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top646 online games NoneAgilent Technologies A is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on Monday, 2024-11-25. Here's a brief overview of what investors should keep in mind before the announcement. Analysts expect Agilent Technologies to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.40. Investors in Agilent Technologies are eagerly awaiting the company's announcement, hoping for news of surpassing estimates and positive guidance for the next quarter. It's worth noting for new investors that stock prices can be heavily influenced by future projections rather than just past performance. Earnings Track Record Last quarter the company beat EPS by $0.06, which was followed by a 0.16% increase in the share price the next day. Here's a look at Agilent Technologies's past performance and the resulting price change: Quarter Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 EPS Estimate 1.26 1.19 1.22 1.35 EPS Actual 1.32 1.22 1.29 1.38 Price Change % 0.0% -10.0% 3.0% 9.0% Market Performance of Agilent Technologies's Stock Shares of Agilent Technologies were trading at $132.06 as of November 21. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 5.86%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders should be satisfied going into this earnings release. Analyst Observations about Agilent Technologies Understanding market sentiments and expectations within the industry is crucial for investors. This analysis delves into the latest insights on Agilent Technologies. Analysts have provided Agilent Technologies with 3 ratings, resulting in a consensus rating of Neutral. The average one-year price target stands at $149.0, suggesting a potential 12.83% upside. Comparing Ratings Among Industry Peers In this analysis, we delve into the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of IQVIA Hldgs, Waters and Illumina, three key industry players, offering insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning. The prevailing sentiment among analysts is an Outperform trajectory for IQVIA Hldgs, with an average 1-year price target of $261.21, implying a potential 97.8% upside. The prevailing sentiment among analysts is an Neutral trajectory for Waters, with an average 1-year price target of $370.0, implying a potential 180.18% upside. For Illumina, analysts project an Neutral trajectory, with an average 1-year price target of $173.56, indicating a potential 31.43% upside. Summary of Peers Analysis The peer analysis summary provides a snapshot of key metrics for IQVIA Hldgs, Waters and Illumina, illuminating their respective standings within the industry. These metrics offer valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance. Company Consensus Revenue Growth Gross Profit Return on Equity Agilent Technologies Neutral -5.62% $855M 4.65% IQVIA Hldgs Outperform 4.28% $1.38B 4.17% Waters Neutral 4.02% $438.65M 10.71% Illumina Neutral -3.49% $745M 39.60% Key Takeaway: Agilent Technologies ranks in the middle among peers for Consensus rating. It is at the bottom for Revenue Growth. For Gross Profit, it is at the top. In terms of Return on Equity, Agilent Technologies is at the bottom compared to its peers. Delving into Agilent Technologies's Background Originally spun out of Hewlett-Packard in 1999, Agilent has evolved into a leading life science and diagnostic firm. Today, Agilent's measurement technologies serve a broad base of customers with its three operating segments: life science and applied tools, cross lab consisting of consumables and services related to life science and applied tools, and diagnostics and genomics. Over half of its sales are generated from the biopharmaceutical, chemical, and advanced materials end markets, which we view as the stickiest end markets, but it also supports clinical lab, environmental, forensics, food, academic, and government-related organizations. The company is geographically diverse, with operations in the US and China representing the largest country concentrations. Agilent Technologies: A Financial Overview Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence. Revenue Growth: Agilent Technologies's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 July, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -5.62% . This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Health Care sector. Net Margin: Agilent Technologies's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 17.87% . This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health. Return on Equity (ROE): Agilent Technologies's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 4.65% , the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance. Return on Assets (ROA): Agilent Technologies's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 2.58%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5 , Agilent Technologies adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management. To track all earnings releases for Agilent Technologies visit their earnings calendar on our site. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.‘We love you Nosi. Happy Driving!’ These were heart-warming sentiments expressed by a family in a video surprising their child’s nanny with a brand new car. The TikTok video with almost four million views, was posted by Simon at Volkswagen this week showing a family surprising their Nosi with the amazing gift. Watch Nosi being surprised with a new car from her boss In the video, the family which includes the husband, wife and child and the grandparents wait for Nosi to be brought outside to accept her gift. ‘We love you Nosi’ The woman’s husband covers Nosi’s eyes before saying that his wife wanted to tell her something. “We love you Nosi. Happy Driving!” said the mom as the nanny seemingly shocked and tries to come to terms that the new VW Polo parked in the driveway is actually hers. “Tjoh this is mine, this is mine,” she asks before running to the car and opening the door. Nosi then runs to the little boy she looks after, picks him up and in a moment that can only be described as true love and ubuntu hugs the child, still unable to believe that the new car was hers. ALSO READ: WATCH: Tom Cruise praises spirit of Ubuntu in South Africa Love She then runs to her owners and hugs them in a moment that has brought a lot of emotions and tears to the social media users who share their sentiments on the various platforms. Amours mom on X shared her sentiments of the beautiful gesture by the family. “I know she’s a great nanny! The way she ran n hugged her Boss (the kid)... says a lot! I’m so happy for her and I’m happy for the family she’s taking care of! They’re blessed to have her.” Appreciation Edward Themba congratulated the family for taking care of their nanny. “Well done to the family. It’s not every day one sees such. I guess they appreciate all the hard work she’s done over the years, a bg congratulations to her.” Ntokozo Masuku also shared her sentiments that South Africa has changed. “Beautiful, they are not like their forefathers,” she said on X. As someone else hands her the keys to her new car, she says: “It’s mine. Guys, you did a big thing for me. I never even dream about this. How can I say thank you to you? I don’t know.” Nosi is also handed other gifts as she stood next to her new car. Tom Cruise and Ubuntu Last year, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise praised the spirit of Ubuntu in South Africa while filming the latest Mission Impossible movie in the country. Cruise and his team started filming in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in February 2022, using Hoedspruit as a base for their stay before moving to the Drakensberg area in KwaZulu-Natal. (KZN). He was awarded the David O. Selznick Achievement Award during the Producers Guild of America Awards. In his acceptance speech, Cruise spoke about his time in South Africa and the spirit of ubuntu. “It is the idea that humanity is based on the plural, not the singular and Ubuntu essentially means I am, because we are. And I thank all of you, because you are,” Cruise said. ALSO READ: Human Rights Day: ‘SA needs to restore friendship and ubuntu’ – Madonsela

By 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 .Police have arrested Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old software developer, in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, of Maryland, was detained at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday morning. Mangione was taken into custody on local firearm charges, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters. He has not been charged in connection with the shooting but is “believed to be our person of interest,” Tisch said. Police have been searching for Thompson’s killer for nearly a week, despite the shooting taking place in public outside a Manhattan hotel. The manhunt has thus far relied on just whose face is largely obscured by a mask and hoodie. Investigators have reportedly been to load into facial recognition software. Police were led to Mangione via a “combination of old-school detective work and new age technology,” Tisch said. Despite scant visual evidence, a McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione on Monday morning and called police, . “He was just sitting there eating,” Joseph Kenny, the New York Police Department’s chief of detectives, said at a press briefing Monday. Mangione reportedly had a gun, a silencer, and four fake IDs in his possession. The gun appeared to be a 3D-printed “ghost gun,” Kenny told reporters. After being apprehended, Mangione showed police a fake New Jersey ID, Kenny said. The ID was the same one used to check into a hostel in Manhattan on November 24th, eight days before the shooting. Sources also that he was carrying a “manifesto” criticizing the US healthcare industry. /

