Bitcoin options trade shows more bets on retreat after failing to breach $100,000Investors quickly revisited strategies of the first after President-elect Donald Trump vowed new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. His posts on the Truth Social platform reignited volatility in the foreign exchange market, sending the U.S. dollar soaring against the peso, loonie, and yuan. However, mature traders took his rhetoric as a continuation of his negotiation tactics that they now had better tools to deal with. Economic Effects on Global Markets As reported by earlier, Trump proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, linked to drug and immigration problems, and 10% on Chinese goods due to fentanyl-related issues. The latter has raised concerns about disruptions in the economy while heralding his familiar approach toward using tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations. The Mexican peso and Canadian dollar dropped by over 2% and 1.4%, respectively, before stabilizing. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan hit a four-month low against the dollar. Automotive and manufacturing stocks, particularly those reliant on Mexico, faced sell-offs. Honda's shares dropped 2%, reflecting unease over trade repercussions. Chinese officials noted that drug interdiction efforts have improved and reaffirmed no party wins in trade wars. Experts do think that China could step up its drive toward greater technological independence. "China already has a template to deal with tariffs in reference to Trump 1.0," Simon Yu, the vice general manager at Panyao Asset Management in Shanghai, said. Yu added that with regard to tech-related punishments, China could have a solution to combat it through "import substitution" and self-reliance. "Regarding other clampdowns such as tech-related sanctions, China may accelerate the process of self-reliance and import substitution." Another expert, Robert St. Clair, the head of investment strategy at Fullerton Fund Management in Singapore, said that any finalized packaging could spell a slight difference from the starting positions. He added that Trump is all-in on his anti-inflation goals that's why he would continue to improve domestic manufacturing and competitiveness in the country. Therefore, this suggests, that US imports cannot be extreme to an extent. The New Normal We Should Accept While the presidential announcements surprised markets, investors anticipate that negotiations will eventually moderate the threat of even the most inflammatory rhetoric, reports. For example, Fullerton Fund Management's Robert St Clair opined that Trump's anti-inflation program would require tariffs not to harm U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Speaking of tariffs, even for the big change that is about to come. Gaming gears, according to Tech Times are expected to increase in prices so it's recommended to buy them before the Trump inauguration. Volatility Looms Ahead Trump's unpredictable style casts a layer of uncertainty over financial markets. His propensity to make policy changes through social media increases headline risks, and thus investors need to hedge their bets. However, experienced traders remember similar market behavior during Trump's first term, hence equipping them with strategies to overcome the storm. Preparing for Policy Changes The financial world braces for another chapter of trade negotiations under Trump's administration. While his policies introduce volatility, they also offer opportunities for those willing to adapt. As one strategist aptly put it, "It feels like we've just had a time warp back to 2016." Markets may be jittery, but they are also prepared.
NEW YORK (AP) — Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura Pipeline Dynamics 2024: FDA Approvals, Therapeutic Advances, Analysis of Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments | Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Symphogen A/S, Rigel PharmaceutiYou might be taken aback by the numerous distinctions between the UK and the US. We're cognizant of the evident cultural divergences between us and our American friends, such as their omission of the "u" in "colour" and our lack of participation in certain US festivities like Thanksgiving . However, some contrasts still manage to surprise us. For example, it's quite a revelation that many American homes don't consider an electric kettle a staple appliance, preferring instead to boil water on the stove - a concept that baffles tea-enthusiast Brits. 'I upgraded my movie nights with this budget-friendly sound bar from Walmart' — now $35 for Black Friday Kate Middleton's 'elegant' earrings are $53 off during Monica Vinader Black Friday Sale Recently, another variance in domestic arrangements left Brits puzzled when it was shared on social media. Some even humorously suggested that the US must be "living in the dark ages" due to the lack of a common feature in their residences. A TikTok video uploaded by a user named Melissa highlighted what she believed to be a "game-changing" kitchen tool. She excitedly informed her followers about her new "special type" of plug socket that enabled her to turn off her air fryer without having to unplug it completely, reports the Express . Melissa proudly exhibited her novel gadget - a plug socket with a switch - and hailed it as the "coolest thing ever," demonstrating how her air fryer could be switched on and off with a simple flick of the switch. In the UK, flip switches on plug sockets are about as common as rain, with these handy shut-offs being a staple in British households. While you can still find a socket or two without a switch from time to time, flipped switches have become quite the standard feature. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic in the US, the idea of a switch on a power outlet isn't nearly as ordinary. Sure, you might spot a switch on an outlet here and there, but generally, they're a rare breed and this scarcity has even led some folks to think it's some sort of cutting-edge innovation. A viral TikTok clip revealing this diverse electrical practice has many Americans gasping in surprise, throwing shade at how the States seem to trail behind the "rest of the world" in plug socket sophistication. However, its important to point out that not everywhere is switch-smitten; though prevalent across Europe, and spotted down under in Australia and New Zealand, socket switches arent exactly a global mandate. One commenter couldn't hide their glee, proclaiming: "It's a beautiful sight when you watch Americans enter the 21st century! It warms the heart!" Another laid on the sarcasm thick, jokingly marveling: "Oh, now that's clever. Can't wait until the UK catches up with this genius."
