
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NMI Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: NMIH) announced today that Mohammad Yousaf, currently the company’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Information Technology, has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief of Operations and Technology, effective January 1, 2025. Upon his appointment, Mr. Yousaf will continue to lead the innovation of National MI’s customer platform and technology roadmap and play an important role in shaping the company’s future success in collaboration with the broader executive team. “Mohammad has been instrumental in our success and this new role reflects his dedication, leadership and significant contributions to National MI. This is a well-deserved promotion and I look forward to working with Mohammad and our broader executive team as we continue to deliver differentiated solutions and value for National MI’s customers, community, employees and shareholders,” said Adam Pollitzer, National MI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Yousaf joined National MI in 2018 and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Transformation Officer from 2020 to 2021 and Vice President, Business Development and Technology Partnerships from 2018 to 2020. Prior to joining National MI, Mr. Yousaf was a Senior Managing Director in charge of servicing operations for Home Point Financial and held leadership positions with Mr. Cooper and Wells Fargo. “National MI has the most modern and efficient operating platform in the private mortgage insurance industry and I’m proud to lead our operations and technology teams as we continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mr. Yousaf. “Our goal has always been to support lenders and borrowers with a differentiated commitment and standard of service and, today, we lead the private MI industry from a position of strength and success. I am excited to leverage this expanded role to drive continued momentum and results across our business.” About National MI National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI), a subsidiary of NMI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMIH), is a U.S.-based, private mortgage insurance company enabling low down payment borrowers to realize home ownership while protecting lenders and investors against losses related to a borrower’s default. To learn more, please visit www.nationalmi.com Press Contact for National MI Lesley Alli Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, Marketing and Communications media@nationalmi.com (510) 858-0568 Investor Contact for National MI John M. Swenson Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury investor.relations@nationalmi.com (510)788-8417Yet another billionaire is clambering to get into President-elect Donald Trump’s hyper-rich inner circle, the MAGA chief has claimed. Trump, who will take the hot seat on Jan. 20, 2025, has seen his popularity surge among Silicon Valley types after he was endorsed by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk . The number two, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , soon made a beeline for the big man too, after he was spotted dining with Musk and Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. Now Bill Gates wants a slice, according to Trump. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the former CEO of Microsoft— whom Forbes says is the 16th richest in the world— personally asked for an audience with him. In a somewhat incoherent post, he said: “Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago. Bill Gates asked to come, tonight. We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!! DJT.” The murder of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson is being blamed not just on the gunman–but on the industry the dead man worked for, a new poll has found. UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson was gunned down from behind on a Manhattan street just before dawn on December 4, prompting a nationwide manhunt which ended five days later with the arrest of the suspected killer , 26-year-old Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione . Now research by NORC at the University of Chicago published Friday shows that while 78 per cent of people said that the alleged killer, had a great deal or a moderate amount of responsibility for the death, almost as many blamed health insurance companies' denial of coverage for the death. And almost as many, 67 per cent, said profits by the insurers were to blame. A majority of people, 53 per cent, blamed “wealth or income inequality in general”–although it was Mangione who was the scion of a millionaire family , while Thompson was from rural Iowa and had been the first in his family to go to college. One in ten said that Thompson’s killer bore no responsibility at all–an issue which is likely to dog jury selection when Mangione goes on trial in Manhattan for the alleged murder. He is charged by both federal and state authorities with murder and in the federal case is eligible for the death penalty . Mangione has pleaded not guilty. After all the chaos of the holiday season, you and your loved one deserve a little one-on-one time. For 2025, make the resolution to create unforgettable date nights with The Fantasy Box . The subscription box comes with everything you need to spice up your love life, like step-by-step scenarios for role-playing, lingerie, accessories, lube, and props. Each box has a unique theme and there are over 30 different themed fantasies to pick. The Ride ‘Em Cowgirl scenario brings you to the wild west. She is a flirty cowgirl in sexy denim shorts and cow print pasties, while he is a charming bartender