections are no more than estimates of possible events and should not be relied upon to predict the results that the Company may attain. Future oriented financial information in this press release includes statements with respect to forecasted revenues and EBITDA that are expected to be generated by the Project. There is a risk that the assumptions related to these revenue and EBITDA forecasts may not be met and that the Project will not meet the conditions to start construction. The projections are based upon several estimates and assumptions and have not been examined, reviewed or compiled by independent accountants or other third-party experts, including assumptions with respect to the anticipated expenses and future revenues from the Project. These assumptions may vary from the actual results. Accordingly, there is no assurance that future events will correspond to management's assumptions for the Project. Any variations of actual results from projections related to the Project may be material and adverse. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking information generally, are, without limitation, based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company and management as at the date hereof. Our actual financial position and results of operations and the Project may differ materially from management's current expectations and, as a result, our revenue, profitability, EBITDA may differ materially from any revenue, and profitability profiles provided in this press release. Such information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of our actual financial position or results of operations. Revolve does not provide reconciliations for forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures as Revolve is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or number of various events that have not yet occurred, are out of Revolve's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure. For these same reasons, Revolve is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding GAAP financial measures. Forward Looking Information The forward-looking statements contained in this news release constitute ‘‘forward-looking information'' within the meaning of applicable securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and the respective policies, regulations and rules under such laws and ‘‘forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, ‘‘forward-looking statements"). The words "will", "expects", "estimates", "projections", "forecast", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "targets" (and grammatical variations of such terms) and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to the proposed acquisition of the Project. This forward-looking information and other forward-looking information are based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions considering our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we currently believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Despite a careful process to prepare and review the forward-looking information, there can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Material factors underlying forward-looking information and management's expectations include: the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals; the absence of material adverse regulatory decisions being received and the expectation of regulatory stability; the absence of any material equipment breakdown or failure; availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms and the stability of credit ratings of the Company and its subsidiaries; the absence of unexpected material liabilities or uninsured losses; the continued availability of commodity supplies and stability of commodity prices; the absence of interest rate increases or significant currency exchange rate fluctuations; the absence of significant operational, financial or supply chain disruptions or liability, including relating to import controls and tariffs; the continued ability to maintain systems and facilities to ensure their continued performance; the absence of a severe and prolonged downturn in general economic, credit, social or market conditions; the successful and timely development and construction of new projects; the absence of capital project or financing cost overruns; sufficient liquidity and capital resources; the continuation of long term weather patterns and trends; the absence of significant counterparty defaults; the continued competitiveness of electricity pricing when compared with alternative sources of energy; the realization of the anticipated benefits of the Company's acquisitions and joint ventures; the absence of a change in applicable laws, political conditions, public policies and directions by governments, materially negatively affecting the Company; the ability to obtain and maintain licenses and permits; maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; the absence of material fluctuations in market energy prices; the absence of material disputes with taxation authorities or changes to applicable tax laws; continued maintenance of information technology infrastructure and the absence of a material breach of cybersecurity; the successful implementation of new information technology systems and infrastructure; favourable relations with external stakeholders; our ability to retain key personnel; our ability to maintain and expand distribution capabilities; and our ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support our growth. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others, market conditions, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; the availability of financing, fluctuating prices, the possibility of project cost overruns, mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labour disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions, and unanticipated costs and expenses, variations in the cost of energy or materials or supplies or environmental impacts on operations, disruptions to the Company's supply chains; changes to regulatory environment, including interpretation of production tax credits; armed hostilities and geopolitical conflicts; risks related to the development and potential development of the Company's projects; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the availability of tax incentives in connection with the development of renewable energy projects and the sale of electrical energy; as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca . There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned that given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. "Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's decision to break his word and pardon his son Hunter has spurred a broader discussion about what else he should be doing with the broad clemency powers of the presidency before he leaves