Iceland votes for a new parliament amid disagreements on immigration, energy policy and the economyThe social media industry is fiercely competitive. As President-elect Donald Trump nears his inauguration, could he sell his stock in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp DJT ? The Competition: Trump Media’s Truth Social faces competition from the usual suspects, Meta Platforms -owned Facebook and Instagram. It also is a competitor of Elon Musk ‘s X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk is a close ally and benefactor of Trump’s campaign. Bluesky , a newcomer on the social media scene, is making headlines. The Jack Dorsey -founded app saw a large influx of users following Trump’s win in November, apparently those displeased with Musk’s leadership of X in recent years. Could Trump Sell?: Trump is technically able to sell his stake in Truth Social ahead of his inauguration. The billionaire owns 115 million shares in the Sarasota, Florida-based company, placing his total position at around $3.9 billion. The company has 216,924,448 shares outstanding. Trump has denied the rumors of possible share sales, calling them “fake and untrue.” Shares of the company rose following Trump’s statement . While Trump Media has a market capitalization of $7.7 billion, it reported $1 million in revenue last quarter on a $19.2 million net loss. The loss includes $12.1 million in legal fees and $3.9 million in research and development spending, according to the company. The company has a book value of over $800,000,000; most of its assets are in cash and short-term investments, proceeds from issuing common stock. Also Read: Chinese Stocks Sink On Weak Trade Data Amid Rush ‘To Get Goods To The US’ Before Tariffs Photo via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much that they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out of the activity” of buying a new vehicle, Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. Stellantis and VW import about 40% of the vehicles they sell from Canada and Mexico, while it's 30% for GM and 25% for Ford. GM and Stellantis import more than half of their high-profit pickup trucks from the two countries, according to Bernstein. If Trump does impose the tariffs in January, the auto industry would have little time to adjust, putting operating profits at risk for the automakers, Roeska said in an email. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit the stocks of some companies that could be particularly hurt, such as auto manufacturers and Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States. But the overall market held relatively steady near records as investors saw Trump’s proposal as more of an opening position for negotiations rather than as a definitive policy. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if they are implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won't make any moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. To move to the U.S., they would have to buy equipment and revamp their parts supply chain, which can take years. “I think everyone is going to be in a wait-and-see mode,” Whiston said. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry just as these businesses continue their long recovery from the pandemic,” the council said in a statement. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs on to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together on the challenges they face. "This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's transition team wouldn't comment on the call. Also Monday, Trump turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned on Monday that there will be losers on all sides if there is a trade war. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden. The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA and is up for review in 2026. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what authority he would use, what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russian state news agencies say the ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum, hours after close ally Russia said he left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press is not immediately able to verify the reports but has contacted the Kremlin for comment. Assad reportedly left Syria early Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country. Assad’s departure on Sunday brings to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assad’s exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syria’s unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his father’s iron grip. But faced with protests of his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to his father's brutal tactics to crush dissent. A long stalemate was quickly broken when opposition groups in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive late last month. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial law imposition SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors have detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Local media say that ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared on Sunday at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained. A law enforcement official says Kim was later sent to a Seoul detention facility. Kim's detention came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. A farming project in South Africa is helping deaf people build skills and find jobs JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In South Africa, where the general unemployment rate is over 32%, deaf people face even steeper hurdles. Unlike their counterparts who can hear and speak, they must struggle to communicate in sign language while trying to gain opportunities for jobs and skills development. Now a deaf entrepreneur who quit her job at one of the biggest banks in the country has created an organization where the deaf can be trained in agriculture, develop their skills and earn a sustainable living. The farming sector is emerging as a solace for those with disabilities who also face the dire levels of unemployment in Africa’s most developed economy. First 12-team College Football Playoff set, Oregon seeded No. 1 and SMU edges Alabama for last spot SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs (11-2), losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama (9-3) of the SEC but one fewer loss. The first-of-its-kind 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.NEW YORK (AP) — Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Dr. Gabriel Suswan, and the Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Chief Dr. Paul Edeh Esq FCPA, have undertaken to power the administrative block of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi with 24-hour solar electricity. Both Senator Suswan and Chief Edeh made the joint pledge after they were bestowed with Honourary Doctorate Degrees by BSU at the weekend. Others who were honoured with same degree include a renowned Professor of History, Politics, Human Rights, Humanities and African Studies, Prof. Toyin Falola, Engr. Chief Sylvanus Gbasarah, as well as Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo and Lt. Colonel Joseph Akahan who got posthumous honours. Responding on behalf of the Honorees at the Convocation ground, Chief Edeh expressed gratitude to the Governing Council, Senate and entire management team of the prestigious University for the recognition. He said, “Honours like this are not given lightly. They are earned through acts of service, through contributions that uplift our people and nation at large. The four of us being honoured and celebrated today, along with the distinguished personalities conferred with honorary degrees, are recognized because of the good we’ve worked to do. These awards remind us that small acts of goodness, layered one upon the other, can build something extraordinary, something far greater than what can be achieved by what we get from the National cake. “I am told that I am the first alumnus of this University to receive this honour in its 33-year history. That is a privilege I do not take lightly. It makes me proud, but more importantly, it makes me responsible.” He then charged the alumni of the institution to toe the path of notable globally-reckoned higher institution like Havard University in entrenching needed development at BSU, adding, “No institution grows beyond the contributions of its alumnus... BSU has the potential to achieve greatness, but it starts with us, its alumnus”. Then came the official announcement that he and Senator Suswan have decided “to undertake the installation of 60 kilowatts of solar power in the Administrative Block of the University. He will undertake 30 kilowatts while I will undertake 30 kilowatts at a combined cost ..... A consultant will be sent to immediately conduct a needs assessment so as to commence work as soon as possible.” Chief Dr. Edeh Esq who later dedicated his new attainment to the the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, visited their camp located along University of Agriculture road in North Bank to make donations, with a call on all stakeholders to “lend their voices towards resolving this crisis and help these families return home.” Earlier, the BSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tor Joe Iorapuu, who went down memory lane on how the school was conceptualised and has been on, informed that “The students of Benue State University have been spectacular among others in Nigeria and globally. Their academic and leadership performances have been top notch. Their records are available for all to see. “I must say that Benue State University is blessed and will continue to excel academically with a resolve to set the pace always.” Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia, in his speech announced his administration’s readiness to rename BSU after Rev Fr. Moses Adasu, a former Governor who established the citadel of learning that produced 44 first class graduates at the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Combined Convocation Ceremony. He immediately announced scholarships for all the first class graduates and donated 500 Computers to BSU. He also revealed that his government will embark on the expansion of BSU with a campus at Adikpo town, Kwande Local Government Area, an area sharing boundary with Nigeria’s neighbouring country Cameroon. While commending the BSU Vice Chancellor-led management team for its visionary and focused leadership which is already yielding positive fruits, the governor announced that the present state government will establish a new higher institution to be known as Benue State University of Technology and Agriculture. Both the new Chancellor of BSU, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu (Emir of Kazaure) and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the school’s Governing Council Sir Paul Chukwuma spoke of the various recent far-reaching programmes and projects geared towards entrenching scientific research which the institution embarked on. The Pro Chancellor particularly enjoined BSU alumni to shelve their individual interests and unite to lift the school in unity. Friends, former school mates and allies later gathered to celebrate Chief Dr Edeh at a special reception, where each of them took time out in dishing out glowing tributes on the popular philanthropist who is the only Proprietor of two Women Football Clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers. Among them were Prof. Toyin Falola who has bagged 25 Honourary Doctorate Degrees from different higher institutions in parts of the world and the most decorated scholar in Africa, the member representing Apa and Agatu federal constitutuency Hon. Ojotu Ojema, Majority leader of the Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Saater Tiseer, a serving lawmaker and Deputy Minority Chief Whip Hon. Blessed Onah, a Chief Supritendent of Police CSP (rtd) and interim President Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA) Dr. Vandefan James, a globally-recognised scholar and a guest lecturer of BSU Convocation event. Others are BSFA Vice Chairman Sir Alex Awuna, , a Professor of Economics, Prof. Sam Ominyi, Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Youth and Sports Hon. Dr. Elizabeth Idoko-Okogun, former BSUAA President Mr. Lawrence Vihimga among others
