AUSTIN, Texas — Elon Musk has secured a permit to officially open his new Montessori school in Bastrop County. The permit was issued last week and officially allows the school, named Ad Astra, to begin teaching. The school's curriculum is focused on STEM-based education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for children between the ages of 3 and 9. It is the first of many schools Musk hopes to open, which include multiple K-through-12 schools and a college. Ad Astra is a Latin phrase that translates as "to the stars." According to its website , the school's mission is to "foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders." "Ad Astra School admits students based on merit, regardless of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school," the school's website reads. The website further states that the school is centered on hands-on and project-based learning, where children are encouraged to explore, experiment and discover solutions to real-world problems. It also states that it will "tailor learning experiences to each child's unique needs, pace and interests." Ad Astra is the latest Musk-owned property to make its way to Central Texas, along with SpaceX, Tesla, The Boring Company, Neuralink and, most recently, the social media platform X . The South African billionaire also relocated the headquarters of SpaceX from Hawthorne, California, to to the Brownsville area. The permit means the school can now enroll around 24 students, but will start with 16.The Freedom Fighter. Meet Harriet Tubman and learn about this leader's attributes in this Civilization 7 trailer for the upcoming turn-based strategy game. Sid Meier's Civilization 7 will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam (which also supports Mac and Linux) and the Epic Games Store on February 11, 2025. Cross-play multiplayer is fully supported. In Civilization 7, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement. Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.
Former Minister and women’s rights activist Gemma Hussey has died. The 86-year-old passed away following a short illness and was surrounded by her loving family in the care of Gascoigne House Nursing Home. A former Fine Gael TD, Ms Hussey entered politics in 1981 and the following year served as the first female Minister for Education. She subsequently held the Social Welfare and Labour portfolios and served as government leader in the Seanad. As Education Minister, she introduced aural and oral exams. After exiting politics in 1989, Ms Hussey was involved in the European Women’s Federation. In a statement, her family said she was “a very proud Europhile” and encouraged women in former Eastern-block countries to become active in politics for the first time. READ MORE: 'No excuse' - Simon Harris responds to criticism over exchange with upset carer on campaign trail READ MORE: Taoiseach Simon Harris dismisses comparisons between Fine Gael election candidate and Conor McGregor cases Her family said they are deeply proud of her contribution to a better Ireland and a better Europe over a lifetime of service. Ms Hussey was predeceased by her husband Derry, and is mourned by her children, Rachel, Ruth and Andrew, her seven grandchildren, her brother Paddy and a wide circle of treasured friends. Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. ( NYSE:CHT – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 552,800 shares, a drop of 19.6% from the November 30th total of 687,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 105,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are sold short. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chunghwa Telecom Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 120.5% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 915,853 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,332,000 after purchasing an additional 500,475 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 407,062 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $15,710,000 after purchasing an additional 16,428 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 179,356 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $6,925,000 after buying an additional 9,968 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 1.1% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 124,913 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,955,000 after acquiring an additional 1,420 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 178.8% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 103,593 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,074,000 after acquiring an additional 66,441 shares during the last quarter. 2.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Chunghwa Telecom Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE CHT opened at $37.96 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $38.13. The firm has a market cap of $29.45 billion, a PE ratio of 26.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 0.19. Chunghwa Telecom has a 1 year low of $35.92 and a 1 year high of $40.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.29. About Chunghwa Telecom Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local, domestic long distance, and international long distance fixed-line telephone services; mobile services such as prepaid and postpaid plans; broadband plans; and internet and data services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chunghwa Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chunghwa Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The healthcare sector faces unprecedented risks, from skills shortages and cybersecurity threats to economic pressures and the unintended consequences of AI technologies. A new report by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) , Risk Cultures in Healthcare: The Role of Accountancy, underscores the growing recognition of the importance of a collaborative risk culture to navigate these complexities effectively. The study of nearly 100 healthcare professionals from across the world identified the integration of clinical, operational, and financial management as a critical step towards achieving enterprise risk management. This alignment fosters better decision-making and enables healthcare