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is reportedly planning a jaw-dropping, unconventional wedding redo with his wife, , to prove their love is unshakeable-and to turn heads in true fashion. Insiders revealed that the rapper is pulling out all the stops to quash ongoing rumors of walking away from their marriage. shared a source close to the couple. In classic Kanye style, the planned ceremony . Sources claim that Kanye envisions both himself and Bianca walking down the aisle , they'll be What will Kim think about all this? , under Kanye's guidance, seems to fit perfectly into this provocative plan, which insiders say will take place at Kanye's newly acquired . an insider dished. on the invite list-his ex-wife, . Kim, who's publicly taken issue with Kanye , has reportedly drawn a line in the sand. a source revealed. if Kanye continues down this path. Kanye and Bianca continue to steal the spotlight This isn't the first time have made headlines for their unconventional antics. Just weeks ago, grabbing McDonald's in Japan, sporting mismatched ensembles-Kanye , and Bianca in that raised eyebrows in the chilly November weather. Whether Kanye's will mend their marriage or fuel further controversy, one thing is certain: .
CBS has offered fans a tantalizing glimpse of what Young Sheldon Season 8 might have delivered had the beloved sitcom continued its journey. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Despite its immense popularity as television's top comedy, Young Sheldon concluded its run due to its ties to The Big Bang Theory and the need to honor established continuity. However, CBS’s latest updates shed light on what fans missed and how the story of the Coopers lives on through the spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, as mentioned in a report by Screenrant. Why Young Sheldon Ended Despite Its Success Young Sheldon concluded at the height of its success, delivering show-high ratings during its final season. While many hoped for a renewal, the show’s creators, led by Chuck Lorre, chose to align its ending with The Big Bang Theory canon. Two pivotal events tied to Sheldon’s backstory—George Cooper’s death and Sheldon’s move to California for postgraduate studies—took place in 1994, marking a natural conclusion for the series. 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Yet, the lingering curiosity about what could have been in Young Sheldon Season 8 has kept fans yearning for more. A New Chapter: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage The story of the Coopers continues in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage , a spinoff that follows Georgie and Mandy as they navigate life as a young couple and parents to Baby Cece. Picking up shortly after the Young Sheldon finale, the new series shifts focus to the McAllisters, an extended family introduced to add fresh dynamics to the narrative. While Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage centers on the titular couple, it often features cameos from Cooper family members, keeping the legacy of Young Sheldon alive. The pilot episode reunited fans with Mary and Meemaw, while subsequent episodes brought Missy back into the fold. These appearances not only delight fans but also offer a glimpse of how the Coopers are coping in the aftermath of George’s death. Thanksgiving Special Hints at Young Sheldon Season 8 One of the most special moments in the spinoff came during the Thanksgiving episode, where the Coopers reunited to navigate their grief. Mary, Meemaw, Missy, and Georgie shared the screen, bringing back the familial warmth and emotional depth that defined Young Sheldon . The holiday special teased what Young Sheldon Season 8 could have been—a blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling centered on the Coopers coping with loss while adjusting to life without Sheldon. Georgie’s new responsibilities as a husband and father, coupled with Mary’s struggle to move forward, offered a compelling look at their evolving dynamics. Will Young Sheldon Season 8 Ever Happen? While Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is gaining traction with strong ratings and frequent appearances by familiar characters, the possibility of a Young Sheldon Season 8 seems unlikely. The spinoff has taken over as the primary continuation of the Cooper family’s story, making a revival redundant. However, for fans of Young Sheldon , the legacy of the show lives on through its spinoff, which continues to explore the family’s journey with the same blend of humor and heart that made the original series a success. FAQs Will there be a season 8 of Young Sheldon? Despite its status as CBS's No. 1 comedy since 2017, Young Sheldon was not renewed for an eighth season, as the network confirmed in November 2023. Why did Young Sheldon end? Executive producer Steve Holland explained that concluding Young Sheldon with Season 7 was the most logical decision, as it aligned with the timeline previously established in The Big Bang Theory. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )VenHub Global, Inc. is an emerging AI and robotics technology company that has developed a 24/7 fully-autonomous retail Smart Store, headquartered in Pasadena, CA, and has amassed a robust pre-order backlog of 1,000+ stores with potential revenue of more than $300 million 1 VenHub’s innovative solution offers low building and operating costs and advanced security features, empowering store owners to deliver a seamless customer experience VenHub’s proprietary robotic arms technology and cutting-edge vision system ensures precise product delivery, while its AI-driven platform is expected to optimize store operations VenHub intends to build strategic partnerships, diversify product offerings, and advance its technology for future growth The proposed business combination with Target Global Acquisition I Corp. values VenHub at a pro forma enterprise value of $715 million 1 and is targeted to close in Q2 2025 PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN – VenHub, a disruptive AI and robotics company (“VenHub” or the “Company”), and Target Global Acquisition I Corp. (NASDAQ: TGAA) (“TGAA”), a NASDAQ-listed special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement, dated as of December 2, 2024 (the “Business Combination Agreement”). The proposed business