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646jili com Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of actress Shilpa Shetty, is currently in Britain after skipping two summons in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe linked to a pornography case. According to sources, Kundra has requested an exemption to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The businessman travelled to Britain with his family to care for his ailing father and to make arrangements for his return to India. Kundra is expected back in India by the first week of January. His counsel, Prashant Patil, confirmed that Kundra’s presence in Britain was due to a family medical emergency, and he intended to cooperate with the ED upon his return.. Despite receiving two summons from the ED, Kundra has not appeared before the investigative agencies for over two weeks. Last month, Kundra sought permission from the Killa Court (Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court) in Mumbai to retrieve his passport and travel to Britain due to his father's critical illness. With the court’s approval, he went to Britain. However, a few days ago, again his father’s condition worsened, prompting Kundra and his family to decide to go to the UK in order to manage his treatment and care. Kundra recently vehemently denied the allegations of his involvement in the production of pornography. In a statement, he clarified that his role was limited to providing technological services to his brother-in-law’s UK-based company, Kenrin, which hosted the Hotshots app. He described the content as bold, aimed at an adult audience, He further claimed that the case against him was driven by business rivalry, which escalated into a personal attack. During his time in police custody, he revealed, “One night, someone approached me and asked, ‘Why did you get into a fight with him?’ That’s when I realised who was behind this conspiracy against me.” Kundra also revealed that he had written to the CBI, providing the names of individuals he believed were behind the conspiracy to damage his reputation. However, he refrained from publicly naming these individuals.The TV program “Chinese Practice with Chinese Wisdom” Officially Airs: The Enduring Wisdom of Chinese Philosophy in Today's WorldFBI investigating a rise in cryptocurrency scams as popularity rises

India is preparing for possible trade talks with the United States, aiming for increased investments from U.S. companies and higher exports once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. While aiming to protect its manufacturers from potential U.S. tariff hikes on its exports, India is exploring ways to strengthen ties with Washington as Trump has threatened tariffs of 60% and other curbs on imports from China . Here are key commercial issues between the two countries: Trump policy on China India seeks to leverage Trump’s policy by capitalizing on U.S. trade tension with China, aiming to draw away from it investments and businesses diversifying supply chains. | To align with Trump’s “America First” policy, India is ready to offer more incentives such as tax cuts and land access in states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in industries such as semiconductors, electronics, aircraft parts, and renewables. India also seeks to integrate into U.S. global supply chains by supplying low-end and intermediate products, from chips and solar panels to machinery and pharmaceuticals. Energy and security To tackle U.S. concerns on trade imbalances, India is open to increasing imports of energy products, such as LNG, and defence equipment while retaining its independent foreign and trade policies. Discussions on co-producing General Electric’s, fighter jet engines by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics in India, have made little progress. But India hopes the two countries’ 2023 defence industrial co-operation roadmap will fast-track technology sharing and co-production initiatives. Broader trade-cum-investment pact The government and industry groups favour a broader trade and investment pact with the United States to help Indian manufacturers integrate into global supply chains while retaining policy flexibility to safeguard national interests. Boost to exports In return, India seeks to increase exports in pharmaceuticals, garments, footwear, engineering goods, chemicals, areas where it has a growing comparative advantage over China. Aiming for U.S. investments India is targeting greater U.S. investments, inspired by Apple Inc starting production of iPhones in the country. India hopes to lure more companies into manufacturing by offering incentives, streamlined regulatory approvals, and affordable land. The United States is already India’s third-largest investor, with $65 billion in direct investments from 2000 to 2023. Selective tariff concessions Advisers have suggested considering selective tariff cuts on items such as pork and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which have limited domestic demand. Broader concessions could be negotiated in exchange for gains such as more visas for Indian professionals and export-boosting investments. Two-way trade Two-way trade between India and the United States, India’s largest trading partner, surpassed $118 billion in 2023-24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion. Industry estimates suggest trade could grow by $50 billion within two to three years, highlighting the growth potential for stronger economic ties. —Manoj Kumar, ReutersRemembering poet Nikki Giovanni and her impact on Philadelphia

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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.Algorhythm Sending Singing Machine To Early Year Trade Shows

( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2024) - Vertiqal Studios Corp. (TSX: VRTS) (OTCQB: VERTF) (FSE: 9PY0) (the "Company" or "Vertiqal Studios") - Vertiqal Studios, North America's largest owner of gaming and lifestyle social media channels, is pleased to announce a collaboration with viral Nation Inc. ("Viral Nation"), a global leader in influencer marketing and technology solutions. The collaboration is set to amplify Vertiqal Studios' growth and further bolster its offerings through strategic acquisitions, revenue-sharing arrangements, and co-production initiatives. Vertiqal Studios Acquires High-Performing Instagram Channels Vertiqal Studios and Viral Nation have entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "APA") dated December 19, 2024 pursuant to which Vertiqal Studios has acquired four high-performing social channels from Viral Nation, adding 1,773,000 followers to Vertiqal's 52,000,000-person audience, 73% of which live in the United States. These channels complement Vertiqal Studios' already robust portfolio of 130+ social media channels across Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. This acquisition further cements Vertiqal Studios' status as one of the most dominant strategy, creative, and distribution entities in the digital media landscape, with the addition of these new channels being accretive to the overall value of Vertiqal's content distribution network. Under the APA, Vertiqal Studios acquired ownership of the Instagram channels and all ancillary assets and contracts in exchange for an aggregate consideration of US$150,000 payable as follows: (i) US$50,000 paid in cash on the closing of the acquisition; and (ii) US$100,00 paid through the issuance of 5,737,200 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $0.025 per common share at an exchange rate of US$1 ~ C$1.4343. All securities issued in connection with the APA are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period from the date of issuance and resale rules of applicable securities legislation. The APA remains subject to final approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange. Revenue-Sharing Model to Maximize Monetization The APA also establishes a co-selling arrangement featuring a revenue-sharing model, where Vertiqal Studios will receive 70% of the revenue generated, and Viral Nation will receive 30% for media driven by Viral Nation through Vertiqal Studios' owned and operated channel network. This innovative revenue-sharing strategy will enable both companies to streamline media sales operations while maximizing profitability and market reach. By combining their expertise and resources, this collaboration enhances value for both brands and advertisers. Leveraging Viral Nation's Cutting-Edge Technology Viral Nation has agreed to provide Vertiqal Studios a license to its comprehensive suite of technology solutions, aiding them in delivering enhanced media sales strategies and results for their clients. With access to these tools, Vertiqal Studios can implement smarter analytics, improved campaign optimization, and connect more effectively with audiences. This partnership strengthens Vertiqal Studios' position as a leader in creative and innovative marketing solutions. Co-Producing Original Content The two entities will also co-produce original content for distribution across their respective channels and platforms. By combining their creative expertise and leveraging their expansive networks of both channels and creators, Vertiqal Studios and Viral Nation aim to deliver impactful and engaging content that resonates deeply with Gen Z and Millennial audiences. This collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks for quality and innovation in digital storytelling, further broadening both companies' influence in the content creation space. A Key Milestone for Vertiqal Studios This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in Vertiqal Studios' growth trajectory. By acquiring these Instagram channels, integrating advanced technology, and collaborating on original content, Vertiqal Studios is positioning itself as an even more influential force in the social media landscape, with diversity across platforms. The collaboration with Viral Nation solidifies Vertiqal Studios' status as one of North America's largest owners of gaming and lifestyle social media channels. This strategic alliance underscores Vertiqal Studios' commitment to continuous growth and innovation, further expanding its influence in the ever-evolving digital media ecosystem. "This collaboration with Viral Nation is a major milestone in Vertiqal Studios' journey to redefine how brands engage with audiences in the digital age," said Max Desmarais, President of Vertiqal Studios. "I've always had immense admiration for Joe Gagliese and Mat Micheli at Viral Nation and the incredible company they've built. Their vision and leadership have set a benchmark in the influencer marketing and technology space, and this partnership is a testament to the shared values and innovative spirit that unite our two organizations. By acquiring these Instagram channels, integrating Viral Nation's technology, and collaborating on original content, we're positioned to set new standards for excellence in social media marketing." Joe Gagliese, Co-CEO of Viral Nation, added, "We're thrilled to partner with Vertiqal Studios to drive innovation and growth in the social media ecosystem. This collaboration brings together two leaders in the digital space to create opportunities for brands and creators alike." This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act "), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. About Vertiqal Studios Vertiqal Studios, owners of one of North America's largest gaming and lifestyle networks on social media, is a digital strategy, creative, and distribution holding company. The Company specializes in the creation and distribution of viral videos for brands and advertisers to create always-on digital strategies that live authentically in Gen Z and Millennial culture. Vertiqal Studios partners with leading brands to develop strategic solutions, creative ideation, and content production, while also providing distribution and amplification through its owned & operated channels - all delivered with boutique, white-glove service. Its expertise lies in managing over 130 channels across TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, while producing over 100+ pieces of content a day for a growing audience of 52 million-plus followers. By having such robust ownership of culture and communities on social, Vertiqal Studios provides innovative advertising solutions for brands such as RBC, Samsung, White Castle, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Chili's, and more. For more information and to join our email subscriber list for direct press releases and newsletters, visit . About Viral Nation Viral Nation is a global leader in social media innovation, uniting powerful marketing services, proprietary technology, and creator representation. Founded in 2014, Viral Nation evolved to fuel cultural resonance and predictable growth for brands through a social-first approach. The company's belief that creators and social communities are the new media of today and tomorrow steers world-class services, which include influencer marketing, community management, social content production, social strategy, and a talent representation agency. Viral Nation's creator intelligence technology, CreatorOS, and AI-powered brand safety solution, Secure, allow the company to maximize creator partnerships while safeguarding brand reputation. Viral Nation powers global growth for brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics, Audible, A24, The Coca-Cola Company, MGM Resorts International, Microsoft, Meta, Tencent, Vivid Seats, Zillow, and Walmart, redefining how brands engage and thrive in an ever-evolving digital world. For more information, please visit and follow Viral Nation on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , YouTube , and TikTok . For media inquiries, please contact: Jon Dwyer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer +1 (416) 627-8868; Email: ... ; Investor Relations Email: ... Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: Vertiqal Studios MENAFN19122024004218003983ID1109014417 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Bad actors are seeking cryptocurrency in almost every scheme tracked by the FBI. From fraudulent investments to tech support and romance scams, and most recently, a surge in employment scams. And as Bitcoin reaches record highs, Special Agent David Paniwozik with FBI Baltimore sees more people wanting to capitalize on cryptocurrency. “The fear of missing out. So, they want to get involved, try to make money, and it seems like a quick, easy way to do it,” said SA Paniwozik. But a major problem is this technology is still unfamiliar to investors, making them more susceptible to scams. “There is no cap on whether you want to move $1 to hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. You can just seamlessly move that from a wallet controlled in the United States to a wallet controlled overseas, in, you know, a matter of seconds,” SA Paniwozik warned. Scammers set up their own cryptocurrency exchanges, making you believe your investment has grown exponentially, or they say you must make cryptocurrency payments to “unlock work” that offers high payouts. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint issued an alert in June about this work-from-home scam. “It's this confusing compensation structure that the scammers try to tell them, and it looks like, hey, if I pay $10 to rate this product, I'll get $15 in return, so then once they do that round, the scammer says, okay, well, you need to deposit more money to get to the next round of work,” said SA Paniwozik. And when victims go to cash out, they’re told they can’t. SA Paniwozik has seen a huge spike in reports of employment scams involving cryptocurrency. Reported losses in Maryland went from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.8 million between January and October of this year. “So you're looking at about $15,000 to $20,000 per person on average that has fallen victim in Maryland alone to these scams,” said SA Paniwozik. Cryptocurrency is desired by scammers because transactions are instant and irrevocable, but that doesn’t mean they’re untraceable. “On the blockchain, we can look up those addresses, and then if we wanted to reverse trace it, we could find, let's say it's a certain exchange that paid into this wallet, we can then serve legal processes to say, hey, can you give us a list of all user accounts that paid into this address and possibly contact those victims live and say, hey, you're currently being the victim of one of these scams,” SA Paniwozik detailed. It’s a new proactive approach by the FBI as these scams become more prevalent and costly. According to the FBI’s 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report , cryptocurrency-related complaints only made up around 10 percent of total financial fraud complaints, however, the stolen value accounted for almost 50 percent of total losses. Click here to see the other 12 Scams of Christmas. This story was originally published by Mallory Sofastaii at Scripps News Baltimore .