Ireland's ruling coalition is poised to return to office but may fall short of overall majority as election vote counting begins Fine Gael and Fianna Fail likely to form coalition again - but may need extra help Biggest election in Irish history sees more constituencies fielding candidates Reputed gangster Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch vies for Dublin seat after murder trial LISTEN: From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Féin – available wherever you get your podcasts By JON BRADY Published: 16:13 GMT, 30 November 2024 | Updated: 16:14 GMT, 30 November 2024 e-mail View comments Ireland's ruling coalition of centre-right parties is closing in on victory - but might need extra help to get back into power, according to new exit polls. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which were in office prior to the elections, have ruled out a deal with Sinn Fein despite sitting on only a combined 40.5 per cent of the vote, short of an overall majority . Republican party Sinn Fein is on 21.1 per cent of the total vote - but is a political outlier. Experts say Fine Gael - led by Taoiseach Simon Harris - and Fianna Fail will likely have to create a further extended coalition in order to return to power. Leaders of the major political parties have cast their votes in what could be an extraordinary election - and the biggest in Irish history - that includes Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, leader of the infamous Hutch crime gang, among its election candidates. Career criminal Hutch was released on a €100,000 bail earlier this month by a Spanish judge while facing money laundering allegations - and early polls suggest he may claim the final seat in the constituency behind other more established candidates. His gang has been linked to some of the biggest heists in Irish history - but Hutch himself has never been convicted of involvement due to a lack of evidence. He was cleared of murdering David Byrne, a member of the rival Kinahan clan, last year. Byrne had been shot six times at a boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in 'serious criminal conduct'. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and wife Caoimhe Wade cast their votes - with some extra help - in the Irish general election on Friday This election could see gangster Gerry Hutch elected to Dublin Central - which could make further investigations of alleged gang activity more difficult A member of count staff gets to work at a count centre in ork as counting takes place at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork (left) while papers are gathered in Dublin (right) There are four seats up for grabs in the Dublin Central area where Hutch is campaigning - and his election could make him more difficult to prosecute, or even investigate. Current Taoiseach Simon Harris said he expects a 'fascinating couple of days' after he submitted his ballot minutes after polling stations opened. As Ireland uses a system of proportional representation where candidates are ranked numerically according to preference, voting slips need to be counted several times. This means some seats could take days to declare. Read More Three main parties in tight race, according to Irish General Election exit poll - with Sinn Fein and Fine Gael neck and neck Political leaders stepped out in driving rain on Friday to vote, with the exception of Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns - who gave birth to a baby girl on polling day. Speaking after voting on Friday, Mr Harris said that the make-up and stability of the next government could be decided by where transfer votes go. The Fine Gael leader arrived at the polling station at Delgany National School in Co Wicklow just before 7.30am with his wife Caoimhe and their children, Saoirse, five, and Cillian, three. 'I'm feeling really hopeful, hopeful in terms of the election, but hopeful for the future of our country,' he said as he called on people to 'use your voice, use your vote'. In an election which has seen several opinion polls put the three main parties - Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and opposition party Sinn Fein - within touching distance of one another, turnout is expected to be another crucial factor. The three largest parties were virtually neck-and-neck heading into polling day, with one party leader describing the race as 'too close to call'. The largest opposition party Sinn Fein held 21.1% of first-preference votes, narrowly ahead of current coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 21% and 19.5% respectively, according to the Ipsos B&A Exit Poll commissioned by RTE, The Irish Times, TG4 and Trinity College Dublin. Last year, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch was cleared of murdering David Byrne at a hotel in Dublin in 2016 (pictured outside court after the verdict) Irish president Michael D Higgins casting his vote in Dublin yesterday. This year's election is the biggest in Irish history after the number of constituencies grew from 39 to 43 Polling day on Friday was wet and windy across most of the country, which may affect turnout Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail are expected to group up for another coalition government - but exit polling suggests they will need more support to get over the line Irish ballot papers are counted by hand because of the ranking system used for candidates - meaning some results could take days to declare 'If they (Fine Gael and Fianna Fail) are both at 20%, that'll get them close to 80 seats, I suspect, and then it's a matter of who will go in with them,' Dublin City University politics professor Gary Murphy told the Reuters news agency. More than three million registered voters have their representatives across 43 constituencies, in a campaign that has focused on the country's housing crisis, the response to a dramatic increase in immigration, and economic management for the cost of living as well as potential future trade shocks. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland's Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power. Read More How an election victory for Ireland's first female PM could shake the foundations of the British Union Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government. The election, called on November 8, has been trailed by a lacklustre three-week campaign that seemed to fail to ignite a surge of enthusiasm among the public. Fine Gael's campaign has been plagued with several controversies which the Taoiseach has been unable to shake. Mr Harris has repeatedly apologised for a much-criticised encounter in which he was accused of dismissing the concerns of a disability care worker at a supermarket, which had been filmed by RTE. The Fine Gael campaign has also been dogged by footage entering the public domain which showed a candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub. John McGahon had been found not guilty in a criminal case around the incident, but was ordered to pay damages in a civil case. Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who is retiring from front-line politics, said his party had not had a good day in the Irish General Election. Meanwhile, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan said his party's 'red lines' were not intended to rule them out of being in government with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. The left-wing party may yet speak with other parties in its vein, including the Labour Party, about how they could leverage themselves against the centre-right during potential coalition discussions. Sinn Fein Share or comment on this article: Ireland's ruling coalition is poised to return to office but may fall short of overall majority as election vote counting begins e-mail Add commentRALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina election officials won't order another recount in a close state Supreme Court race after a partial hand recount failed to suggest the trailing Republican candidate could overtake the Democratic incumbent. Following the completion of a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots last week, Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs maintained a 734-vote lead over Republican Jefferson Griffin, who is currently a state Court of Appeals judge. Griffin then requested a partial hand recount in which randomly chosen ballots from 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties were reexamined. The law says a statewide hand recount would have been required if the sample results differed enough so that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. But the sample tabulations, which finished Tuesday, showed Riggs actually picking up more votes than Griffin. As a result, the State Board of Elections said a total recount won't be ordered. The election, however, has not been fully resolved. The five-member state board was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday on protests previously filed by Griffin and three GOP legislative candidates who also are in very close elections. Riggs, one of two Democrats on the seven-member court, declared victory again on Tuesday, and her campaign renewed calls for Griffin to concede. Griffin didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The protests going before the state board, which question if well over 60,000 ballots should have been counted, cover three categories of voting. They include votes cast by people with voter registration records that lack driver’s licenses or partial Social Security numbers; overseas voters who have never lived in North Carolina but whose parents were deemed state residents; and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots. Separately Tuesday, a Court of Appeals panel unanimously declined Griffin's request to order the state board to rule on the protests before Wednesday's meeting to accelerate the process. The board could dismiss the protests or — if problems are found — order corrected ballot tallies, more recounts or new elections. Decisions by the board — with a 3-2 Democratic majority — can be appealed to state courts. Other protests filed by Griffin and the legislative candidates are being first considered by county boards. The state Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit last week seeking to block the State Board of Elections from ruling in any way to throw out the disputed ballots. The Democrats' lawyers say federal law prohibits such systematic challenges to voter eligibility for an election that has already passed. Some of the protests focus on activities that Republicans already sued over before the November election. Democratic officials and their allies held a news conference early Tuesday outside the state Supreme Court building and strongly criticized Griffin and other Republicans for initiating claims they say would disenfranchise legal voters. North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said she fears the state Supreme Court could ultimately side with Republicans and remove the challenged ballots. “We are trying to make sure that people are raising their voices, that we are filing lawsuits where we can,” Clayton said. “And we are also trusting the process of our board of elections officials to do their job and to count every single vote.” Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals. Other types of protests filed by Griffin and the legislators are being considered by county boards. The Associated Press has not called the Supreme Court race and two of the three legislative races highlighted in the protests. In one of the two, Republican state Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn. A Cohn victory would mean Republicans fall one seat short of retaining their current veto-proof majority starting next month.
