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Guyana Law Revision Exercise To Be Completed By June 2025, Says Attorney-GeneralMalayalam film and television actor Dileep Shankar has been found dead in the room of a hotel here, the police said on Sunday. A source in the Kerala Police told IANS that Dileep Shankar had checked into the hotel two days ago. Shobhitha Shivanna Dies at 30: From ‘Mangala Gowri’ to ‘First Day First Show’, Here Are a Few Television and Film Roles of the Kannada Actress. However, the hotel staff became suspicious after noticing no activity in his room and detecting a foul smell emanating from it. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1560419204258-2'); }); Actor Dileep Shankar, known for his roles in Malayalam films and television was found dead in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. #DileepShankar #Malayalam #Actor #thiruvananthapuram https://t.co/Bgnjpqf8hl pic.twitter.com/c3FUZhYG4f — News18 (@CNNnews18) December 29, 2024 When the staff broke open the door, they found the actor dead. The police were immediately informed and a team of police personnel arrived at the spot to initiate further inquiries. Police sources stated that investigations are ongoing and that forensic tests will be conducted to determine the cause of death. It has been reported that Dileep Shankar had been dealing with certain health issues which may have contributed to this tragic incident. Dileep Shankar was well-known for his performances in several Malayalam serials, including Amma Ariyathe, Sundari, and Panchagni . Cantonment police SHO Peajeesh Sasi told mediapersons that the death is estimated to have happened at least two days ago. He said that the AC in the hotel room was functioning and that the body had not decomposed as much as it would have in normal conditions. The police officer said that the actor was known to have had some health issues, but the exact cause of death can be ascertained only after the post-mortem. Some reports suggested that Dileep Shankar was in the capital city of Kerala for the shooting of television series Panchagni . The director of the show reportedly told the police that the actor had been suffering from a serious illness. The nature of the illness, however, could not be immediately known. Dileep Shankar was undergoing treatment for the ailment. Meanwhile, sources said that the police have launched an investigation into the incident, adding that a forensic team will examine the hotel room in which Dileep Shankar stayed. Initial examination of the hotel room did not hint at any foul play, a police source said. Dileep Shankar, a native of Ernakulam in Kerala, has been part of several popular Malayalam shows. TP Madhavan Dies at 88; Veteran Malayalam Actor Was Known For Films Like ‘Ragam’, ‘Nivedyam’ Among Others. He is known for playing roles in serials like Amma Iriathe, Panchagni and Sundari . (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 09:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).
Jennifer Lopez was star struck on Friday night when she bumped into iconic actor Kevin Costner , who joined her for drinks in Aspen . The pair appeared in high spirits inside the Kemo Sabe bar in Aspen, Colorado, where they mingled with friends at the iconic spot. Jennifer rocked a black turtleneck sweater for the occasion and wore her brown locks in a sleek bun. Jennifer Lopez delivers a masterclass in snow bunny style Jennifer Lopez shares photos of first Christmas since Ben Affleck split featuring teen twin Emme Kevin Costner breaks his silence on 'worst ever' Yellowstone finale and Luke Grimes feud Kevin , who starred as the hit show's patriarch until its final season, looked cozy in a black coat and beige scarf to ward off the winter chill. The 55-year-old actress is a Yellowstone superfan, according to her ex-husband, Ben Affleck , whom she split from in August. "I'm kind of disturbed that my wife really likes Yellowstone," Ben joked on The Bill Simmons Podcast in 2023. "Part of me thinks that she's really drawn to the romance between Cole Hauser and [Kelly Reilly]." "Jen showed me a clip of her off of Instagram, the monologue she has with the kid in the car about the ways to become rich," he continued. "And then she was like, 'I love this story of these two.'" The outing comes just days after the "Jenny From the Block" singer spent her first Christmas without Ben since their divorce. Jennifer seemed in good spirits despite the split, spending the festive season with her 16-year-old Emme , whom she shares with her ex-husband Marc Anthony , as well as her sister Lydia, and niece Lucie. The Hustlers star posted a slew of snaps on her Instagram of the sweet family getaway, including one of her warming up with a hot drink alongside Emme and Lucie, a snap of the children opening presents on Christmas morning, and a selfie with her sister. For Kevin, this marks the second Christmas post-divorce from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner. The Dances with Wolves actor did not appear in the latter half of Yellowstone's final season , to the shock of fans worldwide. He announced his departure via social media in June, writing: "After this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that that's required — and thinking about Yellowstone , that beloved series that I love, that I know you love — I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future." "It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it," he continued. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning. I love the relationships that I've been able to develop. And I'll see you at the movies." When asked by the Daily Mail what he thought of the ending, he simply replied: "'I'm not thinking about [the Yellowstone finale]; I don't think I've given it any thoughts. We'll just let it go." While fans were left shocked by Kevin's character's death, his co-star Luke Grimes revealed that it was not a sudden decision to kill him off. "It was always the plan for him to have to go away for the story to really ramp up, and that was the story, " he told People . "You lose a patriarch of the family. Can the kids do it on their own?" The show's finale brought in over 11.4 million viewers, according to Paramount, making it the most-watched episode of the series.Guyana Law Revision Exercise To Be Completed By June 2025, Says Attorney-General
Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on ZIM Integrated Shipping . Looking at options history for ZIM Integrated Shipping ZIM we detected 8 trades. If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 37% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 62% with bearish. From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $95,602 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $342,213. Predicted Price Range After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $15.16 and $26.16 for ZIM Integrated Shipping, spanning the last three months. Volume & Open Interest Trends Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in ZIM Integrated Shipping's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to ZIM Integrated Shipping's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $15.16 to $26.16 over the preceding 30 days. ZIM Integrated Shipping Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Significant Options Trades Detected: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume ZIM CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $4.9 $4.85 $4.9 $19.16 $105.9K 16.7K 229 ZIM CALL SWEEP BULLISH 03/21/25 $2.44 $2.43 $2.43 $23.16 $88.9K 611 329 ZIM PUT SWEEP BULLISH 01/17/25 $1.41 $1.4 $1.41 $21.66 $66.5K 4.3K 485 ZIM CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/17/25 $2.64 $0.81 $2.64 $19.16 $47.5K 1.6K 180 ZIM CALL TRADE BEARISH 03/21/25 $7.5 $7.3 $7.3 $15.16 $36.5K 1.0K 50 About ZIM Integrated Shipping ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd is an asset-light container liner shipping company. It offers tailored services, including land transportation and logistical services, specialized shipping solutions, including the transportation of out-of-gauge cargo, refrigerated cargo, and dangerous and hazardous cargo. Its services include Cargo Services, Digital Services, Schedules, and Shipping Trades and Lines. Geographically, it derives a majority of its revenue from the Pacific trade region. In light of the recent options history for ZIM Integrated Shipping, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance. Present Market Standing of ZIM Integrated Shipping With a volume of 2,040,236, the price of ZIM is up 0.09% at $21.74. RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought. Next earnings are expected to be released in 75 days. Expert Opinions on ZIM Integrated Shipping A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $22.0. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access .* An analyst from Jefferies has decided to maintain their Hold rating on ZIM Integrated Shipping, which currently sits at a price target of $22. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for ZIM Integrated Shipping with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Po'Boigh King finished with 21 points for the Eagles (6-10). Keishon Porter added 11 points and seven rebounds for North Carolina Central. Dionte Johnson also recorded 11 points. N.C. A&T took the lead with 1:28 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 46-39 at halftime, with Glasper racking up 18 points. Forrest scored 18 points in the second half to help lead the way as N.C. A&T went on to secure a victory, outscoring North Carolina Central by six points in the second half. NEXT UP Up next for N.C. A&T is a matchup Thursday with Elon at home. North Carolina Central hosts Saint Andrews (NC) on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Northern leaders criticize Tinubu’s stance on controversial tax reformsAnother stowaway caught on Delta flight raises major concerns about airport safety
Another stowaway caught on Delta flight raises major concerns about airport safetyST. LOUIS , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Watkins , President of Abstrakt, is shedding light on the significant challenges businesses face when building in-house Sales Development Representative (SDR) teams. Rising costs, complex technology needs, and extended timelines are making outsourcing an increasingly attractive option for companies seeking efficient and effective sales solutions. "We often find companies have already tried to do this all on their own and struggled," said Watkins. "It's a lot of puzzle pieces to put together, and working with a professional team that does this exclusively often gets better results." Watkins noted that businesses often underestimate the full scope of building an SDR team, from recruiting and onboarding skilled personnel to investing in necessary software and AI tools. Additional hurdles include developing outreach strategies, maintaining accountability metrics, and ensuring consistent performance tracking. "Building your own team can be a good route if you have the fully dedicated resources to do so," Watkins said. "But it requires a lot of software, content planning, research tools, and follow-through on sequencing." The rise of AI-driven sales tools has added to the complexity, with many companies struggling to optimize these technologies for maximum impact. Watkins explained that companies often lack the expertise to effectively integrate AI into their outreach efforts, further extending the time and cost required to build a functional SDR team. For many businesses, outsourcing