AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:54 p.m. ESTIn line with this objective, the meeting also highlighted the need to promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading. China has made significant strides in recent years in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy, and there is a strong emphasis on continuing this trend in 2025. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation, China aims to maintain its position as a global leader in key industries.
Securitization of China in US Governors’ Rhetoric Since 2022
Australian shares fall as banks and miners dragAn AI Algorithm Was Asked if Pepe Coin (PEPE) Can Beat Shiba Inu's (SHIB) Market Cap in 2025, The Response Was UnexpectedThe search for justice and closure in this heartbreaking case will undoubtedly be a long and arduous journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss and strive to find peace in the wake of such a senseless act of violence. May her memory be a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of tragedy, reminding us all to cherish the precious gift of life and hold tight to those we hold dear.
Christmas is fast approaching and Abbey Clancy is giving us all of the festive feels. The 38-year-old model and podcast star is the face of Agent Provocateur , and took to Instagram to share her latest shoot, which was holiday season-inspired. Posing in a red lace set complete with suspenders and polka dot stockings, she captioned the post: "Santa baby please can I get everything..." The mum-of-four looked amazing, showcasing her incredibly toned figure. She also posed in a black cut-out set with a corset structure and exaggerated hip panels, completing the look with long lace gloves, as well as a sheer, skin-tight black midi dress. Abbey has worked with the luxury lingerie brand on several campaigns and their pieces have also been spotted on the likes of Paris Hilton , Kourtney Kardashian and Beyoncé . On occasion she’s joined by her husband, footballer-turned-pundit Peter Crouch , who also co-hosts their podcast, The Therapy Crouch . He appeared in Agent Provocateur's raunchy new Christmas advert alongside Abbey earlier this month, where she can be seen storming into a pub where Crouch is playing snooker with his friends, before tying him up. "I think I was the star of the show, really,” he joked to The Standard , adding that he thoroughly enjoyed his "little cameo". It’s not the only time the couple has got festive this year. On Thursday, Abbey shared some happy family photos at the Warner Bros. Studios in London, where the Harry Potter films were made. Joined by Peter and three of their four children, Sophia, 13, Liberty Rose, nine, and Johnny, six, they posed by giant snow-covered Christmas trees, and her followers couldn’t help but notice how grown up her eldest daughter looked. A true mini-me, despite being just a teenager, she’s nearly the same height as her model mother and looked almost identical. She wore a cosy brown faux fur coat while Abbey was in chic head-to-toe black. "What a sensational night @harrypotter @wbtourlondon," Abbey captioned the post, which was flooded with comments. "Beautiful picture. Your eldest daughter is literally your double," wrote one. While another said: "Your eldest is your twin!!!" Friend and fellow former wag Kate Ferdinand added: "What a beautiful picture. The kids are getting so grown up & even more gorgeous."No. 6 Purdue routs MarshallPakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has maintained its strong performance for the second consecutive year, posting an impressive growth of around 80%. In 2024, the benchmark KSE-100 index surged by almost 80% as on December 28, the market closed at 111,351 points. It indicated an impressive rise over the same period of the previous year, when the market closed at 62,052. This growth trajectory was further evident while looking back at December 30, 2022, when the market stood at 40,420 points, reflecting a 46% increase by the close of 2023. JS Global Deputy Research Head Waqas Ghani Kukaswadia said the KSE-100 index reached an all-time high of 117k in intra-day trading during CY24, a remarkable achievement despite significant foreign portfolio investors' selling driven by rebalancing activities. In terms of fiscal year 2023-24, the KSE-100 surged by 89.24% to 78,445 points on June 30, 2024 compared to 41,453 points in the previous year. "This remarkable growth restored market capitalisation to Rs10.37 trillion, which shows a rebound to peak levels last seen in 2017," the PSX wrote in the annual report for 2024 "Ode to Service". The KSE-100 posted an impressive gain of 70% in CY24, its highest return since 2002 and becoming the second best-performing global market after Argentina, according to the Pakistan Strategy 2025 released by AKD. The index is forecast to reach 165,215 points by December 2025, reflecting a potential upside of 55.5%. This performance highlights the growing appeal of the PSX among global investors. Increased activity Starting at lower levels at the beginning of 2024, the KSE-100 index experienced steady growth, with significant momentum building from April onwards. The second half of the year witnessed a sharp rally, when the index reached the high of 117,039.18 before slightly stabilising. By December 27, 2024, the KSE-100 closed at 111,351.17, near its peak levels. The 52-week range for the year was between 58,758.48 and 117,039.18, reflecting substantial recovery and growth. On December 28, the market recorded a trading volume of 816 