Gregory L. Coleman: Ravens 35 - Eagles 32 The Ravens and Eagles will have a high-scoring affair ending in a 35-32 win for Baltimore. Derrick Henry will continue getting the rock, building off the momentum from Monday night. Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts will utilize their weapons to put on a show. Prediction Record: 3-1 DJ Harding: Ravens 28 - Eagles 24 In a battle of MVP and OPOY candidates, I believe this is the game of the week that will showcase the two best rushing attacks in the league. Baltimore should win this, given Lamar's record against NFC teams and Henry having to play catch-up in the bout for the rushing title. Prediction Record: 6-3 Christian Marshall: Ravens 31 - Eagles 28 It'll definitely be a high-scoring affair with two explosive offenses battling. The Ravens' defense has looked its best the last three weeks, and I feel like they can force a pivotal turnover to give the Ravens the win. Prediction Record: 5-4 Bryce Parker: Ravens 31 - Eagles 28 With Brandon Graham out for the year, the biggest question is whether the Eagles' D-line will step up and stop the run. I think, eventually, the answer is no. We will see a great ground game from both teams, but it will be a close matchup, with Baltimore on top. Super Bowl preview? Prediction Record: 3-3 Kyle Alexander: Ravens 38 - Eagles 30 In a matchup of two offensive titans, the defense will be the crucial X-factor. Both teams boast the best rushing attacks in football and deadly passing attacks that keep defenses on their toes. Both teams have top-five run defenses, but the Eagles lost Brandon Graham for the year due to injury. Even with Baltimore and Philadelphia matching up almost evenly across the board, the Eagles have only beaten three .500+ teams all season, compared to Baltimore's five. The Ravens will get a more-needed victory as MVP Jackson will guide them to victory. Both sides face their toughest test yet. Prediction Record: 6-3
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Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ( NASDAQ:WBD – Free Report ) by 14.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 84,525 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 10,400 shares during the quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s holdings in Warner Bros. Discovery were worth $697,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. OFI Invest Asset Management raised its holdings in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 45.9% in the 2nd quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management now owns 3,879 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 54.1% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 4,998 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,754 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 2,185.1% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 6,307 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 6,031 shares in the last quarter. 59.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Performance WBD stock opened at $10.66 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $26.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.33 and a beta of 1.52. Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. has a 12 month low of $6.64 and a 12 month high of $12.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $8.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.12. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on WBD shares. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $10.00 to $8.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from $8.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Macquarie lifted their target price on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Warner Bros. Discovery has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $10.55. Read Our Latest Analysis on Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery Company Profile ( Free Report ) Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc operates as a media and entertainment company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Studios, Network, and DTC. The Studios segment produces and releases feature films for initial exhibition in theaters; produces and licenses television programs to its networks and third parties and direct-to-consumer services; distributes films and television programs to various third parties and internal television; and offers streaming services and distribution through the home entertainment market, themed experience licensing, and interactive gaming. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Warner Bros. Discovery Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Warner Bros. Discovery and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- As the holiday shopping season kicks off this Black Friday, shoppers nationwide are gearing up to find the latest tech gifts for children. This year, the excitement over new gadgets is coupled with a growing concern for online safety, as highlighted by a recent survey conducted by Internet Service Provider, Kinetic. This survey, which involved 1,100 participants across 18 states, underscores a growing trend: consumers may be poised to prioritize cybersecurity features and parental controls when selecting tech devices for children. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125614797/en/ Kinetic Secure helps guard against cyber threats and inappropriate content. With these findings in mind, here are essential considerations for shoppers hunting for tech gifts this holiday season to ensure both safety and fun: “This holiday season, as you consider high-tech gifts for your family, don’t forget to prioritize the security of your children’s online experience,” said Ben Midanek, Kinetic’s chief marketing officer. “The best tech-gifts are those which provide entertainment for your family along with peace of mind for you. With Kinetic's advanced parental controls and security features, families can get the most out of their high-tech gifts on our ultra-fast fiber network and remain confident, knowing they’ve made the informed choice to create a safer place for their families.” Visit https://www.windstream.com/kinetic-secure-packs for more info. Also consider fiber technology that grows with new technology and purchases as it offers superior