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Ricardo Salinas Pliego is no stranger to controversy and crisis. Over decades, the entrepreneur has feuded with business partners, investors and regulators as he built an empire that’s made him Mexico’s third-richest person. But even for Salinas, the current financial predicament is dire — and also a little odd. Ricardo Salinas Pliego is in a financial predicament. Credit: Bloomberg That’s because the bulk of his $US10.5 billion ($16.3 billion) wealth is tied up in a company, Grupo Elektra, that is poised to plunge in value as soon as it begins trading again on the Mexican stock exchange. This is where things get weird. Officials have been trying for days to lift the halt on the stock that was imposed in July, only to give up once buy orders hit trading screens in the pre-market auction. The problem: the bids are so shockingly low, coming in at less than 50 per cent of the stock’s value in July, that the market circuit breaker designed to limit volatility is immediately tripped, and the stock is halted again without a single transaction taking place. So for official bookkeeping reasons, Elektra’s shares are still worth the same 944.95 pesos they were quoted at on July 26, and Salinas’ wealth remains, precariously for now, intact. The cause of the initial ban was, like many things involving Salinas, a bit mysterious. Salinas himself had triggered the trading halt in July when he alleged a creditor had used the company shares to fund a $US110 million loan. Lawyers for the billionaire said most of the shares appeared to have been sold, pushing the stock price down — with the rest allegedly pocketed by the creditor. The creditor has denied any wrongdoing. Index suspension What followed the allegations of fraud was easier to understand — after a month of no trading, Elektra got booted from the country’s main stock gauge, leaving it without the crucial support of index-tracking funds needed to support the share price. Which is why traders have been lobbing in such lowball bids when the exchange tried to restart trading. In another unusual twist, lawyers for Salinas are fighting in court to prevent the stock from trading. On Friday morning, Elektra said that resuming trading would cause “irreparable damage to the company” adding that the exchange and regulators would be responsible for any “adverse effects.” It is, analysts said, a not-so-veiled play to keep the stock price from collapsing. Salinas is the third-richest person in Mexico. Credit: Bloomberg “It’s a golden cage — looks real pretty but it’s still a cage,” said Carlos Legaspy, chief executive officer of broker-dealer Insight Securities. A spokesperson for the billionaire didn’t respond to requests for comment on Elektra or his wealth. Salinas has won legal rulings against the Mexican exchange before. Back in 2012, his lawyers filed lawsuits against exchange officials and successfully beat back an attempt to kick it off the same index. Officials had alleged the company was manipulating the amount of floating shares to help maintain its inclusion in the benchmark. Uncle Rich Salinas controls nearly 80 per cent of Elektra’s outstanding shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, and has relied on that holding to borrow money and support the extravagant lifestyle he depicts with his online “Tio Richie,” or Uncle Rich, persona. His stake in the company, which offers everything from appliances to telephones and motorcycles, and also includes branches of Banco Azteca, represents three-quarters of his net worth, the data show. “If you use your budding empire as a personal piggybank, things may eventually turn iffy,” said Diego Ferro, founder of M2M Capital, a New York-based investment firm focusing on emerging markets. Meanwhile, Salinas is facing another potential blow to his wealth. Since last year, the billionaire has been locked in an increasingly heated confrontation with the government over billions of dollars in tax claims. The government alleges that four of his companies owe some 63 billion pesos ($4.7 billion) in taxes in 17 different cases going back as far as 2008. Salinas has argued that the government is trying to “charge us twice” by not recognising deductions from losses. After years of court battles, several claims against Elektra are in their final appeals before the Supreme Court, which could rule in the coming months. Even with the share freeze, Salinas’ net worth has fallen 28 per cent this year from $US15.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As painful as the financial hit may ultimately be, Legaspy, the CEO at Insight Securities, said there’s one thing he’s certain of when it comes to someone as resilient and deep-pocketed as Salinas: “He’ll survive.” Bloomberg The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning .
Canada needs to take Trump's tariff threats seriously: experts TORONTO — Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press Dec 4, 2024 1:58 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York, with Kid Rock, Dana White and Elon Musk. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Vucci TORONTO — Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Steve Verheul, former chief trade negotiator for Canada, says though the threat may not seem credible to many, the country still needs to take it seriously by engaging with the new administration and considering potential retaliation. "We’re in a very uncertain period right now," said Verheul during an online panel hosted by BMO on Wednesday. Trump has said he will introduce tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S. unless they are able to halt the movement of illegal drugs and migrants across their borders. Experts have warned such tariffs would be damaging to the Canadian economy. "Our economies are integrated, our supply chains are closely intertwined, and we would be in for a highly disruptive period of time if such tariffs were to be put in place," said Verheul. "So I think the question now is, how will Canada respond?" Canada will do what it can to try and dissuade Trump from enacting such a dramatic policy, said Verheul, but if Trump makes good on his threat come inauguration day, Canada needs to be ready to retaliate, such as with tariffs of its own. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently flew to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and briefed opposition leaders this week on the government's plan for the Canada-U.S. border. Verheul was joined on the panel by BMO chief economist Doug Porter and Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer for BMO Wealth Management in the U.S. Trump initially said he would enact 10-per-cent tariffs on all imports, with a 60-per-cent hit for China. But more recently he threatened Canada and Mexico with 25-per-cent tariffs. Porter said such high tariffs on all imports are unlikely to happen, especially on key imports like energy. Financial markets don't appear to believe the threats will become reality, he said — but that doesn't mean they should be disregarded. "I think we should take the threat seriously, or at the very least prepare and consider what broad-based tariffs could mean for the economy," he said. “The reality is, we're dealing with an overtly protectionist president who is very fond of using tariffs." Verheul said 25-per-cent tariffs across the board would be a significant hit to Canada's economy, which relies heavily on exports to the U.S., as does Mexico. Trump is a "big fan of tariffs," said Verheul, and sees them as a way to bring production back to the U.S., address trade deficits, and increase revenue. But while Trump's interest in tariffs isn't new, Ma said this time around we're dealing with a different Trump, one who is no longer a political outsider. “President Trump is definitely more emboldened with tariffs this time around than he was in 2017, 2018," he said. While Ma also doesn't think the threats of sweeping tariffs are credible, he could see Trump enacting more limited tariffs on certain goods as bargaining chips. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is up for review in 2026, meaning 2025 is a year for negotiations, said Verheul. "I think there's a good chance that all of these tariff discussions will start to evolve into a renegotiation of the agreement, and we would attempt to address some of those issues within that negotiation," he said. "So hopefully short term, but it's going to be a rocky period and a lot of chaos in the market." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Pete Hegseth's mother says The New York Times made 'threats' by asking her to comment on a story Dec 4, 2024 2:50 PM Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts Dec 4, 2024 2:48 PM Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034 Dec 4, 2024 2:44 PM Featured Flyer
SINGAPORE and SAN DIEGO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helport AI Limited (NASDAQ: HPAI) (“Helport AI” or the “Company”), an AI technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent software, services and solutions, today announced that Tao Ke, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Winter Conference 2024 on December 10 and 11, 2024. iAccess Alpha Virtual Conference Details: Date: December 10-11, 2024 Presentation Day and Time: Tuesday, December 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3074/51744 A webcast of the presentation will also be available under the Events & Presentations section of the Company’s investor relations website linked here . To schedule a one-on-one investor meeting with Helport AI management, please contact your iAccess Alpha representative or email MZ Group at HPAI@mzgroup.us . About Helport AI Helport AI (NASDAQ: HPAI) is a premier provider of AI-driven solutions, specializing in enhancing professional capabilities across industries. Focused on delivering measurable outcomes, The company serves enterprise-level customer contact services through intelligent products, solutions, and a digital platform, helping businesses optimize their sales and improve customer engagement. Our mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert. Learn more at www.helport.ai . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, Helport AI's business plan and outlook. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on Helport AI’s current expectations and projections about future events that Helport AI believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. Helport AI undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Helport AI believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and Helport AI cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in Helport AI’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Helport AI Investor Relations: Meredith Fan ir@helport.ai https://ir.helport.ai/ External Investor Relations Contact: Chris Tyson Executive Vice President MZ North America Direct: 949-491-8235 HPAI@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.usRevolutionising Brisbane’s skyline: A new era of riverfront luxury