with a paddle. Perhaps you’re intrigued by the idea of exploring a more dominant and submissive dynamic. In the D is for Discipline box , she is the Mistress with drip candles and he is her toy in a satin blindfold and bondage collar. The Fantasy Box has created a quick quiz you can take to uncover you and your partner’s fantasies. After taking the quiz, you’ll be recommended three boxes. From there, you can buy any box you want directly. Don’t forget to use the code NEWYEAR at checkout to save $50 on your order. If you and your partner love it, try subscribing monthly or bi-monthly for only $99 the first month. Monthly subscriptions renew at $129 per box; bi-monthly at $139 per box. You’ll receive a new themed box, enjoy free shipping, and get up to 20% off at The Fantasy Box’s shop. Free Shipping Free Shipping If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Tom Cruise ’s first movie project after wrapping up the Mission: Impossible franchise next year with The Final Reckoning has been revealed. And it could land him back in the Oscar conversation. Warner Bros. announced Friday that Cruise will star in an untitled film from two-time Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu ( Birdman , The Revenant ), set to be released on Oct. 2, 2026. The logline reads: “The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.” Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, and Riz Ahmed are among the other actors in the cast. The project is Iñárritu‘s first English-language film since 2015’s The Revenant , which won Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar for Best Actor. Cruise has been nominated for three acting Oscars over the course of his long career—for Born on the Fourth of July , Jerry Maguire , and Magnolia —but has never received a trophy at the ceremony. Entire stalls were engulfed by flames at the Bryant Park holiday market in Manhattan on Friday morning, videos show. A cause for the blaze is yet to be determined, but a spokesperson for FDNY told Gothamist it’s under investigation. The fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. and nobody was injured, the spokesperson said, adding that the fire was between “six feet wide by 40 feet long” at its peak. Clips of the flames quickly went viral on social media and the market has been closed indefinitely. New York City Emergency Management advised people to avoid the area and warned there will be traffic delays while a probe is completed. It’s the second time this season a holiday market has gone up in flames in the city, coming a week-and-a-half after a fire ignited a swath of Herald Square’s festive shopping corridor. Eighteen shops—and their merchandise, ranging from shirts to glass ornaments—were reportedly razed by that blaze. Bryant Park Christmas Village is on fire 🔥 #whatisnewyork pic.twitter.com/031iZ2D6He Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. Kevin O’Leary , of Shark Tank fame, says half of Canada is “interested” in merging with the U.S.—a longshot arrangement that topped Donald Trump ’s wishlist this Christmas. “Canadians over the holidays—the last two days—have been talking about this,” O’Leary told Fox Business. “They want to hear more.” The 70-year-old Montreal native said he’s headed to Mar-a-Lago to start a conversation that, at the least, may lead to his homeland and the U.S. striking a partnership agreement akin to the European Union. “So secure [the northern territories], give a common currency, figure out taxes across the board, get everything trading both ways, create a new, almost EU-like passport—I like this idea and at least half of Canadians are interested,” he said. O’Leary acknowledged there’d be “a lot of issues” with a merger, but suggested now’s the time to get a deal done with Trump returning to office as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s power is waning. O’Leary may not be the best barometer for what the average Canadian thinks, however. The businessman, worth an estimated $400 million , has ditched the great white north for sunny Miami Beach . He was also soundly rejected by voters when he ran for the leadership of the Canadian Conservative Party in 2017 and won just one percent of the vote. Elon Musk has further stoked the flames of the MAGA H1-B civil war after he agreed with a post that called Americans too “retarded” to exclusively fill the U.S. tech workforce. The eye-popping endorsement came after a pro-Musk account on X summed up the right-wing divide on visas to skilled workers as such: “So basically the right split into two factions, tech right and right right, and the tech right is like ‘hey we need h-1b visa people to do the jobs,’ and the right right was like ‘no you need to hire Americans,’ and the tech right is like “but you guys are retarded,” and the right right is like ‘well you don’t train us,’ and the tech right is like ‘you can’t outtrain being retarded,’ and while all this was going on we learned some people *really* don’t like Indians.” Musk, a 53-year-old South African who’s recently enjoyed a spot inside the “America First” Trump’s inner circle, apparently thought that assessment was a fair one. He responded, “That pretty much sums it up. This was eye-opening.” Trump is yet to weigh in on the latest right-wing divide that pits his longtime loyalists against his new tech bro faction. That pretty much sums it up. This was eye-opening. Several aviation experts said they believe that a Russian defense system caused the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that killed 38 people on Christmas Day, according to the Associated Press. The flight was headed from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, but diverted course amid bad weather before crash landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The incident left 29 survivors, all of whom are injured, the AP reported. With investigations underway in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, officials in those countries have urged against speculation about the crash’s cause. Russia’s aviation authority has suggested, nevertheless, that a bird strike could have played a role. But aviation experts seem to disagree. Mark Zee, founder of the aviation safety organization OPSGroup, told the AP that based on images of the plane, he is “90-99%” sure it was struck by a missile. Independent Russian military expert Yan Matveyev agreed that the plane’s tail appeared to have been struck by shrapnel from a missile like the ones used by Russia’s defense system. Meanwhile, the UK aviation security firm Osprey Solutions reportedly cautioned its clients that “Azerbaijan Airlines flight was likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system.” The man suspected of lighting a woman on fire in a Brooklyn subway car faces life without parole after he was charged with murder . Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, has been indicted on charges of murder in the first and second degree and arson, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The horrific scene unfolded on an early morning F train stopped at the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. stop in south Brooklyn on Dec. 22. Zapeta is accused of igniting the woman’s clothes and “fanning the flames” with a shirt. “These are significant counts. Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life without parole. It’s the most serious statute in New York state law and my office is very confident about the evidence in the case and to hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Gonzalez said. Zapeta, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 7. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Chaos descended in South Korea ‘s parliament again after the man tasked with succeeding the country’s recently impeached president was also given the boot. Acting president, formerly the Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, was brought in two weeks after parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed bid to impose martial law on the country. But Han was accused Friday of dragging his heels in pushing through the Yoon impeachment after he refused to appoint three judges to fill vacancies in the Constitutional Court that would vote on Yoon’s future. As a result, 192 lawmakers voted for Han’s impeachment. However, it was the decision to lower the threshold of required votes from 200 for Yoon’s removal to just 151 that caused lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party to swarm National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik. “Invalid!” and “Abuse of power!” were among the angry chants. The majority of the parliament in South Korea is from the opposition Democratic Party. Yoon is from the right-wing People Power Party, while Han is an independent. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has taken the reigns... for now. South Korea's parliament voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, prompting chaos as ruling party lawmakers protested the speaker’s decision to allow only 150 votes to pass the bill against Han, which meant no ruling party lawmakers’ votes were needed. pic.twitter.com/BgX9D8vrwh The 92-year-old mother of a murder victim whose death spurred the conviction—later overturned—of a member of the Kennedy family, died Tuesday of complications from the flu, her son said. Dorthy Moxley fought nearly 50 years for justice after her teenage daughter, Martha, was found dead across the street from the family home of Michael Skakel, a cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Skakel was convicted of Martha’s murder in 2002 and freed in 2013 after a judge said he hadn’t received adequate representation. The Connecticut Supreme Court reinstated the conviction in 2016, only to order him freed two years later. A second trial never occurred, in part because some witnesses had died. “It was just incredible how much support we got from people that we knew and people that we didn’t know,” Moxley’s son, John, told the Associated Press . “My mother was always grateful and chose to focus on the communal spirit, if you will, rather than the law. My mother always said she believed in angels and the angels really came out to support her, to support us.” John added: “She was able to take that spirit of support and knowing how important it was to share that with others. And that gave her a lot of joy, knowing that she could help somebody else.”
By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office
France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'Share Tweet Share Share Email The crypto market is buzzing with opportunity as December unfolds. Cardano (ADA) is making waves after forming a rare pattern that signals a potential Santa Claus Rally to close out the year strong. Meanwhile, Fantom (FTM) is being touted for its bullish momentum, with analysts predicting a whopping 200% return in the coming months as the network gains traction. Both projects have serious momentum behind them as we head into 2025. Enter Qubetics ($TICS) , a rising star that’s revolutionizing how crypto works in the real world. While Cardano and Fantom focus on network scalability and ecosystem growth, Qubetics solves the real-life usability problem with its smart, non-custodial multi-chain wallet. From instant payments to seamless cross-border transactions, Qubetics is making crypto transactions as easy as tapping Apple Pay or Google Pay. Currently in Presale Phase 13, Qubetics