to specialized teams like Abstrakt provides a faster and more cost-effective solution. By eliminating the need for ongoing training, technology investment, and process development, outsourcing offers immediate access to experienced professionals and proven systems. Abstrakt, which handles over 100,000 appointments annually across industries, has seen firsthand how outsourcing delivers measurable results for its clients. "Evaluate your resources, timeline, and ability to stay accountable to your sales goals," Watkins advised. "If there are gaps, partnering with a team that specializes in this work can help you grow faster and more effectively." Abstrakt is a B2B lead generation and marketing agency based in St. Louis, Missouri . With over a decade of experience, the company specializes in omnichannel appointment setting and helping businesses achieve measurable growth. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eric-watkins-of-abstrakt-highlights-the-challenges-of-building-internal-sdr-teams-302337750.html SOURCE Abstrakt Marketing Group
New Delhi, December 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met the newly-crowned World Chess Champion D. Gukesh, during which he also held an interaction with the 18-year-old Chennai resident, who scripted history earlier this month by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "Had an excellent interaction with chess champion and India’s pride, @DGukesh! I have been closely interacting with him for a few years now, and what strikes me most about him is his determination and dedication. His confidence is truly inspiring. ‘From Grandmaster to World Champion,’ Video Goes Viral of D Gukesh With His Parents, Showcasing His Journey After Becoming FIDE World Chess Champion. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1560419204258-2'); }); I am also delighted to have received from Gukesh the original chessboard from the game he won. The chessboard, autographed by both him and Ding Liren, is a cherished memento. pic.twitter.com/EcjpuGpYOC — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 28, 2024 "In fact, I recall seeing a video of his few years ago where he had said he would become the youngest world champion -- a prediction that has now clearly come true thanks to his own efforts." PM Modi also had words of appreciation for the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, saying: "Along with confidence, Gukesh embodies calmness and humility. Upon winning, he was composed, basking in his glory while fully understanding how to process this hard-earned victory. Our conversation today revolved around the transformative potential of yoga and meditation." D Gukesh Meets Rajinikanth, Youngest Chess World Champion Thanks 'Superstar' for Sharing His Wisdom (See Pics). The Prime Minister also noted the role of his parents in his success. He said: "In the success of every athlete, their parents play a pivotal role. I complimented Gukesh’s parents for supporting him through thick and thin. Their dedication will inspire countless parents of young aspirants who dream of pursuing sports as a career." "I am also delighted to have received from Gukesh the original chessboard from the game he won. The chessboard, autographed by both him and Ding Liren, is a cherished memento," PM Modi posted on X. On December 12, D. Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess, beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game match in Singapore. Gukesh had capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th game to dethrone the champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 and becoming only the second Indian to win the World Chess Champion. By beating Ding, Gukesh became the 18th World Champion in the over century-long history of chess and the youngest after beating Garry Kasparov's record of winning the title at the age of 22 and heralding the arrival of a new king on the chess horizon. Gukesh is the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title, claiming the title in just over a decade after five-time Champion Viswanathan Anand had lost the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai in 2013. Carlsen has abdicated the crown in 2023, paving the way for Ding to beat Ian Nepomniachtchi. In a winner-takes-all 14th and final game of the World Chess Championship match Ding had steered towards a draw after starting with Reversed Grunfeld variation of Zukertort Opening, the 32-year-old from China made a sensational blunder. Having battled it out for 13 games over three weeks, Ding was looking forward to the rapid and blitz tiebreakers as had effectively countered the aggressive tactics of the young Indian challenger to steer the game towards a drawish position. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2024 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 28, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the sale of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ: ROIC) to Blackstone for $17.50 per share is fair to Retail Opportunity shareholders. Halper Sadeh encourages Retail Opportunity shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Retail Opportunity and its board of directors violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Retail Opportunity shareholders; (2) determine whether Blackstone is underpaying for Retail Opportunity; and (3) disclose all material information necessary for Retail Opportunity shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Retail Opportunity shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228128629/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/28/2024 03:04 PM/DISC: 12/28/2024 03:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228128629/enThe National List (NL), a ticket for unelected entry to Parliament, is a subject of ongoing