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Originally appeared on E! Online Paul Walker 's daughter is celebrating her late dad's life by sharing fresh memories of their precious time together. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Meadow Walker posted a heartbreaking tribute to the " Fast & Furious " actor Nov. 30, the 11th anniversary of his death at age 40. "11 years without you," the 26-year-old, Paul's only child, wrote on her Instagram . "I miss you everyday. I love you so much." Meadow, who had turned 15 just weeks before Paul died in a car crash in 2013, shared photos of her dad holding her when she was a baby. She also posted a pic of him swimming with a pig in the ocean, a 2001 "The Fast and the Furious" promotional image showing him with costars Vin Diesel , Jordana Brewster and Johnny Strong, plus shots of herself from earlier this year on a studio backlot. Meadow captioned her post, "Easter (1999), Pops in the Bahamas, in front of your old office on the universal lot (2024), fast (2001), goofballs." The model, whose mother is Paul's ex Rebecca Soteros, has often honored her father on social media . READ How Paul Walker's Beautiful Bond With Daughter Meadow Walker Lives On Meadow has also honored Paul by joining his costars to red carpet premieres of "Fast & Furious" films, most recently in 2023, at a screening of "Fast X" in Rome. In addition, the actor's daughter made a cameo in the film, which marked her acting debut. "I am proud of the fact that she so beautifully wants to honor her father," Vin shared with E! News ' Chief Correspondent Keltie Knight at the Rome event. "As a father, we hope that our children will want to honor us in that way." The actor shared what he believes Paul would think about Meadow's performance in "Fast X." "I think he's smiling at not only her performance," Vin began, "but at the fact that what him and I dreamed of — which was taking a saga to a 10th chapter — and to feel this love, the cherry on top is the fact that is daughter is a cameo."B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. ( NYSE:J – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 12,029 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,575,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in J. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Jacobs Solutions by 37.0% in the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 3,839 shares of the company’s stock valued at $590,000 after buying an additional 1,036 shares during the period. Natixis lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 55.0% in the first quarter. Natixis now owns 3,242 shares of the company’s stock valued at $498,000 after buying an additional 1,150 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 1st quarter worth approximately $223,000. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 70,973 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,911,000 after buying an additional 1,382 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $48,000. Institutional investors own 85.65% of the company’s stock. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Jacobs Solutions news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 4,167 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.14, for a total value of $625,633.38. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,564 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,688,038.96. The trade was a 14.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Christopher M.T. Thompson sold 1,898 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.85, for a total transaction of $286,313.30. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 42,069 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,346,108.65. This trade represents a 4.32 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock. Jacobs Solutions Stock Up 1.4 % Jacobs Solutions ( NYSE:J – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 19th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.08 by ($0.71). Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.82% and a net margin of 5.16%. The firm had revenue of $2.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.90 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 6 EPS for the current fiscal year. Jacobs Solutions Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, October 25th were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 25th. Jacobs Solutions’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.33%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on J shares. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $158.00 to $139.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Raymond James upgraded shares of Jacobs Solutions from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $160.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, October 4th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $167.00 to $152.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Benchmark downgraded Jacobs Solutions from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on Jacobs Solutions from $166.00 to $161.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $156.50. Get Our Latest Research Report on Jacobs Solutions About Jacobs Solutions ( Free Report ) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. ( NYSE:J – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Columbia, a perennial football loser, wins Ivy League title for first time since 1961

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City's players were booed by their own fans Tuesday after blowing a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League to extend their winless run to six games. Jeers rang around the Etihad Stadium after the final whistle of a dramatic 3-3 draw. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekBy ALEXANDRA OLSON and CATHY BUSSEWITZ NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump’s incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches — the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President — are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI,” Glasgow said. “The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America’s top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart’s announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart’s need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer’s ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart.” Related Articles National News | Man found guilty of holding down teen while he was raped at a youth center in 1998 National News | What Black Friday’s history tells us about holiday shopping in 2024 National News | New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants National News | Walmart becomes latest – and biggest – company to roll back its DEI policies National News | Eggs are available — but pricier — as the holiday baking season begins Walmart’s announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.