million shares. Trading activity reached unprecedented levels in 2024. The traded volume soared to 151.4 billion shares, almost double from 2023, while the daily traded value averaged Rs22.1 billion, demonstrating heightened investor participation and confidence, according to the PSX report. Macroeconomic reforms played a pivotal role in supporting the market's strong performance. Interest rates are projected to decline to single digits in CY25, driven by structural adjustments under the IMF's Extended Fund Facility. Inflation, which peaked at 38% in May 2023, has since been anchored to single digits, significantly boosting investor confidence, according to AKD. New listings The year saw the listing of 11 new companies, including prominent entities like the Symmetry Group and TPL REIT Fund-I. These equity listings collectively raised Rs103.3 billion, which showed growing corporate interest in tapping the PSX potential. PSX played a pivotal role in facilitating the issuance of 22 government of Pakistan's Ijarah Sukuk instruments that raised Rs687.81 billion. Additionally, the introduction of a one-year Discounted Ijarah Sukuk provided innovative opportunities for Shariah-compliant investments, further diversifying market offerings, according to the PSX. Two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including the Mahaana Islamic Index ETF, were launched in 2024. These ETFs focused on Shariah-compliant and sector-specific investments, expanding the options for investors and promoting inclusivity in financial instruments, according to AKD. Sector-specific highlights Several sectors emerged as top performers in 2024, including banks, fertiliser, energy, and technology. These sectors benefitted from a stable currency, monetary easing, and reform-driven growth. In the medium term, textile exports are expected to lead the market, while technology remains poised for long-term double-digit expansion, reflecting the evolving dynamics of Pakistan's economy, AKD said. Foreign investors have shown increased interest in Pakistani equities, spurred by the country's improved weight in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index (6.4%). Furthermore, the anticipated reclassification of Pakistani equities into the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has created additional momentum, with seven stocks meeting the reclassification criteria, it added. PSX introduced a sophisticated primary market auction system for government debt securities. The implementation of the One-Share Lot System further enhanced liquidity and aligned the exchange with international standards. The exchange prioritised digital expansion by launching tools like the My Portfolio web app and the PSX WhatsApp Service, which provided real-time market updates and investor education. These innovations made market participation more accessible and user-friendly. Economic outlook Pakistan's economic growth remained modest in FY24, with GDP expanding by 2.5%. However, projections indicate an uptick to 2.7-3.2% in FY25 and 4.3% in FY26, driven by industrial and services sector recovery. The current account is expected to maintain a surplus for the next two years, supported by strong remittance inflows and moderate import growth, according to AKD. Waqas Ghani Kukaswadia of JS Global said the State Bank continues monetary easing, reducing the policy rate by a further 200 basis points (bps) earlier this month to 13%, driven by a faster-than-expected decline in inflation. The Consumer Price Index for November 2024 stood at 4.9%. The State Bank has cut interest rate by 900 bps since the easing cycle began in July 2024. Real interest rates now stand at 9%. He forecast FY25 inflation at 6.5%, with a potential sixth interest rate cut, though smaller. He emphasised the importance of foreign capital, political stability, and IMF alignment for Pakistan's macroeconomic stability and investment prospects. Fiscal reforms resulted in a reduction in fiscal deficit to 5% of GDP in FY24, with further improvements anticipated, according to AKD. The government has implemented structural adjustments in taxation, energy tariffs, and investment frameworks to strengthen economic resilience and promote sustainable growth. Ahsan Mehanti, MD of Arif Habib Commodities, noted the PSX's strong performance despite low foreign direct investment and foreign outflows, driven by low inflation and SBP policy easing. He highlighted IMF disbursements and SBP oversight in stabilising the rupee. Looking ahead, falling lending rates, positive earnings forecasts, and regulatory changes in sectors like banking, pharma, and auto lending are expected to push the PSX to new records in 2025. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has emerged as a key driver of foreign direct investment, targeting annual inflows of $5 billion. Meanwhile, CPEC Phase 2.0 focuses on industrial, agricultural, and trade development, with significant emphasis on infrastructure and renewable energy projects, providing a transformative impact on Pakistan's economic landscape. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