security by being resistant to interception and interference. Visit https://www.windstream.com/fiber-internet for more info. This study includes data from two surveys conducted Jul 25-31, 2024, and Jun 28-Oct 7, 2024, of 1,100 18-60-year-old respondents across Kinetic’s 18-state footprint. About Kinetic Kinetic, a Windstream company, offers fiber-based broadband to residential and small business customers in 18 states. The company’s quality-first approach connects customers to new opportunities and possibilities by delivering a full suite of advanced communications services. Kinetic is one of three brands managed by Windstream. The company also offers managed cloud communications and security services to mid-to-large enterprises and government entities across the U.S. as well as customized wavelength and dark fiber solutions to carriers, content providers and hyperscalers in the U.S. and Canada. Windstream is a privately held company headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Additional information about Kinetic is available at www.gokinetic.com or windstream.com . Category: Kinetic View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125614797/en/ Megan Krtek,Megan.Krtek@windstream.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ARKANSAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE SECURITY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY ENERGY CONSUMER ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY SMALL BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CHILDREN FAMILY TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS CONSUMER INTERNET UTILITIES SOURCE: Windstream Holdings Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 02:00 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 02:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125614797/enJUNK food firms are dodging the Government’s ban on advertising by targeting kids on gaming sites and social media, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. Ultra-processed foods, often manufactured and containing many ingredients including salt, fat and sugar, have been linked to a ten-fold rise in people with Type 2 diabetes. Advertisement 10 Junk food firms are dodging the Government’s ban on advertising by targeting kids on gaming sites and social media Credit: Getty 10 Dr David Unwin explains how the NHS will 'not be able to cope' Credit: PP. In the UK, more than half of the average diet now consists of processed foods and for some — especially those who are younger, poorer or from disadvantaged areas — it can be as much as 80 per cent. Labour pledged to introduce the plan next year to ban junk food adverts promoting products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS foods), before 9pm on TV and in all paid-for online adverts. It was drawn up by the last Conservative government to tackle a deadly obesity crisis costing £268BILLION a year — around £7,000 per taxpayer. But experts believe firms will turbocharge advertising on radio and podcast platforms not covered by the ban. Advertisement READ MORE ON JUNK FOOD SNACK ATTACK New tax on junk food announced as part of plan to ‘get Brits back to work’ HEARTWARMING Xmas drink 'protects heart - cancelling damage done by junk food and stress' Non-paid-for marketing on the brands’ own websites and organic social content will also be allowed. Five food firms — Mars, Haribo, PepsiCo, Kellogg’s and Mondelez which owns Cadbury — currently advertise the most on TV. According to a recent survey, they make up 80 per cent of all ads for confectionery and snacks shown on UK TV before the 9pm viewing watershed. But today our investigation can reveal how some of the biggest firms are using creative ways to find loopholes, switch and bombard youngsters with adverts via social media and gaming sites to beat the online ban too. Advertisement Most read in Health DR WARNING The 5 common meds that 'raise dementia risk' including for hay fever and anxiety FREAK SHOW Inside deadly Mukbang craze...where people 'eat themselves to death' for £240k pay HORROR Turkey clinic held me hostage & charged EXTRA £8k to 'save me' after THEY botched op HANGING HOLIDAYS Hangover-busting household staple can help you battle sore head this Xmas Creative director and marketing expert Calvin Innes, of JvM Nerd London, a media agency for gaming, told The Sun on Sunday: “Many gamers and younger consumers spend time on platforms like YouTube and TikTok where TV bans won’t apply, and major companies are already shifting to social media, gaming and in-app advertising. "The ban will only increase the speed of migration.” Inside UK's obesity capital where gorgers order McDonald's, pizza & kebabs in SAME day from despairing delivery drivers Research by Liverpool University reveals 49 per cent of all UPF ads on 76 UK TV channels were broadcast between 5.30am and 9pm. Haribo accounted for the most, followed by Mars with ads for items such as Snickers and M&Ms. Advertisement The study found food manufacturers in the UK spent more than £55million in 2022 on online adverts for food and drink products from four food categories associated with children’s excess sugar and calorie intake — chocolate, crisps, biscuits and ice cream. The study also found that users of the biggest gaming platform, Twitch, where two thirds of users are under 35, are being bombarded with junk food marketing for 52 minutes every hour. In many cases, rather than being overt adverts, they see a product or logo on the screen for a long time, or looping images. Nutritionist and author Robert Hobson warns we are “facing a ticking time bomb”. He said: “Teenagers are being targeted by the food industry through aggressive marketing and cheap food deals. Advertisement UPFs are designed to be addictive, combining salt, sugar and fats to override our natural hunger signals and keep us coming back for more. ‘Catastrophic burden’ “The issue with UPFs goes beyond additives — they’re also low in nutrients, easy to overeat but not very satisfying. Consuming large quantities at a young age could be setting the stage for chronic disease in later life. “Unless we address it now, the long-term health burden could be catastrophic. Big food companies are profiting