organizations to deliver quality patient care – the common purpose shared across the sector. Rachael Johnson, head of risk management and corporate governance for ACCA, said: "By collaborating and learning from each other, different departments in healthcare can meet shared objectives—of quality care, financial sustainability, and regulatory compliance—more effectively." The report outlines key enablers of a strong risk culture, including effective communication, cooperative education, and a transparent environment. It also emphasizes cross-functional knowledge-sharing and ethical decision-making as essential practices for managing interconnected risks, from rising cybercrime and fraud to fast-changing workforce challenges. Mark Millar, former ACCA president and non-executive director at East Suffolk & North East Essex NHS Foundation Trust, warned against viewing risk management solely as a financial function. "Understand that risk in healthcare is far more than a financial issue. It is about life and death. Old cultural attitudes viewed people who raised the profile of risk as admitting to failure and they were therefore subject to criticism or censure. A more helpful culture is one that encourages the sharing of information willingly to address challenges and make improvements," he said. The study also reveals regional nuances in risk priorities: Africa: Balancing the promise of telemedicine with infrastructure challenges and corruption risks. Canada: Addressing cybersecurity concerns while adapting to regulatory changes. UK: Striving for talent retention amidst rising living costs and advancing technology adoption. Caribbean: Managing climate-induced risks alongside workforce shortages. Ireland: Integrating clinical and enterprise risk management to overcome fragmented systems. The report, Risk Cultures in Healthcare: The Role of Accountancy, highlights that while the specifics of risk differ by region, the universal need for collaboration and a shared understanding of risk remains critical. As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, the role of accountancy professionals is pivotal. From promoting cross-departmental communication to embedding risk cultures, they provide the financial insights and strategic frameworks necessary to achieve resilient and patient-centric systems. This report is a call to action for the sector to break down silos and embrace a cohesive approach to risk management, aligning financial, clinical, and operational goals for the betterment of healthcare systems globally. Read it here . About ACCA We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognized accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide. Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we've long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members in 180 countries. Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies. Guided by our purpose and values, our ambition is to lead the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we're strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all. Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com ACCA is not affiliated with any Chartered Accountant (CA) organization or Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) organization. CONTACT: Matt Sollars Anat Gerstein, Inc. (on behalf of ACCA North America) 347-925-0101 matt@anatgerstein.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Federal prosecutors seek records from company that deployed AI weapons scanner on NYC subway3 reasons to involve your kids in Small Business Saturday
Payroll/HR platform Remote says its clients can now pay contract workers using stablecoins. The new offering, launching initially for businesses in the U.S., allows companies to pay contractors in 69 countries with the USDC stablecoin, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 17) news release . “One of the biggest hurdles companies face when hiring on international talent is providing fast, flexible, and reliable payments around the world,” Remote CEO and Co-founder Job van der Voort said in the announcement. “With the introduction of stablecoin payouts via Stripe , we’re adding a feature that has been highly requested by our customers, enabling them to pay contractors how they prefer, while maintaining the compliance and simplicity Remote is known for.” According to the release, the new capability lets companies pay contract workers securely and near-instantaneously, whole Remote provides compliance at home and abroad. Contractor can pick a new withdrawal method and add their Base Network Wallet Address to get payments in USDC, while their employer will be billed in U.S. dollars. “Contractor management is one of the fastest-growing capabilities of the Remote platform as businesses shift toward tapping global talent pools and adopting more flexible workforce models,” the release said. “Stablecoin payments complement Remote’s powerful automation features for onboarding, invoicing, and paying contractors in minutes around the world, making it easy to manage and pay all their talent from a single dashboard.” The launch comes at a time when stablecoins appear to be gaining momentum as a cross-border payment method, as covered here last week. “Traditional cross-border payments are notorious for high fees, slow processing times and opaque intermediaries,” PYMNTS wrote. “Stablecoins offer a compelling alternative by allowing near-instantaneous transfers, significantly lower costs and enhanced transparency through blockchain technology.” Still, the utility of digital coins has been hampered by the difficulty in moving funds between stablecoins and fiat currencies — a gap that on-ramp and off-ramp services at some financial institutions hope to fill. “For banks, this functionality highlights the emergence of a potentially stark choice: adapt to a changing payments landscape or risk disintermediation,” PYMNTS wrote. Meanwhile, research by PYMNTS Intelligence has shown that using cryptocurrencies to make cross-border payments could be the winning use case that the industry has been searching for. The research found that blockchain-based cross-border solutions, stablecoins in particular, are being embraced by companies hoping for a better way to transact and expand internationally.
Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of US economy's health WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season. Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October’s 0.5% gain. The boost in spending underscores that the economy is still growing at a healthy pace even with higher interest rates, a trend that could cause the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs more slowly next year than they have previously signaled. Tuesday’s report arrives just a day before the Fed is set to announce its latest rate decision Wednesday. Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory. Republicans, meanwhile, are still dour about the current state of the economy but hopeful that growth will be stronger next year when Trump returns to the White House as president. The latest survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that some Americans are evaluating the economy more by who holds political power than on what the underlying trends suggest. This was a persistent challenge for President Joe Biden and raises the possibility that Trump might also struggle to translate his economic ideas into political wins. Biden calls for ban on congressional stock trading WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview that’s being released this week. It's the first time he's publicly backed the idea. He made the comments to Faiz Shakir, a political adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders. Shakir interviewed the Democratic president for A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release. A bipartisan proposal to ban trading by members of Congress and their families has dozens of sponsors, but it has not received a vote. Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed’s policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected. The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday. The problem is that while inflation has dropped far below its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022, it remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target. Why is tech giant SoftBank investing over $100 billion in the US? BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese tycoon Masayoshi Son has joined President-elect Donald Trump in announcing plans by technology and telecoms giant SoftBank Group to invest $100 billion in projects in the United States. Trump said the investments would create 100,000 jobs over four years, twice what Son promised when he pledged $50 billion in U.S. investments in 2016. Son is known for making bold choices, sometimes paying big and sometimes not. SoftBank has investments in dozens of Silicon Valley startups, big companies like semiconductor maker Arm and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The stock market rally and craze for AI has boosted the value of its assets, but some question if its investments will create that many jobs. Business owners should not forget anti-money laundering rule currently in legal limbo Small business owners should not forget about a rule that requires them to register with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, by Jan. 1. The registration is part of the Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2021. Registering isn’t difficult, but if a small business owner is unaware of the requirement, they could be slapped with penalties of up to $10,000. For now, the rule is in legal limbo. On Dec. 3 a federal court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the rule. Stellantis pledges invest $2.1 million in Italian production in 2025 during talks with government MILAN (AP) — The Stellantis automaker has pledged to invest 2 billion euros or $2.1 billion in Italian production next year and spend another 6 billion euros or $6.3 billion in the supply chain. The head of European operations for the world's fifth-largest carmaker made the pledge during a meeting with Italian ministers, regional officials and unions following the forced resignation of former CEO Carlos Tavares earlier this month. The Italian government was seeking reassurances of Stellantis' commitment to Italy. Billion-dollar donation from Netflix's Reed Hastings leads 2024's list of biggest gifts Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg made the largest contributions in 2024, and financial aid, especially for medical students, got most of the money. The Chronicle’s annual list of the biggest charitable donations from individuals or their foundations totaled nearly $6 billion in 2024, with half of that coming from three contributions of $1 billion or more each. Two of those three gifts went to medical schools to provide financial aid. Altogether, four of the top donations on the list, totaling $2.3 billion, went to support financial aid. Stock market today: Wall Street trims its stellar gains as Nvidia's star dims again NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are trimming some of their stellar gains for the year. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% in Tuesday afternoon trading, though it’s still near its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 242 points, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.2% from its record set the day before. Nvidia, the superstar stock that’s been a big reason for Wall Street’s run to records this year, fell toward its eighth loss in the last nine days. Treasury yields held relatively steady after sales at U.S. retailers strengthened by more than expected. Bitcoin set another record. Event promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front The Federal Trade Commission says it will soon require hotels, vacation rental platforms and live event promoters to disclose any fees up front when they list prices. The FTC said on Tuesday that consumers often see advertised prices for hotel rooms, short-term rentals, and tickets to sporting events and concerts only to be surprised later by so-called “junk fees,” including resort fees, cleaning fees, processing fees and other extra charges. The new rule requires businesses to clearly and conspicuously disclose the true cost – including all mandatory fees – when they display any pricing for lodging or events. The rule is scheduled to go into effect in 120 days.Govt sizes up Thailand's growth outlook