Political instability in France and South Korea is reigniting discussions around the growing appeal of decentralized currencies, such as Bitcoin, as global markets react to increasing uncertainty. Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations, highlights that political turmoil in France—where a no-confidence vote threatens Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s fragile coalition—is exacerbating fiscal instability amid an unresolved budget crisis and mounting deficit concerns. Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin has warned that ousting the government could fuel public anxiety and further complicate France’s fiscal challenges. Simultaneously, South Korea is facing its own crisis, with President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law in response to escalating opposition threats, citing a budget deadlock in parliament. This marks the first such declaration since the country’s military dictatorship in the 1980s, sending shockwaves through markets and citizens alike. Green explains: “When governments falter or act unpredictably, people inevitably seek alternatives that don’t rely on institutional trust. That’s where decentralized currencies come in.” Unlike fiat currencies, which are heavily influenced by political decisions, digital assets like Bitcoin operate independently of government control, making them increasingly attractive in times of political and fiscal instability. “With governments faltering in both France and South Korea, people are looking for assets that are not susceptible to government interference. Non-government currencies, such as Bitcoin, offer precisely that,” Green adds. deVere’s forecasts suggest that ongoing political turmoil in Europe and Asia will accelerate the adoption of digital currencies, which also provide practical benefits such as lower transaction costs, faster cross-border payments, and greater financial inclusion for those underserved by traditional banking systems. For investors, political instability is increasingly seen as a key factor in portfolio diversification. Green predicts that Bitcoin, which has already seen significant gains this year, could continue its upward trajectory, possibly surpassing the $100,000 mark. The growing momentum for cryptocurrency is not just limited to individual investors. Major institutions and corporations, including tech giants and hedge funds, are recognizing the strategic value of holding digital assets. “As France braces for its most consequential no-confidence vote in decades, and South Korea faces the repercussions of martial law, the world watches anxiously,” concludes Green. “The outcomes in both countries will undoubtedly influence global market sentiment and policy decisions in the weeks and months ahead.”If Sharon Stone's learned anything from her rollercoaster life, it's that she's a fighter. In an interview with the BBC published Wednesday, the 66-year-old actress got emotional when asked about the advice she would give to her younger self. "You're going to make it,” a tearful Stone said as she detailed a brain hemorrhage she suffered 23 years ago. "You don't know it, but you're going to make it. I would have it tattooed on the inside of my eyelids." She continued: "I would have wanted to have known it so many times. ... When I was on the floor and couldn't get an ambulance. When I went home (from hospital) and I read in People magazine that we wouldn't know for 30 days if I was going to live or die." Sharon Stone: Actress slams 'ignorant, arrogant' Americans after Donald Trump win Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. An artery rupture resulting in a brain bleed and stroke left Stone with a 1% survival rate. The "Basic Instinct" star, then 43, said she had to relearn how to walk and talk following the health ordeal, telling the British outlet she's since overcome the issue. "It's been that long and it's OK... it's over... everybody made it to shore," she said. Stone also opened up about her outspoken political views and got candid about President-elect Donald Trump's recent election win. "I see the world a little bit differently than a lot of my country. That doesn't mean I'm not a patriot,' Stone said, adding that she will "respect the office of the president... because that is what a democracy does." Stone stoked controversy last month while discussing the state of American politics, slamming a segment of Americans she characterized as "uneducated" and in their "extraordinary naïveté." During an appearance at the Torino Film Festival in Italy, Stone − in an apparent reference to Trump − said "we have to stop and think about who we choose for government and if, in fact, we are actually choosing our government or if the government is choosing itself." Stone also told the crowd that the U.S. is "in the midst of adolescence." "Adolescence is very arrogant. Adolescence thinks it knows everything," Stone explained. "Adolescence is naive and ignorant and arrogant. And we are in our ignorant, arrogant adolescence."
Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless run
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday’s targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company’s face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company’s shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. “He did not have a security detail.” ___ AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Related From Our PartnerAtkinson claims historic Test hat-trick for EnglandSAN DIEGO, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: CUBI) publicly traded securities between March 1, 2024 and August 8, 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”), have until January 31, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. Captioned Chang v. Customers Bancorp, Inc ., No. 24-cv-06416 (E.D. Pa.), the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit charges Customers Bancorp and certain of Customers Bancorp’s top current and former executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-customers-bancorp-inc-class-action-lawsuit-cubi.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com . CASE ALLEGATIONS: Customers Bancorp operates as a bank holding company. The Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Customers Bancorp had inadequate anti-money laundering practices; and (ii) as a result, Customers Bancorp was not in compliance with its legal obligations, which subjected Customers Bancorp to heightened regulatory risk. The Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit further alleges that on April 12, 2024, Customers Bancorp announced that CFO, defendant Carla A. Leibold, had been fired for “cause” for violating Customers Bancorp policy. On this news, the price of Customers Bancorp stock fell nearly 5%, according to the complaint. Customers Bancorp subsequently disclosed that Ms. Leibold’s termination was a “separation by mutual agreement,” according to the complaint. Then, on August 8, 2024, during market hours, the Federal Reserve issued a press release entitled “Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Customers Bank,” which attached a written agreement between Customers Bancorp and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia stating that the Federal Reserve “identified significant deficiencies related to the Bank’s risk management practices and compliance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations relating to anti-money laundering (‘AML’), including the Bank Secrecy Act,” according to the complaint On this news, the price of Customers Bancorp stock fell more than 15%, according to the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. Finally, the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit further alleges that on August 8, 2024, after market hours, Customers Bancorp disclosed a consent order by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Banking and Securities, Bureau of Bank Supervision, relating “principally to aspects of compliance risk management, including risk management practices governing digital asset-related services; oversight by the Board of Directors of Customers Bancorp and the Bank; compliance with anti-money laundering regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act; and compliance with the regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control,” and further stating that “these deficiencies give the Bureau reason to believe that the Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices relating to BSA/AML Requirements.” On this news, the price of Customers Bancorp stock fell further, according to the complaint. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Customers Bancorp publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Customers Bancorp class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world’s leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases – over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in the world and the Firm’s attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 info@rgrdlaw.com
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday’s targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company’s face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company’s shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. “He did not have a security detail.” ___ AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Related From Our PartnerThe legal fray builds in a very close North Carolina Supreme Court election
Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes to Tee Higgins, including a game-winning scoring strike with 1:07 left in overtime, to give the host Cincinnati Bengals an electrifying 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday. Cade York could have given Cincinnati (8-8) the win with 2:43 to go in the extra session, but his 33-yard field-goal attempt hit the left upright. The Bengals' defense buckled down, though, forcing Denver to go three-and-out to get Burrow, Higgins and the rest of the offense back out on the field. Cincinnati proceeded to go 63 yards in five plays, with Higgins' 3-yard TD catch giving the Bengals their fourth straight victory. Higgins finished with 11 catches for 131 yards. Marvin Mims Jr. forced overtime by hauling in a 25-yard score on fourth-and-1 to draw the Broncos (9-7) even at 24 with eight seconds left in regulation. Burrow had put Cincinnati in front by plunging into the end zone from 1 yard out just 1:21 earlier. Burrow completed 39 of 49 passes for 412 yards and the three touchdowns while Ja'Marr Chase had nine catches for 102 yards and set a single-season franchise record for receptions. He now has 117. Tight end Mike Gesicki played a key role in the Cincinnati passing game, grabbing a season-high 10 catches for 86 yards. Rams 13, Cardinals 9 Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted a pass in the end zone with 37 seconds left to preserve Los Angeles' win over Arizona in Inglewood, Calif. Witherspoon made a diving catch after the ball bounced high off the helmet of Arizona tight end Trey McBride on the pass attempt by Kyler Murray. The Rams (10-6), who lead the NFC West by one game, have won five straight, while the Cardinals (7-9) have lost five of their last six. Los Angeles could clinch a playoff berth on Sunday depending on the outcome of other games. Matthew Stafford threw for 189 yards while completing 17 of 32 pass attempts without a touchdown or interception. Puka Nacua finished with 10 receptions for 129 yards. Murray was 33 of 48 for 321 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. McBride made 12 catches for 123 yards to surpass 1,000 yards for the first time in his three NFL seasons. Chargers 40, Patriots 7 Justin Herbert passed for 281 yards and a season-high three touchdowns and Los Angeles clinched an AFC playoff berth with a dominating victory over New England in Foxborough, Mass. Ladd McConkey caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns and Derwin James had two sacks and a fumble recovery for the Chargers (10-6), who are playoff-bound in Jim Harbaugh's first season as coach. Derius Davis also had a scoring catch, J.K. Dobbins rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Cameron Dicker booted four field goals.Herbert completed 26 of 38 passes as the Chargers improved to 3-12 all-time in Foxborough, including playoffs. Drake Maye completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown for New England (3-13), which lost its sixth consecutive game. DeMario Douglas caught a scoring pass for the Patriots. -Field Level MediaMANILA, Philippines – The first impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte with the House of Representatives on Monday, December 2, listed a total of 16 signatories. The group is composed of former elective and appointive officials, members of the academe and the Catholic Church, and civil society leaders. They are: Gary Alejano, former lawmaker who represented party-list group Magdalo in the House from 2013 to 2019, and seeking a congressional comeback in 2025 Rowena Amon Filomena Cinco, who served as barangay chairperson in Manila Sylvia Estrada Claudio, doctor of medicine, and professor emerita of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, representing civil society organization Every Woman Sister Mary Grace de Guzman, SFIC Francis “Kiko” Dee, political science lecturer who is the grandson of late democracy icons Ninoy and Corazon Aquino Ging Deles, presidential peace adviser during the Gloria Arroyo and the Noynoy Aquino administrations Sister Susan Santos Esmile, SFIC Eugene Louie Gonzalez, second nominee of party-list group Magdalo for the 2025 polls Yvonne Christina Jereza, third nominee of party-list group Magdalo for the 2025 polls Teodoro Lopez Alicia Murphy, urban poor advocate Leah Navarro, singer and activist Father Roberto Reyes, activist-priest popularly known as the “running priest” Randy delos Santos, uncle of slain teenager Kian delos Santos, and field coordinator of Project Paghilom, which helps families of other drug war victims Father Flavie Villanueva, activist-priest who heads Project Paghilom Former senator Leila de Lima is not a signatory in the complaint , but said she is the designated spokesperson of the group. The complaint filed by the group was endorsed, in accordance with the Constitution, by neophyte lawmaker Perci Cendaña of party-list group Akbayan. – Rappler.comTrump's 2024 Campaign & Elon Musk's Success: Digital Marketing Parallels by FlyX Marketing Founder Albert Valiakhmetov
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