from a system that places marketing above health.” Even simple products such as sliced ham, cheese for kids’ sandwiches, bread, breakfast cereals and yoghurts can be classed as UPFs. Advertisement Robert said: “These foods are engineered to make us crave them. “Kids with their weaker impulse control are going to be particularly susceptible to UPFs. They are influenced by their peers and many UPFs become ‘trendy’ foods.” UK families buy more ultra- processed food than any others in Europe. Germany — the home of Haribo sweets — comes second. The confectioner keeps its earnings under lock and key, but Forbes has estimated its revenues exceed £2.4billion. Advertisement Last year Haribo announced of their 2023 UK earnings a “24 per cent increase in turnover”. Dr David Unwin, based in Southport, Merseyside, told The Sun on Sunday: “Unless we do something, the NHS will never be able to cope. In my practice alone we’ve seen an astonishing ten-fold rise in Type 2 diabetes. Children are receiving numerous messages designed to trigger desire for compulsively consumed food items Dr Barry Smith “I am convinced it has been increased by a dramatic rise in poor-quality takeaway meals and the runaway consumption of junk food.” The Government’s plan comes after UPFs were directly linked to 32 harmful effects on health, including a higher risk of heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as well as mental health problems and early death. Advertisement The new rules mean a ban on branded online ads but experts say food giants are instead paying for promotional tie-ins with social media influencers and YouTube creators to plug their products. They are also focusing on placing content on gaming and live-streaming platforms used by millions of Brits, which won’t be covered by the ban. Experts also warn firms will pay for product placement in our favourite TV shows. As the ban only applies in the UK, firms are likely to target overseas media platforms that we view. Dr Barry Smith, who has spent nearly a decade working with the biggest junk food brands in the world, said: “We are already seeing well-targeted food advertising on gaming platforms and even on the back of bus tickets. Advertisement "Children are receiving numerous messages designed to trigger desire for compulsively consumed food items.” The key ways to avoid UPFs are cooking from scratch and reading labels to see what is in our food. Legal uncertainty But Robert says: “In the cost-of-living crisis, UPFs are often the more affordable option. This disparity keeps families locked into unhealthy eating patterns. Cheaper nutritious staples require time, motivation, cooking skills, nutrition literacy and cooking equipment.” Yet Matt Charlton, CEO of creative agency Brothers & Sisters, thinks the only solution is less UPF production. He said: “The Government vastly overestimates the power of advertising. Advertisement “Unless you are going to stop children walking past and going into shops that sell junk food, you aren’t making a difference.” Lawyer Katrina Anderson, from law firm Mills & Reeve, says it is unclear exactly how the new ban would work, adding: “There is still some legal uncertainty . . . because we are awaiting secondary legislation and guidance. “It will clarify some important points such as the scope of paid-for online advertising and the categories of food caught by the ban.” A spokesman for trade body the Food & Drink Federation said: “Food and drink manufacturers take the issue of obesity and poor diets really seriously. Advertisement “Our industry adheres to all advertising rules and is preparing for further regulations that come into effect in October 2025.” A spokesman for Kellanova, which owns Pringles and Kellogg’s said: “We are fully committed to the responsible marketing of our foods across all platforms. We will adhere to the new advertising regulations for HFSS foods.” Swap these for these 10 These Go Ahead Fruit And Oat Bakes are not as healthy as they appear 10 This option comes without added sugars or preservatives Credit: Alamy Advertisement SWAP THIS : Go Ahead Fruit And Oat Bakes (6 x 35g, £1.75, Ocado). Appears healthy but it is a UPF as it contains glucose-fructose corn syrup, modified starch and gelling agents, to name a few. FOR THIS: Nakd Cocoa Orange Bars (4 x 35g, £3, Tesco). Made with dates, cashews, raisins and cocoa, this comes without added sugars or preservatives. 10 This ham contains four types of sugar and various additives 10 This Asda Extra Special Roast Turkey Breast is far less processed Advertisement SWAP THIS : Premier Deli Cooked Ham Trimmings (400g, £2.75, Tesco). Contains many ingredients, including four types of sugar and various additives. High in salt. FOR THIS : Asda Extra Special Roast Turkey Breast (4 slices, £2.95). Much less processed, containing just four ingredients that are mostly found in home cooking and no preservatives. 10 This peanut butter includes palm oil, which is linked to increased bad LDL cholesterol 10 Whole Earth Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter is minimally processed Advertisement SWAP THIS : Essential Smooth Peanut Butter (340g, £1.80, Waitrose). Includes palm oil, which is linked to increased bad LDL cholesterol, and cane sugar. FOR THIS : Whole Earth Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter (227g, £2.75, Sainsbury’s) Minimally processed, made from 100 per cent roasted organic nuts, with no added oils or sugars. Read more on the Scottish Sun SIP SIP HOORAY Exact time Coca-Cola truck arrives in Scotland tomorrow for Xmas tour FESTIVE CHEER Scots Xmas market tops London's Winter Wonderland as 'most stunning' in UK 10 Dairylea Cheese Slices has several emulsifiers 10 This option from Sainsbury's is made purely from cow’s milk Advertisement SWAP THIS : Dairylea Cheese Slices (8 x 20.5g slices, £1.45, Sainsbury’s). Contains 15 ingredients, including several emulsifiers, despite the green and amber ratings for nutrition on the front of the pack. FOR THIS : Sainsbury’s Mild Cheddar Cheese Slices (10 slices, 240g, £2.70). Made purely from cow’s milk.Traveling this holiday season? 10 things the TSA wants you to knowYes, That Viral LinkedIn Post You Read Was Probably AI-Generated