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Rivian Scores $6.57 Billion Jackpot From Program Republicans Want To KillThe world’s 10 most costly climate disasters of 2024 caused $229bn in damages and killed 2,000 people, the latest annual analysis of insurance payouts has revealed. Three-quarters of the financial destruction occurred in the world’s biggest economy, the US, where climate denier Donald Trump will become president next month. For the first time since the ranking was first compiled in 2018, there were two storms in a single year responsible for more than $50bn of losses: the hurricanes Helene and Milton that battered the US in September and October. Released at the end of what is almost certain to be another record-breaking year for global heat, the top 10 also included , which killed at least 829 people and wreaked $12.6bn of economic havoc; Storm Boris in Europe, which killed at least 26 and caused $5bn of losses; and the devastating floods in southern China, Bavaria, Valencia and Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. The rising financial impact of human-caused climate disruption was apparent in another first: all of the top 10 disasters racked up bills of more than $4bn. In every case, climate scientists calculated how much more likely the catastrophes were made by the burning of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil and coal. Dr Mariam Zachariah, a world weather attribution researcher at Imperial College London, said: “Most of these disasters show clear fingerprints of climate change. Extreme weather is clearly causing incredible suffering in all corners of the world. “This report is just a snapshot of climate devastation in 2024. There are many more droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods not included that are becoming more frequent and intense.” The ranking is compiled at the end of each year by Christian Aid, using data from insurance payouts. The charity said the true cost of disasters is likely to be much higher because many people are uninsured, particularly in poor countries. The NGO noted that other major climate disasters in 2024 had a lower immediate financial impact, but would have an incalculable knock-on cost in terms of deaths, destruction of globally important ecosystems and long-term damage to food supplies, social stability or sea levels. This included , , droughts in southern Africa and heatwaves in Bangladesh, Gaza and . Christian Aid’s CEO, Patrick Watt, urged global policymakers to cut emissions and increase compensation payments to poor countries. “The human suffering caused by the climate crisis reflects political choices. There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms,” he said. “Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise. And they’re being made worse by the consistent failure to deliver on financial commitments to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries.”
Shares of Color Star Technology Co. (ADD) have been in the spotlight after the company appointed UAE royal Shaikh Humaid Abdulla Rashed Ahmed Almualla as an independent director, sparking retail chatter Color Star is an entertainment technology company that focuses on applying technology and artificial intelligence to the entertainment industry. The appointment “not only introduces strong leadership to Color Star but also strengthens the company's ties with the Middle East, particularly the UAE,” the company said in a statement. Ahmed Almualla is a distinguished figure in UAE politics, wielding considerable influence in the Al Mualla region, the statement said. As a core member of the ruling family of the Umm Al-Quwain Emirate, he plays a vital role on the UAE's political stage. Retail message volume on Stocktwits surged 560% on Friday, and it has surged 32,250% in the past week. Many commenters were optimistic about the company's potential in Dubai, even though the company’s stock has been under pressure. Last month, the company said it received a formal notification from the Nasdaq Stock Market that it regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), requiring its ordinary shares to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. Shares of Color Star Technology are down 93% year-to-date. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest role
By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Looking for relevance in Republican Florida, Democratic leader seeks distance from progressives National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.Letter: Students concerned about climate change need to take action
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