combination (the “Proposed Business Combination”) is expected to be completed (the “Closing”) in the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. The combined company will operate as VenHub Global Holdings, Inc. following the Closing and is expected to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “VHUB”. As one of the leading providers of a 24/7 autonomous smart store, VenHub has introduced and developed a solution with the potential to transform how consumers interact with technology in retail environments. Powered by proprietary software and unique robotics arms technology, VenHub’s product offering can provide a seamless customer experience. Manufactured by a leader in the global robotics industry, the innovative robotic arms technology can differentiate VenHub from traditional retail solutions and well-positions the Company in the automated retail space. Additionally, VenHub’s cutting edge vision system adds precision and reliability to its product offering, and the efficiency and security of the Smart Stores are enabled by VenHub’s intellectual property portfolio. Founded in 2023, VenHub is addressing challenges facing traditional retail stores, including inefficient inventory management, limited hours, high labor costs, and security concerns. The Smart Stores are designed to utilize data-driven inventory management, a self-service delivery system, and advanced security protection, all of which reduce labor costs and collectively enhance sales and growth potential. Through these potential competitive advantages, VenHub has secured over 1,000 customer pre-orders across 48 states, with potential revenue of more than $300 million 1 in pre-order value. This pre-order book demonstrates market confidence in VenHub’s smart store technology. VenHub’s growth strategy focuses on geographic and store format expansion to meet the growing demand for autonomous retail solutions, as well as product diversification to enhance VenHub’s market presence and operational efficiency. The Company’s CapEx-light business model has the potential to create value for stakeholders, and its diversified business model with potential for recurring revenue can allow VenHub to achieve its expansion plan. Key Investment Highlights Disruptive AI & Robotics Technology – innovative product with potential to revolutionize consumer behavior. Sizeable Total Addressable Market – over $2 trillion 1 end-market across convenience stores, traditional retail, and gas stations, which is global in nature. Large Pre-order Book with Deliveries Beginning this Year – over $300M 2 in potential revenue from customer pre-orders with production beginning in Q4 2024 and targeted delivery of the first Smart Stores in Q1 2025. Attractive Financial Profile – unit level economics driven by immediate positive gross profit and EBITDA margins. Leadership Expertise – accomplished management team with strong automation, logistics, supply chain, robotics, and retail experience. Management Commentary Shahan Ohanessian, Chief Executive Officer of VenHub, commented : “This is day one for VenHub on a larger stage,” Shahan Ohanessian, CEO of VenHub, remarked. “We’re at the starting line of what I believe will be a remarkable journey, turning our vision into reality and expanding our reach on a global scale. We're not just joining the market; we're aiming to pioneer a new frontier in smart retail that enhances how businesses and consumers connect.” Mike Minnick, Chief Executive Officer of TGAA, added : “We are excited to partner with Shahan and the VenHub team. VenHub’s efficient, capital-light business model, combined with strong near-term projected positive cash flow generation, positions the Company for sustainable growth. This approach enables strategic expansion into multiple geographic markets while leveraging internally generated cash flow and maintaining disciplined resource allocation.” Proposed Business Combination Overview The Proposed Business Combination implies a pro forma enterprise value of $715 million, which assumes an estimated equity value of $650 million, $26 million in new cash to the balance sheet (assuming 100% redemptions by TGAA public shareholders), and $0.6 million in existing cash. The Proposed Business Combination is expected to provide net cash to VenHub of up to $14 million to support VenHub’s continued geographic expansion and product diversification. Cash proceeds raised will consist of TGAA’s approximately $20.4 million cash in trust, net of redemptions. The cash in the TGAA trust account is anticipated to support the Company’s growth capital needs, including VenHub’s production, marketing and sales efforts. It is intended that 100% of existing VenHub stockholders will roll over their equity and, assuming no redemptions and full rollover, own approximately 89% of the pro forma equity of the combined company in connection with the transaction. The Proposed Business Combination has been approved by the boards of directors of both VenHub and TGAA and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions. For a summary of the material terms of the Proposed Business Combination, as well as a supplemental investor presentation, please see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed today by TGAA with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Additional information about the Proposed Business Combination will be described in TGAA’s proxy statement relating to the Proposed Business Combination, which it will file with the SEC. Advisors Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, is serving as the exclusive financial advisor, capital markets advisor and placement agent to VenHub. Smith Eilers PLLC is serving as legal counsel to VenHub. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is serving as legal counsel to TGAA. Travers Thorp Alberga is serving as legal counsel to TGAA with respect to Cayman Islands law. About VenHub VenHub Global, Inc., f/k/a Autonomous Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is reshaping the retail industry with its groundbreaking autonomous and robotic-operated Smart Stores. Leveraging advanced AI and smart inventory management systems, VenHub offers a seamless shopping experience that operates 24/7. This approach not only increases revenue but also significantly reduces operational costs compared to traditional retail setups. VenHub’s modular design allows for quick installation and easy customization to meet a wide range of consumer needs. The company operates across three main retail formats: fixed Smart Stores for permanent locations, mobile Smart Stores for flexibility and broader accessibility, and innovative solutions that upgrade existing retail spaces and shopping centers into advanced Smart Shopping environments. With its forward-thinking strategy, VenHub is poised to transform the retail landscape, providing an efficient and accessible shopping experience that anticipates the future of commerce. About Target Global Acquisition I Corp. TGAA Acquisition I Corp. is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Island exempted company and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. TGAA’s units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “TGAAU,” “TGAA,” and “TGAAW” respectively. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. TGAA’s and VenHub’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, TGAA’s and VenHub’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Proposed Business Combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Proposed Business Combination and the timing of the completion of the Proposed Business Combination. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside TGAA’s and VenHub’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TGAA and VenHub following the announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the Proposed Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of TGAA or other conditions to closing in the Business Combination Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement or could otherwise cause the Proposed Business Combination to fail to close; (5) the amount of redemption requests made by TGAA’s shareholders; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the post-business combination company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC following the Proposed Business Combination; (7) the risk that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Proposed Business Combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the Proposed Business Combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that VenHub or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (12) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement relating to the Proposed Business Combination, including those under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” which will be set forth in a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by TGAA and the Company and in TGAA’s other filings with the SEC. Some of these risks and uncertainties may be amplified by future events and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. TGAA cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. TGAA cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. TGAA does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based . Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release relates to a proposed transaction between the Company and TGAA. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. TGAA and the Company intend to file a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement/prospectus of TGAA. The proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all TGAA shareholders. TGAA also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of TGAA are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by TGAA through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by TGAA may be obtained free of charge from TGAA’s website at https://tgacquisition1.com/ or by written request to TGAA at: Target Global Acquisition I Corp., PO Box 10176, Governor’s Square 23, Lime Tree Bay Avenue, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands. Participants in the Solicitation TGAA and the Company and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from TGAA’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about TGAA’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of TGAA’s securities is set forth in TGAA’s filings with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph. No Offer or Solicitation This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to purchase any security of TGAA, VenHub or any of their respective affiliates. No such offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom. The contents of this press release have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Investor Relations Contact IR@VenHub.com 888-585-4999 Wire Service Contact : IBN Los Angeles, California www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com 310.299.1717 Office Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com 1 Grand View Research, “GVR Report cover Convenience Stores Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Cigarettes & Tobacco, Foodservice, Packaged Beverages, Center Store, Low Alcoholic Beverages), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2028”, May 2022 2 Based on management estimates. As of September 30, 2024.
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Juan Soto could decide on his next team before or during baseball's winter meetingsConsumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Dec, 2024) A prototype of the CR450 EMU (electric multiple units) high-speed train, 's most recently designed high-speed bullet train model, debuted in on . When operational, it is expected to reach a speed of 400 kilometers per hour, making it the fastest high-speed train in the , according to the country's railway operator. The train will further shorten time and improve connectivity, making travel more convenient and efficient for the country's vast passengers, State Railway Group Co ( Railway) told the Global Times on . The CR450 prototype reached a test speed of 450 kilometers per hour, with key performance indicators operational speed, energy consumption, interior noise, and braking distance — setting a new international benchmark, the said. The CR450 will be significantly faster than the currently operating CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains, which operate at a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour. CR450 high-speed train will lower operational resistance by 22 percent and reduce by 10 percent compared to CR400 bullet train, the told the Global Times. The