Overall, the interpretations provided by institutions on the December Political Bureau Meeting paint a positive outlook for the Chinese economy, with many experts optimistic about the potential impact of the policy decisions on economic growth and stability. While challenges and uncertainties remain, the consensus among institutions is that the meeting outcomes have set a clear direction for economic policies in the coming year and beyond.In his opening remarks, Director General of CNIPA, Mr. Zhang Wei, emphasized the importance of creating a fair and competitive environment for e-commerce businesses to thrive while protecting the intellectual property rights of individuals and companies. He highlighted the role of innovation and technology in driving economic growth and the need for robust intellectual property protection mechanisms to safeguard these innovations.Pune: While all factories in the country chug along smoothly manufacturing various products, adding to our gross domestic product (GDP), the fallout of this growth is the industrial waste that is generated. According to sciencedirect.com, we produce more than 10 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of industrial waste every year and almost 100% of that is dumped into our landfills. Not a very pretty picture, this. Alok Kale had an idea of industrial waste as his family runs an auto component manufacturing business. Alok was not completely aware of its enormity until he went to work with different auto companies across the world that he realised the magnitude of the problem. “I realised that every industry as a part of its manufacturing process generates some amount of waste. Foundries use huge amounts of silica sand for their manufacturing, and since this sand loses its bonding capacity, it is rendered useless. This sand is then disposed of as per the government mandate most often in landfills,” Alok said. He now had an in-depth understanding of the problem. On returning to India after working at various firms across the globe, Alok made another observation. “As India rapidly urbanises, the construction industry too grows. And this industry is responsible for at least 37% of global carbon emission with natural sand consumption being a large reason for this. This sand is mined, crushed and processed before being transported to the construction sites. Using this sand also gives rise to pollution at the sites. Today we see a lot of construction sites in Pune and Mumbai being asked to stop work due to this pollution,” he said. With the enormity of the problem staring him in the face, Alok could no longer be a bystander. He decided that there must be a way out. A way where the disposal of the industrial waste could be managed in a better and environment friendly way. His family business notwithstanding, Alok decided that he must look for the solution. With this in mind, he started his research and development (R&D) project in 2010. Failure’s lessons Based on various construction site visits since 2010, Alok was researching ways to develop products like tile adhesives, mortars and plasters. “While the initial results were good, the products would de-bond and fail in the long term. For plaster and adhesives, I asked some of my friends in the construction industry to try these at their sites at several places, like underground car parks and the like to see how my adhesives and plasters were working. Every time there was an issue, I would go back to my lab and work out a new equation,” he said. After four years and over 100 iterations, in 2013, Alok had his formulation right. But just finding a solution was not enough as many founders who have done research would know. They have to consider several factors such as price, scalability and so on. While on his search for a solution, Alok was also involved with the family business and had a close-up view on these very important concepts that run a business. “My initial solution was far too expensive to be used commercially,” he said. But this failure did not wear him down. His commitment to the cause continued. “I continued with my R&D to find a viable solution for adhesives when I thought why not use the discarded silica to make bricks as an interim solution to the problem of industrial waste? “Brick making is not difficult in the sense you have to simply compress the sand with the right bonding agents to get bricks. This helped us as an entry point into the construction industry,” he said. Alok managed to get this part of the recycling business going whilst still working with the family’s business. “I very soon started selling 5 lakh bricks per month. But realised that this business would not be able to help me be very effective as I wanted to be. The issue with brick making is that though it involves a simple technology, a large portion of its cost is the transportation. To grow in this business, I would need to get to different geographies and that would mean setting up a brick making facilties every 200 kms. Hence, limiting my scalability,” he said. “Whatever money I made through this business, I reinvested it into my R&D,” he said. Moreover, given the nature of brick selling, Alok was eager to shift to a more mature sector where the buyer would not haggle over paise literally. Try, try till you succeed The R&D efforts for adhesives and plasters bore fruit in early 2020. This came after rigorous testing over prolonged periods in harsh conditions — like testing his products on the foundation of a large industrious chimney constantly exposed to vibrations. When asked why, he said, “To be doubly sure, as my product is ‘recycled’ not ‘established’ like my competitors’ products are. Any person making a house using my products should not face any issues. People should be able to trust a recycled product.” The foolproof first-of-its-kind formula was patented in 2023. Go-to-market A market is full of competition and Alok knew he would have to play the game with large multinational companies (MNC) with