Netflix getting set to air NFL on Christmas DayOn an overcast Saturday on Nov. 9, 2019, nearly 52,000 raucous fans packed what then was known as TCF Bank Stadium to watch a matchup of undefeated teams. Penn State was 8-0 and No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Gophers, also 8-0, were ranked 17th. What transpired from 11:08 a.m. to 2:21 p.m. became the signature victory of the coach P.J. Fleck era of Gophers football. Final score: Minnesota 31, Penn State 26. The fans stormed the field, Fleck crowd-surfed on his players in the locker room and College Football Nation took notice of the upstart team that could. “The atmosphere there, it was phenomenal,” said quarterback Tanner Morgan, who was a redshirt sophomore that season. “It was a minute before kickoff, and I looked around. Everybody in the crowd is waving towels, and I was like, ‘This is what I dreamed of playing at Minnesota looks like.’” Five years and two weeks later, the Gophers take on No. 4 Penn State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. The teams aren’t undefeated this time, but the game still carries plenty of weight. The Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) are in the thick of the chase to make the 12-team playoff field. The Gophers (6-4, 4-3) are trying to improve their bowl positioning. This is Penn State’s first visit to Minnesota since the Gophers and their fans reveled in that 2019 triumph that highlighted an 11-2 season. Losses to Iowa and Wisconsin would prevent the Big Ten West co-champion Gophers from playing in the conference championship game, but they recovered to beat Auburn in the Outback Bowl and finish No. 10 in the major polls – their highest final ranking since being No. 10 in 1962. The Gophers still are trying to return to those lofty heights. They were 9-4 in both 2021 and 2022, finishing one win away from reaching the Big Ten title game both years. Fleck has used the 2019 game against Penn State as an example for his players this week, but he’s not fixated on the past. “Well, it happened. You can take that it happened,” Fleck said of what he extracts from that game, adding that it has nothing to do with the 2024 season. “... But what you can do is pull from really, really big games of what playmakers have done. And what’s always critical is we need our playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November football.” Brimming with talent With the benefit of hindsight, that 2019 Gophers team was stocked with playmakers. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson combined to catch 146 passes for 2,537 yards and 24 touchdowns that season. They became the first receiver duo from one school be named first-team All-Big Ten. Morgan passed for school records of 3,253 yards and 30 TDs. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who had two interceptions against Penn State, was a unanimous first-team All-America selection. Center John Michael Schmitz and running back Mohamed Ibrahim would be future All-Americans. From that roster, 24 players went on to play in the NFL. “When see your own playmakers over the years, making plays in huge games ... you want to be able to show them that,” Fleck said of his team. To get to that huge game, the Gophers first had to survive some early scares against South Dakota State, Fresno State and Georgia Southern. “We should have lost, truthfully, every single one of those games,” Morgan said. “We came together and realized we had to get better.” That they did, winning their next four games by a combined 168-41. A bye week gave them extra time to prepare for Penn State, and they used it well. ‘Madness and chaos’ On the game’s third play from scrimmage, Winfield ignited the crowd by intercepting a pass by Penn State’s Sean Clifford at the Minnesota 5-yard line. Five plays later, Morgan hit Bateman down the sideline for a 66-yard TD, bringing a roar. After Penn State tied the score 7-7, Chris Autman-Bell took a pass from Morgan on a missile screen and raced 21 yards for a TD and 14-7 lead. The Gophers made it 21-10 on Johnson’s one-handed catch for a 38-yard score. Later, with 2:39 remaining and the Gophers leading 31-26, Penn State took over with one last chance to win The Nittany Lions reached the Minnesota 10 but were pushed back to the 25 on an offensive pass interference penalty. On third down, Clifford passed to the end zone, and safety Jordan Howden dived to make the game-clinching interception with 1:01 left. Two kneel-downs by Morgan in Victory formation, and the upset was reality. The long-frustrated fans rushed the field. “It was madness and chaos,” said Morgan, who runs QBMotion Midwest, a quarterback development service. “It was sweet for a little bit, but I knew I had to get out of there.” Danny Striggow, then an Orono High School senior and now a Gophers senior defensive end, had a front-row view of the bedlam as a recruit. “We were told, no, do not rush the field,” he said, adding, “It’s pretty cool to be able to experience that feeling that they had from afar. It’s also pretty cool because you look back at what they did in order to win that game.” Morgan looks back on how Fleck prepared that team to embrace the pressure of the moment, even giving players pieces of coal on which they wrote what pressure has taught them. On game day, the bucket of coal was replaced by a large acrylic diamond. “Coach did a great job of talking about pressure the whole week and how pressure is earned, and it’s a privilege,” Morgan said. “It’s a privilege to have pressure in your life because it means you’re doing something significant.”