office in January, including whether he should be pardoning Donald Trump. Biden on Tuesday ducked questions about his son, ignoring calls for him to explain his reversal as he was making his first presidential trip to Angola . He dismissed shouted questions about the matter with a laugh during a meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço at the presidential palace, telling the Angolan delegation: “Welcome to America.” Biden was not scheduled to take questions from the press during his trip to Africa, and he has largely avoided interactions with reporters since President-elect Trump’s victory last month. Biden’s decision to offer his son a blanket pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, after the president repeatedly had said he would not use his extraordinary powers for the benefit of his family. Biden claimed that the Justice Department had presided over a “miscarriage of justice” in prosecuting his son, using some of the same language that Trump uses to describe his own legal predicaments. Biden's reversal drew criticism from many Democrats , who are working to calibrate their approach to Trump as he prepares to take over the Oval Office in seven weeks. There is concern the pardon — and Biden's claims that his son was prosecuted for political reasons — will erode their ability to push back on the incoming president’s legal moves. And it has threatened to cloud Biden's legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden is the closest presidential relative ever to be granted clemency, but other leaders have pardoned family members and close friends. Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger for drug charges after Roger Clinton had served his sentence. By the time Trump left office after his first term, he had issued 144 pardons, which included Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in law, Jared Kushner. He also pardoned fervent supporters Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn and other people convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. In the months after the 2020 election, Trump and his allies were trying to overturn his loss, a failed effort that culminated in the violent riot by his supporters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. There were discussions at the time over whether Trump would preemptively pardon some of those involved in the effort — and maybe even himself — before he left office. But that never happened. Now, Democrats are having similar discussions about preemptive pardons on their side because of Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. He's made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. He talks about "enemies from within." He's circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He's also taken aim at Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris, promoting a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals to punish her because she was guilty of treason. Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said last week on Boston Public Radio that Biden might consider broad pardons to protect people against whatever wrath Trump may seek, but also as a way to move the country past this acrimonious and divided time. “I think that without question, Trump is going to try to act in a dictatorial way, in a fascistic way, in a revengeful first year at least of his administration toward individuals who he believes harmed him,” Markey said. Presidents enjoy expansive pardon powers when it comes to federal crimes . That includes granting clemency to people who have not yet been charged, as President Gerald Ford did in 1974 when he pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. The decision at the time caused an uproar but has been seen in the ensuing decades as a move that helped restore order. Markey cited Ford's pardon as a way for the country “just to close that chapter and move on to a new era.” Biden could do the same, Markey said, to help the country move on “to an agenda that deals with the ordinary families.” Sen. Joe Manchin, the Democrat-turned-independent from West Virginia, took it a step further and suggested Biden should even pardon Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, federal charges that are now evaporating with Trump's upcoming return to the White House. “Why don't you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges?" he said in an interview with CNN. “It would have gone down a lot more balanced. I'm just saying, wipe them out.” At the same time, Democratic lawmakers and criminal justice reformers are pushing Biden to grant pardons to broad groups of Americans. Democrats Ayanna Pressley, Jim Clyburn and Mary Gay Scanlon wrote to Biden on Nov. 20, asking him to use his clemency powers to "address longstanding injustices in our legal system, and set our nation on the path toward ending mass incarceration.” The letter, also signed by 61 others, suggested Biden could use his powers to send a powerful message of criminal justice reform and "rectify unjust and unnecessary criminal laws passed by Congress and draconian sentences given by judges.” “We encourage you to use your clemency powers to help broad classes of people and cases, including the elderly and chronically ill, those on death row, people with unjustified sentencing disparities, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers,” they wrote. So far, Biden has pardoned 25 people. Most presidents tend to grant a flurry of clemency requests at the end of their terms, and it's likely Biden will do the same. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said Biden is “thinking through that process very thoroughly.” Weissert reported from Luanda, Angola.
Immuron CEO, Steven Lydeamore presentation to 21st Virtual Investor Summit Microcap Event
Is AMD Stock a Buy Now?Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis is expected to swear in the new government later Monday. Stock market today: Wall Street mixed at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stock indexes are mixed in afternoon trading on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 21 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan Motor said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction. Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic and technological rivalry between the U.S. and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player in America. Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of Chinese-made drones, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry. But U.S. users — spanning from police officers to farmers to mappers and filmmakers — have come to rely on Chinese-made drones, especially those by DJI Technology, for their work or lives. Florida has banned Chinese drones in state-funded programs, but also appropriated $25 million to help offset replacement costs.