deep pockets. “These are all big guns and well-established brands. But none of them so far use discarded waste silica like I do. And that is my USP (unique selling proposition). My plaster will not only just do your job, but will also help the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of the industry,” he said. As per data from a life cycle analysis conducted by green design consultancy firm Sustain & Save, products of Magnus Ventures, launched by Alok, have a carbon footprint of 0.34 kg CO2eq./kg of ready-mix plaster and 0.32 kg CO2eq./kg of tile adhesives, which is one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. While the environment benefit was a huge USP, Alok also understood that price played a big role in the real estate industry. He also ensured that the price of his products was at par with competitors. In 2023, the products got “Green Pro” certified by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) — a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) initiative, which incentivises real estate companies for using green products by giving rebates in the form of additional FSI (floor space index). But no new product gets easily accepted until proven. After making a sales pitch for his plaster, Alok managed to get Kohinoor Builders to agree to try out his product. “That was a big chance I was getting. For any startup the first big break is the most critical. Kohinoor used my plaster at its various sites and waited for six months to see how it performed,” he said. It worked! In more ways than one. Not only did Alok get an order from Kohinoor, but they agreed to buy his products for the next three years! “In addition to this sale, my product got ratified from a leading quality conscious brand in the city which gave an opportunity to new product. I could now approach other builders with this ‘proof of the pudding’,” he said. Which he did. Shapoorji Pallonji, Goel Ganga, and many more. “These companies take their time to take a decision but once they are convinced with quality, they are ok with trying something different,” he said. Money’s role Since the start of commercial sales in February 2020 to date, Alok has invested over ₹ 6 crore in Magnus Ventures. “I am completely bootstrapped and have reinvested every penny made back into the business. Setting up an R&D facility, purchasing the machinery and setting up the factory (in Talegaon) has had costs attached. As of now, we sell over 2,500 tonnes per month with a plan to grow by 3x in the next year. Though I do not take a salary, I have hired a team of 12 people and will hire 30 more for business development in the next quarter. The target is not just sales, but to reach maximum companies to communicate the benefits of using eco- friendly materials,” he said. “I do not foresee any need for fund raising as of now. Perhaps when I have to penetrate additional geographical regions and scale rapidly I might. Meanwhile, I want Magnus to be able to capture 10% of the market we service,” he said. The way ahead “As of now, we are focusing on Pune district. But I want to sell all over Maharashtra before getting into other states. I think if we have managed to serve one state, we would have had enough experience to manage other states. At that time, I will have to set up manufacturing units and a marketing base in different states. That’s the plan,” he said. With his production centre using 60 MT tonnes of waste silica sand per day, Alok has stayed true this commitment. “Like any entrepreneur, there are days when you do get disappointed, but I guess my goal to reduce the burden on our earth was far more strong. I never lost sight of that,” he said. In fact, his work is already speaking for itself. “I have been approached by some companies who want me to work on some solutions for the waste generated by their processes. I am going to work on that too.” So, while our factories keep manufacturing and spewing waste, startups like Magnus will do all they can to reduce that burden. Thank God!
"Patrick is a vital piece of our defensive identity and leadership in the locker room. His absence will be felt, but we have faith in our depth and ability to adjust," Lue commented. "We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back on the court as soon as possible."
Kendrick Lamar Fans Drag Drake After Surprise “GNX” ReleaseSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Friday that his government may stop electricity supplies to Ukraine following the anticipated end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine on Jan. 1, 2025. “If necessary, we will stop the supply of electricity, which Ukraine desperately needs during grid outages. Or we will agree on another course of action,” Fico said in a video post on social media. Fico’s remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed opposition to the continued transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia once the current contract expires at the beginning of next year. Fico added that according to estimates, the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and Slovakia could cost the European Union 120 billion euros over the next two years. Slovakia, he said, would lose up to 500 million euros annually in transit fees. Fico also indicated Slovakia’s readiness to host peace talks on Ukraine. “If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, we will be ready and hospitable,” Fico said. Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 22 in Moscow, discussing issues including the transit of Russian gas.