FBI investigating a rise in cryptocurrency scams as popularity risesThe issue was the clear leader on 28 per cent, followed by the cost of living on 19 per cent and health on 17 per cent. Economic stability (9 per cent), climate change (4 per cent), crime (2 per cent), local transport and roads (2 per cent) and childcare (2 per cent), all played lesser roles. Immigration – which had been prominent in the list of issues of public concern for much of the year – played a minor role, nominated by just 6 per cent. The housing issue was more prominent among younger voters, with 42 per cent of those under 34 nominating it as the most important issue. More than half (52 per cent) of voters said their standard of living has stayed the same over the past 12 months, while 35 per cent said it has worsened and 13 per cent said it has improved. Those who voted for Sinn Féin (49 per cent), People Before Profit (49 per cent) and Aontú (41 per cent) were much more likely to say their standard of living had worsened. The poll also asked respondents about their second preferences on the ballot paper. The results suggest that expectations of a strong transfer between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will be borne out – a factor that should help the two parties boost their seat numbers. [ Almost half of voters favour a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael led coalition, according to exit poll Opens in new window ] Supporters of both parties transferred at higher rates to running mates from the same party. For Fine Gael voters, it was at a rate of 37 per cent to other Fine Gael candidates. Fianna Fáil candidates were the second preference choice of 39 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters. Among Fine Gael voters, 32 per cent said their second preference votes went to Fianna Fáil, while 30 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters said they transferred to Fine Gael. Sinn Féin voters transferred at a rate of 48 per cent to second candidates from the same party. The next highest second preference votes from Sinn Féin supporters was to Independents. The highest second preference transfer rates between arch-rivals Labour and the Social Democrats were to each other. According to the exit poll some 22 per cent of second preferences from Labour voters went to the Social Democrats. Second preferences from Social Democrats supporters went to Labour at a rate of 23 per cent. Almost half of voters in Friday’s general election said they favour a coalition government based on the combination of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Nearly a third of voters (31 per cent) said they would prefer a coalition of just Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil; a further 9 per cent preferred a government of those two parties plus Independents; while a further 9 per cent said they would like to see a government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and one or more smaller parties. Combined, this is a total of 49 per cent of voters in the exit poll who want to see a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-led government. [ Majority of Independent voters would have backed candidate even if they were in a political party - exit poll Opens in new window ] The next most popular choice was a government led by Sinn Féin without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, which was chosen by 22 per cent. Another 7 per cent said they wanted to see a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin coalition (including just 9 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters), while 21 per cent said they wanted to see “something else”. The most popular choice for taoiseach was Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin , who was the preferred choice of 35 per cent. He pipped Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald , who was on 34 per cent, while Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was on 27 per cent. Just 5 per cent gave no response. On climate change, a slim majority of voters said the current Government did not go far enough in tackling the issue – significantly more than those who believe it has gone too far. Just under a third of Irish voters – 29 per cent – said the Coalition’s actions were “about right”, while 20 per cent said it had gone too far. The poll, which is a joint project of The Irish Times, RTÉ, TG4 and the Political Science Department of Trinity College Dublin, was conducted by Ipsos B&A among 5,018 voters as they left 253 polling stations across all 43 constituencies on Friday. Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter

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This dividend demonstrates BK Group’s strong financial performance and continued commitment to delivering value to its shareholders. Shareholders registered in the company’s books as of 02nd December 2024 will be eligible to receive the interim dividend, with payments scheduled to commence on or around 20th December 2024. BK Group Plc’s financial strength and strategic execution continue to position the Group as a trusted partner in the region's economic growth. This interim dividend reflects our unwavering dedication to rewarding our shareholders while maintaining a solid foundation for sustained growth. Key Dates: • Book closure date: 02nd December 2024 • Payment Date: On or around 20th December 2024 For further information, please contact: Hugues M. KAYIGAMBA Group Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development E: investor.relations@bk.rw T: (+ 250) 78814 3354 About BK Group Plc Limited Established in 1966, BK Group Plc is a leading non-operating holding company registered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) under the Companies Act No. 17/2018 of 13/04/2018. The Group comprises five subsidiaries: Bank of Kigali, BK Capital, BK General Insurance, BK TecHouse, and BK Foundation. Together, they provide a comprehensive range of services spanning banking, investment management, insurance, technology solutions, and philanthropy to support Rwanda’s economic and social development. BK Group Plc is listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and cross-listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, reinforcing its position as a trusted regional financial leader", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "The New Times" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }Pathstone Holdings LLC cut its stake in UBS Group AG ( NYSE:UBS – Free Report ) by 13.4% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 