controversy, especially in the context of the opening of this country’s 10 th Parliament last Thursday. Mr. Ravi Karunanayake’s entry into the legislature via the NL continues to make waves. As far as the NPP or NPP/JVP, whatever you may prefer to call it, there was no serious problem if the nomination of two defeated candidates is discounted. This party which won a stunning better than two thirds majority at the last general election was entitled to 18 National List seats in proportion to its total national vote. It submitted the list of its nominees days after the conclusion of the election – 16 from the list of names placed before the electorate, i.e. pre-election, and two names of candidates who unsuccessfully ran on Nov. 14. The law permits NL places to be filled either from the submitted list or from candidates who ran at the election. This latter provision was allegedly smuggled into the statute. As at previous elections there has been criticism, as was the case this time round too, that those who were rejected by the voters have been permitted “backdoor entry.” The ruling party, despite its earlier profession that it would not nominate defeated candidates, justified its decision to nominate two such on a basis that was not without some logic. As the JVP’s General Secretary Tilvin Silva explained on a television talk show, the two nominations were made from the Digamadulla and Vanni electoral districts. At Digamadulla, with a sizable Muslim population, his party won four seats that did not include a Muslim. So they nominated a defeated Muslim candidate to represent that segment of the electorate in parliament. In the Vanni they won two seats, both by Tamil candidates. Since the district included many Sinhalese who contributed to their victory, they decided to give their Sinhala district organizer a slot. There had been many other requests they had not conceded, Silva said making the point that in politics there must be room for some flexibility. Where the opposition is concerned, Mr. MA Sumanthiran, a defeated ITAK candidate from the Jaffna district very properly declined his party’s single NL entitlement on the grounds that he had been rejected by the voters. The main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) was undecided at the time this comment is being written of who will take four of the five slots it won having already nominated its general secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, for one of the places. It is reportedly pondering over six names – Dullas Alahapperuma (who ran against Ranil Wickremesinghe for president in the parliamentary vote), Imthiaz Bakeer Markar (the SJB chairman) Sujeewa Senasinghe (lawyer and former state minister) Eran Wickremaratne (former banker and state minister), Tissa Attanayake (SJB national organizer) and Mano Ganesan (former minister and leader of the Democratic People’s Front influencing an Indian Tamil segment of the electorate). Hirunika Premachandra has also gone public saying she’s seeking a place. Whatever the selection criteria, the party is in a tight bind to make its choice. Namal Rajapaksa correctly judged that he would not be able to win a seat under the SLPP’s pohottuwa symbol and wisely had himself placed on the party’s NL. He has thus been able to enter parliament and keep the Rajapaksa name alive in the legislature. Ravi Karunanayake’s nomination on one of the two NL seats that the Ranil Wickremesinghe-led National Democratic Front (NDF) had earned has since seen a lot of smelly stuff hitting the fan. Wickremesinghe is on record saying he knew nothing about the nomination made by Sharmila Perera, the NDF secretary. Karunanayake was quoted in Friday’s Daily Mirror saying Wickremesinghe had been misled by two people he did not want to name “as everyone knows who they are.” He further accused: “No one is talking about the injustice done to me but only talk about negative things about me.” Karunanayake is the third ranking “assistant leader” of the UNP and now risks expulsion from that party. But whether he can be expelled from the NDF and lose the seat he has just occupied is an open question. Whether this country does need a National List enabling backdoor entry to as many as 29 seats in a 225-member House is a matter that merits serious re-examination. The current NL succeeded the previous six Appointed MPs representing “unrepresented interests” under the Soulbury Constitution. They were appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and included Burghers, Estate Tamils (after they were disenfranchised), European interests, Malays etc. SWRD Bandaranaike nominated Mr. Asoka Karunaratne in 1956 to represent the so-called depressed castes and Mrs. Bandaranaike nominated the well known pediatrician, Dr. LO Abeyratne to represent the children of Sri Lanka. The 1978 constitution created the National List (NL) of 29 members on the basis of bringing in talent unwilling to run for election or could not be elected. But this became a convenience for political parties and their leaders and an avenue of extending patronage. As far as we can recall, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, the best foreign minister we had during a difficult period in our history was one of the few if not the only adornment in parliament through the NL. Are we keeping this backdoor permanently open with beneficiaries receiving generous pensions for life after only five years of parliamentary service? This as much as the long list of “recognized parties” in the books of the Elections Department require urgent review. These parties are brazenly traded, acquired by various vested interests for their own benefit and cost the tax payer hugely as demonstrated in this year’s elections. Hopefully something would be done about both these matters sooner than later.