breakthroughs of the CR450 project will help boost 's railway technological innovation and , further strengthening the country's global leadership in high-speed rail , according to Railway. China has built the 's longest and most advanced high-speed rail network and is ready to enhance passenger travel with faster, more comfortable, and efficient rail services. As of , 's high-speed rail network exceeds 46,000 kilometers, accounting for over 70 percent of the global high-speed railway length.VENHUB GLOBAL, INC., A PROVIDER OF FULLY AUTONOMOUS AND ROBOTIC RETAIL SOLUTIONS, TO LIST ON NASDAQ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Coach Brian Callahan is sticking with Mason Rudolph at quarterback for a second straight game to see if the Tennessee Titans can build on the veteran who's played in four of their highest scoring games this season. Callahan said Tuesday that he thinks Rudolph earned another chance to play despite a 38-30 loss to Indianapolis. “Obviously the one interception was probably his only really poor moment," Callahan said. "The rest of it was pretty well executed on his part and operated in a drop-back passing game and had to fight his way back through it. And it was good to see, so we’ll let him take another crack at it.” Rudolph is 2-4 in the six games he's played in this season. That includes coming in for an injured Will Levis on Sept. 30 in a 31-12 win at Miami , and he tried to rally the Titans in a turnover-plagued 37-27 loss to Cincinnati before being selected as the starter last week. Rudolph, who is in Tennessee on a one-year deal, was 23 of 34 for 252 yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. One went off running back Tony Pollard's hands with the final pick coming on the last play of the game after Rudolph led a rally from a 38-7 deficit in the final 18 minutes. Rudolph's ability to avoid sacks is a key piece of sticking with him over Levis, the 33rd pick overall in the 2023 draft. The quarterbacks' stats are similar with Rudolph having eight TD passes and eight interceptions, completing 63.8% of his passes with a 78.8 passer rating. That’s similar to Levis completing 63.7% of his passes with 12 TD passes and 12 interceptions. But Levis has been sacked 40 times compared to just seven for Rudolph. “He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks," Callahan said of Rudolph. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.” That means Rudolph gets a chance Sunday when the Titans (3-12) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) to see if he can guide the offense to more than the six points Levis managed against their AFC South rival in a 10-6 loss on Dec. 8 in Nashville. Rudolph said he knows he put the Titans defense in a bad spot with some turnovers. "I’m ready to prove that I can take care of the ball better and keep scoring points,” Rudolph said. Holiday adjustment The Titans held a walk-through Tuesday with Callahan giving the team Wednesday off for Christmas. An injury report won't be released until Wednesday, and Callahan said it'll likely be lengthy. RG Dillon Radunz, who was knocked out of last week's game with an injury, will be on that report. Lineman Jaelyn Duncan, who hurt a hamstring badly enough early in his first start at right tackle Oct. 20 that he wound up on injured reserve , will be available. Callahan said he is excited to see Duncan play. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Teresa M. Walker, The Associated PressCODEO EXPANDS POST-ELECTION OBSERVATION NATIONWIDE
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Franklin Resources Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( NYSE:BUD – Free Report ) by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,863 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock after selling 672 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $1,103,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 37.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 57,870 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $3,836,000 after acquiring an additional 15,837 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 6.0% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,307,014 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock worth $683,252,000 after purchasing an additional 587,329 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the third quarter valued at about $1,865,000. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 61.9% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 61,061 shares of the consumer goods maker’s stock valued at $4,048,000 after buying an additional 23,348 shares during the period. Finally, Brophy Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the third quarter worth about $946,000. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BUD. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $68.50 to $73.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, September 30th. Citigroup raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Barclays upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, TD Cowen downgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $88.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $79.00. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Price Performance Shares of NYSE BUD opened at $50.37 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $55.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.80. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 1-year low of $49.66 and a 1-year high of $67.49. The firm has a market cap of $90.52 billion, a PE ratio of 15.55, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( Free Report ) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, exports, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV What is the Hang Seng index? Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December Stock Dividend Cuts Happen Are You Ready? Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 What Does a Stock Split Mean? These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Receive News & Ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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HONG KONG: The United States Justice Department’s criminal charges against Gautam Adani pose the biggest threat yet to the Asian tycoon’s US$169 billion empire. More importantly, though, it’s also a missed opportunity for India’s opposition, an unexpected gift to president-elect Donald Trump, and an all-around embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 54-page indictment alleges that Adani Green Energy’s mega 2020 order from Solar Energy Corporation of India had a problem - there were no takers for the expensive power, which jeopardised the lucrative contract. That, the DOJ says, gave rise to a corrupt scheme “to pay over US$250 million in bribes to Indian government officials, to lie to investors and banks to raise billions of dollars, and to obstruct justice”. The case is against group chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar, who is executive director of the green energy business, and six other individuals. The conglomerate denied the allegations as baseless and said it’s fully compliant with all laws. “All possible legal recourse will be sought,” the group said in a statement. TOO LATE TO SWAY MAHARASHTRA ELECTION The news about the court filing came hours after the end of assembly elections in the western state of Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital Mumbai. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi had made crony capitalism - especially Adani’s proximity to Modi - the central piece of his campaign, particularly in the Maharashtra poll. Which is what makes the timing of these charges unfortunate for him. Adani, who owns the two Mumbai airports and supplies electricity to the city, will soon start redeveloping its biggest shantytown. Gandhi and his allies have alleged that the terms of the controversial US$3 billion project were sweetened for Adani by the state government, which is controlled by Modi’s party. Neither Adani nor Modi has responded to the allegations. A change in the local administration might lead to a fresh tender. The outcome of the Maharashtra vote is already sealed. Votes will be counted Saturday (Nov 23), though exit polls suggest that Gandhi’s challenge to dislodge the government probably failed in a close contest. For Trump, though, the indictment couldn’t have come at a better time. His incoming administration will bargain with India for greater market access, especially for US tech firms, from a position of strength. GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST ASIA'S SECOND-RICHEST MAN The Adani Group is yet to comment on the charges, although an early settlement would allow the sprawling conglomerate to continue to access its most-important raw material: Debt financing. Adani’s stocks and bonds are already tumbling. For bankers to take an Adani loan file to the risk committee, the overhang of criminal charges against Gautam and Sagar, who’s part of an elaborate succession plan, must first go away. This is also what Modi will want. The indictment is the biggest blowback against him yet from the ever-expanding corporate-governance saga that has engulfed the infrastructure behemoth. Adani is the prime minister’s longtime friend, and neither Modi’s government nor the ruling party shied away when New York-based Hindenburg Research accused Asia’s second-richest man of “pulling the largest con in corporate history” in January last year. That turned out to be a manageable crisis. The group strenuously denied the short seller’s allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud, and the storm appeared to blow over. The conglomerate’s market value doubled from the low it hit in February 2023 , following a US$150 billion-plus selloff. By comparison, the DOJ’s charges are grave. The indictment alleges that Indian state governments weren’t too keen to buy 12 gigawatts - eight from Adani and four from US-listed Azure Power - of what they perceived to be expensive power. According to the court filing, Gautam and Sagar Adani and Ranjit Gupta, the then chief executive of Azure, among others, “devised a scheme to offer, authorise, make and promise to make bribe payments” to government officials in India so they would be persuaded to purchase the electricity. The two groups worked out their respective shares of the bribes, the DOJ noted. Adani and its officers allegedly “relied on the US financial system to perpetuate this fraudulent scheme”. They did this by seeking and securing investors and potential investors physically located in the US and causing wires to be sent and received that passed through New York, the indictment said. POTENTIAL FOR A FULL-BLOWN DOMESTIC SCANDAL The echoes of the case will reverberate through India. So far it’s mostly Gandhi pounding the tables. For regional opposition leaders, Adani’s link with Modi hasn’t exactly been a hot-button issue. That was also the case when in a fresh report in August, Hindenburg alleged that Madhabi Puri Buch, head of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), had a potential conflict of interest, raising doubts about the objectivity of SEBI’s ongoing probe into Adani. Buch and the regulator denied the accusations, and the SEBI chief skipped a scheduled appearance before a lawmakers’ committee in October. But the fresh US charges change everything. The indictment alleges that Adani has concealed the “bribery scheme” from investors and financial investors since at least March last year, when Federal Bureau of Investigation agents served Sagar with a search warrant in the US. While concepts like conflicts of interest - or alleged breaches of securities law - require a modicum of financial training, bribery is something every politician understands. Almost US$228 million, the DOJ says, was offered to just one person, identified in the court filing as Foreign Official #1 from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. There’s plenty here for a full-blown domestic scandal. If this affair drags out, Modi’s own Bharatiya Janata Party may wonder how long it should support a prime minister who at 74 is unlikely to lead it to the 2029 election. In other words, Gandhi’s intuition to stick to the alleged Modi-Adani nexus as a talking point in election campaigns may have been vindicated. In a press conference Thursday, the Congress Party leader called for Buch’s removal and Adani’s arrest. While the DOJ indictment came too late to sway the vote in Maharashtra, it may yet cast a long shadow - both on India’s national politics, and relations with Washington next year.