220,545 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 34,081 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in UBS Group were worth $6,816,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in shares of UBS Group by 11,313.2% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 41,389,783 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,218,317,000 after acquiring an additional 41,027,134 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in shares of UBS Group by 11.3% during the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 54,060,137 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,591,242,000 after buying an additional 5,508,422 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Securities Ltd. boosted its position in shares of UBS Group by 162.3% during the second quarter. Susquehanna International Securities Ltd. now owns 5,016,425 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $148,185,000 after buying an additional 3,103,747 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of UBS Group by 20.3% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 9,779,265 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $287,803,000 after buying an additional 1,649,115 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AXA S.A. raised its holdings in shares of UBS Group by 25.6% in the second quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 4,441,397 shares of the bank’s stock worth $131,199,000 after buying an additional 905,612 shares during the period. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America initiated coverage on UBS Group in a report on Thursday, September 19th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. StockNews.com raised UBS Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”. UBS Group Price Performance Shares of UBS opened at $31.80 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.95 billion, a PE ratio of 26.50 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $31.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.87, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05. UBS Group AG has a fifty-two week low of $26.00 and a fifty-two week high of $33.34. UBS Group ( NYSE:UBS – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $19.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.20 billion. UBS Group had a return on equity of 4.69% and a net margin of 5.13%. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.24) EPS. Equities analysts predict that UBS Group AG will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UBS Group Profile ( Free Report ) UBS Group AG provides financial advice and solutions to private, institutional, and corporate clients worldwide. It operates through five divisions: Global Wealth Management, Personal & Corporate Banking, Asset Management, Investment Bank, and Non-core and Legacy. The company offers investment advice, estate and wealth planning, investing, corporate and banking, and investment management, as well as mortgage, securities-based, and structured lending solutions. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UBS Group AG ( NYSE:UBS – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for UBS Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UBS Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

World News | Trump Meets Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago; Discusses Trade, Border Security, Drug CrisisSwissotel Poiana Brașov, a small five-star boutique hotel under the Accor brand, is one of the latest additions to Romania’s famous mountain resort, offering quiet luxury and pampering to high-end customers. The hotel also signals the brand’s direction in Eastern Europe. Poiana Brașov, approximately 12 km away from the city, is an established holiday and winter getaway among Romanians and foreign tourists, and has been benefiting from Brașov’s and its closeness to Bucharest by train or car. The mountain resort, so far known for skiing, is slowly transitioning into an all-season retreat, and Swissotel integrates well into the concept, according to the hotel’s management. Opened on September 1 of this year due to last-minute changes, Swissotel Poiana Brașov aimed to blend Translyavnian heritage and the Swiss brand’s know-how and image. The venue is minutes away from the famous Coliba Haiducilor restaurant and the Sulinar skiing slope. The hotel has 64 rooms and is among the smallest Swissotel hotels globally in terms of the number of rooms. However, the smallest room spans 50 sqm, while larger suites go up to double that, including two bathrooms and bedrooms. Moreover, 6 of the rooms have their own jacuzzi on the spacious terraces. The team behind the hotel also says it is more “on brand” than most other Swissotels, fitting perfectly with the chain’s mountain-centric image. The local developers of the hotel, who began the project in 2019, initially pitched an apart-hotel concept with a design strongly inspired by Transylvanian heritage. Although many other elements changed with the hotel’s integration into a large chain, its personality still shines through, guided by the vision of the team at Cumulus Architecture Office, which has also worked on numerous other hotels in Bucharest, Brasov, and Sinaia. Each room is equipped with foldable Italian-made couches, intuitive and subtle floor lights, locally crafted king-sized beds, premium Italian mattresses with advanced weight distribution technology, and custom-made ceramics in the signature Viscri Blue collection. The wood adorning the ceiling, furnishings, and doors is not chemically but thermally treated to enhance the breathability of the air. Blue oxide walls, gray Sălaj stone, natural wool carpets, and traditionally wooden ceilings are another nod to local culture. Despite its extensive use of wood, the hotel avoids the aesthetic of a typical mountain cabin. The minibar is full of artisanal spirits and drinks from small local producers, while several furniture pieces bear the mark of local artists. Finally, the advanced Lunos ventilation system ensures a steady flow of clean air and precise temperature control, both important in a snowy mountain resort. "We made the choice to affiliate with Swissôtel because of the prestige of an international brand recognized for premium service and standards of excellence. Our values align with the sustainability and positive impact on the local community promoted by Accor and Swissôtel. Through the global marketing and distribution platforms offered by Accor and the tradition of the Swissôtel brand, we will