Both sides in abortion debate seek clues in Trump's nominees to key positionsIn a bold new proposal, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are spearheading a plan that could dramatically reshape the U.S. federal workforce. It centers on letting go of federal employees who refuse to go back to the office five days a week, all to achieve a breathtakingly bold goal—to reinvigorate government efficiency and cut billions in taxpayer dollars. The Plan to End Remote Work for Federal Employees Musk is CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, while Ramaswamy is a former presidential contender. The duo is pushing for major reforms to the U.S. government bureaucracy. Their mission is clear: federal workers who continue to enjoy the “Covid-era privilege” of working from home should not be paid by the American public. In their opinion, there are those unwilling to show up in the office—a burden on taxpayer dollars. “If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them,” Musk and Ramaswamy declared in an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending, which they argue is bloated by inefficiency and lack of accountability. Aiming to Save $2 Trillion The plan is not just about how to enforce a return to the office as part of a larger scheme to trim $2 trillion from the federal budget. In order to make the federal workforce more efficient while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are better spent, Musk and Ramaswamy aim to cut wasted spending and restructure government agencies. In their plan, they posit that “mass headcount reductions” will have to be undertaken to achieve these objectives; certainly, part of the emphasis should be placed on civil servants who refuse to go back to office premises once the remote work policies initiated as part of the pandemics are repealed. The newly founded Department of Government Efficiency will be led by these two, and it is from there that Musk and Ramaswamy should present their vision to achieve the aforesaid mission of reorganizing federal agencies, making their operations efficient, and eliminating inefficiencies that waste government and taxpayer resources. These two men, one a visionary in the private sector and the other once a presidential hopeful, are bringing entrepreneurial and political experience to the table in a bid to fundamentally overhaul how the U.S. government operates. Musk and Ramaswamy: A vision of a Less Bureaucratic U.S. Government Both Musk and Ramaswamy have shown lively interest in government spending at grotesquely enormous levels. According to their op-ed, the pair believes that the government spends over $500 billion annually on inefficient or unauthorized programs. Bold reforms are said to be on their way with the decision of possibly taking federal departments out of Washington D.C. They argue that civil service regulation allows for “reductions in force” and the putting into effect of rules that would target inefficiency, not individual workers. A Strong Mandate for Reform The timing of their proposal is strategic. With a new president-elect, Donald Trump, and a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, Musk and Ramaswamy believe they have the political mandate to push through sweeping reforms. The pair sees this as an opportunity to enact their vision for a leaner, more efficient federal government. “Having a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court gives us a unique advantage,” they wrote in their article. The Focus on Accountability In addition to saving taxpayer money, the new department will mainly focus on bringing accountability to federal agencies. The proposed reforms aim to ensure that spending is transparent and that every dollar is properly accounted for. This may require shaking up some existing norms and practices by the bureaucracy. The two, Musk and Ramaswamy, have also hinted that these reforms will not be limited to just firing employees; they could involve broad changes to how federal departments operate, how they are funded, and where they are located. Final Thoughts: The Future of Government Efficiency While the proposal has generated much debate, it also resonates with growing frustration over government inefficiency and the ballooning federal budget. Leading this are Musk and Ramaswamy, who are pushing reforms that may ultimately redefine the very makeup of the U.S. government in search of greater efficiency and a cost savings. With Trump behind him and a strong political base, the duo’s plan might just set a new era for American governance. ALSO READ: Grimes Accuses Elon Musk Of Preventing Her From Seeing Their Children

