NoneSurveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report findsWalmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victoryBy Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .
Ireland vote points to status quo but PM faces support drop
Animal shelters continue to grapple with post pandemic surrendersExpanded CFP field draws more bets and on more teams
Australia's prime minister said Sunday he was ready to "engage" with billionaire X owner Elon Musk over his criticism of the government's ban on under-16s joining social media. Anthony Albanese hailed the parliament's Thursday passage of landmark legislation requiring social media firms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent young teens from having accounts. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
NoneDigital Health Technologies Market: A Comprehensive Overview 2030 11-26-2024 09:16 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research Digital Health Technologies Market Digital Health Technologies Market: A Comprehensive Overview The digital health technologies market has emerged as a transformative force in the healthcare industry, offering innovative solutions to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce costs. This market encompasses a wide range of technologies, including telemedicine, wearable devices, mobile health apps, electronic health records (EHRs), and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. In this guest post, we explore an in-depth overview of the market, its scope, prevailing trends, and the key factors driving its growth. Browse More About This Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-digital-health-technologies-market Market Overview Digital health technologies leverage information and communication tools to support healthcare delivery, management, and wellness initiatives. The integration of these technologies in healthcare systems has been fueled by advancements in connectivity, software, and data analytics. The market has witnessed significant growth due to the increasing adoption of mobile devices and internet accessibility. Innovations such as AI-driven diagnostic tools, real-time monitoring systems, and data-driven decision-making platforms are reshaping traditional healthcare models. From remote consultations to virtual surgeries, digital health technologies are redefining how patients and providers interact. Governments and private organizations worldwide are investing heavily in digital health infrastructure. Regulatory frameworks are being updated to accommodate these technologies, ensuring safety, privacy, and efficacy. Consequently, the digital health technologies market is poised to become a cornerstone of modern healthcare systems. Scope of Digital Health Technologies The scope of digital health technologies extends across multiple facets of the healthcare ecosystem. Patient Engagement: Mobile health apps and wearable devices enable patients to track their health metrics, access educational resources, and communicate with healthcare providers. These tools foster greater patient involvement in their care plans, leading to improved outcomes. Telemedicine and Virtual Care: Telemedicine platforms facilitate remote consultations, diagnostics, and follow-ups. Virtual care solutions have gained traction, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering patients timely access to medical professionals. Data Management: EHRs streamline data collection, storage, and sharing, ensuring that healthcare providers have a comprehensive view of a patient's medical history. Advanced analytics and interoperability further enhance decision-making. Chronic Disease Management: Digital tools play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Continuous monitoring systems provide real-time feedback, enabling personalized care. Artificial Intelligence: AI is revolutionizing diagnostics, drug discovery, and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms can identify patterns in medical images, predict disease outbreaks, and optimize treatment plans. Behavioral and Mental Health: Digital platforms offering counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and meditation have expanded access to mental health services. These solutions help address the growing demand for mental health support. Market Trends The digital health technologies market is characterized by several key trends shaping its evolution: Integration of Wearable Technology: Wearable devices like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and biosensors are becoming mainstream. These devices provide continuous health monitoring, offering insights into physical activity, sleep patterns, and vital signs. Rise of Telehealth: Telehealth services have seen exponential growth, driven by the need for remote care during the pandemic. Virtual consultations, remote diagnostics, and telepsychiatry are becoming standard offerings. Personalized Medicine: Advances in genomics and data analytics are enabling personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patients' genetic profiles and health data. Blockchain for Data Security: Blockchain technology is gaining traction for its potential to secure patient data and enhance transparency in healthcare transactions. Health Gamification: Gamified health apps encourage users to adopt healthier lifestyles by turning fitness and wellness activities into engaging challenges. Growth of AI in Healthcare: AI applications in disease diagnosis, workflow optimization, and patient management continue to expand. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants enhance patient interaction and streamline administrative tasks. Global Expansion: Emerging markets are increasingly adopting digital health technologies. Countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are investing in digital health to address gaps in traditional healthcare infrastructure. Factors Driving Market Growth Several factors are propelling the growth of the digital health technologies market: Technological Advancements: Innovations in AI, IoT, and cloud computing have created robust platforms for digital health solutions. These technologies improve data processing, connectivity, and user experience. Increased Healthcare Spending: Governments and private entities are allocating more resources to healthcare, with a focus on digital solutions to enhance service delivery and efficiency. Aging Population: The growing elderly population has increased the demand for remote monitoring and telehealth services, making digital health a vital component of elder care. Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The global burden of chronic diseases has created a need for effective management solutions. Digital health technologies offer tools for continuous monitoring and personalized care. Consumer Demand for Convenience: Patients are seeking more accessible and convenient healthcare options. Digital health technologies meet these needs by enabling remote consultations and on-demand services. Regulatory Support: Governments worldwide are introducing policies to promote the adoption of digital health technologies. Initiatives such as reimbursement for telehealth services and digital health standards are accelerating growth. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact: The pandemic acted as a catalyst for digital health adoption. It highlighted the importance of remote care solutions and accelerated investments in digital health infrastructure. Health Data Explosion: The proliferation of health data from wearable devices, mobile apps, and EHRs has created opportunities for analytics and predictive modeling. Leveraging this data enhances clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. Conclusion The digital health technologies market represents a paradigm shift in the healthcare landscape. Its vast scope encompasses patient engagement, telemedicine, data management, and AI-powered innovations. Market trends such as wearable technology, personalized medicine, and blockchain are shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Meanwhile, factors like technological advancements, increased healthcare spending, and regulatory support are driving the market's growth. As the industry continues to evolve, digital health technologies will play an increasingly critical role in improving healthcare accessibility, quality, and sustainability. Stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem must collaborate to harness the full potential of these technologies, ensuring a healthier future for all. Browse Trending Reports: https://newsasdbmr.blogspot.com/2024/11/cup-carriers-market-size-share-growth.html https://newsasdbmr.blogspot.com/2024/11/crypto-asset-management-market-size_26.html https://newsasdbmr.blogspot.com/2024/11/cryogenic-safety-valve-market-size.html https://newsasdbmr.blogspot.com/2024/11/crop-development-and-farming-market_26.html About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to predict what the future holds is to understand the current trend! Data Bridge Market Research presented itself as an unconventional and neoteric market research and consulting firm with an unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are committed to uncovering the best market opportunities and nurturing effective information for your business to thrive in the marketplace. Data Bridge strives to provide appropriate solutions to complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is a set of pure wisdom and experience that was formulated and framed in 2015 in Pune. Data Bridge Market Research has more than 500 analysts working in different industries. We have served more than 40% of the Fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5,000 clients worldwide. Data Bridge is an expert in creating satisfied customers who trust our services and trust our hard work with certainty. We are pleased with our glorious 99.9% customer satisfaction rating. Contact Us: - Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 888 387 2818 United Kingdom: +44 208 089 1725 Hong Kong: +852 8192 7475 Email: - sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com This release was published on openPR.
Ardal O'Hanlon has given new Death In Paradise lead Don Gilet a heads-up about the demanding nature of the role, revealing that he often worked 12-hour days, six days a week. While discussing his upcoming stand-up tour, Ardal reflected on his stint as DI Jack Mooney from 2017 to 2020 in the popular BBC series, confessing it was far from a walk in the park and that he envied guest stars who could come and go as they pleased from the tropical set in Guadeloupe. The production team even sat him down for a 'talk of doom' to brace him for the intense filming schedule under the sweltering sun. Looking back, the 59 year old actor and comedian said: "God, that was tough. Like, people don't believe you when you tell them how tough it was. "I was so grateful for that part and everything else. And I look back on it now as a really great experience, kind of life changing experience, I would say, because it's not just that you're playing a lead in a popular BBC primetime drama. It's more of a lifestyle thing." He added: "It was such a radical change of scenery for me going from a country where I hardly ever leave the house, to kind of living outdoors for six months of the year, for four summers, but it was gruelling because you have a huge workload. "And, of course, I'm not complaining about the work, but you have so much to prepare every day, so you don't have much downtime at all, you don't have the chance to enjoy the attractions out there. I used to be so jealous of the guest actors! The suspects and the victim, you know, there'd be five or six guest actors every couple of weeks, and they would come over and they'd have such an amazing time." "Like, they'd be there for a week or two, maybe in for two or three days, the rest of the time they're sitting by the pool, drinking cocktails and me working me arse off, 12 hours a day, six days a week! So I was very jealous of them.", reports the Mirror . "You just have to prepare so much every day, and you have to think quick on your feet. There was so many reasons for leaving it, I'd done four summers. That takes its toll at home as well. I knew the writing was on the wall, but my family stopped coming out to visit me, that was really the decider." He explained: "They kind of tell you that at the beginning, like they said, 'You know, you might last two years or three years, but you know, you probably won't last four! Nothing prepares you for it. I remember the producer came to visit me and we spent a day together. This is maybe a month before I went out there. And he was basically trying to go, 'You know, you can still get out of this, if you want! ' Do you know what I mean, he was kind of almost... he was really painting a very bleak picture saying, 'You know, like, it's gonna be tough.' You know, there's hurricanes to deal with. There's people going crazy because, like, people go stir crazy in that environment, you know, you're always dealing with something, like there's creatures that want to kill you." The former Father Ted actor Ardal O'Hanlon was discussing his experiences to promote his upcoming 2025 stand-up tour titled Not Himself. On the theme of the show, he added: "I suppose it's loosely around that whole idea of identity. I do a lot of stand up in in the UK, and what I've noticed in recent years is comedy is a very diverse sort of platform now, and most people that you come across are talking about their identity, whether it's race or gender or social class or sexual orientation or whatever. In Northern Ireland religion will come into the mix as well, religious background." "So it's a really big thing in comedy now and I suppose in the past, my approach was always like... I was a kind of a joke man, I would like to think of it as being a craftsman, where I was just trying to come up with perfect jokes, maybe with a slightly surreal twist or whatever." "And I suppose in more recent years, I've just been, I suppose, inspired by all those comedians that I work with, I suppose reflecting a little bit more on who I am, where I'm coming from, my upbringing and my relationship with with world around me, with technology, for example, that's a big part of my show, how our identities are shaped by the technology we use." Ardal was replaced on Death In Paradise by Ralf Little who played DI Neville Parker for 5 years. The new lead Don Gilet will join the show in the upcoming Christmas special as new lead DI Mervin Wilson. Death in Paradise remains one the UK's most watched returning drama across all broadcasters and streamers, with the 2024 series watched by over 8 million viewers."Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street slips at the end of a bumpy week Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% in afternoon trading Friday and headed for a weekly loss. The benchmark index hit its latest in a string of records a week ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 25 points. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. European markets were mostly lower and Asian markets mostly fell. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday. African Union chairperson candidates advocate for permanent UN Security Council seats NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Three African leaders seeking to head the African Union have detailed their plans for regional security amid conflicts and political coups while strongly advocating for inter-Africa trade. The race for chairperson debate was held Friday in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Kenya’s Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato are seeking to be elected as chairperson for the 55-member state African Union. They had a two-hour debate Friday in which they all advocated for two permanent seats for African countries at the U.N. Security Council to effectively represent the continent with the youngest population. The three are seeking to convince most African countries before the February election to succeed the African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki. From a 10-year-old to a Muppet to a president-elect, NYSE bell-ringers range from famous to obscure The first guest invited to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show. Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. have also rung the bell. The even list includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer.By Jason Rodriguez on December 12, 2024 at 2:05PM PST GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. Sukhothai's rivers and jungles are what you'll explore later in the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle campaign. Once there, you also have to solve several tricky challenges left behind by the people of the Khmer Empire. Here's our guide on how to complete all Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. How to solve all Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - Puzzle guide The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles can be found all over the Sukhothai region. We've organized our guide to start out with a few basic tips, followed by the locations of these brain teasers. Note that these tend to reward you with Sukhothai Relics , which are needed if you want to unlock the game's secret ending . The Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle all involve the use of gears, which you need to place on a diagram to activate machinery. Here are a few tips: Puzzle diagrams consist of large cogwheels, which you leave behind in their respective puzzle chambers, and small cogwheels, which you get to bring along to other areas. There are 10 of these small cogwheels in total. The goal of each puzzle is to align all gears so that everything rotates and moves when you pull the lever in the room. Doing so nets you a Sukhothai Relic as a reward (except for the first area). Don't leave behind small cogwheels when you're done with a puzzle, since you still need them for later. You may also purchase the Sukhothai Cogwheels booklet from Tongdang, which costs 700 baht. Lastly, you can find pillars outside these puzzle rooms. Take pictures of these to earn Adventure Points. The map above shows the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Khmer Cogwheels. We've numbered them accordingly based on how many small gears are required to fully activate the mechanism in each area. Moreover, the seventh and last location isn't marked on the map, even while tracking the quest, as it's meant to be the last challenge. Note: There are alternate methods to solve each chamber's puzzle. However, we've encircled the spots where we placed the small gears so you have an idea of how we completed each part. The first Khmer Cogwheel Puzzle that you encounter is actually part of The Blessed Pearl main quest, which takes place in the northwestern portion of the map. After swimming underwater past the Yaek statue, you'll find yourself in a chamber with a waterwheel and two mechanisms. There are two small gears on the floor, and the third is on a ledge in the adjacent room. In any case, the mechanism to your right requires all three small gears, as well as the large gears in the room. The image above is for the mechanism on your left. As usual, you need the large and small gears. When you're done, the stone gate should open, revealing the Hidden Pyramid just beyond. Don't forget to grab the small gears that you just used. Located in the western part of Sukhothai. You can pick up another small gear in this room. You only need four at this point, though you still need to place the larger gears in the correct spots. This particular chamber is on the same island as the large temple in the center of the map. You need five small cogwheels for this trial. This Khmer Cogwheel in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is in the overworld area of Wat Si Sawai. As such, you won't need to head to the underground area, which is part of the Kid Who Vanished side quest. In any case, you just need to place two large gears and six of the small parts to activate the machine. Fast travel to Wat Chana Songkhram and ride the boat to the east. When you see an opening in the walls, dive and use the Rebreather so you can access this next challenge. Similar to the previous trial, you also need to use the Rebreather to pass through the underwater opening. As for the diagram itself, you mostly just form an inverted-L shape from top to bottom using the smaller gears. Once you've finished the previous challenges, the River Bank chamber should get tracked on your map. This one tends to be the hardest since it requires the large gears in the room and all 10 small parts you've collected. In any case, you should be done with all Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This whole endeavor nets you an additional six relics, though there are more to obtain as you explore the region. You can learn about these in our Sukhothai Relics guide . You can also check our Lost Artifacts of Asia guide to acquire another type of collectible. You're bound to encounter many secrets, puzzles, and challenges in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. As you continue your adventure, we encourage you to take a look at our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guides hub . Upvote Leave Blank