has raised over $6.9 million, sold 350 million tokens, and is attracting investors looking for a massive 900% ROI post-launch. Qubetics ($TICS): Redefining Crypto Usability and Tokenization Let’s be real—most people still find crypto confusing. Between managing multiple wallets, unpredictable market swings, and slow transaction speeds, mainstream adoption has been a tough nut to crack. That’s where Qubetics comes in, offering a game-changing approach to crypto usability that appeals to businesses, freelancers, and everyday users alike. The centerpiece of Qubetics is its non-custodial multi-chain wallet , which simplifies how users send, receive, and manage their digital assets. What sets Qubetics apart is its smart contract conversion mechanism, which automatically converts crypto into fiat currency at the point of sale. Let’s say you’re shopping online—Qubetics ensures the crypto payment is converted instantly, protecting you from price volatility and making the entire experience smooth as butter. Now picture this: You’re a freelancer with clients in Europe, Asia, and North America. Instead of navigating wire fees, delays, or manual conversions, Qubetics lets you accept payments in any cryptocurrency and instantly settles them into your preferred fiat. Businesses get the same perks, too—global payments without the stress of fluctuating crypto prices. Qubetics is currently in Presale Phase 13, with tokens priced at $0.0342. So far, the project has raised $6.9 million, with 350 million tokens sold to over 10,300 holders. The presale’s next phase will bring a 10% price increase, and the final launch price is set to hit $0.25—a potential 900% ROI for early investors. If you’re looking for the best cryptos to buy in December 2024, Qubetics is the name to watch. Cardano (ADA): A Rare Pattern Signals a Santa Claus Rally Cardano (ADA) is back in the spotlight as it gears up for a potential Santa Claus Rally. Analysts are buzzing about a rare chart pattern forming on ADA’s price charts, which historically signals a strong year-end surge for the cryptocurrency. If this bullish trend plays out, Cardano could see significant gains as December wraps up. What makes Cardano stand out is its dedication to scalability, sustainability, and real-world adoption. Its blockchain operates on the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which allows for faster transactions at lower energy costs compared to traditional Proof-of-Work models. This eco-friendly design has earned Cardano a loyal following among developers and investors. Cardano’s ecosystem is also thriving. Projects built on its blockchain, particularly in the DeFi and NFT sectors, continue to expand, driving demand for ADA. With its recent focus on smart contracts and scalability upgrades, Cardano is positioning itself as a go-to platform for decentralized applications. The upcoming Santa Claus Rally could propel ADA to new heights, offering investors a chance to capitalize on this momentum. If you’re searching for the best cryptos to buy in December 2024, Cardano’s bullish outlook makes it a strong contender for growth. Fantom (FTM): Poised for 200% Gains as Momentum Builds Fantom (FTM) has been on fire recently, and analysts are calling for a potential 200% price surge as we head into the new year. The driving force? Fantom’s incredible speed, low fees, and growing developer activity, all of which position it as a powerhouse in the DeFi space. Fantom operates on its Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technology, which allows it to process thousands of transactions per second at a fraction of the cost of competitors like Ethereum. This speed and affordability make Fantom an attractive choice for developers building DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and other decentralized apps. The ecosystem is expanding fast, too. From liquid staking solutions to decentralized exchanges (DEXs), Fantom’s network is becoming a hub for innovation. Recent partnerships and integrations have added even more fuel to FTM’s fire, driving investor confidence and sparking predictions of massive gains. For investors hunting for projects with strong fundamentals and serious upside potential, Fantom is one of the best cryptos to buy in December 2024. Its combination of technology, growing adoption, and bullish momentum makes it a solid pick heading into 2025. Final Thoughts: The Best Cryptos to Buy in December 2024 As December heats up, Qubetics ($TICS), Cardano (ADA), and Fantom (FTM) are standing out as the top cryptos to watch. Cardano’s rare pattern and potential Santa Claus Rally make it a compelling choice for investors looking for year-end gains. Fantom’s growing momentum and predictions of a 200% surge highlight its strength as a leader in the DeFi space. Then there’s Qubetics—a project revolutionizing how we use and interact with crypto. By offering instant, stable, and global payments through its non-custodial multi-chain wallet, Qubetics is solving real-world problems with innovation that’s hard to beat. With $6.9 million raised, over 350 million tokens sold, and a projected 900% ROI, Qubetics is shaping up to be one of the best cryptos to buy in December 2024 . Based on the latest research, we recommend Qubetics ($TICS), Cardano (ADA), and Fantom (FTM) as the best investment picks for this month. Don’t sleep on these projects—opportunity waits for no one. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Qubetics Presale Surges as Stellar Expands in Bolivia and Cronos Preps zkEVM Upgrade: Latest Best Cryptos to Watch Now Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms: PoW vs. PoS vs. DPoS Layer 2 Solutions Explained: Scaling Blockchain Without Compromising Security Comments