establish Brasov on the map of international luxury tourism," said Georgeta Grecu, General Manager Swissôtel Poiana Brasov. In terms of staff, the hotel is manned by a team of 50, the vast majority of whom are Brasov natives, like the developers. While finding people was challenging, a common complaint from Romanian employers, the hotel managed to attract experienced Romanian workers who polished their trade abroad and are now able to be closer to their families. The hotel - which encourages guests to take its slippers home - also offers a gym and a private Pürovel Spa & Sport spa, reserved for guests and designed for a maximum of 10 people at a time. The spa functions according to a strict schedule and includes a premium offering of cosmetic products, massages, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, and treatments. In terms of dining, Swissotel Poiana Brașov embraces the slow food experience, emphasizing locally sourced products from small, family-owned suppliers. Managed by Artegianale, a well-known operator in Brașov, the restaurant seats 100 and also brings guests Mediterranean and local products. “We are a hotel that started out celebrating Transylvanian culture, integrated the Swiss mountain resort image, and now we’ve added an Italian restaurant. Nevertheless, you cannot deny that there is a coherence,” says Alexu Toader, Business Growth Director. Leaning into leisure tourism, the local developers of Swissotel Poiana Brașov intentionally steered away from large event halls or ballrooms, instead targeting couples, families, and even extended families. A small hybrid room, however, accommodates up to 15 people and is ideal for board meetings. Built from scratch over five years with a EUR 18 million investment, Swissotel Poiana Brasov is now 99% functional and expects an occupancy of around 60-70%. The hotel is also already fully booked for New Year’s Eve and December 1, Romania’s national day. The 5-star hotel’s dynamic tariff system reflects seasonal changes, with prices starting at EUR 250 per night, including breakfast, in the off-season. Considering that the average net income in Romania is slightly over EUR 1,000 per month, it is obvious that the hotel addresses the more affluent. Nevertheless, it remains approachable, especially for executives looking for tranquil privacy with their families. The team behind Swissotel Poiana Brașov has ambitious plans for the future. A second 5-star Swissotel in the area, which will feature ski-to-door access to the slopes, is already in the concept phase, signaling a growing commitment to expanding the brand’s footprint in the region. Swissotel Poiana Brașov, a small five-star boutique hotel under the Accor brand, is one of the latest additions to Romania’s famous mountain resort, offering quiet luxury and pampering to high-end customers. The hotel also signals the brand’s direction in Eastern Europe. Poiana Brașov, approximately 12 km away from the city, is an established holiday and winter getaway among Romanians and foreign tourists, and has been benefiting from Brașov’s and its closeness to Bucharest by train or car. The mountain resort, so far known for skiing, is slowly transitioning into an all-season retreat, and Swissotel integrates well into the concept, according to the hotel’s management. Opened on September 1 of this year due to last-minute changes, Swissotel Poiana Brașov aimed to blend Translyavnian heritage and the Swiss brand’s know-how and image. The venue is minutes away from the famous Coliba Haiducilor restaurant and the Sulinar skiing slope. The hotel has 64 rooms and is among the smallest Swissotel hotels globally in terms of the number of rooms. However, the smallest room spans 50 sqm, while larger suites go up to double that, including two bathrooms and bedrooms. Moreover, 6 of the rooms have their own jacuzzi on the spacious terraces. The team behind the hotel also says it is more “on brand” than most other Swissotels, fitting perfectly with the chain’s mountain-centric image. The local developers of the hotel, who began the project in 2019, initially pitched an apart-hotel concept with a design strongly inspired by Transylvanian heritage. Although many other elements changed with the hotel’s integration into a large chain, its personality still shines through, guided by the vision of the team at Cumulus Architecture Office, which has also worked on numerous other hotels in Bucharest, Brasov, and Sinaia. Each room is equipped with foldable Italian-made couches, intuitive and subtle floor lights, locally crafted king-sized beds, premium Italian mattresses with advanced weight distribution technology, and custom-made ceramics in the signature Viscri Blue collection. The wood adorning the ceiling, furnishings, and doors is not chemically but thermally treated to enhance the breathability of the air. Blue oxide walls, gray Sălaj stone, natural wool carpets, and traditionally wooden ceilings are another nod to local culture. Despite its extensive use of wood, the hotel avoids the aesthetic of a typical mountain cabin. The minibar is full of artisanal spirits and drinks from small local producers, while several furniture pieces bear the mark of local artists. Finally, the advanced Lunos ventilation system ensures a steady flow of clean air and precise temperature control, both important in a snowy mountain resort. "We made the choice to affiliate with Swissôtel because of the prestige of an international brand recognized for premium service and standards of excellence. Our values align with the sustainability and positive impact on the local community promoted by Accor and Swissôtel. Through the global marketing and distribution platforms offered by Accor and the tradition of the Swissôtel brand, we will establish Brasov on the map of international luxury tourism," said Georgeta Grecu, General Manager Swissôtel Poiana Brasov. In terms of staff, the hotel is manned by a team of 50, the vast majority of whom are Brasov natives, like the developers. While finding people was challenging, a common complaint from Romanian employers, the hotel managed to attract experienced Romanian workers who polished their trade abroad and are now able to be closer to their families. The hotel - which encourages guests to take its slippers home - also offers a gym and a private Pürovel Spa & Sport spa, reserved for guests and designed for a maximum of 10 people at a time. The spa functions according to a strict schedule and includes a premium offering of cosmetic products, massages, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, and