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In 2020, a conspiracy theory spread across social media claiming that online home goods retailer Wayfair was involved in child trafficking . People claimed that odd pricing and certain product names were evidence of the theory. VERIFY reader Leslie emailed us to ask if Wayfair was ever involved in the sex trafficking of children. THE QUESTION Is Wayfair involved in the sex trafficking of children? THE SOURCES National Center on Sexual Exploitation DeliverFund , a nonprofit intelligence agency that uses technology to help law enforcement fight human trafficking Polaris , organization that operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking hotline Original VERIFY reporting in 2020 Statement from Wayfair to the BBC in 2020 THE ANSWER No, there is no evidence to support the claims that Wayfair was involved in the sex trafficking of children. WHAT WE FOUND When the conspiracy theory first spread in 2020, people on social media pointed to Wayfair products with strange names and disproportionately high prices as proof that the online furniture store was involved in child trafficking. These products included a “Samiyah Storage Cabinet” priced at over $14,000 and a “Duplessis Zodiac Sign Astrological Constellation Personalized Throw Pillow” at $9,999. At the time, people claimed that these products shared the names of girls that were reported missing. The theory followed that the products had high prices because they were fronts for selling the missing girls. Wayfair told the BBC in 2020 that the prices were accurate for the industrial grade cabinets and were the result of a glitch in the case of the pillows. The viral social media posts frequently linked products to girls who were no longer missing. Multiple anti-trafficking groups said the claims were unproven and likely false. “We believe that the accusations being leveled against Wayfair regarding sex trafficking are lacking credibility in significant ways and, in many places, demonstrably false,” the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said at the time. In 2020, VERIFY found that the family of Samara Duplessis, a missing girl purportedly linked to the overpriced pillows, reported she was back home a couple of months before the Wayfair conspiracy became widespread. When VERIFY searched Wayfair for “Duplessis” products in 2020, we found the name attached to a number of different items that were considerably less expensive than the pillow. When VERIFY searched Wayfair’s site again on Dec. 2, 2024, we found it’s using the “Duplessis” name for at least one product, a rug selling for $144.99 , years after the missing girl was found. As for the reference to the cabinets in the original rumors, people claimed that there was a missing teenager from Ohio named Samiyah, too. But VERIFY was unable to find any evidence that a girl by that name was missing, and a teenager some people believed to be Samiyah refuted that she was missing in a video posted to her Facebook account. Wayfair told the BBC in 2020 that the expensive cabinets were “industrial size,” meant for business or commercial use and that the $14,000 price point was accurate. “We have temporarily removed the products from our site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point,” Wayfair told the BBC in 2020. Another example of a missing teenager’s name possibly matching a Wayfair product was Mary Durrett to a Durrett coffee table. But she went missing in 2017 and was found safe two days after she was first reported missing. The claim connecting her to the coffee table listing was posted three years later. Many anti-trafficking organizations addressed the rumors in 2020. They all said the claims lacked credibility. “We identified early on that this was a likely hoax or a case of overexuberance by someone who did not have the expertise and data-driven approach that DeliverFund has,” Michael Fullilove, chief of operations for DeliverFund , a nonprofit intelligence agency that uses technology to help law enforcement fight human trafficking, said in 2020. “Based on the original source of the information, we were able to use open source intelligence techniques to determine that it was highly unlikely that the trafficking of children was taking place through the sale of expensive items on Wayfair,” Fullilove said. Polaris , which operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, said the claims were unsubstantiated and did more harm than good. People overwhelmed the hotline to make reports related to the conspiracy, increasing wait times and potentially denying trafficking victims from reaching the hotline. The theory also resulted in harassment and privacy intrusions of people mistakenly believed to be victims, as well as broad sharing of online sexual abuse material of real victims never connected to the Wayfair conspiracy, Polaris said. Polaris pointed out that trafficking is rarely perpetrated by a total stranger who kidnaps children and is instead usually perpetrated by people the victims know or even love and trust. Scenarios where the trafficker locks up or imprisons the victim with literal shackles make up a minority of trafficking cases despite it being the common public perception of trafficking, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said. Traffickers usually groom their victims and keep them captive through forms of psychological abuse, manipulation and coercion that can be difficult to identify. There are real cases in which sex trafficking is perpetrated online, usually through prostitution sites and pornography websites, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation said in 2020 that traffickers were increasingly using “popular social media apps such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok to identify, groom and exploit children in the online space.” Anti-trafficking organizations say that sharing viral, unsubstantiated trafficking rumors online is generally unhelpful to trafficking victims. What’s more helpful, these organizations say , is to learn how to identify real, common cases of trafficking to spot victims who need help. VERIFY reached out to Wayfair for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Related Articles No, most sex trafficking victims are not kidnapped by strangers There’s no evidence sex traffickers use tactics in viral warnings to target victims Claim that 320,000 migrant children went missing during the Biden