As these developments unfold, it is clear that the tech industry is entering a new era of innovation and competition. With companies like OpenAI, Xiaomi, and Apple leading the charge, the possibilities for technological advancement and societal impact are endless. By staying informed and adaptable, tech enthusiasts can navigate the ever-changing landscape and contribute to the shaping of a brighter future driven by cutting-edge technology.Health In Tech, Inc. Announces Pricing of Initial Public OfferingAs the deadline for military service registration approaches, it is imperative for all eligible males to fulfill this mandatory requirement in a timely and responsible manner. By registering for military service, individuals are taking a proactive step towards fulfilling their civic duty and contributing to the defense and security of their country. It is a demonstration of patriotism, valor, and dedication to the greater good, reflecting the ideals and principles upon which the nation was founded.
Qatar tribune Immigration is essential to America’s health, otherwise we would be losing population and heading to a downward economic spiral. According to Census Bureau figures published Thursday, international migration accounted for about 84% of the country’s roughly 3.3-million-person increase between 2023 and 2024; without it, the U.S. population would be without a shadow of a doubt stagnating. In fact, newcomers pushed our populace growth to nearly 1%, its fastest rate in 23 years, proving that political calls by Donald Trump and others to close our borders are dumb as well as wrong. Incoming First Pal Elon Musk has long been preoccupied with birthrates in the highly developed nations, adopting the line that these countries are headed to a sort of extinction. Just Saturday, he was back on the topic, using his social media megaphone to warn that “Japan and many other countries face population collapse.” There are a number of public policy interventions that could conceivably help the crisis as Musk envisions it. There could be big increases in housing for would-be families who can barely keep their heads above water in small or shared houses and apartments. There could be safety net fiscal policies like an expanded child income tax credit and child care subsidies to make the decision to have children seem financially feasible in the long run. Yet, the No. 1 policy solution to a declining working-age population and its strains on the economy and the social safety system is the one answer that Trump and Musk won’t embrace: immigration. There is no substitute; no one has found an alternative, anywhere. Japan is on the brink of population disaster because they’ve tried every solution except a broader loosening of immigration laws. Only recently, in the face of an ever-worsening crisis, have the Japanese lurched towards the obvious, too late to head off some of the painful effects of a warped population pyramid: too few young workers to support too many retired seniors. And the problem keeps getting worse as birth rates decline. Europe is on the same path of declining populations, stubbornly refusing to accept that the much-maligned waves of recent immigration have been a lifeline. The anti-immigrant rhetoric has been so acute that an anti-immigration far-right extremist in Germany — ironically himself an immigrant — just attacked a holiday market, killing at least five and injuring hundreds. The United States’ global primacy, the very idea of American exceptionalism itself, rests entirely on a base of mass immigration that has fueled our growth with newcomers from around the world. The immigrants and their descendants then become Americans. This is not and has never been a matter of opinion; opponents will claim that this idea is “woke” or globalist or any number of other loose ideological terms because they cannot refute it on the merits. There is no American Century, no dollar as reserve currency, no unmatched military, no soft power, no cultural dominance, no scientific preeminence, no industrial might without the absorption of talent and labor from everywhere else. We can only hope this most fundamental of American ideals survives the second Trump era, before irreversible damage is done. Copy 29/12/2024 10
Apple might finally stop embarrassing iPhone owners by boosting iPhone 17 refresh rateNoneOgnacevic added 12 rebounds for the Bisons (8-5). Charlie Williams scored 16 points while shooting 7 for 8, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. Will Pruitt shot 4 for 10, including 2 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points. The Eagles were led in scoring by Cameron Jones, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Johnathan Combs added 11 points for Asbury. Ben McNew also put up seven points. Lipscomb scored its most points since a 113-74 win over Asbury on Nov. 11, 2023. The Bisons topped the 100-point plateau four times last season. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