treatments. In terms of dining, Swissotel Poiana Brașov embraces the slow food experience, emphasizing locally sourced products from small, family-owned suppliers. Managed by Artegianale, a well-known operator in Brașov, the restaurant seats 100 and also brings guests Mediterranean and local products. “We are a hotel that started out celebrating Transylvanian culture, integrated the Swiss mountain resort image, and now we’ve added an Italian restaurant. Nevertheless, you cannot deny that there is a coherence,” says Alexu Toader, Business Growth Director. Leaning into leisure tourism, the local developers of Swissotel Poiana Brașov intentionally steered away from large event halls or ballrooms, instead targeting couples, families, and even extended families. A small hybrid room, however, accommodates up to 15 people and is ideal for board meetings. Built from scratch over five years with a EUR 18 million investment, Swissotel Poiana Brasov is now 99% functional and expects an occupancy of around 60-70%. The hotel is also already fully booked for New Year’s Eve and December 1, Romania’s national day. The 5-star hotel’s dynamic tariff system reflects seasonal changes, with prices starting at EUR 250 per night, including breakfast, in the off-season. Considering that the average net income in Romania is slightly over EUR 1,000 per month, it is obvious that the hotel addresses the more affluent. Nevertheless, it remains approachable, especially for executives looking for tranquil privacy with their families. The team behind Swissotel Poiana Brașov has ambitious plans for the future. A second 5-star Swissotel in the area, which will feature ski-to-door access to the slopes, is already in the concept phase, signaling a growing commitment to expanding the brand’s footprint in the region. Swissotel Poiana Brașov, a small five-star boutique hotel under the Accor brand, is one of the latest additions to Romania’s famous mountain resort, offering quiet luxury and pampering to high-end customers. The hotel also signals the brand’s direction in Eastern Europe. Poiana Brașov, approximately 12 km away from the city, is an established holiday and winter getaway among Romanians and foreign tourists, and has been benefiting from Brașov’s and its closeness to Bucharest by train or car. The mountain resort, so far known for skiing, is slowly transitioning into an all-season retreat, and Swissotel integrates well into the concept, according to the hotel’s management. Opened on September 1 of this year due to last-minute changes, Swissotel Poiana Brașov aimed to blend Translyavnian heritage and the Swiss brand’s know-how and image. The venue is minutes away from the famous Coliba Haiducilor restaurant and the Sulinar skiing slope. The hotel has 64 rooms and is among the smallest Swissotel hotels globally in terms of the number of rooms. However, the smallest room spans 50 sqm, while larger suites go up to double that, including two bathrooms and bedrooms. Moreover, 6 of the rooms have their own jacuzzi on the spacious terraces. The team behind the hotel also says it is more “on brand” than most other Swissotels, fitting perfectly with the chain’s mountain-centric image. The local developers of the hotel, who began the project in 2019, initially pitched an apart-hotel concept with a design strongly inspired by Transylvanian heritage. Although many other elements changed with the hotel’s integration into a large chain, its personality still shines through, guided by the vision of the team at Cumulus Architecture Office, which has also worked on numerous other hotels in Bucharest, Brasov, and Sinaia. Each room is equipped with foldable Italian-made couches, intuitive and subtle floor lights, locally crafted king-sized beds, premium Italian mattresses with advanced weight distribution technology, and custom-made ceramics in the signature Viscri Blue collection. The wood adorning the ceiling, furnishings, and doors is not chemically but thermally treated to enhance the breathability of the air. Blue oxide walls, gray Sălaj stone, natural wool carpets, and traditionally wooden ceilings are another nod to local culture. Despite its extensive use of wood, the hotel avoids the aesthetic of a typical mountain cabin. The minibar is full of artisanal spirits and drinks from small local producers, while several furniture pieces bear the mark of local artists. Finally, the advanced Lunos ventilation system ensures a steady flow of clean air and precise temperature control, both important in a snowy mountain resort. "We made the choice to affiliate with Swissôtel because of the prestige of an international brand recognized for premium service and standards of excellence. Our values align with the sustainability and positive impact on the local community promoted by Accor and Swissôtel. Through the global marketing and distribution platforms offered by Accor and the tradition of the Swissôtel brand, we will establish Brasov on the map of international luxury tourism," said Georgeta Grecu, General Manager Swissôtel Poiana Brasov. In terms of staff, the hotel is manned by a team of 50, the vast majority of whom are Brasov natives, like the developers. While finding people was challenging, a common complaint from Romanian employers, the hotel managed to attract experienced Romanian workers who polished their trade abroad and are now able to be closer to their families. The hotel - which encourages guests to take its slippers home - also offers a gym and a private Pürovel Spa & Sport spa, reserved for guests and designed for a maximum of 10 people at a time. The spa functions according to a strict schedule and includes a premium offering of cosmetic products, massages, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, and treatments. In terms of dining, Swissotel Poiana Brașov embraces the slow food experience, emphasizing locally sourced products from small, family-owned suppliers. Managed by Artegianale, a well-known operator in Brașov, the restaurant seats 100 and also brings guests Mediterranean and local products. “We are a hotel that started out celebrating Transylvanian culture, integrated the Swiss mountain resort image, and now we’ve added an Italian restaurant. Nevertheless, you cannot deny that there is a coherence,” says Alexu Toader, Business Growth Director. Leaning into leisure tourism, the local developers of Swissotel Poiana Brașov intentionally steered away from large event halls or ballrooms, instead targeting couples, families, and even extended families. A small hybrid room, however, accommodates up to 15 people and is ideal for board meetings. Built from scratch over five years with a EUR 18 million investment, Swissotel Poiana Brasov is now 99% functional and expects an occupancy of around 60-70%. The hotel is also already fully booked for New Year’s Eve and December 1, Romania’s national day. The 5-star hotel’s dynamic tariff system reflects seasonal changes, with prices starting at EUR 250 per night, including breakfast, in the off-season. Considering that the average net income in Romania is slightly over EUR 1,000 per month, it is obvious that the hotel addresses the more affluent. Nevertheless, it remains approachable, especially for executives looking for tranquil privacy with their families. The team behind Swissotel Poiana Brașov has ambitious plans for the future. A second 5-star Swissotel in the area, which will feature ski-to-door access to the slopes, is already in the concept phase, signaling a growing commitment to expanding the brand’s footprint in the region.

Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”“The ‘Russia-ASEAN: World of Opportunities’ Forum became one of the largest business events of its kind in the country and region in recent years, providing a unique platform to enhance trade relations between Russia and Southeast Asian countries. In 2023, Russia’s trade turnover with ASEAN countries reached a record high, growing by 14.6% compared to the previous year. This positive trend continued in the first half of 2024, with a 20.5% increase. The business forum was a response to the growing interest of Russian businesses in ASEAN countries, particularly Malaysia, and further solidified Russia’s strengthening trade position in Southeast Asia. I am confident that the Forum will serve as a significant discussion platform for addressing and broadly covering issues related to deepening trade and investment ties between Russia and ASEAN countries across various sectors,” said Anton Kobyakov , Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation. The Forum’s business agenda centered on trade and export interaction, energy, digital transformation, information security, technology, and innovations. Dedicated sessions also explored healthcare, tourism, education, and the impact of alumni communities in fostering international business connections. “Russia-Malaysia relations are dynamically progressing across a wide range of areas, providing optimism for their future. I believe this Forum served as an excellent starting point for creating and implementing new projects, fostering cooperation, and promoting open dialogue between the business community and government representatives. I hope the event’s outcomes bring ASEAN countries and Malaysia closer to Russia, enabling the peoples of our nations to learn more about each other and explore new horizons for mutually beneficial relationships,” emphasized Nail Latypov , the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Malaysia. He described Kuala Lumpur as a fitting choice for the event, noting that Malaysia will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and highlighting the city’s strategic location as a regional hub, within a two-hour flight of any ASEAN capital. The main highlight of the Forum was the plenary session, which featured participants such as Alexey Gruzdev , Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Ayrat Khayrullin , Minister of Digitalization of Public Administration, Information Technologies, and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan; Tan Sri Nazir Razak , Founder and Chairman of Ikhlas Capital and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia; Oudet Souvannavong , President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Alexander Stuglev , Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation; and Abu Bakar Yusof , Deputy Director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Daniyar Akkaziev , Executive Director of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, moderated the session. The business program on the first day continued with a panel discussion titled “The Energy Dimension of Strategic Partnership between Russia and ASEAN: Lessons Learned and New Directions” and the EAEU-ASEAN business dialogue. Discussions focused on exploring new formats of cooperation among businesses for sustainable, long-term development. The second day of the Forum featured panels on enhancing cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian countries in digital transformation, healthcare, and medicine. Additional focus was given to strategies for increasing tourist flows and fostering educational partnerships. The “World of Opportunities: Russia-ASEAN” International Business Forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Malaysia. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) served as the co-organizer. The Forum’s general partner was the Tatarstan Trade House, while program partners included the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, the Eurasian Economic Commission, and Coalstar LLC. Hashtag: #RoscongressFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented, non-financial development institution and the largest organizer of Russian, international, congress, exhibition, business, public, youth, sports, and cultural events. It was established in 2007 by presidential decree to promote economic potential, advance national interests, and strengthen Russia’s image. The Foundation comprehensively studies, analyzes, and highlights issues on Russian and global economic agendas. It facilitates business project administration, investment promotion, social entrepreneurship, and charitable initiatives. Events organized by the Foundation attract participants from 209 countries and territories, with over 15,000 media representatives working at Roscongress venues annually. More than 5,000 experts from Russia and abroad are involved in its analytical and expert activities. The Foundation collaborates with UN structures and other international organizations, develops diverse partnerships with 212 foreign economic institutions, industrial and business associations, and financial and trade organizations in 86 countries. Domestically, it partners with 293 Russian public organizations and federal and regional executive and legislative bodies of the Russian Federation. Official Roscongress Telegram Channels: In Russian – t.me/Roscongress, in English – t . me / RoscongressDirect , in Spanish – t . me / RoscongressEsp , and in Arabic – t . me / RosCongressArabic . Official website and information-analytical system: roscongress . org .