administration is misleading The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 1:40 p.m. ESTIt was the last decade of the 20th century and communal tensions were at their peak all over the country. The apple of discord was the mosque situated in the holy city of Ayodhya, the conflict between the two largest religious communities of the country had seemingly reached the “no-return” point. The thinking among the rulers was that it was too late in the day to try to stop the ongoing tug of war tarnishing the age-old reputation of India as a multi-religious, spiritual and highly tolerant nation. But there were reasonable apprehensions that the fire might engulf many other old mosques across the country. They, therefore, decided to enact a law that could apply brakes to all such aspirations and plans. Picking a suitable title for the proposed law was a hard nut to crack. The thought process about it got unduly prolonged, but it was soon realised that time was running out. The proposed law was eventually passed in September 1991 under the cryptic title Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act. The idea of keeping its title vague might have been taken from a law enacted three years earlier by the equally ambiguous title of Religious Places (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988. The preamble of the new law described itself as an Act “to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947”. And it was to be “deemed to have come into force” retrospectively on July 11, 1991. The operative provision of the Act read as, “it is hereby declared that the religious character of a place of worship existing on the 15th day of August 1947 shall continue to be the same, as it existed on that day” (section 4). Before declaring this, a ban was imposed on efforts to create an Ayodhya-like situation elsewhere. Section 3 of the Act said, “No person shall convert any place of worship of any religious denomination or any section thereof into a place of worship of a different section of the same religious denomination or of a different religious denomination or any section thereof.” And if somebody dared to defy the statutory ban and did what it prohibited, there would be a penalty — imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also, a fine (amount not specified). The continuing Ayodhya tussle was, of course, exempted from the application of the entire Act by a conspicuous assertion “Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the place of worship commonly known as Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri Masjid situated in Ayodhya in the State of Uttar Pradesh.” Nearly a year later, emboldened by the exclusion of the disputed shrine of Ayodhya from the purview of the newly adopted law, a huge army of devotees was to march to the holy city to perform the traditional kar seva around the place that was by now officially described not as a mosque or temple but as the vivadit dhancha (disputed structure). Alarmed by a highly probable chance of the move resulting in dastardly consequences, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order to stop the obviously risky move. But the court was in a quandary. As the newly enacted law of 1991 was totally inapplicable to the case, it had to be explored under which existing law such a direction could be issued. The writing on the wall was clear, but the court naively accepted the solemn assurance given by the state government that kar seva was a peaceful religious practice that could do no harm to the mosque. It was a rare instance of judicial overconfidence, though not warranted by the circumstances. What happened in the coming days is well-known history. When the Ayodhya case was finally decided by a Constitution bench of the apex court in November 2019, the bulky judgment included, inter alia, a reference to and detailed analysis of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act that had been put on the statute book nearly three decades earlier. The court cited at length parliamentary debates on the Bill that had led to the passing of the Act and noted, seemingly with appreciation, official observations on the objects and purposes of the law in the making. Within a few months after this judgment was delivered, a learned lawyer, who indeed deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records for rushing to the apex court on every debatable social issue, challenged the constitutional validity of the 1991 Act. The plea was admitted, and notice was issued to the government as per procedure to seek their response. The rulers of the day, however, adopted the proverbial “silence is gold” policy. In the years to come, new petitions and intervention applications kept pouring in the court, but there was hardly any progress in the case. Violators of the Act were having a field day all around but the shebait of the temple of justice preferred to wait and watch. At last, came a gentle and soothing breeze to cool the warm air. Stop the madness going on all around, a three-judge bench of the apex court headed by a new Chief Justice has, in effect, warned the people. “As the matter is sub-judice before us, we deem it appropriate to direct that, though fresh suits may be filed, no suits would be registered, and no proceedings shall be undertaken therein till further orders of this court” — assertively said the court’s interim order of December 12. Indicating deep concern, the court has further directed that “in the pending suits no court will pass any effective interim orders or final orders including orders directing surveys, etc. till the next date of hearing/further orders of this court.” The next hearing will be on February 17, 2025. For at least a couple of months, the society will expectedly remain peaceful. There are people here and there who have shown that they could care least even for the apex court directives, but the lower courts will have no choice but to strictly abide by the discipline of the established judicial hierarchy. The apex court’s concern and wisdom deserve the deepest appreciation. But it is for us, citizens of this great country, to understand that the archaeological heritage of the nation — good or bad, unpleasant or cruel, in whatever way it may be seen — cannot be wiped out by using modern technology and digging out the soil wherever so one desires. Tahir Mahmood is professor of law and former member of the Law Commission of India.The views expressed are personal