2024 - Page 169 of 173

13 Jan

Microsoft Tops Apple to Become Most Valuable Public Company

Howard L. PettersonNews

For more than a decade, Apple was the stock market’s undisputed king. It first overtook Exxon Mobil as the world’s most valuable public company in 2011 and held the title almost without interruption.But a transfer of power has begun.On Friday, Microsoft surpassed Apple, claiming the crown after its market value surged by more than $1 trillion over the past year. Microsoft finished the day at $2.89 trillion, higher than Apple’s $2.87 trillion, according to Bloomberg.The change is part of a reordering of the stock market that was set in motion by the advent of generative artificial intelligence. The technology, which…

13 Jan

Some Student Loan Borrowers May Be Eligible for Forgiveness Sooner

Howard L. PettersonNews

Federal student loan borrowers who initially took out smaller loan amounts may be eligible for debt cancellation sooner than they anticipated.Starting in February, people enrolled in the Biden administration’s new income-driven repayment plan known as SAVE who originally borrowed $12,000 or less for college and have made at least 10 years of qualifying monthly payments will immediately have any remaining debt wiped out, Education Department officials said on Friday.The SAVE plan, which reduces payments for millions of borrowers, opened for enrollment last August. But some of its benefits, like the shortened path to forgiveness, were not set to take effect…

13 Jan

Investments in Panama: apartments for investors from Latvia

Howard L. PettersonNews

In the dynamic Panamanian real estate market, Armonía Cinta Costera stands out as a project that redefines the experience of living in the city. This development offers a unique proposal focused on comfort, versatility, and accessibility, with apartments that adapt to the preferences of investors from Latvia. Inspired by the amenities offered by its convenient location in Panama, Armonía Cinta Costera guarantees a lifestyle tailored to its residents. Armonía: a unique real estate project in Panama's coastline Armonía Cinta Costera stands as an imposing and attractive project on the urban skyline, offering a unique proposal that goes beyond simple apartments.…

12 Jan

Best countries for surrogacy if you live in Quebec

Howard L. PettersonHealth

Choosing surrogacy is a decision fraught with challenges for couples in Quebec. It's widely acknowledged that embarking on this life-changing journey can be a strenuous and demanding process, one that rigorously tests the resilience and determination of aspiring parents. Hence, apart from mustering strength, love, and patience to confront the potential obstacles along the way, it is equally important to be financially prepared for the entirety of the surrogacy process. It is understandable that surrogacy entails significant expenses, regardless of the selected destination. However, many intended parents are eager to explore avenues for potential cost savings along their surrogacy journey.…

12 Jan

Mexican Whiskey Is on the Rise, Powered by Ancient Corn

Howard L. PettersonNews

Of the 59 varieties of native corn in Mexico, nal t’eel is one of the oldest, having emerged in the Yucatán Peninsula some 4,000 years ago. It grows quickly, largely unbothered by heavy rains or drought — so robust that the Mayans called it “rooster corn.”Like almost all of Mexico’s indigenous corn varieties, nal t’eel in recent decades has faced a seemingly unbeatable threat: high-yield hybrids, developed primarily in the United States and favored for their efficiency, though rarely their flavor. Fields once dotted with a rainbow of heirloom ears are now awash in wan yellows and whites.But in 2020…

12 Jan

What Happens When There Is No Food: Experts Say Severe Malnutrition Could Set in Swiftly in Gaza

Howard L. PettersonHealth

A panel of experts affiliated with the United Nations has warned that the population of the Gaza Strip is at imminent risk of famine, with more than 90 percent of its 2.2 million people facing “acute food insecurity” and a quarter of the population experiencing “catastrophic levels of hunger.”Even before the war between Israel and Hamas, nearly 70 percent of Gazans were dependent on humanitarian assistance for food because the territory has been under Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007. Now, only 20 to 30 percent of what people there need is being permitted over the border into Gaza, according…

12 Jan

Special report: Maddy Cusack – why her family want a new investigation into her death

Howard L. PettersonNews

It is the heartbreaking story of a talented and popular footballer, her tragic death and the investigation into a family’s complaints about what they believe caused her emotional anguish.Maddy Cusack’s death in September sent shockwaves throughout the sport and plunged Sheffield United into a state of mourning for their longest-serving player. As her parents, David and Deborah, tried to get through their first Christmas without their eldest daughter, fans launched a petition to retire her No 8 shirt as a permanent tribute.“She fell in love with Sheffield United, the fans and the city of Sheffield,” Deborah told a memorial service…

12 Jan

U.S. Criminally Charges EBay in Cyberstalking Case

Howard L. PettersonNews

The Justice Department charged eBay on Thursday with stalking, witness tampering and obstruction of justice in a rare criminal case against a well-known Silicon Valley company.The charges, which will be dropped under a deferred prosecution agreement if eBay maintains a good record for the next three years, stem from actions taken by the company in 2019 to undermine and silence the writers of an e-commerce newsletter that was mildly critical of some of its behavior. The intimidation efforts included various forms of cyberstalking and harassment that were continuing when the perpetrators were arrested.In its agreement with the government, eBay will…

12 Jan

As Utility Bills Rise, Low-Income Americans Struggle for Access to Clean Energy

Howard L. PettersonNews

Cindy Camp is one of many Americans facing rising utility costs. Ms. Camp, who lives in Baltimore with three family members, said her gas and electric bills kept “going up and up” — reaching as high as $900 a month. Her family has tried to use less hot water by doing fewer loads of laundry, and she now eats more fast food to save on grocery bills.Ms. Camp would like to save money on energy bills by transitioning to more energy-efficient appliances like a heat pump and solar panels. But she simply cannot afford it.“It’s a struggle for me to…

10 Jan

Israel-Hamas War: 9 Israeli Soldiers Killed in Single Day, Underscoring War’s Cost

Howard L. PettersonNews

With a vast chasm between how Israelis see the war in Gaza and how much of the world does, Israel’s leaders have taken to adopting different rhetoric when addressing the two audiences about how its military campaign against Hamas will be conducted over the year ahead.Israeli officials have begun to tell the international news media that its forces are shifting to a less intense phase of operations, particularly in northern Gaza, amid international alarm at the scale of destruction and civilian casualties in the territory.But after those comments were published on Monday, Israeli leaders sought to reassure the Israeli public…