ExxonMobil ( XOM -0.01% ) and the rest of the energy sector are down big in the past month as oil prices hover around their lowest levels in a year. But the company has plans to drive shareholder returns even at mediocre oil prices. Here's why ExxonMobil is well-positioned to substantially grow its earnings and cash flow in the coming years and why it stands out as a compelling dividend stock to buy in 2025. A clear outline for future growth On Dec. 11, ExxonMobil updated its corporate plan and extended its targets from 2027 out to 2030. Between 2019 and the third quarter of 2024, ExxonMobil achieved $11 billion in structural cost savings, grew earnings and cash flow, lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, and returned $140 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. By 2030, the company expects to achieve an additional $7 billion in structural cost savings, bringing the total to $18 billion versus 2019. In addition to oil and gas, ExxonMobil is investing heavily in low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. The company believes that carbon capture can help it deliver lower emissions power for data centers with projects that are fully detached from the grid. By 2030, ExxonMobil expects to grow annual cash flows by $30 billion compared to 2024 or by $50 billion since 2019, and earnings by $20 billion versus 2024 or $35 billion since 2019. These forecasts are based on $65 per barrel Brent crude oil prices and $3 per MMBtu Henry Hub natural gas prices. For context, Brent crude oil prices averaged $81.13 per barrel from January through November 2024, and Henry Hub gas prices averaged $2.12 per MMBtu during that period. Aside from 2020, 2024 has seen the lowest gas prices since 1998. Between 2025 and 2030, ExxonMobil expects to generate $165 billion in surplus cash above its existing dividend, leaving plenty of room for sizable dividend raises and buybacks. The cash surplus is basically the margin of error ExxonMobil has compared to its target oil and gas prices. If prices hit a downturn, ExxonMobil can still afford to raise its dividend but may buy back less stock. ExxonMobil said that at $55 per barrel Brent, it would expect to earn $110 billion in cash surplus. By comparison, if Brent prices average $85 during the forecast period, the surplus would be around $280 billion. ExxonMobil expects it can still fund its capital projects and its dividend even if Brent prices were just $35 through 2027 and $30 per barrel by 2030 -- illustrating how far the company has come in optimizing its production portfolio. The dividend is an integral part of the investment thesis for ExxonMobil. Despite ebbs and flows in the oil and gas industry, ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years. No matter what oil prices are doing, investors have been able to rely on ExxonMobil for a steady stream of passive income. ExxonMobil yields 3.7%, which is sizable compared to the S&P 500 yield of 1.2%. XOM data by YCharts Avoiding dependence on debt ExxonMobil's corporate plan sets clear expectations for investors to hold the company accountable over the next five years. Most importantly, the plan is based on generating positive cash flow and doesn't rely on debt. ExxonMobil's balance sheet is in its best condition in a decade. XOM Financial Debt to Equity (Quarterly) data by YCharts As you can see in the chart, ExxonMobil has very little net debt on its balance sheet for a company of its size. Its financial debt-to-equity and debt-to-capital ratios are very low, indicating it isn't relying on debt to run its business. ExxonMobil used excess profits in recent years to help pay down debt. Granted, it has ramped capital spending, but has emphasized investments that can contribute to high cash-flow generation. Projects that have a low cost of supply and higher returns, which ExxonMobil calls "advantaged assets," refer to the Permian Basin, Guyana, and its liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio. LNG is natural gas that is cooled and condensed into a liquid to export to buyers overseas. ExxonMobil completed the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources earlier this year, which gave it significantly more Permian production. ExxonMobil now generates more than 50% of its production from advantaged assets, and expects to reach 60% for 2030 -- helping to drive down its cost of production. By focusing on advantaged assets, ExxonMobil can generate positive cash flow even at lower oil prices, which should help limit its leverage and maintain its financial health. ExxonMobil is a passive income powerhouse If ExxonMobil achieves its projected earnings growth, the company could be worth significantly more in the future than it is today. ExxonMobil is already an inexpensive stock -- with a 13.3 price-to-earnings ratio. And that's based on earnings during a period of fairly mediocre oil prices. Oil and gas companies tend to command discounted valuations compared to the broader market due to the industry's volatility and the uncertain future of oil and gas in a low-carbon world. But ExxonMobil's corporate plan shows that the company doesn't need oil and gas prices to go up to make substantially higher earnings and cash flows over the medium term. It can then use excess profits to invest in new technologies to remain an energy titan even if global oil and gas consumption gradually declines over time. Add it all up, and ExxonMobil stands out as arguably the most well-rounded oil and gas company to buy in 2025.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100