Happy Holidays! As we’ve done the past few years here at Smart Money , we’re going to look “forward” to the next year by looking back at what we’ve talked about this year. But before we get to that, I wanted to deliver a holiday gift to you... a special report featuring my Top 7 Stocks for 2025 that’s free to you just for being an important Smart Money follower. Each one of these stocks capitalizes on one of the powerful megatrends we talk about here. I hope you’ll check that out . And this year, we’ve talked about a technology so powerful that its existence could either herald the end of the world – or, at the very least, the world as we know it – or usher in the beginning of an unprecedented utopia. That development is artificial general intelligence, or AGI. As we’ve only just begun traveling down the path toward AGI, I’d like the revisit a past Smart Money from this year where I answered your most pressing questions. Updates will be provided as needed. This article is from August of this year, titled Answering Your Biggest AGI Questions ... Let’s jump right in... Scientists and other bright minds have put forth a few different timelines as to when they believe AGI will be developed. For example... The truth is that we really don’t know when AGI will become a part of our lives. However, the common denominator here is that the technology is developing fast... and will be upon us soon. AGI is going to impact several industries in ways many folks — including those on Wall Street — have never even considered. They are industries that I also believe everyone should consider investing their capital in right now. I’m talking about data centers, raw materials and metals, energy, software, semiconductor chips, robotics, and healthcare. As AI infiltrates the medical field, the U.S. healthcare industry is on track to grow faster than any other sector in the U.S. economy. Companies are converging with AI to bring about massive amounts of innovation in the healthcare industry. In the biotech sector, for example, AI could revolutionize the economics of drug discovery. First, it could boost the success rates of new therapies by prequalifying potential drug candidates more expertly than traditional trial-and-error processes could. Second, it could reduce the average expense and timeline of advancing these candidates through clinical trials by shortening the drug-development time frame. Today, without AI, it can take more than a decade and over $1 billion to bring a new drug to market. AI could impart a game-changing efficiency to the drug-development process, and thereby shower pharmaceutical companies, in particular, with a pixie dust of enormous prosperity. Collectively, the pharmaceutical industry seems to be banking on the pixie-dust scenario. For example, all 10 of the top holdings in the iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) are actively integrating some facet of AI into their drug-development processes. Many of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world are paying tens of billions of dollars to snap up promising biotech companies. You could call it a biotech gold rush. The volume of merger-and-acquisition deals in the global healthcare sector surged about 22% last year, according to data provider Dealogic, even though M&A activity across all industries dropped about 23%. I believe that the pharmaceutical industry, in aggregate, will reap handsome rewards from the expansion of AI in healthcare, especially as AGI continues to advance. Overall, I expect AGI to impart fantastic benefits to the healthcare industry. When I say “stealth AI,” I’m usually talking non-tech companies that will adopt and apply AI with the goal of reaping huge gains in efficiency, productivity, and profits. In many old-school industries, like shipping or travel, new AI- and AGI-enabled processes could boost efficiency and fatten profit margins. I consider industries like these to be future-proof, meaning they’re not going anywhere, despite whatever AI and AGI do. And when you put stealth AI to work inside a future-proof industry, you have the potential for both reliable and outsized gains. Artificial intelligence has added a powerful tailwind to platinum demand... a tailwind that AGI will kick in to high gear. At present, electronics and technology end-uses account for only 3% of total platinum demand. However, thanks to AI, the tech sector’s platinum consumption could grow by double digits for several years in a row. According to research from Metals Focus, a boom in demand for AI applications will create an echo boom in demand for the high-specification semiconductors and sensors that enable AI technologies to operate optimally. Much of this next-gen hardware contains platinum. As the World Platinum Investment Council explains... The performance of the myriad of miniature transistors and capacitors embedded into an integrated circuit is enhanced by the deposition of thin platinum films onto semiconductor wafers... These platinum films are created using a technology known as sputtering, where platinum particles are ejected and deposited onto a surface, creating a thin (only a few atomic or molecular layers thick) platinum layer. AI-driven platinum demand could add an additional kicker to any new bull market that emerges. The rise of AGI is also boosting demand for copper, because data centers use enormous amounts of copper for power and cooling systems. Even moderately sized data centers can require several thousand tons of the metal. All this makes copper a very attractive business to be in – for mining companies and investors alike. There were great questions, folks. As AGI develops, the future that lies ahead is not simply a continuation of what has been... it is a complete departure from anything we have ever known. So, I hope you’ve found these answers to your most pressing AGI questions helpful. In fact, we could be months, weeks, or even mere days away from achieving AGI. After that happens, we may reach a point of no return. And I’m tracking this information closely. In fact, you will hear more about my 1,000 day countdown to AGI soon after the new year. It’s a comprehensive look at the most important technological revolution of our lifetime. Finally, one last thing before I go... Regarding the Top 7 Stocks for 2025 free report I shared with you up top... sometimes knowing when buy a stock is just as important as knowing which stock to buy. And my colleagues