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballThe official Black Friday Week started yesterday and Amazon is offering huge discounts on the latest MacBook Air model. If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop, the 2024 MacBook Air 256GB 13-inch is priced at $844 after a 23% discount from its original price of $1,099 , and the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch 256GB is available for $1,044 with a 20% discount from its list price of $1,299 . See MacBook Air 13′′ at Amazon See MacBook Air 15′′ at Amazon One significant advantage of purchasing these laptops from Amazon during Black Friday is their price guarantee policy: if you buy either model now and the price drops further before the end of Black Friday week, Amazon will refund you the difference. This means there’s no need to wait for additional sales: you can buy with confidence knowing you’re getting the best deal available. Amazon has also decided to extend its return policy for these purchases until January 31, 2025: This is great for holiday shoppers looking to buy gifts without worrying about immediate returns or exchanges. It allows ample time for recipients to test out their new devices after the holiday rush. Our Favorite Laptop The 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch features a great design with a truly remarkable 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that boasts a resolution of 2560x1664px. This display delivers vibrant colors and sharp images but also supports True Tone technology so that your viewing experience is comfortable in various lighting conditions. Under the hood, it’s equipped with the M3 chip which includes an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU for exceptional performance. It comes with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD storage. On the other hand, the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch offers an even larger display with its 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen and offers an expansive workspace to boost productivity whether you’re working on creative projects or simply browsing the web. Like its smaller counterpart, this model is also powered by the M3 chip and features 16GB of unified memory along with 256GB of SSD storage. The larger screen size doesn’t compromise portability: it’s weighing just slightly more than the 13-inch version and remains easy to carry around. The MacBook Air 15-inch also boasts an extended battery life of up to 18 hours. As you probably know, Apple typically does not offer any discounts directly through its stores, hence finding these deals at authorized retailers like Amazon is essential for those looking to save money on their purchases. The fact that both the M3 models are on promotion is somewhat surprising but indicative of Amazon’s competitive pricing strategies during this Black Friday season. See MacBook Air 13′′ at Amazon See MacBook Air 15′′ at Amazon

- Leading efficient care management for the elderly with unimpeded smartcar e h ttps://img.hankyung.com/pdsdata/pr.hankyung.com/uploads/2024/11/image01-1.png SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JCF Technology is a startup that independently developed 'MecKare', a radar sensor that measures biological signals in a non-contact manner, and provides a platform service that automatically connects users and guardians in two-way emergency situations through an artificial intelligence analysis system. Since its establishment in 2016, it has developed a highly accurate non-contact multi-biological radar sensor through many years of technology accumulation, and succeeded in commercializing the product for the first time in 2021. MecKare uses microwave radar and micro-Doppler signal processing technology to measure the user's heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature within 16.4 ft in real time. The sensor can measure human body movement patterns using precise and highly responsive thermal infrared rays and can detect falls through pattern analysis based on changes in human movement. In particular, the movement and change of thermal infrared rays within the measurement range are detected in real time, and the trend of biomarkers that appear as advance signs before a person falls can be checked through differential motion detection that measures the user's movement pattern. It provides an alarm in advance by predicting before a person falls, enabling accuracy and quick response to accidents. As a result, it is possible to prevent safety accidents in the elderly by detecting emergency situations such as lonely death, cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties, and falls. Additionally, unlike other existing wearable devices such as smart watches or bands, MecKare does not need to be worn or attached to the body, so it can be used remotely via Wi-Fi without causing stress to the user. https://img.hankyung.com/pdsdata/pr.hankyung.com/uploads/2024/11/image02.png MecKare can be installed in the bedroom, bathroom, living room, or entrance of a home or facilities(Assisted Living, Nursing Home, etc) to provide 24-hour monitoring without a camera and detect abnormal signs in advance using a biometric information analysis algorithm and deliver them to the guardian. MecKare's radar biometric sensor is recognized in the global market for its technology as a device that obtains precisely customized biometric information while overcoming spatial constraints and without risk of privacy infringement. MecKare is being supplied to senior care facilities in Australia , Germany , Poland , Saudi Arabia , and China . In 2025, MecKare plans to conduct verification of vital signs such as attendance, fall prevention, and asthma of elderly people living in hospitals or assisted living in conjunction with local PPOs/HMOs in the United States . In summary, MecKare is a system that reduces user inconvenience and enables management of multiple patients. By being able to provide personalized health data analysis results, it will serve as an opportunity to change the market paradigm towards preventive smart care. We expect MecKare's A.I to play a role as an innovator that complements, rather than replaces, humans in care settings. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hankyungcom-introduces-meckare-leading-the-ai-powered-innovation-in-health-monitoring-solution-302310743.html SOURCE Hankyung.comNone

NoneATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

'Agent of transformation': GOP senators praise Donald Trump's FBI director pick, Kash PatelNetflix getting set to air NFL on Christmas DayPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

A lawyer for argued in a filing on Monday that the woman who on Sunday accused the rapper of raping her when she was 13 must reveal her identity or drop the lawsuit altogether. In the lawsuit, originally filed in October, a woman identified only as “Jane Doe” sued Sean “ ” Combs for allegedly raping her at a party following the the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, when she was 13. The suit was to include the allegation that Jay-Z (aka Shawn Carter) was also present and participated in the assault. Jay-Z’s lawyer Alex Spiro said in a filing in Manhattan federal court on Monday that the Jane Doe has not provided substantial evidence to justify her anonymity, saying her “vague assertions of potential harm fall far short of the stringent requirements.” “Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him — in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion — of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades,” Spiro wrote. “He has never been accused of, let alone engaged in, any sexual misconduct.” Spiro also pointed to other sexual misconduct lawsuits against Combs — who was recently as he awaits trial for sex trafficking charges — brought forward by this woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, which Spiro said do not meet the criteria to proceed anonymously. In a statement on social media Sunday, Jay-Z wrote that he had anonymously sued Buzbee, claiming that the lawyer was trying to blackmail him. When Buzbee wrote that he had sent a request for mediation to resolve the matter, Jay-Z responded saying, “What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.” He went on to accuse Buzbee of “fraud” and write “I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!” Buzbee saying that “my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him.” He went on to say that Carter “has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff” and promised to “litigate the facts in court, not in the media.” THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter

By 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 .

Five years since its inception, a US development agency competes with China on global projects( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 23, 2024) - Anquiro Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: AQR.P) (" AQR " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce the results of the 2024 annual general and special meeting (the " AQR AGSM ") held on December 20, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia whereby the Company's shareholders voted in favour of all items of business. The shareholders of Black Pine Resources Corp. (" Black Pine ") also voted in favour of all items of business at the 2024 annual general and special meeting (the " Black Pine AGSM ") held on December 20, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. AQR AGSM Results All director nominees, being Huitt Tracey, Joe DeVries, Christopher Cherry, Keturah Nathe, and Richard Barnett, were elected. DMCL LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants were appointed as auditors. The Company's new fixed omnibus equity compensation plan was also approved by a majority of the shareholders. The ordinary resolution approving the proposed reverse-takeover transaction (the " Transaction ") whereby the Company will acquire Black Pine by way of an amalgamation agreement between Black Pine and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to a merger agreement dated October 17, 2024, as amended on November 12, 2024 (the " Merger Agreement "), was passed by Majority of the Minority Approval (as defined in the Company's information circular dated November 14, 2024 (the " Circular ") available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at ). A total of 3,070,501 common shares were represented at the AQR AGSM, being 68.23% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. Following the AQR AGSM, the Company re-appointed Keturah Nathe as President and Chief Executive Officer, Teresa Cherry as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Richard Barnett as Audit Committee Chair. Black Pine's AGSM Results All director nominees, being Richard Drew Martel, Joe DeVries, Keturah Nathe and Richard Kern, were elected. DMCL LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants were appointed as auditors. A special resolution approving the amalgamation of Black Pine and 1504671 B.C. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as contemplated in the Merger Agreement was passed by 100% of the votes cast by Black Pine's shareholders. A total of 8,409,800 common shares were represented at the Black Pine AGSM, being 53.47% of Black Pine's issued and outstanding common shares. Following the Black Pine AGSM, Black Pine re-appointed Richard Drew Martel as President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Barnett as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Joe DeVries as Audit Committee Chair. Additional Information Trading in the common shares of the Company is currently suspended in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the " Exchange ") and will remain suspended until such time as all required documentation in connection with the Transaction has been filed with and accepted by the Exchange and permission to resume trading has been obtained from the Exchange. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions and there can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. For further information, please refer to the Circular posted to the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at . Black Pine Black Pine was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on October 20, 2017, under the name " Digital Asset Management Corp." On February 23, 2021, Black Pine changed its name to "Black Pine Resources Corp.". Black Pine is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. Pursuant to an agreement dated April 12, 2022 (" Property Agreement "), as amended, with Great Basin Resources Inc. (" GBR "), Black Pine is entitled to earn an undivided 100% interest in the Sugarloaf Copper Project, subject to a 2% net smeltery royalty due to GBR and certain other payments due to GBR, as provided in the Property Agreement. Anquiro Ventures Ltd. The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on March 1, 2012, and is a Capital Pool Company (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the " Exchange ")) listed on the Exchange. The Company has no commercial operations and no assets other than cash. Further Information For further information, please contact: Anquiro Ventures Ltd. 595 Howe Street, Suite 303, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2T5 Canada Contact: Keturah Nathe, CEO, President and Director Telephone: 604 718-2800 Black Pine Resources Corp. c/o 1066 West Hastings Street, Suite 2600, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3X1 Canada Contact: Richard Drew Martel, CEO Telephone: 604-685-9911 ext. 309 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Circular, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: closing of the Transaction, the resumption of trading of the Company Shares and final approval from the Exchange for the Transaction. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and other approvals of the Transaction and/or the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Transaction on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; and the diversion of management time on the Transaction. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties are contained in the filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at . Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. The Company Shares will remain halted until such time as permission to resume trading has been obtained from the Exchange. The Company is a reporting issuer in Alberta and British Columbia. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: Anquiro Ventures Ltd. MENAFN23122024004218003983ID1109025330 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Self-driving will soon be allowed on some Swiss roadsFantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 6: If you're in need of scoring Jordan Clarkson is an excellent pickupIn Lalalaletmeexplain's hit column, readers ask for her expert advice on their own love, sex and relationship problems. With over 200k Instagram followers, Lala is the anonymous voice helping womankind through every bump in the road. An established sex, dating and relationship educator, she's had her fair share of relationship drama and shares her wisdom on social media to a loyal army of followers. Every week thousands turn to her to answer their questions (no matter how embarrassing), and her funny, frank approach to love and relationships has made her the ultimate feel-good guru. For this week's column, simply continue reading... (Image: Getty Images) Dear Lala, I've been dating a guy for a year now. I came out of a marriage with children and he came out of a four year relationship. He mentioned in a passing kind of way, when we were talking about deleting 'old stuff, that he still has loads of pictures of his ex on his phone. He basically said he'd get around to deleting them all one day, but he has 3,000+ images of them so they're just all still on there along with their entire chat history on WhatsApp. I know this as she's messaged him twice since they split with well wishing types of messages. Should I be concerned that he still has an enormous amount of pictures of his ex on his phone? I don't believe he looks at them, but it makes me feel quite uneasy that they're all just sitting there in his pocket, 24/7. I have pictures of the kids and their dad together, but nothing romantic, which he's welcome to look through at any time. Please help. Lala says... Well, there really is no right or wrong answer to this question. What me and the readers think...