Jimmy Carter , the 39th President of the United States, has died at 100. The longest-living president in U.S. history died almost two years after entering hospice care in his Georgia home in lieu of continued medical intervention for his various health issues. Carter was a one-term but popular president, holding office from 1977-1981, and was unseated by Ronald Reagan. The former Commander in Chief’s nonprofit organization announced he was entering hospice care in February 2023. “After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention,” the February 18 Twitter announcement read. “He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.” Carter had undergone multiple hospital stints in recent years for various health issues, such as melanoma and several falls. On August 2, 2015, Carter underwent surgery to remove a small cancerous mass in his liver, and he recovered easily. However, the procedure revealed further health complications. On August 11, 2015, it was announced that the cancer had spread to other parts of Carter’s body. In an August 20, 2015 press conference, his doctor revealed the melanoma had spread to four parts of his brain. Hulton Archive/Getty Images The politician-turned-humanitarian had a history of cancer in his family. Carter’s parents and three siblings (two sisters and a brother) all died of different forms of cancer. His mother died of breast cancer; his father and siblings all died of pancreatic cancer. Age 90 at the time of his melanoma diagnosis, Carter believed he was nearing the end of his life but was at peace. “I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease,” he said at the time, per ABC News . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I have thousands of friends...so I was surprisingly at ease, much more so than my wife was.” The former president underwent treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy) to “extend” his life as much as possible. The treatment was successful, with Carter announcing in March 2016 that doctors stopped his treatment. Carter was hospitalized again the next year for dehydration due to building homes for Habitat for Humanity in Winnipeg, Canada. He was back at work on the homes the next day after some hours of observation. In May 2019, Carter broke his hip in a fall on his way out of his Plains, Georgia, home to go turkey hunting. He had a hip replacement a few days later and suffered another fall in October 2016, needing stitches over one of his eyebrows. In November 2019, he underwent surgery to address pressure in his brain caused by bleeding from the falls and recovered fine. Carter first served as a Georgia senator from 1963 to 1967 and then served as the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. He beat incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election. The 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner sought to make the government “competent and compassionate” during his tenure. His accomplishments as president include creating the Department of Education, bolstering the Social Security system, hiring a record number of minority groups in government jobs, and protecting/improving the environment. Part of that effort was successfully adding 103 million acres of Alaskan land to the national park system. Carter was determined to see the U.S. switch from fossil fuel to clean energy with renewable resources. To that end, he had 32 solar panels installed on the roof of the West Wing in the summer of 1979, hoping to set an example for the future of renewable energy. The panels were used for seven years before Reagan had them removed. While he had notable accomplishments, rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions made it difficult for Carter to meet the high expectations he set for his administration. He shepherded in nearly eight million new jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit (per WhiteHouse.org ), but near record-high inflation and interest rates of the time, and the efforts to fix them, triggered a short recession in the economy. In foreign affairs, Carter led the Camp David Accords in 1978, a political agreement between Egypt and Israel reached through 12 days of secret negotiations at the President’s Maryland country retreat. His focus on human rights didn’t sit well with the leaders of the Soviet Union and some other nations. He obtained ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, set up diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and finished the negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union. Born James Earl Carter, Jr. on October 1, 1924, Carter’s family ran a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. Talk of politics and his Baptist faith were tenets of his childhood. He graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1946, serving seven years as a naval officer. Carter married his wife, Rosalynn Carter — who died in November 2023 — after graduating from the Academy in 1946. They share three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn. Carter became a career politician in 1962 when elected to the Georgia State Senate. After his presidency, Carter focused his public efforts on humanitarian aid. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” More Headlines:MARPAI ANNOUNCES GENERAL UPDATES FOR Q4

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