at TradeSmith have developed a new way potentially double your money, by foreseeing the biggest jumps on 5,000 stocks, to the day , with 83% back-tested accuracy. And on January 8, at 10 a.m., they’ll be unveiling this financial breakthrough during a special free presentation. You can sign up for that here. In short, we’ve developed a breakthrough way to pinpoint dates of the calendar when certain stocks – like the ones in my new report – shoot up – year after year, producing one winning trade after another. Essentially, it tells you what each stock’s “green day” is. On January 8, they’ll explain exactly how this works. And if you sign up to join the guest list for that special event , you’ll receive instant free access to their system. You can try it yourself right now to see the “green day” for 5,000 different stocks. Regards, Eric FryGREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest’s 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Po’Boigh King finished with 21 points for the Eagles (6-10). Keishon Porter added 11 points and seven rebounds for North Carolina Central. Dionte Johnson also recorded 11 points. N.C. A&T took the lead with 1:28 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 46-39 at halftime, with Glasper racking up 18 points. Forrest scored 18 points in the second half to help lead the way as N.C. A&T went on to secure a victory, outscoring North Carolina Central by six points in the second half. NEXT UP Up next for N.C. A&T is a matchup Thursday with Elon at home. North Carolina Central hosts Saint Andrews (NC) on Tuesday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
Patrick Mahomes mom Randi confirms Christmas troubles after Chiefs star and wife share pictures of kids
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It's a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. World Resources Institute president and CEO Ani Dasgupta called it “an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future,” but added that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are “rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didn’t put more money on the table when billions of people’s lives are at stake.” The summit was supposed to end on Friday evening but negotiations spiraled on through early Sunday. With countries on opposite ends of a massive chasm, tensions ran high as delegations tried to close the gap in expectations. Here's how they got there: What was the finance deal agreed at climate talks? Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But some delegations said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. The text included a call for all parties to work together using “all public and private sources” to get closer to the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for international mega-banks, funded by taxpayer dollars, to help foot the bill. And it means, hopefully, that companies and private investors will follow suit on channeling cash toward climate action. The agreement is also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It’s part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the U.N. talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and carbon emissions keep rising. What will the money be spent on? The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world's long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Communities hard-hit by extreme weather also want money to adapt and prepare for events like floods, typhoons and fires. Funds could go toward improving farming practices to make them more resilient to weather extremes, to building houses differently with storms in mind, to helping people move from the hardest-hit areas and to help leaders improve emergency plans and aid in the wake of disasters. The Philippines, for example, has been hammered by six major storms in less than a month , bringing to millions of people howling wind, massive storm surges and catastrophic damage to residences, infrastructure and farmland. “Family farmers need to be financed," said Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association. She described how many have already had to deal with millions of dollars of storm damage, some of which includes trees that won't again bear fruit for months or years, or animals that die, wiping out a main source of income. “If you think of a rice farmer who depends on his or her one hectare farm, rice land, ducks, chickens, vegetables, and it was inundated, there was nothing to harvest,” she said. Why was it so hard to get a deal? Election results around the world that herald a change in climate leadership, a few key players with motive to stall the talks and a disorganized host country all led to a final crunch that left few happy with a flawed compromise. The ending of COP29 is "reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trump's recent victory in the US — with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement — as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will be more consequential for global climate politics moving forward. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours, with one Latin American delegation member saying that their group didn't feel properly consulted when small island states had last-minute meetings to try to break through to a deal. Negotiators from across the developing world took different tacks on the deal until they finally agreed to compromise. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. Some also pointed to the host country as a reason for the struggle. Mohamed Adow, director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, said Friday that “this COP presidency is one of the worst in recent memory,” calling it “one of the most poorly led and chaotic COP meetings ever.” The presidency said in a statement, “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator. We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.” Shuo retains hope that the opportunities offered by a green economy “make inaction self-defeating” for countries around the world, regardless of their stance on the decision. But it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver more ambition next year. In the meantime, “this COP process needs to recover from Baku,” Shuo said. ___ Associated Press reporters Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org . Melina Walling, The Associated Press
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